The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 9.29.2021 by Times Media Group

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This Week

Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition

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

FEATURES ........ 17 Glass Pumpkin Patch fundraiser returns Oct. 22

YOUTH ............. 21 Madelyn Bachmeier commits to Miami University

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 15 FEATURES ................ 17 YOUTH ...................... 21 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 22 2

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Networking group honors Judge Elizabeth Finn BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Fourth annual Carefree Restaurant Week starts Oct. 1

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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree

community leader, advocate, champion for women and Arizona’s longest-serving judge, Elizabeth R. Finn, Glendale’s former presiding judge, will be honored for serving others on Tuesday, Oct. 5. “It is really exciting to be acknowledged,” Finn said. “I’ve won a lot of awards in my 43 years of being a judge. This one is for the West Valley, so that’s kind of exciting.” The West Valley Women Networking Association’s 2021 Woman of the Year luncheon is noon Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Arizona Broadway Theatre, Peoria. For tickets, call 602-573-7496 or visit westvalleywomennetworking.com. Lisa E. Platt, chief connections officer

of the West Valley Women Networking Association, said the organization honored Finn for myriad reasons, including her advocacy for domestic violence survivors. “She helped rewrite some of the domestic violence laws that ultimately helped victims become survivors,” Platt said. “Judge Finn also established specialty courts for cases involving domestic violence, homelessness and mental health.” Finn has been the interim court administrator in Carefree and Cave Creek for about two months. Prior to that, she was in El Mirage for the same length of time. “I’m making the rounds around the

see FINN page 4

Judge Elizabeth Finn will be honored at the West Valley Women Networking Association’s Woman of the Year luncheon. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Finn)

Parents’ petition to recall CCUSD governing board BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

arents, former administrators and community members have filed a recall petition for the entire Cave Creek Unified School District Governing Board after claims that careless spending and neglect have led to a multimillion-dollar deficit and a dramatic de-

crease in enrollment. The recalls for Janet Busbee, Jeff Fortney, Brianna Walker, Scott Brown and Elizabeth Hatcher were filed Sept. 16 with the statement “Stakeholders’ interests are not being represented.” For the board to be recalled, 6,646 signatures must be collected for each board member by Jan. 14. “As a parent whose kids went to Cave

Creek schools, I have been watching the decisions that were made and seen a lot of bad financial decisions,” said Holly Weddle, who pulled her children out of CCUSD due to administration problems. “There are also a lot of parents speaking their opinion to the board and advising them on decisions they

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see PETITION 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 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 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

FINN from page 1

Valley,” she said with a laugh. “Seriously, there were a couple of courts that needed support in the area. Because I had the knowledge — or I was willing to learn — they reached out to me. I only had one month off (as a retiree). I retired at the end of March, and I had April off. I was called for El Mirage and then I was only off four days when I was called for Carefree/Cave Creek.” Finn, 74, told the Glendale City Council of her retirement two years in advance. “I didn’t really know in 2019 how I was going to feel in 2021,” she said. “I thought, ‘We’ll see what happens in 2021.’ I’ve been blessed with two opportunities now. I can perform every position in court at this point.” Finn’s mother, Ruth G. Finn, was a member of the founding class at ASU College of Law at the age of 48 graduating summa cum laude. Finn graduated two years after her mother in 1972. She worked at her father’s

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law firm prior to being appointed to the Phoenix Municipal Court, May 1, 1979. Her father, Herbert B. Finn, is well known for his civil rights work, particularly a predecessor to the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education case. He did so with Hayzel B. Daniels, the first Black lawyer and first Black judge in Arizona. As a Jew, Finn has seen her share of discrimination. In high school, she saw signs that said hotels or other properties refused to serve people based on race, creed or color. “That meant me,” she said. “My dad and Hayzel lost business doing this civil rights work. It wasn’t like it was popular back then. But they’ve both been recognized in the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. I wonder what they would think about it now.” The dinner table at her parents’ home was a “very political discussion about current events.” “We were raised on politics,” she added. “We didn’t have to learn it. It was discussed frequently. I didn’t find my passion until I became a judge.” It was then that Finn used her passion for civil rights, mental illness, homelessness and domestic abuse issues. As a presiding judge for the Glendale City Court, she created and implemented specialty courts that in-

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clude domestic violence treatment and mental health courts. In the early 1980s, she was asked to handle a domestic violence section of a judicial conference. It took that one session and working with experts to learn that things had to change. “The police needed to respond differently,” said Finn, who worked for Glendale from Oct. 28, 2002, until her retirement on March 25. “The court needed to respond to victims differently. “I discovered that the criminal justice system victimized victims of domestic violence,” said Finn, who worked for Glendale from Oct. 28, 2002, until her retirement on March 25. “Things needed to be changed. I worked for decades changing domestic laws.” She was responsible for the launch of Arizona’s first city Domestic Violence Treatment Court program without probation resources and the management of over $1.5 million in domestic violence grant awards. The Mental Health Court followed, and it was one of two Supreme Court-designated city courts to conduct their own mental competency hearings. The pilot resulted in legislation for all limited jurisdiction courts to preside over these proceedings. It had a direct effect on the public, she said. “Our goal was not to punish them but have them become stable so they would not reoffend,” she said. “That was a court I did every week from 2013. We had to shut down March 13, 2020, and we opened again on June 8, 2021, via Zoom. “We couldn’t see each other. We’re unable to manage the Zoom app sufficiently. That was the most stable thing in these individuals’ lives. During that time, they said they wanted to see their judge. They took it very personally.” “I was so fortunate to grow up in a house filled with passion to make the world a better place. My wish would be for everyone to find their passion to effectuate change.”

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

PETITION from page 1

were making and the board did not respond at all or listen to anyone’s input. For me, I’m one person who is part of the effort to recall the board because they’re not listening to their stakeholders. They’re supposed to represent their community and they’re just not doing that.” While it is uncommon to recall an entire school board, parents agree that it is justified. According to Anna Nicolazzi, a parent of a CCUSD student, every board member has received numerous calls, emails and in-person complaints from hundreds of parents throughout the district and has failed to act. The main issues revolve around decisions made by Dr. Cort Monroe, who was appointed superintendent on Jan. 4. “(The recall) is about the board’s inability to supervise the superintendent. Their decisions are causing a loss of enrollment and, hence, revenue,” Nicolazzi said. When Monroe started as superintendent, Weddle said he immediately decided the district needed to cut $4 million from the budget. Enrollment was low partially because more kids are opting to do online school due to COVID-19, but reports from the Arizona Department of Education show that while CCUSD’s numbers were decreasing, all the surrounding districts were increasing. In fact, the department reported CCUSD has the lowest enrollment rate while also maintaining the highest administration spending per student. A former high-level administrator of more than 20 years, who requested anonymity, said that while Monroe claimed to be letting staff go to save money, he rehired administrators with more pay. For instance, the source’s contract was not renewed, but was then replaced by two people. “He came in Jan. 4 and 19 days later, he told my entire department,

which was 17 people, that he was not renewing for the next year. And he did the same with most of the community education services,” the source said. “I thought with a new leader coming in, he may want a new cabinet. I had no idea he would get rid of the entire teaching and learning department, since a school district is all about teaching and learning.” Five of the eight schools in the district are under new leadership. At Cactus Shadows, the source said, when the assistant principal heard what was going on, she resigned. Then, the principal at Cactus Shadows “ran for the hills,” according to the source, who said he went back to the Peoria school district. Both of them left while they were still in contract. “My take is that it has to be crazy bad for an administrator to resign during a contract, because you have to report that every time you are looking for a job and also the school can report you to the state and they can take action against your certification,” the source said. While these are all decisions made by the superintendent, the board approved them. The board also approved Monroe’s hiring. Weddle and Nicolazzi said the board is not doing its job of representing the interests of parents and stakeholders, and this has been going on for some time. Weddle said she got involved around March. However, for many, the last straw was the cancellation of the Mandarin program at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School despite parents’ objection. The program was canceled due to budget cuts, but the school lost 166 kids who transferred to another school with a language program. The district lost almost 300 students in the 2021/22 school year, and, according to reports from the Department of Education, less than 50% of students residing in Cave Creek attend CCUSD schools. For more information about the recall, visit recallccusd.com.

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NEWS

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Cave Creek of�icials respond to Rural Metro letter BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ural Metro sent a letter to its subscribers last month, stating that it received a 60-day notice to vacate Station 825 and could have longer response times as a result. Cave Creek Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford said this letter had incomplete information and stirred up panic. The letter, penned by Rural Metro Fire Chief Brian Gilbert, said it was being forced to vacate the station no later than Oct. 20 and, due to having to relocate outside of Cave Creek, there may be a delay in response time to emergency calls. Ford said the landlord sent Rural Metro a 60-day notice as a professional courtesy, as it was on a monthto-month lease. After the notice, Ford said he extended an offer to Rural Metro that would allow it to stay.

“We got approval from the council to make an offer to Rural Metro, to let them stay there free of charge until Dec. 1, because we wanted to make this a smooth transition,” Ford said. “We actually met face to face with them and gave them that offer, and they declined. So, the choice to leave after 60 days was theirs. It’s not them being forced out by the town.” According to Ford, that deal didn’t occur overnight. It had to be approved by the council before it could be presented to Rural Metro. However, Rural Metro public information of�icer Shawn Gilleland said they only received that offer after sending the letter and questioned if it had something to do with public input. After the town council approved the purchase, Gilleland said Rural Metro sought a new location. He said they declined the offer to stay in the building because they were already

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making a deal with the town of Carefree to stay there. The decision to lease and purchase the station was unanimously approved by the Cave Creek town council on Aug. 16. The owner of the property did not want to sell until the new year, but an agreement was made that the town would lease the building starting Oct. 1 with a projected close of escrow around Jan. 15. But Gilleland said Rural Metro was left in the dark about those plans. According to him, they only knew that the landlord was in negotiations with the town about the property and were informed about the decision after the council had already approved it. “We were not given any input in Jim Ford’s idea of purchasing that station,” Gilleland said. “Nobody really told us they were going to purchase that station until basically they approved it at the town meeting. There was no mention to us that it was one of the plans on the table.” In the letter, Gilbert said Rural Metro had been serving Cave Creek since 1968. Gilleland said they have had multiple discussions with the town about creating a more ef�icient system and increasing �ire protection, but the town turned it down. “For over 50 years, we’ve been providing service to the town,” he said. “Over the course of those 50 years, we’ve spoken with the town council several times to present the idea of either a master contract, where everybody’s covered, and they implement some type of tax or some other funding source. It’s always been the choice of the town to not do a property tax.” The irony is for the town to �inance its own �ire department, it is proposing a property tax for additional revenue to keep the department running. Gilleland said after their years of working and living in Cave Creek, the deal feels a bit like a slap in the face. Ford said this was not the intention, and it is unfortunate. He emphasized that the town is grateful for

Rural Metro and the work it has done, but after recent �ires and the general growth of the town, it needed to be part of the automatic aid system. “It’s dif�icult because I worked for Rural Metro for 30 years. I understand the company, I have a soft spot in my heart for the company,” Ford said. “I was part of the transition when we transitioned from Rural Metro to the city of Scottsdale Fire Department and I know that this has a huge emotional impact on the guys also, and that’s unfortunate. That’s not the intent. The intent was not to affect the guys who did a lot of good and helped the community. But I think it was time for the community to grow up a little bit and change their level of service.” The community was forced to “grow up” after needing assistance from neighboring �ire departments for two major �ires last year. Cave Creek received letters from Maricopa and Pinal counties and Phoenix, Scottsdale and Daisy Mountain �ire departments, which said they can no longer continue to help Cave Creek if the town is unable to bring anything to the table when others are in need. Ford and Mayor Ernie Bunch agreed was fair. Rural Metro does not necessarily dispute this claim but said anything Cave Creek offers is less than or equivalent to what it could already provide. “The town of Cave Creek is not going to implement anything more by having one station than they have right now,” Gilleland said. “Cave Creek is not bringing anything to automatic aid that they would have already been offering with us there. They’re not going to offer three engines or anything else to that system, so they’re not offering expedited responses. They’re not offering anything different than what we would have been offering in that same location at this point.” Rural Metro applied to be part of the automatic aid system on March 1 but was rejected in a letter dated

see RURAL METRO page 9

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

NEWS

Carefree celebrates dining in the town BY SARAH HABER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

uring the pandemic, Carefree businesses struggled and restaurants were worried for their future. That pall quickly lifted, thanks to the support of locals. Carefree may only have 3,800 residents, but it is because of their strength and support in times of hardship that restaurants were able to survive. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 10, Carefree will host its fourth annual Carefree Restaurant Week. Attendees will share in the experience of sampling new menu items at a special rate. The two-course lunch menu will be $18, and the three-course dinner menu will be $35 or $45. Carefree Restaurant Week gives local restaurant

see DINING page 8

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is one of the various participating restaurants in the Carefree Restaurant Week including Athens on Easy Street, Brix Wines, Carefree Coffee Roastery, Corrado’s Cucina Italiana, Pizzacata USA and Spotted Donkey Cantina. (Photos courtesy Keeler’s Neighborhood

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NEWS

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DINING from page 7

owners the chance to give back to those who supported their businesses throughout a challenging year. “I don’t think Carefree restaurants would be here without locals supporting them,” said Jo Gemmill, owner of English Rose Tea Room. She noted that encouragement came in the form of purchases, as well as supportive phone calls and emails. The restaurants in Carefree are locally owned family-run establishments, which allows each one to have its own culinary experience, she said. From Latin cuisine or fam-

ily-style Italian to modern American, soul food, high tea or simply a good old-fashioned burger, there is something to suit every palate. Participating restaurants include Alberto’s Ristorante, Athens on Easy Street, Black Mountain Café, Brix Wines, Café Meto at Civana, Carefree Coffee Roastery, Con�luence, Corrado’s Cucina Italiana, English Rose Tea Room, Giordano’s Trattoria Romana, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, Pizzacata USA, Pizzafarro’s, Raven’s View, Spirit in the Desert, Spotted Donkey Cantina, Terras at Civana and Venues Café. For more details on Carefree Restaurant Week, including menus, visit carefreerestaurants.com.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

RURAL METRO from page 6

April 8. Gilleland said Rural Metro was denied because the application was �illed out incorrectly. However, Ford said there were several reasons for the rejection — primarily because it did not meet speci�ic mandatory requirements and, further, had no plan to change that. Rural Metro and the town council said many residents called out of concern because many did not know the town was pursuing this. Ford said he has spoken to at least 50 people since Rural Metro sent its letter, and, after explaining the situation, he said most are in agreement that this is the right decision. He also said the town is hoping for a smooth transition and does not want a public debate with Rural Metro. They are grateful for the services the company has provided over the past 50 years. Regardless of who stays in Station 825, Rural Metro still has private contracts with about 40% of the town and Gilleland said it will continue to provide service.

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Opinion TheFoothillsFocus.com

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Biden administration wants to fundamentally change America BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

ou may not recall the name Paul Greenberg, but you certainly recall the nickname he bestowed on a politician who became president. It was Paul Greenberg, in his newspaper column, who concocted the sobriquet “Slick Willie” to describe thenArkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. Gov. Clinton cast himself as a progressive reformer in a speech to the 1980 Arkansas Democratic Convention; Greenberg disagreed, calling Clinton a false reformer and making up the memorable moniker. “Slick Willie” stuck to Clinton and contributed to his defeat by

Republican Frank White that November. Of course, Clinton came back. In 1992, when he decided to make his move and run for president, Paul Greenberg made a move from the Pine Bluff Commercial to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. From that newspaper’s editorial page, he made another prescient pronouncement. “When it comes to the Clintons,” he wrote, “don’t listen to what they say … watch what they do.” Actually, that’s good advice for evaluating anyone in public office. But in the case of Joe Biden and his cabinet, the advice should be modified in this fashion: Listen to what they say… at least, what they say again and again and again.

In a recent appearance before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas could not give Sen. Ron Johnson (RWI) a specific count of the number of Haitians encamped under a border bridge in Del Rio, Texas or the total of Haitians who had already been admitted to the U.S. illegally from that location. Nor did Secretary Mayorkas provide the committee with updated information on the Afghan evacuees awaiting resettlement here, though he did apologize to Sen. Rob Portman (ROH), saying, “You’re entitled to that information.” But perhaps the most memorable moment in the hearing came when Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted the Secretary of Homeland Security, pointing to more than 200,000 “border encounters” over two straight months. “Are you happy with what’s happening at the border now… Is this success?” Secretary Mayorkas responded, “We have a plan. We’re executing on our plan, and we will continue to do so.” That is the response that the HHS Secretary always offers and that part is true. The Biden administration does have a plan. It is a plan to fundamentally change America and the way it will be done is by fundamentally changing who is American. Illegal aliens are pouring across our southern border— though it may be inaccurate to even call it a border any longer. Our Border Patrol has been turned into a taxpayer-funded “Welcome Wagon” and babysitting service. Incompetence? No. Intentional? Yes. Couple the ongoing influx from Mexico with the aforementioned arrival of evacuees from Afghanistan and forget the false claims of vetting those

“newcomers” or checking them for COVID-19. Joe Biden has a nation that he must “internationalize” and thereby neutralize on the world stage. Fresh from the debacle of abandoning Americans in Afghanistan, and trusting the Taliban to insure their safety, Ol’ Joe was making his maiden speech at the United Nations while his DHS Secretary was testifying on Capitol Hill. To the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. Biden proposed even more ways for America to waste more of your money. “Build back better world,” he called it; “Ending America as we know it” is more accurate. And though his gait and his memory have slowed, Joe wants this done quickly. “We cannot afford to waste anymore time,” he said in closing. Paul Greenberg closed out his columnwriting career in September of 2018; he passed away in April of this year. A wise newcomer to composing columns will not emulate Greenberg’s example of nicknaming the politically notorious. Besides, the most accurate nickname for Joe Biden would be unprintable.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Not enough attention paid to all the missing BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

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.

here’s no telling what seizes our population’s collective imagination on any given day, what generates news headlines and clicks by the million. But one topic remains a sure bet: An attractive young white woman gone missing. The latest such tale, the disappearance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, came to the saddest end imaginable Sept. 19, when investigators found her body in Wyoming’s Teton-Bridger National Forest. On Sept. 21, the Teton County coroner ruled Petito’s death a homicide. The news media’s Petito obsession will likely continue for some time: The deceased’s travel partner and fiancé, Brian Laundrie, is still missing at press time. Authorities are combing a swampy 25,000-acre nature preserve in west Florida searching for Laundrie, who could hardly look guiltier in Petito’s death. In July the pair went off to explore the American West by van. It was set to be a four-month trip, but Laundrie reportedly came home on Sept. 1, solo and mum about Petito’s whereabouts. The girl’s family reported Gabby missing 10 days later. A national whodunit erupted that has stretched for weeks. In its wake trail the names we all have heard: JonBenet Ramsey, Chandra Levy, Elizabeth Smart, Laci Peterson, Natalee Holloway, Caylee Anthony. All white, all female, all gone, all the subject of intense fascination. Which leads to my point: I’ve read often about “missing white woman syndrome,” a media reality that has been the subject of academic research. Many who cite it complain that the Gabby Petitos of the world don’t deserve such attention. That sounds small to me, petty. Instead, I wish that every missing person — skin color, age and gender aside

— would receive some level of national attention, with the resources that scrutiny brings. Because for every Gabby Petito, there’s a Daniel Robinson and a thousand more cases like his. Robinson, a 24-year-old African American male, went missing in the far West Valley near Buckeye on June 23. Three weeks later, a rancher found the geologist’s Jeep upturned in a ravine. Twelve days after that, searchers found a human skull near the vehicle, but police say those remains are not Daniel. What happened to Robinson is still a mystery, despite Buckeye police using off-road vehicles, cadaver dogs, a drone and a chopper to search 70 square miles of desert. For every Gabby Petito, there’s also a Jhessye Shockley. The 5-year-old Glendale girl with the big smile went missing in October 10 years ago. Police have never found her body, which they believe was forced into a suitcase and abandoned in a Tempe trash bin. A month after the little Black girl vanished, cops named her mother a suspect. Today, Jerice Hunter is serving life, convicted of murder and child abuse despite no eyewitnesses and no body. The case is closed beyond a reasonable

see LEIBOWITZ page 14

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Parents are far more complex than our memories BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

found something. When my parents died a few years ago I was left boxes of recipes, photos and papers to sift through. I have browsed through everything but recently came across a file folder of old recipes and found a letter my father had written to his mother. The letter was dated Sept. 17, 1945, and scrawled on American Red Cross stationery, written in Tidworth, England. My father was a radio announcer and a writer, so I could hear his distinctive baritone voice as I read the letter. He was a frustrated Army Air Force Sergeant trying to get home to America after the war ended. “Dear mother. I am mad as (bleep)! I should never have told you I was coming home because this redeployment deal is such a mess that it could stand

a Senate investigation. My entire outfit was stranded in France, sitting around doing nothing! Then a bunch of us in the 450th Bomb Squad got flown out to England, staying in Warrington for over a week, doing nothing again. On Sept. 14, 1,000 men left on a train for Southampton. where we were to catch a ship home. Instead, 200 of us were sent on a 300-mile train ride to Liverpool to try and catch a beat-up old boat that may limp to New York in 14 days! Oh, but we missed the ship, so we are stuck for another two weeks!” My father had plenty more to say, and then ended with, “Something is rotten when the great Army and Navy that transported men and equipment to invade the fortifications of Western Europe cannot even land their own men on their own shores in a reasonable time.” He was pretty steamed that he would miss my mother’s birthday.

And reading the long-lost letter was like seeing a completely different side of my father. The lens that we view our parents through is often constricted to one-way … child to parent. I also found a little booklet made out of the flimsy pages of cigarette packs, strung together with string. My father had received this from a friend who was a prisoner of war for two years. As a colonel, the man had the other prisoners write their names, rank, serial numbers and addresses on the pages of the flimsy cigarette pack paper. Not sure how, but it ended up in a folder of Christmas cookie recipes. Worthy of a WWII museum, it is a faded glimpse into the treacheries of war. And the hope of men. I looked at a recipe for Christmas Day plum pudding and I saw my mother’s handwriting on the back of the index card saying “very long and hard day.” It sent a jolt through me, since I guess the

READER’S VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Republicans spread misinformation Editor: I wanted to thank Robert Lukacs for such a well-written letter to the editor in the Sept. 22 edition of the Foothills Focus. The founding fathers established free public education for all because they knew a democracy needs an educated public to succeed. The GOP-controlled states have tried for 30 years to eliminate public education through reduced funding and impossible mandates. Unfortunately, they have been successful in using social media and right-wing extremists television to “dumb down” about a third of the population by repeating lies and producing misinformation. They have convinced their base, and even the church, that hatred and discrimination of other human beings is acceptable. Unable to discern information

correctly, the individuals affected have no ability to analyze or problem solve. Amazingly, many are led to vote against their own best interest without having the mental acuity to realize it. Jim Selgo

Hayworth op-ed confirms Lukacs’ letter Editor: I read Mr. Lukacs’ letter on Republicans in the Sept. 22 issue of the Foothills Focus and found it interesting. Then I read the op-ed by J.D. Hayworth and found verification of everything Mr. Lukacs had written. My only comment to Mr. Lukacs is: Bravo Zulu, sir, Bravo Zulu. Jude M. Clark

Wake up to the news Editor: Robert Lukacs’ letter in response to J.D. Hayworth was certainly his bloviating opinion, but it is hard to believe, in view of events since Joe Biden took office, that anyone could be so stupid. Since Joe took office, gas has increased in excess of $1 per gallon, our Southern border is out of control with no signs of relief, and Joe wants to spend $6.5 trillion of money which we don’t have. The country’s debt is out of control, impossible to repay, and politicians’ continued spending will increase our national debt, which is driving our country into bankruptcy. Robert must realize that Democrats are also skilled at lying; Republicans do not have exclusivity. Wake up, Robert Lukacs Jim Swenson

recipe was written when I was a child, and I never recalled one holiday being “long and hard.” But then again, I never knew my father to say the “h-e-l-l” word in my entire life. Our parents. Did we really know them? Maybe, or maybe not. They are far more complex than our memories. They taught us so much, and even after they are gone, the learning continues. One letter at a time. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

LEIBOWITZ from Page 12

doubt, but I still wonder about Jhessye every year about this time. I think about Mikelle Biggs, too, every January. The Mesa 11-year-old went missing the day after New Year’s 1999. One minute she was riding her bicycle on El Moro Avenue, the next she was gone. It has been nearly 23 years. I wonder what becoming a national obsession might have meant for Mikelle, Jhessye and Daniel. I wonder about the 600,000 Americans who go missing yearly and about the 970 Arizonans currently listed in NamUS, the national missing persons database. Some blame racism for our fascination with Gabby Petito. That’s part of it, but hardly the major felony at hand here. These are kidnappings, trafficking cases, homicides. We should pay as much attention as we can to as many of the disappeared as we can, for as long as we can. Ignorance is not bliss, not when lives hang in the balance.

BUSINESS

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World-renowned artist opens Scottsdale gallery BY JORDAN HOUSTON Foothills Focus Staff Writer

their work, but I really respected their work ethic. “They’re very honest and very hardworking. I knew it was artwork I could sell. So, those were the first calls that I made.” A self-described “artist first,” DeGoede will also showcase her original pieces, namely her JoyEful Party Animals. The internationally recognized artist’s work juxtaposes reality with fantasy, “inspiring the viewer to see the fun in the mundane and the vast opportunities for joy in our everyday world,” she said. “It’s really surrealism,” she explained. “It is realistic work, but it is more so taking realistic items and animals and putting them in human aspects. So, you have a donkey with a glass of beer, or you have a rabbit with a glass of scotch. It’s just putting that fun and whimsical twist to that really serious realism.” With a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Westminster College, DeGoede was inspired to create the JoyEful Party Animals during a “moment of panic,” she recalled. In 2012, she quit her full-time job as a public school art teacher, which she did for nearly 20 years, to pursue art pro-

rtist Joye DeGoede — whose work is in the permanent collection of the Arizona governor’s office, including Gov. Jan Brewer’s official oil portrait — is celebrating the grand opening of her Scottsdale art gallery. The JoyEful Party Animals creator is inviting the public to attend the JoyEful Gallery: Joye DeGoede Fine Art, located at 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Guests will have the chance to meet and mingle with represented artists, including Gedion Nyanhongo, Joanie Wolter, Pat Isaacson, Shannon Taggart and Maya Henaff. The free event strives to not only highlight local artists’ talent, but also showcase the importance of community art, DeGoede said. “I hope they come in and have a good time. It’s all about having that joyful moment,” said DeGoede, known for her whimsical, animal-inspired oil paintings. “You get to see your world in a different light and through the artists’ eyes, and then you make that connection with a piece of art and realize it fits perfectly with your home.” Although JoyEful Galley, previously oc-

Internationally recognized artist Joye DeGoede, the creator of the original JoyEful Party Animals, is hosting the official grand opening of the JoyEful Gallery: Joye DeGoede Fine Art from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. (Photo courtesy of Joye DeGoede) cupied by the co-op Gallery at el Pedregal, opened in March, DeGoede is taking this opportunity to celebrate her business in a settled and COVID-19-friendly environment, she noted. The gallery boasts a variety of art styles and pieces, ranging from surrealism, to realism, to sculptures and more, explained DeGoede. In Nyanhongo’s collection, art aficionados will find sculptures made from Zimbabwe stone, while Wolter’s offers

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animal sculptures utilizing cholla. Isaacson encompasses colorful, fused glass tapestries. Works by Henaff and Taggart include landscape oil paintings and ceramic tiles of “abstract fluid art.” “I watched and learned a lot about galleries, the artists and how to run a gallery,” said DeGoede, the former head artist in residence at the Gallery at el Pedregal. “These were the artists I watched throughout the years, and I respected

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BUSINESS

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ARTIST from page 15

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fessionally. “I was having a grand time painting in my studio, and then, all of a sudden, I realized I had quit my job,” DeGoede recalled. “I had that moment of panic and I called my aunt — who I’m named after — and I said, ‘What have I done?’ and the first words out of her mouth were, ‘Honey, go pour yourself a scotch and let’s have a chat.’” “She loves rabbits, and she loves scotch. So, in the conversation, I joked with her and said, ‘I’m going to do a little rabbit for you and a glass of scotch and name it Hop Scotch.’” After posting a picture of the painting to Facebook, it sold within seconds, she shared. And just like that, the JoyEful Party Animals were born. “I realized it made a connection with people. They were looking at these fuzzy animals that they loved and what they do in their relaxation time — that time when you have happy hour or whatever it is that you do that people really enjoy,” DeGoede said.

DeGoede was invited in 2019 by the U.S. State Department Arts in the Embassies (AIE) to a three-year exhibition in the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro. According to the State Department, “AIE will continue to engage, educate, and inspire global audiences, showing how art can transcend national borders and build connections among peoples.” DeGoede hopes to use her gallery to create and give back to the art community. “It’s really fun when people open up and they start telling their stories,” DeGoede said. “Or, they see a painting and they start telling me experiences they’ve had. It really is quite an honor to have people share that personal side of them.” JoyEful Gallery: Joye DeGoede Fine Art WHEN: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays WHERE: 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale COST: Free admission INFO: joyefulgallery.com or joyesart.com

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FEATURES

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Holland Center hosts second Glass Pumpkin Patch fundraiser BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

he Holland Center will celebrate the Halloween season from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24 with its second Glass Pumpkin Patch. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this festive event will showcase over 1,000 whimsical, vibrantly colored glass pumpkins handmade by Gregory Tomb, an acclaimed local glass artist known for his intricate designs. These one-of-a-kind works of art will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Holland Center, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to enhancing arts, education and community in the Desert Foothills area.

The Glass Pumpkin Patch will showcase more than 1,000 whimsical, vibrantly colored glass pumpkins handmade by Gregory Tomb, an acclaimed glass artist. (Photo courtesy of The Holland Center)

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Tomb has been fascinated by glass art since childhood, when his family’s frequent road trips would often include visits to the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. After studying glassblowing as an art student at New York’s Hartwick College, Tomb explored a variety of personal and professional interests — but glass art always remained his passion. He occasionally rented glass studio time over the years and began honing his craft as a production glassblower in a factory for world-renowned glass maker Simon Pearce. In 2014, he started participating in juried art shows nationwide. Tomb has been awarded “best in glass” and served as the featured artist at the Nassau County Museum of Art, the Hampton Fine Art Festival, the Stuart Art Festival and the Scottsdale Artfest. For the next three years, he is serving as artist-in-residence for the town of Johnsburg, New York, where he will facilitate classes for over 500 students each summer.

In his work, Tomb incorporates classic techniques of furnace, fused, flameworked and cold-worked glass, while also exploring new processes and ways to use glass and light. Since 2013, he has taught glassblowing at the Bay Area Glass Institute, as well as through lessons from his own mobile studio. Tomb’s colorful autumnal creations celebrate the season and have been featured in museums and magazines around the country. As a former artist-in-residence at the Holland Center, Tomb is excited to share the joy and beauty of glass art with the Desert Foothills community. Glass Pumpkin Patch

When : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Oct. 24 Where : The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale Cost : Free admission Info : 480.488-1090, hollandcenter.org or glasspumpkinpatchfundraiser.com

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FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Robert Bartko keeps George Michael’s vision alive BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

obert Bartko says his George Michael Reborn act is not a gimmick. The tribute did not choose him. In fact, it was the opposite. “From the time I was in high school, I looked like George Michael when he began to emerge on the scene,” Bartko said. “I could grow a full beard at 17. I was a football jock and sang in the drama club. Usually, those are very polarized worlds in high school.” But friends and family saw something special—his uncanny vocal resemblance to Michael. Bartko said he felt he found his

musical home. “In 1988, I went to his big show at the Orange Bowl in Miami. I thought I was going to lose my life that night,” said Bartko about the reaction to his look. He spent the 1990s producing songs for rock acts like Korn (“A.D.I.D.A.S. Level X Mix,” “Wicked” and “All in the Family,” which featured Fred Durst) and dance artist Stevie B. In 2018, he saw a resurgence of his dance career. When a booking agent called him to perform, however, he said, “Man, you look and sound just like George Michael. If you could put together a George Michael act, we could book it a lot more than we could book you on your own.”

Thus George Michael Reborn was off and running. Now, he said, fans “lose their minds” at his shows, which includes a Saturday, October 9, gig at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. Bartko’s act is a retrospective of Wham and Michael’s careers. He said he “nails” the whole “Faith” era and, at age 51, he “does not look a day over 32.” “I’ve been really fortunate to be able to pull off a 22-year-old George doing ‘Faith,’” he said. “I touch upon all the hits from the ‘Fantastic’ album, ‘Edge of Heaven,’ ‘Faith’ and beyond that. I concentrate most on the ‘Faith’ era.” “They love George Michael,” he said. “They put their claws in and don’t let go for

90 minutes. Their minds go back to high school.”

couple’s three grown children, all successful, agreed to a Sunday dinner in their honor. “Happy anniversary, mom and dad,” their oldest son gushed. “Sorry, I’m running late. I had an emergency at the hospital with a patient, you know how it is, and I didn’t have time to get you a gift.” “Not to worry,” the father said. “The important thing is we’re all together today.” Their second son arrived. “You and mom look great. Dad, I just flew in from Montreal between depositions and didn’t have time to shop for you.” “It’s nothing,” the father said. “We’re glad you were able to come.” Just then, their daughter arrived. “Hello, and happy anniversary! Sorry, but my boss is sending me out of town, and I was swamped packing, so I didn’t have time to get you anything.” After they had finished their dessert, the father said, “There’s something your mother and I have wanted to tell you for a long time. You see, we were poor, but we managed to send each of you to college. Through the years, your mother and I knew we loved each other very much, but we just never found the time to get married.”

The three children gasped and said, “What? You mean we are illegitimate?” “Yep,” the father said. “And cheap ones, too.” Well, as they say, the truth will first make you miserable, but then it sets you free. Free from what and whom? Free from yourself. So, why are relationships so hard? We were raised to think that everything revolves around us. We learned we could get whatever we wanted when we wanted it and there would be no consequences. We cried. We manipulated. It was all about us. “I deserve and am owed the best.” We didn’t want green grass; we wanted green grass with a horse on it. But, then, the horse was not enough; it had to be a unicorn with a hat, standing on a flowery carpet. Then the hat was not enough; it needed to be a flower on top of the hat.” Thanks to the Huffington Post for this observation. Then, when we got married. Or we met someone else or work with someone else with the same upbringing and expectations we have, who is taking our spotlight. Suddenly the focus is on someone else. Then we competed. We demanded attention. “My need matters the most.”

As a result of this, we radiate our self-absorption to others. “Wait until the world sees how amazing I am. I’m special. I don’t want the American dream; I want the American dream my way, and don’t get in my way.” That creates dissatisfaction, envy, jealousy, shame, conflict and coveting. The result is relationship issues from the consequences of broken or neglected relationships that should have lasted years. Ego anger not transformed is ego anger transferred. Here’s our takeaway. I said, and I’m pretty sure Jesus would say, life is about relationships; value those relationships. But, first, understand that there is nothing wrong with having a good self-image. That’s a good thing. But good things taken to extremes become bad things. Self-centeredness and happiness don’t play well with each other. “You have an ego — a consciousness of being an individual. But that doesn’t mean that you are to worship yourself, to think constantly of yourself and to live entirely for yourself” (Billy Graham). “I have more trouble with D. L. Moody than anyone else I have ever met” (D. L. Moody). That’s a challenge; meet it. That’s a struggle; accept it. That’s an opportunity; seize it. That’s a tragedy; confront it. Second, maybe it’s time to re-establish the

George Michael Reborn Mirage

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 WHERE: Anthem Golf and Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive, Phoenix COST: Call for info INFO: 623-742-6200 WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 WHERE: Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek COST: Visit website for info INFO: haroldscorral.com

Why are relationships so hard? CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

ere’s a concept attributed by some to Mother Teresa about life. Her attitude, compassion, work ethic, and incredible belief in God have inspired the whole world. “Life is a challenge; meet it. Life is a promise; fulfill it. Life is a duty; complete it. Life is sorrow; overcome it. Life is an adventure; dare it. Life is a struggle; accept it. Life is a tragedy; confront it. Life is beauty; take time to admire it.” Don Kraft, an old acquaintance of mine, added two more thoughts about this. “Life is an opportunity; seize it. Life is chaos; organize it.” I like this upgrade in perspective. It’s authentic and inspiring. It’s realistic about the present, but it makes way for a future. It says one door may be closed, but another door opened, and I will find it. The challenge adjusts our attitude and outlook. It assures us that we can get back up given time, commitment and perseverance if we fall. So please permit me to add one more perspective to this list. Life is about relationships; value those relationships. Consider this neglected family relationship. It was a couple’s 60th anniversary. The

see DELPH page 19

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Creativity isn’t a problem for artist Matthew Killick BY SHEA STANFIELD Foothills Focus Contibutor

harles Lindbergh is quoted as having said, “Life is like a landscape. You live in-the-midst of it but can describe it only from the vantage point of distance.”

Artist Matthew Killick provides us with the opportunity to describe the various landscapes of our inner and outer worlds through his medium of oils. Born at Stanford University Hospital in

see KILLICK page 20

“Season of Dust” by Matthew Killick

DELPH From Page 18

relationships with your parents, siblings or others who you think have hurt you. Or, almost as likely, your ego was bruised by them, just being them, because you believed the lie that life is all about you. Perhaps the offended is the offender, and the offender is the offended. That’s sorrow; overcome it. Most of us don’t like self-evaluation because we don’t want to open a letter that has bad news. Hint: Look at yourself, and you will look at others differently. That’s a duty; complete it. That’s a promise; fulfill it. That’s an adventure; dare it. That’s chaos; organize it. These days life is defined by O.U.Y., which

means You – Others – Jesus. The definition of J.O.Y. is Jesus – Others – You. That’s beauty; take the time to admire it. Your joy depends on it. Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy. com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

KILLICK From page 19

California, Killick grew up on the great plains of Alberta, Canada, in Calgary. He credits his creativity to the lack of creativity in his environment. An interesting juxtaposed perspective on his own landscape from childhood. Killick claims his most significant influence was the Group of Seven. “The Group of Seven was also known as the Algonquin School of landscape painters,” Killick explained. “The group was founded in 1920 as an organization of self-proclaimed modern artists and disbanded in 1933. “I am distantly related to A.Y. Jackson, a painter who was a leading member of the Group of Seven, helped to remake the visual image of Canada.” Today, Killick proudly displays a few drawings and paint sketches from his ancestor in his home studio. The turning point for Killick’s life imagined was enrolling in an introductory art class at the University of Montana. “I entered a state of bliss while doing a self-portrait for the class,” Killick commented. True to his vision, he completed his B.A. in art and soon after moved to the Phoenix

“Highway and By-way” by Matthew Killick area to accept a job teaching art. After 12 years in the classroom, Killick knew it was time to step off the edge into his own art career. “I took over the family dining room table, went to work, and never looked back,” he described, revealing, “I remember admiring artists for being brave and leading their lives with an artistic lifestyle unconcerned with materialistic, greedy and competitive outlooks. I also remember thinking art was one of the few things you can dedicate your whole life to and never get bored because you are always growing, improving and learning.” An example of this: “I draw or paint every

day. I didn’t choose it; it chose me. I’m in this course, representing local artists and their for the long haul.” life supporting work. Killick’s paintings Where does his inspiration come from? can be seen at the gallery, on its website “Creativity isn’t a problem for me,” Killick ontheedgegallery.com, or on his website revealed. “Controlling all the ideas and edit- matthewkillick.com. ing the ideas that come to me is the trick. “I constantly switch from art I do for the gallery in Scottsdale and the fun stuff that I create just because,” he mused. Experiencing Killick’s work, one would think it’s all destined for an environment in someone’s home or office; the pieces are simply mesmerizing. His work includes a peaceful, winter landscape holding a solitary barn or that old gas station from a bygone era that reminds one of their childhood. The subjects are thought-provoking and soul-moving, all rendered in Killick’s casually detailed style. The last year has put a damper on many shows and venues for the arts, but On the Edge Gallery in Scottsdale stayed the Matthew Killick shows his work “Around the Corner.”

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Bachmeier ready to swim for Miami U BY TYLER BUDGE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

actus Shadows High School senior Madelyn Bachmeier is wrapping up her final swim season before traveling across the country to compete for the Miami University Redhawks. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American verbally committed to Miami Ohio in June and will swim for Miami starting in the 2022 season. “I’m really happy that I found a college that I’m able to go to,” Bachmeier said. “I really like the coaches and the atmosphere there so I’m really excited. I felt more connected to the school through the coaches, I really connected with them over the phone.” Bachmeier’s senior swim season began Sept. 2, and Bachmeier has impressed with multiple podium finishes. She plans to continue her dominant success in high school and with the Scottsdale Aquatic Club. “I’m just super excited to have fun and kind of enjoy this last high school season. And for the state meet, I’m really hoping to repeat in some of the events that I won last year and compete in the relays,” Bachmeier said. As a junior, Bachmeier won four titles

at the AIA DII Swim and Dive Championships. She also anchored her school’s gold medal winning 200-meter and 400-meter relays from 2020. Despite losing a few key seniors from its relay teams for 2021, Cactus Shadows has shown solid performances in those events. “I’ve been training hard and getting myself ready for this year,” Bachmeier YOUTH said, “I have been super excited to win individual events and get high up there in some relay events.” Aside from being a top-rated swimmer, Bachmeier acknowledged the importance of being a well-rounded student athlete. “Anything can happen, you can get injured, and you always want to be able to have that backup,” Bachmeier said, “I’m not only just a swimmer, so having the academics, allows me to pursue more in my life than just being a college swimmer.” Outside of Miami University’s athletics, Bachmeier said the school’s facilities and academic standards attracted her. “Actually, visiting the campus, I really got to see and get into the feel of it, and meet some of the athletes, and I just felt like that was the school for me,” Bachmeier said. Bachmeier has picked up Winter Junior National Cuts in the 200-meter backstroke, the 200-yard fly, and the 200-meter fly. Bachmeier is expected to be a top

swimmer for the Redhawks when she arrives in Ohio in fall 2022. Based on her times from her junior year, she would have the fastest time in the 200-meter backstroke and would have been the third-fastest at the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly. Miami University finished third at the 2021 Mid-American Conference Championships. “I think what I’m most excited about is just to really like train hard and also have fun at the same time with my teammates, being surrounded by this group of people who have the same goals that you are going for, creates a really unique environment that really allows you to thrive,” Bachmeier said.

Cactus Shadows High School swimmer Mady Bachmeier has committed to swim for Miami University starting this fall. (Photo courtesy of Mady Bachmeier)

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