Mesa Tribune - Zone 2 - 11.22.2020

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Coming to Mesa / P. 9

A star is mourned / P. 8

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS ...................... 12 Mesa, AZ virus cases soaring.

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | TheMesaTribune.com

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Nightlife may have ebbed, drunk driving hasn’t

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

P

olice tactics are changing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the East Valley DUI Task Force will return during the holiday season with the same goal of promoting public safety by busting as many impaired drivers as possible.

Throughout Arizona, driving under the in�luence arrests are down 10-15 percent this year, but East Valley agencies report the opposite trend, with Gilbert police arrests increas-

ing 31 percent from a year ago and Chandler police also reporting an increase.

Mesa and Scottsdale police report little change from a year ago, with drivers still drinking or using drugs before getting behind the wheel – apparently more from imbibing at home or private social gatherings.

“Overall, our numbers are down slightly from last year. However, our crashes involving impaired drivers have remained at a similar level,’’ said Sgt. Ben Hoster, a Scottsdale police spokesman. “This is still signi�icant because of how nightlife has been impacted.

“Across the Valley, we are seeing a noticeable amount of people driving impaired that are not coming from the establishments impacted by the pandemic.’’

Mesa police Of�icer George Chwe, a state instructor in DUI investigations, said the problem can be traced to substance abuse and addiction.

“A lot of old habits are coming back,’’ Chwe said, with people who have suffered from substance abuse in the past likely backslid-

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Mesa not letting COVID-19 spoil the season

COMMUNITY .......... 14 Museum pins big hopes on next Sunday.

GET OUT .................. 21 These EV eateries respect food allergies.

COMMUNITY ............................... 14 BUSINESS ..................................... 17 OPINION ....................................... 19 SPORTS ....................................... 20 GET OUT ....................................... 21 PUZZLES ...................................... 22 CLASSIFIED ................................. 25 Zone 2

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

W

ith Thanksgiving opening a holiday season made unusual by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mesa will be attempting to spread holiday cheer and avoiding the surging virus.

Many of the city’s traditional holiday events have been altered by the pandemic curtailed in format while food drives and other community-wide charitable endeavors have taken on a heightened urgency in the wake of COVID-19’s economic toll.

Generous residents donated turkeys at the Mesa Civic Center, workers erected a temporary ice-skating rink near City Hall, and Mesa �ire�ighters stood on street corners to solicit funds for their long-delayed annual boot campaign.

Merry Main Street, the city’s annual Christ-

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Mesa Fire Capt. Steve Heyer and his fellow firefighters are taking to the streets with their annual fundraiser boot campaign to raise money for wheelchairs and other necessities as they join the city’s effort to bring holiday cheer to the needy and residents in general during a holiday season that will be muted by the pandemic. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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HOLIDAYS ���� ���� 1

The Mesa Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the East Valley.

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mas event, kicks off at 5:50 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, with a “virtual tree lighting’’ ceremony that residents can view on the city’s Facebook site instead of attending in person.

The Winter Wonderland ice-skating rink also opens east of City Hall on the same day but with a series of protocols aimed at reducing virus spread.

No more than 50 skaters will be allowed at any given time and tickets must be purchased in advance on the city web site, merrymainst@mesaaz.gov. Santa also will start making his weekend visits on Nov. 28.

“It’s fun. It gets people in the spirit of the holidays,’’ said Kevin Christopher, a city spokesman.

Downtown Mesa also will be adorned with vintage Christmas decorations not used since 1967 to give the area a unique look.

The city’s annual Breakfast with Santa, which draws hundreds of kids, is now the Drive-Thru Breakfast with Santa.

At 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Dec. 12, families can drive into the parking lot of the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. kids can get a goodie bag with holiday crafts, to-go breakfast for each registrant and a greeting from old St. Nick.

“The brief drive-thru includes the sights and sounds of Christmas to get into the holiday spirit,” Christoper said.

Each child in a vehicle must be registered to get an email with a letter to Santa that they are encouraged to complete and bring to the event to give him or his elves. Then, they will receive a special return letter in the mail from Santa before Christmas.

Registration is required at mesaparks. com and the cost is $3 per child.

Proceeds from the breakfast bene�it City of Mesa’s Community Spirit, a charitable fund raising and volunteer organization that supports the parks department’s adaptive programs, youth sports and aquatics program.

Teaming up with city departments for the drive-thru is Personal Touch Catering.

Meanwhile, Mesa police, �ire�ighters and even a group of motorcycle enthusiasts are going beyond the festive trappings of Christmas to bring joy to needy people and families.

Founded by Greg “Troll’’ Hughes, an East Valley motorcycle enthusiast, “Troll’s Teddy Bear Run’’ will be held for the �ifth consecutive year after reaping more than

Mesa Firefighter Brandon Kisiel, paramedic Angela Collins and Engineer Chase Wright delivered a new recliner purchased by the East Valley Firefighters for a woman who had been sleeping in a plastic lawn chair after her furniture was destroyed by bed bugs. The woman will use the chair after she returns home from a rehabilitation center. Firefighters learned about the woman’s plight while responding to a 911 call. (Courtesy of Capt. Steve Heyer)

1,000 stuffed animals last year that police and �ire�ighters hand out to abused and traumatized children.

Motorcyclists visit several locations on Dec. 5 before wrapping up at Superstition Harley Davidson, where donors can drop off stuffed animals even if they don’t ride. For information, go to TrollsBikerWorld.com.

“Our methodology might change because of COVID-19, but our hearts are still the same,’’ said Shelly Ward, victim services coordinator for the Mesa Police Department’s Family Advocacy Center.

Ward said she delights in bringing an abused or traumatized child into a room where the stuffed animals are kept after they have been interviewed by a detective.

“I tell them, there’s a friend here, �ind a friend. They just love it,’’ Ward said. “It’s the coolest thing in the world after working with heartbreaking stuff.’’

Mesa Fire Capt. Steve Heyer, executive director of East Valley Fire�ighter Charities, said their annual toy drive is scheduled for Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Fry’s supermarket at Guadalupe and Signal Butte Road.

Although 26 Mesa �ire�ighters and �ive civilians have contracted COVID-19 despite wearing masks and other personal protective equipment, they are setting aside their own struggles to help others.

The annual campaign includes �ire�ight-

ers from the Mesa and Gilbert �ire departments, the Superstition Fire District in Apache Junction and several others who belong to the same union local.

Sports equipment like soccer balls and footballs, dolls and anything electronic – even simple headphones – are always appreciated, he said.

Mesa �ire crews are adopting 20 needy families selected by school nurses at Mesa Public Schools, delivering meals and gift cards the day before Thanksgiving, he said.

Their Christmas giving program is much larger, with �ire�ighters from several East Valley agencies that adopting 100-200 families, trying to ensure that every child receives a gift.

Fire crews also often adopt a family for Christmas, shelling out of their pocket, if necessary, to buy gift cards or Christmas trees to bring a little bit of cheer into an otherwise bleak year dominated by the pandemic.

“I think from what we are seeing, people are in need more than any other year,’’ Heyer said. “Our �ire�ighters have a unique opportunity on 911 calls to see folks in need of help. My crews will go above and beyond to buy a Fry’s or Safeway gift card.’’

He said Mesa residents “are in such need they have stuff like socks and underwear and pajamas on their list.’’

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Brokerage, nonpro�it help Mesa nursing assistant TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

T

hanks to apartment complex investment brokerage ABI Multifamily and the nonpro�it Habitat for Humanity, a Mesa hospice nursing assistant has something special to be grateful for this Thanksgiving: a home of her own.

Raymara Rodriguez and daughters Sienna, 8, and Arianna, 6, had been living with her parents in a home too small for �ive people.

But Habitat for Humanity and ABI Investments came to the rescue, �ixing up an abandoned home in Mesa earlier this month.

Born and raised in Mesa, Rodriguez helps hospice patients with daily tasks and making their end-of-life journey as comfortable as possible.

She was the latest bene�iciary of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, which in the last 25 years built more than 1,150 homes or made major home improvements impacting 3,500 families.

While Raymara loves her parents and the neighborhood they live in, it is crowded and what was supposed to be a temporary living situation has become long-term,” spokeswoman Elaina Verhoff said.

“Raymara is looking to build the independence and stability of owning her own home for her and her daughters,” Verhoff added.

Raymara heard about Habitat through a friend who encouraged her to apply. Now that she is a part of its program, Verhoff said, “she is looking forward to activities like painting in their new home and going to the park in their new neighborhood.

HOLIDAYS ���� ���� 3

Mesa �ire�ighters also splurged for one needy woman who told them she has been sleeping in a simple plastic lawn chair in a crowded house because she had nowhere else to go.

The �ire�ighters bought the woman a recliner, Heyer said, and delivered it last week.

Heyer said needy people are often overcome emotionally when the �ire�ighters deliver the gifts.

“Typically, mom and dad are in tears

Raymara Rodriguez, center is flanked by ABI Multifamily volunteers, from left, Jessica Siragusa, Devinder Khalsa, John Kobierowski, Andrew Arambula, Bryce Neagle and Eddie Chang. (Special to the Tribune)

“She looks forward to building new to make the dream of homeownership memories with her daughters, such as a reality for the Rodriguez family, but their quinceañeras,” Verhoff added. “She we’re looking forward to continuing wants to raise her girls in an environment where they can do well in school and feel safe and secure.”

Since it was the mortgage holder on the house, built in 2011, Habitat for Humanity as the mortgage holder had the right of �irst refusal and bought it back so it reinvested in the community by renovating the home.

Six ABI Multifamily employees helped get the house in shape.

“We are so excited to be able to work with Habitat,” says John Kobierowski, ABI Multifamily senior managing partner. Raymara Rodriguez and her two children will be moving into their own home, “Not only are we helping thanks to Habitat for Humanity and SABI Multifamily. (Special to the Tribune) crying,’’ Heyer said.

Mesa Police are continuing another holiday tradition through the Shop with a Cop program.

Kylie Clore, police community programs coordinator, said a $5,000 grant from the Wal-Mart at Mesa Riverview will enable 45 needy elementary school students to have breakfast with an of�icer on Dec. 5 and to buy gifts worth about $100 for their families.

The needy students are selected by Mesa Public Schools employees. The program has been in effect for about 10 years and many

of�icers have developed a rapport with children, who come back year after year to of�icers who buy them gifts, she said.

“We have of�icers every year who can’t wait to participate,’’ Clore said. “We’ve had of�icers buy a tree’’ for needy families.

She said the children are from low-income backgrounds and some have had experiences with the police that were nowhere near as uplifting, having watched answer domestic violence calls at their homes.

“A lot of them have had some interaction with of�icers. This is positive interaction with of�icers,’’ Clore said.

this community-building partnership with more Habitat volunteer events in the future.”

ABI Multifamily is a brokerage and advisory services �irm that focuses exclusively on apartment investment transactions and has handled billions of dollars in sales and thousands of individual multifamily transactions.

While most Habitat for Humanity projects begin with a wall signing ceremony, the project for Rodriguez was a renovation.

Instead of Habitat’s traditional signing of the framework of the home, volunteers grabbed their sharpies and penned heartfelt messages on the concrete �loor after a morning of tearing out all the carpet and tile.

Habitat homes are built based on a partnership between families and the community.

A qualifying family pays for their home with an affordable mortgage and through a down payment of 200 to 400 sweat-equity hours.

Qualifying applicants need to meet various criteria for consideration for Habitat’s program.

Besides being in need of decent and safe living conditions or having excessive rents and being unable to afford conventional mortgages, they must have an income that does not exceed 78 percent of the metro region’s median income.

They must also pass a credit check and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents as well as put 200-400 hours of sweat equity in the home and be a participating member of the homeowners association in which the house is located as well as attend homeownership workshops.

Information: habitatcaz.org. 

City Councilman Dave Luna said he is working with Mesa Public Schools, the Mesa Police Association and Los Bomberes, a group of Hispanic �ire�ighters, to help about 100 families with at Jefferson Elementary School in East Mesa.

The groups are donating bicycles and other gifts to the children, who come from impoverished households heavily affected by layoffs during the pandemic.

“The whole idea is to create a holiday experience for children living in poverty,’’ Luna said. “We’re hoping to make these families happy.’’ 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Mesa teachers get Fiesta Bowl cash for their wishes TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

S

eventeen teachers in Mesa this week are likely thanking Fiesta Bowl Charities, the charitable arm of the organization that handles the celebrated endof-the-season football game, and Desert Financial Credit Union for making their wishes come true.

They are among 200 teachers statewide who each will receive $2,500 through the organization’s Wishes for Teachers program, which distributes $500,000 through Desert Financial Credit Union to teachers who apply for consideration.

Each fall, Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers are invited to apply for a grant by detailing their school or classroom need. Grantees’ names are drawn

DUI ���� ���� 1

ing under the pressure of losing their jobs and sustaining other setbacks during the pandemic.

“I think impaired driving and substance abuse will be a huge factor,’’ he said, as the nation mobilizes to defeat the pandemic and return to a sense of normalcy.

“We’re just changing our tactics, but it’s business as usual,’’ Chwe said. “We’re doing it in a COVID-prevention manner.’’

Chwe said the entire point is to prevent needless fatalities and deter high-risk behavior that can have a deadly consequence for innocent people on the road.

“People do make mistakes. We would rather catch them before they make a tremendous mistake, killing someone,’’ he said.

Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Of�ice of Highway Safety, said police are changing tactics to avoid either contracting COVID-19 from each other or from suspects during traf�ic stops or at mobile testing and booking stations.

“We have to be very careful. No brie�ings with 50 people in a room,’’ Gutier said.

He said the safety protocols will help protect of�icers and suspects alike by promoting social distancing, with maybe one suspect being booked at a time in a command van, while the others wait outside.

Other holiday enforcement campaigns this year, during the July 3 holiday and Labor Day, have followed similar practices.

randomly.

Over the �ive years of the program, Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers has awarded $3.7 million to more than 840 Arizona teachers, “impacting over 225,000 children across the state,” organizers said.

Each of the unique wishes will bene�it teachers and schools in technology, reading, music, �itness and other needs.

“The need this year was more in line with the circumstances related to COVID-19, with more technology needs, plexiglass dividers and �lexible seating equipment than ever before,” organizers said in a release.

Both Smith Junior High School teacher Fiorella Acevedo and Edison Elementary’s Lisa Freshley plan to use the money for a classroom makeover while Fremont Ju-

nior High’s Karen Blackburn will be buying sensory chairs for her students.

Monique Bourgeois at Silver Valley Elementary, a Queen Creek Uni�ied school in Mesa, is buying reading materials for her class while Brittany Bretz at MacArthur Elementary will be spending her grant on technology to improve reading and math.

Porter Elementary teacher Lindsay Carson wants to provide STEM materials for her students.

Five East Valley Institute of Technology teachers received grants. Jerry Coy wants Chromebooks for all his students; Bruce Haseley wants to upgrade studio lighting to industry standards; Justin Lisonbee has his eye on a new training mannequin for an EMT class; Lorie Lloyd will be buying

COVID-19 won't stop the Mesa Police mobile van and officers from being deployed this holiday season on getting drunk drivers off the road. (Special to the Tribune)

Gutier anticipates that arrests statewide from the holiday enforcement campaigns will probably drop 10-15 percent from this time last year.

He canceled his yearly Thanksgiving rally against DUI at the State Capitol, where police from around the state would gather in a show of force to publicize their campaign, which is largely funded by federal highway safety grants.

Instead, police agencies will either work on their own, or form smaller, regional partnerships to carry out the campaign between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, he said.

Barring an extreme �lare-up of COV-

ID-19, the East Valley task force has been divided into north and south divisions.

Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler will form the south division, while Tempe, Scottsdale, the state Department of Public Safety, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Of�ice, the Arizona State University police and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa tribal police form the northern contingent.

Hoster said the two divisions also cut down on travel time, allowing of�icers to focus more on DUI enforcement.

“Each of the respective cities have grown up enough that they need their traf�ic units working in their own city at night,’’ he wrote. “Eliminating the drive time, for

supplies as her students prep for state board license tests; and Brian Winstead is eyeing new technology resources for the classroom.

Red Mountain High’s Katy Gazda is buying science materials and Skyline High’s Gail Ginther is getting basic supplies for her students.

Two Desert Ridge Junior High teachers are getting their wishes. Rosie Gorton wants STEM and problem-solving materials and Ashley Wyatt wants hands-on learning supplies for students.

O’Connor Elementary teacher Carrie Grantham plans to buy additional reading materials for her classroom.

Mandy Heal at Hale Elementary wants

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example, between Scottsdale and Gilbert allows more time for of�icers to focus on enforcement.’’

Brenda Carrasco, spokeswoman for the Gilbert police, said the plan is to use a somewhat scaled-down approach featuring six nights of enforcement during the holiday period.

The task force would rotate their enforcement efforts among the three cities, hitting Gilbert one night and Chandler or Mesa the next, she said.

“We have seen a 31 percent increase in DUI arrests. We have had our traf�ic units go out three nights a week,’’ Carrasco said, adding that all Gilbert patrol of�icers are vigilant about spotting possibly impaired drivers.

“When you can take people off the road who are endangering others, you want to do that,’’ she said, adding, “we don’t have a speci�ic answer as to why’’ arrests have increased.

Gilbert’s DUI arrests have increased to 1,092 between January and October 2020, from 832 during the same period in 2019, Carrasco said.

Detective Zachary Waters, a Chandler police spokesman, said traf�ic of�icers have noted an uptick as well and his department is planning saturation patrols throughout the holidays.

“We just want to keep impaired drivers off the roadways,’’ Waters said. “We think people still continue to drive under the in�luence of drugs and alcohol. We believe the task force is still important.’’ 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Dancers and parents mourn artistic dance director Antoine Olds

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

A

s the minutes would tick down to their appearance on the stage, Antoine Olds was known to give his dancers an uplifting, somewhat humorous bit of encouragement.

“Fix your face,” he would say, his beaming smile and high-energy personality giving them a spirited lift before they started their show.

But those words just wouldn’t work last week for his students, their parents and colleagues as they mourned his passing Nov. 9 at age 37.

A longtime Mesa resident, Mr. Olds also was a legendary �igure in the dance world generally and especially in Ahwatukee, where he and a small group of parents started the Phoenix Dance Cooperative – a different kind of dance studio because the nonpro�it is funded and run by parents whose children learn ballet, hip hop, lyrical and other forms of dance.

His sudden passing – the cause of death has not been disclosed – prompted griefstricken students and parents to head to the Phoenix Dance Cooperative’s studio for evening vigils the week of his death.

They lit dozens of candles, hung balloons and pasted its storefront with handmade posters expressing their gratitude to Mr. Olds and their grief over their loss.

“He has touched countless dancers’ lives in Ahwatukee for the last 15 years,” said Kyrene Governing Board member and Ahwatukee resident Margaret Pratt.

“The loss is immense.”

Echoing the sentiments of untold numbers of parents, Pratt said two of her four daughters began studying under Mr. Olds a few years ago “and it was a dream come true for them.”

“He taught them so much and they wanted nothing more than to make him proud,” she said.

He did that to students, colleagues and others said: You wanted to do your very best because he gave them his very best – and that was something very special.

“He was a very important person and loved and respected by many dancers and their families,” said Ahwatukee Dance Studio 111 owner Kimberly Lewis.

“I did not know him personally but knew him through the dance community

tions sought him as a choreographer, instructor and judge.

“He taught and judged competitions in Australia, in New York and Texas,” said longtime friend and colleague Michelle Wentworth Columbia.

“People brought him out to their studios all over the country to choreograph dancTempe High School dance director Ambur Towns and Antoine Olds were not only es for them, to teach best friends but also shared artistic direction at the Phoenix Dance Cooperative. (Spe- their kids, to do cial to Tribune) workshops. Even in and knew he was loved by so many danc- Australia and London, people were reachers and their families,” she added. “This is ing out to him.” truly heart breaking.”

Wentworth Columbia and Mr. Olds Ironically, while many students in knew each other from when they were the world of dance start stepping when both instructors at the old Dance Depot in they’re as young as 2 or 3, Mr. Olds did not Ahwatukee. But in 2011, the Dance Depot take his �irst dance lesson until he was 18. closed its doors, raising concerns among He quickly made up for that late start, six dads whose professions had little to setting up two years later the Indepen- do with dance except for the fact they all dent Dance Xtreme company, where he had daughters who had formed a tight was artistic director. bond at the defunct studio.

They reached out to Mr. Olds to help His choreography won numerous regional and national awards and by 22, them organize the Phoenix Dance Cohe had won eight choreography awards, operative.

The parents divided into volunteer including one presented by world-recommittees to run day-to-day operanowned choreographer Brian Friedman.

His skills became internationally tions while a board of directors was set known as companies and dance competi- up to make the bigger decisions. They set it up as a nonpro�it so all proceeds could go back into the studio and the instructors.

Mr. Olds, who was co-artistic director at the cooperative, said at the time, “My big concern was making sure I didn’t lose any of our kids to anyone.

“As teachers we invest so much time into them,” he said. “I’ve taught at many studios but this is the �irst where I’ve had such a connection with the kids. Like everyone else I didn’t know what this model was, but it has kept us all together, it allowed the kids to dance and has allowed me to teach, so it works.”

Connection was important to Mr. Olds and his infectious smile and the energy Phoenix Dance Cooperative students staged a series he brought to everything he did cemented of vigils outside the Ahwatukee studio last week, sharrelationships with his students and coling memories of their late co-artistic director Antoine Olds. (Michelle Wentworth Columbia/Special to Tribune) leagues in the dance world far and wide.

His skills with choreography, costume design and good old-fashioned mentoring and coaching became so well known that he just wasn’t sought for dance exhibitions.

“He planned weddings and bridal showers and baby showers and proms,” said Wentworth Columbia, whose own wedding and baby shower were planned

by Mr. Olds.

In May, when pandemic-fueled school closures left high school seniors without live graduations, Mr. Olds organized a special graduation ceremony for the six high school seniors who were students at Phoenix Dance Cooperative.

“Antoine planned an entire high school graduation just for our graduating seniors,” Wentworth Columbia said. “He set up a stage. He had a balloon arch. He had speakers. He had music playing. He had diplomas for them. They got to put on their cap and gowns, �lip tassels and we live-streamed it for all their families.”

Mr. Olds was particularly fond of organizing banquets, she added.

“He just threw these incredible, elaborate events,” she said. “He just went above and beyond with over-the-top decorations and themes and sub-themes. He loved stuff like that and all of these kids got to experience that.”

Perhaps his closest friend and colleague was Ambur Towns, Tempe High School’s dance program director and Mr. Olds’ artistic co-director at the Phoenix Dance Cooperative. She was too grief-stricken to talk about her loss.

So too were family members, who had not yet released any details about services for Mr. Olds. Arrangements are being made by the Melcher Mortuary Mission Chapel & Crematory in Mesa, but no obituary has yet been posted by print deadline.

That grief hangs over the Phoenix Dance Cooperative members as well.

Wentworth Columbia recalled that last week, “We were all talking at our little vigil the other night about what Antoine would say about the inconsolable crowd gathered in front of the studio.

“We were all there crying and mourning and we were all kind of joking about what Antoine could see us all sitting out in front of the studio. He would say, ‘Fix your face and keep going.’ And that’s exactly what we’re going to try to do.”

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Mesa Council OKs downtown shade structure

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

A

dramatic, artistic shade structure over the new Mesa City Plaza won rave reviews despite adding $481,000 to the facility’s $6.7 million cost.

Mayor John Giles and Councilwoman Jen Duff said the artistic shade structure, which will cover a concrete area used for an ice-skating rink in the winter, is worth the money and will become a symbol for the new downtown Mesa.

“It’s a brilliant addition to this proposal,’’ Giles said. “This will become the postcard photograph of downtown Mesa.’’

Giles described how he was captivated when he watched a contractor demonstrate how a massive, 30x70 high-resolution video screen on the front of the ASU building will work.

“This park is going to be a loved asset by our community,’’ he said. “We have a cool downtown. This is going to really elevate that.’’

Duff said that shade will allow the concrete pad used for the annual Merry Main

Street skating rink each winter to be converted into year-round recreational uses even during the summer “I do love the design of the shade structure. I think really that it makes a wow statement,’’ Duff said. “The shade structure, creating an artistic element especially at night, is an attraction.’’

The “signature shade element’’ is a canopy draped over the skating rink with suspended wires, made out of tensile material – similar to what was used to cover a splash pad at Pioneer Park.

The material is relatively lightweight, can be stretched to cover a large area and requires few supports.

“The fabric is likely to be white so we can have fun using colored lighting in the evening. It is intended to be a signature design element that not only provides shade, but also draws people into the Plaza,’’ said Jeff McVay, manager of downtown transformation.

Duff, a Mesa native, said downtown was the place to hang out when she was growing up and that the plaza will draw people back for the �irst time in decades.

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City Council approved spending $481,000 to build this unique shade structure over the Mesa City Plaza downtown. (Special to the Tribune)

“This park is truly a gathering space where we can all be together,’’ she said, without entering a building. “I think it will be well received.’’

The new, $6.7 million plaza has been envisioned as a community gathering space for years. It will be located along

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Soccer complex will be built, Lehi residents told

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

M

esa unveiled the latest plans for a badly needed new soccer complex that replaces �ields plowed under for The Union of�ice complex near Sloan Park in west Mesa.

But the location of the North Center Street Sports Fields complex, near Lehi at Center Street and the Loop 202, has ignited some controversy among neighbors concerned about increased traf�ic and other issues.

Vice Mayor Mark Freeman, a longtime Lehi resident who represents north Mesa, made it clear that the purpose of the meeting was to answer questions from residents, not to give them an opportunity to torpedo the project.

He noted that voters approved the �ields as part of a 2018 bond package, which includes $196 million in improvements. The �irst of these projects, a new �ire station in the under-served Eastridge area of east Mesa, is under construction.

“There is a responsibility to the entire city and therefore, this project will move forward,’’ Freeman said.

Freeman also nixed a rumor that had been �loating through the area that a freeway exit would be sought for Center Street, calling it false.

And he reminded residents that the �ields had to be moved for the city to pursue economic development opportunities near Sloan Park on strategically located land near two freeways and a major Cactus League venue.

Andrea Moore, park planning and op-

PAVILLION ���� ���� 9

additional cost, was approved by Council on Monday on a 6-1 vote, with outgoing Councilman Jeremy Whittaker voting against it.

Whittaker is an ardent opponent of the ASU project, voting against the subsidized rental agreement approved by the council more than two years ago and all subsequent expenditures.

McVay said the plaza will begin construction in January, as soon as this year’s Merry Main Street holiday event concludes.

McVay anticipates that construction on the plaza will be completed by next No-

Engineering Department, said of�icials have tried to placate residents by reducing the number of �ields from six to �ive, installing landscaping and locking the facility when it’s not in use.

City of�icials rejected such suggestions as closing Lehi Road at Center Street by creating a cul-de-sac or installing speed bumps on Center Street, calling them unnecessary and premature because they don’t expect a major traf�ic impact.

“We are very comfortable that there will be no traf�ic issues that will affect other property owners,’’ said R.J Zeder, Mesa’s transportation director.

“I think it’s too early to To ease Lehi residents' minds, the city cut out one of the six soccer fields shown above, but officials said that despite this and a few talk about closing off a pubother concessions, the voter-approved facility will be built as planned. (City of Mesa) lic street,’’ he said. “I don’t erations administrator for Mesa Parks and with advance reservations to practice at think it makes sense for anyone to go Recreation, said the city has been looking night during the work week and for youth through Lehi to reach this facility.’’ for years to �ind an adequate site for ad- league games on weekends.

Of�icials said that traf�ic measures It will not include a scoreboard, bleach- planned for the complex will “strongly enditional sports facilities in west Mesa and ers or concessions, although a space for courage’’ drivers to use Center Street. moving the complex is not an option.

“We have a severe de�iciency of �ields in food trucks will be provided for busy The site for the complex is 24 acres, the City of Mesa and we have been look- times during the weekends. north of Center and McKellips Road, and At one point, more than 100 people were the project will cost $14.2 million. Coning for a site for many years. It’s dif�icult to �ind,’’ she said. “This is the only site big attending a Zoom conference with city of- struction is scheduled to start next sum�icials last week, peppering them with mer with a grand opening in fall 2022. enough in west Mesa.’’

Moore said all �ive multiuse �ields will questions that re�lected a split between Albright said the Engineering Departbe lit, with a modern system that focuses those excited about new sports �ields and ment hosts the Zoom meetings in an effort light well and minimizes the bleeding of others worried about traf�ic or even at- to be transparent. tracting urban camping by the homeless. lights into other areas.

“I think it helped dispel from misconcepCurt Albright, spokesman for Mesa’s tions and added some clarity,’’ he said.  The facility will only be open for those vember, in time for the new skating rink to be used for next year’s Merry Main Street.

The plaza also includes an interactive water feature and a grassy area where visitors can view movies �ilmed at the new ASU building.

McVay said the water feature was mainly designed to add visual appeal, but people will also be able to jump in if they would like.

“I describe this as a hybrid between a fountain and a splash pad,’’ he said.

Vice Mayor Mark Freeman pointedly asked McVay if he anticipates any additional cost over-runs. McVay responded that the construction contract approved by the

council will not be amended in the future.

Freeman did not criticize the plaza, however, describing the ASU building as “phenomenal.’’

Councilman Dave Luna said, “I wish I was 40 years younger and going to ASU. This is really exciting. I can hardly wait to have this going.’’

East Mesa Councilman Kevin Thompson said he likes the concept but is concerned that the new plaza will be “a new hangout for homeless folks.’’

At a recent meeting, Thompson complained about voters spending millions of dollars on bond issues to build parks, only to see them over-run by the homeless.

But Giles said that the new plaza will be a public park and the homeless, whether they are considered desirable or not, are part of the public.

“I think there will be homeless people in the park, but I don’t think that it’s going to be overrun by the homeless,’’ he said. “I think activating the parks is the answer.’’

Mesa of�icials are developing a series of new rules to address the homeless problem in parks and cameras have been installed to monitor the issue.

City Manager Chris Brady said a police of�icer is assigned to the Mesa City Plaza area and that security will be beefed up when the new plaza and ASU building open. 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

NEWS

11

TEACHER ���� ���� 6

new classroom furniture and Kino Junior High’s Todd Livingston will be providing instruments for band students who cannot afford to rent or own their own.

Mesa Public Schools Harp Program instructor Charles is buying students additional harps while Rhodes Junior High’s Maria Ramirez and Lincoln Elementary’s Angela Tarter are getting �lexible seating.

Franklin East Teacher Cory Trout is getting more comfortable supportive chairs for band students.  Desert Financial Credit Union CEO Jeff Meshey helped make teachers' wishes come true. (Special to the

Tribune)

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Ducey: virus surge not getting better any time soon

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

G

ov. Doug Ducey refused last week to impose new restrictions or mandates on individuals even as his own health chief warned of an increasing number of Arizonans, including Mesa residents, becoming infected with COVID-19.

The governor dismissed the idea of a statewide mask mandate, calling it unnecessary given various local ordinances. Nor will he clamp down on existing occupancy limits at bars, restaurants, gyms or movie theaters or seek to curb their hours of operation.

The one key announcement he made was to provide $25 million to hospitals.

But that is designed to allow them to hire more staff to care for those who become ill and give bonuses to existing employees.

Data released by the county health department Nov. 19 showed Mesa recording increases for all three benchmarks used to measure COVID-19 spread.

While data for both the city and Mesa Public Schools showed that between the weeks of Nov. 1 and Nov. 8 – the latest available – cases per 100,000 leaped from 130 to 229. That is an indication of substantial virus spread.

The two other benchmarks are now in the moderate spread category and one of those is inching close to the substantialspread level.

Positive test results for both the city and school districts hovered around 9.9 percent, a notch below the substantial level.

Hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms for weeks had been in the minimalspread category until the week of Nov. 8, when they climbed above 5 percent.

But some Mesa ZIP codes are well above the city-wide and district-wide levels, the data show.

In six Mesa ZIP codes – 85203, 85204, 85206, 85207, 85208 and 85210 – two of the three benchmarks were in the signi�icant spread category. Cases per 100,000 in 10 Mesa ZIP codes were all above 200 with 85212 and 85213 recording the highest, 274 and 296 cases respectively.

Mesa Public Schools report that out of its 67,512 students and employees, there were 166 known virus cases, including 98 students and 68 adults. High schools accounted for 64 of the total cases.

Of the high schools, Mountain View and

Mesa High recorded the highest number of cases, 19 and 15, respectively, while Westwood had the third highest with 12.

While many elementary schools recorded none or only one or two cases, Sousa Elementary reported 11.

Sousa students will now be in The governor's office released this chart showing the course of COVID-19 cases in remote learn- Arizona since the pandemic hit the state in March. (Special to the Tribune) ing until at least Dec. 2. The school is located in 85207, said. But Ducey said he has no intent of imwhere cases per 100,000 are at 202 and posing a statewide mandate for people to positive new test results climbed into the wear masks when they are outside, even following pleas from state schools chief Kathy substantial spread level at 10 percent.

Two East Valley districts, Kyrene and Hoffman and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“I want people to wear a mask,’’ the govTempe Elementary last week announced they were returning to all-virtual learning, ernor said, “Masks work.’’

He said, though, a statewide mandate is Christ said the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive-care also is on the rise. unnecessary because local mandates al“These metrics are heading in the wrong ready cover about 90 percent of the population. And Ducey said that the efforts by direction,’’ she said.

Christ put in a plug for masks based on his administration to convince people to new research by the federal Centers for mask up “has got the maximum amount of compliance.’’

Disease Control and Prevention.

Then there’s the issue of enforcement of a “We know now that masks provide more protection than previously thought,’’ she statewide mandate given the kickback from some communities and counties that have either rescinded their mask requirements or never implement them at all amid public opposition.

“What I want to avoid is some of the division and politics that have happened around this issue,’’ the governor said, saying he prefers “participation and cooperation.’’

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation says just two thirds of Arizonans are masking up in situations where they are exposed to other.

The institute predicts that doing nothing will result in about Gov. Doug Ducey and state health Director Dr. Cara Christ discussed 118 deaths a day by the end of the ongoing surge of COVID-19 in Arizona. (Special to the Tribune) January. By contrast, the re-

searchers say that could be cut in half with a statewide mask mandate.

Ducey said he wants Christ and her department to work with of�icials at the state’s three main airports – Sky Harbor, Mesa Gateway and Tucson International – on what he called “inbound messaging’’ for passengers arriving from elsewhere “around the importance of wearing masks and information on where travelers can get tested.’’

He also wants the airports to set up onpremises testing sites available to travelers when they land. But there are no testing mandates for visitors or protocols for what happens if a test comes back positive. The governor said he anticipates that people will do the right thing on their own.

Ducey agreed that things will not be getting better in Arizona any time soon.

“That’s not on the horizon,’’ he said, saying the state and the nation remain in a public health emergency. “And getting back to normal isn’t in the cards right now.’’

Yet Ducey made a push for getting kids back into the classroom. “I think children should be in school,’’ the governor said. “I want parents to have options and one of those options should be in-person learning.’’

Ducey said he believes that is in the best interests of children, even as schools have wrestled with how to provide instruction and keep the youngsters and staffers – and, by extension, their families – safe.

“No one can argue: Kids have already missed out on far too much learning due to this pandemic,’’ he said.

The governor said that having schools open for learning does not mean compromising safety.

Christ also addressed the news on the national level about progress in developing a vaccine, saying she is anticipating having some available by the beginning of next year. But that, she said, will require navigating some logistical hurdles.

One is that this is going to be a twodose series. That means whatever version someone gets the �irst time has to be the exact same version for a second shot anywhere from 21 to 28 days later.

And that, she said, will require the ability for her agency to call people back to remind them of the need for that second dose.

The Mesa Tribune contributed to this report. 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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COMMUNITY

TheMesaTribune.com |

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

@EVTNow

/EVTNow

Mesa, EV museums have high hopes for next Sunday’s event

BY KRISTINE CANNON Tribune Staff Writer

A

fter months of being shuttered, many museums have recently reopened their doors just in time for the annual international one-day shopping event called Museum Store Sunday.

Taking place Nov. 29, Museum Store Sunday encourage shoppers to support their local museums – many of which are in need of the public’s support.

Many East Valley and Scottsdale museum directors are hoping holiday shoppers will visit their stores next Sunday, not only for discounts on unique gift items but also because their revenue streams this year have been shattered by pro-

longed pandemic-driven closures.

“It is very important for patrons of the arts to support a museum or other cultural institutions during this pandemic,” said Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Assistant Retail Manager Raechel Miller.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts are two of six area museums participating in the event founded by the Coloradobased Museum Store Association.

“Most cultural institutions rely heavily on the day-to-day revenue of admission sales, donations, sales from their museum store and patrons becoming year to lifelong members,” Miller said.

Also participating in Scottsdale is Western Spirit Scottsdale’s Museum

of the West.

SMoW Director and CEO Mike Fox calls Museum Store Sunday “critical” to the museum’s sustainability, as it was closed for seven months.

The museum “has continued to incur greater than $150,000 in operating expenses monthly with no earned income to help support the institution,” Fox said.

This year, Museum Store Sunday boasts more than 1,400 participat-

��� MUSEUM ���� 15

Mesa Historical Museum volunteer Anita Peters is helping to sort through more than 10,000 books at the Mesa Historical Museum in advance of its book sale Dec. 5, another way it is trying to raise money in addition to its sales on Black Friday and Museum Store Sunday this coming weekend. (Courtesy of Mesa Historical Museum)

Limelight Theater �inally planning live show

BY STACI HAUK Tribune Contributor

L

imelight Youth Theater prides itself on offering a supportive environment for those new to – and seasoned at – performing; placing it at the helm of the theater scene in Gilbert.

This year alone, it took home 12 AriZoni Awards and several National Youth Awards for presenting professional quality theater and educational experiences that are largely made possible because of its non-pro�it status.

But with its commitment to continued education in the arts and the passion of the young actors and their families, Limelight Artistic Director Emma England worries as she has watched COVID-19 wreak havoc on live performances in 2020, shifting the mindset and structure of youth theater.

Limelight Youth Theatre cast members practice “Move It,” a number from the upcoming production of “Madagascar Jr.” (Roots and Wings Imagery)

“Right now, everyone is worried about the future of live theater,” England explained. “Venues are still not open. State mandates limit 50 people in any gath-

ering. Singing in large groups or close proximity has been declared unsafe. All of these things add up to a �ight to keep theater alive.

“We have had to come up with new ways to accomplish this, simply because we have to,” she continued. “It’s survival mode for many non-pro�its and local businesses.”

England said Limelight Theatre has “had to be creative with our staging and physical distancing of actors on stage.”

So it created a �loor grid system that ensures kids will remain distanced.

She also said they’ve created “some amazing custom face shields to keep all of our performers safe in rehearsals and on stage.”

When England announced the ability to return to the stage in the �irst production of Limelight’s 2020-21 season, “Madagascar Jr.,” she introduced a system that has made performers and parents feel it is reasonable to send their children back to something they love.

The double-cast show is being kept to

��� LIMELIGHT ���� 15

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

MUSEUM ���� ���� 14

ing venues across all 50 states and D.C., 22 countries and �ive continents versus last year’s 1,200 participants.

“Whether online or in person, Museum Store Sunday is a wonderful opportunity for consumers around the world to shop local, support artisans and small suppliers, give back to the community, and �ind unique gifts for loved ones,” said Blue Anderson, president of the Museum Store Association board.

The Mesa Historical Museum, which will offer half-off items on Black Friday, has even more merchandise to offer this year both on Black Friday and Museum Store Sunday.

“We are also doing something unique: We are going to have a mini-boutique,” said Mesa Historical Museum Executive Director Susan Ricci.

The new mini-boutique offers an array of items such as vintage jewelry, gently used purses and scarves and boutique clothing donated by a local consignment store — all of which will be half-price, with nothing priced over $5.

“I owned and operated a small history museum several years ago, and we found

LIMELIGHT ���� ���� 14

15 performers for each cast and children must wear a face shield or mask during rehearsals.

The show will be much the same, with ornate face shields worn by characters and physical distancing throughout the performance.

The most notable change made for this performance is the outdoor venues it will be performed at – utilizing Freestone Park Amphitheater and Superstition Springs Amphitheater instead of typical indoor theater spaces.

This allows for audience separation as well as the added precaution of keeping everyone outdoors, with no use of shared spaces customary of a backstage area.

“Our mission has always been to provide quality performing arts experiences that build life skills and con�idence to as many

t o G ws?

Ne

that local people enjoyed having a variety of items. They weren’t looking for a museum souvenir; they enjoyed getting vintage purse and vintage jewelry,” Ricci said of her museum’s boutique.

“It was hugely successful,” she added.

“The majority of our sales before we closed due to COVID-19 had been our vintage items.”

The Chandler Museum Store, which held its grand opening earlier this month, will feature locally made art pieces and will offer 10 percent off all purchases next Sunday.

Local author Kathy Peach will also perform a reading at 1:30 p.m. of her children’s book “The Tiniest Tumbleweed,” which can be purchased at the Chandler Museum Store.

“This is our �irst year participating in Museum Store Sunday, and we are looking forward to joining museums around the world in this effort to encourage shoppers to support their local museum stores,” said Jody Crago, director of the Chandler Museum.

Tempe History Museum is also taking part — but strictly online.

“Although the museum is currently closed to the public, we are developing an online children as possible,” England said.

“This show has been double-cast to allow for more children to participate and also to allow for cast mentoring which has been so rewarding.

“Honestly, we didn’t originally plan for this show to be a part of our fall season.

We licensed the show to begin rehearsals in March as a no-cut production for budding actors,” she added. “When COVID hit and we couldn’t do the show, MTI was gracious enough to extend the performance rights to a later date this year, so it made sense to start with the show as a large production.”

She also was excited when they realized that the animal cast and setting of the show “would be perfect for a park environment with a lake backdrop and would serve as a good way to hide the face shields within quirky animal costumes.”

“I’m so glad we hung onto this show be-

store in partnership with Tempe History Society, said Brenda Abney, Tempe arts & culture manager and museum director.

New to the museum, the online store will include T-shirts, books on Tempe’s history, and a small selection of unique gift items available for purchase and pick-up.

“This is a new process for the museum, so we appreciate any feedback from shoppers and are willing to modify our process to accommodate needs,” Abney said.

Phoenix Art Museum and Heard Museum are also participating.

Not participating this year, however, are i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa and the Frank Lloyd Wright Store at Taliesin West in Scottsdale.

Ricci said the pandemic was a doublewallop for the Mesa Historical Museum, which was closed for more than seven months and experienced an increase in suspended memberships.

“We didn’t have any membership renewals or donations. We had to cancel our largest fundraiser – our Historic Home Tour. We probably lost 30 percent in revenue,” Ricci said.

But just because a museum reopens its doors, doesn’t mean the bounce back is instantaneous. cause it really is a fun one,” she added.

England said that live theater is so desperately needed right now to maintain the social and mental well-being for those who are active in the arts.

Social isolation has kept kids from expressing themselves and creating magical experiences they had become so accustomed to, she explained.

“Doing outdoor theatre will give kids a chance to continue to do what they love without compromising their safety. It will also be great for our audiences who have been cooped up inside for so long - how fun it will be to get some fresh air and experience theatre in a new way,” England said. “The kids are adapting amazingly well.”

But challenges still remain – with the biggest being singing.

“We have experimented a lot in rehearsals with singing in masks versus face

15

“It’s very important!” Ricci said. “We are struggling like most other small museums.

Being closed for over seven months really hurts �inancially when you have no admission or gift shop sales.”

Information: museumstoresunday.org 

If You Go...

Mesa Historical Museum 2345 N Horne, Mesa, 480-835-2286, mesahistoricalmuseum.com Chandler Museum 300 S. Chandler Village Dr., Chandler 480-782-2717, chandleraz.gov/museum Tempe History Museum 480-350-4311, tempe.gov Scottsdale’s Museum of the West 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale 480-686-9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org The Shop @ Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 7374 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, 480-874-4666, smoca.org The Store @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, 480-874-4644, scottsdaleperformingarts.org shields and learning how to work hard as a group to overcome these obstacles,” she said.

“Every obstacle that comes our way is just a new way to reinvent ourselves and the cast is so positive and on board with that philosophy.”

She also said Limelight has become a major support for young people who want to be involved in the theater arts.

“We’re giving them a safe social experience where they can do what they love: socialize with peers, build teamwork and more,” she said. “This will truly be a show to remember.”

The production is scheduled to begin Dec. 5 with multiple presentations throughout the month. Information: studio3arts.ticketleap.com.

For questions on how to become a part of the Limelight Youth Theater Family, visit: http://ll-pa.org/ 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

16

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Mesa’s Recycling Program Reminders These Categories Continue To Be A YES!

Beverage Bottles, Jugs and Cans Empty, Clean and Dry

E.g.- Water bottles, milk jugs, soda bottles, soda cans, beer bottles, wine bottles, juice bottles, etc.

Metal Food Cans

Corrugated Cardboard

E.g.- Vegetable, canned fruit, tuna, pet food, tomato sauce, soup, etc.

HOW TO TELL IF IT IS CORRUGATED: Tear a small piece. If you see a flat top and bottom layer with a wavy middle layer, it is accepted.

Empty, Clean and Dry

Remove All Packaging

Paper

Office Paper, Newspaper, Mail and Magazines

All Other Items NOT Accepted When In Doubt, Keep It Out. For recycling information, visit mesarecycles.org

No Longer Accepted

• PAPERBOARD BOXES (cake mix, cereal, tissue, detergent, soda case, cracker, frozen food packaging, etc.)

• PLASTIC & PAPER CUPS • MILK, JUICE & ICE CREAM PAPER CARTONS

• NON-BEVERAGE PLASTIC OR GLASS BOTTLES, JUGS, JARS & CONTAINERS (laundry, shampoo, household cleaners, yogurt, margarine, jelly, salad dressing, mustard & ketchup bottles, fresh berry containers, other food and non-food products, etc.)

BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

TheMesaTribune.com

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@EVTNow

17

/EVTNow

Popular Cider Corps moving production to Gilbert TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

s it celebrates its third anniversary this month, Cider Corps announced it will expand to Gilbert with a new cidery designed for growth.

Starting in mid-2021, all production of its craft ciders will take place in a 14,000-square-foot facility on 2.5 acres at 685 S. Gilbert Road. Its downtown Mesa location will remain open as a taproom.

Cider Corps co-owners and brothers Josh Duren and Jason Duren, Sgt. USMC (Ret.) said the property gives them “the ability to make more ciders to share throughout the state and educate people about the craft beverage.”

“Our immediate goal is to ramp up production to be able to share our ciders with even more people in Arizona,” said Josh.

“As we grow, it’s nice to have kind of a blank page of space that can evolve as we do, and that can adapt as life beyond the pandemic does.”

The Gilbert facility includes an 11,500-square-foot main building with a front room that will be open to the public for take away sales.

The entry space will also house the canning line, allowing visitors to see the packaging in action. A second 2,500-square-foot building will provide cold storage.

Cider Corps will move all its existing production equipment to the Gilbert spot in addition to upgrading its fermentation tanks. The new set up allows for a 1,000 barrel production capacity – nearly tripling its current abilities.

When the time is right, the Durens plan to open the cidery to tours and other events to help people learn more about cider making and the variety of cider �lavor pro�iles.

Brothers Josh and Jason Duren, co-owners of the popular Cider Corps cidery, are moving their production facility to Gilbert next year but will still keep their downtown Mesa taproom open. (Special to the Tribune)

Cider Corps creates a range of craft cider styles that infuse fruits, botanicals and spices with its hard apple cider.

As lead cidermaker, Jason Duren has created specialized fermentation techniques to reduce the tartness of the apples for �lavors that are smooth and balanced without added sugars or sulfates.

This move will be the second expansion for Cider Corps.

The cidery opened its doors on Veterans Day in 2017 in Downtown Mesa. In 2019 it expanded into neighboring space

GOT NEWS?

to add another 2,000 square feet to its production area.

The cidery had already begun to can its products when the taproom closed in March due to pandemic stay-at-home directives. It now has three �lagship styles in four-packs at Whole Foods, AJ’s Fine Foods and Total Wine & More and over a dozen rotating styles for take away from the Mesa taproom.

Cider Corps reopened the taproom to limited seating this month, and Jason Duren said that throughout the pandemic, the

cidery continued to be “a destination as people picked up new and favorite styles.”

He said dedicated regulars helped in�luence the decision to expand in Gilbert.

“We get a ton of people from the East Valley, Gilbert and beyond, who make the trek to the taproom. We’re really excited about being closer for them” he said. “But I’m just as excited about being able to grow and create more ciders for all of Arizona.”

The Durens started the cidery as a hobby; it's now Arizona’s largest craft cidery.

Information: cidercorpsaz.com 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

18

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OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

19

Share Your Thoughts:

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com TheMesaTribune.com

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Can we expect a new battle over COVID-19 vaccine?

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

A

fter a year of �ighting over masks, we have something new to look forward to likely beginning next month: Arguing over whether or not refusing to get a vaccine against COVID-19 constitutes a public health menace.

Me, I’ll be getting the vaccine as soon as I can. For a few reasons, including my own peace of mind, medical evidence that it will prevent me from getting others sick and because I’d like to spend some time with my father – who’s about to turn 75 and is in badly failing health – without fearing that I’ll transmit COVID and kill him.

As for what you do, I suppose that’s not really my business.

However, it may be the government’s business, at least as many legal scholars read the 1905 U.S. Supreme Court case Jacobson v. Massachusetts. That’s the case that gives states the power to protect public health, including mandating vaccines for schoolchildren.

Arizona, as you may know, has carved out vaccine exemptions for medical reasons, religious beliefs and when “immunizations are against the personal beliefs of the parent.”

Given that the state currently has no mask mandate, I can’t imagine Gov. Doug Ducey will require COVID vaccines any time soon.

Towns and cities, however? That might be a different story. And it’s where things could start to get contentious.

In Phoenix, where Mayor Kate Gallego has taken a strong public health stance against COVID-19, a vaccine mandate could spark a huge political �irestorm.

In Tempe, where progressive politics hold sway, I could see a vaccine mandate being well-received. That wouldn’t be the case in Mesa, Gilbert or Scottsdale, where more conservative politics are the norm.

The West Valley is anybody’s guess.

The real question: What would the GOPcontrolled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors do, given that their mask mandate has remained in place since June 20?

I don’t foresee mandatory COVID vaccines being passed by any local government here in the Valley.

But your employer? That’s a different story.

Employment in Arizona is “at will,” which gives your boss wide latitude in establishing working conditions. That likely includes the ability to require a vaccine for all employees who want to keep their jobs.

That isn’t to say employers have total authority: Workers would still have the ability to seek a medical exemption or get a waiver based on their religious beliefs.

That’s especially true in businesses with 15 or more employees. If you work for a mom and pop operation where those legal protections don’t apply? No vaccine, no job could be the rule, should your employer decide to go that way.

Lots of businesses could refuse service to patrons who don’t get vaccinated. Restaurants could institute a “no shot, no service” rule. Airlines could forbid you from �lying. Grocery stores could bar you from entering, while accommodating you with curbside pickup.

Note: I’m not saying local governments or businesses will do this or that they should do it. I’m saying they could do it.

Given the near-riots that being forced to wear a mask has caused in Arizona, I’m not sure anyone will be brave enough – or foolhardy enough – to wade into that particular brand of apocalypse.

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So once again, we’ll all be on our own.

As a believer in personal responsibility, I’ve never much minded that. I wear a mask to protect myself and others and I’ll get the vaccine.

If you want to be patriotic – or be Buster Badass – and skip it, go ahead.

Worst case scenario, your refusal ends up thinning the herd a bit. You’ll be missed. We might even lift a, uh, shot in your memory. After the pandemic dies down, of course. 

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak @timespublications.com

••

SPORTS

20

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow

Mesa cross country teams �inish unprecedented season

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

T

he 2020 pandemic-shortened cross country season has of�icially come to a close, a major accomplishment in the eyes of many.

There was an overwhelming feeling of relief at Crossroads Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, as each runner crossed the �inish line at the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division I championship. One-by-one the runners came into the �inal stretch to cheering fans, all wearing masks and social distancing from one another – a new normal for high school sports this season.

“Everything was in question week in and week out,” Red Mountain coach Steven Selby said. “We have to thank the parents and spectators for doing everything they could to stay healthy. It was unclear there in the middle of the September where we were going to have a state meet and whether we would have it at all.

“Just to get here is a breath of fresh air.”

Red Mountain’s boys’ cross country team placed fourth overall at the state championships with 113 total points.

Noah Czajkowski, a junior at the school, placed fourth overall in 15 minutes, 53.4 seconds, about 20 seconds behind the blazing time of 15 minutes, 34.6 seconds by winner Xander Black of Brophy.

Junior Elijah Davis placed 12th for Red Mountain, while senior Joseph Hamilton, sophomore Garrett Palmer, freshman Tyler Mathews and junior Greyson Akers also scored key points for the Mountain Lions.

Much like it was for Selby, �inishing the race brought a feeling of weight being lifted off the shoulder of Czajkowski. He said there was never a day he went to practice wondering if the team would be shut down due to COVID-19. To �inish the race

we wanted to end it.

“I always try to do my part and know my te a m m a te s will do their part.”

The Red Mountain girls placed eighth overall in the Division I race.

Junior Taylor Jacobs led Red Mountain’s Noah Czajkowski and Mountain View’s Joshua Judd were among the top two all Mountain placers for their respective teams at the AIA Division I boys cross country state championship Lion runon Thursday, Nov. 12. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff) ners with a and to do as well as he did is something he time of 19 minutes, 33.7 seconds. Senior Kate Brockman, juniors Ariel Fendenheim considered a great accomplishment.

“I just wanted to go out and leave noth- and Kayla Hansen also contributed to Red ing on the course, something we’ve been Mountain’s �inish.

District rival Mountain View placed sevdoing all year,” Czajkowski said. “We started the year really strong and that’s how enth overall in the girls’ race, just ahead of

Red Mountain’s boys cross country program placed fourth overall at the state championship meet. (Courtesy Red

Mountain cross country)

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

Red Mountain. Freshman Tessa Christiansen led the way for the toros, followed by senior Abigail Welch and junior Eliza Elcock.

Mountain View’s boys placed sixth overall thanks to a strong performance by senior Joshua Judd. Junior Brady Eagar also placed among the top-20 runners for the Toros.

Skyline, led by senior Aidan Tinen, placed ninth overall in the boys’ race.

“To get to this point as any team with COVID, we are super happy we got to this point and made it here as a team,” Red Mountain coach Steven Selby said. “Then to perform as well as we did, you can’t ask for anything better than that.”

Red Mountain was one of many programs encouraging its runners to do as much as they could on their own throughout the summer. Between June and July, the team rarely met in person due to restrictions as COVID-19 cases surged the �irst time in the state.

Selby and fellow coach Brent Krieg would frequently post running routes for their athletes. At times, they would be a couple of miles, often starting at nearby Red Mountain Park. However, there were some circumstances where the routes were as long as seven miles.

The work ethic of all of Red Mountain’s runner helped prepare them for a season that was unlike any other. Less events meant every race counted, and the importance of following guidelines to remain eligible and most importantly, healthy, was as high as ever.

“It took a lot of sacri�ice from all of us,” Czajkowski said. “We couldn’t always go out with friends like we used to. We all kind of made sure we didn’t do anything so we could have our season.

“We didn’t know we were going to have a season. So to have a season and get through it pretty much unscathed is awesome.” 

GET OUT

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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Allergy-friendly eateries a growing EV trend

BY STACI HAUK GetOut Contributor

T

he East Valley is known for its innovative culinary options – and a growing trend among restaurants and bakeries involves patrons with food allergies or special dietary needs.

Three area establishments are among those that are coupling fresh ingredients with safety precautions in main entrees and baked goods.

Intentional Foods Café & Market, Spooky’s Swirls and Drink Me! Tea Room all appeal to diverse niches with delectable menus.

Drink Me! Tea Room One step into the Drink Me! Tea Room, on the Chandler-Tempe border in the Countryside Specialty Shops, has customers spiraling down the Rabbit Hole to Wonderland, complete with storybook décor and treats that inspire a magical high tea experience.

“I decided to open the tea room after being inspired on a family trip to London, said owner Melissa Harlan. “We went to London over spring break 2019 and experienced afternoon tea a number of times over the week. We all enjoyed the experience so much that I started writing my business plan on the �light home.”

Harlan had been planning to leave her corporate job that year and thought, “This would be a great idea for my next chapter.”

“I am both vegan and gluten-free and it’s a challenge to �ind the combination of both when eating out. Afternoon tea is such a fun experience,” she explained. “I wanted to be sure that everyone could enjoy the experience and not feel as if they are missing out due to their food challenges.”

Harlan was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, and quickly realized that eliminating gluten from her diet allowed her to feel better and rely on nutrition to help heal.

Additionally, she is vegan and has found the East Valley has quite a following when it

Spooky’s Swirls owner Lola Forbes, left, and pastry chef Chris Szydlowski create fascinating cakes replicating movie characters. (Special to GetOut)

comes to seeking out delicious vegan cuisine.

“Our kitchen and our menu are both 100 percent gluten-free and plant-based,” she said. “When we con�irm our guest reservations, we also ask if there are any additional food allergies. Most of the time we’ve been able to modify our items to accommodate any additional food allergies such as soy or nuts.”

Harlan said guests are often overwhelmed and grateful that they don’t have to ask a lot of questions or worry about the food when visiting Drink Me! Tea Room.

“I’ve had a guest cry happy tears and want to hug me – if it weren’t for COVID-19 – out of gratitude for being able to eat without worry,” she said, adding guests “express their gratitude for our opening and our offering of something that is a fun experience where they feel cared for.”

She recalled one guest, named Sonya, who “surprised us one day by coming back in with a thank you gift about a week or so after dining with us – a handmade tea cozy that she had knitted in colors to match the tea room.”

“This one brought tears to my eyes and �illed my heart,” Harlan said. “She enjoyed her experience at the tea room so much that she took the time to make us a gift.

Meeting all of our lovely guests has been

the best experience for me.”

With touches of whimsy reminiscent of childhood. Drink Me! offers specialties such as Wonderland Tea, an almond chess board cake wrapped in homemade purple marzipan, cucumber and cashew cream crisp on a house made cracker, vanilla shortbread “Eat Me” cookies and a combination of lemon curd and coconut cream served with scones.

Spooky’s Swirls Spooky’s Swirls in Chandler is the brainchild of owner Lola Forbes and pastry chef Chris Szydlowski, who combine their passion for baked goods and motion pictures.

Everything in their bakery is gluten free, which means it is safe for those with celiac disease to enjoy a treat or who seek a custom creation for special occasions.

“We decided to go gluten free with our business because we felt there was a lack of fun, fresh baked, quality items in the area,” Szydlowski explained.

“Most kids can get a birthday cake at a grocery store or bakery so we really wanted to take care of those kids with allergies that are usually left out. We feel everyone deserves a cake on their birthday.”

During Halloween celebrations, for example, Spooky’s Swirls developed a hor-

ror movie theme for its sweet treats.

Szydlowski and Forbes are movie prop collectors.

The shop houses an impressive museum of their collection. Though it is currently closed due to COVID-19, many of their cinematic horror items were on display in the bakery.

The bakery is a dedicated gluten-free facility, Szydlowski said, stressing “We don’t take any chances when it comes to any possible cross contamination and have extensive knowledge of our ingredients.

Gluten-free is our main focus at this time.”

Recently, a 4-year-old boy requested a gluten-free cupcake for a friend who was attending his birthday party.

“His birthday wish was for her to have something to eat at his party because she usually couldn’t,” Szydlowski said. “My partner and I both teared up…It’s times like this that absolutely make everything we do worth it.”

“Our namesake is the ‘Spooky’s Swirl,’ our freshly made cinnamon bun, which is still our best seller,” Szydlowski said. “We try to put our spooky theme on all of our items – we do many non-spooky special requests as well. Being pop culture junkies, we try to get creative with names and descriptions. For example, our cheesecakes are SCREAMcheese cakes.”

Intentional Foods Café & Market Intentional Foods Café & Market has quickly built a brand with allergy-safe items that are both unique and thought out.

This mission is personal for owners Lisa and Ned Heath, whose establishment is on the Gilbert-Mesa border.

With experience in the restaurant industry, they wanted to be a change-agent for diners with food allergies – like their own daughter.

“At only 6 months old, our middle daughter Sarah was diagnosed with a life-threatening nut allergy,” Lisa said. “We didn’t realize how serious it was, nor were we

��� HEALTHY ���� 22

••

GET OUT

22

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

HEALTHY ���� ���� 21

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PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 19

educated on life-threatening food allergies. But we’ve learned all too well just how scary having food allergies can be.

“Everything changed for us the day she took one bite of a granola bar at preschool.

One bite almost led to us losing our daughter.”

The couple began to ask the questions – including “What if she could have everything on the menu?”

The Heaths built a worry-free dining environment to give people with food allergies and celiac disease a sense of normalcy that they were missing due to the real worry of a life-threatening reaction to food.

“Our café is free from all nuts, gluten, wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, seafood, shell�ish and sesame,” Lisa said. “We contact every manufacturing facility for every single ingredient down to the salt and pepper to ensure that it is free from cross contamination of any of the top nine allergens.”

“If there is an allergen in our kitchen that is outside of the top nine allergens, we prepare the dish in a new pan with new tongs, change gloves and assemble in a separate area of the kitchen.”

Popular �inds at IF include fresh baked doughnuts, cookies, lemon bars and cup-

cakes, along with cinnamon roll and churro donuts.

“Many times, we have cried with fellow allergy mamas witnessing children eating at a restaurant for the �irst time. Our favorite is when they surprise their allergy babe with a visit to IF and then tell them they can order anything they want from the menu.

“Seeing families gathering around a table creating memories, for birthdays, dance recitals, after sports games, or just hitting a Taco Tuesday because they can – seeing the joy – it �ills our cups. It fuels us to keep going.” 

Drink Me Tea Room

1730 E. Warner Road, Tempe 602-206-5469

Spooky’s Swirls

3029 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 707-776-6597

Intentional Foods

1837 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa 480-264-7002

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TIMES PUBLICATIONS | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

23

Public Notices

Public Notices

CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CEMETERY NORTH EXPANSION PHASE IIB AND URN/SCATTER GARDEN 1212 N. CENTER STREET

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

PROJECT NO. CP0583CEP2B

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified firm or team

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

to act as the Job Order Contractor for the following:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 1 p.m. All sealed bids will be received electronically at EngineeringBids@mesaaz.gov . Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted PDF attachment with a maximum size limit of 20MB. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

JOB ORDER CONTRACT FIRE SAFETY SERVICES PROJECT NO. JOC-FS20

This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work: Construction of turf covered plot areas, access roads, retaining walls, ornamental site walls, an SRP irrigation pipe relocation, tree, shrubs and associated landscape irrigation improvements as shown on construction documents and specifications.

To be completed at City's sole discretion is Bid Alternate 1 – Urn/Scatter Garden. Construction will include a scatter garden, in-ground urn vaults, rose garden reflection areas, trellis structures, trees, shrubs, artificial turf, benches, an art structure, sidewalk and associated landscape irrigation improvements.

The Engineer’s Estimate range for the Base Bid (only) is $1,800,000 to $2,300,000.

For all technical, contract, bid-related, or other questions, please contact Donna Horn at donna.horn@mesaaz.gov.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $44, which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.

One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.

In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c.

If a pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”

Work shall be completed within 270 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier's check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements.

The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 15, 22, 2020 / 34399

The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide Job Order Fire Safety Services.

All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

The following is a summary of the project.

Fire Safety Services to provide fire safety services for minor and/or major improvement projects, large maintenance projects, repairs, re-construction, and alteration services to City facilities.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on November 23, 2020, at 8 am through Microsoft Teams. Parties interested in attending should request an invitation from Stephanie Gishey at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov. At this meeting, the project team, including City staff will discuss the scope of work, general contract requirements and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the Pre-Submittal Conference is not mandatory. All interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether they attend the conference or not.All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, assure that contract decisions are made in public and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. The RFQ is available on the City’s website at https://www.mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/construction-manager-at-risk-and-job-order-contracting-opportunities The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide one (1) electronic copy of the Statement of Qualifications in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by December 3, 2020, by 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Stephanie Gishey of the Engineering Department at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 15, 22, 29, 2020 / 34423

TIMES PUBLICATIONS | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

24

Public Notices

EASTMARK COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 and DISTRICT NO. 2, MESA ARIZONA CFD PHASE XVI OFFSITE & ONSITE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS (DU3/4 COMMERCIAL CORE) PROJECT NOS: S898, S899, S900 and S901 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. All bids will be received electronically. Bids shall be submitted to the following email: EngineeringBids@mesaaz.gov. Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted PDF attachment with a maximum file size of 20MB. Please ensure that your email is smaller than this before sending. Submitted bids that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award.

Bidders may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to EngineeringBids@mesaaz.gov. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held via Telephone on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 2:00 pm. The Conference Bridge call in is 866.429.7190, conference ID 174-6445 in order to join the call.

A pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. The site visit is recommended but not mandatory. Participants shall meet at the Eastmark construction trailer located at 9525 E. Elliot Road (between Ellsworth Road and Everton Terrace), Mesa, Arizona 85212.

This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation, and services for the construction and/or installation of all improvements shown on the Plans, including, but not limited to the following: 1. Offsite Improvements E. Point Twenty-Two Boulevard (S898) - The Project consists of intersection improvements at existing E. Point Twenty-Two Boulevard and proposed S. Momentum.

Improvements include new right and left turn lanes and pavement, raised median removal, sidewalk removal and installation, planting removal, irrigation modifications, entrance improvements with sidewalk ramps, pavement marking modifications, minor water and sewer line extensions, and dry-utility relocations.

2. Offsite S. Ellsworth Road Traffic Signal and Pavement Marking Modifications (S899) – The Project consists of modifying the existing traffic signal at Ray Road (north)/Serenity Ave. and Ellsworth Road to reconfigure from a three-way intersection with signal and pavement marking to a four-way intersection with signal and pavement marking.

3. Onsite Improvements (S. Momentum, E. Serenity Ave, S. Bradley Way) (S900) – The Project consists of constructing approximately 2,700 LF of new public 2-lane Local Commercial Streets with utility and drainage facilities. Prior to construction the site will be mass-graded with rough grade on roadways and adjacent retention basins. The three onsite entrances will be enhanced with stamped asphalt and raised landscaped medians where shown on plans. Utilities include installation of 12-inch water mains and stubs throughout, storm drain and bleedoff piping, gravity sewer main and stubs, dry-utilities, and landscape and irrigation. Street widths vary with typical width of 28 feet back-of-curb to backof-curb, and include detached 8’ wide sidewalk throughout.

4. Add Alternate No. 1 Offsite Ray Road (S901) – The bid alternative consists of intersection improvements at existing E. Ray Road and proposed S. Bradley Way. Improvements include new right turn lanes (north and south sides), left-turn lanes (north and south), raised median removal and pavement replacement, sidewalk removal and installation, planting removal, irrigation modifications, entrance improvements with sidewalk ramps, pavement marking modifications, minor water and sewer line extensions, storm drain relocation, and dry-utility relocations. Bid Alt 1 may be removed from the project and constructed separately.

For information contact: Stephanie Gishey, City of Mesa, Stephanie.Gishey@MesaAZ.gov.

Engineer’s Estimate Range is $3,600,000 to $4,400,000.

All project questions must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2020. See Section 11 of the Project Special Provisions for more information.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_ Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $46.00, which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.

One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call (480) 6442251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.

Work shall be completed within 206 (two hundred and six) consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Public Notices The successful bidder will be required to execute the DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC Contract and respective Addenda for construction within ten (10) days after formal Notice of Contact Award. Failure by bidder to properly execute the Contract and provide the required certification as specified shall be considered a breach of Contract by bidder. DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC shall be free to terminate the Contract or, at option, release the successful bidder.

Payment and Performance Bonds will be required for this Work. The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, shall be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. Successful Bidder shall name DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC as obligee on both the Payment and Performance Bonds and name the City of Mesa as an additional obligee on the Performance Bond using a Dual Obligee Rider form. An approved Dual Obligee Rider Form is included herein as Exhibit E in the Contract Documents.

The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC; City of Mesa or Eastmark Community Facilities District No. 1 and District No. 2.

BETH HUNING District Engineer ATTEST: Dee Ann Mickelsen District Clerk

Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 22, 29, 2020 / 34536

CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinances at the December 1, 2020 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street.

1. Amending Chapters 67, 76, and 87 of Title 11, Zoning Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code, relating to site plan reviews, approved plans, and amendments to zoning maps. The amendments include, but are not limited to, adding public notice for administrative site plan reviews, clarifying major and minor modifications to approved plans, and adding definitions. (Citywide) 2. Amending Chapters 2, 5, 6, 8, 31 and 86 of Title 11, Zoning Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code, relating to assisted living and nursing and convalescent homes. The amendments include, but are not limited to, amending land use requirements and development standards, adding measuring distance from an intersection, modifying the definition of assisted living facility, and adding definitions including assisted living home and assisted living center.

(Citywide) 3. Amending Chapters 2, 5, 6, 7, 31, 33, 50, and 86 of Title 11, Zoning Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code. The amendments include, but are not limited to, modifying residential, commercial and employment land use tables, modifying residential and commercial development standards, modifying residential uses in commercial districts requirements, adding portable storage container and boat and RV storage provisions, adding and modifying definitions, removing provisions that no longer apply, such as vehicular access to side yards, minor clarification to existing provisions, and minor revisions to wording and formatting. (Citywide) 4. An ordinance repealing in its entirety the existing Chapter 69: Site Plan Review of Title 11, Zoning Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code and adopting by reference the public record known as “2020 Chapter 69 Site Plan Review, Title 11 Zoning Ordinance” and identified for codification as Chapter 69, Title 11, Zoning Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to DMB MESA PROVING GROUNDS LLC, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

5. An ordinance modifying terms/rates/fees/charges for electric utility services. (Districts 1 and 4) 6. An ordinance modifying terms/rates/fees/charges for natural gas utility services. (Citywide)

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details.

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

7. An ordinance modifying terms/rates/fees/charges for water utility services. (Citywide) 8. An ordinance modifying terms/rates/fees/charges for wastewater utility serv ices. (Citywide)

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

9. An ordinance modifying terms/rates/fees/charges for solid waste utility services. Proposed changes include bin, roll-off, commercial barrel service, and appliance recycling and bulk item collection schedule modifications. (Citywide)

Please recycle me.

DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 22nd day of November 2020.

DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune Nov 22, 2020 / 34534

TIMES PUBLICATIONS | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

25

The Mesa Tribune

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Obituaries Ella Mae Bingham McKinnon

Ella Mae Bingham McKinnon returned to her heavenly home on Friday, November 13, 2020. She passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95 in Mesa, AZ. Ella Mae was born on July 18, 1925 in Randolph, UT where she loved her childhood. She made many friends, learned to dance, play the drums and met her eternal companion in Kindergarten. She and Byron (Gene) lived a lifetime together, raising a family of three sons which soon turned into 20 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren … and two more on the way.

Family was everything to her, and she showed this with each intentional act of kindness and love to every one of them. She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Mabel Brough Bingham. Husband, Byron. Brother, ElMont. Her daughter-in-law, Sue. Granddaughter, Kristi and two great- grandsons, Alistair and Gus. She is survived by her brother Fred and sons Steven Eugene (Tina), Donald Len (Nancy), and David Kim (Tamara) McKinnon, as well as four remaining generations of her adoring posterity.

Visitation on 11/19/20 at Bunker’s Garden 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Family graveside funeral service at 1:30 at the Mesa Cemetery

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One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

TIMES PUBLICATIONS | NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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Landscape/Maintenance

Painting

Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call!

15 Years Exp 480-266-4589

Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Not a licensed contractor

www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752 Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro S E R V I C E

L L C

Prepare for Monsoon Season!

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

480-354-5802

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Roofing

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

Plumbing

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

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

HYDROJETTING

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

WORD SEARCH: Words ‘n Words

480-477-8842

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

#1 Find nine 3-letter words using only these letters:

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

Painting

PUMPKIN

20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

East Valley PAINTERS

ROC 3297740

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

10% OFF

Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!!

‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

#2 Find five 5-letter words, starting with R and using only these letters:

HARVEST

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

#2 Answers: raves, rathe, rheas, rates, resat

Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Family Owned & Operated

Service by Publication Circuit Court-Civil Division State of Wisconsin Small Claims Milwaukee County Defendant Name(s) and Address (es): HEZEKIAH SIMELTON 1156 N FIJI WAY GILBERT, AZ 85234 You are being sued by Franklin Financial Corporation, in the small claims court, Milwaukee County, in the Milwaukee County courthouse located @ 901 N. 9th Street (Room #400) Milwaukee, WI 53233 A hearing will be held: Friday,January 8, 2021, 8:30 am. If you choose not to appear, a judgment will be given to Franklin Financial Corporation, due to default. A copy of this has been mailed to last know address on November 13, 2020. Plaintiff: Plaintiff: (414) 447-5130 Franklin Financial Corporation 10101 W GREENFIELD AVE #200 WEST ALLIS WI 53214,.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 22, 2020 / 34484

CB

#1 Answers: imp, ink, kin, nip, pip, pin, pun, pup, ump

T R E E

Juan Hernandez Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Lance White

480.721.4146

Public Notices

Pool Service / Repair

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TIMES PUBLICATIONS | NOVEMBER 22, 2020