Gilbert Sun News - June 2015; Community

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

Love aloha!

Mason and Mel Biggs had a great time at the Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School Howlin’ Hawaiian Hula Spring Carnival.

Despite his rising stardom, Osso remains humble

BY BREANNE DEMORE

“The day you think you know everything is the day that you’ve defeated yourself.” That’s not something that you would hear a stereotypically pompous chef say, but Chef Gio Osso of Virtù Honest Craft in Scottsdale is not a stereotypical chef. He has racked up accolades spanning from Esquire Magazine as one of the “20 Best New Restaurants in the Country,” to a James Beard Award nomination, to being named the 2015 Chef of the Year by the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. But Osso isn’t going to use these as an excuse to rest on his laurels.

“It’s all amazing. I’m blessed and honored by all of those things, but it doesn’t change anything,” Osso said. “I’m still just a cook. I still have a business to run with employees that depend on me. I still have Chef Gio

Boy’s medical symptoms baffle doctors

BY TRACY HOUSE

Tyson Copeland has a lot going on medically for a 10-year-old boy, his condition baffling doctors with symptoms of epilepsy, autism and autoimmune diseases. His mother, Amy Copeland, just wants answers.

Tyson has been symptomatic since he was 4 years old, and since then has been through more than 10 medical procedures. He takes 17 medications daily and has had a myriad of tests. Now, Amy needs to take him to Loma Linda University Medical Center in California so doctors there can help diagnose Tyson.

Amy said his current symptoms include gait disturbances, hand tremors, tingling feet and legs, weakness and numbness in legs and feet, headaches, Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerves from the increased pressure around his brain), mild sleep apnea, nose bleeds, constipation, bladder issues, easy bruising, memory loss, processing difficulty, hand writing and fine motor skills, nausea, weight loss, seizures, balance difficulty, puffy eye lids and bags (not allergies), behavioral

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How to Avoid Costly Housing Mistakes Before and After a Divorce

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How to Sell Your Home Without an Agent and Save the Commission

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Graves named president-elect of economic development association

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) recently announced the appointments of several news officers, which were approved at AAED’s general membership meeting and spring conference in Prescott.

Jennifer Graves, Gilbert’s economic development manager, has assumed president-elect duties for AAED in 2016.

Julie Engel, CEcD, president and CEO of Greater Yuma Development, is AAED’s new president, replacing Danielle Casey.

Curt Woody, the director of economic development and tourism for the Town of Marana, will serve as vice president, while Richard Wilkie, the economic development director/ airport director for the City of Casa Grande, has assumed the secretary/ treasurer post.

For more information, visit www.aaed. com or call (602) 240-2233.

issues, confusion and sleep disturbances. And while Tyson has been diagnosed with several conditions including epilepsy, autism, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, hypogammaloulinemia and sensory processing disorder, Amy said, “No doctors here can figure it out.”

Recently, Tyson had a consultation with a demyelinating specialist, who according to Amy, confirmed that he doesn’t know what Tyson has, but believes it’s some form of autoimmune encephalitis that has been attacking his brain since he was 3 years old—which means more testing. The specialist is recommending that a neurosurgeon immediately put in a brain shunt. Tyson’s kidney and liver are showing some signs of weakness, as well.

“They also found out that, on top of all this, he has anemia and the right side of his body does not fully pass a neurological exam, meaning that his reflexes are not where they should be strength-wise,” Amy said. “We are expecting a lengthy hospital stay in the next few weeks to do the surgery and try to figure out and do all the testing that is needed.”

Tyson sometimes uses a wheelchair. “He’s progressed to the point where he can run, but he’ll fall,” Amy said. Recently, he got an ant bite and

developed Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The medical issues Tyson deals with have kept the third grader homebound most of the school year.

“He is a sweetheart when he’s feeling good,” Amy said. “When he doesn’t feel good, you can tell. It changes by the hour, the half hour. He can play with other kids for about 20 minutes before he just doesn’t feel well.”

“You have to be very aware of what’s going on with him,” Amy said.

Tyson’s body overheats easily, but doesn’t run a fever. She mentioned he used to love LEGO, but his tremors are so bad he can’t build them any longer. He enjoys watching videos and plays some video games, but with his vision problems, his eyes tend to hurt.

Amy is Tyson’s primary medical caregiver. She gave up her job to care for him full time. Through all the stacks of medical records, Amy said doctors here still can’t give her a definitive diagnosis.

While Tyson does have medical

insurance, Amy explained that she has to take him to doctors only associated with his coverage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t extend out of state. Still, she is hopeful that doctors in Loma Linda will be able to pinpoint his condition.

“It’s not that he’s not getting good medical care here, it’s just that they’re at a loss,” Amy said.

The visit to Loma Linda is not covered by Tyson’s insurance, so a fund to help with expenses has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank. Contributions should be directed to “Tyson Copeland Benefit Account,” routing number: 122105278 and account number: 1066257070.

responsibilities. I try to learn something new every day. You have to be willing to keep learning.”

He is humbled through a conversation about Virtù, which will celebrate its second anniversary in June. “It’s great— the vision I’ve had actually happened. There is always room for improvement— it’s always in motion. But it feels great to know that we did it well.”

The vision Osso is talking about is his determination to bridge the gap between the two culinary cultures that he grew up between. Born and raised in northeastern New Jersey and spending his summers in the Italian region of Calabria, he experienced two very different cuisines: Manhattan’s fine dining and southern Italian peasant food. When opening Virtù, he sought to prove that he could change up the concept of “fine dining”—to serve the grounded, peasant food of his ancestors in an elegant, elevated way. And he succeeded.

Gilbert appearance

100-foot long communal table.

Guests will enjoy dishes made by Osso and his team that showcase locally grown ingredients.

“I am honored and excited to be invited to participate for the second time in this year’s Outstanding in the Field’s next stop in the Phoenix area at Agritopia Farms in Gilbert,” Osso said.

“The experience brings together the best in local food—the best chefs, the best farmers, the best ingredients and the most enthusiastic diners. I’m so excited.”

Tickets are $205 and can be purchased at www. outstandinginthefield. com/event/the-farm-at-agritopia.

Finding fame

economy are coming back. There are a lot of great spaces available and the state is getting the attention, as a culinary powerhouse, that it deserves. Will it ever be San Francisco, Chicago or New York? Probably not. But it should be put up against some of the other, smaller culinary destinations.”

It isn’t just the number of restaurants that is growing, either. Osso points out locals’ growing hunger to try new and different things. “The whole fear and playing it safe ideas are coming to an end—it’s something that I went out on a limb with, but the idea that chefs have to have a BLT or a burger on the menu instead of just trying different things is coming to

it got boring and stale for the guests and the employees. Leaving the menu open to interpretation and seasonality keeps it exciting for us and the guests. It challenges the staff and me but it allows us to try new things and to keep it fresh and exciting. I just don’t want it ever to be boring.”

Well, except for one item. Charred octopus is inevitably on the menu, and for good reason—it’s phenomenal. Almost immediately upon opening the buzzword around Virtù was “octopus.” Guests, critics and reviewers couldn’t stop talking about how incredible the charred octopus at Virtù is and it quickly became the restaurant’s most popular dish.

When asked how he persuaded so many local Arizonans, sometimes characterized by playing it safe, to try the tentacled seafood, Osso’s casual and approachable confidence shines perfectly.

“I didn’t,” he said with a smile. “People came, tried it and word spread.”

Gilbert Leadership builds relationships—and disc golf course

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

The Town of Gilbert’s first public disc golf course has opened in Freestone Park, thanks to Gilbert Leadership’s Class XXIII. Gilbert Leadership’s class of “students”—which consists of residents, business owners and employees and town officials—built the course and celebrated its opening last month.

Gilbert joins other East Valley communities—including Chandler, Fountain Hills, Mesa and Scottsdale—with a public course. Disc golf is played with a plastic disc that resembles a Frisbee, which is thrown by the players from a tee area toward a basket. Each throw represents a “stroke.”

The disc golf course has nine holes and a practice hole.

Approximately $15,700 was raised for the course through donations. With inkind donations of labor from volunteers, the project only cost $10,000, so the remainder will be used for maintenance, said Rod Buchanan, the disc golf course’s project manager with Gilbert Leadership and the Town of Gilbert’s parks and recreation director.

Adrianne Lynch, economic development representative for the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and chamber liaison for Gilbert Leadership,

said the course allows families to “come out and have fun.”

“Each year the class projects give back to our community and this project not only encourages activity and social engagement, but also includes the art elements highlighting local artists and students,” Lynch said. “We are excited for the course to officially open and see families out on the course together having fun.”

Filling a need

Melissa Buxton, the chairwoman of the communications committee for Class XXIII and senior manager of business development for Macerich, the owner of SanTan Village, said the group gathered

ideas and then voted on them.

The Town of Gilbert had just completed a master plan and as parks and recreation director, Buchanan knew of projects that were needed in the community. Buchanan recognized that there was what he called a “gap in the service mix” in remembering those class discussions.

Buchanan suggested the disc golf course along with other ideas, and the group voted to pursue the disc golf course. Buchanan also was selected as the project leader.

The project needed to be completed in nine months. Members of Gilbert Leadership volunteered to serve on committees and build the course. Members collaborated on a design committee, which also had an architect, and a fundraising committee, and a sign company owner worked on the signs.

The group also installed benches and tiles with what Buxton called “amazing artwork” created by Gilbert students.

Buchanan said disc golf is popular in the Valley.

Building teams

“The project helped Gilbert Leadership members forge friendships and working relationships,” Lynch said.

“Participants learn a great deal about their personal growth and leadership style and also gain an unparalleled amount of information about the Town of Gilbert and how to give back to our community,” Lynch said.

Lynch said Gilbert Leadership was established 24 years ago to get community members involved and engaged through relationship-building between businesses.

“From owners of small businesses to members of HOA boards, school boards and nonprofits, various segments of the community are represented there,” Lynch said. “The program has more than 400 alumni,” Lynch said.

Gilbert Leadership provides members with “an understanding of how our community runs, of the people who are behind the scenes and become leaders,” Lynch said.

Gilbert Leadership attendees also took tours of a hospital and local nonprofits. Some went on ride-sharing trips with police officers and firefighters during the nine months of class, along with the planning, financing and construction of the disc golf course.

“They are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and volunteer,” Buxton said.

Buxton ended the session learning about economic development and the importance of businesses helping each other. “We all know we need each other, but not only do we need each other, but we need to help each other,” Buxton said.

“The trend is toward self-directed activities in parks and recreation,” Buchanan said. “There is a trend toward track development and disc golf. It is a self-directed activity in that you go at your own time (pace) and it’s free.” That trend is also reflected by Valley residents in the use of mountain bike and hiking trails.

“The project is something that we could do ourselves,” Buchanan said.

“The Freestone Recreation Center attracts 250,000 visits annually and is also open on Sundays, which gives the adjacent Freestone Park and the disc golf course the most exposure of any town-owned site,” Buchanan said. “People can stop at the rec center to rent discs,” Buchanan said.

“Some people incorporate disc golf while they are walking, and they can do it while they are jogging,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan said the project was “highly successful” and he thanked the donors.

She also learned about the support and awareness of her community. “I’ve lived here since my parents moved from Kansas City,” Buxton said. “I learned that Gilbert is the No. 2 city for veterans. I can’t wait to tell my father, who is a veteran. I love hearing about that support in the community.”

Buchanan enjoyed the project and Gilbert Leadership, calling it an opportunity to learn about the history, values, culture and characteristics of Gilbert.

“My nine months here have far exceeded the expectations,” Buchanan said. He also received a “substantial amount of information” about Gilbert, quality leadership training and met many like-minded people in his class, who he considers his friends, he said.

“The disc golf course project was an overall team effort,” Buchanan said.

“It was a team effort with a lot of individuals who were involved,” Buchanan said.

“The chamber does a really good job organizing it and it’s an excellent program for everyone. I will recommend it to everyone,” Buchanan said.

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Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School’s Howlin’ Hawaiian Hula Spring Carnival

The Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School PTSO celebrated spring with its Howlin’ Hawaiian Hula Spring Carnival in early May. Most of the entertainment was free, but they did sell snack and beverages. Dinners of hot dogs or hamburgers were available for preorder. The pay-to-play items included an inflatable obstacle course, splishsplash teacher bash, adopt a beach buddy and the library’s book fair. GSN photos by Kimberly

There were a lot of hands-on games for students.

Hula-goers enjoy tasty food and fun games.

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Gilbert among safest Arizona municipalities

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Gilbert was named the eighth safest city in Arizona out of 55 municipalities analyzed in a ValuePenguin study.

Gilbert was also named the safest big city with less than 50,000 residents, followed by Surprise, Buckeye, Goodyear and Lake Havasu City.

Brian Quinn, who authored the study with ValuePenguin, said they looked at property and violent crime statistics that were available from the FBI’s 2013 annual report. He said the crimes included murder/manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

“Based on the way we conduct the study, low crime score numbers are best, while high numbers indicate more concentrated crime figures,” Quinn said.

The crime score ranged from 488 to 9,556, with an average of 2,272. Florence, which was ranked as the safest city, had a crime score of 488. Gilbert had a crime score of 1,010. South Tucson was ranked last with a score of 9,556.

The data reflected violent and property crimes per 100,000 to account for population. A crime score was aggregated by weighting violent crimes at 80 percent and property crimes at 20 percent.

The study was based on Gilbert’s population of 225,232. The violent crime per 100,000 was 193 and property crime

per 100,000 was 3,472.

According to Gilbert Police Department records, Chief Tim Dorn reported that the town remains one of the safest because of its “good people, good partnerships, good tactics and good training.” His update further states that the police department works to hire “similarly minded people” who support its mission statement and values.

The Gilbert Police Department works with community members to maintain residents’ trust and confidence, while addressing their concerns about police tactics and crime prevention. The department also focuses its training on de-escalation for minimal use of force, while staying aggressive in holding people accountable.

ValuePenguin, a consumer research company, began two years ago. Quinn said his organization researches data in interesting and unique ways and publishes the findings.

“This is the first year we’ve done the study and we plan to do it going forward,” he said “In regard to our Safest Cities studies, we are in the process of conducting the research and publishing reports for every state in the country. Our hope is that these reports can highlight which cities and towns are doing an exceptional job in providing their residents with a safe place to live.”

Gilbert Leadership looking for Class XXIV participants

Gilbert Leadership, a program of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, is accepting applications from Gilbert residents and/or business leaders to participate in the program’s 24th class. Candidates will interview in July.

This 10-month program develops Gilbert’s current and future business and civic leaders through 10 issue days, six community tours, and one class project. Gilbert Leadership influences the community by building leadership capacity, increasing knowledge and awareness of community concerns, and nurturing future leaders. More than 400 individuals have graduated from the program, bringing together leaders with diverse backgrounds, including homemakers, entrepreneurs, town council members, and more.

with an in depth look into Gilbert’s infrastructure, issues, and leadership opportunities,” said Candy Body, Leading Edge Academy Board member and Class XX alumni.

“The blend of professional development, leadership training, networking, and team building dynamics make it the best leadership program in the Valley. I highly recommend it.”

“Gilbert Leadership provided me

Gilbert residents and/or employees are eligible to apply. Interested candidates should submit a completed application by June 15. Program applications can be found online at www.gilbertleadership. com. Applicants will be interviewed by a selection committee in July and the program will begin in September. Enrollment is limited to 30 class participants.

Mickey, the pit bull, released from MASH

BY TRACY HOUSE

There’s something to say about good behavior and being a model inmate, especially for Mickey the pit bull, who was conditionally released from Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s MASH jail (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Animal Safe House) on May 27.

Originally facing euthanasia in 2014 for mauling Kevin Vincente, who was 4 years old at the time, Mickey was eventually sentenced to life in jail without possibility of parole or probation.

The attack on the boy occurred in February 2014 when Kevin tried to take a bone away from the pit bull in a Gilbert neighbor’s yard. Since the incident, Kevin has undergone several surgeries to repair the damage caused by the bite to his face.

Mickey being remanded to MASH. A webcam was installed in Mickey’s cell, courtesy of Schill, to connect those who wanted to continue to follow the canine.

Mickey has been at the animal shelter since April 29, 2014, being cared for by the female inmates, his only human contact. According to a statement released by the sheriff’s office, Arpaio said Mickey has been a model inmate showing no signs of aggression.

Mickey was released to an undisclosed location due to death threats against the dog after he attacked Kevin Vincente. Submitted photo

More than 75,000 people posted on social media on behalf of Mickey, and over 50,000 animal lovers signed a petition asking for his life to be spared. John Schill, a Phoenix attorney, came forward to defend Mickey’s case, successfully resulting in

Security was high for the release and Mickey was taken to an undisclosed location in an unmarked inmate transport van. In the statement issued by the sheriff’s office, Schill said, “Mickey’s attack on that little boy was enough to attract a number of death threats against the dog. We don’t want any more harm to come from the situation, that includes harm to Mickey or the people who have agreed to quietly take him, hence the need for secured transport.”

Dignity Health expands lung cancer screening to the East Valley

Dignity Health is offering its life-saving lung cancer screening program at both of Dignity Health’s East Valley hospitals, Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Now covered by most major insurers including Medicare, a low-dose CT scan of the chest for patients at high risk is most effective for catching lung cancer early enough to cure it.

“Every 8 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with lung cancer, which kills more Americans than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined,” explained Dr. Elbert Kuo, thoracic surgeon at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in downtown Phoenix, home to the Norton Thoracic Institute.

Recently joining most insurers, Medicare covers preventative lung cancer screenings. The Medicare population, approximately 5 million American seniors, represents close to half of the entire at-risk public who could qualify for screening—being between age 55 and 77, with a heavy smoking history and having not quit within the last 15 years.

“Right now, diagnosis is often made

once symptoms are already present—a chronic cough, chest pain or coughing up blood. By that time, the cancer has often spread and is very hard to treat,” said Kuo, who is also director of the Norton Institute’s lung cancer screening program which originally launched at St. Joseph’s nearly four years ago and expanded into the West Valley last year.

Kuo said the Norton Institute has been looking forward to offering this program, which first expanded into the West Valley last year, in the East Valley.

“By making this a Valleywide program and with the tests now being covered by insurance, we can really start to change the statistics. We know the disease is deadly, but we also know it can be cured if it’s caught early enough. Studies have shown these scans can reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent and can save up to 70,000 lives per year.”

The program includes a one-on-one consultation with a physician to review results, which are communicated to patients and their primary care doctors.

For more information about Dignity Health’s lung cancer screening program, call (855) 586-4727.

Cox Charities seeks grant applicants for 2015 cycle

Cox Charities is asking Arizona nonprofits that focus on K-12 youth and education programs to submit proposals for grants valued at $10,000 or less. This year’s grant cycle will close June 3. The grant application can be found online at www.azfoundation.org/grants.

In 2014, Cox Charities distributed nearly $715,000 to 91 youth and education-focused nonprofits across the state. Cox Charities funds are raised through employee-driven fundraisers and personal contributions throughout the year, as well as community fundraising partnerships. Since its inception in 1996, Cox has awarded more than $5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations for youth education programs that help build the next generation of community leaders.

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During the past 18 years, Cox Charities has funded local nonprofits that focus on science and technology, arts and culture, safe and healthy lifestyles, overcoming disabilities, mentoring, literacy, leadership development, social skills development, and other areas benefiting youth in Southern Arizona.

“Cox Charities is committed more than ever before to supporting our community’s children by funding youth and education-focused nonprofits that provide vital programming. As we have for many years, Cox Charities supports the communities in which we do business,” said Susan Anable, vice president of public affairs, Cox Communications.

Additional support is given to these communities through volunteerism by Cox employees. Last year, one-third of Cox Arizona employees participated in the Cox Volunteers program, logging 32,000 volunteer hours.

In an effort to be the most trusted provider of communication and entertainment services, Cox supports grant recipients by encouraging Cox employees to volunteer time in support of many past recipients such as the Phoenix Zoo, Boys & Girls Clubs, Childhelp, HandsOn Greater Phoenix, the Make a Wish Foundation and Homeward Bound, to name a few.

Funding will not be awarded for capital expenditures or general operations, or for the provision of health care/therapy services, basic needs, entertainment, or socialization/recreation programs. Funding will also not be awarded to passthrough organizations raising funds on behalf of other agencies.