Queen Creek Tribune 07/30/2023

BY TRIBUNE STAFF

The town of Queen Creek celebrated the opening of the Queen Creek Youth Center 25 years ago.

As part of the festivities, local youth buried a time capsule that was set to be opened in the future — 2023.

The time capsule was opened on July 19, revealing mementos like a Motorola cellphone, Mr. Potato Head keychain and bulldog Beanie

Baby. Not only has technology changed but so has the town.

In 1998, the town’s population was about 3,600 with one park. Now, three parks are available for the 76,500 residents.

“I’m proud of this town for many reasons, but none more than the fact that we are a family friendly community,” said Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley.

“We have a safe and thriving community that will be home to families for generations to

come. As part of this, we’re committed to creating places for our youth to gather and recreate. From the Youth Center that was located at Founders’ Park 25 years ago to the upcoming Frontier Family Park, complete with a recreation and aquatic center, we’ve always had a vision for youth in Queen Creek.”

In addition to remarks by the mayor, the town manager and Queen Creek’s first mayor,

BY

ast week’s monsoons brought thunderstorms, dust storms and flash floods that left a lasting impression. Monsoons can bring different hazards, so it’s important to know what to do in the event of a storm.

Dust storms

Dust storms can create wind gusts that exceed 40 mph and dramatically reduce visibility. Move indoors if possible and stay away from the windows.

TRIBUNE STAFF

ADOT slates hearing on long-closed Apache Trail

BY TRIBUNE STAFF

The Arizona Department of Transportation has set a meeting to get ideas on what to do about a longclosed 7-mile stretch of Apache Trail between the Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina Road.

ADOT to host the public meeting as part of the SR 88 Study from milepost 222 to 229 at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, city of Apache Junction Multigenerational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction.

Noting the road has been closed “due to extensive damage resulting from a wildfire and large storm events,” ADOT said its study covers a variety of issues — including reopening the road.

The road was closed in 2020 because floodwaters from a fire-scarred piece of Tonto National Forest tore pieces of the road to shreds.

In June 2020, the human-caused Woodbury Fire consumed almost 124,000 acres of the Tonto National Forest.

primitive road that serves as the shortest link from the Valley to Roosevelt Lake. That outcry prompted the Legislature last year to approve funding for the study.

ADOT said it is trying to “determine the feasibility of reopening SR 88 to vehicles, identify potential improvements and their cost and improve the resilience of this roadway to future storm events.”

As part of the meeting, a presentation will be shown and ADOT and technical staff will be available to answer questions. Those attending will also be able to provide comments.

ADOT also is accepting comments until Sept. 15 on what should be done.

Comments can be mailed to: SR 88 Study, c/o Marshall Hayes, Logan Simpson, 51 W. Third Street, Suite 450, Tempe, AZ 85281 or emailed to mhayes@logansimpson.com.

Access to Apache Lake from the East Valley now requires people to drive first to

In September a storm dumped some 5 inches of rain onto the fire scar and the runoff ravaged 14 miles of the unpaved road, although half was later restored.

Globe so they can reach it via the Apache Trail from the northeast.

Thousands of East Valley residents and others have been demanding that the state repair the wildly scenic but admittedly

SR 88 is located within ADOT easement on U.S. Forest Service lands managed by the Tonto National Forest and has been designated as a historic and scenic road and National Forest Scenic Byway. 

The 7-mile stretch of Apache Trail between the Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina Road has been closed for four years after a powerful storm caused a landslide and other damage. (File photo)

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

Main number: 480-898-6500

Advertising: 480-898-6500 Circulation: 480-898-5641

Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine

Vice President: Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

Display Advertising: 480-898-6500

Classifieds/Inside Sales: TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com

Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 jane@TimesLocalMedia.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT

Executive Editor:

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@TimesLocalMedia.com

Managing Editor: Summer Aguirre | 480-898-5668 saguirre@TimesLocalMedia.com

Arts & Entertainment Editor: Alex Gallagher | 843-696-6442 | agallagher@TimesLocalMedia.com

Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com

Reporter: Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com

Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com

Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com

Design: Ruth Carlton | rcarlton@TimesLocalMedia.com

Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | aaron@TimesLocalMedia.com

Circulation: 623-535-8439

QC couple celebrate opening of Dog Haus

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

Anew restaurant in West Chandler is trying to find the right balance between upscale and casual.

Franchise co-owner Andi Ott said that’s one of the reasons she and her husband, Damon, decided to get the rights to open franchises in the East Valley.

“Dog Haus is a newer, growing franchise,” Andi said. “We got the opportunity to get in at the beginning, or earlier, in that brand development and have an opportunity to grow with them, and help shape that.

“We’re kind of that niche where we call ourselves craft casual. It’s an upscale, fast-casual experience. We like to think we’re like one little step down from full service.”

Dog Haus had its soft opening on July 24. Its grand opening is scheduled for Aug. 5 and the owners plan to give away a lot of food that day to introduce them-

selves to the community.

They will give free Haus burritos to the first 100 people who ask for one when they open at 8 a.m. They will offer $3 alcoholic beverages until 11 a.m. Starting at 11 a.m., they will give away Haus dogs until closing time.

They will also have $2 draft pints from 10 a.m. until closing at 2 a.m.

“We’re going to have a live DJ, and we’re going to have some beer vendors out,” Andi said.

This is the second franchise location that the Otts have opened. Their first was in Gilbert.

Andi said they have the rights to open up to five franchises in the East Valley. She said if they open another one, they would likely look for a location closer to their home in Queen Creek.

The Chandler Dog Haus is open to the outdoors on two sides. Even with the hot weather recently, it was still cool inside.

“We occasionally close the doors when we have to, but we invested heavily into

an evaporated cooling system for the patio,” Andi said.

The Chandler general manager, Kody Townsend, said Dog Haus fans come to the restaurant because they care about the food they are putting into their bodies.

“We are known for our clean meats,” Townsend said. “No hormones, no nitrates, no antibiotics, any of that. All of our meat is clean and humanely raised.”

Andi said they ensure that by contracting with Big Stone Farms to provide all of their meats.

“It’s all 100% genetically tested,” she said. “Black Angus are all humanely raised. Our burrito is all free-range chickens. We call it ‘Never-Ever Meat.’”

The menu has three main offerings, Haus Dogs, Haus Sausages and Haus Burgers. But there are other options as well, including Haus Chicken and Haus Sliders.

For vegetarians, they do offer both Be-

Owners Andi and Damon Ott and general manager Kody Townsend, from left, are ready for beer and hot dog lovers at Dog Haus Biergarten’s newest location in the Chandler Festival Shopping Center. (David Minton/Staff)

Amazing grace recognizes consequences but refuses abandonment

BY PASTOR ED DELPH Tribune Columnist

Most of us have heard about Jonah, the prophet. He was the prophet who got swallowed up by what the Bible calls a “fish” and got a whale of a taxi ride. The name Jonah means dove. God called him to be the messenger dove to a rough, tough, truth-hardened group of people living in the city called Nineveh. Nineveh had sunk lower than a snake’s belly in essential character, morality and human injustice. God said, “Jonah, fly away to Nineveh. Speak to them for me; they are in trouble and desperately need help.”

Instead of being the love dove from above that flew to Nineveh with God’s message about repentance, forgiveness, kindness and restoration, Jonah the dove flew from Nineveh, not to Nineveh. He got on a boat, paid the fare and sailed in the opposite direction that God wanted him to go. The Bible says, “But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish (Spain) from the presence of the Lord.”

Jonah didn’t like the Ninevites’ behavior and demeanor. Sometimes even a God-appointed prophet can misunderstand the nature and character of God. The Bible says, “God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, and one who relents

concerning calamity” (Jonah 4:2). Jonah said “no thanks” to God. That took him from God’s presence rather than to God’s presence. So, here we have a God-appointed prophet who did the exact opposite of what God wanted. It’s like that old Western song where the cowboy does something stupid. Afterward, he thought, “I know what I was feeling, but what was I thinking?” Who knows what’s going on inside people’s heads these days? I saw a poster saying, “Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.”

What happened next to “What was I thinking?” Jonah and the boat he was on? The ship encountered a massive storm at sea, which scared all the passengers on the boat to death. The passengers discovered that Jonah was fleeing from the Lord and that his disobedience was causing it. Jonah admits the storm resulted from his issues with the Ninevites and God. Isn’t that amazing? When we flee from what God assigns us or asks us to do, it affects others, too. Jonah got thrown off the boat by the mob. When Jonah hit the water, he landed right into the mouth of a custom-made super cruiser fish. Once inside the fish, there was a revival going on. Jonah started calling God for help and pleaded for the same mercy God wanted him to share with the Ninevites. Crisis does that. Jonah prayed, “God, help

me, save me, have mercy on me. I’ll go to Nineveh if you get me out of this.” Does this sound familiar?

Jonah took a three-day taxi ride in the Mediterranean Sea, returning him to his purpose, calling, vision and destiny. The fish “vomited” him on an ocean shore near Nineveh. Think of it; fish usually make a person sick. This time the person made the fish sick. Once, I heard a dynamic speaker saying the following about Jonah. “At this point, Jonah was so small spiritually that a guppy could have swallowed him.”

Lessons: When God fixes a fix to fix you, and you try to fix the fix that God fixed to fix you, God will find another fix to fix you. When you run away from the Lord, you never get to where you want to go and always pay your own fare.

So, Jonah reluctantly spoke God’s message to those in Nineveh. What happened next? The people “repented and relented” of their iniquity and buffoonery. As a result, God freed them from their self-inflicted bondage. When the people of Nineveh changed direction and revived, Nineveh changed direction and revived.

You would think this revival should have made Jonah happy. Not in your life. Jonah was still angry at the people and angry at God for forgiving and restoring the city. He wanted condemnation, not liberation. Jonah wanted God to judge them and teach those people a lesson or two. Isn’t it interesting that we plead for mercy and

forgiveness when we are in trouble? When we dislike those in need or don’t believe the way we do, we want justice. We want God to judge and condemn them. What was God revealing to Nineveh and Jonah here? First, that mercy triumphs over judgment. Second, the kindness of the Lord can bring people to repentance. Third, there are consequences to people’s choices, but a loving God always uses consequences as a last resort to teach us. Grace recognizes consequences but refuses abandonment. Fourth, it’s possible to know about God but not know the nature and essence of God. Lastly, the same thing that brings us down can also bring us up, just like Jonah and the citizens of Nineveh. Therefore, we need not cast away our faith concerning Christians who refuse to do God’s will. Neither should we give up on a generation of people who won’t change direction. God can bring correction and redirection to His people and repentance and salvation to those who don’t know Him. Our present circumstances don’t determine where we can go; they merely determine where we can start. God’s bigger than we think, so let’s change how we think about God. God is essence driven first and behavior driven second. Amazing grace means God’s not mad at you; God’s mad about you. God catches the fish first. Then God cleans it. Thus saith the fish and the dove. 

Mesa ranks high in industrial development

BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer

If it seems like a lot of industrial buildings have been going up in southeast Mesa the last few years, your eyes are not deceiving you: The region is one of the top places in the country for new industrial development.

According to a report by commercial real estate broker Cushman & Wakefield, the area surrounding Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has the fourth-largest industrial building pipeline of any sub-region in the United States.

It’s home to over 13 million square feet of industrial space currently in the construction process.

It’s not hard to find examples of mega industrial projects moving forward in Mesa.

Earlier this year, Mesa City Council approved the first two phases of an industrial development called The Block at Sossaman and Elliot roads.

Just the first two of three phases of The Block call for 2 million square feet of industrial space spread across 14 buildings that the city hopes will house primarily high-quality manufacturing rather than warehouses.

In Arizona, only north Goodyear has more industrial space under construction than Gateway. With 16 million square feet in the pipeline, Goodyear landed at No. 2 among sub-regions in the U.S. Other top industrial sub-regions in the U.S. for industrial buildings in the pipeline are South Dallas, which is ranked No. 1, and North Las Vegas, ranked No. 5.

Titled “Is the Market at Risk of Oversupply?” the report highlights opportunities for communities with huge industrial building pipelines like Mesa — but also the potential pitfalls if demand for industrial real estate slows significantly in the future.

The risk of an oversupply of space leads to empty buildings and plunging rents for these types of buildings.

The opportunity is that if demand remains healthy, Mesa will be in a position to recruit new businesses that need to move into industrial space quickly.

The Cushman & Wakefield report cautions that demand for industrial buildings “has pulled back to more historically av-

The Valley overall ranked second in the nation for industrial space under construction, according to the Cushman & Wakefield study. (Cushman & Wakefield/Submitted)

erage levels” after two years of “unprecedented, accelerated demand due to the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, “the space under development has sustained” its pace.

Mesa’s economic development director William J. Jabjiniak championed the benefits of having a large inventory of speculative industrial buildings available during an April presentation to city council.

He said making Mesa a giant in the industrial pipeline was a “concentrated effort.”

“Product equals projects,” Jabjiniak said of having a large inventory of industrial buildings.

Companies “don’t want to wait” to move into space, so they will be more likely to choose Mesa if the city has what the company is looking for right now.

Giving an example, he said that having a vacant building on the west side of the airport available allowed business jet maker Gulfstream Aerospace to establish a foothold in Mesa. The company later decided to double down on the city with a $100 million investment in a new facility at Gateway airport.

Because demand for industrial buildings has slowed this year, the report advises developers to take a close look at regions with large pipelines like Mesa and do their

Looking at industrial space under construction in smaller “sub-regions” across the nation, the study found that the area around Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport ranked fourth. (Cushman & Wakefield/Submitted)

homework before breaking ground on new speculative industrial buildings.

It said investors should pay special attention to current vacancy rates and prospects for future demand in the region.

In the case of Phoenix, the report finds reason to be optimistic that the region can ride out a slowdown without developing a serious oversupply problem.

It notes that the Phoenix Metro region has boomed during the pandemic, and “is seen as a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive West Coast markets while maintaining proximity to the consumers.”

Phoenix’s 4.4% industrial vacancy rate is pretty healthy, too, being 360 (basis points) below the region’s 10-year average.

“It is a market that has registered strong demand in recent years, providing a cushion on the supply risk side,” the report concludes.

But Jabjiniak told city council this spring that the overall economic outlook was more uncertain now than a year ago.

“What we’ve seen in the last quarter is decision-making slowing down,” he said. “We’re seeing (business) decisions being postponed and pushed back, (but) not projects being stopped yet.”

Data from the Economic Development Department showed announced capital investments in Mesa for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2022, totaled $1.42 billion — down from the 2021-22 fiscal year total of $2.86 billion. But the 2023 figure still represents a historically high level of investment.

In 2018, for example, there was $700 million in business investment in Mesa.

Another take on industrial development in Mesa is contained in an Arizona Land Department appraisal of 114.7 acres of land at Hawes and Warner roads that Blandford Homes earlier this month won as the sole bidder in an auction.

The homebuilder paid $38 million for the parcel with an eye toward building over 500 homes, with some possibly ready within the next two years.

The appraisal cites January 2022 data provided by CoStar Analytics that ranked Mesa 17th out of 31 areas in the Valley — numerous cities were broken into several

see DEVELOPMENT page 7

1

Mark Schnepf, also spoke.

“It is an honor to be invited back to celebrate this occasion,” Schnepf said.

“I absolutely love this community — it is always exciting to remember our roots while we plan for the future. My family and I are still actively involved in Queen Creek, and it is amazing to see the sense of community maintained after all of these years — and we look forward to what’s coming!”

The town is continuing to expand recreational opportunities. The new recreation and aquatic center, slated to open late next year, will include an indoor recreation center with various sport courts (basketball, volleyball, pickleball), a fitness area, teen room, childcare and classrooms. The outdoor aquatic center will include a zero-depth entry play pool, competition / lap pool, lazy river and slides.

The Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center will be located at the new Frontier Family Park, a new 85-acre park with a variety of amenities. Slated to open ear-

DEVELOPMENT from page 6

sections — for the amount of industrial space it had available at that time.

The CoStar data, drawn from the first half of 2021, showed Mesa at the time had 481 buildings with a total of 7.77 million square feet of industrial space that comprised 2% of the Valley’s total industrial space

Jabjiniak said one way that Mesa can respond to slowing demand is to urge building types that match market conditions. He used the example of smaller office

ly next year, it will have an inclusive play area, 5-acre fishing lake, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, splash pad, basketball and volleyball courts.

New amenities include 24 pickleball courts and a 1.5-mile multiuse path that will span the perimeter of the park.

The town is also in the process of completing phase II of Mansel Carter Oasis Park. The 13-acre expansion is also slated to open early next year and will include tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, a bicyclists’ pump track, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space.

Investing in these facilities is supported by the town’s Corporate Strategic Plan, most notable in the Superior Infrastructure and Quality Lifestyle strategic priorities.

In the most recent Citizen Survey (2021), 81% of Queen Creek residents reported visiting a town park in the past year, with 33% visiting a park more than 10 times.

In a separate survey conducted earlier in 2021, 75% of residents reported wanting a town aquatic center and/or multigenerational center. 

spaces that are a better fit to the post-pandemic world where there’s more remote and hybrid work.

The risk of oversupply for industrial hotspots like Mesa are present, the Cushman & Wakefield suggests, but there’s no need to panic: The market is adapting to the changing conditions and new construction starts are beginning to slow to a more normal level.

“As we approach a time of economic uncertainty, the outlook for the industrial market is still a healthy one,” the report concludes. 

If driving, pull off the road and get as far to the right as possible.

Turn off the car and headlights. Set the parking brake and keep your foot off the brake pedal.

Flash floods

Flash floods can be extremely dangerous. Most flash flood deaths occur in vehicles; moving water 1 to 2 feet deep will carry away most vehicles.

Travel should be avoided whenever possible during flash floods.

If travel is inevitable, do not drive into flooded roadways or go around barricades.

Do not play, or allow children to play in flood waters. Not only can flood water pose potential health risks, 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.

Sandbags are available at Fire Station 2, 24787 S. Sossaman Road. Residents are reminded to bring their own shovel and only fill the bags half full.

Lightning

Lightning can strike several miles away

from a storm.

If you hear thunder, move inside or into a hardtop vehicle.

If you are unable to get indoors, avoid water and metal as they are conductors of electricity.

Stay clear of trees, power lines and telephone poles.

Remain inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Downed power lines

If you encounter a downed power line, stay at least 100 feet away from it.

If the power line has fallen on your car while you are in it, do not touch anything metal in the car. Stay inside until professional help arrives.

SRP provides an outage map for customers with estimated restoration times, visit srpnet.com for more information.

Stormwater

Stormwater is not the rain that falls from the sky but the runoff, which is generated when rain flows over land and surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots and rooftops, and does not infiltrate into the ground.

Stormwater runoff is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. Here’s what you can do to help keep surface water clean:

Sweep up yard debris into piles and dispose of properly rather than hosing or blowing down the street.

Be sure to pick up after your pets. Pet waste contains bacteria that can wash into retention basins and parks where families play.

Avoid spraying chemicals outside before

a storm. Use pesticides and herbicides according to instruction.

Severe weather watch means that residents should be prepared, as there is the possibility of severe weather in the area. Severe weather warning means to take action, severe weather has been reported in the area.

For more safety information, visit the National Weather Service Phoenix Ofce. Visit queencreekaz.gov/storms for additional information. 

Enrich your family with another culture. Now you can host a high school exchange student (girl or boy) from Belgium, France, Germany, Ukraine, Scandinavia, Spain, Japan, Italy or other countries. Single parents, as well as couples with or without children, may host. Contact us ASAP for more information or to select your student.

yond and Impossible meat substitutes on the menu.

Dog Haus also has 24 craft beers on tap. Andi said they plan to rotate them often, keeping the top sellers and replacing the ones that are not as popular.

The burritos are on the breakfast menu.

“The other thing that makes us special is that we serve all our hot dogs, sausages, burgers and sandwiches on King’s

Hawaiian rolls, so you get the sweetness from the rolls mixed with the savory of all our dogs, sausages and meat,” Townsend said.

“It’s just a combination that you can’t get anywhere else.” 

Dog Haus Biergarten

2780 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-621-6603 doghaus.com

will host

The Dog Haus Biergarten in the Chandler Festival Shopping Center

its grand opening Aug. 5 (David Minton/Staff)

Author’s new book shares the fun of camping

BY HALEY BEYER Tribune Contributing Writer

The nostalgia of one’s childhood varies, depending on upbringing, interests and hobbies.

One thing that can be agreed upon is there will always be memories of childhood days lled with fun and freedom.

For Lindsay Gonzales’ family, camping helped form these memories.

“I have camped my whole life in campers, cabins, with a boat, in di erent places,” the Queen Creek resident explained. “My family really loves camping.”

Gonzales has always enjoyed writing, too. With a bachelor’s degree in education, two master’s degrees and an addiction to reading, she penned the recently released children’s book, “E.D. Camps: Adventure Awaits,” on Mesa-based Many Seasons Press.

“Originally, I just started writing the stories for my kids, but they convinced me that I should get them published for ev-

eryone to read,” Gonzales said. e primary character, E.D., is named

after her daughter Elena’s rst and middle initials. Aged 9, Gonzales said she is “full of life.” Elena spends her time making everyone around her laugh by dancing, making funny facial expressions and wearing a dinosaur headlamp, which makes an appearance in the book, her mother said.

Gonzales said camping is the perfect topic for an unlimited series because there are so many activities, and every family camp is di erent. So far, there are ve books completed in the series and only one has been published. Besides “Adventure Awaits,” the unpublished books are “Catches Her First Fish,” “S’mores ief,” “Pinecone Collection” and “O road Ride.”

Long road

A Long Island native, Gonzales nished the rst manuscript at the beginning of 2020 and then submitted it to publishers.

see LINDSAY page 12

Young Queen Creek actors lead ‘Les Misérables’

BY KATY SPRINGER

Tribute Contributing Writer

It’s one of the most popular musicals in the world, and soon, Limelight Performing Arts will bring the beloved production to the Mesa Arts Center with its staging of “Les Misérables School Edition.”

From Friday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 13, 30 youth performers from Queen Creek and across greater Phoenix will transport audiences to 19th century France in a musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale where love triumphs over adversity and dreams never die. e story has resonated with audiences across generations — and director Christian Graca said she believes she has assembled the right cast to do Hugo’s masterpiece justice.

“ e best thing about this cast is their overwhelming desire to tell this story in a compelling way, and to move audiences with the timeless messages of enduring love and devotion,” she said.

After his release, Valjean breaks his parole and assumes a new identity, determined to leave his troubled past behind. When he crosses paths with Fantine, a factory worker fallen into destitution, he promises to care for her young daughter, Cosette, rescuing her from the clutches of the unscrupulous innkeepers, the énardiers.

Years later, in Paris, a group of students rise up against the oppressive regime. Among the students is Marius, who falls deeply in love with Cosette. eir love story unfolds against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832.

“‘Les Mis’ has time jumps where characters age in the show, so they have a significant change in character and perspective as the story progresses,” Graca said.

With music by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the score includes songs like “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home” and the revolutionary an-

“Les

Mis” centers on the tumultuous world of Jean Valjean, a former convict

for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving child.

Queen Creek resident Lindsay Gonzales took her love of camping, writing and reading, penning the children’s book “E.D. Camps: Adventure Awaits.” (Special to the Tribune)

From left, Remi Wong, Avery Anderson and Preston South of Queen Creek rehearse for “Les Misérables School Edition,” which stages Friday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Mesa Arts Center. (Limelight Performing Arts/Submitted)

When the pandemic hit, she and publishers put it on the back burner.

However, she was inspired by the folks frantically buying campers to continue traveling during the shutdown. e series became more relatable and kickstarted Gonzales’ motivation.

Still, she needed to nd an illustrator. She hired Ukrainian artist Yuliia Zolotova, who now lives in Canada.

“My favorite part was nding the illustrator because I based it o their drawing of my daughter,” Gonzales said.

them, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

“As an operetta, the show, with very limited exception, is sung in its entirety, which brings a whole new level of complexity to the production and raises the bar for performers to achieve,” Graca said.

“ e music is challenging to learn, but it’s so beautiful with a lot of duets, harmonies and layered melodies,” added Emma England, Limelight’s artistic director who, along with Tom Graca, is music directing “Les Mis.”

She sent photos of Elena to each illustrator she considered.

“It was so cool to see how they interpreted her and included who she is within the illustrations,” she said.

Gonzales ensured the book could be included in school libraries and classrooms, featuring buzzwords and de nitions on the back so it could be made into an assignment.

“Children having books is so important because they teach literacy, comprehension, extend the child’s vocabulary and gives them something to relate their own lives to,” Gonzales explained. “I like seeing

“I have really enjoyed working with the cast on how to act the music, like guring out where the phrases need to rise and fall and how to convey the emotion this story demands.”

While “Les Mis” doesn’t traditionally include much dance, England and co-choreographer Marie South of Queen Creek are using movement to elevate the performance.

“We were very deliberate in designing choreography that would add impact without taking away from the intent of the show,” England said.

my daughter read stories and I love that she has started to love reading like I do.” e book was initially stocked at Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina in Forest Lakes Estates; Changing Hands Bookstores in Tempe and Phoenix; and LowerGear Outdoors in Tempe. It has since become available at Rim Resort in Forest Lakes Estates and e Hallmark Store in Heber. Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Amazon soon came on board.

Now, she’s considering writing a memoir about her childhood.

“I am comfortable being vulnerable with what I’ve written when it’s something

“For example, Christian designed custom ags to communicate the time hops in this story. Our cast uses dance to place the ags and reinforce this message of forward motion. It’s one way we’re putting our own touch on ‘Les Mis’ and supporting the continuous movement of this story.”

After nine weeks of rehearsals, the directors and cast are eager to open the show and excited about the audience’s response.

“Audiences will love the enduring and classic ‘Master of the House,’ and bring tissues for those tragic pieces of the story,

I know, which is why camping has worked out so great,” she said. “I’ve camped my whole life and I write about things that my family has actually done.” 

“E.D. Camps: Adventure Awaits” By Lindsay Gonzales, illustrated by Yuliia Zolotova

$23 hardcover; $15 paperback

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart

Instagram: @e.d.campsbooks e.d.campsbooks@gmail.com

too,” Graca said.

“I’m also so excited for the costumes. ey really deliver the right theme for each character and set the tone for each time period character and scene.”

Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by more than 70 million people, “Les Mis” has been performed in more than 40 countries and in 22 languages.

“Les Mis” is double cast. Queen Creek performers include Avery Anderson, 17, as Factory Worker and Lovely Lady; Preston South, 14, as énardier; and Remington Wong, 15, as Farmer and Courfeyrac.

“Les Misérables School Edition”

WHEN: Various times Friday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 13

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa

COST: Tickets start at $21 INFO: mesaartscenter.com, search “limelight”

Seniors Helping Seniors performs the small services

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tribune Sta Writer

Sometimes all senior citizens need to stay in their own homes is a little bit of help, such as a ride to physical therapy or church and then lunch.

All too often, however, their children live in another state or have their own full lives. What to do?

Enter Mike and Julie Emmelhainz, new owners of three territories worth of Seniors Helping Seniors, a franchise service where, for a competitive hourly rate, families can hire other senior citizens to perform these seemingly small services.

Seniors Helping Seniors o cially opens its doors Tuesday, Aug. 1, to help those in San Tan Valley, Queen Creek, Chandler, Apache Junction and Gilbert.

“We do non-medical (services), so that could be everything from just providing some companionship and socialization to

light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation,” Mike said.

“ e objective is we help out people in

the same age demographic. We try to get them the help that lets them stay in the home as long as possible.”

at could also include respite care, especially if a spouse or family member is the caretaker.

Medicare will not pay for this; it is paid by the client. However, the couple is working to get approved by the Veterans Administration to get the cost covered for veterans.

e Emmelhainzes are careful about how they pair a helper with a family member. Mike covers the business side while Julie, who is a retired nurse, does the assigning. She asks the family what they need, then nds a good match.

“Julie has the medical background and really understands people,” Mike said. Julie will also personally take the new caretaker to meet the client.

“A lot of services don’t take that extra step,” she said.

e Emmelhainzes are looking for cli-

see SENIORS page 14

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop breaks ground in QC

BY TRIBUNE STAFF

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop has broken ground in Queen Creek. e 1,600-square-foot restaurant will employ approximately 25 team members at 200 W. Combs Road at the Vineyard Towne Center. It is set to open by mid-fall.

“Since 1995, Mr. Pickle’s has been a premier sandwich shop specializing in innovative and craveworthy sandwiches, salads and catering,” said Mike Nelson, chief executive o cer and Valley resident. He is a long-time customer who purchased the brand in 2020 when founders/owners Frank and Michele Fagundes retired. e headquarters is now in the Scottsdale Airpark area.

“During its rst three decades, thanks to its community culture, incredible recipes and all its fans, the brand grew from one to 56 locations across northern California.”

Mr. Pickle’s most popular hot and cold sandwiches include the Mr. Pickle, Santa Maria tri-tip and the Big Jake. (Mr. Pickle’s/Submitted)

Mr. Pickle’s new location will be the brand’s rst shop in Queen Creek and its sixth in Arizona, with previous res-

taurants opening in Scottsdale, Chandler and Surprise earlier this year.

A Laveen store is slated to open by

September.

“Our new Queen Creek restaurant will feature all of Mr. Pickle’s most popular hot and cold sandwiches, notably the Mr. Pickle, which is chicken breast, bacon, Monterey jack, avocado and the works as it relates to veggies; the Santa Maria tritip, which is actual tri-tip sourced from the famed Santa Maria region topped with specialty barbeque sauce and the works; and Big Jake, a turkey sandwich with cream cheese, avocado and the works,” Nelson said.

e brand now also has two new sandwiches of note.

“ e rst is Listen Linda, which is named after my wife of 36 years and is piled high with turkey breast, avocado, bacon, Swiss cheese and the works — including our specialty garlic sauce — as far as condiments unless otherwise noted,”

Mike and Julie Emmelhainz are the new owners of Seniors Helping Seniors, a company that pairs older aides with senior citizens who need light care, such as meal prep or rides to the doctor. (Seniors Helping Seniors/Submitted)

ents and senior citizen caregivers. It’s not a full-time job, but it pays competitively.

“We provide the exibility,” Mike said. “ ey can work as few hours as they want. We just ask that whenever they say they want to work, they commit and hold to it because it’s like putting a big puzzle together — who’s available when and who needs what.”

Applicants must be age 50 or older. ey provide formal training, so applicants do not have to be expert caregivers. ey do need reliable transportation to get to and from a client’s house.

“We’ll always be looking for compassionate, caring people with a big heart,” Mike said.

PICKLE’S from page 13

Nelson said.

“And the second? at would be Della’s Deli, which honors my business partner, best friend and Mr. Pickle’s president Dean Johnson’s wife of more than 40 years, Della. It features turkey breast, ham, salami, cheddar and the works.”

ere are 10 types of bread and wraps to choose from at Mr. Pickle’s, including the Dutch crunch roll, sourdough roll, sweet roll, wheat roll, sliced sourdough, sliced wheat, sliced marble rye and various wraps, including gluten-free wraps.

In addition to a wide selection of chips, sides include red potato salad, macaroni salad, jumbo whole dill pickles and fresh baked chocolate chunk cookies. A cookie is also given free with every sandwich, salad or wrap.

“For those who do not know the brand yet, every order automatically comes with one of our melt-in-your-mouth cookies, a hallmark of the brand since its

Why seniors, though?

“From the franchise headquarters, it has to be a senior,” Julie said.

“ e problem they saw with 20-yearolds is they would go to a senior’s house, and they’re on their phone all the time, and that upsets the senior because the world we grew up in, we didn’t play on our phone for hours a day.”

It takes a lot of hard work to get Seniors

Helping Seniors up and running, beginning with a licensure process. However, in Arizona, there is no home care agency license required, said Dave Wagner, franchise consultant.

“You need to have a passion to do this,” Wagner said. “It’s not just a business where you build a team and just let it go. It’s an intangible service; it’s not moving a

inception,” said Nelson, adding there is also apple sauce available as a side on its kid’s menu, as well.

In addition to carrying a full menu and adding new recipes that t the market, Mr. Pickle’s will continue to cultivate its close-knit relationships with vendors as it grows, notably Frito-Lay, Dirty Chip, Pepsi, Foster Farms, Max’s Artisan Breads, Best Foods and Hidden Valley. Mr. Pickle’s also partners with DoorDash and invested in Paytronix Systems Inc., an advanced digital guest experience platform, in the past year. rough the partnership, Mr. Pickle’s uses the full Paytronix Platform for its loyalty, order, delivery, mobile and gift system.

“We partner with as many artisan bakers, regional farms and ranches that we can when sourcing our products, making every item unique to us,” Nelson said.

“You will not see 6-inch and footlong sizing from us, more specialty breads than uniform options.”

Info: mrpickles.com 

widget. It’s human relationships which require energy and passion and something that puts you in the mindset of the potential client.”

e Emmelhainzes understand the importance of their service.

“ e biggest thing that goes on here is these families don’t like to deal with this because it’s hard and it’s scary,” Wagner said. “Families want to have security and safety and have their loved one have value. What we look to is to understand where these families are at, and to position yourself as a trusted resource to help them to be able to put their loved one on a continuum of care that can guarantee safety and security for them as they move along this journey.”

e couple emphasizes that Seniors

Helping Seniors can give peace of mind to everyone involved.

“ ere is an a ordable service out there that can help (families) help the seniors in their lives be able to stay in their homes as long as possible with as much dignity and safety and care as possible,” Mike said. “You don’t have to do it all on your own.” 

Seniors Helping Seniors

480-534-7413

Mike Emmelhainz, 480-235-1198

Julie Emmelhainz, 480-235-6030

shseastvalley.com

mike@shseastvalley.com

julie@shseastvalley.com

The Queen Creek Mr. Pickles location has broken ground and is set to open mid-fall. It will employ around 25 team members. (Mr. Pickle’s/Submitted)

Putting the ‘vice’ in ‘vice president’

BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

John Adams, our nation’s rst “number two,” captured the essence of his o ce and his status succinctly.

“I am vice president. In this I may be nothing, but I may be everything.”

Imagine the current veep coming to the same realization. It’s easy to envision Kamala Harris reacting with unrestrained cackling and mirth.

Laughter and derisive jokes have long been the primary response to those holding the penultimate position in the Executive Branch.

Even though nine vice presidents have assumed the presidency due to the death or resignation of their predecessors, the body politic can’t seem to shake the collective response of ridicule toward “the deuce.”

e 1930’s musical comedy “Of ee I Sing” concocted a ctional “less-thanideal” in the character of Vice President Alexander rottlebottom. Overlooked, forgotten, inconsequential and virtually invisible, he gains access to the White House by joining a tour group, and learns of his o cial duty — presiding over the Senate — directly from the tour guide.

Bewilderment is not a common trait for those real-life politicians who nd their names displayed directly underneath their party’s presidential nominee on bumper stickers, balloons and posters. But it’s fair to say that surprise upon receiving the o cial word of their selection to the ticket occurs with great regularity. In 1968, that reaction of surprise was shared by party regulars and the press as well as the GOP vice presidential nominee.

Maryland Gov. Spiro Agnew began that

campaign year as a supporter of New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, whose initial reluctance to run prompted Agnew to reassess his allegiance and instead back Richard Nixon.

At the Republican Convention in Miami Beach, Nixon warmed to the notion of Agnew on the ticket. When Agnew appeared at a press conference following his announcement, Mike Wallace of CBS News prefaced a question to the Governor by saying, “Spiro Agnew isn’t exactly a household name.”

e year 1969 proved both eventful and event lled. e inauguration of Nixon and Agnew in January. Americans walking on the moon not once, but twice — Apollo 11 in July and Apollo 12 in November. Woodstock in August. And a World Championship for the “Amazin’ Mets” in October.

But just as amazing was Agnew’s rise in popularity and notoriety. It exploded on

Nov. 13, the eve of the Apollo 12 launch, just like the lifto of the Saturn V rocket the following day.

As the speaker at the Midwest Regional Republican Committee Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, Agnew held forth on “ e Responsibilities of Television” and concentrated on liberal bias in network news.

Agnew decried the partisan “instant analysis” that followed a recent presidential address on Vietnam, and rightly noted that no similar panel of critics immediately followed President Kennedy’s 1962 televised speech on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

While insisting that he was not calling for censorship, Agnew hoped “that the networks were made more responsive to the views of the nation and more responsible to the people they serve.”

With calls jamming the network switchboards and running ve-to-one in favor

see HAYWORTH page 17

Return of missing girl gives us some hope

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

News of the miracle broke on July 26 at midday with a press conference held by the Glendale Police Department: Alicia Navarro, who went missing at the age of 14 on Sep. 15, 2019, had been located safe after she walked into a Montana police station and identi ed herself.

In a video released by Glendale PD, an investigator on a video call asks Alicia, now 18, “Did anybody hurt you in any way?”

“No,” says the girl with the tousled dark hair. “No one hurt me.”

Glendale Lt. Scott Waite, who led the investigation, told the gathered reporters: “I don’t think you could put enough words (to) the joy that we feel. … Not only the relief and joy for us, (but) for Alicia, for her family, and for our community.”

e lieutenant explained that Glendale’s investigation remains ongoing, even as they work to reunite the autistic teenager with her family.

“I would ask for patience not only for us as law enforcement in this investigation, but patience for Alicia and for her family,”

Waite explained.

“We can only imagine what she’s going through mentally, emotionally, as well as her family. As much as we’d like to say this is the end, we know this is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go.”

Alicia’s mother, Jessica Nuñez, posted a video on the “Finding Alicia” Facebook page an hour after the press event.

“I rst of all want to give glory to God for answering your prayers and for this miracle,” said Nunez. “For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example that miracles do exist and never lose hope and always ght.” at was where your mind went im-

mediately in the wake of Alicia suddenly re-emerging in plain sight: Not to the many questions that accompany her case, but to the hundreds of other cases that have yet to end in a miracle.

Currently, the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children database lists 253 Arizona children who have gone missing and stayed missing dating back to 1958.

Robert Parks, a 13-year-old blue-eyed boy, was last seen leaving his home in Mesa in April 1974. He has never been heard from again. He would be 62 now.

Diego Hernandez went missing from Tempe on his rst birthday, Nov. 18, 2010. Investigators suspect the infant boy was abducted by his father, Arby Pat-Herrera, and taken across the border to Mexico. Diego would be 12 now.

James Williams disappeared at the age of 13 in February 2020. He was ve feet tall at the time and 100 pounds. No one has heard from him. James would be 17 now.

Angelisa Bridges, 17, was last seen in Queen Creek on June 3 of this year. Brianna Cox, age 16, also went missing from Queen Creek on that same day. is month alone, ve girls from across the Valley have been reported missing and listed on the Center’s database. e girls are all between the ages of 14 and 17. Each headshot shows a smiling teenager looking straight into the camera lens. Each girl and the loved ones they have left behind are sorely in need of another miracle. If you know anything at all about any missing child, please put down the newspaper and pick up the phone. Call 1-800- e-Lost.

Miracles are few and far between these days, as I am sure you are well aware. Alicia Navarro’s story and its happy ending should remind us of all the other children who are gone, but never forgotten. If it can happen once, it stands to reason it can happen again. Or so you can hope. 

Speeders: Slow down and keep your trap shut

BY JUDY BLUHM Tribune Columnist

Iwas speeding in my Subaru down a lonely road. ere, I confessed to my carefree, fast-driving ways and I already feel a lot better about it. Have you ever driven a bit over the limit?

I thought so. Approximately 41 million American drivers receive speeding tickets each year. at’s about 112 million drivers getting citations every single day. A nancial $6 billion windfall to cities, counties and state revenues.

Anyway, it was a perfectly beautiful sunny day ruined when I saw those ashing lights in my rearview mirror. My heart pounded as I moved to the side of the

HAYWORTH from page 16

of Agnew, the news execs at the nets got the message, and immediately “instant analysis” was gone.

But by October 1973, so was Vice President Agnew. Accused of criminal conduct from his time as Baltimore county executive and Maryland governor, Agnew pleaded no contest to a single charge of tax evasion and resigned.

Fast forward 50 years. Another ex-vice president — from Agnew’s neighboring state of Delaware — now sits in the Oval O ce.

Credible evidence exists that accuses Joe Biden and his son Hunter of receiving $5 million from a Ukrainian company when Joe was

road. I said a little prayer.

e o cer who pulled me over was a rather prickly fellow. Of course, the rst thing he did was ask me why I was in a hurry. Ha! As if I am dense enough to fall for that trap. I have read plenty and talked to enough people who have told me, never answer that question if you get stopped because it only leads to ridicule and humiliation.

In fact, there are comedians who have created entire acts based on people’s wild and crazy answers to an o cer’s question, “Why were you going so fast?”

A 40-year-old woman in Phoenix told the o cer who stopped her for speeding that her biological clock was ticking. She then went on to say, “I was rushing home for a rendezvous with my husband because I am ovulating.” Lady, do not tell

vice president. at story broke on June 8, the same day that the Special Counsel indicted ex-President Donald Trump. By July 18, ABC, CBS and NBC had devoted 527 minutes to the Trump indictment, but no time to the Biden allegations.

Agnew estimated that more than 40 million Americans watched evening news on the “Big ree” networks in his Des Moines speech. Now, those viewing numbers have been cut in half and blatant leftist bias has obviously increased.

Whatever Agnew’s wrongdoing, it appears Joe Biden really put the “vice” in the vice presidency. Just don’t expect the networks to report it. 

a police o cer you are speeding because you are going home to have sex. Use some common sense. Do you want to get arrested? Evidently the most-oft given excuses for speeding are, “I must go to the bathroom, or “I was just keeping up with trafc.” ese stories do not work. Speeders beware, say nothing when asked why you just broke the law.

Well, back to my predicament, when I didn’t o er a good reason for speeding, I simply apologized. e o cer sighed and after running my license told me to “slow down and have a good day.” I felt like hugging him. When I told my family what happened, my grandson said that the cop’s radar had to be wrong, claiming that I always “drive slow like a granny.” Really? Evidently not.

e excuses folks give for speeding could

make up a book (of lies). One man was pulled over on Carefree Highway by Lake Pleasant and told the o cer that he was going fast to get away from a herd of wild donkeys that were chasing his truck. (No donkeys in sight.) Perhaps the most utterly stupid response was when a young man was stopped on I-10 in Tucson by a state trooper. When asked why he was going so fast, the man replied, “I just robbed a convenient store and was trying to get away.” Be quiet! Take your punishment and apologize! Dear readers, are you going for a drive? Slow down (like me) and enjoy the scenery. Stay alert because life is not to be rushed, and neither is the ride.

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

CUSD school chief: Welcome back

BY FRANKLIN R. NARDUCCI Chandler Uni

ed

School District Superintendent

Dear new and returning families, parents, guardians and sta :

I would like to welcome everyone to the ’23-’24 school year in Chandler Unied School District (CUSD). My name is Franklin R. Narducci, and I am honored to serve as your superintendent.

CUSD is the premier school district of choice with schools in Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek; and I can say with con dence that you have made the right choice.

As we head into this new school year, I want to share a few highlights from last year that show why we feel you chose the very best:

CUSD has a 90% graduation rate, which is 15% above the state average.

e Class of 2023 was awarded $182 million in scholarships.

e Class of 2023 took 7,361 Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

e Class of 2023 earned 23,162 hours of dual-enrollment credits.

CUSD educates just 3% of Arizona’s student population, yet our students took home one third, or 34%, of the awards at the 2023 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.

In 2023, CUSD was once again named the No. 1 school district in the Phoenix area, according to Niche.com. Athletics, performing arts, ne arts and enrichments are second to none.

In Chandler Uni ed, we support choice and believe we have a menu of choice o erings for any child in Pre-K to 12th grade. CUSD schools are among the best in the state and country.

Our sites have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon schools and have been honored with the A+ School of Excellence award by the Arizona Education Foundation (AEF) a record 96 times!

CUSD provides a strong foundation for student success as evidenced by our former students excelling in post high school enrollment, employment, enlistment and entrepreneurship.

In maintaining strong schools and high-quality education not only do our students bene t, but our communities and state thrive as well.

We believe every child has the ability to learn and succeed and that Chandler Uni ed maintains pathways for that success. ese pathways include attributes found in CUSD’s Portrait of a Learner (adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy and being a global citizen).

As we embark on the second year of Portrait of a Learner, we are excited to highlight how these traits are embedded in all the amazing teaching, learning and recognition taking place throughout the district.

In closing, with so many educational options, I would like to personally thank every family and sta member for choosing Chandler Uni ed School District. Here’s to another incredible school year! 

Yours in education, Franklin

R. Narducci

Expires 8/31/23.

East Valley teens help Team USA ag football get gold

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

Ryder Noche of Ahwatukee and Amos Augustine of Gilbert were excited when they learned in March that they were selected to compete on the 15U Team USA Flag Football National Team.

e two were picked alongside Gregory Riddell, a teammate on the Chandler Bears, a top youth tackle football program, and Elite Youth Flag Football, a team sponsored by the Elite Community Foundation and Elite Athlete Management, headquartered in Chandler.

It was an accomplishment the two never thought would become a reality. In June, they made the o cial roster, which opened the door for them to represent Arizona on an international stage.

Together with their teammates, Augustine and Noche helped lead Team USA’s 15U ag football team to a gold medal in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“It was just an honor, really,” Noche said. “I never thought that every time I played ag football, I would get the chance to be on the USA National Team. It’s a dream.”

e selection process for the team consisted of a tryout process in the spring. It mirrored the NFL Combine, with timed 40-yard sprints, shuttle drills and various other tools used by coaches to evaluate players on the eld.

ey knew right away they would have another shot at making the team come June when a nal roster was out together for the team. Noche, who is preparing to play his rst season of high school football at Brophy, got the nod to play on the team.

So did Augustine, who is in his last year of junior high at Casteel in Queen Creek.

“It was honestly really good,” Augustine said of his experience. “We were all really close, the players, the coaches.

“O the eld we had fun studying, learning new plays and guring out what we had to do to succeed and get the gold medal like we did.”

e two boys headed to Charlotte in early July. ey both agreed that once they got there, it felt like they were receiving an experience similar to college football.

Early morning practices gave way to tight schedules that didn’t allow for much free time until later in the day. It was football all the time, something Augustine and Noche enjoyed from an athlete’s perspective. ey stayed at the dorms on UNC Charlotte’s campus and played on elds nearby. ey had the chance to interact with teams that arrived from across the world.

“It was de nitely cool,” Augustine said. “ is next year I’m going to de nitely learn some Spanish and maybe some French so I can speak to them. Maybe Japanese. It was de nitely a good experience.”

Once competition began, Augustine and Noche were all business.

Team USA went undefeated in pool play, beating Mexico and Canada. ey faced Mexico yet again in the rst elimination game but advanced with ease. By the time the championship game against Japan rolled around, the 15U team was r-

ing on all cylinders.

ey scored quickly and with ease against Japan, taking a 35-point lead in the second half. ey knew they were going to come away with gold.

“When we got to the ceremony, when we all got the medals, everyone had smiles on their faces,” Noche said. “ en the national anthem played. It was a real Olympic feel.”

Team USA swept the competition. e 17U boys, 17U girls and 15U girls all won their respective tournaments. Team USA’s men’s and women’s teams also won gold that weekend in the International Federation of American Football Americas Championship.

Having the opportunity to play against international teams allowed Noche and Augustine to see di erent brands of football. Some teams played fast and with di erent styles of plays than what is commonly seen in the U.S.

Some teams took a slower approach to the game. It opened their eyes to how the game is interpreted in di erent parts of the world.

“Mexico was very quick, very shifty,” Noche said. “Japan was very smart. ey just had a high IQ and knew how to get in your head. ey were strong, mentally. at’s how I saw it.”

e two boys will now prepare for their tackle football seasons this fall. Noche headed to camp with the Brophy freshmen, which is held on its downtown Phoenix campus while Augustine prepared for his nal season in youth ball.

Next year, the latter will decide where he attends high school.

Both boys had good showings in Charlotte as a tune-up of sorts for the fall.

Noche said he caught one to two touchdown passes per game and played a key role on defense. Augustine, being one of the younger players there, caught two touchdown passes and made the most of every opportunity he was on the eld.

Gilbert resident and Casteel Junior High student Amos Augustine, left, and Ahwatukee resident and incoming Brophy athlete Ryder Noche represented Arizona by competing on the Team USA 15U flag football team in July. (Courtesy Tricia Noche)

USA from page 19

e two often look at their gold medals. Both have positioned them in a spot they can’t miss.

Augustine’s medal is hanging on the wall in front of his bed along with his jersey, so it’s the rst thing he sees when he wakes up and last thing he sees when he goes to bed.

Noche still hangs his on his door but said he would nd a permanent spot soon.

It still hasn’t quite set in for either boy that they are gold medal winners at a young age. It was always a dream when they learned about the opportunity, and they made it happen.

“I never thought this opportunity would come but it did, and I made the most of it,” Augustine said. “It felt really good. It’s a very good memory in my life.”

The Team USA 15U team went undefeated in pool play and defeated Mexico and Japan for the gold medal. Both Noche and Augustine said it felt like the Olympics, with the national anthem playing as they were given their gold medals. (Courtesy Tricia Noche)

Following the Light

Some Days are Darker creating romantic vibe with new music

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GET OUT Editor

With the lights down low and quiet moody moments interspersed with bursts of energy, the band Some Days are Darker is trying to create a vibe.

“ e last couple shows, people have pulled us aside after the set and said it was very romantic,” founder and lead singer Lear Mason said.

“ at seems to be the vibe that we’re bringing to the live show.”

e Phoenix band’s next show is supporting Vision Video and Urban Heat at e Nile Underground in Mesa on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Some Days are Darker will perform seven songs from its 2020 debut EP, “Love+Truth,” the 2022 self-titled album and its forthcoming record, “2.”

“ is is going to be a great for us, musical-

ly,” he said of the gig. “Promoters who are wondering what bands we belong with, this is the answer.”

e set list will also feature the unreleased track “Downpour,” which Mason called “our most unapologetically post-punk-inuenced song so far.”

“I’m a big fan of Depeche Mode, Joy Division and e Cure,” he added. “ ose kinds of sounds are still rmly in the Some Days are Darker universe. Having the rst EP and LP under our belt, we’re leaning into our post-punk roots right now.”

When Mason was in his early 20s in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, he discovered music. He crossed the border into Michigan and headed to goth clubs like City Club in Detroit and Royal Oak’s Luna. at laid the foundation for his music career and Some Days are Darker.

“I coveted City Club,” Mason said about the dark goth club found in the basement of historic Leland Detroit Hotel in the city’s notorious Cass Corridor. “I knew about it for a year, but I never knew where it was or how to get in. ose ideas are very relevant to Some Days are Darker — after-hours moody people getting together and working things out one way or another. at atmosphere is very relevant to where I’m coming from on his project.”

The band will perform seven songs from its 2020 debut EP, “Love+Truth,” the 2022 self-titled album and its forthcoming record, “2.” (Some Days are Darker/Submitted)

He moved to Phoenix about 15 years ago to form a band and to get away from Canada’s harsh winters. e band didn’t pan out, so he focused on commercial video work and lming videos for other musicians.

“Love+Truth” was somewhat of a surprise to Mason, who gave up on music in a way, except for buying vinyl

Some Days are Darker is bringing a show supporting Vision Video and Urban Heat at The Nile Underground in Mesa on Wednesday, Aug. 9. (Some Days are Darker/Submitted)

and playing guitar at home. en songs took hold.

“I’m really happy that I’m in this place now and I have these goals to keep writing songs,” said Mason, whose studio is near Roosevelt Row. “I love the recording process. I love the album process and being able to gure out a title, the artwork and what we’re trying to say.”

He learned from the best. Music was omnipresent in his parents’ Windsor home. His mother enjoyed Motown and soul music, while his father was into the Stooges and the MC5.

“I felt like there was a lot of rock ’n’ roll and pop sensibilities,” Mason said. “ e pop sensibility in the vocals and the moodier atmosphere of the music — that’s the world I live in.”

Some Days are Darker’s music is therapeutic for Mason, who has been working on his mental health. He said everybody needs to pay more attention to it these days.

“I think there’s still quite a stigma around it,” he said. “ e more we can break down those walls, the better.

“Anxiety, obsessive thinking and depression are things I’ve been constructively working on. ‘Glitter Bomb’ is literally a song about white knuckling it through trauma.

I’m trying to do the work and keep myself in a good place.”

He’s unsure when “2” will be released, as singles will hit streaming platforms rst. e album will feature new songs as well as his friends’ remixes of older material.

“It’s fun to reinvent some of the songs,” he said. “ ey’ll maybe dig into them and make them a little more electronic, mess with the genres a little bit.”

In the meantime, Mason is taking an oldschool approach to promoting e Nile Underground show.

“We’ve been doing a lot more physical (putting up yers) at shows — just like people used to do,” he said. “We meet people in other bands, and we’ve seen little spikes in our Spotify in di erent parts of town. It’s an organic thing to do.” 

Vision Video w/Urban Heat and Some Days are Darker

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9

WHERE: The Nile Underground, 105 W. Main Street, Mesa COST: Tickets start at $16

INFO: theniletheater.com, somedaysaredarker.com, facebook.com/somedaysaredarker

When I first started to teach cooking classes a year and a half ago at Sweet Basil Culinary Center, I was introduced to a new cooking vessel that would change everything for me.

It’s called a stove-top smoker and it works perfectly on the cook top, on the BBQ or in the oven. It’s fantastic for fish, vegetables and chicken, but it really shines when you throw a rack of ribs in, close it up, and 90 minutes later, you have a succulent stack of ribs mopped with your favorite BBQ sauce.

With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Columnist

Beer-soaked baby backs go espresso

This recipe for Chili Rubbed Baby Backs with Espresso BBQ Sauce is one of my new favorites, given to me by a co-worker who knows I’m a rib fanatic.

Even if you don’t have a stove-top smoker, these ribs and sauce will be a hit no matter how you prepare them. The dark beer (it really should be a Guinness!) and espresso powder combine to give the ribs a deep

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

and rich flavor that melt together to create the umami you want in a rack of ribs.

The recipe calls for a bottle of your favorite bbq sauce or if you have a homemade version, use that.

A few years ago we did a taste test of the country’s most popular store-bought bbq sauces. Topping the list of brands were Stubbs, Rufus Teague, Sweet Baby Ray’s and Bone Suckin’ Sauce. 

• 4 pounds baby back pork ribs, opaque membrane removed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub spice mixture all over ribs. Place ribs in heavy large roasting pan or stove-top smoker.

3. In a medium saucepan, bring the beer to a boil and reduce to 1 cup, about 5 minutes.

4. Pour beer around ribs. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake ribs until fork-tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

5. While ribs are cooking prepare bbq sauce. In a medium skillet, combine barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar and espresso powder. Simmer

• 1 12-ounce bottle Guinness or dark beer

• 1 18-ounce bottle of barbecue sauce

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed firm

• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

until flavors blend and sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. (Ribs and barbecue sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate.)

6. When ribs are cooked, liberally brush bbq sauce over top. Return to heat and grill ribs just until heated through, about 3 minutes per side.

7. Transfer ribs to platter. Bring remaining sauce to simmer. Brush ribs with more barbecue sauce.

(Note: The smoker I use is Camerons Stainless Steel Stove Top Smoker. It comes with hickory and oak wood chips.) 