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INSIDE

This Week

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

Phoenix found good and bad in the 2021 State Legislature session

FEATURES ........ 22 Starlight dances into summer with iconic musical, ‘Footloose’

YOUTH ............. 25 Students are awarded to dean’s and presisdent’s list

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 19 FEATURES ................ 22 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 26 Zone I

Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix

Anthem Area Edition

PAGE

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Valley’s Nicholas Balboa recalls condo collapse BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

icholas Balboa shrugs off any suggestion that he’s brave. The former Glendale resident was walking his dog in Surfside, Florida, outside of Miami, when Champlain Towers South collapsed a block away from him. He felt the ground shake and went to investigate. It was then he heard the cries of a teenage boy and other victims buried in the rubble. “It was something I wasn’t expecting,” Balboa said. “In that moment, you see it and it doesn’t register that a building just fell. It’s an inanimate object, but there are people inside. I was still processing. I began to take photos, and I got closer to the building. As I got closer, I could hear people yelling and

screaming in the debris.” Balboa responded to the 15-year-old boy, Jonah Handler, who raised his hand through the rubble. Balboa told Jonah he would find first responders. “He said, ‘Please don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me,’” Balboa recalled. “I grabbed my flashlight and flashed it toward the first responders to get their attention. “A police officer came over to me and told me to get back. I told him there was somebody here. I led the police officer to him and then the officer called over firefighters and they began their extraction.” Jonah’s 54-year-old mother, Stacie Dawn Fang, was rescued as well, but she died after being taken to the hospital for treatment.

�ee BALBOA page 4

Champlain Towers South is believed to have collapsed due to long-term degradation of reinforced concrete support structures in the underground parking garage. (Photo by Nicholas Balboa)

Meet the neighbors at Anthem resident town hall

BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Anthem is hosting an in-person resident town hall at the civic building on July 28 with light refreshments in an informal and laidback atmosphere. The event gives new residents the chance to meet their neighbors, discuss

upcoming community events, ask questions of the Anthem Community Council and homeowners association and learn about community center and dog park memberships. “We have had a lot of new people move into Anthem over the last year and we had some closures due to COVID, so we haven’t been able to connect with every-

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body,” said Kristi Northcutt, senior director of community relations for Anthem. “We’re having this new resident town hall to invite anyone who’s new to the area who hasn’t had a chance to come to the civic building or meet our staff and board members, to just come in a casual,

�ee TOWN HALL page 5

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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

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

BALBOA from page 1

Jonah was one of two survivors in what’s been called the deadliest unintentional building collapse in the United States. The building was quickly demolished 11 days later due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Elsa. On July 7, the search transitioned from rescue to recovery, and the missing victims are presumed dead. Balboa, who attended Chapparal, Pinnacle and Boulder Creek high schools, transferred to Primavera High School so he could pursue a career in motocross. “I ended up doing motocross full time,” Balboa said. “The dream was to go pro, but once you realize the economics behind it, it’s not feasible. It’s a money pit, and only a handful of people really get to go pro and make money.” Balboa, 31, has been in Florida since Memorial Day, when he left the Valley after the end of a seven-year relationship. “I was using it just for ‘me’ time,” he said. “All of a sudden, we had a death in the family on Father’s Day. Three days later was Surfside.

First responders work to rescue 15-year-old Jonah Handler, who was located by Nicholas Balboa, a former Glendale resident. (Photo by Nicholas Balboa) “Sadly, the operation has changed from a rescue to a recovery. I think, at

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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

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TOWN HALL from page 1

laidback way to meet everyone and interact. Any Anthem resident is welcome to attend, but it will be geared especially to new residents.” The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O’Brien giving a brief welcome and introduction. Then, residents can mingle and browse through various tables around the building that provide information about places like the community center, dog park and Veterans Memorial. Residents can also purchase pavers to be placed at the dog park or Anthem Veterans Memorial if they would like. While memberships for the community center and dog park can’t be done on site, due to the length of time it takes, all necessary forms and paperwork will be available. Attendees can even speak with the membership specialists and schedule an appointment to make arrangements. An informal Q&A session will start

at 6 p.m., where residents can ask questions to the board members. Northcutt said there are a few questions they get regularly and are happy to explain, such as the difference between Anthem Community Council and the HOA or upcoming community events. The night will end with the official monthly board meeting at 6:30, for which residents are welcome and encouraged to stay. Light refreshments and free child care will be provided. Northcutt said prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community held a new resident town hall twice a year. “This event on July 28 is a way for us to get back into that routine and connect with our residents on a more one-to-one basis,” Northcutt said. “It will be interesting to meet residents, whether they’re new or they’ve been here a while and we just haven’t had a chance to meet them.” The event’s goal is not only to inform and meet new residents, but, according to the Anthem Community Council’s website, to also uphold one

of its strategic priorities: to continue to provide high-quality customer service, facilities and programs that enhance quality of life for Anthem residents. “I hope people feel very proud to be Anthem residents, that they’re excited to live here and to be part of our community and to feel like the board and staff are accessible, and that we want to hear from them,” Northcutt said. “We want to hear their ideas. We

want them to be involved in this community, and there are so many ways to do that, this is just one. I hope they leave having met people and taking informational materials that keep them coming back for many years to come.” Anthem Resident Town Hall

WHEN: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 WHERE: Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem COST: Free INFO: onlineatanthem.com

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

Phoenix found good, bad in legislative session BY PAUL MARYNIAK Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ed 171 days, saw passage of 473 out of 1,774 introduced pieces of legislation and the governor’s signature on 412 of them, a detailed memo by the Phoenix Office of Governmental Relations to City Council came up with a scorecard that it determined was generally favorable to the city. “The city faced a significant num-

t could have been worse. That appears to be the Phoenix city administration’s overall evaluation of the State Legislature’s recently concluded 2021 session. Noting that the session, which last-

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ber of challenging legislative issues covering a broad array of subject matter, and it was a successful year,” the city office stated. It found 10 passed bills were beneficial to the city, eight were considered “harmful” and 21 others were successfully opposed by the city. Of another 26 bills that were “monitored,” the city apparently took no position. Of those 26 pieces of legislation, 10 were signed by the governor and the remainder failed to win passage in one chamber or the other. But the biggest threat the city sees is the big tax income tax cut the Legislature approved in the waning hours of the session last month. The city fought that tax break, which largely favors the wealthiest Arizonans. On the one hand, the city memo applauded a 3% increase in state shared revenue that Phoenix will get.

That increase was implemented by tax cut proponents in the Republican-dominated Legislature. They needed every GOP vote to secure passage of $1.3 billion – and possibly $1.8 billion – in permanent tax cuts, and the $12.8 billion spending plan for the 2021-22 fiscal year. While Phoenix governmental relations officials said the share state revenue increase “will help the city of Phoenix meet its revenue projections,” it warned that that the income tax cut “will reduce our share of state revenue.” In explaining its approach to evaluating the Legislature’s activities, the Office of Government Relations says it is “guided by the principles endorsed by the mayor and council.” “Our highest priorities were to maintain and preserve shared rev-

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�ee LEGISLATIVE page 7

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

LEGISLATIVE from page 6

enues, oppose any unfunded mandates, protect our local authority and continue our involvement in water resource matters.”

Bills Phoenix officials approved The city was happy to see passage of SB 1451, which improves the chances of firefighters with some specified types of cancer and related diseases resulting in disability or death to collect workmen’s compensation. Among other successful bills that pleased city officials was HB 2027, which increases the penalties for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident; HB 2034, which authorizes local and state governments to remove “noxious weeds” like the Russian olive and salt cedar trees; and HB 2066, which allows police to take to the nearest magistrate a person arrested in one county on a warrant

�ee LEGISLATIVE page 8

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LEGISLATIVE from page 7

from another county. It also hailed passage of HB 2075, which preserves any arrested individual’s fingerprints, as well as HB 2321, which requires the state Department of Revenue to establish a permanent public record “of all draft and final rulings, procedures and administrative announcements.” The city also was hailed approval of SB 1056, which extends to 25 years the maximum length of a contract between a county or municipality and an energy or water services company to pay for the incremental cost of energy or water savings measures. SB 1420 was applauded because it requires counties and municipalities to accept a consular identification card issued by a foreign government as a valid form of identification if the foreign government uses “biometric identity verification techniques.”

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

Bills the city beat back Among the bills the city successfully opposed, due to the threatening of local jurisdictions’ authority to make their own rules, was a measure that would have prevented municipalities from setting a minimum wage for businesses within their boundaries. Another reason the city opposed some bills was their threat to local revenue – such as one that would have prevented municipalities from imposing a fee on cable companies that bury their lines in publicly owned rights of way. Phoenix officials also were pleased with the defeat of a bill preventing businesses from establishing COVID-19 vaccination incentive programs, three measures prohibiting reductions in police budgets from one year to the next, a bill that would cut funding for cities’ programs aiding the homeless, and a measure that would have created “temporary building permits” for single-home construction. The city also successfully opposed

a measure that would have prohibited municipalities from fingerprinting food truck operators and imposing fees for their licenses, as well as one that repealed aircraft registration fees license taxes and thereby eliminating revenue that goes to airport improvements. Other measures that went down in flames, partly as a result of Phoenix’s opposition, was a bill that limited the ability of counties and municipalities to hire private lawyers; a measure that reduced municipalities’ ability to regulate the sale of tobacco and vaping products; and another that prevented governments from using social media for any official purpose. Losing efforts There were eight successful pieces of legislation that Phoenix fought unsuccessfully, many because they would have cost the city money. One such measure authorizes county treasurers to waive penalties and interest on delinquent tax bills. The city also lost its fight against

a measure requiring members of civilian police review boards to complete a community college policy academy and have at least 20 hours of virtual law enforcement training, as well as one requiring that two thirds of any police review board comprise members of the department it oversees. A related bill the city fought unsuccessfully is one allowing any legislator to request a state attorney general investigation of any municipal measure that the lawmaker feels is a violation of state law. Another measure the city couldn’t win may be moot – at least until the next pandemic, anyway. That law prohibits the revocation of licenses for a business that defies a state of emergency order. The city also lost its fight against a bill that weakens water quality standards and limits regulatory oversight of surface water quality. The city also lost a fight against a bill that radically changes the operation of fire districts.

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OPINION

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Billionaire space races take flight BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

h, to be a billionaire. They seem to have all the fun. When Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, launched his Unity 22 rocket plane, he went where few have gone — into space on his own spacecraft. He beat fellow billionaire, Jeff Bezos, to the punch. The flight helps buoy the push for commercial space travel. Start saving now, because a ticket to the edge of Earth might cost $250,000.

Before you drain your retirement account, consider that the Federal Aviation Administration is barred from creating safety regulations (until 2023) for commercial spaceflight systems. So, once you sign the “informed consent,” you are pretty much taking the risk that comes with taking a brief ride a few dozen miles above Earth. Scared of heights? Read on. The spacecraft flies on the edge of space, at an altitude of more than 50 miles. Passengers will experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see the

curvature of the Earth before landing. These suborbital joyrides are not for the weak of heart. It is for adventurers who have the will — and money — to blaze a new trail, take a chance at making history and see the Earth from a vantage point that most will never experience. The promise is that “no one comes back unchanged.” OK, sounds about right. Or maybe no one comes back “unhinged.” I mean, just because you might afford it doesn’t mean you should do it. Yet, humans love to explore. It is what we do. The feat that Branson pulled off,

was a rather posher version of one that was achieved 60 years ago by a Soviet carpenter’s son, Yuri Gagarin. In that groundbreaking space flight, Gagarin spent 108 minutes in flight, compared to the hour that Branson and his crew were in orbit. Still, the achievement is tremendous and may be more incredible now because of Branson’s landing. No dropping into the ocean in a capsule. True progress sometimes takes a few decades.

see BLUHM page 11

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Democrats conflicted on democratic elections BY JD HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

he America of the 1950’s seems quaint by today’s standards. Because our memories of that era match the monochrome images that danced across early television screens from coast to coast, we see Dwight David Eisenhower as a genial grandfather and golf enthusiast instead of the decisive leader and hardened warrior. In his 1982 book “The Hidden-Hand Presidency,” political scientist and historian Fred I. Greenstein revised the thinking about Ike and his two terms in the Oval Office. Rather than foster the perception that he was a bold “man of action,” as so many of his successors would encourage of themselves once ego met ambition at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Eisenhower employed a style that encouraged an incurious or even an indulgent reaction, considering that he was the first septuagenarian to serve as president. His press secretary, James C. Hagerty, recalled an anecdote that typified Ike’s approach. When considering a challenging question, he might face concerning a controversial topic at a press conference, Eisenhower told his staffer: “Don’t

BLUHM from Page 10

Many folks have been critical of the “billionaire space races.” Citing concerns about “wasting resources” when we have bigger problems to solve, such as climate change, poverty, 1 billion people with no clean water to drink, wars and social injustices. These are but a few of the “planet issues” that plague us and need solutions. Branson and Bezos are not apologizing for launching into space, saying the future is “out there” for Earth’s inhabitants. Perhaps. If you want to get in one of those snazzy spacesuits and not spend a fortune, you can enter a lottery

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worry, Jim; if that question comes up, I’ll just confuse them.” While Eisenhower exploited imprecision as part of his personal image, other leaders from the other side of the aisle have employed it to achieve policy goals. Lyndon B. Johnson dramatically expanded the federal role in health care by advocating and signing into law both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Three decades after those programs were established, historian-turned-House Speaker Newt Gingrich theorized that by sowing deliberate seeds of confusion over Medicare and Medicaid, distinctions between the two would be forgotten. Therefore, any stigma about government-run health care would be minimized in the public consciousness, thus aiding the left in advocating a complete federal takeover of healthcare. Fast forward to the here and now. Joe Biden leads a Democratic Party increasingly conflicted about truly democratic elections. Despite the parroting of the “voter suppression” canard by a reliably partisan Washington Press Corps, this is one

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for $10 (proceeds go to charities) and win the trip of a lifetime. Branson will select two lucky people to “ride for free” on his next space launch. My husband, Doug, and I are signing up. (I haven’t told Doug yet). Bored with the mundane pull of gravity and usual Earthly views? Look up, dear readers. The universe awaits. As Richard Branson says, “This was my lifelong dream to go into space. For the next generation of dreamers, just imagine what you can do.” Dream big. Fasten your seatbelt. Fly high. Billions not required. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

Who cares about polls? The Valley has our hearts BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

ith all due respect to the fine journalists who toil for U.S. News and World Report, their magazine’s annual list of “Best Places to Live” once again ranks as one of the most hilarious acts of journalism committed to print this year. Want to yuk it up? Listen to their report of the Top Five of America’s Best Hometowns: Ranked fifth, there’s Austin, Texas, “laidback to the point that if you’re dressing up, it must be a life event.” Fourth, Fayetteville, Arkansas, where – and I quote – “people wave and smile at each other in the street, and community events are well-attended.” Third, we have Huntsville, Alabama, which boasts “the most educated population in the state.” The state of Alabama. Need I say more? Second place goes to Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, whose selling

points include “gathering over craft beers in one of the region’s many microbreweries” and “strangers ... quick to provide a friendly conversation when standing in line at the supermarket.” I prefer Budweiser and silently bagging my groceries to get the hell out of Bashas’ as fast as possible. The big winner for 2021: Boulder, Colorado, named America’s Best Place to Live for the second consecutive year. I’ve been to Boulder. Nice place – if you like John Denver songs, chocolate chip edibles and hemp underwear. As U.S. News puts it, Boulder “has opportunities from forest bathing and free meditation sessions to an abundance of marijuana dispensaries, spas and alternative health care studios. The full spectrum of yoga disciplines is represented here, as well as … ‘Animal Flow’ groundbased movement classes.” Sounds like a pulled hamstring waiting to happen. Plus, the description alone gives you the munchies – and zero desire

to fire up the moving van. The Phoenix metro area ranked 40th this year, up 13 spots from 2020 and sandwiched between Houston and Knoxville. We scored high for having “a thriving job market, a relatively low cost of living and plenty of ways to enjoy the nice weather.” No mention of chatty strangers in the grocery store, a thriving weed scene or ample chances to do goat yoga. It could be worse. Tucson ranked 81st. Dead last? San Juan, Puerto Rico. My problem with this list is my problem with all such lists: They attempt to scientifically rank something that is less science and more emotion. U.S. News – whose brand depends entirely on ranking things like cities and colleges – has created a formula by polling 3,600 internet users, then weighting each area’s job market, housing affordability, quality of life, desirability and how many people move in and out annually.

After that, there’s a whole lot of mumbo jumbo about standard deviation and something called a Z-Score. This seems as good a scientific method as any to rank places, but it still misses what really motivates humans to live where we live: The job that beckons us or the chance to live near those we love. I’m sure my story is typical and illustrative. I moved to the Valley 26 years ago for work, then stayed because I laid down roots. There are people I love here, a business I built and a million little things that lift my spirit: the crunch of my hiking shoes on Piestewa Peak, the sound of Al McCoy’s voice calling a Phoenix Suns basketball game, the breakfast quesadilla at Bit-zee Mama’s in Glendale and the countless purples and oranges that drip down the sky during each night’s sunset. So what if Boulder scores a 7.6 because it has “Tube to Work Day” and “dirtbag climbers (who) live in a van?” The Valley may only score a 6.8, but the place has our hearts.

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instance where the American people are relying on their collective commonsense. Understanding that photo identification is required to cash a check, board a plane or even enter a federal courthouse, the public does not see why the same stipulation should not apply to voting. Polling shows that 80% of the public embraces the idea of photo ID as a way to safeguard voter integrity.

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.

So, Ol’ Joe is taking a page out of the “LBJ Playbook.” When asked about the Supreme Court’s decision that affirmed the constitutionality of the new Arizona voter integrity laws, Mr. Biden blew past the particulars of the case to outline his major concern, which he readily admitted was not part of the court’s Arizona decision. “I think it is critical that we make a distinction between voter suppression and suspension.” Voter suspension? Sounds similar to voter suppression. What’s the difference? Joe is making the shift because he wants to get ahead of the mounting evidence of vote fraud – here in Arizona and elsewhere. He’s doing so for his own political survival. To hang on to power, leftists will claim that if any votes are thrown out – “suspended,” in their new vernacular, it will be a denial of the “will of the people.” Conveniently forgotten in this new semantical twist: any evidence that proves the “suspended” votes are fraudulent.

OPINION

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READER’S VIEWPOINTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thank you for the incorporation effort Editor: The democratic process in this state is complex and difficult, and the Let New River - Desert Hills Decide PAC has followed this process to seek an election for us, as a community, to decide if protecting the area by becoming a new Arizona city is what the people of this area desire. That effort has had to come to a stop. Recently, LNRDHD PAC received a letter from the Maricopa County Office of the Recorder, Stephen Richer, on the status of our petition signature validation by that office. Unfortunately, for the residents of New River and Desert Hills who are in support of letting us choose how we wish to be governed via the ballot box, the news was disappointing. Although we gathered enough signatures to cause an official count by the

county elections department, we did not have enough buffer to overcome the inevitable loss of signatures to various voter registration and residency checks performed on the stack of completed petitions. The process was conducted during a pandemic, with venues for meetings closed, illness and even death among our members and their loved ones; it was an effort that taxed our dedication to unexpected levels. However, it was also an incredible learning experience. We met hundreds and hundreds of people who are concerned for the future of our area, our lifestyle and the environment we are leaving to our heirs. I personally worked with people that were dedicated to the protection of our area, and their encouragement to me and each other was what carried us this far. We want to thank the more than 1,500 concerned residents who spoke with us at the side of our roads, thanked us for our efforts and encouraged us to keep at it. We

want to thank the area residents for attending our meetings to discuss and organize this effort. I want to thank our volunteers for standing out in the desert discussing our work and vision for a new desert community. All of you have become part of the history of this area. Some supporters have asked if we can start the effort over again – unfortunately, the answer to that is no. The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona teamed up with a small group of disgruntled citizens that opposed a recent incorporation effort to push for language that adds arduous constraints and burdensome requirements to the already restrictive process of incorporation. The new law (SB 1299) overriding incorporation was signed by the governor earlier this year. Thanks to these efforts by Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, incorporation will be nearly impossible. They have successfully changed Arizona law in a manner that is in-

consistent with prior legislative intent and eroded the rights of the people to petition for self-determination. Although unsuccessful, it has been an experience for all of us that was well worth the effort. The residents here are more aware of the dangers to our desert area than they have ever been and that we cannot count on Maricopa County to protect us from those dangers. This incorporation effort was never about personal goals, it was always about the preservation of a lifestyle; a western desert area that doesn’t want to give up to ‘progress’ in the form of encroaching development. Our group thanks everyone for their interest and support. David Thompson, chairman Joe Anderson, treasurer Debbie Joy, secretary Let New River - Desert Hills Decide Political Action Committee

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Outlets hosting teacher appreciation day BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

uane Bluestein of the BluWay Talk Show will emcee “A Night of Teacher Appreciation” from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 24. The event is poised to bring awareness to educators’ needs in Arizona. The event is free and open to the public. There will be food trucks, giveaways, entertainment, a teachers runway show

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and raffle prizes. The evening is scheduled at Phoenix Premium Outlets, 4976 Premium Outlet Way, Chandler. The featured speakers are Dr. Vernet A. Joseph, who will discuss productive business civility, and Marissa Leinart who will speak about a parent-led academy. Uncorked the Band will provide music. The title sponsor is Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, with valued

sponsors Planet Fitness, RSL Appraisal, Clamsville Productions, Phoenix Premium Outlets, Ariat, Cabi, J Crew, Watch Station, Asics, Old Navy, Volcom, Lacoste, Bella Butterfly Fashion, Lighthouse Styling and Beauty and Eminent Watches and Jewelry. The presenting organization, Keeping Teachers Teaching, is dedicated to serving educators by offering general health

programs, health services, discounts from national vendors, continuing education and certifications. Throughout the shutdown, Keeping Teachers Teaching held monthly Zoom workshops to provide extra support to Valley teachers. Now that the restrictions are easing, Keeping Teachers Teaching is hosting this evening to show its appreciation for educators.

Aspire: Deer Valley’s online academy

BY TYLER WEGLEITNER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

eer Valley Unified School District now offers online courses for K-12 students in Arizona who seek a robust online school option. DVUSD has had a robust online program for high school previously. With Aspire, the district will have advanced placement offerings and are working to expand its offerings to dual enrollment options, CTE internships, eSports and honor societies in the near future.

see ASPIRE page 17

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

Happy new (school) year BY DR. CURTIS FINCH Superintendent, Deer Valley Unified School District

elcome back students, parents and guardians. This year will be another exciting opportunity for students to learn just how public education connects everyone to our democracy. It is in public schools that one learns how to become a contributing citizen through collaboration, problem solving, discussion, debate and inquiry. Learning comes in many forms, but with the same premise — encouraging students to strive to understand others, themselves and how to make our world a better place. How can this be your child’s best year yet? Encourage your child to participate in a club, sport, arts program or group that will stretch their knowledge and experiences. Academics are important, but connection with the school community is just as vital for social and emotional well-being. Study after study conclude that students who participate in extra and co-cur-

ASPIRE from Page 16

With this past school year’s parent interest in online schooling for their children, DVUSD determined that there continues to be a need to provide an online option for parents. DVUSD believes providing this choice for parents who want an online education. What makes DVUSD different and better than other online options? Students enrolled in Aspire in kindergarten to sixth will engage in synchronous (real-time, teacher-led) instruction. This gives younger students the structure needed to be successful. Middle-grade students will have a hybrid of asynchronous (prepared resources) and synchronous instruction and 9th- to 12th-grade students will be an asynchronous campus with open

ricular activities, clubs and teams achieve higher grades in school, score better on state and national tests, have fewer absences and are more likely to further their education and training beyond high school. Participation in a group that is focused on a specific purpose provides a connection to a larger purpose and increases “a sense of belonging.” The beauty of the Deer Valley Unified School District is its size. Larger suburban public school districts provide more opportunities for academic and socioemotional growth than other systems. For example, DVUSD has a new K-12 online school, named Aspire (dvusd. org/aspire). We also have a complimentary secondary credit recovery online system called Pathways (dvusd. org/pathways). With Pathways and Aspire tied to DVUSD, students will not have to worry about if an online credit from an outside online system will transfer into DVUSD. Aspire and Pathways are filled with DVUSD’s #extraordinary certified teachers and staff. A DVUSD diploma from Barry lab access to teachers with virtual and in-person office hours. Aspire teachers are highly qualified and properly certified educators, which sets us apart from other online schools. DVUSD students can still participate extracurricular activities at their home boundary school. Music, art, physical education and technology are offered at elementary school. Other electives/ exploratory classes are offered at middle school. For full-time kindergarten to 12th Aspire students, there is no fee. Families electing to enroll in Aspire, Deer Valley’s K-12 online academy need to complete the open enrollment process and follow the same procedures aligned to the brick-and-mortar campuses, detailed at openenrollment.dvusd.org/ application.

Goldwater, Boulder Creek, Deer Valley, O’Connor and Mountain Ridge high schools are highly coveted and come with a sterling reputation; thirteen-years of #extraordinary quality rolled up into that diploma — an educational ticket to anywhere in the world. DVUSD also offers programs in Mandarin, Spanish, Traditional, Science Technology Engineering, Math (STEM), + Arts (STEAM), Career Technical Education (CTE) as well as almost any club, team sport, extra-curricula or co-curricular activity. Chances are high that the participating students may win a regional, state, or national award, certificate or trophy for their work as well. (dvusd.org/extraordinary) If you value high achievement and wish your child felt more connected, had higher self-esteem, experienced fewer absences and learned to work better with others — encourage your student to join a club, program or team (dvusd.org). Communication

BACK TO SCHOOL

skills, creative thinking, organization, time-management and real-life application of knowledge are acquired. Life’s lessons are effectively learned in groups. Speak to teachers, classmates or administration about how your student can be more connected to school and the mission of DVUSD: Graduating life-long learners who will successfully compete, lead and positively impact the world. Welcome back to another #extraordinary school year. Dr. Curtis Finch can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org

Enrollment is easy at Deer Valley Unified BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

tudents’ #extraordinary future is waiting at Deer Valley Unified School District. Registration for 2021-22 continues for all K-12 students and spots are filling up fast. For quick and convenient online registration, visit dvusd.org/enroll.

DVUSD Schools Offer: • 92% A- and B-rated schools • Free, full-day kindergarten • 1:1 students-to-computer ratio • STEM and STEAM schools and pro-

grams • Spanish and Mandarin language immersion programs • Award-winning career and technical education programs • Gifted and special needs program • Before- and after-school care • 17:1 student to teacher ratio • Award-winning fine arts and athletics programs • Championship athletic programs Visit dvusd.org/registration to learn more about enrollment at Deer Valley Unified School District.

BACK TO SCHOOL

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BUSINESS

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GaleForce implements Workamajig’s media plans tool BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

aleForce Digital Technologies introduced the newest API integration for its MediaForce media planning and buying platform. Palm Beach Gardens’ GaleForce is partnering with the Anthem-based project manager software company Workamajig, whose new media plans function will fully integrate with MediaForce. This agreement makes GaleForce Digital Technologies the only company to implement Workamajig’s media plans tool in connecting media planning ventures from outside of Workamajig auto-

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matically into its interface. “We are thrilled to further our integration capabilities with Workamajig in the media accounting space,” said GaleForce Digital Technologies COO Erin Labrato. “We’ve launched a successful working partnership with Workamajig over

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tionship will further ease the implementation of the new feature. Developed by Creative Manager Inc., based in Anthem, Workamajig (formerly known as Creative Manager Pro) is a customizable web-based project management software tool for creative agencies and firms. The software, designed as an Enterprise Resource Planning tool, offers unique interfaces by role and offers time tracking and robust reporting abilities, among other leading features. Workamajig’s team of engineers provides weekly webinars and responsive customer support for its clientele to ensure optimal user experience.

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New floral company is a ‘gem’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

ariam Chekmeyan was working full time for a construction company and made a great sal-

ary. But the desk job stifled the North Phoenix woman’s creativity. “I’m a very creative person,” the Sandra Day O’Connor High School graduate said. “I couldn’t be myself doing things with construction and office work. I told my boyfriend, ‘I am quitting my job.’ “He said, ‘Not until you figure out what you’re doing.’” Chekmeyan quit her job and, for three weeks, she cleaned houses in Anthem to make money. It was then that she had an epiphany. “I have a small baking business on the side,” recalled the 23-year-old. “A lot of my work includes flowers.” Chekmeyan then founded Deer Val-

ley’s Gem Floral and Rentals. “I’ve always decorated my pastries and chocolate-covered strawberries with flowers,” Chekmeyan said. “I’ve always loved flowers and being creative. My goal since I was 15 years old was to be in the wedding (business). I have a love for creating. “When I suggested starting our own flower shop, my boyfriend supported me 100%. He said to go for it. We’ve been really busy.” Her wedding business is picking up and she called those events “fun.” “I recently did my first wedding,” she said. “I hope to, one day, be a full-time wedding florist and to have a team to continue what I’m doing now.” This summer, Chekmeyan will add a creative activity to her events. “I will be introducing a flower bar,” she said. “I rent out a bar and, instead of passing out drinks, I make fresh flower arrangements. Whoever is at your flow-

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er bar or party gets a fresh bouquet to take home.” While Chekmeyan is building her website, she is taking orders through social media and text via @gemflorals on Instagram, facebook.com/ mchekmeyan on Facebook or 480-310-8323. “I work with wire companies as well,” she said. “We take a lot of orders from there. We’ve been posting through social media, spreading the world through word of mouth. We have a plaza with a lot of men. They’re always buying flowers for their wives. “I love that they have that choice of creating (arrangements).” Chekmeyan is a first-generation American, as her parents are Armenian. Her brothers were born in Armenia and Russia, and 15 years later, their parents had her. “My grandmother was a huge flower fanatic,” said Chekmeyan, who will decorate her wedding with peonies. “You

A Sandra Day O’Connor High School graduate, Mariam Chekmeyan of Gem Floral and Rentals quit her job to start a floral company. (Photo by

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could buy her flowers and she would be the happiest person on Earth. She passed away eight years ago. “I think flowers can change your mood. It changes my mood all the time. Every morning, when I get my shipment of flowers, I’m the happiest person ever.” Gem Floral and Rentals 480-310-8323 @gemflorals on Instagram facebook.com/mchekmeyan

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Starlight dances into summer with iconic musical BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

grieving community sometimes responds in unusual ways — ways that break connections rather than forming them. It’s the story of the pandemic world and of the iconic musical, “Footloose,” which hits the Starlight Community Theater stage from July 23 to Aug. 8. Created in 1998, the musical was based on the 1984 film in which a small, conservative community bans dancing after four teens were killed in a drunken driving accident following a night of dancing.

Ren, an outsider who transfers to the community’s high school from Chicago, shakes things up. “There is a lot more depth to this show than people sometimes think about,” Director Meribeth Reeves said. “Often it is seen as just a great dance show, but there is really a lot more to the story. It is about people’s different ways of dealing with grief and forgiveness and connection and perspective.” Active in Valley community theaters, Reeves is the Scottsdale Center for the Arts’ managing director. “Footloose” is dear to her, as her son once played Ren in an 11,000-seat theater in St. Louis. She said “Foot-

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loose” can promote healing. “In this time, when we’re not talking and listening to each other and not trying to find connections with each other, this is a piece that does that,” Reeves said. “People are able to overcome their challenges, find common ground and deal with some difficult issues, really having to admit they’ve done something wrong and move on.” Reeves, who has worked with some of Starlight’s board members, had been talking with the theater preCOVID about doing “Footloose.” They were just waiting for the right time to make it happen. Reeves’ first show “back” was this past November, leading “All Shook Up” with Pinnacle Creative Arts, responding to parents who said they were worried about their children not having any creative outlets during the pandemic. Smaller cast “Footloose” started rehearsals in early June with a small cast of 26, due to the stage size. “We kept the cast size smaller than it might be done on a bigger stage,” Reeves said. “It has been a bit challenging in that

sometimes you have moments where you’ve got a choir and then a bunch of teens. (Other shows) will have 30 teens and 20 choir members. We can’t do that, so we’re just looking at that creatively and how to make it work.” The Starlight show features Logan Holmes as Ren; Abby Golden as his mother; Bella Quinn as Ariel; Braiden Lee as the minister, Shaw; Sofia Lindsay as his wife, Vi, and Devon Breese as Ren’s friend, Willard. There are six members in the ensemble. Holmes has played Ren before and has been working on a slightly different take to the character for this show. Other actors have come from all over the Valley. For some, it is their first show with Starlight. “I think everyone is going to be really impressed,” Reeves said. “People who may not have had the opportunity to see a lot of youth theater will be shocked at the level of quality of the performance and training these kids have had and the work they put into it.” She said they are approaching the show cinematically, making sure the smaller moments and stories are told

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in an effective and engaging manner. “We’ve been really theatrical — that’s how I work as a director,” Reeves said. “One of the great things of theater is you don’t have to show every little detail. We can imagine it in our minds.” While many of the teens in this show have seen the movie, Reeves emphasizes that they are not recreating the film. The stage version tells its own story. They have, however, pulled out yearbooks from the 1980s and shared them with the teens and explained how iconic it was at the time, one of the stories of a generation. “It’s music from the ’80s and a great, really strong story,” Reeves said. “It’s about dealing with grief and finding connection and all these wonderful things. You can really get into the characters and enjoy the story and great music.” Team fosters connection among actors

The former Desert Foothills Theater executive director, Reeves said she enjoys working with a variety of Valley theaters, especially those that involve young people. Many of the “Footloose” actors grew up with her at Desert Foothills. “I love working with teens and teen actors,” Reeves said. “I work with them as I would work with adult actors. I have the same levels of expectations as I do with professionals — to put the work into the production to make it the best that it can be.” Reeves has watched the cast connect with each other, and said they were immediately on the same wavelength, communicating nonverbally and forming a cohesive team. “When you feel that connection early in the process, you know the show is going to be amazing,” Reeves said. “It’s a rock show with high-energy, colorful costumes, some fun comic characters as well. You’re going to feel really good at the end and have a good time.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JULY 21, 2021

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

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STUDENT CHRONICLES Know a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@timespublications.com. BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Cheyenne Kuczi of Phoenix and Emily Knape of Cave Creek were named to the Rochester Institute of Technology’s spring 2021 dean’s list. Kuczi is in the photographic and imaging arts program. Knape is studying media arts and technology. Undergraduate students are eligible for dean’s list if their GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40 for nine credit hours of traditionally graded coursework; they do not have any grades of “incomplete,” NE, D or F; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours. Madeline Begalke was named to the

Miami University spring 2020-21 president’s list. Students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio who are ranked in the top 3% of undergraduate students within each division for the spring semester have been named to the president’s list recognizing their academic excellence. Begalke of Anthem is earning a B.S. in business degree in YOUTH information systems and analytics, supply chain and operations management. Melissa Lacross of Phoenix was awarded dean’s list honors for academic achievement during the spring 2021 semester at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College. Dean’s list honors are awarded to full-time students

at St. Mary’s College who earn a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or better on 12 or more graded credits. Alexandra Weber of Anthem was named to the spring 2021 dean’s list at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. Students eligible for the dean’s list must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours within one semester and have a quality grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Kolten Christenson of Phoenix and John Ross, Meri Ross and Robert Ross, all of Anthem, were named to the McKendree University dean’s list for earning a grade point average of 3.60 or higher for

the spring 2021 semester. The university is in Lebanon, Illinois. Natacha Ramioulle of Cave Creek made the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have earned a 3.0 or higher academic average for the semester. Cameron Ninneman of Anthem was named to the dean’s list at The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Audra Glasco, Kiley Peruch and Noah Reno, all of Cave Creek, as well as Shelby Nichols-Vaughn of New River were named to the presidents list.

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The Foothills Focus - Zone 1 - 7.21.2021

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