Queen Creek Tribune 07/23/2023

BY MARK MORAN Tribune Contributing Writer

While some communities in Arizona still grow crops, Queen Creek is growing water. Simply by using effluent, or recycled water, the town will have more water from a just-completed deal to buy Colorado River water than it is importing.

“We’re getting 2,000-acre feet from Cibola,” said Paul Gardner, director of water resources,

at the July 19 town council meeting, referring to the $27 million deal to bring water from Cibola in western Arizona to Queen Creek.

“After the first year you get 3,300-acre feet of water that second year,” he explained.

An acre-foot of water is about enough to cover a football field 1-foot deep, and enough to supply the needs of a typical family for two to three years. But looking forward, there will be even more water in Queen Creek thanks to other deals the town is working on to secure

water from places other than underground.

Queen Creek recently signed a 5,000-acre foot, $30 million deal with the Harquahala Valley Landowners LLC, a group of landowners and farmers in Maricopa County west of Phoenix to further diversify the town’s water portfolio. But that deal, too, will provide more than the original amount.

“When we do 5,000-acre feet with Harqua-

Colorado River water flows to Queen Creek

BY MARK MORAN Tribune Contributing Writer

Amid legal challenges, ongoing litigation and a five-year process of logistical hurdles, state and federal approvals, and criticism from landowners and lawmakers in western Arizona, Queen Creek has started receiving water from the Colorado River.

The deal will help reduce the town’s reliance on underground aquifers and diversify its water portfolio as the sprawling, thirsty suburb continues apace as one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States.

“As a council, we began discussing diversifying our water supply nearly a decade ago,” Mayor Julia Wheatley said during a July 19 ceremony welcoming the water reaching town.

CAP canal forms the eastern border of Queen Creek and where the water from the Colorado River reaches town. (Special to the Tribune)

Passport office sees demand, delays

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

Laura Studebaker runs her own travel agency in Chandler called Happiest Vacations. An issue beyond her control is making it really hard to deliver them.

“It’s gotten to the point as a travel agency owner, I’m considering implementing a policy: unless you have the passport in hand, or unless it’s a year out, or more, we won’t book a trip,” Studebaker said.

Anyone who needs to get a passport renewed, or obtain their first passport, is finding wait times have increased dramatically in the past few months.

Studebaker said she had one client who booked a family vacation that cost $30,000 did not get her passport in time and had to stay home while the rest of her family went.

“She did try for an emergency passport, but they are not as easy

to get anymore,” Studebaker said. “It has to be a true emergency, and if it’s coming two weeks before the trip, they’re not offering that unless there is a death in the family.”

According to national media reports, the U.S. State Department has fewer staffers trying to process a surge in applications. There were 400,000 applications submitted each week in June.

Most national media outlets have reported a surge in American tourists abroad that is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

That has led to warnings it will take 10 to 13 weeks to process an application.

Gilbert resident Alyssa Denning booked a family trip, hoping to vacation in Costa Rica. However, she realized she had lost her passport in the many moves she has made since last traveling abroad.

She said she applied for a new passport the first week of April. Her

trip was scheduled to leave May 30. Realizing she had little time, she paid the expedited fee to try to get it quick.

Instead, she didn’t receive the passport until late June — a week after her family returned from the trip she missed.

These stories are not a surprise to Chandler City Clerk Dana DeLong.

Chandler is one of the few cities that accepts passport applications and DeLong runs that program with the help of Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Ekblad.

“We can be really empathetic, and we take their applications, but at that point we have no control over what happens,” DeLong said.

Chandler uses a hybrid appointment system to accept applications.

Each week, DeLong and her staff open up 60 appointments for the following week. Those usually fill

PASSPORTS page 4

Chandler Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Ekblad helps run the passport office. (David Minton/Staff)

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Queen Creek Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Queen Creek

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PASSPORTS from page 3 quickly.

Then, each day they open up an additional 30 appointments just for that day.

DeLong says they can process about 90 applications per day.

And most days, they are doing 90 applications.

Once an application is processed in Chandler — which usually takes less than 24 hours — it is sent to one of the processing centers around the country.

The closest is in Tucson, and that is where the backup takes place.

DeLong said that while State Department officials say it may take up to 13 weeks, she is finding it is taking longer.

It usually takes two weeks before the feds start processing an application, and it can take up to another two weeks before a passport arrives in the mail.

So she said anyone planning to travel abroad should apply at least 17 weeks before their travel date.

Chandler has three employees dedicated to handling passport applications. The cost of the program is covered by application fees, so none of it is passed along to the city’s taxpayers.

DeLong said most residents have all the proper items when they show up at city hall to submit the application. When they book the appointment, they get multiple emails telling them what they need to bring.

She said that email system has reduced the number of incomplete applications

tremendously.

For the few times that it still happens, most of the issues are resolved in the same day.

Studebaker warned travelers that not all insurance covers trips canceled because of a lack of documents like passports.

“That’s only covered in the cancel for any reason, which is the most expensive,” Studebaker said. “90% don’t buy that.”

While the hotels offered some credit, her client that had booked the $30,000 family vacation did not get refunded for all of the cost.

“She was out of the money she paid for the vacation,” Studebaker said. “We are recommending clients have their passport in hand before booking. Also, check the expiration date. Many countries will deny entry if you have less than six months left.” 

Chandler City Clerk’s Office has not seen any slowing in the demand for passport processing.

(David Minton/Staff)

Celebrate Queen Creek with root beer floats

In honor of Park and Recreation Month, the National Recreation and Park Association is highlighting the ways communities are stronger, more vibrant and more resilient because of parks and recreation.

The town of Queen Creek offers award-winning parks, an extensive trail system with the Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes and the Trails at Horseshoe Park, along with a variety of

WATER

from page 1

“Thanks to the foresight of previous and current town councils, we were able to have important conversations about where our water was coming from at the time, what it would look like in the future and opportunities to do it differently — more efficiently. We made the strategic decision to reduce our reliance on groundwater in a way that is cost effective to our residents and future generations. Receipt of this transferred water is one element of that overall strategy.”

Queen Creek purchased the rights to 2,033-acre feet of Colorado River water from GSC Farm in Cibola at a cost of $27 million in a deal that will help the town move away from total reliance on groundwater as Queen Creek continues to expand and develop. An acre foot of water would flood a football field, which is about an acre, 1-foot deep. It is enough water to supply the needs of between two and three families for a year.

“Over 100 years and with its reuse, it is

family-friendly recreation classes and opportunities.

To celebrate Park and Recreation Month, the Recreation Division is hosting a variety of activities throughout the month, the next of which is Root Beer Floats with Recreation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the Recreation Annex, 21802 S. Ellsworth Road.

Meet the recreation team to learn more about classes, events and new facilities while enjoying free root beer floats. For more information, visit

nearly 365,000-acre feet — and a direct reduction to groundwater pumping,” said Paul Gardner, the Queen Creek director of water resources.

“The town is continuing to evaluate additional renewable supplies, including Harquahala water and participating in the study to raise Bartlett Dam. Water is a finite resource, and we will continue to do our part to diversify our supply.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs recently placed a moratorium on residential development for communities that rely solely on aquifers for their state-mandated 100-year water supply. Her action was based on the results of a study by the Arizona Department of Water Resources that shows at current consumption rates, the state will be about 4% short of what it needs a century from now if building continues as it has.

The declaration requires future developments would have to prove they have a water supply that comes from someplace other than underground. In Queen Creek, that amounts to about 10,000 houses that

queencreekaz.gov/prmonth.

The recreation team is actively planning a lineup of fall events including Founders’ Day and Trunk or Treat. Businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to participate by hosting a vendor booth, sponsorships or volunteering.

Get involved in the fun by joining the Live, Play, Learn team! The Town is hiring for part-time recreation aides. Learn more and apply at queencreekaz. gov/jobs.

could still be built in the future, but which have no current certified water supply. Developments currently planned already have assured water. The moratorium does not apply to commercial construction.

How the water gets here

Logistically, it is not difficult for the water to get from the Colorado River to Queen Creek. It is a matter of routing it through the Central Arizona Project canals once it gets to Lake Havasu. Instead of going south to Cibola, the water is directed to the east.

“It will take a left-hand turn at Lake Havasu, and it will go into the CAP canal,” Gardner told the Tribune in the fall during the deal’s approval process. “As it crosses the Salt River in Mesa, it heads south and east to Queen Creek.”

The CAP canal forms the geographic eastern border of the town of Queen Creek, so now that the water is arriving in town, it is diverted into a series of giant retention basins, where it percolates into the earth and slowly co-mingles with the

More parks and recreational opportunities are underway in Queen Creek. Phase II of Mansel Carter Oasis Park and Frontier Family Park, a new 85-acre park on Signal Butte north of Queen Creek, are both slated to open in early 2024. Frontier Family Park will include a recreation/aquatic center, slated to open in late 2024.

For more information about the town’s parks, trails and recreation programs, visit queencreekaz.gov/ recreation. 

town’s existing underground water supply. The whole process acts as a natural filter for the water.

Queen Creek is not done purchasing additional water rights to meet the town’s current and future needs.

In addition to the Cibola-based GSC Farm deal and other possibilities, Queen Creek also recently purchased the rights to a half million-acre feet of water from the Harquahala Valley Water Association, a group of landowners and farmers in Maricopa and La Paz counties west of Phoenix, for $30 million.

Gardner said there are other deals in the works, as well, which would cover all of Queen Creek’s projected water needs and allow the town, rather than the state, to decide how it is distributed.

“While the statutory 100-year water supply for all current Queen Creek customers is maintained, the town is working toward becoming a designated provider by 2030 with a continued focus on renewable supplies and limiting the need for groundwater,” Gardner said. 

ADOT unveils 5 new specialty license plates

BY TRIBUNE STAFF

Arizonans now have even more choices to support their favorite charitable causes as the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offers five new specialty license plates.

In addition to more than 90 other specialty plates that can be viewed at azdot. gov/plates and ordered at azmvdnow. gov/plates, MVD now offers Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock, Arizona Realtors Homes for All, Cancer Support for Families, Diné College Warriors and U.S. Army.

“We know that people who choose specialty license plates for their vehicles take pride in displaying their connection to these community organizations,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is pleased that we can partner with the various organizations dedicated to helping Arizonans.”

Most specialty plates cost $25 each year. Of that amount, $17 goes to a designated charity or nonprofit group. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, sales of specialty plates contributed over $12 million for various causes and charities.

Specialty plates are authorized by the Arizona Legislature and have been offered since 1989. Plate designs complete a review by ADOT and law enforcement. Personalization can be added for an additional $25 per year.

In addition to the five new plates, Arizona Coyotes and the Families of Fallen Police Officers plates have been redesigned. The Families of Fallen Police Officers plate has been changed to Honoring Fallen Police Officers.

Learn more about each of these plates:

ters in Phoenix and Mesa. The designated $17 goes to provide a safe space for all teens ages 12 to 20 to spend time, receive positive mentorship and free music, art, dance, photography and recording studio lessons and opportunities.

“Arizona is known for great sunsets, cactus, the best Mexican food, monsoons and, now, an Alice Cooper specialty license plate,” the legendary Arizona rocker said.

“More importantly, this specialty plate will assist Solid Rock Teen Centers in providing free music, art and dance programs to all Arizona teenagers. We hope that many of my fellow Arizona neighbors will get this specialty plate for their cars and motorcycles to support teens in Arizona.”

Arizona Realtors Homes for All

This specialty plate is available to anyone, and proceeds go to the Arizona Realtors Foundation for Housing and Community Outreach to help Arizona communities establish housing projects.

“The Arizona Realtors is grateful for the opportunity to support affordable housing projects across our great state as we help Arizonans on their path to the American Dream of homeownership,” said Eric Gibbs, 2023 Arizona Realtors president.

“This plate furthers the mission of the Foundation for Housing and Community Outreach whose projects and efforts address the condition of, access to and availability of housing. Together, we can reduce homelessness and foster the dream of owning a home.”

Cancer Support for Families

This specialty plate is available to anyone, with proceeds going to Cancer Support Community Arizona’s emotional and social support services.

“Cancer Support Community Arizona is extremely excited to have a specialty license plate that will highlight what we do in our community,” said Annet Ruiter, Cancer Support Community Arizona chief mission officer.

“This is just another great way people can get involved with Cancer Support Community Arizona and ultimately make a bigger impact for people impacted by cancer in Arizona. Anyone who purchases this plate helps us offer more than 100 free programs per month that are specially designed to support cancer patients, their families, and caregivers including support groups, healthy lifestyle programs, education presentations, social connections and embedded hospital navigators who connect cancer patients to resources. Thank you for helping us ensure that Community is Stronger than Cancer.”

Diné College Warriors

This specialty plate is available to anyone, with proceeds supporting the educational pursuits and success of students at Diné College on the Navajo Nation.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division to release these special license plates,” said Dr. Charles “Monty” Roessel, president of Diné College.

“By displaying these plates on their vehicles, our students, alumni and supporters can proudly showcase their commitment to education and their connection to the Navajo Nation. We encourage all Navajo Nation members, Diné College supporters and those who value education and cultural heritage to consider purchasing these special license plates. Your support will make a meaningful difference in the

lives of our students and contribute to the continued success of Diné College.”

U.S. Army

This specialty plate is available to anyone, with proceeds going toward scholarships for children of soldiers and spouses of active-duty enlisted soldiers.

“The directors and all-volunteer team at the Army Scholarship Foundation are most grateful to the State of Arizona and the Arizona retired military community for making the U.S. Army specialty license plate possible,” said Jeff Gault, U.S. Army retired and chief executive of the Army Scholarship Foundation.

“We are especially appreciative of Chief Warrant Officer Robert Rosales, U.S. Army retired, of Tucson for his leadership and untiring efforts to see this project to completion. We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity and are also most appreciative of the generosity, service and patriotism of all who purchase the license plate. This will assist our American military family members who are in pursuit of their educational dreams for a better life and a better America.”

Those who currently have Arizona Coyotes and Families of Fallen Police Officers plates may request the new designs for a $5 replacement fee plus postage. The previous design will remain valid for use.

Proceeds from the Arizona Coyotes plate go to the Arizona Coyotes Foundation, which supports organizations and programs that promote access to education, health and wellness and economic advancement in underserved and diverse communities. The Honoring Fallen Police Officers plate benefits C.O.P.S. Arizona, which provides support and resources to survivors and co-workers affected by lineof-duty deaths.

To view and order any specialty plate, visit azmvdnow.gov. 

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock

This specialty plate supports free art, music and dance programs for all youth at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Cen-

Subaru, Make-A-Wish grant trip to local child

BY JOE MCHUGH Tribune Staff Writer

Looking at Jimmer Crowther, one would never know that the upbeat and happy 10-year-old boy had ever seen hardship.

The smile on the Queen Creek boy’s face is enough to light up any room, but that smile was put on hold for a year, as Jimmer was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2022.

More than a year later, though, Jimmer has nearly made a full recovery. Still, the Make-A-Wish and Subaru staffs threw a surprise party for him at the Peoria showroom, complete with cupcakes and gifts like a fishing rod and toys.

The biggest gift, however, was a fully paid trip to Newport Beach, California, with hopes of giving Jimmer a memory that he has only dreamt of — catching a barracuda.

“With what we went through last year with cancer, it’s a nice upside to that whole downside of things,” said James Crowther, Jimmer’s father.

“It will be nice to go on a vacation where you don’t have to worry about costs, you don’t have to worry about planning, and it actually gets to be a vacation. It’s nice to have that after a long time of just worrying about hospital stuff.”

The diagnosis was a shock to the family, but Jimmer took it in stride. He displayed strength through his treatment, focusing instead on what he loves, like Roblox and Minecraft. While only experiencing minor side effects of dialysis treatment and chemotherapy, James and the rest of the fam-

After battling leukemia for over a year, 10-year-old Queen Creek resident Jimmer Crowther was surprised by Make-A-Wish and Peoria Subaru with a fully paid trip to Newport Beach, California. (Make-A-Wish Arizona/Submitted)

ily began to regain hope.

“I didn’t like it at all; it was pretty scary,” said Jimmer’s 12-year-old sister, Aspen. “It just makes me feel happy that I know he did it and nothing is going to happen.”

With treatment behind him, Jimmer is enjoying his childhood, and he’s excited about his big trip to the Pacific Ocean.

Subaru and Make-A-Wish have been making dreams like this come true for years.

“There are people who go through the motions, and then sometimes try to fake their way through it,” said Matt Rowe, Peoria Subaru owner and proprietor. “But it

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timeslocalmedia.com

actually makes you a better dealer and has made us better at helping us reach out to

the community, which has been huge. … Nobody does it like Subaru.”

The event at Peoria Subaru is just one of many it holds for the community. It brings in local youth to participate in its BuildA-Bike event. Rowe said they are actively trying to redefine their role.

“We always like using the word ‘retail’ or that we want to be a Subaru retailer — get away from the dealership,” Rowe said. “People don’t really see dealerships doing events. They might see one event a year, every couple of years, but they’re not seeing monthly commitments in the community like we do.”

Jimmer’s reaction validated everyone’s work and his strength, Rowe said.

“I hope it gives (Jimmer) just a few days of happiness and reflection and how lucky he is to go into remission,” Rowe said. “He had leukemia and this event was trying to put a wedge from those memories and enjoy time with his family — just what a young 10-year-old boy should be doing. That’s what I hope he gets from it.”

“I’m pretty excited to go on the trip,” Jimmer later said.

from page 1

hala in the next tranche of water that we buy,” Gardner continued, “cumulative in year two because you get the-5,000 plus what you recharge and recover, you are to 8,300-acre feet,” thanks to the recycled effluent.

Gardner said this will have a cumulative effect over time as Queen Creek continues to aggressively pursue other sources of water that will send the town’s water resources to 25,000-acre feet a decade from now, which, due to treated effluent, will continue to multiply geometrically over time.

Gardner added that through aggressive water recycling, the town will achieve 5 million-acre feet of water over a century, which happens to be enough to cover a projected 4.86-million-acre foot deficit for the entire Phoenix Active Management Area, according to a recent report from the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

“Queen Creek by itself, doing these things without anybody else’s help, news flash, solves the deficit,” Gardner said. “There will be other deals happening, too. We are years and years ahead of ev-

erybody else.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a declaration last month showing, based on ADWR’s estimate, if Arizona’s residential development continues apace, the state will be 4% short of its needed amount of water.

She declared any future development in communities that do not already have a certified water supply will have to prove they have a 100-year source that comes from someplace other than underground.

In Queen Creek, all the planned development has an assured water supply and the 10,000 or so prospective residential lots that are not yet taken will likely have one thanks to deals to buy water rights. Gardner is supportive of Hobbs’ action, bullish on Queen Creek’s water future and on the direction the state is headed.

the declaration June 1, which does not apply to commercial industrial development, such as the $5.5 billion LG Energy Solution battery plants coming to Queen Creek.

Gardner said the town is working its way from relying on aquifers for 90% of its water needs down to 50% and, eventually needing groundwater to supply only 5% or 10% of Queen Creek’s needs a decade from now, he estimated.

Queen Creek by itself, doing these things without anybody else’s help, news flash, solves the deficit, there will be other deals happening, too. We are years and years ahead of everybody else.”

- Paul Gardner, Director of

Water Resources

“We should not be harvesting groundwater,” Gardner said when Hobbs issued

“I truly believe we have the Michael Jordan of water,” council member Travis Padilla said after Gardner’s presentation. “I’m not just blowing smoke up your nose. We

have the guy who allows us to be far in advance of every other community, perhaps in the entire nation because of the planning and foresight that you’ve had.”

Vice Mayor Jeff Brown pointed out when Hobbs issued her declaration, the message that seemed to be reported nationally was

that Arizona was running out of water.

“Even though yes, it is true that we live in a desert, it is true that we have a 20-year drought period that we are living in,” Brown said. “It doesn’t mean that the sky is falling. It’s very hyperlocal in terms of where water is, where it can support growth.”

Gardner said at the time of the declaration that Hobbs was not flashing a red light, but a yellow caution light that if the state did not make some adjustments, there could be trouble up ahead. Queen Creek had already been planning for a diverse water portfolio long before the results of ADWR’s study was released.

In other business, town council approved a handful of liquor licenses for Queen Creek businesses, including one submitted by Kimberlee Ann Mallery on behalf of The Bistro Queen Creek, located at 22721 S. Ellsworth Road; one by Andrea Dahlman Lewkowitz on behalf of MOD Pizza, located at 200 W. Combs Road; and one submitted by Travis Cade Taylor on behalf of Caldwell County BBQ at Pecan Lake, located at 25000 N. 206th Street, part of the recently approved Pecan Lakes Entertainment Center coming later this year. 

a lifelong

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excited to learn new sports while in America.

Queen Creek director, actors bring ‘Oliver Jr.’ to life

BY GINGER CHURCHILL Tribune Contributing Writer

Youth performers from Queen Creek and throughout the East Valley will transport audiences across the Atlantic in Limelight Performing Arts’ production of “Oliver Jr.,” showing at the Mesa Arts Center Saturday, Aug. 5, to Saturday, Aug. 12.

Based on Charles Dickens’ literary classic “Oliver Twist,” this musical features well-loved, award-winning songs including “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” and “I’d Do Anything.” These lively numbers are performed by a well-trained cast of young people and punctuate the dramatic story of an orphaned boy struggling for survival in the underbelly of Victorian England.

Marie South of Queen Creek is the director and choreographer of “Oliver Jr.” “So often, I think that kids only know modern shows

and don’t have an interest in anything they could classify as old,” she said. “Many of our performers have told me they knew nothing about ‘Oliver’ before this process, but they have really come to enjoy it.”

Despite living in a neglectful orphanage, Oliver hopes for a home, a family and even a bit of actual love. When he famously dares to ask for “more,” he is consequently sold to an undertaker where he’s mercilessly bullied for having no mother. Eventually, Oliver makes a daring escape to live on the streets.

Oliver is not the only homeless child trying to survive the city of London. He is welcomed by the precocious Artful Dodger into a gang of young pickpockets

Dunkin’ ‘shines gold’ to support cancer awareness

BY TRIBUNE STAFF

This summer, Dunkin’ is giving guests a sweet way to support children battling cancer with the return of its Shine Gold initiative. Through Saturday, Aug. 5, Dunkin’ is inviting its customers to “shine gold” in a joint effort to bolster the mission of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation: bring joy to children afflicted with illness.

The Shine Gold initiative allows guests at participating Dunkin’ locations throughout the Valley to make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, in return for which they will receive a free Gold Joy Donut. The Gold Joy Donut — a traditional donut ring decorated with gold icing, yellow sprinkles and crowned with a glazed Munchkins donut hole treat — pays homage to the childhood cancer awareness ribbon.

Dunkin’ Queen Creek locations are at

18490 S. Rittenhouse Road; 21148 E. Rittenhouse Road; 40615 N. Gantzel Road; and 6028 W. Hunt Highway. For hours, visit dunkindonuts.com.

All funds raised from the Dunkin’ Gold Joy Donut will be donated to local children’s hospitals in Arizona, including

Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Banner Health, to bring joy into the lives of children battling illness. Grants made possible from the Shine Gold initiative will help support joyful experiences for patients in child life and oncology departments through diverse programs such as art, music and integrated therapy. They also fund interactive play and learning equipment, adaptive equipment for kids with mobility issues and everyday essential kits for patients. Last year, the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation

granted over $320,000 to local children’s hospitals through the program.

“Dunkin’ is proud to shine gold another year to support children battling illness right here in our communities,” said Alex Apodaca, local Dunkin’ franchisee. “Cancer has touched many of our lives, and it’s an ordeal no child or parent should face. Together with the community, we look forward to helping bring joy to kids fighting cancer.”

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Since its inception in 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $45 million to national and local nonprofits. In 2022 alone, the foundation awarded more than 650 grants to hospitals, amounting to over $9.5 million, in a bid to spread joy to kids battling illness.

Info: bringjoy.org 

The cast of “Oliver Jr.” includes, in front, Leia South, as well as, in the back, from left, Mackenzie Gilligan, Audra South and Preston South. (Sam Weid/Contributor)

Those who make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation will receive a free Gold Joy Donut. (Dunkin’/Submitted)

Avoiding the ‘blow-up’ holes in the game of life

BY PASTOR ED DELPH Tribune Columnist

As a golfer, I was impressed with a short story by Zig Ziglar. It’s called “Never Follow a Bad Shot with a Bad Decision.” This story is in Ziglar’s book, “Something Else to Smile About.” Here’s the story. In this story, the golfer is a man but could be, just as easily, a woman.

“As an avid golfer, I’m often puzzled by the actions of the typical high-handicap golfer. With a driver in hand, he steps up to the tee box, takes his stance, thinks the shot through, and hits the ball about 210 yards to the right, where it lands amid some trees. He walks or rides to the ball, looks at the six-foot opening, and determines that all he’s got to do to reach the green is hit the ball 175 yards through that opening, send it over the lake, and fade the ball over the bunker to land on the green.”

Golfers are like dogs; they live in perpetual hope.

Zig continues with the story. “Let me remind you of the scenario; he just missed a roughly 60-yard-wide fairway with a ball teed up and in perfect position. He believes he can go through a six-foot opening for his second shot and make the ball act as it does when one of the top

JR. from page 11

run by the elderly, avaricious and charismatic Fagin.

When Oliver is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is rescued from both punishment and the streets by Mr. Brownlow, a wealthy, kind-hearted gentleman. Fagin’s partner, the violent Bill Sikes, fears Oliver will turn the gang over to authorities and convinces his girlfriend, the sympathetic and warm-hearted Nancy, to bring Oliver back to the gang — with tragic results.

Emma England of Gilbert, Limelight’s artistic director who serves as the music director for “Oliver Jr.,” reports the cast simply loves the story, the music and, of course, the exciting scenes.

“There’s a big fight scene when Oliver

touring pros on the PGA Tour hits it. With confidence that generally goes with ignorance, he steps up, fires away and hits the ball into the lake. In anger and disgust, he hits the ball over the green into the sand bunker. Two strokes later, he’s on the green where he two-putts for a disastrous quadruple-bogey-8.”

What’s the lesson here? He followed a bad shot with a bad decision, costing him. Following up a bad shot with a bad decision in golf and life generally leads to blow-up holes. The blow-up holes in golf are the holes that ruin your scorecard. Golf is one of those games where less is more. The lower the score, the better you did. As a golfer, the more blow-up holes you have, the sooner you see a counselor. Golf is a great game to learn some life lessons, the first of which is humility and wisdom. As the stock market joke goes about your investments, the broker makes money, the broker’s firm makes money and two out of three is not bad. In the case of golf, the golf club manufacturer makes the money, the golf course makes the money and two out of three is not bad.

Who makes the money in golf? Hint — it’s not you. All you wanted was a new hobby and to enjoy some exercise and get out of doors. Now you have an expensive set of golf clubs, a frustrating life, a mediocre golf swing and 118-degree

escapes from police while pickpocketing,” she said. “It reminds me of a silent movie. There’s all this music but no dialogue or singing, so we’ve been very creative with our props and staging.”

Beyond the dozens of hours of rehearsals invested in this production, cast members come to the show with an outsized share of natural ability.

“You’ll forget you’re watching youth theater,” South said. “The kids work so hard to be as professional as possible.”

Added England, “It’s not always easy to find so much professionalism, not to mention talent, in kids so young, but they are pulling it off incredibly well.”

The directing team is working hard to harness that talent. England hails from Britain, so it’s particularly important to

days to play golf if you live in Phoenix in the summer.

Often, you and I are like golfers in the game of life who have blow-up holes. We triple our trouble by making a bad shot and following it up with a wrong decision. Then we compound that bad shot by denying it, defending it, lying about it or rationalizing it instead of quietly thinking about it, acknowledging the mistake or working through the consequences of the mistake in a logical, forthright manner. That’s called damage control. And you can do it if fallen emotions don’t guide your decision.

I’ll access Philip Brunstetter’s wisdom about decision-making in times of bad decisions after bad shots. “There are no born decision-makers. The most successful decision-makers follow rules that help them select the best alternative. The basic rules for decision-making involve six steps.

• State the apparent problem or situation you face.

• Gather the facts.

• Organize and interpret the facts.

• State the real problem or situation.

• Develop alternative solutions.

• Select the most appropriate alternative.”

My advice is to decide to use those six steps. I know what you’re thinking. “I really want to hit that ball out of the forest.

hear the cast has the proper accents for their time, location and social station.

“We’ve really focused on strong diction, phrasing and pronunciation,” England said.

South shared her excitement for these shows to open so her young performers can have an audience.

“These kids love spending time together at rehearsals,” she said. “You can tell they enjoy working with each other and that comes out in performances.”

With compelling storylines and so much dramatic action interspersed with beloved songs and high-energy dancing, South expects audiences will love the show.

“I think everyone will walk away feeling good and singing the songs on the car ride home,” she said.

“Oliver Jr.” is double cast. Queen Creek

I know I can do it. It will work out this time.” That’s what I feel like when I’m playing golf. Somehow, I will do what Tiger Woods can’t or won’t even do. Here’s advice for you from the first Star Wars movie in 1977. “CP3O, let the Wookie win.”

Do you know what? The idea I’m writing about today is good advice in golf and life. I like to play golf in Pinetop. There’s plenty of forest there to blow-up in. Being a typical high-handicap golfer, I used to try to hit my errant ball through narrow gaps at the green. Inevitably, my ball would ricochet off several trees and end up further in the forest.

I became who and what I am writing about. All I had to do was hit the ball sideways to the fairway, regroup and then I could limit the damage. What did I do to lower my score? I started making better decisions after making a bad shot. Now I don’t have as many blow-up holes as before. I’ve limited my mistakes and maximized my score. I even shot a 41 the other day on nine holes. Of course, being golf, I shot a 51 the next day. Don’t believe those golf advertisements. Golf is a four-letter word. Life is a four-letter word, too. Just saying. I double-dog dare you to live a better life. How? Follow up the bad shots that you will make with good decisions. And may the course be with you. 

performers include Mackenzie Gilligan, 15, as Nancy; Audra South, 11, as Artful Dodger; Leia South, 4, as ensemble; and Preston South, 14, as Mr. Bumble, Knife Grinder, Noah Claypole and Dr. Grimwig. Tickets for “Oliver, Jr.” start at $21 and can be purchased at mesaartscenter. com, search “Limelight.” The run includes both matinee and evening performances. Group discounts are available. 

“Oliver Jr.”

When: Various times Saturday, Aug. 5, to Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: Tickets start at $21 Info: mesaartscenter.com, search “Limelight”

OLIVER

Chandler’s coolest place is pretty popular in area

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

Valin Verma recently sent a photo of himself at work to a friend, wearing a bright yellow jacket and standing on a sheet of ice.

Verma works at the coolest place in the city, Ice Den Chandler at 7225 W. Harrison Street.

He thought his buddy could use the cool vibes while he was working construction outdoors during a record-setting heat wave. That’s what friends are for, right?

His buddy did respond.

“He flipped me off,” said Verma, a guest services representative at the Chandler venue.

Ice Den offers a number of activities, from hockey leagues to speed and figure skating to open skating when anyone can come out and skate one of its two rinks.

The West Chandler business has been a draw for many residents who want to escape the heat as the Valley keeps setting new records for most consecutive days

a guest from Florida and said they wanted to show her a cool time.

“I still prefer the Florida humidity,” said Victoria, the guest. “Everyone is like, ‘Oh, but it’s a dry heat, so it’s not as bad.’ I’m like, ‘Nope.’”

Verma said he has noticed a lot more people attending open skates this year, probably because of the heat wave.

Verma said the family made the right choice. “There’s so much stuff to do here. It’s like, endless,” he said. “Not the biggest, but definitely the nicest.”

Marcy Fileccia, president of the Ice Dens in Scottsdale and Chandler, said she keeps a space heater in her Scottsdale office.

“My colleagues and I will get strange looks when we leave our campus to go somewhere because we’re wearing like weird layers that people would not normally be wearing July 10 in Scottsdale,” she explained.

above 110 degrees.

And there is no end in sight. Forecasters say the first day the mercury won’t reach 110 is July 29. If they’re right, that will make the new record 29 straight days.

“Something to do, that’s not blazing hot,” said Natalie Simmonds of Queen Creek when her family headed to Ice Den for its open skate on July 17. Her family had

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“Last year they had to cut out all the weekday (open) skates because there just weren’t enough people,” Verma said. “We don’t have to do that this year because there’s a lot more people, 60 to 70 signing up for public skates.”

Simmonds said two of her children, Lucas and Emma, signed up for lessons that they normally take in Gilbert. They decided they wanted to check out Chandler’s facility for the family outing.

The air temperature in the rinks is a chilly 56 degrees.

When people come in from the blazing parking lot, Fileccia said, “You can hear them audibly exhale.”

Escaping the heat for a few hours on the ice is bringing in many people along with the growing popularity of hockey.

“Heat may be a driving factor, but hockey and skating are taking more of an upward direction here,” Verma said.

“Especially with a West Coast team winning the Stanley Cup last year (Las Vegas Golden Knights).” 

Queen Creek residents Emma Simmonds, 11, and Lucas Simmons, 13, lace up to find relief from the heat at Ice Den Chandler. (David Minton/Staff)

Chamber o ering 500 Google scholarships

SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Google to o er students and job seekers the Google Career Certi cates at no cost.

Google Career Certi cates are exible online training programs that teach jobready skills in the high-growth elds of cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management and user experience (UX) design. Google employees with decades of experience in these elds develop and teach the certi cates. No degree or experience is required to enroll.

Each certi cate includes more than

150 assessments as well as hands-on experience, so learners have the necessary skills to be successful on the job, and all content is industryvetted. e certi cates are 100% online, on demand and are typically completed in three to six months part time ( ve to 10 hours per week).

“We are excited to be awarded the Google Career Certi cates and o er them

to our community,” said Chris Clark, president and chief executive o cer of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce. “ ese will provide students and job seekers the opportunity to obtain a certificate and get

job-ready skills for these high demand industries.”

Individuals can only sign up for one scholarship to take a Google Career Cer-

ti cate. Upon approval for the scholarship, the recipient will receive an email with speci c details on how to access the program online. ose interested can sign up at qcstudentchamber.com.

After nishing the program, graduates are connected with an employer consortium of over 150 companies — including Deloitte, Ford, Verizon, Walmart and Google — that consider them for relevant roles. Launched in 2018, over 200,000 people have graduated from the program in the U.S. Over 70% of them report a positive career impact — such as a new job, higher pay or a promotion — within six months of completion, and 55% of graduates identify as Asian, Black or Latino. 

Free speech not so free with some ASU faculty

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

Before there was a State of Arizona, there was Arizona State.

Granted, there was a different name for the institution, founded more than a quarter century before statehood, and it was a mouthful.

The “Territorial Normal School at Tempe” was created by an Act of the Thirteenth Legislative Assembly in 1885, and almost immediately thereafter, a shorter nickname was coined: “Tempe Normal.”

Now, a growing group of conservatives regard the school as “Tempe Abnormal.”

That’s because leftists on the faculty of ASU’s Barrett, The Honors College, and

new Dean Tara Williams took aggressive steps against a February event with the innocuous title of “Health, Wealth and Happiness,” sponsored by the now-disbanded T.W. Lewis Center for Personal Development.

Thirty-nine of the 47 “interdisciplinary master teacher-scholars” — the inflated honorific formulated by the Barrett image-makers — apparently felt so threatened that they signed a letter to the dean condemning it.

What disturbed these “Disciples of Diversity?” The quaint notion that some invited speakers held different political opinions from the “radical chic” orthodoxy embraced by these highly self-regarded “deep thinkers.”

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” champions wealth accu-

mulation reinforced by traditional values; Charlie Kirk, the still-under-30 executive director of Turning Point, USA is leading a conservative reawakening of college-age youth; and Dennis Prager continues to enjoy his decades-long prominence as a leading pundit and writer on the right.

Kirk and Prager both not only host nationally syndicated weekday talk shows for the Salem Radio Network, they also have criticized the current state of higher education in America. Kirk authored “The College Scam;” Prager founded the eponymous “Prager U.”

Concerned Barrett Faculty sensed a threat to the status quo, and reflexively responded with an ad hominem attack.

That’s why the letter attacked the proposed February event by saying it would feature “white nationalists” and “purvey-

ors of hate who have publicly attacked women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, as well as the institutions of our democracy.”

In her first year at ASU, fresh from a similar post at Alabama, Williams had no doubt encountered scrutiny and skepticism from the “master scholar teachers” in her charge. What better way to gain their trust than to endorse the political objections expressed by almost 83% of her faculty… especially if she shared their sentiments?

In fact, the new dean did much more, issuing orders that announcements for the Health, Wealth and Happiness event be removed from campus walls because it was “offending the faculty,” then allowing

see HAYWORTH page 17

Trip through mall becomes trip down memory lane

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

We walked the ruins of Fiesta Mall early Wednesday, showing around a reporter and taking a trip down memory lane.

The doors have been closed since 2019, as the owner — a client of mine — prepares to build “a new gem” for the Valley. For a few minutes, though, the old gem lived again in my thoughts.

I remembered Macy’s, where I bought my first Arizona sport coat to attend an award dinner, and Sears, where I bought a socket wrench set that got discarded a few moves back.

I recalled the fuss when Avril Lavigne played a live concert back in 2004, and the taste of the pizza slices and breadsticks sold at the Sbarro’s upstairs.

Now the place is littered with busted glass, shattered tiles and discarded Christ-

mas trees. Whatever comes next will be huge progress, but for one day, the old Valley of the Sun kept reappearing for me via a stream of memories.

Maybe that’s part of what makes a place home: Not merely the new things you fall in love with, but the old things you miss.

Like the Scottsdale 6 drive-in, where on a summer night you could burn half a tank of gas keeping the air conditioner running while you saw a movie for six bucks and change. The place even piped in stereo sound via FM radio. Sadly, it went away back in 2017.

My buddy, Max Fose, who grew up on the west side, has lived here for most of his life. He misses Dave Pratt doing mornings on KUPD, and the ice cream sundaes at Farrell’s Ice Cream in the old Christown Mall.

Max reminded me of the Arizona Cardinals back in the day — when they played at Sun Devil Stadium — and you could see the home team lose while simultaneously working on your tan if your seats were on

the sunny side of the field.

The COVID-19 pandemic closed scores of restaurants across the metropolitan area. La Calabria Ristorante in Gilbert went away. So did Sierra Bonita in central Phoenix, Kimberly Ann’s Tea Room in Downtown Glendale and Mark’s Cafe in south Tempe.

If you’re a salad bar and buffet fan, COVID also shuttered all nine Arizona locations of Sweet Tomatoes, where I favored the broccoli cheese soup and buttermilk cornbread muffins.

Apparently, a new company is resurrecting one location in Tucson, but that’s a long way to drive for a salad.

The old Valley felt much smaller than this new iteration, with the 101 and the 202 now surrounding the urban core, and the 303 to the northwest connecting the 10 and the 17.

Heading north or south used to involve surface streets like Scottsdale Road or Arizona Avenue, and the trip out to Greasewood Flats or Queen Creek felt like it re-

quired packing a lunch.

Now? We zip along on freeways, ducking into the HOV lane to make time, passing what we used to call “sprawl,” but now we call suburbs.

Goodyear, Avondale, Surprise, San Tan Valley: I used to think of the far reaches as dusty horse country. Now they’re all grown up.

The old mall in Mesa will be 80 acres of something beautiful soon. The next generation of TV anchors will report it, smiling blandly about the new market they’ve barely visited, unlike the Kent Danas, Lin Sue Cooneys and Patti Kirkpatricks who gave voice to so many stories of our home.

Meanwhile, a few words in spray paint have stuck in my head from the last trip to the shopping center.

“Lost soul,” some anonymous artist inked on the wall. “Come find me.”

The soul of this place lives on in memory, of course. You find it whenever you close your eyes. 

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Surfing Sea Otter’s shenanigans run the risk of captivity

BY JUDY BLUHM Tribune Columnist

Oh, Surfing Sea Otter, please stop stealing surfboards! It will not end well for you.

Yes, a female sea otter in California seems to be hassling surfers at Steamer Lane, the legendary point break nestled along the rocky shores of Santa Cruz. This is where experienced surfers love to ride the waves.

Now, an otter is hoisting herself up on their boards, causing the stunned surfers to surrender the boards altogether. This is longboard larceny!

At first it was laughable. Surfers are being bossed around by an otter! But then the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stepped in and said this is “not funny.” The officials call her Otter 841, a 5-year-old otter

HAYWORTH from page 16

those who took offense to distribute flyers that solicited help in condemning and boycotting that same event.

One faculty member used class time to discuss the “dangers” of the upcoming event, urging those in her class to “refrain from attending,” and underscoring her concern by writing a letter to those same students, reinforcing her objections.

When that letter subsequently appeared in the press, she spent even more class time on the subject, threatening her students by telling them she was actively working with ASU’s Information Technology (IT) Department to determine the source of the leak.

Despite the eventual staging of the Health, Wealth and Happiness event at ASU’s Gammage Center, ongoing criti-

unafraid of humans.

Divers and a “bait board” have been used to try to capture the otter, for safety reasons. So far, seven divers have spent days being led around the ocean by a swift surfing otter that they have failed to catch (or outsmart).

A local official stated that the otter is “quite talented at evading capture.” Otters do not want to be captured!

The backstory of sea otters is that there were hundreds of thousands of them roaming California’s coastal waters, but they were hunted to near extinction when colonists moved to the West Coast.

In 1911, a hunting ban was put in place and now only about 3,000 otters remain. Usually, otters will go to great lengths to avoid humans. But they share the ocean with paddle boarders, kayakers, swimmers and surfers. Contact happens. Otter 841 was born in captivity in the

cism from the faculty prompted real estate developer Tom Lewis to withdraw a $400,000 grant and concluding a record of donations that totaled in the millions over the last two decades.

“After seeing this level of left-wing hostility and activism, I no longer had any confidence in Barrett to adhere to the terms of our gift, and made the decision to terminate,” Lewis wrote. He added his “hope that Barrett and ASU will take strong action to ensure that free speech will always be protected.”

University President Michael Crow weighed in via internet, maintaining that “different folks have recently become confused about what freedom of speech really means to ASU” and omitting any reference to classroom intimidation of Barrett students.

Crow’s underlings, dispatched to testify

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Her caretakers took measures to prevent the otter from associating with humans and she was released into the wild.

All was fine for a few years, until surfers reported that an “aggressive otter” was engaging with them. It appears that this little otter’s days of freedom are numbered. Back to captivity she will go.

Remember Freya, the 1,300-pound walrus in Norway that loved to boost herself up on small boats to sun herself? She became a celebrity.

People (often messing things up for nature) were trying to swim and take selfies with Freya, and even joined her shenanigans by jumping onto strange boats.

Well, tragically, Freya was euthanized by the head of the Fisheries department as a “measure of safety.” A statue has been erected in honor of Freya in Oslo. I bet she would rather be alive.

Listen up, Surfing Otter. The authorities

at a July 18 hearing of a joint legislative ad hoc committee investigating the controversy, avoided specific answers and promised to supply data requested by legislators at a later time.

Ironically, an alumna of ASU’s Honors College provided a stark contrast to the institutional obstruction of the Tempe “educrats.”

Ann Atkinson, who lost her job as executive director of the Lewis Center when its funding was terminated, provided detailed testimony in a calm, straightforward fashion, refuting much of the narrative advanced by the administrators who preceded her at the hearing.

Perhaps one day she will go back to ASU in a much more prominent position — and help return things to “Normal.”

In early February, this column chronicled the results of a Jan. 17 study from the

are looking for you. They claim the goal is not euthanasia, unless you bite a swimmer. Okay, life at the aquarium, a beautiful place worth visiting, sounds better than Freya’s fate.

Sometimes, creatures in the wild do things that we humans don’t like. There is a prison in India designed for “rogue monkeys.” One “drunk monkey” was locked up because he stole food from children and assaulted 250 people in one year!

Evidently, he had been a pet and his owner gave him alcohol to drink, and the “attacks” were done while he was drunk. Why not lock up the owner, too?

On an otter note, wildlife and humans often don’t mix well. Swim away, Otter 841.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Contact her at judy@judybluhm. com or aroundthebluhmintown.com. 

Goldwater Institute. That report revealed that Arizona’s three public universities now force job applicants to provide mandatory “diversity statements.”

While you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can get the gist of the Goldwater analysis from its title.

“The New Loyalty Oaths: How Arizona’s Public Universities Compel Applicants to Endorse Progressive Politics.”

Sure enough, the findings revealed that the Sun Devils led the way in forcing new hires to accept leftist dogma as diversity. The Goldwater researchers reported that 81% of ASU’s job postings required the aforementioned diversity declarations.

The Goldwater scholars and researchers characterized it as “a full frontal attack on free expression and equal opportunity for ALL….”

Especially conservatives. 

Queen Creek Tribune welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. Queen Creek Tribune will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. Queen Creek Tribune will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not Queen Creek Tribune, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

One by one players exited their respective buses into the cooler — yet still several digits above normal — northern Arizona temperatures.

The destination for American Leadership Academy – Ironwood in Queen Creek, Mesquite and Marcos de Niza was American Youth’s BILT Camp Heber.

But for the three teams that arrived Friday, July 14, and the seven others in the days and week that followed, the summer tradition of going to football camp is more than just escaping the Valley temperatures. It’s about building a bond as teammates and pushing themselves to new limits before the start of the season.

“I looked at what we have been spending most of our summer on, which was obviously football and conditioning,” first-year ALA Ironwood Head Coach Lo-

ALA Ironwood bonds up north at football camp Suns’ Bradley Beal: ‘Th is is a dream come true’

BY JAMES LOTTS Tribune Staff Writer

Bradley Beal is looking forward to learning his way around the Footprint Center and the Valley as the newest Phoenix Sun.

At a June 29 press conference, Beal said he was hesitant, however, to let teammate Devin Booker influence him.

“Book is always in Flagstaff every week,” Beal said. “So, he’s telling me he’s going to take me on a trip to go camping. I’ve never been camping so please pray for me.”

For the first time in over a decade, Beal met a new batch of eager fans when the Suns introduced him during the press conference at the Footprint Center.

Beal, 30, was traded to the Suns from the Washington Wizards, who received Chris Paul and Landry Shamet. A threetime NBA All-Star and one-time All-NBA player, Beal waived his no-trade clause to

Camp provided the opportunity for the team to be together for the first time in two months. So, instead of three or four practices each day, they practiced twice — a morning session at 6 a.m. and an afternoon session at 4 p.m., just before dinner. The rest of the time was filled with team meetings, where they went over formations and plays or simply allowing the players to rest and hang out with each other in the dorms.

ren Dawson said. “What did we not spend much time on? Team building. It’s given the groups a chance to see who the leaders are.”

ALA’s camp differed from the other two teams that were in Heber along with them. The Warriors chose to use the four days as a bonding experience, allowing players the

chance to not only get to know each other but some of the new coaches on staff.

Since the spring, ALA has had to bring in position groups at different times for workouts and classroom work. This stemmed from differing coaches’ schedules and working around the busy schedules of players.

“It’s really nice because we can finally see what we look like as a unit,” senior linebacker and running back Carlos Clanton said. “It’s a learning experience. There were some up and downs, but we are coming together really well.”

There are players who, at times, dread the camp experience. Early wake up calls, a tight schedule and living with others in one room can get old quickly.

see CAMP page 19

come to Phoenix.

Beal was with the Wizards since he was drafted in 2012. He acknowledged his past by wearing the tie he wore on draft night.

“I’m super ecstatic that every single day I have a chance to play in a meaningful game,” Beal said.

“I think that’s one of the biggest decisions that impacted me coming here — of knowing that every single night I’m going to be in an important game. Every single night, I may have a chance of being on television. Every single night, teams are going to give us their best. So, I look forward to that challenge and sort of being in the position to where we’re kind of a targeted team.”

Beal said he gets “antsy” thinking about the opportunities that will open up for him while playing alongside his new

James Jones, the Phoenix Suns’ president of basketball operations and general manager, left; Bradley Beal, center; and Frank Vogel, right, the Suns’ head coach, celebrate Beal’s signing during a press conference. (Phoenix Suns/Submitted)

American Leadership Academy – Ironwood came together as a program over the course of its stay at American Youth BILT Camp Heber July 14-17. The Warriors took strides in building chemistry and began solidifying rosters with the season weeks away. (Loren Dawson/Submitted)

But for Clanton, it was an experience he was looking forward to.

Just before the end of the 2022 school year, he and some teammates were in the weight room when he suffered a broken fibula. The injury kept him sidelined throughout the duration of the summer program, including camp. His parents felt the uneven terrain up north would’ve been hard for him to maneuver around, so he stayed behind.

He felt like he was left out and distant from his teammates when they returned. But he still saw playing time throughout the season, mostly as running back.

Now a senior, he aims to not only make a difference at linebacker and running back, he wanted to prove he was a leader in Heber. He led the team in drills on the field and barked orders to fellow seniors when it was their turn to wipe down tables, sweep and mop after meals.

He found his voice and became a leader at camp.

“It’s nice being up in a leadership role,” Clanton said. “People will come up to you and ask you when they’re confused. I like the experience. I do wish I would’ve been here last year, too. But it’s been great.”

Football camps for high school pro-

teammates, Booker and Kevin Durant. He anticipates seeing more open shots due to less defensive focus needing to be sent his way.

“I, like, get antsy just thinking about it because I’ve never had those opportunities,” Beal said. “And it’s the same with the other two guys and D.A. (Deandre Ayton).”

Recently hired Head Coach Frank Vogel also sees potential in the lineup.

“Bradley Beal is one of the best players in the NBA and we’re thrilled to have him be a Phoenix Sun,” Vogel said. “With K.D. (Durant) and Book, we form a trio of three of the most prolific scorers in the game: a great two-way center — one of the best two-way centers in the game — and these pieces are a great foundation for what we hope can be a championship run for this franchise.”

Beal knows he is going to be the new guy coming in and that fans recognize Booker as the team’s leader.

“I understand that this is ‘Book Nation,’” he said.

grams typically bring an end to the summer program. It’s the last step before taking the leap into official practices, where they begin to slip on helmets and pads.

Camps also provide the opportunity to make one last good impression on coaches before they begin shaping rosters for the season.

Freshman offensive lineman Braeden Mendoza wanted to make sure he was one of those who made a good impression.

At 6-foot-4, Mendoza isn’t easy to overlook. But what stood out to coaches was his work ethic on the field. He grasped the offensive scheme right away and was a leader among the freshmen ALA brought to camp.

He took it upon himself to keep the dorms picked up, knowing it had to be spotless when they left Monday morning. The discipline he showed being on time for every practice, meeting, meal and leading the charge for clean-up duty showed coaches he had what it takes to be a leader and make the jump to the varsity level.

So, as a freshman this fall, Mendoza will suit up and start at the varsity level, an opportunity he earned while in Heber.

“It’s been an experience,” Mendoza said. “We created bonds with people and being in an atmosphere outside the Valley, it’s

First-year ALA coach Loren Dawson was proud of the way his players responded to the camp life. They stayed in dorms with several players per room, were woken up at 6 a.m. for practice, and had to clean after every meal. But they showed discipline and willingness to buy in to a new culture. (Zach Alvira/Staff)

different. I think I became a leader here.”

The bonds teams create at American Youth’s BILT camps is unmatched. Rob

Stephan, the founder of American Youth and the BILT Foundation, which has now sent over 1,500 kids to camp for free, aims to help give coaches an outlet to challenge their players mentally and physically over the course of the short period.

Football camps prove who truly is bought into the hard-working culture that comes with football. And more times than not, which was the case for ALA, the camps show who the true leaders of the team are.

That’s been Stephan’s goal all along.

“We now take over 3,000 kids to camp,” Stephan said. “Our coaches love it. It started as a favor, and it’s grown. We’re trying to build individuals, leaders and teams.”

Dawson believes his team grew up at camp this year. Many of the players that had been there before helped the younger guys through it, showing them the ropes and encouraging them to take advantage of down time when they had the chance.

They played trivia games together as a team, sand volleyball, basketball and more. They came together as a unit, which is all Dawson could’ve asked for.

“We made more strides coming together as a program here than we have since I got here in February,” Dawson said. “What they’ve accomplished here has been incredible.” 

“From a roster perspective, we’ll have a ton of really qualified, great players that can fill that fifth spot,” he said.

“Luckily, for me, I don’t make those decisions. The players decide through competition and Coach (Vogel) has to make that tough choice.”

He added playing a role in the community and among the fans is as important to him in Phoenix as it was in Washington.

“My family and I look forward to meeting everybody here, engaging with everybody, with the city, with the fans, the community. I’m very big on being as impactful as I can,” Beal said.

“I’m embracing this. My boys love it. They’re excited about it. My wife loves it. So, I’m looking forward to it. I want to learn a lot about the Valley.”

“I understand that this is his stomping grounds, this is his arena. And I’m excited for that. I’m excited to be able to play with two hall-of-famers.”

Suns General Manager James Jones brushed off concerns the team would

have limited finances, due to Beal, Durant, Booker and Ayton, who will make a combined $162 million next season. It’s approaching the $165 million luxury tax threshold.

Jones was hesitant to name a fifth starter.

Beal ended the press conference saying being around the talent in the Suns organization will make him a better player.

“Their mentality is going to be a lot different than what I’ve seen so I’m excited for it,” he said. “I think it’ll propel my game. It’ll propel my mentality and I’m excited for it.” 

Bradley Beal discusses signing with the Phoenix Suns during a press conference. (Phoenix Suns/ Submitted)

BEAL from page 18

D-backs select Troy with No. 12 pick

BY JAMES LOTTS Tribune Staff Writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ newest prospect, Tommy Troy, couldn’t be happier.

The 21-year-old infielder was chosen first by the D-backs, with pick No. 12, in the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on July 9.

“I knew there was definitely a possibility there and I really wanted it to happen,” Troy said. “So, I mean, I couldn’t be happier right now.”

As a Stanford Cardinal, Troy saw 48 pitches of over 95 miles per hour and did not miss on one. Troy said he is a strong hitter.

“I feel like, as of now, my hit tool is the best and I feel like I excel at hitting all different types of pitchers,” Troy said.

Troy credited his hitting numbers to his aggressive approach at the plate. He doesn’t worry about how fast the ball is being thrown.

“I like to be aggressive to the fastball and adjust otherwise,” he said. “I feel like I’m not really affected by high velocities very much.”

A Los Gatos, California, native, Troy watched D-backs games when he visited

Arizona as a child for baseball tournaments. He is already a fan of the team’s progress.

“I would always love going to Diamondbacks games and watching them play,” Troy said. “They’re having an awesome season this year. I really love the program and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Troy is coming into the D-backs organization listed as an infielder, an area in which the team has a plethora of talent.

Troy said he wants to work on playing multiple positions if that’s what it takes to play professional ball.

While Troy possesses an exciting skillset, he acknowledged that he still has a lot of work to do.

“Probably the first thing I want to work on when I get to pro ball is establishing a defensive profile for myself and really work on developing multiple positions, if I need to,” he explained.

Troy said he prefers shortstop, but is confident that he could fill in elsewhere. He said he wants to do whatever he can to make it to the MLB quickly.

“I’m hungry and I’m ready to go start playing baseball as soon as possible,” he said. “As soon as I can get the deal done and start getting ready for the short season, I’m going to do it.” 

Stanford Cardinal Tommy Troy, 21, was chosen first by the D-backs with pick No. 12 in the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft July 9. Troy is thrilled for the opportunity to play for the team. (David Minton/Staff)

Local chain o ering free chicken wings on July 29

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

ATL Wings is celebrating National Chicken Wing Day on Saturday, July 29, with a special promotion.

“Any customer who comes into the restaurant and purchases a 10-piece a la carte or combo can get six free wings,” said Cianna Kirksey, who co-founded the restaurant with her husband, Mike. “So, they buy 10 and get six free.”

e entrée at ATL Wings is a hot commodity. On Super Bowl Sunday 2022, they fried 6.2 tons of fresh jumbo chicken wings — served with 310 gallons of their homemade sauce — at its 21 locations statewide.

Last year, the National Chicken Council reported Americans consumed 1.42 billion chicken wings during the big game. If

ATL Wings developed 18 original sauces, which complement bone-in or boneless wings, and its spicy chicken sandwiches. Wings/Submitted)

placed in a line, that would circle the Earth three times.

Adhering to the mantra “It’s all about

the sauce,” ATL Wings developed 18 original sauces, which complement bone-in or boneless wings, and its spicy chicken sandwiches.

e sauces include ATL style, garlic parme-

“We moved down to Arizona and there were no good wings in the Valley,” she said. “I owe that all to my husband, he’s the sauce master behind it.”

e company is hoping to open in Nevada later this year, in time for the Super Bowl. 

If you’re a French fry foodie, you may have tried what is now the big rage: double frying the fries.

It definitely makes a big difference in the crispiness and flavor. And while you have your Dutch oven out, there’s no better meal to pair those tasty fries with than classic fish and chips. You’ll be frying the potatoes before and after the fish, surprisingly with no fishy flavor. I love this dish and I hope you do too! 

Ingredients:

For the fish

With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Columnist

Ahoy, this fish and chips recipe sails with flavor

For the chips

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 ½ tsp salt plus more for salting fish

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1 cup dark beer, cold

• 1 cup sparkling water, cold

• 8 (4-ounce) pieces of fresh cod

Directions:

Make the tartar sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dill relish, vinegar, capers, mustard, salt and pepper until well combines. Spoon into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready t0 serve. Set aside 4 tablespoons of flour.

In a large bowl, mix the remaining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Whisking continuously, add the beer and the sparkling water to the flour mixture and mix to a thick, smooth batter. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Cut potatoes the size of French fries, then place in a colander and rinse under cold water.

Place the chips into a pan of cold water. Bring to a boil then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.

Drain, then pat dry. Keep in the fridge covered with paper towels.

Lay the fish fillets on a paper towel and pat dry. Season with salt.

In a Dutch oven over high heat, bring oil to 375 degrees.

• 1 quart (1 liter) vegetable oil for frying

• Tartar Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 4 TBSP dill relish

• 2 TBSP white wine vinegar

• 2 TBSP capers

• 2 tsp whole-grain mustard

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

Cook the chips a few handfuls at a time in the oil for about 2 minutes. Do not brown them. Once the chips are slightly cooked, remove them from the oil and drain. Place the 2 tablespoons of flour reserved from the batter mix into a shallow bowl. Toss each fish fillet in the flour and shake off any excess. Dip the fish into the batter, coating the fillet.

Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 8 minutes or until the batter is crisp and golden, turning the fillets from time to time with a large slotted spoon.

Once cooked, remove the fillets and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Cover with parchment paper and keep hot.

Heat the oil to 400 degrees and then re-fry the chips until golden and crisp, or about 4 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain. Season with salt.

Serve with fish and tartar sauce, ketchup or malt vinegar.

Serves 8.