East Valley Tribune: Northeast Mesa Edition - Oct. 30, 2016
Purchase strategy could save courses
BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Managing Editor
To the casual observer, the 135 acres of rolling green and 60 acres of granite stretching across the heart of Sunland Springs Village in east Mesa just looks like a scenic golf course in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains.
But in the last year, it has emerged as a sliver of hope to thousands of homeowners across the country who fear their quality of life and their investment are slipping away because of a major shakeup in the golf industry.
reatened by the sale of their 27hole public golf course, about 400 of the approximate 2,430 Sunland Springs homeowners banded together and bought it from owner Farnsworth Companies in January for $1.19 million.
“ e group that brought me out there
probably had the best beginning I’ve ever seen,” said Mike Kahn, a golf course consultant based in Florida for more than 50 years, who briefly worked with the homeowners in the early stages of the deal. “I
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
This season started with Chicago Cubs fans jamming Mesa’s Sloan Park, the largest stadium in the Cactus League, where 13 out of 15 games were sellouts and the perennially optimistic throng had their usual high hopes for the upcoming season.
But this time, the Cubs faithful were right. After the Cubs captured the National League pennant, Mesa’s horde of Cubs fans weren’t about to miss the team’s first World Series appearance since 1945.
e fans further displayed the close bond
East Mesa golf community homeowners take over
thought they did a wonderful job, probably the best I’ve ever seen.”
Now, homeowners in at least one other imperiled area golf community, Club West
World Series run welcome in Cubs’ spring home of Mesa
2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, donning Cubs jerseys and hats at the city’s sports bars as they watched something that many thought might never happen.
After a 71-year wait, when the Cubs lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games in 1945, the Cubs were finally back in the World Series. A 6-0 loss to the Indians in the first game made for an inauspicious start, but everyone seemed to realize that the late New York Yankees great Yogi Berra is right—“It ain’t over till it’s over.”
“I always hope, but it had been a few years,”
between Mesa and the Cubs when they turned out for the first game of the historic
(Cheryl Haselhorst/Tribune Photographer)
The Superstition Mountains loom above the Sunland Springs Village Golf Club. The community got together and purchased the golf course rather than have it sold to an outside investor.
(Special to the Tribune)
Sloan Park in Mesa has been the Spring Training home of the Chicago Cubs since 2014.
Kurt Smelser
Nationally Known Hearing Aid Expert
By popular request we have arranged for Kurt Smelser to visit our offices!
Special Open House Event!
Featuring Nationally Known Hearing Aid Expert, Kurt Smelser
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
November 8, 9 & 10
ABC Hearing Center is proud to have served our community with care and compassion for many years. To extend our appreciation, we are having a special event November 8th & 9th at our Mesa location and November 10th at our Peoria location.
During this event, Hearing Exams and Consultations will be FREE! Come learn about our new hearing technology – NuEar NOW and iNOW™ Made for iPhone™ hearing aids.
Mesa Location Tuesday, November 8th Wednesday, November 9th
Peoria Location Thursday, November 10th
ABC Hearing Center 14155 N. 83rd Ave., Bldg. 7, Suite 147 Peoria, AZ • 623-565-9170 ABC Hearing Center 7165 E University Dr., Bldg. 17, Suite 167 Mesa, AZ • 480-498-2210
The East Valley Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in singlecopy locations throughout the East Valley. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Tribune, please visit www.EastValleyTribune.com.
Times Media Group: 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, Arizona, 85282
CONTACT INFORMATION
Main number: 480-898-6500
Advertising: 480-898-5624
Circulation service: 480-898-5641
Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT
Sales Director: Scott Stowers | 480-898-5624 | scott@timespublications.com
Local Advertising Sales: Ryan Brown | 480-898-6482 | rbrown@evtrib.com Kimberly James | 480-898-5652 | kjames@timespublications.com
The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Tribune assumes
from page 1
said Tony D’Anza of Palos Hills, Illinois, who watched some Cactus League games at Sloan Park and was watching the first game at Diamonds Sports Grille in Mesa, a Cubs stronghold formerly owned by legendary announcer Harry Caray.
“I said, ‘Will I ever see the Cubs in the World Series?’ Now, here I am.”
D’Anza, a baseball coach at St. Xavier University for many years, said the Cubs last loss in the World Series is part of his family’s lore. He remembers hearing stories about his Dad and his uncle listening to the Series on a military radio broadcast while they were stationed in the Philippines during World War II.
“I’m really excited the Cubs are in the World Series. You can never tell what’s going to happen,” D’Anza said. “What would make me really happy is to see them win the World Series.”
The matchup represents an all-Cactus League World Series. No matter what happens, a long championship drought will end. The Indians train in Goodyear, before far smaller crowds than the Cubs, and won their last World Series in 1948, 68 years ago. The Cubs’ last win was in 1908 against the Tigers—108 years ago.
The Indians and Cubs also played pivotal roles in the creation of the Cactus League. Colorful Cleveland owner Bill Veeck and New York Giants owner Horace Stoneham launched the Cactus League together in 1947, with the Giants training in Phoenix and the Indians in Tucson.
The Cubs arrived in Mesa in 1952, lured by the late Mesa hotelier and civic leader Dwight Patterson to rickety Rendezvous Park. The team’s future in Mesa was cemented for the foreseeable
future by the efforts of the late Robert Brinton, a former Cactus League president, and former Mayor Scott Smith, who spearheaded a drive that resulted in voters approving Sloan Park’s construction.
The Cubs won a decisive victory in the 2015 Cactus League popularity battle, outdrawing the Tribe 226,163 to 87,079. The Cubs have sold out 31 of 45 games at Sloan Park since it opened in 2014.
“I have to be honest and say we are really excited to see history happen before our eyes,” said Michelle Streeter, vice president for communications at the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
When asked about the impact of a Cubs World Championship on Mesa, she said, “It’s hard to say.
“The Cubs fans always come out to support their team. They fill up every stadium where the Cubs are playing.”
Letter from the Editor to our readers
Last week, in our haste to include what we considered to be an important story in our Sunday edition, a reporting error resulted in the misuse of some previously published content, ultimately causing anguish to families and friends grieving the death of loved ones.
It started with a blog that reported the tragic suicide of a Corona del Sol student, identifying the student by name, which is against our policy. In our efforts to correct that and provide
factual information, information from our own files was erroneously picked up and used that pertained to a similar tragedy a year earlier.
Each morning, a spirited group of passionate journalists arrive early at the Tribune offices prepared to bring the news of the East Valley to its 1.5 million residents.
It truly is a labor of love. Many on our team have been doing this for several decades and take this work of getting the news to our readers very seriously.
The Cactus League drew 1.9 million fans in 2015 and was estimated to have an $809 million economic impact for Arizona, including $544 million generated from out-of-state visitors, according to a study by FMR Associates commissioned by the Cactus League Association. That estimate included $265 million generated by other events at Cactus League facilities.
Joe Garcia, who was watching the first game of the Series at Diamonds, has memories of the Cubs dating back to getting his picture taken with Cubs legend Ernie Banks when he was a boy. A Hall of Fame shortstop and first baseman, the late Banks starred for the Cubs in the 1950s and 1960s.
“It’s a treat. We’ve been waiting a long time,” he said.
– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@timespublications.com.
Filling this mission in the newspaper business has never been more difficult. We apologize. Our unwavering commitment to be a trusted voice for our readers makes it that much more disturbing to us that we have caused grief.
We are deeply sorry for the error, and the pain it has caused.
Sincerely,
J. Peterson
Roberta
Editor in Chief, East Valley Tribune
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Mary Jo and Mike Sering watch the Cleveland Indians-Chicago Cubs World Series game at the Diamond Bar in Mesa.
in Ahwatukee, are studying Sunland to possibly buy their beleaguered course from owner Wilson Gee.
Ever since 2013, Sunland homeowners had been rattled when Gee closed the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course. He sold it for more than $8 million to True Life Companies, which describes itself on its website as “a diversified group of real estate companies whose primary mission is to be a premier provider of lots and land to America’s home builders.”
True Life wants to turn the 101-acre Lakes course into an “agrihood” with homes and townhouses, community farm, a private school, farmers market and a café. It needs at least 51 percent of the community’s 5,200 homeowners to agree to a change in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that would allow the development.
Home investments on the line
What further rattled Sunland homeowners was that Farnsworth Companies had announced it planned to sell their course, just as it had the courses in its three other Mesa golf communities.
The 60-year-old course at Dreamland Villa, the company’s oldest development, was sold for $4.3 million last year to a home-builder who is now erecting houses on the 30-acre site.
“That created a lot of agitation in this community,” said John DeVore, a Sunland resident and now golf course coowner. “The news really expedited this process because the CC&Rs for the golf course are separate for the community’s. So, whoever owns that course can do whatever they want.”
DeVore, a retired corporate executive and avid golfer, last summer documented the sale in a book that Save Club West founder Jim Lindstrom thinks could be a blueprint for other golf communities with endangered courses.
DeVore demurs, saying he immersed himself in recording every detail of the acquisition because it fascinated him and appealed to him as a former executive with the Coors Brewing Company and his lifelong interest in golf.
Besides, he has also owned a home in Sunland Springs since 2013 and he and his wife Cindy are avid golfers.
“I don’t want to send anyone down the wrong road,” he said of the golf course purchase. “This is a unique experiment.”
At the same time, he said, that experiment has preserved green space that is critical to the retirement community’s quality of life—and residents’ pocketbooks.
As in many golf course communities, Sunland Springs homeowners whose houses are adjacent to the course paid a premium to be there.
“I guarantee you there are people who paid $100,000 just for the lot,” DeVore said.
Kahn has documented the slide in home values in those golf communities that have lost their golf courses, saying the declines have ranged between 19 and 30 percent.
The Sunland Village Springs deal comes amid a period of continuing turmoil for the golf industry in general and among communities anchored by golf courses specifically.
thousands of years. The problem is an oversaturation of courses,” said Kahn, who has been a consultant for golf courses since the mid ’50s and has worked in almost every state and Canada.
“It was a huge incentive for developers to offer a golf course to people they want to sell homes to,” he said. “But it was like the invasion of Iraq: They didn’t plan what happens after the course is built and the community is built.”
“Between about 1990 and 2005, almost 8,000 courses were developed but there was no growth in play,” Kahn added. “It’s like you’re the only shoe store in the mall and business is great, then eight other shoe stores open up and business falls off. It’s not that people aren’t wearing shoes; they’re just going to the other stores.”
Worse, Kahn said, the Baby Boomers who bought into these communities, many of them restricted to 55 years and older, are now getting too old to play golf or are dying.
And if the course isn’t generating a good profit for the owner, it starts to look more attractive for other uses.
“I had a call from a course near Atlanta and they wanted to know what to do because the developer wanted to sell the course for $40,000 an acre,” Kahn said. “As a golf course, it wouldn’t sell for a nickel an acre, so what do you think the owner is going to do?”
New owners took on risks
Although Sunland Springs Village is an age-restricted HOA, it also is home to a good-sized number of golfers who appreciate a site that is actually divided into three executive nine-hole courses.
“It truly is the centerpiece of our community,” DeVore said. “Our goal, as owners of the golf course is that its beautiful landscapes not only be the visual centerpiece of our community but also takes on a new role as the social center of Sunland Springs Village.”
The industry began seeing a decline in golfing in the early part of this century, although experts say that has started to change as courses begin changing their operation to appeal to a younger market.
Still, Devore notes that the National Golf Foundation reports that in the last five years, close to 4 million golfers have been lost in the United States. Between 2009-10 alone, “the industry lost 1 million more golfers than were gained.”
Courses saturated the market
Kahn says the problem isn’t the number of golfers or games played as it is with a glut of courses, especially those that were used by developers to sell homes.
“Golf is not dying; it’s been around for
At the same time, the new owners are aware of the risks they took on.
As DeVore advises in an introduction to his book, “Sunland Springs Golf Course: A Case Study to Help Others,” a golf course “is like a 3-week old baby: it needs virtually 24-7 care.”
Unlike an infant, however, “a golf course never grows out of dependency. In fact, as a golf course ages its care and needs become even greater.”
Kahn gives courses a check list with more than 250 items to considere and says there are another couple hundred that are subgroups of that list.
There are permits, licenses,
(Cheryl Haselhorst/Tribune Photographer)
The Superstition Mountains loom above the Sunland Springs Village Golf Club. The community got together and purchased the golf course rather than have it sold to an outside investor.
TAKE
environmental issues, transferable leases, personnel contracts, grass and weed control, liability issues. And because “golf is a competitive business,” DeVore noted, the courses demand “good greens, good fairways, good tees, groomed bunkers, a reasonable challenge for a variety of skills and talents, a nice practice facility, clean facilities and pleasant surroundings.”
The clubhouse just adds to the list, Kahn said, since its atmosphere, the quality and variety of food and beverages and even the clothing sold by the pro shop are all important considerations.
The Sunland course owners held a fundraiser for a separate account of about $170,000, apart from the course’s operating contingency fund, to expand their clubhouse.
Jury out on course’s future
In his book, DeVore breaks down the steps he took to determine whether he and his wife should put up money.
The acquisition committee capped the number of owners at 400 even though 2,430 homes and another 300 to be built before the community reaches build-out.
Between the purchase price and a contingency fund to cover repairs, the acquisition committee decided that owners had to pay a $5,000 “subscription fee” to raise $2 million to cover both.
First, DeVore considered the benefits of ownership and tallied 14, ranging from “preservation of property values and the quality of life” to early tee time bookings and reduced fees.
“When my wife, Cindy, and I sat down with a pencil and paper to make the investment decision, the conclusion was
that since a golf car was already owned, coupled with the number of rounds of golf played per year, the investment would be recovered in 2 1/2 years because of waived golf car trail fees and discounted annual pass fees for members,” he wrote.
Both DeVore and Kahn say the Sunland Springs Village experiment is a work in progress.
The board consists of five people who have no experience in running a golf course. They hired a professional course management company, OB Sports Golf Management, to run dayto-day operations for $65,000 a year plus bonuses if it made specific revenue targets.
Though DeVore signed a confidentiality agreement forbidding him from discussing revenue and related details, he noted that the course has a 15-yearold irrigation system, lacks facilities that would qualify the course for a U.S. Golf Association rating and still has to develop a marketing plan to successfully lure players from many other public courses within a 10-mile radius.
“The golf industry is not evolving to be state of the art,” he said. “You have to cater to what the market is telling you. That’s why I get concerned about opening up to the public. If golf is not on the cutting edge of where it has to be tomorrow, you’ve got a problem.”
Kahn agrees. But, like DeVore, believes Sunland Springs Village may have a better-than-average chance of succeeding.
“Golf courses survive if they’re ruled by a board with an iron fist,” Kahn said. “But this operation is the best I’ve seen in the country. There are enough homes so that their community is strong enough to support that
John Devore lives at Sunland Springs Village retirement community and wrote a book about the community purchasing their golf course.
Arizona Harvest Fest in Chandler
The Arizona Harvest Fest will hit Downtown Chandler on Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m.
The event will feature live entertainment by reggae band Tribal Seeds along with a variety of activities. There will be games, food and craft vendors and a beer garden with local pumpkin ales and seasonal brews.
Presale general admission is $8 and $10 at the door. On the day of the event, tickets are $8 at the door to anyone who brings a non-perishable food item to be donated to the United Food Bank. Kids 12 and under are free. VIP tickets for those 21 and older are available for $65, which includes six alcoholic beverages, catered food, private restrooms, private seating and front stage access.
ModelZona exhibit of models coming to Arizona Airspace Museum
The event takes place at Dr. AJ Chandler Park, at 178 E. Commonwealth. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit arizonaharvestfest.com.
– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE WRITER
Veterans and families welcomed to batting cages
Home Run Stadium batting cages in Mesa will have a free day for veterans and their families this Saturday. The “East Valley Veterans Appreciation Day” will also have free hot dogs and drinks for all veterans.
Home Run Stadium is at 1829 E. Main St., Mesa. For more information, call 602-908-9199 or go to mesabattingcages.com.
– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT
Free dentistry in Chandler
Sierra Family Dentistry will be providing free dental fi llings and extractions at its offi ces in Chandler on Saturday.
As a part of Free Dentistry Day, which aims to improve oral health in the community, Dr. Vincent Rauschel will be giving people the option between a fi lling or extraction between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the practice, at 600 S. Dobson Road, #B-8 in Chandler. Procedures will be done on a fi rst-come, fi rstserved basis.
For more information, call 480-899-3425 or visit freedentistryday.org.
– MATT TONIS, TRIBUNE WRITER
The Commemorative Air Force will be showing off a collection of award-winning models at ModelZona on Saturday. Aircraft, armor, cars, ships and more will be on display at the Arizona Airbase Museum, 2017 N. Greenfi eld Road, Mesa. A presentation on the history of helicopters will be shown at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 480-924-1940 or go to azcaf.org.
– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT
Kids in hard hats at Big Dig in the Desert
The inaugural Big Dig in the Desert on Nov. 5 gives local Phoenix children the opportunity to operate heavy machinery.
One of the world’s leading construction and development fi rms, Skanska, has become a founding sponsor of the event with the American Cancer Society.
Kids will have the chance to operate heavy machinery, including back-hoes, diggers and excavators with supervision. Skanska is sponsoring the “Kid’s Zone,” which will feature all types of kid-friendly activities, including Lego building and coloring.
The event will also include helicopters from the Mesa Police Department, vehicles and canines and Mesa Fire Department vehicles.
A family fi ve-pack is $100 and admits up to fi ve family members. For more information, contact Sarah Philippe at sarah.philippe@cancer.org or call 602-952-7509.
– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE WRITER
Parenting and kids seminars during November
Three parenting and kids seminars will take place in November at the Mountain Vista Medical Center.
The Understanding HPV seminar will feature Zachary Castle, D.O., as he discusses the virus, the vaccine and the current recommendation for immunizing children.
The seminar will take place on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. Other classes include New Dads and Preparing to Become a Sibling.
For more information or to register for a class, visit mvmedicalcenter.com/classes-events or call 1-877-924-9355.
– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE WRITER
Gilbert house raided in federal investigation of phone scam
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
Federal agents served a search warrant early Thursday morning at a custom house in an upscale Gilbert neighborhood as part of a national crackdown by the U.S. Justice Department on a telephone extortion fraud ring based in India.
“We were executing an arrest and search warrant in connection with this investigation,” said Yasmeen Pitts Okeefe, a spokeswoman for the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A large number of agents were at an address in the 1100 block of N. Riata St. in the Circle G Ranches neighborhood for more than an hour. Gilbert police also were at the scene.
A federal indictment announced Thursday said that 20 people were arrested nationwide and that 32 people and five call centers in India were charged with a variety of fraudulent schemes.
The scheme victimized “tens of thousands of people” in the U.S. and resulted in “hundreds of millions of dollars in losses,” according to the U.S. Justice Department. “The indictment alleges that the defendants were involved in a sophisticated fraud scheme organized by conspirators in India.”
A slide presented at the press conference said there were 15,000 victims in the U.S. who suffered losses and 50,000 victims of identity theft.
A list of 61 defendants distributed at a press conference in Washington, D.C., included the names of three men listed as Phoenix residents, but no East Valley residents. Seven defendants were listed as living in the Chicago area and several more live in Texas. The indictment was filed in Houston.
Potential victims in the U.S. were threatened “with arrest, imprisonment, fines and deportation if they refused to pay,” the press release said, with defendants at the call centers accused of impersonating federal agents, including Internal Revenue Service agents.
When victims fell for the scheme, coconspirators in the U.S. would launder and liquidate the extorted funds as quickly as possible by purchasing prepaid debit cards or through wire transfers, often using the identity of victims, the press release said.
The victims included an 85-yearold woman from San Diego who lost $12,300 after she was threatened with arrest if she did not pay fictitious tax violations, the release said.
In other variations of the scheme, potential victims were told they were eligible to receive a government grant, but they first needed to pay a processing fee. Victims also were told they were eligible for loans, but they had to make a “good-faith deposit” to prove they could eventually repay the loan.
Federal authorities quoted in the press release said the case proves that Americans can be victimized by criminal operations in other countries, as well as fraudulent operations based in the U.S.
The indictment describes an elaborate
criminal organization of co-conspirators working together to steal money from vulnerable and unsuspecting U.S. citizens.
Two suspects from Phoenix, Raman Patel, 81, and Rajesh Kumar Un, 38, were named in the indictment as “runners” who worked regionally. The indictment said the role of runners was to use extorted funds to buy general purpose reloadable cards, purchase money orders with the cards, retrieve scammed money from money transmitters such as Western Union and MoneyGram, and deposit the extorted money into bank accounts.
A third Phoenix suspect, Bhavesh Patel, 46, was identified as a district manager. The role of district managers was to supervise the runners and maintain close contact with the call center operators in India, according to the indictment.
– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@timespublications.com.
– Comment on this article and like the East Valley Tribune on Facebook and follow EVTNow on Twitter.
Lawyers fighting back over ADA lawsuits, want to force oversight
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
The controversial AID Foundation is striking back at the state Attorney General’s Office, seeking an unusual court order to force the state agency into inspecting businesses periodically for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
AID seeks an order of mandamus, Latin for “we command,” from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Talamante to force the Attorney General’s Office to conduct compliance reviews, saying that office has been legally required to do the inspections for 22 years but has failed to do so.
The Attorney General’s Office says it takes a less confrontational approach, seeking to mediate complaints so that violations are corrected without the need for legal action.
The Attorney General’s Office intervened on the behalf of mostly East Valley businesses that have been sued by Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities within the past year.
Talamante previously ordered the consolidation of more than 1,000 suits
with similar allegations against businesses accused of ADA parking lot violations, a move that sets up an anticipated motion to dismiss all cases. A status conference on the consolidated cases is scheduled for Nov 3.
Peter Strojnik, the controversial attorney who filed the blizzard of lawsuits on AID’s behalf, was filing boilerplate motions to dismiss several cases during the same period that AID sought to put the attorney general’s lack of ADA enforcement on trial.
described how they believe they are victims of a shakedown scheme, where AID typically demands a $7,500 out-ofcourt settlement to cover their legal fees,
“ There are no police for the ADA. To me, the burden should be on the Attorney General’s Office. We are seeing a blind spot in enforcement. ”
The Attorney General’s Office has accused AID of being a serial litigator that has been using the ADA law to collect thousands of dollars in out-ofcourt settlements from unsuspecting businesses, many of them in the East Valley.
Among the legal arguments cited by the Attorney General’s Office is that AID lacked standing to file the suit because it can provide no proof that a disabled person was actually victimized by the violations through an inability to access a building.
East Valley business owners have
The violations include failure to have the proper number of handicapped parking spaces, failure to have adequate van-accessible parking spaces and having handicapped parking signs that are not at least eight feet tall.
— Jack Wilenchik, attorney for AID
or sometimes more.
The business owners are frustrated because they say they support the ADA and that many of these violations are fairly small, such as having handicapped parking signs that are two inches too low to comply with federal and state law.
But AID says that it enforcing the law because the Attorney General’s Office has failed to do so. The alleged violations are included in an amended complaint being filed by Dennis and Jack Wilenchik, attorneys for AID. The court document listing numerous violations can be found at aid.org/09056
“If the Office of the Attorney General were to fulfill its legal duties to conduct periodic compliance reviews of public accommodations under ARS. 41-1492.09, then it would go a long way toward resolving the cause-in-fact for these suits,” according to a motion filed by the Wilenchiks.
Jack Wilenchik said that he was amazed to learn that no government agency was enforcing the ADA, a law that has existed for more than two decades, and that serial litigators such as AID have sprung into action across the country to enforce the law privately.
A disabled person should not have to file a complaint and go through a long
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
West Mesa Precinct Justice of the Peace retiring
Mark Anderson has announced his retirement as the West Mesa Precinct Justice of the Peace after serving for six years, effective Jan. 1.
The vacancy will be fi lled by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The district encompasses West Mesa, including the Fairway, Riverview, Westwood, Esquire, Buckley, Kleinman, Indian Springs and Honda voting precincts.
For the selection process, the appointee must be a Republican and live in the West Mesa Justice Precinct. Other requirements are available by emailing clerkboard@mail.maricopa.gov.
Applicants should send their letters of interest along with a resume to the Offi ce of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003 or clerkboard@mail.maricopa.gov. Applications will be accepted through Friday.
East Valley nonprofits given grants by credit union
OneAZ Credit Union awarded grants to 33 nonprofi ts around the state, including fi ve in the East Valley. The grants were awarded to Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley in Mesa, Chandler/Gilbert Arc in Chandler, Child Crisis Arizona in Mesa, Neighborhood Ministries in Tempe and the Salvation Army Chandler Corps in Gilbert.
The statewide grants totaled $50,000. The grants are expected to fund programs that provide a direct benefi t to the communities served to enhance the quality of life, according to a press release.
– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT
Gilbert among safest cities in the west
In a recent study conducted by Safeco, the Town of Gilbert was found to have the third-lowest property crime rate among midsize cities in the Pacifi c.
The crimes calculated include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft per 100,000 people based on data from the FBI’s Crime Report for 2015. Midsize cities have a population between 100,000 and 500,000.
– MATT TONIS, TRIBUNE WRITER
Arizona ranked worst state for teachers
Arizona ranked 50th in a list of the best states for teachers to work based on how many jobs are available and salary, according to research conducted by Zippia.
Zippia took criteria from the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Employment Statistics for 2015, which looked at the location quotient, average annual salary, average salary for an entry level job and average annual salary for experienced professionals.
The top three states were New Jersey, Connecticut and New Mexico.
– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE WRITER
Woman pleads not guilty in terror case
Michelle Bastian pleaded not guilty Monday with helping her husband plan a bombing at a prison where he is serving a life sentence.
Bastian was arrested Oct. 12 at the Chandler bakery where she works. She now will face a pre-trial hearing Dec. 8.
Thomas Bastian, her husband, is incarcerated on a murder charge. Offi cials say he has become a radical Islamist while in prison.
Prosecutors say Michelle sent her husband articles from radical magazines. They say the pair planned to bomb the warden at the ASPC-Lewis Prison.
– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT
MCC students named Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars
Jared Carlson and Kristin Shelledy from Mesa Community College have been named 2016 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars.
These students were selected from more than 1,000 applicants by a panel of independent judges to receive $1,000 each. Students are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
The scholarship is designed to provide new Phi Theta Kappa members with fi nancial resources to help defray education expenses while enrolled in a two-year college while also encouraging participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs. The recipients of the scholarship plan to transfer to a four-year university following graduation.
– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE WRITER
process to find a parking spot, Wilenchik said.
“ ey are, in a sense, private police. ere are no police for the ADA,” he said. “To me, the burden should be on the Attorney General’s Office. We are seeing a blind spot in enforcement.”
seminar, saying it was a continuingeducation session sponsored by the ar for real estate attorneys. Two attorneys were invited to speak, including du Mee, said Rick DeBruhl, the State Bar’s chief communications officer.
“ e majority of the attorneys in this continuing-education event have had to deal with this type of suit,” DeBruhl said. “It was not about how to squelch this, it was how to understand it.”
Wilenchik said the lack of enforcement has created complacency among business owners, who take no action to comply with the law and say, “we’ll just wait around and see if anyone cares.”
Beyond the upcoming showdown in court, AID also lashed out in the court of public opinion, accusing the Attorney General’s Office of leading a seminar to help businesses continue discrimination against the disabled.
He said that attorneys are required to attend continuing-education classes, and that this is part of the state bar’s function.
“It was how to understand what’s going on in the legal arena,” DeBruhl said.
“‘AID is shocked and dismayed but emboldened in its ADA compliance mission as a result of the AG’s continued efforts to protect and further discrimination against individuals with disabilities,’ stated Alex Callan, the de facto representative of AID,” the press release said.
In the AID press release, Callan said the foundation has filed 2,000 suits statewide. He said the legal expenses and inspections cost AID $1.7 million, while the group has collected $1.2 million in out-of-court settlements, with an average settlement of $3,900. at means the crackdown on ADA violations has created more than a $500,000 loss, he said.
Strojnik is under investigation by the State Bar for potential ethics violations. Strojnik and AID were recently reprimanded by U.S. District Court Judge G. Murray Snow and ordered to pay damages for their dealings with a defense attorney.
“Today, the first of the prodiscrimination classes and seminars is now being led by the Arizona Attorney General, Mark Brnovich’s staff. Matthew du Mee, staff member of the AG, will be focusing on how to squelch ADA compliance actions to allow business to continue to get away with discriminating against individuals with disabilities by violating the same ADA laws that the AG is required by law to enforce.”
But the Arizona State Bar took issue with AID’s characterization of the
Snow cited “bad-faith behavior” by Strojnik and his co-counsel in telling the defense attorney that they would litigate a case in federal court, and then moving to dismiss the federal suit so they could litigate the case in state court.
– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@timespublications.com.
BY SHELLEY RIDENOUR Tribune Staff Writer
Three East Valley residents have been recognized for their civic leadership. e three are fellows in the Flinn-Brown Leadership Academy.
Mesa City Councilman Chris Glover joins Mikel Steinfeld of Tempe and Nick Vasquez of Chandler on the list. Steinfeld is an attorney with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office. Vasquez is an emergency department physician and
medical director at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa. e Arizona Center for Civic Leadership selected 36 people as 2016 fellows. ey all share a commitment to public service, the academy said.
Flinn-Brown fellows study major issues facing Arizona and are expected to gain an understanding of political and public policy that can help inform their leadership.
Fellows participate in a 12-part seminar series, a leadership master class and receive executive coaching.
Dr. Jason Heavens M.D.
Dr. Bert Audette II Darcel
FNP-C
FNP-C
on a BMO Harris Home Equity Line of Credit™ when enrolling in Auto Pay Variable rates as low as 3.49% APR*
certain circumstances disclosed in your line of credit agreement, we may reduce your credit limit or suspend your line after loan closing. Variable Rate Information: For a Home Equity Line of Credit, the annual percentage rate (APR) is a variable rate based on the highest Prime Rate (Prime) published in the “Money
Heightened bag security introduced at Sun Devil Stadium
BY RYAN DECKER AND NATALIE TARANGIOLI Cronkite News
Arizona State University now allows football fans to rely on clear bags to carry items into Sun Devil Stadium, joining other professional and college teams seeking to make game days safe and secure but drawing mixed reviews from fans.
The change comes after the NFL, including the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium, and several Pac-12 colleges adopted the clearbag policy.
“It’s going to help our security easily identify what’s in the bag and get the fans through the line quickly,” said Maggie Emmons, spokeswoman for Sun Devil Athletics.
Acceptable alternatives at the ASU stadium include plastic grocery bags, Ziploc-style bags and clear purses or drawstring bags. What’s out: diaper bags, full-size strollers, backpacks, fanny packs, tote bags or any carrier that isn’t see-through or can’t fit in the palm of a hand.
And there’s a limit on clear bags: one per person, Emmons said.
Robert Wagner, an ASU fan of 20 years, said the new policy makes sense.
“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “It’ll help to keep it safer and faster to get in.”
Rachel Dinaso, a senior speech and hearing sciences major at ASU, is among those who don’t like the clear-bag rule.
“I don’t like all my stuff exposed,” Dinaso said. “It’s kind of awkward.”
Adriana Parsons said attending the football games with her husband and two young children became a lot more challenging.
To attend the games, the Parsons would have to pack all of their game-day necessities in gallon-sized storage bags, or ones sold by the stadium or other retailers.
“We have diapers, a set of extra clothing, wipes, bottles (and) burp rags,” Parsons said.
The Parsons are huge Sun Devil fans, but they haven’t been to a game this season. If they do go, Parsons said, they may have to go without the kids.
“It’ll make it significantly harder to go
Open Enrollment
to the games, so we might have to incur additional costs, such as childcare,” Parsons said.
Emmons said the policy doesn’t dampen the family-friendly aspect of the football games. Each family member may carry one clear bag into the stadium.
“I think there’s also a misconception of how big a bag is because we do reference that one gallon size. But the actual bag size, 12-by-6-by-12, is substantial,” Emmons said.
However fans feel about the policy, it is becoming increasingly common.
The NFL has used a clear-bag policy since the 2013 season and ASU is the eighth Pac-12 school to implement the rule, Emmons said. Some schools go even further. Ohio State University does not allow any bags to enter Ohio Stadium, according to its website.
The three-year-old policy also applies to major events, such as concerts and festivals, according to Scott Norton, a spokesman for events at University of Phoenix Stadium other than Cardinals games.
“Diaper bags are banned, the contents of the diaper bags are not banned,” Norton said. “We’re just restricting basically the vehicle they used to get them inside the stadium.”
Clear gallon-sized bags are handed out at events at University of Phoenix Stadium if people show up without an accepted bag, Norton said.
ASU said the Cardinals experience shows Sun Devil fans can adapt as well.
“This behavior has been in place for three years with the Cardinals and people have gotten really comfortable and used to that,” Emmons said. “So I think it should be pretty easy for our fans to adopt it.”
Still, she said ASU spread the word about the change in various ways, including posting information on the website, sending out news releases, placing signs outside Sun Devil Stadium and handing out flyers and pamphlets about the new rule to fans.
Emmons said 21,000 visitors, according to metrics analysis, visited the information on its website in the second week of the season.
Community
Obstacle course run draws ‘maniacs’ to Chandler
BY RACHEL EROH Tribune Staff Writer
The Rugged Maniac obstacle course and festival is making a second stop in Chandler this year on Saturday.
As one of the largest obstacle race companies in the nation that holds 27 other events across the country, Rugged Maniac brings thousands of runners at each stop. COO Rob Dickens said the large turnout is due to their specific appeal that their competitors don’t share.
“We don’t take ourselves quite so seriously,” Dickens said.
Dickens said that the 5K is more about having fun, which makes it more appealing to a wider variety of people. It’s not a hardcore race where contestants feel discouraged if they don’t believe they are fit enough to compete.
“Our whole goal is getting people off of their couches and doing something active but fun,” Dickens said.
The course consists of 25 different obstacles, ranging from warped walls, balance beams, underground tunnels, jumping over fire and a 50-foot waterslide.
Rugged Maniac changes some obstacles to keep the course fresh and exciting for the runners, Dickens said.
“We are always improving the experience for our maniacs and making sure that they are having a great time out on the course but also in the festival,” Dickens said.
The daylong festival at Rawhide Western Town & Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, is free to attend and will include a variety of entertainment, a mechanical bull, food, adult bounce houses, music and beer.
Competitors can get register in advance at ruggedmaniac.com for $89 through Wednesday. At the gate, sign-up is $100. Students and military personnel with valid identification receive a $10 discount.
This is the first time the course will make a second stop in Chandler in one season. There are about 5,000 participants already registered.
“The Phoenix area has been good to us
since 2011,” Dickens said.
A few years ago, CEO Brad Scudder and Dickens appeared on the ABC’s “Shark Tank” after being approached by the show. They had not planned to accept any of the offers from the investors but after watching more episodes, they decided they would accept an offer from businessman Mark Cuban.
Cuban offered them an investment of $1.75 million. Although their business prior to the show was expanding, having Cuban as a business partner has perks, Dickens said.
Michalle Pfister, a 38-year-old Peoria resident, will be participating in her third Rugged Maniac race on Nov. 5.
Pfister has competed in other obstacle courses like Spartan, Wipeoutrun and Foam Fest but Rugged Maniac is her favorite because there’s no pressure, Pfister said.
“It’s just about overcoming obstacles that you don’t get to encounter every day,” Pfister said.
Pfister had to do her first Rugged Maniac by herself because she couldn’t find a friend who was willing to participate. At first she was disappointed, but she ended up making friends along the way, Pfister said.
“At every obstacle I struggled with I made more friends,” Pfister said. “So by the time I crossed the finish line I was with five or six people that I met along the way and we all kind of stayed together.”
Pfister struggled with being overweight prior to competing in obstacle courses. However, after her first obstacle course, she was hooked. Training for the race gave her a goal, Pfister said.
Pfister’s younger kids watched her from the sidelines during her last Rugged Maniac race as she neared the end of the course and they were impressed with her performance, Pfister said.
“They were like ‘I can’t believe you jumped over that fire!’” Pfister said. “They were in shock that mom did all that amazing stuff.”
(Special to the Tribune)
A Rugged Maniac competitor hauls a weight on her back over the obstacle course. The course is visiting Chandler for the second time this year on Saturday at Rawhide.
Mesa’s exotic animal hospital is a friend to unusual pets
BY RACHEL EROH Tribune Staff Writer
People think of veterinarians as doctors specializing in treating typical household pets like dogs and cats, but the veterinarians at the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital specialize in treating a more unique set of pets.
Exotic animals refer to anything outside of dogs and cats. Since most vets don’t treat such pets, the exotic animal hospital has the services to help anything from a beta fish to a tortoise.
The Mesa hospital, at 744 N. Center St. #101, has been open since 2007. The hospital offers a range of services, from animal treatment, surgeries, boarding and exotic animal pet supplies.
The staff at the hospital always have had interest in animals but wanted to be around more than just dogs and cats.
“I’ve had an interest in reptiles my whole life,” office manager Mark Hamilton said.
The hospital sees a lot of tortoises, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and fish. They can accommodate almost any animal for boarding.
Doctors and interns share a passion for the unique animals that come through their doors. Many of the interns come from all over the country to gain experience at the hospital, Hamilton said.
“Most vet schools don’t offer a lot of exotics curriculum, so if they want any exotics experience, it’s up to them to seek that out,” Hamilton said.
The hospital even has a few interesting mascots of its own who have been treated and then adopted. One of those is a Catalina macaw named Zazu who came in with a broken leg due to a dog bite.
If Zazu’s cage isn’t shut properly, he knows how to open it and will walk around the hospital. He’ll walk over to the treatment area to bite at a technician’s shoes.
“He doesn’t like women a whole lot,” Hamilton said.
The hospital offers exotic animal products and services that aren’t always provided at a regular pet store or veterinarian clinic.
There are special dental tools for smaller animals that are needed to hold the animal and to open their mouths. The hospital also has a small endoscope which is used on rabbits.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY WILL POWERS/TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRPHER
Dr. Heather Bjornebo has been with the animal hospital for over two years and has treated an array of exotic animals. She said she can’t pick out the strangest patient she’s had.
“When you’re used to seeing weird things, people ask ‘What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen?’ and I’m like, ‘Define weird,’” Bjornebo said.
She has treated fish, tarantulas, hermit crabs, kangaroos, wallabies and goats. Her favorite animals to treat, however, are tortoises.
Bjornebo’s passion for exotic animals goes beyond the workplace. At her house, she has a room filled with 40 snakes.
Along with the animals, the work environment is what makes Bjornebo excited to come into work every day. She said that the workplace is relaxed and that the staff is a second family to her.
“The people make this place what it is,” Bjornebo said.
The most important part to Bjornebo
is the relationships she makes with the owners and the relief they have when she helps their beloved pets.
“The most rewarding part is the look on people’s faces when you tell them that everything is going to be OK,” Bjornebo said.
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital 744 N. Center St. #101, Mesa
Office Manager Mark Hamilton holds a macaw at the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital.
A squirrel makes itself at home atop Rebecca Moffat’s head at the veterinary offices.
Tech assistant Somer Portz helps Frankie, an elongated tortoise, come inside after a short walk outside the Arizona Exotic animal Hospital in Mesa.
Dr. Heather Bjornebo holds a snake that she keeps in her office.
Student’s custom caps helps brighten chemo patients’ days
BY KAYTLIN MARTINO Tribune Contributing Writer
Arizona State University junior Ashleigh Smith holds philanthropic work close to her heart.
An interior design major, Smith has helped her sorority, Delta Gamma, raise $20,000 for Service for Sight, and works with Feed My Starving children. But a project that began in high school has had a lasting impact.
In her freshman year at Basha High School in Chandler, Smith was approached by one of her teachers about a 10-year-old girl with cancer. The teacher knew that Smith had her own small business in middle school making hair bows and other accessories for her classmates. She hoped that Smith could craft some bows for the girl to make her feel more comfortable with her chemotherapy.
Smith created a special hat for chemo patients called Chemo Caps.
Chemo Caps were designed to be customizable and specialized for
each patient. Smith bought baseball-style caps and lined them with magnets so that the patient could personalize the hat with accessories.
Smith first started donating her Chemo Caps to patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The caps became a huge hit and she continued donating the chemo caps throughout her four years of high school.
Starting her senior year of high school, Smith set a personal goal of donating 150 handmade caps to patients. Not only did Smith achieve this goal, she got 100 Major League Baseball hats donated to accommodate boys battling cancer.
“Even in my busy college years, Chemo Caps have still remained a huge part of my life,” Smith said.
After learning that a fellow sorority sister was diagnosed with cancer, as well as a friend’s mother, Smith decided to get her hands on these caps once again.
“I can’t talk for every woman, but when
The East Valley Tribune would like to announce its first annual Holiday Lights Contest. But we can’t.
That’s because AP Style (something newspaper editors use) dictates you can’t call anything “first annual.” So we’ll say it’s our inaugural year for this tradition. Next year, it will be our second annual contest, however.
Have you noticed a neighbor’s elaborate decorations for the season? Have you been inspired by them—or more than a little irritated? Do you think
my mom lost her hair, she felt very selfconscious out in public,” said Kelsey King, a senior at ASU and one of Smith’s closest friends. “She hates the hole in the back of normal ball caps because they show her (hairless) head, and finding a hat without that ponytail hole is incredibly hard.”
“To have a cap that is custom-made for my mom is amazing.”
Erica Davis, Smith’s English teacher for her freshman and senior year of high school, supported Smith.
She backed the creation of Chemo Caps, saying, “Ashleigh was always a visible student for her academic and leadership qualities.”
Don’t hide your lights under a bushel
Tribune kicks off Holiday decoration contest
yours are more tasteful?
You don’t even have to know the homeowner’s name. Just send in the address and whip out your smartphone to snap a photo just to give us an idea of what’s special about it. Go ahead and write a note about why you nominated it. And, yes, you can nominate yourself as well. We do need your name, address and phone number as “official nominator” for any contenders you send along.
What makes for the best lighting display? We’ll be the judge of that. The Tribune will award prizes in a few different categories. (And we’ll figure
out what those are after we look at the nominees).
Just a few rules, because what’s a contest without rules? You don’t have to buy anything to enter or to have a better chance at winning. The nominated home, business or edifice must be in the East Valley. If you don’t know where the East Valley is, please don’t nominate anyone. We’re getting enough mail from all over the country about the presidential race; it’s really kind of creepy.
To enter, visit tiny.cc/evtlights and attach that smartphone image of the home. Please supply the exact address (Siri has trouble with approximations.) If
you’re really old school, then write us at Holiday Lights, 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282. Be sure to include your Polaroids. And don’t forget the stamps and your contact information.
We’ll accept entries from Nov. 1-30, which is pretty much the whole month of November. The next week or so we›ll be judging, so winners won’t be announced until Dec. 11.
Then we’ll share information about the best ones so you can pile the family and the dog into the pickup, drive around and take a look. After all, gas is pretty cheap this year.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer) Ashleigh Smith has been making hats for cancer patients since she was a young girl. She uses a magnet for the live or cloth flowers to attach to the hat so that the person can change the decoration to fit their outfit or mood.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Bright flowers attach to Ashleigh Smith’s Chemo Caps with a magnet.
Tribune Staff Report
UFO sighting in EV raises questions – all of them silly
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
The twinkling lights in the sky over the East Valley—a UFO!—hit the Twittersphere around sunset Tuesday. There were still pictures, which didn’t do these alleged Martians justice, and shaky smartphone video, which looked like the opening credits to a crappy new TV series titled “CSI: Uranus.”
Speaking of bad television, the “mysterious lights” were all the rage on local newscasts that night and on into the next day, with reporters rounding up gobsmacked East Valley residents who confessed experiencing fear, confusion, anxiety and “thinking about aliens.”
To be fair, I experienced the same range of emotions last Sunday while watching the Cardinals and the Seahawks play to that 6-6 tie.
To lend scientific legitimacy to the story, a few TV stations trotted out Steve Kates, a local astronomer and UFO expert who goes by “Dr. Sky.” The good doctor was “just baffled by this one.” With a
Open letter about suicide
It is such a shame when we lose a loved one to suicide.
No child should ever feel enough pain to think it would be better if he or she is no longer wanted or needed in the world. The bigger shame is seeing a child who needs help and not providing the care and support the child needs and deserves.
My 17-year-old daughter very recently lost a very dear friend to suicide. I am not certain of the circumstances surrounding the event and whether the child sought out help at the end, but I feel as a community we have failed.
This particular child was a cheerful, loving kid who had attended birthday parties, sleepovers and other events with my daughter since they were in kindergarten.
Early last spring, my daughter came to me disturbed about some of the things this child had been saying. The child felt she was useless
dramatic flourish, he told ABC15: “How arrogant and naïve would it be for us to think we are the only precious species in the entire cosmos? Meaning I believe there is truly life out there.”
The possibility of life beyond Earth leaves me with mixed emotions. On the positive side, lately I’ve been thinking about departing America during the first few hours of the next presidential administration, no matter who wins.
My biggest fear? That moving to Canada
miss out on President Trump “grabbing Prymaat right by the cone,” then rallying Americans to “deport these Coneheads right back to Remulak.”
Imagine the press conference. “The daughter, Connie Conehead, she’s a 5, tops,” explains President Trump. “I wouldn’t never date her, not even if she’s 18 years old on Remulak. Melania has much better cones. Tremendous cones. The best cones.”
Of course, if Trump loses, we’d be treated
“ The more I think about it, the more I hope there is intelligent life out there somewhere. ”
won’t be far enough away. Venus sounds about right. Unfortunately, because of Venus’ proximity to the Sun, I’d already be 84 years old there. Old age coupled with Venus’ 864-degree afternoons— simply awful for golf—pretty much takes that option off the table.
Besides, I’d hate to flee the Valley for East Jupiter and then have these UFOs turn out to be a visit from outer space, ala the Coneheads. It would be tragic to
to Madam President Clinton welcoming the new aliens with screeching promises of “open trade and open borders” and vows to “fight for all Americans, even Americans not from the Milky Way.”
Cut to a Fox News special investigation: “Hillary Clinton: Extraterrestrial President.” If you liked eight years of hearing that Barack Obama was born in Kenya, you’ll love “anecdotal evidence” that both Clintons were born not in
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
and worthless and had spoken of pain so deep she felt she might hurt herself. Having survived a devastating depression myself with help from friends, family and counseling, I immediately sought the guidance of the school this child attended. I sent an email to the counselors and principal regarding my concerns. I received a letter back stating that the matter would be looked in to. I failed to follow up with the family myself. In hindsight that was my mistake. I do not place blame here except on myself for not following up to make sure this child was safe.
As a community and humanity, we must not let this epidemic continue.
Please talk to your children about suicide. Pay attention for the warning signs: listlessness, down talking about themselves, anger, selfmutilation, crying when there seems no reason. Sudden changes in mood or appearance. Changes in friendships. Giving away of things they cherish.
My heart absolutely breaks for this dear girl
and her family. I am ashamed to say I let her down. As a wife and mother of two teenage daughters, I hug my children close as often as possible and remind them they are loved and they should never be ashamed of looking to others for help if they need it.
God bless and keep you, dear child. I will hold you forever in my heart.
– Rebecca Evans – Queen Valley
Why do we need Prop. 205?
If the only goal was to decriminalize marijuana, advocates could have done that by changing two sentences in state law. Instead, they foisted a convoluted, 20-page initiative on us. Why?
The real aim is to enrich a select group of marijuana insiders by stacking the law in their favor.
Prop. 205 limits initial retail marijuana licenses to those who already own medical
Chicago and Arkansas, but on Liberalis, a strange, San Francisco-like planet located two solar systems over.
In all seriousness—OK, semiseriously— wouldn’t it be just Arizona’s luck to have space aliens land here? Every crazy story has some weird connection to our state. I picture a spaceship setting down on county land near Tempe, and the head alien being welcomed warily by Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“So you are in charge of keeping the law?” the head alien asks quizzically. “On my planet, you would be 136 years old. You would be living in Very Close To The Sun City and driving a golf cart to Luby’s at the Neptune Mall for dinner at 4 p.m.”
Fortunately, the screams of angry protesters would drown out Sheriff Joe’s response, thus preserving peace between our two civilizations.
The more I think about it, the more I hope there is intelligent life out there somewhere. Because I’m not so sure there’s much intelligent life around here anywhere.
leibowitzsolo.com.
dispensaries. They’re using the power of government to keep out competition, a great way to make tons of money.
The initiative minimizes penalties for selling to underage buyers, and it protects users from serious consequences for abusing the drug. You can’t make money if the customers are in jail. But that’s not enough. Prop. 205 creates two new government agencies to “regulate” the industry, under the direction of a commission on which marijuana insiders are guaranteed three of the seven seats.
Prop. 205 creates an oligarchy. It’s a scam on voters. Vote against this insider dealing.
– Venessa Whitener – Higley School Board
Prop. 206 will help businesses
Over the years, I have seen how workforce protections improve the quality of life in our
– David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Reach him at david@
Get ready for higher HOA fees if Prop. 206 passes
BY KEVIN BISHOP Tribune Guest Writer
Avote for Proposition 206 is a vote to increase your Home Owner’s Association (HOA) dues by five to 10 percent. Service providers that work with HOAs—such as landscapers, contractors, and other tradesmen—will see their labor costs increase almost 50 percent under the proposed minimum wage requirement of $12 by 2020. The only way service providers can absorb this added cost is by passing it on to their customers—HOAs. In turn, HOAs will
LETTERS
from page 19
community and make it a better place to live, work, and run a business.
Changing Hands, a local Tempe business, illustrates this story well. A popular, locally owned bookstore, Changing Hands competes against the online retailer giant, Amazon.com. Tempe’s beloved bookstore provides earned sick days for its team members and pays hourly rates above minimum wage, because
pass it on to homeowners, resulting in increased HOA dues or fees.
In anticipating the adverse effects of Proposition 206 on HOA budgets, I contacted the CEOs of several large landscape companies, which service the HOA market in Phoenix. They shared their concerns that they will be forced to increase prices by 20 to 25 percent or be forced out of business. This is not an insignificant increase for HOAs; to absorb as landscaping services alone represent approximately 30 percent of any HOA budget.
Of course, it’s not only landscapers
they know fair wages and time off actually help their business, letting their staff be more happy, healthy, and productive and helping them build a top-notch team. Changing Hands’ staff turnover is low, reducing costs related to hiring and training.
Local businesses are the backbone of Arizona’s economy. The Healthy Working Families Initiative will help these businesses and those who work for them. You can only say YES to that, as so many businesses have.
Please vote YES to raise the wages of nearly
who will be forced to raise prices. Every service industry in the HOA marketplace will be similarly affected. That adds up to one large increase for homeowners who reside in an HOA.
If Proposition 206 passes, every HOA will increase its budget to accommodate for the added cost of services. Meaning, if passed, Proposition 206 will effectively mandate an assessment rate increase to every HOA in the state. If you thought your HOA fees were too high already, hold on to your pitchforks, because this one will not be the fault of your HOA’s board of directors.
800,000 workers in Arizona and provide earned sick day protection to over 930,000 workers.
– Lauren Kuby – Tempe Councilmember
Marijuana story was one-sided
Your front-page story in the Oct. 23 edition is titled: “Pros and Cons of Prop. 205.”
I read all 35 paragraphs of your piece hoping to garner new information. Your piece was a far cry from presenting pros and cons.
Only the last two paragraphs could be called
Consumers, and in our case— homeowners—are always the ones to feel the impacts of increased cost of business. Proposition 206 aims to help those who depend on minimum wage jobs, but in this case, those are the very individuals who will be hurt if Proposition 206 passes. An increase in HOA dues is just one more unintended consequence of raising the minimum wage and another reason Proposition 206 is bad for Arizona.
the “con” point of view. The reader is basically directed to a website to read about the “con” side of this important issue.
Your article makes it very clear where the editors stand.
To submit letters: Go to eastvalleytribune. com/opinions and click “Submit letter” or email forum@evtrib.com.
Make Extra Cash
– Kevin Bishop is president of Renaissance Community Partners
– Roger Herd – Mesa
Someburros’ family celebrates 30 years and growing Business
BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE Tribune Contributing Writer
When George and Mary Vasquez and George’s mom Isabel started Poncho’s Restaurant in south Phoenix in the 1970s, Tim Vasquez was only a baby. The whole family was involved. The restaurant offered take-out service and a restaurant with drinks. They also began accepting the revolutionary new method of payment, checks.
Things started slowly. On National Taco Day in 1986, George worried when they sold only about 40 tacos.
By the time George and Mary opened a new restaurant, Someburros, in 1986, Tim was 11 years old and played mascot in a furry donkey costume in the summer heat to advertise their new restaurant. The driving force and the recipes for the restaurants came from Isabel, who, sadly, died two months before Someburros opened. Her Sonoran-based Mexican recipes have been the basis for the restaurant’s menu, which is kept as a family secret and shared with just a few chefs.
They recently celebrated their 30th year in business Saturday with festive decorations including piñatas and specials at each location.
The Someburros name came from Mary’s long involvement as a Girl Scout leader, which she continues.
“I was a Girl Scout leader Camp
Sombrero, and that gave me the inspiration for our name, Someburros,” she said.
Coining the phrase “fast casual,” the Vasquez family preferred that to being called fast food. Instead, Mary called their approach “Quality Mexican food prepared quickly.”
Then and always, they have made everything from scratch using local vendors. The one item they have delivered fresh every day is their tortillas.
In the beginning, Someburros’ progress worried George. Located on Baseline Road and Mill Streets in Tempe, the first Someburros was set back from the street, hard to see.
“I worried. A lot,” says George. They were trying a new approach to reach the young families with small budgets with no tipping required.
“We bought the best-quality ingredients—beef, cheese—kept the prices low, made enough to make a living. We have a
good product and don’t give up anything quality-wise,” George said.
Family held everything together as their idea took off. Initially, it was a slow development. After 25 years, they added alcohol so the patrons who wanted beer with their Mexican food could have it.
One by one starting in the early 2000s, they built five more locations at roughly three-year intervals. Their newer locations are in Gilbert, Chandler, San Tan, Scottsdale and Flagstaff. And, as a tribute to their matriarch, Isabel’s Amor opened in 2013 in Gilbert. With a more upscale menu, Isabel’s also provides a full drink menu.
Their next restaurant will open in Spring 2017 in Queen Creek.
Popular dishes include their pollo fundido, red and green chilies, enchiladas, and tostados, said Tim.
Family members are involved and each new generation becomes part of the staff. As Tim and his sisters grew up, they all played a part.
Tim, after earning a communications degree at ASU, has taken over the family business as CEO and president. His sister Amy, also an ASU graduate, is vice president and COO. His wife Julie was involved with the décor of Isabel’s. Tim’s youngest sister, Jennilyn, a University of San Diego graduate, is their catering
director. Right now, she is taking a break with two youngsters under 5 years old.
“Employees stay and have been around for so many years that they’re like family,” George said. One employee has been there 30 years, and another has been with them for 29 years.
With six general managers, the average tenure with Someburros is 18 years. Even family members must work their way up by beginning with six weeks in the kitchen, then six weeks at the counter, then they wait for a general manager opening to move up.
George and Mary are mostly retired from the restaurants, and they spend time at a family cabin. However, “George gets bored after planting a few flowers,” said Mary.
What does he do now that he’s retired?
“I manage Poncho’s,” George proclaims. Even though he is still worrying about the family restaurants, he loves it. He admits, “It’s a lot of work, a lot of work.”
This is a continuing series of stories highlighting longtime East Valley businesses. If you know of a Legacy Business, contact rzubiate@timespublications.com.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
A mural at Someburros in Tempe recalls a Mexican scene. Sonoranbased Mexican recipes have been the basis for the restaurant’s menu from the beginning.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Dora Barnes is the general nanager of the Someburros at Mill and Baseline, Tempe.
(Special to the Tribune)
The Vasquez family poses in 1977 with George, Mary, baby Tim, Isabel and George’s brothers.
Gilbert specialty cake bakery marks first year in business
BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Managing Editor
“Let them eat cake” is Chelsea Mellor’s mantra.
But she isn’t reflecting Marie Antoinette’s scorn for the poor that those words first evoked.
For Mellor, they reflect the spirit of her business, Iced for Life, which just marked its one-year anniversary at 1490 E. Williams Field Road in Gilbert.
“I got into this business because cake makes people happy, and if I can make someone’s day better with a delicious treat, then that makes me just as happy,” said Mellor, who parlayed her Arizona State University degree and her lifelong love of baking into starting the business.
She makes all her cakes from scratch, and developed a signature twist on cupcakes that she calls “baby cakes.”
They come in what her aunt,
Michelle Hirsch, calls a “scrumptious kaleidoscope of flavors that includes lemonade, strawberries and cream, German chocolate cake, red velvet, dark chocolate chunk, vanilla bean, margarita, key lime pie, pineapple crush, peanut butter chocolate, banana cream pie, and more and more.”
Mellor, a Mountain Pointe High grad who graduated from ASU with honors and a degree in management and entrepreneurship, believes “baking from scratch is most important when it comes to cake.
“Anyone can bake from a box,” she said. “I think the problem with many franchises in my industry is they always end up ‘commercializing’ everything, sacrificing the quality of the product. And by commercializing in baking terms, I mean using cake ‘mix’ that often only requires you to ‘add water.’
“Yes, it is more ‘cost effective’ from a business standpoint, but I am a strong believer that the quality is most important,” she added.
Hirsch joked that her niece’s customers share her belief that “cake is for life, not just for birthdays.”
For Mellor, though, it’s not just cake but baking and art in general that have been for life.
“I’ve had a passion for the arts and baking since as long as I can remember, she said. “I’ll never forget my first ‘Easy Bake Oven.’ I wanted to be an artist when I was a kid, but I loved baking, so I decided to combine my passion for baking from scratch with my love of creating art into a business.”
Mellor started her business four years ago in a licensed home kitchen and found two big challenges transitioning to a storefront.
First there was an agonizing search for financing.
“Bank after bank turned me away because I didn’t make enough money while baking from home,” she recalled. “They would not even look at my business plan or take in to account my college degree in management: entrepreneurship. I bootstrapped everything until the storefront. Finally, BMO Harris Bank took a look at my business plan, and helped me get the loans necessary to get the storefront up and running.”
Finding the storefront also was challenging, especially since she had sought a place closer to her Ahwatukee home.
“I originally was not looking in Gilbert for commercial spaces at all. My target areas were Ahwatukee, Southern Tempe, and Western Chandler area,” Mellor said. “But there just was not anything on the market that was plausible for our first storefront.”
Her family happened to eat at Isabel’s Amor, a Mexican restaurant, and saw a
“for lease sign” on a next-door suite.
“When they looked in the windows, they realized it was the perfect space, as it was previously a bakery,” she said. “This made a huge impact in the startup costs as well.”
Mellor hasn’t stopped dreaming.
“I would love to see the business grow to the point of potentially franchising,” she said, adding, “But still always baking from scratch.”
Hirsch said her niece’s experience shows aspiring entrepreneurs that they can and should “work hard, make sacrifices and take their passion and commitment to enjoy their own sweet success.”
Mellor is just glad to have made the transition from her home kitchen to a brick-and-mortar location.
“It has been the hardest year of my life,” she said, “but I am beyond thrilled and excited to have come this far, and to have celebrated a successful first year.”
ANSWERS TO PUZZLE & SUDOKU
(Michelle Hirsch/Special to the Tribune)
Chelsea Mellor celebrated her Gilbert bakery’s one-year anniversary this month.
(Michelle Hirsch/Special to the Tribune)
Chelsea Mellor shows off some of her special mini-cakes that she sells in her Gilbert bakery, Iced for Life.
Badminton titles elude two East Valley schools
BY JEREMY SCHNELL Tribune Contributing Writer
The East Valley had two chances of winning a state badminton title on Thursday.
History will have to wait.
Perry was in line to win the school’s first state title in any sport, while Mesquite had the chance to win the first team title for any girls program.
Both came up short in tough, drawnout battles that could have gone either way, but left the two area teams settling for state runner-up status.
The Pumas, which earned the second seed after going 13-1 in the regular
season, fell 5-4 to No. 1 Xavier in the Division championship match at Sunnyslope High. The Wildcats, who were the No. 1 seed in DII, dropped their match to Sunnyslope.
Xavier came out of the first three matches with two victories. Perry then came storming back with two straight wins. Perry led 3-2 with one match to go before doubles. Xavier’s Maddie Reinhart won the sixth singles match for Xavier making it 3-3 going into doubles.
Doubles started and Perry had a couple of nail-biters, but Xavier would close it out to become state champions for the fourth year in a row with a victory by Emily Woodrow and Annie Kamps.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough matchup against Perry,” said coach Susan Contreras. “We played them two times before this so it’s really tough to beat a team three times in one year, I’m just really glad we could pull it out.”
Mesquite, who topped Sunnyslope in the regular season, started off fast with two victories from Natalie Weber and Rebecca Farias to go up 2-1. Then Sunnyslope took complete control with wins by Jennifer Drotzmann, Allie Rampy and Claire Pishko to put Sunnyslope ahead 4-2.
Sunnyslope had a really tough time putting Mesquite away. Mesquite came out firing winning the first two matches
of doubles. It all came down to one last match.
Drotzmann and Emma Johnson went on a roll at the end to close it out for Sunnyslope and win the state championship as the fans rushed the court.
“I’m so happy for the girls especially for the seniors,” said Sunnyslope coach Sarah Schlesinger, who has won state championships both as a coach and an athlete.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Perry High’s Jillian Lagasca returns an overthe-shoulder shot to her Xavier opponent at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix.
(Will Powers/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Mesquite’s Meghan Marshall returns a shot against her Sunnyslope opponent at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix.
Campo Verde volleyball feels like family
BY JAMIE NISH Tribune Contributing Writer
Before the National Anthem became a hot topic in the sports world, the Campo Verde girls volleyball team had already decided to use the anthem for two things: Respect and teamwork.
“Campo Verde Family” is printed on the gymnasium walls to remind the students that they are family. Family may fight or disagree, but they will always respect and love each other, no matter their differences.
“Hopefully, volleyball can teach them so much about life,” Campo coach Venese Hiapo said.
Hiapo, or Coach V as she is called, believes building teamwork off the court is like Ohana—the Hawaiian term for family, which stresses that families are linked together and must remember one another.
It ties directly into the Camp Verde family ideal. Her team, which hoped to advance to the 5A Conference state tournament on Wednesday after a 24-14 regular season, celebrates this belief by creating special themes before each home game.
Prior to its first home game on Aug. 30, Coach V saw Sadie Udall teaching Kamaile Hiapo how to sign the national anthem in the school’s hallway. Coach V saw this as a teaching moment.
“The girls were taught the importance of being a Campo Verde Family in the beginning of the year,” Coach V said. “That was awesome to see and it fit in with the teaching of respecting others for their differences.”
Udall and Hiapo were entrusted by Coach V to teach the varsity team how to sign the National Anthem, focusing primarily on doing it respectfully and correctly. The team worked before and after practice, and watched YouTube videos to learn the anthem before their season opener.
“Before the home game, they still felt uncomfortable, because they did not want to be disrespectful to anyone,” Coach V said. “They asked our Sign Language teacher, Sarah Singleton, to help them.”
Udall, a sign-language student of Singleton’s, explained that she and her classmates had to talk Singleton into teaching them the National Anthem because of its difficulty.
“If we were going to do it, we have to do it as a team,” Udall said. “We do it as a team at the football games, too.”
The home opener was an emotional representation of respect and honor as the JROTC joined the volleyball team in recognizing those in attendance for their service.
Every veteran, police officer, and fireman stood at center court. As the JROTC marched the flag onto the court, there was a minute of silence for reflection of their sacrifice. The National Anthem then began to play and the team signed
every word.
The team had an open discussion about the National Anthem protests happening around the world of sports.
Coach V said she felt this was a great opportunity to teach the players about honoring family through respect, despite differences. They have signed the National Anthem as a team for every game this season.
Volleyball playoff schedule
Check out evtrib.com/varsityxtra for matchups and a full playoff schedule.
the East Valley community in honoring and thanking our veterans, active military and their families
November 11
Mesa at University Dr. and Center St. Presentations: 10:15 a.m. • Flyover and Parade Start: 11 a.m. Produced by the East Valley Veterans Parade Association www.evvp.org
This community celebration is made possible through the generous support of our parade sponsors:
(Jamie Nish/Tribune Contributor)
The Campo Verde girls volleyball uses sign language during the National Anthem as a sign of solidarity.
Gilbert group’s pilgrimage in Spain captured in documentary
BY RALPH ZUBIATE Tribune Executive Editor
The Way of St. James, or el Camino de Santiago in Spanish, is the route of a pilgrimage in Spain, a religious journey to find something. A group from Gilbert went on that journey in the summer of 2014, and what they found was themselves, and God.
“It was a beautiful experience,” said the Rev. Sergio Muñoz Fita.
That experience is documented in “Footprints: The Path of Your Life,” a film showing in limited release until Friday at Harkins Chandler Fashion 20 Theaters.
Fita, of St. Anne Parish in Gilbert, led 10 pilgrims, men from all walks of life, more 500 miles in 40 days through Spain. They walked from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela through what’s called the Northern Route.
They took a few detours along on the way to visit other sites important to Catholics.
“We went to the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It was a beautiful place, and it was important for us to be there,” Fita said.
They also went to a monastery in Santo Toribio de Liebana. It holds an important relic, what is purported to be a large part of the cross of the crucifixion.
“The whole left arm of the cross of Jesus is there,” he said.
Pedro Gutierrez, president of the non-profit Catholics in Action, helped organize the journey and was one of the 10 pilgrims.
“It’s probably most difficult thing I’ve done in my life,” Gutierrez said. “You’re walking through so many different terrains—beach, forest, city, you’re walking through highways, meadows, mountains.
“It was absolutely beautiful and very challenging. From day one, a majority of the men got blisters on their feet.”
Gutierrez and the other men went through a few pairs of shoes on the journey.
“At the end of the second week, my shoes were so worn that I had to switch to some sandals that were made for hiking.
“One pilgrim wore handmade Mexican
sandals. He made a vow that he was going to wear those sandals for the last 100 kilometers, and he did. They looked like they were the most uncomfortable sandals.
“Having blisters was the most consistent theme from the whole pilgrimage,” Gutierrez said.
“That’s one of the most important
components of pilgrimage,” Fita responded. “You have to go through suffering and pain. You have to go through the suffering of the cross to see the light of redemption.”
The struggle was spiritual as well as physical.
“I was really concerned with the
direction, or lack of direction, that my life was heading in,” Gutierrez said. “I had a big ask of God; I wanted to have an answer. I wanted to know what to do with the rest of my life.
“I realized, maybe the last week or so,
(Special to the Tribune)
The pilgrims catch their breath in front of a Cistercian-Monk Hostel in Spain.
(Special to the Tribune)
The Rev. Sergio Muñoz Fita was born in Cuenca, Spain and was was ordained a priest in 2004.
(Special to the Tribune)
The pilgrims walk to celebrate Mass at the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a small Island next to the Spanish mainland.
SUNDAY, OCT. 30
AWAKEN THE HEALER WITHIN
Dr. Sue Morter presents “Awaken the Healer Within: Merging Mind, Body and Breath for Embodiment of Spirit.” Explore the relationship of the conscious and subconscious mind, energy centers in the body and their influence on creative capacity and physical healing.
DETAILS>> 1:30-4:30 p.m., 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. Cost: $49 in advance, $54 at door. Information: unityofmesa.org.
‘FOOTPRINTS: THE PATH OF YOUR LIFE’
The Saint Anne Parish chapter of Catholics in Action, in association with the Spanish production company Infinito Mas Uno, has produced a documentary film titled “Footprints: The Path of Your Life.” The film documents the pilgrimage of 10 young men and their Gilbert pastor, Father Sergio Muñoz Fita, across northern Spain along the Way of Saint James during the summer of 2014.
DETAILS>> Now until Nov. 3, at Harkins Chandler Fashion 20 Theaters, Chandler Blvd. and Loop 101. Information: footprintsdocumentary.com.
MONDAY, OCT. 31
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest Festival returns to Cornerstone Church in Chandler. Hundreds of families are expected to come dressed in their Halloween costumes for games, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music and tons of candy. Food and wrist bands for full-sized carnival rides will be available for purchase.
DETAILS>> 5-8:30 p.m., 1595 S. Alma School Road. Information: cornerstoneonline.com/harvestfest.
FRIDAY, NOV. 4
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
Red Mountain United Methodist Church’s Eleventh Annual Holiday Boutique will feature floral arrangements, embroidered pillows, scarves and more.
DETAILS>> 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2936 North Power Road, Mesa. Information: RMUMC.com.
SATURDAY, NOV. 5
FALL FESTIVAL
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mesa will be holding a Fall Festival, with a Holiday Boutique and Rummage Sale. A kids’ carnival will also be available. Service at 4 p.m., with potluck dinner afterward.
DETAILS>> Sales from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Games from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1844 E. Dana Ave., Mesa. Information: 480-833-4251.
SUNDAY, NOV. 6
CHOIRS TO PERFORM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the combined choirs
of Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., 739 E. Erie St., Chandler. Free, but goodwill offering suggested. Tickets at www.htlutheran. com and at the door. Information: 480-936-4127, or earl@ htlutheran.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE PLANNED
The Hope’s Treasures Holiday Boutique returns this year with quality handcrafted holiday and home décor, decorations, gifts for kids and adults, stocking stuffers, jewelry, handcrafted apparel, comfort items and more. Shoppers are invited to bring a non-perishable food item for Matthew’s Crossing food bank.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School will host parents who have small children entering kindergarten or preschool at a special open house. Children will to experience a “mini” day of school, while parents attend a presentation to learn more about the school. All children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2017, to attend the kindergarten open house and 3 years old by Sept. 1, 2017, to attend preschool open house.
DETAILS>> 8:30-11 a.m., 2117 S. Rural Road, Tempe. To reserve a space, go to olmcschool.info, email openhouse@ olmcschool.info or call 480-967-5567.
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR
Over 50 vendors will be selling Christmas ornaments & lighted blocks, handmade greeting cards, jewelry, soy candles, pottery, wood items, handmade purses, Mary Kay, leather goods, tea gift baskets and much more at the Love of Christ Lutheran Church’s Center of Compassion. Two food trucks will be available, and the church’s youth group will have a car wash.
DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 1525 North Power Road, Mesa. Cost: Free. Information: loveofchristchurch.net.
SUNDAY, DEC. 4
SPECIAL CONCERT PLANNED
Guest artists from the first annual Summer Artist in Residence Program, Chandler Gilbert Community College piano professor Piano Amanda Sherrill, and Arizona Opera soprano Melissa Solomon, will present a holiday concert of Bach, Handel, Rachmaninov and beloved classics.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission, $15/students, $10. Children under 10 are free. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@ htlutheran.com.
SUNDAY, DEC. 11
‘JAZZOPERETRY’ RETURNS
After a four-year absence, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Jazzoperetry (“Jazz-OP-ruh-tree”), Inc., will join forces to present the long-awaited return to Arizona of the contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Robert Moffat. The Holy Trinity Chancel choir will join the Rob Moffat Chorus and instrumental ensemble to perform a musical nativity.
DETAILS>> 2 p.m., 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission $15/students $10. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@ htlutheran.com.
SUNDAYS
VALOR CHRISTIAN OUTLINES MISSION
Valor Christian Center in Gilbert offers “great praise and worship and great messages for today’s living,” according to Pastor Thor Strandholt, associate pastor. “Our mission is evangelize, healing and discipleship through the word of God.”
DETAILS>>> 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays. 3015 E. Warner Road. Information: valorcc.com.
HORIZON SEEKS YOUNG PEOPLE
High school and middle school students meet to worship and do life together.
DETAILS>> 5 p.m. at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. 480-460-1480 or email joel@horizonchurch.com.
BEREAVED CAN SHARE GRIEF
A support group designed to assist people through the grieving process. One-time book fee $15.
DETAILS>> 2-4 p.m. at Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Road, Room G3, Tempe. 480-491-2210.
UNITY OFFERS INSPIRATION
Inspirational messages and music are offered, along with classes and special events.
DETAILS>> 10 a.m. at Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe. 480-792-1800 or unityoftempe. com.
KIDS CAN LEARN JEWISH LIFE
Children can learn and experience Jewish life. Chabad Hebrew School focuses on Jewish heritage, culture and holidays.
DETAILS>> 9:30 a.m. to noon, for children ages 5-13 at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, info@chabadcenter.com, or chabadcenter.com.
RABBINIC LIT COURSE OFFERED
Ongoing morning study of two classics of rabbinic literature by medieval philosopher Moses Maimonides (the “Rambam”). At 10 a.m., Prof. Norbert Samuelson, Grossman chair of Jewish Philosophy at ASU and TBS member, teaches “Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed: What Jews Ought to Believe.” At 11:15 a.m., TBS member Isaac Levy teaches “Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah: How Jews Ought to Behave.” Readings in both Hebrew and English.
DETAILS>>Community Room of the administration building at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, 3400 N.
FOOTPRINTS
from page 25
that I had been asking myself the wrong question all along. I asked one question and got a different answer from God. I came out with God telling me it’s time to find out for yourself.
“Right now, what’s most important to me is making sure that I’m giving the most of me in all I do,” he said.
Fita said he learned humility.
“You feel so strong right in the beginning, but God makes you aware of your limitations. You need help,” he said.
Dobson Road, Chandler. 480-897-3636.
UNITY OFFERS A PATH
Unity of Mesa says its Sunday service offers “a positive path for spiritual living” through “transformational lessons, empowering music and various spiritual practices with an open-minded and welcoming community.”
DETAILS>> 9 a.m. Spiritual discussion group and meditation practices group. 10:15 a.m. service. 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. Child care available at 9 a.m. Nursery for infants through kindergarten at 10:15 a.m. 480-8922700, unityofmesa.org, joanne@unityofmesa.org.
MONDAYS
JOIN CHRIST-CENTERED YOGA
This Flow 1-2 class (intermediate) is free and open to the community.
DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Greg Battle at 480-759-6200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.
CLASS TARGETS THE GRIEVING Classes for those grieving over death or divorce.
Support group for those struggling with how to deal with a loss in life.
DETAILS>>7 p.m., 1825 S. Alma School Road, Room C201, Chandler. Pastor Larry Daily, 480-963-3997, ext. 141, larrydaily@chandlercc.org or chandlercc.org.
Submit your releases to rzubiate@ timespublications.com
Gutierrez said the journey affected an unexpected group: the filmmakers.
“The men that were filming us had a distance at first,” he said. “Then, they became part of the pilgrimage. They even participated in part of the things we did, like celebrating Mass.
“We are really very frail beings,” Fita laughed. “I had that sense of God’s providence, taking care of all of us all the way. If he didn’t give us the strength, it would have been impossible for us to get to Santiago.”
“Some of them said that walking on the pilgrimage opened their mind to God.”
After the film’s run at Harkins, Fita is hoping to show “Footprints” through the Cinemark theater chain. Eventually, it will find a home at Netflix.
“I think it’s going to help many people who are thinking of walking The Way in the future,” Fita said, “but it will also help others to see their lives as a pilgrimage.”
Information: footprintsdocumentary.com.
– Contact Ralph Zubiate at 480-898-6825 or rzubiate@timespublications.com.
Farmers markets provide more than fresh produce
BY BRI MALLOY Tribune Guest Writer
Along with fresh produce and a variety of handcrafted products, a stroll through your local farmers market gives a genuine representation of the community that you belong to.
With around 100 farmers markets statewide and an increased interest in them, the East Valley has become home to several markets.
“In the last 20 years, the number of farmers markets has grown exponentially,” said Catherine “The Herb Lady” Crowley, vendor at the Mesa Community Farmers’ Market.
Crowley added that the Valley is now filled with them and that they are held on different days, varying from the traditional Saturday and Sunday morning markets.
The Arizona Farm Bureau’s second website, fillyourplate.org, which is focused on nutrition, launched a farmers market finder, which gives details and hours.
Arizona Farm Bureau communications director Julie Murphree said there is a growing need for the finder.
“Even the markets that have been there for a long time have expanded,” she said.
“Farmers markets have a lot more specialty food and item booths than a few years ago, and that is a sign of growth and interest.”
The growing trend of shopping local to keep money local and to get fresh foods and different craft items has helped that growth, said Deanne Fenton, event coordinator for downtown Chandler.
“Farmers markets allow the community to get together and support local businesses that are smaller,” Fenton said. “They are making sure that the money isn’t going toward large corporations.”
Farmers market vendors and patrons alike said that the importance of the markets is that they bring the community together, help support local businesses and keep
money in the local economy.
Justin Crowell, staff member at Tempe Farmers Market, said shopping at farmers markets allows consumers to support neighbors.
Walking around a farmers market is a way to see how diverse one’s community is.
“I love them because of the sense of community they create in a city—it’s also a way to showcase local talents and flavors,” said Katie Young, owner of Letter Craft at the Gilbert Farmers Market.
“Farmers markets are important because they connect the consumer to the producer,” said Lauren Scott, a student who has attended the Chandler Farmers Market for three years. “When you go to a farmers market and buy produce or a product like a candle, you can talk to the person who grew or created it. It is such a personal experience that you can’t get in a grocery store.”
Farmers’ Markets
WHAT: Chandler Farmers Market
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays
WHERE: A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler INFORMATION: downtownchandler.org
WHAT: Gilbert Farmers Market
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays, October through March; 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays, April through September WHERE: 222 N. Ash St., Gilbert INFORMATION: gilbertmarket.com
WHAT: Mesa Community Farmers’ Market
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, October through May; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fridays, June through September
WHERE: City Hall Plaza, 20 E. Main St., Mesa INFORMATION: arizonafarmersmarkets.com/ pageMesa/Mesa.htm
WHAT: Tempe Farmers Market
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., open daily WHERE: 805 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe INFORMATION: tempefarmersmarket.com
(Downtown Chandler/Special to the Tribune)
Jeff Scott Farms and One Windmill Farms are the main produce suppliers at the Chandler Farmers Market.
(Bri Malloy/Special to the Tribune)
The Tempe Farmers Market is a locally-owned indoor market in downtown Tempe, specializing in local products and healthy eating alternatives.
plowing fields, using horse drawn equipment Health problems in the family eventually made it necessary to move within easier reach of the medical facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba Hank helped his brother, John, and his father, Isaac, deliver bread with a horse drawn wagon
At 18, Hank decided he didn’t want to be a baker anymore and filled ou
an application to be a printer He met his future wife (of 69 years) “Marion” at the Winnipeg Free Press Newspaper An asthmatic child brought th e Klassen family to Arizona in 1955 Hank printed newspapers for both “The Tempe Daily News” and “The Mesa Tribune” until he retired Today, Hank and Marion are survived by Grant and Norene, whom were both born in C
grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren Hank’s celebration of life will be held on November 5 th at 11:00 a m , at the First Presbyterian Church o f Mesa 161 N Mesa Drive In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to East Valley Senior Services LLC 1220 N Spencer #100, Mesa, AZ 85203 Please sign the guestbook at eastvalleytribune com
STRADLING, Melba Cooley
M
away October 19, 2016 Melba was born in Gilbert, Az December 11, 1920 to Freeman and Pearl Cooley
She was married to the late Haskell V Stradling in the
M
raised seven children A lifetime Arizona resident, Melba lived a life of service to her family and others who knew her She served a mission with her husband for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Nashville, Tennessee Mission They served their entire mission in Morgantown, Kentucky where they made new lifetime friends Melba was a dedicated and sweet example of Motherhood to her children and her posterity Melba had an interest in health and natural healing and was great in the kitchen She could take any recipe and make a healthier version Many who met Melba wanted to know how to live like she did Melba’s family consists of: her beloved late husband, Haskell, who prec e d e d h e
(Wayne Moffett), Denna deceased in 2011 (Gail Marble), Greg (Fay), Sally deceased 2003 (Martin Hornberger), Lonnie (Dawna), and Katherine (Lee Hendricks); 52 grandchildren; 111 great-grandchildren; 12 great great grandchildren; Melba is also survived by a sister, Velma Huffaker, and a brother, Charles Cooley, both of Arizona
Lindon Central Stake Center, 56 East 600 North, Lindon, UT 84042 at 4:00 PM Melba was buried in the Mesa City Cemetery alongside her husband There was Graveside service Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Mesa City Cemetery at 12:00 noon F
Sign the Guestbook at: www EastValleyTribune.com
Employment General
Wafla and employer member(s) is offering 24 temporary outdoor agricultural positions Name and location(s) can be obtained from your nearest State Work Force Agency Qualified orchard worker must have 1 month of agricultural experience with strawberries and must be legally authorized to work in the United States A guaranteed wage of $12 69/hour, and piece rates offered, anticipate a 40 hr work week and will guarantee 75% of hrs Free housing available for workers who cannot reasonably return to their residence each day Tools, supplies, and equipment will be provided Transportation and subsistence expenses to the worksite will be provided upon 50% completion of the contract Positions are available 7/10/2016 through 7/30/2016 Apply at your nearest State Work Force Agency
Please reference job order number 14835912
Employment General
BRANCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR TRAINEE
Edward Jones is a financial services firm focused on meeting the needs of individual investors Our Phoenix, AZ branch office has an opening for an entry-level administrative assistant Excellent organization, communication skills, and the ability to work independently are required to perform administrative, marketing, and client service responsibilities
We offer competitive benefits and a comprehensive on-line training program
To be considered for this position apply online at www edwardjones com/careers position #12079 Equal Opportunity Employer
Microladd Technology needing Market Research Analyst to fill permanent position in Maricopa County Must have master's degree in Business Administration or equivalent, and at least 24 months’ work experience in Electronics Engineering
Submit written resume to 1727 N, Arizona Ave , #2, Chandler, AZ 85225
Job Description: Collect data on consumers, competitors and market place and consolidate information into actionable items, reports and presentations Understand business objectives and design surveys to discover prospective customers preferences Compile and analyze statistical data using modern and traditional methods to collect them Perform valid and reliable SWOT analysis Provide competitive analysis on various companies’ market offerings, identify market trends, pricing/business models, sales and methods of operation Evaluate program methodology and key data to ensure that data on the releases are accurate and the angle of the release is correct Remain fully informed on market trends, other parties researches and implement best practices Coordinate the results of market study conducted with the management of the company, and the heads of the operating departments Establish objectives, policies, and procedures for the efficient and effective operation of the Market Research Department
Obituaries
BENTON, Alice Scott “BABE”
Died peacefully at home October 15 at the age of 89 She was born November 17, 1926 in Wooster, OH to Dorothy Nash Burger and Leslie C Burger She attended Wooster High School and Wooster Business College She is survived by Barbara Scott Morris (Robert, d
Scottsdale, AZ and Janet Scott Brooks (Erik Lorenzen)
Seeking CAREGIVERS
Starting Wage $10 00 per hour! Hiring for all East Valley cities
Great Caregiver Candidates:
* Are Caring & Compassionate
* Looking for Rewarding Work
* Have LIFE Experience Caring for a Loved-One and/or Currently a PROFESSIONAL Caregiver
* Would like to Give Back to the Community
While Earning Income
* Seeking Part-Time & Flexible Hours
Rochelle Morris, Tracy Hiles (Mike), Scott Morris, Andrew Shanahan, Alison Ange Bauer (Mike), Dustin Scott, Breanne Scott Craigen (Jesse) and 6 great-grandchildren She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank R Benton (long time Mesa veterinarian) and sisters; Helen Lehman and Ardys McCarthy Babe was active in Jaycee Belles serving as President and also named as “Outstanding Jaycee
Training is Provided for FREE! Open Caregiver
puzzles, cooking, fishing & camping She loved spending summers at the Lake side cabin with family and friends She left behind cookbooks and over 100 afghans for future generations to enjoy The family thanks Hospice at Home of Arizona (Mesa) for their loving care Arrangements are cremation and private service at City of Mesa Cemetery by Meldrum Mortuary
Meetings/Events
To
Real Estate For Sale
Meetings/Events
sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free childcare for children ages 10 and younger.
Christian Business Networking, Chandler BiMonthly Chapter 7:30 a m second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals
Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S Alma School Rd , Chandler
Re|Engage marriage program
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Whether you’d rate your marriage a two or a 10, this class will help you reconnect.
Chandler Christian Church 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler
Meetings/Events
H O P E Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p m Tuesdays
Free weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free childcare for children ages 10 and younger
Info: Maia 480-4250624, christianbusinessnetworking com
Info and registration: chandlercc.org/reengage
Desert Springs Church, Room 106 19620 S McQueen Rd , Chandler Info: hope4all@comh ul experiences.org
Women’s Life group 10-11:30 a m second and fourth Friday of each month All women are invited to a Bible study and discussion of how the lessons can relate to our current lives. Every lady brings something different to the group and learns from each other to get to know new friends Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ, Sun Lakes Country Club Chapel Center 9230
JumpStart 11:45 A-4:30P Saturdays
JumpStart is a sidewalk Sunday school community outreach program serving “some of the poorest neighborhoods” in Chandler, offering snacks, games and teachings about Jesus to area children Participants meet at Faith Family Church 11530 E Queen Creek Rd., Chandler Info: Joanne Sweeney 480-539-8933
TRACS NO 092 CH
H830701C PROJ NO TEA-092-A(202)T TERMINI SIERRA VISTA – BISBEE HIGHWAY (SR 92)
LOCATION SR 92 – Taylor Ave
The amount programmed for this contract is $$1,000,000 The location and description of the proposed work are as follows:
The proposed project is located in Cochise County, in the City of Bisbee, on SR 92 between Naco Highway and Taylor Avenue, and on Naco Highway between SR 92 and Collins Road The proposed work consists of constructing sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutters, and sidewalk ramps Additional work includes constructing retaining walls, extending pipe culverts, signing, pavement markings, modifying pedestrian signals, and other related work
Project plans, special provisions, and proposal pamphlets, as electronic files, are available free of charge from the Contracts and Specifications website, or they may be purchased in paper format at 1651 W Jackson, Room 121F, Phoenix, AZ 85007-3217, (602) 712-7221 The cost is $33 00
Publish: East Valley Tribune, October 30, 2016 / 2821
Employment General
AGRICULTURAL NURSERY HELP
Whitfill Nursery needs workers for the following position:
Tree Harvesters and Pruners will harvest and prune different types of citrus, desert and palm trees by hand and by machinery Workers will
trees from the worksite, transplant container grown stock into boxes and containers, prune production stock including pruning young grafted trees Workers should have 3 months experience and will be required to lift up to 50lbs on a regular basis
Temporary employment in Arizona for 15 jobs
Phoenix Positions needed from 12/6/2016 thru 4/15/2017 Wage is $11 20 per hour (51 hours per week) Work is guaranteed for at least
