East Valley Tribune

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  • FD: Severe crash sends 2 to trauma center

    The Gilbert Fire Rescue team responded to a severe crash near Higley and Pecos roads on Oct. 19.Gilbert Fire Rescue reported at 4 p.m. that the severe crash required major medical attention and the extraction of one person.Gilbert Ladder 251 arrived on scene to find two vehicles, both with heavy damage. They extracted one person from the wreck and sent two patients to a trauma center.

  • Mesa schools seeing increasing numbers

    The enrollment numbers for the Mesa Public School District’s 2015-16 school year are in and there is reason for both optimism as well as concern.The district has been experiencing declining enrollment numbers over the past five years, however, this year’s enrollment has exceeded the projected numbers and are above the numbers of the previous two years. Kindergarten is the exception; it has been on the decline.The final K-12 numbers for the district totaled 63,209 students, 308 above the projection. Kindergarten has more empty desks than any other grade. These kindergarten numbers have been shrinking for a number of years, which the district acknowledges will impact it for many years.“If the kindergarten numbers stay low, we will have about 6,000 fewer students.” said Dr. Joe O’Reilly, executive director for Student Achievement Support.O’Reilly explained that if all grade level aggregate cohorts were the same size as that of the amount entering kindergarten, the district would have 57,336 K-12 students. In comparison, if all grades were the same size as the amount of students entering ninth grade, the district would have 63,918 K-12 students, a 10 percent decrease.“It’s very concerning,” O’Reilly said, who went on to explain that these smaller kindergarten classes will mean that the district will have smaller class sizes in later grades for years to come as these kindergartners age. This could mean the district might have to employ fewer teachers or even close some schools.

  • ASU reported sex assaults on pace with last year; victim advocates credit increased reporting

    TEMPE, AZ - There have been eight reports of sexual assault at ASU since the beginning of the school year, including one that is listed as "molestation of a child."An ASU spokesperson said information on the case is not available yet because the report is not ready. The case appears to still be under investigation.Tabi Schmidt, a senior at ASU, said the school is very proactive about sexual assault awareness.  The school provides training for new students and all faculty. It also recently hired two Special Victims detectives to work on sex assault cases."Walking to class there are signs all over saying there's a place you can go (for help) and different things you can do to get educated," said Schmidt.According to the Clery report, in all of 2014, there were 29 reported sexual assaults at ASU's main campus. That’s about double from 2013, but very similar to 2012. Victim advocate Yvonne Taylor said the numbers aren't alarming to her at all.

  • UPDATE: 5 Tempe lake deaths being investigated as murder-suicide

    TEMPE, AZ - The deaths of two adults and three young children who were in an SUV that plunged into a Tempe lake are being investigated as a murder-suicide as police said Monday that the father of the youngsters deliberately drove the vehicle into the water.Police spokesman Lt. Mike Pooley said 27-year-old Glenn Edward Baxter purposefully drove himself, his estranged wife and their children into Tempe Town Lake just after midnight Sunday.A grainy surveillance video from a nearby condominium complex showed the car being driven into the lake, Pooley said a news conference Monday night.He said the video shows Baxter getting out of the SUV, walking down to the lake, then getting back in the driver's seat and driving the vehicle "at a high rate of speed" before it hits a curb and flips over into the water."This was not an accident. Mr. Baxter took deliberate action," Pooley said. "It's absolutely horrific what happened to those little kids and their mother."Witnesses and officers jumped into the lake in a bid to rescue Baxter, 25-year-old Danica Baxter, and their three children, 1-year-old Zariyah, 2-year-old Nazyiah and 3-year-old Reighn.

  • Artists, business owners put personal touch on Mesa’s downtown

    The expansion of light rail in downtown Mesa is already boosting some segments of the business community that sit along the tracks.Suzanne Woodford, an artist, owner of the OheOhOne gallery and founder and owner of Dobson Montessori School where she also teaches, took it upon herself to find a way to captivate at least some of the new riders heading downtown on the train.She applied for, and received, a $990 Ripple grant from the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation for a poster project named “Put a Face on Main.” Those grants are awarded to efforts that promote the light rail corridor in the Valley.Woodford describes the effort as an eclectic art installation project.Throughout downtown people are greeted by 20 huge rotating posters featuring the faces and short, quirky biographies of local merchants, she said.The 18-by-24-inch posters feature a photo taken by Woodford on one side. The facts on the back of each poster were hand painted.

  • Luxury apartment complex draws scrutiny for age requirement

    Downtown Tempe’s new luxury apartment complex, Hanover Mill Avenue, has sparked controversy in the past few months while trying to create a community of young professionals, specifically those 23 and older, in a city dominated by college students. Hanover Mill Avenue is a six-story luxury apartment complex at the southwest corner of 5th Street and Maple Avenue, 101 W. 5th St. This complex, which features 341 rental units, opened this summer.In an effort to create housing for adults wishing to live in Tempe, Hanover not only charges a rent too high for most students to afford — $1,139 per month for a studio to $3,249 for a two-bedroom unit — but it does not allow cosigners and requires residents to be at least 23 years old.However, even though Hanover is designed to draw in young professionals, it could come at the cost of excluding others, due to the city of Tempe’s anti-discrimination ordinance.This anti-discrimination ordinance states: “It is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, familial status, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and U.S. military veteran status.”In Sec. 2-605, fair housing, it says more specifically that it is a violation to refuse the rental of residential real property to any person because of these specific traits. This ordinance does not include housing that is designated for senior living or for those who are disabled.

  • Driving With Gass...Man!

    Every week this column brings you topics about music and highlights a couple bands for you to check out. This week, though, I want to flip the script and talk about another performance art in the Valley that’s just as big, yet still making a name for itself. I’m talking about the local comedy scene here in Phoenix. It’s been over 15 years now that I’ve had the privilege of being involved with comedians on all levels of professionalism. From the local open-mics to the headlining acts that don the stages of our great comedy theaters, Phoenix is a great place to see up and coming talent.Now I know when you think of comedy cities, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles come to mind. And that’s still true. However, Phoenix has been a quiet city of an extremely talented pool of performers who are ready to take on the world! But first, the world must look into Phoenix.Now, before we get started, I wanted to make mention of my background in comedy before you buy into my perspective. George Carlin to me is the best there’s ever been. A comedian, philosopher and grumpy old man down the street who could care-or-less if you get your stupid Frisbee back from his backyard. He told the truth in a way that was both profound and funny. The bar is set high for me for any comic to follow. I’m just very particular with my comedy. And since the loss of Carlin, there’s been few to replace him.Louis CK is arguably one of the best today. His unique anger at the world is also very refreshing and true. From the naughtiest thoughts to the most embarrassing personal stories, Louis CK is in my top three.Jim Gaffigan is also one of my favorites. Another comedian to point out the obvious in a way you’ve never seen before. Plus, he was in Super Troopers. Meow.Ian Bagg, who finished runner-up in the latest Last Comic Standing is one of the funniest people I know. Extremely quick-witted and who can tell dirty jokes to your grandma and she’ll still want to take him home.

  • 3 to Try: Pumpkin spice and everything nice

    October is here, fall is in the air, and I’m pleased as ever to pronounce my love for all things pumpkin. Well, maybe the weather part is a stretch, but we can still celebrate the season with the best October appropriate drinks, dines and good times. Pop into these East Valley establishments for your fall flavor fix. Liberty Market230 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert480-892-1900, libertymarket.comOne of my favorite restaurants in downtown Gilbert, Liberty Market, just got a little sweeter. The next time you’re in the neighborhood, make time for a meal, or at minimum a pit stop for some Pumpkin Pie on the Road. This rendition of a homemade pop tart offers a perfect crust and pumpkin pie filling in one warm bite. Pair this dessert with a personal obsession a Cortado, a Cuban latte, served in a Gibraltar glass.Peixoto Coffee

  • Reinvent your ego

    The lights dim and a ballerina appears. A fixated audience holds its breath as she leaps, twirls and floats down the seemingly endless stage: A vision of grace, beauty and weightlessness. She set the tone for the first piece of Hues of Ego’s 2015 collection as it emerged at Phoenix Fashion Week. Presenting a cohesive collection of feminine grace tied together with female ferocity, Scottsdale-based brand Hues of Ego was awarded Emerging Couture Designer of the Year at Phoenix Fashion Week on Oct. 3.The designer behind the brand, Natasha Duran Lynch, was one of the 13 emerging designers who was a fan-favorite at Phoenix Fashion Week last year in 2014, but didn’t win the coveted title of Emerging Designer of the Year.With determination, Duran Lynch reentered the emerging designer competition at Phoenix Fashion Week in 2015, pushing herself to develop her brand by increasing her social media presence and strengthening her business model to embody the brand’s message, “Unmask a bolder you.”“I never went in thinking I was going to win,” Duran Lynch said. “I knew I had a strong chance because of everything that we had redone. A thing that I did to make myself even better this year was I redid all of the assignments. I wasn’t going to do the same thing that I did last year because I’d be in the same boat as I was last year and didn’t win."Duran Lynch’s 2014 collection featured an asylum inspiration through buckles and white tones, along with structured pieces like trench coats. This year the brand embraced a whimsical feeling of fantasy. Dresses that wouldn’t be remiss on a princess were paired with slick suits. Girlish yet powerful, the theme was of Woman Reborn. Before, she was trapped in a dark place, restricted by monotonous labels. But in the 2015 collection she has evolved and her journey is to embrace who she is: mother, daughter, single, CEO or beyond. Hues of Ego represents women who embraces the different roles she fulfills in her life.The aesthetic and interpretation of the collection has changed as well. Part of bringing that vision to life was a red balloon prop that models held, which symbolizes freedom from those labels. Duran Lynch’s collection opened with a long form-fitting white dress accentuated with a pop of color — the red balloon.

  • Where’s My Hoverboard?

    This is not the future I’ve been waiting for.In 1988, my grandparents and I went to see Back to the Future II at the now demolished Valley West Mall in Glendale. That afternoon, I learned about the dangers of time travel. So, I didn’t invent a time machine like Doc Brown to see the flying cars, holographic billboards, and self-tying shoes of 2015. Instead, I waited patiently.Now, the day Doc, Marty, and Jennifer visited is finally here: Oct. 21, 2015. And my shoes ain’t tying themselves.I can live with that. In fact, in many ways, our future is actually more futuristic than the one Doc and Marty experienced. Their future seemed void of the Wi-Fi and cell phones; Future Marty was actually fired via fax. Surely theirs was an ’80s interpretation of 2015, but how were we to know differently?What we learned from their adventure is that decisions can alter our future, for better or worse. Having beheld their 2015, we just didn’t prioritize hoverboards and flying cars. We opted instead for the Internet and computers in our pockets. Rather than create easier means to travel the world, we decided to bring the world to us. We’re less likely to damage the space/time continuum that way.Every day is an alternate timeline to the choices we avoided the day before, plain and simple. Doc explains it in easy terms at the end of the Back to the Future trilogy, when he tells Marty and Jennifer, “The future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.”

  • If you got it, flaunt it!

    Greasepaint Youth Theatre’s The Producers opened with a bang, flaunting the amazing performances of teen stars Jack Rose, Hale Stewart and Cami Benton. With an aptitude for cultivating young talent, this newest production at Greasepaint is proving to be one not to miss.When it comes to deciding which shows to do, Producing Artistic Director Maureen Dias-Watson explained that it was important to pick a production that is sure to please everyone while also giving the large number of graduating seniors a show that would push their capabilities.“This particular year, we have a talented group of guys and girls who are graduating high school in May. It was a rare opportunity for us to do a show like The Producers, which requires strong male actors. Often a rarity in youth theater, but this year, we had them!”While this show may not be catered to the audiences who adore all things Disney or old-school family classics, The Producers is a classic for modern Broadway, jam-packed with fun and hilarious nuances that audiences over 13 will go crazy for, especially if they are fans of that famous Mel Brooks humor.“Someone said it’s ‘not for the mature audience — more for the immature teens and adults,’ which I thought was funny. It’s that kind of humor, but theater people of all ages will love the show.“You have to be able to do a little bit of the Disney, Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, but you also have to do other shows, especially for kids like Jack, Hale and Cami, who are leading this cast. They are already talented, they are getting more trained and they need to be challenged,” Watson said.

  • Get possessed by the Puppet Players

    Ever feel like something else is controlling your life? The puppets in All Puppet Players can certainty attest to the feeling! And this month they are exploring that feeling in The Exorcist Has No Legs.”Classic puppet theater is turned on its head in hysterical, and rather adult shows, that will leave your funny bone tickled. The puppets who perform in All Puppet Players in Phoenix aren’t mincing words; their scripts are candid and their performances are for “big kids” to enjoy.The current show, The Exorcist Has No Legs, which runs until Oct. 30, is a spoof on the classic 1970s movie, The Exorcist, but with a puppet’s perspective.“I always try to take something super serious and see how we can flip it into a comedy,” said Shaun Michael McNamara, owner and artistic director of All Puppet Players.“A 1970s movie that was the scariest of all time, dealing with a subject matter that a lot of people deemed taboo, to me is the perfect show to become an instant comedy.”Although this is the second time All Puppet Players is performing The Exorcist, McNamara said the show has changed with the times and includes current pop culture references of musicians, politicians, and others to make it relevant.

Tech Data Doctors Deals

  • Bank of America awards grants to Valley housing nonprofits

    The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced $190,000 in housing grants to 10 nonprofits serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.This investment will help improve access to affordable housing, preserve neighborhoods, provide financial education and coaching for future homeowners, and support organizations and initiatives that contribute to the success of local communities.In addition to more than $22 million in housing grants to more than 650 nonprofits addressing housing needs across the U.S., Bank of America offers assistance and educational support to provide more transparency and clarity about the homebuying process, including working with more than 550 housing counseling agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • TruAmerica acquires apartment complex in Chandler

    TruAmerica Multifamily, in partnership with an institutional investor, has completed the purchase of Trevi, a 290-unit community in Chandler. The transaction is valued at $47.5 million.Trevi, which was built in 2005, is 97 percent occupied.Nearly 20 percent of the units have already been renovated with new stone countertops, updated cabinet hardware and fixtures, new appliance packages and USB charging ports.TruAmerica will undertake a $3 million capital improvement program to complete the interior renovation of the remaining units.

  • Singh Organic Soils purchases Tempe industrial building

    Cushman & Wakefield has announced the $1.38 million sale of McKellips Business Park in Tempe.This completes the final property to be sold from the PS Business Parks portfolio, bringing the total portfolio sale price to approximately $54.5 million.Singh Organic Soils purchased the 22,855-square-foot building located at 1733 E. McKellips Road as an investment.The McKellips Business Park building was constructed in 1980 and is 100 percent leased. The multi-tenant facility contains approximately 45 percent office space and 55 percent industrial use.

  • BBL Churchill expands to Ariz.

    A company that provides loans to financially dependent spouses recently expanded its services to Arizona, where divorce rates exceed the national average.BBL Churchill, a funding company that began in 2009, has expanded to 27 states to supply living expenses and legal fees to non-monied spouses throughout their case.CEO Brendan Lyle, dubbed “the Robin Hood of divorce,” said he started the company to give financial coverage to spouses with an asset pool of $400,000 or more throughout a divorce case.Lyle said his service allows clients to keep desired lawyers throughout their cases, and provides attorneys with payment as soon as the client is billed, rather than waiting until the divorce is settled.“As much as the courts try to help out, there is always this dichotomy between the monied spouse, which is typically the husband, and the non-monied spouse,” Lyle said. “We just don’t want to have financial inequality to lead into a settlement inequality.”However, the company’s service offers more than legal stability — Lyle said he and his associates also provide personal support.

  • 2 promoted at Two Men and a Truck

    Two employees at the Mesa office of Two Men and a Truck were recently promoted.David Flores was promoted to quality control manager. Ricky Molina was promoted to move manager. Both men previously worked as movers and worked their way up in the company.

  • Caribou Coffee & Einstein Bros. Bagels concept opens in Tempe

    Caribou Coffee & Einstein Bros. Bagels debuted their newest coffee and bagels concept in Tempe Oct. 14.The new location is the first in the state to feature both Caribou Coffee’s specialty coffee and handcrafted beverages paired with Einstein Bros. fresh-baked bagels and shmear.“We are excited to open a new coffee and bagels concept featuring both Caribou Coffee & Einstein Bros. Bagels,” said Mike Tattersfield, CEO, Caribou Coffee and ENRGI. “We love being a part of the Tempe community and we’re looking forward to seeing our neighbors on grand opening day and beyond.”The location features both brands’ aesthetics– as well as new design elements that portray their neighborly, quirky and optimistic brand equities. Both Caribou and Einstein Bros. Bagels fan favorites will be on the combined menu. Different limited time offerings will complement each other like Caribou’s Pumpkin Chai Latte and Einstein Bros. pumpkin bagel and shmear.The Tempe Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels is at 725 S. Rural Road, Tempe and is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Pets Food Health TV Travel

  • Spiritual Side: Paid sick leave and the biblical right to rest

    Every parent dreads a call like the one I got: “Your kid is sick and you have to come pick him up … right away.” I scrambled to cancel appointments and shift meetings. My partner arranged to leave work early. I collected our son, took him home and put him to bed. Later, my husband got back and I returned to work. It was an exhausting day, but we managed.And I wonder: What about those parents who have to punch out when they leave work? The ones who require their entire hourly wage to make it to the end of the month? What do they do when a child is sick? They tell the school they’re on their way, but work a bit longer and hope the phone doesn’t ring. They dial around to find someone — anyone — who can collect their kid. They start calculating which bill they won’t pay, what they won’t eat for dinner. And they worry. If their child is still sick the next morning, heaven forbid, they might leave their home with the TV on, promising to call. Maybe an older sibling watches her instead of going to school himself. For them, it’s a horrible day.And when the worker herself gets sick? She pops antihistamine and cough drops and paints a fake smile on her face. “Have a nice day,” she says, between sneezes.This is the reality for 45 percent of people who work in Tempe, as it is for 45 percent of Arizonans, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. That’s about 934,000 private sector workers statewide. Nearly half of us do not receive paid sick leave and have to choose between working ill and lost income. It breaks my heart. And it threatens my own family’s health when people go out in public sick.There’s a movement afoot in Tempe – and in Tucson as well – to require local business to provide paid sick leave for employees. Time accrues each hour they work, up to a certain limit. The time could be used when someone is sick themselves or has to take care of an ill family member. It could be used to attend a medical or learning appointment for a child or to appear in court. In a recent poll, 80 percent of Tempe residents supported the idea.I think it’s profoundly humane.

  • Spiritual Side: Our greatest weapon against assaults on our faith is our thoughts

    Every day it seems we are bombarded with what appears to be an assault on our faith, our rights, and our senses. We find ourselves struggling, looking for options to “fight back,” not necessarily in a physical way but to have the ability and resolve to take a stand for our beliefs.Our greatest weapon is our thoughts. Each individual regardless of religion, or faith, or no religious path at all, can still stop for a moment to examine: what do I really think about this issue or situation? What is the hope I hold for myself, the people involved, and our collective future? What would I like to see happen here? The pure act of taking a breath to center ourselves, to gather our thoughts, to stop and think before reacting to any situation can prove to be immensely beneficial to all involved. It can be the catalyst for a more peaceful response.Most of us are aware of the Golden Rule. Many faiths have a version of this timeless adage within their teachings. However, it is up to us as inhabitants of this planet to actually stop and use it in the daily activities of our life, whether it’s driving in traffic, at our kids sports events, or, in the greater issues we face as a community and a nation. Integrating the most useful tools of our many and diverse faiths can help to create a more harmonious community which, I believe, is everyone’s desire regardless of faith, religion, or political views.How do we monitor our thoughts, beyond the discipline of “stop, think, act?” First, we must stop ourselves by jumping into action and speaking. Many times words fall out of our mouth without a conscious thought as to what we are saying — the word choice, the our tone of delivery, how it will be received by the person hearing them, and what effect will these words will cause. Words carry energy and can become explosive if we do not filter them through our compassionate human heart.First, stop. Second, think. Then, consider. Put yourself in other persons shoes. How would you feel having heard what you just said? Annoyed? Judged? Contradicted? Walked over? Shut down? Defeated?As I have told many young people during my years of youth ministry, “God gave you two ears and one mouth — why is that? So we can listen twice as much as we talk.” Listening to others with a non-judgmental and compassionate ear is a learned skill.

  • GoGo squeeZ voluntarily recalls applesauce after mold found in 'small number' of pouches

    GoGo squeeZ has issued a voluntary recall of its on-the-go applesauce after mold was found in a "small number" of pouches, according to a letter posted online."We are doing this because we identified an issue in our recent production that led to the development of some common mold (like what can form on fruit) in a small number of pouches," said Michael Larroche, founder and CEO.The company said it had an independent lab test the mold and found that it posed no known health risk. They also said most of the potentially affected products were caught before being placed on store shelves."However, we know mold is gross and unpleasant to look at or taste, and this is simply not the kind of experience we want you to have."The recall affects pouches with a "Best Before Date" between June 30, 2016 and July 26, 2016 produced in the United States. The recall does not affect any other products.Click here to see where to locate the "Best Before Date."

  • Spiritual Side: Thank you, tailgaters, for supporting my son

    We are about halfway through this football season and if your son has not been injured yet then you should thank your lucky stars (whatever that means). My son works at a physical therapy clinic in Ahwatukee and he is amazed at all the kids who come in this time of year for treatment from “the big hit.”Last month I opened my mailbox and there was a large ESPN magazine inside. I decided to flip through it before tossing it in the recycle bin and my eye caught a picture of a young man wearing a football jersey in a wheelchair. It was easy to guess what this article was going to be about, but I decided to read it anyway. After telling about all the cool things his $40,000 wheelchair can do he recounted the details of the incident that broke his neck and left him paralyzed for the rest of his life. Then he laughed and said, “At least it was a good hit.” After that he shouted out, “Ma, come and scratch my nose, it itches!” His mother trudged up the steps to his second-floor bedroom and dutifully gave it a scratch and asked if he needed anything else. As upbeat as the young man seemed to be, it was a very sad story to read.The human body is an absolutely amazing invention. In doing a quick Google search I found out that our eyes can see a candle burning at night up to 30 miles away, our blood vessels could reach 2 1/2 times around the earth, our nerves send signals to our brain at over 250 mph, and our minds can read over 1,000 words a minute. Wow, God! No wonder you leaned back in your chair (er, I mean throne) and said, “Man, I’m good!” after making Adam and Eve.But God, you just can’t sit back and rest on your laurels. Didn’t you take Marketing 101 at University of Heaven? You need to continually analyze the current conditions and come out with new and improved models. You should see how important football is to us Americans and design future bodies to have more cushion around the ankles, knees and shoulders. The spine and neck bones should be much thicker and the brain has to be able to slam to the ground without all this “concussion” crap happening.Come on God, get with the program. It’s totally unfair that this poor, single mom has to spend the rest of her life scratching her son’s nose. What do you expect us to do … not let our kids run full speed into each other? That would be un-American. Don’t you love watching a “good hit” as much as we do?• Brad Butler is a PGA golf pro whose son grew up playing baseball, soccer, basketball and running cross country. Thanks to football he will always have a job as a physical therapist.

  • Spiritual Side: You will add value

    When a person commits violence that takes a life it does not matter if it happened close to home or not. We are all affected and it always hits close to home. After the recent slaying of innocents that occurred in an Oregon community college, we all mourn because of the senseless loss of life. There is much discussion in our country about what and who is to blame. We demonize the perpetrators. We argue about gun laws. We wait to see when it will happen next and worry about our own children, schools, and communities. We often feel helpless and do not know what to do. Often times, the blame game allows us to escape from taking any personal responsibility.In this column, I seek to place the possibility that each of us can contribute and take personal responsibility in potentially preventing such nonsensical, violent behavior. I have worked in and studied systems for more than 20 years. Systems theory reminds us to take notice to the integration of all the parts of a problem. No societal problems can easily be solved if all the parts are viewed in isolation from the interconnected components of the whole society. That is what makes solving the problem about killings with guns so difficult. One party might argue that it is about getting rid of the guns. Another might advocate for greater tracking of psychological illness, etc. Another says it is not guns, but people that kill. Each of these parties usually focuses on a part of the problem and it becomes a blame game. Thus releasing our party from responsibility. Systems thinkers see a world where we need a new system — a system (community) where all the parts (people) work together to obtain a common solution to a societal problem. Each person asks what they can do to contribute to the benefit of the whole.My faith leads me to believe that we are all created by God (we are all interconnected) and that God loves all people (we all have great value). Even for those who do not maintain such a belief, we can all agree that as humans we are all a part of the same system — the human race. None of us exist in isolation. We are all living with interdependence. If you can believe that we are interdependent, then we all have the possibility to be a part of the solution to any human problem. Instead of passing blame, what if each person in our communities took action and personal responsibility? Maybe, just maybe, we could prevent at least some of the reoccurring acts of violence.One of the government’s responsibilities is to keep people safe or secure, but it is obvious that at the government level we are not making much headway. What if we each took up arms? I am not arguing that we all arm ourselves with weapons, but rather inviting all of us to open our arms to people in our lives. If each human in our community took responsibility by opening our arms to coach, mentor, encourage, train, validate or even love our neighbors, we would definitely prevent at least some of these senseless acts. We have learned that the perpetrators of these acts are often lonely or radical groups that give them meaning influence them in negative ways. Maybe each of us as humans could give them healthy meaning or meet them in their loneliness.Some of us might choose to put on a coaching hat with people in our lives. As a coach we practice the gift of generosity. Generous coaches look for people who they wish to invest time in for the purpose of adding value. As a coach you do not need to have all the answers in life. You do not need to tell people what to do for their lives. Coaches simply walk with others as they play out their life and you encourage them. You ask questions. You invest in them. You allow them to come up with solutions to their life problems, but you show them you are there for them and that they are not alone.Sometimes we might be able to be more of a mentor. As a kid, car enthusiasts mentored me. As a kid, I had no idea about cars except that I thought they were cool. Men who knew a lot about cars took me under their wing and taught me. I was more of a student. As a mentor, you might have a love for something. You might have a certain expertise that you could help teach to other people in your life. This mentoring will give meaning. The encouragement and knowledge you pass on can add so much healthy value to others. It sometimes will last a lifetime. To this day, I love old cars. I thank those that took an interest in me and mentored me as a kid.

  • Time to celebrate Hispanic heritage

    National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year, a chance to stop and recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States while honoring their rich culture and heritage.The observance began when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week in September 1968. Congress later expanded the week to Hispanic Heritage Month in 1989.While it may seem unusual to mark the occasion from mid-month to mid-month, there is a historical reason for doing so. Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence Sept. 16 and Chile marks its independence Sept. 18.The Hispanic population in the United States continues to grow rapidly. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show an estimated 55 million Hispanic U.S. residents as of July 2014. By 2060, the Hispanic U.S. population is projected to be 119 million, or nearly 29 percent of the population.Arizona is one of eight states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents. Arizona currently has nearly 2.1 million Hispanic residents, representing 31 percent of the state’s 6.7 million population.At Cenpatico Integrated Care, we’re proud of our many Hispanic employees who are doing outstanding work and making a difference in the communities we serve.

Cronkite School Heroin Documentary Wins Top Honors at Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards

A statewide TV special exploring the deadly rise of heroin use in Arizona, created by Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Jou…

Published: October 22, 2015 - 10:00 am @ https://cronkite.asu.edu/rocky-mountain-emmy-award…

Screenings

The Big Knights will be coming to Vue cinemas everywhere on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November. To see your nearest Vue, click here. Aberd…

Published: October 22, 2015 - 10:02 am @ http://bigknightsontour.org.uk/screenings/

For Kevin Johnson, Sacramento Mayor, Abuse Claims Resurface

SACRAMENTO — It should have been a high point in a career of high points: the premiere of a documentary chronicling how Kevin Johnson — the fo…

Published: October 22, 2015 - 9:59 am @ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/us/mayor-kevin-j…

PolitiFact and Scripps launch partnerships in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Ohio

PolitiFact's Truth-O-Meter is coming to Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Ohio. PolitiFact and the E.W. Scripps Co. are partnering to provide loca…

Published: October 22, 2015 - 9:33 am @ http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/pol…

Soul Food Scholar Adrian Miller on the Differences Between Soul and Southern Food and the History of Immigrant Cuisine

That's author Adrian Miller's slogan — and it's not just funny; it's true. Known as the "Soul Food Scholar," Miller is one of the nation's for…

Published: October 22, 2015 - 9:36 am @ http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/soul-fo…

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