Glendale Star 08/10/2023

Jerry Gordon has not been able to properly say goodbye to his daughter, Lisa Geriann Gordon-Esparza, who died in a car crash in Fife, Washington, on July 16.

Bureaucratic red tape and Gordon-Esparza’s husband, Henry Esparza, have kept the family from her, according to Gordon, her biological father.

“Her biological father, her siblings, her grandmother and her mother, we are unable to partake in saying goodbye,” the Glendale resident said.

Esparza did not respond to requests for comment. Gordon is deeply grieving, having found out thirdhand about his daughter’s death.

Glendale is commemorating its Dementia Friendly City status by declaring Saturday, Aug. 12, its second annual Dementia Awareness Day.

With an o cial city proclamation from Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, the commemoration will include a public event to educate the community about dementia. is will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale.

“I’m so thrilled and am extremely passionate about this,” said Michelle Yates, community engagement program manag-

Father says late daughter was ambitious

“I feel like I’m being cheated,” Gordon said. “But, most of all, I feel that she was cheated.” Gordon-Esparza was among six people who died in a two-car collision July 16 in Fife, Washington, at the intersection of State Route 509 and Alexander Avenue.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 11:17 a.m. when a white 2021 BMW X7 with two occupants was traveling northbound on SR 509 approaching the intersection of Alexander Avenue.

At the same time, a gray 2021 Kia Forte

SEE DAUGHTER PAGE 5

Lisa Gordon-Esparza was on the cheerleading squad at Deer Valley High School. (Jerry Gordon/ Submitted)

er for the city of Glendale. “I have not personally dealt with having a loved one going through this terrible disease, but I do work with people who do and these community partners that I work with. And to see what it does to their personal life, the family, the style and the individual living with dementia, they deserve the respect and dignity, and we want to make sure we provide that.”

Held at the Glendale Main Public Library, the event will provide a number of educational sessions and keynote speakers. e city was able to include neurologists and matter experts on dementia to inform the public of the disease and its e ects.

“Glendale’s purpose is to raise awareness

about dementia and build a more dementia friendly community,” Yates said. “ at happens by supporting people that are living with dementia and their caregivers along with their families.”

Yates feels this awareness is important due to Arizona’s rapid increase of individuals with the disease.

“ ere is going to be a 33.3% increase of individuals 65 years and older that will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and that’s huge,” she said. “Arizona is the fastest-growing state in the nation. So as a city, our community partners and this action

It was an incredible first week of learning acoss the district!

welcomes new teachers with support from community partners.

GESD's Human Resources, Benefits, and Wellness team provides every new teacher with a New Teacher Welcome Packet.

The Kiwanis Club of Glendale donates one $25 gift card to each new teacher. Also included are resources to encourage new employees to shop, dine and visit Historic Downtown Merchants.

Papa Ed's Ice Cream donates coupons for a free scoop of ice cream.

team together have made the commitment to bring this awareness and resources to our community and families here in Glendale.”

e term dementia is most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but the scope is much wider. According to Yates, there are a variety of forms of dementia, and the Dementia Awareness events touch upon “the basics of dementia and awareness,” as well as o er programs to aid Glendale residents with the disease.

“We start with our Dementia Friendly Friends programs and Champions programs, and with the number of resources that we’ll have on-site, di erent entities will provide information for di erent types of dementia or various di erent types of dementia,” she said.

“But also, (other) resources are available for people who may need to be put into a living facility or where people don’t know if they have signs of dementia.”

ese programs include free brain check-ins held at the assisted living facilities, hosting a monthly Memo-

ry Café and free programs at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center — all of which are previewed at the event.

“We had nearly 200 people in attendance that registered and came into the educational session,” Yates said in reference to the rst annual Dementia Awareness Day.

“ rough the opportunity to bring in caregivers, loved ones and individuals living with dementia, we were able to come together as a community and overlap our resources, education and outreach to bring them awareness about dementia and reduce the stigma around dementia.”

Yates said this type of awareness event for dementia is a rarity in cities, and through the work the city of Glendale is doing, she hopes others are inspired to emulate their Dementia Awareness Day.

“I really think that it was alarming about the growth of dementia and knowing that it is going to happen and impact

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our neighbors, our community, our citizens,” she said.

“It impacts not just the individual but their families. It impacts the community, the schools, the businesses, impacts everybody in some sort of way. I think that that was alarming. And it was a call to action that we need to do something.”

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with seven occupants — including Gordon-Esparza — was traveling east on Alexander Avenue approaching northbound SR 509.

e two vehicles collided in the intersection. As a result of the collision, six of the seven occupants in the Kia were killed. ey were on their way to Amway’s annual event, Gordon said.

“Lisa was full of drive and ambition and was not afraid to go after what she wanted in life,” Gordon said. “She was very much loved and is dearly missed.”

Gordon-Esparza never wanted anyone to su er, her father said. He took the kids on a ride to pay a bill and when he stepped out of the car, he heard a loud crash. He turned around to see “a horrific accident.”

“As I tore out after the two cars that had just recently crashed, I saw rsthand how fast Lisa could really run,” he said.

“We both helped a man and his daughter out of the crumpled metal car. Lisa was fearless. She was a happy little girl who grew into a beautiful, determined woman, with so many goals, dreams and ambitions.”

He nicknamed her “Lisa Lisa” and supported her during the four years she took karate, earning several belts. At Desert Sky Middle School, she was a cheerleader in seventh and eighth grade.

For three years, she attended Deer

Jerry Gordon, pictured here with his daughter, Lisa Gordon-Esparza. She died in a car crash on July 16.

(Jerry Gordon/Submitted)

Valley High School and participated in JROTC with a goal of joining the Air Force, he said. She played soccer at Deer Valley and then attended Greenway High School for a year, earning her diploma online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She formerly worked at Burger King, Black Bear Diner and QT. Gordon said Gordon-Esparza was extremely close to her family.

“She truly loved her family,” he said.

ADOT unveils 5 new specialty license plates

Arizonans now have even more choices to support their favorite charitable causes as the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division o ers ve new specialty license plates.

In addition to more than 90 other specialty plates that can be viewed at azdot.gov/plates and ordered at azmvdnow.gov/plates, MVD now o ers Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock, Arizona Realtors Homes for All, Cancer Support for Families, Diné College Warriors and U.S. Army.

“We know that people who choose specialty license plates for their vehicles take pride in displaying their connection to these community organizations,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is pleased that we can partner with the various organizations dedicated to helping Arizonans.”

Most specialty plates cost $25 each year. Of that amount, $17 goes to a designated charity or nonpro t group. During the scal year that ended June 30, sales of specialty plates contributed over $12 million for various causes and charities.

Specialty plates are authorized by the Arizona Legislature and have been offered since 1989. Plate designs complete a review by ADOT and law enforcement. Personalization can be added for an additional $25 per year.

In addition to the ve new plates, Arizona Coyotes and the Families of Fallen Police O cers plates have been redesigned. e Families of Fallen Police Ofcers plate has been changed to Honoring Fallen Police O cers.

Learn more about each of these plates:

Alice Cooper’s

Rock is specialty plate supports free art, music and dance programs for all youth at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers in Phoenix and Mesa. e designat-

ed $17 goes to provide a safe space for all teens ages 12 to 20 to spend time, receive positive mentorship and free music, art, dance, photography and recording studio lessons and opportunities.

“Arizona is known for great sunsets, cactus, the best Mexican food, monsoons and, now, an Alice Cooper specialty license plate,” the legendary Arizona rocker said. “More importantly, this specialty plate will assist Solid Rock Teen Centers in providing free music, art and dance programs to all Arizona teenagers. We hope that many of my fellow Arizona neighbors will get this specialty plate for their cars and motorcycles to support teens in Arizona.”

Arizona Realtors Homes for All

is specialty plate is available to anyone, and proceeds go to the Arizona Realtors Foundation for Housing and Community Outreach to help Arizona communities establish housing projects.

“ e Arizona Realtors is grateful for the opportunity to support a ordable housing projects across our great state as we help Arizonans on their path to the American dream of homeownership,” said Eric Gibbs, 2023 Arizona Realtors president. “ is plate furthers the mission of the Foundation for Housing and Community Outreach whose projects and e orts address the condition of, access to and availability of housing. Together, we can reduce homelessness and foster the dream of owning a home.”

Cancer Support for Families

is specialty plate is available to any-

one, with proceeds going to Cancer Support Community Arizona’s emotional and social support services.

“Cancer Support Community Arizona is extremely excited to have a specialty license plate that will highlight what we do in our community,” said Annet Ruiter, Cancer Support Community Arizona chief mission o cer.

“ is is just another great way people can get involved with Cancer Support Community Arizona and ultimately make a bigger impact for people impacted by cancer in Arizona. Anyone who purchases this plate helps us o er more than 100 free programs per month that are specially designed to support cancer patients, their families and caregivers including support groups, healthy lifestyle programs, education presentations, social connections and embedded hospital navigators who connect cancer patients to resources.

ank you for helping us ensure that ‘Community is Stronger than Cancer.’”

Diné College Warriors

is specialty plate is available to anyone, with proceeds supporting the educational pursuits and success of students at Diné College on the Navajo Nation.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division to release these special license plates,” said Dr. Charles “Monty” Roessel, president of Diné College.

“By displaying these plates on their vehicles, our students, alumni and supporters can proudly showcase their commitment to education and their connection to the Navajo Nation. We encourage all Navajo Nation members, Diné College supporters and those who value education and cultural heritage to consider purchasing these special license plates. Your support will make a meaningful di erence in the lives of our students and contribute to the con-

tinued success of Diné College.”

U.S. Army

is specialty plate is available to anyone, with proceeds going toward scholarships for children of soldiers and spouses of active-duty enlisted soldiers.

“ e directors and all-volunteer team at the Army Scholarship Foundation are most grateful to the state of Arizona and the Arizona retired military community for making the U.S. Army specialty license plate possible,” said Je Gault, U.S. Army retired and chief executive of the Army Scholarship Foundation.

“We are especially appreciative of Chief Warrant O cer Robert Rosales, U.S. Army retired, of Tucson for his leadership and untiring e orts to see this project to completion. We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity and are also most appreciative of the generosity, service and patriotism of all who purchase the license plate. is will assist our American military family members who are in pursuit of their educational dreams for a better life and a better America.”

ose who currently have Arizona Coyotes and Families of Fallen Police O cers plates may request the new designs for a $5 replacement fee plus postage. e previous design will remain valid for use.

Proceeds from the Arizona Coyotes plate go to the Arizona Coyotes Foundation, which supports organizations and programs that promote access to education, health and wellness and economic advancement in underserved and diverse communities. e Honoring Fallen Police O cers plate bene ts C.O.P.S. Arizona, which provides support and resources to survivors and co-workers a ected by line-of-duty deaths.

To view and order any specialty plate, visit azmvdnow.gov.

Glendale police use Real Time Crime Center to make arrest

The Glendale Police Department utilized its Real Time Crime Center to bring Eron Corrales into custody after allegedly shooting and killing 53-year-old Byron Lamar McBrine.

Glendale Sgt. Randy Stewart said the department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) was instrumental in nding information quickly to make the arrest.

“It’s everything that we do put together, to work together to keep our community safe,” Stewart said. “It’s the people that work on the street, the people that work the investigations — everybody involved. en the technology that we’re using to help solve these types of cases and bring those to a closure as quickly as possible.”

Just after 4 p.m. on Aug. 2, a Glendale police o cer was in the area of 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road when they saw a group of people running out of Bonsall Park South, pointing back to McBrine lying on the ground.

After more o cers responded, McBrine was given lifesaving aid but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on scene.

Initial investigations revealed witnesses informed o cers that Corrales had made a break for a blue four-door sedan after the shooting.

With this information being the only lead to go o of, the RTCC provided live information to the o cers — through surveying live camera footage in the city — who pursued the vehicle.

“ ey’re able to predict where the suspect was going and about the timeframe which occurred,” Stewart said. “So, then you kind of start narrowing what possible vehicles were in that area at that time that might match a four-door blue car, and they were able to identify that there was a Volkswagen car, and they were able to get a partial plate o it.

“And with working that partial plate, they’re eventually able to nd that that vehicle came back to a rental place that was tied to the suspect.”

O cers arrested Corrales on unrelat-

ed drug charges and for the shooting at Bonsall Park South.

Having access to security cameras and conveying details in real time to the ofcers, Stewart said, can help “solve the puzzle,” in a variety of other cases.

“We’ll get a call for service for even a shoplifting, and a lot of those happen near an intersection,” Stewart said. “We can get eyes on that area immediately while the o cers are responding, to help guide them to where that person might be that they need to contact.

“So, it’s given real-time data to help those o cers ll in those blanks of information that they get as they are responding.”

e RTCC has been a resource for the department since 2019 and has since made upgrades that help its e cacy. e center has integrated over 1,700 CCTV security cameras citywide that have helped with crime solving and prevention in that time.

“ ere are a multitude of uses that we have (for the RTCC),” Stewart said. “In this case, investigations — it gives us a little bit of a window to go back in time and look through some of those tra c cam videos and see if there’s little pieces that might help put those pieces together to solve that puzzle of whatever it is that we’re investigating.”

Stewart said the RTCC provides a backbone for e cient and e ective policing in the city. is in turn provides the city with safer streets and faster response time to emergencies.

“It’s been extremely e ective in solv-

ing major crimes and even some of the smallest collisions with no injury, but we still want to know what happened,” Stewart said. “So, I would say, it’s been more valuable than we even thought it was going to be.”

Sports venues’ names may change, but loyalties don’t

My love-hate relationship with Sun Devil Stadium began in 1995, when I scored free tickets to an Arizona Cardinals home game. This was a September afternoon matchup. The thermometer hovered near triple digits. That was the day I learned you didn’t want to sit “on the sunny side” of Sun Devil Stadium — ever. Full stop.

and with eight branches in the Valley.

This deal raises two big questions for me.

One, must we call A Mountain “Mountain A” from now on? And two, will this name actually catch on with students, alums and fans?

Footprint, according to its website, is “focused on changing the world.” In addition to being modest, they “design, develop and manufacture plant-based fiber solutions. Our first goal is to eliminate single-use plastics that harm consumers and the planet.”

Stadium.

The same goes for the baseball stadium Downtown. When it opened, I called it Bank One Ballpark or, as a joke, “Bob.” Eventually, I started calling it “the baseball stadium,” even after the name changed to Chase Field.

I began reminiscing about Sun Devil — surely the most accurately named event venue in all America — the day Arizona State University sent out a flowery press release touting “one of the most dynamic naming rights deals in college athletics.”

Henceforth, Sun Devil Stadium will be called Mountain America Stadium. You know, after Mountain America Credit Union, headquartered in Sandy, Utah,

As a creature of habit, I’m a late adopter when it comes to new names for old places. Around the same time as I learned about Sun Devil’s broiling sun, I began attending Suns games at the old America West Arena in Downtown Phoenix.

In 2005, that building was renamed US Airways Center. Then the new names kept coming: Talking Stick Resort Arena, PHX Arena, Phoenix Suns Arena, then Footprint Center, after a Gilbert-based company I had to look up to write this piece.

Sounds awesome, so long as they don’t manufacture those crappy paper straws. Then I stand opposed.

Regardless, I have yet to utter the phrase “Footprint Center,” despite having attended multiple games and concerts there of late. Somewhere during that streak of naming rights deals, I simply started calling it “the Suns arena.”

There was no ill intent in my rejecting the brand name; it’s simply what the building is in my head.

Just like the stadium on the west side where the Cardinals play has always been “Cardinals stadium,” never University of Phoenix Stadium or State Farm

People’s tendency to ignore new names makes me wonder if naming rights deals are worth the expense. Predictably, Twitter — uh, I mean X — was almost universally opposed to the new name, with most posts unfit to print. X user @brookskcbsradio captured the general mood, writing, “First Sparky gets demoted in stature and now this. Frank Kush is probably rolling over in his grave.”

I was less angry about the deal than I was resigned. History is cheap anymore, but for those of us who cherish good

Summer vacation no day at the beach for the president

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf led America to victory in Desert Storm, the 100-hour ground war that drove invading Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991.

But “Stormin’ Norman” saved a rhetorical barrage for a particular place on the Potomac known as the “swamp.”

Thirty summers ago, in July 1993, Schwarzkopf forcefully — and humorously — disavowed any political ambitions in a convention speech to the Video Software Dealers Association.

“I’ve been stationed in Washington, D.C., five times, and every time I’ve been there, it’s worse than before. … We all know Congress is the world’s largest adult day care center.”

The late general wasn’t the first and

certainly won’t be the last American to designate the District of Columbia as “Deserving of Criticism.”

In fact, two elected officials who are also at eternal rest — President John F. Kennedy and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn — offered comic descriptions of the place.

JFK called Washington “a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.” Dunn, a Republican from the state of Washington, described the “other” Washington as “the world’s only workfree drug zone.”

Somewhere between Schwarzkopf cracking wise and Dunn’s clever revision of a sign of her times, heralding a “drugfree school zone,” there exists the reality upon which their cynical humor was

based. For a substantial portion of our history, Washington’s business calendar mirrored the academic calendar for public schools. At least, as it used to be.

In other words, out on Memorial Day, back after Labor Day.

The advent of air conditioning changed that.

AC not only grew the population here in Arizona, it also grew a larger federal government in Washington.

Environmental alarmists may still insist “climate change” will eventually bring global demise, but it was the interior “climate change” that helped alter our national destiny.

The Capitol was air conditioned in 1928. A Christmas Eve fire a year later at the White House brought “Christmas in July” by 1930 with the installation of central AC at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Yet despite that technological innova-

tion, Washington still maintains a tradition of long summer breaks.

As you read these words, the Supreme Court is adjourned until the first Monday in October; members of Congress are in the midst of an extended “district work period”; and the 46th president has spent almost a full year of his term — at least 360 days — unencumbered by visitor logs or an official business schedule.

Certainly, time away from Washington does not always equate with “fun in the sun,” but recent beach photos of Joe Biden may evoke memories of the motion picture “Weekend at Bernie’s” among Americans of a certain generation … or suggest a senior version of “Beach Blanket Bingo” to baby boomers.

And just as movies still provide a form of escape for many of us, yet another

Arizona families will receive tax rebate, but deserve more

There is great news on the horizon for Arizona taxpayers with dependents.

The Arizona Families Tax Rebate was included in the recently passed state budget. This means taxpayers with dependents under the age of 17 will receive $250.00 per dependent, and those with dependents aged 17 or older will receive $100.00 per dependent, up to three dependents.

A tax rebate is an excellent limited government policy that acknowledges a simple truth: Tax revenue is the taxpayers’ money, whether collected by the state through a system of taxation or not.

Therefore, the first priority in allocating any significant tax surplus should be returning as much to the payers as possible. That is my belief and it was shared

by a significant number of my fellow Republicans, and I was proud to personally allocate $20 million of the $260 million rebate.

While other lawmakers had projects they wanted to fund, I could not think of a better use for those funds than being put back into the pockets of the families who earned them in the first place. Every family is dealing with higher rents, mortgages, gas and food prices, so I was honored to fight hard for the taxpaying families of Arizona.

I also worked hard to pass legislation to eliminate food and rental taxes. Because of the Republican majority in both chambers, the food and rental tax elimination bills made it to Governor Hobbs’ office for signature but instead, she vetoed them and kept the taxes in place.

Sadly, the idea of giving back taxpayer money to the hard-working Arizonans who earned it has become a very parti-

san concept.

Democrats voted against bills that would help working families including the tax rebate, and eliminating the food and rental taxes. They want to spend the money on more government, but more government spending feeds the same inflation we should be trying to tame.

I trust my constituents with their own money, and I won’t stop working to properly fund core services like public safety and education, then return excess revenues to you.

Good Health is the Ultimate Gift.

Did you know enjoying special moments with friends and family can be beneficial to your health? Sharing fun, laughter and good cheer together can reduce stress, lower pulse and blood pressure, and improve overall mental well-being. You can extend these benefits by taking good care of your heart. Stay on top of your heart health by having regular heart check ups and seeking medical attention when you experience new symptoms. Our team of experts is here to support you on every step of your heart health journey.

Start of school is stressful for everyone

Summer is over. OK, so we might have a few more months to swelter, but the kids are back in school. Remember the good old days, when school started back in session after Labor Day? Not anymore. The yellow buses are running, the crosswalks are busy and the parents are revving up their engines to do the drop-off and pickup routine. Backpacks are stuffed and lunches are packed. Vacations have come to a screeching halt.

house to the stop at the end of her street, she yelled, “Stop, you don’t know where you are going!” After a rough day, she ran off the bus and blurted out, “The only good thing is that I will never have another first day of school in my life.” Yes, very true. Hang in there, honey. It gets better.

This has been one long, hot summer. In Arizona, the inferno called July set new records. People complained it is too hot to walk, cook, swim or think. These temperatures do not lend itself to sitting on stuffy school buses or walking home in midday heat.

School has started, and parents might be rejoicing. Except for the never-ending list of school supplies to buy. Why must boxes of tissues and toilet paper be on the list? And that’s only the beginning. Know a parent? Buy them a cup of coffee, because they are probably busting their budget on back-to-school items.

One mom emailed me to say she moved from Los Angeles and was used to driving in heavy, crazy traffic. She added, “But nothing compares to the stress of dropping off and picking up my child at his school.” Yep, school can be stressful — for everyone.

My granddaughter started kindergarten. On her first day, she complained “they don’t give you enough time to eat lunch” and her teacher kept telling her to “quit talking.” Worse, at the end of the day when the bus driver drove past her

My friend’s teenage daughter woke up on the first day of school and screamed when she looked in the mirror. Somehow, in the middle of the night, several evil pimples sprouted, causing a whole lot of drama and a near refusal to attend the first day of high school. Going to school isn’t without challenges. It takes considerable courage to get up and walk into a new classroom, while feeling miserably self-conscious.

Teachers can be heroes. Every day they strive to give our children a spark of interest that will make them want to embrace the formulas of algebra, or to find happiness in the pages of a book. Teachers know among the masses of children they inspire each day might be standing the next great inventor, future president or scientist who will help save the planet.

Know a parent with school-age children? Give them an extra nod of approval because they need all the help they can get!

Dear readers, drive slowly around those school zones. School bells are ringing. Want to see into the future? You can. Just pause and look at those kids in the crosswalks.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.

memories, they remain alive regardless.

I covered Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium, saw the Cowboys beat the Steelers, and saw Diana Ross sing “Take Me Higher” before flying out of the stadium by helicopter.

Sun Devil was where ASU’s football team famously shut out top-ranked Nebraska 19-0 on the 1996 night the gridiron was christened Frank Kush Field. It’s where I saw the Rolling Stones and

U2, and where I left heartbroken in 1999, when Tennessee whipped my beloved Florida State Seminoles 23-16 for a national championship.

The moral to this story? You can always buy a new name, but you can’t buy hearts and minds.

That’s an eternal truth, along with never sit on the sunny side at Mountain America.

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

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week at the Delaware shore was meant to offer a similar escape for a beachcomber named Biden.

But troubling evidence is mounting, and it may soon expose the chief executive to genuine political and legal jeopardy.

Before taking its August break, the House Oversight Committee heard testimony from Devon Archer, a longtime friend and business associate of Hunter Biden.

Archer testified that while vice president, Joe participated in his son’s business dinners with foreign clients — either in person or via speakerphone — more than 20 times.

If true, that means Joe was untruthful, to put it diplomatically. The elder Biden claimed repeatedly during the 2020 campaign that “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”

During a campaign stop in Iowa in

2019, Ol’ Joe added, “Here’s what I know. Trump should be investigated.”

Since a “series of unfortunate events” put Biden in the White House, his Justice Department has done more than investigate Donald Trump. The DOJ has indicted the 45th president on multiple charges.

And each indictment seems to be timed for announcement whenever scandalous news is reported about the Biden Bunch.

GOP House members are getting an earful from constituents during this time at home. Personal experience validates the claim the “district work period” is no euphemism … and their supporters are clamoring for an “impeachment inquiry” to begin.

After all, it’s not exactly a vacation … and certainly not a day at the beach.

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

Rallying Deer Valley Unified School District

Every four years, the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) gathers as a family, all 4,200 employees in one spot, right before the new school year begins.

This year’s location was in the Grand Canyon University (GCU) indoor arena, the home of the Lopes. The event was centered on finding “purpose” to each of our jobs so each employee can positively impact our schools and community.

As superintendent, I had a couple of minutes with the staff to talk about this concept and encourage employees to find purpose in their job.

The best example in my life was my parents, Curt and Jan Finch — one worked in maintenance for 25 years and the other as a bus driver for 20 years, both in my hometown school district.

My father had a big impact on me as I witnessed what purpose looks like in

action every day, at home and school. He passed away unexpectedly at 64 years old, too early for anyone. At his funeral, some of the less fortunate and “invisible” students and staff members shared the impact my father had on them.

My dad was kind, caring and always interested in each of their lives, checking in frequently on how they were doing in school, interests, their pets, etc. Curt Finch Sr. had a purpose — always encouraging the “invisible” person no one else saw.

Steven Covey wrote in his book “Trust & Inspire” that “purpose can turn a job into a calling.” There is some advice I tell all who ask me when they are struggling with finding purpose: “If you can’t find your purpose, look for ways to serve others and your purpose will appear.”

I’ve been giving this advice for over 20 years, and it hasn’t failed me yet.

The DVUSD Rally was another chance to celebrate many of DVUSD’s successes.

The yearlong strategic plan process with the community, parents and staff helped give DVUSD a specific path to greatness (dvusd.org/strategicplan) and also produced the “Portrait of a Graduate.” This document outlines the skills and qualities DVUSD graduates will possess after learning and growing in our district.

DVUSD also celebrated 92% of our 41 schools being A- or B-rated by the state and our excellent ranking against the state and our peer-like school districts

in academics, finance, administration percentage and student/teacher ratio. DVUSD is in the top three in every category.

The district honored our national designation as a model “Professional Learning Community,” and over 50% of its schools were categorized as “A+ School of Excellence” institutions.

DVUSD is currently recognized by Forbes as the Best Public School District Midsize Employer in the nation — two years in a row! When you have this much to celebrate, the DVUSD family needs to get together and rejoice!

We are seeing success because every DVUSD employee is working toward amplifying their purpose — to help DVUSD graduate lifelong learners who will successfully compete, lead and positively impact the world. To learn more, go to dvusd.org.

Dr. Curtis Finch can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org.

Restaurant brings Mediterranean dishes to West Valley

With the Stetson Social, owner and chef Mario Rana is bringing Mediterranean-style cuisine to the West Valley community.

A local wine bar and restaurant located at 8245 W. Happy Valley Road, Peoria, the Stetson Social opened its doors July 8. e restaurant opens to guests at 11 a.m. every day except for Monday.

Rana said he has experience in Italian restaurants and wine bars — he is the owner of Osteria Mia, an Italian restaurant located nearby at 2530 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix.

When the opportunity to open something new presented itself, he decided he wanted to switch things up and open a wine bar with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

“We knew the neighborhood was a great neighborhood. We’ve had great luck over there (at Osteria Mia) with the clientele and everything, and we knew the area was kind of lacking in wine bars and kind of more independent restaurants,” Rana said. “Our background is Italian restaurants and wine bars and ev-

erything, so we wanted to do something a little bit di erent than Italian. So we decided to go with a Mediterranean inuenced, kind of small wine bar.”

e Stetson Social features over 40 wines on tap with around 60 to 70 on rotation. ere is also a specialty cocktail menu and 12 beers on tap.

“We have something for everybody,” Rana said. “ at’s ciders and seltzers, so we have a full bar.”

Rana said the name “Social” was chosen because he wanted to create a place that guests would be able to come and socialize.

He described the inside of the restaurant as “open and communal” with a minimalistic industrial design, complete with a patio area and bar located inside and outside.

e menu features a variety of di erent o erings, from salads to atbreads and bruschetta boards.

Rana said the more popular items on

Times Media acquires SoCal publications

Times Media Group President Steve Strickbine has announced that his company has acquired Picket Fence Media’s award-winning Southern California brands.

Times Media Group publishes e Glendale Star, among numerous other weekly newspapers and monthly magazines in the Phoenix, Tucson and Southern California markets.

Picket Fence Media publishes the

weekly San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and the biweekly Capistrano Dispatch (covering San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo).

e group joins Times Media Group’s other Southern California community news properties, including the Pasadena Weekly, LA Downtown News, e Argonaut in Santa Monica, and the Ventura County Reporter, among others.

“We are very excited to expand our footprint into these thriving communi-

the menu are the Croquettas de Jamón ($13) and beet salad, as well as some of his favorite dishes.

“My favorite items — so, the Gambas al Ajillo ($21), which are like garlic sauteed shrimp with chilis,” he said. “ e lamb sliders ($14), which are kind of two lamb patties with feta cheese, some red wine, sauteed onions, basil aioli and a

ties, providing news and information to readers as well as opportunities for advertisers with the same high standards of excellence Norb Garrett and his team have established over the past 17 years,” Strickbine said.

Media executive and entrepreneur Garrett founded Picket Fence in 2006.

e company consists of the newspapers, websites, social media channels, custom magazine publishing and e-newsletters.

Last year, the Dana Point Times earned the prestigious CNPA California Journalism Award for General Excellence for weekly newspapers.

PFM has been at the forefront of great journalism in the SoCal area for most of its history, having earned nearly 100 ed-

brioche bun. ose tend to be a very popular item.”

The Stetson Social

8245 W. Happy Valley Road, Peoria 623-432-2515

thestetsonsocial.com

itorial awards since the San Clemente Times, its original newspaper, launched in 2006.

PFM’s media products cover the desirable coastal and historic South Orange County communities of San Clemente, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo.

“Steve and I share the same belief in the power and importance of original, hyper-local community journalism,” said Garrett, who along with his wife and general manager, Alyssa, have operated PFM since its launch. “By merging our businesses together and leveraging the deep resources of Times Media Group, I believe we’ve secured a bright future for the

Times Media Group will continue to operate the Picket Fence Media publications from its address in Capistrano Beach.

Times Media Group, founded in 1997 by Strickbine, owns and operates more than 35 publications throughout Arizona and Southern California, including more than 25 weekly community newspapers and companion websites.

TMG also owns and operates AZ Integrated Media, a media distribution and custom publishing company.

Tony Perezchica learns to appreciate the little things

When Tony Perezchica’s father died in January, he learned to take a step back and enjoy life.

e Arizona Diamondbacks’ thirdbase coach said it was an eye-opener.

“Sometimes we say, ‘Hey, we’re going to be here forever,’” Perezchica said.

“We’re not. My dad passed in January. So, I started thinking about how I had to enjoy life. I have to enjoy what I do. I have to enjoy the people who are around me.

“I have to enjoy the people who put me in this position and give thanks to all of them.”

Perezchica began his professional baseball career in 1984, when he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the third round.

With the Everett Giants of the Northwest League, he batted .193. He then

played for the Class-A Clinton Giants of the Midwest League in 1985, the Class-A Fresno Giants of the California League in 1986 and the Double-A Shreveport Captains of the Texas League the following year.

In 1988, 1990 and 1991, Perezchica split time with the Triple-A Phoenix Firebirds and the Major League Giants. Placed on waivers, he was claimed by the Cleveland Indians in August 1991.

He played between the Indians and Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox and the Double-A Albany-Colonie Yankees before ending his career in 1995 with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.

Two years later, he began his coaching career, aiding hitters for the Double-A Norwich Navigators. His resume also includes stints with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and Class-A Greensboro Bats.

He moved on to managing with the Rookie-Level Missoula Osprey and the Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks and Tennessee Smokies.

Perezchica was hired as the D-backs’ third-base coach after the 2016 season, promoted from minor league elding coordinator.

Perezchica has been in the Valley since 1984, when he signed with the Giants.

en living in Downtown Scottsdale, he acknowledges the growth of the area.

“ ings have changed so much here. ings have grown so much,” Perezchica said. “It’s beautiful. I love the Valley. Love the Valley.”

Perezchica’s daughter, Jasmine, just wrapped up her junior year at the UA, for which she plays softball. Perezchica said he cherishes the time he spends with Jasmine when he visits Tucson.

“I’ll drive down to Tucson, go have dinner,” he said.

“She wants to hit, we go hit, we go talk. I’m there for maybe three hours and then I drive back. On days that we have night games, the following day I can maybe spend the night at a hotel over there, but I really enjoy that time with her because she’s o living her own life now.

“It’s amazing how that works and how quickly it goes, and you just try to enjoy every minute that you can while you’re around them.”

Perezchica said he loves coaching because each day is di erent. Many think professional baseball is monotonous, but he disagrees.

“Everybody says, ‘Oh, it’s the same thing every day.’ Well, baseball is not — I mean, we play 162 games in a season,” he said.

“We have to make sure we maintain a good diet. You have to keep a good schedule, whether it’s on the road or the East Coast, or whether it’s home.”

Perezchica said he enjoys working with the younger guys and seeing them develop as they get older, like in elder Geraldo Perdomo.

“He’s one of the best in eld coaches I have ever had so far,” Perdomo said. “I treat him like my dad or my grandpa. We’re pretty close.

“I need to take advantage of all the stu he gives to me, like, I listen all the time. I just have really enjoyed my moments with him.”

While many people might think someone in their late 50s might be slowing down, Perezchica said he is as energetic as ever, especially when it comes to helping out as a coach on the eld.

“Even though I’m 56 years old, I still feel like I have an active enough body,” Perezchica said.

“I can go out and do the things that they need from me on the eld and make sure that they’re getting consistent work from me.”

tar The Glendale

The Glendale Star 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.

The Open Mic WEDNESDAYS

Stir Crazy Comedy Club hosts its weekly open mic night. Those interested are likely to see new talent as well as seasoned comedians just looking to work on new material. Think you have what it takes to take the stage and make the audience laugh? Now is your chance. There are 10 sign-up spots that will become available online at noon on Monday.

Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, visit website for ticket prices and times, stircrazycomedyclub.com

Momma’s Organic Market SATURDAYS

Featuring food trucks, local artisans and fresh produce, this weekly farmers market gives locals the chance to shop local and shop fresh. Taking place near Dillard’s, new vendors grace this event weekly. Admission is free, and furry friends are allowed if they’re on a leash. Cash and cards are accepted as methods of payment, and the market runs from 8 to 11 a.m.

Arrowhead Towne Center, 7780 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale, 8 a.m., free, arrowheadtownecenter. com

Broncos vs. Cardinals AUG. 11

The Cardinals open the preseason at home Aug. 11 for a 7 p.m. kicko against the Denver Broncos.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 7 p.m., cost TBA, statefarmstadium.com/events

is an international headliner known for his bold and daring style. Derick has appeared at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival five times and been nominated for several Canadian Comedy Awards. He will be performing at Stir Crazy Comedy Club Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, 7 and 9:30 p.m., $25, stircrazycomedyclub. com

Fighter Country Talent Squad AUG.

11

The Fighter Country Talent Squad is a military music group that provides military service members the opportunity to develop their creative and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of music. The group contains almost 50 members ranging from operatic sopranos to an entire heavy metal band; some are music hobbyists, and others are professional musicians. Fountain Park, 6751 Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, 7p.m., free, westgateaz.com/event

Derick Lengwenus

AUG. 11 AND AUG. 12

Comedian Derick Lengwenus

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Star’s coverage area, which is in the city of Glendale.

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

Submissions must reach our o ce by 4 p.m. Thursday to be considered for the following Thursday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Jordan Rogers, jrogers@timeslocalmedia.com.

that are sure to get you dancing, clapping, laughing and singing along.

Fountain Park, 6751 Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, 7 p.m., free, westgateaz.com/event

material for a live audience. Guests are invited to eat, drink and laugh with the area’s best up-and-coming comedians and hopefully be encouraged to become a student of the next class of graduates.

Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, 7 p.m., $15, stircrazycomedyclub.com

Stand Up Class Showcase AUG. 13

The Stand-Up Class students will graduate and perform their

Donut Run AUG. 12

The second Saturday of each month, walk or run and meet new friends. The run starts at Tortoise & Hare Sports and has three distances to choose from: 1, 3 and 5 miles. You’ll finish with delicious local doughnuts and a custom Tortoise & Hare Sports co ee brew. Tortoise & Hare Sports, 17570 N. 75th Avenue, Suite 605, Glendale, 6:30 a.m., free, tortoiseandharesports. com/events

Frosty & the Silver Tones AUG. 12

Frosty & the Silver Tones is a high-energy party band that puts on a show for the audience with a wide variety of covers and original music. Its musical library ranges from Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mayer, Joan Jett and Chris Stapleton to the Georgia Satellites. The band plays crowd favorites from the ’50s to present-day rock ’n’ roll

The Class Clowns AUG. 15

This group of funny makers will

be telling jokes in story form with some stand up comedy sets as well. The show features comedians Rob Maebe, BLuv, Sandra Saldana, Rich Rivera, Asia Chardonnay, Chacoby Willis and Lamar Mitchell J.R. The clowns will end with topics provided by the audience and will formulate an on the spot story about it.

Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Suite E206, Glendale, 7 p.m., $15, stircrazycomedyclub.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrates 50 years with new show

Rickey Medlocke calls Lynyrd Skynyrd’s summer jaunt “special,” as the legendary rockers are celebrating their 50th anniversary.

A multi-instrumentalist, Medlocke and the rest of the band strive to celebrate the legacy and lives of former members Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Ed King, Billy Powell, Bob Burns, Leon Wilkeson, Gary Rossington and Hughie Thomasson.

Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lineup is Medlocke, Johnny Van Zant, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle.

“It’s pretty interesting when you can celebrate 50 years from the very first record ever coming out,” Medlocke said. “Celebrating 50 years is quite an accomplishment.”

With a catalog of over 60 albums, billions of streams and tens of millions of records sold, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are on tour with ZZ Top. The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, with opener Uncle Kracker, comes to Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Sunday, Aug. 13.

“We have done several tours with ZZ Top,” he said. “One of the biggest ones we did was back in ’99 going into 2000. We called it the ‘Millennium Tour.’ We celebrated ’99 into 2000 in Houston. Everybody thought the world was

Comic Jay Pharoah is ‘down for the cause’

Glendale Star Executive Editor

“Saturday Night Live” veteran Jay Pharoah can see the humor in anything.

Per the parameters of the current SAG AFTRA strike, Pharoah couldn’t discuss films or the legendary NBC show. He takes the work stoppage seriously, picketing with his fellow “Family Guy” cast members.

“I’m definitely down for the cause,” he said. “These streaming services are ripping off a lot of people. They’re giving everybody peanuts. It’s just brought to attention now. With AI and using likenesses of people in movies, it’s time for people to get paid for their (talent). It was really good to be in solidarity with folks marching and be part of the change, to incentivize the studios to do something different.”

Pharoah is continuing his stand-up performances during the strike. He’s coming to the Tempe Improv on Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12, and CB Live at North Phoenix’s Desert Ridge Marketplace on Sunday, Aug. 13.

“My pockets have not changed as far as the money goes,” he said. “I use that as part of my artistry. There are a lot of people out there who don’t have that. What are you going to do? Idris Elba, he DJs.

Is Al Pacino going to work at Quiznos?

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s going to do Arby’s commercials? Arby’s is trash, ubiquitously. Who wakes up in the morning and says, ‘I want a roast beef sandwich.’ Nobody’s ever done that.”

Pharoah spent six seasons as a cast member of “SNL,” where he became well-known for his uncanny celebrity impressions, including President Barack Obama, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Stephen A. Smith, Kanye West and Chris

Tucker, as well as his recurring character, school principal Daniel Frye.

But, Pharoah said, his comedy goes beyond impressions. He sucks people in with them, and when they’re laughing, he hits them with more of his talent.

“The viral impressions, they’re fun to do. They got me where I need to be,” he said. “But that’s not all there is. I talk about what I’ve gone through. I talk about myself a lot. This material is so particular to me — my character right now.

“There are a lot of things you didn’t know, like personal stuff — me getting bullied, stuff happening with the cops. I’m really excited for the world to consume this bulk of material that I have.

SEE PHAROAH PAGE 17

Despite the SAG AFTRA strike, comic Jay Pharoah is continuing his stand-up performances with stops in Tempe and Phoenix. (Matt Misisco/Submitted)

going to come to an end. Here we were in Houston and the world didn’t blow up. We had a great night.

“We had the best time with those guys. Personally, I’ve known Billy and those guys since the early to mid-1970s. It’s going to be good to share the stage with them one more time on this 50year tour. I’ve never been able to share the stage with Uncle Kracker, but he’s a great entertainer.”

Medlocke was part of the original band in the early 1970s for about two and a half years. He left and then returned about 28 years ago.

“For me, I’ve had a relationship in this band for more than 30 years now,” he said. “It’s really an incredible mile marker and milestone that we’ve reached in this band’s iconic history. I feel so blessed and fortunate that I’ve been able to be a part of this.

“It’s been a long road for sure. We’ve had a lot of triumphs and a lot of tragedies. We’ve been able to somehow pick ourselves up and put our boots back on

I’m like a new comedian everybody’s being introduced to.”

Pharoah said it’s healthy to reinvent yourself every decade.

“Jay-Z has retired four times,” he said with a laugh. “We know he ain’t never retiring. He comes back with some heat. As long as you recenter your artistry and evolve, you’ll be good. I’m in a good place for that.”

Retirement isn’t in the cards for the 35-year-old actor/comic/rapper. However, he’s starting to feel the effects of aging.

“If I just sleep, I wake up in pain,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t do anything. I wake up and my neck is tight. I’m wondering what I was dreaming about.

“My body is turning on me. When I turned 30 years old, I couldn’t eat my chicken Caesar wraps because of the anchovies in the sauce. I’ll blow up like Will Smith in ‘Hitch’ if I eat them. I look like a blowfish.

“I did a little test last weekend when I was in Tacoma. I thought I would do the adult thing and take some Benadryl. I ate it and almost missed the show, but that Caesar wrap was great. I’m not married, but if my wife ever wants to take me out,

and walk down the road and get stronger.”

The last of the founding members, Gary Rossington, died March 5 in Georgia. Medlocke said Rossington “never wanted to see the music die.”

“He never wanted it to fade out and be obscure, only to be heard on the radio,” he added. “I think Gary’s wishes were that we continue to play the music and bring the music to the people. How appropriate is it to celebrate his life and his legacy plus the other guys who were in Lynyrd Skynyrd? I’m just happy to be there doing this.”

To further celebrate, Geffen/UMe Recordings will release “FYFTY,” a 50th anniversary box set on Oct. 13. The career-spanning 50 tracks featured on “FYFTY” represent all eras of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Included is a special live performance of “Gimme Three Steps” that was culled from the band’s final show with co-founding guitarist Gary Rossington in November 2022, a previously unreleased live track.

For the Talking Stick Resort Amphi-

she just has to make me a meal with all the stuff I don’t like in it.”

All kidding aside, Pharoah is looking forward to coming to Tempe and North Phoenix.

“I hope that they get familiar with who I really am, not what they’ve been pushed to see and what’s gone viral,” he said. “Buckle up. It’s going to be the best live show. I’m not just saying that. My shows have received nothing but rave reviews.”

Jay Pharoah

WHEN: 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12

WHERE: Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe

COST: Tickets start at $27

INFO: 480-921-9877, tempeimprov.com

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13

WHERE: CB Live, Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $27

INFO: 602-910-5161, cblive.com

theatre show, Lynyrd Skynyrd will play the hits — “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell,” “Simple Man,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” — as well as deep cuts.

“We’re digging deep into the catalog and coming up with some stuff that we have not performed or haven’t performed in a very long time,” he said.

“We have brand-new production. On a different scale, that’s what the audience can expect to see and hear. The band is energetic as we always are. We keep it full tilt, full of energy. They can expect a high-powered Lynyrd Skynyrd show.”

“Tuesday’s Gone” is one of Medlocke’s favorite songs for a variety of reasons. For one, at the live shows, Lynyrd Skynyrd dedicates the song to Rossington, with an accompanying video. Medlocke can’t bring himself to watch it.

“Tuesday’s Gone” also reminds Medlocke of the shows Lynyrd Skynyrd played shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“After 9/11, we were on the road and we decided we were not going to call it quits with touring,” he said. “We really felt the country was so down that

we really wanted to try to lift their spirits. We were in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the show was sold out — with 23,000 people. There was a thing going around town that there wasn’t one American flag left to be bought. They were all at our show. There was a massive flood of nothing but American flags. Sept. 11 happened on a Tuesday, and when we hit ‘Tuesday’s Gone,’ it was over with.”

He encouraged fans to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, especially on this jaunt.

“I’ve often said, at some point, it does come to an end,” he said. “At some point, all good things do.”

ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd w/Uncle Kracker

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13

WHERE: Talking Stick Resort

Amphitheatre, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $34.50

INFO: livenation.com, ticketmaster.com

Constraints, complaints, restraints, oh my!

Constraints often turn into complaints. en complaints turn into restraints.

Do you recognize the following complaints and restraints about outward constraints? “I don’t have enough time to work out.” “I don’t have enough money to start a business.” “I can’t eat this food on my diet.” “I’m too small to play basketball.” “I’m not as smart as everyone else in my class, so I’ll never get a scholarship.” e list goes on and on. Sure, some constraints can limit people. But constraints can often propel people to bigger, better and greater.

Author James Clear has some great thoughts on constraints that can help us if we apply them. “So often, we spend time complaining about the things that are withheld from us. But constraints are not the enemy. Every artist has a limited set of tools to work with. Every athlete has a limited set of skills to train with. Every entrepreneur has a limited number of resources to build with. Once you know your constraints, you can start guring out how to work with them.”

How do you work with constraints?

In 1960, two men made a bet. ere was only $50 on the line, but millions of people would feel the impact of this little wager. e rst man, Bennett Cerf, founded the Random House publishing rm. e second man was eo Geisel, but you probably know him as Dr. Seuss. Bennett Cerf made a bet with Dr. Seuss that Dr. Seuss would not be able to write an entertaining children’s book using only 50 di erent words.

Dr. Seuss took the bet and won. e result was a little book called “Green Eggs and Ham.” Since its publication, “Green Eggs and Ham” has sold more than 200

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

million copies, making it the most popular of Seuss’ works and one of history’s bestselling children’s books.

James Clear goes on to say, “At rst glance, you might think this was a lucky uke. A talented author plays a fun game with 50 words and produces a hit. Dr. Seuss discovered through this little bet the power of setting constraints. Setting limits for yourself — whether that involves the time you must work out, the money you have to start a business or the number of words you can use in a book — often delivers better results than ‘keeping your options open.’

“Dr. Seuss found that setting some limits to work within was so valuable that he also employed this strategy for other books. For example, Dr. Seuss’ book ‘ e Cat in the Hat’ was written using only a rst-grade vocabulary list.

“I’ve noticed two reasons why this occurs. e rst reason is constraints inspire your creativity. If you’re 5-foot5-inches tall and playing basketball, you gure out more creative ways to score than the 6-foot-5-inch guy. If you have

a 1-year-old child that takes up almost every minute of your day, you gure out more creative ways to get some exercise. If you’re a photographer and you show up to a shoot with just one lens, you gure out more creative ways to capture the beauty of your subject.

“ e second reason is constraints force us to get something done. is second reason is why professionals set a schedule for their production while amateurs wait until they feel motivated. Sticking to your schedule doesn’t have to be grand or impressive. Just commit to a process you can sustain. If you have to, reduce the scope of the project.”

a black eye.

My question to us today is this: Why not appropriate these enlightening ideas today? You can be a player, not just an audience. Appropriation is the act of taking something for your use. It could be a concept, strategy or even something as crazy as a bet between friends that moves you from the outhouse to the penthouse. Don’t let the “lions, tigers and bears, oh my” of life stop you. If it applies to you and is good and honorable, the way is yours. Please take it.

Jesus took a few sh and loaves from a boy, 12 under-construction disciples and 5,000 hungry people out in the middle of nowhere and turned it into a shand-chips dinner. Jesus fed them both spiritually and naturally. He worked within the restraints wonderfully. And think of the books that have been sold about Jesus.

Henry Ford once said, “I am looking for a lot of men (and women) who have an in nite capacity to not know what can’t be done.” Constraints and limitations determine the size of the canvas you must work with. What you paint on it is up to you.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how some of the greatest create their greatest.

By the way, every one of the principles above is biblically correct and spiritually accurate. Jesus didn’t allow constraints to limit him. Jesus consistently gave constraints

16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City AZ 85351 Tel: 623-974-3611

WORSHIP SUNDAYS - 10 AM

Livestream www.scfaith.org

August 13 Rev. Mike Campbell preaches.

Rev. Sheryl at the piano.

Faith Church supports Valley View Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and more missions.

Low Vision group Monday Aug 14, 1pm.

“An inclusive, welcoming, caring community, serving Jesus Christ”

Harvest CHurCH

8340 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305

Information 623.334.9482

ACROSS

1 Glasses, slangily

6 Acid type

11 “Cut that out!”

12 Alphas’ opposites

14 He loved Roxane

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20 Floral rings

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24 Song of praise

26 Olympic skater Brian

28 “Certainly!”

30 Away from SSW

31 Mexican chili pepper

Dr. Ron G. Rockwell – Pastor

Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

Nursery Provided

35 Labrador explorer

39 Nashville venue

40 “A spider!”

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43 Fib

Wednesday: Family Night 7:00 p.m.

www.hcaz.org

Temple Beth Shalom of

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Services

623.977.3240

101 Freeway

91st ave.

44 King of Judea

46 Taunting laugh

47 Captivate

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Harvest CHurCH

8340 W. Northern

Northern Ave.

Glendale Ave. 83rd Ave.

10935 W. Olive Ave. Peoria 85345

Phone (623) 972-8479

office@westolive.com

www.westolive.com

Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m.

Worship 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Classes for all ages - 7:00 p.m.

Everyone Is Welcome!

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DOWN

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27 Business mag

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33 Chicken serving

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36 Manually

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41 Imam’s holy book

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For more youth visit

Local student obtains professional certi cation

When Israel Perez rst set his eyes on a drone at just 10 years old, he was hooked. Something about the technology behind making something small y at high speeds across the sky, controlled remotely, piqued his interest.

is particular interest of his comes with few opportunities to learn the craft. But, in seemingly a stroke of luck, Perez was given his shot to learn the trade of drones through a hybrid learning program between Valor Academy Arizona and West-MEC. is immersive program allowed Perez to maintain his general education and earn his drone certi cation at the same time.

“I was like, ‘Wow, maybe I should take a chance on this,’ and man, I do not regret it at all,” Perez said. “When I tell you that I enjoyed it is because I really did enjoy it. e instructor, he was very informative. If a student wasn’t on board with the topic being discussed, he would make sure to incorporate all of us, just to get that student going.”

rough this program, Perez earned his o cial drone certi cation at the age of 16. Now a senior at Valor, he gets the opportunity to pursue his childhood passion as an industry professional.

e hybrid program is something Perez feels strongly about, as his experience has inspired him to encourage others to follow along his path.

“Being able to graduate with a license

like that, it makes you feel good,” he said. “I know college was another pathway I could have gone through, but it would have taken me four or ve years to gain some of that experience that I could have gotten at West-MEC.”

e model of hybrid learning Valor and WestMEC gave to Perez followed a regimen split nearly in half of generic education classes and specialty classes. So, for him, the rst half of the day was regular classes, like math, science and English. But once he had completed those, it was on to other topics like soldering; ight; and real-world applications for drones like photography, videography, package delivery, search and rescue, and lming sports games.

“I didn’t have a rm pathway up to, you know, as to what my career was going to be,” Perez said. “And so, I’m just so glad that Valor introduced West-MEC to the school. I’d probably be getting out of high school and trying to gure out what I want to do with my life. I’m just so glad that they introduced it to us.”

e model of independent study through the hybrid program is something Valor and West-MEC o er and encourage to all of their students. ey feel this opportunity gives students the chance to work on their own time, giving them more chances to pursue extracurricular activities, sports and explore their passions.

“We really pride ourselves on our hybrid model here at Valor and the doors it opens for students,” said Daniel Mahlandt, principal at Valor Academy of Arizona. “Giving students like Israel the

opportunity to pursue the things they have an interest in and see those dreams come to life in terms of a career or life goal is incredibly rewarding for both me and my sta .”

Perez — now entering his senior year and already having his o cial license — is doing work for the school with his personal drone, as he is shooting video for the school to use. He one day hopes to be either a drone pilot for a delivery service or a drone technician, but he is thankful for the opportunity to achieve his dream at an early age, setting him up for the future he has desired.

“I’m going to be sad in one sense, because my time at Valor, I enjoyed it to the fullest,” he said. “ e teachers were amazing. Of course, I want to say thank you to (Mahlandt) and the vice principal. Because without them introducing West-MEC but also giving me the chance to pursue my career, I don’t know where I’d be at this point in my life.”

Back-to-school fundraiser for families in need

Terri Cota — the mother of 2019 “American Idol” nalist Wade Cota — is raising funds to help families with back-to-school costs.

is year, Cota is trying to help two families, with, collectively, seven kids, most of whom are younger than 12.

“(One father) is a supervisor at a big grocery chain, but for that many kids there, rent is like $2,000, and so on top of all the other bills and … buying their own food for a family of seven, money is so tight. ey never have a dollar left at the end of the month for anything,” Cota said.

e other family has two teenage girls,

both parents’ work. One of the parents works full-time while the other works part-time.

“Bills are through the roof. ey just need help with their kids,” Cota said.

Cota’s goal is to get $150 for each child so they can buy clothes, good shoes, socks and school supplies. So far, she’s raised $200, and is hoping to raise more so the kids can continue the school year with con dence.

“It’s the most important thing that I do every year because I just can’t imagine being a child that has to go back to school with nothing. It’s so important,” Cota said.

She started her drive ve years ago to help a family in her neighborhood.

“His sister had gone to prison, and he o ered to raise his nephews, but they were just broke. It overwhelmed him and his girlfriend; they still have those kids to this day,” Cota said.

“ ey didn’t even know how they’re going to get these kids back to school and hoping somebody could do a GoFundMe and I thought, you know, GoFundMe kind of stinks because they take a percentage of the money and then it takes a while to get your money.”

So, Cota went on Facebook and made a post asking for help. anks to her son’s popularity, she received an overwhelming response through Venmo and PayPal. She bought several out ts, shoes and school supplies.

en the next year she helped another family.

“I found another family to help, I used to manage bands and another situation where the guy was a drummer, and he went to jail,” she said.

“He had three boys out here and a mom who was used to not working because the dad made all the money, and so I helped them that year. And that turned out well too, and so I said you know what, I’m going to do it every year, you know, because there’s always somebody in need.”

Donations for Venmo: @ttsterri66

Donation for PayPal: @wadesmom66

Pendergast hosts backpack drive for students

The Pendergast Elementary School District recently collaborated with the ODP Corporation — which includes O ce Depot, ODP Business Solutions and VEYER — to inaugurate the 2023 school year with a back-toschool backpack giveaway celebration.

e two distributed 750 backpacks lled with school supplies to the students at Desert Mirage Elementary School on Aug. 4. is initiative is part of the company’s Start Proud! program.

e event aimed to help students from Desert Mirage Elementary School feel well prepared for the new school year. Each backpack contained supplies such as composition books, crayons, pencils and highlighters.

Overall, each backpack bundle provided nancial relief of nearly $120 to each recipient family. is event showed a contribution toward supporting education in the local community and reducing the nancial burden on families. In partnership with Domtar, the ODP Corporation also awarded the school $20,000 in in-store credit at O ce Depot

The Pendergast Elementary School District hosted a backpack drive that provided financial relief through school supplies to its students. (Pendergast Elementary School District/Submitted)

and O ceMax to support teachers with essential classroom supplies.

Ashley Nicholls, a fourth-grade teacher, was recognized and surprised with an All-Star Teacher Award.

e award acknowledged her exceptional commitment to education and contributions to the school. It included products such as an ASUS portable monitor, a stand-to-sit desk and a new chair — valued at nearly $2,000.

e initiative didn’t stop there, as an additional 300 backpacks were dispatched to students at Canyon Breeze Elementary School in Avondale, ensuring more students in the community can start the school year on a positive note.

Nationwide, the ODP Corporation will donate and distribute roughly 18,000 backpacks lled with school supplies to students attending more than 25 Title I schools through its Start Proud! program.

Cheng and Pi-Wan Cheng, filed an action in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, Case No. CI 23-5334, against Defendants Desiree Garcia, Randy Garcia and JoAnn Fryer. The object and prayer of the Complaint against Defendants is for unpaid rent and damages pursuant to a lease signed by Defendants on February 24, 2020.

In its Complaint, Plaintiff seeks unpaid rent, utilities and yard maintenance, for their default under the terms and conditions of the aforementioned Lease, together with attorney’s fees as allowed by law, costs, and such further relief as the Court deems appropriate under the circumstances.

You are required to answer the aforementioned Plaintiff’s Complaint on or before September 10, 2023, or said Complaint against Defendants Desiree Garcia, Randy Garcia, and Joann Fryer, will be taken as true.

Dated: July 17, 2023.

HELEN CHENG and PI-WAN CHENG, Plaintiffs

13266-1/6P21709

PUBLIC NOTICES

corner; thence N 5 ¾ E 12.30 chs. to a stone on the road Thos Scott’s corner, thence along the road N 72 W 1.80 chs,

Published in the Glendale Star, Jul 27, Aug 3, 10, 2023

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF VANCE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 22 SP 42

In Re: VIRGINIA LEE KNOWLES, ANTHONY THOMAS MARROW, BENNETT MARROW and LOLA EDWARDS, Petitioners, vs. CARMEN A. EDWARDS, HAYWARD T. EDWARDS, JR., and their unknown spouses, if any, and the unknown heirs at law of Thurman Edwards, Thomas Hawkins, aka Thomas Edwards, Jr., Felisa Parks and Anthony Edwards, Respondents.

TO: ANTHONY EDWARDS

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows:

Virginia Lee Knowles, Anthony Thomas Marrow, Bennett Marrow and Lola Edwards are seeking partition among the tenant in common owners of the real property situated in Vance County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a stone on the road Thos Scott’s corner, run thence N 23.80 chs to a stone Thos Scott’s corner; thence N. 84 W 28.00 chs. To a stone Thos Scott’s corner, thence N. 35 ¼ E. 12.60 chs. to a stake, thence S. 36 ¾ E 4.15 chs. to a stake, thence S 35 ¾ E. 7.75 chs. to a stake on the old road, thence S. 3 ¼ W. 14.50 chs to a stake, formerly a poplar, Marrows corner, thence S 53 E 5.50 chs. S 42 ½ E. 7.00 chs. to a stone on the east side of the road Marrows corner, thence along the road N. 49 ¼ E 3.75 chs to a small gum on the west side of the old road, thence S 87 3.4 E 5.50 chs. S 65 ¾ E 5.47 chs to a red oak stump Marrows corner, thence N 1 ¾ E 6.40 chs to a stone and white oak stump, Marrow’s