East Valley Tribune: West Mesa Edition - Nov. 27, 2016

Healing hearts, community

World-class concert hall still on track for Mesa

East Valley Millennial Choir.

BY GARY NELSON Tribune Contributing Writer

The forlorn site of Mesa’s last downtown new-car dealership is on its way to becoming one of the biggest cultural attractions in the American Southwest.

But the spectacular façade of a world-class concert hall will be only part of the story. Within the campus, cutting-edge research will examine how music can mend a broken mind. Students will learn performing arts from the best in the business. And if the founder’s vision holds true, sorrowful souls will nd balm for their troubles in a venue whose very name conveys solace. at name: Consolari.

e Latin word was chosen by Christi Worsley to convey the true purpose of her grand vision: Healing, consolation, relief. Her belief in the restorative power of music springs from personal experience. After her daughter Chelsee Hunt lost an unborn son, Hunt found peace as she performed with the

ADA lawyer to go before federal judge, may face ethics charges

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

Afederal judge is ordering a controversial attorney who sued more than 1,000 businesses over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act to prove how his actions do not violate the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.

e rules govern the ethics of attorneys, and violations can lead to disciplinary action through the State Bar of Arizona, which is already investigating the tactics of Peter Strojnik.

Worsley also saw the power of music to soothe the shattered psyche of her father as he battled Alzheimer’s disease.

Worsley and her husband, Bob, who serves as a state senator from Mesa, have worked nearly ve years to bring Consolari to fruition.

e most daunting aspect is nancial. At the outset, the Worsleys estimated they needed to raise $150 million in private donations. at has now risen to $200 million. at kind of money doesn’t come from donation jars and car washes. e Worsleys have speci cally targeted wealthy people across the country as potential patrons, while pointedly telling them Consolari is not meant to be a mere plaything for the rich.

Peter Strojnik has been filing motions to voluntarily dismiss many of his ADA cases in Maricopa County Superior Court.

“We intend to vigorously address the matters raised by the order so that we may continue our relentless advocacy for the disabled community,” Strojnik wrote in an email.

Strojnik created a restorm earlier this year by suing numerous businesses, including many in the East Valley, over apparent ADA violations. In this particular case, the suit was led against a Gilbert branch of MidFirst Bank.

e businesses were accused of failing to have an adequate number of parking spaces, handicapped van parking spaces, or having handicapped signs that were not high enough to comply with the federal civil rights law. Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities, the foundation Strojnik represents, said it is enforcing the ADA privately through lawsuits because government agencies, such as the Arizona Attorney General’s O ce and the U.S. Department of Justice, failed to do so. It alleges that most Arizona businesses

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Program helps mentally ill get through court system

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

When the defendant refused to put his cellphone through a metal detector, like everyone else entering Mesa Municipal Court, and started takings swings at security officers, it became clear right away that he would probably be found criminally incompetent.

A few minutes later, Judge Pro Tem Debbie Barone-Jay ruled that the man was not capable of understanding court proceedings or assisting in his defense. For that reason, she dismissed his misdemeanor charge of violating an order of protection.

The befuddled defendant turned to his defense attorney and said, “Is that good?” Reassured by others that he couldn’t possibly get a better result, the man was escorted out of the courtroom by his caregiver.

This episode, fitting for a daytime reality television court show, was part of a far more colorful day than normal in the court’s Rule 11 pilot program, where local courts in Mesa and Glendale are handling competency reviews on misdemeanor cases for the first time.

The reviews are normally the jurisdiction of Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, where they typically take six to nine months, if they are completed at all, on such low-level misdemeanor cases as trespassing, shoplifting and the raft of other crimes often committed by transients and the mentally ill.

The pilot program strips away court procedures that had turned into an obstacle to justice in these misdemeanor cases, with mentally ill defendants often getting caught in a maze of complicated rules and struggling to complete the competency review.

Before the pilot started, an expert would pre-screen defendants and send those with potential mental-health issues to the Rule 11 court in Phoenix. If the defendant made it that far, they were directed to report to two different doctors’ offices for evaluation.

But Paul Thomas, Mesa Municipal Court, said 40 percent of such defendants never showed up in the Phoenix court. An arrest warrant would be issued for failure to appear. Many times, defendants would end up in custody awaiting mental-health exams for a longer period than the maximum sentence possible if they had been

convicted on the original charge.

“This is a population that is homeless. It’s trespassing, sleeping on the street, maybe a little shoplifting,” Thomas said.

The procedures were perpetuating a vicious cycle of arrests and incarceration, costing the taxpayers a lot of money and preventing the defendants from moving on with their lives, getting an evaluation, possibly even getting some help, he said.

“I call it criminalizing a social problem. You are not solving it,” Thomas said.

A small case, such as sleeping in a bus stop, “should not be a barrier to someone getting on with their life.”

“There is a human aspect of this. We are the justice system. To me, it was unreasonable to have a trespassing offense go nine months without a competency hearing,” he said.

Mesa Presiding Judge Matt Tayofa said the old system “was not serving anybody. It was not doing any good.”

The competency review is supposed to be completed before a case is adjudicated. In misdemeanor cases, the most likely outcome is a small fine or a few days in jail.

In contrast, since the pilot program started about a year ago, 49 competency reviews have been completed in an

average of 44 days.

In the simplified pilot program, a defendant reports to Mesa Municipal Court, a place they already know that is typically closer to where they live. One psychiatrist or a psychologist examines the defendant, instead of two, although a defense attorney has the right to ask for a second review.

A judge later reviews the report and decides if the case should be dismissed or if the defendant is competent, allowing the case to advance toward prosecution.

“This is probably the top thing we’ve done to improve access to the courts,” Tayofa said. “It saves us jail costs. It saves us headaches.”

He said that many of these nuisance cases probably should never be filed criminally and that more focus should be placed on addressing the defendant’s underlying mental-health problems.

The pilot program has been so successful that it was cited and recommended as a model for improvement throughout the state by an Arizona Supreme Court commission that studied ways of improving the criminal justice system.

“A number of individuals appearing

CONSOLARI

In past interviews, Christi Worsley has said those who can afford admission to the auditorium will be asked to do so. Once inside, they will enjoy a majestic venue modeled on classic European architecture and capable of accommodating 400 or more singers as well as a symphony orchestra.

Outside the hall, concerts will be shown on a 7,000-square-foot digital screen facing Main Street. That speaks to the project’s aim of bringing music to the masses.

In addition to the main auditorium, Consolari will include other indoor performance halls, an amphitheater, a rose garden dedicated to the memory of the Worsleys’ stillborn grandson as well as other gardens and lawns, and retail/ restaurant space.

Each performing venue, according to Consolari’s website, will be “equipped with cutting-edge recording capabilities to capture and distribute the magical moments created in Consolari’s halls.”

Further, Christi Worsley said, “ASU Preparatory Academy and Mesa Public Schools have been working closely together to create a performing arts school as part of the Consolari campus.”

The healing aspect of Consolari will come directly from a resident music therapist working with patients suffering from a wide range of ailments, and the Worsleys hope to engage researchers looking into the power of music as a means of combatting autism, dementia and other afflictions.

“Consolari will be a hub of cuttingedge research on best practices for healing through music,” according to the website. “Conferences and workshops

concerts, an additional 500 seats for Broadway, opera and ballet performances, and the ability to accommodate 1,000 seats on a convention floor for lectures and other events.

open to the community will convene on its campus, fostering active engagement and dialogue among leading music therapists, neurologists, spiritual guides, artists and patients.”

The facilities would occupy 10 acres vacated in 2014 when AutoNation moved the former Brown & Brown Chevrolet dealership to Gilbert. That move ended a downtown Mesa tradition dating from 1925, when E.D. “Buster” Brown began selling cars there.

Christi Worsley said getting the project off the ground has been far more difficult than she imagined at the outset.

“It has been a very heavy lift,” she told the Tribune. “With that said, I’m grateful for unanswered prayers.”

She explained: “Had we gotten the funds when we wanted them, we would have built the wrong space. … One of my greatest concerns is making sure we

create a space of transcendence that is not a financial burden to our state and philanthropists.”

She is not willing, she said, to create a financial white elephant.

“These halls have historically been a financial burden. It is a tired idea that we must simply expect this out of our arts venues. … Our audience is changing, and if we are not building this into our programming and physical space, we will be creating an albatross. It simply isn’t true that ‘if you build it, they will come.’”

That led, she said, to a dramatic design overhaul at the suggestion of Randy Vogel, who is director of theaters at the Mesa Arts Center.

Using the retractable fields and roof at University of Phoenix Stadium as a model, Worsley asked her architects and acousticians to design a hall with multiple uses – 2,000 seats for high-end concerts,

an additional 500 seats for Broadway, opera and ballet performances, and the ability to accommodate 1,000 seats on a convention floor.

“This transcendent work has required a very thoughtful process,” Worsley said.

“There have been as many crucial changes in my perspective and heart as there have been on the physical facility.”

As for the timing, she said that depends on when the money comes in.

The site, at least, is firmly in hand. John Graham, Consolari’s board chairman, bought the former Brown & Brown property last year.

The land is virtually next door to the Mesa Arts Center, which features four performance halls anchored by the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater.

The Worsleys see no conflict between their project and the 10-year-old, $100 million city-owned venue. In their view, the two facilities could compose one virtually seamless arts campus.

City officials have endorsed the Worsleys’ vision, saying it will help create the critical mass needed to turn downtown Mesa into a cultural destination.

Already, many of the ingredients for such a destination are in place. The mix includes:

• The Mesa Arts Center, which was approved by voters in a 1998 sales-tax election and opened in 2006.

• Recently opened downtown campuses of Wilkes University and Benedictine University, which the city recruited in an effort to deepen its portfolio of higher-education options.

• Three city-owned museums—the Arizona Museum of Natural History, the i.d.e.a. museum (formerly the Arizona Museum for Youth) and galleries in the Mesa Arts Center.

Storm swirled over downtown concert hall site

BY GARY NELSON

Tribune Contributing Writer

The former Brown & Brown Chevrolet property now targeted for redevelopment as a concert hall and education center created a nasty controversy two decades ago.

Brown & Brown for years was the biggest single generator of sales taxes in Mesa, and the city wanted to keep it downtown.

So in 1996, when the dealership said it needed room for offices, display space

and a parking garage, city hall went to bat.

A small trailer park and a historic motor court occupied parcels on Main Street across from the Brown & Brown showroom.

Mesa forced about 40 people out of their homes to acquire the land. That upheaval, and the $2 million it cost taxpayers to buy the land, created ill will in its own right. Then the dealership told Mesa it would use the property only for a parking garage. More grumbling ensued. But most of the civic ire came when

Mesa agreed to sell the 2-acre tract to Brown & Brown for $1. Mesa claimed it was a good investment in the name of economic stability; critics assailed what they called a corporate giveaway.

Mesa aimed to protect itself, after a fashion, by crafting two legal options in case the dealership ever closed.

Option 1: If the city didn’t want the 1,400-space parking garage, it could buy the land back from the dealership for $1. The dealership would reimburse Mesa $2 million for the land, then be free to do what it wanted with the property.

Option 2: Mesa could buy back the land for $1, and also buy the garage for fair market value.

AutoNation bought Brown & Brown in 1998 and was bound to the terms of that deal.

John Graham, a prominent Valley real estate developer and board member of the Consolari concert hall foundation, bought the land and the parking garage last year for use by the concert hall. When that happened, Mesa got a $2 million check for the parking garage site it assembled two decades ago.

THE WEEK AHEAD

FAMILY MEDICINE CLINIC

Holiday Balloon Glow coming to SanTan Village

Hot air balloons will light up the night sky at the 6th annual Holiday Balloon Glow Saturday from 5-9 p.m.

Tethered balloon rides, kids’ activities, live entertainment and a holiday bazaar will be available. SanTan Village is at 2218 E Williams Field Road, Suite 235, Gilbert.

For more information, call us at 480-3848223 or visit ShopSanTanVillage.com

– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT a holiday bazaar will be available.

Hazardous waste collection takes place in Mesa

Mesa is holding a free household hazardous waste collection event at its Center Street Facility on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Residents are encouraged to bring their household hazardous waste, electronics and appliances to be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Residents should seal material in its original container and label unmarked containers. Do not place materials in plastic bags. Use carrying containers that allow hazardous waste containers to be clearly visible.

Mark items intended to be dropped off with “HHW” for easy identification and segregated away from any items in the vehicle that are not for drop-off. Residents should remain in their vehicle at all times.

The Center Street Facility is at 2412 N. Center St. For more information, visit mesaaz.gov.

– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Tempe mayor to deliver State of City address

Mayor Mark Mitchell will share his thoughts on his vision for the growth and future of Tempe on Thursday in Tempe. This breakfast event will civic, business and political leaders of the Valley.

The speech will be 7-9 a.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Tempe-Phoenix, 2100 S. Priest Drive, Tempe. Register at tempechamber.org/ featured_events/state-of-the-city-address.

– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT

7525 E. Broadway Rd. Ste 11 Mesa, AZ 85208 Southwest corner of Sossaman and Broadway

105 S. Delaware Dr. Ste 1&2 Apache Junction, AZ 85120 Right behind McDonalds & Across from Walmart

ETHICS CHARGES

the law because of a complacent attitude created by the lack of enforcement.

The Attorney General’s Office says it responds to complaints and prefers to work with businesses through mediation to correct a violation, rather than filing suit.

an update to the ADA.

Strojnik argued that members of his foundation, as a group, have standing to sue because they own vehicles and are aware that van-accessible parking is not available at MidFirst Bank and that most Arizona businesses violate the ADA.

Citing news reports on the ADA suits, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Neil V. Wake has ordered Strojnik and his co-counsel, Fabian Zazueta, to appear in his courtroom tomorrow and prove that his tactics are not unprofessional.

The tactics noted by Wake include seeking a $7,000 out-of-court settlement to dismiss a lawsuit against a business, without giving the defendant an opportunity to correct the deficiency.

But Wake ruled that the case lacks standing in federal court because there was no evidence presented that an actual person had business at the bank and could not use the facilities because of a lack of access caused by an ADA violation. He requested more information to determine if the case should be dismissed in federal court and then referred back to state court or dismissed entirely.

Several business owners interviewed by the East Valley Tribune have described such tactics, including the owner of a central Mesa party store, the owner of an east Mesa strip mall and a small east Mesa charity that lends medical equipment to elderly residents of the Dreamland Villa retirement community.

“It appears from those reports that Mr. Strojnik files those actions without prior demand on the defendants and without opportunity to cure before litigation. It appears that many of the alleged allegations are easily cured with minimal expense,” Wake noted in a court order.

Wake ordered Strojnik to file a memorandum addressing whether his suits violate the Rules of Professional Conduct in several different ways. They include:

• Demanding attorney fees from an opposing client that are unreasonably high.

• Charging attorney fees to a defendant “in an action that could have been resolved by a request and without a lawsuit.”

• Allowing all Arizona cases to proceed without legal standing.

The Attorney General’s Office has made an argument similar to Wake’s ruling, saying Strojnik’s suits against the businesses are flawed because he failed to prove that anyone was denied access to a business because of ADA violations.

“This raises a question of whether Mr. Strojnik has engaged in a pattern of professionally unethical conduct by demanding attorneys fees for bringing litigation that is unnecessary and for which reasonable attorneys fees would be nothing,” Wake wrote.

Wake’s ruling stems from a case Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities filed against a MidFirst Bank, at 760 W. Ray Road, Gilbert. Strojnik argues in the suit that MidFirst violates the ADA by failure to provide adequate parking spaces to accommodate a handicapped van.

The bank denied the allegation, saying that it does not discriminate against anyone and that the branch was built before 2010, when Congress approved

State prosecutors persuaded a judge to consolidate more than 1,000 cases into one test case. The agency is expected to file a motion to dismiss all the cases.

In the meantime, Strojnik has been filing motions to voluntarily dismiss many of these cases in Maricopa County Superior Court. The suits can be brought in either court, under the federal ADA or the similar state version.

Strojnik’s dealings with a defense attorney on another ADA case drew criticism from another federal judge, Murray Snow, who imposed sanctions against Strojnik.

– Reach Jim Walsh at 480-898-5639 or at jwalsh@timespublications.com.

–

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Bank employee accused of stealing money from accounts

A Bank of America employee is accused of stealing money from customer accounts.

According to Chandler Police, 28-year-old Michael Callens was able to get into some customers’ accounts and transferred approximately $10,000 from their accounts to his own.

Bank of America internal controls identified the suspicious transactions. The bank says that all the money has been restored to the customers’ accounts and that no customers suffered any losses.

The bank contacted the Chandler Police Department and officers arrived at the facility where they confronted Callens and made the arrest.

Callens could face one count of theft, one count of fraudulent schemes and six counts of identity theft. He was booked into jail and later released.

– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE STAFF WRITE

Police: Chandler man left toddler at home, sought teen for sex

A Chandler man allegedly left his young son at home alone while he met what he thought was a 15-year-old for sex. Instead, he was arrested by an undercover officer.

Chandler police say Joseph Adam Foster, 30, was communicating via social media and texts with “Kayla,” an officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Foster said he would pay her $600 a week in exchange for sex.

Foster attempted to meet the girl on Nov. 8, but was arrested, police say. He told police that his 4-year-old son was home alone. Police contacted Foster’s wife and went to his home until she arrived.

Foster has been charged with child prostitution and child abuse.

– TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT

18-year-old connected to cyberattack on emergency dispatchers

A grand jury has indicted an 18-year-old man on four counts of computer tampering in connection with a cyberattack on 911 call systems in Maricopa County, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced Monday.

Meetkumar Hiteshbhai Desai is accused of using a malware program to make more than 300 hang-up 911 calls to four law-enforcement agencies in October.

The hang-up calls were made to emergency dispatchers at the Surprise, Chandler and Avondale police departments, as well as the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and had the potential to shut down 911 services across Maricopa County, according to investigators.

Desai told detectives he wanted to make a non-harmful, annoying bug that was meant to be funny.

– RACHEL EROH, TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Not all downtown dreams come true

BY GARY NELSON Tribune Contributing Writer

The world-class concert hall envisioned by Christi Worsley would bring to reality the biggest and costliest dream ever floated for downtown Mesa.

The historic city center would become a hub of culture and education all but unparalleled in the American Southwest.

But even at that, Mesa still could be left wondering what might have been. At least two other major proposals, each of them meshing with Mesa’s educational aspirations, have withered in recent months.

The first would have been the $30 million Barry and Peggy Goldwater Center for Democracy, which was to have been built on the southeast corner of Macdonald and First Avenue.

The privately funded research center honoring the conservative legacy of Barry Goldwater, a legendary U.S. senator from Arizona, was announced to great fanfare in 2012.

But fund-raising lagged and the center’s agreement with Mesa expired at the end of 2015 after the project’s director died.

The second would have been a downtown campus of Arizona State University.

University officials unveiled a glitzy vision for the project to the City Council in May of this year. The main building would have replaced an existing cityowned structure just northeast of the Mesa Arts Center. Three others would have anchored a park-like plaza immediately north of City Hall. Mesa asked voters on Nov. 8 to approve a sales-tax increase that, in addition to boosting police and fire resources, would have funneled $15 million a year into what was called the ASU-Mesa

Mesa women throw Thanksgiving

Agroup of Mesa women joined their counterparts from Ahwatukee Monday and treated some 350 children living in group foster homes to a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

It was the fourth year that women from the First United Methodist Church of Mesa worked with women from Desert Foothills United Methodist Church and the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club to throw the holiday treat.

Katie Mozurkewich of Mesa and Carolyn Blaney Arndt and Andi Pettyjohn of Ahwatukee organized the volunteers, lined up the caterer and the location and worked the invitation list to bring the kids together for the meal.

When they organized the first Thanksgiving dinner of this kind in 2013, Arndt and Pettyjohn said they had little idea about the number or plight of foster children in Arizona.

“Andi and I met by chance in 2013

COURTS

in limited jurisdiction courts have been arrested for ‘quality of life’ issues (i.e., shoplifting, urinating in public, trespassing, and loitering) and appear to have mental health concerns,” according to the Task Force on Fair Justice for All. “Under the current law, the process to determine the competency of a person charged with a misdemeanor or a felony is the same.

The process is cumbersome and expensive. Mesa and Glendale municipal courts have been piloting a streamlined process to handle these cases that show promise,” the task force concluded.

Innovation, Arts and Education Center.

The question failed, with about 54 percent of voters in opposition. It was the first time in a decade that Mesa voters had rejected a city tax or bond proposal. The last such defeat came in 2006, when the city asked for approval of a primary property tax to help pay for general-fund operating expenses.

ASU officials would not comment directly on whether the Mesa project will be revived. Bret Hovell, ASU’s senior director of media relations, told the Tribune the university for now will offer no comment beyond a statement it published after the election.

dinner for kids who won’t have one

and after hearing that there were foster children who wouldn’t be having any type of Thanksgiving meal, we thought ‘we could gather together volunteers and at least do a Turkey dinner.’ We had no idea of the needs in the foster care system,” Arndt said.

Currently there are 13,000 Maricopa County children if some kind of foster care, either group homes, shelters or with foster parents.

“These are lost kids in the system,” Arndt explained. “We know 25 percent of them could be in jail in the next year. They don’t have to be. If the public steps up, you can mentor them or volunteer and just connect with them.”

Besides the Thanksgiving dinner, Pettyjohn also helps organize an annual baby shower for pregnant foster girls and helps get Christmas gifts for foster kids .

To guarantee food safety, the women employ a professional catering firm, Catered by Ed, who uses a commercial kitchen to prepare the dinner, Food is purchased through donations from private individuals and the two churches.

Players from the Arizona Cardinals also attended, bringing team mascot Big Red to delight the kids.

Desert Foothills United Methodist continue outreach to those in need with Angel Gift Tree where members of the congregation match donated new gifts, clothes and footwear for the youth.

“While young children in the foster system might get presents donated at Christmas through other events, the older teenagers are often completely forgotten,” Arndt said.

Arndt said she hopes the dinner acts to raise awareness about the plight of older youth in the foster system, many of whom have trouble being adopted and remain stuck in the system until they come of age. But she also hopes the dinner provides a happy experience they can look back on fondly.

Still, she has no illusions about the breadth of the problem.

“I hate to say, because foster children have so many needs in Arizona, that one Thanksgiving meal is just a drop in the bucket,” she said.

It recommended a change in Arizona law that would allow more local jurisdictions to handle competency reviews.

“They go through the system quickly,” Barone-Jay said, after a short but trying competency review session. “The case is not lingering for months. It is a benefit to everybody.”

Mesa City Prosecutor John Belatti said he has seen cases where the maximum penalty for the offense was 30 days in jail, yet the defendant had already served 60 days in jail and was still waiting for the mental health review.

Many of these defendants were held on a $50 bond, which might as well be $5,000 to a transient.

Belatti said he would typically dismiss the charge at that point, citing the interests of justice and a waste of court resources.

“A lot of them have transportation issues and mental health issues. Having to go to a new place was overwhelming to them,” he said. “It’s a cost savings. It simplifies it to have one evaluation.”

Thomas said it took him a year of hearings to persuade the Supreme Court to allow the pilot program.

To do so, Maricopa County Superior Court had to extend its jurisdiction to the local courts.

He found an important ally in Glendale Municipal Court Presiding Judge Elizabeth Finn, who also has a history of embracing progressive court system reforms.

“I didn’t get open resistance. I got reluctance,” Thomas said. “I said, ‘Let’s re-invent this thing. We can do a better job.’”

– Reach Jim Walsh at

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Neighborhood light displays bring the holiday spirit

BY JUSTIN FERRIS Get Out Editor

In December, many people love to drive around at night and look at Christmas lights. Part of the fun stems from uncertainty; you never know as you drive around a corner if you will see a dark street or the Holy Grail of twinkle lights and cute lawn decorations.

Of course, only so much free time exists for driving around, so you do want to know a few places that guarantee an awe-inspiring sight. To make it easier, here is a list of East Valley homes and neighborhoods that do it up right every year.

For a Google map of these locations, go to tiny.cc/lightsmap.

By the way, if you know of a terrific home light display, nominate it for our Holiday Light Contest 2016 at tiny.cc/ evtlights – and yes, you can nominate your own home.

Mesa

Mesa Christmas

Operating since 2012, this house features more than 30,000 lights, trees and other decorations synced to holiday songs—tune your radio to 107.5 FM for the full experience. Donations go to Nurture Our World. 1610 E. Hermosa Vista, Mesa. Through Jan. 1, 6-10 p.m. More info: mesachristmas.com.

Natal Circle

Known as the “Christmas Cul-desac,” this collection of 14 homes strings up more than 250,000 lights and other decorations—including backyard nativity scenes—to delight the more than 50,000 annual visitors. West Natal Circle, Mesa near Country Club and Guadalupe Road. Nov. 24-Jan 1, 6-10 p.m.

Gilbert

Christmas on Comstock

Last year, this neighborhood’s 13 houses won ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” and it returns this year with another fantastic display. Expect more than 110,000 lights and

300 strobe lights, many synchronized to music—tune your radio to 93.9 FM as you drive through to hear it. East Comstock Drive, Gilbert, enter from East Elliot Road. Through Dec. 30, Mondays-Thursdays 6-10 p.m., FridaysSundays 6-10:30 p.m. Donations go to Make-A-Wish Arizona. More info: facebook.com/Christmas-onComstock-1674963512736567.

Chandler

Dillman House

After 10 years in operation, this home offers 70,000 lights, a Santa on the roof, animations, outdoor music and a giant 20-foot Christmas tree on the roof that you’ll see as you get close. 2106 N. Arrowhead, Chandler. Through Dec. 31, 6-11 p.m.

Prado House

Aside from spectacular 54,000 lights, this house offers movies in the driveway. Chairs and heaters are provided, as well as free popcorn, hot cocoa and cookies. 2212 W. El Prado Road, Chandler. Through Dec. 25, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Tempe

Benson Family Holiday Lights

A decade-long tradition, this house boasts a massive 400,000 lights. Plus, on weekends you can visit with Santa and get candy and hot cocoa. 8535 S. Stanley Place, Tempe. Enter from Warner Road. Through Jan. 1, after dark.

Ahwatukee

Henry Christmas

Boasting 30,000 lights synchronized to holiday music—tune your radio to 106.7 FM—this home’s 7th annual display features the theme “Let It Snow” and includes a snow-blowing Frosty the Snowman. 15244 S 36th Place, Phoenix. Thursday-Jan 1. 6-10 p.m. More info: facebook.com/azhenrychristmas.

Santa Train

Going strong for 27 years, the huge interactive train display features plenty of animated wonders, including a Ferris wheel and erupting volcano. Free candy canes are available for kids until 10 p.m. On weekends, snow appears every 30 minutes. 541 E. Mountain Sky Ave.,

Phoenix. Through Jan 1. 6-11 p.m. Donations go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. More info: santatrain.com.

Other locations

Holtz House

This out-of-the-way display offers 100,000 lights plus a 35-foot Christmas tree, 18-foot arches and a range of other lights set to music—tune your radio to 87.7 FM to listen. You will also enjoy sleighs, reindeer, inflatables and other decorations. 1040 N. San Marcos Drive in Apache Junction. Thursday-Dec. 31, Sundays-Thursdays 6-9 p.m., FridaysSaturdays 6-11 p.m.

Loop of Lights

If you fancy a bit of a holiday drive, head down to San Tan Valley where nearly 100 houses in the Pecan Creek South subdivision pull out all the stops on lights and decorations. Due to its popularity, the streets close to nonresident traffic, so you get a nice evening stroll as well. Pecan Creek South, San Tan Valley. Saturday-Dec. 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m. More info: loopoflights.com.

Mesa invites residents to recycle leftover Thanksgiving turkey grease

BY KRISTIANA FADDOUL Cronkite News

After devouring the Thanksgiving feast, it’s time to turn to the leftovers.

Including the turkey grease. Those rather unappetizing remnants are left for those who have decided to deep fry, rather than roast, a turkey. It all can be recycled by being poured into a receptacle at a Mesa fire station.

Mesa fire and medical officials ask people to come to fire stations rather than pouring used oil down the kitchen sink. It will only block the drain. Tossing the oil in the garbage fills landfills, and burying it outside pollutes soil and groundwater.

Kathy Macdonald, spokeswoman for the Mesa Water Resources Department, said oil that ends up in kitchen sinks takes an ugly turn.

“Pouring cooking or fryer oils, especially in large amounts, down the drain can cause a really big and nasty problem, something that you don’t want to deal with on the Thanksgiving holiday for sure,” Macdonald said. “What happens is that oil and grease collect in the sewer pipes and actually congeal,” she said.

But turkey grease can be recycled into livestock feed, lubricants and

BRIEFS

EAST VALLEY Tribune Holiday Lights contest is nearly over

The East Valley Tribune Holiday Lights Contest continues until this Thursday. It’s your last chance to nominate the decorations of a neighbor, a friend or yourself. Send in an address and a photo, and write a note about why you nominated it. Please include your name, address and phone number as “official nominator” for any contenders you send along.

The nominated home, business or edifice must be in the East Valley.

To enter, go to tiny.cc/tribunelights and attach an image of the home. Or, write us at Holiday Lights, 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282, and mail us an image. Entries will be accepted until Thursday. Winners will be announced in early December.

clean-burning bio-fuel, according to the website of re-cycling company Baker Commodities Inc.

“They, at no charge to the city, take that oil and recycle it into various products,” Macdonald said. An estimated 700 gallons are expected to be collected during the holiday season.

“If people are frying a turkey for Thanksgiving, they can come down to one of four fire stations around the city and recycle that oil,” Macdonald said.

Pour the oil into a receptacle similar

United Food Bank seeks $30,000 on Giving Tuesday

The United Food Bank wants to raise $30,000 on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28. That amount could provide 58,274 meals to those in need.

Giving Tuesday is a global event fueled by social media. People are asked to use the hashtag #GivingTuesday and donate online that day.

The food bank supplies food to 228,735 people a year in the East Valley, Pinal County, southern Navajo County, Gila County and southern Apache County.

Cruise-In car enthusiast show coming to Sonic in Gilbert

A car show for hobbyists and enthusiasts will be at the Sonic Drive-In at 689 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert.

to a giant, metal garbage bin, and Baker Commodities will pick up the oil and process it into a new commodity. It’s not just for the holidays, or for turkey grease, either. Used cooking oil can be brought to the stations year round.

Mesa officials will accept any turkey grease, regardless of its original location, at any of these fire stations:

• Fire Station 204 at 1426 S. Extension Road

• Fire Station 205 at 730 S. Greenfield Road

• Fire Station 212 at 2430 S. Ellsworth Road

• Fire Station 214 at 5950 E. Virginia St.

“It’s really easy, you don’t have to talk to anyone or anything,” said Logan Marx, a firefighter with Mesa Fire and Medical Department. “Just show up, put it in, and you’re off, on your way.”

Dropping off turkey grease or other used cooking oil:

• Make sure oil is completely cooled, can be transported in any container.

• Signs on the street near a Mesa fire station direct you to the bins.

• Recycling bins are in the parking lot of a fire station.

• The bin is labeled “Cooking oil.”

• Open the bin flap and pour in cooled oil. Hold your nose; it smells.

This Cruise-In is open to any exhibitor. The show is Saturday, 3-9 p.m. There will be a raffle of trophies at 5 p.m.

For more information, go to facebook. com/events/346520795702002.

Gilbert hosting Christmas party for Filipino-American group

The Southeast Valley Filipino-American Families & Friends’ seventh annual Christmas Party will take place 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St. in downtown Gilbert.

Filipino food, entertainment, games, prizes and dancing are featured.

Tickets are on sale for $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 12. Children 3 and under are free.

For information on how to purchase tickets, search “SEVFAF meetup” on Google or visit bit.ly/2f4Ck9z. Information is also available by contacting 480-650-0075.

Other addresses

Here are addresses that hosted Christmas lights in years past, but weren’t available to confirm information for this year. If you drive past these locations at night in December, you should see something, but we can’t guarantee it.

• 632 W. Aster Court, Chandler –50,000 lights and decorations with a strong Disney theme.

• 146 N. Quail Lane, Gilbert – Also known as “Peanuts Christmas,” this house boasts 150,000 lights, character cutouts and Peanuts Airport.

• 396 W. Liberty Lane, Gilbert – 100,000 lights covering multiple houses, synchronized to music.

• 1410 E. Catamaran Drive, Gilbert – Five homes synchronize their lights to more than a dozen songs. Tune to 90.1 FM.

• 2467 East Aris Drive, Gilbert – 50,000 lights, 3,000 snowmen, 300 plus Santas, 5 Christmas trees, decorated inside and out with guided interior tours.

• 1335 N. Papillon Circle, Mesa –100,000 lights with multiple displays including a misfit island and a full nativity scene.

• 1517 S. Arroya Circle, Mesa – 90,000 lights cover the landscape, plus animated window displays some evenings.

• 3611 E. Kachina Drive, Phoenix – Disney-themed with 20,000 lights, snow. machines, and hundreds of wooden cutouts.

MESA

‘Spirit of Giving’ award is taking nominations

The 12k’s of Christmas and PhoenixMesa Gateway Airport will present the “Spirit of Giving” award to a volunteer from the animal rescue community.

Nominations in writing, of 200 words or less, are being taken for the award. The nominees’ name, contact information and reason for earning the award should be included.

Submissions should be emailed to darryl@fieldworksevents.com or faxed to 480-609-3979

For more information, call 480-609-3978.

Prop. 206 has unintended consequences for East Valley care providers

BY SHANA ELLIS Tribune Guest Writer

Caring for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities requires education, ongoing training and passion—like any skilled profession, it’s not for everyone. As a result, service providers, like The Centers for Habilitation (TCH), and our families value the care provided by direct-care professionals entrusted to work with our members on a daily basis.

Since 2009, my organization, as part of our statewide association, has been advocating for the restoration of state funding that was previously cut. These cuts have made it next to impossible for TCH, along with other care providers across the East Valley and state, to pay our direct-care employees more for the essential care they provide.

As a result, service providers are experiencing staff turnover rates as high as 80 percent and direct-care workers’ pay is often below what big-box stores

A word to the protesters

Someone should tell the rioters that it doesn’t hurt to have a job. Obama has them convinced that if they stay at home and mooch off others, they will receive free hospitalization and free college tuition. So why be stupid and burn and loot when you can be a productive individual?

– James McCullough – Apache Junction

The mess that is Trump

American voters have elected a new president. Unfortunately, a quirk in our Constitution put the loser into the White House. Again! Thanks, Founding Fathers. By tapping into the inherent racism of rural whites, Donald Trump became president. A racist himself, a bigot, a misogynist, hypocrite and a bully, Trump has never served our country in any capacity. Born with a huge silver spoon in his mouth, Trump believes his wealth excuses him from such trivial matters. Touted as a “brilliant” businessman, Trump lost nearly a billion dollars in a single year! As a result, he has not paid one penny in federal income taxes

or fast-food chains can offer their employees. Prop. 206 will make it even more difficult for us and the entire provider network to retain existing staff and recruit replacements as staff can still choose to work at big-box stores or fastfood chains and make the same amount of money for arguably less stressful work.

“

The cost and reimbursement of our services is determined by the state of Arizona. This means that care providers cannot increase the cost of our services to cover the increase to wages.

Absent appropriate increases in state funding to cover the higher employment costs of Prop. 206, care providers will be

While increasing the minimum wage may have sounded like a simple solution to this problem, it will actually make the current state of affairs for this community worse. ”

Continuity of care for individuals with disabilities creates trust for the individual receiving care and peace of mind for the family. While increasing the minimum wage may have sounded like a simple solution to this problem, it will actually make the current state of affairs for this community worse.

unable to absorb the cost of increased wages. Many service providers are planning to reduce services and some will be forced to close their doors as early as Jan. 1, leaving staff out of a job and many of the 30,000 individuals with disabilities having lost their caretaker.

If no state funding is made available,

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

in over 20 years, making zero contributions to our veterans, national defense, space program, security, etc.

Trump is a proven serial liar. Besides all of the documented whoppers he told on the campaign trail, he is already reneging on his promise to end Obamacare, build the Wall, and “drain the swamp.” Within three days of the election, he now wants to retain the bulk of Obamacare. Now he thinks his muchpromised Wall can be an electronic one. And, he’s already picked Reince Prebus, a political hack if there ever was, as his chief of staff. Trump must not have been able to find the drain plug in the swamp. His policy positions are almost always “against” something, and not “for” something. The few actual policy proposals he has made simply regurgitate his repeated pronouncement that his plan was going to be “amazing,” yet offer few, if any, details. For example, he insultingly said he will rebuild the military and it will be “amazing,” but does not state how he will pay for that. And yet he still offers massive tax relief for the wealthy. He should ask Reagan and George II how that combination worked out.

Trump has never been a leader; he’s always been a boss. He’s used to giving orders and not listening to others. He could not lead starving people to a free lunch. But my main concern is will he, as arguably the number one star in America, continue to forcibly kiss beautiful women and grab them by their p(rivate)s.

– Edward F. Murphy

– Mesa

Disappointed, and hopeful, too

America, I, too, am disappointed. I am disappointed that while the voter turnout this election “was up 4.7% in more than half the country,” according to USA Today, it is still lower than most countries. Therefore, we should take voting more seriously as we were left between two non-ideal candidates. Secondly, we shouldn’t be scared of a Republican-dominated Congress, presidency, and Supreme Court. It is not uncommon; Bush had this in 2006. Also, Obama just had Democratic control of Congress his first two years in office. Besides, do I need to remind you that not all Republicans support Trump, anyway?

the state is in jeopardy of losing the network that it relies upon to serve this vulnerable population.

TCH and other service providers want and need to increase the wages of our direct-care workers—not only are they worth it, but the ability to recruit and retain more professionals to provide quality and consistent care to individuals with disabilities is critical at this juncture.

We want to continue to serve this vulnerable population, but need the Legislature and the governor to increase funding for the care of those with disabilities as soon as possible during the 2017 Legislative session, otherwise the passage of Prop. 206, coupled with the funding cuts of the past, will jeopardize the health and safety of Arizona’s most vulnerable residents.

Lastly, I am disappointed in some people’s reactions to the presidential election. There is no need to react with violence and anger. Associating Trump’s supporters with some of his offensive language is not appropriate. While it is your right to protest, burning flags is a bit extreme. Also, I don’t think minorities legitimately need to be afraid, as many have voiced. While Trump is president, with the support of his vice president and Cabinet, I think he will be censored and brought down to reasonableness. While I am not supporting Trump in anyway, the people have spoken. If we want the candidates to concede with grace, I believe we as an American people should concede as well to what a majority of the people have voted. We need to be mature and accept the outcome. After all, it is just four years … we should see what happens.

– Brigette Maggio – Tempe

Tempe Camera weathers transition to digital, keeps focus Business

BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE Tribune Contributing Writer

In business since 1972, Joe Wojcich, owner and founder of Tempe Camera, has had a colorful career. Starting with camera repair, Wojcich stayed true to his talents. In his third Tempe Camera location at 606 W. University since 1987, he toils daily at his workbench repairing camera lenses.

Tempe Camera, now with 35 employees, provides the services, sales, processing and customer service that have made the business grow. Many of his staff members, like general manager Susan DeLanie Smith, have been with the company for so long that they can run it while Wojcich works at his bench. Smith has been at Tempe Camera for 37 years.

“We’re the last major camera store in the state,” Wojcich said.

Even though photography has changed dramatically with the transition to digital, Wojcich’s services keep photographers happy.

“From film to digital has been a real ride,” he said. “Gravity is a repairman’s friend. Twenty-five percent of cameras are dropped.”

Tempe Camera can provide a repair within 1-2 weeks, depending on parts availability.

A savvy businessman, Joe—as he prefers to be called—realized that when cameras were in for repair, people asked to “borrow” a camera, so camera rental became his next added service. His photo imaging center, next door at 530 W. University Drive, completed the fullservice approach to a photographer’s needs. And, for the photographer still using film, Tempe Camera can provide film and developing.

He joined the U.S. Air Force at 17 and a half, ready to see the world. Instead, he was stationed in Texas for training. His transport was his first airplane ride.

After boot camp, he had his first taste of Arizona at Luke Air Force Base. When everyone else shipped out to Vietnam in 1967, Wojcich didn’t have security clearance yet, so he was sent to a base in Guam, assigned as a machinist. Since the base in Guam had no machine shop, he finally transferred to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, where he stayed for 18 months.

“Rough duty,” Wojcich laughs. He loved the warm weather and was glad to relocate when his tour was up and a friend invited him to Arizona. He earned $5 per hour, good money back then.

Repair People in New York City” to machine parts for him.

After two of his fingers were cut off in a machinist accident and reattached, he used the GI bill to attend Phoenix College. A part-time photography instructor position landed him a full-time job with Arthur Herschfeld. Wojcich learned skills as a camera repairman, on the job.

Six months later, he started his own business with a 500-square-foot office on University Drive with $250 monthly rent. He delivered repaired cameras on his motorcycle.

By the mid-1970s, Wojcich was challenged by people like AP photographer Jack Smith, who handed Wojcich his broken Canon lens on a Friday and wanted it fixed to fit his Nikon camera by Monday. Wojcich delivered, including machining all new parts that weekend.

Wojcich was approached by Marty Forscher, “The Guru of the Camera

“I turned him down because I needed to build my own reputation,” Wojcich said.

With the encouragement of mentor, Ben Zar, Wojcich bought his first land and built his own business at 743 W. University.

When Tempe Camera was chosen as Arizona’s 1994 Small Business of the Year, Wojcich traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met President Bill Clinton. Lined up to photograph the event, a D.C. photographer recognized Wojcich. Word spread – all the photographers knew him from his work for them.

Cameras are electronics now, but Wojcich has embraced the change. His favorite camera?

The Fuji X-T1—while digital, it has mechanical sounds, and can be fired remotely with a cellphone.

“People replace cameras now when

they’re outdated,” Wojcich says. “We used to have six repair staff. Now we have three.”

There are still occasions when a staff member will come to him and ask him to fix something. His lathe, which cost $18,000 new 35 years ago, is put to work as it shears off fine bits of metal or plastic to fix a bent, bumped or out-ofalignment piece.

An Ahwatukee resident for 20 years, he remembers when he used to walk to his shop from his former Tempe home. They moved.

“My wife wanted a bigger house,” he explained.

He enjoys travel, especially to the places he remembers from his Air Force years, and plans a trip with friends soon.

And, asked what his retirement plans are since he’ll be 70 at his next birthday, Wojcich announces, “I love what I do. I’ll retire when they pick me up from the floor.”

Snackworthy offers millennials a healthy alternative nosh

BY TYLER DRAKE Tribune Staff Writer

With millennials playing a big part in today’s economy, businesses like the Lehi Valley Trading Company are looking for new ways to attract that generation.

At 100 million strong, they are now America’s most powerful consumer bloc, outspending even baby boomers, Lehi marketing director Jacque Taylor said. With companies scrambling to find the next best thing to advertise, Lehi Valley of Mesa took a different route and conducted a survey to see what spiked millennials’ spending habits when it came to snacking.

They found that 87 percent of millennials look for healthier snacks. They also spend more on organic food than the total population, Taylor said. To answer that need, the company created Snackworthy foods.

Snackworthy offers nuts and seeds, dried fruit, candy, chocolate, popcorn,

granola and trail mix. Many of Snackworthy’s products are organic, gluten free, whole grain and contain zero trans-fat.

“I like the idea that they are selling a healthy snack, which is a huge niche market, without the crazy markup,” said Arizona State University student Cody Hale, 24. “I’m a big fan of the transparent packaging, too.

“It’s definitely more comforting knowing what the actual food looks like before I buy it.”

Snackworthy packaging is even colorcoded to let snackers know what’s coming: red for dried fruit, orange for “nuggets/popcorn/snack items,” green for granola or trail mix, blue for nuts and seeds, and purple for sweets.

Local Bashas’ manager Brett Ritchie has seen a difference in the landscape of the snack food industry, as more consumers want a healthier snack choice.

Snackworthy packaging is color-coded to let snackers know what’s coming: red for dried fruit, orange for “nuggets/popcorn/snack items,” green for granola or trail mix, blue for nuts and seeds, and purple for sweets.

Congratulations to 19 district schools for being named 2015-16 Arizona Civic Engagement Schools by Arizona Department of Education.

These schools prepare their students to be active and responsible citizens.

2015-16 Schools of Excellence

Red Mountain High School

Westwood High School

Schools of Distinction

Junior High: Franklin, Rhodes, Shepherd High School: Dobson

Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies

Schools of Merit

Elementary: Sirrine

Junior High: Carson, Fremont, Kino, Smith, Stapley, Taylor

High School: Mesa, Mountain View, Skyline

East Valley Academy, Summit Academy

“It’s changed from sugary snacks to more healthier and gluten-free options,” Ritchie said. “People are trying to get into shape and the snacks they (Lehi Valley) offer give people another option.”

And while the research is advanced, the price is not. Snackworthy ranges from $1.99 to $5.99, Taylor said.

“Healthy and cheap aren’t two words that often go together and between two and six bucks per bag, I could see myself buying more,” Hale said.

Snackworthy can be found in local grocery stores around the East Valley, including Bashas’, Fry’s and Whole Foods.

Celebrating success

Naser has amazing journey to ASU wrestling program

BY CRAIG MORGAN TRIBUNE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ali Naser was off the wrestling grid—an Afghani immigrant, by way of Russia and Uzbekistan, who was wrestling at Fresno City College. His father, Aziz, and older brothers, Nasim and Amir (Mo), worked to support a family torn and altered irreparably by the Taliban takeover of his birth nation.

Ali’s anonymity vanished at the 2015 U.S. Open in Las Vegas when he made the quarterfinals against 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and No. 1 seed Coleman Scott, the 2008 NCAA champion and four-time All-American from Oklahoma State.

“Everyone is floating around the gym watching matches and then Ali takes a 4-0 lead,” said Zeke Jones, Arizona State wrestling head coach. “Everyone starts crowding around the mat because he’s beating Coleman Scott. Ali wins, 5-4, and as you can imagine, every college coach and their mother ran over to the mat and was asking, ‘Who is this kid?’

“Everyone finds out he has 2½ years of eligibility left and this kid could have gone anywhere. It was amazing so I called his college coach and within a week he said, ‘I don’t want to go anywhere but Arizona State.’”

Arizona State afforded Naser the opportunity to stay close to his family in California, and that was paramount for Naser for reasons outside the everyday American experience.

The Taliban took over Naser’s city when he was 2 weeks old and a Taliban bomb killed his mother when he was a baby. With his family in danger, Aziz Naser fled to neighboring Russia, where the Nasers set up shop in the Republic of Dagestan, a wrestling mecca, for three years.

“It’s an outlier city for wrestling,” Jones said. “It has more world and Olympic wrestling champions than any place in the world.”

Aziz had family in Uzbekistan, so he moved his sons again where they lived and wrestled for the next nine years, with many of their coaches coming from Dagestan.

“My dad was a wrestler and both of my brothers wrestled, too,” Ali said. “I was 6 years old when I told my dad I wanted to wrestle. He wanted to wait until I turned 10 or 11 but I kept pushing him.

“I used to wrestle my brothers at home and it was fun. I didn’t want to do it for the competition. I wanted to do it because it was fun.”

Naser’s definition of fun might differ from others’.

“We trained differently in Uzbekistan,” he said. “We focused more on technique. We didn’t wrestle as much; not a whole lot of conditioning either. It was mainly technique and situations. We’d be lucky if we got one wrestling match a week.

“There would be workouts in the morning, one in the afternoon, and at 6 o’clock it was just the elite wrestlers, so you’d have to work your way up to the 6 o’clock practices.”

Within five years, Ali made a name for himself, placing second at the Uzbekistan National Championships when he was 11. One year later, Aziz moved the family to California to provide his sons better educational opportunities.

Naser was a California state place winner, taking fourth place as a senior at El Camino Real High School (Woodland Hills). All the while, he was training at SK Golden Boys, a famed Armenian gym in California, where had the opportunity to partner with Martin Barbarion, a three-time Armenian Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008).

“I would be lucky to take him down once a week, but I got a lot better just training with him,” said Naser, who also owns a win over U.S. Olympian Sam Hazewinkel.

Naser didn’t compete last year for ASU while he finished his junior college credits through online courses and at Mesa Community College.

Like most wrestlers, Naser’s ultimate goal is to become an Olympian and Jones, the 2012 U.S. Olympic freestyle coach, has seen some of those abilities.

“He has to adjust to college because it’s folk style rules,” Jones said. “He grew up under an international style so by no means is he a finished product to be an NCAA champion and an Olympian, but he has all the tools. He’s in the right environment with all the right pieces

and he lives the right lifestyle.

“Some guys need to have fun and that gets in a lot of good guys’ way because fun sometimes is outside the wrestling room, going to parties. Ali finds fun in his wrestling. He doesn’t need all the extra stimulation that Americans need. He leads a pretty simple lifestyle going to class and to practice, eating right and resting.”

When the topic arises, Naser admits to pondering the events of his childhood.

“There have been times it crossed my mind,” he said. “What if my dad had never moved from Afghanistan? How would life be different? It would have been nice getting to know my mom, but that is life sometimes. It happens and you have no choice but move on.”

Naser believes he is in the right place to achieve the future he envisions.

“I love it here,” he said. “It’s a lot of experience you get from Zeke. He’s a silver Olympic medalist. He’s been there, done it.

“I also want to take it to the next level. That’s my dream. I’ve spent 16 years of my life on it—for myself and my family. I’m not going to stop halfway.”

SPIRITUAL SIDE

America needs radical empathy in election’s aftermath

BY RABBI DEAN SHAPIRO Tribune Guest Writer

The waves crash together, the Hebrews drag themselves onto the shore, and “horse and driver are hurled into the sea” (Exodus 15:1). At that moment, the angels above sing for joy. The Israelites were free at long last. “Silence!” God bellows. “Can’t you see my children are drowning?”

I love that story, called a “midrash.” Midrash is a classical form of Jewish Biblical interpretation. This one calls for “radical empathy,” the ability to feel what others feel—even those who oppressed us. Radical empathy is painfully hard, but it is humanity at its most divine. Our nation needs radical empathy. This campaign and election have demonstrated how profoundly divided these “United” States are. We see the world differently, depending on our

FAITH CALENDAR

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

HAVDALLAH CEREMONY

CKids Club International presents Saturday Night Alive, a musical celebration of family and the mystical havdallah ceremony. The havdallah is an ancient ritual, performed by our Jewish ancestors for thousands of year as a way to mark the conclusion of Shabbat and welcome in the new week.

DETAILS>> 7-8:30 p.m., Chabad of the East Valley, 875 N McClintock Dr., Chandler. Information: 480-8554333, or info@chabadcenter.com.

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.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS

Children ages 3 through 10 are invited to come and celebrate the birth of our Savior in Calvary Lutheran Church’s Christmas for Kids. Besides the Christmas lesson, children will have all kinds of activities from

geography, gender, education, class and race. We don’t expose ourselves to divergent opinions. We demonize those who think differently from us.

In the aftermath of the election, some are optimistic and others are grieving.

Judaism has a formula for grief, reminds Rabbi Spike Anderson. We sit shiva.

Shiva is the seven days of mourning immediately following a funeral. We allow ourselves to feel and remember. We stay at home, but make sure not to isolate ourselves. Afterwards, we dust ourselves off and get back to business

Not all Americans are grieving. Far from it—many are celebrating. What’s the Jewish obligation when someone else grieves? We sit shiva.

Even when the loss isn’t our own, we go to the House of Mourning and we offer what comfort we can because we empathize with what others are feeling. Empathy is the essence of community.

Although Americans are indeed having

crafts, to music, to Christmas treats, including birthday cake to celebrate and grow in the true Christmas message. If parents are looking for some time to shop or prepare for Christmas, we would love to have your children enjoy the morning with us.

DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-noon, Calvary Lutheran Church, 1270 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. Free. Register at calvarychandler.net under Events, through Dec. 5. Information: 480-963-9397.

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.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, DEC.16-18

WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM

First Baptist Church Chandler’s 4th annual Walk Through Bethlehem Live Nativity will guide visitors through the city of Bethlehem, past the stable of live animals and end at the manger and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Food trucks and photo opportunities will be

myriad emotions following the election, we must have the fundamental human empathy to sense what our fellows are feeling—whether it’s exaltation, hope, relief, surprise, fear or pain.

We must offer them the fundamental dignity of respecting their experience, of allowing them to have it without imposing ourselves upon them. We must honor them by listening, deeply, with our ears and our hearts.

Even though we see the world differently from each other, all human beings feel. If we could use this election as an opportunity for mass empathy, for taking a long deep breath and summoning a sense of what our fellow Americans are feeling, and sit with that feeling for a while—even though it is not our own—it would be a start, I think, to finding our lost sense of community.

That’s the empathy that’s needed now so that we can support each other in this transition.

available. Carolers will be singing on the grounds. DETAILS>> 6-8 p.m., 3405 S. Arizona Ave, Chandler. Cost: Free. Information: fbc.net or 480-963-3439.

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.

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.

It isn’t “kumbaya” dreaming. Rather, it’s a spiritual practice that will help us become better human beings and move our country forward.

And it’s not just internal. Real conversations with someone of a different political persuasion allow us to know, rather than to guess, what they’re feeling. “Radical Empathy” is as silly or as serious as you allow it to be.

How else will we be able to sit with one another at the American table once again? How else will we someday share with each other the bounty of this good land and the copious freedoms we enjoy?

Whether we recognize it or not, we’re all in this together.

– Rabbi Dean Shapiro is the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel of Tempe. Contact him at rshapiro@emanueloftempe.org

you a happy Thanksgiving! May you be blessed every season of your life.

More than good music: Children’s choir aims to make good people

BY JUSTIN FERRIS Get Out Editor

Depending on your past experience, the phrase “children’s choir” might cause an involuntary cringe. Little kids are cute, but you can only take so much off-tune singing before the cuteness wanes.

The award-winning Phoenix Children’s Chorus promises—and delivers—a completely different experience.

According to Artistic Director Ron Carpenter, who also teaches choir fulltime at Dobson High School, audience members regularly tell him how surprised they are.

“There are about 100 students who sing in [our youngest] choir and they always steal the show because they’re cute. But also, because people are astounded because those kids can stand up there straight, without fidgeting, and sing with good vocal technique,” he says.

And the musicianship only improves from there. While the youngest members begin in second grade, the 350-singer chorus

membership extends through high school seniors. Some members may stay with the organization for 10 years.

As kids grow in age and skill, the choir offers more advanced groups, from the younger Prep and Cadet choirs to the highschool Bravo and Encore. PCC also boasts a larger Concert choir that tours the world, and the a cappella Dolce for smaller venues.

While PCC’s groups perform at a high

IF YOU GO

Where: Mesa Arizona Temple, 101 S. Lesueur, Mesa

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Cost: Free

More info: mesachristmaslights.com.

Where: Higley Performing Arts Center, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Cost: $10-$20

More info: higleycenter.org or pcchorus.com.

level, and members take ongoing music education classes, musicianship remains a secondary goal.

“Chorale music is just the vehicle we use to help young people become more aesthetically literate,” Carpenter explains. “We feel strongly that aesthetically literate people have the ability to enjoy life more. And that what the students are learning when they’re with us is not just how to be great musicians, but how to work together to accomplish a goal with a diverse group. ... That’s an important part of who we are.”

This value of working together really becomes important as the older groups travel the world and meet kids their own age in other countries, Carpenter says. That viewpoint informs the theme of PCC’s spring concert series, “The World is Ours,” which it will perform at Carnegie Hall on June 16.

First, though, comes the chorus’ Dec. 3 Christmas concert, “Joy to the World,” which opens with the combined high school choirs—120-strong—singing a version of the titular song by master chorale arranger Mack Wilberg. The rest of the concert promises not to disappoint as well.

“It will be a huge mix ... some traditional, some contemporary, some Hanukkah tunes, just a lot things,” Carpenter says. You will hear songs in French, Spanish, Hebrew, and “we have this amazing arrangement of ‘The First Noel.’”

To compliment the choir, Carpenter says, “the Encore string quartet will be performing with us. In addition, we have harp, flute, bass, drums ... it will be quite a show.” Overall, he concludes, “a great way to start off the holiday season.”

If your child in 2nd to 11th grade gets inspired and wants to join Phoenix Children’s Chorus, new member auditions take place Dec. 6 at ASU Polytechnic Campus. And lack of experience won’t be a problem.

“We have a place in our organization for every young person who can match pitch and wants to sing,” Carpenter says. And the more the merrier.

“Our tag line is ‘transforming lives through music.’ People who come to our concerts would say the kids’ lives are being transformed, and also the folks who sit in the audience.”

For its 48th year, Tempe Festival of the Arts looks to the future

BY JUSTIN FERRIS Get Out Editor

Twice a year, Tempe’s famous Mill Avenue—along with its cross streets between University and 3rd—closes to traffic and a sea of white pop-up tents appears. The closure means the eagerly awaited return of the Tempe Festival of the Arts.

This nearly five-decade tradition—48 years for the Fall Festival—sees upwards of 400 artists from all over the country arrive

IF YOU GO

Where: Mill Ave, Tempe from University Ave to 3rd Street

When: Friday-Sunday, Dec. 2-4. 10 a.m.5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

More info: http://www. tempefestivalofthearts.com

See

Kittens

to show their original works. Offerings range from the traditional paintings, sculptures and jewelry to more modern categories like “Cottage Edibles & Crafts” and “Upcycled/Creative Reuse.”

The push toward more cutting-edge categories led to this year’s introduction of Sixth + Mill Makers. Located at Sixth and Mill—naturally—this new market-withina-festival offers curated hand-made works from more than two dozen local artisans.

According to the festival’s press release, items on display and for sale include “buttons, cards, ceramics, children’s clothing, concrete planters, floral arrangements, hand‐made jewelry, letterpress stationary, upcycled furniture, watercolors, woodworks and more.”

In addition to these handmade products, visitors to the market can enjoy “artisan finishing salts, cocktail mixes, a lounge and ‘make and take’ booth for hands-on types who like to physically make memories at the event.”

Samantha Thompson, co-founder of

Standard Wax, which curates Sixth + Mill Makers, sees this addition as vital for the future of art in Tempe.

“As someone who has spent nearly my entire life in Tempe, I know firsthand that the Tempe Festival of the Arts is an institution. But the ‘new’ scene of creative entrepreneurs and makers ... has never been represented at the festival,” she explains. “Until recently, my passions for the city I live in and my business have had little opportunity to reside in the same space together.”

With Sixth + Mill Makers, Tempe Festival for the Arts can now attract a new generation of artists, makers and buyers. Speaking of new generations, kids also get new activities to explore this year with Kids Block. This area offers art-making

activities, plus other hands-on fun. A showcase of kid-created art will also be on hand to inspire other youngsters.

Despite the new additions, however, you will still see old festival favorites, such as Chalk-A-Lot-Street on 4th, which features professional chalk murals—and lets you create your own for $5.

Sounds as well as sights can be experienced with local performers on three stages—5th Street, Centerpoint and Hayden Square—as well as street performers. The sensory experience is rounded out with festival food from the on-site food court, food trucks and scattered snack vendors.

Note for drivers: Mill Avenue will close at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and stay closed until 6 a.m. Dec. 5.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLE & SUDOKU

Mesa transforms as Merry Main Street opens

BY SHELLEY RIDENOUR Tribune Staff Writer

Forget your typical image of the desert in winter: plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and no snow or ice.

Soon, parts of downtown Mesa will resemble northern Arizona more than the Sonoran Desert as the city kicks off Merry Main Street events. Most of the fun runs through the end of December.

An ice rink, in the parking lot east of Mesa City Plaza, provides a place for skaters to practice pirouettes or any other maneuver they choose. It’s open until Jan. 1. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and is closed on Christmas Day. The rink has shortened hours on its final weekend— noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. It costs $10 a person and the price includes skate rental.

The giant Christmas tree is set up at Main and Macdonald streets. Santa will make regular appearances at the tree until Christmas Eve.

Revelers who get hungry while checking out the festivities can visit Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, in Pioneer Park at the end of the light rail line and across the street from the Mesa LDS Temple, which has a giant holiday light display that’s also open through the end of December.

The food trucks operate from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Music is part of the scene on Saturdays.

Other holiday events are targeted to more specific audiences.

The CycloMesa Winterfest is scheduled from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Alta Mesa Park. Ten tons of snow are being hauled in for the party designed to increase awareness of winter snow sports and biking and the value of helmets.

Kids can eat breakfast with Santa the morning of Dec. 17 at the Mesa Convention Center. Tickets must be purchased in advance either online at mesaamp.com or at the box office in Building A at 263 N. Center St. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The events schedule at the Mesa Arts Center is also packed during the holidays.

A major holiday happening is the Mesa Arts Festival, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11. Original art work is offered for sale, live entertainment is planned and artists work on creations while visitors watch. Food booths are included.

Four performances of The Nutcracker are scheduled at the arts center, too. Shows

are set for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Tickets are $27 and $31.

Nine-time Grammy nominee Dave Koz is joined by three fellow musicians for a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets range from $56 to $84.

The Hot Sardines Holiday Stomp features the hot jazz group from New York. It’s set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Tickets range from $30 to $45.

A full list of arts center events can be found at mesaartscenter.com.

A holiday gift to visitors, designed to draw people downtown, is free light rail rides between Country Club Drive and Mesa Drive from 5 to 10 p.m. every weekend until Dec. 17.

– Contact reporter Shelley Ridenour at 480-8986533 or sridenour@timespublications.com.

Pro Team Ten T sale

Crossword “Bird Is The Word”

Adult T-Shirts

Life Events

Obituaries

WILLIAMS-BORJA, Malika Dawn

18 weeks and 4 days, from Tempe, AZ Perfect little Malika passed awa y November 16, 2016 She was the beloved daughter of Macia Williams and Carlos Borja Forever will she consume our thoughts and hold our hearts "Till we meet again little bean sprout "

FRANTZ, Thomas Carl (Tom)

Tom, 60, passed away November 12, 2016 in San Tan Valley Tom was born Phoenix, AZ on April 12, 1956

Survivors: Wife Deborah, son, Matthew Chick (Brittney), daughter, Sarah

Tom’s passing leaves a deep emptiness in our lives but we know we will be together again

Sign the Guestbook at: www EastValleyTribune com

Employment

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

Training is Provided for FREE!

Open Caregiver Positions:

● Companions- Personal Care Attendants

● Caregivers with Habilitation Experience a plus

For more details please call: Robin or Carol 480-491-1140 www ResCare com

Employment General

Senior Consultant III sought by Neudesic, LLC in Tempe, AZ Req: Bach s in Comp Sci, Electrical Engg or foreign eq or rel & 5 yrs exp req in job offered or QA Engr or rel 2 yrs exp req working w/ Windows client/server & web based app Travel to various unantic prjct sites based on prjct needs Resume to: Neudesic/Gwenevere Crary, 100 Spectrum Center Dr , Ste 1200, Irvine, CA 92618 REF JOB CODE: GK-01

Hiring tax preparers for the 2017 tax season FT/PT positions available, will train Excellent opportunity to earn extra money This is for the 2017 tax season Jan 4 - April 17, 2017 For more info call: 602-667-6090

Banner Medical Group seeks Hospitalist to work in Mesa, Arizona

Prov medical care & diagnoses & treats conditions of hospitalized patients Creates & maintains timely, appropriate, & confidential documentation & coding of patient care For full desc or to apply, send resume to Angie Ferguson@ bannerhealth.com, ref# 24336

$399 DOWN DRIVES! Need a Vehicle? Bad Credit? Repos? You re Approved! 480-462-5549 V sit www

Employment General

Landscape laborers, 55 temporary full-time positions

Duties: Laborers will be needed for turf care, pruning, fertilization, irrigation system maintenance and repair, general clean up procedures around properties Work in the outdoors, physical work 3 months landscape EXP REQ No EDU REQ

Days & Hours: 40 hours/week (6:00am-2:30pm) day shift; Mon-Fri Dates of employment: 02/01/1710/31/17 Wage: $11 74/h, OT $17 61/h if necessary Raises, bonuses, or incentives dependent on job performance

Assurances: Transportation (including meals and, to the extent necessary, lodging) to the place of employment will be provided, or its cost to workers reimbursed, if the worker completes half the employment period Return transportation will be provided if the worker completes the employment period or is dismissed early by the employer Employer will provide workers at no charge all tools, equipment and supplies required to perform the job Job location: Phoenix, AZ - Maricopa and Pinal counties Daily transportation provided to and from worksite

Applicants may send or contact the AZDES Office, 4635 S Central Ave, Phoenix AZ, 85040 Desirae Diaz ph:520-866- 3608 Please reference AZDES Job Order #: 2469598

laborers, 80 temporary full-time positions

Duties Laborers will be needed for pruning, fertilization, irrigations systems maintenance and repair, general clean up procedures and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units

Work outdoors, physical work 3 months landscape EXP REQ No EDU REQ Post-employment drug testing

Days & Hours: 40 hours/week (6:00am-2:30pm); day shift; Mon-Fri Dates of employment: 2/01/1710/31/17 Wage: $11 74/h, OT $17 61/h if necessary

Raises, bonuses, or incentives dependent on job performance OJT provided

Assurances Transportation (including meals and, to the extent necessary, lodging) to the place of employment will be provided or its cost to workers reimbursed, if the worker completes half the employment period Return transportation will be provided if the worker completes the employment period or is dismissed early by the employer Employer will provide workers at no charge all tools, equipment and supplies required to perform the job Job location: Phoenix, AZ - Maricopa and Pinal counties

Daily transportation provided to and from worksite

Applicants may send or contact the AZDES Office, 4635 S Central Ave, Phoenix AZ, 85040 Desirae Diaz ph:520-866- 3608 Please reference AZDES Job Order #: 2469622 Employer: ELS Maintenance, Inc 3329 E

Again,

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman s exception

Reference: (http://www azroc gov/invest/licensed by law html)

As

Meetings/Events

Meetings/Events

FOLLOW THE STAR

TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER LIFE

THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR-is the largest organizat i o n i n t h e w o r l d t o w h i c h b o t h m e n a n

m e n m a y b elong Only men who are Master Masons are eligible and only women with specific Masonic affiliation may be members

H O W D O E S O N E B E L O N G - T h

s h i p must petition to do so Petitions are carefully read eli­gibility investigated and election to membership must be by una n i m o u s v o t

o n s o f men­tal, moral and spiritual quality who will work togethe r in harmony to perform its objectives

MEMBERSHIP - Affiliated Masons in good stand, the wives, daughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers mother-inlaw grandmothers great-granddaughter and nieces of affiliated Master Masons in good standing, or if deceased were in

g o o d s t

n

a t h ; e a c h o f w h o m have attained at least the age of eighteen ( 18) years, are eligible to membership in the Order of the Eastern Star EASTERN STAR -A WAY OF LIFE - Eastern Star is a social ord e r c o m p r i s e d o f p e r s o n s w i t h r e l i g i o u s c

spiritual values, but IT IS NOT A RELIGION Its appeal rests in t h e t r u e b

lessions that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritual work A deep fraternal bond between its members It is the wholes o m e r e l a t i

h e r l y a n d s i s t e r l y l o v e b r o u g h t through high principles exemplified in our daily lives which makes us near and dear to each other While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions it is open to all faiths, except NO faith The personal welfare of our members is vital to all Star and it i s considered a privilege to help one whenever we can It is a s o c i a l o r d e r o f m e m b e r s w i t h s i n c e r e a n d p u r p o s e f u l o b j e c ­ t i v e s MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP - The member of the Or­der of t h e E a s t e r n S t a r a r

c e r e l y r e f l e c t t h e s p i r i t o f f r a t e r n a l l

work together for good It give them the opportunity to give a part of their time to many projects that benefit mankind

im­portant We need energies of our members to increas e the membership of our Order W e a r e p r o u

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Proposals for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work associated with the Demolition Plans for ASU Ceramics Studio Building will be received at the office of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc , (“ENGINEER”), located at 6263 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 until 1:00 pm MST, Tuesday, December 13, 2016(Hard copies to Stantec) addressed to the attention of Kelly J Bell, PE, e-mail address: kelly bell2@stantec com Proposals shall be plainly marked in a sealed envelope with the name and address of the proposer ("BIDDER") and the following words:

DEMOLITION PLANS FOR

ASU

CERAMICS STUDIO BUILDING

The DEMOLITION PLANS FOR ASU Ceramics Studio Building proposal i

walls All work must conform to State of Arizona, Arizona Board of Regents, ASU, City of Tempe, and Maricopa County rules and criteria, including applicable public procurement requirements

Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and Bidding Documents may be obtained at the office of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc , located at 6263 N

copy will be available from the ENGINEER by 5:00 AM MST, Tuesday, November 15 The first plan set and associated bidding documents will be provided at no cost to the BIDDER; additional copies of the plan set may be requested at $20 per set; additional copies of the bidding documents (excluding the construction plan set) may be requested at $20 per copy

CATELLUS AZ CONSTRUCTION MGR, LLC ("OWNER") reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any and all technicalities and formalities in bidding The OWNER reserves the right to determine which bids are best, based upon the bid amount, schedule (date of Substantial Completion), and qualification statement, and to award the contract fo r construction on this basis No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after opening of bids A MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, December 6, at 11:00 am MST (Prime Contractors only), in the offices of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc , located at 6263 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 A site visit to the building will be available immediately following the preb i d c o n f e

any other time without the ENGINEERʼS attendance and OWNERʼS consent

Please confirm your intention to bid with Kelly J. Bell, PE of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. at 480.219.8523 or kelly.bell2@stantec.com.

Publish: East Valley Tribune, November 20, 27, 2016 / 3138

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

BID OPENING: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016, AT 11:00 A M (M S T )

TRACS NO 017 MA 197 H873101C 017 MA 199 H873201C

PROJ NO FA-017-A(236)T FA- 017-A(237)T TERMINI PHOENIX-CORDES PHOENIX-CORDES JUNCTION HWY (I-17) JUNCTION HWY (I-17) LOCATION 19TH AVENUE TI OP JEFFERSON STREET TI UP

The amount programmed for this contract is $750,000 The location and description of the proposed work are as follows: T h e p r o p o s e d w o r k i s l o c a

Phoenix along Interstate 17 (I-17) at milepost (MP) 197 97 at 19th Avenue Overpass and milepost (MP) 199 56 at Jefferson Street Underpass The approximate total length of the work is 0 02 miles The proposed work consists of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) wrapping to

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

SECOND ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

BID OPENING: (FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016), AT 11:00 A M (M S T )

TRACS NO 040 CN 218 H873401C

PROJ NO NH-040-D(232)T

TERMINI FLAGSTAFF – HOLBROOK HWY (I-40) LOCATION TWIN ARROWS TI UP

ROUTE NO MILEPOST DISTRICT ITEM NO I-40 218 8 to 219 9 NORTHCENTRAL 53214

The amount programmed for this contract is $5,900,000 The location and description of the proposed work are as follows:

The work is located in Coconino County on Interstate 40 at the Twi n Arrows TI The work begins at milepost 218 8 and extends to mile post 219 9 The work includes removing, replacing, and widening the Twin Arrows TI bridge deck, abutments and approach slabs; new pier, new slope paving; new steel bridge girders; removing existing Twin Arrows EB on and off ramps; constructing new on and off ramps; signing and pavement marking; lighting; and other related work

Project plans, special provisions, and proposal pamphlets, as electronic fil es, 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 $70

Published: East Valley Tribune, November 27, December 4, 2016 / 3226

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

BID OPENING: FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017, AT 11:00 A M (M S T )

TRACS NO 093 MO 098 H880401C PROJ NO NH-093-B(214)T TERMINI WICKENBURG – KINGMAN HIGHWAY (US 93) LOCATION CATTLE CHUTE PASS ROAD

The amount programmed for this contract is $1,350,000 The location and description of the proposed work are as follows:

The proposed work is located in Mohave County on Cattle Chute Pass Road from US 93 to Windmill Ranch Road and Windmill Ranch Road from Cattle Ch ute Pass Road extending 830 feet south The project is approximately 25 miles north of Wikieup The work includes constructing pipe and concrete box culverts, constructing channels, reconstructing the existing roadway, replacing pavement markings 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, R

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 $24

Publish: East Valley Tribune November 27, December 4, 2016 / 3293

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to try the latest digital technology in hearing aids

latest digital technology in hearing aids

technology in hearing aids

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with hearing loss?

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with hearing loss?

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with hearing loss?

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with hearing loss?

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with hearing loss?

hearing loss?

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

We need 36 people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy situations, to evaluate the new style in digital technology from NuEar. We will perform thorough hearing consultations FREE of charge to ALL callers. We will then choose 36 qualified candidates for this program.

MEET

MEET

MEET

MEET

MEET

MEET

December 5, 6, 7 & 8

NuEar Factory Specialist

Dr. Jane Petersen

NuEar Factory Specialist Dr. Jane Petersen

NuEar Factory Specialist

Dr. Jane Petersen

NuEar Factory Specialist Dr. Jane Petersen

NuEar Factory Specialist Dr. Jane Petersen

NuEar Factory Specialist Dr. Jane Petersen

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Jane’s experience gives her tremendous insight into the problems and frustrations that accompany hearing loss and the exciting solutions that are now available. Her time is dedicated 100% to traveling across the country to help people with all types of hearing loss.

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with Jane!

REWARD

REWARD

REWARD

REWARD

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

Candidates selected will receive tremendous savings due to their participation.

more audible by keeping loud sounds comfortable and boosting soft sounds

by keeping loud sounds

g Stream TV, music and more to your hearing aids

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the life of the hearing instruments.

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the life of the hearing instruments.

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the life of the hearing instruments.

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the life of the hearing instruments.

of the hearing instruments.

If your evaluation shows hearing improvement with the new NOW hearing aids, you may choose to retain them and receive up to $1,500 OFF the suggested retail price!* Participants who choose to keep the hearing instruments will also receive FREE in‑office maintenance for the life of the hearing instruments.

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for this program!

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for this program!

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for this program!

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for this program!

Please call immediately to schedule your evaluation to determine if you are a