Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 6.9.2021 by Times Media Group

••

ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ

Extraordinary Rides PAGE

‘In the Hieghts’

PAGE

Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree

TheFoothillsFocus.com

INSIDE

This Week

Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition

BUSINESS .........15

Wednesday, june 9, 2021

Officer dies after driver runs red light BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Taliesin West recruits local artists for gift shop pieces

hat began as a regular shift for Phoenix Police Of�icer Ginarro New ended in tragedy when another driver ran a red light on May 31. The 27-year-old police of�icer died after his patrol car was struck by the other vehicle at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Greenway Parkway. Christopher Castro, 31, the driver of the vehicle that hit New, died on impact. Police said speed and impairment are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, and they

intend to confirm the type of impairment through further toxicology reports. Another officer from New’s squadron, who was not identified, was riding behind New’s patrol car and saw the event unfold. New’s vehicle was sent barreling into a block wall of a nearby Chevron gas station, where the vehicle came to a rest on its side. The Phoenix Fire Department spent the next several moments attempting to extract New from his severely damaged Tahoe. Once extricated, New was transported to HonorHealth John C. Lincoln hospital, where he died of his injuries. New was just hours into his shift.

Prior to joining Phoenix Police Department in July 2019, New served as a U.S. Marine. Once out of the service, he received his EMT certification and worked as a nurse for Long View Elementary School. “He was well-liked by the staff, the school and the kids,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Ann E. Justus said. “They all loved him and his great sense of humor.” After leaving the school behind, New became a recruit in training classes and was later assigned to Black Mountain Precinct’s field training program.

�� RED LIGHT �� 4

FEATURES ........22

Riders USA hosts 15th annual Flags for Our Fallen

YOUTH .............25

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

The Fetch Foundation to start Critical Care K9’s

Nominate teen for summer leadership program

OPINION ......................9 BUSINESS ................. 15 FEATURES ................ 19 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 26 Zone

iders USA hosted its 15th annual “Flags for Our Fallen” event on Memorial Day to commemorate all the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacri�ice for this country. The organization did so by lining the intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek roads leading up to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with 500 �lags, most of which had a ribbon with the name of a veter-

�� FLAGS �� 5

Cave Creek residents celebrate Memorial Day at the Flags for our Fallen in Cave Creek. (Photo by Kevin Hurley)

Milgard® offers beautiful, comfortable, energy efficient vinyl windows and doors for your home Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your existing one, your choices are wide open when it comes to selecting beautifully designed Milgard windows and patio doors. Strong, beautiful, long lasting and durable. Milgard windows and patio doors are designed with stunning architectural style and superior performance. Plus, you’ll feel secure in your investment with an industry leading, Full Lifetime Warranty that includes parts and labor. Stop by our Showroom today! 4454. E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018 Call 602.508.0800 or vist liwindow.com for more information.

•• 2

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

COMPLETE PLUMBING SOLUTIONS BOOK ONLINE TODAY!

Water Heaters Installation • • • •

Gas Electric Tankless Package Pricing

Starting as low as $899!

Repairs

Services

• Supply Lines • Elements • Gas Valve Replacement • Thermostats • Pan Re-Piping

• • • •

Expansion Tank Recirculation Pump Anode Rod Water Heater Flush

24/7

Emergency Service

COMPLETE PLUMBING SOLUTIONS Appliances • Camera Inspection Service • Drain Cleans • Emergencies Faucets & Sinks • Garbage Disposals • Gas Lines • Hose Bibb Replacements Remodels • Showers & Bath Tubs • Toilets & Sewer Lines • Water Heaters Water Pressure Reducing Valves • Water Treatment • Commercial

Tamra & Doug Wyman

5 Star Ratings

Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

623.551.6688 • www.wyman-services.com

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Meet some satisfied Sold44 sellers! “Drew sold 3 of my homes in (2017, 2019 & 2020) using the Sold44 marketing system. The homes sold quickly, top dollar and the commission savings put more money in my pocket!” William H.

HIGHER

PRICE

Make more money selling your home

LOW E R

“Drew sold our home in 2019 with the Sold44 program, he understood our home. He sold it $39,000 more than comps suggested and a much higher sales price than the cash for home buyers offered us: $79,000 more than what Open Door and Offer Pad offered us and $54,000 more than what Zillow offered us. Plus we put more money in our pocketbook as those 3 companies were charging 6% commissions and we qualified for a Sold44 commission at only 2.9% total.” Mary S. “Incredible marketing and negotiating! Drew was our listing agent, we sold our home during the flash sale. Drew’s buyer wrote and we accepted. That buyer had Drew represent them on their listing too and Drew represented us on our next home purchase. Drew managed 4 total sales and 2 home loans seamlessly to allow us to move up! The extra money we saved on commissions was put to good use. Thank you Drew and Sold44” Jen

COM M I SS I O N

Commissions, Only 4.4% as low as 2.4% vs 6%

F LE XI B LE

Don’t leave money on the table! Get your home price today. Sold44.com or 623-203-6803

M OV E - O U T

Stay in home as you find another

623.203.6803 Licensed REALTOR and Loan Officer. Sold44 & Lion Real Estate Group Powered by: Corcoran Platinum Living & Lion’s Gate Mortgage NMLS 1821053

You Make More YOUR INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED IN THE LION’S DEN

••

•• 4

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 | JUNE 9, 2021

RED LIGHT from page 1

“From seeing his squad out there that night, this is a loss they’re going to feel for a long time,” Justus said. “All the officers have described this as a huge loss.” New is survived by his wife Kristen, mother Misty, brother Marcas and grandmother Susan, police said. “Everybody is still just trying to process this loss,” Justus said.

One of the ways the department is helping the family and officers has been through its employee assistance unit. “We have a great employee assistance unit that was out there that night, and they continue to follow up with officers,” Justus said. The unit will also continue to follow up with New’s family. “We want to express to the family how sad we are for them and that this is such a tragic loss, but we will be there

for them,” Justus said. “We want the family to know that we are their family as well, and we will be there for them for whatever they need.” The department has given officers in New’s unit time off to process the loss of a fallen officer and friend. Despite being shaken by the loss, however, the Phoenix Police Department still plans to protect and serve the community. “What we are telling our employees is that this is a loss that we are going to lean into each other on, and we are going to get through this and continue serving the community while we work for this process,” Justus said. Justus said the community’s response has been uplifting. “We want to thank their community for their outpouring of support. Our department has received calls, emails and drop in visitors from all over to let us know that they care,” Justus said. But, aside from the words of affirmation, the community has paid tribute to New in other ways. “People have shown us so much that they care just by going around and placing blue ribbons everywhere and telling officers that they are so thankful. That is what keeps us going through these rough times,” Justus said. Justus wants this incident to serve as a lesson to the public about defensive driving. “We want to remind people to be cognizant of the roadway and to watch their speeds and watch for red lights. This is an accident that could have been prevented,” Justus emphasized. For those who wish to donate to New’s family, visit phoenixpolicefoundation. org.

The Foothills Focus Online at www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

FLAGS from page 1

an tied to them. Though Memorial Day takes place on a Monday every year, for these people it is a full three-day affair. “When we first began doing this, we would put up flags on Monday morning and take them down on that afternoon,” said Valerie Roller, one of the event’s coordinators and one of the few members who was at the first Flags for Our Fallen event. “We quickly realized that was too much work for one day, so we made it the whole weekend.” Roller, along with other event organizers, arrived at the site on Friday evening and camped out all weekend, spending the days setting up for the signature event. “There’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that people don’t realize. We have the ground out here graded and leveled a week before our arrival, and we make sure to leave this place cleaner than when we arrived,” Roller said. “We make sure everybody has water, we rent porta potties and we have to replace the flags — this is not something that happens overnight.” Once the flags are lined up, the donations begin pouring in. “We have people sponsor flags, which is how we cover the expenses,” Roller said. The organization took $10 donations for people to reserve a flag for their beloved veteran, as well as donations for items like pins and stickers. “We get people that drive through all weekend long and sponsor their family,” said Kirtis Baxter, Riders USA committee chair. The donations not only go toward offsetting the cost of materials for the event,

Cave Creek residents celebrate Memorial Day at the Flags for our Fallen in Cave Creek. (Photo by Kevin Hurley) but a portion of the donations go to organizations that support veterans. “We also take larger donations that help us do this event, and we also give a lot of those donations back to veterans organizations,” Baxter added. “A percentage of any profits that we do make are earmarked for veteran organizations we help out throughout the year,” Roller said. Roller remarked that when Riders USA did the first Flags for Our Fallen event, people thought it was a protest. She was delighted to share that her event was instead to inform people about the true meaning of Memorial Day. “Part of what we do is educating the public that this is not just about barbecues and a three-day weekend,” Roller said. “This is a completely nonpolitical event. We have people who come here that have their opinions, but we don’t have any vendors, and we just take donations.” Although the smaller flags lining the street lead up to the National Memori-

Carpet • Tile • Grout • Upholstery • Air Duct Cleaning • Commercial & Residential Cleaning

BUSY LIFE?

Call Today! Clean Today! Prices Include: Truck Mounted Units • Pretreat Vacuum • Optical Brightener • General Soil Removal Also Available: Carpet Stretching • Carpet Repair

ANY 3 ROOMS Men tion ew Wes t Valley Vi e for an Exclusiv Of fer!

Reg. $129.00

Up to 450 sq. ft. total

ANY 5 ROOMS

Reg. $169.99

Up to 750 sq. ft. total

We only have one care. It’s Your Satisfaction. VALLEYWIDE SERVICE • 602-550-7732

PNPOneCareCleaning.com • PNPOneCareCleaning@cox.net

al Cemetery of Arizona, there is one flag that waves higher and larger than any flag at the event. “About four years ago, Southwest Industrial Rigging came to us and wanted to put up a flag,” Roller said. “The one they put up is always the cap that sets our whole event off.” This year, Southwest Industrial Rigging sent out a 35-foot-by-50-foot flag to hoist up along the intersection for drivers to

pass by and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. As cars honked while driving past and drivers waved at the Riders USA members, they remembered why they spent the long weekend setting up and organizing this unique event. “People’s reaction to us being here is what spurred it to continue,” Roller said. “People were just so thankful that their loved ones had not been forgotten.” Though this year’s event was much smaller than prior events due to the ongoing pandemic, Riders USA remains optimistic about the future of its events. “Hopefully, next year we’ll have it full and back to normal,” Baxter said. “Next year we’ll be back like it was two years ago.” Though there is uncertainty about how many people will attend future events, Riders USA members know their mission will never change. “We do anything we can do to help out our veterans, especially on Memorial Day to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Baxter said. Info: ridersusa.net

••

•• 6

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Get to know her: 2022 Congressional District 4 candidate Delina DiSanto BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

n an attempt to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, Delina DiSanto is seeking the Democratic nomination for a Congressional District 4 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The businessperson and former nurse, who previously ran two times, spoke with the Foothills Focus about her campaign goals; the inspiration behind her candidacy; and her previous experience, political or otherwise. In your own words, why are you running for this position? I am running because the people of Congressional District 4 and Arizona deserve a better representative that is going to be able to work for them and not for their own self-interest. Paul Gosar has been paying more attention to white supremacists. He’s been palling with the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. He

even started it back in 2014 with Cliven Bundy when he was trying to get the insurrectionists there to go up against the government with guns. I think it is about time that Congressional District 4 has someone that is actually going to work for them and be able to help them find jobs, get jobs, have affordable health care and a better education. Our state is one of the lowest in public education. We’ve got to fight for that, and that is not what Paul Gosar is doing.

Why speci�ically did you choose Congressional District 4 to run in? I live in Congressional District 4. The subdivision in which my home was and will be is in Tonto Hills subdivision, which is right up against the Tonto National Forest, and that subdivision is in Congressional District 4. I was looking at which race I would like to run in, and I saw that Paul Gosar was one of our worst representatives and that we deserve better, and so that’s why I decided

HILLCREST B A P T I S T

C H U R C H

Grow With Us!

SUNDAYS AT 10:30AM ✔ Practical Bible message ✔ Inspiring music

✔ Family atmosphere

HILLCREST BAPTIST CHURCH (Meets inside Ridgeline Academy)

602.350.0968

www.hillcrestbaptistaz.org

Delina DiSanto is a registered nurse who owns a construction company. She is running for Congressional District 4. (Submitted photo) to run against him.

How many times have you run for a congressional position? I have run against Paul Gosar in 2018, and I lost in the primary by less than 5%. I got into that race late, but I did lose by less than 5%. In 2020, I won the primary and went up against Paul Gosar and lost. So now, I think with all the attention that this race is bringing and the resources that I have a great chance of being able to beat Paul Gosar — and mainly because of the name recognition also. What are some of the things that you learned from previous runs that will help you this time around? Networking and reaching out to more people here in Arizona and across the

nation. Being able to raise the resources that are so necessary for this race. To run a congressional race takes a lot of money, and it takes a lot of support. To be honest, we have to be able to raise that money and reach out to the voters to say what it is that I am going to do for them. That I am actually going to work for them and that we need to just raise these resources and bring the attention to the race that is so necessary to win this congressional seat. What previous experience do you have within politics? I used to work for former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in Colorado. I used to go around the country and to Wash-

�ee DISANTO page 7

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

DISANTO from page 6

ington, D.C. and be able to bring back what legislation is going on and what is being passed and then do town halls all over Colorado for him, be able to bring the message of the work that is being done in D.C. for Colorado. I was able to reach out to people. I learned so much about the western states in regard to the water supply and the education for our children. It enlightened me to be able to say, you know what, we need to be able to have health care. Also, I was a finance director and I’m also a registered nurse, and I realized that we need to have affordable health care. I’m bringing all of these experiences into this race and into the position to be able to work for the people here in Congressional District 4.

to be C omf to be Comfortable to be Comfortable NEWS

calls and social media. It has impacted the fact that I am not face to face with many of my voters and supporters. But the Zoom meetings have been very efficient in regard to being able to reach out. Still, I do like being out on the road. I do like meeting up with people and just hearing them face to face on the issues that they would like to have me hear. I want to be able to get back to that, but the pandemic has actually been able for us to reach even more people because of Zoom meetings. They feel more comfortable at home getting on a Zoom meeting than sometimes going out to a town hall meeting.

YOU

••

TO BE

You Deserve to be Comfortable You Deserve

to be Comfortable You Deserve

Tell me more about your personal life. I went and finished up my nursing degree at Arizona State University. I’m a registered nurse and have a Bachelor of Science in nursing. My husband (Dave) and I own a construction company (called DiSanto Builders). We have owned it for many, many years together — for over 30 years. We do construction work, remodeling and building homes. (I live with) my husband … and also I have a son (named David) and a daughter (named Dakota), and they both also graduated from Arizona State University (and live in Arizona). We also have a Jack Russell terrier, Archie, and a tabby named Simba.

You Deserveto be Comfor be C omfortable HEATING • to COOLING • INDOO HEATING • COOLING • AIR INDOOR AIR QUALITY HEATING • COOLING • INDOOR QUALITY FeelFeel the the Feel the

What does the role of a district congressperson mean to you and mean to the community? People want to have a quality of life that they know they feel safe; that they have a job; that they have security; that they are able to live their life and not live it in chaos, confusion and fear. I believe that is what I will bring to Congressional District 4 — that we need to not have all of this anger and hatred and fear being spewed by Paul Gosar, because it just makes for more anger and fear. People just want to go on about their lives, and we need to be able to do that. I will do that for the people of Congressional District 4. I am here to work for them. I am not here to be self-serving as Paul Gosar is. He wants to create this big lie, and he’s led the insurrection. He’s a traitor to our country, and that is not what our people in Congressional District 4 need. They need somebody that is stable and is going to be able to work for them and bring a quality of life to them that they need so that they can feel that they can move on, that they are not always in chaos — that has to stop.

Comfort You’ve Been

602-789-30 602-789-3000 602-789-3000 Com fort fort Com

info@azperfectcomfort.com info@azperfectcomfor info@azperfectcomfort.com www.azperfectcomfort.com www.azperfectcomfor www.azperfectcomfort.com

Is there anything else you would like the community to know about you on why they should vote for you? The main reason is because Paul Gosar has been pushing his own agenda of this sedition and not focusing on the needs of the people here in Congressional District 4 or Arizona. He hasn’t been focusing on his job, and his job is for the people. It’s not for white supremacists and traitors and seditionists. I want people to know that we must get rid of NPaul o t Gosar v a l i to d be w iable t h too tmove h e rArizona offers forward and get people back into jobs and feeling comfortable in their quality of life that they want to have. I plan on doing that, and I will fight for them. They are worth fighting for, and I will fight for them tooth and nail. For more information about Delina $ DiSanto, go to delinadisanto.com or follow her on Twitter @delina4az.

Missing!

Has the pandemic impacted your campaign? Not necessarily, as we all have become more comfortable with Zoom meetings and telephone interviews. We have been able to reach out to people through Zoom town halls and through telephone

HEATING You’ ve Been• COOLING You’ve Been • INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Feel the g! Missin Missin g! 602-789-3000 602-789-3000

ROBINMCCOMBS & JOHN MCCOMBS ROBIN• &COOLING JOHN HEATING • INDOOR A VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED Feel the HEATING • COOLING • INDOOR AIR • BONDED & INSURED QUALIT ROC#300933 •ROC#300933 BONDED & INSURED

Com ort

HEATING • COOLING INDOOR AIR QUALITY Comfort f •info@azperfectcomfort.com info@azperfectcomfort.com Feel the www.azperfectcomfort.com 602-789-3000 $ You’ve Been www.azperfectcomfort.com $ Com f ort Feel the $ info@azperfectcomfort.com You’ve Been Missin g! www.azperfectcomfort.com

on ANY REPAIR 602-789-3000 on 25 OFF ANY REPAIR 25 OFF 25 OFF on ANY Comfort You’ve Been

Missing!

You’ve Been

ROBIN & JOHN MCCOMBS

ROBIN & JOHN MCCOMBS Not valid with other offers or promotions, one coupon VETERAN per person. info@azperfectcomfort.com OWNED & OPERATED o r p r oNmoot t vi o n s , o n e c o u p o n p e r p e r s o n . $ Missin g ! a l i d w i t h o t h e r o f f e r s o r pon r o mANY oVETERAN t i o OWNED n sRE ,& OPER o www.azperfectcomfort.com ROC#300933 • BONDED & IN

25 OFF ROC#300933 • BONDED & INSURED ROBIN &REPAIR JOHN MCCOMBS 25 OFF on ANY VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED

Not valid with other offers or promotions, one coup

25 OFF on ANY REPAIR

Not valid with other offers or promotions, one coupon per person.

ROC#300933 • BONDED & INSURED

25 OFF on ANY REPAIR Not valid with other offers or promotions, one coupon per person.

Not valid with other offers or promotions, one coupon per person.

PeoriaTimes_Jan2021.pdf

•• 8

CMY

1/25/21

3:08 PM

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Opinion TheFoothillsFocus.com

For more opinions visit thefoothillsfocus.com

@TheFoothills.Focus

/TheFoothillsFocus

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Memorial Day weekend reminded us to pay tribute BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

id you enjoy this past Memorial Day weekend? It signifies the remembrance of those men and women who served in the military and did not return home so that we could have the remarkable freedoms that we enjoy. Flags flying, parades, memorials, picnics, family gatherings, three-day weekends, bagpipes playing … what better way to start off the summer? That’s right, I said “bagpipes playing,” because nothing quite evokes such

deep emotion and dignity like listening to a group of pipers play at a Memorial Day ceremony. So why the bagpipes at American funerals? In the 1800s, Irish immigrants were often employed in dangerous jobs such as police officers and firemen. At the funeral of a fallen comrade, the bagpipes were always played, and this became the traditional ritual for a hero’s final goodbye. During the 1970s, the Scots Guards (one of the Foot Guards’ regiments of the British Army) was on tour in the USA and played “Amazing Grace,” since making it the most requested tune

to be played at memorials by pipers. The Memorial Day weekend is too important to not go out and pay tribute to those who serve their country and communities. This holiday represents the larger portrait of Americana — the reminder that freedom is never free and that as far as sacrifices go, some gave all. I recall going to the Veterans Cemetery as a child, standing before a sea of tiny flags that waved briskly in the breeze, each standing at attention at the base of a flat gravestone. I would run around and try to read as many names as I could, wondering how they died, figur-

ing out how old the soldier was, reading the words scrawled on the headstones. Fresh cut flowers or round wreaths, looking like sad little life preservers, were placed lovingly on numerous graves, making the cemetery come alive with color. Then there would be the lady who could be seen sitting in a lawn chair on her son’s grave, or the child who would bring hand-drawn pictures to a gravesite, bravely saluting a father he might never have known. Parents and friends gather,

see BLUHM page 14

CONSIDERING A MOVE? Speak with a Local Mortgage Advisor

Chris A. Gonzalez

Your Neighborhood Loan Consultant

Loan Consultant | NMLS #669924

(602) 612-7964 office | (480) 442-4494 cell

cagonzalez@loanDepot.com | www.loanDepot.com/cagonzalez

7878 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 | loanDepot.com, LLC NMLS ID 174457. Licensed by the AZ Department of Financial Institutions, Mortgage Banker 0911092. (042621 485956)

••

OPINION

•• 10

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Discount up to 30% with Drive Safe & Save !* ™

Ignoring heroism, redefining extremism: Your tax dollars at work BY JD HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

N Justin Simons, Agent 41722 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, 3655 W Anthem Way #110 Anthem, AZ 85086 Anthem, AZ 85086 (Next to Barro’s Pizza)

623-551-3700 Business: Business: 623-551-3700 justin.simons.j663@statefam.com justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com I’m inviting you to make our roads safer and get rewarded for doing so. Are you in? Contact me today to get started.

*Some customers could see a discount up to 50%. Discount names, percentages, availability and eligibility may vary by state and coverage selected. Enrollment, terms and conditions apply. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas Richardson, TX 1901979

o wonder President Biden, Vice President Harris and their spouses dined at a French restaurant on May 31. It was only fitting, as the nation’s “No. 2” was fresh from a political faux pas not seen since Marie Antionette’s alleged infamous comment, “Let them eat cake.” As America prepared to remember its fallen, the veep tweeted a vacuous wish: “Enjoy the long weekend.” The backlash nearly fricasseed her twitter feed. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, asked the obvious: “Care to mention WHY we’re having the long weekend, Kamala?” A Gold Star Mother posted a picture, worth far more than a thousand words. It was the image of a young man, killed in action at age 19. “Always and forever in my heart, my American Hero Son,” she wrote. No stinging rebuke of Harris was necessary; the photo is poignant and its implied criticism potent. But this is more than just an episode of internet insensitivity; it is, instead, the latest portent of policy changes at the Pentagon. The Biden White House wants uniformity among those who wear the uniform — not only in line formation, but also in political orientation. It is certainly true that the Jan. 6 march on the Capitol included mob action, but to accept the media narrative that all the blame must rest at the feet of Trump supporters is as ludicrous as Joe Biden’s assessment that the tragic, sorry episode was “the worst assault on our democracy since the Civil War,” conveniently forgetting Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 7, 1941. That’s why it’s worth remembering the complete political pronouncement of a more recent vintage, uttered by then-incoming Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in 2008: “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity

to do things you think you could not do before.” With an “amen chorus” amidst the unholy alliance of a partisan press, Silicon Valley tech titans and “woke” Wall Street fat cats — not to mention communist China’s “new best friends” in Hollywood — it’s simple to see where the left hopes to lead us: to that place where political dissent and conservative opinion can be redefined as “domestic terrorism.” That’s why new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin — two weeks after being sworn in — ordered a full military “stand down.” Previously, such actions have been limited to specific branches of the service or geographic theaters of operation and have been prompted by technical failures of equipment or poor performance by personnel. This latest “stand down” was quite different. Not only did it involve all our military — everywhere our forces are based — it also featured a broad mandate: “address extremism.” What is extremism? Why, whatever the commander-in-chief says it is! Despite the cognitive challenges Joe Biden faces, a half-century of pursuing and procuring political power has imbued him with an instinct to consolidate that power at all costs — especially at the expense of the opposition. What better way to short-circuit our political process and constitutional freedoms than by proclaiming the “loyal opposition” disloyal? Equally dangerous is the temptation to keep those in military service from enjoying the very freedoms they fight and die to defend. Clearly, command authority and discipline within the ranks cannot be discarded — but neither can individual liberties. Sadly, that appears to be the case with the sacking of Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier. He was relieved of his command in mid-May for comments he made on the podcast

see HAYWORTH page 14

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

HUGE SPRING

NO OUT OF POCKET COST,

CLEANING DISCOUNTS!

36 MONTH 0% INTEREST*

ROOM SALE*

GET FLOORING FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE FOR ONLY

FOR PRODUCT ONLY*

89.07

PER MONTH

WITH 0% INTEREST*

VINYL PLANK • LAMINATE WOOD • TILE • CARPET SHOP AT HOME NEXT-DAY INSTALLATION

HUGE SALE

PET PROOF FLOORING

FOR FREE UP TO 10 YEARS*

FREE AIR DUCT CLEANING WITH EVERY PURCHASE* Senior Citizen Discounts, Military Discounts & Public Service Discounts Must mention this ad! Schedule you FREE Estimate today, and the ﬁrst 10 callers will get an additional $150 OFF!

WE PROVIDE AND INSTALL FURNITURE PADS FOR FREE ON EVERY HARD SURFACE JOB!*

OVER 125

YEARS EXPERIENCE

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available • 623-244-8260 *Must present coupon or ad at the time of initial appointment. Cannot combine offers. Financing is based on approved credit. $5,000 min for free air duct cleaning. $89.07 per month promo is on approved credit and with a min purchase of $3,500, including basic installation and products, does not include tax, upgrades and extras.

••

•• 12

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

FATHER’S DAY HAWAIIAN SHIRT

Vaccine bribes are a sad sign of the times BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

FIRST 15,000 DADS

JUNE 20 dbacks.com

losdbacks.com

602.514.8400

here have been many phases in our country’s response to COVID-19 pandemic – denial, incompetence, surging effectiveness – but this latest development I did not see coming. We’re now down to bribing people to do the right thing and get vaccinated. The madness started in early May in Ohio, where Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced his state’s Vax-a-Million lottery, which each week awards a cool million bucks and full-ride college scholarships to vaccinated registrants. The first winner? Abbigail Bugenske, 22, a Cincinnati resident who plans to donate some of her million bucks to charity, then invest the rest – after splurging on a new ride. “I think buying a used car is still in my future,” Bugenske said at a press conference. Clearly, a free million dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to once upon a time. Other states and businesses quickly started playing Santa in Ohio’s wake. There’s “Colorado Comeback Cash,” Maryland “Vax To Win,” a million-dollar lottery in Oregon and $1.5 million prizes in California, where they’re offering “$50,000 Fridays” to 30 lucky randomly selected winners. In West Virginia, they’re giving away cash plus two new custom pickup trucks and 10 custom hunting rifles and shotguns. In New York, they’re giving away free Lottery scratcher tickets for a shot at $5 million and free tickets to Mets and Yankees baseball games. There’s a thought: Given how abysmal the last-place Diamondbacks are playing, maybe newly vaccinated children can pitch the seventh inning during the upcoming games against the Angels and Giants. Random fourth-graders would be much more entertaining than the Dbacks’ current bullpen. In fairness, here in Arizona, we hav-

en’t commenced government giveaways yet, though the private sector has gotten into the act. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 entitles you to a free doughnut at Krispy Kreme, a free sweepstakes entry at CVS pharmacies and 10% off groceries if you get vaccinated at a Safeway, Fry’s or Albertson’s. Then there’s Anheuser-Busch, which has teamed up with the White House to offer free beer to 200,000 Americans – provided the nation reaches President Biden’s goal of 70% of U.S. adults with at least one shot in the arm by Independence Day. “That’s right. Get a shot and have a beer,” Biden announced at a June 2 press conference. “Free beer for everyone 21 years or over to celebrate the independence from the virus.” We still have a ways to go: Currently, only 63% of adults have been vaccinated. That means we’re about 20 million adults short of the herd immunity goal. Will bribery get us there, when mass education campaigns, social responsibility and social shaming seem to have failed? My guess is, not quite. This is America after all, where you can never underestimate the amount of selfishness, fear and lunacy that prevails in a fraction of the population.

see LEIBOWITZ page 14

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Milgard® offers beautiful, comfortable, energy Milgard® offers beautiful, comfortable, energy efficient vinyl windows andand doors for your home. efficient vinyl windows doors for your home.

Whether you’re building a new home renovating your existing one, your choices are wide Whether you’re building a newor home or renovating your existing one, your choices areopen wide open when itwhen comes to selecting beautifully designed Milgard windows and patio doors. Strong, beautiful, it comes to selecting beautifully designed Milgard windows and patio doors. Strong, beautiful, long lasting and durable. MilgardMilgard windows and patio designed with stunning architectural long lasting and durable. windows anddoors patioare doors are designed with stunning architectural style and superior performance. Plus, you’ll secure in yourin investment with anwith industry leading,leading, style and superior performance. Plus,feel you’ll feel secure your investment an industry Full Lifetime Warranty that includes parts and labor. Full Lifetime Warranty that includes parts and labor.

Available from Lasting Impressions: 4454.4454. E. Thomas Road,Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018 Available from Lasting Impressions: E. Thomas Phoenix, AZ 85018 Call 602.508.0800 or vist liwindow.com for more information . Call 602.508.0800 or vist liwindow.com for more information.

••

•• 14

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

BLUHM �� page 8

children run or skip on grassy knolls, bagpipers and a drummer in the distance playing a solemn hymn. The stark contrast of the hope of a spring day, with flowers blooming, birds singing and flags flying, set against the backdrop of a broken heart and a piper playing is the poignant snapshot of the day. Memorial Day weekend reminds us to remember. It causes us to pause out of our busy schedule of barbecuing with friends and family, having a leisurely three-day getaway, to recall those fallen

comrades and all that they stood for — and left behind. Some people today are not having a barbecue. They are going to cemeteries across this great nation to pay respects to those we lost. Summer is officially here — ushered in by a very memorable weekend. It helps us put everything in perspective, allows us to ponder the bigger world issues at hand, makes us rethink our choices and appreciate all that we take for granted. God bless America. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.

It’s a depressing thought, though perhaps less depressing than if the opposite proves to be true and naked bribes actually work. What would it say about us as a people, if millions of us couldn’t be bothered to get vaccinated purely to take care of ourselves, our children, our families, co-workers and neighbors, but we would get off the couch for free swag

and a longshot chance to win some cash? Such naked greed is enough to make me admire the anti-vaxxers a bit. If you’re willing to deny decades of science for your personal beliefs – no matter how ridiculous society might judge them to be – that’s one thing. But if you’re so damn lazy that you need a free Bud and a doughnut to join the herd? Maybe the herd is actually better off without you.

LEIBOWITZ �� page 12

Tetsell Team Your Neighborhood Realtors® serving all of Anthem and the North Valley! Discover the possibilities!

Dick 480.227.6578 dick@tetsellaz.com

Jill 480.203.9066 Jtetsell@gmail.com

www.tetsellteam.com

HAYWORTH �� page 10

“Information Operation,” where he promoted his self-published book, in which he denounced Marxism and “critical race theory.” But Lt. Col. Lohmeier’s “firing offense” may have come with this evaluation of recent changes to military life: “What you see happening in the U.S. military at the moment is that if you’re a conservative, then you’re lumped into a group of people who are labelled extremists, if you’re willing to voice your views. And

if you’re aligned with the left, then it’s okay to be an activist online because no one’s gonna hold you accountable.” So Matthew Lohmeier appears headed for an early retirement due to an accurate assessment of what’s happened in our military, while Kamala Harris remains a heartbeat away from the presidency for a cold-hearted dismissal of Memorial Day as part of a “long weekend.” The French have an expression for it: “C’est la vie.”

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.

BUSINESS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Business TheFoothillsFocus.com

@TheFoothills.Focus

For more Business News visit thefoothillsfocus.com

/TheFoothillsFocus

HOT COMMODITY

Taliesin West recruits local artists for gift shop pieces BY CLAIRE SPINNER Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

isitors on tours around Taliesin West the dragon fountain repurposed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s third wife, Olgivanna, to breathe fire. However, there was nothing that represented it in Taliesin West’s gift shop. “I thought it was a shortfall because it was such a popular item on the tour,” said Mark Johnson, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s hospitality services director. The thought led to a collaboration with eight local and international artists for gift shop and online store pieces. Representing all of Taliesin West, the new products have been designed to celebrate the renowned architect’s influence and heritage in Arizona. “I really wanted to do a T-shirt and I envisioned this tattoo, flash-style artwork of the dragon,” Johnson said. “As it turns out, one of the nation’s foremost Japanese tattoo artists is right here in Old Town Scottsdale.”

Pawena Thimaporn of Los Angeles was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural works, as well as his apprentices’ drawings for these modern, ceramic Pawena planters ($100 and up). They feature abstract geometric forms and raw clay body to represent desert rock and sand, and colors of white, brown, black and red to convey a visual harmony with Taliesin West and its environment. (Photo

courtesy of Taliesin West)

The artist, Josh Carter, agreed to create a design for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. The T-shirt turned into a best-selling item. “Most museum stores today have an area where they showcase local products, but there’s not many where you’ll see actual collaboration with those artists and the museum,” Johnson said. “We wanted to change that because it seemed to follow our foundation’s mission best.” More than half of the artists fea-

tured in Taliesin West’s new collections are local to Scottsdale or the Valley. One of the most popular items are scarves made by local art and design studio director Blaise Danio, of Buhlaixe Studio in Phoenix. He also paints murals throughout the Valley. Another standout is Teri Welsch of Scottsdale, who designs rain chains inspired by Wright’s stained glass work. They feature stones from the Sonoran Desert. Cosanti jeweler Jason Catlin of

Paradise Valley designed jewelry inspired by Taliesin West’s Cabaret Theatre. While these are just a few of the featured artists, the local collaborations are available at Taliesin West’s gift shop and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s website. “It has been really rewarding working with all these artists,” Johnson said. “They are honored to have their work associated with Frank Lloyd Wright’s name and we are thrilled to be a part of that.’ The collaborations were mutually beneficial for the artists and for Taliesin West, he adds. “When people were at home, they were nesting and wanting to buy beautiful things for their homes,” Johnson said. “So, our website really took off and created a need for these products. And for the artists, many of whom did not currently have a venue due to the pandemic, it helped them maintain their artistry and livings.” The sales help Taliesin West, too, as tours are limited due to the pan-

�� TALIESIN WEST �� 18

AZ TITLE & REGISTRATIONS No need for an Appointment JUST WALK IN!

Authorized MVD Service Provider

FOR ALL YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES

• Registration Renewals • Title Transfer • Duplicate Titles • Permits • OHV Tabs • Specialty Plates • Abandon Vehicle Inspections • Bonded Titles • Mobile Level 1 Inspections

BRING IN AD FOR DISCOUNT

10%

DISCOUNT

off convenience fees

Mon-Fri 9:30am-6:00pm Sat/Sun - Closed

iPhone/Android Scan

623-582-1443 | 301 W. DEER VALLEY RD. #10 250 ft. east of emissions station

••

•• 16

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

BUSINESS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

y r a n i d r o The 2021 Extra Mercedes GLA45-AMG is worth the money s e d i R

The GLA45 performs well on limited off-road trips. The 2021 Mercedes GLA45 AMG SUV has a fuel mileage claim of 20/27 mpg. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY C.A. HAIRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

ith its compact size and a tiny 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, this Mercedes GLA might not impress at �irst look. But the quad exhaust tips sticking out of the body is a hint there is more than meets the eye. If not, the price tag of $59,560 is convincing. The starting fee of a base GLA is $36,000, and that includes a 2.0-liter 221-horsepower engine. Next up is the GLA35 with 302 hp. Our test example shown here is the top-of-theline GLA45 AMG. Here, this little 2.0 motor is built by hand from a German craftsman (or in some cases it might be a craftswoman). It is also turbocharged to create an impressive 382 horsepower, hooked to a dual-clutch, eight-speed gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel drive for maximum traction. With all that power, this compact SUV will need all the traction it can get. Mercedes claims

a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds, but a skilled driver can beat that. Driving this vehicle is a blast. With its small size, it can zip through heavy city traf�ic with ease. Thanks to that massive horsepower, it can do so in a hurry. There is also a drive program for comfort, sport and sport + modes, as well as slippery for wet/sand conditions. Because this is an SUV, it can be taken off pavement, and we did so successfully on

desert trails. There are some disadvantages here. First, a spare tire is not included, which limits offroad trips. Also, the fuel mileage claim of 20/27 mpg seems reasonable, but it’s hard to drive this powerful vehicle slow enough to get these �igures. In 2,600 miles of �leet use, the computer stayed steady at 20 mpg using super premium blend. But this AMG is so entertaining to operate, few will care. It’s well worth the money.

Custom Layouts for All Print Products Logo Creation & Conversion Photo Editing & Retouching Free Initial Design Consultation Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers, Duplicate Forms, Banners, Signs, Architectural Copies & Prints Binding, Laminating, Folding, Cutting, Booklet/Program Printing UPS, FedEx, DHL, Usps Private Mailboxes Computer Rental, Faxing, Scanning, Notary

(623)551-1305

www.postnet.com/az115 1720 E DEER VALLEY RD., #104

3655 W Anthem Way, A-109, Anthem, AZ 85086 Located in Safeway Shopping Center Behind Taco Bell

••

•• 18

BUSINESS

YOUTH TACKLE FOOTBALL FALL 2021

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

TALIESIN WEST �� 15

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 13U, 12U, 11U & 10U Teams! Official Feeder Team for Boulder Creek High School

Teri Welsch’s Desert Rain Chains ($210.49) are made with Dalle de Verde glass, a stained glass used in most church windows that has been individually cut and chipped to create light-catching facets, and stones gathered in the Sonoran Desert like those found in the distinctive desert masonry walls at Taliesin West and the surrounding landscape (Photo courtesy

of Taliesin West)

demic. Retail has become the main source of revenue. He encourages art lovers to visit to not only appreciate the local artisans, but to take in the cultural and artistic heritage of Wright in Arizona. “There is a longstanding legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright in the community, and I think that is something to be celebrated. Through working with artists, I think it’s really furthered the foundation’s goal of preserving that culture, but also expanding it to include other art in the Valley.”

For over 20 years, Canada-based Karen Konzuk has been creating concrete- and stainless-steel jewelry that she calls “wearable architecture” ($95 and up). Personally designed, molded and cast by hand, Konzuk’s Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired jewelry is influenced by the foundational geometric forms and unembellished materials used in the architect’s unpublished 1927 Liberty Magazine covers. (Photo courtesy of Taliesin West) Taliesin West

12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Scottsdale GPS Address: 12345 N. Taliesin Drive, Scottsdale franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/ The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation shop.franklloydwright.org

HAVE BUSINESS NEWS?

info@jaguaryouthfootball.org

Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timespublications.com

www.jaguaryouthfootball.org (email with any questions)

••

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Features TheFoothillsFocus.com

@TheFoothills.Focus

For more features visit thefoothillsfocus.com

/TheFoothillsFocus

Emotional, upbeat ‘Heights’ recalls old Hollywood BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

“I

n the Heights” stars Olga Merediz and Jimmy Smits say their musical masterpiece is the perfect anecdote to a rough 18 months. “It’s balanced with emotional and deep moments, but there’s a lot of happiness and joy,” said Merediz, who plays the matriarch Abuela Claudia. “The musical numbers are just right. The music cuts right through to you and Jon Chu has done an amazing, amazing job with his incredible visuals. I think

see HEIGHTS page 20

DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA as Daniela, STEPHANIE BEATRIZ as Carla, MELISSA BARRERA as Vanessa, OLGA MEREDIZ as Abuela Claudia, GREGORY DIAZ IV as Sonny, DASCHA POLANCO as Cuca and JIMMY SMITS as Kevin Rosario in Warner Bros. Pictures‚ “IN THE HEIGHTS” (Warner Bros. Pictures release.)

S H OW E R S A N D B AT H S

NEW SHOWER

SALE

We’re only offering these savings for this month only. Hurry and take advantage of our HUGE SAVINGS!

Call for a FREE consultation

866-983-3771

$799OFF

Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr. June 7-19 a workshop for ages 6-17

Dreamstyle Shower System

MONTHS

NO WITH

PLUS

–INTEREST – PAYMENTS – MONEY DOWN

FREE SHOWER DOOR* THIS MONTH ONLY!

*0% APR for 18 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Financing not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Finance charges will be waived if promo balance is paid in full in 18 months. Down payment may be required, OAC. Valid with the purchase of a complete Dreamstyle Shower Systems. Due to COVID, some restrictions may apply. Dreamstyle Remodeling, Inc. (fn) ROC260542 B-3

Theater Boot Camp July 12-16 a workshop for ages 8-16 For info or to register: info@starlightcommunitytheater.com www.starlightcommunitytheater.com

••

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

HEIGHTS from page 19

people are really going to resonate with the characters and I think people are really going to enjoy it.” With a wide smile, Smits said, “ditto,” but takes it a step further. “We’ve also had to reckon with a lot of social issues in the past year and a half,” said Smits, who plays Kevin Rosario, a father who butts heads with his ambitious daughter. “We’re hoping that this film provides joy. Musicals tend to be uplifting and inspirational, but the universal themes resonate very strongly. I think this film is something all audiences will be able to grasp.” Set to hit screens on Friday, June 11, “In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and lyrics with director Chu’s lively eye for storytelling. Chu also directed 2018’s “Crazy Rich Asians.” The film takes viewers to the streets of Washington Heights, where the scent of Cafecito caliente hangs in the air outside of the 181st Street subway stop.

see HEIGHTS page 21

LESLIE GRACE as Nina Rosario and OLGA MEREDIZ as Abuela Claudia in Warner Bros. Pictures‚ “IN THE HEIGHTS” (Warner Bros. Pictures release.)

JIMMY SMITS as Kevin Rosario in Warner Bros. Pictures‚ “IN THE HEIGHTS” (Warner Bros. Pictures release.)

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

FEATURES

21 ••

HEIGHTS from page 20

Led by bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos, “A Star is Born”), the tight-knit, multicultural community shares its dreams and wishes with each other — in the hopes of paving a way out, while maintaining its ties to Washington Heights. “I hope people recognize themselves and see themselves and feel proud,” Merediz said. Smits adds viewers mustn’t live in Washington Heights to feel for the characters. “I’m sure you had your nanas, your grandmothers and that,” he said. “The city might be different, and the cultural specificity might be a little different, but the feelings of community and family, and how the generation who comes here from another place has expectations for their (children and grandchildren) are all the same. “Those are universal things.” Merediz starred as Abuela Claudia on the stage version of “In the Heights.” She’s excited to spread her character’s word among the mass of movie lovers. “I wanted to give Claudia the platform she deserves,” said Merediz, referring to her character’s age. “She’s a character who is overlooked in our society. It’s just such a youth-oriented society. It gives me such pleasure to give her that platform.” She explains she enjoyed translating the stage version for film, although it was a little challenging. “The difference is, on stage, you’re delivering to the last row and you’re doing things chronologically. In a film, everything is very internal, and you shoot out of sequence. That is a challenge for an actor to keep your place, to where you are to keep that flow and that intensity of the moment in the song. It was definitely challenging, but I was up for the challenge. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” “In the Heights” will be available in cinemas and on HBO Max. Smits and Merediz say, although it’s available to watch at home, “In the Heights” is worthy of a trip to the movie theater. “The film has to be seen in the cinema,” Merediz said. “These huge numbers are epic, and they need the biggest

ANTHONY RAMOS as Usnavi and MELISSA BARRERA as Vanessa in Warner Bros. Pictures‚ “IN THE HEIGHTS” (Warner Bros. Pictures release.) screen you have. I know in the past year we were in lockdown. We didn’t have a choice. “I think it’s a good idea to have the option to see it in the movies and also at home, if you don’t have the ability to go to the cinema. I hope people see it in the theater.” The singing and dancing numbers can translate to a cellphone or computer, but Smits agrees — go to the cinema. “Jon’s chosen to give these visual flourishes to old Hollywood,” he adds. “It takes your breath away. He really did such a great job. I hope we bring richness, light and happiness to their (cinema-goers’) lives. After the horrible year that we’ve had, people are ready for a film like this.” “In the Heights”

Historic Spanish Village Opens Friday, June 11, in theaters and HBO Max

ANTHONY RAMOS as Usnavi and JIMMY SMITS as Kevin Rosario in Warner Bros. Pictures‚ “IN THE HEIGHTS” (Warner Bros. Pictures release.)

••

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

THE “10% SAVINGS RIGHT FROM THE START” POLICY

Ready to save right away on your auto insurance? Combine affordable coverage from American Family Insurance with our free KnowYourDrive® program, and you’ll instantly get 10% off* — plus you could qualify for a free Travel Peace of Mind package* with Ready to save right away on your auto insurance? Combine affordable coverage from American emergency roadside service, rental reimbursement Family Insurance with our free KnowYourDrive® program, and you’ll instantly get 10% off* — plus Ready save right ondriving your auto insurance? and more. Show your and you you could qualify for ato free Travel Peaceoffofaway Mindsafe package* withhabits emergency roadside service, rental could earn up to 20% off! reimbursement and more. Show off your safe driving habits you could earn up to 20% off! Combine affordable coverage fromand American Family

Contact meme today howmuch much could save. Contact today tosee seeKnowYourDrive® how youyou could save. Insurance with ourtofree program, and you’ll instantly get 10% off* — plus you could qualify for a free Travel Peace of Mind package* with emergency roadside service, rental reimbursement and more. Show off your safe driving habits and you could earn up to 20% off!

Contact me today to see how much you could save.

John Kovach, Agent Bus: (623) 551-7900 3715 W Anthem Way Ste 112 Anthem, AZ 85086 jkovach@amfam.com jkovach@amfam.com *Discounts may vary by state and company underwriting the auto policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on an auto policy. Eligibility and approval standards for the Travel Peace of Mind Package apply for each vehicle.

John Kovach, Agent Bus: (623) 551-7900 3715 W Anthem Way Ste 112

Marie Peck is fetching help for patients BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus staff writer

he Fetch Foundation is poised to start its latest program, Critical Care K9’s — which provides pet therapy for those in intensive care units — by July 1. Founded in 2010 by Marie Peck, North Scottsdale’s Fetch Foundation has been providing care for those in need with animals through two programs. Before officially starting the Fetch Foundation, Peck distributed Fido Bags, which provide supplies to help care for first-responder dogs injured or wounded during rescues. Since then, Peck has distributed close to 9,500 bags to various parts of the country and has sent some to Canada and Australia. Peck is sending out Fido Bags to wildland fire crews as they gear up for this summer’s wildfire season. Not long after the Fetch Foundation was formed, Peck started the Homeless 2 Hero program, which rescues dogs that, in turn, the staff trains to become either search and rescue dogs, service animals or therapy dogs. “We have trained diabetic alert dogs, search and rescue for human remains and live person dogs as well as other types of service dogs,” Peck said. Though both have done miraculous work, Peck still wanted to find a way to help humans through dog therapy. Peck realized the need as she waited for her husband, Mark, to undergo a double lung transplant. “As I was sitting there, people were asking what we do. Once I told them about these dogs, they asked if we could create a program if we had dogs on call to come visit the patients,” Peck said. The hospital in which Mark was

staying only had one dog who visited weekly. “When patients would see that dog, the patients would come out of their shell,” Peck said. “Their blood pressure would get better, they’d speak, they’d touch, and they’d move.” Peck was blown away at the patients’ response in their limited interaction with the dog. She saw other opportunities, however. “Another important part of this is for the staff,” Peck said. “These are the people who took care of the COVID-19 patients and were the only family when they passed. They need the pet therapy just as much as the patients.” Peck then began her own trial run at the hospital by bringing her own therapy dog, Lilly, three times. “It was so cute; my husband would have his ICU nurse come out with him to the healing garden along with six other nurses. They would just show up to see Lilly,” Peck said. There is plenty of science to prove the effectiveness of pet therapy, according to Peck. She has witnessed it firsthand. “I have physically watched changes happen in people’s bodies and with their breathing from the moment the dog enters the room to the moment their hands touch their fur,” Peck said. Peck is working with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and has interest from Banner Health to implement this program. Peck sees this as a win-win for the hospitals as her dog handlers work for free and they can do what they love. There are several requirements Peck has for her handlers as well as the dogs to partake in the program.

see FOUDATION page 24

23 ••

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15th

IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE

aaaphx.org 24-Hour Senior HELP LINE

602-264-4357

••

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

AN ORGANIZED HOME IS A HAPPY HOME

50% OFF INSTALLATION* *Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/Designer Shelves. EXP 6/30/21

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation: ®

(855) 227-0135

Hours: Mon - Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am - 4pm EST

FOUNDATION from page 22

Her handlers must have their own insurance, must be certified, go through a background check and go through Peck’s special in-hospital training. The handlers should be available on a moment’s notice, too. As for the dogs, they should have “really nice temperaments,” she said. “The dogs have to have an incredibly even temperament and to be good with all ages,” Peck said. Dogs must also have their K9 good citizen paperwork, their certification in therapy work and they must be OK walking on different surfaces and well groomed. Peck admits some rescue dogs often appear wild upon first meeting but will eventually make model therapy dogs with time and structure. “I’ve brought in dogs from the shelters that have been nuts in the shelter but once they got into

a home and a structured environment, we put those dogs into therapy,” Peck said. Peck estimates that she has placed 150 therapy dogs and hopes she can help countless humans recover with the help of these dogs. “I think that there are so many ways for stress reduction that this is sometimes overlooked,” Peck said. “We all look forward to going home to our pets, so we figured why not take these well-trained, certified dogs and well-trained, certified humans into these high stress environments and use that as therapy.” Peck anticipates that her dogs will quickly be in demand by not just patients but by hospitals. Peck is targeting to launch this program by July 1 but anticipates it to possibly roll out within the coming weeks. The Fetch Foundation thefetchfoundation.org

NORTH VALLEY PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS General Practice Law Firm for all your legal needs!

• • • •

Free personal injury case evaluations An attorney will supervise your case from start to finish No fees unless we collect on your behalf History of successfully negotiating down medical costs -increasing the money in your pocket. • All vehicle accidents/wrongful death 42104 N. Venture Drive, Suite A 118, Anthem, AZ 85086

623-551-9366 CarrollLawFirm.com

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Youth TheFoothillsFocus.com

For more Youth News visit thefoothillsfocus.com @TheFoothills.Focus

/TheFoothillsFocus

Teen leadership program scholarships BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

ominate your teen for a scholarship to attend a summer weekend leadership program hosted by U & Improved Leadership Foundation, a local non-profit. “Our teens need our support now more than ever,” said Founder and CEO Jodi Low. “To be inspired, gain leadership skills and know that others believe in them is monumental in their development. We have seen firsthand each year how not just life-changing but life-saving this class can be.”

According to U & Improved, 95% of teens confess to feeling inferior at some point in their lives, and 90% admit to carrying emotional scars. Using the same training practiced in their award-winning adult classes, “U the Teen Leader” is a weekend-long class that aims to teach confidence and help YOUTH teenagers have a better plan for their future. The class is for ages 14 to 18, and is nothing like what teens would take in school. It offers hands-on and challenging training to build confidence, teamwork, compassion, trust, honesty and the importance of asking for and

Coming June 30th BESTOF

2021

Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and things to do in Anthem, Carefree, Cave Creek and North Phoenix PEOPLE | PLACES | SHOPS | RESTAURANTS | THINGS TO DO

receiving help from others, with the goal of creating future leaders. “U & Improved Leadership Foundation empowers tomorrow’s leaders to face challenges and opportunities with confidence and gives them the tools to make decisions that positively impact their future,” Low said. The weekend-long class usually costs $2,295 per person, but, thanks to some generous donations, the foundation is offering 12 teenagers the opportunity to build their leadership skills and self-esteem for free. The foundation is accepting nominations for these 12 scholarships for

teens who “could use a confidence boost, need to build their self-esteem or could use help figuring out a plan for their future.” The deadline for nominations is June 14. To nominate a teenager, visit the U and Improved website, fill out the appropriate form. After the nomination, the selected teenager will receive a form via email that must also be completed by June 14. The class will be held August 6 through 8 at the Marriott in Scottsdale and is available to any teen in the Valley. Info: www.uandimprovedfoundation.com

Friends. Family. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm has a long tradition of being there. That’s why I love what I do, here to help life go right.

623-742-6866 Nanette McClelland-Miller, Agent nanettemiller.com

Fry’s Shopping Center: Next to Verizon and Tru Burger

••

CLASSIFIEDS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

thefoothillsfocus.com

To place an ad: 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com Employment General

Commerical/Industrial/Retail

Auto Engine Machinist

Affordable Anthem Executive Office Suite for Lease in Gateway Office Park. Incl: Internet, util, alarmed. 623-696-8670

American Engines Only. Experience Required. References Needed. Full Time or Part Time. Email Resume to:

acct.phxengine @gmail.com

Air Conditioning/Heating

YOUR CLASSIFIED SOURCE 480-898-6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Carpet, Tile-Grout, & Air Duct Cleaning

Commercial & Residential Housecleaning

Call Today/Clean Today

602.550.7732

A/C & Heating Services Info@azperfect comfort.com

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

Concrete & Masonry

H errera’s M asonry LLC

(602)789-3000

WE SELL NEW and GENTLY USED FURNITURE & HOME DECOR

BEST PRICES ON MATTRESS SETS Tuesday – Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday & Monday Closed 42407 N. Vision Way – Anthem, AZ

623.551.4135 Glass/Mirror

ROC#215280

• Custom Glass • Shower Doors & Enclosures • Window Glass Replacement • Custom Mirrors • Glass Table Tops & Shelves Come and visit our custom glass showroom behind the Dairy Queen in Cave Creek.

azperfectcomfort.com

Announcements

Irrigation

CONSIGNMENT

FREE ESTIMATES

AZ PERFECT COMFORT

Furniture/Refinishing/Upholstery

J&B Furniture

www.pnponecarecleaning.com

AZCAN BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 888709-0796 (AzCAN)

Cleaning Services

Deadline: Wednesday at 5pm for the following Wednesday

Block Walls • Stucco Repairs • BBQ • Fireplace Concrete • Ret-Walls • Flower Beds • Iron Gates Licensed & Bonded ROC #154346

Free Estimates

Office: 480-575-7245 • Armando: 602-763-3696

Drywall

DONALDSON DRYWALL Cave creek Resident Since 1984 • Water Damage • TV Niche Changes • Texture Match • Repairs/Remodels • New construction

FREE ESTIMATES 480-861-1375

Family Owned & Operated

Licensed Bonded Insured ROC #289594

Sell Your Stuff! Call Classifieds Today! 480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

480-235-6101

www.aboveandbeyondglass.com ROC 233846 & ROC 236899

Irrigation

& Landscape est. 2002 ~ Anthem, Arizona

Install • Repair • Replace

623-203-7717 Landscape/Maintenance

Insurance Discount up to 30% with Drive Safe & Save !* ™

Justin Simons, Agent

Sprinkler Repair Landscaping & More!

3655 W Anthem Way, Anthem, AZ 85086

623-551-3700

justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com I’m inviting you to make our roads safer and get rewarded for doing so. Are you in? Contact me today to get started.

*Some customers could see a discount up to 50%. Discount names, percentages, availability and eligibility may vary by state and coverage selected. Enrollment, terms and conditions apply. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, Richardson, TX

• Affordable Same Day Service • Dependable • Guaranteed • 12 Years Experience

No Job Too Big or Small

Residential & Commercial

602-330-6965

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Landscape Design/Installation HAWKEYE LANDSCAPING INC 85085 local company. Doing business for over 22 years. ROC CR-21138105, ROCB-3284133. Providing all your custom design and installation needs. 623-582-1122 HawkeyeCustom Landscaping.com

AZCAN DISH Network. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-855-722-2290 (AzCAN)

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Landscape/Maintenance

Roofing

FREE ESTIMATES • 623-465-2546

Almeida Roofing Inc.

PREMIER LANDSCAPING & GARDENING

• Custom Design • Water Feature • Container/Pot Gardens • Fireplaces & BBQs • Patio & Walls • Irrigation Specialists • Tree Trim/Removal • Bi-weekly/Monthly

All Types of Roofing

602-743-3175

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC #166390

Landscape/Maintenance

Free Estimates & Inspections • Tile • Shingles Foam • Coatings • Modiﬁed Bitumen • New Roof Repairs • Reroofs

www.almeidaroofing.com Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC #215758

KIB EXCAVATING Your Septic System Experts

Complete Septic Systems • Conventional & Alternative and Repairs

Engineered Pads • Site Prep • Grading • Hard Digs Utilities • Trucking/Hauling • Driveways (Gravel, Dirt and Rock)

Mobile

602.319.1089

Licensed • Bonded • Insured COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL

DUKES EXCAVATING

SEPTIC SYSTEMS ◆ COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONAL, ALTERNATIVE SEWER, STORM DRAIN & RETENTION SITE DEVELOPMENT ◆ UTILITIES ROC KA 302118 General Contractor JIM DUKES

623.606.8411

515 E. Carefree Hwy, #44, Phoenix, AZ 85085 dukesexcavatinginc@gmail.com

Backhoe • Hammer Hoe • Grade Tractor 1,000 Gallon Water Wagon • Dump Trailer Septic Install & Repair (Lic. #276732) Tree Brush and Cactus Removal Road/Driveway Repair & Maintenance Utility Trenching & Plumbing Construction Cleanup Material Screening

Welding Roofing

PHILLIPS ROOFING LLC Member of ABM

Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC 223367

Valleywide

CR 42 DUAL

623-873-1626 All employees verified Free estimates on all roofs 36 Years experience in AZ Licensed contractor since 2006

Electric • Acetylene • Heliarc Equipment • Fireplace Screens Repair • Blacksmithing Portable Equipment • Gates Fencing • Wrought Iron Work Home Accessories • Small Repairs & More!

480-488-3677

CaveCreekWelding.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY

480-898-6465

CALL CLASSIFIEDS

480-898-6465

We'll Get Your Phone to Ring! We Accept:

Cave Creek Welding, Inc.

phillipsroofingaz.com phillipsroofing@cox.net

We'll Get Your Phone to Ring!

It Only Takes Seconds to Drown. Always watch your child around water.

••

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 9, 2021

Recent Storms and COVID have Substantially Impacted Supply Chain

= 2020

2021

Inventory is Scarce Now and when the Heat hits, Quilted won’t be an Option

Replace your A/C while you have Time for only $ 79/month* *On approved credit only, please call for details.

Call or Text to Schedule an Appointment

AIR

CONDITIONING

•

ELECTRICAL

•

PLUMBING

•

WATER

TREATMENT

Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 6.9.2021

Articles inside

YOUTH