4 NOVEMBER 2023 — – — – — – EDITOR’S NOTE The other day, I wrote down ten things I’m grateful for and shared them with my little brother. He read the list and laughed when he got to #10. “Your vacuum?” He said. “Who writes down ‘vacuum’?” I laughed then, too, but it’s true. I love vacuuming my house, and I’m grateful for the device that allows me to do so! Our November edition features an array of things focused on ‘thanks’ – spots to share Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, donation drives that are kicking off this month and a soldier whose life changed, thanks to a Valley nonprofit. Lance Tudor spent four years with the United States Army. He witnessed unspeakable acts of horror and found himself in multiple close calls, events that eventually led to bouts of anxiety, anger and nervousness. Thanks to urging from Lance’s wife, he reached out to Soldier’s Best Friend, an organization that pairs service dogs with Veterans. Lance and his pit bull, Maggie, spent nine months in training – and now, Lance is thriving as a husband and a professional welder. Be sure to check out our Fall edition of Arcadia Home & Design inside. This issue of our seasonal, home-centric magazine features architect Al Beadle and tips for building your own wine cellar from area food and wine superstar Mark Tarbell. Happy Veterans Day, Happy Thanksgiving – and thank you, as always, for reading Arcadia News and Arcadia Home & Design, – Mallory Gleich – Mallory Gleich UPCOMING THEMES: No one has better coverage in the areas of Arcadia, Biltmore and the Camelback Corridor. Promote your business to 45,000 loyal Arcadia News readers. For more: 602-840-6379 or email roni@arcadianews.com . DECEMBER Season of Giving JANUARY Health and Fitness FEBRUARY Events and Adventures “I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” – Erma Bombeck 1. I’m Grey! I am six years old and 95 pounds of love. I demand to be the center of attention at all times. My favorite hobbies include whining until I’m sitting in between my parents on the couch and squeaking my rubber chicken toy right when mom is on a phone call. – Meghan M. 2. This is our standard poodle Abigail. She is 2.5 years old and we have had her since she was a baby. Our family got Abigail during the pandemic, and could not imagine life without her. She is super smart and fancy and makes our family complete! – Kelli M. 3. Roland is a cream and gold golden retriever. He was bred at Guide Dogs for the Blind in California and was not 100 percent at graduation time, so he was “career changed.” We were blessed to adopt him. He is currently a therapy dog at Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Roland participates in a 15-year cancer study at Morris Animal Foundation, hoping to find a cure for all breeds. He is a very chill golden and loves his walks and quiet time. – Valerie C. 4. Pippin is a six-month old orange tabby, and is the sweetest little kitten around! He loves to cuddle and is quite a chatty lad. He loves attention, and is known to make an appearance on every zoom call in this house. His best friend is a golden retriever named Dakota. We love our sweet Pippy Boy! – Mackenzie H. 1 3 2 4 ARCADIA 'S PETS Would you like to share your pet? Send a photo and a description (50 words max) of your pet to editor@arcadianews.com . Include your pet’s name and age, along with any fun facts about them you’d like to share. All animals are welcome! HANDCRAFTED Cabinetry IN 2-4 WEEKS Kitchen Kitchen • Bath Bath • Laundry Laundry • Countertops Countertops Soft close drawers and doors • Free design consultations Let our highly skilled team of craftsmen take your project from design concept to reality! Let our highly skilled team of craftsmen take your project from design concept to reality! (602) 314-6238 | azcabinetcompany.com | 3301 E Indian School Rd #4 | Phoenix AZ 85018 Arcadia family owned & operated! Arcadia family owned & operated! Enjoy your home with the kitchen of your dreams!

5 NOVEMBER 2023 By Claire Patena This year, 1,000 Valley families will receive Thanksgiving dinners, thanks to local nonprofit Feeding Students USA. The organization aims “to bring community resources together to implement a sustainable, nutritious food source for hungry families.” “We provide for families who are identified and qualified through the school district who do not qualify for state-mandated programs,” Board Member Ashley Staples said. For over 11 years, the organization has helped families in Scottsdale Unified, Creighton, Washington, and Balsz School Districts with Thanksgiving meals through donations from community members. “The first year, we fed ten families; the next year, we fed 25. Then, we held the drive at Ingleside Middle School and fed about 250. Since then, it has grown incredibly, and we have consistently served about 1,000 families,” Founder Joni Sucato said. Feeding Students is currently collecting donations. Requested items include turkeys, dried and canned goods. However, anything that will go toward filling a plate is needed, according to Sucato. A neighborhood collection day will take place on Saturday, November 4. Homes in the Valley will set up as food collection sites for drop off items. Volunteers will be working these stations to sort and transport the food. On November 19, Feeding Students will accept turkey donations at Arcadia City Church (3313 N. 40th St.) from 1-5 p.m. Arizona has climbed to one of the top five states dealing with food insecurity among children, according to St. Mary’s Food Bank. Feeding Students collaborates with schools and other nonprofits to provide year- round assistance to about 3,000 children and families – not just during the holidays. With donations and aid from the Midwest Food Bank, Feeding Students runs a food pantry and supplies emergency food boxes to students. School community specialists collaborate with the nonprofit and other families, helping them form good relationships and get the support they need. “We count on teachers, the community and community specialists. We want to ensure that no child is hungry at school,” Sucato said. Arcadia City Church, Christ Lutheran Church, and hundreds of community members have helped sustain and grow Feeding Students in its effort to fight food insecurity. “Our objective is to provide these families some holiday joy with a nice Thanksgiving dinner,” Staples said. Those interested in setting up a donation site can contact Ashley Staples at amgstaples@me.com. feedingstudentsusa.org Turkey drive and pickleball tourney fight food insecurity FSUSA THANKSGIVING PICKLEBALL FUNDRAISER FSUSA is also hosting the Pickleball Tournament Turkey Classic. Funds will go toward a Thanksgiving event on November 20. WHEN: November 5, from 2-5 p.m. WHERE: Picklemall, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Cir., Tempe. PRICE: $200 per team. FSUSA Board Members Ashley Staples, Angela Woudenberg and Katherine Polachek. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY STAPLES 2023 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2023-9/30/2023) Active Homes - 66 Homes Homes Sold - 114 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,302,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $492 Average Days On Market - 85 days There is currently 3 months of home inventory. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home sales have decreased 38% this year. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home prices have increased 6%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 $ Per Square Foot prices have decreased 2%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 Homes are taking 53% more time to sell. (based on 2022 sales results) Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2023 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2023-9/30/2023) Active Homes - 84 Homes Homes Sold - 157 Homes Average Sale Price - $2,537,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $671 Average Days On Market - 76 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home sales have decreased 15% this year. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home prices have increased 2%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 $ Per Square Foot prices have decreased 0%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 homes are taking 43% more time to sell. (based on 2022 sales results) 4% Listing Commission Plans Available for Arcadia Home Sellers. Why pay a 6% commission when I will charge you 4% and save you tens of thousands of dollars. Ask me about my full service comprehensive online and print marketing program that exposes your home to the largest pool of qualified local and international buyers. TOMMY ATKINSON 602.625.6020 Free MLS Access: visit TommyAtkinson.com tommyatkinsonaz YOUR HOME HERE