Gilbert Sun News 07/02/2023

Bottled Blonde uncorks furor in Gilbert

BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

The announcement by a nightclub conglomerate that it is coming to the Heritage District has uncorked a wave of protests on social media from Gilbert residents.

Gilbert o cials reacted quickly to the opposition from residents that spread like wildre over Evening Entertainment Group’s plans to open a Bottled Blonde Pizzeria + Beer Garden on the site of the old Bergie’s Co ee Shop at 309 N. Gilbert Road.

Its planned two-story restaurant-bar and rooftop patio would replace a building that dates back to 1919 but it wasn’t so much history that spurred the negative reaction as it was concerns about scantily clad women and drunk patrons invading the district.

e town posted a notice on its website that warned its hands are pretty much tied when it comes to blocking Bottled Blonde.

“ e proposed use by the property owner would be allowed through the current Heritage Village Center zoning under Gilbert’s Land Development Code,” the town stated.

“Just as we’ve done with other new businesses in the Heritage District, the Gilbert Police Department will work to ensure that safety is a top priority,” the town said, adding police “will provide input to help enhance the safety and security of any new or existing business in the Heritage District.”

at announcement failed to quell support for an online petition started June 22 by a woman identi ed only as Ashley B.

e petition ripped Evening Entertainment Group owners Les and Diane Corieri’s plan to replace the one-story co ee shop just north of Topo and Joe’s Real BBQ.

e change.org petition to Town Council drew over 3,300 signatures in a matter of days with a goal of 5,000. It stated, in part:

Killer gets life – kind of – for Gilbert icon’s slaying

GSN NEWS STAFF

For 22 years Conrad Bernal had lived in the same White Fence Farms neighborhood in Gilbert as his brother Frank Bernal.

Conrad said Frank, who was 15 years older, was his hero growing up and had attended all his high school games and served as best man at his wedding. He would often

see Frank take his daily walk down Warner Road to Sonora Town and down the canal.

“I miss that and I’m never going to get that back because my brother’s gone for no real good reason other than somebody had a bad night,” Conrad said. “I love the White Fence neighborhood but that neighborhood will never be the same without Frank.”

Conrad spoke at the June 23 sentencing of Jacob Samia, who was found guilty by a

jury in May of rst-degree murder in the fatal beating and strangulation of Frank, a 73-year-old decorated Vietnam War veteran, in his own home over two years ago.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Barbara LaBianca handed Samia, 35, a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 25 years. She also sentenced Samia to 21 years

This photo from Bottled Blonde Fort Worth’s Instagram page reflects the party atmosphere that has alarmed critics of the concept’s plans for the Heritage District. (Instagram) see BLONDE page 4

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“We believe that this bar will have a detrimental impact on our community, and we respectfully request that you reconsider its introduction. We believe that the negative consequences outweigh any potential bene ts, and we implore you to take our concerns into serious consideration.”

e couple through a spokeswoman declined comment on the burgeoning controversy.

Numerous people chimed into the change.org petition with statements of their own.

Many bemoaned the loss of what one poster called “a beautiful quaint little place like Bergie’s” while another begged “please do not destroy this historic building.”

Far more opponents on change.org referenced Scottsdale, with one declaring, “Based on the crowds in Scottsdale this venue would be disruptive and sexually suggestive.”

Evening Entertainment Group also owns the Sandbar restaurant in San Tan Village, which has generated a number of complaints about noise and safety from neighbors.

Two non-fatal shootings occurred there last year and a Gilbert Police spokeswoman last fall told the Gilbert Sun News the department reviewed recent calls for service at the business and planned to meet with the Sandbar management team to “discuss community concerns related to safety and identify solutions that will promote a safe and welcoming environment.”

Plans for Bottled Blonde Gilbert have been in the works since at least the beginning of the year, judging by data from Valley real estate tracker vizzda.com.

To

To

The

It reported that the 74-square-foot Bergie’s and .2 acres were purchased for $3.1 million on Jan. 3 by Utah-based Wags Capital and subsidiary WAGSCAP LLC. WAGSCAP is partnering with Evening Entertainment Group in Bottle Blonde Gilbert and grew out of a food-and-beverage business.

e Gilbert transaction came about a month and a half before Evening Entertainment Group announced plans to invest $50 million in construction of a Bottled Blonde on the Las Vegas Strip in the

Grand Bazaar Shops, an open-air retail hub outside the former Bally’s Casino.

at three-story Vegas venue, slated to open in late 2024, included a website statement that said: “When the lights start pulsing and your favorite song comes on … the dance oor becomes the hottest destination because according to Vodka, You can dance!”

e Corieris opened their rst Bottled Blonde in 2014 in half of an Old Town Scottsdale disco and have since opened venues in Nashville, Tennessee; Miami, Florida and three major Texas cities.

ey also owned one in Chicago they shut down in 2020. at city revoked Bottled Blonde Chicago’s license in 2017, triggering a lengthy legal battle that included a countersuit by the Corieiris.

After the establishment closed, a Chicago restaurant blog called Chicago.eater.com described the “ ve years of tur-

moil” Bottled Blonde had created for the Chicago neighborhood of River North, a popular arts and music district.

“Neighbors waged a battle against the ‘contemporary Italian restaurant’ even before it opened in 2015,” eater.chicago wrote. “While licensed as a restaurant, neighbors complained it was operated like a nightclub.

“ ere were noise complaints to police and frustration about tra c congestion as patrons lined up near Wells and Illinois streets. Videos showed patrons exiting the venue late at night and vomiting on sidewalks,” it said, adding:

“Bottled Blonde brought a college spring break mentality to Chicago… Bottled Blonde management has maintained it wasn’t treated fairly by the city. ey’ve tried to work with neighbors by

Patrons in this picture posted by Bottle Blonde Forth Worth are carrying this bikini-clad woman on a pedestal with a description posted by management states, “This is how your Friday Night should look like.” An almost identical photo is displayed on Bottled Blonde Scottsdale’s Facebook page from that establishment. (Instagram)

hiring additional security. But ultimately, it was the business climate that led to the closure.”

e Chicago Business A airs and Consumer Protection Department provided a statement to eater.com that said Bottle Blonde “has a history of egregious license violations, including over-occupancy, noise violations, public urination, vomiting, and other problematic conditions that have had a serious impact on neighbors and the surrounding community.

“ e City is pleased that yesterday’s action will end three years of legal proceedings with the permanent closure of this problem business.”

Such descriptions di er sharply from what the Corieris have promised to bring to the Heritage District and what a Miami blog said about their Bottled Blonde in the Florida city.

Bottled Blonde was described by a Miami newspaper as a concept that “embodies the couple’s version of a ‘high-energy’ establishment that o ers up a sports bar, Italian-themed lunch and dinner menus and a late-night venue under one roof.”

In their announcement, the Corieris said Bottled Blonde Gilbert would feature a full-service family restaurant, bar and beer garden.

“Bottled Blonde will also be a hub for sports and entertainment thanks to the expansive space decked out with over-

sized TVs, and state-of-the-art light and sound installations,” their announcement said.

Heading up design is the Dalke Design Group, which the release said has “worked to ensure an ideal t within the Heritage District while collaborating

with renowned acoustic engineers to ensure the good times stay within the four walls.”

“We’re honored to bring Bottled Blonde to the East Valley, and have been looking for just the right space in downtown Gilbert for several years now,” Les Corieri said in the announcement.

establishments,” the petition alleged. “ e peaceful and safe environment that we have all come to cherish in Gilbert will be compromised, and the well-being of our community members, particularly children and the elderly, will be put at risk,” it also said.

A few days after the town’s initial reaction, Mayor Brigette Peterson posted her own.

“We love what Joe Johnston has pioneered out here, and are looking forward to joining other incredible operators like Upward Projects and Fox Restaurant Concepts to continue leveling up the East Valley experience.”

“I can’t wait to invite everyone over for some pizza and pints, kicking back at the communal tables watching the big game and soaking in the good vibes.”

e change.org petition supporters weren’t so enamored by the prospect of “good vibes” and told Town Council that Bottled Blonde will generate anything but.

“Families and individuals alike will be a ected by the increased noise, disruption of peace, and potential rise in unlawful activities associated with such

She stated that while no applications for the project have yet been submitted to the town, an architect and unspecied others related to Evening Entertainment Group met with Gilbert planners, police and economic development sta .

But Peterson warned residents that the “has no jurisdiction over private land sales.”

Echoing the town’s own advisory, Peterson said that Bottled Blond Gilbert would be allowed “through the current Heritage Village Center zoning under Gilbert’s Land Development Code.”

Peterson also said “any proposal for

This photo posted by Bottled Blonde Miaimi on April 25 included the comment from management: “your #1 destination to watch all sporting events! who’s coming tomorrow to watch the US Open Cup?!” (Instagram)

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“Well,” said the new hearing aid user as she drew a deep breath.” my hearing loss cost me three friendships that I know of, a strained relationship with my husband, two grandchildren who think I don’t understand them, boredom at church, and lost interest in attending get-togethers.”

After a reflective pause, she added: “Sure I invested some money to get these hearing aids... but it doesn’t compare with what it cost before I got them.”

Gilbert teen to be tried as adult for murder

GSN NEWS STAFF

Gilbert Police last week released the name of the juvenile who is accused of fatally shooting a recent Mesquite High School graduate at a backyard party on June 18.

Police said Zachariah Brandon Ezell, 17, was booked as a juvenile June 19 and that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Ofce a day later charged him as an adult in the death of Jacob Levi Carlson, 18.

Ezell faces charges of rst-degree premeditated murder, rst-degree burglary, minor carrying a rearm, endangerment and disorderly conduct.

e victim su ered gunshot injuries to his chest and upper torso, according to police, who responded to the 911 call at 12:06 a.m. Father’s Day in the 100 block of West Moore Avenue.

He was transported to a hospital where he died of his injuries. Police said Carlson was shot after an altercation in the backyard of a small house party.

e suspect’s father, Brandon Ezell, set up a GoFundMe site for his son that raised $220 toward the $6,000 goal by mid-week.

“To all friends, family and supporters my son has been charged with a very serious crime from defending himself,” Bran-

don Ezell wrote.

“We all know in the eye of the law justice is hard to nd when it comes to minorities. I am asking for help to assure he gets a fair ght in court because to be honest his life depends on it,” he stated.

than any of the other bars and nightclubs in that district.

a new building or expansion more than 5,000 square feet in the Heritage District is required to go through the public review process within the Redevelopment Commission’s design review.”

But Peterson also warned that the design review process does not require Town Council involvement unless the Redevelopment Commission’s decision is appealed.

“And even then the Town Council would only have the latitude to discuss/ vote on design review items – not the use/user,” Peterson wrote.

Scottsdale Police could not immediately say whether Bottled Blonde in Old Town has presented any more problems

e concept’s Instagram pages for Scottsdale venue and those in Miami and Texas feature numerous photos of scantily clad young women, some of carried by men either on their shoulders or on pedestals.

While a few pictures focus on menu items, most re ect a party atmosphere at the establishments with virtually no families gathered around a table watching a game and eating pizza.

Perhaps the thought of that atmosphere was what prompted one resident on change.org to write:

“Our family- rst community, does not need scantily clad employees for passerby to see.”

The father of the alleged gunman in a fatal Gilbert shooting posted his son’s picture with a plea for money on gofundme.com. (gofundme.com)

Horne threatens GPS, CUSD over language programs

BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has put Gilbert Public Schools, Chandler Uni ed and 24 other school districts across the state in his crosshairs, accusing them of violating state law by operating 50-50 dual language programs for some students.

Horne threatened to withhold their English Language Learner funding and noted parents or others can sue to remove school board members or administrators from their positions if a district does not stop teaching children 50% of the time in their native language before they achieve pro ciency in English.

e 26 districts teach a total 1,029 students who receive instruction a half day in their native language, usually Spanish, and the other half in English.

GPS has 19 students in a 50-50 program and CUSD has 43 students in such

a program, according to Horne.

e total amount of funding represented by all 1,029 was not provided by the Department of Education.

Most of the districts targeted by Horne have fewer than 100 kids in so-called 50-50 programs. Only three Phoenix districts – Creighton, Osborn and Cartwright – have 106 to 117 students in such programs. Of the 26 districts identi ed by Horne, all but four are in Maricopa County.

Horne accused the districts of violating the voter-approved Proposition 203, which was passed in 2000 and made Arizona the only state in the Union with a law requiring all students to be taught in English only.

Horne noted that his warning applies only to students who have not yet attained pro ciency in English” and that once they do, “we encourage dual language…programs that will cause them to be pro cient in more than one language.”

grade at Gilbert Elementary, a neighborhood school that also o ers conventional classrooms as an option.

“We are currently reviewing the information we have received,” Antestenis said. “In the coming weeks, we will be in direct communication with any students and families that may be a ected to ensure they are well-supported and informed.

Chandler Uni ed Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Stephanie Ingersoll released this statement:

“Currently, Chandler Uni ed is reviewing the state’s new direction and our practices. As with all matters, Chandler Uni ed will always follow state and federal laws.”

Asked for reaction, GPS Communications Director Dawn Antestenis said the district’s dual language program is o ered in kindergarten through sixth

Chandler Rep. Jennifer Pawlik last week joined Stand for Children Arizona and a group of education advocates and representatives of the Arizona Dual

see LANGUAGE page 10

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne warned Chandler Unified and 25 other school districts about dire consequences for continuing dual language programs for children who have not gained proficiency in English. (File photo)

LANGUAGE from page 9

Language Immersion Network at the state Board of Education regular meeting to share their concerns, urging it to reinstate the 50-50 or dual language model as an approved structured English immersion program for English Learners.

“We call on the Arizona State Board of Education to reinstate the dual language model for English Learners and con rm for school districts that they can move forward without fear of reprisals from the Department of Education. … It is essential that decisions of this magnitude are made collectively and thoughtfully – not unilaterally by a corrupt politician like Tom Horne,” stated Rebecca Gau, executive director of Stand for Children Arizona.

Gau contended, “ e state board approved the 50-50 or dual language model speci cally for English Learners to learn English. It makes absolutely no sense to then say students cannot use that model unless they use a cumbersome waiver process that few English Learner children will qualify for.”

Teachers are unlikely to be impacted by any changes Horne demands because the curriculum itself is not in question. It’s only a concern for the dozens of students who have not yet achieved pro ciency in English. Legislative Council attorney Hannah Nies replied that if the 50-50 programming “allows students to be taught subject matter in a language other than English as part of structured English immersion, the model likely violates Proposition 203.”

e proposition allowed for “sheltered English immersion” learning “during a temporary transition period not normally intended to exceed one year.”

Horne called 50-50 dual language classes, “an obvious violation of this initiative.”

o ce or administrator responsible for the violation and that person can be personally liable for damages and fees and cannot be indemni ed by any third party. Any o cial found liable shall be immediately removed from o ce and cannot hold a position for ve years.”

“When I started my rst term as state Superintendent of Schools in 2003, the initiative was unenforced, and bilingual education was a method of teaching in Arizona schools,” Horne said. “As a result, a pathetic 4% of students became pro cient in English in one year.

“At that rate, almost no one would ever become pro cient, and they would fail in the economy.”

He said his structured English immersion propelled pro ciency rates to 29% and that “at that rate within three or four years, almost everyone would become pro cient in English.

“Professors who are ideologically motivated and are quoted as favoring bilingual education are simply oblivious to the real-world data,” Horne stated.

“When we taught these classes, a number of teachers arrived hostile, because of ideology. But by the end, our structured English immersion teachers were getting standing ovations and very high evaluations.”

He also cited an article that appeared in Education Next, a periodical sponsored by Harvard and Stanford universities, that said “Hispanic ESL students, when compared with their counterparts in bilingual education programs, obtained three-quarters of a year more education, were 50% more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees, earned signi cantly more in the labor market, and entered high-skill professions at almost twice the rate.”

Horne said regardless, “voter passed and voter protected initiatives are binding. Any district or school that continues placing English Language learners into dual language classes, without the requisite parental waivers, should “

“A reduction in structured English immersion from four hours to two is okay, but the rest of the day must be spent in regular classrooms with the English-speaking students,” he said.

He noted that any parent “can sue any school board member or other elected

“Knowing multiple languages is bene cial, and develops the brain in ways that help learn other subjects. But the rst priority is to become pro cient in English. e data shows that structured English immersion is the best way to achieve this, and the law requires it.”

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for second-degree burglary, 21 years for kidnapping and three years for third-degree burglary to be served concurrently.

Samia, who has been in jail since his October 2020 arrest, was credited 972 days for time served. e state and the extended Bernal Family wanted a natural life sentence with no possibility of release.

During his two-day testimony in April, Samia said he was with a group of friends bar-hopping on Mill Avenue in Tempe and then going to a house party in Gilbert.

Samia told the court he was a regular heavy drinker and would start hitting the bottle after he got o work.

“It was drinking to get drunk,” he said.

Samia said he could not recall how many bars the group went to but that it was “fewer than 10 but more than four.”

He said they were ready to call it a night when one of his friends mentioned that there was a house party and invited everyone to go.

During the house party, someone suggested taking a 15-minute walk to Cogburn’s, a bar in Gilbert.

“I was incredibly drunk,” Samia said in court. “I was having fun. I was socializing with people I normally don’t socialize with. I hadn’t been out in like three to four months because of COVID.”

When the group got to Cogburn’s, they couldn’t order any alcohol because it was closing time.

“I was de nitely frustrated,” Samia said. “I was not ready for the night to be over.”

He said he was frustrated by the abrupt end of the evening, not being able to get into the side entrance of Cogburn’s and because he felt spurned by a woman at the house party. He said he also was exhausted as he had been out since 4 or 5 p.m. drinking.

He said he needed to relieve his emotional stress and also needed cigarettes.

Security footage showed Samia whaling at the glass entry door of Kure CBD and Vape before smashing a hole in the door, cutting his right st.

“I was immediately no longer angry, no longer frustrated,” he testi ed. “I was embarrassed. I was ashamed that I let my negative emotions come out that way.”

He decided to return to the house party and crash there.

Samia said he thought he knew the way back to the house and headed east toward 131st street and ended up in-

stead at Frank’s home, about a half mile away from the smoke shop. It was after 1:30 a.m.

During the trial, the prosecution pointed out the party was at a two-story stucco home in a cul-de-sac, north of Cogburn’s. Frank’s house was singlestory, wood and brick with a huge yard.

“I see a car and I think I recognize the car from the house party,” he said. “I got into the car to try and grab a car remote to open the garage door.”

Failing to nd the clicker, Samia banged on the home’s back door but there was no response.

“So I kicked door trying to get the attention of whoever is in there,” Samia said. “I’m just shouting trying to get someone’s attention in there.”

Samia said the house was pitch black so he called out, “Hey guys, anyone here? Anybody back yet?”

“While I’m doing that, this gure comes rushing out of the darkness at me and starts hitting me,” Samia said. “He starts hitting me, wrestling me, pushing me and so I respond in kind.”

Frank Bernal, seen here holding his grand nephew and godson, was brutally killed in his Gilbert home in October 2020.

Former Chadler resident Jacob Samia pictured at the time of his arrest in the 2020 slaying of 74-year-old Gilbert resident Frank Bernal, was sentences to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years. (File photo)

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KILLER from page 12

ere were no words exchanged between the two, according to Samia.

He said as the two continued to struggle, he realized he was holding onto Frank’s neck.

“I’m applying force to his neck and eventually the weight slacks o enough that I’m able to push the weight o me and get o from underneath him,”

Samia recounted.

He said he didn’t know how computer cords got wrapped around Frank’s right arm, upper torso and neck.

Samia denied in court that he held Frank down while hitting him, although the prosecution said the blood splatter proved otherwise.

Samia said his rst indication that he was at the wrong house was “when someone came barreling at me out of the dark.”

Andy Bernal, however, countered Samia’s assertion. He said it was impossible that his brother could have done that due to his leg injury in Vietnam from being shot with an AK-47.

He said Frank came home with partial use of his left leg and walked with a gait

“Despite the fact he su ered injury in Vietnam he managed to live a long and productive life,” Andy said.

He said Frank could play golf and get on his tractor and mow the yard but anything involving cardio, he didn’t have the energy especially being almost 74.

At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Samia, who played defensive varsity football at Chandler High School, estimated he weighed 250 pounds at the time. Frank at death was 6 feet tall and weighed 237 pounds.

e defense attorney said that despite Frank’s age and some frailties, in a frightening situation he would have likely done things he otherwise would not normally.

Samia said he ran after freeing himself and estimated he was in Frank’s house less than ve minutes. e prosecutor noted that Samia’s blood also was found in a back room and in a medicine cabinet.

Samia said he injured himself while running from Frank’s house. He stum-

came from a farming family with deep roots in Gilbert.

He said that Frank was killed in a “vicious, brutal manner” and felt pain as he laid on the oor, as he was being carried out on a stretcher and when a tube was forced down his throat.

“He felt everything,” said Eliason, who disputed the defense’s list of mitigating factors, including a lack of criminal intent, lack of a criminal history and remorse.

“We have yet to see remorse,” Eliason said.

Defense attorney Adam Feldman said the sentencing should not based on the evaluation of the life that was lost.

Defense attorney Armando Nava noted that Samia has taken anger management classes in custody.

“All we are asking for is a possibility of redemption,” he said. “What is justice without mercy?”

ose who knew Samia said his actions that night were totally out of character.

Kristine Smith called her former sonin-law “kind, caring and gentle.”

“Jake, despite the challenges of Oct. 11, has helped other inmates adapt to life in jail,” she said. “He did apologize to Mr. Bernal’s family in court. is is the Jake we all know and love.”

“To me he’ll always be Jacob, my boy who I love and will always love,” said mother Natasha Gri th. “He’s a sweet, introverted person. He’s not a harden criminal.”

Kiana Samia told the court, “Don’t think he is not remorseful of what happened.”

And the defendant himself said: “I am terribly sorry for my actions that night. Because of me the community lost a beloved brother, cousin, uncle, friend and a pillar of the community.”

Gri th declined to comment on the judge’s sentence but Andy had plenty to say.

bled into a concrete irrigation ditch, cutting his knee to where it bled through his jeans and soaked his sock, he said.

Samia admitted he lied to police more than once when asked how he got his injuries. He said he couldn’t remember anything after the party.

Police found Frank clinging to life

after following a blood trail from the smoke shop to his house. A friend from Samia’s group called police at 2:28 a.m. to report the break-in.

At sentencing, prosecutor Jon Eliason noted the impact of Frank’s death on his large family, who packed the courtroom. Frank was one of 10 children and

“ e issue that I have with the sentencing is he may get out when he is 60,” he said. “My brother was almost 74 when he died.

“So this guy should not get out of jail until at least the same age as my brother. But that’s out of our hands and that is what we have to live with.”

A headstone notes Frank Bernal’s service to his country during the Vietnam War in which he sustained a serious combat injury. (Special to GSN)

The late Frank Bernal was a high school football star. (Special to GSN)

Murder victim Frank Bernal was an avid golfer despite a combat wound that seriously injured his leg. (Special to GSN)

Birth control to become easier for

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Women in Arizona are soon going to nd it a lot easier to get birth control.

Sometime this month, – and for the rst time since birth control pills were authorized in 1960 – pharmacists will be allowed to dispense them without a prescription.

Ditto the more recent hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring and hormonal contraceptive patches.

Women will still need to answer some questions from the pharmacist to determine if the hormones will be safe and appropriate for them.

But gone will be the need to rst go to a doctor for an initial prescription or annual renewals. Replacing that will be a “standing order’’ from a doctor at the Department of Health Services permitting pharmacists to dispense contraceptives if they rst question would-be customers about their individual risks.

ere was some concern expressed by

lawmakers about skipping medical exams when they set the process in motion two years ago. But the consensus was that the bene ts of on-demand hormonal birth control outweighed the risks of not having regular doctor visits.

At the heart of the debate when lawmakers considered the issue in 2021 was how di cult it should be for women to avoid conception.

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, noted, “Right now women face barriers in our community because they don’t have access to doctors for a variety of reasons, one of which is because health care premiums keep going up. We should be making it as accessible as possible for women who want to plan their pregnancies to be able to do that.’’

During debate, no one spoke against the idea of easier access to pills and devices containing hormones that block ovulation.

Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, told Capitol Media Services last week that what will be taking e ect is a good balance between

risks and bene ts.

“On the risk side of things, there’s a chance – and probably a good chance – that some women will skip that routine care, Pap smears and things like that,’’ he said.

Beyond that, Humble said, there are some conditions that put women who take oral contraceptives at higher risk for blood clots.

e legislation requires pharmacists to ask patients to ll out a self-screening risk assessment designed to determine whether there are any indications that contraceptives may not be appropriate.

e speci c form is being nalized by the state Department of Health Services.

at’s part of the reason there is no rm date for when the contraceptives will be available without an individual prescription.

By law, that form has to be based on nationally recognized guidelines.

en there are questions about risk factors, like whether someone smokes, has diabetes, given birth within the past six weeks, has high blood pressure or is currently breastfeeding an infant younger

than one month.

ere was outright opposition from one particular lobbyist: Ron Johnson, who represents the state’s Catholic bishops. But he never spoke out but only signed in to urge lawmakers to kill the plan.

On Wednesday, Johnson told Capitol Media Services it wasn’t particularly because of the church’s opposition to all forms of birth control.

“We share the sentiments expressed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with respect to this type of law primarily because of our concern for the many potentially harmful risks to the health of women that will result from them no longer having to visit a doctor and obtain a prescription,’’ he said.

Part of the reason it’s taken until now for the 2021 law to take e ect is the statute required the state Board of Pharmacy to write rules, submit them for public comment and, ultimately get nal approval from the Governor’s Regularly Review Council. at is set to happen this week.

Few in Gilbert complain about reworks, data show

GSN NEWS STAFF

While thousands of people likely will gather Tuesday night in Gilbert Regional Park to watch the town’s celebration of Independence Day, some neighborhoods just as likely will sound like the shelling of a Ukraine city.

And apparently, not many residents mind.

Data compiled by Gilbert Police at this newspaper’s request show that over the past two years, complaints about reworks have steadily decreased – the exact opposite of what Mesa PD has reported.

e data show that July 4 reworks complaints totaled 89 in 2020, slipped to 80 the next year and plummeted to 66 in 2022, according to O cer Levi Leyba, a spokesman for Gilbert Police.

On the other hand, reworks-related complaints on New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day jumped from 72 in 2020-21 to

92 in 2022-23, Leyba added.

Violating local or state prohibitions on aerial and certain other reworks or outside allowable times also can expose users to as much as $1,000 in nes.

Leyba reported arrests have been made on three occasions in the last three years for illegal reworks use.

When people complain about reworks, he added, “Our dispatch sends an o cer dependent upon priority calls for service. “Each call for service and investigation varies dependent upon types of reworks used,” Leyba said.

Howver, an o cer must see the offense in order to cite the user, state law requires.

State law forbids municipalities from prohibiting reworks use 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 4-6, June 24-July 6 and Dec. 24-Jan. 3. It also extends the permissible time to 1 a.m. on July 5 and Jan. 1.

Gilbert prohibits the use of consumer reworks during the rest of the year.

And it forbids their use on all public

“He will literally try to wedge himself between a washer and dryer, which do not move. Have tried every CBD chew, or calm drug paste from [the] vet, Xanax and Valium. Benadryl does nothing.

Nothing works. We basically wrap him in a comforter and sit with him. … It breaks my heart.”

property, including parks, streets and other rights of way.

Permissible reworks include sparklers, cylindrical and cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners and toy smoke devices.

Banned for personal use are recrackers, bottle rockets, skyrockets, missile rockets, aerial spinners and related air-

borne devices, torpedoes, Roman candles, mine and shell devices and reloadable tubes.

Of course, the ones most prone to suffer from the noise are people with PTSD – especially military veterans –as well as amy animal, from cats and dogs to horses.

Area resident Kristen Kecskemety says she has tried everything to calm their dog on nights when reworks go o .

“He will literally try to wedge himself between a washer and dryer, which do not move,” she wrote in a social media post. “Have tried every CBD chew, or calm drug paste from [the] vet, Xanax and Valium. Benadryl does nothing.

“Nothing works. We basically wrap him in a comforter and sit with him. … It breaks my heart.”

Some of Gilbert’s neighbors, notably Mesa and Chandler, also reported homes have been destroyed by. res started by reworks either as they’re set o or disposed of improperly.

“I am ne with them on the day of the holiday, until, say, midnight,” Amy Kitchen wrote. “But it’s the weeks before and after, and until 3 a.m. every night that bother me. Our cats have a hard time with them and get scared and anxious.

“I shouldn’t have to drug my cats just so people can [set] them o for two weeks for every holiday.”

Camp Bow Wow, a pet daycare and boarding center in Mesa that is opening soon in Chandler, o ered some tips to keep pets safe during the noisy Independence Day festivities.

It advised owners to put their pets in the quietest room they could nd with something to block out most of the street noise, or cranking up some music.

While Camp Bow Wow discourages owners from taking their pets outside or near big groups of people, it also reminded them to make sure their dog has a collar with ID and is microchip-registered.

It also advised giving a pup a special treat or long-lasting chew ve to 10 minutes ahead of reworks so they’re distracted.

Gabriel’s Angels seeks volunteers to comfort kids

BY GERI KOEPPEL GSN Contributor

When the term “pet therapy” comes up, most people think of animals visiting hospitals, assisted living centers, and maybe even dentists’ o ces to make people feel better, but schools and shelters don’t generally come to mind.

Gabriel’s Angels, however, is dedicated to providing a di erent type of pet therapy: It sends registered teams comprising a person and their pet—almost always a dog—to provide free animal-assisted activities to at-risk kids.

e nonpro t works to improve social and emotional development, using the natural bond children have with animals.

“We know that the unconditional love of a dog can heal a child, and that’s really the basis of everything we do,” said Melissa Steimer, CEO of Gabriel’s Angels, which was named after a dog that spurred the creation of the nonpro t.

Founded more than two decades ago in Ahwatukee Foothills to help kids experiencing trauma and neglect, Gabriel’s Angels now serves about 75 schools and facilities throughout the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Another 20 locations, including nine in the East Valley, are on a waiting list, so the group is putting out a call for more volunteers to meet the need.

“We know coming out of COVID … there is a mental health pandemic among youth,” Steimer said. Arizona has “youth suicide, gun violence—all of the things that are obstacles for kids to learn and become healthy adults.”

Gabriel’s Angels has grown over the years and at one point in 2019 had about 185 teams, Steimer said. But it lost about two-thirds of them during COVID and now is only up to about 105.

Even if they rebuild to the earlier numbers, Steimer said, it wouldn’t be enough

because the demand is greater today than it was pre-pandemic.

And volunteers can’t just drop in now and then when it’s convenient. Even though the visits are only for 60 or 90 minutes, volunteers must make a weekly or bimonthly visit for a span of time.

“ at is the hardest thing for us is we need committed volunteers who can stay with a child for at least 12 weeks,” Steimer explained.

Amy Vericker, director of communications for Child Crisis Arizona, the rst facility Gabriel’s Angels ever served, said interacting with pets is important in not only comforting kids but breaking the cycle of generational abuse.

“’Love,’ ‘attention’ and ‘comfort’ are not words these kids are familiar with,” she noted.

Working with pets gives them “the tools to know what safe, loving households and relationships look like and sound like,” Vericker added.

Gabriel’s Angels has opportunities for

Coco, a registered therapy dog with Gabriels Angels, gets a hug from a student at the school she serves with her owner-handler Vickie Healey. (Courtesy of Gabriel’s Angels)

people to work with kids of various ages and in di erent settings, from reading to them one-on-one to working in groups and doing activities. e group gives vol-

see ANGEL page 18

unteers ongoing training, materials and support.

e group aims to teach kids seven core behaviors: Attachment, self-regulation, a liation, respect, tolerance, empathy and con dence.

“Once those core behaviors and social/emotional development are there,” Steimer added, “that’s the bridge to learning.”

Volunteers say they immediately see the bene t they bring to children.

Ray Ritchotte of Chandler and his English Springer Spaniel show dog, Blake (named after Blake Shelton), work with autistic kids at Chandler schools.

Some kids can be out of control while others might sit in a corner and not interact at all, Ritchotte said. But when he and Blake arrive, he said, “It just change[s] the kids.”

Students hug Blake and calm down so they’re either no longer aggressive or come out of their shells, he noted. Ritchotte shows them how to brush and care for an animal and explains that they

have feelings, too.

“To know I made a di erence in that child for the day,” Ritchotte said, “it gives you a good feeling to see the smiles on these kids instead of the frowns.”

Virtual information sessions about opportunities to assist Gabriel’s Angels are available on the last Tuesday of each month.

People without pets can volunteer as a “Helping Hand,” and all humans must get a ngerprint clearance card. Pets must be registered through the Alliance of erapy Dogs or Pet Partners.

“ ere’s a test that [dogs] have to pass and you have to make sure they’re up with their shots and they have to be properly groomed,” said volunteer Kristine Kassel of Ahwatukee, who was a Gabriel’s Angels board member from 2006-14.

She added that dogs have to learn to sit and stay and not react to other dogs or food.

Also, they should not be prone to nipping, jumping or other high-energy behaviors, she said, and Steimer mentioned dogs need to be patient with kids petting and even pulling on them.

Kassel and her labradoodle, Teddy, go to Carlson Elementary School in Chandler every other Tuesday, and she calls the visits “Teddy Tuesdays.”

e biggest challenge she sees nowadays, she said, is that the students have a lot of stress and anxiety, and pets help calm them down.

“It’s a heartening feeling,” to work with kids, Kassel said.

“I feel like Teddy did something today; we did something today. We reached a milestone here with making this child feel a certain way today.” She added, “You can see how content and happy they are.”

And helping kids bene ts volunteers, too.

“Life is so much better when you’re doing something for someone else,” Ritchottte said. “I recommend anybody who wants to do something for people, for kids, [to] go and learn how to do therapy work with your dog. Have the dog certi ed. It’s the greatest thing in the world to do.”

For more information about volunteering with Gabriel’s Angels, visit gabrielsangels.org or call 602-266-0875.

2 shops join Verde at Cooley Station mix

GSN NEWS STAFF

Two new shops have joined the growing retail mix at Verde at Cooley Station, the new mixeduse commercial center in Gilbert.

Sophie May Boutique, which already has opened, and Sip & Shop a Local Collection, which expects to open this month, are both owned by local women, which a spokeswoman called “an important pillar within Verde’s strategy to create a unique, vibrant shopping and dining destination.”

Sophie May Boutique is a trendy, curated women’s clothing boutique owned and operated by Erika Hilligas.

Her mission is to “help women feel beautiful inside and out and give back

to the community.”

e 780-square-foot shop, which just opened, was designed specially for Sophie May with custom furniture and tting rooms.

“We started out of our home two years ago, then pivoted to do markets with a mobile tiny boutique, which was a huge success and allowed us to expand to this storefront,” said Hilligas.

“ e store embodies our ‘Shop Tiny’ slogan; we want the experience to be very special and personal. We chose Verde because of the location, the overall vibe and the fact that it focuses on small, women-owned businesses.”

Sip & Shop a Local Collection, owned

see COOLEY page 20

Sip & Shop a Local Collection owner Tiffany Shultz hopes to open her shop at Verde at Cooley Station this month. (Special to GSN)

COOLEY from page 19

by Ti any Shultz, o ers just what it says: an elevated shopping experience by that adds sipping to the experience.

As a destination for local one-of-akind custom items, the store has a diverse range of o erings, including jewelry, boutique clothing, home, baby, food and drink options, and more.

in Gilbert.”

Sophie May Boutique and Sip & Shop A Local Collection are joining a robust lineup of tenants.

ey include the recently announced Hash Kitchen opening in July, Decadent Macaron, Skin nity Medspa, Frostails Korean Dessert House, Coach Pain Academy, e Brass Tap, Vitality Bowls, Cha-Nails Lounge, We Whiten, Crust Simply Italian and more.

AZ 85233

e 4,000-square-foot store o ers a bubbly, wine and beer bar for guests to sip while shopping, and boasts a patio, wall mural and custom special event spaces.

Classes, events and tastings are part of what Shultz calls an educational, interactive aspect to a guest’s visit.

Sip & Shop is slated to open mid-July.

“Verde is exactly what we were looking for,” said Shultz. “We are a small business and a community within itself, looking for other small businesses to create a one-of -a-kind community feel. It is a dream to be at this center and work with these locally owned establishments. We are so glad to expand

Verde at Cooley Station is located at 3945 E. Williams Field Road.

Verde at Cooley Station brings to the Gilbert community was designed as a community for people to work, live, shop and play.

e 23-acre project includes restaurants, retail, o ces, health and wellness facilities, apartment residences and a park and children’s play area known as, “ e Green.”

Guests can enjoy unique retailers, high-quality services, and inviting restaurants featuring various cuisines, artwork, outdoor patios and entertainment.

Gilbert warehouse sells for $1.2 million

GSN NEWS STAFF

NAI Horizon represented the seller in the $1.2 sale of a freestanding o ce-industrial building in Gilbert.

NAI Horizon Executive Vice President Je Adams represented Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc., a California corporation, for 1545 McQueen, LLC.

e multi-tenant industrial property with ve individual leasable spaces totals 6,140 SF at 1545 N. McQueen Road.

e property is an evap-cooled warehouse featuring loading docks at each unit, arterial frontage and parking. It was built in 1987 and has a clear ceiling height of 14 feet.

“I’m thrilled to be successfully involved with this highly-valued client over the past many years. More speci cally, the prior purchase and subsequent sale transactions for this property,” Adams said.

“We were able to turn a pro t for the client of several hundred thousand dollars on this smaller project in just 18 months. at is net of facility improvements that were made and all other ancillary costs. e success of this project is catapulting this client into further real estate transactions here and in other parts of the country.”

Todd Hamilton and Adam Shteir with City Wide Commercial Real Estate represented the buyer, Old Republic Exchange Co., as a quali ed intermediary for Maximum Management Corporation of California as trustee of e Richard Neal Mills Trust.

Established in 1992, NAI Horizon is a full-service commercial real estate company serving Arizona with o ces in Phoenix and Tucson.

It provides brokerage and property management services for local, national, and international clients.

Information: naihorizon.com.

Nightclub threatens a special place in Gilbert

The Heritage District in downtown Gilbert has been a special place.

When we moved here 33 years ago, there were two bars, a Liberty Market (then an actual grocery store), the furniture store and the American Legion.

A current town councilman, Jim Torgeson, along Joe Johnston’s vision helped turn this area into a family friendly few blocks of one of a kind restaurants and local chains.

Everything was Arizona-grown. Everything.

We have enjoyed watching that little area blossom. But in the past few years, national chains have started to infiltrate our little downtown – to the detriment of it.

And now, a national-chain “Italian eatery” wants to take the place of the beloved Bergie’s Co ee Shop.

is so-called eatery — Bottled Blonde — has been plagued by controversy in cities across the country, from allegedly violating capacity limits in Dallas to video of patrons vomiting on the sidewalk as they left the restaurant to losing its liquor license in Chicago after residents there complained it was more like a nightclub than the “family friendly restaurant” it advertised itself as.

Its Scottsdale location Instagram also belies “family friendly,” as many of the pictures feature women dressed more appropriately for a pole dance than for the Heritage District.

is is what is coming to Gilbert? Really?

Apparently, the Town of Gilbert is feeling some heat about Bottled Blonde, since they have “A Statement Regarding Bottled Blonde” on its homepage, which includes this essentially “tough luck, we can’t do anything about it” passage:

“ e Town of Gilbert did not own this land and has no jurisdiction over private land sales. e proposed use by the property owner would be allowed through the current Heritage Village Center zoning under Gilbert’s Land Development Code.”

e Town goes on to ensure that the Gilbert Police will do what is necessary “to ensure the safety and security of all

guests in the Heritage District.”

Hardly reassuring that the Town felt it necessary to tell us we’ll be safe, even if this place locates downtown.

A Change.org petition to stop the nightclub, er, “family friendly” place from coming in already has over 2,500 signatures. But given the Town’s “too bad, so sad” statement, it’s a futile exercise.

So I guess, in a year or so, the atmosphere of the Heritage District, already changed by one national-chain coming in, will be further marred by Bottled Blonde.

And our little Heritage District rapidly will morph into Mill Avenue East.

-Mike McClellan

Boys’ Section 7 weekend bigger than ever

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

It all kicked o June 22 with a rst for most high school basketball players: a 3-point contest and slam dunk competition, much like what is seen during All-Star Weekend in the NBA.

But that’s what the goal of Section 7 was this year and has been since it moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale in 2021, to provide an All-Star atmosphere for the over 160 teams invite from across the country. e event featured 12 courts sprawled across the concrete oor where the Cardinals’ playing eld usually sits.

e schools, with rosters out tted with college talent for every level, had the opportunity to play in front of more than 400 college coaches. But Section 7, which seeming gets bigger every year, got even bigger this time around.

“When I look at this, what I see is unbelievable players, I see tremendous high school coaches and we’ve always looked at it as an opportunity to serve them,” King said. “ ey’re the heroes of the story. We just kind of set the table, get out of their way and do their thing.

“Section 7 has become what Section 7 is because we have great players, great coaches and west coast basketball is really good.”

Notre Dame Prep’s Anthony Batson won the slam dunk contest before the start of the weekend games on Friday, June 23. at paved the way for stellar performances from Arizona teams, especially those playing in arguably the top bracket of the tournament.

Perry, last year’s Open Division champion and two-time defending state champ, was one of four local teams in the SLAM Bracket at Section 7, which featured nationally ranked programs from California, Utah and from as far as Louisiana.

Perry opened Section 7 with a win over Isidore Newman, the top team out of New Orleans. But fell to Alta from Utah in the second round. Regardless of the outcome, it was the opportunity for Perry’s players to be seen by college coaches.

Naturally, the sidelines were lled to take in Puma junior Koa Peat, fresh o helping Team USA’s U17 team win gold in an international tournament. at opened the door for players like fellow junior D’Andre Harrison, who is expected to take on a bigger role with Cody Williams now at Colorado.

“I just had to play my game,” Harrison said. “It’s a good feeling. I was taking charge, so I’m happy. Everything I’ve been working on, I want to show it. Show I can play on that level to them and my team.”

Harrison shined when called upon.

Perry Head Coach Sam Duane Jr. said he was impressed by his tenacity on the oor.

“Dre is a really good player,” Duane

said. “He’s gotta be a guy for us. He’s gotta step up. We’ve told him he has to be a go to guy for us. He’s going to get better and better.”

Several other Gilbert teams were also part of Section 7 weekend, bypassing the qualifying tournament held for 96 Arizona schools to play their way into the invite-only weekend session.

Gilbert, a mainstay at Section 7, maintained that image this year. American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North, which made a splash last season as the No. 1 seed in 4A, also bypassed the qualifying tournament. Last year’s 6A champion Highland did, too.

Hawks Head Coach Todd Fazio, who is also involved with the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association and helps run Section 7, said the tournament itself never gets old. Even when there to help run the girls’ tournament the week prior, he was still amazed at the sight of 12 courts inside State Farm Stadium.

“It does not get old,” Fazio said. “It’s hard work. It’s a lot of hours. But we ain’t roughers. We’re running basketball events and we get to be around really good players, really good coaches. We get to be around what high school basketball is all about.”

San Tan Charter, the small 2A school just down the street from Highland, became the darling of Section 7 representing Gilbert.

e Roadrunners won all three qualier games to advance to the main weekend. From there, they took down three teams from the Las Vegas area and lost only to Bishop O’Dowd from northern California.

San Tan Charter Head Coach Kyli Crooms said his team had a chip on its shoulder heading into the weekend. ey knew they would be overlooked as a smaller charter school. But they proved they have the level of talent to play with most teams.

He’s also pleased they were able to prove that in front of college coaches to provide opportunities for his players.

“We just want to prove that we belong at the end of the day,” Crooms said. “I tell my boys all the time age doesn’t matter. If we get out there and execute, we have the talent I think we can compete against anyone in the state.

“We knew this is where we wanted to be. We had three games to get there to do that. It was a lot of grati cation, but we knew the job wasn’t done.”

King said Section 7 was an idea he had while sitting on his couch one night. He doesn’t know what the future holds for the event next year, or how much it will grow as it has on a yearly basis. For now, his goal is maintaining its success.

“When you build something, you work so hard to establish it,” King said. “Now, I think most of our work will be to protect it.”

Perry junior forward D’Andre Harrison as thankful for the opportunity to not only show his skills on the court to college coaches at Section 7, but to prove to his team he can step up this year to be a leader alongside fellow junior Koa Peat. (Dave Minton/Staff Photographer)

July 4th brings a plethora of nearby events

Celebrants will ll Gilbert Regional Park for an event featuring performances by Buddy Martell and Voyager, reworks and “aerial entertainment.”

e Independence Day celebration at the park, at 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, runs 4-9:30 p.m.

It’s free but $25 will get you a VIP experiences that includes premier seating to live performances, a bottle of water, reworks, exclusive food and drink vendors, “luxury restrooms” and “Gilbert swag.”

But parking is not included and is rst come, rst serve. Speaking of parking, passes for Gilbert’s 4th of July Celebration will be required to park on-site and will be on sale that night for credit-card purchases only.

e entire park will be closed starting on July 3 at 10 p.m. through 4 p.m. July 4 to every everyone.

Info: gilbertaz.gov.

Here’s a look at other Independence Day celebrations in the region:

Queen Creek

Schnepf Farms, 24810 South Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, will host its Hometown 4th celebration an evening lled with food trucks, craft vendors, patriotic programming, live music, water in atables and reworks.  e fun starts at 4 p.m.

Tickets start at $40 a carload and to mitigate tra c, guests will be given an arrival time slot to enter the farm. Once on the site, guests are encouraged to stay for the duration of the event.

VIP tickets include a catered barbecue dinner, unlimited soda and water, a private bar and an air-conditioned barn, front-row seating to the grand reworks display and more.

Info: schnep arms.com/events-onthe-farm or 480-987-3100.

Chandler

If you’re in the mood to end Independence Day with a bang, you won’t nd it at Chandler’s 4th of July celebration

Chandler plans a big party to celebrate the Fourth of July, but there will be no reworks because it’s being held in AJ Chandler Park and there is not a big enough drop zone to set reworks o safely, according to a city spokesman.

But there will still be lots of free family friendly o erings at Chandler’s All-American Bash takes place from 7-9:30 p.m. Local band Turn It Up will perform two 60-minute sets on the main stage.

A ve-minute pyrotechnic show will be part of the concert.

People can park for free and bring food, non-alcoholic drinks, coolers, and lawn chairs. Alcohol and reworks are not permitted.

Mesa

e East Valley has plenty to o er on Independence Day and one of the biggest July 4 events occurs in Mesa, where the AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom is more than a reworks show.

e event features two outdoor stag-

es for entertainment and patriotic programs and additional unique patriotic programs that are out of the heat and inside the Mesa Convention Center.

Stage America will be on the grass outside the Mesa Convention Center, featuring Cold Shott and e Hurricane Horns. A brief Salute to America program will be on the stage at 9:15 p.m. followed by reworks at 9:30 p.m.

e Mesa Amphitheatre will host Revolutionary War reenactments from We Make History at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Patriotic music will be performed by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band in between the reenactments.

Other outdoor activities include the Patriotic Military Showcase with various military vehicles on display; the Great All-American Car Show and e BMX Patriotic Superhero Stunt Show with performances at 6:30 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.

Several patriotic programs will be inside the air-conditioned Mesa Convention Center, including the Let Freedom Ring Laser Light Show. e spectacular laser displays, photos and patriotic music will be at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

e Fallen Soldiers Memorial is a breathtaking memorial honoring the Arizona fallen heroes from the war on ter-

rorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Historic ags of the U.S. will be presented at 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

Information: azcelebrationo reedom.com.

For people who have Monday o , world-class marching music groups meet in Mesa for the 2023 Drums Across the Desert competition beginning at 8 p.m. at Mesa Community College Riggs Stadium, near the southeast corner of Dobson Road and Southern Avenue.

e event features Broadway-style choreographed programs of spectacular music, dance, color and precision formations - presented by skilled groups of brass, drums and ags, whose members are age 16-21.

Tickets begin at $19 and can be purchased online at.arizonaacademy.org.

Tempe

e reworks are returning but the celebration will now be held at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive 6-10 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission adult and $100 for VIP adult. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. VIP tickets include a spectacular view of the reworks, shaded and seated area, catered dinner, dessert bar, non-alcoholic drinks, a special goody bag and exclusive parking. Kids VIP tickets are $50. Proceeds help bene t the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.

Children under 10 are free and on-site parking is $10.

e celebration includes performances by NineBall and country music up-andcomer Presley Tennant. e Family Fun Zone will o er a free in atable village for all ages with a variety of rides, rock climbing walls and more. A food court will feature a variety of summer treats.

Tickets/information: tempe4th.com

Crowds come early for all the pre-fireworks activities on July 4 at Gilbert Regional Park. (YouTube). (Special to GetOut)

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