Ahwatukee Foothills News 10.28.2020 by Times Media Group

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Confronting possible $2M sanction, Gee sells Lakes for golf BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

fter a six-year court battle, Wilson Gee has tentatively sold the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course and hired a golf course design firm to come up with a plan for the site he closed in 2013. But the attorney for two homeowners who have waged that court fight is asking a Superior Court judge to impose a $2 million sanction on his company to ensure the course is restored. Charging that Gee “systematically planned an effected” the course’s demise, attorney

Judge under fire in last freeway fight still raging in court

Timothy Barnes is seeking the sanction on ALCR that could be given back when Gee restores the course. Gee’s lawyer in return says Barnes is seeking a “punitive” sanction “without giving any justification for the amount requested” and said his client on Oct. 5 signed an agreement with Suntereo Companies “to enter into a purchase agreement and build a golf course on the property.” Not stated in the brief is the possibility the proposed new owner would want to build an assisted living center on 10 acres. The battle between attorney Daniel Maynard and Barnes unfolded in dueling briefs

they filed with Superior Court Judge Theodore Campagnolo, who will hear their arguments Monday, Nov. 2, after the scheduled sanctions hearing last Thursday was abruptly postponed because the court’s online platform crashed. Campagnolo in August found that Gee’s company, ALCR, was in contempt of court for not complying with an earlier judge’s 2018 order that the course be restored. That order has been upheld by Arizona’s appellate courts, but Maynard is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the issue.

'Tis the season

see LAKES page 4

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

onstruction of the South Mountain Freeway may finally end Friday, but an Ahwatukee man’s fight with the agency that built it shows no end in sight. The Arizona Department of Transportation on Monday said it still hopes to open on Friday, Nov. 30, the 32nd Street interchange and the multiuse path – the final two pieces that have remained under construction since the 22-mile freeway was opened in December. But whether the interchange and multiuse path are opened after two postponements in the last two months won’t stop Foothills Reserve homeowner Dietmar Hanke from waging the last legal challenge in connection with

see FREEWAY page 16

The pandemic has not put a damper on free Halloween displays at various Ahwatukee homes, such as the elaborate family-friendly scare fest Steve Powers puts together. For a look at where to find them, check out Around Ahwatukee on page 34. (Special to AFN)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.

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Some drama in LD18 as campaign 2020 nears end

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BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

s the 2020 campaign barrels to a conclusion Tuesday, one thing can be said with certainty for Ahwatukee voters: If they haven’t voted yet, they could be in for a long line if they wait until the last minute and expect to cast their ballot on Tuesday near their home. While record numbers of early voters have already been reported by Maricopa County, it’s impossible to determine how many of the 30,000 Ahwatukee voters who are not on the permanent early voter list requested a one-time early ballot before last week’s deadline. The County Recorder has only three polling places in Ahwatukee – and only one is open right now. Voters can head to Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. today through Saturday. No polling place is open on Sunday On Monday, two additional polling places open in Ahwatukee: Living Word Bible Church, 14647 S. 50th St.; and Bridgeway Community Church, 2420 E. Liberty Lane. Those two sites, as well as Horizon Presbyterian, are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday. Pecos Community Center, a traditional polling place, is closed, as are all indoor Phoenix park buildings, because of COVID-19 restrictions. Voters can find a full list of in-person polling sites and ballot drop-off locations at recorder.maricopa.gov/ pollingplace. As early Ahwatukee voters already found out, there are plenty of choices with local interest beyond the topof-the-ticket races for President and U.S. Senator. Among them is the race for one State Senate seat and two House seats in Legislative District 18, which covers all of Ahwatukee and parts of Chandler, Mesa and Tempe. The drama in that race focuses on whether any of the three Republicans running for them can crack the blue slate of incumbents. Sen. Sean Bowie of Ahwatukee and Rep. Mitzi Epstein of Tempe are both seeking third terms while Rep. Jennifer Jermaine of Chandler is seeking a second two-year stint. Running against Bowie is Ahwatukee Realtor Suzanne Sharer while Ahwatukee resident and former legislator Bob Robson and retired federal government computer programmer and Tempe resident Don Hawker are running in the House races. Democrats have both the registration and money advantages in LD18. Final registration figures show there are 56,484 registered Democrats and 52,105 registered Republicans. There also are 51,039 registered voters not affiliated with either party. In the race for campaign cash, the three Democrats have a significant financial lead – partly buoyed by in-

see ELECTION page 18

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Judge takes Club West injunction request under advisement BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Superior Court judge said he will study testimony and arguments made during a five-hour hearing Oct. 21 before deciding whether to stop the Foothills Club West Association Board from taking any action on the future of the beleaguered golf course until at least next year. Judge Daniel Kiley’s announcement came after he queried the board’s lawyer on whether the HOA board could legally vote behind closed doors in 2018 and 2019 to assume the declarant rights that govern land use regulations for the site. Kiley also questioned the board’s lawyer on whether it would suffer any harm if he issued an injunction forbidding it until at least February from advancing any plan submitted by The Edge, the four-man group that bought the site. Kiley presided over a hearing on the Club West Conservancy’s request for a temporary restraining order pending the outcome of a tentative February trial on its claim that the board had no authority to assume the course’s declarant rights

LAKES from page 1

While the nation’s highest court considers the long-shot request – one of an average 10,000 made annually – Campagnolo already has said he would not slow the contempt proceedings that trace back to a lawsuit filed by homeowners Linda Swain and Eileen Breslin in 2014, a year after Gee closed the 101-acre site about seven years after he bought it through ALCR’s predecessor, Bixby Village. The $2 million sought by Barnes is not a fine, but rather a legal tool used in contempt proceedings to force a party to comply with a civil court ruling. Stating he could not afford to restore the 18-hole executive course and claiming it would never be profitable anyway, Gee testified in the August hearing that one option he and his lawyers are considering is filing for bankruptcy if Campagnolo forces his hand. In a blistering brief filed with Campagnolo, Barnes traced the history of Gee’s intransigence and said his claim of financial hardship “is self-inflicted.” “Defiance of court orders is one thing,” Barnes wrote. “We can now add further

The Club West Golf Course withered into a wasteland after Richard Breuninger tried buying it from Wilson Gee but ended filing for bankruptcy in early 2018. The Edge, which has bought it for $750,000 wants to turn it into a park, paying for it by selling some land to a homebuilder. (Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial)

without the approval of 75 percent of the community’s 2,600 homeowners. But Kiley also must decide whether there will even be a trial on the Conservancy’s suit since the board is seeking the suit’s dismissal on grounds that the organization, a nonprofit whose members are Club West homeowners, have no rights to

challenge the board’s actions. That issue will be decided on the basis of briefs. Conservancy lawyer Francis Slavin must submit his by next Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Edge and a subsidiary group, Community Land Solutions, want to turn the course into The Park at Club West, paying

Before owner Wilson Gee closed it, Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course was a verdant playground for duffers that two homeowners have fought for six years to be restored. (AFN file photo)

evidence of intentional sabotage of the golf course, betraying intent to guarantee the property’s further deterioration in order to effect its development – the rights of neighboring beneficiaries and the explicit order of the Arizona courts be damned.” Indirectly referring to Gee’s efforts to sell the land to two different homebuilders at different times between 2015 and

2016, Barnes said, “Only a substantial level of sanctions will coerce compliance with the Court’s injunctive order, compel respect for the law and redress the more than decade-long harm perpetuated on our community.” He said that after closing the course in 2013, Bixby Village retaliated for Lakes homeowners’ refusal to allow the first

for that development by selling pieces of the site to a homebuilder for construction of an unstated number of houses. During the hearing, Conservancy President Matt Tyler and resident Ellen Davis testified that any homes on the course would harm their quality of life and that new home construction would lower their own home values. In the suit, the Conservancy said home construction on any part of the course would spoil views and lower the values of 347 homes along the course that cost their owners as much as an extra $80,000 in premium lot prices. But board member Paul Moroz testified that he didn’t necessarily agree with those assertions. “I am not 100 percent convinced that their home values would decrease,” Moroz testified. “As a matter of fact, in the original Edge proposal, homes that were going to be built behind their homes had enough green space in between their homes that they wouldn’t be impacted.” Moroz also testified the new homes that

see WEST page 6

homebuilder to put homes on the site by “placing a barbed-wire fence around the perimeter, draining the lakes, shutting off all power, stripping the sod off the greens, removing hundreds of irrigation heads.” Maynard argues, “A party’s inability to comply with a judicial order constitutes a defense to a charge of civil contempt.” In discussing the agreement with Suntereo, Maynard wrote that Schmidt-Curley Golf Design “has started designing a golf course on the property” and sent the plan to the plaintiffs for their review. He also wrote that two weeks ago, Gee agreed to address all their concerns. “ALCR has taken numerous steps to comply with the order and purge the civil contempt,” Maynard wrote. “If the court imposes too harsh a sanction, it will thwart ALCR’s efforts to comply with the order.” He also asked Campagnolo to order the two sides to “mediate a resolution that will result in a golf course being built and operated.” “ALCR does not contend that the plaintiffs are not acting in good faith but only that this matter will come to a quicker resolution if a mediator is appointed,” Maynard wrote.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

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WEST from page 4

the Edge proposed in an eventually aborted plan would be worth more than the existing houses “and there are some opinions that their values could have gone up Our staff is made up of because they wouldn’t have a dead course writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing and there’s homes that are feeding their dreams come true. Trusted by values in that neighborhood which would authors for nearly 100 years, bring their values up.” Dorrance has made countless Board attorney Carlotta Turman argued authors’ dreams come true. that homeowners have no guarantee the site will always remain a golf course, citing Club West’s master declaration. Both Moroz and board President MiComplete Book chael Hinz testified about why the board Publishing Services assumed the declarant rights to the FIVE EASY STEPS TO PUBLICATION: course and outlined the safeguards the board included to ensure that Club West 1. Consultation 4. Distribution homeowners would have a vote on the 2. Book Production 5. Merchandising and Fulfillment site’s future use. 3. Promotion Hinz testified about the board’s conCall now to receive your FREE cerns after Richard Breuninger filed for Author’s Guide bankruptcy and could no longer pay the 855-977-5138 note held by course owner Wilson Gee, or www.dorranceinfo.com/lovin who now holds the Edge’s note for the course’s ~ Lux$750,000 ury Vinyl purchase price. rea Rugs““We A ~ Couthat a bad actor were concerned m nter Custo ~ s r or a lender or some creditor might top be able e e ~ Wood ~ Laminate ~ Show s to exert influence over the outcome of the ~ Lux s ury Vinyl Area Rug ~ Cou tom s nter u C ~ Tile s~ top ~ Wood ~ Laminate ~ Shower s L u ~ x s u g r u y Vinyl ~ aR e Ca r A Cyoun r tom L u ~ x s u g s r u u R V t i a C n e Capet ~ Ti e ylrt~o C Ar rpe le ~ Wood ~ Laminate ~ Showers ~ psount tom t~T erto ~ Cus s r e w ile ~ Wo o ps od ~ Laminate ~ Sh Ca

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golf course,” Hinz testified. “So, in consultation with our attorneys,” he said, “we decided that the best course of action was to take control of this segment and provide some opportunity for the community to vote.” Both he and Moroz also testified that they added safeguards by requiring that any change to the golf course required the approval of a majority of 31 percent of the homeowners. “We are mailing out 2,600 ballots and a quorum is established if we get 31 percent of those 2,600 ballots,” Moroz testified. “We would still need 50 percent plus 1” to approve any change. The Conservancy maintains that 75 percent of all homeowners must approve any change in the site’s use while the board asserts that although that requirement is necessary to change the master declaration governing the association, the course is not covered by the master declaration and hence can be governed by a different ratio of votes. Both Moroz and Hinz also testified that the board has had no discussions with the Edge on its new proposal. Hinz also testified the board has not voted on whether to schedule a presentation by the Edge for a

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meeting next month. Any board vote likely will hinge on Kiley’s eventual ruling. During final arguments, Turman said testimony showed, “The board is looking out for members of the association and trying to act in the best interests of the community without favoring any specific group of homeowners.” She also said that the Conservancy had not proved it would be harmed if an injunction is not granted. But Slavin reiterated his contention that only an injunction could stop the board from putting a new Edge plan up for a community vote before the merits of the Conservancy’s lawsuit can be decided. Kiley did note that the Conservancy had narrowed its original injunction request, which he said could have been interpreted as stifling the board’s First Amendment rights to talk with the Edge and that it instead simply wants the board from taking any official actions. The judge also asked Turman whether the open meetings law that governs HOAs allowed the board to take votes in secret, as it did when it assumed the declarant rights. Turman said she thought there were exceptions allowing for that, but did not elaborate.

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DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD If you thought you have been to a Mexican restaurant lately you probably need to reconsider and visit La Casa De Juana in Ahwatukee. The fare is authentic Mexican, and when we say authentic we mean it, unlike many of the restaurant chains that call themselves Mexican. Upon entering you’ll be dazzled by the colorful décor, the tables and chairs are beautiful, Mexican painted murals, colorful banners hanging from the ceiling and the gracious service with warm orange and yellow tones echoing throughout the restaurant will make this your favorite Mexican restaurant. With great lunch and dinner specials, live guitar player on Tuesdays and a bar with freshly made drinks, TVs, and live guitar music for all ages on the weekends and least but not last their happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm every day $2 beer domestic and imports and $3 margaritas this place is a must. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Feds find local couple died needlessly in 2019 boat fire

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

n Ahwatukee couple and 32 other people died needlessly during a 2019 Labor Day weekend diving trip off the California Coast because the dive boat owner did not maintain a roving crew to ensure the passengers were safe while they slept. That conclusion by the National Transportation Safety Board in the deaths of Ahwatukee residents Neal Baltz and Patricia Beitzinger came as a federal lawsuit and a federal criminal investigation continue against the owners of the 75-foot Conception. The NTSB report faulted both the Conception's owners – Glen Richard Fritzler and Dana Jeanne Fritzler, trustees of the Fritzler Family Trust, which owns the boat through a company called Truth Aquatics – and inadequate federal maritime requirements for smoke detectors and other safety measures. “Most of the victims were awake but could not escape the bunkroom before all

480-706-7234

Ahwatukee residents Patricia Beitzinger and Neal Baltz were lifelong adventurers who perished with 32 other divers in a horrific fire on a diving boat off the California coast on Labor Day 2019. Federal officials concluded they had no chance to escape from the early morning blaze. (Special to AFN)

were overcome by smoke inhalation,” the board concluded, stating “the probable cause of the accident on board the small passenger vessel Conception was the failure of Truth Aquatics, Inc., to provide

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effective oversight of its vessel and crewmember operations.” It said the owners' failure “to ensure that a roving patrol was maintained” allowed the fire of unknown origin “to grow,

undetected, in the vicinity of the aft salon on the main deck.” “Contributing to the undetected growth of the fire was the lack of a United States Coast Guard regulatory requirement for smoke detection in all accommodation spaces. Contributing to the high loss of life were the inadequate emergency escape arrangements from the vessel’s bunkroom, as both exited into a compartment that was engulfed in fire, thereby preventing escape,” the NTSB added. Baltz and Beitzinger were 21st-century explorers, in love with the world’s natural wonders as much as they were with each other. Drawn by the natural beauty of earth and sea, the couple often left their Ahwatukee home of 10 years to explore caves in Hawaii, swim with stingrays off the Mexican coast, scale peaks in the Andes and scuba dive around the Galapagos Islands. In some ways, the two-night diving trip the couple took on the Conception off the coast of Santa Cruz was in keeping with

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their adventurers’ hearts. “Santa Cruz offers more places to find good diving during rough weather periods than any other island due to its size and many coves,” the Conception’s owners, Truth Aquatics, said on its website. “Your island excursion with Truth Aquatics is sure to be one you’ll never forget,” the operator says on its website, adding, “At Truth Aquatics, your captain and crew will do everything in their power to make your trip an enjoyable one.” But the trip turned heartbreaking tragedy as the Conception became a death trap from which only five crew members escaped. The Fritzlers have filed a motion in federal court in San Francisco saying they should be exonerated from any lawsuit because they worked diligently to ensure the boat’s safety, citing two Coast Guard inspections that found no safety violations. Federal prosecutors are investigating them under the Seaman’s Manslaughter Statute, an obscure law predating the Civil War aimed at negligent captains, engineers and pilots at a time when steamboat accidents had been killing thousands. Conviction carries up to 10 years in prison. The NTSB took note of that investigation in its report, stating it could not conduct interviews with the survivors at federal prosecutors’ request as they continue to build their case against the Fritzlers. But in its report, the board found regulations governing small boats with overnight accommodations to be woefully in need of requiring a second means of escape “so that a single fire should not affect both escape paths.” The report paints a horrific scene in which the Ahwatukee couple and the other victims never had a chance. It said a crew member saw a “glow” on

the shop and then “a fire rising up from the salon compartment directly below. “The crewmember alerted the four other crewmembers sleeping on the upper deck,” it said as the captain radioed for help. Blocked by fire from going below where the passengers were trapped, the board said, “the five surviving crewmembers jumped overboard.” “Two crewmembers swam to the stern, re-boarded the vessel, and found the access to the salon through the aft corridor was also blocked by fire, so, along with the captain who also had swum to the stern, they launched the vessel’s skiff and picked up the remaining two crewmembers in the water,” the NTSB said. “The crew transferred to a recreational vessel anchored nearby where the captain continued to radio for help, while two crewmembers returned to the waters around the burning Conception to search for possible survivors.” The board said the Coast Guard arrived about 70 minutes after it had received the distress call. “Despite firefighting and search and rescue efforts, the vessel burned to the waterline and sank just after daybreak, and no survivors were found,” the board said. “The surviving crew were transported to shore, and two were treated for injuries. Loss of the vessel was estimated at $1.4 million.” The NTSB also said that some of the regulatory deficiencies found in the Conception tragedy“ have been identified in previous accidents involving passenger vessels.” “If regulations had required the escape hatch to exit to a space other than the salon, optimally directly to the weather deck, the passengers and crewmember in the bunkroom would have likely been able to escape,” the board said.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from Page 49

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

First salvo fired in Arizona redistricting process BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

op Democratic lawmakers are going to court, accusing a nominating panel of trying to pass off partisan Republicans for what is supposed to be a non-partisan slot on the Independent Redistricting Commission. And they say they need a quick answer because House Speaker Rusty Bowers has started the appointment clock running with his decision this week to name Tucson developer David Mehl as his pick for the panel. House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez and David Bradley, her Senate counterpart, contend two of the five nominees who would wind up chairing the commission are really Republicans. That would violate the constitutional requirement for how the panel has to be made up. The makeup of the commission will determine which party gets a political edge in legislative and congressional elections for the coming decade.

Prior to 2000, the lines for districts were drawn by the Legislature and often resulted in more districts that were favorable to the party already in power. That year, voters created the Independent Redistricting Commission of five members, four chosen by the leaders of the two major parties and those four selecting a person who is supposed to be the political independent. In all cases, they have to choose from a list of those nominated by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments: 10 from each political party and five not registered with either of the two major parties. Attorney Jim Barton said two of the five who are supposed to be independents are really not. One complaint involves Thomas Loquvam. Barton said constitutional rules preclude anyone who has been “a registered paid lobbyist’’ within the past three years from serving on the redistricting commission. Loquvam said on his application that he is not a paid lobbyist because he is not “compensated for the primary purpose of lobbying on behalf of a principal.’’

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But Barton pointed out he actually is listed on the Arizona Corporation Commission web site a lobbyist for utility company EPCOR. There was no immediate response from Loquvam. The complaint against Robert Wilson is a bit more complex. Barton acknowledges that he has been a registered independent since 2005. But he told the court that “on information and belief’’ that Wilson voted Republican in 2010, 2014 and 2018. “I’m curious to know how anyone knows how I voted,’’ Wilson told Capitol Media Services. “And I have a call in to the County Recorder’s office to find out what information is and is not public relative to that.’’ He did acknowledge contributing $500 in 2010 to the presidential bid of Republican John McCain but said it was because the senator was “a fellow Navy veteran.’’ Then there’s what was described by Barton as an August political rally for Trump in the parking lot of Timberline Firearms in Flagstaff that Wilson owns. “It was not a rally,’’ Wilson said.

He said he was contacted by a local Republican who asked if they could use the lot for a meeting with Republican candidates. “As a small business owner who’s faced lots of challenges in the past few months, the thought of having a couple of hundred people in my parking lot, and to educate people, I agreed to that,’’ Wilson said. “At no time did I endorse anyone.’’ Barton wants a judge to declare that the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments violated the Arizona Constitution by nominating the two and require the panel to submit two new names of people who do meet the criteria. A spokesman for Chief Justice Robert Brutinel, who heads the appellate court commission, said he could not comment “because these questions and issues could come before the court.’’ “The arguing sides will make their case and the courts will consider the arguments in reaching a decision,’’ said Aaron Nash. Barton wants quick action on the lawsuit because of another provision of the

see REDISTRICT page 25

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

FREEWAY from page 1

the freeway. Hanke last week fired his latest salvo in his long-running Superior Court suit over ADOT’s acquisition of some public areas in the Foothills Reserve HOA for the freeway right-of-way – an action he contends violates the 2006 voter-approved Prop 207, which forbids governmental entities from seizing public property for economic development. He asked Superior Court Judge Timothy Thompson to take back an order that Hanke and ADOT go into mediation – which could involve secret proceedings and a secret conclusion to the lawsuit. Hanke’s suit already derailed the Foothills Reserve HOA and ADOT from finalizing a $6.5 million settlement over the agency’s acquisition of 13 acres of common lands for the freeway right-of-way. That amount was triple the offer the HOA and ADOT had agreed on before Hanke intervened. Hanke wants a jury to decide what those grounds are worth – a figure he puts at millions more – and in effect decide whether ADOT ever had legal standing to take any private land for a freeway under the claim that the freeway served a “public need.” “Here, we have ADOT taking land through eminent domain to accommodate people who aren’t even here yet,” he wrote, noting South Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski frequently has said the freeway was necessary to develop areas like Laveen. “ADOT can build a roadway or a freeway anywhere it wants for any reason or no reason. It can buy any private property to do such as well. It just can’t take private land without public need,” he said in last week’s filing. Hanke, who is not a lawyer but has been fighting in court since 2017, last week told Thompson his mediation order is “inappropriate.” “Requiring mediation that requires the defendant to muster more funding for legal expenses and sacrifice greater amounts of time, all of which may be for naught and all of it conducted in secret, is patently unfair,” Hanke wrote. “This court should let the disinfecting light of the sun shine on the dealings, arguments, and nonsense the state may propound. This court should embrace transparency, not eschew it.” He said the judge’s order “would drag the lid over this project’s sarcophagus.”

Crews were still working last week on the South Mountain Freeway's 32nd Street interchange and but ADOT said it still hopes to open it and the adjacent multiuse path on Friday. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

In mediation, Hanke alleges, “elected and appointed state and local government officials could never be held accountable for their underhanded and self-serving actions. “Everyone could just move on,” his motion continues. “Except for those whose community/reserve has been destroyed and home values and quality of life have suffered. The confidential aspect of me-

diation would not expose incompetence, empire building, underhandedness, lack of professionalism, favor brokering, cronyism, corruption, tacit conspiracies, co-dependencies, disinformation propaganda, undue influence, retaliation and illegal acts and tacit privatization of our government agencies and offices. “No one could be held accountable at the polls or in court.”

Foothills Reserve resident Dietmar Hanke has been waging a one-man battle with ADOT over the losses he says he and Foothills Reserve neighbors sustained as a result of the South Mountain Freeway's construction. (AFN file photo)

Hanke contends that ADOT has not dealt fairly – or even legally – with him and other Foothills Reserve neighbors. In 2005, his lawsuit claims, the agency had identified his and some neighbors’ homes as being in the path of the freeway and that it might take them and compensate them for their loss. But years of uncertainty passed before ADOT shifted the freeway path. During that time, he said, he “was not able to rationalize the completion of his home (i.e. pool, spa, back yard, office build-out, etc.) or selling at a loss. “When would the taking occur? Would there be any recovery of the costs of improvements? Would one be able to sell one’s house and break even, or anywhere close to such? These are troublesome questions to a homeowner. They keep one up at night,” his motion states. Hanke also alleges the neighborhood itself changed over those years – and even since the freeway opened. “Wholesale home abandonment occurred, short-term renters outnumbered owner-occupiers, moving vans, boats, motor homes, travel trailers, service vehicles, and partiers clogged the streets; landscaping was greatly simplified; some houses fell into disrepair, others were occupied by adults; fire alarms blared for days and nights in vacant homes; some homes were used as drop houses, some as party houses,” his motion states. Now, he said, the homeowners’ association “is no longer a ‘reserve’ and its common lands are open to the public while their maintenance, insurance, etc. costs are borne by the homeowners. “Meanwhile life goes on, people get older, people die. And yet, here we are 15 years after ADOT’s show and tell at the Grace Inn that indicated (Hanke’s) house was in the right-of-way.” The Grace Inn, which was replaced more than 10 years ago by Four Points by Sheraton Phoenix South Mountain, hosted one of ADOT’s many community meetings briefing residents about freeway plans. Hanke assailed the judge’s mediation order, calling it “a sudden rush to mediate and get this long-term injustice off the table and behind all of the layers government involved and individuals implicated, lest someone be held accountable for numerous transgressions of the law.” Neither ADOT nor Foothills Reserve has yet filed a reply to Hanke’s motion.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

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TU board president’s war chest dwarfs all school candidates BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

hile campaign donations to the five candidates for three Kyrene Governing board seats is virtually nonexistent, the same cannot be said for the Tempe Union High School election. While the five Kyrene candidates did not

ELECTION from page 3

dependent organizations that have been particularly generous with Epstein, according to financial statements filed with the Arizona Secretary of State. As of earlier this month, Bowie reported $198,694 in donations and spending $119,519. Sharer reported a campaign war chest of $35,331 and spending $23,355. Jermaine and Epstein reported donations totaling $101,671 and $99,968, respectively with Jermaine spending $37,395 and Epstein spending $39,547. On the other side, Robson reported collecting $38,185 and spending $19,759 while Hawker collected $5,228 and spent about half that. Robson has appeared to be aiming his sights on Epstein, and has picked up the endorsements of both the Mesa and Chandler Chambers of Commerce. Those two chambers also have endorsed Bowie and Jermaine. The Ahwatukee Chamber does not make endorsements. And that may be why independent organizations have focused considerable attention on Epstein’s campaign, shelling out $99,968 on mailers, viral ads and oth-

collect enough campaign cash to meet the minimum for filing financial statements, six of the eight Tempe Union candidates did – with Tempe resident and board President Berdetta Hodge reporting a war chest that is larger than the other five combined. Records filed with the County Recorder this month show Hodge has collected $23,365. That tops Arizona State Univer-

sity sophomore and 2019 Desert Vista grad Armando Montero’s $9,659; Tempe Realtor Lori Bastian’s $6.853; Tempe resident and retired APS research analyst Sandy Lowe's $2,213; Tempe Elementary teacher Paige Reesor’s $2,901; and Tempe commercial real estate broker Michael Myrick’s $126. The two other candidates, Ahwatukee attorney Don Fletcher and

All LD18 candidates appeared in a Clean Elections Commission debate in August. Clockwise from top left: Suzanne Sharer, Bob Robson, Don Hawker, Rep. Jennifer Jermaine, Rep. Mitzi Epstein and Sen. Sean Bowie. (Spe-

cial to AFN)

er support for Epstein. No other LD18 candidate comes close in the amount of money spent by independent organizations to advocate or oppose their bid. Unlike political action committees and candidate’s own campaign finance statements, independent organizations do not have to disclose the source of the funds they spend on ads and other support they provide for or against a candidate. And this year, independent organizations of all political stripes and causes have flooded Arizona with money, spend-

ing it on mailers and other forms of advertising in support of or opposition to individual candidates as well as the two initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot. But those organizations are being selective, focusing their attention on close contests. Arizona Capitol Times recently reported that independent organizations, many of them based outside the state, have poured more than $55 million into Arizona campaigns. For example, they have spent more than $11 million advocating passage of Proposition 208, which would impose

Chandler teacher Sarah James, reported no donations. Most of Hodge’s contributions involved small contributors of $50 or less, although she also reported $1,500 in donations for Planned Parenthood’s political action committee and $500 from the Arizona

see BOARDS page 19

an income tax surcharge on part of the income of high-wage earners to support public education. Independent groups also have targeted some legislative races – and none more than the more than $1.1 million spent to defeat Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard in neighboring LD17, which covers parts of Chandler and Gilbert and all of Sun Lakes. Mesnard, who said he was shocked by the amount, also has drawn support from other independent groups that have spent more than $500,000 advocating for his election to a second Senate term. In LD18, no independent organization has spent a dime advocating for Epstein’s defeat. In fact, they have spent relatively little advocating for any other candidate either way. For example, independent organizations have spent $16,788 advocating for Jermaine’s reelection and $4,262 for Bowie. Neither has drawn a dime of spending from independent organizations that oppose them. Independent organizations’ spending in favor of the three GOP candidates in LD18 totals $36 for each and $6.31 has been spent against each of them.

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

BOARDS from page 18

Pipe Trades Local 409 PAC. Montero and Bastian similarly reported most of their financial support from small contributors, although Bastian also has loaned her campaign $2,736, records show. With three seats up for grabs in both districts, Kyrene promises the biggest change as only incumbent Michelle Fahy is seeking a second term. Myrick, the board president, is switching his sights to Tempe Union while John King is retiring after two terms on the board. All five candidates for the Kyrene seats are involved in education and none have expressed any opposition to the current board picking a successor to Superintendent Dr. Jan Vesely, who is retiring at the end of the calendar year. The board already plans to seek an internal candidate to replace her and sign a contract with their pick by Thanksgiving week. Tempe resident Fahy is Tempe Union’s instructional technology coordinator and in her 36th year in public education. The other Kyrene candidates include Ivan Alfaro of Tempe, executive director of a national learning company; Wanda Kolomyjec of Ahwatukee, an ASU instructor and community organizer; Trine´ Nelson of Ahwatukee, a curriculum manager for ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business; and Margaret Wright, a Tempe resident and an adjunct professor of biology at Paradise Valley Community College. The composition of Tempe Union’s board also will be changing since incumbent Michelle Helm has decided not to seek a sixth term. Lowe is seeking a third

term on the board. One of the questions in both races will involve the impact of the pandemic-driven school closures on the incumbents’ reelection bids. That could be especially true in Tempe Union, which is allowing students in classrooms only two days a week, with the student bodies at each of the district’s seven campuses split into either MondayTuesday or Thursday-Friday attendance. Kyrene began a rolling five-day in-class reopening in mid-September, starting with K-2 students one week and grades 3-5 the following week and opening middle schools when fall break ended Oct. 12. While the Kyrene and Tempe Union races likely will attract most voter interest in Ahwatukee, it’s not the only educationrelated election on the ballot. Ahwatukee resident and longtime educator Dr. Linda Thor is seeking another term on the board for the Maricopa County Community College District. Thor, who served as president of Rio Salado College for 20 years, is facing a challenge by Shelli Boggs of Queen Creek. Boggs, a former member of the East Valley Institute of Technology Governing Board, has gained notoriety for posing on social media with an assault rifle. Voters in at least a portion of Ahwatukee also will be deciding on another community college district board race: one between incumbent Laurin Hendrix and Jacqueline Smith, vice president of the ASU Foundation. Hendrix, a former legislator, won a two-year seat on the Gilbert Town Council in August and is allowed to hold a seat on the community college board.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

How fire heroes saved Lost Dutchman Park

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

irst Water glistened in the spring, its towering green saguaros and palo verdes showing off the Sonoran Desert’s surprisingly verdant terrain and showcasing the Superstition Mountains. But that postcard-worthy scene is now a bittersweet memory, the same desert landscape charred and singed by the Superstition Fire – one of four that have claimed nearly 160,000 acres of mostly pristine desert in the Superstitions the past two years. The Superstition Fire started Aug. 20, burning through 9,539 acres before it was brought under control Sept. 23 after torching the top of Superstition Mountain near Flat Iron, a steep but panoramic area. The scars around First Water will linger for decades in the fragile desert ecosystem, where it can take 100 or more years for saguaros to grow tall. Now, all that awaits many of the once imposing saguaros is decay. They are either charred or turning an unnatural shade of brown, burned at the base and ready to topple with a good blast of wind. But in the wildfire that torched the region, First Water died nobly as firefighters served heroically. Firefighters made their stand there, saving popular Lost Dutchman State Park to the south and preventing the inferno from marching north toward scenic Canyon Lake. A bumpy dirt road gave them a critical fire break to halt the wildfire’s hellish onslaught.

The evidence of their labors is obvious to any visitor: to the south lies an ugly burn scar, to the north, lush pristine desert. “That was the place that was going to give us the highest probability for success,’’ said Incident Commander John Pierson of the U.S. Forest Service. The top priorities were protecting lives, especially those of firefighters on scene as well as Lost Dutchman State Park and even Apache Junction, he said. If the three-or fourday assault on the fire at First Water had failed, the next best option would The red-shaded area shows the swatch of desert scorched by the Superstition have been the Apache Fire. First Water is located midway along the northwest border of that area. Trail, where the im(Special to AFN) pact would have been Firefighters used torches to set some much worse, Pierson said. vegetation ablaze, robbing the advanc“It’s a very flashy fire system, where ing fire of the non-native grasses that had fires will get very large, very quickly,’’ Piermade the area lush in spring but fed the son said. “We did a lot of effort to protect inferno in summer. the natural and cultural resources.’’ Planes dumped fire retardant while Apache Junction Fire Chief Mike Farber firefighters sprayed water from brush considers the response a great success trucks in triple-digit heat. overall.

Numerous saguaros in the area torched by the Superstition Fire will only Acres of pristine desert were left charred and their beauty ravaged by the need a strong gust of wind to topple, their bases ruined by flames. (Jim Superstition Fire. (Jim Walsh/AFN Staff) Walsh/AFN Staff)

But he is saddened by the loss of pristine desert as he drives past the Lost Dutchman Fire site along Apache Trail and on the First Water road past the charred terrain. “It’s a beautiful area of pristine desert. It was there when I was a kid. Now, it’s gone for my lifetime,’’ he said. “This is something that took hundreds of years (to grow). It’s going to be lifetime, if ever, to be restored.’’ But Farber also shudders over what might have happened if the First Water fire line had not held. Lost Dutchman State Park, a popular destination, might have been lost forever. The fire could have raced north up Apache Trail, consuming thousands of acres as it headed toward Canyon Lake. “It was a lot more saved than lost,’’ he said. “Overall, I think limiting the damage was a phenomenal success, but any acreage lost is too much.’’ Firefighters say the area had been primed for devastating fires by higherthan-usual rains that supported the growth of non-native grasses during the winter, providing fuel for spring and summer blazes to travel and grow. High winds, triple-digit temperatures and a dry monsoon season combined to create an environment ripe for fire. “This is what we are seeing throughout the West,’’ Pierson said. “I don’t know that we will see any relief in the future." The ominous pattern includes the following fires that have burned through the

see FIRE page 22

The Superstition Fire cast an eerie glow through many nights for Apache Junction and East Mesa residents in August and September as firefighters fought the stubborn blaze for weeks. (Special to AFN)

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

FIRE from page 20

Superstitions. Besides the Aug. 20 Superstition Fire, there also was: • The Woodbury Fire: The largest of all the fires, the fire started near the Woodbury Trailhead in June 2019, in the northeast section of the Superstitions, about five miles northwest of Superior. The fire consumed 123,875 acres by the time it was 100 percent under control in August. The terrain was too rugged and too dangerous for firefighters on foot, making an aerial assault the only safe option. • The Sawtooth Fire: Caused by lightning, it started two miles northeast of the Peralta Canyon Trailhead last May 30 and burned 24,779 acres. • The Lost Dutchman Fire started May 7 west of the Apache Trail, south of Lost Dutchman State Park. It burned 221 acres of mostly pristine desert. “The last two years have been horrible with the wildfires. It took out a massive part of the interior of the Superstitions,’’ said Jodi Akers, an Apache Junction business woman who operates Mother Lode Mercantile in Goldfield Ghost Town and lectures about the Apache Trail’s histo-

ry at the nearby Superstition Mountain Museum. “We’re horribly sad about what happened. All of those saguaros will take hundreds of years to regrow,’’ she said. Apache Junction Mayor Jeff Serdy said the area has been reeling from the series of fires. They also washed out the Apache Trail near Fish Creek and made it impossible to drive to Roosevelt Lake, removing access to an important tourist attraction. “We hadn’t recovered from last year and we got hit again,’’ Serdy said. “Some experts say it needed to burn, but I don’t buy that. I think it will be 30-40 years before it looks like our Superstitions again.’’ Kim Grady, a board member of Friends of Lost Dutchman’s State Park, said she was startled and frightened as she watched the fire from her home. “It was coming down Flat Iron. There were fire bombs coming down there. It was scary,’’ she said. Although the fire burned out before it reached the lower terrain of Lost Dutchman State Park and no houses were damaged, “to see the fire come down the hill was just unbelievable,’’ Grady said. “I don’t want to go through another summer like it.’’

thew Quinn, trails manager for the Tonto National Forest. “When they go out this year, they will see a difference. There’s going to be a loss of vegetation from what people remember in previous years. There might be a lot of open space,’’ Quinn said. He said the missing vegetation creates a temptation for some hikers to go off trail, further damaging the ecosystem at the worst time since the ground is likely to be looser and less stable. The damage only increases the need for hikers to stay on the trails and wear appropriate footwear with good traction, Quinn said. “You might find a lot of deadfall that wasn’t there before,’’ including various types of cactus and other plants that hikers will need to step over, Quinn said. “It will definitely have an impact on trail conditions.’’ Volunteer trail stewards will likely assist hikers at the busier trailheads in the Tonto National Forest and will issue warnings about any additional hazards they may encounter, he said. “I think anytime you have an event like this, it changes what we see as humans. Our life span is a speck compared to our natural resources,’’ Pierson said.

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Amy Schnoes, Lost Dutchman State Park’s manager, said the fire burned about the top quarter to a third of the mountain. She said it came within a half mile of the park’s boundaries. “We didn’t have any direct damage at all. We did have to close the park for four days,’’ she said. “We were very lucky we had the resources in the area we did. We have fire crews that are very experienced with the topography.’’ The series of fires leaves behind a patchwork of pristine areas that were saved by firefighters. They include Lost Dutchman and Peralta Canyon, which hosts one of the area’s most beautiful hikes. The fires have left ugly burn scars in some remote areas east of Peralta and north of iconic Weaver’s Needle. The Tonto National Forest reopened the trails after concluding that the increased risk of flooding is not high enough to justify leaving them closed. Still, East Valley hikers tired of being cooped-up during the COVID-19 pandemic and anxious to head out for some exercise are advised to use additional caution amid hazards worsened by the fire. “We’re very fortunate that our highest use trails were less impacted,’’ said Mat-

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Realtor arrested in wife’s slaying on Mesa road BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

mother moved into a friend’s house in East Mesa with her two young boys to escape a husband she suspected of using drugs and hiring escorts. But Janell Mora could not hide from Stephen Mora, who is accused of tracking her down and shooting her to death while she was jogging on Sept. 26 near Power Road and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Mesa Police formally arrested the 54-year-old Scottsdale Realtor on Wednesday following his release from a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the head. Shortly after the shooting, Mora attempted suicide as he sat in his silver Mercedes Benz in the parking lot at Mesa police headquarters, shooting himself in the head, police said. He survived and was arrested on suspicion of second- degree murder, according to a court document. The document said that Janell, who had two master’s degrees and had formerly worked for Arizona State University, had separated from Stephen on Sept. 7 and moved more than 20 miles from their north Phoenix home to East Mesa in hopes of eluding him. Her sister, Amy Hall, told the Tribune that the two had a meeting set up only a couple of days after the slaying and were scheduled to discuss an amicable divorce. The court document describes how Stephen Mora visited the house where his wife and her children were staying on Sept. 25 but was told she wasn’t there. He returned armed with a revolver on Sept. 26. Janell Mora had attempted to hide her location from her husband but to no avail. A witness reported that Janell pleaded for help the night she was slain, approaching the witness’ vehicle and saying, “Help me, he has a gun,’’ the court document said. Moments later, the witness watched a man, later identified as Stephen Mora, shoot Janell and get into the driver’s seat of his Mercedes. Another witness reported seeing the victim lying in the southbound lanes and “a male crouching over her with a revolver in his right hand.’’

STEPHEN MORA

Stephen and Janell Mora were married for about three years and knew each other for about four. (Special to AFN)

Police said a low-slung vehicle hit Janell and other passersby administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation though she eventually was pronounced dead at the scene. Stephen Mora’s father called police and told them his son had shot his wife and intended to take his own life. Later, Stephen himself called police and said, “I shot my wife’’ and that he was going to shoot himself at police headquarters in downtown Mesa. A short time later, an officer heard a shot and saw the suspect step out of his car, blood covering his face. Police found the revolver, two spent casings and Mora’s cell phone inside the car, according to the document. A preliminary autopsy by the Mari-

copa County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Janell Mora was shot through her right side and suffered internal bleeding after the bullet travelled through a lung. She also sustained some cracked ribs from being struck by the passing car. The document said that Stephen Mora was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but did not identify the substance. Janell, 40, was laid to rest in her native Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her estranged husband was initially locked up in the Mesa City Jail but was expected to be transferred to the County Jail. The Moras were married in April 2017 and it was the second marriage for them both. Janell, who had been divorced several

years and whose two sons, ages 8 and 9 are from her previous marriage, met Mora in 2016 through the dating app Tinder. The Moras married about 10 months after he divorced his first wife. At the time of their wedding, Janell posted effusive descriptions of Mora, calling him “the most charming, kind-hearted, loving…man I’ve ever known.” The court document gave no indication when their relationship soured, stating she had separated from him on Labor Day weekend. The slaying – one of two domestic killings of women by their husbands that weekend – came days before the beginning of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Experts say domestic violence is often built on a pattern of intimidation and manipulation of victims, with the abuser oftentimes attempting to control every aspect of a victim’s life. Mesa Mayor John Giles hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Month digital event on Thursday that can be viewed on Mesa Channel 11 or the city’s You Tube channel. The purpose was to educate the public about domestic violence, encourage victims to escape from their tormentor and to demonstrate there are shelters and other resources available to help. Janell’s family has set up an account on gofundme.com to raise money for the victim’s two sons. It can be found by searching “trust fund for Brighton and Owen McClelland” on the site.

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

REDISTRICT from page 14

Arizona Constitution. It says the first appointment goes to Bowers as the House speaker, followed by a pick by Fernandez as minority leader, Senate President Karen Fann and then Bradley as the top Senate Democrat. But it also says that once a pick is made, the next must come within seven days. And while Barton figures that the process does not have to start legally until the end of January. He said Bowers, in tapping Mehl on Thursday, now forces Fernandez to act by this coming Thursday or forfeit her choice, something he said should not happen while the legality of the nominations of Loquvam and Wilson is being litigated. Barton is asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Janice Crawford to legally

bar future appointments – and save Fernandez from having to make a pick at this point – until the litigation is resolved. The makeup of the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments itself has been the subject of questions of whether it has been skewed by Gov. Doug Ducey. Until this year, none of the members of the panel, who are appointed by the governor, were Democrats. In fact, the questions were raised about the two "independent" nominees Ducey tapped last year, as one had previously been a Republican precinct committeewoman who had donated to GOP candidates and the other is married to the daughter of state Rep. Steve Pierce, RPrescott, and lobbied for Ducey’s Arizona Commerce Authority. Only last July did the governor tap three Democrats for vacancies on the 16-member commission.

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Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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At 15, Ahwatukee teen becomes an author BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

any authors wait until they’ve been seasoned by life’s experiences before they write their first book. But Carley Barton didn’t need that. At age 15, the Ahwatukee teen and Desert Vista High sophomore recently published her first book – a children’s book titled “Above the Clouds: What Really Happens in Heaven During a Thunderstorm” because of an experience she had when she was 5. “This book was inspired by a terrible thunderstorm I got stuck in when I lived in Texas,” explained Carley, the daughter of Stephanie and Jason Barton. Available on the Barnes and Noble site, amazon.com and booksamillion.com, Carley’s book will soon be on the shelves at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Chandler Fashion Center. It might not be surprising that the teen

Their story:

Carley Barton of Ahwatukee said her grandmother, retired librarian Sue Milon, left, and her mom, Stephanie Barton, helped her a bit with her first book, a children’s novel based on a terrifying experience she had when she was 5. (Pablo Robles/AFN staff photographer)

has crafted an illustrated book with a religious theme.

Besides belonging to the Thunder track team and the Arizona Elite track team,

We owe being here to our parents BY MARCIA GARNICE AFN Guest Writer

ow! What a move we made! My husband David and I made a 2,500-mile move from Maryland to come to live in Ahwatukee in November 2012. It all started back in 1976 when Ahwatukee was the subdivision and many cotton fields existed. My in-laws moved here then, and we came to visit every few years. We saw Ahwatukee grow to a great neighborhood. In 2011, when our last parent passed away, my husband and I chose to buy their house. It was like the house was calling us

to be in Ahwatukee. It was not an easy decision to make. It took awhile to make the right decision. Arizona was hot, but drier than back east. The humidity, cold and snow, our children were a big factor in making that decision. When we arrived at the house in Ahwatukee, it was not empty. The furniture was still in the house and now we had our items. This was a challenge to maneuver around everything and see what was going to go or stay. It was hard, but once we got started, it went a little smoother. Through the years as our parents grew older, it was harder for them to keep up the house. All we needed to

do was give it a little tender loving care. Some of our children came to visit and they decided to move here in Ahwatukee also. Some of our grandchildren were born here too. Through the years, we found an interesting factor about the area. We have talked to people in different states and areas in Arizona. We found most subdivisions were not as clean or kept up as with Ahwatukee. This area was great looking back in

�ee THEIR STORY page 34

Marcia and David Garnice are grateful to his parents for the opportunity they provided for the couple to move to Ahwatukee. (Special to AFN)

Carley also is a member of Tukee Young Life and plays guitar in the student worship band at Mountain Park Church. Nor is it surprising that she wrote the book to help other children terrified by thunderstorms, but also a book that has become a comfort to children who have lost a loved one. While she still has time before she has to decide what she wants to be when she graduates, she is eying the medical field because “I am a people person and want to make a difference in the lives of others.” The story is about a little girl who wakes up to a thunderstorm and calls out for her mom. Her mom comes in to console her and tells her not to be afraid. She then begins to tell her daughter, named Grace in the book, “what is going on in heaven during the thunderstorm,” Carley explained. “It touches on the main elements of a

�ee BOOK page 33

COMMUNITY

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Cerritos project aimed at healthy class environment AFN NEWS STAFF

utdoor learning has never been more important than during the Age of COVID-19. And that’s why the Kyrene de los Cerritos PTO and Principal Amy Gingell are teaming up on a project they hope the community will join. As part of the PTO’s annual Go, Speedy, Go! Fundraiser that raises funds to support the Ahwatukee school’s teachers, staff and students, the PTO is focusing on Gingell’s Outdoor Learning Spaces Initiative. Gingell wants to create two outdoor classroom environments where teachers can bring their students to read, write, learn and even enjoy lunch. The PTO is raising money to buy 12 outdoor tables with connected seats for the school’s spacious courtyard on Desert Foothills Parkway. After Kyrene and other Arizona schools were closed for nearly six months, many students have returned to classrooms. But to mitigate virus spread, one of the many safety protocols adopted by virtually all districts that have reopened is maintaining a “cohort” format in which the same group of students, all wearing masks, learns together, eats together and plays together throughout the school day. “In order to adhere to recommendations by the CDC, students remain in their classroom during lunch and movement around the school is minimized in order to main-

BOOK from page 32

storm: thunder (dance party), lightning (paparazzi), rain (angels telling funny jokes, they laugh so hard they cry), and wind (race to see which angel gets to be Grace’s guardian angel). “It’s a new updated version of the angels bowling in heaven,” Carley added. Though based on an incident that occurred a decade ago, Carley has been rolling it around in her head. Her project to a degree was a team effort: her mother and her mother’s mother, Sue Milon of Prescott. “We all contributed something to this book, whether it was bouncing ideas off each other or helping with grammar,” said Carley. “My grandma is a retired school librarian so she knew how to make it ap-

The Cerrtitos Elementary PTO hopes to raise enough money to buy a dozen of the outdoor tables above, with umbrellas, to create two outdoor classrooms on the school’s campus in Ahwatukee. (Special to AFN)

tain physical distance from other cohort classes,” explained Janie Miller, PTO fundraising chairwoman and the organization’s development coordinator. “Children are indoors more than previous school years,” she added. While many districts are grappling with often aging HVAC systems to maintain adequate circulation in classrooms and buildings, Kyrene purchased HEPA air filtration machines for every classroom that captures 99.97 percent of air particles ev-

peal to kids.” The illustrator is the daughter of some close friends to her grandparents. “We found out that she was an illustrator by talking to her mom one day and she brought it up,” Carley recalled. “We had already written the content and illustration descriptions for the book when we found Kelly. We had first asked her to draw a mother, daughter and an angel. When she had sent us these drafts, they blew us away.” That resolved one of the biggest challenges Carley faced in writing the book. The other? “I would say the biggest challenge was the editing and revisions,” Carley said. “Just when we thought we were done, there was another thing to change to make it better.” Carley said the entire experience of

ery 35 minutes. Still, fresh air is even more effective in stopping virus spread – hence Gingell’s campaign for the tables. “Mrs. Gingell has been brainstorming on various ways to reimagine how school can be reopened safely by mitigating the risk of coronavirus spread but also caring for the mental and physical health of the children she has entrusted to her,” Miller said. Now that temperatures are moderating, she added, “her mission is to create these

writing the book “has given me a greater appreciation for authors. “There was so much that I had to learn and figure out and I can’t imagine how chapter books are made so well,” she said. And though her favorite subjects are math and science, Carley said she thinks she has at least one more book in her. “Everyone is asking us if we are going to write another book,” she said, “and the answer will be yes. “It will be linked to this book and the same premise of heaven and angels. We are thinking of going towards helping a child grieve when losing a loved one with guardian angels.” Carley Barton’s book can be purchased online and will soon be in the Barnes and Noble bookstore at Chandler Fashion Center. (Pablo Robles/AFN staff photographer)

outdoor learning spaces in the newly renovated courtyard area to allow four to five classes to be outside concurrently.” One learning space would be located outside the school library and the other near the school garden. The school needs 16 round patio tables with a center umbrella for shade. With a cost of $800 per unit, the total cost of the project is estimated to be around $14,000. “Our hope is that current Cerritos families, Cerritos alumni families, other Ahwatukee families and local businesses might synergize with us to make this a reality,” Miller said. The Outdoor Learning Spaces Initiative will “provide opportunities for the students and staff to change their learning environment throughout the course of the school day with increased access to fresh air, natural light and nature,” Miller said. She said repurposing the courtyard “would improve the overall health and wellness of students and staff – which also would benefit our Ahwatukee community as a whole.” Cerritos is currently looking for sponsors, who can “buy” a whole table for $800, a half $400 or just contribute any amount towards the project at cerritospto.org/donate. All donations are tax-deductible. If interested, a dedication plaque can be affixed with the sponsoring family’s name, business or as a way of honoring a loved one,” Miller said.

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

De Paul Society seeks holiday help for needy he St. Vincent de Paul Society is asking families, individuals and community or office groups to sponsor families in need by providing gifts and a holiday meal for the whole family. “I have had the pleasure of working on this 25-year-old program for the past 13 years. I’ve heard stories from sponsors about the huge grins on children’s faces as they rip open their gifts, and the tears from parents who know that the spirit of the season has moved community heroes to help their families,” said Dottie Sullivan,

a volunteer coordinator of its Adopt-AFamily program. “Because of the pandemic, the holidays are going to look very different for the families who are simply trying to stay afloat by keeping a roof over their kids’ heads and food on the table,” Sullivan added. “With the help of our community, I know we will be able to assist many of those families and make a difference.” Because of the unusually tough year it’s been financially for so many, the Adopt-AFamily program is expecting more families than ever to need its help. With the help of many dedicated indi-

viduals who support SVdP’s mission, families in need are identified and matched with supporters across the Valley. Sponsors are asked to buy and wrap two new presents (toy and clothing) for each child under 16 and one present each for older siblings, parents and grandparents living in the same household. In lieu of supplying the ingredients for a holiday meal this year, sponsors will provide a gift card to an accessible grocer so each family can purchase their own ingredients for their own special holiday meal. To sponsor a family, call 602-261-6820 or contact adoptafamily@svdpaz.org.

St. Vincent de Paul is accepting requests to “adopt” until Dec. 4 and will provide instructions for best health and safety practices in response to the pandemic. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit dedicated to serving people in need and providing others with the opportunity to serve. It has been assisting central and northern Arizona families since 1946 and has more than 80 parish satellite locations. It offers services for the homeless, medical and dental care for the uninsured, charity dining rooms, transitional housing and homelessness prevention assistance. 

Places in and around to celebrate Halloween

From 7-9 p.m. today though Friday, Quick Quack’s Haunted Car Wash experience is $15.99 with $1 from each single wash entry donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation

‘Mommy and Me’ dance slated at Studio 111

Mike Maloney at mike.maloney2003@gmail.com.

AFN NEWS STAFF

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Ahwatukee families looking for virus-safe ways to treat their kids to some free Halloween thrills have a few options this week. Doug and Rose Maldonado have readied their home at 16210 S. 29th Drive and for the 15th consecutive year, commercial pilot Steve Powers has set up his yard with gentle sights of the season at 2537 E. Amberwood Drive. The Halloween House lights are Thursday, 6:30 to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Steve Powers themes his display “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” riffing off Tim Burton’s “Night Before Christmas” with eye-popping animatronics that he himself made, along with a continuous loop of holiday-appropriate sons like “Monster Mash.” His 35-minute show at 2537 E. Amberwood Drive can viewed at any time 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Henry Ibarra for the 19th year has an elaborate haunted house display in front of his home at 4641 East Frye Road. And if you want still more, cross the I-10 and head for Quick Quack’s Haunted Car Wash at 7455 West Chandler Blvd., Chandler, though this one is not free.

TU Education Foundation slates golf tournament

THEIR STORY from page 32

ter welcoming us to the neighborhood. We felt good that someone thought of us before we even moved in. That was one thing we did not have in any other moves we made. There were certain people we will always remember and be grateful for as to why we moved to Ahwatukee in the first place. Since our Mom and Dad lived here for over 35 years and tried to get us to move here too, it was not our time to do so. Whether it was jobs, children, or just not right at the time. Then when the time came in 2012, we

1976 and still as nice looking now in 2020. Ahwatukee is centrally located and in the middle of everything. You have places to go towards in the east and west for everyday travel. You can visit places north to get to cooler weather with a reasonable time. You may travel south to see many other tourists’ attractions, again with reasonable time to travel. When we closed on the house and before we moved in, we received a phone call from the Ahwatukee Recreation Cen-

The Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation is seeking sponsors and players for its On Par for a Purpose golf tournament at 8 a.m. Nov. 19 at Arizona Grand Golf Course. Sponsorships range from $1,500 to $5,000 and the money supports the foundation’s mission of creating “a vision of an enhanced educational experience that broadens student achievement and promotes workplace success. The foundation supports innovative teacher projects, mentor and tutor programs, at-risk student summer school and special education programs. Last year, the tournament raised $40,000. All district golfers will play on teams representing a school in the district. The teams will be competing for a chance to win a $1,000 grant to their school. Organizers are making arrangements to ensure all participants’ safety. Information: onparforapurpose.com.

Dance Studio 111, 4910 E. Chandler Blvd., will hold a free “Mommy and Me” dance for mothers and toddlers up to age 30 months 9:30-10 a.m. Oct. 15. Dance instructor Carolyn Butters will provide free lesson, which has been a stepping stone for many girls to a dance career. Moms must make a reservation by calling 480-7066040 or email dancestudio111@dancestudio111.com. Studio 111 also has started regular classes for children ages 3-4 from 10-11 a.m. Thursday. This is not a free class and includes a half hour of tap and a half hour of ballet.

Hospice program prepares grieving families for holidays

The Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club hasn’t let the pandemic shut it down. Members meet online every week and have resumed speakers now that it’s fall. To ensure online security, people interested in the Kiwanis Club or attending a virtual meeting can contact President

Hospice of the Valley’s New Song Center for Grieving Children will hold a free online discussion 6-7 p.m. today, Oct. 28, to help bereaved parents and caregivers deal with the challenges of the holiday season. “Families who are grieving the death of a loved one may find it even harder to cope during the holidays,” spokeswoman Deborah Britz said. “Our experts will cover self-kindness, holiday grief triggers and handling the stress of meeting others’ expectations. They will discuss new and creative ways to prepare for the holidays and successfully manage celebrations with family and friends.” New Song Clinical Director Jill Lovill and pediatric bereavement counselors Erica Schwartz and Amanda Sahli New Song are hosting this educational presentation, in collaboration with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Ryan House. To register and receive a Zoom link, email rsvp@newsongcenter.org. For questions, call 602-776-6811.

moved here. We bought their house and everything they told us about Ahwatukee was true. The area, people, shopping and just being here made us feel welcomed. We have been living here now eight years and loved

every minute of it. We will not only remember our parents because they were our parents but because if they had not moved here in the first place, we would not be living in Ahwatukee in the second place.

Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club very much around

Tell us your story

What made you choose Ahwatukee as your home? What were the challenges when you arrived? What is the most interesting thing you have discovered in Ahwatukee? Who is a person you met in Ahwatukee you won’t ever forget? What act of kindness by an Ahwatukee resident or business touched you? Today, AFN begins an occasional series called “Their Stories.” We want to hear your first-person account. Stories should be about 500-700 words. Include a picture of yourself or you and your family and send your stories to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com.

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Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Business 36

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Her old ‘stomping grounds’ now host her 1st store AFN NEWS STAFF

ichelle Hoffman really likes Ahwatukee. How else would you explain someone who lives in Gilbert, but opted for Ahwatukee to set up her business, Your CBD Store–Ahwatukee, here? “Being able to open the store in Ahwatukee, is not only a privilege, it’s nostalgic,” explained Hoffman, who recently opened her shop at 4802 E. Ray Road, next to the UPS Store. She explained that when she moved from Connecticut to Arizona in 2000, even though she settled initially in Chandler, Ray Road and 48th Street “was my stomping grounds.” “I shopped here, went to the movies at AMC, dined out here and had many close friends that lived on this side of the I-10,” she said. Now she added, “I’m very excited to be a part of this amazing community as well as help educate the area on the many benefits of CBD.”

Michelle Hoffman lives in Gilbert but looks at Ahwatukee as an ideal, and somewhat nostalgic, place for her first business, Your CBD Store-Ahwatukee on Ray Road and 48th Street. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

While starting her business – an independently owned part of a growing franchise created by a Florida woman two years ago that has exploded into 400 re-

tail outlets in the last two years – Hoffman was taking a big leap. She had spent 25 years in the banking industry as director of technology and

dian Scout. “I love that you think I have a work-life balance, but I’m going to be the first to admit that my practices are my children,” said Neumann, 46. “I work a significant amount of hours but I do that by choice. In my limited spare time, I have a home in Strawberry that I like to frequent, to get into the tall pines and ride my motorcycle.” This is about where the surprises end. “I walk my dogs. I like to hike and I like to cook and bake, so I frequently cook and bake for the staff.” That sense of community at Ahwatukee

Sarah Neumann, founder-owner of Ahwatukee Skin & Laser takes breaks from her long hours by riding her motorcycle, often up to Strawberry. (Special to AFN)

Midwestern values sustain Skin & Laser founder BY LEE SHAPPELL AFN Contributor

he’s driven by her strong Midwestern values: family, religion, community. Work long, work hard, do it right. That has carried Sarah Neumann to a decade of success after founding Ahwatukee Skin & Laser. But Neumann also has an adventurous side, which might surprise those who know her as a no-nonsense, get-it-done personality. She lived in Belize for a year as an exchange student. And? “I ride a motorcycle,” Neumann said. You ride a what? She giggles. It’s an In-

quality assurance and last year began considering small business opportunities with her significant other/business partner, Will Kaser. “Your CBD Store landed on our list, primarily because we were users of the products,” she said. “A short time later, my work situation changed and we decided to pull the trigger and pursue opening our own store. And here we are.” A mother of three who is also part of a blended family with five more children, Hoffman said there is another reason she gravitated to Your CBD Store. “We were already familiar with their high quality. When we researched the company further – and then also talked to other owners in the area as well as in Oregon – we became more and more impressed with the overall integrity and quality standards of the company.” CBD is not to be confused with medical or recreational marijuana. It is not designed to get people high, but

see SKIN page 38

see CBD page 39

BUSINESS

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Vintageous Life plans 3rd annual �lea market

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

iding the wave” is how Jimmy Maler, co-owner of Ahwatukee’s Vintageous Life in Ahwatukee, describes the pandemic’s effect on his vintage furniture and lifestyle store. The uncertainty that COVID-19 brought with shutdowns continues to haunt the business owner and his life partner, Noeleen Sese. Though their doors are now open and usual business hours resumed at 4611 E. Chandler Blvd., their proposed Koffie Momo coffee shop, completed inside the 4,200-square-foot store during the shutdown, still awaits an opening date. The name, derived from Swedish for coffee and minute, meshes with the midcentury vibe of the store that showcases many Scandanavian designs of that era as well as Maler’s Dutch heritage. “We wanted the name to have that swagger and style of the Scandinavian designs like the 50s,” said Maler. “It’s basically done, we’re ready to do our thing but we’re still apprehensive,” admitted Mahler. “We’re riding the wave of the opening and closing door.” This coffee shop has legs – once it ever gets on its feet. “We debated if we wanted to be a vintage store that sold coffee, or have a coffee brand with a different identity inside the store,” said Maler. “So, after chewing on it for a while, we decided to make it independent, something that could go outside these four walls.” That decision means Koffie Momo could be franchised. “Vintageous Life isn’t franchisable but the coffee bar you can franchise. You can place it within other businesses,” he said. Even within his own store, Maler said he sees great potential. “I think the coffee shop is going to be so much fun here,” he said. Vintageous Life opened, festooned with bright red peace sign decals, in 2018. Mahler and Sese said business was “really good” – until mid-March. The couple’s natural bent to creativity,

The pandemic has been tough for Vintageous Life owners Jimmy Maler and Noeleen Sese but they feel it’s important to give back to the community by holding their third flea market. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

– evidenced by their treasure-filled store featuring hand-selected vintage furniture, home accessories, clothing and shoes – was now challenged economically. “It was really horrible when nobody was going anywhere and consumer confidence was zero and people were being very careful with purchases,” he said. “We kept ourselves alive on Facebook and social media.” As the lockdown continued, people began shopping online – and Vintageous Life benefitted. “We’d have people pay by credit card and then pick up the item curbside,” he recalled. Vintageous Life opened in May on an appointment-only basis and in mid-July, the store reopened with regular hours seven days a week. “I can’t say it’s returned to normalcy, but it’s heading in a positive direction,” he said. Maler said as he and his family struggled with the shutdown and the effect on their personal lives as well as their business, they were dismayed to see other stores in the community shuttering permanently. “It’s been really frustrating to see other community businesses not be able to

weather the storm,” the Ahwatukee resident admitted. “You start to wonder yourself, how much longer? How long do you hold on? We’re literally taking it quarter by quarter.” Even as the Vintageous owners work to keep their own business afloat, they are continuing their commitment to helping others. Among them is Hospice of the Valley where Sese, an Ahwatukee resident for 24 years, is employed in fund development. Hospice of the Valley is also where her mother spent her final days in 2004. For the third time in two years, Vintageous is hosting a Saturday Community Sale & Flea Market in the parking lot west of Kohl’s. “This has been a very challenging year for many across the Valley due to the economic situation this COVID uncertainty has caused,” said Sese. “We have immense gratitude for the continued support we’ve received from the community. “We continue to encourage support for not just us but for all small businesses and organizations in need and that’s why we’re hosting another community sale.” The sale will help raise money for Hospice of the Valley and Adorn Phoenix – the

latter empowers single moms to reach their dreams. “We will also be collecting donations for Hospice of the Valley’s White Dove Thrift Shoppes,” added Maler, noting its donation truck will be at the event. And as the holiday season marches forward, Vintageous Life is also a designated nonperishable food drop-off location through Dec. 3 for Hospice of the Valley’s Adopt-a-Family Holiday Food Drive. Nonperishable foods as well as diapers and baby wipes are needed. Donations are rewarded a 10 percent discount on any item in the Vintageous Life store. They will also accept food donations at the event. “This is the third Community Sale Vintageous Furniture and Design is hosting,” said Sese, noting the first two “were a huge success, gathering 25 sellers at each from the Ahwatukee community.” She describes the event as a “community garage sale/flea market of neighbors and friends selling together.” Anyone interested can email the couple at Vintageouslife@gmail.com. The couple explained donations to charity are derived from the $10 space reservation fee. Sese and Shauny Bennet of Shauny’s Sweet Edibles are organizers of the flea market, 7 a.m.-noon Nov. 7 in front of Vintageous Life. For more information see VintageousLife.com or visit them on Facebook.

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Elections have minor impact on investment success BY JOSEPH ORTIZ AFN Guest Writer

he upcoming election is, of course, big news. But there’s more than one way to look at it. As a citizen and voter, you have your own preferences about the issues and the candidates. But as an investor, should you be rooting for any particular outcome? You might be surprised at how a major event can have such a minor impact on your long-term investment success. To understand why, consider the following four factors: • Election results don’t determine the market’s success. A few different configurations can result from an election. One party could win the presidency, while the other could gain both chambers of Congress.

SKIN from page 36

and Skin & Laser is the essence of who she is: tight with those around her, proud creator of that community, prouder still of the reputation and trust that her practice has gained around Ahwatukee. It is a multiple award winner in the Ahwatukee Foothills News’ Best of Ahwatukee. She has been a practicing physician assistant for more than 20 years. “I got interested in dermatology, one, because I had very bad acne as a young adult and I had never heard about what a dermatologist was,” Neumann said. “I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. I got to college, I met my first dermatologist and it was life altering for me. “I took myself from someone who wasn’t real comfortable looking in the mirror to skin that I was proud to show off. So that was my first experience with, hey, this dermatology thing is pretty cool.” Her second came as an exchange student in Belize in Central America in her undergraduate years. “I saw a lot of infectious disease. I saw a lot of parasitic infections. And then my love for dermatology just exploded. I saw stingray bites. I saw cellulitis because of Third World country living conditions. “So it was pretty clear at that point that the skin, hair and nails was where my pas-

Or one party could take the White House, but the two parties could split Congress, with one controlling the House of Representatives and the other gaining the Senate. Or one party could win it all. But here’s the key point: In the past, under all these scenarios, the financial markets have done well at some times and not so well at others. In short, there’s no one “right” political configuration that spells success or failure for investors. • Different policies won’t change our basic investment landscape. Of course, each presidential administration will push for its own policies, and the same is true for every new Congress. And some legislation will indeed affect investors in some ways. For example, tax rates on capital gains and dividends have changed many times in the past, and they may well change again. If they do, adjustments to your invest-

sion lie, and that’s where I focused when I came back to the states. I went to PA school and decided that dermatology was for me.” Her Belize experience solidified her basic beliefs. “Being from a small Midwestern town in rural Wisconsin, it was eye-opening to me,” she said. “It was Third World. I was a minority race. It was difficult living, but you learned what was most important to you, whether that be family, religion, community, or otherwise. “So it really kind of solidified my basic foundations for how I live my life. Family, community, religion were kind of the pedestals of what I’ve built my business on.” Indeed, she has returned to Belize several times to visit the family that had hosted her during her college exchange year and to attend weddings of people she got to know. “And, of course, I dream of retiring there one day,” she said. “I love the community. I love the culture. I love the Caribbean Sea. So you can’t go wrong with Belize. And now, 25 years later, it’s a tourist paradise, but at the time was a Third World country.” For now, her community is centered on her dermatology practices. She founded one in Scottsdale that she eventually closed. She opened one in Sun City, which she regarded as an underserved market with an aging population with a high incidence in skin cancer, a couple of years ago. She’d come to Ahwatukee

ment strategy may be appropriate. But in the bigger picture, we live in a democratic system that mostly limits the power of one administration or political party to radically overhaul the economy, which is primarily made up of consumer spending and business investment. For investors, this means the rules of the game, so to speak, will probably remain consistent no matter who’s in charge in Washington. • Market fundamentals are “nonpartisan.” Obviously, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on normalcy in many areas, including the economy. But, eventually, we will get past COVID-19, and when we do, the same fundamental factors that have always driven the economy and the markets – corporate profits, interest rates, consumer spending, innovation, productivity and so on – will do so again.

nearly 20 years ago, initially at a largegroup practice. “I wanted a more personalized approach to patient care,” she said. “I wanted a higher quality standard. And quite frankly, I wanted to do it my way, which was heartfelt and relationship driven. I wanted to take care of people regardless of ability to pay. “So, I made the leap of faith in 2010 and opened Ahwatukee Skin & Laser on my own but with the support of my physician team.” She just celebrated her 10-year anniversary there. Neumann is at the Ahwatukee practice, at 4425 E Agave Road, Building 9, Suite 148, four days a week, and in Sun City on Wednesdays. Ahwatukee Skin & Laser employs Mohs surgeons who provide state-of-the-art care for skin-cancer patients and dermatologic surgeons. “It was imperative for us to be a full-service cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatology practice because we create relationships with people and the last thing we would want to do is have to send them outside of our four walls to a team they’re not familiar with to get their skin cancer treated,” she said. It is that quality care with a personal touch that has sustained her and her staff, even through the COVID-19 pandemic. People donated masks and brought in food, because the clinic never closed. It

And these fundamentals are non-partisan – they maintain their strength no matter what party controls the presidency or Congress. • You’re in control of your own investment choices. We may well experience some volatility in the markets before and after the election. But, in the long run you, rather than any external forces or election results, control your investment success. And that means you need to follow proven investment principles, such as owning investments that reflect your goals and risk tolerance, staying invested no matter which direction the markets are moving, and avoiding bad habits such as chasing after “hot” stocks that may not be suitable for your needs. A presidential election is important for a number of reasons – but it probably won’t

see ORTIZ page 39

was a repayment of sorts for Ahwatukee Skin & Laser’s integration into the community, where it sponsors local programs and supports local high school teams. “We wanted to maintain our ability to treat our cancer patients, and we had a massive outpouring of support,” Neumann said. “We love Ahwatukee. We wanted to maintain our locally owned small business through the pandemic. Thankfully, we continue to be blessed by the community and be supported and recognized for the quality of work that we do. It’s been a privilege to be part of Ahwatukee and we plan to stay here for a long time. “It’s a great place to raise children and we have all the amenities of a large city but the sense of a smaller, more closeknit area. “I’d like the community to know that we’re grateful for the support during a difficult time, that we are a locally owned and operated small business, and that we are making continued improvements to enhance the customer service at the clinic. We are always striving to ensure the best care for patients. Every single day we’re looking at what we can do better and how we can enhance the patience experience, learning their names, knowing their dog’s name and really giving back to the community as a whole.” Information: ahwatukeeskincare.com

BUSINESS

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

ORTIZ from page 38

greatly affect your investment success. Ultimately, staying on track to achieve what’s most important to you means being aware of the factors that affect the financial markets, putting them in perspective and then making appropriate decisions that are aligned with your longerterm goals. Ahwatukee resident Joseph Ortiz is a �inancial advisor for Edward Jones. Information: 480-753-7664 or Joseph. Ortiz@edwardjones.com.

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

Your CBD Store-Ahwatukee is intentionally set up as a boutique and owner Michelle Hoffman wants customers to feel welcome and comfortable there. (Pablo Robles/AFN

Staff Photographer)

CBD from page 36

does have medicinal value for many people when it comes to helping them sleep better, reduce stress and improve overall wellness, according to a variety of scientists. Your CBD Store products are made from a high-quality hemp grown in the United States that contains a variety of cannabinoids as well as flavonoids and terpenes. Hemp has a unique cannabinoid profile with less than 0.3 percent of THC-delta-9 and comes in forms and levels. Hoffman’s store sells water-solubles, edibles, tinctures, soft gels and topical applications – even tinctures for pets. People are advised to consult their doctor before quitting any medications and replacing them with what My CBD Store calls “the natural and holistic option of hemp.” Hoffman said. “All my CBD SunMed tinctures are third-party lab tested, awardwinning and exclusively sold at Your CBD Store locations. “Every tincture is formulated for versatility and offered in a variety of different strengths and flavors for a full range of benefits.”

She also designed the store to give it “a very relaxed, boutique feel.” “A few customers have already expressed the desire to come and sit in our casual seating area to read or relax,” she said. Plus she and her son Caleb, who works part-time at the store” are dedicated “to making our customers happy, whether it means refunding an empty bottle that simply didn’t produce a customers desired effect or always giving them a discount so they know they are appreciated.” Like any new business, Hoffman said she has her share of challenges. Besides letting people know she’s there, she also feels she needs to educate the public on her products’ benefits and “more importantly, the quality.” And her other challenges is making sure she has enough time to write. Hoffman, who publishes romance novels under the name Dorothy F. Shaw, has been writing books for a decade. “Yes, my books are romance with a happy ending,” she said. “At the heart of them, they are just about broken people, trying to figure out how to be in a relationship. That means many of my books have relat-

able life situations happening in them.” “The best stories have a bit of truth threaded through them,” she added. “I believe people read fiction for two reasons: they either want to escape by reading something lighthearted, or they want to escape by reading something that mirrors life, or that they can relate to.” “With the store, once things get in a groove, I should be able to write during the day in between customers,” she said, adding that a computer is by her counter so she can do just that. “Writing has been the hardest thing I have ever done,” she said. “I definitely have a love hate relationship with it.” Still, she added, “I can’t not write. It’s a passion and desire that I don’t think will ever die.” Information on her store:: cbdrx4u. com/find-us/arizona/Ahwatukee, 480581-8111. Hoffman’s store also is on Facebook and at yelp.com/biz/your-cbdstore-ahwatukee-phoenix-3. Information on her books: facebook. com/AuthorDorothyFShaw or bit.ly/ DFSBooks.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

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OPINION

Opinion OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Share Your Thoughts:

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

www.ahwatukee.com

In-house Kyrene superintendent quest makes sense BY JENNIFER UNDERWOOD AFN Guest Writer

he search has begun for Kyrene’s superintendent. There are legitimate concerns about Kyrene’s perceived rush to hire a new superintendent. I wanted to provide some information based on my personal experience as a participant in the hiring process for Dr. Jan Vesely and other educational executive searches in Arizona over the past 25 years. The process for public schools is transparent, mandated by Arizona statute and other restrictions. I know it can be frustrating but current board members are legally restricted from discussing items covered in executive session. Refer to the district website for proposed timeline and milestones. Superintendents are not elected for “terms.” They receive contracts ranging from one to three years after negotiations with options for renewal. Arizona districts have two options: Hiring from an internal post or soliciting for bids from internal and external candidates through a third-party agency. The governing board decides which process to utilize – not based on nefarious intent but on whether the district has qualified inhouse applicants; is pleased with the direction the district is currently going; and does not think that the expense outlay will net better candidates than an internal search. Is hiring an external candidate the best

President subjected to outrageous abuse

When I heard Joe Biden say “I won’t tell you if I’m going to pack the Supreme Court until after the election,” it reminded me of Nancy Pelosi saying, “You have to pass the Affordable Care Act to find out what’s in it.” Those two statements should be troubling for anyone with an IQ higher than room temperature. Biden’s refusal to answer is an answer. Yes, he fully intends to pack the court.

solution when some days we barely recognize our own community due to COVID-19? The district is not beholden to hire. If internal candidates fail to apply or applicants are not the right fit, they cancel the internal post and begin the solicitation process. There are benefits to each solicitation process, but a few perks of going in-house are that the board is familiar with their performance and the successful candidate would start with in-depth knowledge of our district. The board also requested feedback from staff, teachers and community regarding priorities and objectives for the new superintendent. There is no harm in accepting applications and allowing the board to evaluate the applicant’s ability to fulfill those characteristics that are deemed important. Having NO superintendent during a global pandemic may be scarier than extending a single year contract with measurable outcomes to a qualified in-house candidate. The new board will be incredible as all candidates are committed to our students, but it will be some time before they have a thorough knowledge of our administrators and their effectiveness and impact. The new board will be in place, trained and familiar with the workings of our district by the time the contract is over and this new board will determine whether to extend that contract or begin the hiring

process for a replacement. Our governing boards represent us. We elect them to be responsible for governance. The superintendent handles operations. Parents and community members are crucial stakeholders but we are not responsible for governance or operations. As citizens we have our say when we elect board members. I am not trying to curb public participation or tell you not to hold our elected officials accountable. Complete surveys and submit blue cards. But it is unfair to imply nefarious intent when exercising a commonly used legal option. Fiscal impact: Our district budget is impacted by decreased enrollment, the transition online and the incredible amount of resources necessary to keep our students and staff safe while in-person for school during a pandemic. How far would $50,000 – the cost of a third-party search – go in helping students get the tutoring services to get back on track? If Kyrene hires an out-of-district administrator and fires them, we are forced to continue to pay out their contract. Consider all fiscal and educational factors, then ensure our board knows your wishes. Successful outcomes: It is critically important to vote for governing board members that are more than friends but that you think will be great board members. It takes critical thinking, consensus building, and research skills for them to make these decisions. I encourage everyone to view the candi-

dates based on the current board configuration. Remaining members Kevin Walsh and Margaret Pratt are both incredible; they collectively orient their decision-making compass toward what is best for all students. It is important to watch their interactions at past board meetings; do they vocalize what is important to them and bring up different points in a timely manner; and do they utilize their executive session properly? For all candidates: do you think they are consensus builders? I try to imagine how the individuals would function within the constraints board members have. They are bound to follow open meeting law. Do they follow the rules? Are they respectful in their interactions and able to collaborate with people of differing opinions? Is what they are saying consistent with their past and future actions? Fortunately, with five board members, when one goes rogue, they are typically ineffective in enacting change. I think diversity of thought is key. Boards work best when they do not all think the same. We need leadership that represents the community but will ultimately learn Kyrene’s inner workings. I always want a seat at the table too but when I cannot, I vote for people who are not going to be swayed by things that don’t matter to me. I want decisions for teachers and children to be made with one focus – what has been proven to be successful for student outcomes.

Fifteen years ago, Biden was against court packing. He even called it a “boneheaded move.” I am afraid that many of you don’t fully realize how dangerous this would be for the country. FDR tried it and was stopped by his own party, a very different Democrat Party back then. I started writing these letters because of the outrageous abuse of our President in issue after issue of this paper and almost no one was speaking out against it. To the lady who indignantly proclaimed that she is not a socialist or a communist, I hope

that is true of you, madam, but it is not true of your party, which has taken a hard radical far left turn. I don’t have even one friend who has had personal contact with the “disingenuous puffed up man” described in a Sept. 2 letter. One who was called a pig, one who was mocked for being disabled and one who was actually assaulted and almost raped. It is obvious that you are referring to the President, but these allegations stretch credibility. I did say that Trump should receive the Nobel

Peace Prize for the Middle-East deal and shortly thereafter he was nominated. But why you brought up the Palestinians is a mystery. The deal was between Israel and the UAE, period – not the entire Middle-East (yet), but it’s a start, and more than anyone else has done. You wanted a list of Trump’s “achievements.” Let’s start with energy independence for the first time in history, 6.6 million lifted out of poverty, historic low unemployment rates for

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

see LETTERS page 42

OPINION

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Combatting the growing osteoporosis problem BY DANNY CURTIN AFN Guest Writer

steoporosis is a growing problem worldwide. Falls and fractures are much more common than you may think so it is important to understand what contributes to fragile bones and how to maintain optimal bone health. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density. And 54 million Americans, half of all adults over 50, are at risk of breaking a bone. There are many factors that can impact bone health. For example, low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density as does a lack of physical activity. With a proper daily regimen, we can ensure our bones will have less of a chance of becoming brittle, putting us at risk for

LETTERS from page 41

blacks, Asians and Hispanics, the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act, the wall almost finished, ISIS eliminated, manufacturing jobs brought back to America, middle-class tax cuts, crippling regulations cut, no N. Korean missiles aimed at Japan and the U.S., and three Supreme Court justices. I’m sure that a “Southern Baptist” upbringing would not sanction the blind unreasoning hatred of our President. If it did, the evangelicals would not be so solidly behind him. To say that the Democrats and the media lie is like saying that the desert is dry. The story about his calling members of the Armed Forces “losers” is totally made up. He never said it. If he truly felt this way, why did he spend trillions of dollars in building up our military that Obama had decimated? The President loves our military and they are strongly supportive of him. Don’t let the dishonest media convince you otherwise. With a gun to their heads, these people would not be able to produce one piece of recorded evidence to back up this lie. If that is the only thing that’s holding you back, please vote for Trump. This election is not about two men or getting rid of Donald Trump, whom so many of you irrationally despise. It is about the soul of America and the system of government under which we will be living for decades. It is about a traditional America with our Con-

fractures later in life. Here are five tips to help you maintain strong bones: Stay active. Weight bearing and resistance exercise are the best form of physical activity for strong bones. Walking, hiking, jogging, playing tennis, dancing, etc. are all great weight-bearing activities. Resistance exercises such as lifting weights also build strong bones. Eat vegetables. Vegetables are one of the best sources of vitamins and minerals, which our bodies need to maintain bone mass. Vegetables are chock-full of vitamins C, D and K, as well as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Food is the best way to get these important nutrients. Calcium. Calcium is the most important mineral to bone health and must be consumed daily. If we do not get enough calcium, our body will take it from our bones to ensure normal cell function, which can lead to weakened bones or osteoporosis.

stitutional values and freedoms intact or a far left American with our freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms for self-defense erased. How will you protect yourself when they empty the prisons and abolish the police? -Jan Johnson

Missing children – have we forgotten?

With all the headlines today circling around too many horrific issues, none capture my attention more than the fact that over 500 children are still among those who are missing relocation with their families. During the Administration’s zero tolerance immigration policy of 2018, thousands of children were grabbed from parents who were trying to escape intolerance and/or joblessness in countries that do not benefit from America’s vision of democracy. Those children were detained in camps with few necessities like blankets, books or toys, medical needs, even interpreters were non-existent, while parents were processed for deportation. Most families were mercifully reconnected with their children during the deportation process, but as of today over 500 are still among the missing. Can we as a purported civilized nation continue to tolerate this neglect? Please remember this issue when voting for the next four-year Administration. -CJ Briggle

Doctors recommend getting as much calcium as you can from food then working a calcium supplement into your daily routine. Vitamin D and K. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with soft and brittle bones and are likely due to the fact that without vitamin D, the body only absorbs between 10–15 percent of its dietary calcium. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin K plays a role in the production of bone proteins which aid in bone metabolism. One such protein is osteocalcin, a vitamin K-dependent protein produced by specialized bone cells, called osteoblasts, during bone formation. Low levels of vitamin K result in inadequate levels of osteocalcin, which is linked to decreased bone density. While we can obtain vitamin K from food and vitamin D from the sun, we generally do not get a sufficient amount, so adding a

What mobs is sheriff’s candidate referring to?

Mobs? Or peaceful assembly? Penzone’s opponent doesn’t appear to know the difference. Sheriff Paul Penzone’s opponent is running on the campaign to “Stop the Mobs.” Is he referring to the pink-topped 24,000+ who stomped at the Capital for the Women’s March? Or the many massive rallies for the Invest in Ed movement to alert the legislature to the dire needs of our education system? Or the peaceful demonstrations of the Black Lives Matter events that begin holistically until outside forces intruded with violence? If these are the mobs Sheriff Paul Penzone’s opponent is referencing, he’ll have to start with a national amendment that overturns the insightful vision of our Founding Fathers when they included the Right of Peaceful Assembly in the Constitution. We’re voting to re-elect Sheriff Paul Penzone who will continue to enforce the law, not make new ones. -Judy Wade and Bill Baker

Corporation Commission vote could help the planet

There is too much at risk to continue the longstanding relationship between the Arizona Corporation Commissioner and the GOP. We cannot continue to elect GOP Commissioners who are under the control of Arizona utilities and who com-

supplement to our daily routine helps. Healthy weight. Low body weight increases the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis while being overweight can put extra stress on your bones leading to increased fracture risk. Maintaining a stable and normal weight is ideal for protecting our bone health. Bone health is important regardless of age. We tend to take our bones for granted since symptoms do not appear until it is almost too late. Having proper habits with regards to foods, activity, maintaining a healthy weight and getting adequate amounts of various vitamins and minerals helps avoid bone-density loss which can lead to falls and fractures. Danny Curtin is the executive vice president of Arthur Andrew Medical and a former personal trainer and expert in nutrition in Scottsdale. arthurandrewmedical.com. plain that the sustainability mission is too hard. We need commissioners who recognize and address the dire consequences of climate change. Bill Mundell, Shea Stanfield, and Anna Tovar are candidates for the AZ Corporation Commission who are stepping up to do the hard climate work for future generations. If elected, they will join current Commissioner Sandra Kennedy to advocate for sustainability by employing scientific information to address climate change. They have committed to generating more of our electricity from clean energy sources like solar and improving energy efficiency standards. Stop putting our kids at risk. -Mark Riske

Earth on the 2020 ballot

Elections matter for the earth this year. Listen to Michael Mann, leading scientist and climate activist: “Game over for the climate if Trump is re-elected.” How about that for a choice? -Rebecca Hinton

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

SPORTS

Sports & Recreation 44

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Mountain Pointe shut out by Basha on senior night BY CHRIS FAHRENDORF AFN Contributing Writer

eading into Mountain Pointe’s matchup with Basha Friday, Pride head coach Eric Lauer said the key to the game would be effort. “It’s not what we’re running, it’s how you run it and the effort that you give in running it,” Lauer said. “We’re trying to turn the volume up. We’re trying to start fast and �inish. We’re lions and we need to eat.” While the Pride ultimately fell to the Bears 24-0, effort remained present. In the �irst half Mountain Pointe’s effort was there. On Basha’s �irst series, freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was hit hard in the pocket and picked off by senior safety Jason Ramirez. The Pride took over in Basha territory but were unable to put any points on the board as they were stuffed on fourth down. The Bears took over and got on the board fast as Williams Jr. connected with senior wide receiver Andrell Barney for a

Mountain Pointe running back Cam Gillum shined for the Pride despite a 24-0 loss to Basha on senior night. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)

46-yard touchdown. Barney �inished the game with two catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Lauer said those two catches were the deciding factor in the outcome of the game. “It’s all about �ield position,” Lauer said.

“If we didn’t give up the big pass plays, we would’ve kept on making them play another play. And that’s our goal, make them play another play and sooner or later good things happen, but we weren’t able to do that, and they got ahead.” The two teams traded multiple drives without putting points on the board throughout the majority of the �irst half. Junior Mountain Pointe running back Cam Gillum was the driving force behind the Pride’s offensive success. He �inished the game with 127 rushing yards on 17 carries. Led by Gillum, Mountain Pointe put together another solid drive towards the end of the second quarter, but they were forced to kick a 34-yard �ield goal which they missed. Once again, the Bears took over and capitalized on the Pride’s mistakes as they drove down the �ield for another touchdown right before the half. In the second half the game took a turn

Desert Vista High unveils new turf �ield BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

project six months in the making �inally concluded Friday as Desert Vista unveiled its state-of-the-art turf �ield at Thunder Stadium. A special halftime ceremony and ribbon cutting took place at halftime of Desert Vista’s �irst game on the new �ield against Mountain View Friday. It also happened to be the Thunder’s home opener of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season. Members of the school administration, including Principal Michael Deignan and Athletic Director Tommy Eubanks were on hand to cut the ribbon, along with Tempe Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil and members of the governing board. “A lot of people may only see a football

�ield but it’s a gamechanger for a school,” Eubanks said. “PE classes can come out here all the time. Band, anytime they want. In the past, I was so concerned of getting grass to grow and now anyone can use it whenever they want.” The new turf �ield is the �irst of two to open this year in the district. Back in May, Tempe Union voted to approve installation of the turf at both Desert Vista and Tempe high schools. Tempe’s is on track to be �inished in a matter of weeks. The total cost of both �ields was estimated to cost $2.9 million. A majority of the funds were taken from unrestricted capital funds the district received from the sale of property in Ahwatukee. The project was initially scheduled to be completed in early September, just in time

�� FIELD �� 45

�� PRIDE �� 45

Desert Vista officially unveiled its new state-of-the-art turf field Friday night as the Thunder took on Mountain View. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff)

SPORTS

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

PRIDE �� 44

for the worst for the Pride. On their �irst possession of the second half, Gillum fumbled into the hands of senior Basha linebacker Abraham Lopez who took it 44 yards for a touchdown. From then on it was all Basha, as the Bears defense forced two fumbles and an interception just in the second half. Basha head coach Chris McDonald attributed his team’s win to the defense. “Our defense played really well. This was the defense’s game,” McDonald said. “We got better today. You hope that we turned the corner a little bit and now the kids see if they do their job, they can be successful.” On the offensive side of the ball for the Bears, Williams Jr. �inished the game completing 9-of-14 passes for 157 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Although he moved the ball down�ield with some huge completions, Williams Jr. attributed his successful night to the running game. “The run de�initely opened it up,” Williams Jr. said. “They (Mountain Pointe) came down, cover two, just gave it to us over the top.”

FIELD �� 44

for Desert Vista’s �irst home game before the Arizona Interscholastic Association pushed back the start of football due to the pandemic. COVID-19 also played a part in delaying the construction process. “COVID has hurt everything,” Eubanks said. “A lot of it was getting workers, the materials and everything else all here. But we are ready now and we didn’t miss any home games.” Tempe Union estimates the new �ield to save nearly 2.9 million gallons of water per year compared to the natural turf that took a beating at Desert Vista from all of its sports teams in years past. The �ield, while turf, still requires the use of a sprinkler system to keep the playing surface cool. The coconut �ilament inside the turf absorbs water to keep the temperature down. Once construction started, Eubanks said administrators and the construction team noticed small issues with the location of the �ield. Not only was it shifted west to give Desert Vista more room on its sideline, but it was moved nearly 10 feet north to allow for adequate room for the school’s pole-vaulting team near the track. The

into this game his team needs to work on the “core stuff.” “You can’t give up, just like you can’t give up in life,” Lauer said. “When you have hardships and things like that you have to keep staying on the course. You have to get up and do it all over again.”

Desert Vista falls to Mountain View

Desert Vista welcomed Mountain View as its first opponent on its new turf field and fell 35-21. (Zac BonDurant/ AFN Contributor)

After Basha’s Week 5 matchup versus Desert Ridge was cancelled due to a COVID-19 concern, the Bears �illed their schedule with Canyon View. McDonald said that his message to his team is to “Keep the mojo going. “Consistently we’ve had really good practices and we need to continue to do that,” he added. Lauer remains grateful Mountain Pointe was able to celebrate the seniors

At halftime of Desert Vista’s game, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the field. Tempe Union High School District Governing Board President Berdetta Hodge was on hand to cut the ribbon. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)

move also allowed for the goal posts to be painted. The �ield is equipped with a large “DV”

being on the �ield, especially because of the COVID-19 dif�iculties that have come with this season. “We’re telling them every game is a championship because of that,” Lauer said. “If we have an outbreak we could get shut down. So, appreciate and have an attitude of gratitude.” Next week Mountain Pointe (0-4) will look to get in the win column against Corona Del Sol (4-0). Lauer said that heading

logo with a lightning bolt. Both end zones say “Desert Vista” in gold lettering with a blue background. On both sidelines where the players stand, “Home of the Thunder” is written in the same gold lettering. Along with lines for football, soccer and lacrosse markings were installed on the �ield. All logos and markings that differ from the green color of the turf were hand-sewn into the �ield. There are also electrical outlets on either sideline and a permanent play clock installed on either end zone. “It’s those types of things you don’t think about until you’re sitting in the room planning it all out,” Eubanks said. “Probably my favorite part of the job is to be able to be involved in project stuff like this. It’s really cool to sit in the room with the engineers through the design process and see it all come to life.” The �ield brings a modern look to a stadium that was �irst built in the late 1990s. Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds, who joined the program in 1997 when legendary coach Jim Rattay �irst started it, said it has been special to watch the program evolve. And especially now with a new �ield, he believes it will instill a new sense of pride within the program.

Desert Vista unveiled its new state-of-the-art turf field Friday night as the Thunder prepared to take on Mountain View. The Toros, who entered the game undefeated after an upset victory over rival Red Mountain the week prior, wasted little time picking up where they left off. A healthy mixture of its running and passing game with quarterback Willy Roberts helped Mountain View jump out to a 28-7 lead at halftime. Desert Vista, a team learning how to fight every week, clawed its way back into the game late. But an interception by Mountain View defensive back Ronald Bruce ended the Thunder’s comeback bid. Still searching for its first win, Desert Vista (0-4) will face a tough Hamilton (3-0) squad coming off a win over Saguaro next Friday at home. “We want to remind them how fortunate they are to not only be able to play football but how proud we should be of this football �ield,” Hinds said. “We’ve always just kind of had a �ield. Now, it’s something we can really be proud of.” Along with football being able to use it throughout the season, soccer, cross country, track and �ield and classes will now be able to utilize the new turf on a daily basis. Previously, the �ield was always off limits to preserve the grass for games. Eubanks said the �ield will also be used by the community. “The community can rent this and enjoy it,” Eubanks said. “It’s a night install so the lights are on. We have that gap in the fence so people would come by and just watch them install it.” “I’m just excited for the kids, the coaches, the community, everyone will get to experience it.”

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@ timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

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Allergy-friendly eateries a growing trend BY STACI HAUK GetOut Contributor

he East Valley is known for its innovative culinary options – and a growing trend among restaurants and bakeries involves patrons with food allergies or special dietary needs. Three area establishments are among those that are coupling fresh ingredients with safety precautions in main entrees and baked goods. Intentional Foods Café & Market, Spooky Swirls and Drink Me! Tea Room all appeal to diverse niches with delectable menus.

Drink Me! Tea Room

One step into the Drink Me! Tea Room, on the Chandler-Tempe border in the Countryside Specialty Shops, has customers spiraling down the Rabbit Hole to Wonderland, complete with storybook décor and treats that inspire a magical high tea experience. “I decided to open the tea room after being inspired on a family trip to London,

Drink Me! Tea Room serves elegant food items that also are safe for people with allergies. (Special to GetOut)

said owner Melissa Harlan. “We went to London over spring break 2019 and experienced afternoon tea a number of times over the week. We all enjoyed the experience so much that I started writing my business plan on the �light home.” Harlan had been planning to leave her corporate job that year and thought, “This would be a great idea for my next chapter.” “I am both vegan and gluten-free and it’s a challenge to �ind the combination of both when eating out. Afternoon tea is such a fun experience,” she explained. “I wanted to be sure that everyone could enjoy the experience and not feel as if they are missing out due to their food challenges.” Harlan was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, and quickly realized that eliminating gluten from her diet allowed her to feel better and rely on nutrition to help heal. Additionally, she is vegan and has found the East Valley has quite a following when it comes to seeking out delicious vegan cuisine. “Our kitchen and our menu are both 100 percent gluten-free and plant-based,” she said. “When we con�irm our guest reservations, we also ask if there are any additional food allergies. Most of the time we’ve been able to modify our items to accommodate any additional food allergies such as soy or nuts.” Harlan said guests are often overwhelmed and grateful that they don’t have to ask a lot of questions or worry about the food when visiting Drink Me! Tea Room. “I’ve had a guest cry happy tears and want to hug me – if it weren’t for COVID-19 – out of gratitude for being able to eat without worry,” she said, adding guests “express their gratitude for our opening and our offering of something that is a fun experience where they feel cared for.” She recalled one guest, named Sonya, who “surprised us one day by coming back in with a thank you gift about a week or so after dining with us – a handmade tea cozy that she had knitted in colors to match the

tea room.” “This one brought tears to my eyes and �illed my heart,” Harlan said. “She enjoyed her experience at the tea room so much that she took the time to make us a gift. Meeting all of our lovely guests has been the best experience for me.” With touches of whimsy remi- Spooky Swirls owners Lola Forbes, left, and Chris Szydlowski create fascinating cakes niscent of child- replicating movie characters. (Special to GetOut) hood. Drink Me! offers specialties such as Wonderland Tea, movie theme for its sweet treats. Szydlowski and one of his pastry chefs an almond chess board cake wrapped in homemade purple marzipan, cucumber are movie prop collectors. The shop houses an impressive muand cashew cream crisp on a house made cracker, vanilla shortbread “Eat Me” cook- seum of their collection. Though it is curies and a combination of lemon curd and rently closed due to COVID-19, many of their cinematic horror items were on discoconut cream served with scones. play in the bakery. The bakery is a dedicated gluten-free faSpooky Swirls Spooky Swirls in Chandler is the brain- cility, Szydlowski said, stressing “We don’t child of Lola Forbes and Chris Szydlows- take any chances when it comes to any ki, who combine their passion for baked possible cross contamination and have extensive knowledge of our ingredients. goods and motion pictures. Everything in their bakery is gluten Gluten-free is our main focus at this time.” Recently, a 4-year-old boy requested a free, which means it is safe for those with celiac disease to enjoy a treat or who seek gluten-free cupcake for a friend who was attending his birthday party. a custom creation for special occasions. “His birthday wish was for her to have “We decided to go gluten free with our business because we felt there was a lack something to eat at his party because she of fun, fresh baked, quality items in the usually couldn’t,” Szydlowski said. “My partner and I both teared up…It’s times area,” Szydlowski explained. “Most kids can get a birthday cake at a like this that absolutely make everything grocery store or bakery so we really want- we do worth it.” “Our namesake is the ‘Spooky’s Swirl,’ ed to take care of those kids with allergies that are usually left out. We feel everyone our freshly made cinnamon bun, which is still our best seller,” Szydlowski said. “We deserves a cake on their birthday.” During Halloween celebrations, for example, Spooky Swirls developed a horror �� HEALTHY �� 48

GET OUT

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

HEALTHY �� 47

try to put our spooky theme on all of our items – we do many non-spooky special requests as well. Being pop culture junkies, we try to get creative with names and descriptions. For example, our cheesecakes are SCREAMcheese cakes.”

Intentional Foods Café & Market

Intentional Foods Café & Market has quickly built a brand with allergy-safe items that are both unique and thought out. This mission is personal for owners Lisa and Ned Heath, whose establishment is on the Gilbert-Mesa border. With experience in the restaurant industry, they wanted to be a change-agent for diners with food allergies – like their own daughter. “At only 6 months old, our middle daughter Sarah was diagnosed with a lifethreatening nut allergy,” Lisa said. “We didn’t realize how serious it was, nor were we educated on life-threatening food allergies. But we’ve learned all too well just how scary having food allergies can be. “Everything changed for us the day she took one bite of a granola bar at pre-

that they were missing due to the real worry of a life-threatening reaction to food. “Our cafe is free from all nuts, gluten, wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, seafood, shell�ish and sesame,” Lisa said. “We contact every manufacturing facility for every single ingredient down to the salt and pepper to ensure that it is free from cross contamination of any of the top nine allergens.” “If there is an allergen in our kitchen that is Lisa and Ned Heath were inspired by their own daughter’s food allergies to creoutside of the top nine ate Intentional Foods Cafe & Market, where all items are safe. (Special to GetOut) allergens, we prepare school. One bite almost led to us losing the dish in a new pan with new tongs, our daughter.” change gloves and assemble in a sepaThe couple began to ask the questions rate area of the kitchen.” – including “What if she could have everyPopular �inds at IF include fresh baked thing on the menu?” doughnuts, cookies, lemon bars and cupThe Heaths built a worry-free dining en- cakes, along with cinnamon roll and churvironment to give people with food aller- ro doughnuts. gies and celiac disease a sense of normalcy “Many times, we have cried with fellow

allergy mamas witnessing children eating at a restaurant for the �irst time. Our favorite is when they surprise their allergy babe with a visit to IF and then tell them they can order anything they want from the menu. “Seeing families gathering around a table creating memories, for birthdays, dance recitals, after sports games, or just hitting a Taco Tuesday because they can – seeing the joy – it �ills our cups. It fuels us to keep going.”

Information: Drink Me Tea Room 1730 E. Warner Road, Tempe 602-206-5469 Intentional Foods 1837 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa 480-264-7002 Spooky Swirls 3029 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 707-776-6597

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King Crossword

Obituaries

ACROSS 1 5 8 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 28 31 33 35 36 38 40 41 43 45 47 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59

Cracker spread Easter entree “The Thin Man” dog Verve Past Use scissors Sudden temperature drop -- Christian Andersen Dueler’s ally Pass by Watch chain Foolish Andrews or Edwards, for ex. Path Gaggle members Conks out Joke Paint crudely “Yes we can” man Oft-tattooed word Kan. neighbor Mr. Gingrich Tear Curvy-horned antelope Time of the mammoths Churlish one Guiding principle Not working Under the weather Takeout phrase Start a garden Nutritional qty. Health centers

Darlene L. McWhirter

37 39 42 44 45

Piercing tool Cinderella’s horses, really Long-snouted critter Nuisances Wading bird

46 48 49 50 53

Fashion On Infatuated Cupid’s alias Antiquated

Sudoku

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 16 20 23 24 25 27 29 30 32 34

Employment General

Chest muscles, for short Lotion additive Body powder The -- the line Purse Khan title Motorized bike Embarrassed Crisp-pod legume Supermarket stack Church section Winter forecast Drag along Commotion Little white lie Tall thin person Thanksgiving veggie Seek damages “Chicago” lyricist Slandered Ape

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 12

Darlene L. McWhirter, 91, died 05OCT2020, in Traer, Iowa, from complications of the Wuhan virus. Bor n 30AUG1929 to Henry and Minnie (Schrage) Voigts on their farm near Vilmar (north of Allison, Iowa), one of seven siblings. She graduated from high school in Allison, Iowa, in 1948, and later received a teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). Her teaching career began in a one-room school house, teaching grades 1-8. She was united in marriage to Thomas (T.R.) McWhirter on 19JAN1951 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church her grandfather helped establish near Vilmar. T.R. was soon drafted for the Korean War, and the couple moved to Ft. Jackson near Columbia, SC. After T.R.’s discharge, they moved back to Iowa, living in Allison, Lansing IA, and eventually moving to Traer on Labor Day, 1954. T.R. acquired ownership of the Farmers Savings Bank in Traer, where Darlene worked part-time as a teller/clerk, as well as keeping their home and raising their children. Darlene was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Traer United Methodist Church, Mt. View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, and many women’s groups. She and her husband wintered at their home in Phoenix, AZ, after his retirement, and she continued doing so after his death in 2006 for many years. A consummate cook, it was often said she could feed a multitude at the drop of a hat, a talent she learned as a young girl on the farm, constantly helping to feed seemingly countless siblings, cousins and threshers. This cooking talent was recognized in 1999 when her dill pickles were judged the best canned item of anything (not just pickles) presented at the Iowa State Fair that year. Her hospitality was well-known, with her door being open to friends and family at any time in both Traer and Phoenix, with her grand- and great-grandchildren being the light of her life. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and all her siblings and cousins of her generation. She is survived by a son, Maurice (Tomomi) McWhirter of Traer; daughter Jane (Mike) Crisp of Herndon, VA; five grandchildren, LCDR Tom (Rebekah) Crisp, USN, of NAS Lemoore, CA; Kathryn (Jeff) Dockins of Edinburgh, Scotland; MAJ John (Brianna) Crisp, USA, of Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Kelley McWhirter of Asheville, NC; Cpl David Crisp, USMC, of Camp Pendleton, CA; two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced once the current Wuhan virus situation has been resolved. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Legion Auxiliary, PO Box 1, Traer, IA 50675.

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Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848

PLUMBING

Scott Mewborn, Owner 480-818-1789

Juan Hernandez

1st Month of Service FREE

Family Owned • Free Estimates

★ Small Job Specialist

Pool Service / Repair

(480) 279-4155

602.625.0599 ROC #155380

★ Epoxy Floors

*Any

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

Our services include: Sinks, Toilets, Faucets, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaning, Pressure Reducing Valves, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Hot Water Circulation Systems, Main Service Valves and Hose Taps.

Visit us at Suntechpaintingaz.com or view our video promo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM5pbvpZJlg

★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Off 40work done

We offer personalized service for our customers. We use the best materials that we can find.

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

Anything Plumbing Same Day Service

SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor

Plumbing

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

480-338-4011

Plumbing

Disposals

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

ROC # 272721

AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured (480)

704.5422

AZPoolExpert.com BBB Member Not a licensed contractor.

CLASSIFIEDS Rooﬁng

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

Rooﬁng

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

and every step of the way.

ROC #152111

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates

Call our office today!

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

480-460-7602

Over 30 yrs. Experience

Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

480-706-1453

when you show this ad

www.porterroofinginc.com

on qualifying complete roof replacements 480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Over 30 Years of Experience Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

Let us show you the IN-EX Difference! Serving The Valley Since 1996

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

602-938-7575 $ 1000 OFF

TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hirerooﬁng.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

inexroofing.com Call for your FREE Roof Evaluation

10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT

SHARE WITH THE WORLD!

Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated AZROC #283571 | CONTRACTOR LIC. AZROC #312804 CLASS CR4 | FULLY INSURED

FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019

Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details.

480-446-7663

10% OFF

480-446-7663

Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC # 269218

with this ad

Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer! FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hirerooﬁng.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

CLASSIFIEDS

OCTOBER 28, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

palmabrisa.com

NOW SELLING

A new gated resort community is coming soon in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa. • Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms

• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns

• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $400’s

ERIC WILLIAMS

480-641-1800

TERRY LENTS

© Copyright 2019 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report. Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | OCTOBER 28, 2020

WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE!

58” 4K UHD SMART TV

Spencers has been saving you money for over 47 Years. We provide the Best Products, at Lower Prices and Our Customer Service is Terrific! We are locally owned and operated. When you shop Spencers your hard earned cash stays in OUR COMMUNITY!

MONTHS NO INTEREST**

√ BEST PRICES

√ BEST SELECTION √ BEST SERVICE

• 2 HDMI Inputs • Airplay2 Built-In

4.5 CU. FT. WASHER

• Super Speed • Steam • Self Clean Plus • 10 Preset Wash Cycles

7.5 CU. FT. DRYER

NO INTEREST**

DISHWASHER

• Dryer Rack • Steam Sanitize Plus • Sensor Dry • 10 Preset Dryer Cycles

• Integrated Control Styling • Premium Nylon Racks • In Door Silverware Basket • Energy Star Qualified WDF520PADM

599

199

12 MONTHS

• Active Blue Light Technology • NeoFrost Dual Cooling Technology

BFTF2716WH BEKO

REFRIGERATOR

• 950 Watts of Power • 10 Levels of Power • Sunken Glass Turntable

WMH1162XVQ CLOSEOUT

COUNTER DEPTH REFRIGERATOR

449 $549 UN58TU7000

• 25 Cubic Foot Capacity • Spill Proof Glass Shelves • Humidity Controlled Drawers • Energy Star Qualified WRS325SDHZ

RANGE

EACH **

1.6 CU. FT. OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVE

G R E AT DEAL!

Get To Spencers Today... Our Manufacturers Have Pulled Out All The Stops, We Haven’t Seen Deals Like This! If You Have Waited For The Right Deal... This Is It, Get To Spencers Today!

*Pedestals not included.

DISHWASHER

• 4.8 Cubic Foot Capacity • Self Cleaning Oven • Smooth Top • Proudly Made in USA WFE505W0HS CLOSEOUT

• Normal Wash Cycle (on dial) • Heated Dry On/Off (on rocker) • Standard Upper Rack

299 2199

HDA1100FWH

BUYS ALL 3 PIECES

** NO INTEREST IF PAID IN FULL IN 12 MONTHS. $799.00 Minimum Purchase Required Minimum Payments Required 30.79% APR If the promotional balance is not paid in full by the end for the promotional period or, to the extent permitted by law, if you make a late payment, interest will be imposed from the date of purchase at the APR noted above. This APR is as of 7/4/2019 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Your card agreement, the terms of the offer and applicable law govern this transaction including increasing APRs and fees and terminating the promotional period.

Arizona’s largest independent dealer! “It’s Like Having A Friend In The Business” Check Out Our Website

WWW.SPENCERSTV.COM OPEN DAILY 9AM-9PM | SATURDAY 9AM-6PM | SUNDAY 11AM-5PM

HOUSE IN S R E C SPEN PLANS PAYMENT BLE AVAILA Due to current circumstances, some items may be out of stock.