Zone

Mesa Film Festival / P. 30

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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

Museum's big sale / P. 4

Sunday, November 28, 2021

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS .......................3

Mesa Mayor John Giles discusses his job after raise.

COMMUNITY ........16

Meet a real Freedom Fighter from decades ago.

SPORTS ...............26

Learn how to place your bets online.

COMMUNITY ...............................16 BUSINESS ......................................20 OPINION........................................22 SPORTS..........................................26 GET OUT........................................28 CLASSIFIED...................................34

Zone 1

After 50 years, A New Leaf continues to serve

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Contributor

It was 1971.

In football, the Cardinals season was off to a promising start – in St. Louis. The team wouldn’t move to Arizona for another 16 years.

In baseball, Jason Giambi and Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Ivan Rodriguez were born, but the Arizona Diamondbacks wouldn’t be for another 17 years.

Other than being a Cactus League hub for a few months, Mesa – like most of the East Valley – was best known for its miles and miles of orange groves and dairy farms, with smells ranging from sweet to offensive, depending on the neighborhood.

But, with more people drifting out of the City of Phoenix, U.S. Census figures announced in 1971 that Mesa’s population had nearly doubled over the previous decade.

Though its modest 66,049 population was a long way from the explosive post-2000 growth that would make it home to over a half-million, Mesa was growing from a farm town to a small city.

And with urban growth came urban problems: people struggling to pay rent, victims of domestic violence, drug abuse, broken families.

Enter an agency that took its name from second chances: A New Leaf. A New Leaf is celebrating a half century of providing social services. Mike Hughes has been CEO of the Mesa nonprofit for more than 40 of its 50 years.

seeLEAF page 8

(David Minton/Tribune photographer)

Robots are part of mystery Eastmark-area development

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Contributor

Noword on whether they will spend breaks at the local oil shop asking for a “quick cup of grease,” but robots are heading to Mesa.

Earlier this month, the Mesa Design Review Board approved a secretive project called Project Thunderbird, which sounds a lot like an Amazon operation.

According to a plan submitted by the DLR Group, the project’s architecture firm, the industrial building will be on 80 acres near Pecos and Hawes roads.

The towering (by Mesa standards, at least) 100-foot building will have around 750 humans per shift on the ground floor.

“The remaining second, third, fourth and fifth floors, known as the Robotic Storage Platforms, will house a large automated storage retrieval system with shelf-like storage units (pods) that are moved by low-profile robots.”

While robot sorters will take up most of the space, the first floor will have “warehouse employees picking orders and stowing product.”

The robots and humans will work nonstop.

“The proposed facility will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and typically consist of both day and night shifts,” according to the presentation.

Amazon has a similar facility with humans and robots rubbing shoulders and gears in the West Valley.

If Project Thunderbird turns out to be an Amazon development, that means the world’s largest company is quickly enlarging its Mesa footprint. Amazon opened its first Mesa distribution center near Falcon Field near the end of 2019. Six months ago, the Tribune reported on “Project Javelina.”

seeAMAZON page 6

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Mesa mayor accepts raise, talks about his job

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Contributor

Mesa Mayor John Giles remains the second-highest paid mayor in the state, taking home far more than the mayor of Tucson, which is slightly larger than Mesa.

Giles and the rest of City Council voted Nov. 15 to give themselves a raise.

But Giles said it’s not about the money. He said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead his hometown into continued economic boom times.

He was elected mayor in 2014, receiving a whopping 73 percent of the vote.

In 2020, he was reelected with nearly twice as many votes but with the city’s population growing, his margin dropped to 66 percent – still comfortably ahead of challenger Verl Farnsworth. Giles has an extended “swan song” as his second term extends until Jan. 1, 2025.

But what is he doing to deserve his hefty salary of just under $75,000 while council members will earn $41,782?

After returning from a trip to Washington D.C., where he said – phoning into a Mesa City Council meeting – he was lobbying to make sure Mesa got its share of President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill, Giles answered the Tribune’s questions about his job and his raise.

As Thanksgiving approached, he said he was extremely thankful to be doing “the best job I’ve ever had.” Tribune: About how many hours per week do you work? Giles: In this role, you are always mayor. While in the office, at events, in meetings, at dinner or at my grandkid’s soccer games. While our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., our elected officials do what is needed when it is needed no matter the time of day or day of the week. Tribune: If you weren’t in politics/public service, what would you be doing? Giles: I am an attorney and have a law office in downtown Mesa. I’m also an adjunct professor in the ASU School of Law. Tribune: When are you available to meet with citizens who have concerns about any issues, and how would they arrange a meeting? Giles: Mesa residents are encouraged to reach out via phone or email to my office to schedule a meeting. Most issues are initially addressed at a staff level and are frequently resolved. If that is the case, I receive an update from staff. I value the perspectives of our residents and I enjoy hearing from them. Tribune: A review of minutes from 2021 shows that you did not vote ‘no’ on any agenda items. How would you answer someone who says “Giles is just a ‘yes man’ who approves anything Brady wants”?

Giles: When something comes before Council for a vote at a meeting, that is not the first time the issue is being discussed. Many items on our agendas have spent months, if not years, getting to the point of a council vote. Staff and constituent meetings, board and committee meetings, community feedback, staff presentations and recommendations, council feedback, research and discussions all inform decisions made at council meetings. Tribune: What are some of the things you did so far in 2021 that you are most proud of – and feel help justify your pay? Giles: I did not seek out this role for the salary and wouldn’t want to tie Mesa’s momentum to the compensation of staff, council or mayor. I’m proud of how the City of Mesa responded to COVID-19, of how we are experiencing economic growth, of our education partnerships and our investment in public safety. But those accomplishments belong to Mayor John Giles, after receiving all of us – our staff, our residents and otha raise and voting “yes” on every ers who work for the advancement of our agenda item in 2021, answered questions from the Tribune about his salary and his job. (Tribune file photo) city. We all have a role to play in service to our community. Tribune: There’s an old phrase heard from time to time: “I love my job so much, I would do it for free!” ...Does that apply to you? Giles: I love working in service of my hometown and it is extremely rewarding to achieve big goals working in partnership with staff, residents, stakeholders and other elected officials. I’ve said on many occasions that being mayor is the best job I’ve ever had and I encourage everyone that has an inkling to get involved in public service. While this role and the role of councilmember are very rewarding, it also comes with great responsibility and should be compensated.

Annexations, industrial projects on council agenda

BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

At its Dec. 1 meeting, Mesa City Council will be asked to approve projects that will continue to reshape the landscape of southeast Mesa: Cannon Beach, the Hub at 202 and Project Cork.

The Cannon Beach wave-pool development on Power and Warner roads just north of the Loop 202 is asking for modifications to its previously submitted plans, promising “a large recreational amenity that will draw people from a large radius.”

In addition to its anchor attraction, a “surf lagoon,” Cannon Beach will have “a substantial commercial component including shopping areas” in multiple buildings.

Cole Cannon, the Gilbert resident behind the project, previously told the Tribune people will be able to cool off here by the summer of 2022.

“People thought we were nuts to have a project with restaurants and hotels started during the pandemic. But we had a ‘Field of Dreams’ attitude: If we build it, they will come,” he told the Tribune.

He also doesn’t have to worry about competition – at least for the foreseeable future.

Historical Museum hosting big arts and crafts fair

BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

People who want to get a jump on their Christmas shopping – and find one-of-a-kind gifts that will be treasured for years – might want to circle this Saturday on their calendar.

From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4, the Mesa Historical Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne, is hosting a massive Arts & Crafts Fair that could keep visitors there for hours as they traipse through aisles featuring 60 vendors, sample books offered at a mini-book fair, grab something to eat – and get a free pass to wander through the museum itself.

Guests also will be helping out a city landmark.

“This is a bit ambitious of us to make it this big but it’s the only way I can raise funds during this time,” said museum Executive Director Susan Ricci. “Our popular Historic Home Tour had to be cancelled once again and that is our largest fundraiser.”

Ricci said the house tour fell victim to the pandemic for the second consecutive year.

“Due to COVID, it was uncomfortable for home owners to have so many people walking through their houses so we had to cancel,” she said. “We hope we can move forward after this year.”

In the meantime, Ricci said, “This time we more than doubled the number of vendors we had in the spring.”

Among them will be pottery by Pima artist Ron Carlos, a woven metal cactus by Sharie Harwood Monsamand a handcarved wooden bowl by Marc Thompson.

Vendors will be selling leather work, bead work, jewelry, ornaments, candles, soaps and lotions, ceramics, flutes, upcycled art, Native American pottery, essential oils and sculptures.

As for touring the museum, guests can see a special exhibit celebrating the many different cultures that contributed to the settlement of Mesa, including some of the extraordinary individuals who broke racial barriers to become civic leaders in our community.

Friday, December 10 6:00-8:30pm

There’s also an exhaustive exhibit featuring artist Karen Kuykendall’s paintings, jewelry and papier-mache, which have been exhibited at both the Phoenix Art Museum and the Tucson Art Museum. She was a published author and teacher who created a fantasy world of Cat-People which inspired a lot of her artwork including dolls, sculptures and paintings. Plenty of unique gifts will be available for purchase this coming Saturday at the Mesa Historical Museum’s Arts & With over 1,000 pieces Crafts Fair. (Special to the Tribune) now a part of the Mesa Historical Museum’s permanent collection, this exhibit is dedicated to her art.

Play Ball: The Arizona Spring Training Experience features the history of Spring Training, the birth of the Cactus League and Cactus League Hall of Fame, along with photos and collections from the last one hundred years of baseball in Mesa.This exhibit focuses on the history of the current Spring Training Teams of Mesa, the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland A’s.

COUNCIL from page 3

Gilbert had been working with a private contractor that offered to build a wave pool on land adjacent to the Gilbert Regional Park.

But the previous developer backed out of a deal with the town after the it pushed back the deadline a third time. Now, a new developer for a fourth deadline extension on the project, which is now not slated for completion before April 2024. Not far from Mesa’s first “beach,” two developers will ask City Council to approve annexations near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. One project calls for Mesa to annex 101 acres near Sossaman and Warner roads. A linked zoning request from agricultural to light industrial “will allow for an industrial development.”

The Hub at 202, as the project is called, will have 11 buildings hosting “warehousing, industrial and office uses.”

A few miles southeast, another developer wants the city to annex 70 acres near Pecos and Signal Butte roads. Similarly, this project’s zoning request out of agricultural to light industrial “will allow for industrial development.”

Project Cork, as it is called, “will bring employment to this rapidly developing The Cannon Beach development is asking Mesa City Council approval of modifications to its plans for a “surf lagoon” surrounded by shopping and dining. (City of Mesa) area,” the developer promises.

The developer describes one large building with a 127-dock truck court.

In its description, developer Ryan Companies sounds like it has a company lined up to take over the space, once it is built: “The extensive experience the end user has in operating this type of facility allows them to fully understand the transportation needs of its employees and visitors.”

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Amazon may be the company behind “Project Thunderbird,” a 3 million square foot industrial project with humans on the ground floor—and robots on four floors above them. The DLR Group submitted renderings of the project to the Design Review Board. (City of Mesa)

AMAZON from page 1

Though a company spokesman refused to confirm or deny it is planning another Amazon facility in Mesa, “Amazon Hub” appears on the plan twice, below a sketch of “package pickup and return” and “customer service” entrances.

Project Javelina is on Eastmark’s northern boundary on 47 acres at the southwest corner of Elliot Road and Everton Terrace.

The plan describes a one-story building of just over 180,000 square feet, similar in size to the Falcon Field Amazon facility at 3115 N. Higley Road. Similarly, Amazon first built smaller distribution centers in the West Valley, before launching a massive robotics facility that had the code name Project Sol.

In Eastmark, Project Javelina “is being designed for package delivery service, with two anticipated shifts working days and evenings and a possible third shift added at peak season,” according to a plan submitted to the city.

On May 4, DLR Group submitted plans for Project Javelina to the city’s Planning and Zoning Department, along with a payment of $10,405 in fees. The owner is listed as Seefried Industrial Properties, which, according to its website, is “a longtime Amazon development and project management partner.” Also according to its website, “Seefried completed the development of an 850,000-square-foot fulfillment center for Amazon on New Allen Road (also in Memphis) in the fourth quarter of 2020.”

The Project Thunderbird submittals to the Design Review Board state the owner of the property is Gateway South.

But an administrative review application for the project lists, under “property owner information,” Zach Maki of Seefried Development Management.

Maki is also listed as the owner of Project Javelina. He did not respond to a query from the Tribune, asking for confirmation of the Amazon facilities.

On Aug. 16, DLR paid $42,750 to the city of Mesa for civil engineering and commercial permit deposits for Project Javelina.

GOT NEWS?

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

Mike Hughes – who has come to be the face of the social services provider that now employs hundreds and provides assistance to thousands – wasn’t there for A New Leaf’s first day in 1971.

“Oh, no! I was just a year out of high school,” the Long Island native said with a laugh, a touch of a New York accent still audible after all these years.

By the early 1970s he went west to study education at ASU. “My first couple years after graduation, I was a school teacher at Mesa Public Schools in special population, working with troubled kids,” Hughes said.

He loved the work and the city, settling here to raise a family.

Then, in 1978, A New Leaf’s board of directors made Hughes an offer he couldn’t refuse.

It wasn’t just, “Come work for us.”

It was, “Come and be our leader.”

He took the challenge. And he stuck.

For more than four decades of its 50year run, A New Leaf’s chief executive officer has been Mike Hughes. This is a rarity in any field, let alone social services, where low-level workers and high-end managers alike hopscotch from agency to agency.

When A New Leaf came calling, the ofMesa Public Schools named Hughes Elementary School after the New Leaf leader in 2018, recognizing his 20 years of service on the district’s Governing Board. (YouTube)

fer certainly got Hughes’ attention. “I thought it was an extension of what I was doing with kids working at Mesa Schools, helping troubled teen-aged kids. A New Leaf had treatment facilities,” Hughes recalled.

“I was offered a great opportunity. But I struggled on it. I loved my job at Mesa Public Schools.”

The clincher was what A New Leaf’s board of directors promised: You can help us get bigger and better.

They were good to the promise, Hughes said.

“I’ve loved the career,” he said. “I love the board of directors. They’ve always allowed the agency to grow. We’ve been able to grow over the years to where we are today.”

Indeed, A New Leaf has mirrored Mesa’s explosive growth over a half-century.

After 50 years, A New Leaf is nearly a $50 million operation.

The agency’s operating budget is now around $45 million, with 500 employees.

“We’ve grown remarkably over all these years,” Hughes said.

And it’s not just a Mesa/East Valley thing, anymore.

“We have programs throughout metropolitan Phoenix,” Hughes said from his Mesa office.

Indeed, A New Leaf sponsors the likes of Glendale’s Faith House, a shelter for domestic violence victims, Riverboat, a sprawling facility in Surprise, where bingo nights raise funds for the nonprofit’s operations.

Even so, A New Leaf’s history and soul are intertwined with Mesa, where it operates homeless and domestic violence shelters.

A New Leaf often works closely with the city, with programs such as assistance for language- and/or computerchallenged populations, who need help applying for rent and utility assistance funds offered by the city.

As Mesa Vice Mayor Jenn Duff put it, “For 50 years, A New Leaf has been a beacon of hope in our community for so many individuals and families to overcome challenges, and in many cases, crises in their lives. It has evolved over the seeLEAF page 10

A New Leaf has drawn good and bad reviews

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Contributor

Though many have praised A New Leaf for helping thousands in its 50 years, there are some who say the nonprofit agency is not doing a good job.

Online postings – many anonymous – vary from gushing thanks to severe critiques.

In a recent Google review, “Ned” called A New Leaf “the absolute worst service possible. I am now homeless and received no help. It’s been over eight months and the number they give me to call just goes to a full mailbox. They clearly don’t want to help.” The same went for Mark Union, who wrote: “A New Leaf has not been helpful. I’ve applied for rental assistance and nothing helpful has come out of it. I’ve applied three times, they’re unorganized and it’s funny they call them an organization.” But Sean Lake, posting earlier this year, had a vastly differing opinion on A New Leaf: “This organization is a local, people first organization. Thank you for all of the staff that put people first, needs first and then go figure out how to find money to help others.”

On Yelp, “Mom D,” in a post last November, praised A New Leaf staff member for “the exceptional level of service, kindness, thoughtfulness and consideration …she pulled out all the stops, went over and beyond, patient, caring….” Starcia H., of Maricopa, felt lost in the shuffle:

“Communication sucks, very upset with my daughter’s caseworker (5th or 6th). They change so frequently and you won’t know until they call you a month after you already made an appointment with another case manager.”

And Dawn E., of Mesa, complained, “I reached out to A New Leaf during this time of crisis. They’re supposed to be a nonprofit organization, that’s there to help the public, those in need. They won’t return a call or email. They’re not there for anyone. It’s sad really, they claim to help people but that’s not true at all.” But Tanner S. described A New Leaf in his 5-star review as “An incredible nonprofit working in a variety of areas. I absolutely love the work they do to help families find stability and get ahead.”

Facebook shows both good and bad reviews.

“A New Leaf is full of compassionate staff that help people in crisis,” Bruce Woods posted.

And, Kara Fankhauser McLaughlin noted, “They have ALL the resources – shelters, behavioral health, financial empowerment, workforce, domestic violence services, support services for residents, families, and community. All delivered by caring staff of employees, volunteers and community partners.”

In her review, “E.W.” could not disagree more with the positive words after relating how she fled her abuser, only to feel rejected by one of A New Leaf’s domestic violence shelters: “I fled on foot with only the clothes on my back. No money. No phone. I walked nearly 14 miles to Autumn House, looking for shelter and protection… I arrived to the property late at night. I tried knocking on door. I knew they had staff in the office 24/7, so I kept knocking off and on for maybe 5 minutes. “I thought that maybe staff could not hear me. Next thing I know, Mesa PD pulls up and arrests me for trespassing. ... This is not the only reason I dislike A New Leaf, this was just the icing on the cake.”

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 28, 2021

Eastmark welcomes $6 million fire station

BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

The booming community of Eastmark should see reduced times for emergency fire and health calls now that it has its first fire station, a $6 million state-of-the-art facility. Mesa Fire Station 221 made its debut with a public tour of the firehouse at 9320 E. Point Twenty-Two Blvd., just west of Signal Butte Road.

“As southeast Mesa keeps gaining population, emergency call volumes will continue to increase. The addition of Station 221 will help address those needs and reduce response times in Eastmark and surrounding communities, especially for medical runs,” said Mesa Fire Chief Mary Cameli. Funding for the $5.9 million Station 221 comes from a voter-approved 2018 public safety bond. The Eastmark developer agreed to transfer the land to the city as part of the original development agreement. The rapidly expanding community of Eastmark in southeast Mesa now has its own firehouse, which was dedicated recently during a

ribbon-cutting ceremony. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

Mayor John Giles said the new station “will help meet our needs as the city of Mesa continues to grow. I want to thank the voters who approved a ballot measure to make Fire Station 221 a reality.” The new fire station includes four apparatus bays, eight dormitories, two offices, a kitchen, dining room, conditioning room and a community room.

It will also be home to what the city calls “the nation’s first-of-its-kind all-electric pumper truck.”

Councilman Kevin Thompson noted, “Fire Station 221 has been a much needed addition in southeast Mesa where development has skyrocketed over the past few years. “As southwest Mesa continues to grow, the new station, and the professionals that call it home, will play an even more vital role in keeping the community safe,” he added.

LEAF from page 8

years with so many programs to offer help and hope to those who need it.” “Since 1971, A New Leaf has provided assistance to those most in need in our community, helping families, children, and adults overcome the challenges they face,” the nonprofit states on its website.

“These challenges are often unexpected, and can be devastating. Whether it be the loss of a job, a medical crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, or another heartbreaking crisis, A New Leaf is here to help households recover and thrive.”

In the last year, according to its website, A New Leaf provided shelter to 2,247 people.

In addition to shelters, A New Leaf provides “comprehensive services to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness become self-reliant and find safe, stable housing.”

Another 7,776 people received “health and wellness” help from A New Leaf, including treatment for addictions and mental health problems.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a surge of people desperate for help; to keep its own staff working, A New Leaf received $4.7 million in Paycheck Protection Plan federal assistance.

The leader of 500 or so receiving A New Leaf paychecks remains Mike Hughes, who has no plans to slow down.

“I’m the longest-standing employee – I’m still ticking!” he said with a big laugh.

“It’s a great challenge,” he continued, with a shift in tone. “I’m very fortunate. You know people who say they hate what they do? I love my job.

“I always wanted to work helping people.”

Even so, it’s a tough job: Trying to use limited resources to help a seemingly endless number of people needing food, treatment and shelter.

Hughes said he leaves his work at the office, with a positive focus when he walks in his home.

“I know this sounds silly, but I have always been able to do my job and work hard and at the end of day feel good about what I have accomplished rather than feeling bad about what I haven’t. I think that’s been my mantra,” Hughes said.

He still lives in Mesa. “It’s a great city, great community,” he said. “My kids were all raised here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Asked about A New Leaf’s plans for 2022, the agency’s leader replied, “Right now we’re really concentrating on how we can become not necessarily bigger, but better. We’re anchoring down on the services we provide.”

Chief among the services is helping people find and maintain stable housing; “It’s such a need,” Hughes said.

Again, he shifts to the positive, the good A New Leaf has done in 50 years.

“It’s a great agency,” Hughes said. “We help a lot of people.

“We helped more than 30,000 people last year.”

Duff, who represents the downtown area, most urban of Mesa’s neighborhoods, added a comment on A New Leaf that echoes on Thanksgiving week:

“All of us in Mesa should be thankful they are in our community.”

A New Leaf is at 868 East University Drive, Mesa. Information: call 480-9694024 or turnanewleaf.org.

A New Leaf’s services:

• La Mesita After School Program • Phoenix Day • Autumn House • DV Court Advocacy • DV Safe Temporary Overflow Program • Faith House • MesaCAN • Economic Development • Workforce Services • Veterans Business Outreach Center • Sexual Violence Survivor Advocacy and Support • Financial Wellness • Dorothy B. Mitchell Counseling Center • East Valley After School Program • La Mesita Family Care • East Valley Men’s Center • La Mesita Community • Rapid Rehousing

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 28, 2021

Humane Society breaks ground for Papago Park campus

BY SKYLER AUSTIN Tribune Contributor

The Arizona Humane Society has broken ground for a new Papago Park campus.

The new 72,000-square-foot facility will replace the 64-year-old Sunnyslope location. Humane Society spokeswoman Kelsey Dickerson said the two-story building will allow the organization to expand life-saving services to a growing population of abandoned animals, serving as both a medical center and a shelter.

“The new campus will feature the Watts Family Medical Complex, a stateof-the-art facility offering medical and behavioral interventions and treatment and care at a level not yet seen in the United States,” said Dickerson.

In addition to the new medical facility, AHS will include animal assistance, foster, and education programs as well as an adoption center. The Humane Society is a nonprofit that relies solely on private donations to keep those programs running.

The new campus is named after Rob and Melani Walton, whose foundation contributed $5 million to the project and made this campus a reality, according to Dickerson.

Dickerson said the Humane Society received an additional $3 million from the Nina Pulliam Charitable Trust and $3 million from the Lazin Animal Foundation.

The Walton Papago Park campus will double as a teaching hospital in hopes of solving a veterinarian shortage.

“In addition to babyboomer veterinarians retiring, a big factor for the shortage has to do with the fact that vet schools are not keeping up with the demand of population growth and a lack of state funding,” Dickerson explained. The Humane Society will partner with veterinarian programs at the University of Arizona and Midwestern University. “I’m ecstatic that the Humane Society is creating their teaching facility!” said Jeremey Bessett, a veterinarian student at the University of Arizona. Clinicals are required for both UArizona and Midwestern veterinary students. With a new facility will come new opportunities for training in the field.

“There are many animals that need to be spayed or neutered, and for students that gives us plenty of experiences as surgeons,” said Bessett.

Mindy Burnett, a spokeswoman for UArizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said the university currently partners with 200 clinics for its clinical year. “Partnering with the Humane Society will provide our current and future students with experience in shelter medicine and help broaden their handson clinical skills,” she said. Julie Funk, dean of that veterinary school, said the demand for veterinary services stems from an increase in pet ownership in both total numbers and The Arizona Humane Society’s new Papago Park campus, slated to open in early 2023, will be both a medical center and a shelter. (Special to the Tribune) households. “There is also a change in the relationship between people and their pets, with more people considering their pet’s family members, and the owners are also willing to invest in veterinary healthcare,” said Funk. Dickerson said the Humane Society expects the new campus to be open by early 2023. The East Valley Institute of Technology offers emergency medical technician training. (Courtesy of EVIT)

Enrollment underway at EVIT for kids, adults

BY CECE TODD

Tribune Guest Writer

The East Valley Institute of Technology is currently enrolling adults for Spring 2022 post-secondary programs and high school students for the 2022-23 school year.

High school students can start the enrollment process by going to: evit.com/ enroll. Adults can fill out an application at: weareevit.formstack.com/forms/ adult_app. To request more information about high school or adult programs, fill out a request form at evit.com/requestinfo.

EVIT offers 12 post-secondary programs for adults at the Main Campus, 1601 W. Main St., Mesa: aesthetics, collision repair, cosmetology, George Brazil plumbing service & repair technician, emergency medical technician, heating ventilation air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR), massage therapy, nursing assistant, practical nurse, sterile processing technician, surgical technology and welding.

Tuition varies by program. Veterans Administration benefits are accepted and financial aid is available in some programs for those who qualify. EVIT advisors at 480-461-4013 can assist.

EVIT offers 40 career training programs for public, charter, private and home-schooled high school students who reside in the following school districts: Apache Junction, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Higley, J.O. Combs, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale and Tempe. Students attend their high school for a half-day and EVIT for a half-day. East Valley school districts provide free transportation for their students to attend EVIT.

High school programs are tuition-free; program fees vary by program. For a complete list of high school programs, go to: bit. ly/3lTnhVz. EVIT is offering a new high school program – electrical and power transmission installation – in which students learn how to install indoor and outdoor residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems and associated power transmission lines. For more information on this specialized career in the construction industry: bit.ly/3n5016v.

Many of EVIT’s high school programs also offer opportunities to earn college credit through dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment at area colleges and post-secondary schools. To learn more, visit: bit.ly/2XsxvD0. seeEVIT page 14

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 28, 2021

‘Lights of Love’ brings comfort to those who mourn

BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

While the holidays are a time for joy, they also bring sorrow for people who have lost loved ones– particularly since the last holiday season.

Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery at 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, is hosting a special event that gives people a chance to both celebrate this time of year and remember those deceased loved ones.

Between 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, Mountain View’s “Lights of Love” event offers people a chance to drive through the cemetery grounds, see a dazzling light show and a live Nativity scene and listen to the Dickens’ Carolers – and place a paper heart with a deceased loved one’s name on it and have a candle burn all night in their honor.

“Our hope this year is to uplift the hearts of those who have experienced the loss of a loved one,” Mountain View’s website states. People are asked to RSVP to Mountain View spokeswoman Hilary Samples at 480-832-2850 by Wednesday, Dec. 1, just to ensure that enough cookies and hot chocolate are ordered, though failure to do that won’t bar anyone from the event.

While Mountain View has held a night of remembrance during the holidays for decades, the Lights of Love has only been in place for a couple of years.

And it has drawn hundreds of people, said Samples, who expects even more this

Lights and candles commemorating lost loved ones are a big part of the Lights of Love and remembrance event at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa this Friday.

(Special to the Tribune) year because of relaxed COVID-related concerns.

“People want to go out and enjoy themselves,” Samples said, adding that while people will be asked to remain in their vehicles as they enjoy the lights, get cookies and hot chocolate and give an attendant a paper heart for a candle to be lit in the loved one’s name. However, people will be allowed to park outside the cemetery and walk the grounds. Samples said live animals for the Nativity scene are being provided by Carter’s Farm. “We’ll have a camel, some sheep and some other animals,” she said, adding that this will further enrich a memorable evening. Overall, Samples said, the evening aims to provide solace to those who feel the loss of a loved one especially hard this time of year. She said oftentimes, “this is the only service they have” to commemorate their loved one and that she hopes it will bring comfort to them.

BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

It’s a long way from the frozen ponds of Minneapolis, Wisconsin and other places going into their winter freezes, but Mesa will have outdoor ice skating – for a limited time only.

The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink opened Friday and will be in operation until Jan. 2.

The rink will be open from 5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-10 p.m. on weekends.

The rink is fairly small and a limited number of people will be allowed to skate at a time.

Organizers recommend online check in, though some walk ups will be allowed.

Admission is $10 (which includes skate rental) for a one-hour skating session.

Winter Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is located on the east side of Mesa City Plaza at 20 E. Main St.

The rink is just one of many special events and attractions that are part of the city’s Merry Main Street holiday celebration. This coming weekend, for example, people can find Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, where they can find something to eat and drink and then grab a ride on the Main Street Express Trackless Express.

While rides are free, Mesa Polar Express is supporting United Food Bank by requesting a canned food donation per rider. Because it is public transportation, federal guidelines require all riders to wear a mask. Visit themesapolarexpress.com for details.

The Mesa Arts Center also is presenting multiple performances next weekend of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a comedy based on the best-selling book about a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant while having to deal with a brood of mischievous children.

One thing missing again from Mesa’s holiday celebration is the massive light display hosted by the Mesa Arizona Temple, which will be formally rededicated on Dec. 12 after an exhaustive interior and exterior renovation. But that display is expected to return next year, along with the popular Easter Pageant.

For more information on Mesa’s celebration, visit merrymainst.com/icerink.

Skating rink to open in downtown Mesa EVIT from page 12 EVIT offers a High School Equivalency (HSE) Prep class to prepare students who want to take the Arizona state GED exam. Applicants must be at least 16 and not enrolled in school, and must be available to attend in-person classes at the EVIT Main Campus. For more information or to register, call 480-461-4013. To register, students will need a driver’s license or stateissued ID with their photo and date of birth. In addition, EVIT started a new Foster Youth Career Program that assists students who are credit-deficient in obtaining their GED or HSED while pursuing a certification in an EVIT career training The final touches on setting up Mesa’s annual ice skating rink were underway last week. (Special to the Tribune) program. Students work on their online GED prep classes in a lab at the EVIT Main Campus, where an in-person instructor can assist them. Cost of the career training courses is included in the $100 program fee, and financial assistance is available. For more information, contact program coordinator Jaron Neal at jneal@evit.com.

CeCe Todd is the public information officer for the East Valley Institute of Technology.