Life Coach in Chandler, AZ

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today released the following statement on the conclusion of the 2022 Arizona Legislature:

“Over the last eight years, I’ve worked hand-in-hand with the good women and men of the Arizona Legislature to tackle the challenges facing our state, and pass policies to position Arizona as the land of opportunity. I am so grateful for their partnership.

“The policies we put in place over the past eight years made this success possible — policies that promoted economic growth, cut taxes, reduced regulations and made targeted investments to build a stronger, more resilient Arizona.

“Today, with the conclusion of the second session of the 55th Arizona Legislature, we are reaffirming our commitment to those policies and sending a clear message about our state’s future: we’re ready, and we’re unstoppable.

“This year’s legislative session is sure to be one to remember — and not only because of the historic bipartisan budget agreement. We took record revenues and invested in priorities that directly impact the lives of our fellow Arizonans: education, public safety, border security, health care, roadways paying off our debts, and saving for the future.

“This session we truly delivered. We invested in Arizona’s future, accelerating the expansion of Interstate 10. We enacted the most expansive school choice legislation in the nation. We cut red tape so critical health care workers can do their jobs unimpeded. We strengthened election integrity. We protected victims’ rights. We cracked down on crimes committed at the border. We kept our promises.

“I’m very grateful to Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers for their unyielding partnership and leadership this session, as well as their dedication to public service. I’m also grateful to each and every member of the Arizona Legislature for their commitment to our state. I am thankful for their work.”

Here are some of the highlights of Governor Ducey’s final legislative session:

EDUCATION

GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS

INFRASTRUCTURE

PUBLIC SAFETY

HEALTH CARE

CHILD & FAMILY SUPPORT

ELECTION INTEGRITY

VETERANS

In March, the governor signed legislation to ensure seamless education opportunities for active military and create scholarships for veterans’ family members.

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CHANDLER, AZ — Nearly a dozen dogs were stolen from an animal rescuer's home, but since then, all have been returned except for two thanks to the relentless search efforts from animal lovers across the Valley.

One of the dogs stolen was a well-known Malinois Shepherd named Leah.

Upon meeting her, most would quickly realize she has the typical high energy for a Malinois who’s just over a year old — in human years.

This is what makes Leah's role at Watch Me Grow Pediatric Clinic in Gilbert so special.

”She’s our best worker,” said owner Rebecca Waters with Leah draped over her with her tongue hanging out.

When a young patient is having a hard day, Leah is right there to comfort them with her signature hug. Not a nuzzle with her snout — Leah wraps her furry arms around the person she’s hugging and even sometimes nestles her nose on their shoulder.

No need for patients to pull out an insurance card — they’re always free. Leah wears a collar that reads just that: ‘Free Hugs.’

”It brightens everybody’s day,” said Jeanine Nesvik, a speech pathologist and Leah’s mom. ”She absolutely loves the kids. And she has almost a magical sense of what they need.”

When she’s not helping kids, Nesvik works with rescues and fosters to help Valley animals find forever homes. That includes temporarily housing pets at her home in Chandler.

One day back in March, Nesvik came home to find 11 dogs that were staying with her had been stolen — including Leah.

”A huge piece of my life had been ripped out,” said Nesvik.

Police reports were filed and crates were dusted for prints by Chandler investigators.

But like a dog that won’t let go, Nesvik says the animal-loving community in the Valley relentlessly posted pictures of missing animals on social media and in veterinarian offices.

Nesvik even contacted border patrol to be on the lookout for Leah and got Zzeeks Pizza to post flyers on their outgoing pizza boxes.

She says some of the dogs were found in the early morning hours at a dog park in Mesa.

Many of the dogs were malnourished. Days later, the same thing happened at a dog park in Gilbert.

But still, no Leah after three months of searching.

Then Nesvik got a call from the company where she was microchipped.

A video taken by Waters shows the emotional moment Nesvik learned her beloved Leah was with someone who found her in Prescott. Tears of joys streamed down her face.

Nesvik dropped everything and raced to Leah at that moment.

”We were counting down, five more minutes until we get there,” said Nesvik.

Of all the hugs Leah has given, none of them compared to the first embrace with her mom, Nesvik, in 12 weeks.

“I don’t think I could have pried her off if I tried,” she said.

Leah’s hugs are still free. In fact, to those who know her — they’re priceless.

There hasn’t been a suspect identified in connection with the stolen dogs, according to Nesvik.

Two of the 11 dogs are still missing.

Nesvik credits the community with helping her find most of the dogs, including her beloved Leah.

Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine, a new fine dining, woman-owned restaurant, is opening in Chandler on June 23.

“We, being foreigners, are proud of who we are and wanted to bring our rich culture to the Valley,” said owner and founder Madhavi Reddy of the name Feringhee, which means foreigner. Reddy also owns Pastries N Chaat restaurants in Scottsdale and Tempe along with Saffron Indian Grocery N Kitchen markets in Scottsdale, Phoenix and San Antonio.

At the new restaurant, she hopes to combine her industry knowledge and education in agriculture and marketing to create a new dining experience.

“We wanted to put Phoenix on the map for fine Indian dining,” said Reddy.

What's on the menu at Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine?

The menu, which covers northern and southern Indian cuisines, puts a contemporary twist on traditional Indian dishes, both in flavor and presentation. For example, there is an avocado chutney and a hummus made with Indian spices on the menu.

“No one makes chutney with avocado,” said Reddy, who added that the restaurant can accommodate dietary restrictions, such as vegan and gluten-free.

At the helm are two award-wining chefs with a wealth of culinary knowledge.

Chef Sujan Sarkar has worked in restaurants around the world and was named chef of the Year 2016 by Times Food Guide and opened Ek Bar, India’s first artisanal cocktail bar in 2015, which was awarded the 2016 Best New Cocktail Bar in The World by Condé Nast Traveler UK.

Chef Karan Mittal has experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants, and his accolades include being named Rising Star of the Year 2018 by Food & Wine Magazine Ireland and Best Young Chef for fine dining in 2018 and Best Young Chef Gold Medal in 2019 by the Irish Curry Awards.

The menu includes the likes of tandoori duck seekh kebab, Himalayan lamb chops and Bengali or Kasundi shrimp. Keralan Quilon-style fried chicken is served with peanut chutney, avocado pachadi and moringa.

In addition to the creative food menu, which uses local and seasonal ingredients combined with Indian spices, Feringhee offers a cocktail menu of drinks infused with Indian ingredients such as saffron, jamun, sweet black plum and jaggery, an unrefined cane sugar.

“We have a shared desire to disrupt the Indian-based food service industry here in the Valley,” said Reddy.

The 8,000-square-foot restaurant is now open and features a large dining room, private dining room and patio seating for 145 to 160 people, along with a banquet hall that will open soon. Small plates range from $13 to $19, large plates are $22 to $32 and sides are priced from $4 to $7. The restaurant is located by the Chandler Fashion Center, at the corner of south Chandler Village Drive and west Frye Road. Dinner reservations are available now through OpenTable.

Details: 3491 W. Frye Road, Chandler. 480-534-7178, feringhee.com.

Hours: Closed on Mondays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

EAST VALLEY, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Karen and Kelly Gleave just did something they never thought they’d do. They ripped out the grass in front of their Mesa home and replaced it with desert rocks and plants. “More and more as the Valley grows, I’ve realized that I need to do more to conserve,” said Kelly Cleave. “It just seems more responsible.”

The drought-conscious couple is among a growing number of Arizona homeowners taking advantage of their city’s incentive program to conserve water and create shade. By removing their lawn and putting in low water plants, the Gleaves received $550 from the City of Mesa. “I was of the mind that I was getting ready to make the change anyway, and so that incentive just really helped push me over the edge to decide it was time to do it,” said Kelly Cleave.

Becky Zusy is the conservation coordinator with the City of Mesa. She said recent news reports about the current water crisis in Arizona have sparked new interest in their “Grass to Xeriscape” landscape program, with a growing number of homeowners going from green to a desert scene. “I’ve gotten fantastic feedback,’ said Zusy. “People are thrilled with the changes. I think it updates the look of the home, and they’re happy to be saving water and happy to not have to mow the lawn in the summertime.”

The Gleaves also like paying less on their monthly water bill. Their thought is that if you can save money and the environment simultaneously, it’s worth looking into. “It is a definitely a win-win,” said Karen Gleave. “I’m actually encouraging friends and neighbors to try it out. It makes sense with that kickback and the extra money you get. It doesn’t cover the entire cost, but it probably covers close to half of it.”

For more details on Mesa’s landscape incentive program and to see what the requirements are, visit mesaaz.gov/conservation.

Other Valley cities have different conservation programs with different incentives. Chandler residents are eligible for up to $200 in rebates if they install low water plants. For information about the Chandler program, visit chandleraz.gov.

The City of Glendale also has a landscape rebate for residential and non-residential customers. In addition, Glendale residents can also receive new irrigation technology incentives through a federal grant. Non-residential customers with large landscape areas can apply as well. For more information about the rebate, visit glendaleaz.com.

Starting July 1, the City of Scottsdale’s turf rebate will double to $2/sq. Ft. as long as the grass is replaced with desert landscape. There are restrictions and guidelines customers have to follow, but homeowners can receive up to $5000 in turf removal rebates if they qualify. Residents must contact Scottsdale’s conservation team before they take out the turf. Additional questions can be sent to WaterConservation@ScottsdaleAZ.gov if anyone wants to verify eligibility.

If you are a Tempe resident and looking for information about the city’s conservation programs, click/tap here. For Phoenix residents, the city has a new program to provide free xeriscape plans to residential customers. In addition, many resources on proper landscape watering and xeriscaping can be found at phoenix.gov/bewatersmart.

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Linebacker has key role for Cardinals after Chandler Jones departure

Once Chandler Jones left the Cardinals as a free agent, the de facto top pass rusher on the team became Markus Golden.

The thing is, Golden doesn't really see how anything has changed.

"Even when Chandler was here, I'm the No. 1 guy to me," Golden said after the final minicamp practice off the offseason. "That's why I'm able to perform at a high level no matter who I am playing with

"I respect him and learned a lot from Chandler. I can seriously say he helped me become the player I am today. But whether I am playing with Chandler or anyone else, I feel like I'm a No. 1 (pass rusher.) You've got to have that mindset."

That Golden thinks that way is not a surprise. The veteran outside linebacker's confidence has been high since the day he was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 2015, and if anything has strengthened since spending a season-and-a-half in New York with the Giants before coming back to the Cardinals in mid-2020.

Jones got off to the rousing five-sack start in Week 1 of 2021, but it was Golden who ultimately led the team in sacks with 11, the third time he's reached double digits in his career.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph talked earlier in the offseason about losing Jones and the need to scheme up some pass rush this season, "but at the end of the day we got to rush four and win 1-on-1s."

Given that the outside linebacking corps has Devon Kennard and Dennis Gardeck, along with draft picks Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders and Jesse Luketa, the Cardinals figure to lean heavy on Golden to be one of those winners.

"Markus Golden, I'm not worried," linebacker Isaiah Simmons said. "He's had three years of double-digits sacks. It does suck to lose a guy like Chandler, but we have a lot of guys who will step up and fill in."

Golden plans to lead the way, not only with his play but his mentorship. He praised the rookies for their work in minicamp, encouraged by the groundwork they were laying.

"I felt weird coming in the first day because Chandler wasn't out there," Golden said. "It felt crazy. But at the same time I'm glad we've got the guys we've got. Like everyone has been saying, you can't replace Chandler. But you can get out there and hunt. I'm going to do my part and hunt and know the guys we've got are going to be ready to hunt too."

Golden spent the bulk of his offseason – he did not attend voluntary workouts – training on his own and spending time with his children, the latter an important focus as they get older.

That had been the plan anyway, but Golden also understands he heads into another contract year, the fourth time he will have played out his deal in his nine-year career.

"I'm working hard for you, and I hope you do the right thing for me," Golden said. "That's just how I am. I'm not worried about to the point, 'Man, I'm not going to play, I'm not going to do this or that.'

"But the fact is, you do out, you work hard, and if you go out and compete and do your job at a high level, and you you've got the organization's back, you just expect them to have your back too."