Glendale’s Community Newspaper
Vol. 79 No. 32
FREE SUBSCRIPTION
August 10, 2023
www.glendalestar.com
Inside This Week
Father says late daughter was ambitious BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Glendale Star Executive Editor
NEWS ............... 7
Real Time Crime Center leads to suspect’s arrest
BUSINESS ....... 12
Mediterranean restaurant opens nearby
J
erry Gordon has not been able to properly say goodbye to his daughter, Lisa Geriann Gordon-Esparza, who died in a car crash in Fife, Washington, on July 16. Bureaucratic red tape and Gordon-Esparza’s husband, Henry Esparza, have kept the family from her, according to Gordon, her biological father. “Her biological father, her siblings, her grandmother and her mother, we are unable to partake in saying goodbye,” the Glendale resident said. Esparza did not respond to requests for comment. Gordon is deeply grieving, having found out thirdhand about his daughter’s death.
“I feel like I’m being cheated,” Gordon said. “But, most of all, I feel that she was cheated.” Gordon-Esparza was among six people who died in a two-car collision July 16 in Fife, Washington, at the intersection of State Route 509 and Alexander Avenue. According to the Washington State Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 11:17 a.m. when a white 2021 BMW X7 with two occupants was traveling northbound on SR 509 approaching the intersection of Alexander Avenue. At the same time, a gray 2021 Kia Forte SEE DAUGHTER PAGE 5
Lisa Gordon-Esparza was on the cheerleading squad at Deer Valley High School. (Jerry Gordon/ Submitted)
Glendale to host 2nd annual Dementia Awareness Day BY JOE MCHUGH
Glendale Star Staff Writer
YOUTH ............ 20
Local student obtains professional certification
OPINION ......................8 BUSINESS ...................12 SPORTS ..................... 14 CALENDAR..................15 FEATURES.................. 16 RELIGION ................... 18 YOUTH ....................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 22
G
lendale is commemorating its Dementia Friendly City status by declaring Saturday, Aug. 12, its second annual Dementia Awareness Day. With an official city proclamation from Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, the commemoration will include a public event to educate the community about dementia. This will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale. “I’m so thrilled and am extremely passionate about this,” said Michelle Yates, community engagement program manag-
Dude, it’s free!
er for the city of Glendale. “I have not personally dealt with having a loved one going through this terrible disease, but I do work with people who do and these community partners that I work with. And to see what it does to their personal life, the family, the style and the individual living with dementia, they deserve the respect and dignity, and we want to make sure we provide that.” Held at the Glendale Main Public Library, the event will provide a number of educational sessions and keynote speakers. The city was able to include neurologists and matter experts on dementia to inform the public of the disease and its effects. “Glendale’s purpose is to raise awareness
about dementia and build a more dementia friendly community,” Yates said. “That happens by supporting people that are living with dementia and their caregivers along with their families.” Yates feels this awareness is important due to Arizona’s rapid increase of individuals with the disease. “There is going to be a 33.3% increase of individuals 65 years and older that will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and that’s huge,” she said. “Arizona is the fastest-growing state in the nation. So as a city, our community partners and this action SEE DEMENTIA PAGE 4
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