The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 01.13.2021 by Times Media Group

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NEWS .........................8

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

No-mask policy breeds anger at Teeslanger BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Kiwanis Club supports its adopt-a-family program

Cave Creek man is reeling after a souvenir shop owner pulled a gun on him—all because he was wearing a mask. The man didn’t notice the sign in the entrance forbidding masks and that declared, “This virus was a weapon used by the Democrats to steal an election!”

Upon entry, the man said Teeslanger’s owner, Scott Cerkoney, told him to leave. Cerkoney got in the face of the victim, who did the same to the shop owner. The man said Cerkoney then pulled a gun on him, demanding he leave, as confirmed by statements from witnesses and in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office report. The Foothills Focus doesn’t identify victims. “I pushed him away,” the victim said. “I

didn’t know who he was or anything. He pulled the gun.” Cerkoney refused to talk to The Foothills Focus about the store’s “no-mask” mandate or the recent incident. However, he said in a Facebook video that he doesn’t allow masked customers because “of what we’ve seen happening with looting and violence and rioting. Generally, it’s pret-

see TEESLANGER page 5

Cave Creek Tourism Bureau moves to a bigger location

NEWS ................ 6

Musician Ethan Newman dies at age 46 of COVID-19

OPINION ........10

Jan. 6 disgrace at Capitol will live long in our memory

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 13 FEATURES ................ 15 YOUTH ...................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 22 Zone

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BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

he town of Cave Creek found a new home for its tourism bureau. Visitors now have a larger, more centralized place to get recommendations on the best restaurants, sights and hikes the town has to offer. Cave Creek Tourism Bureau started its third season in October in its new space, which is near the action happening in the town core. It’s located on the corner of East Cave Creek Road and North Hidden Valley Drive and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Around 30 full-time and substitute vol-

see CAVE CREEK page 4

Cave Creek Tourism Bureau started its third season in October in a new, more spacious building located at 6061 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 7 (facing Hidden Valley Drive) in the town core. (Photo courtesy Cave Creek Tourism Bureau)

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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 Associate Publisher: Eric Twohey | 480-898-5634 | erict@thefoothillsfocus.com ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 623-465-5808 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: Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@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 Photographer: Pablo Robles | probles@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com Proud member of :

The Foothills Focus is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

CAVE CREEK from page 1

unteers operate the town-sponsored Cave Creek Tourism Bureau, helping visitors find information about the area, as well as brochures, maps and menus. “It’s a lovely place. It is probably three to four times larger than the previous location,” said Nina Spitzer, tourism bureau coordinator and long-time Cave Creek resident. The previous location was located on North Cave Creek Road near North Skyline Drive next to Oregano’s Pizza Bistro. Cave Creek Tourism Bureau invites local artists to display their pieces on its gallery wall. Spitzer explained the gallery is reserved for art that “boasts of the beauty of our area.” The walls are filled with artwork depicting images of nature scenes with cactuses, vibrant Sonoran sunsets, and dramatic desert landscapes with lightning. The spacious new building has a shaded patio and features a bigger gal-

Nina Spitzer, Cave Creek Tourism Bureau coordinator and long-time Cave Creek resident, shows the bureau’s gallery wall, which features local artists’ desert-themed pieces. (Photo courtesy Cave Creek Tourism Bureau)

lery wall than the tourism bureau had in its previous location, Spitzer said. The Cave Creek Tourism Bureau operated in its prior location since October 2018 for two tourist seasons until the town chose to move the bureau to the

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new location, she said. Tourist seasons typically start at the beginning of October and end in late May, she explained. This season is different than most, for the obvious reason of the county restrictions in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which brings forth fewer tourists, Spitzer said. “On average here, we probably help between 3,000 and 4,000 people in a season,” she explained. “Our numbers have gone down this year because of COVID, so it’s a lot slower.” In previous years, the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau put out a monthly calendar detailing all the exciting events happening in the area, she said. However, the bureau had to adjust as COVID-19 restrictions prevent most social events from occurring. While COVID-19 has slowed things down everywhere, including the tourism bureau, volunteers are still excited to share “all the great things about our area and our talent,” Spitzer said. “We get to see people from all over the world.” Precautions protect the volunteers as well as the visitors from any potential COVID-19 transmission, Spitzer said. During a normal season, the bureau stays open until 4 p.m.; however, its hours were reduced to account for the

see CAVE CREEK page 5

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

TEESLANGER from page 1

ty hard to tell who the good people are and the bad people are when you have a mask on.” He said the COVID-19 death rate is “.0008%,” anyway. “According to both parties and witness statements, an altercation occurred at which time the owner drew a weapon and demanded the individual leave his store immediately,” said Sgt. Calbert Gillett, a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office public information officer. “Due to the owner’s store policy, deputies made notifications to the department of health for review,” Gillett added. The case remains under investigation, said Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, also an MCSO public information officer. When the case is turned over to the county

attorney’s office, it will be reviewed for possible criminal charges. Teeslanger’s no-mask policy is a “direct violation of the Maricopa County face-covering ordinance,” said Will Humble, the Arizona Public Health Association’s executive director. He is the former Arizona Department of Health director. Humble described the county’s mitigation measures as “paper tiger ordinances,” explaining how many businesses defy executive orders and mask mandates without enforcement or repercussions. While small retail shops like Teeslanger don’t pose as big of a risk of transmission as bars, restaurants and nightclubs, lack of enforcement is contributing to the spread of COVID-19, Humble said. “Lots of people out there like that,

smaller number of tourists coming in acquiring information, Spitzer said. Its operations were adjusted to provide ample social distance between visitors, she said. One person is allowed in the building at a time, and all visitors must wear masks. If additional people wish to enter the building, they are instructed to wait outside until the previous person exits. Pre-pandemic, visitors could walk around the building and browse through brochures, she explained. “Unfortunately, now when they come in, our desk is right at the front door and the volunteer speaks to the visitor, asks what their interests are and goes around and collects the brochures for the visitor,” Spitzer said. Until the pandemic is over, visitors cannot roam around the inside of the tourism bureau, she said. “However, that has not stopped our volunteers from wanting to be there,” Spitzer said, adding, “That just says a lot about the people who volunteer with the tourism bureau. They want to be there, to be available to share about the town, and I think that’s commendable on their part.” In 2013, Spitzer started managing

and coordinating what was once the Cave Creek Information Bureau, which was sponsored and financed by Cave Creek Merchant’s Association and was located in Frontier Town, she said. She said a majority of the bureau’s volunteers were also part of the Cave Creek Information Center. “We’ve got some really wonderful, dedicated volunteers who have been with us a long time,” Spitzer said. When the information center closed, the town saw a “void” and a need for a tourist information center, Spitzer said. This prompted a town representative to approach Spitzer asking if she could help create what is now the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau, Spitzer said, adding that she was “happy to oblige because I enjoy doing this.” “We have a beautiful, eclectic Southwestern town and I, and the other volunteers, love Cave Creek and enjoy sharing information about it with whoever comes by,” she said. “So, we jumped at the opportunity. “I love Cave Creek, and this is my way of giving back to the community and its merchants and residents,” Spitzer said. “What really makes it work is the amazing group of volunteers that we have. Without them, the door would be closed.”

CAVE CREEK from page 4

and he’s getting away with it,” Humble said about Cerkoney. The store owner “will continue to get away with it because there’s no enforcement in the state by design, by the governor, Dr. (Cara) Christ—and you can print that,” Humble added. A woman, who was immunocompromised due to chemotherapy-like medication, has come forward saying Cerkoney told her to leave the store as well for wearing a mask. She and her husband noticed the sign in the store’s entrance but assumed it was instructing customers to wear masks. Cerkoney turned to the masked couple as they entered and said, “No masks allowed in the store.” She said she thought he was joking and replied, “But my mask is so cute.” Cerkoney approached the couple and gestured them to leave while saying, “No, I’m serious. Goodbye. Get out of here,” she said. After the confrontation, she felt a “plethora of emotions. I was aggravated to tears.” She said she has “crippling” arthritis but works in the health field. The medicine she takes for her condition is “basically chemotherapy that’s used in small doses,” which makes her constantly ill, she said. Any illness, including COVID-19, is a threat to her health, she added. A conservative, the woman sent an anonymous report about the shop to Maricopa County via its website but has yet to hear a response. “We’re law-abiding citizens,” she said. “If there is a mandate—whether

we’re Republican or Democrat—that’s just what you’re supposed to do, to be respectful and put your mask on. “It’s not safe that he’s trying to make this a political thing, which a lot of people are.” Teeslanger is located in Prickly Pear Plaza and sells a variety of souvenirs, including politically themed T-shirts with phrases like “Take your COVID-19 and shove it…” and “Votes Don’t Matter,” as well as “MAGA” merchandise. Outside of the store is a replica of President-elect Joe Biden’s head on a pole that guests can punch. Teeslanger’s store policy appears to be a “marketing ploy” to attract the “anti-mask crowd” to visit and spend money, Humble said. “They’re benefiting from it because they’re getting loyal customers in the door to buy the kinds of T-shirts that reinforce the message that this pandemic is unimportant and that people who are dying are unimportant. What’s more important is their ‘right’ to not do something as simple as wearing a face covering in public,” Humble added. Humble said the shop is merely a “protagonist” in what is actually a larger story—that “the health director and Gov. (Doug) Ducey have never been interested in enforcing the mitigation measures.” Maricopa County Communications Director Fields Moseley said the county’s face-covering regulation applies to people, not businesses. The Arizona Department of Health’s

see TEESLANGER page 7

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

Musician Ethan Newman dies of COVID-19

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

alley musician Ethan Newman didn’t think he was anyone special. He turned down interviews because he believed he wasn’t newsworthy. But Newman, who frequently played Larry’s Cocktails near Cave Creek and Jolie’s

Place in Chandler, was someone special. When word of his Dec. 29 death at age 46 of COVID-19 hit social media, his feed was a never-ending series of eulogies. Within 24 hours, there were 657 comments on his Facebook page—a true testament to his musicianship, friendship and kindness. “Our hearts are broken,” started the post about his death.

“He fought as hard as he could until the very end, and we will be forever grateful to the Banner Desert staff who took such good care of him for the past few weeks. “Our lives, our hearts and the music world will never be the same from this. The joy and love that he brought to others is unmatched, and we are comforted by knowing that he brought smiles to the faces of everyone he met.” Newman was a multi-instrumentalist who played electric bass and acoustic guitar. According to his bandsintown page, he grew up playing “country-metal” on Prescott’s Whiskey Row. He was an alumnus of Azz Izz, the Robert Street Band, Zowie Bowie, Mogollon, Tate, Capital Down, Delcoa and Easton Ashe. He called himself “mildly dyslexic and profoundly left-handed” and played “backward, upside-down, confusing-reverse” bass and guitar. As a testament to his heart, Newman was a Department of Defense volunteer who played for U.S. military personnel in Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Guam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar and Djibouti. “He was just an amazing talent,” said Josh Kennedy of the Tempe rock band The Black Moods. They met at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is also reeling over the death of Lawrence Zubia of the Pistoleros. “Later on, once I graduated and started playing around Phoenix, we started running into each other. He was just the nicest guy ever. For me, that was two days in a row I lost a good friend of mine. I’m in Missouri right now, in a small town, and I feel so removed from it. It just doesn’t seem real.” Jolie Grant, who owns Jolie’s Place, said she feels very lucky to have known Newman. “He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever know,” she said. “He had a wonderful way of making others feel special. It was normal for Ethan to go out of his way to let you know what an amazing job you were doing as a friend, co-worker or business owner. He made sure you knew you were extraordinary. That is Ethan. “Ethan, the musician, couldn’t help but bring a smile to your face. He was not only incredibly talented musically, but a showman as well. If he wasn’t inspiring you to sing along and dance, he was cracking you up. He’s held a spot on the patio at Jolie’s Place every Saturday afternoon with George Brunson for

Ethan Newman performs at the Musical Instrument Museum. The beloved Tempe musician died from COVID-19 complications just after Christmas. (Photo by Trystan Trenberth) many years, and he is loved and admired by every person that has crossed the threshold of JP. If you met him, you loved him; there was no other option. We will all miss him wholeheartedly, and the music scene in AZ will never be the same without him.” Fellow musician Jay Allan and Newman were best friends for 20 years. The two met at an open mic at the now-shuttered Jilly’s American Grill just before Allan moved briefly to Costa Rica. When Allan returned to the Valley, he saw Newman at the same open mic; and they were inseparable since then. Both times, Allan was with a girl, who told him upon his return that she had met someone else. “I was sitting there broken-hearted and in walked Todd (Miller) and Ethan,” Allan recalled. “They said, ‘Hey, Costa Rica.’ That night we played music all night and hung out until 4 a.m. We became best friends and started many bands together. “He pushed me to remain here and to pursue being more of a singer-songwriter. He helped me get a lot of my first gigs.” When Allan’s guitar was stolen, Newman and Miller surprised the North Phoenix resident with $500 each to replace it. “That’s the guy he was,” Allan said about Newman. “He was that guy who could make anyone in the room feel like they were the most important person there. “Everybody remembers the time they met Ethan Newman. He was a unicorn of a human being. He was such an integral part (of the music scene). Everybody had a connection to him, and it was always honest and genuine.”

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

TEESLANGER from page 5

authority over mask use covers restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and water parks “as per the governor’s executive order,” said Steve Elliott, the department’s communications director. However, the Arizona Department of Health “strongly encourages” residents to wear masks and distance any time they are in public, Elliott added. “It’s a joke,” Humble said. “There has never been meaningful enforcement of the mitigation measures. Because of that, businesses know that they can get away with it and not get punished.” There would still be rising cases of COVID-19 and hospital capacity issues even if enforcement had been in place, Humble contended. “It’s a hell of a lot worse because they weren’t doing enforcement,” he said. The female victim said she sees the chaos at work. “It’s heartbreaking, and it’s horrible,” she said. Many people die alone due to visitors’ rules at hospitals, she added. She “constantly” sees doctors and

Teeslanger, a T-shirt shop in Cave Creek, doesn’t allow guests to wear masks. Outside of the store, guests have the ability to punch the likeness of President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

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hospital staff break down crying in the hallway and elevators, especially during the most recent surge, she said. “People are tired, and it’s scary,” she said. “Just like how everybody else wants to move on with their life, so does everybody else who works in a hospital.” The time to intervene was in late November, when hospitals anticipated going beyond capacity, Humble said. The chief medical officers urged Ducey to do something, and he “completely ignored their requests,” he said. Humble stated that if Ducey and Christ don’t implement meaningful interventions, “Well, just more people are going to die. That’s all. And unnecessarily.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

Kiwanis Club supports its Fundraisers set to bene�it local nonpro�its adopt-a-family program BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

wo Anthem nonprofits are hosting fundraisers this weekend. Youth for Troops volunteers will unload vehicles at Freeman Income Tax Service’s drive-thru shred event and walk the items to the truck. Participants can watch the items shred through a window in the truck. The event is free, and all donations will help Youth for Troops ship more care packages to deployed troops. The event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,

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Jan. 16, at 41111 N. Daisy Mountain Drive, Suite 105, Anthem. There’s a limit of four banker-size boxes. To learn more about Youth for Troops, visit youthfortroops.org. Anthem Pets is having a fundraising garage sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, and Sunday, Jan. 17, at 2315 W. Clearview Trail, Anthem. Donations for the sale can be dropped off in advance on house’s patio or driveway. The following weekend, Anthem Pets is encouraging residents to bring gently used donations to the Goodwill Retail Store, 43240 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. A donation will be made to Anthem Pets, so residents should mention the nonprofit’s name when they drop off items. Goodwill requires masks and social distancing. For more information about Anthem Pets, visit anthempets.org.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

iwanis Club of Carefree hosted its regular meeting outside at the Carefree/Sanderson Pavilion. The Upscale Singers provided the entertainment, while the members wrapped gifts for their adopt-a-family program. Before the program started, Greg Eckerman, a grief specialist from Eric’s House Inc. shared the possible depression of parents, relatives and friends who have lost children to suicide. It’s important to recognize and support these people during the holiday season. The gift-wrapping session was organized and led by Alexis Sterling Popovich and supported by Jackie

Perry-Brown, Colleen Walski, Ava Frick and Jana Miller. They directed the Kiwanis members and their guests, who wrapped more than 100 presents. Gift cards were also distributed to more than 200 families recommended by Cave Creek Unified School District, Carefree Christian Academy, Annunciation Academy, the YMCA and Foothills Caring Corp. Funds for shopping were provided by the Kiwanis of Carefree. The Upscale Singers haven’t been able to perform due to COVID-19, so the organization didn’t have funds for its children’s scholarship program. The Kiwanis Club funded the program after the members heard that story. Info: kiwaniscarefree.org

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

Opinion TheFoothillsFocus.com

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Hello today—and tomorrow BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

anuary is named after the Roman god Janus, who was often depicted as having two faces—one face looking back on the past and one looking forward to the future. The greatest blessing about the month of January is that it offers a fresh start—a chance to begin again. This week our country faced violence and disruptions, so while tomorrow might seem troubling, perhaps we should ponder what the world will be like in 100 years. Yes, maybe we can have fun letting our minds wander to 2121. Can you guess what people in 1921 were predicting about 2021? It seems folks who lived through the Spanish flu epidemic had plenty of thoughts in 1921 about what our world would look like in 100 years.

One young student claimed, “All the knowledge we will ever need to know will be in a little device that we can carry around.” A cook for a former president predicted, “Baking, cooking, peeling, boiling and frying will be done with ease and modern inventions that will allow everyone to be a fantastic cook. No staff required.” And because this was the dawn of electricity (only 30% of the homes in America had electricity in 1921), folks thought 2021 would be “lit up at the flip of a switch—entire cities, homes, roads and towns.” The electrical engineer Charles Steinmetz predicted in 1921 that in the future, humans will be able to control their home temperatures to cool and heat our environments. Even more startling was that he seemed to have foreseen the rise of streaming services, claiming that music and all

forms of entertainment will be available through a central station distributed to subscribers. A writer named Moses Folsom said “books will read to us” and predicted the rise of audio books. Sometimes, we have a hard time planning for next week, much less far into the future. But kids have the imagination to look ahead. One child at my granddaughter’s school said she wanted to be like her grandparents. As she explained, “They moved to a place where only old folks live. You have to get through a gate and past a little house where a man sits and asks you where you are going. If you give him the right answer, he opens the gate. Then you can play games with balls, like tossing pickles or golfing. My grandparents eat early birds and go to a wrecked room, but it looks like they fixed it up because it doesn’t seem

wrecked at all. They have a lake nearby and must look for frogs or something, because my grandma says that is where they will be until they croak.” Yikes, that’s the future for me! How is your crystal ball looking these days? Mine is kind of cloudy, yet I would rather look ahead out of the windshield than back through the rearview mirror. Goodbye, 2020. Hello, today and tomorrow. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story of a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

Jan. 6 disgrace will live long in our memory BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

fter a few hours, you had to switch off the television and stop scrolling the videos on social media. Clowns attacking cops inside the nation’s Capitol. Morons taking over the chambers of the House and Senate, taking selfies all the while. A female rioter—a 35-year-old Air Force veteran somehow turned QAnon loon—was shot dead inside “the People’s House.”

Meanwhile the president of the United States, surely watching on TV inside the White House, poured more gasoline on the flames like an arsonist with the heaviest of hands. “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long,” President Trump tweeted. “Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”

And, surely, we will recall Jan. 6, 2021, for years to come—as a stain on a nation that feels more like Nero’s flaming Rome in ruins with each new spectacle. I would say the day felt shocking to me, but that would be an utter lie. America has lost the capacity to generate new surprises lately. A flailing pandemic response. An election where the number of lies told about the final result far outstrips the

see LEIBOWITZ page 11

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

LEIBOWITZ from page 10

number of actual voters. The inability to keep protesters armed only with Confederate flags and MAGA banners from temporarily disrupting the final tally of the 2020 election. None of the above is much of a surprise anymore, is it? To be honest, really only one thing has shocked me in the past few months, while I’ve been an ardent viewer of what feels like the season finale of America: A Nation Unravels. People’s capacity to believe their own crap. Let me give you one easy example, though it would be easy to conjure up a few thousand. In the heart of summertime, when Black Lives Matter protesters twisted the deaths of George Floyd and Jacob Blake into reasons to riot, we heard lamentations galore about the violence that occurred in Minneapolis, Kenosha and elsewhere. A police station burned to the

ground; businesses torched; police officers attacked and shot; threats of mayhem spreading to the suburbs— these occurrences were all met with quick condemnation from many Americans, including the president. How did the POTUS tweet go, back then? Oh, yeah: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to (Minnesota) Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” Once upon a time in this country— and not long ago—the majority of us seemed to be largely in agreement on the subject of social protests. As a nation, we subscribed to the idea that they were protected under the First Amendment and a time-honored way to create social change. Up until the moment they turned violent. That’s precisely where we draw the line. My point in a nutshell: If like me

you were disgusted last May when an unruly mob looted Scottsdale Fashion Square, sacking the Apple Store and Nordstrom and inflicting millions in damage, then you damn well better be disgusted by rioters staging a failed coup in our nation’s Capitol.

If you see “THUGS” on the one hand but “great patriots” on the other—if you believe in shooting to stop the looting yet feel only love and peace for hundreds of red-hatted election vandals—then you, my dear friend, very much need to examine your soul. To see if, in fact, you still have one.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

New �ines for driving while using a phone

BY JUDGE GERALD A. WILLIAMS North Valley Justice of the Peace

enalties for a new set of laws for wrongfully using your cellphone while driving became effective on Jan. 1. The laws were actually adopted in 2019, but until recently, law enforcement officers had been issuing warnings. These new laws had solid support. House Bill 2318 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 44 to 16 and the State Senate by a vote of 20 to 9. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the legislation into law on April 22, 2019. It became A.R.S. § 28-914. Driving while using a portable wireless communication device is prohibited if the person either holds it or supports it with any part of their body. There is an exception for earpieces, headphones, or a device worn on your wrist. Reading something on your phone or texting while driving are also prohibit-

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ed. This part of the law makes an exception if you are using a navigation system. There is an exception to both parts of the law if you are driving and use your phone either to report illegal activity or to summon help. In addition, for obvious reasons, this new law does not prohibit law enforcement personnel or other emergency vehicles from communicating with portable devices. None of the offenses are considered moving violations, which means no points will be assessed against someone’s driver’s license. However, that also means there is no opportunity to attend a defensive driving

school so that a finding of responsible will not be reported to the MVD. In justice courts in Maricopa County, the presumed financial sanction for a finding of responsible, for the first offense, is $181.50. After a finding of responsible is reported to the MVD, they will order the driver to attend Traffic Survival School. There is also a mandatory 90-day driver’s license suspension or restriction if the driver’s actions resulted in a serious physical injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving killed 2,841 people in 2018. Of those, 1,730 were drivers, 605 were passengers, 400 were pedestrians and 77 were bicyclists. People often need to communicate with another while they are driving. Everyone understands that. But please pull over before you touch your phone. Stay safe. Judge Gerald Williams is the justice of the peace for the North Valley Justice Court. His column appears monthly in The Foothills Focus.

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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.

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Couple bring military experience to tactical classes BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

z and Karin Johnson of Desert Hills started their company, Christian-based Johnson Group Tactical, in October 2020. At the top of its website is a quote from John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” “We do everything with God as a partner,” Karin said. Johnson Group Tactical was a logical business move for the Johnsons. Oz had more than 30 years’ experience with firearms and tactical training with the military and law enforcement. He retired from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 but still wanted to share his knowledge. He opted to impart

his experience on the community surrounding Desert Hills at Ben Avery Shooting Facility. “With the direction the world is going, there are a lot of people out there who want firearms training,” Oz said. The couple met while they were serving in the Air Force as part of Operation Desert Storm from 1987 to 1993. Oz also served in the Army with the 101st Airborne as an infantry sniper from 1983 to 1987. “We were medical air evac technicians in the Air Force,” he said. “We were assigned to a C-130 aircraft and we evacuated patients from a warzone to the hospital.” Two years after Oz left the Air Force, he spent 20 years with the MCSO. Seven of those 20 years he spent with its SWAT team. He was also the lead firearms and tactical instructor

at the Maricopa Regional SWAT School. Johnson Group Tactical’s business has been “very good” since the couple founded it. Oz said most of his clientele are beginners, with 90% of that group being women. “Most of them are new gun owners,” he said. “They just purchased a gun and the first time they shoot that gun is at the beginner’s class I teach. “Some women come to the class, and when they first shoot, they’re shaking. When they leave, they feel so comfortable not only with shooting but with knowing their weapon.” For a beginner’s three-hour class, it’s $80; and that includes the lecture and instruction and two hours on the range. The intermediate class is $125. Open practice is $25. The couple purposely kept the price affordable. Students automatically become members of

the Johnson Group TAC Shooters Club, Karin said. They get $15 toward any future beginner’s class or $25 toward any future intermediate class. Students who refer clients receive a $5 credit. In addition, the military receives a 15% discount. “Because we started our company with the beginner’s classes, I didn’t want to scare people away from getting instruction about firearms because of the price,” he said. “Other ranges charge more, but I wanted to make it affordable so people would learn how to shoot and handle the firearm.” Oz said Johnson Group Tactical affords him a different experience than he’s used to. For that, he’s grateful. “It’s kind of a change for me,” he said. “I’m used to teaching in the military or law enforcement capacity. My wife comes into play by dealing with civilians and women. It’s a different environment. It’s been really rewarding.”

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Digital marketing agency suggests businesses rethink 2021

BY CONNOR DZIAWURA Foothills Focus Staff Writer

he business world is changing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Cave Creek website design and digital marketing agency BPetersonDesign is recommending business owners adapt to the times with a new strategy for 2021. Husband-and-wife team Ben and Janae Peterson, the company’s president and vice president, respectively, have observed the growing shift toward online marketing, purchasing and virtual meetings throughout 2020, with website usage increasing. But while the rollout of several COVID-19 vaccines has reportedly begun for some demographics, Ben was quick to suggest that things aren’t about to return to business as usual. “Honestly, whenever COVID blows over or whatever’s going to happen with all of this mess, the industry is not going to go

back. It’s changed forever,” Ben explained. “There’s going to be a whole lot more online presence, there’s going to be a whole lot more working from home and remote work—I mean, that’s not going anywhere even once the ‘scare,’ if you will, goes away.” People who weren’t previously shopping online are now relying more on the internet, and they’re now realizing the benefits that come with it, he said. “Now there’s not going to be a negative side to jumping into the e-commerce world,” Ben added, noting that the gap between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar, mom-and-pop shops is closing. “Whether it’s a pandemic or not, you’re always going to see a benefit from it and you’re always going to gain more traction because of it.” That’s where BPetersonDesign comes in. The company was founded in 2008 in Montrose, Colorado, by the Petersons, who had a background in online costume retail. Services offered include website design, social ad management, pay-per-

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click management, digital marketing and graphic design. Though BPetersonDesign consults with businesses nationwide, the hands-on company expanded to Cave Creek in November 2019, after success handling the marketing and website of an Anthem company operated by Janae’s sister attracted the interest of other local businesses. Because it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, the company custom-tailors clients’ plans for them—based on things like short- and long-term goals as well as budget. But the clients have to be invested in the process. “(In this industry) we can have all the hopes and dreams in the world for their company, but if they’re not wanting it themselves, whether wanting it at all or whether they’re wanting it strong enough to put in the work, it’s not going to happen,” Ben emphasized. “So it has to originate from them and their excitement, and we help them build what they’re wanting as opposed to building what we think they should want.” BPetersonDesign goes for transparency—and aims to build lifetime relationships. The idea, Ben said, is to keep clients in the know on results and monitor if strategy modifications are needed. A lack of attentiveness is a common downfall, he noted, citing small businesses that set up a website without ever changing or monitoring it. “They just assume because they have a website that it’s helping them. They don’t go over analytics. They don’t know what it means. They don’t even know how to translate them,” he said. “So that’s where we come in, that’s our forte, that’s our expertise and that should be our job. We essentially become a team member for you, helping you with the digital world, explaining what it really means, what it’s doing, how we can change, how we can react, and essentially how it translates into dollars in your pocket.” Noting that Cave Creek is big on supporting local business, Janae said BPetersonDesign is looking to consult with those that still need help. “We want to make sure that they get into a package that they are 100% com-

Ben and Janae Peterson founded website design and digital marketing agency BPetersonDesign in Montrose, Colorado, in 2008 after running an online costuming business. After more than a decade of success, they expanded to Cave Creek. (Photo by Pablo Robles) fortable with, because not everybody works the same way; not everyone’s comfortable doing something. So, we want to make sure that whatever they get from us, they’re comfortable with, they’re happy with it, but we’re not going to throw them into something that’s really scary and intimidating,” Janae said, noting that BPetersonDesign specifically targets small businesses, so it isn’t the most expensive company of its kind. “We don’t rope somebody into a marketing package for a year, even though it would behoove them to stay consistent,” Ben added, saying packages are monthly. “Every business ebbs and flows. There’s always budget changes and marketing needs to change every single month.” That way, businesses aren’t stuck if their business is suffering—especially at a time like a pandemic, Janae said. “We genuinely want to help these small businesses,” she emphasized. “We succeed when they succeed,” Ben chimed in, adding that the company doesn’t want to overstretch clients’ budgets and doesn’t profit off one-time sales. “Where we actually make money is building the relationship and growing with that client and then becoming a larger client as their business succeeds more. So that’s all we’re interested in.” BPetersonDesign

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KUMA’S GREAT ADVENTURES

A snow day in Flagstaff TOLD BY KUMA AND WRITTEN BY LORRAINE BOSSÉ-SMITH Foothills Focus Executive Editor

nother year is upon us, and I’m ready for more adventures. One of my favorite things about this time of year is heading up north to play in the snow. This year has been a challenge because we have been quite dry. In fact, 2020 only had 15 days of measurable rain in Phoenix, when we should have around 40. Eeesh. Let’s hope 2021 brings more moisture. Anyway, we weren’t surprised when we got to Flagstaff (about two hours north of us) and discovered there was not snow. Although their temps have been cooler lately, 2020 was one of the hottest years on record. Even Snowbowl looked barren. We did find snow, however. I’m going to give you one way in and a different route out so you have a scenic drive in and then a quicker way home. If you are using your GPS or navigational system, plug in the Lava River Cave. From Flagstaff, get on 180 and pass Snowbowl on your right. Continue on for almost 20 minutes and pass the Nordic Center, also on your right. Just past that, you will take the left turn there onto 193. Continue straight for 3 miles and go left on 171. Then take Fire Road 171B on your left and drive to the gate. From there, you will walk less than a half mile to the Lava River Cave. Note: In the summer, the road should be open, and you can drive the half-mile to the parking lot where there are human restrooms. They are closed in the wintertime, though. Because the elevation is higher and the forest is dense, there was still a good amount of snow on the ground. Oh, how

this made me happy. As soon as mom got my coat on, I ran and leapt in that snow. It wasn’t enough for my humans to put on snowshoes, but it was plenty to play in. Thankfully, there was no wind, and the sun was bright because the temps were in the 20s. Brrrr! Even for me, that was cold. But no bother, I was a happy boy. The halfmile is flat and easy to the Lava River Cave or Lava Tube as locals call it. To me, it is just a big hole in the ground with a brick wall around it. Nothing special to me, but apparently this cave is the longest in the state, just shy of a mile. The Lava Tube was formed some 700,000 years ago by molten rock from a nearby volcano that erupted. We weren’t equipped to go in as you need head lamps. Even in the summer, it is only 42 degrees in there, so come prepared. We met some young folks coming out of it, and they said it wasn’t hard but tricky in some spots. The reward, though, is a 30-foot ceiling that is underground! Mom and dad said they would come back without me to check it out. I think I might freak out, so keep that in mind if you have your doggy pals with you. For today, it was all about the snow. We continued on and hiked through the forest, following the old forest road. We had the place to ourselves, and it was so peaceful. We turned around after a while and headed back to the Lava Tube, where there were picnic tables. Dad got some hot tea going, and mom fed us lunch. We sat and enjoyed the area’s beauty. After a lovely break, we packed it up and headed back to the car. All in all, we only went 2.5 miles, but it was very enjoyable and worth the drive (about two and a half hours each way). You, of course, could hike

see KUMA page 19

A beautiful winter day in Arizona.

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Erasing the target off Hal CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

artoonist Gary Larsen inked quite a word picture in a cartoon. It is a picture of a big male deer with a target on his belly. Another deer looks at the target and says, “Bummer of a birthmark, Hal.” While we all feel like Hal from time to time, think of those in full-time church ministry. It seems like pastors these days are on everyone’s scope, both inside and outside the church. Mainline media sensationalizes ministerial moral failures and television evangelist’s “misuse” of money faster than a speeding bullet. Many people and institutions accuse pastors of being judgmental and not relevant to today’s world. These accusations are right in some cases. However, the few awkward examples that everyone hears about are not representative of the exemplary pastors you never hear. The truth is that 97%-plus

(my guesstimate) of pastors are working diligently to make the world a better place. Are they perfect? No. Do they make flawless decisions every time? No. Do they walk on water? Hardly.

Consider this Pastoral ministry is a wonderful calling but sometimes a terrible career. I love being aYOU pastor because it’s my calling. However, the career part is more challenging. Years ago, TO BE my wife Becky and I were at a time-share presentation in Maui. The salesman asked what I did for a living. I said I was a pastor. Then he said in a disappointed manner, “Oh, that means you have a low-stress job.” You should have seen Becky. She laughed and said, “You don’t go to church, do you?” She still recalls that incident like it was yesterday. Englishman Phil Hines tells a story about Jesus walking along the road one day and seeing a man crying. When asked what was wrong, the man replied, “I’m blind,” so Jesus healed him. Further along, He met another

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man in tears and asked him the same question. He replied, “I’m lame,” so Jesus healed him. Then He encountered a third man weeping. In response to Jesus’ question, he replied, “I’m a pastor.” So, Jesus sat down and wept right along with him! Pastoring can be a thankless job inside the church, too. Talk about pastoral target practice. If he speaks too long, “He puts us to sleep.” If he speaks too short, “He hasn’t prepared.” If he raises his voice, “He’s shouting.” If he speaks in a normal manner, “You can’t hear him.” If he’s absent, “He’s always on the road.” If he’s out visiting, “He’s never at home.” If he’s home, “He never visits anyone.” If he talks of money, “He’s too fond of money.” If he doesn’t talk about money, “Nobody knows what he is up to.” If he’s too young, “He lacks experience.” If he is old, “He ought to retire.” And what if he dies trying to meet all these expectations? “Nobody could ever take his place.” Now that makes me twitch. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. You might think pastors talk about church stuff when they meet. No, pastors are human beings just like you. When a group of pastors meets together, they often joke in a fun way about pastoral stuff. Let me give you a free pass into “our” kind of humor. A visiting minister was very long-winded. Worse yet, every time he would make a good point during his sermon, a member of the congregation responded with “amen” or “that’s right, preacher,” he would get more wound up and launch into another lengthy discourse. Finally, the host preacher started responding to every few sentences with “amen, pharaoh!” The guest minister wasn’t sure what that meant, but after several more “amen, pharaoh!” he finally concluded his very lengthy discourse. After the service concluded and the congregation had left, the visiting minister turned to his host and asked, “What exactly did you mean when you said, ‘Amen, pharaoh?’” His host replied, “I was telling you to let my people go!” Here’s another story. A rural pastor was livid when he confronted his wife with a $225 receipt for a new dress she had just purchased. “What made you do this?” he exclaimed. “I don’t know,” she said. “I was

standing in the store looking at the dress. Then I found myself trying it on. It was like the devil was whispering to me, “Wow, you look great in that dress. You should buy it!” “Well,” the pastor persisted, “you know how to deal with him! Just tell him, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” “I did,” replied the wife, “but then he said, ‘It looks great from back here, too!’” Well, as they say, the retirement benefits of pastoring are out of this world. However, what can you do to support your local pastor on this side of heaven? The Scriptures say, “Appreciate pastoral leaders who give you the word. Honor those who work so hard for you, who have the responsibility of guiding you; overwhelm them with appreciation and love.” If you do what the Bible says, you might erase that target on Hal, the pastor. Remember, God gave some as pastors to help you and aim you to God who helps and empowers. In other words, pastors are here because you’re here. Ed Delph is a native of Phoenix who lives in the North Valley. Since 1980, he has pastored three churches in the Valley. He is a noted author of 10 books, weekly columnist in several local and worldwide newspapers, teacher, business owner and speaker. Delph has been to or ministered in over 100 countries. He is president of a worldwide ministry, NationStrategy. To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

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The ancient art of pastel painting BY SHEA STANFIELD Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

astels, as an artistic medium, have been with us over 15,000 years—from the charcoal cave drawings in Lascaux, France, through the renaissance masters, da Vince and Michelangelo, into the impressionist era with Monet and Cassatt, right up to Sun City West pastel painter Lin Boucher. Growing up in San Francisco and Denver, Boucher refers to herself in the context of one of Aesop Fables: “I am a true city mouse/ country mouse, comfortable in both sitting rooms and barns.” She credits a high school art teacher for pushing her out of her comfort zone. “If you draw another ‘head ’m off at the pass’ picture I’ll fail you,” she recalled. That was enough to spur Boucher to explore other subjects while staying grounded in a Western theme. Boucher studied graphic design at Colorado State University before the age of computers. She soon found little motivation in creating something someone else told her to do. Looking for her next great adventure, she took off for Wickenburg, where she had accepted a job with a ranch resort. In movie script fashion, Boucher met her future husband there, and after they married the couple moved to a large cattle ranch outside the state. Over the next several years, Boucher worked in a variety of medical offices, which she found “inspirationally mind numbing.” She found her career as a mom much more to her liking because it allowed a variety in activity, flexibility and time to pursue her art. Once the children were grown and retirement was on their doorstep, Boucher and

We might be changing locations, but we aren’t her husband returned to the Sonoran Desgoing anywhere. You can expect the same ert, settling in Sun City West. Today, Boucher works from her home’s commited support, but with a new view. large utility room turned art studio. The area easily accommodates her materials, supplies and equipment for framing her work. Boucher’ s subjects have broadened over the years. Her love of animals and concern for their preservation continues to be her Wemotivation. might beHer changing but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the primary go-to stylelocations, is photorealism, which she renders meticsame committed support, but with a new view. ulously. At times, Boucher leans toward New Address as of an impressionistic feel when her intent is to push the intense color in a subject. ReWe might 3715 W Anthem W gardless of the style or technique, Bouch-be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the same committed support, but with a new view. er keeps the objective the same. Anthem AZ 85086 “Reminding us to be mindful of all creaWe might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the tures and our responsibility to be their carsame committed support, but with a new view. ing stewards,” she said. Boucher is an active member in a number of local arts groups, including the Arizona Pastel Artists Association, the Sun West Art Club, Vanguard Artists, WHAM Art AssociaWe might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhe tion and the Sonoran Arts League, where she same committed support, but with a new view. exhibits regularly. She enjoys juried status in dozens of prominent exhibitions and gives talks on or teaches about pastel art. Boucher also accepts pet portrait commissions and paints the cowboys and horses in New Address as of August 3, 2020 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, team roping competitions each winter. American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 New Address as of August 3, 2020 “One of the best things about being an art014472 – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 ist is observing the reaction viewers have to Anthem AZ 85086 my art,” she said. “When I see the spark of 3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 joy, I bring to them I know I did it right.” Anthem AZ 85086 Contact arts columnist Shea Stanfield at flowingquill@yahoo.com.

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The Hall of Flame was born out of one man’s hobby BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

hicago-area industrialist George F. Getz Jr. and his wife, Olive Atwater Getz, were driving through Wilmette, Illinois, when they saw a broken-down fire truck on the side of the road. George casually remarked he would like the 1924, Type 12 American La France fire engine. Considering the Globe Corp. chairman had everything, Olive surprised him with the old fire engine for Christmas in 1955. The gift led to a hobby on his part of collecting antique and historic firefighting equipment. This resulted in his creating the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, now located in Phoenix, in 1961. It houses the world’s largest collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. “Somehow they kept it a secret from him,” said Mark Moorhead of the Hall of Flame Museum about George’s present. “It was really, basically, intended as a gag gift, but he went nuts. He loved it. He gave

the neighborhood kids rides in it. He just really became enamored of firetrucks. He started to collect more and more and more of them.” He organized the National Historical Fire Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to promote the museum’s programs. The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is one of the Valley’s best-kept secrets. After a stint in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, it opened its present building in Phoenix’s Papago Park in 1974. The hall has grown from its original single gallery to five exhibit galleries, the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, the museum store, a theater, a restoration shop, a collection storage building and administrative offices. In its 70,000-square-foot space are 130 wheeled pieces and thousands of smaller artifacts. “We’re the largest historical firefighting museum in the world,” Moorhead said. “There are around 200 firefighting museums in the United States and quite a few in other countries as well. We have items from all

over the world, really, to trace the social and technological history of firefighting.” The museum tells the story from the bucket brigade to the 21st century. “It’s like you see in the Western movies, when the church is on fire, for example,” he said about the bucket brigade. “You have the famous bucket brigade, where they pass up and down the line and the last person gets as close as he can to the fire, which usually isn’t very close. He tries to throw the bucket of water on it. “It’s a terrible way to fight a fire, but it was all they had. As civilization developed and towns and cities got bigger, they had a lot of incentive to find a better way to fight fires in a more technological way.” The oldest piece in the museum is from 1725—seven years before George Washington was born. “This one is so old that it doesn’t have a good hose,” Moorhead said. “Instead of the last guy in line feebly throwing his bucket of water on the fire, he would pour it into a tub that held about 80 gallons of water.

“You’d have the crew guys on either side, pumping it out, up and down.” The water sprayed out of a rigid, brass pipe—a branch pipe—and it angled up so the firefighters didn’t have to get right on top of the fire. They could arc it through a front door or, perhaps, a porch window. They could also hose down trees, bushes and the neighbors’ houses. “It wasn’t just your house that would burn,” Moorhead said. “Three or four of your neighbors’ houses could burn, or the whole city block. Whole towns were known to burn. “It seems really primitive, but it was this huge leap forward over the bucket brigade. It’s essentially just a giant squirt gun, but it’s a pretty powerful squirt gun.” From the old news to recent news—the Granite Mountain Hotshots are remembered in the museum. They were killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, the sixth-deadliest American firefighter disaster and the state’s deadliest wildfire. The museum houses one buggy

see MUSEUM page 19

FEATURES

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KUMA from page 15

MUSEUM from page 18

used to transport the hotshots on the last day of their lives. “This is one of the few pieces that’s here that we don’t own,” Moorhead said. “This one belongs to the Los Angeles County Fire Museum. The vice president of that museum’s son died (in Yarnell). “The vehicles sat in a city garage up in Prescott for a number of years. Then, they took them out to be in that movie (‘Only the Brave’). Finally, Prescott said they were going to sell it as surplus city property. This guy in LA didn’t want to see this stuff sold. So, he got an anonymous donor, who turned out to be the actor Randolph Mantooth, to donate $25,000. He put up a single bid of $25,000. We’ve had it for years, and we’ll probably have it for years more. If they ever build a museum or a facility of some kind in Prescott that would accommodate this, they’ll probably get it.” Mantooth starred in the 1970s medical drama “Emergency!” The Granite Mountain Hotshots exhibit is part of the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which opened in 1998. Other American

19 ••

Mack not only made semis, but firetrucks as well. (Photo courtesy the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting)

firefighters who died in the line of duty are remembered, including those from 9/11. (Somber fact: “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson’s father is pictured on a wall of 9/11 casualties.) “We think we’re a real world-class facility,” Moorhead said. “The building isn’t fancy at all. It’s just a big warehouse, really.” But what’s in it is worth the trip. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

6101 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix 602-275-3473 hallofflame.org

longer and farther is you wanted. Or not! As promised, here’s the quickest, most direct way out and home to Phoenix: From the gated area, turn left on NF 171, follow it 6.8 miles to the Old Route 66 and turn left. You then take a right to get on I-40 East. It’s really the first major intersection you will come to from 66 (a frontage road), and you’ll see a Pilot Gas Station on your left. Take I-40 until you see the turn off for I-17 south, and you are on your way home. If you go on a weekend, we advise you to head out early. We were on the road by 7 a.m., and we had the road basically to ourselves. We got to watch the sun rise over the mountains, and it was so pretty. I don’t remember much about the drive home because I snoozed, but we made good time. I hope you get a chance to play in the snow and see some pine trees. It does a soul good to connect with nature. May the new year bring lots of great adventures, good health, time with family and friends, and plenty of treats. Woof!

Kuma and his mom enjoy snow up north. 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. Enjoy her blog at http://bit.ly/2MRHKv3 and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/kumathedog and Instagram at kumaitothedog.

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Youth

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BC wrestling prepares for the 2021 season BY ANDREW MORGAN Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

“B

odies” by Drowning Pool blared as more than a dozen wrestlers prepared for their winter season. With walls covered in nameplates that honor champions, head coach Porter Wilbanks glanced around the room and smiled as he blew the whistle, signaling the end of practice. “We have very high expectations going into this season, and we have the team to win it all,” Wilbanks said. That winning tradition is what fuels the team. This season, Boulder Creek

Ending with a 46-2 regular season record, senior heavyweight Jacob Moore made quick work of the bracket last season. (Submitted photos)

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wrestling boasts a senior class full of talent, along with a young core that looks to take home some heavy hardware at the state tournament. After multiple delays due to COVID-19, the program will take part in a modified winter season, competing in six dual meets against section teams, followed by a section tournament, which acts as a state qualifier. The state and sectional tournament dates are yet to be announced. “With the regular season tournaments being canceled, we’re just left with dual meets,” said senior Noah Kasprowicz. Wilbanks added, “Our regular season tournaments get us ready for the state tournament. You have to learn how to wrestle in tournaments. This year, we’re hurt big time because our first tournament will be sectionals, which is our state qualifier.” Over the course of the season, the team will match up against Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista, Chandler, O’Connor,

Mountain Ridge and the defending state champion Liberty. Last season, the Jaguars finished fifth with 112.5 points, behind Desert Vista, Mountain View Mesa, Cibola and Division 1 champions Liberty. “We have a different mindset this year. We want to bring some hardware home from the state tournament this year,” said senior heavyweight Jacob Moore. Moore, a dual-sport athlete who also plays football for Boulder Creek, looks to return to the mat and claim his second-straight state title. Ending with a 46-2 regular season record, Moore made quick work of the heavyweight bracket last season, ending three out of four matches with falls in the first 2 minutes. Moore will make his college decision shortly, currently holding offers from Southwest Minnesota State and Washburn. Kasprowicz is looking to win his first title after coming up short in the finals last season. Placing second, Kasprowicz was a key contender for the Jaguars last season and helped the team on its way to fifth overall. Putting points on the board, Kasprowicz won matches 15-0, 14-0 and 8-0 before losing 5-2 in the championship match to Liberty’s Zander Phanturos. Kasprowicz may have a chance at redemption as he moves up to the 126-pound weight class. When asked about the title match loss a year ago, Kasprowicz added, “Losing in the state finals hurt. This year, I’m hoping to rebound and win it all. Hopefully if I take state, a few more schools will take notice.” Up-and-coming junior Caiden Cole placed third last year in the 106-pound weight class. Cole finished the regular

�� WRESTLING �� 21

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JANUARY 13, 2021

Financial transparency key to DVUSD BY DR. CURTIS FINCH Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

eer Valley Unified School District has been on a run of winning awards these past couple of years. Our laser focus on our community and staff-driven strategic plan has successfully propelled the district in the same direction for the last four years. Arrows pointed in the same direction increase the likelihood of hitting the target right in the bull’s eye—every time. The district’s financial targets are some of the goals we strive to hit every year, with transparency as one of the focuses. The district’s “Special Report to the Community” is released every year to our community and was redesigned last year to make it more user friendly and appealing to the reader. With more than 60% of the households in DVUSD

WRESTLING �� 20

season with a 36-5 record. With two more seasons ahead of him, Cole wants to strive for a state title as he moves up to the 132-pound weight class. Cole could potentially be a two-time state champion if he continues to improve. “Last year, I came up short. I wanted to win a state title, so I’m using that feeling as my motivation for this year,” Cole said. “That’s always your goal—is to win. These guys don’t work hard to get fifth place. They work hard so they can top that podium,” Wilbanks said. “Dayin and day-out this team has worked so hard, lifting and wrestling every day, and overcoming obstacles.” Opening the season at 4 p.m. Jan. 27 at home, the Jaguars host Shadow Ridge.

not containing children, it is important for all community members to see the impact of the correct use of tax dollars for maintaining public structures and equipment, improving school facilities and being fiscally responsible. Good stewardship positively affects property values when coupled with strong academic performance. The formation of a community and district budget committee, financial website links at dvusd.org/budget411, additional community and staff surveys on budget priorities, and the “Special Report to the Community” all help to promote DVUSD’s transparent approach to spending tax dollars. After the release of the new version last year, internet traffic on the district financial web links jumped 68%. DVUSD’s communication department was given professional accolades for their outstanding “Special Report to the Community” these past two years. As

Placing second, Noah Kasprowicz was a key contender for the Jaguars last season.

your DVUSD Special Report arrives in your mailbox in January, you can thank Communications & Community Engagement Director Monica Allread, Finance Director Heather Mock and Deputy Superintendent for Fiscal Services Jim Migliorino for their hard work in making this an award-winning publication. The edition features summaries of construction projects, exciting programs supported with tax dollars, DVUSD awards, financial data and website financial links for additional information. One of the report’s highlights is an excellent program at Barry Goldwater High School. BGHS Career Technical Education (CTE) program won the highest CTE award in the state, the “Arizona Outstanding CTE Program of the Year.” This prestigious award focuses on the student-run community restaurant, Avenue 27, located on the BGHS campus. This diner is an outstanding opportuni-

ty for students to display their talent in serving the community with excellent fine-dining food from a professional kitchen built with your tax dollars. This “Special Report to the Community” was given the “Award of Excellence” for two years in a row—2019 and 2020—by the Arizona School Public Relations Association. Congratulations to the team that focused its efforts on producing a quality publication informing the community of DVUSD’s economic situation and transparent use of financial resources. With all arrows pointed at the same target of #extraordinary excellence, great things happen—an award-winning and informative financial report for your review. Visit our website, dvusd.org/specialreport, for more detailed information. Have a happy and successful New Year! Dr. Curtis Finch is the superintendent of DVUSD and can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org.

Up-and-coming junior Caiden Cole placed third last year in the 106-pound weight class.

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