The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 02.17.2021 by Times Media Group

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NEWS ................ 7

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Carefree approves land to build water reservoir BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Wild at Heart founder dies, leaves behind a legacy

PAGE

any Carefree residents living in the area serviced by Cave Creek’s water system say they are tired of dealing with brown water, a lack of representation and the looming threat of a limited water supply. This is why many say they are ready for the town to acquire its water assets and provide water to the entirety of its residents instead of just a portion.

The Carefree Utility Community Facility District provided residents with an update on its water acquisition project in a public Zoom meeting on Feb. 9. Town Engineer and Carefree Water Company Manager Greg Crossman led the presentation, discussing the project’s scope, costs, benefits as well as impacts on rates. Ultimately, the town has a goal of “Unifying Carefree under one water provider,” Crossman said.

“The strong belief by our leadership is this will lead to a stronger Carefree and a stronger Carefree water system,” he added. Carefree initiated this acquisition process in January 2019 after “hundreds of Carefree residents raised concerns about the water service being provided by the Cave Creek system,” town information states. “There was not one single event” that caused

see WATER page 5

Museum considers moving outside of town limits

FEATURES ........23

Artist Lauri Koo: The Long and Winding Road

YOUTH ............32

Cactus Shadows High School cheer team makes state ﬁnals

OPINION ................... 13 BUSINESS ................. 18 FEATURES ................ 23 YOUTH ...................... 32 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 33 Zone

BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

or half a century, Cave Creek Museum has provided residents and visitors with exhibits and collections full of artifacts that promote the historical significance of the town’s military, ranching, settling and gold mining days. The museum opened its doors in 1970 and originally started as a grassroots volunteer organization, undergoing changes that led to the addition of new exhibits as well as the establishment of a leadership board of paid staff. Throughout it all, the museum conducted all its operations in the same adobe building at the

see MUSEUM page 4

Cave Creek Museum’s Exhibits and Collections Curator Elizabeth Kapp, Program Coordinator Remington Pettus, Interim Executive Director Susanne D. Johnson and President Vince D’Aliesio are proud of the museum’s Historic Golden Reef 10-stamp mill. (Photos by Pablo Robles)

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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 :

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

MUSEUM from page 1

base of Black Mountain. However, the museum’s interim executive director, Susanne D. Johnson, announced the “museum is looking forward to its next move, both figuratively and literally.” Johnson’s statement, which was emailed to members on Feb. 4, details how the museum has “outgrown” the current location. The board is investigating sites to potentially build a bigger location to fit all of its exhibits and “significant” pieces it has acquired over the years, it states. While the board’s “preference is to remain in Cave Creek,” it stated its potential location search has extended beyond the town’s limits into the greater foothills area. The name of the museum “will not be erased” if it moves outside of the town, it however states. This consideration was met with intense opposition and scrutiny from residents, members, donors as well as volunteers. Hundreds took to social media to emphasize the importance of keeping the Cave Creek Museum in town. In the email, she explains the board’s reasoning, saying “affordable land is not available in the commercial boundaries of Cave Creek” to build the bigger, updated museum it’s envisioning. The museum “desperately” needs more room for exhibits, she wrote, mentioning how many collections are “locked up in numerous remote storage units.” The constricted amount of space also prevents the board from hosting special events, educational opportunities and fundraising affairs, Johnson wrote, also mentioning how lack of signage has been an issue as the surrounding area has become a residential

neighborhood. Two days later, Board President Vince D’Aliesio sent another email announcement to members to support Johnson’s message and to “quash those rumors” that falsely said the museum made a final decision to move to Carefree, he said in an interview with The Foothills Focus. “From what I’m told,” many people on social media were “already resigned to the fact that the museum is definitely moving — and that is the furthest thing from the truth,” D’Aliesio said. The numerous sites the board investigated were located in Cave Creek as well as Carefree, but nothing has been decided, he stated. “If an opportunity presented itself and it was feasible to do then we would certainly consider it, but it would be at the decision of the board to make that move.” The board’s decision is dependent on the community’s voice and involvement, D’Aliesio said. “Ultimately, if the community is against it, then it won’t happen,” he said. “The board would not make that move without the buyin from the community.” Staying in its original location is “definitely the number one objective,” but the museum needs the community’s support, he explained. For this to happen, people need to “rally around the museum” by donating, volunteering, also coming forward with ideas and getting to know the museum, he said. Paul Diefenderfer, a blacksmith and original member of the museum’s “Dream Team” has been volunteering almost once a week for the past decade. Diefenderfer and the rest of the “Dream Team” men have put in countless hours to

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build, paint and maintain various parts of the museum, he said, mentioning how the volunteers collectively worked to get the museum’s stamp mill constructed and operational. In D’Aliesio’s letter, he states the board met with members of the “Dream Team” over the past six months to determine the feasibility of relocating outdoor exhibits so as not to “disparage the many years of work that our amazing volunteers have contributed to the current site.” However, when Diefenderfer saw Johnson’s statement online, he said he had no knowledge of their consideration of moving. “This came as a complete shock,” he said. “I was devastated.” Diefenderfer said he decided he won’t volunteer again “until they commit to staying in Cave Creek.” “I just don’t want to waste my time and effort only to see it thrown in the trash. And I hate being in that position because it’s been a love affair and a passion of mine,” Diefenderfer said. “I can’t control it, but I’m not going to help dig up my own grave either.” It’s essential for the museum to remain in Cave Creek, he said. Removing the mining artifacts and unique pieces like the gazebo that tell the town’s history won’t be successful anywhere else because there’s no context that shows their significance, he explained. “It’s ours. It’s our history and it belongs in our own neighborhood. It belongs in our town,” he said. “They can make it work if they just try.” The museum doesn’t have to move to a bigger and better location to thrive and ensure its longevity, he said. “It’s a treasure because it exists and they’ve lost sight of that,” he said. “That’s what’s wrong — they don’t see it as the gem that it is.” This is why Diefenderfer believes the board members should resign, he stated. “If they’re not committed to staying in Cave Creek, they need to step down and let someone take the job that is,” Diefenderfer explained. On the same day D’Aliesio issued his statement, a group of five former board members, executive directors and presidents released a collective statement detailing their concerns about the museum’s consideration

see MUSEUM page 6

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

WATER from page 1

the town to initiate this process, Crossman said, explaining how the reasons were “numbered.” One of the key reasons was a concern about lack of representation, as Carefree residents cannot vote for the Cave Creek town councilmembers who determine water rates and how much money is spent on its system, Crossman explained. Other reasons include concerns about water reliability and quality, system maintenance, fire protection as well as controlling the town’s “economic destiny,” he said. Crossman estimated the acquisition will increase the Carefree water customer base by around 25% as it will add around 2,000 to 2,500 customers. More customers will allow the Carefree water system to spread its capital costs which gives it the opportunity to install beneficial infrastructure improvements, he added. Dan Jackson, part of the Phoenix-based Coe Van Loo independent consultant team, presented how the acquisition project will impact rates and how it’s ultimately advantageous for all residents. To complete the acquisition and improve the water system, an annual rate adjustment of 4.4% is estimated from the years 2022 to 2026, he explained. “In other words, it’s the same rate adjustment that you’ve done for the last couple of years,” Jackson said, adding that water rates would still rise even if the acquisition didn’t happen. From the years 2027 through 2030, there is an estimated 2% rate adjustment per year, he said. “While it’s never easy to ask ratepayers to pay more, these rate adjustments are actually less than what the national average is expected to be for water utilities over the next decade,” Jackson stated, adding that average water and wastewater utilities rates in the U.S. are expected to increase by 5% to 6% every year. Crossman also presented the financing structure of how the project will be funded. Carefree fronted a “considerable” amount of money for the proceedings, he said, explaining how it put forth $2.3 million to pay for legal fees and experts. The town also expects some developer contributions as well as offsets based on settle-

ment agreement negotiations with Cave Creek, he added. A “majority” of funding will come from water revenue bonds, which will generate the “upfront capital” needed to construct and perform the project, Crossman said. The disconnection and reconnection costs are estimated at $11.5 million; construction “soft costs” are estimated at $1.4 million and improvements to its existing system will cost $3.5 million, he stated. The grand total of the project cost is $19.4 million. Residents were notably vocal about the town’s acquisition project, as the town received 58 letters, many of which were in favor of the project. “This is an extremely critical issue for the future of Carefree and will impact all Carefree residents positively in the future if this project moves forward,” said Carefree residents Ronald and Barbara Neagle in a letter. Their letter mentions how they reside in one of the geographic areas of Carefree which are served by Cave Creek’s water service. This issue is what the couple based their voting decisions on, they stated. “We do not trust the quality of water provided by the Cave Creek system as we have complicated medical conditions resulting in the constant expense of bottled water along with plumbing issues due to brown water causing additional expenses.” This was a major concern voiced by a significant number of residents in their letters, as many stated they’ve reportedly received a notice from the town of Cave Creek that water serviced to households has a presence of trihalomethanes, a carcinogenic group of chemicals that can contaminate drinking water. The history of this acquisition goes back to 2005, when the town of Cave Creek sought to condemn the privately owned water company that serviced both its residents as well as Carefree, according to official Carefree information. “As a cooperative neighboring community, Carefree agreed to permit Cave Creek to include the Carefree portion of the service territory as part of that condemnation,” it stated. The two towns then entered into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), which permitted Carefree to eventually acquire these water assets that service parts of Carefree.

The IGA states if the two towns couldn’t reach an agreement on the compensation Carefree would pay Cave Creek to acquire the assets, a panel of arbitrators would decide the amount, it states. After Carefree initiated the acquisition in January 2019, the arbitration hearing began late October of last year and concluded the first week of November. According to the “‘Arbitrators’ Decision on the Merits” released Dec. 4, the “just compensation” Carefree must pay Cave Creek for the condemned assets is $1,464,593. After an additional briefing, the panel determined all litigation expenses, attorney fees, expert fees and other costs were “rendered in favor of Carefree” and will be deducted from the compensation amount, according to its Partial Final Award issued Jan. 14. Before the Partial Final Award was issued and since then, both towns are working on a settlement agreement for the purpose of achieving “finality, cooperation between the communities moving forward, and expeditious integration of the Carefree Service Area into the Carefree Water system,”

according to town information. During the same meeting, it also unanimously approved the acquisition of a parcel of land located on the border of The Boulders gated community off of North Tom Darlington Road to construct a 1,300 square-foot water storage reservoir. The addition of this reservoir will help meet peak demand and ensure proper fire protection, Crossman said. “Extraordinary measures” were taken to obscure the view of the reservoir, he said, mentioning a wall that will shield the view from residential communities as well as the landscaping that will block the view from the road. The town’s engineering team sought out a vacant piece of land with minimal topographic and geographic challenges at a proper elevation with a nonresidential access point. After investigating multiple potential properties, the approved parcel was chosen because it provides the “greatest public good and least private injury.” —Staff writer Sarah Donahue can be reached at sdonahue@timespublications.com

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NEWS

MUSEUM from page 4

of moving. The group of former leadership members, which include Evelyn Johnson, Jo Ann Stuckey, Sue Mueller, Pam Di Pietro and Stephanie Bradley, released the statement to members via email, also voicing their points to the board during a recent meeting. “For 49 of the museum’s 51 years, it has been a viable, well-known museum in the community and state, with an active volun-

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

teer force, enthusiastic visitors, and successful fundraisers,” it reads. However, “In the past three years, board membership deteriorated, resulting in a revolving door of board members who apparently did not recognize their responsibility to properly govern the museum,” it states. Upon recent museum visits to the redesigned Pioneer Wing, former board members state the “once interesting space is now stark, flat and virtually empty. The letter details the background on the

The Cave Creek Museum’s Archaeology Wing explores the “complexities of the ancient cultures that inhabited the area from approximately the year zero to the present,” its website states.

museum’s struggles over the years, claiming the board hadn’t done its “governance duty” by keeping the IRS 990s up to date. The museum was reportedly “on the verge of losing its 501(c)(3) status until Stuckey alerted two board members” of the deadline to file, it claims, noting Stuckey was retired at the time. It also mentions how the board has no fundraising plans and yet to begin the search for a permanent executive director, a seat that has remained empty since October. Despite this, Evelyn Johnson, who served as the museum’s executive director for 13 years said she and the others behind the statement respect the position of the board members and what led up to these issues. “We believe the board members, both elected and appointed have served well,

even though they are misguided,” she said, mentioning how they didn’t receive proper training and are dealing with “great distress” and financial strain from COVID-19. Evelyn Johnson, a Carefree resident, isn’t against the idea of the museum possibly moving but “it needs to stay in Cave Creek,” she said, also mentioning how this is stated in the museum’s articles of incorporation. The former board members hope appropriate action is taken at the board’s upcoming Feb. 22 meeting to “right some of these errors” so the museum can go back to being a place of pride in the community once again. “It’s the heart of our history. And it needs the support of everyone to thrive and survive.” —Staff writer Sarah Donahue can be reached at sdonahue@timespublications.com

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Wild at Heart founder dies, leaves legacy BY TARA ALATORRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

am Fox, who co-founded Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue in Cave Creek, died Dec. 31. Although it’s a painful loss, her legacy to wildlife is monumental. Sam, who also served as director, died at age 73 after battling long-term health issues. A pillar in the wildlife conservation community, Sam leaves big shoes to fill having saved more than 12,000 raptors since 1993, and rescued countless other desert creatures while operating 24/7 as an unofficial wildlife 911 for Arizona. Her dedication to raptors pushed the boundaries for what was deemed possible in rehabilitation. She started Wild at Heart with one injured, baby barn owl named Chia in 1991. That one owl evolved into Sam and her husband of 51 years, Bob Fox, turning their home into one of the most robust,

federally licensed raptor rehabilitation centers in the Southwest. “Her main philosophy was that all she really wanted out of life was to leave the world a little better place than it was when she got here,” said Bob, the co-founder. “If everybody would do one good thing then the world would be a better place. And she certainly accomplished that.” Sam was the first to start a foster program for raptors in Arizona, and through her work and persistence she changed the entire playbook. Of the more than 12,000 raptors received at Wild at Heart, 6,000 were released successfully back into the wild, which would not have been possible without fostering. When Sam took in Chia, she knew he couldn’t be released into the wild due to permanent injuries, but she was determined to give him a higher calling as a foster parent. “Sam knew that the birds have emotions, and they need companionship,” said

Bob and Sam Fox with a hawk at Wild at Heart. Sam died Dec. 31 at age 73 after battling long-term health issues. (Photo courtesy Wild at Heart) Michelle Anderson, a longtime volunteer at Wild at Heart. “She mended souls too, humans and birds.” That same year, despite much skepti-

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see FOUNDER page 8

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FOUNDER from page 7

to lovingly foster hundreds of baby barn owls and inspired other rescues to begin fostering programs with birds and other animals who were nonreleasable. The ripples of her pioneering work have touched generations of wildlife across the nation. “I think people should remember her as a person who was dedicated to the welfare of animals in general, and birds of prey in particular,” Bob said. “Because of her research and studies with foster parenting with birds of prey …it has kind of spread out to everybody now in all species and throughout the U.S.” Fostering wasn’t the only way Sam dedicated herself to wildlife, Wild at Heart also helped create integral models for recovering endangered and threatened species, particularly Western burrowing owls and cactus ferruginous pygmy owls. “She has always had to think out of the box because of her limitations with arthritis. She never let that define her, she was a very strong minded, strong willed person, who believed if you put your mind to it then you could get it done,” Bob said. The Foxes and their team were the first to successfully create a relocation program for burrowing owls, despite biologists saying it was impossible. They said the owls were just too territorial and attached to their dens. Wild at Heart’s relocation model used and studied by wildlife biologists and universities in hopes of rehabilitating populations in other states. Wild at Heart continues to work closely with Audubon and federal and state wildlife departments as development continues to put pressure on the species and their habitats. Because of her ability to think out of the box, the pygmy owl is not an extinct species in Arizona. In 2007, only six nesting pairs were documented by Arizona Fish and Game Department, and it was Bob and Sam who were trusted with the task of keeping the species alive. With Sam and Bob leading the charge, Wild at Heart worked out solutions for how to get one of the smallest owl species in the world to breed, hatch eggs and foster owlets in captivity successfully. The Phoenix Zoo uses Wild at Heart’s breeding protocol, which includes keep-

ing eggs at the proper humidity levels to ensure they hatch. Wild at Heart can be accredited to stabilizing the pygmy owl population in Arizona through the captive-breeding program it established. “She was definitely a mentor, that was really important for her, paying it forward,” Bob said. Despite her achieving many firsts in wildlife rehabilitation, ego never came into play. It was always about doing what was best for the birds and wildlife. “Sam had a heart and mind that was bigger and stronger than her body,” said Beth Edwards, Bob and Sam’s long-term assistant. Those who worked closely with her all talked about how Sam’s physical limitations with rheumatoid arthritis, which she had suffered from since she was a small child, didn’t limit her. All were amazed at her ability to feel broken wing bones, or swiftly gut a rodent. “Even though her hands had their problems with arthritis, she could still do things with them that were amazing. She could tell so much with her touch,” Judy Rogers, a longtime volunteer said tearfully when remembering Sam. Everyone spoke of her remarkable intuition with raptors, saying it was almost as if she could hypnotize the birds or speak their language. Many of the staff and volunteers even called Sam the bird whisperer for her remarkable ability to lull a bird of prey to sleep. “She would talk to the eggs when they were hatching. She could peep and squeak through the eggs and sometimes they would squeak back,” Rogers recalled. All of those close to Sam know that she would want Wild at Heart to continue because the raptors are still in need. In the last few years, the organization’s intake has steadily increased, upward from about 800 birds a year. The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary created a GoFundMe and is trying to raise $30,000 to help Wild at Heart during this difficult, transitional period. Bob and the team at Wild at Heart say anyone looking to help should consider volunteering or donating, but, at the very least, they urge the community not to use rodenticide or glue traps that indiscriminately kills wildlife.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Lumber prices putting squeeze on new home prices

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Foothills Focus Staff Writer

s if low inventory wasn’t exerting enough pressure on home prices, two new trends are apparently adding to the surge —particularly for new houses. The National Association of Homebuilders and the National Association of Realtors said a lumber shortage is accelerating the cost of new home construction while there also is a rising demand for larger houses — partly as the result of more stay-at-home and work-fromhome time created by the pandemic. “While the market remains solid, median home prices are increasing due to higher building material costs, most notably softwood lumber, and a shift to larger homes,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. And resale homes may not offer an escape from that trend because of the

steadily shrinking inventory. The median sales price nationally was $355,900 in December — up from $329,500 a year earlier. The Cromford Report, which closely monitors the housing market in the Phoenix Metro area, said demand for new and used houses “is still on a downward trend.” But it cautioned that the trend “has had almost no benefit for buyers as supply is dropping to unprecedented lows across large parts of the valley.” “Demand would have to collapse for some semblance of normality to return to this market,” Cromford said, citing a growing chasm between inventory and demand” all due to a worsening supply. A case in point was Avondale, where inventory has plummeted to almost nothing. With only 20 listings, Cromford said, Avondale “is a city of about 85,000 people which, in a normal market, would expect to have about 340 single-family

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homes for sale. There were 1,100 single-family homes listed in Avondale during 2007. Supply has dropped in half since Jan. 8.” “So, if there were no new listings,” Cromford continued, “the current stock would sell out completely in less than six days. I am starting to wonder if inventory could go to zero in places like Avondale.” Similarly, Cromford reported, Maricopa had only 62 single-family houses for sale. “Normally we would expect over 400,” Cromford said. “Demand has remained strong in Maricopa with over 2,200 single-family closings a year. There are 10 days of inventory.” Cromford said inventory is critically low in other small communities — as it is in large Valley cities — particularly Anthem, Arizona City, Carefree, El Mirage, Florence, Litchfield Park, Sun Lakes, Tolleson, Tonopah and Youngtown. Meanwhile, new pressures are being put on homebuyers in the form of rising lumber prices. The homebuilders group reported that in the first six months of the pandemic “lumber prices soared more than 170%. “This unprecedented lumber price spike added nearly $16,000 to the price of a typical new single-family home,” it said. The homebuilders association recommended that its members include an escalation clause in contracts “that indicates if lumber prices increase by a certain percentage, the customer would be required to pay the extra costs.” It also said the sharp increases in lumber costs “threaten the affordability of new homes and the housing sector, which is leading the nation’s economic recovery.” The association blamed the lumber cost increase on inadequate domestic production. “Many mills reduced production due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures enacted by state and local governments at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic,” it said recently. “Mill operators projected that housing would be adversely affected by the crisis

and anticipated a large drop in demand. But housing weathered the storm much better than was predicted and demand for lumber has accelerated.” In December, it called on the Trump Administration to pressure domestic lumber producers “to ramp up production to ease growing shortages and making it a priority to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement.” That request went nowhere. All this comes at a time when more millennials and Gen Xers are looking to buy a house — and when more are looking to buy new, the homebuilders group said. In a survey of more than 15,000 prospective buyers, It found “a significant shift in interest for newly-built homes during this period among prospective buyers,” doubling to 41% of buyers in December from a year earlier. “On the other hand,” it added, “the share interested in an existing home declined from 40% to 30%, while the share indifferent to either type of home fell from 41% to 29%.” “When broken down by generation,” it added, “results show that 50% of Millennial and 48% of Gen X buyers are looking to buy a new home. In contrast, 50% of boomers and 38% of Gen Z buyers would prefer to buy an existing home. Those preferring new dominated survey respondents in the Northeast and West. New-home sales in 2020 posted an 18.8% increase over 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Census Bureau reported in December. The National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said that while closings have dipped, “I would attribute that to having too few homes for sale.” “There is a high demand for housing and a great number of would-be buyers, and therefore sales should rise with more new listings,” he said. “This elevated demand without a significant boost in supply has caused home prices to increase and we can expect further upward pressure on prices for the foreseeable future.”

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Say goodbye to food bank’s Pam DiPietro BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

oothills Food Bank & Resource Center will host a public retirement meet-and-greet event for Pam DiPietro, who recently retired as the executive director of Foothills Food Bank after 18 years of service. The festivities will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse at 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. For more information or to help serve the community, call Foothills Food Bank at 480-488-1145. Foothills Food Bank is at 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive in Cave Creek and 34501 Old Black Canyon Highway in Black Canyon City.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

High Street Farmers Market Photos by Pablo Robles

alley residents flock to High Street from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays for its farmers market. From fruit and vegetables to seductive products, a nice variety of items are laid out in the entertainment and residential district. For more information, visit highstreetaz.com/farmers-market/. The market is near 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix.

1. Fresh fruit is sold at the High Street Farmers Market. 2. Natalia Yalin from WellStreet Gourmet in Chandler offers Cevizli Sucuk, or walnut sausage, candy. 3. Bryn Domenic from Southwest Aquaponics and Fish Hatchery advertises her wares at the High Street Farmers Market. 4. Desniege Joseph, owner of Naughty Naturals World, encourages shoppers to buy her products. 5. Romolo D’Amico of D’Amico Pizza prepares pies to sell. 6. Farmers market fans stop by High Street to buy fresh food, produce and products.

5 4 6

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Opinion TheFoothillsFocus.com

@TheFoothills.Focus

OPINION

For more opinions visit thefoothillsfocus.com /TheFoothillsFocus

Born to run — from excessive public attention BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

very few months, a stranger approaches me on the golf course to discuss something I’ve written. This makes me anxious, because (a) these folks typically disagree with the column in question and (b) I’m usually about to miss a 5-foot putt I need to make par. These moments always make me glad that I am in no way famous. Because fame, especially today, seems like one of the worst afflictions imaginable. Take, for example, the week Bruce Springsteen just had. On Super Bowl Sunday, The Boss was

riding high, the star of a new Jeep commercial entitled “The Middle,” which aired to massive acclaim. Personally, I found the TV spot weirdly hypocritical: Springsteen, who’s politically as left as a hooked six-iron, had spent most of the past four years viciously attacking President Donald Trump. So, Jeep chose him to hawk SUVs by inviting America to reunite as a country? “All are more than welcome to come meet here in the middle,” was the ad’s basic message. Then came Feb. 10, when news broke that Springsteen had been charged with drunken driving in his home state of New Jersey. Suddenly, Bruce was in the middle

— of a complete cluster. The New York Times wrote several hundred words about Springsteen’s arrest. It made headlines and newscasts around the globe. By afternoon, Jeep had pulled the TV spot off the internet, saying: “it’s … right that we pause our big game commercial until the actual facts can be established.” Speaking of the actual facts, we’ll find those out should Springsteen’s case reach trial. But what’s out in the public domain thus far underscores how lousy fame is. According to a spokesman for the Na-

see LEIBOWITZ page 15

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

READER’S VIEWPOINTS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Changes needed for Cave Creek Museum Editor: We want to let you know what we have discovered over the past two months at the Cave Creek Museum and trust that you will take the time to consider the information. After receiving the December museum newsletter featuring the photo of the pioneer/history wing, we decided to go see it to believe it. The once interesting space is now stark, flat and virtually empty. For us, the “new” pioneer/history wing has become a symbol of the failings of the museum board. We received an email from the interim executive director regarding a move of the museum, “within the desert foothills community.” While we are aghast at this prospect, let us review briefly how the museum arrived at this point. There seems to be an impression that the museum’s “current state” is due to its location, poor visibility, falling membership numbers and donations and lack of visitors. For 49 of the museum’s 51 years, it has been a viable, well-known museum in the community and state, with an active volunteer force, enthusiastic visitors, and successful fundraisers. In the last three years, board membership deteriorated, resulting in a revolving door of board members who apparently did not recognize their responsibility to properly govern the museum. Indeed, we wonder if the board is familiar with the museum’s Article I of the Articles of Incorporation which state: “Article 1: The name of the corporation shall be Cave Creek Museum Inc. and its principal place of business shall be at Cave Creek, Arizona, but the corporation may establish offices and do business elsewhere, either within or outside the state of Arizona, as the board of trustees may from time to time designate, where other offices may be established, and all corporate business may be transacted.” The board had not done its governance duty by ensuring that the IRS 990s were kept up to date. The museum was on the verge of losing its 501(c)(3) status, until Retired Executive Director Jo Ann Stuckey alerted two

board members that the last filing was for end of year May 2017. After three years of no filing, a nonprofit automatically loses it 501(c)(3) status the day after the required filing is due. No board member had checked on this filing as part of their legal responsibility. The end of year May 2018 filing is now posted on the IRS website. However, Arizona Corporation Commission filings are a mess with no continuity or accuracy on required annual reports and status changes. The board’s failure to hold the annual meeting last May, which could have been accomplished electronically, not only violates our by-laws but also IRS, Arizona Corporation Commission, and Arizona Corporation Act laws. As of this writing the museum board has yet to form an executive director search, a position left empty since Oct. 1, 2020. The office seems to be struggling. As of Feb. 6, 2021, the museum’s answering machine is still not greeting callers with an identifying message. We see the following urgent problems: Financial (how come we were in the “black” two years ago and now, with no financials available, who knows? The board sold the museum’s land across the street, purchased with donated Becwar funds. The property, intended for future expansion, was listed as ‘priced to sell’ which it did in three days. Are other museum assets next?) No knowledge of fundraising plans Paid staff has supplanted volunteers at unknown cost Failure to even begin a search for a new executive director Unaddressed loss of involvement of members and volunteers Failure to seek out those with institutional history of the museum, because many board members are new to the museum community Lack of transparency regarding the land sale, its questionable pricing and rapid sale Lack of transparency regarding allegations about moving the museum outside of Cave Creek Lack of public trust. Rather than contending with these issues, Board President D’Aliesio and his

“like-minded” appointees (quote from Dec. 14, 2020, minutes) put their energy into a move? How does a move at this time, with the above problems (and a pandemic), improve the museum’s situation? Sadly, per the current bylaws, the membership has no power to remove board members, only to vote for them. Assuming this year the board follows the bylaws and federal and state laws, then an annual meeting must be called in May, electronically and/or in person. This will be our only opportunity to have a legitimate elected board. As longtime members and lovers of the museum, we urge you to write or call the board, to find out for yourself, if you can, what is going on. If you agree with us that the museum is in peril, please be vocal in your concerns. Feb. 22 is the next scheduled board meeting, which can be attended masked, in person or by Zoom (you have to email a board

member to join by Zoom). Please anticipate receipt of annual meeting and board nominee information to be sure the meeting will be held and that elections are run properly. Sincerely,

- Evelyn Johnson, cactusmama.evelyn@gmail.com, 480-332-3551 - Jo Ann Stuckey, former executive director and ex-board president Cave Creek Museum, jasconsultant@icloud.com - Sue Mueller, azsuemueller@gmail.com, former board member, former board president, Cave Creek Museum - Pam DiPietro, palma40az@gmail.com, former board member, former board president, Cave Creek Museum - Stephanie Bradley, stephaniebradley@cox.net, former board members, former board president, Cave Creek Museum

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Love is all around—even after Valentine’s Day BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

ow was your Valentine’s Day? Yes, “The Day” has come and gone, but the sentiments often carry over to the “week of love.” And evidently, love is all around us. And so are bouquets of roses, boxes of heartshaped candy, sweet greeting cards and all things the color red. Cupid has been waiting, lurking somewhere in the shadows, ready to take aim with his silent arrow. A friend of mine said she “is done with love,” because she and her husband of 10 years divorced. Really? Probably not. After all, love somehow seems to find us. A little white and brown goat named Reba is the “love messenger” at a local barn. A boarding facility for horses that

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are often being sold or in transition, Reba usually seeks out the horse that needs her attention the most. A large roping horse named Duke, had an injury that caused him at the age of sixteen to be retired. Waiting for a new owner that might use him as a pleasure horse, he spent days standing in the darkness of his stall, rarely walking out into the turnout, never socializing with other horses. Then Reba came along. With persistence and patience, Reba would nudge Duke outside into the sunlight. She would climb up on his back when he lay down, stand at his front legs while he was eating, and became his constant companion. Whether he liked it or not didn’t matter, because Reba stayed with Duke until “he woke up and started living.” When a new prospective owner came to ride Duke, spunky Reba followed

LEIBOWITZ �� page 12

tional Park Service, Springsteen was arrested on Nov. 14 in the Gateway National Recreation Area near Sandy Hook along the Jersey Shore. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. “Springsteen was cooperative throughout the process,” according to the NPS statement. My first take was, wow, Bruce must have been pretty wasted to rack up three counts like that. You have to figure — and I’m not saying this is a good thing — that a celebrity like Springsteen, a guy who’s a god in Jersey, Mr. Born To Run, must get kid glove treatment when he does something wrong. Apparently not so here. Thursday, the Asbury Park Press reported Springsteen’s blood alcohol level at arrest was .02, or one-quarter of Jersey’s legal limit. Of course, that’s “according to a source familiar with the case.” That source could be a cop or clerk with access to the incident report. Or it

him around in the arena. And the day Duke left, being loaded into a trailer, a happy little goat went with him to his new life. Love makes fresh beginnings possible. This past Valentine’s Day reminds us of all things connected to love. Husbands buying flowers and women wearing red, the color of passion. Champagne, jewelry and chocolate sales will go through the roof. We spent about $20 billion on Valentine’s Day this year! No coronavirus can stop us! That’s a lot of dough to say three simple words, “I love you.” In other words, we are crazy about Valentine’s Day. Or maybe just crazy about love. A few weeks ago, an elderly man in Turkey was taken to the hospital. His devoted dog, named Boncuk, followed the ambulance that transported her owner, then ran back daily to the hos-

pital waiting anxiously at the main doors. The man’s daughter took the dog to her home, but Boncuk would run every morning to the hospital, sitting there at the entrance till late at night. Finally, the owner was released, and there was a whole lot joyful tail wagging. Nothing stops love. Although Valentine’s Day has passed, this week, dear readers, may love embrace you. Call an old friend, pop a cork in a bottle of bubbly, eat chocolate and celebrate life. To my friend that is “through with love,” I’d say keep an open mind. It will arrive, like the stubborn goat, Reba, who will not give up. Or like little Boncuk, who will wait patiently for the doors to open so that love can find her. No chocolate required. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

could be Springsteen’s PR machine spinning the narrative favorably. Or it might be a music industry pal, like “the source close to Springsteen” who chatted with the New York Post Feb. 11. In that version of events, Springsteen was riding his motorcycle when he was spotted by fans. “Bruce stopped, took ... pictures, then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took while sitting on his bike, which was stationary,” the source told the Post. “Park Police saw what happened and they immediately pulled Springsteen over as he drove away.” Therein lies the price of fame. Free

drinks are few and far between for we mere mortals. Then again, if we do get pulled over and fail to walk the line or we blow a .02, it doesn’t make news worldwide. No one puts out a press release. And our friends don’t abandon us like Jeep leaving the scene of Springsteen’s possible noncrime. You’ve heard the saying before, I’m sure. In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. Feel free to have my time. I’ll pass.

How to get a letter published E-mail: christina@timespublications.com

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.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

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BUSINESS

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

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Nature’s Medicines selling recreational pot BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ature’s Medicines in Happy Valley is on the rapidly growing list of dual-licensed dispensaries, granting it the ability to conduct medical and recreational marijuana sales, which began Jan. 29. The dispensary is located on North Seventh Avenue and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. It took a few days for the dispensary to implement the state-regulated measures to sell recreational marijuana, like special labeling and changing its system to charge the 16% excise tax.

Nature’s Medicines is “where self-care begins,” its slogan states. The dual-licensed dispensary employs third-party testing to ensure its customers receive cannabis that meets its “highest standards.”

However, the transition was not difficult for Nature’s Medicines, said Jigar Patel, who has served as the dispensary brands’ CEO since January 2019. Nature’s Medicines also has locations in Central Phoenix as well as Glendale. All the locations received approval the same day. Since recreational sales began, stores have been busy but have been keeping up with the demand, Patel said. Nature’s Medicines’ slogan states the dispensaries are “where self-care begins.” It prides itself on offering quality, yet affordable products, Patel said.

see NATURE page 19

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“We take pride to provide basic medicine at a very reasonable price,” he said. The dispensaries have some of the Valley’s lowest prices. Nature’s Medicines offers an “impressive” variety of curated natural cannabis products, selling edibles, strains of flower, as well as concentrates from only its own “celebrated” brands, its website states. Nature’s Medicines also employs third-party testing to ensure customers receive cannabis that meets its “highest standards” for potency, safety, purity as well as quality, it adds. However, selling recreational marijuana “comes with more responsibility,” Patel explained. “As you grow more, you have to be careful on making sure that everything is done right, all your policies, procedures, your product–everything. You

have to be tough now.” This adds more responsibility for its staff but thanks to its “great” management team, everything is always taken care of, he said. Although it has a dual license, Nature’s Medicines is a medically focused company, Patel said. State law allows medical patients to forgo the 16% tax and permits the use of Nature’s Medicines delivery service. The dispensaries prioritize their medical patients by forming separate lines for them and recreational purchasers, Patel said. That being said, Patel emphasized, “whether you buy recreational or medical, it’s still medicine.” “It’s exciting times right now throughout the country — an exciting time in the cannabis industry for sure.”

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•• 20

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Chamber’s Ryann Bader wants to make a difference

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

yann Bader prefers to work for a cause. As the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce’s new member and visitor services director, she can do just that. She is providing direct support to chamber business members and assisting visitors to the chamber office, as well as program management. She’s also working on special events and projects. “The chamber is a fun place,” Bader said. “I prefer to work for a cause. I think a chamber of commerce and building up business owners is really fulfilling for me. “I’m learning the culture to see how I can best support them. We have a great program. We want to keep the dollars local. I want to see how I can serve my members more effectively and help them get their business to where it was pre-COVID.” An Iowa native, Bader went to a pri-

Ryann Bader is the new Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce’s new member and visitor services director. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

vate college in that state for her bachelor’s and then attended Waldon University online for her master’s degree. She moved to the Pacific Northwest and then to Peoria in 2002. She said her favorite job is being a mother to her 22-yearold son. In recent years, her family has grown to include a daughter-in-law and granddaughter. For the first 14 years in Arizona, Bader worked for Peoria Unified Schools in operations and moved into the private sector working with Legacy Traditional Schools as a regional manager supporting schools in Arizona and Nevada. During this time, her focus was operations management including standard operating procedures, best practices, training and grant funding management. Most recently, Bader worked with a Constitutional law firm as part of the firm’s event production team. Working project management for events includ-

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Cherie Hoffman �inds real estate gratifying

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

ealtor Cherie Hoffman wants one thing: to get clients into their dream homes. “It’s really gratifying when you see people get their dream home,” Hoffman said. “It’s exciting for me and them.” Celebrating 16 years in the industry, Hoffman is affiliated with eXp Realty, a cloud-based brokerage. It is North America’s largest residential real estate brokerage by geography. The brokerage offers real estate professionals within its ranks opportunities to earn

eXp World Holdings stock for production and contributions to overall company growth. “It’s growing rapidly,” Hoffman said. “It’s also in Brazil, Italy, Australia, Canada, Mexico and India. When I started, there were only 18,000 agents. Now, it’s up to 60,000 to 80,000.” Hoffman has always had a love of houses. For years, she worked in the retail supermarket industry as a health and beauty aids manager, which honed her people skills. Merging her two loves — houses and people — helped her find success. She enjoys connecting with people, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made

ed identifying scope of work, timelines, coordinating logistics, contract negotiations, budget forecasting and management, as well as live and virtual event execution across the United States. Her events included court cases with rallies, intimate development dinners, with her main focus on training events including a flagship 12 weeklong legal fellowship program for 200 interns, as well as events for high-level public figures. In her free time, Bader is involved in church and enjoys exploring new areas and historical sites. She is working on her goal to explore all of America’s national parks and appreciates the beauty in nature, next up is Bryce Canyon. The Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce strives to be the voice of business for the local area, acting as a catalyst for economic prosperity and the developer of future business and community leaders. For many local small business owners and operators, the chamber is the only resource they have to help navigate the recent unprecedented economic challenges. The chamber has been a lifeline for local business owners and operators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 100% of staff time since mid-March 2020 has been dedicated to providing

direct support and assistance to our local small business owners to mitigate the business losses they face through no fault of their own. The chamber’s communication, outreach, direct support and leadership has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of federal and state funding flowing to local small business owners, operators and employees since April 2020, and in some cases, literally keeping their doors open. The chamber just launched a collaborative business support program coined, “Keep Local > Return Stronger” and continues to host several meetings and events monthly, including Morning Meeting on the second Thursday of each month and Business After Hours on the fourth Thursday of each month. “I think making an impact for small business is really important and keeping the dollars local impacts the community. I definitely have a lot of passion for this. I have many small busines owners in my family. I see what a blessing it can be.” The Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center is located in the Anthem Corporate Center, 3715 W. Anthem Way, Suite 110, Anthem. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Visit anthemareachamber.org for information on upcoming meetings and events.

BADER From page 22

it difficult. “My business is based on referrals and meeting new people,” she said. “It’s been a struggle with COVID. I’m hoping this eases sooner rather than later.” Hoffman is also licensed in California, where she previously lived. She and her husband recently moved to Desert Hills so they could build a pool house. “We wanted to move here,” said Hoffman, who enjoys her job’s flexibility. “For what we wanted in California, which was horse property and horses, it was too expensive.” Hoffman’s love of horses led to her knowledge of horse property. However, she specializes in all types of residential homes. “I love working with first-time homebuyers,” she said. “I really enjoy that. A lot of first-time homebuyers, when their family grows, they want a bigger home and then they come back to me. That’s really rewarding.”

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NATURE From Page 19

In addition, around 10 months from now, the dispensary brand will start building another 46,000-square-foot indoor cultivation center, he added. Patel hoped recreational marijuana would’ve become a reality in Arizona when it appeared on the ballot in 2016, he said. However, when it appeared on the most recent ballot, “this time we knew that it would pass.” “Stores are busy,” he said. “So, no complaints.” Patel said his favorite part of working in the cannabis industry is navigating the challenges presented with each passing day. “Anything that comes in, we don’t take it as a challenge,” he said. “Our people are well capable of handling it.” —Staff writer Sarah Donahue can be reached at sdonahue@timespublications.com

The cannabis market is expected to “blow up” with the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state following the approval of Proposition 207 in November, Patel explained. However, the dispensary brands’ reach already extends to other recreational markets in states like Michigan and Massachusetts. This helped to ensure that Nature’s Medicines’ Arizona locations were “well prepared” for the transition, Patel explained. Nature’s Medicines also has medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Connecticut and Maryland. Nature’s Medicines is making the most of this potential growth by expanding its edible line, kitchen manufacturing lab as well as production, Patel said.

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Lauri Koo: The long and winding road BY SHEA STANFIELD Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

“I

t was an irresistible development of modern illustration when borders were abandoned, and the

‘picture’ ended only with the edges of the paper. All the sudden the sketch of the artist could run from page to page in one continuous flow of image.”-J.R.R. Tolkien Artist Lauri Koo grew up in Washing-

Lauri Koo with her painting at Twist Bistro & Gallery. (Photo courtesy Lauri Koo)

ton, Illinois, with an older sister who was a talented artist and a mother who was a huge paint-by-numbers fan. Koo was fascinated with painting color combinations and worked to duplicate the hues in her early coloring books. By middle school, her family relocated to Beaumont, Texas, where she took an art class. Koo realized she was quite adept at creating her own scenes and developing original color matches. One of her pieces, a marker drawing of a nature scene, caught the eye of her art instructor who encouraged her to enter it into a Texas State Fair contest. The result was a firstplace ribbon.

Koo went on to work for a computer graphics company early in her career while living in Miami. She pivoted into telecommunications just as cellphones were emerging. Her job required excessive amounts of travel, by car, to maintain her successful sales, the unfortunate downside of her job. After a car crash with a driver who ran a red light, Koo had physical and bodywork therapy. She noticed the positive impact on her recovery and reevaluated her career and life. Koo decided to explore the field of

see LAURI page 25

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FEATURES

‘Help … I lost my trust!’ CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

rust — that’s quite a word. It seems that our whole society is having trouble trusting anyone or anything. We are bombarded by those in government, education, media, and other social sectors doing and saying things that violate our trust. Ethical, financial and moral scandals permeate many levels of our world. And it seems to be picking up momentum as it continues. I’ve been concerned about this issue for some time now. I even co-wrote a book entitled, “Learning How to Trust.” I have noticed that people, whether churched or unchurched, have become more jaded, cynical and suspicious. Some of this attitude is deserved. We need to use wisdom when deciding whom and on what we trust. Are we losing our ability to trust? Do

things have to go our way for us to trust? Are we doomed to national and local cynicism due to a lack of trust in anything? Is there anyone or anything in which you can place your trust these days? Are we destined to lives of suspicion and trusting only in ourselves? Where does a lifestyle of “trustlessness” take us to in the long run? To trust or not to trust — that is the question. That old song says, “I am a rock, I am an island, I touch no one, and no one touches me.” That’s a challenging way to live life! A trustless life or trusting in the wrong object or person is more like existing than living. If we continue down the trust-impaired path we seem to be walking on; there will be consequences. We will move from faith to fear, from abundance to scarcity, and from trust to doubt, even spite. Many people act like sea urchins in the ocean that a stick has poked. They have recoiled and put a sign on their ability to

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trust, which says, “Closed for business.” The problem is, when we lock others out, we lock ourselves in, too. Years ago, as a singles pastor, I counseled hundreds of newly divorced people. They came into our single’s group with vows such as, “I’ll never trust a man again.” “I’ll never trust a woman again.” “I’ll never fall in love again!” ‘I’ll never’ seems comfortable at first but later can limit one’s entire life. In 1991, during a yearly skiing trip to Taos, New Mexico, I suffered a fall on a double black diamond ski run. I slid out of control at an incredible speed halfway down the mountain. My life flashed before. After what seemed like eons, I finally stopped with a thud on the steep slope. I landed, face-up, on the only snowcat track on the ski run. Celebrating that I was still alive, I assessed my body. Proceeding with the inspection, I noticed my left leg was bent at a right angle — my leg had hit a tree during the descent. The next few days and weeks were filled with excruciating pain as I waited for medical treatment. I had a compound fracture of my left femur — my thigh bone. The length and severity of the fall had also severely injured the nerves in my leg. Two operations later and sporting a steel rod inserted the entire length of my femur, I made it back to Phoenix. As I recall, that ski run was named Rattlesnake. I couldn’t agree more with the name. Little did I know that the “fun” was just beginning. Now I faced physical therapy. I named my physical therapist “Fang!” My leg didn’t want to cooperate. It was scary for my leg to trust someone who was going to cause it more pain. My leg begged me for mercy. My leg was crying out, “I’ll never ski again.” But the rest of us in my body wanted to walk again, maybe even ski again. I had to choose between two painful choices — to trust or not trust in a painful process with a physical therapist named “Fang.” It was trust or consequences! I could stay where I was the rest of my life and never regain the full use of my leg — my leg voted for that option. Or I could

trust the therapist and walk again. The rest of my body chose the second option. Fang won by a close vote. During the next few months of physical therapy, my leg reminded the rest of us in my body of how unhappy it was with our decision. However, as the months passed and after much pain, my leg came around to our way of thinking. I stand today with the full use of my leg — and have even skied again. Get the message? We can learn how to trust again. We are made to trust. It may be a painful process, but well worth it. The key is not so much the issue of trust, but what and who we put our trust in. The object of our trust determines our trust level. To not trust is unnatural and severely limits the quality and potential of our lives. Next week, let’s continue to explore and reveal trust. In the meantime, here’s some wisdom. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge God, and God will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6-7. 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 NationStrategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

LAURI from page 21

natural therapy. She earned an associate degree in natural therapy from the Florida College of Natural Health. In 2000, Koo visited her sister and her family in Arizona and she decided it was time to leave Florida in the rearview mirror and relocate to the Grand Canyon State. Her career as a licensed massage therapist took off as she opened her own business, earned a business management degree, managed a student clinic, and taught at a local healing arts college in Scottsdale. She retired from teaching massage after a few years, due to a chronic back injury, and reconnected with her creative side. After taking classes with local instructors, the primarily self-taught colorist used her keen observation skills and intuitive abilities to move forward with nature as her inspiration. Koo has met remarkable success. She gives credit to her supportive husband, as well as, forming great connections

with fellow artists who have created community and mentorship. Koo is a member of the Sonoran Arts League and exhibitor in the annual Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour each November. She has also displayed her work in various galleries, as well as in restaurants in the Carefree, Cave Creek, and North Scottsdale area. Recently Koo began using her longtime interest in macrophotography — “exploring things larger than life, in detail, and what is usually not seen,” she described. “I enjoy creating paths, tunnels and portals in my pieces representing the different directions and paths taken in my own life,” Koo added. “My passion for creating a sense of depth and dimension, light and shadow, with a sense of fantasy or mystery invites the viewer on a journey. I hope to convey in my work a sense of peace, upliftment, beauty and introspection.” She is deeply appreciative of the gift nature has given us. Koo can be reached, and her artwork can be viewed at laurikoo.com.

“Star of the Snow,” oil on canvas, Lauri Koo. (Photo courtesy Lauri Koo)

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Cave Creek man named Arizona TOPS King BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

teven Brown’s journey to fitness has earned him statewide royalty status within the weight-loss organization, TOPS. Established in 1948, TOPS, or Take Off Pounds Sensibly, is a nonprofit weightloss education and support organization made up of a network of weekly support groups or “chapters” which spread across the United States and Canada. Brown, 53, knew he’d be named “king” of his chapter, but said he was “shocked” to learn his kingdom spread throughout the whole state when he was named Arizona’s 2019 TOPS “King.” This title means Brown dropped more pounds than any other male TOPS member in the state. Even though he doesn’t think the 46 pounds he lost is necessarily crown-worthy, he is “honored” to be the Arizona King, said Brown, who has lived in Cave Creek for 22 years. “I was expecting that number to be a lot higher for someone to be king,” he said. “Had I started at my heaviest at 315 (pounds), the number would have been a lot larger.” To commemorate his achievement, TOPS President Rick Danforth invited Brown to participate in the TOPS International Recognition Days conference in Niagara Falls. The trip was originally lined up for last April but was rescheduled twice due to COVID-19. If all goes as planned, the conference will take place in July. Brown’s wife, Cindy, will be joining him for the trip, he said, adding he is “excited” to see Niagara Falls for the first time. This conference “will be a great opportunity to share my story and to help others,” he said. Brown started his journey with TOPS in August 2018. His neighbor, Rudy Jimenez, had been a TOPS member for years and invited him to a weekly meeting. From the first “weigh-in” on that date, he lost weight every week or stayed the

same, he said. The TOPS weekly “weigh ins” and meetings helped instill the value of self-responsibility for his progress, he said. Before he was a member, “there was no accountability to myself or a group,” he said. The educational resources and support from his chapter helped him develop the mindset that says “I’m accountable to this number. I’m accountable to losing something,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but it has to be something.” Brown maintains his progress with daily exercise and healthy meals, he said, adding that he also weighs himself daily to assure he is within his target range. Brown’s meals consist of oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast, chicken soup for lunch and different variations of protein like fish or chicken with vegetables for dinner, he said. “I know it’s going to sound crazy, but I (eat) practically the same thing every day,” he said. Brown’s path to wellness has helped him become “aware of what I put into my body,” he said. His postwork session of cardio or P90X helps him “clear his mind” so he can relax and enjoy time with his family, Brown said, also mentioning how his wife has been very supportive and complimentary of his progress. “I feel and look better,” he said. “But you know, that’s very subjective.” Brown explained the biggest challenge he faced during his path to weightloss. “When I started the journey, I had it in my mind I was going to lose weight, whether it was an ounce or a pound — something every week,” he said. “That wasn’t the challenge. The challenge was, once I hit my goal, I couldn’t keep losing weight. Eventually, I have to maintain or stay at a weight,” he said with a laugh. Swapping his weight loss focused mindset for a mentality centered around maintaining his target weight

Steven Brown has lived in Cave Creek for 22 years and maintains his progress with daily exercise and healthy meals. (Photo by Pablo Robles) was a “tough transition,” he said. “I have to be able to allow myself to gain a pound or lose a pound, depending on what the week is and not mentally get down on myself,” he said. Three years ago, Brown became a member of TOPS, but his overall path to weight loss began in 2004 after his 5-year-old daughter at the time observed and pointed out his weight, Brown wrote in a personal narrative. He joined a gym and hired a personal trainer “the next day,” he wrote.

He lost 101 pounds over the next 12 years, working out daily, eating healthy, even completing a marathon as well as an Ironman. “I was feeling really good,” he wrote. “Then a couple more years go by and I lost my focus.” He stopped his “strict” diet and “loosened up quite a bit,” he wrote. “I allowed more unhealthy snacks and desserts. This followed by unhealthy main cours-

see TOPS page 27

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Polaris brings powersports vehicles without commitment BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

rizona is filled with opportunities for four wheeling, boating, snowmobiling and motorcycling. Due to that, Minnesota-based Polaris Adventures Select is debuting its subscription service in the Grand Canyon State. Those who are adventurous in mind or at heart can rent powersports vehicles for their personal use without the commitment of ownership. “Phoenix is one of our biggest riding markets for off road,” said Nila Norman, director of Polaris Adventures Select. “It’s new to powersports. It’s really unfortunate, but access to powersports can be challenging. We want to take away those barriers, so everyone can get out and ride the way they want to.” Polaris Adventures Select is the first monthly subscription service for the powersports industry. The membership includes access to the newest Polaris ve-

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Polaris Adventures Select hopes to create family memories. (Photo courtesy Polaris Adventures Select)

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see POLARIS page 30

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POLARIS from page 29

starts at $99 per month. In subscribing to Polaris Adventures Select riders acquire credits to be redeemed for product access to Polaris ATVs, RZR sideby-sides and Slingshots. Vehicles can be redeemed for pick up in New River, delivered directly to the rider’s home or reserved for an on-trail or on-road experience hosted through a Polaris Adventures outfitter in the area. At the New River location, riders can pick up a vehicle and trailer it to a desired location. “Within two hours of the Valley, there are so many awesome places to see with different terrain,” Norman said. “We have a strong network of outfitters. You just show up and ride the way you want. “Phoenix is perfect for year-round riding, too. There are awesome and epic places to see.” The Valley is one of the top places for powersports, but some folks still don’t participate. Norman said this subscription service can bridge the gap. “We promote safe, memorable expe-

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TOPS from page 26

es like pizza and bar food.” “I still worked out daily, but my diet changed significantly.” Jimenez then initiated a conversation with Brown, similar to the one he had with his daughter 14 years prior, he wrote. Jimenez pointed out Brown’s visceral fat in his midsection, which Jimenez warned can be potentially “dangerous,” as it can cause inflammation and increased blood pressure and raises one’s risk for medical issues like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high cholesterol. A few weeks after, Brown decided to ask his Jimenez what TOPS was all about, he said. Brown went to his first meeting and became a member shortly thereafter.

Brown said he plans to stay a TOPS member “probably forever.” “It makes a difference for me personally, but it’s more than just me.” The TOPS weekly support groups serve as an arm of assistance where members can be there for each other along the way, he said. “That’s why I’ll continue to be there.” Brown wants to keep helping people in their journey and “be that person” who can offer resources, information, support and encouragement. “If you put your mind to something like this, you can do it,” Brown said. By telling the story of how he accomplished his goal, Brown said he hopes to encourage others so they can say to themselves, “‘Well, I can do that too.”’ —Staff writer Sarah Donahue can be reached at sdonahue@timespublications.com

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YOUTH

Youth TheFoothillsFocus.com

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MTA actors about to hit the stage twice BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

he Musical Theatre of Anthem has scheduled two upcoming shows — “13” and “Godspell.” A musical about fitting in and standing out, “13” has a rock score from Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown. It hits the stage April 29 to May 8. In the musical, Evan Goldman is plucked from his fast-paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents’ divorce. Surrounded by an array of simple-minded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the

popularity pecking order. The cast is comprised of award winners and nominees ages 12 to 15. Performances are Thursday to Sunday at the Musical Theatre of Anthem’s performance space, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. Tickets are $13 to $19. See the website, musicaltheatreofanthem.org, for showtimes. Those who require ADA seating should contact mtatickets@gmail.com. “Godspell” is scheduled for April 8 to April 18 at the MTA. It features a parade of beloved songs like “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well” and “By My Side.” In the musical, a small group of people

help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and hefty doses of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances A musical about fitting in and standing out, “13” has a rock score across the stage. from Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown. It hits The cast includes the stage at the Musical Theatre of Anthem from April 29 to May 8. award winners and nom- (Photo courtesy Musical Theatre of Anthem) inees from the ages of 15 through adults. Performances are Thursdays B100, Anthem. See the website for perforto Sundays at MTA, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite mance times. Tickets are $13 to $19.

CSHS cheer defies challenges, qualifies for state BY OLIVIA DOW Foothills Focus Staff Writer

fter being uncertain of how the season would go, Cactus Shadows High School cheer looks forward to competing in the AIA State Championships in March. Breanna Canto, CSHS varsity cheer coach, said the team has worked through people missing at practices because of quarantine and learning how to cheer in masks, on top of normal issues like injuries and grades. “It’s probably really tough for them to even wrap their heads around it because we aren’t practicing like a normal season,” Canto said. “At the same time, they’ve managed to still continue with their work ethic and pushing through it all. It’s been tough but we’re trying to keep it as normal as we could.” Canto and her coaching staff assure

the team that they are there for them. “Showing them that we’re here until the very end and saying we’re not going to give up on them,” Canto said. “I think that really helps them, knowing that we have their support, or we have their back, and they keep pushing through because as long as we’re there, they know we will Cactus Shadows High School’s cheer squad has made it to the state championships, set for March 6. (Photo courtesy make it happen no Cactus Shadows High School) matter what.” Team captains Soespecially for our team, is just making it has a domino effect,” Sanchez said. phie Sanchez and Ally Thompson said sure that we’re all working together “One of the main things is just makthey work to keep their team motivat- and feel connected because the sec- ing sure that our bond is super close ed as well. ond that we get frantic or if something “I think one of the biggest things, happens and one person has doubts, see CSHS page 33

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 17, 2021

CSHS from page 32

and knowing that giving them encouragement and helping them know that they’re capable of doing what they believe they can do.” Thompson also said she tries to remind the team how grateful it should be for the opportunity to have a season. The pandemic could have put athletics on hold. “Everything that we’ve been through really brought us closer,” Thompson said. “Knowing we didn’t have a season for a hot minute, and this has been super hard, but our team has pushed through everything.” Due to the pandemic, the CSHS cheer team has to wear special masks that are “ariel regulated” and strap around the backs of their heads, Thompson said. Getting used to wearing masks was a challenge for the team, Sanchez said. It had to ease cheering with them on. “Now that we’ve done it for a while and we’ve trained our bodies, it got

easier,” Sanchez said. “It’s something that we just have to go with the changes and adapt the best we can, because this is how things are. I think that the more it becomes a common thing, it will be easier to get used to.” Making it to the state championships shows what they are able to achieve despite the challenges, Sanchez said. “I think the most exciting part is we are able to have that season and be able to feel that bond as a team because it is something that you look forward to all year,” Sanchez said. “It shows that all your work is paying off and so you’re able to show what you can do and the fact that we’re able to continue having a season. Getting to have state is just something that’s really exciting.” The seniors are especially appreciative to have a season. “As a senior, this is our last competition and I’m really excited because of everything that we’ve been through,” Thompson said. “It’s just a whole new meaning this season, really.”

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