Fields, parks, pool, etc. intertwined

See A-1 and see Override, A-8

Bridges Teachers Invited To Speak At D.C. Conference
More than 20,000 professionals slated to attend
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Two teachers from Apache Junction’s Bridges pre-school are slated to speak at a conference in Washington, D.C., expected to be attended by more than 20,000 specialists.
   Meredith Lord and Katherine Utzke will discuss “The power of art: Becoming your own atelierista, or visual arts specialist” at the The National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference and Expo November 18 through 21.
  Lord, of Scottsdale, said she’s excited and nervous about the opportunity.
 “There are so many other famous and renowned educators that are going to be speaking at the same conference,” said Lord, who earned a degree in professional child development from the University of Wyoming.
   “There will be people there who have written volumes. Then we’re going to be speaking in the room next door to them. That’s the nerve-wracking part.”
   But, she feels, it is a message that needs to be shared. She said it’s important to use real artwork, as opposed to cartoon characters, while teaching children.
   “We use classical works of art and modern art, instead of using cartoon cut-outs that you see so frequently in childcare centers,” Lord said.
   “We’re talking to children about their artwork and famous works of art and talking to the parents about how important art is and how it relates to state learning standards. It’s an international conference. We have people coming from all over the world typically.”

See A-1 and see Teachers, A-9

AJ’s Veterans Day Parade Set For Wednesday, Nov. 11
Annual event begins with F-16 fly-over
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
With the theme of “Honoring Women in the Service— Grateful Forever,” the annual Apache Junction Veterans Day parade is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11.
   “This year’s parade is shaping up to be another event Apache Junction can be proud of,” said organizer/ former city councilman Dave Waldron, in a press release.
   “Take some time; come out to your parade on Veterans Day.”
  The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Phelps Drive and Old West Trail with an F-16 fly-over from Luke Air Force Base. The parade route will proceed west on Apache Trail to Gold Drive, turn and go east on Apache Trail returning to the staging area on Old West Trail between Idaho Road and Phelps Drive.
   “This is a day to come out and honor our Veterans, to take some time out of our busy schedule to watch the parade and meet those people who served this country with pride and honor,” Waldron said.
   “The parade committee wants to acknowledge those businesses along the parade route that are affected by the closure of Apache Trail and encourage everyone to stop by those businesses and thank them for allowing us to take the time for the parade.”
   The grand marshal is Master Sgt. (Retired) Darlene Tryon, who has a long and distinguished record while serving in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years. She served five combat tours.

See A-1 and see Veterans Day, A-9

A.J. Falls Short, 35-28, In Homecoming Shoot-out
By Chuck Baker
The News
It was number two in the 4A-I power rankings, once beaten Apache Junction, versus number three and undefeated Cave Creek Cactus Shadows. It was the Prospector’s potent rushing attack versus the Falcons vaunted aerial assault. It was Apache Junction senior fullback Nate Scola versus Cactus Shadows senior quarterback Dillon Classen.
   Mix in a few fireworks, the Prospector Marching Band, a standing-room-only crowd and the presence of royalty, including a King and Queen, and last Friday’s AJHS Homecoming and Desert Sky Region showdown at Davis Field lived up to its pre-game hype.
   With the two teams tied at 28-28 through three quarters of play, Friday’s region opener for both teams really came down to two third and long pass completions by Classen that allowed the Falcons to escape Davis Field with a 35-28 victory, improving to 6-0 on the season, while Apache Junction fell to 5-2.
   Both Classen and Scola had big first-half performances. The Cactus Shadows signal caller completed 14-of-20 throws for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Scola carried the ball nine times in the first half for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
   With Cactus Shadows leading 28-14 at halftime, the Prospector defense made some great adjustments in the second half to slow down the Falcons passing game and junior quarterback Roy Machuca atoned for two first-half fumbles to account for two AJHS third-quarter scores to tie the game up at the end of three periods.
   The first score from Machuca was a 36-yard touchdown toss to running back Terry Eytcheson to make the score 28-21 with David Gamboa’s PAT kick. The second was a quarterback keeper which Machuca took eight yards around right end, and following another Gamboa kick, Apache Junction was right back in it with one quarter to go.

See B-1 and see AJHS, B-6