9 minute read
NEIGHBORS
Scottsdale.org l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress
Scottsdale Adaptive Services names new mascot
BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer
Ever since the year 2000, members of Scottsdale Adaptive Services have only known one mascot, Bob the Bobcat. But that all changed when Bob officially retired Sept. 23 during a tailgate to kick off the next season of Special Olympics.
After 22 years of service, Bob, one of the country’s first adaptive services mascots, handed the torch over to a new mascot named Bandit – who is also a bobcat –who will cheer on athletes at their events for the foreseeable future.
“He was originally brought as a way to give our neurodiverse population some normal sporting activity fanfare and fun,” said Stacy Yoder, Scottsdale Adaptive Services recreation leader senior, adding that they figured “what better way than to bring in a mascot.”
The department was drawn to the idea of a bobcat.
“Scottsdale has a lot of mountains and deserts and the bobcat is just, a natural resident and something that is seen as very interesting, agile, quick and strong,” Yoder said. “It just seemed like a natural fit with what our athletes are doing.”
For the past two decades plus, Bob could be seen dancing, tumbling and twisting his way around sporting events, sharing hi-fives and spreading smiles with those he encountered.
“When you see a Special Olympian and … they look in the crowd and see not only their family, their teammates and the staff who’s coached them, and they see
After 22 years of service, Scottsdale Adaptive Services bid adieu to its mascot Bob the Bobcat during a tailgate event on Friday, September 23 to kick off the next season of Special Olympics sports. (Courtesy of Kara Fleming)
Scottsdale native and U.S. Navy Constructionman Lucas McDonald graduated earlier this year from Desert Mountain High School. seeMASCOT page 27
Scottsdale native builds on Seabee legacy
BY ALVIN PLEXICO
Progress Guest Writer
GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world and Constructionman Lucas McDonald, a Scottsdale native, is one of those sailors. “I joined to become an officer and aviator,” said McDonald. “I also wanted to serve my country while honoring my family’s legacy.
“My great grandfather served in the Air Force and my step grandfather was in the Navy during Vietnam. My other great grandfather served in the Army during World War II.”
Eighty years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials.
They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects.
McDonald graduated from Desert Mountain High School earlier this year.
“I’d like to thank my parents for their support,” said McDonald. “They gave me the morale and perseverance to keep going even when I doubted that I could finish.”
The values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Scottsdale.
“I appreciate my grandmother’s advice of taking one day at a time,” said McDonald. “This helped me make it through boot camp.”
McDonald currently serves as a builder with Naval Construction Training Center at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Serving in the Navy means McDonald is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense to not only protect our nation here at home but also to provide power projection for peace and security for our country and that of our allies,” said McDonald.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, seeSEABEE page 27
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | OCTOBER 2, 2022
Scottsdale woman overcomes voice disorder
BY EDWARD FEINBERG DMD
Progress Guest Writer
Esther Zack’s dance with adversity started as a young adult when her husband collapsed and died on the golf course, leaving her with two children to support. The stress was enough to bring on a virus that took her voice away. She needed her voice for her job, which consisted of long hours on the phone on behalf of her company “Debbie Temps.“ No one knew what to do for her. Her friends and colleagues thought the cause was psychological trauma. She went to ENT doctors who had no clue what was wrong. Nothing worked. But one day she received a recommendation to visit an ENT at the Mayo Clinic who did know something about her condition—and it had a name: spasmodic dysphonia. Spasmodic dysphonia, or laryngeal dystonia, is a disorder affecting the voice muscles in the larynx. Muscles inside the vocal folds spasm and make sudden, involuntary movements. This spasm causes voice breaks during speaking and can make the voice appear strained, breathy or trembling (vocal tremor). It is a chronic condition that can develop suddenly, start with mild symptoms, and worsen over time. Zack tried every conceivable treatment – even crystals and voodoo. So, she and her new husband started a video business for which she was the marketing director, a position which required a lot of talking to promote the business. But even cancer did not stop Esther! She continued with careers and hobbies that involved a great deal of talking—financial advisor, customer service shopper for Sears, advocate and host of jazz concerts for her neighborhood clubhouse, and volunteer for various organizations. After her second husband passed away, she served for 2 ½ years as a fulfillment representative for Charity Benefits Unlimited. As a representative she had to use her voice for eight hours a day on the phone, doing 500 calls a day. How she was able to do this with spasmodic dysphonia is a testament to her incredible fortitude. Zack attributes her ability to lead a normal life to some of her adjunctive treatments. Tai Chi has been a godsend because it has taught her how to breathe ���ZACK ���� 27
Esther Zack has battled a voice disorder called spasmodic dysphonia and is leading a walk in Scottsdale Oct. 22 to raise money for research into treatments of the ailment.
(Special to the Progress)
I’ve Got Your Back! Thanks For Having Mine! Thanks For Having Mine!
Vote for US!
Christopher Judge D.C Hilton Village 6107 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste 102 Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 245-7844
BESTOF 2022
VOTE NOW!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES!
correctly with her diaphragm rather than through her chest. CBD oil also provides her with much relief, along with the Lifewave stem cell activation patches. Even singing has helped her voice. Zack supports and volunteers for Dysphonia International, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by the ailment. She advises that people with dysphonia seek relief by visiting neurologists, consulting with speech language pathologists, taking up Tai Chi and joining support groups. Both the Mayo Clinic and Banner Health have programs available to patients with voice conditions. Zack co-chairs the committee that leads Dysphonia International volunteers in Arizona in fundraising efforts. She is organizing this year’s “Walk for Talk” event on Oct. 22 around the lake at the Mercado Del Lago Mall on North Hayden Road in Scottsdale. Sign up to walk, give a donation or sponsor the event by visiting dysphonia.org.
SEABEE ���� ���� 25
Navy of�icials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea. “Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters con�lict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans.” McDonald has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. “I’m proud of graduating boot camp and continuing my training here at Seabee builder school,” he said. McDonald said he takes pride in continuing an 80-year legacy of service in the United States Navy. “Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of purpose as well as a stepping stone to my future goal of being an astronaut,” added McDonald. this larger than life Bobcat mascot jumping up and down, giving them encouragement, giving them high �ives doing some tricks and maybe holding up some signs, there is nothing like that moment,” said Yoder. “They know the whole city is there cheering them on and supporting them in their sport of choice.” But the wear and tear of over 20 years of those activities eventually took its toll on the beloved mascot. “Bob is feeling the aches and pains of always being the one to pump up the crowd, energize the athletes, support everybody and bring the fun to the events and Bob is ready to retire,” Yoder said. “He’s just not as agile and �lexible and we’re �inding that as some of our events go into the evening, he gets a little tired. “So, we needed a younger, more youthful mascot to take this next generation of athletes to hopefully some state games, the USA games and beyond.” Searching for a new mascot proved relatively easy, according to Yoder. Scottsdale Adaptive Services didn’t hold a tryout to �ill the role, instead once word got out internally that Bob was retiring, a new volunteer decided to �ill the big shoes – and head – left by Bob. With a new mascot on board, the athletes are looking to keep the ball rolling in the right direction as they enter a new season of sports. Currently the program is offering four sports; golf, bowling, bocce, and swimming and the swimmers have already brought home the hardware winning �irst place at a competition at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Yoder pointed out that the athletes receive strong support from the city they represent. “The Special Olympic athletes in Scottsdale are so thankful and successful due in part to the support that they get from the city, the staff and the volunteer coaches who give their time to not only just come and support these athletes, but supply countless weeks of coaching and training to prepare our athletes to be competitive at both a local and a state and even a national level,” Yoder said. Information: scottsdaleaz.gov/humanservices/adaptive-services
MENDOZA
Cleaning & Sanitization General Cleaning, Laundry & More 1 time • weekly bi-weekly • monthly Ask about Windows & Sanitization Services FREE ESTIMATES
Call Mireya Mendoza Now! 480-259-0935
YOUR ADVOCATE VOTE PAMELA
BE HEARD
