24 AUGUST 2023 A miel Sawdaye loved baseball and statistics long before Moneyball hit bookstores in 2003. After all, you don’t go to college and major in Information Science unless you like numbers, regression analysis, modeling, and data computation. The degree from the University of Maryland helped Amiel land his first job with General Electric, but he soon discovered that it wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. “As a kid, I followed all the MLB teams and players – especially their stats. I just fell in love with it,” Amiel said. He started watching baseball when his dad took him and his older brother to Memorial Stadium, where they rooted for the Baltimore Orioles. First, there was a stop at Burger King, where tickets were free with a kids’ meal. Amiel’s father was not from the United States, so the brothers had to teach him how the game works. “That’s how I learned, and my brother and I were hooked. We played sandlot games in our backyard every day for years,” he said. Self-admittedly, as he got older, Amiel understood baseball better than he played it, so he focused on learning off the field. His first opportunity came after he sent his resume to all 30 franchises while still working at GE. “Most everyone didn’t respond to me,” he remembers, “however, one GM gave me some great advice about having nothing to offer but sweat equity.” Most front office operations weren’t technically advanced back then, so Amiel offered his computer skills to help create the Red Sox’s first robust scouting software program, managing the reports on how the talent was being evaluated. “Honestly, I was just thrown into the fire,” Amiel said. The Red Sox won three World Championships across 15 seasons, and Boston’s Mike Hazen was tapped by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016 to become their new general manager. Amiel followed him, becoming senior vice president and assistant general manager. He is responsible for amateur and international scouting and assists Hazen in all facets of operations. “At first, we were scared about the move to Arizona and living in the desert, but we never envisioned a neighborhood like Arcadia. My oldest daughter has already informed me that we’re never leaving,” he said with a laugh. Amiel and his wife, Danielle, have three children: Lily (12), Mia (10) and Max (7). Mia was born with a rare genetic disorder, Williams Syndrome, which has thrust Amiel into action, volunteering locally and nationally to help raise awareness. He also serves on the St. Mary’s Food Bank board, where he and Lily have volunteered since moving to Arizona. “It’s important to volunteer and support others in need. Plus, I get to spend time with my kids,” Amiel said. Asked about his favorite baseball player while growing up, he didn’t hesitate: “My idol was Cal Ripken. I always looked up to him because of his work ethic and dedication to his teammates.” As a scouting director, you are measured by the players you draft, and Amiel proudly counts Mookie Betts among his best picks, but he humbly admits, “I’ve had many misses too.” By all accounts, he has an all-star batting average. Amiel Sawdaye We never envisioned a neighborhood like Arcadia. PLANT HEALTH CARE EXPERTS SERVING ARCADIA AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR OVER 10 YEARS. CALL 480-549-0590 FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION! ROC #313230 Licensed I Bonded I Insured Member of AZ Landscape Contractors Association Your Personal Landscape Experts atoztreeandturf.com PRO TIP: GET YOUR ROSES IN TOP SHAPE! It’s hot. Roses and plants are getting sunburned. Water is essential but improving the soil will improve plants. Sun stress and general plant health will benefit from Humic Acid. These wonder-working soil amendments stimulate root development and strengthen plants. It’s also time to schedule your fall Rose treatment! Make sure your Roses are safe from thrips and aphids with an insecticide blend to include Rose-specific fertilizer. At A to Z Tree & Turf, our licensed and certified Plant Health Care Specialists can assess the current health of your landscape plants. We’ll formulate a detailed plan to maintain and address your landscape needs. ¥ Plant Health Care ¥ Design - Build - Install ¥ Planting & Hardscapes ¥ Irrigation & Lighting ¥ Artificial Turf ¥ Beautification & Enhancements

25 AUGUST 2023 By Mallory Gleich Tatum Berry and Wendi Jaramillo, two Arcadia preschool teachers, focus their schooling on nature, love, art and support. And it’s with those four principles that they started Gather, Garden & Grow (GGG), a program that encourages attendees young and not-so-young to slow down and immerse themselves in nature – and have fun in the process. Wendi grew up in Richmond, Virginia and moved to Tempe with her family in 1980 (which she says makes her pretty much an Arizona native). Tatum was born in California. Her dad was in the Air Force, so there was lots of moving while she was growing up. The family landed in Phoenix and has been here since. Wendi has been a childcare teacher for over 15 years. Outside of school, Tatum is a certified yoga teacher. The pair met three years ago while working at Arcadian Day School. “I’ve experienced the healing powers of yoga and mindfulness and love more than anything to share them,” Tatum said. “Wendi and I both love art and gardening, so we wanted to create something authentic to us, the things we love and find joy in, and share that with our friends, family and community.” GGG is open year-round and offers activities for children (ages 3-10) and families. A good portion of those take place at local community gardens, making them free or donation-based. Events include yoga classes, crafts, gardening and education, workshops, cocoa ceremonies, sound healing sessions, and artist markets in the garden. They also offer after-school yoga, a garden club for kids, and Summer Homestead camps with interactive activities. Campers learn mindfulness through breathing activities and yoga, gardening skills, communication, team building, and motor skills. The camps also add academics, built into each session. “We have been caring for children for so long that we have quite the craft and activity tool belt,” Tatum said. “We love crafts that bring us closer to nature, slow us down, and bring people together. Our most popular activities are yoga in the garden and after- school clubs.” They also collaborate with other local businesses and artists. Participants recently attended a bean seed jewelry class with a Phoenix artist, sound healing with a local practitioner, and a macramé workshop. The duo have been gardening as a hobby for five years. Tatum has been involved at the Garfield Community Garden in downtown Phoenix since 2019 as the co- leader, where she helps keep the garden maintained and organizes the gardeners. After a soulful trip to India, she also participated in 200 hours of yoga teacher training in 2018. “I have been practicing since I was 16, became an instructor at 19 and have been teaching since then,” Tatum said. Wendi’s experience in outdoor gardening is just beginning, but she said she intends to continue learning about it every day. She is also working on getting her children’s yoga certification. Wendi’s favorite part of GGG is watching people at events make new friendships and bringing like-minded communities together. “My other favorite part of the business is working with Tatum,” she said. Tatum’s favorite part is making new friends and connections, fostering old ones, working with the “most amazing” people, and hanging out with Wendi, too! “Our children never want to leave class and can’t wait to come back. The parents are always grateful that we are creating a space for their children to thrive and connect to nature,” Tatum said. “Any event we have at the community garden immediately makes people happier and calmer being immersed in greenery and plants. It is grounding and relaxing.” GGG eventually wants to have its own multifunctional space to call home, where folks can come to the garden and farm and share Tatum and Wendi’s love of nature, children and education – and stay comfy during summer months. “We will continue expanding our knowledge, sharing the things we learn, and creating a safe space for all children and families to come together,” Tatum said. gathergardengrow.com Slow down, have fun and learn with Gather, Garden & Grow Wendi Jaramillo and Tatum Berry. Gather, Garden & Grow hosts various outdoor events and workshops. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TATUM BERRY We wanted to create something authentic to us, the things we love and find joy in, and share that with our friends, family and community.