3 (60 arc Tanner Detro NMLS ID# 1182443 Arcadia Mortgage Experts. At work for you. Your next home will be second to none. You deserve a mortgage expert equally as impressive. One who knows the area and its intricacies. Discover how our concierge level service and industry expertise can accommodate all of your mortgage needs. • Jumbo Mortgages and Construction Loans • No Private Mortgage Insurance for Residential Loans • Streamlined Lending Process with Flexible and Creative Solutions midfirstprivatebank.com/arcadia 602.801.5050 Arcadia News PB Mortgage Ad Full Pg 4c.indd 2 11/8/17 11:55 AM

DECEMBER Departments 4 Teachers We Love 6 Chem-free Life 10 What’s Happening ? 17 Worth the Drive 21 Ask the Appraisers 24 Reel Talk 28 Career Tips 40 Places We Like 42 Straight Up w/Twist 44 Did You Know ? 56 Sports Articles Publisher: Greg A. Bruns greg@arcadianews.com News Department news@arcadianews.com Editor: Nick Smith nick@arcadianews.com Designer: Gabe Turner gabe@arcadianews.com Advertising: Roni Mier roni@arcadianews.com Arcadia News 3850 East Indian School Road #1 (602) 840-6379 • arcadianews.com arcadianewsonline.com (for archives) Arcadia News is published monthly by Arcadia News for residents of the Arcadia neighborhoods, and is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Subscriptions $36 annually for Continental U.S. Contact office for details. Arcadia News is distributed only by Arcadia News’ authorized distributors. No person may take more than one copy of each Arcadia News monthly issue, without prior written permission. Additional copies of the current issue of Arcadia News may be obtained from the Arcadia News office. All content is copyrighted (©2017) by Arcadia News. Contents in full or part may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or its employees and does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. Readers are urged to verify any statements. Advertisers assume full liability and responsibility for all content of advertisements printed and for any claims arising from such advertising and represent that all licenses and consents and waivers have been obtained including from third parties having rights in text or graphics. The Advertiser and/or its agency agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Publisher for, from and against any loss, damage, claim, cost or expense relating to or resulting from Advertiser’s advertisements, including from the unauthorized use of Advertiser of any name, photograph, sketch or words which may be protected by copyright or trademark law. Articles and photographs can be submitted, to be considered for use in future issues. Any unsolicited manuscripts or photographs cannot be returned. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement which is not in keeping with the standards of this publication. Current monthly circulation: 20,000. Primary distribution by U.S. Postal Service. 48 Guide to resort holiday events Not everyone wants to deal with the hassle of leaving town for the holidays. We’ve got a list of holiday events taking place at local resorts. 38 Embracing the spirit of giving Each December, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital puts on a toy drive. One Hopi third-grader has been inspired to help with the toy drive all year long. 20 A bus with no driver? The nation’s first self-driving shuttle for the public is coming to Las Vegas. AAA is spearheading the project with multiple partners. ARCAD A NEWS AWA R D W I N N I N G N E I G H B O R H O O D N E W S S I N C E 19 9 3 COVER IMAGE: The Lara Family: (left-right) Ruben, Jordan, Jacob, Jared and Jacque. The Arcadia family appeared on our cover in December 2002, after the twins were born. CURRENT PHOTO: GREG A. BRUNS. ORIGINAL PHOTO: PAULSON PHOTOGRAPHY. Audited by: 22 Honoring his father’s legacy A massive front yard rock sculpture has been making visitors rub their eyes in disbelief for decades. Check out our story on the man who is still keeping it alive.