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EV group helps struggling women... Gilbert giving Machine... Cardinals QB plans to will debut game

Issue #012

Author

Lloyd Heath
November 10, 2023

😈😈😈😈

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

 🏢 Epicenter at Agritopia is the last piece for 20-year-long development in Gilbert

 👩‍👧‍👦EV group helps struggling women meet life goals

 🫶Gilbert 'Giving Machine' opens Nov. 17 to aid East Valley charities

☕Gilbert business will host Coffee 101 classes

 🏫Tom Horne wants schools to kick two groups off campus. Doing so might be illegal

 🏈Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray plans to 'do my thing and that's obviously win'

 🏈Arizona high school football playoffs schedule

Upcoming Events in Gilbert and Surrounding Areas

"Live Life: A Songwriter’s Music Festival" Veteran’s Day Nov 11, Gilbert AZ

Tempe Water Lantern Festival

November 10th

November 11th (Veterans Day)

November 12th

Epicenter at Agritopia is the last piece for 20-year-long development in Gilbert

The Johnston Family's Agritopia project in Gilbert, AZ, is culminating with the grand opening of Epicenter on November 16. This final component of the 160-acre development, which began over 20 years ago, combines luxury living with retail space. Epicenter features The Tyler, an apartment complex with 320 units, and over 49,000 square feet of commercial space hosting more than 20 businesses, including restaurants and wellness stores. The project reflects the family's commitment to honoring their agricultural heritage while adapting to urban growth.

How Agritopia and The Epicenter came together

Joe Johnston, who grew up in a rural area now part of Gilbert, AZ, transformed his family's farmland into Agritopia, a walkable community centered around an 11-acre farm. After starting with Joe's Farm Grill, the project expanded to include Epicenter, seen as the "downtown" area of Agritopia. Epicenter, developed by Johnston's son William, features The Tyler apartments and is designed to be a hyperlocal space where residents can live, dine, and shop within their community. The aim is to preserve the "village life" vision while adapting to urban growth, with the grand opening marking the completion of this vision.

A dining destination for the East Valley

Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert, AZ, is prioritizing local Arizona favorites over national chains for its dining and retail spaces. Among the businesses excited to join the community is the renowned seafood restaurant Buck and Rider, opening its third location. With a focus on fresh, high-quality seafood, they drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport daily to pick up catches from various coasts for their seasonal menu. Buck and Rider's COO believes Epicenter will be an ideal spot for date nights and social gatherings, meeting the East Valley's demand for upscale dining experiences.

Retail a new addition to Agritopia

Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert, AZ, continues to expand with the opening of local boutiques, med spas, fitness centers, and more. Among the new businesses are Vintage Home, Wyle Hair Salon, and UrbAna, a boutique that specializes in entertaining and lifestyle products. UrbAna's owner chose Epicenter for its proximity to residential areas and the supportive partnership offered by the Johnston family, who prioritize the community's success. This development is quickly becoming a hub for local commerce, aligning with the vision of a vibrant, community-focused village life.

EV group helps struggling women meet life goals

Positive Paths is a Mesa-based nonprofit that has been providing crucial support to determined women in Gilbert and the East Valley for the last nine years, helping them overcome barriers to complete their education and find employment in their desired fields. The organization offers mentoring, financial assistance for both educational and living expenses, job placement, and professional networking opportunities. Their scholars, who range in age from 18 to 60, are often facing challenges such as poverty, caregiving responsibilities, violence, or homelessness. With a success rate of 72% of its scholars earning degrees or credentials, Positive Paths is looking to expand its services throughout Maricopa County. The nonprofit maintains strong relationships with educational institutions for referrals and is recognized for its transparency and effectiveness. They are gearing up for their upcoming fundraiser, the Play for Paths Golf Tournament on November 19. More information can be found at positivepathsaz.org.

Gilbert 'Giving Machine' opens Nov. 17 to aid East Valley charities

Gilbert will host The Giving Machine from Nov. 17 to Dec. 31 at the Gilbert Water Tower Plaza, where people can donate items to both local and global charities. Part of the #LightTheWorld initiative that has raised over $22 million since 2017, these "vending machines" offer a way for users to buy and donate essential items such as food, clothing, livestock, and more, with prices ranging from $5 to $250. Local charities benefitting include ASA Now, Chandler Care Center, Manes & Miracles, Winged Hope, and Care for Life. Donations can also be made online for those who can't visit in person, with 100% of donations going to the charities.

Gilbert business will host Coffee 101 classes

PRESS Coffee is bringing Coffee 101 classes back in early 2024.

During the one-hour experience, attendees will learn about the rich history of coffee roasting and can sample various types of distinct and flavors from around the world. The classes will begin Saturday, Jan. 13 and take place at PRESS Coffee’s Gilbert location at 355 E. Germann Road.

Coffee 101 will be available on the following dates and times:

  • January dates: 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27

  • February dates: 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24

  • March dates: 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. March 30

Admission is $25 per person. Tickets available at https://presscoffee.com/pages/coffee-101.

Space is limited to 10 attendees per class.

Tom Horne wants schools to kick two groups off campus. Doing so might be illegal

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is urging schools to remove UNICEF and Amnesty International clubs from campuses after students at a Scottsdale high school presented material he deemed antisemitic. This action may be a violation of federal law, as the Equal Access Act prohibits discrimination based on the content of speech in student clubs. Scottsdale Unified Superintendent Menzel is using this incident as a learning opportunity and has no plans to disband the clubs, stating that doing so could lead to unsuccessful legal challenges due to viewpoint discrimination. Amnesty International USA has responded, asserting that legitimate criticism of government actions is not antisemitism and that efforts to silence students should stop.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray plans to 'do my thing and that's obviously win'


Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is set to make his season debut against the Atlanta Falcons after recovering from a torn ACL. Despite advice to take it slow, Murray is eager to play at a high level, dismissing the idea of pacing himself. With 12 practices completed since his clearance, he's prepared to face whatever comes his way. Murray, who has never had a major injury before, feels confident in his knee and won't be wearing a brace during games. His teammates are excited for his return, and Murray himself is looking forward to getting back into action after a 10-month rehabilitation.

Arizona high school football playoffs schedule

Here is the schedule of the 6A, 5A and 4A first-round games

6A first round

Thursday, 7 p.m.

No. 16 Mesa vs. No. 1 BROPHY, at Central

No. 9 Sandra Day O'Connor at CASTEEL

No. 12 Red Mountain at No. 5 MOUNTAIN VIEW

No. 13 Desert Ridge at No. 4 PINNACLE

No. 14 Queen Creek at No. 3 SAGUARO

No. 11 Mountain Pointe at No. 6 PERRY

No. 10 BOULDER CREEK at No. 7 Williams Field

No. 15 Corona del Sol at No. 2 SALPOINTE

 

5A first round

Thursday, 7 p.m.

No. 16 Ironwood Ridge at No. 1 HIGLEY

No. 9 RAYMOND S KELLIS at No. 8 Millennium

No. 12 Casa Grande at No. 5 APOLLO

No. 13 Campo Verde at No. 4 CACTUS

No. 14 Canyon View at No. 3 HORIZON

No. 11 Marana at No. 6 AMERICAN LEADERSHIP GILBERT NORTH

No. 10 Sunnyslope at No. 7 NOTRE DAME

No. 15 Buena at No. 2 DESERT EDGE

4A first round

Thursday, 7 p.m.

No. 16 Peoria at No. 1 YUMA CATHOLIC

No. 9 Buckeye at No. 8 EASTMARK

No. 12 Bradshaw Mountain at No. 5 THUNDERBIRD

No. 13 Coconino at No. 4 ARCADIA

No. 14 Snowflake at No. 3 MICA MOUNTAIN

No. 11 Walden Grove at No. 6 NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN

No. 10 ARIZONA COLLEGE PREP at No. 7 Lee Williams

No. 15 Poston Butte at No. 1 CANYON DEL ORO