Gilbert Sun News - Jan. 2016 by Times Media Group

January 2016

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

12k’s of Christmas

A group of runners prepare to take off for the 6k, one of the races at the 12k’s of Christmas. For more photos, see page 12

Outpouring of support continues for crash survivor

Mayor to head East Valley Partnership

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

As flight paramedic Derek Boehm of Gilbert recovers from his injuries following a harrowing crash into the Superstition Mountains, he continues to receive an outpouring of support from the community. Operating independently, three of Boehm’s friends established GoFundMe online crowdfunding campaigns in the aftermath of the accident to help pay his medical bills and other expenses. At time of press, one campaign had raised $27,840. The account, set up by Lena Walker and Jenna Camberlango, collected $10,000 within the first 12 hours. The other campaigns, established see SURVIVOR page 13

Derek Boehm, the sole survivor of the recent Native Air helicopter crash, is healing. Submitted photo

Mayor John Lewis applied to become the next president of the East Valley Partnership on the night before applications closed. He was selected. After nearly eight years of helping drive economic development in Gilbert, he will take up the challenge to advocate on behalf of the entire Southeast Valley in the summer. This means that he will leave his mayoral assignment six months early; the term is expiring in December 2016. “I’m sure there were a lot of good candidates,” Lewis said. “The feedback that was given to me is that I’m a known entity, I have displayed a lot of great passion for the East Valley, and so see LEWIS page 6

2 Community 14 Neighbors 24 Business 28 Neighborhood Map

John Lewis is leaving his mayoral post after eight years. Submitted photo

34 Youth 42 Spirituality 44 Arts 52 Opinion

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January 2016

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4 January 2016

Town to begin massive park project

BY TIM J. RANDALL

More than 225 acres in South Gilbert are set to become a metro park destination rivaling that of Indian Bend Wash in Scottsdale. The parcel is owned by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and serves as a flood basin that captures and collects storm water overflow. “The acreage sits south of Queen Creek Road and west of Higley Road,” said Rod Buchanan, the Town’s parks and recreation director. In the deal reached between the Town and the County, Gilbert receives the long-term rights to develop the property, so long as the park does not interfere with the new basin construction or operation. “The Town has purchased a recreation easement. And the kicker? Only an Alexander Hamilton was required as payment,” Buchanan said. “This is a big deal for the Town,” said Jared Taylor, councilman and staff liaison to the Town’s Parks, Recreation and Library Services Advisory Board. The size and scope of the proposed park will actually increase another 20 percent as 47 acres that the Town already owns and sits adjacent will form the 270-plus-acre site. “You could put our district parks: Freestone, Crossroads, Discovery and

Community

McQueen inside this new park,” said Taylor. “It makes sense to go with a bigjumbo park, it will be a nice complement to our small homeowner association pocket parks and will be a regional draw.” Buchanan notes that this larger park “provides opportunities for a more diverse application of uses,” he said. “We could host corporate events and larger sporting events. This has a grander scale than what we can accomplish now with our current park system.” The next question for Town officials and residents is how the park will look— including the composition of sports fields, trails shelters and other amenities. “In the next few weeks, beginning in 2016, we will be gathering input from the community on what they would like to see at the new park,” said Taylor. “It is about getting the right conceptual mix there. We encourage everyone who is interested to provide their feedback.” Design of the park is being conducted under a Town contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, an Orange, Californiabased planning and consulting firm. “The Town approved quite a bit of money for the design function, $732, 000,” said Taylor. When Kimley-Horn completes its design in late spring, a presentation will be made to the parks board, which will

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Gilbert is seeking community input for the new, 270-plus-acre park project. Submitted photo

make recommendations and tweaks and then send on to Town council for review. At that point design and implementation will meet the always present and critical task of financing. “Ultimately amenities will drive the price,” said Taylor. “We want to design in a responsible way.” Taylor indicated that one revenue source that could play a large role in funding the build-out are Town-owned parcels of land, which were originally purchased for parks that could be divested. “There is a lot of real estate that could be sold off and invested in the new park,” he said.

Buchanan also points to the cost of park maintenance as a factor in the planning decision. “There is less cost to run a larger park than four small ones,” he said. Noting that it is far too early in the process to discuss dollar figures on total cost, Taylor did indicate that a cost estimate would accompany the KimleyHorn design proposal. “We do not want to burden the taxpayers,” said Taylor. Those interested in providing their thoughts on the new park can find information at http://bit.ly/1U5aUyA.

and have a direct impact on our operation and add value to the community,” she said. “Using their passion in a leadership role will be rewarding to both the volunteer, our department and the community.” Buchanan said that the nonprofit foundation, expected to be fully functional by spring, would help shape the future of the community.

“The better parks system we have, the higher home values we’ll have, the better quality of life we’ll have in our community; so there’re a lot of benefits for being involved,” he said. Applications for the positions may be sent until close of business day on Friday, Jan. 15. For details and a link to the application form, visit www. gilbertparksandrecreationfoundation.org.

See related story on page 10.

Parks and Recreation Foundation seeks members BY SRIANTHI PERERA

If you love Gilbert’s spacious open spaces and recreation facilities, there’s a new way to show your appreciation. The town has established a Parks and Recreation Foundation and is seeking 15 volunteers to appoint to its board. Applicants don’t have to live in the town, but should have a tie to it. “We’re looking for people that are interested in helping the parks and recreation consortium be the best that it can be to provide the best services for the community,” said Rod Buchanan, director of parks and recreation. Foundation members would help fundraise and secure grants to develop the long-term financial health of the parks and recreation system. They would also seek collaborations and build partnerships in the community and serve as spokespersons. Buchanan said his department is

seeking individuals who have an interest, enthusiasm and knowledge about parks and recreation in Gilbert. The town has 12 public neighborhood parks, two community parks, five district parks and many specialty parks, such as a dog park and three large riparian areas. At its four recreation centers, it offers a plethora of activities ranging from chess to climbing rock walls. In addition, candidates should ideally possess skill sets such as programming, fundraising, public relations and advocacy. Members will participate in possible monthly meetings of the board and its committees, so a certain time commitment is also necessary. Management Support Analyst Melanie Dykstra said that volunteers would benefit as well. “The role they will play in fundraising will assist in providing financial scholarships, program and parks support

Community

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January 2016

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6 January 2016

Community

LEWIS from page 1

I think that made them comfortable in considering me as a finalist.” Lewis beat out 57 other candidates, said outgoing President and CEO of the East Valley Partnership, Roc Arnett, who has held the post for 13 years. Connections matter, Arnett said. And Lewis, with his involvement in many civic entities in addition to his work in Gilbert, had them aplenty. “John also came with a game plan of what he’s going to do the first 30 days, the first six months, the first year and how he’s going to pull together this partnership and move it forward to the next level,” Arnett said. “That was very impressive to the selection committee.” The East Valley Partnership is a nonpartisan coalition of civic, business, educational and political leaders dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the area. It advocates for education, transportation and infrastructure, arts and health care, among others. Lewis found that his experience in Gilbert prepared him for the new role. “One of the nice things of when I decided to run for mayor in 2008 was a desire to help Gilbert with economic development,” he said. “We had grown the community and it was just time to

not only be a bedroom community but be a bedroom and business community, and so that has been my priority.” In Gilbert, the mayor often provided a platform for business, education, government and community leaders to work together. One such example is the “For Our City Gilbert” initiative that the mayor launched, bringing together representatives from faith groups, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods to foster volunteerism and service. “This [new position] is taking what a mayor would do in a local municipality and extending it to a larger area of a regional significance,” Lewis said. While the East Valley has many positives, including 750,000 jobs, challenges are looming, the leaders said. In the next three decades, the area is expected to add about a million people and create an additional 400,000 jobs. “Part of the success of the East Valley Partnership is to make sure we continue to have an emphasis on education and transportation and building a strong workforce,” Lewis said. Arnett said: “We have to be vigilant in making certain that those jobs will have qualified employees and that happens through education.” To that end, Arnett, after 13 years with the East Valley Partnership, is

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planning to join ASU Foundation to help with its fundraising. As for Lewis, he will spend the next six months transitioning to the new position. His new office will be on the border between Chandler and Gilbert, so physically, he won’t be too far away. “Sometimes, people refer to this

as a cheerleading job, and I kind of smile at that, but in many ways, that’s a good short description that this is cheerleading for the Phoenix East Valley and it is a natural thing for me,” he said. “I’ll look forward to not just talking about Gilbert but the entire Phoenix East Valley.”

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8 January 2016

Community

Councilwoman appointed to National League of Cities committee BY SRIANTHI PERERA

This year, Gilbert will have a new voice in national advocacy. Town Councilwoman Brigette Peterson has been appointed to the National League of Cities 2016 Community and Economic Development committee. The committee helps develop the league’s federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness. All grist to Peterson’s mill. The councilwoman attended the league’s conference in November and found out that it was looking to fill its committees. She applied and was chosen. “I’m very pleased,” she said. “I wasn’t sure, being a brand new council member, if they would take that into consideration or not, but I think it’s a great way for Gilbert to be involved in the national level.” Peterson could choose the committee to join, and selected “community and economic development.” “Community and economic

Town Councilwoman Brigette Peterson has had an impressive track record of volunteering in the town. Submitted photo

development are two hot topics for us here in Gilbert, and so I thought it was a great place for me to fit in and to learn things that I might be able to bring to Gilbert,” she said. Peterson was elected to the council in 2014. Prior to that, she has had an impressive track record of volunteering in the town. She served on the Gilbert Planning Commission for 14 years, as

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the zoning hearing officer and on many steering committees and stakeholder groups. She is also on the board of Gilbert Leadership, a program administered by the Chamber of Commerce, and the program she credits with honing her own leadership skills. Born in Massachusetts, Peterson moved to Gilbert in 1995 with her husband, Mark, and daughter, Jenn. The councilwoman does not have a college education. “I have learned everything that I’ve learned by volunteering and being an active member of the community,” she said. Previously, she has worked for a defense contractor in Massachusetts, but doesn’t work professionally now. “I’m lucky that I don’t actually have to work. I devote my time to doing the town council work,” she said. As a member of the league’s committee, Peterson will have her hands full. She will play a key role in shaping the league’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and locally. The league is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities and is a resource and an advocate to 19,000 cities, representing more than 218 million Americans.

Flooding drill Logistics Specialist 1st Class Kalei Noriega, from Gilbert, plots damage control casualties during a flooding drill aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24). Arlington is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate

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10 January 2016

Community

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Police take on domestic violence Town seeks community input on design of new park

BY TIM J. RANDALL

The Town of Gilbert is the latest Valley municipality to add a specialized family domestic violence unit to their police department. Gilbert officials have looked at multiple methods of raising awareness to the scourge of domestic violence. According to Safe Horizon, the largest nonprofit victim services agency in the United States, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. “This has been a priority for the Town Council,” said Vice Mayor Jordan Ray. “We wanted to focus on domestic violence and look at options to fill the need to help in our community.” Gilbert Police Sgt. Jesse Sanger gave the Town information for its efforts to eliminate this crime from the community and to help victims. Started in July 2015, the new team consists of Officers Brandon Wilson and Vic Perez and Sgt. Mark Worden. Prior to their hiring, the three team officers “received extensive training in both domestic violence and mental health alone,” said Sanger. “They also have various additional training in related topics such as critical incident training and forensic interviewing.” Sanger could not provide definitive statistics on the number of incidents the unit has responded to thus far, as the figures have not yet been compiled; however, he said “the team has assisted or handled numerous felony level domestic violence incidents to include aggravated assaults and strangulation cases.” The need for specialized units such as Gilbert’s is of ever increasing importance, according to Dr. Maria Garay-Serratos, CEO for Sojourner Center, the largest domestic violence shelter in Arizona. “Police departments across the state and the country are making progress to better understand the complex issues

surrounding domestic violence, and we applaud the Town of Gilbert for starting this new crime unit to better serve the victims of domestic violence. To make an impact, a united community effort is necessary to create a world free from domestic violence,” she said. Sanger indicated that the size of the new team is expected “to grow over the next several years based on the increasing desire to provide improved services to victims of domestic violence. Beyond responding specifically to incidents of domestic violence, the team is part of a larger town outreach effort to bring help to individuals impacted by domestic violence. “The officers have extensive knowledge of available community services for victims of domestic violence, and can help coordinate the use of such services (i.e., shelter placement, safety planning, victim’s advocacy),” said Sanger. “The victims are then contacted by Gilbert Youth and Adult Resources who offer counseling services, safety planning and additional resources.” Sanger also said that, “Victims are also contacted by a victim’s advocate who assists them during the ensuing court process and litigation.” Community awareness is increasing as well to the disturbing trend of domestic violence. According to Sanger, the police department has “built community partnerships with Catholic Charities Community Services who operate several domestic violence shelters within the Valley,” she said. “Partnerships have also been built with Winged Hope who also offers family advocacy assistance. Gilbert Police Department’s Youth and Adult Resources has also provided additional resources for victims of domestic violence crimes.”

The community is invited to participate and share ideas at upcoming workshops to assist in development of the vision for a new regional park. Gilbert Parks and Recreation is in the concept design phase for the proposed park located in South Gilbert. There are three workshops; interested residents should register online at www.gilbertaz. gov/gilbertregionalpark. See the website as well for details about the workshops. Workshop No. 1: Creating the Vision for Gilbert’s Regional Park Gilbert Parks and Recreation will be providing background information on the existing site and asking the community to help design conceptual plans. The sessions are Tuesday Jan. 12, through Thursday, Jan. 14. Workshop No. 2: Refining the Vision for Gilbert’s Regional Park

The department will provide the results of Workshop No. 1 and preliminary alternative consensus plans for review and comment from the community. The sessions are Tuesday, Feb. 9; and Wednesday, Feb. 10. Workshop No. 3: Presenting the Vision for Gilbert’s Regional Park Gilbert Parks and Recreation will present the alternative consensus plans generated as a result of Workshop No. 2 for review and comment from the community. The sessions are Tuesday, March 1, and Wednesday, March 2. Residents unable to make the workshops can share their ideas online at www.gilbertaz.gov/gilbertregionalpark or mail comments to Gilbert Regional Park Feedback, 90 E. Civic Center Dr., Gilbert. Call (480) 503-6200 for more information.

Pat Hall and her husband, Scott (not pictured), adopoted son, Ethan, and daughter, Savannah. Submitted photo

Parents as Teachers helps boy prepare for kindergarten For Pat Hall and her husband, Scott, their adopted son, Ethan was a miracle. Born seven weeks early and weighing a meager 4 pounds, the medical crises with the baby never seemed to stop. Around 4 weeks old, Ethan was rushed to the hospital because he stopped breathing. Later, doctors found blood spots on the baby’s brain and diagnosed him with a rare disease called tuberous sclerosis, where noncancerous tumors form all over the body. Through it all, the Gilbert family couldn’t have been happier about the addition to their family. Early on, though, Pat noticed that as a baby, Ethan struggled to sit up and had difficulty holding down food. As Ethan approached his first birthday, he still couldn’t stand or crawl, couldn’t swallow

and wasn’t sleeping through the night. Initially, the family received support from the Department of Economic Security’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. However, budget cuts ended that assistance. Two months after Ethan turned 1, Pat enrolled in Parents as Teachers, a program that provides in-home, individualized support for families. The program is housed under Child Crisis Arizona and funded by the First Things First Southeast Maricopa region. For Ethan, “the first goal was to work with [the parents to help Ethan] sleep through the night. It took a year for him to do this,” said Patti Watts, the family’s parent educator. Watts works for Child Crisis Arizona where she provides

www.GilbertSunNews.com coaching, parent education information and connections to other community resources. During that first home visit, Watts began coaching the parents on strategies to help Ethan sleep through the night. She recommended that Ethan wake up consistently at 8 a.m., take an afternoon nap, and then go to sleep no later than 7 p.m. She also helped the parents learn how to foster Ethan’s food exploration, which both reinforced his brain development and helped him gain much needed weight. Once a week, Watts would visit the family, work on an activity and leave additional ones for them to do together. For example, when Ethan was 2 years old, Watts focused on helping with Ethan’s hand coordination. Ethan struggled with picking up objects, especially small ones, so Watts would put small objects in an ice cube tray, encouraging Ethan to use his fingers to get the object out. She also had Ethan stack blocks, which was initially challenging because he had trouble gripping the blocks. After repetition and practice Ethan was able to pick up small objects and stack wooden blocks. “It is a godsend,” said Pat, as she recalled the techniques she learned to use with Ethan to help him develop his motor skills. As Ethan got older, they started working on the toddler’s literacy skills. Watts assessed Ethan’s progress by using the blocks to see if he could sort them by colors, shapes and arrange them into words. Pat remembers another activity where Watts brought papers containing bubble-words and crayons. She then said a word out loud and instructed Ethan to find that word and color it in. Many times, Watts served as a sounding board for the parents when they struggled to understand their son’s delays. “We have learned many valuable tips on how to teach my kids,” Pat said. A strong partnership between parents and educator usually results in success, Watts said. Pat was always open to learning new activities and strategies. “In five years, I never had a no-show,” Watts said. “She’s always been there ready to help.” Ethan recently started kindergarten and is doing well. “Without the program, Ethan would probably be in a special education classroom,” his mother said. “They helped a lot with his language development and motor skills.” While Ethan still struggles with raising his hand when he has to use the restroom and understanding activity time limits, his kindergarten teacher has ensured Pat that he is doing well. Above all, “Ethan has had great progress and his kindergarten teacher has said that he is doing well,” Watts said. “With help, Ethan was ready for kindergarten.” The Halls also have a 3-year-old daughter, Savannah. The home visitation program is helping her parents prepare her for school as well.

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January 2016

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12k’s of Christmas

Community

www.GilbertSunNews.com

The 12k’s of Christmas, a combination fun run and pet adoption event, brought slews of people to Freestone Park in mid-December. The winners were Adam Folts, 28, of Phoenix, and Julie Swanson, 39, of Chandler. Folts ran the 12K in 49:24 to finish ahead of Masters runners Blake Sacha, 49, of Gilbert and Brian Stewart, 55, of Edmonton, who finished second and third in 46:32 and 48:09 respectively. Swanson won the women’s race in 50:27, and again a Masters runner was the runner-up as Beth Ellickson, 47, of Glendale, ran 50:46 to finish second.

Bundled up and ready to run are Amy Hackley and Katie Mogowski with Ellie and Chipper.

A large crowd of runners waits for the start of the 12k race.

This little furry guy is hoping to find his new home in time for Christmas.

Purveyors of the wildly popular Voo Doo Tutus Nancy Dicke and Jackie Merritt are bundled up on a chilly morning.

Pearl (in the pink sweater) enjoys a good back scratch from her Foster mom Becca White.

A foursome of elves brought smiles to all around - Deborah Cooke and Sue Schmidt were accompanied by Morgan and Lucas in matching costumes.

Bringing Christmas cheer to the crowd on behalf of Wells Fargo were Linda Highland and Victor Zendejas.

Frank Leon’s good friend Peanut doesn’t look too amused with his costume.

Shining bright with Christmas cheer, Lauren Dydyn and her santa-pup Zero were ready to take the course!

Terry Cook and Henry joined the Sled Run early in the day.

Nothing brings out the Christmas spirit like dressing up with a group of your friends for a run. (L to R - Erin Donahue, Emily Claricoats, Hannah Oliver, Breanna Bryant, Mariana Lopes, Kate O’Brien, Cheyene Lopes and Maressa Mistretta)

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Community

January 2016

Town welcomes alcohol service at Starbucks stores BY TIM J. RANDALL

by Daniel Howe of Scottsdale and Cassandra Lauren of Glendale, have raised $2,410 toward its goal of $10,000 and $940 toward its goal of $5,000, respectively. “We know that his road to recovery is going to be extremely long and he has been such a giving, amazing person that we started the GoFundMe to really give back to him and help him in this time to focus on recovering,” said Walker, who, together with Camberlango, used to work with Boehm at Florence Hospital in Anthem. “We don’t want him to stress about medical bills or how to pay his mortgage and things like that.” Boehm was the sole survivor when Globe-based Native Air 5, a medical evacuation helicopter, crashed Dec. 15 into the mountains while en route from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to Globe. The pilot, David Schneider, also of Gilbert, and flight nurse Chad Frary of Mesa, were killed. There were no patients on board. The National Transportation Security Board is investigating the cause of the crash, and the result is expected to take months. A former marine, Boehm broke

both his thigh bones and injured his spine, shoulder blade, ribs and ankle, as well as sustained burns from the crash. Despite his injuries, he provided support to one of his colleagues, until he died, while awaiting rescue. After the helicopter was reported missing, rescue personnel from the Arizona Department of Public Safety flew to the area in the night. Boehm managed to signal to the rescue crew with a flashlight to alert them of the crash location. “It says a lot about him that none of us were shocked that with two broken femurs and a broken back, he was focusing on trying to save somebody else’s life,” said Walker, a nurse at Chandler Regional Medical Center. “That’s just the kind of person that Derek is—he’s’ always the person that has a smile on his face and keeps his cool in really kind of stressful, high acuity situations.” Due to his extensive injuries, Boehm is expected to take several months to recover. Walker, who visited him in hospital, said she noted a steady stream of visitors to his bedside. Many made sympathetic comments to Boehm, and he replied, “I have no complaints. I’m alive.”

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the service they would need to apply separately for each store.” The Starbucks operation will need final approval from the Arizona State Liquor Board to begin serving alcoholic beverages. The Series 12 license, which the council recommended for approval, is typically granted to restaurants and is designed for those establishments, which derive less than 40 percent of their revenues from liquor sales, according to Taylor. The Evening concept for Starbucks is its next major revenue driver for the international company that has more than 20,000 global locations. Seventy percent of Starbucks’ customers drink wine, as compared to 30 percent of the general U.S. population, according to the company’s website. For Taylor and his council colleagues, the decision was a straightforward one. “We are a pro-business council and we need to provide flexibility for businesses in the marketplace,” he said. “Government should not get in the way.”

S. Cooper Rd.

In a unanimous show of support for businesses in Gilbert, the Town Council approved on Dec. 10 the Starbucks location at 884 W. Warner Rd., with an approval for serving craft beer and wine to their patrons. The 7-0 vote comes amidst other municipalities across the Valley debating the merits of allowing the Starbucks’ Evening concept. Although other cities are considering turning down the request due to their respective police departments’ recommendations, Gilbert checked with its police chief, Tim Dorn. “We read and studied carefully what other municipalities had done,” said Gilbert councilman Jared Taylor. Gilbert has 15 Starbucks locations however, only the location at Cooper and Warner roads is licensee to serve alcoholic beverages. “This is a site specific approval,” Taylor said. “If the company wanted to expand

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Neighbors

January 2016

Society’s Rose Auction blossoming with choices BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Ryan Regehr likes to talk roses— especially to folks new to Arizona who think they can’t grow the beautiful flowers here. “We run into a lot of people from the colder climates who think you can’t grow roses in Arizona,” said Regehr, a member of the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society. “We don’t freeze. The roses never have to be covered. We have to deal with the heat in the summer. They slow down in the summer, but we have three to four great bloom cycles and the roses don’t die or have to be cut back like they do in a colder climate.” Regehr is serving as the chairman of the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society’s Rose Auction at 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Mesa Community College’s Navajo Room in the Kirk Student Center, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa. This year the auction will take credit and debit cards. For more information, visit www. roses4az-mevrs.org. “We have roses from Mississippi already,” Regehr said. “We should be receiving roses from Tennessee at any time that are very unique. We have roses that you can’t buy anywhere in Arizona. “We take and get roses from

distributors all across the country and then we pick the best 100. The top 100 of the roses we receive will be on auction.” A sort of Barrett-Jackson for rose lovers, the auction features 100 flowers, but the accompanying sale could have anywhere between 10 and 75 roses. The organization will not know how many will be on sale until the day of the event. “We will also have local suppliers who come in with fertilizers,” Regehr added. “So they’re not just getting the roses themselves. They’re getting different supplies and pruners—anything that has to do with roses.” Adding a new spin to the auction is the availability of books for sale. It will feature a variety of miniatures, something, Regehr said, that cannot be purchased regularly in Arizona. “It has a smaller bloom and a lot more of them,” he said. “It doesn’t mean [the bush] is smaller. They can be 5 to 7 feet tall. The miniatures have more color, too.” Also among the roses being offered are a wide variety of minifloras, polyanthas, hybrid teas and shrub roses. “Each one has its unique attributes,” he said. “A spray of floribundas is just a beautiful spray. The miniatures have nice form. The hybrid teas are more fragrant

www.GilbertSunNews.com

The rose auction will benefit the volunteer-run garden at Mesa Community College. Submitted photo

and are bigger. All of them are cut and brought into the house. “My passion for the auction is to introduce people to the miniature roses. I love the color. I love the size and the pure amount of blooms.” All proceeds benefit the volunteer-run Garden at Mesa Community College as well as the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society. The garden, Regehr said, is impressive. “It’s one of the premiere gardens in the United States,” he explained. “It’s a test garden, so roses that go into production are tested there.”

The garden is open to the public for free, which is unique for an attraction of that size, he said. “If you have roses or thinking about growing roses and are afraid to grow them, on Saturdays anybody can go to the garden and learn to prune or take care of roses,” Regehr explained. “There are people there to answer questions, so you can go and prune roses, mess up the roses there and they’ll show you the right way to do it. Then you can go home and do it in your own garden.”

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Neighbors

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Nichols Park 700 N. Higley Rd. (southwest corner of Higley and Guadalupe roads) Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week Gilbert’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility 2224 E. Queen Creek Rd.

New office now open!

Christmas tree recycling available throughout town Gilbert residents looking to recycle their Christmas trees can do so at various locations throughout the town. Simply remove all of the lights, decorations and the stand before dropping it off at any of the following locations through Sunday, Jan. 10. Here are drop-off locations: Hetchler Park (Gilbert Youth Soccer Complex) 4260 S. Greenfield Rd. Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; seven days a week

January 2016

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; 7:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays Residents may also use the following location through Jan. 2: A to Z Equipment Rental and Sales 1313 E. Baseline Rd. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Live 15 gallon or larger potted Christmas trees can be donated for possible replanting at Town parks. Drop them off at the Public Works North maintenance yard at 658 N. Freestone Pkwy., Gilbert 85234. Trees can be dropped off outside the maintenance gate. Call (480) 503-6262 for additional information. For more information, contact Gilbert’s Environmental Services team at (480) 503-6459 or recycle@gilbertaz.gov.

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January 2016

Neighbors

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Local athlete excels on the USA Junior Olympic Skeet Team

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Zachary McBee, 19, comes from a family of shooting enthusiasts. Originally from Gilbert, the college sophomore is an engineering major at Texas A&M University. What stands out the most though is his unique extracurricular commitment—McBee is an active competitor on the USA Junior Olympic Skeet Team. It’s a sport he’s been passionate about since his early teens. Skeet is a shooting sport where competitors shoot at clay targets thrown in the air from a trap. The targets are meant to simulate the flight of a bird and participants from all age groups and skill levels compete against each other across the globe. “I always shot guns when I was younger; my dad is a certified NRA [National Rifle Association] instructor,” McBee explained. “I began practicing skeet for a merit badge in Boy Scouts when I was about 12 or 13. It was something I was good at and turned out that it’s something you can do up to the Olympic level.” A 2014 Gilbert High School graduate, McBee has spent his teen years exceling at the sport. Some of his impressive

accolades include: in July 2014 he was named to the USA Junior Olympic Skeet Team; in June 2015 he won a spot on the Jr. World Cup Team competing in Germany (the team won the gold medal overall); in July 2015 he was named the National Junior Olympic Champion for Skeet, earning him a spot on the USA World Championship Team; and in September 2015 he was on the team that won a bronze medal competing against 34 other nations. “It was an awesome feeling being named to the Junior Olympic Team,” McBee said. “Because of this sport I’ve had the opportunity to travel to both Germany and Italy this past summer.” McBee plans on competing for a spot on the 2016 USA Olympic Shooting Team. He explained that he’s “10th or 11th in the mix” for the open Olympic spots—a long shot, but a shot he’s willing to take, he noted. “It’s very hard to make a living as a professional in this sport so most people do it as a hobby, but I’m really excited to compete,” he said. “Continuing to compete—and maybe even make it to the Olympics—is a huge goal.” To reach his goal, McBee practices his sport four to five times a week for two

Zachary McBee is hoping that his skeet shooting will earn him a place in the 2016 Olympics team. Submitted photo

to three hours a time. He often practices with other students at Texas A&M—in fact, he explained that he picked the school because a lot of friends he has made through the sport attend it. “It [Texas A&M University] has a really good engineering program and a lot of friends who shoot competitively go here,” he said. “I picked engineering as a major because my dad and brothers and I always had a lot of hobbies and I’ve always loved building stuff.”

When it comes to skeet, his next major competition is in Arkansas in May. “It’s very surreal to be good at something that then allows you to compete and travel the globe,” McBee said. To help with the costs of competing (athletes are only compensated on the professional level), McBee has a website so supporters can visit. Learn more at usashooting.rallyme.com/rallies/2604/ teamzach or e-mail zachmcbee13@gmail. com.

Neighbors

www.GilbertSunNews.com

January 2016

Islands Chiropractic offers tips to combat winter colds East Valley chiropractor Dr. Daniel Carlow said spinal health is key to combating winter colds and flu. Correct spinal alignment may reduce nervous system interference that can weaken immune system function, said Carlow, who practices at Islands Chiropractic and Massage. In conjunction with flu-prevention guidelines from the American Chiropractic Association, Carlow’s tips include building natural immunity from within via increased intake of garlic, Vitamin C, Echinacea, zinc lozenges and tea. “With winter right around the corner, now is the time to take steps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk for colds and the flu,” Carlow said. “Do not wait until you are feeling poorly to receive treatment. Strengthening your immune system now will reduce the likelihood for illness and, should you get sick, help limit the severity of the flu or cold.” Preliminary findings from an ongoing

asthma trial show that chiropractic manipulation increases immunoglobulin A levels and decreases the levels of glucocorticoid cortisol in the body, according to research reported by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). The ACA reports that many chiropractors have also noticed care may help lessen the duration and severity of a patient’s cold. “While additional research is necessary, preliminary studies show that patients may benefit from chiropractic care thanks to immune system stress reduction,” Carlow said. “Nerve irritation from spinal misalignments can compromise organ and body system function, increasing the risk for a host of health problems. When the body’s systems are under stress, they are also vulnerable to low-grade illnesses, like the common cold. Maintaining proper spinal alignment not only reduces the risk for pain, but also supports whole body health from within.”

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Garlic is also helpful in fighting off illnesses. “Garlic has been used as a health food for over 5,000 years due to its natural antibiotic properties,” Carlow said. “A clinical trial in Great Britain found that individuals who took garlic supplements between November and February had

significantly fewer colds than those who did not. Garlic is also an easy ingredient to add into every day meals, such as garlic in sautéed spinach, garlic in chicken noodle soup, or garlic in tomato sauce. For more information on flu prevention, call (480) 545-4580 or visit www. islandschiro.com.

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January 2016

Neighbors

Yo Waffle hits the spot with yogurt creations BY KATHY KERBY

Yo Waffle is a unique shop that combines frozen yogurt and gourmet waffles. Located on the southeast corner of Higley and Elliot roads, it is owned and operated by two brothers and their wives. Jeremy and Tisha Huish and Dale and Jodee Huish wanted to create a place for families to gather. They certainly hit the mark with this lovely, welcoming place. Because aqua is my favorite color, I was especially pleased with the interior of this little shop that has huge windows, and beautiful booths with elegant white origami-like globe lights. Four small counter height tables with gleaming white and chrome chairs sit atop a slate tile floor. Two flat-screen televisions, an array of beautiful outdoor adventure pictures and a wall of yogurt dispensers and toppings bar complete the decor. My husband, Lou, and I took our daughter, Katie, and granddaughter, Hailey, for a visit to Yo Waffle on a recent Saturday afternoon. We were greeted by Travis and given little cups to sample all the delicious flavors of frozen yogurt. He also pointed out the waffles and 44 toppings explaining that the Liege waffles

are made using a special house-made batter with caramelized sugar crystals. They also offer golden waffles that are gluten free. Tip: There is a little bell to ring if you want a piping hot waffle right off the waffle iron. Two massive menus with pictures of nine “Signature Waffles” and 12 “Signature Frozen Yogurts” sit above the toppings and give suggestions for how to build the delicious treats. Travis told us that two of the most popular are the Cookie Monster Waffle with biscoff (German cookie butter which tastes like graham crackers,) cookie dough bites, caramel syrup and whipped cream sitting atop the Liege waffle and the Gold Digger with salted caramel yogurt, Butterfinger chunks, brownie bites and fudge topping. The yogurt and toppings are 42 cents an ounce and the waffle is $1. They also have a rewards program with a punch card offering $5 off after nine purchases. Hailey, age 6, chose the birthday cake frozen yogurt and topped it with boba, which is tiny, bright red gelatin balls that explode in your mouth. After eating several very satisfying bites she said with a huge smile, “I love this so much, it is the best yogurt ever.”

Katie chose the strawberry frozen yogurt and topped it with several kinds of chocolate and she enjoyed each delicious bite. Lou made a creation of cookies and cream, strawberry and mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt with almonds, coconut, pineapple and mountains of whipped cream on top of a waffle and it was as tasty as it was colorful. I chose the Tahitian vanilla frozen yogurt and piled strawberries and raspberries on the waffle, then topped it all with a dollop of whipped cream. I had never eaten a waffle with frozen yogurt and I realized that this combination is pure genius. The cold, creamy frozen yogurt with tangy fruit combined with the dense, crispy waffle was a “made in heaven” treat. It is obvious why ABC 15 named Yo Waffle as one of the top 10 ice cream/yogurt shops for 2015.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Frozen yogurt with fruit, it’s delicious and nutritious. GSN photos by Kathy Kerby

Yo Waffle 143 S. Higley Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85296 (480) 718-9770 www.yowaf.com Yo waffle, yo way.

Hailey enjoys sampling one of the many delicious frozen yogurts.

Neighbors

www.GilbertSunNews.com

January 2016

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UP TO Dr. Ronald Servi, a lung cancer specialist at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, uses colorful socks to cheer up his cancer patients. Submitted photo

Cancer doctor sports vibrant socks to support his patients BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Dr. Ronald Servi, a lung cancer specialist at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, uses a unique method to lift the spirits of his patients as they battle cancer: colorful socks. Servi, who was in private practice for 20 years before joining the team at the Gilbert-based cancer center, started wearing eye-catching socks in a variety of colors and patterns about a year ago. Since then, he’s used the fashion accessories to boost morale and camaraderie among his patients. “My wife wanted me to be more stylish, so what’s more stylish than a really great pair of socks?” Servi said. “Some patients began to make comments, so I started to give patients a pair of their own socks if they mentioned mine. The patients began wearing their socks to their return appointments and it became something special.” Servi said that cancer patients are often facing the biggest health crises of their lives and, while seemingly a small gesture, something like colorful socks can be a way to assure them that they’re not alone. “We [Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center] have a motto that ‘we are all in,’ and these socks are part of being ‘all in,’” Servi said. Oftentimes, he added, patients come in scared and the socks—and the story behind them—give them something else to focus on. “I try to have fun with the patients,” he explained. “Cancer is a word that scares people. It’s serious business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t joke around.” About a year into his unofficial sock

program, Servi keeps a variety of socks of all patterns, colors and sizes in his office at all times. He noted that he usually purchases the socks online from websites like Amazon. He’s even looked into trademarking the socks to help raise money for cancer awareness and research. “I’d like to make this bigger, maybe even manufacture certain types of socks,” he said. In the meantime, Servi said his wife is very supportive of the unexpected turn his fashion choices have taken—as are his colleagues. “I think what Dr. Servi has done with his cancer socks has had a positive impact on patients,” said Teresa Nicholls, a registered nurse at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We have patients coming in to their clinic appointments proudly flashing their socks with smiles on their faces, anxious to see what colorful pair of socks Dr. Servi is wearing that day. In a place where many are dealing with devastating and lifealtering diagnoses, cancer socks have been a bright spot for our patients. This has been a way for Dr. Servi to share his infectious optimism with our patients and to help make their visits to the cancer center that much more enjoyable.” Servi added that, after decades in private practice, he joined the cancer center to continue to provide patients with the best care possible. To him, sporting colorful socks to brighten his patients’ days is just a small addition to his overall practice. And, when asked about his favorite pair of socks, Servi said it was hard to choose— but a pair of hamburger-themed socks were right up there at the top.

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Cynthia Dales loses nearly 100 pounds BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Like many people, Gilbert resident Cynthia Dales admits that she’s “always been heavy.” The extra weight she carried around was a factor in several health conditions, she said, including degenerative disc disease, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and more. In fact, when she was pregnant with her daughter, who is now a teenager, she developed gestational diabetes. In late 2014, Dales decided though to do something about the extra pounds—a decision that has resulted in nearly triple-digit weight loss. Inspired by her husband, who had full gastric bypass surgery, Dales, a business manager for a local church, investigated her options at the Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management at St. Luke’s Medical Center. In September 2014, she underwent a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. According to ObesityHelp.com, the procedure “generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85 percent

or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption.” The operation is labeled as “purely restrictive” and is often an alternative to the Lap-Band procedure. “The gastric sleeve surgery is a major surgery and a big deal,” Dales said. “But I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Dales said that she opted for the surgery because she wanted a way to lose the weight and keep it off for good. The process leading up to the procedure involved navigating insurance requirements and other paperwork; preparing through classes (the Bridges Center offers related courses); and going on a liquid program before surgery took place. “The recovery period for the surgery was a few weeks, and there’s a learning curve of getting used to liquids and the vitamin regimen,” she said. “By October [2014] I was back in the gym.” Once she was back in the gym Dales said that a “switch flipped” in her mind. “I thought, ‘Wow, I can start doing things,’” she said. She began kickboxing and

participating in marathons. She began to see food as a fuel, she explained, and now focuses on smaller meals and good proteins. As of December, a little more than a year after surgery, Dales had lost nearly 100 pounds and is strictly now in maintenance mode (maintaining the weight loss but not losing any more). “By December 2014, so a few months after surgery, I no longer needed my blood pressure medications,” she explained. “My doctor was recently excited to tell me that I no longer had any health risks and didn’t need to lose any more weight.” Today, Dales remains active by running marathons that give back to charity as a way to pay her good health forward. Because of her active lifestyle, she said, she consumes more calories than a typical bariatric patient but is still successfully keeping the weight off. She noted that she’s lost 65 inches total, from head to toe. “Cynthia’s bariatric surgery helped her to not only achieve her weight loss see CYNTHIA page

Cynthia Dales now sees food as a fuel. Submitted photo

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Neighbors

January 2016

Neighbors

January 2016

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Gilbert Farmers Market

The Gilbert Farmers Market is located in downtown Gilbert, just west of the iconic Water Tower and is open every Saturday. The market features local, chemical-free, organic produce from many local farmers, farm fresh eggs, meat, cheese, bread, sweets, coffee and tea, sauces, seasonings and many other locally made artisan products. Its mission is to promote local sustainability, healthy eating and green living practices among residents. The Gilbert Farmers Market opened in October 2010 with less than 30 vendors. Today it features more than 60 vendors during the summertime and close to 100 vendors in the fall. GSN photos by Kimberly Carrillo

There were many different types of food trucks available.

The Gilbert Town Fiddlers entertained the shoppers.

Daniel, Jude and Lily Barclay play giant Jenga.

There were many vendors to choose from.

Emily Hiebert tried a sample.

Natalia Medina watches as her balloon animal is being made.

Taryn Vandervoort tells her potential customers about her muffins

Only the freshest fruit was available at the farmers market.

Rocky was one of many dogs at the market.

Neighbors

CYNTHIA from page 20

goals but also to set some new goals for the person she wanted to be,” said Dr. Daniel T. Fang, a bariatric surgeon for the Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management at St. Luke’s Medical Center. “We provided her with a comprehensive program to help her achieve healthy, long-term weight loss. She now has lower blood pressure and is leading a truly healthy lifestyle. We couldn’t be more proud to watch her progress, first-hand, and see her confidence flourish.” “Weight loss surgery is not an ‘easy way out,’” Dales added. “I like to share

my story to let others know that there is hope, and sometimes, surgery can be an extra tool to achieve their weight loss and health goals.” Dales said that the surgery, and her hard work at living a healthy lifestyle afterward, has changed her life dramatically for the better. “The surgery gave me a mental shift; I could do this, I could lose the weight, this was the real thing,” she said. “There is hope out there, you can reach your goals. Now, I’m trying to pay it forward, because regaining my health has been a true gift.” To learn more, visit www.bridgesaz. com.

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January 2016

Help us fill in the map! W

e need your help in completing our new

community map, designed exclusively for Gilbert Sun News by talented artist Palmer Saylor III. Please email any additions you would like to see on the map, including local landmarks, businesses serving our community and other relevant items to mapit@gilbertsunnews.com.

community map

January 2016

Business

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Local mom grows her handmade-in-the-U.S.A. brands BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Each successful business owner has a “how I got started” story. For Gilbertbased mom of five and entrepreneur Katie Hughes, it all began when she started making headbands to sell to friends in 2009. Fast forward to today and Hughes and her Utah-based sister Ginny Winters are co-owners of two thriving national brands—Vintage Rose Wraps and Flipped Bird. “I used to hand address wedding invitations for customers so I’ve always had some sort of small business going in addition to being a mom,” Hughes said. “In 2009 I began making headbands to sell to friends; then I began selling them at East Valley holiday boutiques and they’d always sell out. It was then that I figured I had a hot item on my hands, something unique.” Hughes named her new business venture Vintage Rose Wraps and brought Winters in 2010 (the business’ first official year). “It almost helps that we’re sisters,” Hughes said when asked about the dynamic of working with her kin. “We’re both co-owners; Ginny is more into production and I’m in charge of the marketing efforts. Our husbands are also extremely involved and

supportive; they handle finance and web efforts in addition to their day jobs. Our older kids are involved, too. We grew up with a family operation so it’s normal to us.” When Vintage Rose Wraps first started, the company’s main focus was colorful headbands, all made by hand. Then, each season, the company added more products. In addition to headbands, Vintage Rose Wraps now also offers earrings, belts, leather cuffs, boot cuffs and ruffle bags. A priority to both Hughes and Winters is that their company’s products are handmade in either Arizona or Utah. “We’re all about helping other moms,” Hughes explained. “Our products are handmade in the U.S.A. by women—many of them moms who sew and work for us as a way to balance working and motherhood.” So how did Vintage Rose Wraps get its “big break”? Hughes said it began with connecting with big name stores like Apricot Lane that bought their products in bulk and began selling them at shops nationwide. Vintage Rose Wrap products can also be found in Valley stores like Designer Blvd. and It’s a Girl Thing Boutique. “We’re champions of brick and mortar shops but also offer products

on our website,” Hughes said. “I’d say right now that we’re 95 percent wholesale and 5 percent retail on the site.” She added that the company’s most recent news is the acquiring of Flipped Bird, a similar brand that is now part of their business. Flipped Bird specializes in handmade reversible bags, hair ties and accessories, and more. “We bought Flipped Bird from a close friend—it’s a complementary brand that helps us to build our brand motto of ‘Handmade Happiness,” Hughes said. Both brands are housed until an umbrella company called Vintage Mother LLC. When asked about advice for other moms turned entrepreneurs, Hughes said that others should follow their hearts. “There are a lot of creative outlets for moms that can help them earn income while preserving family life,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing when you can make it all work, so go after it.” Hughes credited her East Valley roots with her company’s success. “I think the company grew the way it did because it was started in Arizona,” she explained. “There’s something

In addition to headbands, Vintage Rose Wraps now also offers earrings, belts, leather cuffs, boot cuffs and ruffle bags.

Ginny Winters, left, and Katie Hughes, right, are sisters and owners of Vintage Rose Wraps and Flipped Bird. Photo by Jamie Lynn Hutchings

unique about the East Valley; we’re a haven for a variety of wholesome products. I have a lot of gratitude for the way things have turned out.” To learn more, visit www. vintagerosewraps.com or www. flippedbird.com.

The headbands are handmade in either Arizona or Utah.

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Agents needed for local nonprofit event The Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club was founded with the single objective of supporting children’s charities. The organization provides young adults with an opportunity for personal growth, friendships and leadership development while improving the quality of life for special needs children in the community. Each year, Scottsdale Active 20-30 hosts a charity sporting competition called Brokers for Kids and Agents Benefiting Children. Brokers for Kids is a year-round fundraising effort by professionals in the commercial real estate industry. Agents Benefiting Children is the residential real estate equivalent. Throughout the year, teams are tasked with selling raffle tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Scottsdale nonprofit. At the end, participants then go head to head in an Olympiad Championship. Jose Leon, owner of Leon Law, is the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club chairman for these events this year. “This is a great opportunity for brokers and agents to join efforts with their fellow professionals in their respective industries to fundraise for children’s

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charities,” said Leon. “We are always looking to add brokers and agents to our event.” Throughout the year, these real estate teams raise money through various fundraising efforts for two charities, Boys Hope Girls Hope and the Care Fund. Boys Hope Girls Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to underprivileged kids in communityand residency-based programs, ensuring a good start toward a college education. The Care Fund provides mortgage, rent and housing expense relief, as well as related lifestyle resources during a child’s extended health crisis. The culmination of the year-round fundraiser is an Olympiad Championship. The day is packed with events such as basketball free throws, football toss, baggo, giant Jenga and bocce ball. The teams that raises the most money from each side are then recognized. Matt Long is a Realtor at Solutions Real Estate and was co-captain of his company team for last year’s Agents Benefiting Children event. “The Olympiad was well judged, they took great care of us and most

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January 2016

Participants for Brokers for Kids and Agents Benefiting Children compete to win a challenging game of Baggo. Submitted photo

importantly as a whole we raised a lot of money to make an impact for the future of Phoenix,” said Long. Eric Butler, vice president of sales and leasing at Commercial Properties Incorporated, participated last year. “This is a fun annual event to participate in, but beyond that it’s having the ability to help change the lives of local kids and their families,” said Butler. While this year’s event isn’t until April 8, the nonprofit is looking for residential and commercial real estate agents now to

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sign up in teams of six or eight. “We would love to get to a point where we have someone from every company in the industry participating,” said Leon. The public can also get involved by purchasing raffle tickets to win a new 2016 Toyota or $15,000 in cash from Valley Toyota Dealers. Each ticket is $25 or buy five for $100. For more information, or to purchase a raffle ticket, visit the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club’s website at www. scottsdale2030.org.

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A DJ keeps up the energy as participants battle it out at last year’s Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club event. Submitted photo

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Business

January 2016

Massage Envy is devoted to making massage more affordable, convenient BY ALISON STANTON

For many years, Sam Biggs was interested in health and wellness. So when he heard about Massage Envy, he and his wife, Sheila, knew it would be a franchise that would be a perfect fit. “Touch is a very natural aspect of health and wellness. When a baby cries, we pick it up, and when we’ve had a bad day, we want a hug,” he said. In February 2004 they became cofranchise owners of their first Massage Envy, which is located in Mesa. The initial Massage Envy opened in Scottsdale in 2002. Now, Biggs and his wife are cofranchisees of eight Massage Envy locations— six throughout Mesa, Gilbert and Scottsdale and two in California. “We were probably the third or fourth franchisee with Massage Envy, so we were with them right from the beginning,” Biggs said. “One reason that Massage Envy is so fun to own is that we are making a difference in peoples’ lives. They are walking out better than when they came in, because they have experienced the healing power of touch.” Biggs said Massage Envy’s goal is to bring massage to the everyday person,

and to make it more affordable, professional and convenient. Each location offers a wide variety of different types of massages, Biggs said, including hot stone, trigger point, Swedish, deep tissue, sports and prenatal—which he said is an especially popular option with clients. “The other big offering that Massage

Envy has focuses on healthy skin and facials that are done in-house, all with Murad products,” Biggs said. To schedule an appointment, people are welcome to call any of the Massage Envy locations. “People can explain what they are looking for in a massage, for instance if they are looking for relaxation or if they

have a lot of knots, and the wellness consultant will help them schedule what type of massage they need,” Biggs said. To make it as easy as possible for people to get a massage, each Massage Envy location has around 30 massage therapists on staff, all of whom are licensed and very experienced. Thanks to the large staff, Biggs said it’s typically very easy to get an appointment right away. “People can call in the morning and we can often see them the same day,” he said. Although anyone is welcome to schedule an appointment at Massage Envy, Biggs said people may also join the membership program. “If someone knows they will get regular massages, they can join the program and get significant savings,” he said. Biggs said Massage Envy has caught on not only in the Phoenix metropolitan area, but around the country. “Massage Envy has just surpassed 1,100 locations,” he said. Biggs said he and his wife are delighted with their decision to become full-time franchisees with Massage Envy. “We absolutely love it. We wake up every day thinking ‘oh, we are so glad we get to do this.’” For more information about Massage Envy, visit www.massageenvy.com.

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Chamber hosts series of events through December

Throughout the year, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of luncheons, meetings and events for its members and the community. Events are held throughout the town. The chamber office is at 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101. For more information about events or to register, call (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com. Award Nominees The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year nominees. Businessman Nominees: Kevin DeRosa, Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply Tad Peelen, Joe’s Real BBQ Rustyn Sherer, APS Ralph Willett, Willett CPA Businesswoman Nominees: Emily Evans, Aflac Tracey Groy, Willow Massage + Spa Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Gilbert Public Schools Debbie Newport, Sunrise Senior Living of Gilbert Barbara Starley, Toolbox 4 Entrepreneurs Alice Woodard, Printwerx. The Chamber is inviting the public to its award luncheon and awards ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix/ Gilbert. Admission is $35 for members; $50 for general admission. Chamber Chat Midday The next Chamber Chat Midday is 11:30 see CHAMBER page 31

Career Connectors can help Rated one of the top networking associations in Phoenix, Career Connectors is offering help to adults in career transition. The nonprofit organization connects professionals to high-quality resources and hiring companies. Events are held three times per month, all available at no cost. The next meeting is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Central Christian Church,

Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert. Each meeting includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four featured hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits. For more information, visit www. careerconnectors.org or call (480) 4425806.

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Business

January 2016

ShopSubaru.com

*2015 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards are based on the Brand Watch™ study from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence. Award calculated among non-luxury shoppers. 2015 model-year vehicle’s projected cost to own for the initial ve-year ownership period is based on the average Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data which considers depreciation and costs such as fuel and insurance. Vehicle’s projected resale value is speci c to the 2015 model year.

Business

January 2016

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Solve design dilemmas with help Doing business Dean Thornton, Realtor from a professional

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Arizona North Chapter’s “Design for Hire” public awareness/fundraising program will take place from February through April. This program is designed to help homeowners and design aficionados who have not worked with a professional interior designer previously but always wanted to. For $75 per hour (a maximum of two hours), the public is matched with an ASID interior designer. Consumers who register are matched with a particular designer based on location, project specifications and other parameters. The ASID designers who participate in the program donate their consultation time. The fees collected are directed back to the organization for student design scholarships and educational programs that help further the profession of interior design. This is a way for homeowners to learn how designers provide a difference in their homes and lifestyle through their in-depth knowledge of space planning,

Owner: Dean Thornton How long in business: Three months Specialty: Helping local buyers and sellers. Unique features: Background in construction and experience with fix and flips as well as international relocation. Address: 3530 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite 114, Gilbert, 85297 Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through

Friday, or by appointment Phone: (480) 848-2200 Email: info@deansold.com

Send in your business profile for ‘Doing business’ Charles C. Glover Jr., Allied ASID. Submitted photo

products, materials and finishes, not to mention their ability to plan, schedule, execute and manage projects from start to finish. To sign up, email info@asidasnorth. org or visit www.asidaznorth.org.

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The Gilbert Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers. Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 25,000 homes, racks and boxes the fifth of each month. Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website and email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo. Email this information to info@gilbertsunnews.com or visit www. gilbertsunnews.com and click on the “Doing Business” form at the top of the page to submit.

Weddings

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Events

Business

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January 2016

CHAMBER from page 26

a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at Buffalo Wild Wings, 970 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert. Small Business Workshop This month’s Small Business Workshop will focus on “Online Marketing Made Easy” from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert. Good Government Series An event of the SRP Good Government Series, this breakfast will bring together Chamber Board of Directors, executive team and members with Town of Gilbert elected officials to discuss key business priorities and partnerships to enhance Gilbert’s business environment. The event is from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert. Registration and a buffet breakfast is set for 7 a.m. The cost is $20 for Chamber members only. Registration is required. Call the Chamber for more information. Travel opportunity The Chamber is partnering with Collette Vacations to present an all-inclusive group travel opportunity to the Imperial Cities, featuring Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Departing April 18, this expedition includes round-trip airfare, air taxes, hotel transfers, 11 days and 14 meals. Call the Chamber for more information.

When finished, Savanna House will feature residences as well as a physician office and exam space. Submitted photo

Assisted living and memory care center set to open in fall near Banner Gateway Prevarian Senior Living representatives along with Town and Chamber officials are set to break ground on a new assisted living and memory care center at Higley and Baseline roads. The construction of the 119,250-squarefoot Savanna House Assisted Living and Memory Care center will begin on Jan. 7. The center will provide residents with the activities of daily living and specialized memory care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Savanna House will offer private

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residences with private baths—a choice of 74 alcove, one-bedroom, or twobedroom floor plans for assisted living and 42 suites for memory care residents. Community amenities will include a restaurant-style dining room and private dining room for family gatherings, a café/ bistro, several activity areas such as a card and game room, movie theater, beauty salon, music room and library/computer center. Additionally, there will be a wellness/fitness room, which will include a physician office and exam space. Savanna House will place a special

emphasis on memory care, offering three distinct memory care neighborhoods, each catering to residents who are living with different stages of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The assisted living portion of the community will offer residents personal support at whatever level they require—with a goal of selfsufficiency and independence. For more information, call (480) 926-0046 or visit www. savannahouseseniorliving.com.

January 2016

Authentic meets innovative at Gecko Grill

BY KENNETH LAFAVE

The town of Gilbert boasts a little bit of central Mexico, thanks to Francisco and Martina Moreno, owners of the Gecko Grill. An oasis of authentic Mexican cuisine, the Gecko—also known as Moreno’s Gecko Grill—owes its blend of flavors to Francisco Moreno’s childhood in Durango, Mexico, where the savory tastes of uniquely seasoned meats and vegetables inspired young Francisco to dream of becoming a restaurateur. “I started out as a dish washer,” Moreno said recently, passing out steaming platters of traditional dishes spiked by his own variations. “I’m working my way up.” Indeed, it’s been up all the way since Moreno moved to Gilbert from Durango in 1986. He was 17 and full of ambition. “I wanted my own place, where I could cook the style of food I grew up with, but also put in practice my own ideas,” Moreno said. He started out working for Valley restaurants, learning the restaurant trade from the bottom up, and not just the cooking, but the way to run a profitable business. Along the way, he met a fellow restaurant employee named Martina, and they soon became a couple in life and in business. In 1999, after more than a dozen years of working for other people, Francisco, with Martina, opened their first Gecko Grill. It was a pre-existing, five-table barbecue joint. “I wanted my own restaurant, but found out that the easiest way to get into the business was to buy a place that was already running and go from there,” Moreno explained.

Business

Moreno knew nothing about barbecue, so he bought the restaurant on the condition that the previous owner first teach him how to cook the distinctly American assembly of meats and sauces. After three months, he was ready, and Francisco and Martina officially became entrepreneurs. Slowly, Moreno introduced Mexican food into the Gecko menu, and for a while, the restaurant served both, side by side. The Gecko Grill has since moved to two other locations, the latest and current one being the 45-table venue at 4341 E. Baseline Rd. All three have been in Gilbert, which Francisco has called home since his move from Mexico, and where he intends to remain. The Gecko menu is now all-Mexican, though he will occasionally make barbecue for old customers who remember his way with a rack of ribs. The three most popular dishes for lunch and dinner at Gecko reflect Francisco’s central-Mexican heritage, combined with his passion for innovation: •T ampiqueña. A charbroiled steak, known as carne asada in Spanish, served with a cheese enchilada, beans, rice, guacamole and salsa fresca ($12.99). •D urango Chile Relleno. A large, breaded, green Anaheim chile stuffed with cheese and shrimp and topped with salsa verde, with rice and a garden salad ($10.99). • S hrimp or Chicken Mango Quesadilla. A large flour tortilla filled with shrimp or chicken, mango and jalapeno cream cheese (shrimp $11.99; chicken $10.99). The latter creation caused a lot of people to doubt its success. Meat and

Gecko Grill’s Durango Chile Relleno is stuffed with cheese and shrimp.

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Francisco and Martina Moreno have operated Gecko Grill since 1999. GSN photos by Tim Sealy

fruit in a tortilla is not what one usually expects from Mexican food. “Everyone thought I was crazy. Even Martina thought I was crazy. But I made it and we tried it out and now it’s one of our bestsellers,” Moreno said. Gecko’s menu is extensive, and includes, along with Moreno’s take on authentic Durango dishes such as the chile relleno and carne asada, American variations on Sonoran food (chimichangas and pollo fundido, for example) that are more typical of the Valley’s other Mexican restaurants. And while Durango is a land-locked city, the Gecko nonetheless offers a wide variety of shrimp- and seafood-oriented dishes, including one in tribute to Arizona’s most common Mexican destination, Rocky Point, the Vallarta Enchiladas— corn tortillas packed with shrimp, fish and cheese, under a salsa verde ($10.99). Not everything authentic has caught on—yet. For a while, Moreno served

The tampiqueña is carne asada (charbroiled steak) Durango style, served with cheese enchilada, rice and guacamole.

something he called “Durango Meat,” broiled beef with red chile sauce. Few takers meant he had to remove it from the menu. He may bring it back again in the future. “We’re pretty busy at lunch and dinner during the week, and we do a good business on weekends,” Moreno said, adding that popular demand recently forced him to keep Gecko open on Sundays, when he and Martina had previously kept that day aside for themselves. Gecko also started serving breakfast in 2015. In addition, the busy couple manages a second restaurant, Moreno’s in Queen Creek, which is owned by Francisco’s brother, Angel. Gecko Grill serves beer, wine, and a variety of margaritas. Favorite nonalcoholic drinks are horchata and a homemade strawberry lemonade. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (480) 539-2988.

The spinach omelette is a favorite on Gecko Grill’s new breakfast menu.

Business

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January 2016

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Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa’s signature treatment from its spa is the three-and-ahalf-hour, $196 Retreat Package. Submitted photo

Spa owners continue family tradition with Madison Avenue BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Sean Larusso couldn’t see himself as a salon and spa owner 25 years ago. Now, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “My grandfather was a barber in New York; my father a salon owner for 40 years,” said Larusso, who owns the four locations of Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa in the Valley with his wife, Deborah. “I’m an accountant by trade. I worked in Manhattan for almost three years for a big accounting firm. I came out here in the early ‘90s for a long weekend and fell in love with it.” He packed up and moved crosscountry and subsequently was employed by a local firm. Deborah worked as a stylist for a nearby salon. Larusso said he believed that he and Deborah had the formula for success. So in April 1998, the couple opened Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa. Twelve of the original employees still work for the company. “We’ve been fortunate enough to build something that people consider to be a career,” he said. “They’re here for an extended period of time. That has been something that’s been extremely rewarding for us.” Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa’s signature treatment from its spa is the three-and-a-half-hour Retreat Package. The $196 package includes a one-hour

Swedish massage, a European facial, and a spa pedicure and manicure. “It gives us the opportunity to touch base with all the different areas within the spa,” said Larusso. “That has been our staple package since day one when we opened almost 18 years ago. It’s been our No. 1 seller in terms of packages. I don’t think we’ve ever priced it that low. It’s aggressively priced with the hopes of selling a tremendous amount of them.” The Larussos pride themselves on considering their employees as family. “What we enjoy is seeing people elevate their careers,” he said. “We’ve been doing this long enough. We’ve hired people anywhere from 16 to 60 years old. “We’ve seen them purchase their first car. They’ve gotten married, had their first child, bought their first house, had their second child and their child—those are things honestly are more rewarding than anything. Having had that impact on people is really what has glued us together to be the company we are today. We couldn’t do it without the amazing group of people who are around us.” Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa 81 S. McQueen Rd. Gilbert 85233 (480) 300-5100 www.spamadison.com

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Young father invents first ergonomic carrier for infant car seats Infant carriers can be tough on the arms—tough enough to dislocate the shoulders of even the most strapping young parents, which is why creator and young dad, Nathan Day, invented LugBug. The Gilbert resident set out to build a sturdy, reliable and easy-to-use handle for parents to prevent strain-related injuries when lifting inherently awkward infant car seats. The result is LugBug, a lightweight, ergonomic and exceptionally strong little handle that adjusts to any single-handle baby carrier. It offers a range of better, more comfortable and enjoyable carrying positions that ease tension on the wrist, forearm and shoulder. “The idea of LugBug was born out of necessity after I dislocated my shoulder while lugging around my infant daughter in her car seat,” said Day, a father of two young girls and a real estate developer. “After much research, I was shocked to discover there was nothing on the market to make baby carriers easier to hold. My idea quickly turned into a sketch,

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•

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which evolved into making LugBug a reality with molds, testing, patents and now manufacturing. We just made our debut in October at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas and were overwhelmed by the positive responses from national retailers and mommy bloggers. When you use LugBug, you see how simple, yet revolutionary it is.” North Carolina State University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering studied the effect of baby carrier handle strain on the body. According to the 2011 study, a handle that promoted a neutral wrist posture “would increase grip stability and decrease lifting effort.” A survey discussed in the study said that nearly half of parents experienced shoulder, back or neck pain. “LugBug is exceptionally strong. After extensive testing, we found it has a working load of 90 pounds and a breaking strength of 600 pounds. We’re currently undergoing further testing and evaluation to adhere to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements and

JUMPERS

•

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Day’s single-handle car seat carrier adjusts to any model in the market, is simple and yet revolutionary. Submitted photo

guidelines,” said Day. Headquartered in Scottsdale, the company is accepting online orders for shipment in January. The handle retails for $39.99 and is available in six colors: raspberry, seafoam, cotton candy, robin’s egg, aquamarine and mint. LugBug is compatible with all single-

handle infant car seats, which is nearly every major brand on the market including Graco, CYBEX, Britax, UPPABaby, Safety 1st, Baby Trend and more. For more information or to order LugBug, visit www.lugbug.com or connect on social media at @lugbug_handle.

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Registration opens for SPARK App League, high school coding competition Gilbert is inviting high school students across Arizona to participate in the fourth annual SPARK (Students Participate in App Resources and Knowledge) App League. The annual competition is sponsored by Google and hosted by Gilbert in partnership with ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. This two-day competition will SPARK creativity through coding. A Google engineer will be onsite to help inspire the students and provide a real-life perspective on what a career in coding is like. Students will learn the importance

and power of coding by working in teams of two to three to develop a game using Scratch from MIT. ASU professors and mentors will guide the students as they build their games. All student games will be entered on the second day to win prizes based on their innovation, design and code implementation. The event is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, at the ASU Polytechnic Campus, 7001 E. Williams Field Rd., Mesa. For more information or to register, visit www.sparkappleague.com.

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January 2016

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Child care choices impact student achievement later When a baby is born, many parents start dreaming about junior going to their alma mater and looking in to a college fund. But, it turns out, one of the most important educational choices parents make for their children happens even before they get to kindergarten. Research shows 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5. The positive, nurturing relationships young kids have with adults—from parents to child care and early learning professionals—shape their learning now and throughout their lives. Families are their child’s first and best teachers. In Arizona, 60 percent of children live in families where all of the adults work. So, most children spend all or part of their day learning from other adults. Quality child care and preschool settings help children develop skills like motivation, self-control, focus and selfesteem that are crucial to their success now and once they enter school. First Things First offers families the following tips on what to look for when searching for quality child care and preschool settings. Look for places that build on basic health and safety to include: • teachers and caregivers who know

how to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers; • positive, nurturing relationships that give young kids the individual attention they need; • learning environments that encourage creativity and imaginative play; • hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage positive brain connections in children; and, • caregivers who provide regular feedback to parents on the development of their child. All of these elements combined prepare children for success in kindergarten. But, how do parents know if their child care setting—whether at home, with relatives or friends, or in a child care center or preschool—is a quality early learning environment? QualityFirstAZ.com, a First Things First website, gives families information about why quality matters in child care and preschool and what quality looks like. It also gives parents tools they can use to find a quality child care and preschool setting that meets their needs. This choice has never been more important, and all parents should feel empowered when making decisions

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Quality matters in child care and preschool because 50 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5.

about child care that will help get their children ready for school and set for life. First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they

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Marcus Begay, a 125-pound senior, is a member of the 2015-16 Hofstra University Wrestling team. Hofstra, a NCAA Division I program which competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), returns 14 wrestlers, including seven starters, from the 2014 squad that placed 13th in the EIWA and 35th in the NCAA Division I Championships. Hofstra University is a nationally ranked private university just 25 miles from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. It offers small classes and personal attention with the resources, technology and facilities of a large university. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering and applied science, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North ShoreLIJ School of Medicine. Named to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, and one of only two schools chosen to host consecutive presidential debates, Hofstra University is a dynamic community of more than 11,000 students known for civic engagement and public service.

in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational boarding school for students in grades six through 12. Students in grades nine through 12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), and have the opportunity to learn to fly through a unique flight program. The academy also offers several summer programs. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, Virginia. Tyler Lynch has been named to Eastern New Mexico University’s dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours with a GPA between 3.25 and 4.00. ENMU, a state institution offering associate, bachelor and master degree options, serves students from around the world. Courses are offered oncampus and online.

Timothy Fajembola, a junior at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia, has received recognition for his superior performance on the R-MA varsity boys’ soccer team during the fall 2015 season. Timothy has been named to the Delaney Athletic Conference (DAC) All-Conference Team, receiving an honorable mention. Timothy is the son of Oladipo and Jennifer Fajembola of Gilbert. Randolph-Macon Academy, founded Timothy Fajembola was recently honored for his soccer skills. Submitted photo

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January 2016

Providing Role Models from Cradle to College

CitySkate brings winter wonderland to Phoenix BY KIMBERLY HOSEY

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I’m almost a lifelong Arizonan, but my family is originally from Buffalo, New York. One Christmas we made a trip back there, and one of the absolute highlights was ice skating...outside! We slipped and slid on real live ice as we watched the sun set. It was pretty exotic. Well, Arizonans looking for that postcard ice-skating experience, transplants looking for a taste of ice in the desert, parents introducing their kids to the ice and just about anyone else can find it from now until Jan. 11 at CitySkate, Phoenix’s largest real outdoor ice rink, at CityScape, 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix. The event, in its sixth year, is presented by APS. Organizers expect 200,000 guests to take a spin on the ice during the sevenweek run—but they were seeing triple the amount of visitors early this month compared to the same time last year. Clearly, the word has gotten out. Expect to wait in line. After getting a wristband to skate (the price includes skate rental, plus unlimited skating for the day and session purchased), we made our way through

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bystanders and skaters to a bench to lace up. CitySkate has lockers for shoes and belongings. My son hit the ice—well, inched out onto it, mostly—and glided around to an equal mix of Christmas songs and pop hits. (Never before have I transitioned so seamlessly from singing carols to doing the whip and the nae nae.) Light shows began bathing the ice in alternating shades of red, green, purple and blue at 7 p.m., but even before that we were treated to plenty of Christmas wonder, sightseeing and, yes, parental photo ops as my son skated beneath a 36-foot Christmas tree festooned in bulbs and lights and topped with a star. When he wanted a break, he sat briefly on the wraparound bench at the foot of the tree, gazing up into the gold and blue lights above. Bystanders can have fun too: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Patriots Park receives a light snowfall during light show hours. CitySkate offers ice skates as small as 11 youth (including double blades), and the smaller skates often run out quickly.

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www.GilbertSunNews.com If you want to make sure to nab some skates, or avoid the long line and wait time, try visiting earlier on weekdays. It was a bit of an undertaking for us— we parked in the garage on Washington Street and First (patronizing any CityScape business should get your ticket validated), and by the time we reached the rink, the line snaked around the sidewalk. But we used a real live, outdoor ice rink. In Arizona! I think it was worth it.

Getting tickets Tickets are available online or at the ticket booth. Pricing and times for CitySkate are as follows: Day session: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily. Night session: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kids and adults: $12 (day session), $15 (night and weekend session). Military, kids 4-8, seniors: $8 Children 3 and younger: Free College students (with valid student ID): $12 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES If you can’t make it to CitySkate, there are several venues throughout the Valley offering ice skating experiences, from seasonal holiday wonderlands to yearround skating locations. Public skating times vary at many locations, so call ahead or check the website for hours before visiting.

Seasonal Holiday Ice Skating at the Wigwam Through Jan. 2 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park (623) 935-3811 http://wigwamarizona.com $5 10 and younger, $8 11 and older Desert Ice Skating Rink Through Jan. 3 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale (480) 585-4848 www.scottsdaleprincess.com/SeasonalEvents/Christmas-at-the-Princess $15, skate rental $5.

January 2016

Ice Den Chandler 7225 W. Harrison St., Chandler (480) 598-9400 www.coyotesicechandler.com $5 ages 5 and under (includes rental skates, or $3 with own skates), $6 ages 6-15 and seniors 55 and older, $8 ages 16 and older, skate rental $4. Specials: Friday Night Fever, $5 all ages (includes skates), Family Night Saturday, $8 all ages (includes skates), Holiday Skate on select days, $10.

Ice Den Scottsdale 9375 E Bell Rd., Scottsdale (480) 585-RINK (7465) www.coyotesice.com $5 ages 5 and under (includes rental skates, or $3 with own skates), $6 ages 6-15 and seniors 55 and older, $8 ages 16 and older, skate rental $4. Specials: Family Night Saturday, $8 all ages (includes skates), Holiday Skate on select days, $10.

All year AZ Ice Gilbert 2305 E. Knox Rd., Gilbert (480) 503-7080 http://azice.com/gilbert $8.50 ages 13 and older, $7.50 ages 12 and under; skate rental $3.50. Special from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

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CitySkate, through Jan. 11 at Phoenix’s largest outdoor ice rink, features a 36-foot Christmas tree. Submitted photo

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January 2016

Spirituality

Discovery church to host prom for those with special needs Discovery Community Church is one of the more than 100 churches worldwide that will host Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, simultaneously on Friday, Feb. 12. Night to Shine is a prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 16 and older. This worldwide movement is already set to take place next year in 41 states across the nation and seven countries around the world. Every guest of Night to Shine will enter their prom on a red carpet, complete with welcoming friendly paparazzi. Once inside, guests will receive VIP treatment including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room and of course, dancing! The highlight of the night will come when every one of the Night to Shine guests is crowned as a king or queen of the prom. “We are honored to be able to work with so many churches across the county and around the world to impact the lives of people with special needs,” said Erik Dellenback, executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “After such an amazing response to the inaugural event held in 44 locations earlier this year, our prayer is that this event will one day change the face of Valentine’s Day weekend from simply a celebration of love, to a celebration of God’s love for people with special needs.” As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation will provide each host church with a detailed instruction manual, a Prom Kit complete with

Spiritual Reflections

Prayer reaffirms Divine consciousness Individuals with special needs, ages 16 years and older, may participate in Night to Shine, a prom night experience. Submitted photo

decorations and gifts for the guests, financial support and individualized staff guidance. During Night to Shine 2015, 44 hosts churches and 15,000 volunteers worked together to honor the more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom. This year, the host churches are expected to see more than 20,000 people with special needs at prom all at one time around the world. For more information on this worldwide movement and to support the continued growth of Night to Shine with a donation, visit: http://www. timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/

night-to-shine/ For additional information on the Night to Shine hosted by Discovery Community Church, visit www.discoverycc.org. The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. That mission is being fulfilled every day through the foundation’s seven areas of outreach, including W15H, Timmy’s Playrooms, orphan care, adoption aid, the Tebow CURE Hospital, Team Tebow and Night to Shine. For more information on the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit www. timtebowfoundation.org.

Gilbert, Chandler residents send holiday joy to children in need worldwide Thousands of children experiencing hardship in countries all over the world received Christmas gifts in December, thanks to the generous donations from the Gilbert and Chandler community. Residents packed empty shoeboxes with small items like toys, school supplies and hygiene items for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that sends gifts to children living in difficult situations around the world. Late last year, Gilbert and Chandler volunteers and residents contributed to the Southeast Phoenix Valley Operation Christmas Child Area Team collection of more than 12,000 shoebox gifts for the annual local project.

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For those who missed National Collection Week, you can still get involved. Through the Samaritan’s Purse website, you can virtually “pack” a shoebox, allowing anyone with a computer or mobile device to provide a tangible gift to a child a world away. At www.samaritanspurse.org/ buildonline, visitors can select a child’s age and gender, shop through an online selection of culturally relevant gifts, and finish by uploading a photo and writing a note of encouragement to the child who will receive it. After the shoeboxes are packed and sent by the Operation Christmas Child team, participants can discover where in the world their gifts

will be delivered. It is a convenient yet meaningful way to join in a project that brings hope to children in need. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to deliver gifts to another 11 million children. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (303) 745-9179 or visit www. samaritanspurse.org/occ.

When I pray, I draw upon the spiritual gift of creative imagination, affirming Divine consciousness. I affirm that divinity is all there is. I experience spiritual courage, pure joy, profound peace, laughter, wisdom and the spontaneity to enjoy life. It is often easier to recognize Divinity in others than to see our own unity with the Divine. But through prayer and connection with my Creator, I become more aware of these same Divine attributes in myself. God is, I am and we are one! How can I be filled with anything less than infinite intelligence, magnificence, power, and love? The Rev. Julianne Lewis, pastor Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center Share your Spiritual Reflections The spiritual leaders of Gilbertarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@gilbertsunnews.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the Gilbert Sun News.

Spirituality

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Interfaith Council to celebrate love, diversity

Worship guide There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews. com. The Bridge Church 860 E. Warner Rd., Suites 101 & 103 Gilbert 85296 480-294-7888 www.bridgechurchaz.org Services: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays We exist to show the world who Jesus is, and we believe that when people get to know Jesus as He really is, their lives will change forever. Therefore, it is our passion to help people know Jesus throughout Gilbert, Metro Phoenix and the world. Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297 www.centralaz.com Services: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 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 Latterday Saints 3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000 www.lds.org/church/temples/ gilbert-arizona?lang=eng For more information about the church, visit the website above.

The Greater Sun Lakes Interfaith Council has invited the Arizona Interfaith Movement, Islamic Speakers Bureau, Arizona Christian Speakers bureau, Hindu Speakers Bureau, Arizona Sikh community, the Arizona Intertribal Council and others. It is the Interfaith Council’s intention to facilitate opportunities to further peaceful solutions by holding peace supporting events for the community. This initial event honors King and those who continue to create conversations that support the Season of Nonviolence. The event will be held monthly through April. For more information, call the Rev. Debbie Brown of Unity of Sun Lakes at (602) 309-1818 or the Rev. Vernon Meyer, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, at (480) 895-6317. First United Methodist Church of Gilbert 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166 www.gilbertumc.org Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance. Gilbert Presbyterian Church 235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-6753 www.azgpc.org Services: 8:30 a.m. 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 with everyone. Living Water United Methodist  Fellowship Highland Park Elementary School 230 N Cole. Dr., Gilbert 85234 www.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 Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024 www.mission68.org Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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The Greater Sun Lakes Interfaith Council will celebrate “Love in Diversity,” a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at All Faiths Chapel, 9240 Sun Lakes Blvd. King was a man of nonviolence whose integrity and strength of spirit brought incredible change. His legacy of peaceful means to social change continues to be an example to us all. The gathering honors the diversity in world faiths and the universal power of peace that exists in every human heart. The Greater Sun Lakes Interfaith Council is hosting this event in response to crosscultural tensions. In the spirit of King’s dream of peace in our time this interfaith service features the voice of reason in the presence of love to foster renewed hope.

January 2016

E. Warner Rd.

Happy New Year Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 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 Rd, Gilbert 85233 (480) 632-2220 www.gilbert.redemptionaz.com/ about/a-brief-overview/ Services: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. 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. Resurrection Episcopal Church Meets at Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., Gilbert 85233 (480) 719-5343 www.resurrectiongilbert.org Services: 10 a.m. Sundays Resurrection officials say the congregation is a church you can believe in because you belong. This means it welcomes and embraces all 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 85296 Phone number not available. www.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 Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 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 Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.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.

Arts

January 2016

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Hale’s ‘Beau Jest’ appeals with wit and family theme BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Thirteen years ago, “Beau Jest” was Hale Centre Theatre’s very first show. It was produced for a second time and it’s running once again through Feb. 13 at the Gilbert theater. The play, with its central theme of family and relationships, doesn’t fail to appeal, said theater owner Dave Dietlein. It ran for a year in Chicago and was an Off-Broadway hit for two and a half years. “It has a lot of traditional family influence: tender moments, romance, tradition and comedy, and it’s very cleverly written. All of those elements combine to make for a great evening out,” he added. Playwright James Sherman’s comedy centers on an orthodox Jewish family in Chicago. Young school teacher Sarah Goldman (played by Laura Anne Kenney) has a problem with presenting her nonJewish boyfriend to her parents. Despite the protests of her boyfriend, Chris Kringle, she employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date for the duration of an evening’s dinner with her parents at

her apartment. The promised Jewish date, Dr. Steinberg, doesn’t pan out. Instead, Sarah has to make do with unemployed and aspiring actor Bob Schroeder (Aaron Blanco), who’s only too pleased to try out his skills. It turns out that Sarah’s “beau jest” is a terrific impersonator and her parents are highly taken up with the prospective son-in-law. Naturally, this leads to other problems. Director Jere Van Patten has done his best to present the story in an authentic manner. “There’s a huge emphasis on the Jewish culture. We have a Seder dinner, we have a Sabbath dinner and there’s all of these Jewish rituals that go into the show,” he said. Patten took the six-member cast to one of his friends’ homes for a traditional Seder so that they could experience it. Although the table settings change a few times, the overall show doesn’t have major set changes and everything takes place within Sarah’s apartment. Thus, conveying the essence of the

Laura Anne Kenney plays Sarah Goldman and Aaron Blanco plays Bob Schroeder, who impersonates as Sarah’s Jewish boyfriend in “Beau Jest,” now playing at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. Submitted photo

story is important to appreciate the drama, said Patten, who is the theater teacher at Red Mountain High School in Mesa and adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College. “It’s all about keeping it honest. It’s about telling the story. It’s all about finding the truth in the material. It’s about keeping it fresh and telling the story from an honest point of view,” he said. “It is very funny but we don’t go for the joke.

When you play the joke it’s all flat. So we just play the truth, play the honesty and that’s what this cast is really good at.” “Beau Jest” plays Wednesday to Saturday through Feb. 13 at Hale Centre Theatre, 50. W. Page Ave., Gilbert. On Jan. 22, playwright James Sherman will attend and be available for an after-show chat with the audience. Tickets range from $18 to $28. Call (480) 497-1181 or visit www. haletheatrearizona.com for details.

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January 2016

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Local painter to set up studio for 10 weeks at fine art show Renowned artists from across the globe at the old Papago Park Stables when I was will make the beautiful Sonoran Desert going to ASU.” in North Scottsdale home for 10 weeks She has lived on a small ranch in Gilbert as they create original pieces of fine art since 1971. in what has come to be known as one of “I decided Gilbert was a great place to Arizona’s best venues for collecting fine art. raise children. I had a way with animals The Arizona Fine Art EXPO begins Friday, and raised calves for many of the feed lots Jan. 22 and runs through Sunday, April around Gilbert. I also raised and trained 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily under the Appaloosa horses mainly because I loved “festive white tents” at 26540 N. Scottsdale the colors and would use them in my Rd., on the southwest corner of Scottsdale paintings,” Herst said. and Jomax She even did roads, next to some barrel racing MacDonald’s Ranch. in the small rodeos Season passes cost around Gilbert. “I $10; season passes loved training my for seniors and horse Lucky Star military are $8; and to be a barrel racer. children under 12 We never won are free. Parking is any blue ribbons, free. but we both had The event a great time,” she features 120 patronsaid. friendly working Herst only paints studios within a in oils. “I use many 44,000-square-foot of the techniques space, where guests of the old masters have a rare chance as far as putting in to meet the artists, a wash and building see them in action, the painting from and learn about Artist L.C. (Linda) Herst lives on a ranch in Gilbert. the darks to the their inspiration lights,” she said. Patrons can see her painting for 10 weeks during and techniques. “Many of my the Arizona Fine Art EXPO, which opens on Jan. Throughout the 10 22. The work above is titled Desert Maverick. westerns have a weeks, artisans will Submitted photo traditional subject sketch passionately matter with a in pencil, charcoal contemporary, and pastels; sculpt and fire clay; drill, sometimes abstract, background.” chisel and carve stone; paint in all media; Enjoying the EXPO experience delicately scrape and etch on scratchboard, In addition to visiting individual artist stain and etch gourds; design lost wax studios, patrons can stroll throughout one casting; solder and weld jewelry; assemble of the Valley’s largest sculpture gardens, mosaics and more. Art is for sale and which includes a Koi pond with a waterfall commissions are welcomed. surrounded by natural desert. Other See a local painter create original work highlights include a café, wine tastings, Gilbert painter L.C. (Linda) Herst has garden parties, book signings, live music been participating in the show for 12 every weekend and more. In addition, years. For Herst, the beautiful setting the nonprofit American Healing Arts provides inspiration and she thrives on the Foundation will provide free art classes for camaraderie among her fellow artists. veterans during the show. For 34 years, Thunderbird Artists has “The Arizona Fine Art EXPO is a played a very important role in uniting wonderful place to paint and show my gifted artists with patrons across the world work,” Herst said. “It’s a large, diverse show, by producing award-winning fine art and but it still has a feeling of friendliness and fine wine festivals. A family-run business, family. I particularly enjoy talking with the Thunderbird Artists’ success and the other artists and patrons about art.” encouragement of artists prompted the Far from her childhood upbringing in birth of the Arizona Fine Art EXPO 12 Brooklyn, New York, Herst loves living in years ago. the Southwest as evidenced by her vibrant, as she calls them, “damn fine western,” and For more details about participating contemporary oil paintings. artists or events during the show, “I always loved horses and cowboys as a call (480) 837-7163 or visit www. child, and when I came to Phoenix in 1955, ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com. I think I rode every stable horse in the Phoenix area,” she said. “I even got a job

Cowgirl Attitude is one of Herst’s western and contemporary oil paintings from her working studio. Submitted photo

This painting by Herst is entitled Road to Cameron. Submitted photo

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Arts

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January 2016

Arts

January 2016

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ON STAGE Donny Osmond, Friday, Jan. 8, WHP. Donny Osmond, who is celebrating 50 years as a performer, embarks on his first solo concert performances in four years with “The Soundtrack of My Life Tour.”

Hannah Alkire joined forces in 1998 to form Acoustic Eidolon. Riverdance, Tuesday, Jan. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 17, MAC. The international Irish dance phenomenon is on its 20th anniversary world tour with an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. The Abbey Road Band, Thursday, Jan. 14, HCPA. This group is the quintessential Beatles tribute band.

On the Air: A Tribute to Bob Hope and Radio Stars of the 1950s, Friday, Jan. 8, HCA. The show is staged as a 1940s NBC radio broadcast complete with an on-stage staff announcer, reading vintage commercial copy of the period with a humorous touch.

Black Violin, Friday, Jan. 15, CCA. Virtuoso musicians Wil B. and Kev Marcus meld highbrow and pop culture through a fusion of classical, jazz, hip hop, blues and R&B. Peter, Paul and Mary Remembered and Friends, Saturday, Jan. 16, HCPA. Recall memories of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane,” “Puff,” “If I had a Hammer” and “Stewball.”

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Friday, Jan. 15, HCPA. Ryan Shupe Band’s style evokes images of Dave Matthews Band gone bluegrass.

Jim Curry: Take Me Home—The Music of John Denver, Saturday, Jan. 9, HCPA. Jim Curry sang John Denver’s parts during the making of the CBS television music “Take Me Home: The John Denver Story.” Acoustic Eidolon: World Music for the Soul, Sunday, Jan. 10, HCPA. Joe Scott and

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wildlife cinematographer Bob Poole. Deana Martin: Honoring Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, Saturday, Jan. 23, CCA. The show is a combination of musical treasures intertwined with personal reflections and private recollections from a lady who grew up having a familylike relationship with the people to whom she is paying tribute.

Timber! A Production of Cirque Alfonse, Sunday, Jan. 17, CCA. The artists perform incredible feats of aerial acrobatics that are directly inspired by the natural raw materials of the forest and the equipment used on the farm.

Blinddog Smokin’, Thursday, Jan. 28, HCPA. The funk and blues showband shows off a deep and original American repertoire of fatback funk, blistering blues, uptown horns and low-down grooves.

Gorongosa Reborn: A Cameraman’s Journal, Wednesday, Jan. 20, MAC. Travel to Africa with Emmy Award-winning

Moscow Festival Ballet’s “Don Quixote,” Friday, Jan. 29, CCA. Leading dancers see ON STAGE page 50

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The Titan Valley Warheads will play traditional favorites at the concert. Submitted photo

Titan Valley Warheads to ‘Rock the Valley’ again BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Gilbert Lions’ main fundraising effort for the year gets underway soon. The sixth annual “Rock the Valley” concert featuring The Titan Valley Warheads and The Rave will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Gilbert High School auditorium, 1101 E. Elliot Rd. Mayor John Lewis will emcee. A silent auction will feature donations from local businesses and club members. Heritage Financial Services, Gilbert Hospital and Expert Maintenance Systems are the main sponsors of the event. Club President Tony Hyland said that the group hopes to raise $8,000 to $10,000 for charity. It will benefit the club’s sight and hearing programs that provide testing and aids to needy individuals, college-bound students with scholarships and Camp Tatiyee, a fullservice summer camp for special needs

children in Northern Arizona. Formed in 1981, The Titan Valley Warheads will play a blend of western swing, bluegrass and old time traditional favorites. “The Rave,” comprising four musicians from the US, Europe and Panama, will offer covers from the artists of the 1960s and 1970s. Each year, the club also holds its “White Cane” project to raise funds for the seeing impaired and a garage sale in February at Gilbert Elementary School. Gilbert Lions was chartered 45 years ago and is part of about 46,000 clubs in more than 207 countries that have a total of more than 1.4 million members. Tickets for “Rock the Valley” cost $10 and may be obtained at the door. Call Tony Hyland at (480) 892-7533 or Ron Rosinke at (480) 751-8284.

January 2016

Arts

January 2016

ON STAGE from page 48

from across Russia will be staging a new production of the timeless classic Don Quixote.

Fiesta Mexico-Americana with Los Lobos, Saturday, Jan. 30, CCA. The Mexican-American Experience is celebrated through song, dance, music and film highlighting the many notable achievements and contributions of Mexican-Americans throughout U.S. history in this new multimedia production. Nelson Illusionists, Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6, HCPA. Nelson Illusions is a one-of-a-kind theatrical spectacle combining rare and original illusions with award-winning, jawdropping magic.

Lee Ann Womack, Sunday, Feb. 21, CCA. Country Album of the Year nominee Lee Ann Womack sings hits from her most acclaimed albums. Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters, Wednesday, Feb. 24, HCPA. Singer and playwright Lisa Rock has compiled a moving tribute to the music and life of Karen Carpenter and brings it to the stage with her sixpiece backing band.

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Pace’s ceramic art to be featured at gallery

VENUES

“A Plethora of Platters—Ceramic Art by Alvin Pace” will be on display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 12 through March 6, at the Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. A reception to meet the artist will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. Pace, an Arizona native, has a master of fine arts degree from ASU and was the head of the art department at Chandler High School for more than 30 years. He has been a long-term advocate and supporter of the arts in Chandler, and is a ceramics instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. His work can be found in the City of Scottsdale Arts Collection, the ASU Ceramic Collection and the Eddie Basha Art Collection. The Chandler Center for the Arts welcomes Alvin Pace back to present a look at his current art project, A Thousand Platters, as it nears completion. Info: (480) 782-2695, vision.gallery@ chandleraz.gov or www.chandlercenter.org.

CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org HCPA—Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 279-7190 or www. higleyarts.org

2CELLOS, Saturday, April 9, MAC. Their version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” went viral in 2011, and the Croatian cellists continue to excel with dynamic music videos and covers.

MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com

Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science, Thursday, May 12, MAC. Fans can expect more comedy, talk show antics, multimedia presentations and music.

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Opinion

January 2016

Time to prepare for El Niño winter BY DENNY BARNEY

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about El Niño lately. So what exactly is El Niño and how could it impact us here in Maricopa County? Most of you DENNY BARNEY. know El Niño is a Submitted photo prolonged warming of the Pacific coastal waters that affects weather patterns, temperatures and rainfall around the globe. The historic pattern for Maricopa County in El Niño years has been unusually wet winters. This year, weather events resulting from El Niño are expected to be among the strongest on record since 1950 and we are hearing we will likely see increased thunderstorms possibly through April. Maricopa County is preparing for an El Niño winter and it’s a good idea for county residents to prepare also to keep family, pets and property safe. Here’s some helpful advice to consider: Stay informed. Keep tuned to local radio

Create a family plan to stay in touch with your family and friends in the event of a flood (or any disaster). • Don’t forget medicines and specialneeds items. • Choose a meeting place in case you get separated. • Plan for your pets, too. Put together a “grab and go” emergency kit that includes food, water and first-aid supplies. • For home: Generators, cash, gas storage for vehicles. Three days of water and food, first-aid kit, radio and mobile device chargers. Store important documents, zip drives, money and cellphone in waterproof Ziploc bags. • For your car: Extra gas, a blanket, window breaking hammer. Check your tire treads and windshield wipers; consider replacement if needed. Stay off the road during and after storms. Road closure information can be found at www.mcdot.maricopa.gov. Prepare your home by keeping some basic supplies on hand. • Keep sandbags, plywood and plastic sheeting around to protect from floodwaters and to make quick repairs after a severe storm. • Elevate the air conditioner, furnace, water heater, electric panel and other valuables above the anticipated flood elevation. Work with professional

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I’m answering the person who is questioning my claim in October’s Sound Off that FOX News viewers are the most uninformed people around. I’m laughing at his/her statement that FOX News viewers are the most informed, intelligent Americans. Informed and intelligent should never be used to describe most FOX News junkies! For this reader’s information, I do tune in to FOX News now and then to catch their side of events, talking points and to listen to some of their experts give commentaries. One FOX expert that comes to mind is Wayne Simmons, their former resident CIA affairs expert. He reportedly had

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previously worked for the CIA and had led some “deep cover intel ops,” etc. He was discovered to have never worked for the CIA and was finally fired after being exposed and arrested. But, to answer the Sound Off reader’s question, I did a quick search on Google, typing in the words “uninformed FOX News viewers.” I stopped counting at 100 articles. There is page after page with articles citing various polls that showed FOX News viewers being less informed. Some of the polls I saw listed were Gallup, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NPR, Pew Research Center, University of Maryland and worldpublicopinion. org. There were others. So, FOX viewer, I

Prepare your car for an El Niño winter: check your tire treads and windshield wipers.

plumbers and electricians to ensure this is done properly. Consider buying flood insurance because flood damage is not typically covered by homeowners’ policies. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers flood insurance, which can be purchased through the insurance agent who handles your homeowners’ policy. Note: There is a 30-day waiting period for a policy to go into effect. Maricopa County remains diligent in its efforts to ensure the community is prepared. Our Flood Control District maintains 320 precipitation gages and operates 38 real-time weather stations throughout the region. These devices measure the amount and timing of rainfall along with combinations of suggest you learn to use Google or other search engines to check out some of the “stuff” you hear on FOX. As we remember our grandparents saying all through the 1940s, it’s the Russians that exacerbate the problems. The Russians have not moved on since the 1940s. It’s Putin’s fault. Shame on Putin. Shame on Russians who do not speak up. It’s the same old, same old. Shame on Russia. Hillary Clinton’s top aid warned in an email to a state department staffer that Hillary is often confused. Why would anyone vote for this woman who has had a head injury, who is under investigation for her emails, and lying to the American people and the families of the four dead Americans that the attack as caused by a video. Why anyone would vote for that woman is beyond me. Barack Obama’s strategy for fighting ISIS is going to Paris for the global conference on global warning. This will send a severe rebuke to the terrorists. I believe this president is certifiably insane.

temperature, humidity, and wind speed/ direction which are transmitted to a central location every 15 to 30 minutes. This data is continuously monitored and can be used to issue storm alerts and inform local jurisdictions and public safety officials to take necessary action. Be informed and prepared this winter. Have a plan in place before the next flooding event. As the old saying goes, “A danger foreseen is half avoided.” For more storm status and preparation information, visit www.fcd.maricopa.gov and ready. gov/floods. Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

See and listen to the tapes of the Flagstaff brouhaha. Then listen to the prosecutor demand $2 million bond. Shame on him, hot head. Listen to what really happened in Flagstaff. There is no such justice in a court like that. It’s already decided. Prosecutor needs to be prosecuted himself. Fifty million people are supposed to be watching the Macy’s parade around the world. What do you think Americans do when they’re threatened by people like ISIS? They have a parade and not a sign of a military weapon in it. They’re singing and dancing and having a good time. We’re not afraid of your crazy people. You shouldn’t be afraid of them either. Have a parade. Throw flowers, not bullets. I’ll bet there aren’t many senior citizens who know Black Friday means the color of ink business people want to see on their end-of-theyear books. Red means loss, black means profit. The press is finally understanding it’s the ammunition not the guns that the politicians need to take care of. Get to work or get out of office.

www.GilbertSunNews.com People can complain about Trump being rude and ignorant, but the rudest people on television are the McLaughlin group [political pundits on PBS]. They are so unbelievably bad mannered. It’s hard to believe they’re all experts. It’s just disgusting, never mind disturbing. How disappointing to see the final assault on Channel 8 when privileged money can now buy the sixth season of “Downton Abbey” that so many people followed. The rest of the fans will politely wait for the sequel to end. It’s just another sign of America’s loss of once better matters for better business. Sorry Channel 8. We’ll be crossing you off our list. All day long, crazy people are demanding answers for unanswerable crimes that people can commit. Holy moly what’s going wrong with America, except thank goodness you can change to another station. You can see and hear Christmas carols and the tree being lit at Rockefeller Center. America’s OK. It’s the crazy people who are not. Question: what’s wrong with 94 percent of the normal public doing about the 6 percent of NRA believers? Why aren’t they annoying these few people to destroy the piece of

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January 2016

America. Ninety-four percent of you are saying nothing about gun control. Are you voting for peace?

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How many more Americans need to be murdered by Islamic terrorists before Obama will admit that they have declared war on us and the free world. What is the matter with this man? It’s just further proof that he sides with Islam. He will not say “Islamic terrorists.” The mass killing in San Bernardino was not workplace violence. It was a terrorist attack by Islamics. Right now being shown on TV are reporters going through the apartment of the people involved in the killings in California. Talk about invasive press. Why is this being allowed by the FBI? They’re handling moving, identifying and going through personal objects. Where are the police to drag these reporters out of this apartment that should be sealed How crazy can the press get to be. Congress finally voted to fix America’s roads and bridges and it credits itself so Republicans can be voted into the White House. Get there, blame the president for spending all that money. Do they really think the Americans don’t see the duplicity?

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