The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 1.5.2022 by Times Media Group

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This Week

NEWS ................. 6 ADOT MVD launches new specialty license plates

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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree

Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Crosswalk plan isn’t enough, residents say BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

arefree Town Engineer Mark Milstone presented an improvement plan to increase pedestrian safety for an existing public crosswalk across Tom Darlington Drive from Ho Road to Ridgeview Place in a Dec. 23 meeting. Residents, however, said the changes were still not enough. The crosswalk is 74 feet long with no

median and Milstone said it is poorly placed near a curve in the road. He added that the lights are not only dim, but also poorly timed, not allowing pedestrians enough time to cross all the way. “It makes me very concerned,” Milstone said at the meeting. “We have a terrible situation currently.” A consultant was hired to examine the area and make a proposal for improvement. However, the town could not afford to do the consultant’s plan after being

denied funding from the Maricopa Association of Governments for the past two years. So, Milstone said instead of waiting for a catastrophic event, he suggested the town move forward with a modified, less expensive plan. That $14,000 plan was approved by town council during the regular Dec. 14 meeting. Several different things are being done to increase the safety of the crosswalk.

but has still not received a response. However, Phoenix Executive assistant chief and leader in the Life Safety Council, Scott Walker, told the Foothills Focus that as long as Carefree has a contract with Rural Metro, the town will not be accepted into the automatic aid system. Being part of automatic aid means the closest unit responds to calls, regardless of regional boundaries, resulting in shorter response times. The bene�its of joining the system are clear, but Walker said there have to be requirements in order to make things run smoothly – requirements that Rural Metro cannot meet. “The automatic aid system is 22 �ire departments working together to provide service to the region and do it more ef�iciently

than any one could do one their own,” said Phoenix Executive Assistant Chief and leader in the Life Safety Council, Scott Walker. “It works very well because it’s seamless as units cross jurisdictional boundaries.” Brian Tobin, the Daisy Mountain �ire chief, said he has been involved with Carefree’s citizen advisory committee. Tobin said he and Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon presented the details and bene�its of the automatic aid system to the advisory committee in June this year. In July, Tobin said both he and Shannon provided Neiss with a breakdown of what the cost would be to contract with Daisy Mountain or Scottsdale for �ire services – similar to what Cave

see CROSSWALK page 4

Rural Metro contract excludes Carefree from automatic aid

NEWS ................. 8 Brnovich joins multistate lawsuit against Head Start

FEATURES ........ 14 Thumb Butte is a Prescott must-see adventure

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 13 FEATURES ................ 14 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 21 Zone 2

BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ocal �ire of�icials say Carefree’s contract with Rural Metro is keeping the town from being accepted into the automatic aid system. After watching developments in Cave Creek’s �ire protection services, Carefree Town Administrator Gary Neiss recently contacted the Arizona Life Safety Council, which determines who is eligible to join automatic aid. He asked for a similar opportunity to Cave Creek, where Rural Metro �ire�ighters could go through an abbreviated training to meet requirements to join the automatic aid system. Neiss said he sent the letter in October

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NEWS

An edition of the East Valley Tribune The Foothills Focus is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the North Valley. To find out where you can pick up a copy of The Foothills Focus, please visit www.thefoothillsfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 623-465-5808 | Fax: 623-465-1363 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-348-0343 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timespublications.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timespublications.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timespublications.com Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 | tsimpson@timespublications.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@thefoothillsfocus.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

CROSSWALK �� page 1

Creek did with Daisy Mountain. Neiss, however, said Carefree does not have the same budget that Cave Creek does, and said making modi�ications to the town’s current agreement with Rural Metro would be the most cost-effective way to provide services. “Carefree is only eight and a half square miles,” Neiss said. “We’re not as big �inancially, geographically or population-wise as the town of Cave Creek. We’re a lot smaller. So, we have limited revenue streams and have to be creative with these applications and how we do things, and that’s why I ask these questions.” Walker said it’s a fair question to ask, but the answer is more complicated than it seems. The most glaring issue is the National Fire Protection Association standard of four �ire�ighters per truck, as the Rural Metro station in Carefree does not currently have the staff for. Tobin said this standard is followed by every community in the Valley except for those covered by Rural Metro. He

also pointed out that only staf�ing three people per truck is part of the reason Rural Metro services are cheaper than an agreement with Scottsdale or Daisy Mountain. However, even if it had the staff, there are other complications with Rural Metro joining the automatic aid system, the most problematic being training. “They are a private company that provides their own training to their �ire�ighters,” Tobin said. “It’s not the same training that the automatic aid system �ire�ighters train in. Everybody outside of Rural Metro train in the exact same manner in the exact same places with the same equipment and standards.” This may not seem like such an issue, as they are still certi�ied �ire �ighters, but Walker said having the same training across the board is vital to handling large-scale incidents. He said it’s not that the Rural Metro training is good or bad, just that it is different. With the automatic aid system, it is not uncommon for units from multiple different jurisdictions to respond to a major incident. In those cases, having the exact

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same training ensures ef�iciency – no one has to stop and see what the others are doing, there is an immediate and unspoken understanding of what needs to happen. “Those �ire�ighters would be responding in other jurisdictions like Scottsdale or Phoenix,” Walker explained. “We need to make sure that those �ire�ighters are trained the same so that when you’re on an incident, a life or death incident like a structural �ire or mountain rescue, everybody knows what everybody else is doing. That’s why we require that all jurisdictions attend one of the recognized �ire academies so that we know the level of training they’re receiving and that all members are trained consistently.” After not receiving a response from the Life Safety Council, Neiss questioned why Carefree would be excluded when the town could easily provide aid to areas like north Scottsdale. He said including Carefree would bene�it the system and neighboring communities. However, Walker said that’s not entirely true. He said while no one wants to be unneighborly or exclusive, there are requirements are in place because the system only works if everyone can contribute. “All jurisdictions have to have some fundamentals to show that they can meet the National Fire Protection Association standards to serve their community,” Walker said. “Otherwise, you would have an imbalance of resource allocation and use, and the system, while not equal in resource responses, is about equity and designed so that no one jurisdiction is unfairly taking advantage of the other one.” Walker and Tobin both said the issue is not that they don’t want to work with Carefree, it’s that Rural Metro does not �it into the system. It lacks some of the most basic, fundamental requirements and, unless changed, Rural Metro will continue to be denied. Neiss said right now the town is just trying to �ind information and learn about the system so that it can �igure out how to move forward. He said public safety is the priority, but the town has to �ind the most economical way to provide that.

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

EXCLUSION �� page 1

Travel lanes will be reduced to one in each direction, with the outer lanes being turn only. Milstone said this will not only help pedestrians see better but will also slow traffic down due to a narrower road. White and yellow traffic paint, raised reflectors, an additional pedestrian blinker before the crosswalk and a new flashing red light on both sides of the road will be implemented to draw drivers’ attention to the crosswalk. “The rectangular, rapid flashing beacons are a mechanism you see that is about an inch and a half high. They flash with really intense alternating LED lights. I think they can be seen for a mile away, if not more,” Milstone said. “We plan on putting them on both sides so the traffic coming northbound as well as southbound will see them. The thing I also like about these is there’s what’s called a pilot hole that will glow yellow to let the pedestrians also know they’re active.” He added there are also plans to adjust the timing of the lights and trim the trees in that area to increase visibility. He said each of these elements will help to slow traffic, alert drivers and make pedestrians more visible. Milstone said some of the improvements like trimming the trees could be started right away and the public work staff is looking to start the other upgrades in mid-January. He added that there is currently a 15-week lag on the flashing alert system due to issues with the supply chain, but the crosswalk should still be greatly improved just with the other changes being made. He said this is the best solution for the area. “We are going to fix essentially all the safety issues – without doing the full-blown project – in a matter of weeks. So, I’m really excited that we can jump on this,” Milstone said. “As you’ll find out from me, I always place safety number one, regardless of anything else. It’s extremely important. As you know, in October we had some serious incidents, and I don’t want to see that happen again. Remarkably, if

we had a fatality, we would’ve been in line to get that funding, but frankly I’d rather not have any fatalities, not get the funding and figure out another way.” However, several residents at the meeting asked why a full stop light was not being implemented and suggested that would be the safest solution for pedestrians. Milstone said this was because there were not signals anywhere else in town and both staff and residents have said they do not want to add any to keep a uniform aesthetic. Another suggestion was to put in a speed bump to slow vehicles. Milstone said he tried to suggest a speedbump to council, but it was also against the town ordinance. At this point, residents at the meeting asked how many people were against a stop light or speed bump, because they felt there was more support than opposition. Some suggested the town worry less about the aesthetic and more about public safety. “What we need is a regular traffic light there,” said one of the attendees. “From the beginning, the town council has been totally focused on the aesthetics of the intersection, but when somebody dies there, it’s going to impact their family. It’s going to impact people forever. And somebody is going to die there if something serious isn’t done.” Milstone again said that he thought this was the best plan, and, while it may not be perfect, it will be a huge improvement from the current situation. With the proposal already approved by the council, upgrades can start as soon as the resources are available.

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

ADOT MVD unveils 15 new specialty license plates BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

he Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has made available 15 new specialty license plates. “We know that people who choose specialty license plates for their vehicles take pride in owning and displaying them,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is pleased that we can partner with various organizations and help raise funds that benefit Arizonans.” Most specialty plates cost $25 each year. Of that amount, $17 goes to a designated charity or nonprofit group. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the total statewide sales of specialty plates netted about $11 million for various causes and charities. All specialty license plates can be viewed and purchased at azmvdnow. gov. These are the new specialty license plates:

Arizona Rodeo, Make-A-Wish, military branches, Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Auxiliary Arizona are among new license plates offered by ADOT. (Image courtesy of ADOT)

Arizona Rodeo This specialty plate is available to anyone, and $17 from each plate goes to promote, educate and preserve the history of rodeo in Arizona. Dave Alford, general manager of Rodeo Scottsdale, pointed out that the two oldest rodeos in the world —

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Make-A-Wish Arizona This specialty plate is available to anyone, and $17 from each plate goes to create life-changing wishes for Arizona children dealing with critical illnesses. “Make-A-Wish Arizona is excited to showcase our organization on cars all over Arizona with our new specialty license plate,” said Elizabeth Reich, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “We know our donors and

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

the Feb. 7 to Feb. 13 Waste Management Phoenix Open, courtesy of The Thunderbirds. From Jan. 11 to Jan. 31, donors will receive a voucher for a complimentary admission to the Feb. 5 to April 3 Arizona Renaissance Festival. Public blood drives this month include: • 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 23, at Daisy Blue and Pretty Please, 4532 E. Lone Mountain Road, Cave Creek • 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 30, St. Gabriel the Archangel, 32648 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek

see ADOT page 9

Help needed to replenish blood supplies

rizona patients require more transfusions in January than during any other month of the year. January blood donations will help replenish supplies following the winter holiday season — the hardest time of the year to meet patient transfusion needs. To make a donation, visit vitalant. org (enter city or ZIP code) or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1-877-258-4825). Donors who give through Jan. 10 will earn a voucher for a one-day entry to

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

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NEWS

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

Brnovich joins 24-state lawsuit to block Head Start mandates BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

rizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has joined a multistate lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 mandates that require masks on toddlers and COVID-19 vaccines for staff and volunteers in Head Start programs, calling them “overreaching” and un-

lawful. “The Biden administration continues to expand efforts to impose illegal mandates on Americans, this time targeting young children and the people who serve them,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said. “I have and will continue to challenge this misguided federal overreach and stand alongside our

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most vulnerable.” Head Start provides much-needed resources to underserved children and their families. The program provides early childhood education and resources, including diapers, to families. According to a press release from Brnovich, the Biden administration’s mandates to require teachers, contractors and volunteers in Head Start programs to get vaccinated by Jan. 31 will cost jobs and programs and, ultimately, hurt children. The states allege that the Head Start mandate is not only beyond the Executive Branch’s authority, contrary to law, and arbitrary and capricious, but it also violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s Notice-and-Comment Requirement, the Congressional Review Act, the Nondelegation Doctrine, the 10th Amendment, the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, the Spending Clause,

and the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 1999. The lawsuit was filed in the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on Dec. 28. The coalition is also seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the mandate from going into effect. Joining Brnovich are the attorneys general from Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming and West Virginia. Brnovich has been at the forefront of pushing back against the Biden administration’s unconstitutional COVID-19 vaccine mandates. This is the fourth lawsuit the AGO has filed.

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

ADOT �� page 6

supporters will love what the image represents — the impact and joy of a wish — while also understanding that their plate benefits future wishes for kids right here in Arizona.”

Veterans of Foreign Wars This specialty plate is available to anyone, and $17 from each plate goes to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Arizona Service Officers/ Benefit Counselors Program. “Our motto is, ‘No one does more for veterans! Now, with the new VFW specialty plate we can help more veterans get the bene�its they have earned,” said Tom Judd, past state commander of the VFW Department of Arizona.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Arizona This specialty plate is available to anyone, and $17 from each plate goes to provide fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable and educational support to veterans and military members and their families in Arizona communities. “Proceeds generated from this special plate will provide fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable and educational support to veterans and military members, their families and our communities,” said Melody Judd, VFW Auxiliary Department of Arizona program coordinator. The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services is the sponsor of 11 new specialty license plates. These plates are available to veterans or the immediate family members of someone who has been issued a veteran specialty plate. Seventeen dollars from each plate goes to the Veterans’ Donation Fund which

funds programs that bene�it veterans and their families throughout Arizona. The new plates are: • Veteran plate with Air Force Seal. • Veteran plate with Army Seal. • Veteran plate with Coast Guard Seal. • Veteran plate with Code Talker Seal. • Veteran plate with Marine Seal. • Veteran plate with Navy Seal. • Woman Veteran plate with Air Force Seal. • Woman Veteran plate with Army Seal. • Woman Veteran plate with Coast Guard Seal. • Woman Veteran plate with Marine Seal. • Woman Veteran plate with Navy Seal. “Veterans take a lot of pride in not only their military service but also their specific branch,” said Col. Wanda Wright, ADVS director. “These new license plates give veterans another way to honor their service while helping other veterans.” The Veteran Code Talker plate was designed by Alyssa Williams of Flagstaff, who won the Code Talker Seal Design Contest in 2020 that was held in partnership with the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations and ADOT. To view and order any specialty plate, visit dmv now.gov. Most specialty plates cost $25 upon initial application, of which $17 goes to a designated charitable organization. Personalization can be added for an additional $25 per year. Specialty plates are authorized by the Arizona Legislature and have been offered since 1989. Authorized plate designs complete a review by ADOT and law enforcement. In all, there are more than 80 license plate options for Arizona motorists.

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OPINION

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Possibilities are endless in the new year BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

nother year. And another year older. It is my granddaughter Bella’s birthday today. She is thrilled to be 6 years old. My husband Doug’s birthday is Friday. He has little enthusiasm for being a year older, but Bella has enough excitement for all of us. At Christmas, I gave her a furry little purse. She thanked me, then asked if I knew she was having a birthday. I laughed, “Of course.” Bella went on to explain that her birthday is going to be

one of the “most fantastic days of my life” and that turning 6 “will be the best year ever.” I inquired about what would make her year “the best ever.” She replied, “I will learn a lot of new things; there will be sleepovers, vacations, parties, swimming, fun and cookies.” When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she squealed, “A unicorn!” Then she did a cartwheel. Aww, the exuberance of youth. Kids love birthdays! Doug won’t be doing cartwheels (but I asked him to try one). Aging can be rough. Years start adding up faster than we like and then we are

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shocked at how time flew by. My grandmother used to say that growing old is like a roll of toilet paper — when you start getting to the end it goes real fast. True, but I will try to look at future birthdays through the eyes of Bella. Another year holds the promise of “learning lots of new things” and might include a cookie or two. Buying birthday presents for kids is pretty easy. And relatively inexpensive. Simple toys, dolls, trucks or a furry little purse can make a child smile. For adults, especially parents and grandparents, giving and receiving meaningful gifts is

a lot harder. One man in his 60s claimed his kids have given him so many bottles of Old Spice over the years that the boxed (and unopened bottles) line his closet like dead soldiers. He said that if he ever took them all to the dump and poured out the cologne, it would cause the entire county to wreak of Old Spice. The only thing he likes is the cheeky claim on every box that says, “If your grandfather hadn’t worn Old Spice, you wouldn’t exist.” Haha, might be true, but the point is that we need to get a bit

see BLUHM page 12

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

The news in preview: My kingdom for an abacus BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

et’s be honest: 2022 may be a real downer. Every time you turn on the news, there’s a new variant, new booster shots, a new court fight over masks. The only smart choice? Quit consuming news. To aid in your decision not to pay attention, I’ve peered ahead 365 days. Herewith, a 2022 year in review. Jan. 30. The Arizona Cardinals, left shorthanded by COVID-19, lure Larry Fitzgerald off the golf course to play in the NFC championship game. Despite Fitz catching two touchdowns from reactivated quarterback Kurt Warner, age 50, the Cardinals fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and senior citizen QB Tom Brady. Feb. 1. Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Kari Lake makes news when she chooses the first day of Black History Month to advocate for “White History

Months.” In a press conference held at Hobby Lobby, Lake proposes that the months of January, March, May, July, August, October, and December – “which all have 31 days, so they’re better” – be dedicated to teaching white history. She also suggests that “we give the Asians a week in June, because they’re great, but not, like, a whole month’s worth.” April 21. Three weeks into baseball season, Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick tweets that his team “is still undefeated and still in first place.” While the statement is technically true, Kendrick is roasted by the Arizona sports media, which note that the baseball lockout means no team has played a game yet. Kendrick lashes out at what he calls “media negativity.” He goes on to accurately note: “The truth is, this is still better than last year.” May 17. President Joe Biden addresses the American people on a new pandemic development – we have officially run out of Greek letters to create variant names. In an

ingenious move to raise revenue, Biden announces the federal government will now sell “variant sponsorships” to the highest bidder. First up? The “Amazon variant,” which will come to your house and infect you several days after its scheduled arrival. June 19. The Phoenix Suns win their first NBA championship in four straight games over the Milwaukee Bucks. Hey, it’s a dream column. A guy can fantasize, right? Aug. 12. Ten days after the conclusion of a contentious primary election, Arizona Senate Republicans announce plans to hire a private company, Abacus, to audit the results. The company promises a “handcount of the 900,000 votes tallied statewide, using a specially selected team of Sun City residents, each armed with an abacus and a very sharp No. 2 pencil. We should finish by October – of 2024.” Oct. 1. No longer able to play in Glendale, the Arizona Coyotes announce they’ll play the upcoming NHL season at USA Skateland, a Chandler roller rink. Owner

Alex Meruelo says he intends for his team to win all 40 home games, now played on roller skates because it’s “way cheaper than ice.” Fans who attend Coyotes games will get 10 free foosball tokens and a slice of cheese pizza. “Pepperoni is extra,” a team spokesman confirms. Nov. 8. After Democrat Katie Hobbs wins election by four votes over Kari Lake, Lake announces that she’s hired the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to conduct an election audit. While masked spokesman Donatello is silent at Lake’s press conference, he does swing his wooden bō staff when Lake accuses Democrats of “massive election fraud” and “stealing this election.” Dec. 31. Newspaper columnist David Leibowitz retires after all his 2022 predictions come true. “It’s time,” said Leibowitz, who recently recovered from a near-deadly infection with the COVID-19 Taco Bell variant. “I always wanted to go out on a high note,” said the columnist. “And you don’t get any higher than this.”

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OPINION

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

Biden, Fauci talk about COVID-19 wearing thin

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

he early days of 2022 are not so much “the winter of our discontent” as they are days of discombobulation. During the campaign, Joe Biden channeled his geriatric Tom Cruise right down to the aviator sunglasses and assured us he would shoot down COVID-19. But on Dec. 27, not quite one year into his term, he used a virtual meeting with the nation’s governors to virtually abandon all the bragging, bravado and bluff he barked out on the stump. On confronting COVID-19, Biden said, “Look…there is no federal solution. This

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gets solved at the state level.” Lucky for Ol’ Joe that the First Amendment allows “bait and switch” on the campaign trail; otherwise, he might be facing a consumer complaint of public policy fraud. Of course, the citizenry sees what’s going on and recent poll numbers reveal that the coming judgment of voters could be harsh. A Civiqs rating conducted over the final weekend of 2021 found only 36% of registered voters approved of his job performance. That leaves Democrats in the House and Senate trying to figure out how to hang on to their jobs as they face the 2022 midterms in early November. While whispered complaints may be

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The Foothills Focus welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. The Foothills Focus will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Foothills Focus, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

heard in the Dems’ Capitol Hill cloakrooms, there’s a growing consensus that another aging government official will soon need to “retire.” Dr. Anthony Fauci may still enjoy the undying admiration of leftist elites— MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace described herself on-air as a “Fauci groupie…thrice vaccinated, mask adherent.” But the talk about the diminutive doctor has turned dismissive. “The Drudge Report” isn’t what it used to be, since founder Matt Drudge took his millions and left editorial control to others. Yet even the new, more moderate editors found fault with Fauci, citing the more than 800,000 COVID-19 deaths and his own advancing age. The headline was emboldened in red: “Too old?” Too self-infatuated, comes the unspoken reply. Followers of Fauci-ism seek his face and believe his words to the exclusion of anyone or anything else. How sad that they’ve ignored the most cogent expla-

nation concerning the arrival of the new Omicron variant, offered by Dr. Robert Malone. Malone, developer of the mRNA vaccine platform, believes that Omicron “looks an awful lot like a Christmas present.” Simply stated, he thinks this new variant is a mild form of the ailment—highly contagious, almost never fatal, and the perfect vehicle for building national immunity within the populace. Instead of promoting the promise of this possibility, Fauci-ists regard this theory as heresy. Malone has been banned by Twitter, but many are atwitter with excitement. Eventually, Fauci-ism will fall by the wayside, a casualty of no credibility and even less common sense. Besides, the author and perfecter of a much older faith told his flock, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” Expect Fauci to wind up outside of government service quite soon, banished to an exile in a place even worse than Washington, D.C. – a place known as “East of Eden.”

BLUHM from Page 10

more creative when it comes to gift giving for “older folks.” One of my colleagues claims he bought his 70-year-old mother the perfect gift for her birthday last week. What might a “perfect” gift be for a lady of a certain age? A bottle of Jack Daniels and 50 bucks in quarters so she could play the slots at her favorite casino. Guess this gives new meaning to “live your best life.” I have a friend who is in her mid70s and receives items like slippers as gifts, and while she is appreciative, she says she doesn’t want to be defined by “old lady items.” Gift giving can be complicated! Birthdays. A New Year. A year older. Not necessarily wiser. But with the right cologne, a cartwheel and a unicorn, the possibilities are endless. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

BUSINESS

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City North breaks ground for housing development BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

ental housing industry leader, Greystar, recently broke ground on the first phase of their multifamily housing development at City North in Phoenix. This marks City North’s first vertical element in the 100-acre project located just north of Interstate Loop 101 at the intersection of 55th Street and City North Drive in North Phoenix. The 272-unit multifamily project is within the City North masterplan which, upon completion, will also include an additional 3,000 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of class-A corporate office space, 620 hotel rooms, and up to 100,000 square feet of retail offerings and new restaurant concepts. The first phase of multifamily will be built, owned, and managed by Greystar and is expected to open in the summer of 2023. “We are excited to team up with Crown Realty to include residential offerings at City North,” said Greystar’s Senior Director of Development Billy Cundiff. “This $93 million project is a perfect example of how

Greystar and Crown are working together to help bring world-class residential development to the area and stimulate the economy by creating new jobs. We look forward to continuing to help Phoenix grow as a cultural, luxury, and business destination, specifically in the North Phoenix area.” Adjacent to Greystar’s multifamily project is High Street, which consists of 628,000 square feet of mixed-use Class A office and retail space including upscale dining and shopping options. Nearby is the heavily trafficked Desert Ridge Marketplace that features 1.2 million square feet of retail shopping, dining, and entertainment options. “The City North neighborhood is the ultimate live, work and play environment,” said Crown Realty’s Senior Vice President of Acquisition and Development Rick Carpinelli. “With 50-plus walkable restaurants and venues, all accessible via our communities and placed strategically near existing amenities, 12-feet walkways will allow residents to walk to work and to hotels where family and friends can stay. In addition, bike paths and

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rest areas will be strategically placed throughout the development, making City North the ideal neighborhood in the North Valley.” The first phase of City North’s multifamily housing development will offer exceptional design, market-leading finishes and amenities, and excellent views of the surrounding area from its 272 residences. Amenities will include a private pool, fitness center, cowork space, open courtyard, bike storage room, doggie spa, and a multipurpose deck on the fourth floor that will be built with sustainable and recycled materials. The first phase of multifamily will also offer 12 floor-

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plan options with one, two or three bedrooms from which to choose. Pre-leasing is expected to begin in winter 2022. Not only is it an amazing location for the workforce to live in, as well as a truly walkable environment, it is at the center of the activity along the Loop 101. City North is a place where thought-leading companies will find it easy to grow and attract the workforce they are looking for.” The architect of the first phase of Greystar’s multifamily housing development is Todd + Associates and the interior designer is Lawrence Lake Interiors.

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KUMA’S GREAT ADVENTURES

Thumb Butte is an adventure to see in Prescott TOLD BY KUMA AND WRITTEN BY LORRAINE BOSSÉ-SMITH Foothills Focus Executive Editor

appy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to get back out there. We are eager to see what 2022 holds for us. One thing is for sure, it will involve new adventures like Thumb Butte in Prescott. We took I-17 north to exit 262 or 69 west toward Prescott. If you go, you’ll stay on 69 through the Prescott Valley,

which has tons of lights. We encourage you to hit the road early to beat traffic not only on I-17 but on the 69 through town. When you reach the actual town of Prescott, you will turn right onto Gurley. Get through town and look for Thumb Butte Road and go left. It can take a while to get through town, so allow a good one and a half hours from North Phoenix — more if you are south. Follow Thumb Butte Road to the parking lot. You will need to pay $5 per vehicle or display a park pass. If you adventure like us, the park pass is well worth

the money! Anyway, the trailhead parking lot has human restrooms and a great view of Thumb Butte. The actual trail, though, is across the street. There are steps from the parking lot. Take a moment before you begin hiking to take in the view of Thumb Butte, which is rugged basalt. As you look up, it appears to be a very long way to the top, but the trail is only 1.75 miles up. You have two choices: 1) Clockwise, or a left that takes you up a steep, paved walkway, or 2) Counterclockwise, or to the right that is a dirt hiking path. The

entire loop is 2.5 miles either way. The paved way is shorter but harder to the top, while the dirt way is longer but not as strenuous. Since we hadn’t been here before, we went counter clockwise per recommendations we saw online. We headed to the right and followed the dirt hiking trail. Once on it, you keep going to the left and stay on Trail No. 33. It’s a rocky but relatively steady hike up. You might feel the elevation of over 6,000 feet. Be sure to

see KUMA page 15

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KUMA from page 14

drink extra water even if you aren’t hot. The morning temps up here are heavenly, but you still need to hydrate. Be prepared for amazing views of the Bradshaw Mountains, Sierra Prieta (means dark) Mountains, Granite Mountain, Mingus Mountain and, on clear days, the San Francisco Peaks. Unfortunately, about midway through our hike, a fire broke out. There went some of our views, and we could smell the smoke.

Still, we could see Prescott, especially when we got to the top. Now, the end of the trail isn’t all the way to the tippy-top, but unless you bring rock-climbing rope, you won’t get there. Getting to the top is not dog friendly either. We were content sitting on the ledge for a break before we headed down. We read this is a very popular hike, but it wasn’t too busy. I think starting early helped. Anyway, route No. 33 is a loop, so you continue on once down from the

see KUMA page 18

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Lorraine Bossé-Smith and Kuma hike Thumb Butte. (Photo by Lorraine Bossé-Smith)

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

AZ residents scramble to get last Walking Liberty Rolls ARIZONA - Once Arizona residents got wind that Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls filled with Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s were being handed over, there was a mad dash to get them. That’s because some of these U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins are already worth hundreds in collector value. “It’s like a run on the banks. The phones are ringing off the hook. That’s because everyone is trying to get them before they’re all gone,” according to officials at the National Mint and Treasury who say they can barely keep up with all the orders. In fact, they had to impose a strict limit of 4 Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls. So, if you get the chance to get your hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls you better hurry because hundreds of Arizona residents already have and you don’t want to miss out. You see, the U.S. Gov’t stopped minting

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■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across Arizona who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them.

Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to Arizona residents

Arizona residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days

STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per AZ resident has been imposed

ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury. For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication. “National Mint and Treasury recently spoke with its Chief Professional Numismatist who said ‘Very few people have ever actually seen one of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said. “Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we

(Continued on next page)

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page)

won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne. “That’s because after the Bank Rolls were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say. And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of Arizona you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline. The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends. “Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said. “We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued. “We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said. The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of Arizona and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS FACTS:

If you are a Arizona State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800-979-3771 EXT: RWB3645

Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:

Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again. That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:

It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Arizona State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

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KUMA from page 15

Thumb Butte has amazing views of the Bradshaw Mountains, Sierra Prieta Mountains, Granite Mountain, Mingus Mountain and, on clear days, the San Francisco Peaks. (Photo by Lorraine Bossé-

Smith)

Thumb Butte is in Prescott. (Photo by Lorraine Bossé-Smith)

rock pile. The return is paved all the way down. Mom used her hiking pole as it was pretty steep. It does have hand railings if you need them. As I mentioned, the paved section is shorter, so we were down in no time. It took us about one hour to hike up and only 30 minutes to get back to the car. Since it was still morning, mom and dad decided to stop for a late breakfast. On Gurley, right before you get back Downtown, is a restaurant called The Apple Pan. We parked, and I stayed in the car. They do have an outside area where I could join my folks, but it had zero shade. I was good with my doggy bed and a cool breeze. The Apple Pan is a cozy restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. Mom and dad got a table right away, but it can fill up quickly. They have lots of apple recipes and tons of other great options for breakfast or lunch. Mom had apple crepes, and

dad did an apple egg scramble. Me, I got to eat some of the best bacon I have ever had. It was thick and tasty! We highly recommend it. Service was fast and friendly, and prices were reasonable. What a way to end our adventure! Our drive down went smoothly, and we were grateful. We definitely will go back, but we all agreed that we would take on the harder, steeper part first for the challenge. Gotta live large, my friends. Here’s to a great year ahead! My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever! Enjoy my blog at lorrainebosse-smith.com/ category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures and be sure to follow me at facebook.com/Kumathedog and Instagram at kumaitothedog.

Kuma has fun hiking Thumb Butte. (Photo by Lorraine Bossé-Smith)

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 5, 2022

If something goes without saying, let it CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

ell, happy new year. Have you heard about the question that everyone in the world missed? “So, in retrospect, in 2016, where do you see yourself in five years?” Enough said. Vern McLellan gave us some excellent advice for going into the new year. “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” That’s so good. As we venture into 2022, let’s consider ways to make our lives less dramatic or more productive by learning how to speak the right words at the right time. Let’s get the words we speak working for us, not against us. I think you will like this story. It illustrates how words can make us or break us, even when we have done

something that could come back to haunt us. Read on! Jack wakes up with a massive hangover after attending his company’s grand opening party. Jack is not usually a drinker, but the drinks didn’t taste like alcohol at all. He doesn’t even remember how he got home from the party and who dropped him off. As bad as he feels, he wonders if he did something wrong. Jack forces himself to open his eyes. The first thing he sees is a couple of aspirin next to a glass of water on the side table. Next to the aspirin is a red rose. Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all cleaned and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house. He takes the aspirin and cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror. Then he notices a note hanging

on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts and a lipstick kiss mark from his wife. The message reads, “Breakfast is on the stove, and I left early to get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight. I love you. Love, Jillian.” He stumbles to the kitchen, and sure enough, there is a hot breakfast with steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper. His son appears at the table. Jack asks, “Son, what happened last night?” “Well, you came home after 3 a.m., drunk out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, then you got sick in the hallway, and you got that black eye when you ran into the door.” Confused, Jack asks his son, “So, why is everything in such perfect order and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me.” His son replies, “Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried

19 ••

to take your pants off, you screamed, ‘Leave me alone, lady, I’m married!’” So, summing this story up: Broken

see DELPH page 20

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DELPH from page 19

coffee table … $400; hot breakfast … $7.20; two aspirin … $0.38; saying the right thing, at the right time, priceless. I hope you weren’t offended by this story. There’s no excuse for Jack’s behavior. But this incident also makes a point that we should consider. Saying the right thing at the right time is priceless. Saying the right thing at the right time is also wise. Lady Dorothy Fanny Nevill once said, “The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” American advice columnist Ann Landers observed, “The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.” I’ve been there, done that, got the T-shirt. The Bible, as usual, contains the best wisdom you can get about this subject: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances” (Proverbs 25:11). Consider these quotes, thoughts,

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and wisdom about speaking. “The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.” “A wise person once said nothing.” In the Christian world, there is a great saying. “Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit; holding your tongue is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.” Warren Buffet has a great thought about being influenced by words. “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you, that means everyone else can control you. So breathe and allow things to pass.” It’s scary when the weatherperson is the closest to telling the truth on the news now. Do you want a better 2022, no matter what COVID-19 does? In your language and your life, be firm but not rude, be kind but not weak, be humble but not timid, be proud but not arrogant. In other words, if something goes without saying, let it. Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy. com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

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Public Notices PROBATE COURT OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO LARRY N. HEISER, JUDGE IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF MASON ROBERT HOLLAND TO MASON ROBERT BOUSQUET (Name Requested) CASE NO. 21 NCG 031 NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE OF NAME [R.C. 2717.01] Applicant hereby gives notice to all interested persons and to Justin Holland whose last known address is 4627 West Heyerdahl Court, New River, AZ 85087, that the applicant has filed an Application for Change of Name in the Probate Court of Marion County, Ohio, requesting the change of name of Mason Robert Holland to Mason Robert Bousquet. The hearing on the application will be held on the 10th day of February, 2022 at 9:00a.m., before Judge Larry N. Heiser, at the Marion County Probate Court, 222 W. Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 /s/ Larry N. Heiser. Published: Foothills Focus, Jan 5, 2022 / 43811 PROBATE COURT OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO LARRY N. HEISER, JUDGE IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF ZOEY GRACE HOLLAND TO ZOEY GRACE BOUSQUET (Name Requested) CASE NO. 21 NCG 031 NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE OF NAME [R.C. 2717.01] Applicant hereby gives notice to all interested persons and to Justin Holland whose last known address is 4627 West Heyerdahl Court, New River, AZ 85087, that the applicant has filed an Application for Change of Name in the Probate Court of Marion County, Ohio, requesting the change of name of Zoey Grace Holland to Zoey Grace Bousquet. The hearing on the application will be held on the 10th day of February, 2022 at 9:00a.m., before Judge Larry N. Heiser, at the Marion County Probate Court, 222 W. Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 /s/ Larry N. Heiser. Published: Foothills Focus, Jan 5, 2022 / 43814

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