4 DECEMBER 2023 — – — – — – EDITOR’S NOTE This year, I learned the hard way that if you have a seven-month-old kitten, there is no chance you can also have a Christmas tree in your living room. Presents under that tree? Forget it. Any kind of glass holiday décor? Don’t do it. Alas, I love my cat, and even though he’s been very naughty, he will still have something to rip into come Christmas day. I just have to move all my decorations to the tallest shelves. December is one of our favorite editions of the year because we get to highlight some of the fun goings-on happening around the Valley (and all the spots sharing their yummy dishes to eat!) – along with all the good news our neighborhood has to share. Graham Schaub, an Ingleside seventh-grader, won first place with his violin piece at the American String Teachers Association Solo competition. Veritas’ Zoe Wong and Hollyann Mortenson won third and first place at the USA Archery Arizona State Outdoor Championships. Xavier’s Sejal Patel won a Student Production Pillar from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Whatever our Arcadia students are up to, they sure know how to do it well! We also feature a story on the American Field Services organization, possibly better known as a foreign exchange student program, that various Arcadia families have long been a part of. Since its inception in 1915, more than 424,000 students have gone abroad, and 50,000 people have volunteered with the organization. We hope your holiday season is filled with all the love, laughter and joy – happy holidays, and thank you for reading Arcadia News. See you next year! – 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 . JANUARY Health and Fitness FEBRUARY Events and Adventures MARCH Spring / Arcadia Home & Design “Three phrases that sum up the holidays are: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, and Batteries Not Included.” – Unknown 1. Finley is a seven-month Old English Sheepdog that we’ve had since he was eight weeks old! Finley is a giant teddy bear. He is happiest when playing with his big brothers, Sterling and Shane, going on walks, snuggling up to his humans, and tagging along on family adventures! – Hailey P. 2. Harry is about five years old. Our best guess is he’s part pit bull and part Dalmatian. We got him from the Globe Humane Society after they found him in the desert. We’ve had him for two years. He is shy around other dogs but loves people and being copilot when he can! – Kate W. 3. Bella is a four-year-old German Shepherd who has us wrapped around her four paws. We used to be cool but now we are just her treat dealers. She loves nothing more than to play ball – nonstop! Her favorite TV show is Star Trek - TNG and she hates the news. – Kathy and Al C. 4. I adopted Coco from a lovely woman who entered hospice. I can’t describe the joy she has brought into my life! She loves her daily walks, playing like a crazy pup with her beaten up pink toys, and snuggling with me. I just love her! – Leslie K. 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 DECEMBER 2023 By Tiffany Gonzalez On Graham Schaub’s violin stand is a quote by Robert Schuller: “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.” This is a mantra that Graham returns to daily – especially if those seemingly endless hours of practice get to be too much. All the preparation has paid off, though, as the Ingleside seventh-grader won first-place in the Junior Division at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Solo Competition this fall. Founded in 1946, ASTA was developed to support orchestra teachers and performers. Over 75 years later, the organization “continues in its commitment to serve and lead a community of diverse members in advancing string teaching, performing and scholarship.” Within ASTA is the annual solo competition for its younger students, who not only are given the opportunity to study privately with members of the association but also contend for a top spot. This is Graham’s first big win in the competition realm. He has been playing since he was three years old. “The violin became a way of self-expression and a way to process my emotions,” Graham said. “I also love performing for others.” Practicing for the competition was tense – and busy. Graham also plays second chair in Division 1 for the Mesa Youth Symphony, so his normal rehearsal times were split in two leading up to the big day. For three months straight, he practiced for 90 minutes on school days and two hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Graham credits his instructor, Jing Zeng – an accomplished violinist for the Phoenix Symphony – for helping him achieve the first-place win. “Jing was extremely supportive during our time together,” he said. “Those were actually my favorite practices.” Graham said he was nervous in the days before the competition. He felt there were still some things that he needed to work on, but his anxiousness and focus helped him power through those last lessons. At the solo, competitors must choose a piece of music from the standard classical literature matching their instrument and weren’t allowed to exceed 10 minutes in performing. Memorization was not required but encouraged – and Graham exceeded that expectation, as he learned by heart Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24, Movement 1 by Ludwig van Beethoven and performed for what he said “felt like forever.” According to Graham, he only made two mistakes. “He is a natural performer and would love it if he could be awesome without studying. Graham is at a level that requires hours of daily rehearsal to simply maintain his skill,” Dad, Tristahn, said. “Getting him to uphold those commitments can be challenging. One day I asked, ‘Is this how you want to remember your childhood, all these fights over violin practice?’ and his response was, ‘I like that mom makes me practice when I don’t want to.’” Though he will not be eligible to compete for the next solo competition again until freshman year, Graham diligently continues practicing every day. After the ASTA competition, he got right back to work, studying Max Bruch’s Concerto No.1 Opus 26 for the Arizona International Music Competition, which took place on November 15. Practice makes a first-place win for this violin player Graham Schaub has been playing the violin since he was three years old. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRISTAHN SCHAUB 2023 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2023-10/31/2023) Active Homes - 66 Homes Homes Sold - 128 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,304,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $492 Average Days On Market - 83 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 52% more time to sell. (based on 2022 sales results) Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2023 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2023-10/31/2023) Active Homes - 89 Homes Homes Sold - 177 Homes Average Sale Price - $2,500,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $671 Average Days On Market - 73 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home sales have decreased 10% this year. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 home prices have increased 1%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 0%. (based on 2022 sales results) 2023 homes are taking 41% more time to sell. (based on 2022 sales results) LISTINGS NEEDED FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS. Ask me about my comprehensive online and print marketing program that exposes your home to the largest pool of qualified buyers. TOMMY ATKINSON 602.625.6020 Free MLS Access: visit TommyAtkinson.com tommyatkinsonaz YOUR HOME HERE