Peoria Times 111022

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WESTMARC Best of the West award winners announced

WESTMARC,or the Western Maricopa Coalition, which is a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, the business communi ty and the educational sector in the West Valley, recently held the 30th annual Best of the West Awards dinner. Winners were spread from numerous cities around the West Valley.

Held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 27, the evening recognized the West Valley’s emerging leaders, investments and programs.

WESTMARC recognized great pro

grams positively impacting the region. The categories were Excellence in Inno vation, Economic Engine, Quality of Life Enhancement – Education, Quality of Life Enhancement – Community, and Quality of Life Enhancement – Education.

Excellence in Innovation City of Peoria Police Department Training Academy

Economic Engine Goodyear Civic Square – GSQ

Quality of Life Enhancement –Community Mission of Mercy Arizona

Quality of Life Enhancement –

Education

Northern Arizona University/Littleton and Tolleson Elementary School District Partnership to Grow our Own Teachers

In addition, the WESTMARC Board of Directors recognized projects and individu als that inspire leadership and advances the West Valley.

Inspiration in Leadership Award Dr. Kathleen Geoppinger, Midwestern University

LibertyHigh School and Centennial High School clashed on Friday, Nov. 4, at Liberty High School, in a highstakes matchup in which the win ner would be named the Region Champion for the 6A Desert Val ley.

In the end, the Lions stayed king of the jungle, as they outlasted the Coyotes by a score of 24-14.

“We’re very proud of it,” Liber ty head coach Colin Thomas said. “And obviously we are looking forward to keep moving on.”

The “Peoria Bowl” has been an intense matchup for the better part of a decade, creating close games and a rivalry that hasn’t disap pointed. These two programs have clashed seven times since 2016, most of which have had the same playoff and region implications that this matchup had.

After Centennial hopped out to an early 2-0 series lead, Liberty went on to win three of the next five meetings. Last Friday’s win squared the series at four wins a piece.

Nine individuals indicted on drug trafficking and money laundering

Backon Sept. 28, a grand jury in Phoenix returned a 34-count indictment against nine indi viduals for drug trafficking and money laundering.

The individuals are as follows:

• Yvette Porras-Ochoa, 40, of Wittmann.

• Ricardo Ochoa, 41, of Mesa.

• Kourtney Moore, 40, of Akron, Ohio.

• George Martinez-Aviles, M.D.,

LIBERTY FROM PAGE 1

In 2020, fresh off the heels of a 6A state championship victory, Thomas took over the head coaching duties from Mark Smith at Liberty. He had been serving as the team’s offensive coordi nator.

The change proved fruitful, as the Lions have made the Open Division

55, of Peoria, Arizona.

• Vanessa Quijada, 36, of Phoenix.

• Josefina Thomas, 57, of Glendale.

• A ngel Borunda, 26, of Odessa, Texas.

• I bis Efren Miranda Hernandez, 43, of Peoria.

• K ristel Pimentel, 37, of Buckeye.

A 2021 investigation revealed that Martinez-Aviles, M.D.; Porras-Ochoa; Ochoa; Moore; Quijada; Thomas and Pimentel each conspired to distribute oxycodone knowingly and intention ally, and to distribute promethazine-co

deine outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

In addition, Porras-Ochoa, Moore, Ochoa and Borunda each face addi tional charges for conspiring to dis tribute cocaine for profit. Lastly, Moore also faces additional charges for posses sion with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Six of the defendants were also charged with related money laundering offenses.

Over the course of this investiga tion, law enforcement officers seized cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, pro

methazine-codeine, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identi fies, disrupts and dismantles the high

playoffs in both years that Thomas has assumed control. He has taken the pro gram to heights unseen, and Liberty was recently ranked in the country’s top 25 by MaxPreps for the first time in program history at No. 16.

Centennial has had a similar path of dominance, with the exception of last

year, where the Coyotes scraped to gether a 3-8 season. After making the 6A playoffs, they bowed out in the first round, losing 20-19 to Mesa Red Moun tain.

“Last year we couldn’t get in the weight room and lift regularly,” Cen tennial head coach Richard Taylor said.

“We only had five kids that could bench 300 pounds.”

This season started off on a similar note to the last, with a loss to Chandler Hamilton. Then something clicked. The Coyotes went on an impressive sev

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WINNERS FROM PAGE 1 Regional Advancement Award Central Arizona Project

President’s Choice Award

Representative Joanne Osborne

President’s Choice Award

Representative Lorenzo Sierra

“WESTMARC is the West Valley’s true champion,” said Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO of WESTMARC. “Our members and leaders have been highlighting great people and projects for the past 30 years. As this region and state continues to grow, it’s important to ensure we’re preparing the future

TRAFFICKING FROM PAGE 3

est-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a pros ecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach.

Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at justice.gov/OCDETF.

The Drug Enforcement Adminis

leaders to take the helm and make even greater advancements. I’m excited that our newest program — West Valley Emerging Leader Impact — is doing just that.”

This year, WESTMARC presented a new award — the Emerging Leader Impact Award. The award recognizes individuals who are 40 years of age or younger, living and working in the West Valley, and making an impact in their community. There were five rounds of nominations, and the finalist of each round was considered for the award.

The winner of the inaugural award was Sebastian Porchini, who is a senior vice president at FirstBank.

“Young talent attraction and retention has been an ongoing dialogue, region ally for the past several years. As the West Valley continues to grow, we are keenly aware of the importance of illus trating the diverse, skilled and talented workforce that we have, for the purpose of business attraction and economic de velopment,” said Kimberly Jordan, ex ecutive vice president of WESTMARC.

“WESTMARC actively works to iden tify ways to engage young professionals in regional strategy, planning and prob lem solving, to provide a platform for engagement and strengthen community

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tration led the investigation with sig nificant contributions from Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Marshals Service, the Phoenix Police Department, the Sur prise Police Department, the Peoria Police Department, the Glendale Police

Department and the Goodyear Police Department.

The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is han dling the prosecution.

For more information on the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit justice.gov/az. PT

en-game tear that included many close games. Each prepared them for their toughest matchup yet.

Overall, this matchup is a rivalry down to its core. Separated by only sev en miles, these two schools are compet ing for much more than just a football game, as the winner takes home the top spot in the city.

“A lot of our guys know their play ers,” Taylor said. “It’s like playing against your brothers. You don’t want to lose to them.”

The Nov. 4 edition of the game came with a packed crowd. Both home and away grandstands were filled to the brim.

The game itself, though, got off to a slow start, as each of the team’s first drives resulted in punts, as neither team would give an inch. But it was Liberty who would strike first, as their special teams unit came through with a blocked punt, leading to a recovery and touch down for Wesley Grim, setting the pace at 7-0 Liberty.

Centennial would strike back quick

ly. An 11-play drive was spearheaded by running back Kavaughn Clark, who would cap it off with a 5-yard touch down, knotting the score at 7-7.

After turning the ball over to Centen nial, Liberty responded with stout de fense to get the ball back after the mo mentum shift. A 67-yard drive, ended with a power run by running back Noah Olson, putting Liberty ahead 14-7 and ending the scoring for the half.

The intense rivalry showed itself throughout the course of the game, as there were a number of unsportsman like conduct penalties from tensions flaring up.

familiar situation for freshman Kainan Manna, who had previously come in relief of Urquiza earlier in the year to overcome Phoenix Sandra Day O’Con nor.

Manna did not disappoint, as his first pass was a beautiful rainbow with the pot of gold waiting at the end in the form of a 50-yard touchdown to receiv er Angelo Matamoros, tightening the score to 24-14 with 2:46 seconds left.

The effort would prove too little too late, though, as Liberty closed out the game, securing the “Peoria Bowl” for the Lions. This game, like all of the oth er matchups, was intense and close to

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Peoria offers water rebates

The city of Peoria offers five wa ter-saving rebates to Peoria water cus tomers who wish to be more conscious of their water use. Rebates include a $100 high-efficiency toilet rebate, a “treebate” of up to $50 for planting an approved tree species, a credit of up to $250 for purchasing and installing a new smart irrigation controller re viewed by WaterSense, as well as xe riscape rebates and incentives.

Info: peoriaaz.gov/rebates, vimeo. com/747376415/19987f224e

Peoria receives economic development award for business videos

The city of Peoria was recently pre sented with an economic development award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED)

for the creation of “Open for Business – Every Entrepreneurs Dream Peo ria.” The series was recognized with the Award of Merit: Multimedia Pro motion at the annual AAED Fall Fo rum. Peoria helped support its business community by providing video promo tion via social media channels. More than 100 local business videos were created, resulting in more than 186,000 views on Facebook alone.

Info: peoriaaz.info/openforbusiness. PT

WINNERS FROM PAGE 4

involvement. We received 22 outstand ing nominations for the 2022 West Val ley Emerging Leaders Impact Award.

“Sincere congratulations to Sebastian Porchini, for all of the ways he is work ing to make a positive impact in our communities and for our resident.” PT

OnElection Day 2022, our state had precisely 2,707,396 registered Republicans and Dem ocrats.

This column isn’t for you.

This piece is for the rest of us, the dregs of Arizona politics, the 1,436,533 registered voters who belong to neither political party but still must pick from the measly buffet of candidates served by the Rs and the Ds.

To quote a Democrat president who won this state in 1996, “I feel your pain.”

Deep in my guts. Because voting this year is the political equivalent of a star vation diet.

I’m writing a few days before we go to the polls, amid the usual onslaught of last-minute TV ads warning that the other candidate is Lucifer. I’ve already mailed in my ballot.

I’ll admit I copped out on a few rac es, writing in the late Grant Woods, our state’s former attorney general, in a couple of instances.

I did so for two reasons: One, Grant was the funniest guy I know and he would have appreciated the irony. And two, even dead for a year, Grant would do a better job as a leader than many of the purportedly alive candidates who made the ballot.

That’s because Grant, a Republican throughout his political career, was cut from the same cloth as John McCain, the last politician I truly admired. In 2008, during his second unsuccessful run for president, Parade magazine asked McCain to define patriotism. His answer is one I believe with all my heart.

“Patriotism,” McCain wrote, “is deeper than its symbolic expressions, than sentiments about place and kin ship that move us to hold our hands over our hearts during the national an them.

“It is putting the country first, be fore party or personal ambition, before anything. It is the willing acceptance of Americans, both those whose roots

here extend back over generations and those who arrived only yesterday, to try to make a nation in which all people share in the promise and responsibili ties of freedom.”

Country before party? It’s the sort of slogan you might see on a political but ton from the 1950s beside an “I Like Ike” pin.

This election — even before the in evitable weeks of warfare over the re sults — feels like two sides bombing each other with heavy artillery, de stroying the village to save it.

Meanwhile, the rest of must live amid the ruins.

Many of you have written to me over

Pelosi attack used to distract from issues

a doubt, the timing was purely coincidental.

In late 1964, Shirley Ellis recorded a memorable melody, with a nod toward novelty.

“The Name Game” zoomed up the charts, and into childhood memories. For kids then, as well as kids now, it has become a staple of youthful singa longs from daycare to day camp.

Unintentionally, its title also captures the essence of an enduring campaign tactic brutally and effectively em ployed in that American election year.

Child’s play it ain’t… but name-call ing it is.

For Lyndon Johnson, who had longed for the presidency from boyhood, only to assume it in sudden and awful fash ion, the goal was obvious.

LBJ had to find a way to move past the trauma of Jack Kennedy’s assassi nation to his own electoral confirma tion.

WithoutThat path went right through Arizo na’s Barry Goldwater.

To detract from his own Texas-sized flaws, Lyndon sought to bury Barry by calling Goldwater an “extremist.”

Aided by a press corps eager to serve as an “echo chamber” (sound famil iar?) and an infamously memorable TV ad that juxtaposed a little girl pulling petals off a daisy with the detonation of a nuclear bomb, it worked.

That’s why virtually every GOP nominee in almost every campaign since has been hit with the same sobri quet.

Conservatives may find this partic ular political “Name Game” lame, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t fash ioned their own. In fact, Republicans simply tagged it with a more business like title. GOPers say they “define”

their opponents, while Democrats de cry such definition as defamation.

But it is difficult to dispute the devo lution of the Democratic Party. What was once a collection of classic “New Deal” liberals has morphed into a sanc tuary for socialists sympathetic to the so-called “Green New Deal.”

Of course, the “green” of that newest deal isn’t our environment; instead it is the green of money. The wealth trans fer from taxpayers to “alternative ener gy entrepreneurs,” also known as top Dem donors, adds up to what should really be called a “Raw Deal.”

And speaking of raw deals, what about the “Bidenizing” the American people have endured over the past two years? Record inflation has devalued paychecks and increased the cost of gas and groceries.

An open border has resulted in a re cord influx of illegals, jeopardizing both our economic and national secu rity. And our military policy, enmeshed

in adherence to “woke” doctrine, sleepwalks right past clear and present dangers.

And enabling Ol’ Joe at every turn have been Democrat majorities in the House and Senate. Look for that to change on Election Day.

While attaching a label to political opponents may help define them, doc umenting their performance in office — or lack thereof — is a crucial factor in defeating them.

But as this column is being written, another important tactic has unfolded in real time: the “October Surprise.” And, as befits its arrival on Hallow een Weekend, the details are as sad ly shocking as they are maddeningly “evolving.”

When reports of an attack on the hus band of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi first appeared Oct. 28, there was the immediate and understandably human

response of concern and compassion.

People of all political persuasions set aside argument for prayerful appeals that Paul Pelosi would recover from an apparent hammer attack by an assailant who somehow gained entrance to the Pelosi family home in San Francisco. And then, it started.

Rahm Emmanuel’s Rule — “You never let a serious crisis go to waste” — was followed at a frantic pace. Joe Biden used the “bully pulpit” of the presidency to place the blame directly on the GOP.

Press accounts claimed that the al leged attacker, David DePape, operated “far-right websites,” though that would seem difficult for a man described as a homeless drug addict who occasional ly sought refuge in a broken-down bus parked outside the home of his ex-wife in Berkeley.

Moreover, a neighbor regarded De

Pape and his former spouse as “very left … all about the Black Lives Matter movement … Gay Pride … detached from reality.”

The reality is that this attack — de spite its tragic nature — has served to distract and detract from the issues heretofore front and center in the cam paign.

The timing? Sadly coincidental.

J.D. Hayworth represented Arizona in the U.S. House from 1995-2007. He authored and sponsored the Enforce ment First Act, legislation that would have mandated enforcement of federal immigration law in the 109th Congress.

Hayworth worked as a sportscaster at Channel 10, Phoenix, from 1987 until 1994 and represented Arizona in Congress from 1995-2007.

the years to tell me off for being too rabid a conservative (when I write in favor of the death penalty) or a flaming liberal (when I dabble in social issues like gay marriage).

The truth is, I am both of those things, not unlike about 1.4 million of our Ari zona neighbors. I don’t swill the KoolAid on Fox News. Nor do I follow the party line as espoused by MSNBC and the grating likes of Rachel Maddow.

I don’t think you’re a badass be cause you have an “FJB” sticker on your bumper or a “Let’s Go Brandon” flag on your porch. At the same time, I have shaken my head pretty much nonstop for the past two years of the Biden presidency.

Even so, if the alternative is Donald

Trump in this “lesser of two evils” sys tem of ours, then yes, I’m glad the 2020 election ended as it did — with a Biden victory because he won, not because he stole it in some far-fetched fantasy.

It has become popular in GOP circles to scream “Stop The Steal.” I agree.

Not the theft of an election, which didn’t happen.

Stop the steal of our country by two parties who put their own interest be fore America’s. That’s the real steal and there seems to be no stopping it. PT

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

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Health care real estate firm rebrands, adds representation

Fresh off the celebration of its fifth anniversary, Peoria-based Wakeman Integrity is rebrand ing to Integrity CRE and its West Val ley office continues to grow.

Founded in 2017 by the company’s president, Melynn Wakeman, Integri ty CRE is a woman-owned commer cial brokerage firm specializing in health care real estate. In addition to its recent rebrand and growth news, Integrity CRE is now representing Hammes Partners, a national invest ment management firm focused ex clusively on health care real estate, on a new 45,000-square-foot medical

office building development in Buck eye.

“We are excited to be representing a leading, national health care developer and investor on a new medical office building development in the Phoenix market,” Wakeman said.

Joining Integrity CRE are market ing coordinator Kathleen Soberano, operations consultant Tami Conrad son and real estate assistant Cassan dra Harmon.

Soberano will be responsible for as sisting the office administrator in dai ly tasks and building and executing multiple marketing campaigns to help expand the firm’s real estate brand. She will help strategize, execute and manage a variety of ad campaigns to market new listings from beginning to end. Soberano will do so in collabo ration with help from public relations, operations and real estate agent teams.

A native of the Philippines, Sobera no holds a BA and was a communica tions major in multimedia arts. Away from the office, she and her husband love to travel, go on long motorcycle rides, spend time at the beach, camp with friends, or simply unwind at a lo cal coffee shop.

Conradson, a former manager and franchise owner of a national printing business, will be responsible for over seeing active transaction construction projects, enhancing the CRM data management system, managing mar keting Integrity CRE listings, han dling tenant representation tasks and pipeline and leads reports, assisting in process management and in the man agement of staff.

Prior to joining Integrity CRE, Con radson was a property manager for a health care properties company. She has been a certified property manager and is a certified notary signing agent. She owns the company, Stamp It Mo

bile Notary.

A native of Aurora, Ohio, Conrad son moved to Arizona in 1985 with her husband and their two children. Away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchil dren. She is an avid reader.

Harmon’s duties will include tenant representation, market research, client relationship ambassador, cold calling, listing properties, landlord representa tion, as well as assisting in day-to-day operations. She previously worked as a personnel coordinator for a pediat ric care facility and performed several tasks including interviewing and hir ing RNs and LPNs, performing back ground checks, and aiding with field staff on EMR systems.

A Phoenix native, Harmon is study ing for her real estate license. Away from the office she enjoys spending time with family, camping, hunting, and watching her children play sports.

“We are thrilled to have Kat, Tami and Cassi join our team at Integrity CRE and are looking forward to an exciting, productive year,” Wakeman said.

For more information, visit

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Josh Doan looks to shine for ASU and Coyotes

Thename Doan is synonymous with hockey excellence in the Valley.

Shane Doan retired after an all-star career with the Arizona Coyotes, for whom he now works in the front office. His son, Josh, looks to continue that leg acy by captaining the Sun Devils hock ey team before moving on to the Yotes, who drafted him 37th overall in 2021.

Shane is Josh’s biggest inspiration.

“He’s been a huge figure for me on and off the ice,” Josh said. “Most im portantly, he keeps me grounded and in the loop of what I need to do to main tain focus on the ice and off the ice. Any time I have a question I go to him and he’s ready to answer.”

Josh and Shane dropped the ceremo nial first puck during the Coyotes’ home opener at Mullett Arena on Oct. 28.

With the impact of his father’s legacy felt in the Coyotes organization, Josh will look to carve his own story.

Hockey presents a unique opportunity for athletes, as it is one of the only sports where they can be drafted and still play for a college team. For Josh, it is exciting to be affiliated with his father’s team.

“That part is really cool. There are not a lot of people who get the opportunity — especially to be drafted by the team that your dad played for,” he said.

While Josh is looking for ward to playing for the Coy otes, he’s not overlooking his current experience as a Sun Devil.

Josh Doan was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes 37th overall in 2021. (ASU Athletics/Submitted)

“You can’t look into the future because you’re going to miss the time you are hav ing right now,” he said. “If I were to look past this, then I would miss all the memories of being in a Division I sport

and playing at Arizona State University, which people would die to do. It’s prob ably the best time I’ve had so far in my life. It is something that, a couple years down the road, I’ll cherish.”

It’s a new day for Josh and the Sun Devils, as they recently moved into Mullett Arena. Ironically, the Sun Dev ils share the state-of-the-art 5,000-seat venue with the Coyotes, who agreed to play there until 2025, with an option to stay until 2026.

In his short time there, Josh has made history by scoring the first goal in the arena on Oct. 14 in a 2-0 win against Colgate.

Mullett Arena is one of the ‘greatest event experiences’

Arizona Coyotes player Chris tian Fischer told ESPN+ that ASU’s new Mullett Arena has as much — if not more — energy than any other NHL venue.

According to Mullett Arena general manager Joe Sheridan, that was the goal in hosting college hockey and, for at least two years, the NHL.

“I think both will feel a little differ ent,” Sheridan said.

“ASU, being a college program and being new to a big arena like this is very exciting for them, the students and fans. For the Coyotes, this will also be new for them, and they will use their resources to make it a great experience for their fans. It will be similar, though, in the sense that the same bells and whistles will be used by both teams.”

Mullett Arena holds only 5,000

seats, as opposed to Desert Diamond Arena, formerly Gila River Arena, which seats 18,300. This makes it the

smallest facility in the NHL.

“We only have one seating bowl, whereas other arenas have multiple

levels,” Sheridan said.

“The best part is that there is not a bad seat in the house. Everyone is close to the action.”

The Coyotes and Sun Devils games feature a student section and all the amenities fans can expect in other venues.

“It really has all the amenities that other major arenas have, just on a smaller scale,” Sheridan said.

Concessions include Big Chicken, Venezia’s Pizza, and Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers. Club seat holders can enjoy the Coors Light Club Chill on the second level, which boasts a full-service bar and buffet station.

The arena features 20 standard size suites and two group party suites on the third level, which houses the Dos Equis Double Deck.

“It can be used for private events and private groups with its own ca

a lot of guys who played in this orga nization for years before me who never got an opportunity to do so. So, just to be put in the position where I got the chance to do that was obviously special. It’s definitely exciting, but there are a lot of guys who came before who could have deserved that goal as well.”

The Sun Devils may be off to a slow start to the season — 4-4-0 as of Oct. 28 — but Josh said the Sun Devils can turn it around. The season runs through mid-March.

“This team is a team that’s going to mesh,” he said. “We are a younger team that has a lot of guys from all over the world coming together.”

Nevertheless, the buildup to the Coy otes has been great.

“It’s been awesome,” he said. “Mak ing it to the NHL has been my dream.”

PT

Sun Devils Hockey

The next game is 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Mullett Arena, 411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe thesundevils.com

tering functions, and it is a stand ing-room-only hospitality area,” he said.

Mullett Arena is slated to host con certs and shows as well, making it a multipurpose facility, Sheridan said.

“We encourage people to come ear ly (to games) so they can experience a band, or a DJ, food and beverage offerings, and the games,” Sheridan said.

“I think fans can expect to have one of the greatest event experiences at Mullett Arena.” PT

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Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timeslocalmedia.com

Pasquarella, MD and Sonia Sandhu, MD.

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Now seeing patients at our Glendale and Sun City offices.

Anthony Pasquarella, MD and Sonia Sandhu, MD.

Anthony Pasquarella, MD and Sonia Sandhu, MD.

Now seeing patients at our Glendale and Sun City offices.

Our comprehensive cancer centers offer a multidisciplinary approach to our patients. Services include Radiation & Medical Oncology, Women's Oncology services, CT & PET diagnostic imaging, state of the art radiation the latest chemo & immunotherapy treatments, along with open enrollment of a wide variety of research studies. Having all these services under one roof allows for daily collaboration among the different specialties and expedited personalized care in your neighborhood.

Now seeing patients at our Glendale and Sun City offices.

Our comprehensive cancer centers offer a multidisciplinary approach to our patients. Services include Radiation & Medical Oncology, Women's Oncology services, CT & PET diagnostic imaging, state of the art radiation the latest chemo & immunotherapy treatments, along with open enrollment of a wide variety of research studies. Having all these services under one roof allows for daily collaboration among the different specialties and expedited personalized care in your neighborhood.

Our comprehensive cancer centers offer a multi-disciplinary approach to our patients. Services include Radiation & Medical Oncology, Women’s Oncology services, CT & PET diagnostic imaging, state of the art radiation the latest chemo & immunotherapy treatments, along with open enrollment of wide variety of research studies. Having all these services under one roof allows for dailly collaboration among the different specialties and expedited personalized care in your neighborhood.

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL 623-312-3000

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL 623-312-3000

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5810 W. BEVERLY LN GLENDALE, AZ 85306 14810 N. DEL WEBB BLVD. UNIT 3 SUN CITY, AZ 85351

5810 W. BEVERLY LN GLENDALE, AZ 85306 14810 N. DEL WEBB BLVD. UNIT 3 SUN CITY, AZ 85351

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Not getting enough physical activity can lead to heart disease, even if you have no other risk factors. Just 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day can have significant health benefits. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine, particularly if you have pre-existing conditions. Ready to get off the couch and take control of your heart health? Give us a call today.

Phoenix celebrates the Italian mainstay

DavidTyda contends that Phoe nix is a top city for pizza.

“I say to people that I believe Phoenix is the pizza capital of the U.S. and I wait for them to slap me across the face,” said Tyda, the co-manager of Phoenix Festivals.

“But it’s so crazy how many different styles of pizza are represented here and the people doing those styles are mas ters at it. We have such good pizza here in town, so we should celebrate it.”

Tyda is bringing the family-friendly Phoenix Pizza Festival back to Down town Phoenix’s Margaret T. Hance Park

Saturday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 13.

About 20 pizza vendors are expected. They include Bored Baker Pizza Mak er, Copper State Pizza, Fabio, Florid ino’s Pizza Muffins, Hot Daisy Pizza, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Road Running Wood Fired Pizza and Zombie Bones.

Last year, the pizza festival had a re cord-setting 8,000 attendees, and this year they are hoping to see returning and new faces in the crowd. Tickets for the event are $16 and must be purchased in advance.

Pizza slices are $3 to $6, and vendors keep that. The event benefits Down town Phoenix Inc.

“The festival is a great way to sup port small, local businesses,” Tyda said.

“They set their own prices and try to keep them competitive as possible. So, you’ll see slices as low as $3. Then you’ll get a big New York slice that might be loaded up for $6.

“It’s pretty affordable because you pay as you go. Some of these other fes tivals that are all-inclusive are at a high er-priced ticket. Our festival puts the spending in the attendee’s hand. So, if somebody doesn’t want to spend much and just have a day at the park, then they can do that. But somebody who wants to gorge themselves on pizza and have a bunch of drinks and then Uber home, they can do that, too.”

In addition to having the pizza ven dors, there will be dessert booths from

the likes of Cactus Corn, Phoenix Phreeze Hawaiian Shave Ice, Berry Ka bobs and Udder Delights Ice Cream.

Huss Brewing, New Belgium beer, Bogle wines and Mule 2.0 cocktails in a can will offer their beverages.

Musicians will provide the soundtrack. Tyda’s partner in Phoenix Festivals, Lisa Duffield, curated the lineup, which includes Mississippi Nova, Jane N’ the Jungle, Gus D’ Wynns & the Breakers, and the Lonesome Wilderness.

“Lisa is a local music scene fan, and she really keeps tabs on who’s hot and she pays attention to putting together a really good music lineup for our live

1 Annual amount based on possible monthly or quarterly amounts. 2 Allowance amount does not carry over to the next

The Peoria Times publishes on Thursday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Times’ coverage area, which is Peoria.

Weekly calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County will be available to answer questions for the public regarding plant selection, irrigation, fertilization, pruning techniques, pest management and problem diagnosis, among other topics. Those who are interested may bring insect specimens for advice and identification.

Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free, peoriaaz.gov

a brand-new song.

Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, 5 to 7 p.m., free, peoriaaz.gov

Property Management Workshop NOV. 16

Take a free property management workshop with the city of peoria and learn the all important ins and outs of the many management issues you might encounter.

Pumpkin Taste Testing

NOV. 11

Pumpkin fanatics ages 8 to 18 are invited to take a taste test of a wide variety of pumpkin-themed food products. Take a bite and rate based on how good each one tastes.

Lakeview Branch Library, 1137 W. Lake Avenue, Peoria, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., free, peoriapubliclibrary.org

Veterans Day Ceremony NOV.

11

Honor the veterans that fought to protect America this Veterans Day. A special ceremony will be held at the Honor Wall to remember those who died and those who returned as heroes.

Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, 8 a.m., free, 623773-7133

Ask a Master Gardener

NOV. 12

Have questions about your garden?

Volunteers from the University of Arizona

Drum Arizona NOV. 12

Celebrate Native American heritage month with a traditional drum circle. Learn a Native American song and hoop dance, and get a chance to play the large PowWow drums.

Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, 2 to 3 p.m., free, peoriaaz.gov

Tuesday Night Acoustic Jam Sessions

NOV. 15

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Thursday to be considered for the following Thursday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuo co-Karasinski, christina@timeslocalmedia.com. PIZZA FROM PAGE 14

When working with any musical instrument, it’s important to practice as often as you can and get time with others to figure out your style. Come by to the library and figure out what works, and maybe find the start of

Peoria City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, 1 to 3 p.m., free, peoriaaz.gov/ government/departments/finance/sales-taxand-license

Drought Awareness and Water Conservation Event

NOV. 16

Members of the public are invited to learn more about the droughts and problems that come with it that are affecting the West Coast. Learn more about water conservation, how it’s important and what you can do. Lunch will be provided to all attendees. Please RSVP via email.

Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, noon to 2 p.m., free, peoriasupport@peoriaaz.gov PT

music stage,” Tyda said. “I wouldn’t call it a local music festival, but we pay a lot of attention to the lineup and make sure that we’ve highlighted up-and-coming local talent.”

There will also be plenty of lawn games for kids and adults to play while eating pizza.

“We have large-scale lawn games that are produced by this company called AZ Board Source, and they bring out cornhole sets and giant Jenga and giant

Connect Four,” Tyda said. PT

IF YOU GO

Phoenix Pizza Festival

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

WHERE: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix

COST: $16 in advance only

INFO: 480-442-9176, phoenix.pizza

CHURCH-COMMUNITY CONNECTION

story is told of a man who lives on a beautiful farm. When he died, the prop erty, which had been in the family for over 200 years, was sold to one of the neighbors. One day, the new owner was walking in a field when he noticed an odd-looking rock sticking out of the dirt. He took it home, washed it, and then took it to the jewelers. The jeweler confirmed what the own

Theer already suspected. The old stone, which had been in the field for thou sands of years, was a large, uncut em erald worth several million dollars. The gemstone had been in the field all along, waiting for someone to come along and discover it. Over the years, people had walked past the cloaked emerald thou sands of times and overlooked it be cause it looked like nothing more than an ordinary rock. But unfortunately, we rarely see what we are not looking for. When we discover something, we find something that already exists even though we were unaware of it. You need to see “it” before you can be “it” or ex perience “it.” It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see that mat

ters. Returning to our emerald example, the original owners looked at the stone for many years, but the new owner saw it. The original owners cognized the rock; they knew about it. However, the new owner “re-cognized” the stone and did something about it. There’s a big difference there. All of us live under the same sky, but not all of us see the same horizon.

Author Mike Murdock enlightens us with the Principle of Recognition. “Whatever you don’t recognize, you don’t appreciate. Whatever you don’t appreciate, you don’t celebrate. What ever you don’t celebrate, may eventu ally exit your life.” In other words, the opportunity of a lifetime must be taken

in the lifetime of the opportunity. And when opportunity wants to dance with you, you better be on the dance floor. Do you know what the definition of P.O.O.R. is? It’s Passing Over Oppor tunities Repeatedly.

Consider this statement. There could be something you are not recognizing today, and it could be costing you dear ly. It’s right under your nose. It’s the matter that really matters in your life, but for some reason, you keep walk ing by the emerald in your field. Just like the new owner who recognized the emerald, identifying your emerald could take you from the outhouse to

the penthouse. And when you act upon what you need to act upon, you discov er the emerald in your field. Converse ly, nothing happens if nothing happens. Just ask those former owners.

As a pastor and employer since 1974, I’ve had Christian and non-Christian people call or come to me and say, “I’m overwhelmed with all my prob lems. I’m in a crisis.” Being one who has been in the same “over-problemed, under-achieving” predicament as the people were in, I shared an emerald of truth I discovered in my difficult times. Here’s the emerald of truth. Believe it or not, most people don’t have many problems. They have one main problem that is causing all the other problems. It’s like a log jam. One log falls across the river, and the other logs coming down the river stack behind that one log. Not much will happen if you focus on the logs stacked behind the big log.

Alan Jackson sang the song, “Livin’ on Love.” Attention: The bank doesn’t ac cept love notes!

How about relationship problems? Guys, you don’t want to deal with it? “I’m not emotional.” Yes, you are. You keep shoving it down. Quit suppress ing, repressing and expressing, and start confessing. Your marriage is separat ing, and in another year, the gap may be so wide that you won’t live in the same home. Stop pretending. Love is grand. Divorce is a hundred grand. Maybe you’re in a dating relationship and say ing, “He completes me.” But those who love you say, “He’s completely wrong.”

On the positive side, maybe it’s a business you need to start, a new career path, launch a new ministry, make new business contacts, form new alliances, enlarge your borders, or make things right where you can. Accept the chal lenge! (Thanks to Pastor Dan Steffan from Pure Heart Church for some of these “log” thoughts.)

ages) 9:15 am Morning Worship ........................10:30 am Youth Discipleship 4:45 pm

Wednesdays: Adult Bible Study & Prayer 6:00 pm Children/Youth ..............................6:30 pm

Dr. Mark Mucklow, Pastor

8340 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305

Information 623.334.9482

Ron G. Rockwell

a.m., 11:00 a.m.

If you remove the big log causing the log jam, all the other logs float down the river. The same is true of problems, remove the one problem creating all the other problems, and many, if not all, of the problems, float down the river. So often, recognizing the one log in our river of life is the way out to the way up. Recognition unleashes the emerald in our field. Aha!

What big log do you need to recognize causing your river to plug up? Maybe it is debt. You may need to sell something to pay off a debt. Say to yourself, “I don’t care what I have to drive, where I live, or what I’ve got to do to get out of this debt.” Then do it. Some of you need to go back to school and finish your education. Start now. You might be thinking, “But I’m in love.” I know

Woot, there it is. Opportunity is often missed because we broadcast when we could be tuning in. PT

Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a non profit organization involved in uplift ing and transforming communities worldwide. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com. For more info, see nationstrategy.com.

Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m.

www.fsbcg.org 10250 N. 59th Ave. 623-937-9216 10935 W. Olive Ave. Peoria 85345 Phone (623) 972-8479 office@westolive.com www.westolive.com Everyone Is Welcome!

Night 7:00 p.m.

For more youth visit peoriatimes.com

Peoria Girl Scout earns award for campus art project

Inspiredby the work of Boston mu ralist Alex Cook, Peoria Girl Scout Cori Borgstadt put her spin on his acclaimed mural project and collabo rated with the artist himself to beautify her high school campus and spread a message of love and acceptance to stu dents and staff.

Her efforts earned her a Gold Award — the highest honor in Girl Scouts.

“I wanted to bring a dramatic change to my former high school that would not only make the school a better and brighter place but also connect stu dents and staff with a universal and life-changing message,” Borgstadt said.

Located under the breezeway of Centennial High School in Peoria, Borgstadt’s mural has a simple mes sage: “You Are Loved.”

Originally created by Cook, the You Are Loved mural project collaborates

with schools, businesses, worship groups and organizations of all types to brighten up spaces. While Cook has painted murals all over the world, the piece created with the local Girl Scout was Cook’s first mural in Arizona. Borgstadt collaborated with Cook to paint the mural and also took the cam pus project as an opportunity to learn

more about the artistic process and the thought that goes into painting an art piece as big and recognizable as this one.

“It was so cool to learn about Alex’s process,” Borgstadt said. “At first, I didn’t know how he was going to tack le such a big project, but watching him was so much fun and I learned how

to paint a public mural, the steps that were involved and about the colors and paint that we used.”

As a busy student preparing to head off to Texas for college, Borgstadt found that her biggest obstacle was working out the time for the project.

Peoria Unified receives grades from Board of Education

TheArizona State Board of Edu cation recently released the A-F letter grades for districts around the state. The formula, that determines school labels, uses a wide range of academic measures, including results from the state-mandated assessment and academic growth.

The district’s overall results show excellent growth with 10 schools mov ing up one letter grade and a total of 37 schools that are labeled “A” (excel lent) or “B” (highly performing).

Each of the high schools in the Peo ria Unified School District (PUSD) received either an “A” or “B” label.

In addition, nine elementary and high schools were within two points of a higher letter grade and are continuing to make academic progress. Included in this is Peoria Elementary School, which has moved up another letter grade from a “B” to an “A” this year. This is the second consecutive jump in their letter grade.

A complete list of PUSD’s school labels is available on its website at peoriaunified.org/lettergrades.

“I am extremely proud of the work taking place in our schools,” said Dr. Jason Reynolds, PUSD superintendent.

“The last two years have undoubtedly presented challenges, but our staff re main committed to supporting student

learning. We have turned these chal lenges into opportunities, and our let ter grades are one example of how we look at growth and improvement.”

The release of labels presents an opportune time to reflect on the multi ple ways the district measures student learning, and the A-F Accountabil ity System is just one of those tools. Throughout the school year, there are many ways teachers assess how stu dents are doing in the classroom, in cluding classwork, homework, quiz zes, projects, and teacher and counselor observations about individual student growth.

The district also measures soft skills such as students’ ability to communi

cate, collaborate and think critically.

“The district is continuing to review these letter grades and is focused on continuous improvement,” PUSD said in a release. “Through the district’s strategic plan and our continuous im provement plan, some of this work has already begun at each of our schools. As we continue to overcome the inter ruption to learning and reimagine what it means to educate students, we re main committed to ensuring that every student reaches their fullest potential.”

To learn more about how PUSD is reimagining teaching and learning, listen to the Peoria Unified Prog ress Report at peoriaunified.org/ progressreport. PT

“The main challenge that we had to overcome was initial scheduling con flicts,” she said. “It was tricky plan ning my summer schedule, as I’m preparing for college with Alex’s work schedule.”

As a Girl Scout of 12 years, Borg stadt’s involvement in the organization has taken her all over the country and helped her build important skills to ap ply in the future.

“Girl Scouts has allowed me to spend more time with my sister and mom,” Borgstadt said. “I have loved getting to travel with my troop to places like Washington, D.C.; New York City; and San Francisco. The Cookie Season has also helped me learn how to commu nicate well with others and expand my marketing skills.”

Known as the highest honor in the Girl Scouts organization, the Gold Award is the culmination of years of hard work and establishes girls as trail blazers as they make a lasting change in their community and the world. Having the Girl Scout Gold Award on

a high school transcript or resume can make anyone stand out when it comes to college admissions, scholarship ap plications, internships and job inter views.

Borgstadt will take her Gold Award experience with her as she attends Tex as Tech University to pursue dual de grees in economics and business man agement and a minor in film and media studies.

As for any other Girl Scouts that are soon embarking on their journey for the Gold Award honor, Borgstadt has a word of advice.

“Choose something that you person ally can get behind as well as some thing that you will enjoy doing,” she said. “It will make all the difference.”

PT

HaveYouth News? Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timeslocalmedia.com

sporting

“I

Team volunteer program manager.

For Atkinson, the award from Lesko is a huge deal. For all of the work he and his team do, the recognition is appreciated.

“They discovered the hole in my office where I fell through the floor when Debbie Lesko’s office called to say that we were getting the Congressional Recognition Award,” Atkinson joked.

“It just means a lot to me,” he added.

“It’s a pat on the back. It’s knowing that a member of the House of Representatives

wanted to thank the HOPE Team and went through the paperwork to have that recognition certified and presented.”

Atkinson said there is no other organization in Maricopa County that does what the HOPE Team does. In fact, nationwide, patients “west of the Mississippi” travel to the Valley to receive what the nonprofit offers.

This year so far, the HOPE Team has raised more than $50,000 for its patients from groups like the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Intel, as well as foundations and other sources.

“A lot of folks understand what we’re

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