The Mesa Tribune - Zone 1 - 12.19.2021

Mega project downtown / P. 10

Coming back home / P. 24

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS....................... 12 United Food Bank to help needy for Christmas.

COMMUNITY............ 14

Sunday, December 19, 2021

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

EV home for up to a million people is born

BY GARY NELSON Tribune Correspondent

N

obody knows, exactly, how many shovelfuls of dirt there are in 275 square miles.

But the first few of them have now been dug

in the vast tract of state trust land known as Superstition Vistas.

And by 2023, the first of what could someday be a million residents will be moving into their new homes.

The chief partners in this first phase of a project expected to span generations are

Apache Junction, Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., and D.R. Horton, a Texas-based homebuilding firm.

With giant earth-moving machines as a backdrop, 17 men and women dug their shov-

Santas of all kinds

see VISTA page 6

Mesa woman in regional quilt show.

BUSINESS ............

18

A plumber with a heart.

COMMUNITY ............................... 14 BUSINESS ..................................... 18 OPINION .. ..................................... 21 SPORTS ........................................ 24 GET OUT ...................................... 26 CLASSIFIED ................................. 30 Zone 1

Scores of Mesa’s Santa Clauses were busy all month getting ready to spread some Christmas joy to kids who might not have much. From Jesse Morón, left, to Rhiannan Ferguson and Cheryl Collins to W. Steven Martin in the blue Santa suit, they made scores of kids’ Christmases merry. Reader their inspiring stories on pages 3-4. (Special to the Tribune)

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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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NEWS

3

Larry Miller employees bring cheer to foster kids

BY KATY SPRINGER Tribune Contributor

F

or most people, the holiday season is a joyous opportunity to spend time with loved ones, give thanks for friends and family and make plans for the year ahead. But for children in the foster care system, the holidays often are anything but joyous.

“It can be an extremely difficult time of year for kids to be in foster care,” said Mike Faust, director, Arizona Department of Child Safety.

That’s why employees from 12 Larry H. Miller Dealerships locations, including Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa and Larry H. Miller Nissan Mesa, worked together to purchase holiday gifts for children in Arizona’s foster care system.

“Many children in our community will be spending the holidays in foster care, and while this means that they’re somewhere safe, the situation is still very difficult for them,” said Jim Crutcher, general manager at Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa. “We want to make the holidays a little brighter for children in foster care by rallying all of our dealerships and the community to fulfill their holiday wish lists.”

Christmas trees were set up in the dealerships’ showrooms, each one decorated with heart tags listing foster children’s holiday wishes. Employees, along with

Arizona Department of Child Safety. “It’s impossible to overstate our gratitude to Larry H. Miller Dealerships for bringing joy to Arizona’s most vulnerable children.”

“Larry H. Miller Dealerships has a strong legacy of giving back to communities where it does business,” said Rhiannan Ferguson and Cheryl Collins, two employees from Larry H. Crutcher. “This Miller Ford Mesa, get ready to deliver toys to foster kids. (Special to holiday cause is a the Tribune) natural fit for us, members of the community, took tags as our company culture is all about giving from the trees and purchased gifts for the back and enriching lives in our commukids, from bicycles and scooters to cloth- nity, especially the lives of children.” ing, toys and shoes.

The effort was part of the Arizona DepartEmployees delivered the gifts on Dec. 13 ment of Child Safety’s annual Giving Tree to DCS offices statewide for distribution program, which will serve roughly 3,500 to Arizona foster children. All told, the children in foster care this holiday season. dealerships granted the holiday wishes There are nearly 14,000 children in Ariof more than 500 kids, with the donation zona’s foster care system. Calls to Arizona valued at more than $50,000.

Department of Child Safety’s abuse and “Partnerships like this one will make the neglect hotline have spiked 25 percent in holidays so much happier for kids in care,” said Rayetta Sanchez, community liaison, see DEALERSHIP page 4

Mesa man becomes Santa for a day

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

I

f you think Santa is a myth, you haven’t met Jesse Morón.

The Mesa man may not have the beard, white hair and red suit, but he sure does have the heart. And instead of a sleigh and reindeer, he owns a yellow fire truck.

That heart gave him an idea when he woke up Dec. 8 in his home: He told his wife Melissa he wanted to buy some toys for kids in and around his Mesa neighborhood, which has a significant percentage of

families who struggle just to put food on the table.

Jesse and Melissa know all about that kind of struggle: they met a little over 26 years ago in a homeless shelter where they both had been living.

Jesse, now the owner of an HVAC company called Powerful AC, and Melissa also know a couple things about buying toys for Christmas: They have 13 children ranging in age from 2 to 26.

Early two Sundays, he recalled, “I woke up with Jesse Morón stood atop his yellow firetruck Dec. 11 in the parking lot of an urge that was like but- Queen of Peace Catholic Church in downtown Mesa as people picked a gift from the 700 toys he and his wife Melissa bought to bring some Christmas cheer to needy families. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

see SANTA page 4

4

NEWS

DEALERSHIP from page 3

the last six months, yet the number of licensed foster homes is at a record low.

“We’re working urgently to recruit more foster care providers to bring safety and stability for Arizona’s most vulnerable

SANTA from page 3

terflies in my stomach. I said, ‘We can give back during this pandemic and during this time when people don’t know if they have work, if they have money. They don’t know where the next food is coming from – and much less are they going to think about presents. And if we’re able to give back, let’s see what we can do.’”

He gave himself a budget, he said, “though we almost tripled the budget because I didn’t realize how expensive toys were.”

He and Melissa then rented a truck and hit three stores, spending $13,000 to buy around 700 bicycles, scooters, Barbie dolls, drones, “every kind of different football, basketball, volleyball, little kitchen sets for the little girls.”

“I mean, it was everything,” he said.

The next day, his four employees removed all the price tags and make sure those requiring batteries had them.

No wrapping was involved, however, because he wanted the kids to choose their own toy.

The big distribution day was Dec. 11 in the parking lot of Queen of Peace Church in downtown Mesa. The parish had already broadcast word of the toy giveaway and by 9 a.m. Dec. 11, a long line had formed. Jesse also had gotten the word out on social media, telling people to look for

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

children,” said Faust.

Kids enter foster care through no fault of their own, but because their biological parents or legal guardians are unable to care for them safely. The purpose of a foster home is to provide a loving place for children to learn and grow while their

parents do the work that’s needed to create a safe home environment.

“All children need a safe place to celebrate the holidays, adults who will ask about their school day, and a secure and loving home where they can rest easy at night,” said Sanchez.

erything was gone, leaving the last five people in line to choose from small items like puzzles and such.

Jesse gave them each $100 to buy something bigger. “I didn’t know where they came from but I wouldn’t want them to drive an hour to get like one toy and they have like three Jesse Morón said he was first afraid no one would show up to pick or four kids,” he exup the toys, then he was concerned he wouldn’t have enough. It all plained. turned out well, however. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer) “We were afraid the big yellow firetruck. first that we wouldn’t have enough people The kids walked up and picked out their to receive all the presents,” he said. “Then own toys. Some adults showed up alone in after that, we were afraid that we were cars because they didn’t want to put their going to have a long line left over and we kids at risk for COVID infection. would be down to our last present. But as “We didn’t require them to prove it with it worked out, we were able to help every like birth certificates or anything,” he ex- single last person to get a toy.” plained. “We just said, ‘show us a picture The reaction overwhelmed the couple at that you have more than one. We under- times. “People were crying or people were stand that you have more kids but we also saying thank you,” Jesse said. know there’s people that might want to He had called one nearby family a few take advantage of the system and want to days earlier and had asked for the man of just take toys home and they don’t have the house, a father of four landscaper for any kids.’” whom he had done some air conditioning Within an hour and a half, almost ev- repairs earlier this year.

For children who are unable to reunite with their parents, DCS works to connect them with loving, adoptive families.

For more information about Larry H. Miller Dealerships, visit lhmauto.com. To learn more about foster care, call 877543-7633 or visit azdcs.gov/foster. ■ An older daughter told him on the phone, “My dad died on the job last July.

He fell to his death from the palm tree.”

“She started crying on the phone after I told them about the presents. She said ‘We were just discussing yesterday how we’re going to even afford to have Christmas presents for the kids because my dad was the breadwinner and we don’t have money for presents.”

Jesse got their ages and asked her what they wanted for Christmas, then set aside the desire toy for each of them The giveaway also was a lesson for some of the Moróns’ 13 kids, who all were helping at the event.

When they had seen all the toys their parents bought, some of them wanted to keep a few.

“That was one of my goals because their mindset was always receiving,” he explained. “And then by the end of it…one of my daughters said, ‘I’m going to hide two presents because if there’s somebody in the group that doesn’t have a present, I want to make sure they get one. So their mindset was different.”

Buoyed by how well the event went, Jesse and Melissa already are planning for a repeat a year from now.

Only this time, he’s got a bigger plan.

“We’re gonna start buying toys early next year,” he said. “I want to get 5,000.” ■

Annual 911 Toy Drive unites police, communities

BY DANA TRUMBULL Tribune Staff Writer

T

he W. Steven Martin 911 Toy Drive has been a holiday fixture in Arizona for 36 years.

Although the annual event began as the W. Steven Martin Motorcycle Toy Run, the logistics became “a nightmare,” Martin said, as the number of participants grew and culminated with 7,000 motorcycles participating in a memorial ride on the first anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

W., as Martin prefers to be called, decided to turn his focus to collaborating with police departments.

The idea grew after Toni Hawk, wife of Tempe Officer Robert Hawk, called requesting toys to give away in his memory to a family he had always been concerned about. Officer Hawk had been struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while conducting a traffic stop on the Superstition Freeway.

The 911 Toy Drive now works through

see TOYS page 8

Scott Gruber of Courtesy Chevrolet shows off the truckload of toys he helped collect for the W. Steven Martin 911 Toy Drive. (David

Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

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NEWS

Horton/Brookfield VISTA from page 1 project looks like a els into a pre-softened pile of dirt in a cergood way to kick off emonial groundbreaking on Dec. 7. After development in the that, the earth-movers got busy with onVistas. site work for an expected 10,500 homes to “You have to start be built over the next 10 years on about somewhere,” Gam4.3 square miles. mage said. “I am ex“It’s more than historic,” Apache Junccited to see that it’s tion City Manager Bryant Powell said. “It getting started.” will change the face of the city and the Back when the region.” Powell said the project is the bigreport was writgest thing Apache Junction has ever unten, many expected dertaken. the development of “Probably the biggest story we have the Vistas to begin here is that we just launched Superstition in short order. But Vistas,” said John Bradley, president of 2006 was the last Brookfield’s Arizona division. “It’s a long This map shows the area that would be covered by Superstition Vis- year of a real-estate tas, including residential, commercial and recreation development. bubble that burst time coming.”

Brookfield is known for several proj- (Special to the Tribune) and plunged the ects in the Valley, including the Eastmark opment in Pinal County. The term “Supersti- world into the Great Recession. The ecodevelopment on former General Motors tion Vistas” occurred to him as he came over nomic calamity set many projects back by property in Mesa. a rise in the road and saw the grand sweep at least a decade.

Hutchinson said the time lag allowed Mike Hutchinson, a former Mesa city of the landscape now bearing that name. various entities to do their own planning manager who has overseen planning for Arnett’s brainstorm led to a 2006 report the Vistas on behalf of the East Valley Part- by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy work in the Vistas area.

“We started looking at freeway corrinership, called the Horton project “a great at Arizona State University. That document, first step,” and that good planning probably entitled, “The Treasure of the Supersti- dors, drainage issues. The utility compawill ensure the success of this early phase. tions,” offered a visionary analysis of the nies got to identify utility corridors. SRP “We think this first development is region’s potential. It is still available online. and some others worked on some of the great,” Hutchinson said. “The location is The report, written by veteran East Val- water-related issues,” he said.

With all that work now in the books, good. It’s really exceptional for Apache ley land-use attorney Grady Gammage Jr., Hutchinson said the 2011 Pinal County Junction.” saw Superstition Vistas as an immense development standards probably need to empty canvas. It urged creative approaches be revisited.

Decades-old vision to governance and infrastructure developAs big as this particular phase is, it is but ment to ensure sustainability and livability. a tiny sliver of an area that has been the While many of the report’s suggestions Historic auction focus of intense interest for at least two were not adopted, Pinal County did apBy far the greatest piece of Superstidecades. tion Vistas is still owned by the state unprove development standards for the reThe concept of Superstition Vistas as a gion in 2011. der auspices of the Arizona State Land discrete planning area hadn’t popped into Gammage told The Tribune he’s not Department, which is expected to sell the anyone’s head until Sept. 18, 2003. bothered that his report’s more revolu- property piecemeal over time. The 275 Roc Arnett, who at that time was presi- tionary ideas were not fully implemented. square miles – enough land to contain dent of the East Valley Partnership, was “Visionary approaches are never real- Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert and Chandler comdriving home that day from a meeting that ized, but it’s a way of incrementally mov- bined – stretches from Apache Junction to had been called to discuss potential devel- ing the needle,” Gammage said. He said the the northern border of Florence.

The first chunk was sold at auction on Nov. 4, 2020.

D.R. Horton was the winning bidder on 2,783 acres bounded by the Elliot Road alignment on the north, the Ray Road alignment on the south, Meridian Drive on the west and the Idaho Road alignment on the east. The land lies immediately south of another tract called Lost Dutchman Heights, a 7,700-acre parcel of former state land now under development

by Phoenix-based Hunn Development Co. Horton’s winning bid came to $245.5 Ground was broken earlier this month for the first development in the sprawling Superstimillion in an auction that was tailored to tion Vistas planning area. (Special to the Tribune)

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

ensure only deep-pocketed development firms could participate. Three other companies bid on the land.

Brookfield was not one of the bidders, but it was partnering with Horton on the purchase. Bradley said Brookfield and Horton agreed to split the land, with Horton developing the western half and Brookfield the eastern.

In October, Apache Junction annexed 6,600 acres of Superstition Vistas land, including the parcel bought by Horton. Horton has agreed to rezone and provide infrastructure for the land that lies outside the parcel it bought.

Some criticized the auction procedure at the time, saying the state could have gotten more money by selling the land in smaller parcels.

But Bradley said selling a big chunk for the first development was a key to launching work in the Vistas.

“It couldn’t get off the ground without someone doing the necessary entitlements, which isn’t that difficult, and infrastructure, which is that difficult,” Bradley said. “So this program starts that and creates oversized infrastructure that will allow the state to sell land in the future under their more typical format.”

The state prefers to sell parcels of about 100 to 150 acres, Bradley said, “and they couldn’t do that at Superstition Vistas because you can’t do that unless you have infrastructure.”

What’s coming

The Dec. 7 groundbreaking kicked off work on the 2,783 acres bought by Horton.

The developers expect the first 1,825 homesites to go up for sale in early 2022.

Eventually the tract is expected to accommodate 10,500 homes.

The developers are setting aside 40 acres for commercial uses, 20 acres for an elementary school site, 73 acres for recreational uses and 10 acres for a public facility that may include a library, police and fire services. Among the planned amenities are a 16-acre regional park to be built in partnership with Apache Junction, five other community parks and 30 one-acre neighborhood parks.

Bradley said a signature feature of the development will be streets angled to take advantage of the setting.

“Their focus will really be the Superstition Mountains, so as you drive north on a

see VISTA page 9

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

COVID claims life of beloved Seton teacher, 42

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

L

ife was looking up for Vanessa Lopez Delgado. She had just bought a new home for her family and landed what she called her “dream job,” teaching dance at Seton Catholic Preparatory.

The 42-year-old woman died on Dec. 9, one of more than 23,000 in Arizona to succumb to COVID-19.

“Dance was a way for her to express herself,” said Jessica Morel, Delgado’s cousin.

“She had a passion for dance for many, many, many years.”

Morel said Delgado wanted to get the vaccine to protect herself, but was unable to because of a lung condition. That condition was made worse after she moved into a new home.

After moving into the home and moving her refrigerator, she discovered mold that had not been disclosed during the purchase of the home. They checked with the previous occupants and owners and learned that they knew about the mold, but did not disclose it.

“That aggravated her health condition,” Morel said. “It makes us frustrated and an-

TOYS from page 4

police departments and other public safety agencies statewide.

Just as Officer Hawk had been concerned about a particular family in his patrol community, the officers who volunteer as “Blue Santas” know their communities and the families that need help.

After contacting the parents to find out if they want to be included, each officer can adopt two families with up to eight children each, giving them not only gifts but a positive interaction that can redefine their attitudes toward police officers.

This year, 100-150 officers are expected to participate as Blue Santas.

They will distribute more than 50,000 toys valued at more than $750,000 collectively. Over the duration of the program, officers have delivered more than 6 million toys to more than a million children.

Lt. Bryan Soller, the 911 Toy Drive coordinator for the Mesa Police Department, believes the community and the police are one and values the power and authority the community gives him and his officers.

VANESSA LOPEZ DELGADO

gry knowing it might have been a contributing factor.”

Delgado began feeling sick a week before Thanksgiving. She checked into a hospital the Monday before Thanksgiving. She went on a ventilator on Thanksgiving Day. “That was the last time any of us talked to her,” Morel said.

Delgado was in her first year at Seton Catholic. Before that she had taught English at Gilbert High School, where she had graduated from. Before that she worked in the Tempe Union High School District.

He has been working with the toy drive for 26 years.

After the first time he participated in the toy drive, Soller was hooked.

“My very first delivery was to this guy: his wife had passed, he had three small kids, and he was down on his luck.” When he dropped off the toys, the children opened the door, and they told him their dad was in the shower.

“I’ve got toys here for you guys to open tomorrow,” and he set the bag of toys inside the door, went back to his car and started to drive away.

“I looked in my mirror,” laughed Soller, “and I saw this guy – towel wrapped around his waist, still wet, soap in his hair… He ran up, and he was just crying.

He’s like, ‘Thank you so much. My children weren’t getting toys; I couldn’t afford it.’ It just broke my heart. Now, I’ve been doing it so long, I’ve had people walk up to me on the street and say, ‘Officer Soller, you won’t remember me, I’m sure, but you gave me Christmas presents. Thank you for that.’

And that’s what we hope – that this will build a bond with those children and their

She also taught dance at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and was a graduate of Arizona State University.

“Everyone’s still in shock,” said Victor Serna, the principal at Seton Catholic.

“We’re going through the mourning process and doing the best we can to support our students and staff. We pray for her soul and her family, especially her two young daughters.”

Serna said they could tell Delgado was a special person right from the start.

“After a couple of interviews, we could tell that she would not only be a great fine arts instructor for us, but also a future leader on campus. That’s why we made her a department chair.

“This is going to be a tremendous loss for the community and her family,” Serna said.

Delgado had a long-lasting impact in her time at Gilbert. She founded the school’s hip-hop dancing team, The 1101. She also led the drive to change the name of the road next to the high school to Gilbert Tiger Drive.

Delgado also started her own business, a graphic design company.

Morel said they do not know how she contracted COVID, saying her cousin was always very careful.

parents that, hey, police aren’t just out there arresting people. We do more good things in the community than anybody ever talks about.”

Although many toys for the 911 Toy Drive are donated by businesses and public safety agencies, individual donations play a large part in the effort as well. Collection boxes are located at Courtesy Automotive Group dealerships throughout the Valley where anyone can drop off toys.

“We are super excited to be a part of the 911 Toy Drive for three years in a row,” said Courtesy Automotive Group CEO Scott Gruwell. “That’s what makes Christmas: helping out those who need help the most.”

There are four primary locations to donate: Courtesy on Camelback; Courtesy Volvo of Scottsdale, Courtesy Chrysler Dodge, Jeep, Ram of Superstition Springs and Courtesy Kia of Mesa. Courtesy also has a box at the pop up booth for Polestar of Scottsdale in the food court at Fashion Square Mall.

“Out of the last 25 years, working with a lot of dealerships, Courtesy Automotive Group has always stepped up to help,” W.

“As the oldest of seven siblings, she made sure everyone was taking this seriously,” Morel said.

Delgado is survived by her two daughters, ages 13 and 11. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Morel to help with the funeral costs and create a trust fund for the two children. Her daughters are now living with their father in Gilbert.

A celebration of Delgado’s life is planned for Dec. 27 in Mesa.

Morel said Delgado loved to dance and tried to share that passion with others.

She volunteered to work at senior centers, helping them get up and move. Delgado’s cousin said she was self-taught. That’s why it was important for her to make sure others had a chance to dance.

“She thought it was an ageless way to express yourself,” Morel said.

How to help

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Vanessa Lopez Delgado’s two children. Visit GoFundMe.com and search for her name.

told the Tribune. “We have received more toys from them than 14 other dealerships combined. They hire good people who really care.”

Collections for Christmas distribution will continue through Dec. 21, when officers from police districts throughout the state will drive their marked vehicles to distribution points at Courtesy Camelback Chevrolet, Courtesy Chrysler Dodge, Ram of Superstition Springs and S & K Oil Sales to pick up all the toys they requested for families in the communities they serve.

“My family moved to AZ when I was very little,” summarized W. “There were seven kids. My father died about a year after we got here, so I learned early on what kind of a difference people can make in your life when they’re willing to reach out and help.

I promised my mom that someday, I was going to make a difference in the lives of others, like others had in mine. And I think we’ve done that.”

For more information about the W. Steven Martin Toy Drive and other yearround efforts, go to 911toydrive.com. ■

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

Record fentanyl seizure by Scottsdale cops, DEA

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tribune Staff Writer

S

cottsdale Police, joined by state and federal officials, last week announced a record seizure of fentanyl.

Police and the DEA said the Dec. 14 bust yielded 1.7 million pills of fentanyl that weighed a total 360 pounds, 10 kilos of powdered fentanyl that could have produced an additional four million pills and 1 pound of methamphetamine.

The total stash had an estimated value of $9 million.

The pills are believed to belong to the Sinaloa cartel, whose members Scottsdale Police and the DEA kept under close surveillance over the past few months.

“Over the past few months, the Scottsdale DEA task force has undertaken an investigation related to the Sinaloa cartel, which has been operating within the Phoenix metropolitan area,” said Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther. “That investigation uncovered a currier that ultimately led to this seizure.”

The pills were stored in a number of storage lockers and residences throughout the Valley, though police declined to disclose those locations.

It is believed the drugs were set to be distributed throughout the country.

VISTA from page 6

street you’ll be looking right at the Superstitions,” Bradley said.

According to documents associated with Apache Junction’s Oct. 5 annexation vote, taxpayers will not be on the hook for infrastructure in the new development.

A staff report written for the Planning and Zoning Commission says: “The applicant is responsible for a number of infrastructure improvements including but not limited to the construction of water and sewer lines, booster stations, a water treatment plant and streets.”

Apache Junction’s water utility will serve the new neighborhoods.

“They have developed a very robust water portfolio,” Bradley said. “And they have allocated a portion of that to this development. So, it is assured.”

City documents indicate that Apache

Ever since the pandemic broke, fentanyl has been linked to a soaring number of drug overdoses, many fatal.

The Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics last month reported that there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during a 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5 percent from a year earlier.

The new data estimated overdose deaths from opioids increased to 75,673 in the 12-month period ending in April 2021, up from 56,064 the year before. Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine also increased in the 12-month period ending in April 2021.

“The Sinaloa cartel primarily uses the trafficking routes that run through Arizona,” said Cheri Oz, the DEA special agent in charge of the Phoenix field division. “We are confident this is Sinaloa cartel narcotics.”

Oz called the Valley a hub for drug shipments across the nation, stating, “Phoenix is historically known as a repackaging and distribution area. Most of these drugs were destined for other parts of the country.”

Police feel last week’s seizure is part of a bigger issue.

So far this year, the DEA has seized over 20 million fake pills laced with fentanyl,

which is more pills than that last two years combined and enough to provide a lethal dose to every American.

“A few months ago, using a multi-prong approach, the DEA launched its one pill can kill campaign in conjunction with the public safety surge,” Oz said.

“Over the last two months, DEA and our partners nationwide initiated a second public safety surge targeting those responsible for flooding our communities with fentanyl.”

In just two months, the DEA was able to make a staggering number of arrests and seize millions of pills.

“In total, during the two-month surge, we seized 3 million pills, 45 kilos of fentanyl powder, over 35 firearms and arrested over 40 drug traffickers,” Oz said.

Arizona itself has also accounted for a considerable number of the whopping amount of fentanyl seized by the DEA this year.

“Since January, the DEA has seized over 9.5 million pills in Arizona,” Oz said.

State Attorney General Mark Brnovich blamed the influx of fentanyl partially on the border crisis but mainly on the demand of the drug. “When the price of drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine fall in our communities, that’s a result of demand,” he said.

Because of this, Oz underscored the im-

ter may be problematic amid a deep Western drought that has forced water managers to impose the first-ever reductions in deliveries from the beleaguered stream. The initial cutbacks, imposed this year, affected agricultural The mighty Superstition Mountains will play a major role in the way de- users in Pinal velopers will lay out residential neighborhoods. (Tribune file photo) County.

Junction’s drinking water comes primarily Bradley said, however, that Apache from groundwater wells and the Colorado Junction, although it lies in Pinal County, River via the Central Arizona Project. is not as susceptible to water shortages as Long-term reliance on Colorado River wa- other portions of the county because it is

9

portance of educating loved ones about how these pills make it into the homes and ultimately into the bodies of our loved ones.

“It is more important now than ever before that we continue to work together to turn this epidemic around,” Oz said. “Talk to your children, friends, neighbors and loved ones about the dangers of these deadly pills. The only pills safe are the pills prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacy.”

Oz also alerted that drug traffickers are utilizing technology and social media to market their products.

“Drug trafficking is evolving and drug traffickers are using technology to get into homes to sell pills,” she said. “Traffickers are using social media platforms, posting emojis and code lingo that has specific meanings.”

What was most glaring to Oz was how many lives were spared in this seizure.

“What is alarming is that four out of every ten of those pills contain a potentially lethal dose,” Oz said. “ The seizure was a victory for Scottsdale Police, the DEA and for the city as it was a record one-time seizure for DEA in Arizona.

“This is an example of federal, state and local officials working together to keep our community safe,” said Brnovich.

“This is law enforcement cooperation at its very best.” ■

part of the Phoenix metro water management area.

Hutchinson believes Apache Junction should have no problem supplying water for this first phase.

“They’re prepared to do that,” he said.

“They’ve been planning for it for years.”

But as the Vistas develop further, he said, “There may have to be some additional water supplies acquired over the next 30 or 40 years. It’ll cost more money than people are used to paying today.

There’s been some pretty good thinking about what that future is.”

As for the future, Bradley said that was the focus of the Dec. 7 groundbreaking.

“We asked everybody to imagine – put yourself there 20 years from now, 30 years from now, and imagine,” he said. “Everybody will have a little different picture in their head. But it’s going to be really quite amazing.” ■

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

NEWS

10

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

One landmark gives way to a new one downtown TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

s he was joined by city leaders for the groundbreaking of downtown Mesa’s next major residential complex, Brett Hopper remarked on the irony of having stood 23 years earlier on that very site on the east end of Main Street to buy a Chevy Suburban from Brown and Brown Chevrolet.

“Standing here is a bit surreal to me,” said Hopper, vice president of real estate development for Opus Development Company, which is transforming the onetime downtown landmark into what Hopper called “a catalyst for additional downtown investment and revitalization development.”

Appearances by Hopper, Mayor John Giles and Vice Mayor Jenn Duff marked the beginning of the Mesa Arts District Lofts, a 335-unit multifamily development that will include close to 13,000 square feet of retail space. The project will have five buildings of three, four and five stories on

courtyard facing lofts to threeb e d ro o m apartments, t o w n h o m e s and livework units with both secured surface parking areas and The 335-unit Mesa Arts District Lofts will include 13,000 square feet of retail t u c k e d space. (City of Mesa) under gaapproximately 10 acres with a variety of rages.

Along with a “grand promenade enliving options, Hopper said the complex – scheduled to trance” and courtyard, he said, the comwelcome its first residents in May 2023 plex will include a state-of-the-art fitness and be completed within the following center, club room, swimming pool and 10 months – will offer “a diverse mix of spa, cabanas, fire pits, bocce courts and housing choices ranging from studios and other outdoor amenities, such as lounge

and meeting areas, media displays, study areas, package rooms and even a dog washing station.

“There’s going to be a little bit for everybody here and it’s going to be really fun to be integrated with the rest of the activities that are going on down here,” Hopper said, adding that there will be 86 electrical vehicle charging stations as well.

“This is an exciting step forward in the transformation of Mesa’s downtown, providing an additional housing option in an ideal location,” said Giles. “It’s remarkable to see the first phase of the project already coming to life, and we’re eager to see the impact of this development downtown.”

Duff noted the project “is in a terrific location within walking distance of the light rail, Mesa Arts Center, Benedictine University, ASU and our great restaurants and shops downtown.

“The housing options will complement our historic districts and other nearby neighborhoods,” she added. ■

Banner curbing surgeries amid virus spike

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

T

he state’s largest hospital network is operating over capacity at several of its facilities and is turning away surgery that is not medically necessary.

And Dr. Marjorie Bessel, the chief medical officer for Banner Health, said last week she expects things to only get worse in the next month. That, in turn, will result in even more instances of people with non life-threatening conditions having their surgeries delayed.

Bessel said that for the moment, Banner is not anticipating having to do what has occurred in some other states – where the National Guard has been called out to help set up facilities outside of hospitals. She also said the hospital is not yet using a “triage’’ system to turn away patients whose illnesses or injuries are not considered severe enough, or where their chances of survival are so low as to not merit care.

But future prospects do not look good.

“In-patient volumes are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic,

with several Banner hospitals operating above capacity,’’ Bessel said. “If the forecasted trends continue we will soon be unable to meet the health care needs of Arizonans.

“Banner’s predictive modeling tools show no sign of letting up,’’ Bessel continued. “We expect volumes will continue to increase throughout December and into the beginning of next year before peaking around the middle of January.’’

And even that, she said, does not account for the emergence of the Omicron variant which now is present in Arizona.

Bessel said while it appears to be highly transmissible there is still a lot to learn about how severe it is and whether those who contract it will need to be hospitalized or, more problematic for hospitals, put into already overburdened intensivecare units.

But Bessel, who repeatedly emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing masks to help deal with the problem, declined to call on Gov. Doug Ducey to use his emergency powers to mandate either.

“I’m asking the community to assist us in preserving health care capacity for all

of you,’’ she said. “I believe that each one of us can make a personal decision to do our part.’’

It’s not just a question of having beds, both in the intensive-care units as well as standard care. Bessel said it’s having the staff to provide the necessary medical care.

“We are more stretched now than we have been since the start of the pandemic,’’ she said, saying many “core team members’’ deciding to retire, seek another position within the hospital that does not involve face-to-face health care – or get out of the profession entirely. All that, Bessel said, is due to “prior surges and the enormous physical and mental impact the pandemic has had on them.’’

In January, when more than 90 percent of intensive-care beds were occupied, COVID patients accounted for about two thirds of that. Now, those with COVID take up about 40 percent of all ICU beds.

But Bessel said the balance of patients are a direct result of the pandemic.

“We know that individuals throughout the pandemic have, very unfortunately, because of the scenario that we have been experiencing, (been) delaying care,’’ she said.

All that goes to the question of whether patients will be able not only to get into the hospitals but even how quickly they will be able to get care at Banner clinics.

It starts with crowding in emergency rooms.

Bessel said that those whose injuries and illnesses are not life threatening are instead being referred to primary care clinics. But that, in turn, means those clinics will be giving priority to established patients who are sick.

“As a result, patients may experience an increased wait for non-urgent primary care physician appointments that can safely be delayed, such as routine follow-ups, “well visits’’ and new patient visits,’’ she said.

As to surgical care, Bessel said Banner hospitals and surgery centers are continuing to offer “medically necessary’’ procedures, though each facility makes its own scheduling decisions on a dayby-day basis depending on available staffing resources and capacity.

So what’s medically necessary?

“They include things like mastectomies for breast cancer, gall bladder removal for stones, and hip replacement for those who are in pain,’’ Bessel said. ■

11

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

Scholarships available for East Valley women

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Y

oung women who apply to colleges or universities and need help paying for tuition and related expenses might want to turn to the American Association of University Women of East Mesa Branch, which awards scholarships to deserving applicants.

Violet Larney, the branch’s first president, endowed the group through her estate, providing money to fund women scholars from the Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Apache Junction to attend Arizona colleges within the Phoenix metropolitan area.

“Starting with five scholars, we have now expanded our program to 12 schol-

ars working on degrees with majors ranging from elementary education and public policy to chemical and mechanical engineering,” a spokeswoman for AAUW said.

Each scholar is matched with a mentor from the branch membership who advises, supports and guides each scholar throughout her college years.

“This program has been highly successful with the majority of women completing their education and either transitioning into the workforce or going on to complete advanced degrees,” the spokeswoman said.

Scholarships cover tuition, lab fees, books and other expenses.

Some requirements for the scholarships: GPA of 2.5 or higher for associate

degree students and high school seniors; GPA of 3.0 or higher for four-year college students. Each scholar is required to have a mentor from the AAUW of East Mesa Branch.

Each applicant must demonstrate a financial need, and new scholar applicants are required to be full-time students. Applicants may be graduating high school seniors, associate degree students, undergraduate students at a four-year college or adult re-entry students. Students who are active participants in school and community activities are preferred.

The scholarships may be renewed annually if the criteria are met.

Applications for the East Mesa AAUW scholarships are available at the Arizona

Community Foundation website –azfoundation.org/Scholarships – AAUW of East Mesa [AZ] Branch Scholarships Applications can be submitted from Jan. 1- March 31.

“The ACF website provides excellent information and resources to guide students in the application process,” the spokeswoman said.

Applicants are notified of the scholarship awards in April and need to respond to the Arizona Community Foundation by June 15.

“We encourage women to apply for our scholarships, and look forward to getting to know women who will be successful future leaders,” the spokeswoman added.

Information: ybbord13@icloud.com. ■

served at the food bank’s Thanksgiving distribution last month and United officials expect a similar turnout for this one.

“We understand that the holiday donation we’re giving today will provide an astounding 250,000 meals for children and families facing food insecurity in Eastern Maricopa County,” said Jim Crutcher, general manager at Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa.

“This gives us true comfort and joy– knowing we’re able to help so many fam-

ilies through the holidays. We’re honored to provide financial and volunteer support to United Food Bank and 20 additional nonprofits across Arizona this holiday season through our eighth annual 10 Days of Giving campaign. “ United Food Bank has provided hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona since 1983. As a Feeding America member food bank, we collect, acquire, store, and distribute food to about 165 partner agencies and pro-

grams, serving over 345,000 households annually in five counties.

In 2020, due to COVID-19, United Food Bank distributed more than 27 million pounds of food, providing 22.5 million meals, a 20 percent increase over our distribution in 2019.

Larry H. Miller Dealerships operates more than 60 dealership locations under 17 automotive brands in seven western states. Instacart is the leading online grocery platform in North America. ■

record of accomplishments to lead our efforts and attract important development to our City,” said Brady.

Appiah has a doctorate from the University of Texas at Dallas and has been responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of effective land-use strategies for healthy economic growth.

A city release noted he “also led significant land-use policy and administrative changes that have resulted in effective and timely review of development projects and improved performance of the Planning Division.”

Calling his promotion “a tremendous honor,” Appiah said, “We have a team of dedicated employees focused on providing quality services in all aspects of the City’s land use policy administration, review and entitlement processes. In

this new role, I will continue to strive to create and implement sound policies that combined with excellent customer service will allow Mesa to continue to attract and retain businesses and be the city of choice for healthy living.”

A native of Ghana and a U.S. citizen, Appiah served as planning and development services manager for Adams County, Colorado, and planning supervisor and senior planner in Denton, Texas.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and has completed public leadership training at Harvard University’s prestigious Kennedy School of Government.

He replaces Christine Zielonka, who is retiring after serving Mesa for 27 years in various departments, including the City Attorney’s Office and Environmental Management and Solid Waste. ■

Food bank distributing Christmas fixins’ Wednesday TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

U

nited Food Bank once again is stepping up to help people in need at Christmas.

Thanks to a $50,000 donation from Larry H. Miller Dealerships and another $25,000 from Instacart, the food bank will distribute holiday groceries 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. in Mesa.

More than 2,000 households were

Mesa planning director promoted to big gig TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

M

esa City Planner Dr. Nana Appiah has a new and bigger job.

City Manager Chris Brady last week named Appiah as Development Services director.

Appiah, who has been planning director since 2018, will oversee planning, construction permitting, building inspections and historic preservation.

He will work with private sector developers and city departments “to promote quality and intentional growth and historic preservation: and ensure efficient, customer-friendly permitting and reviews for proposed development and businesses.

“Our Development Services Department works closely with business owners, community stakeholders and residents to re-

DR. NANA APPIAH

alize the vision of growth for Mesa. Nana has the skills, experience and a proven

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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Mesa woman's work is part of show celebrating quilt stories

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Tribune Contributor

L

inda McCurry’s art quilt depicts adversity.

Years ago, her Gilbert home caught fire around the chimney; the fire burnt downstairs near the fireplace and upstairs through the master bedroom. Her koi fish died in her pond due to firefighters putting a flame retardant in it.

In flaming red, orange, brown and yellow, she traces the story in her quilt titled “From the Ashes.”

“There was a lot of restoration to do,” McCurry said.

“You could say from the ashes we rose and came back as strong as we could.”

Stories such as this are what exhibit curator and judge Ellen M. Blalock sought when she was invited to assemble the City of Chandler’s annual art quilt show. Art Quilts XXVI: Stitching Stories, featuring 64 story quilts made by 53 artists from across the country, runs through Jan. 8 at Vision Gallery and CCA Gallery.

A resident of Syracuse, New York, Blalock is passionate

about story quilts.

“I know that quilters work and artists work in all kinds of different ways and I wanted to be inclusive of a lot of people’s voices because not everybody does figurative work,” she noted.

“What is also important to me is the story behind the quilt and not just a story the quilt is telling. Somebody may be having the story of why they made the quilt and or it could even be the process,” she added.

Blalock herself is a narrative artist documentarian who works in photography, video, drawing and fiber.

Most of her creations come in series form, such as the 32-piece Family Quilt Project; Not Crazy, which looks at mental illness in the African American community; and the one on feminism.

In addition to creating picturesque fabric art, Chandler artist-novelist Laurie Fagen often portrays causes important to her. For this show, Fagen chose to highlight a photograph her brother, a nurse practi-

see QUILTS page 15

In her story quilt titled “Seeking Center/Finding Balance,” Shelly White creates a visual snapshot of her goal of “calm” as she navigates competing concerns, an overload of information and confusion. The layered colors of nature, repetitive patterns and topographic lines help chart a path to peace, order, and beauty,” she said. (Courtesy of Shelly White.)

At 97, author pens novel on an opera icon

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Tribune Contributor

M

any biographies have been written about Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, but none read like a thriller.

Sun Lakes playwright, teacher and novelist Mel Weiser’s “Viva Puccini,” a new historical biography in novel form, fills in the gap.

Weiser captures the essence of the composer’s life: adversity, love, tragedy, death and sexual conquest – qualities found in the great master’s operas – and weaves a compelling tale.

“There is anger in it, there is some mystery, there is a tremendous conflict in it,” said Weiser, who at 97 has four other published books and nine produced stage plays to his credit.

“There is excitement in terms of how

the mystery is revealed or the mysteries of his life are revealed and how, ultimately, they lead to the inevitable conclusion, his death.”

Why Puccini?

It seems that Puccini chose Weiser as much as Weiser chose him.

Years ago, Weiser read a book on the composer and was so fascinated by him that he scribbled notes on the margins.

“One day, I was sitting in the bedroom where the bookshelves were and across the room from them – this is almost mystical – I’m looking at the bookshelf, and one book from all those books in the shelf, for no reason that I can understand, seemed to jump out at me,” he said.

“I kept staring at it and – I couldn’t read the title of it or anything – so I got out of my chair and I walked over and pulled this book out and it was the Puccini book.”

Weiser leafed through it, read his own

comments and said to himself: “There’s a book in this.”

To research Puccini’s remarkable life further, Weiser bought and read eight different biographies about him. He browsed online for more tidbits. He listened to his popular operas – “La Boheme,” “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “Turandot” – and cultivated a deep understanding and appreciation of them. He read analysis of the compositions.

Then, he began writing the novel.

“I had great fun writing about Puccini,” Weiser said.

While a biography has to be factual, a novel gets more latitude, he noted.

“One sticks to the facts of his life but one embroiders those with imagination,” Weiser explained. “For example, if in a biography it says that he spent a lot of time trying to find time to write his music, that’s very vague.”

Sun Lakes author Mel Weiser has published a page-turner on Italian composer Puccini.

(Courtesy of Mel Weiser)

“The writer of a novel has considerable latitude and I use that latitude to create situations to indicate how he didn’t have

see AUTHOR page 16

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

RIGHT: Linda McCurry’s “From the Ashes” depicts a story about her Gilbert home catching on fire. (Courtesy of Linda McCurry.)

QUILTS from page 14

dimension. That’s my basic technique that I’ve been doing recently. Oftentimes they’re embellished with other things – charms, yarn, ribbon, surface designs, foiling techniques and adding paint,” she said.

“I love the tactile feel of the fabric and being able to take any fabric and work with them is always just something that’s very satisfying to me,” she said, adding “everything from the design to the creation to the actual manipulation of the fabric, I enjoy the whole process.”

Annemarie Comes of Mesa works in a similar process to weave photography to fabric.

Her quilt titled “Branching Out” is a cyanotype of one of her photographs.

“My image was printed in my dark room in black and white, then turned into a large-scale transparency which was exposed overtop of chemically coated fabric,” she said. “Our AriABOVE: Laurie Fagen of Chandler created “Frazzled,” a story quilt portraying zona sun was then used to transfer the image onto the fabric.” her nurse practitioner brother outfitted to work in the COVID ward.

(Courtesy of Laurie Fagen.)

“As an Arizona-based photographer, I try to capture special moments in time – a lot of suntioner, sent of himself: gowned, gloved and masked for work sets – so others can enjoy the beauty, as well,” she added.

After isolating for much of the past months due to the in the COVID ward.

“I don’t typically manipulate photos in Photoshop for my pandemic, Comes relishes the freedom to create art. fiber art, but this one I specifically did because it was the “It was wonderful to revisit fabrics/quilting and the cyanoyear of the pandemic, he was frazzled and the world was type process in the past year. It’s so wonderful to allow othfrazzled,” she said. “So, I changed the colors, I left threads ers to enjoy my image in a quilted form once again,” she said. attached to it, I just made it as frazzled as possible.”

Fagen, who also authors crime fiction novels and creates polymer clay jewelry, imparts texture and dimension to her work.

RIGHT: Annemarie Comes of Mesa created her art quilt Her recent line of fiber art involves taking photos, printing “Branching Out” by “weaving” into fabric a cyanotype of a them on the fabric and thread painting with a few miles of photograph of tree trunks. (Courtesy of Annemarie Comes.) thread.

“I embellish the art quilt with thread, give it texture and Details: visiongallery.org/event/art-quilts-xxvi-stitching-stories/ ■

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

16

AUTHOR from page 14

time, what was he doing in those times that he didn’t have time,” he added.

“Or, if it says great conflict with his wife Rivera, now I want to know what those conflicts were like and in biographies you can’t get full details like that but they tell you they had great conflict,” he said. “What was said actually between them: that’s where the novelist comes in, in order to make that moment memorable and understandable.”

Weiser was fascinated by Puccini’s life for several reasons.

Forced into a music career at an early age, Puccini resisted every effort to shape his future. He preferred to loaf, to pursue women and to cavort with like-minded friends. However, fate decreed that he was to carry on his family’s musical tradition.

Puccini became one of the greatest opera composers of all time. But, along with success, he experienced disappointment and pain.

One reason Weiser was captivated by Puccini pertained to his relationships with women. His wife, Elvira, was dominating, but she was also the mother of his only child. So, he didn’t leave them.

He loved women and had many affairs.

He used to go away from home very often and on those trips, he invariably found some women or some woman found him, Weiser said.

One such affair was scandalous. While on a train journey, a woman introduced herself to him and he found her fascinating.

“She in turn found him very fascinating. He invited her to dinner. That night after dinner they found themselves in bed together,” he said. “He developed a very strong love for her and was even ready to leave his wife for her and proposed to this woman.”

Puccini soon became very careless and used to parade around with her on his arm. “Eventually, the word reached his family and Elvira, and there was madness, threats and everything else,” Weiser said.

The family decided to investigate the woman and discovered that she was a prostitute who had sought him out in the same manner she frequently sought other men.

The family made his life miserable. “He had to separate himself from her and the separation was dramatic and painful,” Weiser said.

Weiser’s own life is not without drama.

He started writing at 19, aboard a WWII

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aircraft carrier. It didn’t go down too well because he was suffering from acute seasickness and unable to perform his duties. He managed to read a book, The Adventures of Cortez, which inspired him to learn how to write well.

“I remember putting the book on my chest and saying to myself, ‘If I could write like this, I could be happy for the rest of my life,’” he said.

He tried to write on board the ship, but he knew nothing about writing and didn’t have much to draw from life experiences.

“Nothing came out and that’s when the decision was made – you have to go and learn what this is all about and how it works,” he said.

The native New Book cover of Viva Puccini. (Courtesy of Mel Weiser) Yorker enrolled in college, and went on to teach English, first family story set in 1930s New York. His in the school system and later in college. next book, The Crown Of Sammuramat, He taught for more than 30 years, until he will be a mystery-thriller linked to the fabled and ancient Assyrian empire. found it was “enough.”

Creativity keeps Weiser writing and At age 55, about the time he retired, he wrote and published his first book. He publishing at 97 and enhances his life. His had the good fortune to have a friend who book shelves are filled with manuscripts knew an agent, who sold the manuscript awaiting his attention.

“If one is creative, one has to do what without any trouble.

“That was a fluke. That never happened that force demands of him. It’s the same again. After that, it was a struggle as I was with a painter, it’s the same with a sculpturer,” he said. “When one learns how to learning how to do this,” he said.

Weiser developed his playwriting and do something and to do it well, and I’m directing career alongside teaching. He pleased to say I think I do it well, there’s has been a stage director of more than 25 enormous satisfaction in doing it.

“I just can’t stop.” professional productions in regional theaters, and once on Broadway.

“Viva Puccini” is available at amazon.

His last book, On 174th Street: The World of Willie Mittleman, is a delightful com and barnes&noble.com for $23.95. ■

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BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

SEND YOUR BUSINESS NEWS TO PMARYNIAK@ TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM TheMesaTribune.com

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EV plumbing firm’s business plan includes charity MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor

S

ome people might think Wayne Decker’s business plan makes no sense.

But Decker, president of PlumbSmart Heating and Air, says it not only makes sense but a lot of cents.

“We charge less than the big players and we still do very well,” he said.

“Our profit margins are still very good.

Our guys have every benefit you can imagine and have high compensation. There’s no downside to having this philosophy.

They all (other plumbing companies) could have it, but they choose not to because they want to have much greater margins.”

To top it off, charity is a big part of Decker’s business plan: Since the pandemic began, his company has done at least 200 jobs for free for people in need.

Decker started his residential repair plumbing business in 2006 and previously was in the service business, serving

Wayne Decker, president of PlumbSmart Heating and Air in Mesa, find his business plan of charity and lower prices has yielded growth and strong profit margins. (David Mionton/ Staff Writer) homeowners for more than 40 years.

He started his company exactly for the reasons it lives by.

“It was more of an answer to the pre-

vailing attitude which exists today – that plumbing companies are just way too expensive and they charge too much.”

For example, he said a lot of companies

charge $400-$1,000 to unclog a toilet that takes about 20-30 minutes. “If you make $20 an hour, that’s going to be about a week’s take-home pay to unclog a toilet.”

While costs have gone up for parts or items like hot water heaters, PlumbSmart hasn’t raised its labor prices.

“We’re so confident about our prices that even if a customer doesn’t want to use us, they can still call us…and ask for a price,” said Decker.

“A lot of companies will spend $50,000$100,000 sending you to a course to establish you as one of the finest sales people you can be. You know what to say. You know how to manipulate. You have financing available.’”

“When you have that attitude, it’s not about what is normal profit because that’s hard to say,” explained Decker, who has about 50 employees. “It’s very subjective.

see PLUMB page 19

Bricks and Minifigs Gilbert is a family affair

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GSN Staff Writer

T

heresa Bartholomew and Rachel Mangum understand Lego isn’t just for children. They have watched creativity blossom within their children and themselves, thanks to the colorful plastic bricks.

Bartholomew and Mangum are getting their Lego fill daily as they’ve opened Bricks and Minifigs at Recker and Guadalupe roads in Gilbert.

“Bricks and Minifigs is a place where we buy, sell and trade Lego,” Bartholomew said.

“In our shop, you’ll find new Lego sets that are available in other places. Some of them are preowned and hard to find. A lot of those are preassembled, so you can see exactly what you’re getting.”

Rachel Mangum, left, and Theresa Bartholomew own Bricks and Minifigs, a new LEGO store at E. Guadalupe and N. Recker roads in Gilbert. (David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer) At grand opening weekend, Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12, the first 100

customers will receive exclusive Bricks and Minifigs minifigures. Other goodies

include raffle prizes and a scavenger hunt.

At the store, the sales floor is bordered on two sides by cases that sell individual minifigures. Other walls are filled with new and used sets. Customers can build their own minifigures from parts in a bin.

Loose bricks can be purchased in bulk.

“Our kids love them,” Bartholomew, a Southern California native, said about the minifigure table. “They just spend hours looking at the minifigures. In addition to that, there’s an interactive component where you can look at our bulk tables with loose pieces.

“You can choose the pieces that you want for your special project. Whatever you’re adding to your collection, whatever you’re building, you can just get what you want. It’s an interactive shop-

see MINIFIGS page 19

BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

PLUMB from page 18

It’s about how much profit do you want to make? PlumbSmart is very profitable at about half of what our big-name competitors charge.”

Decker said his focus is on relationships with homeowners, not chasing dollars.

“And the beauty of that is when you have the philosophy the more you give the more you get, your growth is almost unmanageable. You don’t have people who are upset, questioning you, or who have buyer’s remorse. You still grow and make more money.”

During the pandemic, PlumbSmart grew 40 percent in 2020 and about another 40 percent in 2021.

Its TV commercials told people the company would fix a plumbing or A/C emergency for free for those who’d fallen on tough financial times.

“A majority of companies would say,

MINIFIGS from page 18

ping experience.”

Because Bricks and Minifigs buys, sells and trades Lego, the inventory is constantly changing. Mangum said that encourages repeat visits.

“You never know what we’re going to have,” she said. “You never know because customers are trading things in at different times.

“That makes it a new experience every time customers come here.”

The family learned of Bricks and Minifigs when the aftermarket Lego toy shop opened in Avondale. Other Arizona stores are in Central Phoenix and Tucson. A North

‘You’re absolutely nuts. You’ll be inundated with customers calling to get something for free,’” said Decker.

He said it’s one of the first premises they’re wrong about.

“Approximately 3 percent of all customers may bend the rules to get something over on you. They may lie and cheat and try to get something for free. For those three percent, we can say, ‘God bless you.

Give me a big hug. I hope you enjoyed cheating me.’

“And it would not make a difference on our business, our profitability and how we do business. Ninety-seven percent are honest people. When you think of that offer, the humility of having to call a company and take advantage of an offer like that, typically is going to mean they really do need it and they’ve humbled themselves to say, ‘Please come out and help us. We don’t have the money.’”

It’s leads to an additional fringe benefit

Phoenix location is slated to open soon.

“We feel like it’s a second home,” Bartholomew said of their first time in Bricks and Minifigs. “It’s fun and it’s happy. We were just looking at our own lives and we thought it would be cool to create a space like that in the East Valley, where other families could have a place like that to go to.”

Former Apache Junction Unified School District teachers, Bartholomew and Mangum are using Bricks and Minifigs as a learning experience for their children, who are 6 and 8.

“Our family has loved Lego together,” said Mangum, who grew up in Massachusetts. “This is also like a family project.

for his employees that money can’t buy, Decker added.

“Our guys were so blessed to have people crying, hugging them, thanking them, that I can’t put a value on what it meant to their lives, let alone the people we were serving,” said Decker.

“For us to absorb a couple of hundred or more jobs to help people who really needed it, it was so worth it. Let alone the value – though not intended – of what the general public heard from those ads.

“Our internet communication was blown up by people saying, ‘I don’t need anything for free but any company that has that kind of offer, I want you to be my plumber.’ It was tremendous. It goes along those lines of if you give more, whether you like it or not, you’re going to be blessed, you’re going to get more. When you chase dollars…in the big picture, I don’t think it helps you.”

In fact, technicians are told by the com-

They’ve helped a lot so far and they’re even getting in on the marketing of it.

They want to pass out fliers to everyone they meet.”

Bricks and Minifigs is more than a gathering place or store. A party room is available for birthdays and other celebrations.

It will boast a 14-foot racetrack for Lego cars that can be created by partygoers.

“It’s going to be really fun,” Mangum said. “We’re going to eventually have classes, but the parties will come first.

“Our store is for all ages and abilities.

We work really hard to have something for everybody here.”

The couple even finds sets that it wants.

“The preowned sets come from other

HAVE BUSINESS NEWS?

19

pany to look for “benevolent opportunities, opportunities of compassion to help people,” said Decker.

He recalled getting a call about a woman with a medical disability who had had no hot water for months. A PlumbSmart technician determined she needed a new heater.

“One of my techs took the initiative on understanding what her dire need was,” explained Decker. “This gentleman/tech, on his own, called our office and said, ‘Hey, I have a customer who can’t afford a water heater. She’s an elderly woman and disabled. Can we do this for her for free?’”

Two days later, a tech installed a new hot water heater at no charge. “At PlumbSmart, that’s the way we do business,” said Decker, adding that techs are still paid for comp jobs.

Information: itsjustplumbsmart.com 480-654-8865 ■

people in the community when they’re done with them,” Bartholomew said.

“They get a new life and, selfishly, we’ve been enjoying them in our own home for the past several months.

“We get to enjoy them for a little while.

I’m looking at the SpongeBob up there,” she added with a laugh. “There’s just this cycle. You can move on to something new and bring joy to someone else.” ■

Bricks and Minifigs

4024 E. Guadalupe Road, Suite 103, Gilbert 480-588-3953, bricksandminifigs.com/gilbert-az/

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20

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

21

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Only in America do we fight over holiday cheer

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

A

t the risk of being politically incorrect in the extreme, there’s an old English insult known as “the Chinese curse” – though apparently no one can actually track it back to originating in China. Anyway, the idea is, the most pleasant times in life are often dull and free of drama. So the curse goes, “May you live in interesting times.”

That we live in times more interesting than any in the last 2,000 years was driven home for me the other night when I had post-golf beers with a few friends and our gathering degenerated into hard feelings over one fellow wishing another who was about to depart, “Happy holidays.”

The guy being wished well stopped a step from the table. He made a facial expression like something was putrid.

“You mean Christmas?” He gave out a

theatrical snort. “If that’s what you mean, why not say it? Merry %$*ing Christmas.”

The well-wisher looked one part astonished and one part homicidal. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re bent out of shape because I wished you happy holidays?”

What became apparent from the beery argument that ensued is that – as with everything else in our culture today – Americans appear to be entrenched in several camps over the subject of season’s greetings.

Towards the more “woke” end of the political spectrum, it’s deemed appropriate to make every effort to be inclusive. Thus, phrases like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah” are considered offensive, on the off-chance the person being spoken to does not celebrate the holiday in question.

Among many conservatives, meanwhile, it appears that sayings like “Merry Christmas” are a badge of honor – sort of like a “Let’s Go Brandon” for the holidays. Despite the fact that some people may be offended when you say it, you say it anyway, and you

do so proudly, because saying things that offend some people apparently brands you as a member of the cool kids’ club.

Then there’s the third group of people, to which I belong. My guess is, this group comprises approximately nine out of 10 Americans with an IQ above, say, room temperature – at the North Pole. In an igloo. In mid-winter.

Members of this group don’t take pride in actively offending people, nor are we offended when people make a sincere effort to wish us a “Merry Christmas” or any other sort of good day. If the holiday in question happens to be one we don’t celebrate, we give the person credit for trying and we say something clever in response.

Like, “Thanks! You too!”

We handle situations like this in stride because we prefer not to spend our time on Earth policing holiday greetings, or arguing over minutiae. Not that we’re averse to arguments, understand.

But we prefer to save our fighting for

truly earth-shattering topics, like whether “Breaking Bad” was a better series than “The Sopranos” (by a smidge) or which Valley community has the worst drivers (Apache Junction during snowbird season, hands down).

In our world, a phrase like “Happy Holidays,” isn’t linguistic code for anything other than a genuine wish that the recipient enjoy the time period between late November (the beginning of Hanukkah this year) and late December to early January (which includes Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s).

For us, being in the holiday spirit also means cutting our friends and kind strangers a little bit of slack.

To recap: If we meet each other, feel free to wish me season’s greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or whatever floats your boat. When you live in interesting times, you take your merriment and wishes for happiness wherever you can find them. Because only in America are we cursed to fight over holiday cheer. ■

Well over a quarter million people signed an online petition protesting Apple’s decision, claiming that it left “us devoted fans who have grown up with Charlie Brown and the ‘Peanuts’ gang in the dark, unable to watch.”

The criticism prompted Apple – beware the mixed fruit metaphor – to take lemons and make lemonade. That’s when the tech giant struck the deal with PBS to air the show over traditional “free TV.” Questions and varying degrees of controversy have surrounded “A Charlie Brown Christmas” since it was literally on the drawing board. “Peanuts” Creator Charles M. Schulz teamed with Producer Lee Mendelson and Director Bill Melendez to take his characters from the newspaper comics section into prime-time TV. By the production standards for animation in the mid-1960’s, this presentation was…well, different.

Not only did it look different, with limit-

ed animated movement among the characters; it sounded different. No laugh track.

A soundtrack that primarily featured the jazz piano of Vince Guaraldi, with a little Beethoven and a couple of Christmas Carols added for good measure. And the voices of the characters weren’t adults trying to sound like kids; they were children.

But the biggest difference was found in the story that Schulz devised. It did not revolve around Santa or Frosty or Rudolph; this was a Christmas story that dealt with the “reason for the season.” Charlie Brown bemoans the commercialization of the holiday; depressed and exasperated, he shouts the question, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Linus answers him, effectively and movingly, by reciting from the Gospel of Luke: “For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” he concludes.

A historical observer might conclude that this all came together seamlessly in the year 1965; that the tenor of the times was favorably disposed toward religious expression, and that the creative team was of one accord.

That wasn’t the case.

As Schulz outlined the story, Bill Melendez objected.

“You can’t put the Bible on television,” the director exclaimed.

Producer Lee Mendelson recalled the response of Charles Schulz: “If we don’t do it, who will?”

Jean Schulz, the cartoonist’s widow, explained her husband’s sense of purpose in an interview last year with “Yahoo Entertainment”: “He just loved the Bible, and thought there were just marvelous things in the Bible that were true.”

Believers and non-believers alike can

‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ was a TV miracle

BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

I

t’s happened again, and it’s not too farfetched to call it a “Christmas miracle.”

For the 56th consecutive year, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” appeared on national television. In 2021, just as in 2020, the Public Broadcasting Service telecast the celebrated animated special without commercial interruption.

A major commercial disruption of this holiday tradition appeared imminent in October of last year. AppleTV+ acquired the exclusive rights to all media related to “Peanuts,” the comic strip that introduced Charlie Brown & Company to America. Despite a pledge by AppleTV+ to make “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and two other animated specials available “free” for viewers on the platform over a three-day period, a clamor arose in the Heartland.

see HAYWORTH page 22

22

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

Companies’ competition for repairs hurts consumers

BY DIANE E. BROWN Tribune Guest Writer

N

ot a lot of companies inspire the brand loyalty that Apple does.

After all, the maker of Macs since 1984 and iPhones since 2007 did put the world in our pockets. But while Apple generally garners accolades, one of the company’s core business practices has been rotten to consumers.

For years, Apple has monopolized product repair by withholding the parts and tools that customers and independent repair shops need to fix broken products.

That’s finally changing.

Recently, Apple announced that it will begin sharing with the public more than 200 parts and tools for its products, start-

HAYWORTH from page 21

recognize this truth in the resolve of Charles M. Schulz: his insistence on incorporating scripture in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” makes that first “Peanuts” Spe-

ing with the iPhone 12 and 13 lineups and its new Macs. This program will presumably grow to include newer smartphone models and Mac computers.

This is a complete U-turn for one of America’s favorite gadget makers.

For years, Apple’s lobbyists told lawmakers that sharing access to parts, service tools, and manuals would result in safety, security, and intellectual property risks. When an iPhone’s battery died, or its screen cracked, Apple insisted that only an Apple-authorized repairperson could fix it.

But independent repair specialists knew that these “concerns” were overblown. In addition to the rising chorus of people who just wanted to fix their own stuff, or choose where to have it fixed, this fall, Apple faced pressure in the boardroom. And Apple, previously defiant and combative, made an

cial truly special.

The vagaries of television and the legal wrangling of powerful corporations may conspire to keep this Christmas tradition off of “free TV” next year. Whatever its fate, the message will endure.

about-face, announcing newly minted support for independent repair.

To be fair, Apple is far from the only company with a history of hostility toward competition in its repair market.

John Deere won’t sell farmers the software tools they need to fix their tractors.

Hospital repair technicians trying to focus on COVID-19 patient care say medical device manufacturers have created hurdles to them fixing equipment needed to save lives.

A PIRG study from earlier in 2021 found that repairing more products and using them longer would save Americans $40 billion per year, or $330 per family. And repair not only helps consumers, but repair helps prevent waste.

When people find it inconvenient to fix a product, they’re more likely to give up and buy a new one – especially when it comes

Though he left this earthly realm two decades ago, Schulz no doubt understood these words from the Gospel of John: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

That’s the real “Christmas Miracle.” ■

to continuously, incrementally updated products such as smartphones. Empowering more independent repair options would extend the lifespan of products, reducing the material drain of manufacturing, and reducing the electronic waste heading to landfills.

The right to repair issue goes far beyond phones. Arizonans want to be able to fix their products but too often run into roadblocks erected by manufacturers who want to control the repair process.

Companies should ensure that their products are built to be easy to fix – and, better yet, built to last. But if they don’t, policy makers should.

Diane E. Brown is the executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), a statewide public interest advocacy organization. ■

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TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow

Brandon Large returning home to Westwood

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

B

randon Large could hardly contain his excitement as he took his family on a tour of Westwood High School.

He showed them where he sat to eat lunch when he was a student at the school. He took them through the gymnasium where he participated in pep rallies and to the football locker room, where he showed them the space he called home for four seasons as a quarterback for the Warriors. He also took them to the equipment room where he named off some of his former teammates with their jerseys in hand.

He also couldn’t help but go through and see where there is room for improvement in one of the Mesa district’s oldest schools. Brandon Large, a Westwood alum who spent the last But the one thing he vows to nev- nine season as an assistant coach at Higley, will now er change is the community feel take over the Warrior football program where he first made a name for himself as quarterback. (Courtesy Bransurrounding it.

That was one of the key rea- don Large) sons he so badly wanted to return as head coach Eddy Zubey not planning to go anywhere for some time, Large realized he football coach at Westwood.

“It means a lot to go back to where I was would have to look elsewhere.

Then, the Westwood job opened. And and try to build the community that built me,” Large said. “There’s some players after speaking with him during the inwho have uncles or cousins I played with. terview process, school athletic director Some of the current coaches I’ve played Brady Pond knew he had his guy.

“Coach Large is prepared for this mowith their brothers. Everybody who goes to Westwood loves Westwood. It’s like a fam- ment. And that definitely showed when he came in an interviewed,” Pond said. ily.”

Large was officially announced as the “Coach Zubey allowed him to be a part next head football coach at Westwood of the process there at Higley. He was on Dec. 9. He takes over the program af- prepared and he has the passion, which ter former coach and alum Kyle Ide an- showed in the interview.”

Pond has taken pride in welcoming nounced his retirement following the Westwood grads back to the school as 2021 season.

Being a head football coach has always athletic coaches. Ide was one of the first to been a dream for Large. He knew one day do it. Then when Pond took over, he welhe would get his opportunity. Though he comed head volleyball coach Laurel Beismay have thought it would come at Higley ner back to the school.

Others have since followed.

High School, where he was part of the staff “It’s exciting to see the success he had for nine seasons. But with current Higley

here at Westwood as a player,” Pond said.

“He’s already been meeting with players, coaches and members of the community to create that buzz. People are already starting to buy in to his vision with the program. It’s exciting.”

Large was the starting quarterback at Westwood during his junior and senior seasons in 2006-07 under Zubey — the head coach at Westwood at the time. As a senior, he led the Warriors to the quarterfinals.

He went on to play at Eastern Illinois where he was eventually beat out by current San Francisco 49er Jimmy Garoppolo.

He decided to transfer to a small school in South Dakota to finish off his college career.

Once complete, he linked back up with Zubey at Higley, at the time a brand new school.

Zubey has been grooming Large for a head coaching gig since he stepped foot on campus with him at Higley. He gradually increased his duties on the offensive side of the ball and helped him become the head girls basketball coach at one point for more experience.

While sad to see Large move on from the Higley program, he knows he’s living out the dream he had since he was a player.

“It’s bittersweet,” Zubey said. “He was my first quarterback when I was head coach at Westwood. I knew this was one of his dreams and how awesome is it that

Westwood athletic director Brady Pond has taken pride in welcoming back Westwood alumni as head coaches on campus. Large is yet another who returns to the community that helped build him. (Tribune file photo)

he gets to do it at his alma mater? That doesn’t happen all the time.

“One of the things I pride myself on is helping kids move on. But I want to help these coaches, too.”

Westwood saw some success under Ide in his final season. The Warriors finished 6-4, their best record since 2014.

Large has already started picturing what his first home game will be like in the 2022 season. He has been told there will be a celebration for him returning to his alma mater. The last time he was on campus was as an assistant coach for Higley in 2015. Westwood running back Ethan Johnson rushed for 566 yards and seven touchdowns that night, breaking a state record.

Large hopes to avoid any record-breaking performances, unless it’s by a Westwood player now with him as head coach.

But he knows when he walks out onto the field for the first time leading his former team, it will be emotional and something he has been looking forward to for quite some time.

“We’re getting a new turf field so that’s going to open for my first game,” Large said. “I want to bring back guys I played with. It’s going to mean a lot to me to be out there on that home sideline and that home locker room.

“I’m really excited about it.” ■

25

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GET OUT

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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Archuleta brings holiday cheer to the Chandler Center

BY MADISON PERALES GetOut Contributor

F

or “American Idol” alumnus David Archuleta, Christmas means spending time with family enjoying music.

He’ll bring that feeling to the Chandler Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, with “A Christmas with David Archuleta.”

“One thing I love is with my family, music was a big part of the holidays for us,” Archuleta said.

“Not just listening to it, but we would actually perform it and my mom would dress us up with the Santa Claus hats and go around and sing Christmas carols to the neighbors.”

Archuleta’s family is very musically inclined, so much so that Archuleta’s mother decided to teach the family a couple of the Jackson 5 Christmas songs.

“She taught us the choreography and everything,” Archuleta said. “We would perform those because there’s five of us siblings.”

Singing Christmas songs wasn’t Archuleta’s only fond memory. He recalled one of his favorite holiday traditions –­ one that’s a little unique.

“My mom carried out this tradition that my grandma started,” Archuleta said. “She would read ‘The Nativity’ with this fabric and she told little stories on it for kids.”

Archuleta has been in the public eye since he was 16 years old, when he appeared on season seven of “American Idol.” His angelic vocals garnered 44 million votes to make him the runner up behind David Cook.

Soon thereafter, he released his first single, “Crush,” which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Three months later, Archuleta’s selftitled album went gold, selling more than 750,000 copies in the United States, and more than 900,000 copies worldwide.

After the COVID-19 restrictions, Archuleta is pleased to be back on stage, helping his fans celebrate the holidays. He admit-

American Idol start David Archuleta will be presenting a special Christmas show at Chandler Arts Center this Thursday. (Special to GetOut) ted the quarantine was hard on him.

“At first I wondered, with pandemic life, what was going to happen,” Archuleta said. “It was kind of weird being home all the time, but because I live by myself, I felt like it was a needed time of introspection.

“I think I needed that time to look at myself and figure out what’s going on, particularly with all the therapy I was

going through.”

Even though Archuleta now has a busy schedule, he found time to publish a children book based on one of his songs. “My Little Prayer.” It was released in October

by Bushel & Peck Books.

“I always thought it would be cool to do a children’s book, I just never thought I would be able to do it,” Archuleta said.

“But then my manager was like ‘Hey, why don’t you make ‘My Little Prayer’ a children’s book?’”

Excited about the prospect of it, Archuleta was ready to connect with a younger audience.

“I love reaching out to kids,” Archuleta said. “I love the way they see the world and their purity and curiosity. I thought it was a really cool opportunity to share that they can talk to God, be close with him and be able to teach them that with a visual like a book.”

Aside from that, he released the single “Beast,” which, he revealed, is about internal struggles.

“I was finding that I didn’t have a healthy way of going about relationships,” Archuleta said. “It seems like every time I went through them, and got closer to someone, it felt like this monster would come out of me.”

On top of Archuleta’s new single and children’s book, he is looking forward to 2022 and his six-week, North American “OK, All Right” tour. It supports his album “Therapy Sessions.”

Although “OK, All Right” doesn’t hit Arizona, he’s looking forward to the holiday show.

“The liveliness that Arizonans tend to have makes it a really nice experience,” Archuleta said. “Some venues are really beautiful, but in the end, what makes the show is the connection you feel and that you feel like the audience is connecting to what you’re giving them. It’s always been a really wonderful connection with the Arizona audiences.” ■

If You Go...

What: “A Christmas with David Archuleta” Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23 Cost: Tickets start at $39.90 Info: chandlercenter.org

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

28

King Crossword ACROSS 1 PC port 4 Roast VIPs 7 -- cheese dressing 8 Some tides 10 Coffee-break hr.

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This chili has blazed its way to award status

ast weekend a host of local broadcasters came together for our annual Christmas concert to raise money for The House of Broadcasting. One year. our fundraising efforts helped to create the “House of Broadcasting Celebrity Media Cookbook.” It’s a treasure trove of great heirloom dishes by your local television and radio personalities.

One of the most delicious recipes in the book is an award-winning chili recipe from Jack Clifford, who created the iconic Food Network. (More than 20 years later, about 90 million people agree that Jack’s idea was a brilliant one and changed forever the way we view food.)

Jack’s scrumptious chili has won dozens of chili cookoff awards. It kicks you with five different spices and yet has a smooth-as-silk finish on your palate. This chili’s base is a combination of beef chunks, ground beef and pork with plenty of onions and garlic! So, grab a big pot

and get cooking, just in time for “chili” evenings.

If you’d like a copy of the “House of Broadcasting Cookbook,” visit houseofbroadcasting.com By the way, Jack used to say that the Department of Homeland Security had identified his chili as a WMID (weapon of mass indigestion). But I say Clifford’s chili is so good, it’s what the cowboys call MGS – mighty good sop! ■

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon oregano flakes 2 lbs stewing beef cut into half-inch cubes 1 tablespoons dried jalapeno, ground or flakes 2 lbs lean ground beef 6 beef bullion cubes dissolved in cup of 1 lb ground pork hot water 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 (28 oz) can diced tomato Flour for coating meat 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste 2 sweet yellow onions chopped 28 ounces water 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped 1/4 cup cider vinegar 6 tablespoons chili powder 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons ground cumin ½ cup corn flour mixed with water into a paste 2 tablespoons red chili pepper flakes Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Dredge stewing beef in flour and brown all meat in large frying pan with oil. Sprinkle one half of the chili powder, cumin, oregano, pepper flakes and jalapeno powder over browning meat. In large Dutch oven or soup pot, add diced tomato, tomato paste, bullion, water, cider, sugar and remainder of spices.

Bring to boil then reduce heat to low. Sauté onions and garlic until soft and translucent and add to soup pot. Add spiced meat to pot. Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Turn to simmer and cook for minimum 2 hours. Stir chili frequently so meat doesn’t stick to bottom of pot and burn. Add corn flour and water mixture to chili during the last thirty minutes if chili needs thickening.

Add salt and pepper to taste. (Stir pot especially during last half hour so flour doesn’t stick to bottom of pan.) Serve with heated beans, cheese, chopped green and red peppers, sour cream and flour tortillas. ■

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 30

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

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Obituaries Jana Lynne Rowley

78, of Mesa, AZ passed away Dec 10, 2021. Born May 25, 1943 in Prescott, AZ to Grant Lynwood Wakefield & Florene Mae Haave Wakefield. In 1961 Jana graduated from Williams High School in Williams, AZ. She married Jerry Rowley February 20, 1971. Jana received a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University (Cum Laude) in 1994, in Interpersonal Communication, & as a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Highly intelligent with a great sense of humor, she was blessed with a lifelong love of learning. She resided on a one-acre Mesa homestead 40 years growing fruit & nut trees, keeping goats, turtles, cats & dogs, turkeys, cows, lambs, chickens, roosters, doves, pigeons and peacocks.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was faithful to her convictions, loving & loyal to her friends and family, kind, generous, industrious, courageous, strong, facing all adversity with optimistic faith in Jesus Christ. Jana served as a Temple Worker in the Mesa Temple from 1994 to 2016 and in the Snowflake Temple 2017. She found great satisfaction serving two church Family History missions. She's famous for being in the top one percent of a million+ Family Search indexers.

She was preceded in death by husband Jerry Allen Rowley (2010) and sister Debra Grace Chevalier (1975). She is survived by her sons Kyle Wakefield Rowley and Jeremy Wakefield Rowley; sister Verda LaRue; brothers Maurice Grant Wakefield & Marvin Gerald Wakefield; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren.

Grave side services Friday, Dec.17, 2021 at 11am. Taylor Cemetery, 400 Center St.,Taylor, AZ (Thru Wyman Burial Chapel, Mesa) Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Obituaries - Death NOtices iN MeMOriaM We are here to make this difficult time easier for you. Our 24 hour online service is easy to use and will walk you through the steps of placing a paid obituary in the East Valley Tribune or a free death notice online.

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Patricia M. Kerr

10/24/1946 - 12/2/2021

Pat passed away peacefully in her home on Dec. 2nd. She was survived by her husband of 57 years, Will. Her son Bill(Tracie) & daughter Sandee(Scott) Cleary, 7 grandchildren and sister Joanie Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine & Ed Wesolowski and brother Stanley.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Who loved the Lord and serving him.

She attended Calvary Baptist Church in Mesa for many years before retiring from Mesa Schools, where she worked for 23 years and moved to Overgaard. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 8th, 11:00 am at: First Southern Baptist Church 2727 Church Lane Overgaard, AZ 85933 In Lieu of flowers please send a donation to; First Baptist Church in Overgaard.

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Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you.

QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

BESTOF

2021

FALL TUNE-UP SPECIAL!

69

$

REG. $99.

Includes a 16-Points Inspection.

LIMITED TIME ONLY. RESIDENTIAL ONLY

FREE INDOOR REME HALO® IN-DUCT AIR PURIFIER*

Handyman LLC

• Reduces common allergens from pollen, mold dander & dust • Eliminates pet, cooking and musty odors • Reduces airborne and surface bacteria & viruses, such as MRSA, e-coli, and Norwalk 99+%,

*With a qualified ac system purchase

YOUR HOMETOWN AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST FREE Service Call With Repair FREE Second Opinion ★ FREE Estimate

A + Rating

480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

We offer Big Savings and Great Financing!

Some restrictions apply. See website for additional information. Special rebates and financing offers are valid on qualifying equipment and pre-approved credit. Offers expire 12/31/2021.

Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

Concrete & Masonry

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163

Affordable, Quali

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor Bruce at 602.670.7038

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

480-898-6465 Email Your Ad: class@times publications.com

eastvalley tribune.com

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Please recycle me.

Hauling

520.508.1420

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, ElectricalCall Services 2014 Ahwatukee References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor Ahwatukee / References BruceResident/ at 602.670.7038 ty Work Since 1999 • Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

Deadline: Thursday at 10am for Sunday

SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens 9 199 ce Sin rk Affordable, Quality Wo ✔ Bathrooms BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 9 199 ce rk Sin 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Affordable, Quality Wo And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window.

From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.

All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.

40 years' experience.

Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

CLASSIFIEDS and LEGALS

Marks Spot• for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

All Estimates arethe Free Call: Painting • Flooring • Electrical www.husbands2go.com Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Licensed, Bonded & Insured Decks • Tile••ROC#317949 More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Ask me about FREE Needs! water testing!

Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical “No Job Too Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

Serving Entire Valley Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST! Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

Home Improvement

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems.

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Home Improvement

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

ADD COLOR TO YOUR AD!

General Contracting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

Ask Us. Call Classifieds Today!

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists

480.898.6465

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!

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

34

Landscape/Maintenance Juan Hernandez

Plumbing

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

Drain Cleaning Experts, water heaters, disposals, water & sewer lines repaired/replaced & remodels.

Rapid Response.

If water runs through it we do it!

602-663-8432

Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER

TREE

Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups!

TRIMMING

Not a licensed contractor

25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

Irrigation

Car for Sale?

Painting

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Advertise It Here!

Call 480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Plumbing

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

HYDROJETTING

Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

480-477-8842

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

— Call Jason —

Landscape/Maintenance

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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

CALL US TODAY!

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

ROC#309706

PAINTING

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

MonsoonRoofingInc.com

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

Roofing

ROC 3297740

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

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

(602) 502-1655

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

East Valley PAINTERS

FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49

10% OFF

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

See MORE Ads Online! www.EastValleyTribune.com

PHILLIPS

All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

ROOFING LLC

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

480-405-7099

ALL Pro

Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Pool Service / Repair

623-873-1626

Prepare for Winter Season!

www.eastvalleypainters.com

Juan Hernandez

Free Estimates Monday through Saturday

Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

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

480-354-5802

480-688-4770

Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

35

Public Notices Hearing Notice: A petition for guardianship and conservatorship was filed regarding Jeffrie Janoe. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 31, 2022 at 10:45 am MST with the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. This hearing is scheduled by be held virtually. For further information contact the Clerk of the Court. Published: Gilbert Sun News/East Valley Tribune Dec 19, 26, 2021 and Jan 2, 9, 2022 / 43480 It is understood that the Arizona Museum of Natural History (AzMNH) made an agreement with now deceased Mr. Richard Hupfer in Mesa, AZ to house archaeological material uncovered in the Riverview complex. The agreement was made in 2004 or 2005. It is the intent of AzMNH to claim title to these artifacts if no valid claims are made by Feb. 15, 2021. To make a claim or for further information, please contact Dr. Emily Early at emily.early@mesaaz.gov or (480)6445907. Published: East Valley Tribune, Dec 12, 19, 2021 / 43287

Public Notices

OUT WITH THE OLD, CHIP RETURN RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE! If you have Table Games Casino chips received before July 7, 2021, please redeem them at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage no later than March 31, 2022 for a full refund.

Disclaimer: Any discontinued Table Games chips not returned by March 31, 2022 will be void and hold no cash value. Redemption must take place at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage in person. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is not responsible for any unreturned Table Games chips.

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.EastValleyTribune.com

Roofing

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

TO: Xavier Martinez, M.D. 2323 E. Flower #124-B Phoenix, AZ 85016 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 In the Matter of: Xavier Martinez, M.D. Case No. 21-CRF-0045 On October 14, 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio mailed an Order of Permanent Revocation to Xavier Martinez, M.D. via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 2323 E. Flower #124-B, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

The Notice was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward.” A copy of the order is available on the Board’s website at www.elicense.ohio.gov.

Dr. Martinez may be entitled to an appeal. Such an appeal must be commenced by the filing of a Notice of Appeal with the State Medical Board and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Notice of Appeal must set forth the Order appealed from and state that the State Medical Board’s Order is not supported by reliable, probative, and substantive evidence and is not in accordance with law. The Notice of Appeal may, but is not required to, set forth the specific grounds of the appeal. Any such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days after the last date of publication in accordance with the requirements of Section 119.12, Ohio Revised Code. Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication.

Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.Moore@med.ohio.gov

Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663

Publication: East Valley Tribune, Dec 19, 26, 2021 / 43373

“

THE MAN WHO STOPS ADVERTISING TO SAVE MONEY IS THE MAN WHO STOPS THE CLOCK TO SAVE TIME. - UNKNOWN

“

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

480.898.6465

FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

Oooh, MORE ads online!

Check Our Online Classifieds Too!

www.EastValleyTribune.com NOTICE TO READERS: Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) http://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01165.htm, is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

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

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception.

Reference: http://www.azroc.gov/invest/licensed_by _law.html As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov/

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 19, 2021

36

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

Award-winning Arizona builder for over 40 years.

Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities, parks, and charm.

You’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle.

A STRATFORD NOW SELLING B C D E F G

A Dramatic New Gated Community in Gilbert Vintage Collection • From the mid $500’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $600’s • 480-988-2400 PALMA BRISA – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community Vintage Collection • From the low $600’s • 480-641-1800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $700’s • 480-641-1800 BELMONT AT SOMERSET – Prime Gilbert Location NOW SELLING Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture • From the low $1,000,000’s • 480-895-6300 MONTELUNA – Brand New Gated Community B in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa NOW SELLING McKellips Rd just east of the Red Mountain 202 Fwy • From the $600’s RESERVE AT RED ROCK – New Upscale Resort Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING IN 2022 Stunning views of Red Mountain • From the $600’s ESTATES AT MANDARIN GROVE – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 11 luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000 ESTATES AT HERMOSA RANCH – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 12 single-level homes on extra large homesites with 5- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

E

G F

D

C GERMANN

A

BlandfordHomes.com Not all photos shown are representative of all communities.

Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.