The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 11.25.2020 by Times Media Group

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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Leigh Zydonik named new food bank director BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

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

Anthem Starbucks to reopen after COVID-19 diagnosis

ith Leigh Zydonik’s new position as executive director of Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center, the Ohio native feels she’s accomplished something. “I have now completed all the ‘A’ states,” Zydonik said about Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas and Arizona. Seriously, more than that, she feels she’s giving back to the community. Zydonik will oversee the daily operations of the food bank’s headquarters and off-

see ZYDONIK page 4

Leigh Zydonik said safety nets like the Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center are important in times like these. (Photo courtesy Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center)

FEATURES ......19

Cave Creek council votes to hire temporary �ire chief

YOUTH ...........21

BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Tucson comic coming to Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy

Dance studio invites youth to perform in Anthem showcase

OPINION ................... 14 BUSINESS ................. 16 FEATURES ................ 17 YOUTH ...................... 21 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 24 Zone

fter two brush fires ravaged through Cave Creek residents’ homes, cars and barns last May, leaving behind major damage and a six-digit bill to pay to nearby municipalities, the town realized it needed a solid firefighting strategy to protect its town. To prevent another tragedy, the town council voted unanimously at the November 16 meeting to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the town of Cave Creek and the city of Scottsdale for deputy fire chief assistance and to

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help the town in exploring options for establishing contemporary fire services. The city of Scottsdale is going to, in essence, loan Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford to Cave Creek for at least a year. In exchange for Ford’s services, the town of Cave Creek will pay for his current salary and benefits, which is $170,958.52. Ford was instrumental in the creation of the Scottsdale Fire Department. “We need a fire expert who’s done this before who can help us through the steps of developing the plan for the interim, shorter term and longer term and how we implement it,” Town Manager Carrie Dyrek said before the vote.

Ford will weigh in on important fire-service-establishing decisions like the necessary number of staff members, equipment and facilities as well as where the facilities will be placed, Dyrek said, adding that he will participate in budget requirements. The fire chief deputy will work with the staff on cost and financing options to ensure there’s buy-in from the council and community to work to implement those steps over the next year and a half “to put something in place for this community that works for us and we can afford–or

see COUNCIL page 5

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

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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

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

ZYDONIK from page 1

site locations. “I am over the moon,” she said. “What an opportunity and what an amazing organization. Today I went on a ride with one of the drivers to pick up donated food. We are so blessed to have all the food the stores donate. What a wonderful opportunity to recycle, and this is getting used to the folks who need it.” Prior to joining the food bank on November 16, Zydonik served the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) at the University of Findlay in Ohio, an organization that supports a net-

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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

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work of community partners that seek collaborative solutions to complex social problems that affect residents across the region. In addition to her former role as director of the CCE, Zydonik taught business classes at the University of Findlay. She also held positions with the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership, the Arts Partnership and Marathon Petroleum Company. Zydonik earned a Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Science from the University of Dayton. “My husband (Ron) and I came from Ohio,” she said. “My husband got a job here first. He came two months ago, and I followed a week and a half ago. “We’re both going back to our roots. I’m so passionate about nonprofit agencies and community organizations. His background in signage and engraving for 30 years. We’re coming home to what we started with.” She said she accepted the job with Foothills Food Bank because of the

staff ’s caring nature, the website’s professionalism and the positive reviews. “It resonated with me,” Zydonik said. “The reach in the community was pretty amazing.” She said she anticipates continuing to build on the foundation that Pam DiPietro and her team established over the past 18 years. “I’m also looking forward expanding programs, but with COVID it’s limiting,” said Zydonik, who has sons— Bryce, 22, and Reed, 24, with Ron. “I want to expand some of the programs they started and offer resources and assistance to clients. I want to involve more community partners, like the schools. COVID turned everything upside down. It’s not like we can shut down, though. The need is there for certain. “Safety nets like the food bank are so important. It shows in times like this.” Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center is located at 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive in Cave Creek and the phone number is 480-488-1145.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

COUNCIL from page 1

we can have a plan to afford over a period of time,” Dyrek explained. “We can’t just go out and put one system in place right now. We have to plan for it, and we have to take the steps,” she said, adding that the current town staff doesn’t have fire service expertise. The intergovernmental agreement will secure at least one year of Ford’s services and recommendations to the town on how to implement plans to establish fire service in the town of Cave Creek. With the help of Ford, the town of Cave Creek as well as its staff and council will look to find a strategy that will eventually establish an automatic aid system, Dyrek said. George Riley issued a public comment at the meeting stating how he is in favor of the intergovernmental agreement. “The automatic aid, we definitely need it here,” he said, adding that “I’d rather see it come sooner than later.” He said he’d like to see money allocated in the soonest budget plans because “the desert is not going to get any cooler; it’s going to get warmer.” Harold Shell, a retired firefighter, also issued a public comment voicing his support for the agreement, adding that he is impressed with the town’s progress. Before the vote, Councilwoman Susan Clancy voiced her support for the intergovernmental agreement, quoting Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon’s letter recommending assistance to the town of Cave Creek, mentioning how Ford has an intimate knowledge of the community and the “wildland-urban interface challenges their topography presents.” The letter also mentions how Ford is a “household name” in the Arizona Fire Service, has worked in the Rural Metro system that still exists today and has extensive knowledge of municipal fire department environments. “I can’t think of a better person than Deputy Chief Jim Ford,” Clancy said before the vote. “We’re lucky to get someone like him given the complexity of this whole process.” The process that led up to the intergovernmental agreement started post-fire when the town held a public meeting on June 2 to update residents and the public on the details of the fire where a number of fire officials were present to answer questions and

offer knowledge, Dyrek said. Later in June, the Cave Creek staff started meeting with local organizations in search of information on fire and emergency medical service options, which led to an ordinance on Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions. On August 10, Kevin Roche, an independent fire consultant, issued a discussion and presentation on possible options for fire and emergency services as well as mutual and automatic aid. Several other fire service representatives were also present, Dyrek said. Later in August, the town started to receive invoices from the surrounding towns’ and cities’ fire organizations for the costs of their fire service. Those dues were paid, as mentioned during the November 16 town council meeting. In addition, negotiations began with the city of Scottsdale that led to the intergovernmental agreement that was presented and approved at the meeting. “I’m 100% in favor of this,” Councilman Robert Morris said. “Let’s get it going. We can afford it.” The Town Council also unanimously voted to approve the site plan for Galloway Crossing, a 32-unit apartment complex with an upscale pool and spa as well as a clubhouse, barbecue and gathering areas. The apartments will be located on 4 acres of land on Cave Creek Road and Galloway Drive, an area that has an existing zoning classification of multiple residences within

the Town Core Specific Area Plan. A similar development was approved on this property in 2017 but did not proceed, said Luke Kautzman, the planning director.

During the October 15 meeting, the Town of Cave Creek Planning Commission voted 6-0 in favor of recommending approval to the town council. Despite the architect’s plans to “raise the standard of the leased residential community in Cave Creek,” multiple residents issued public comments, voicing concerns that the apartment complex would be government-subsidized “hut” housing. The owner, Scott Whelan, was present at the meeting and addressed the residents’ concerns, saying, “100% no,” explaining that these are luxury apartments that are “setting a new market” in Cave Creek. On the low end, the two-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot apartments will run around $2,000 a month and the three-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot apartments will range from $2,650 and $2,900 a month, he estimated, adding that the leases will likely be two-year minimum due to high interest and demand. “Galloway Crossing is a welcomed departure from the norm,” the architect, Greg Zimmerman, wrote in his architect

see COUNCIL page 12

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Starbucks to reopen after employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

he Starbucks at 3640 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, is expected to reopen Wednesday, November 25, after one of its employees was diagnosed with COVID-19. According to Jory Mendes with Starbucks, the employee and those determined to have been in close contact with them self-isolated at home. “As soon as we learned of the diagnosis, we quickly activated our established protocols and closed the store to initiate a deep cleaning following all recommended guidelines from public health authorities,” Mendes said. “Due to staffing limitations, the store remains closed until next Wednesday, November 25.” Mendes refers visitors to its At a Glance guide at https://bit.ly/330ZUj7. Mendes

called it a valuable resource the company is continually updating that has additional info on the elevated cleaning and sanitizing protocols it has established as well as what customers should know when visiting the stores. Starbucks requires guests wear masks or face coverings.

Starbucks at 3640 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, is expected to reopen Wednesday, November 25, after one of its employees was diagnosed with COVID-19. (Photo by Sarah Donahue)

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SERT ELITE Catholic community celebrates GivingTuesday NEWS

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

GROUP BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

his GivingTuesday—December 1—Catholic Community Foundation will inspire generosity by providing a way for supporters to transform lives through Catholic education by contributing to the Education Forever Fund. The Education Forever Fund is a perpetual endowment designed to support young, faithful students within the community by granting tuition scholarships for Catholic education. School tuition is necessary for Cath-

olic private schools to operate, but this means that most families cannot afford the excellent, whole-person education that Catholic schools offer. The Catholic Community Foundation’s Education Forever Fund seeks to help young students and their families who wish to attend a Catholic school but whose financial situation would otherwise prevent them from doing so. Funds raised for the Education Forever Fund endowment fuel the Tuition Assistance Scholarship Program and directly benefit children by making a quality Catholic education possible. Although the Catholic Community Foundation distributed over $350,000 in scholarship dollars in 2020 to local Catholic schools, the unmet need for tuition assistance is still $27 million for the 2020 to 2021 school year.

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What is GivingTuesday? GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on December 1 and throughout the year. GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 to create a day that encourages people to do good. During the past nine years, this idea has grown

into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. “GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to drive progress around the causes they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year,” said Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO and co-founder. “With country and community leaders, millions of organizations, and countless givers of all kinds, GivingTuesday is creating a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world.” Those who are interested in joining the Catholic Community Foundation’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit ccfphx.org/educationforever. For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit the GivingTuesday website, givingtuesday.org.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Cave Creek council nixes PetSuites site plan BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

fter a number of residents voiced their distaste for the PetSuites site plan, citing concerns about traffic safety and noise, the Cave Creek Town Council voted unanimously to reject the site plan during the November 16 meeting, empathizing with the neighbors’ concerns. “I totally understand the feelings of the neighbors; I empathize with them,” Councilwoman Kathryn Royer stated before voting “no.” “I would not want to live next to a kennel with 25 barking dogs. “I think that we have impacted the neighborhood around 52nd Street enough with all of the new commercial development there, and this is just one more nail in the coffin. She added that this development is inappropriate for the neighborhood. PetSuites offers services like day care, boarding, training as well as grooming for cats and dogs. The pet resort has more than 30 locations throughout the United States, and if it were approved, this would have been Arizona’s first location. The site plan included a small retail area with a variety of pet products as well as a supervised outdoor play area with small pools, canopies and misters to keep the dogs cool during the warmer months of the year. The site plan also included 25

parking spots for customers as well as employees. While the site plan for the 10,604-square-foot pet resort was rejected, the first reading of the rezone request was approved unanimously. If the rezone request is approved during the second reading on December 8, this will change approximately 2 acres located at the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and 52nd Street within the Carefree Highway Specific Area Plan from desert rural to commercial buffer zone. Both the site plan and rezone request were submitted concurrently by Kimley-Horn on behalf of Carefree 2 LLC and PetSuites. Kimley-Horn mailed letters to all businesses and residents within a half-mile radius of the site and held a neighborhood meeting on September 10 to discuss the project proposal, as required by the town. Nearby resident Mary Vraa, who lives a block north of Carefree Highway, spoke during the November 16 meeting as well as the October 15 planning commission meeting where it voted to recommend approval of the site plan and rezone request to the council. She voiced concerns about traffic safety regarding the ingress and egress within the site plan, mentioning how 52nd Street is too small to have a left-turn lane, which will likely lead drivers to use the road she

lives near to turn around. “We don’t want to be a drive-thru neighborhood,” Vraa said to the council before the vote. “That’s a grave concern. That’s not what we signed up for. That’s not the quality of life that we would like there.” The noise of barking dogs was also

a large concern for Vraa, as the site plan included an outdoor yard area where up to 25 dogs could play. “If the yard is on the north side, that is right where the neighborhood is, and I would hate to have to hear

see PETSUITES page 10

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NEWS

PETSUITES from page 8

something like this,” she said to the council, while playing a sound clip of barking dogs through her phone. “I didn’t sign up to live next to a kennel,” she said. She added that she garnered 36 signatures from neighbors in a halfmile radius who also opposed the site plan. Cheryle Carmitchel, another nearby resident, echoed Vraa’s points on potential traffic issues and also mentioned safety concerns about PetSuites’ standard operating procedures. While PetSuites holds animals overnight for boarding, there is not a staff member who works a graveyard shift, explained Bryan Moll from TM Crowley and Associates, an Indiana-based developer representing PetSuites, who was present at the meeting via Zoom. However, there are security measures in place to keep the animals safe in case one escapes, Moll ex-

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

plained, like cameras, alarms and fire sprinklers, and doors that only open from the outside. He also added that while stores typically close at 7 p.m., there is a staff member present until around 10 p.m. and that employees are on call 24/7 in case of an emergency. Despite that, “I’m very concerned about the care and that nobody is on-site,” Carmitchel said to the council, adding that she wouldn’t take her dog anywhere where there wasn’t someone present for the animals all night long. “I don’t mind the zoning,” Carmitchel explained. “I know something commercial is going to go in there, but I think this is really inappropriate for a neighborhood.” Before the vote, the council members asked the PetSuites representatives if there was a way to mitigate the neighbors’ concerns about the noise from barking dogs by perhaps switching the layout so the yard was on the south side of the building to provide more of a sound buffer.

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“Our goal was to create an architecturally appealing building along Carefree Highway,” Moll explained. “Putting a 6- to 8-feet screen wall with the dog runs on the south and east sides of that building would really interfere with the look and feel of that facility.” After around 40 minutes of deliberation on the site plan in total, the council unanimously voted “no,” agreeing with the residents’ traffic and noise concerns.

Mayor Ernie Bunch said, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” before issuing the final “no” vote. However, after the vote, Bunch said that the applicant may consider alternatives and present another site plan with the dog yard on the south side instead. “They’re not dead,” Bunch said. “They can redo a site plan once they’ve addressed the issues the council has.”

Fugitive kills self near Tatum and Pinnacle Peak BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Vail, Colorado, man died by suicide November 21 as law enforcement officers were attempting to contact him on Tatum Boulevard between Pinnacle Peak and Jomax roads. Ron Braden had been a fugitive since November 13, after he cut off his court-ordered GPS monitoring device. On November 20, Vail police learned the 55-year-old man fled to Maricopa County. At 9:30 a.m. November 21, after several hours of surveillance, members of Maricopa County Fugitive Task Force attempted to contact him. Before deputies could make contact, Braden shot himself and was

pronounced dead on scene. The court ordered a 24-hour GPS monitoring as a condition of his release on bond from the Eagle County Detention Facility on August 27 following his arrest on July 4. The former Vail IT director, Braden was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, embezzlement of public property, theft, official misconduct, forgery and assault on a peace officer. These charges resulted from an 18-month investigation in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for theft of public funds. Braden resigned from the town’s employment after his 2018 arrest for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Anthem honors Youth for Troops with award

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

he Anthem Community Council tapped Youth for Troops for the 2020 Anthem Veterans Service Award during a virtual Veterans Day ceremony held November 11. Created by the ACC in 2013 and presented annually, the award recognizes an individual or group demonstrating “extraordinary service and selfless dedication in support of our nation’s veterans.” Since 2017, Youth for Troops has been preparing care packages for deployed service members, making plastic mats for homeless veterans, serving as flag bearers for Honor Flight homecomings, helping to conduct the VFW Buddy Poppy Drive and assisting with ceremonies and paver installations at the Anthem Veterans Memorial, participating in the annual Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade, among other things. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Youth for Troops volunteer members continued to make plastic mats and care packages, following guidelines but steadfast in their mission to help veterans and active-duty service members. A quote from one nomination reads, “If there is any event supporting veterans, Youth for Troops will always be there.” “Thank you so much to the Anthem Community Council for this recognition,” said Hannah Piatt, Youth for Troops founding youth board member. “We are humbled and honored to

Youth for Troops Founding Youth Board and Advisers, from left, Geoffrey Hoffa, Taylor Piatt, Walter Hoffa, Renee Hoffa, Leo Hoffa, Heather Piatt, Hannah Piatt and Tonya Piatt. Not pictured are Sophie Hoffa, Tamara Foster and David Piatt. (Photo courtesy Anthem Community Council)

be placed on this plaque among outstanding veterans, many of whom we are proud to call friends. Thank you to this patriotic community that supports our heroes and to all the volunteers and supporters that make our mission a success; we can’t serve our heroes without each of you. This recognition belongs to volunteers of all ages who have honored our heroes through their community service. We love this community and the beautiful Anthem Veterans Memorial.” A plaque with the names of all re-

cipients is on display at the Anthem Civic Building. Past winners, selected annually by the ACC Board of Directors based on nominations submitted from the community, include: Daisy Mountain Veterans (2013); Ray Norris (2014); Mary Ann Derryberry (2015); Liz Turner (2016); Bob Hackett (2017)

and John Simmons (2017); Tom Kirk (2018) and Ron Tucker (2019). Visit OnlineAtAnthem.com/AVM to learn more about the Anthem Veterans Memorial. Following recommended safety guidelines, volunteers can assist Youth for Troops at monthly events by registering with youth4troops@gmail.com.

narrative. “Galloway Crossing promises to raise the standard of the leased residential community in Cave Creek with nonapartment-style design.” Rather than use a typical “barracks” type of design that many multiple-unit residential properties have, Galloway Crossing will have a “low density” concept, featuring smaller, more intimate structures that house eight residences in each building, Zimmerman described. For aesthetic value, there will be a variation in materials and paint schemes, where materials like real cut stone, rustic metal and adobe brick will be used for window awnings and other accents, the architect narrative says.

There are existing wells on the property, which will be used to irrigate landscaping and the pool, Whelan said, adding that the historic windmill will remain a part of the final project as a “cosmetic showpiece.” The council members were pleased to hear that the windmill would remain a part of the project and voiced optimism about the development before unanimously approving the site plan. “I think that it is in a good place, It’s across the street from a major commercial development. If we are going to have apartments, that’s probably the best place for them,” Councilwoman Kathryn Royer said before voting “yes.” “I hope and I feel very confident that the builder is true to his word. I think that it will be good for our community.”

COUNCIL from page 5

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Kiwanis Club of Carefree gives $165K BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

he Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Carefree recently presented checks to several local organizations during its “Under the Misters” Awards Ceremony in Carefree. More than $165,000 was awarded. As the checks were awarded, the organizations’ leaders spoke passionately about what impact the Kiwanis’ support

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made to the children and the veterans receiving these donations. The organizations receiving money include Cave Creek Unified School District, Rancho Milagro Foundation, Desert Foothills Theater, Annunciation Catholic School, Lone Mountain Elementary School, Cactus Shadows High School, Jubilate Conservatory of Music, Scott Foundation, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Spirit in the Desert, Upscale Singers and the Veterans Memorial.

Justin Simons, Agent 3655 W Anthem Way Anthem, AZ 85086 Business: 623-551-3700 justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com Kiwanis member John Skarda presents a check to Eric Simonson for the Retreat Center for our Healing of Memories for Veterans Workshops. (Photo courtesy The Kiwanis Club of Carefree)

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OPINION

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Thanksgiving is going to look different this year BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

hanks. Giving. Two simple words with distinct meanings. And now the “day of thanks and giving” is upon us, but it’s different this year. It’s, perhaps, not the huge family gathering (sadly)—and if we do get together, possibly wearing face masks? We could not have imagined 2020 nor made it up. Still, in the midst of “everything” going on, we are approaching the one holiday that is truly special, with no gift giving to commercialize it, no religion to limit it and no elf to trivialize it. It is that time of year where we long to be with our loved ones, eat

a delicious meal, hang out with our family and friends, and launch ourselves into the “Christmas season.” What will this Thanksgiving even look like? We want to gather but don’t want our vulnerable or elderly family members to become ill with COVID-19. We want to travel but just might reluctantly stay home. We’d like to cook a huge meal, but the group might be smaller. And a video call just doesn’t feel like the proper way to celebrate a holiday! In other words, nothing about this Thanksgiving seems “normal.” And so here we are. Trying to find “glimmers of hope and joy” during turbulent times. It might be an unusual day. My friend says she is sad the family decid-

ed to “stay apart.” But the hope is that they can “all be together soon, with no one missing.” She also pointed out that not cooking a massive meal that is labor intensive won’t make her cry. My doctor is not going to visit his grandkids as planned but might enjoy the “glorious solitude” of a hike and a day to relax and watch a movie. My grandson, Kevin, who is in the Navy, will be enjoying his first holiday at home in Arizona in four years. We are so thankful, but with several vulnerable family members, it will be a series of small gatherings and not the huge celebration we had wanted. And so it goes. We don’t control the wind or a coronavi-

rus; we just adjust our sails. Speaking of sails, in 1620 a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, with 102 passengers who were looking for a new life in a new land. The journey was harsh. Weary but hopeful, fearful but brave, they ended up in Cape Cod, then onto Massachusetts Bay. They stayed on the ship and suffered through the first winter, with about half of the group dying before spring. With the help of Native Americans, they planted corn and other crops and celebrated their harvest with a three-day feast in November. They gave thanks to God for their bounty and

see BLUHMIN’ TOWN page 15

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OPINION

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Can we expect a new battle over vaccine? BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

fter a year of fighting over masks, we have something new to look forward to likely beginning next month: arguing over whether or not refusing to get a vaccine against COVID-19 constitutes a public health menace. Me, I’ll be getting the vaccine as soon as I can. For a few reasons, including my own peace of mind, medical evidence that it will prevent me from getting others sick and because I’d like to spend some time with my father—who’s about to turn 75 and is in badly failing health—without fearing that I’ll transmit COVID and kill him. As for what you do, I suppose that’s not really my business. However, it may be the government’s business, at least as many legal scholars read the 1905 U.S. Supreme Court case Jacobson v. Massachusetts. That’s the case that gives states the power to protect public health, including mandating vaccines for schoolchildren. Arizona, as you may know, has carved out vaccine exemptions for medical reasons, religious beliefs and when “immunizations are against the personal beliefs of the parent.” Given that the state currently has no mask

BLUHMIN’ TOWN from page 14

for the life they had forged in a strange place. A tradition of gathering, thankfulness and the belief that all things are possible formed the early fabric of a great American holiday. While George Washington declared a na-

mandate, I can’t imagine Gov. Doug Ducey will require COVID vaccines any time soon. Towns and cities, however? That might be a different story. And it’s where things could start to get contentious. In Phoenix, where Mayor Kate Gallego has taken a strong public health stance against COVID-19, a vaccine mandate would spark a huge political firestorm. In Tempe, where progressive politics hold sway, I could see a vaccine mandate being well received. That wouldn’t be the case in Mesa, Gilbert or Scottsdale, where more conservative politics are the norm. The West Valley is anybody’s guess. The real question: What would the GOP-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors do, given that their mask mandate has remained in place since June 20? I don’t foresee mandatory COVID vaccines being passed by any local government here in the Valley. But your employer? That’s a different story. Employment in Arizona is “at will,” which gives your boss wide latitude in establishing working conditions. That likely includes the ability to require a vaccine for all employees who want to keep their jobs. That isn’t to say employers have total authority: Workers would still have the ability to seek a medical exemption or get tional Proclamation of Thanks in 1729, it was Lincoln who first established Thanksgiving as a national holiday. So, this week, like the Pilgrims before us, we Americans give thanks. 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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a waiver based on their religious beliefs. That’s especially true in businesses with 15 or more employees. If you work for a mom-and-pop operation where those legal protections don’t apply? No vaccine, no job could be the rule, should your employer decide to go that way. Lots of businesses could refuse service to patrons who don’t get vaccinated. Restaurants could institute a “no shot, no service” rule. Airlines could forbid you from flying. Grocery stores could bar you from entering, while accommodating you with curbside pickup. Note: I’m not saying local governments or businesses will do this or that they should do it. I’m saying they could do it.

Given the near riots that being forced to wear a mask has caused in Arizona, I’m not sure anyone will be brave enough—or foolhardy enough—to wade into that particular brand of apocalypse. So once again, we’ll all be on our own. As a believer in personal responsibility, I’ve never much minded that. I wear a mask to protect myself and others and I’ll get the vaccine. If you want to be patriotic—or be Buster Badass—and skip it, go ahead. Worst-case scenario, your refusal ends up thinning the herd a bit. You’ll be missed. We might even lift a, uh, shot in your memory. After the pandemic dies down, of course.

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.

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BUSINESS

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Scottsdale businessman, vet open Pet Supplies Plus BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

ich Bayley and Brett Cordes, the men behind Pet Supplies Plus at Lone Mountain and North Scottsdale roads, have opened an additional store in Moon Valley. The store at 245 E. Bell Road, Suite 15, offers amenities such as a full-service grooming salon and self-pet wash stations, a knowledgeable pet care team, and carry-out service in which team members carry heavy items to neighbors’ cars. Cordes is a veterinarian known as “Brett the Vet” and owns Arizona Animal Hospital. Cordes and Arizona Animal Hospital will offer select vet services at the new Pet Supplies

Plus Moon Valley store. As community partners, Cordes and Bayley will partner with local animal shelters, rescue organizations and nonpro�its to host year-round adoption events, fundraisers, and pet food and product drives. “With our second store, we want to provide the same care and commitment to our neighbors’ pets in a new community,” Bayley said. “My bringing medical resources under the same roof as retail offerings, we hope neighbors will have one less trip to worry about wile caring for their furry—or scaly—family member.” The two met through Bayley’s ecommerce business 10 years ago. “He purchased a new building and was in the process of putting retail and services

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in,” Bayley said. “That was in 2019, and I had purchased several Pet Supplies Plus franchises. He did a fair amount of due diligence and went through a bunch of stories. I presented an opportunity; he liked it. That’s how it evolved.” Bayley said he invested in Pet Supplies Plus because he liked its business model. He met the management and learned it was a “solid franchise” with good reviews. “They didn’t have a presence in the western United States, and they wanted a stronger presence here,” Bayley said. “It’s a growing industry, and the demographics are stronger, frankly, with millennials, who are even more pet centric. “All those boxes checked and there wasn’t anybody in that space in the market. We’re all about neighborhood engagement. A typ-

ical store is 5,000 to 7,500 square feet, with a broad selection and knowledgeable staff and high neighborhood engagement. There wasn’t anybody in that segment in the market.” Michigan-based Pet Supplies Plus has more than 460 locations in 33 states. The stores have a streamlined design, making it easy to navigate a wide assortment of natural foods, hard goods and pet services. Pet parents are welcome to shop with their dogs at the store, where team members are on-site to answer questions, offer tips, or play with pets who enter the store. During this time of social distancing, Pet Supplies Plus is offering neighbors online ordering with either one-hour curbside pickup or free home delivery. To order online, visit petsuppliesplus.com.

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

technology we developed, which allows our members to have more options that make them feel comfortable and safe,” said Tom Hatten, CEO and founder of Mountainside Fitness. “Whether you are coming into a Mountainside Fitness location or staying at home to work out, we are proud to offer a variety of classes and exercise options, including personal training, which will allow our members to choose options that are best suited for them either in person and remotely. There is currently no other �itness center offering this type of product at this scale. Mountainside Fitness will be the only �itness center within our market to offer this type of at-home virtual service amenities, covering all ranges of �itness just like you’d see if you walked into a Mountainside Fitness location.” To sign up, visit mountainside�itness. com. The nearest Mountainside Fitness is in Happy Valley Towne Center, 2501 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 30, Phoenix. Call 602-6014747 for more information.

Mountainside Fitness launches M Virtual Fitness

ountainside Fitness is launching M Virtual Fitness to help people stay healthy at home as well as in the club. M Virtual Fitness is now complimentary and included as a part of all memberships. The offerings include: • Group �itness on demand: full-length group �itness classes available at home or anywhere. • Personal training at home: Train with a certi�ied personal trainer from home. • Virtual workouts at home: weekly workouts for members on the MSF app. • Senior �itness on demand: specialty group �itness classes for active seniors. • Exercise demos: Perfect your form with these how-to exercise demos. • Fitness class archives: Easily access favorite group �itness class videos. • Equipment demos: easy-to-follow, how-to equipment demos. “Mountainside Fitness is excited about the

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FEATURES

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A potpourri of powerful perspectives for 20/20 living CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

oday I would like to pour out on you readers a potpourri of perspectives I have gleaned from others regarding life and living in 2020. You can access their thoughts on social media and the internet. Courage, my friends. Read on! Life in 2020 Our first quip is about golf and politics in 2020. “If it goes left, it’s a hook. If it goes right, it’s a slice. If it goes straight, it’s a miracle.” “I don’t have ducks. I don’t have a row. I have squirrels, and they’re drunk.”

“Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.” “Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn’t fit any of your containers.” “Once you understand why pizza is made round, packed in a square box and eaten as a triangle, then you will understand women.” “I pretended to be asleep, and then I fell asleep. Now I’m going to pretend I’m skinny.”

Corona quips “I still can’t believe people’s survival instincts told them to reach for toilet paper.”

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“I’m not adding this year to my age. I didn’t use it.” “The dumbest thing I have ever bought was a planner for 2020.” “Lockdown can only go four ways. You’ll come out as a monk, a hunk, a chunk or a drunk. Choose wisely.” “I went into the bathroom at a restaurant. I washed my hands. I opened the door with my elbow. I raised the toilet seat with my foot. I turned on the water faucet with a tissue. I opened the bathroom door to leave with my elbow. And when I returned to my table, I realized I forgot to pull up my pants.”

�� PERSPECTIVES �� 18

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FEATURES

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PERSPECTIVES �� 17

Content of your character “Equality is about giving everyone an equal chance, not an equal result.” “Truism: doing good for intention, not for attention.” “There’s a difference between being efficient or being effective: Rowing harder doesn’t help if the boat is headed in the wrong direction.” “You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” Heavenly health “Technically speaking, Moses was the first with a tablet downloading data from

the cloud.” ‘When you pray, God listens. When you listen, God talks. When you believe, God works.” “If I die, I’ll be with Jesus. If I live, Jesus will be with me. So, if I die or if I live, I am the Lord’s.” Let me finish with this thought for you. No matter what you do, keep your joy. Why? Because the joy of the Lord is your strength. If you lose your joy, you lose your strength. If you lose your strength, you can’t fight. If you can’t fight, YOUyou lose. Many are born to win but conditioned to lose all because of a loss TO BE of joy. That’s why forced joy is better than genuine depression. There you go. That’s 20/20 vision for closing 2020. Until we fix it in our heart and address it in our home, nothing will change in the world. Happy Thanksgiving.

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To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

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Tucson comic ready to perform Thanksgiving week BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

amie Kilstein is looking forward to playing Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy this week at High Street in North Phoenix. However, it isn’t the typical energy he usually feels before a set of shows. “There’s something so exciting right now, even if the crowds are smaller,” Kilstein said. “It’s really cathartic for everyone who has been trapped inside watching the terrible news, and everyone is fighting politically.” He said the crowd is happy to have a diversion—especially in New York, where he used to perform often. New York audiences could be jaded; even Kilstein felt that way. “I’ve been doing this since I was 17,” Kilstein said. “I dropped out of high school to do this. You become jaded and, when you have a year like this with loss and struggles, you just forget how important comedy is. People forget about laughter and just chilling out and getting out of your head. We need to enjoy ourselves in a roomful of friends.” Kilstein has another reason to perform—and celebrate. His album “25% Capacity” is due out December 4. He said the album—his first in more than a decade—was recorded illegally in a “super shady warehouse in Colorado” while clubs were on lockdown. “I walked in and it looked like the shop at the beginning of ‘Gremlins,’” Kilstein said. “There was a cat wandering around and some beer-making distillery thing. The owner asked if we were cops and immediately told us to close the doors and not to let the cat out. It wasn’t exactly the Sydney Opera House. There were probably 30 people there.” His first two albums were recorded in Chicago’s Lakeshore Theater, which closed in 2010. “I wanted an album that represented 2020, and what a better way to represent

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2020 than recording in an underground speakeasy of 30 people wearing masks,” he said with a laugh. “We didn’t know if the mic was going to work. It was very purposely set up that way. The name of it is ‘25% Weand might but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the Capacity,’ even be the changing artwork was locations, not fancy.same It lookscommitted like a mixtape support, from when but with a new view. I was a kid. It’s above COVID and it’s New Address as of about loneliness and this is the first year that I was ever single, which is quite the We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the 3715 W Anthem W bold year to get over co-dependence.” same committed support, but with a new view. Two younger fans of his learned how Anthem AZ 85086 shady the warehouse was. We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the “They flew in from Portland and it same committed support, but with a new view. was literally in this warehouse district of Denver,” he said. “It was so shady the Uber driver didn’t want to drop them off. He didn’t feel comfortable. “The album is an honest representation We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhe of what I was going through, what the same committed support, but with a new view. world’s going through and what a show sounds like now. It’s a cool time capsule.” Kilstein said he used to be a “little selfrighteous yelling political comedian.” There’s no agenda and he no longer New Address as of August 3, 2020 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, has to persuade people of his political American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 New Address as of August 3, 2020 stance. 014472 – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 A New York native, Kilstein is now a Anthem AZ 85086 resident of the Grand Canyon State. He 3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 moved to Tucson recently to try to save a Anthem AZ 85086 dying relationship. This is the first time he hasn’t lived in a coastal city. New Address as o “The pace, the nature—I love it,” he said. “Everyone’s very nice. I don’t see myself ever going back to LA. 3715 W Anthem W “I love it so much. I can’t go back to Anthem AZ 8508 cities anymore. I live kind of above Tucson, in the mountains. Even when I go to Denver or whatever, I said, ‘This is too crowded.’ I love the space out here. I don’t see how I would move back LAMutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, Americanto Family American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 without having a mental breakdown.” American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies,

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Dance studio invites youth to perform in Anthem showcase BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

he artists at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy want to close out 2020—their 20th anniversary year—with two adjectives that have been in short supply of late: Merry and Bright. To accomplish this, they are opening their doors to all young people ages 4 and older, regardless of experience, to perform in a dance showcase at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 19, to bring joy to the community. It is a no-cut show, meaning any child who registers by December 3 and pays the $100 fee will be guaranteed a part in the recital.

Rehearsals for the showcase will run from December 4 to December 18. The recital, according to studio owner Tiffany Fox, will be built around the talents and abilities of everyone who shows up. “We might get some kids with no background,” Fox said. “Whoever we get, that’s fantastic. YOUTH We will work with them and choreograph around them. This isn’t going to be about who has the highest leg and the biggest pirouettes. It’s more about building community and providing a safe and creative space to spread the spirit of the holidays.” The idea for the show was the brain-

Hidden In The Hills Artist Studio Tour

child of two studio staff members— Lyndsie Clymer and Tami Jewell. They came to Fox and said that while they knew she was super busy trying to keep the studio afloat during these days of pandemic, completing her master’s thesis and being a single mom to two kids, they wanted to do a Christmas show. “I was like, ‘OK, are you going to do all the choreography?’” Fox said. “Lyndsie said yes and I said, ‘Let’s do this!’” Clymer has been a part of Fox’s studios since she was 3 years old—she and her twin brother both learned dance from Fox. “She is amazing,” Fox said of Clymer. “I can rely on her for anything. That’s why

when she came to me and said this will be a great idea, I said let’s do this. With her at the helm doing choreography, it’s going to be amazing. She’s very special.” She’s hoping that new children will participate in the showcase, Clymer said, but veterans are invited as well. “Dance is a fun way to create and express love and happiness,” Clymer said. “We thought it was the perfect timing to come together for the holidays and spread love and cheer. We really wanted to bring the kids together for the holiday.” With that goal in mind, Clymer wants to create an upbeat, exciting and joyful

see DANCE page 22

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DANCE �� page 21

showcase with an eclectic collection of songs and dances. She turned to some of the studio’s younger students for inspiration. She asked them for their holiday traditions so she could incorporate them into the choreography. The responses she got ranged from the Elf on a Shelf to driving to Flagstaff to play in the snow. “The songs range from classical hits to new releases,” Clymer said. “There’s a little something for all ages. We’re doing a Frosty the Snowman dance (for the student who likes to play in the snow) and incorporating holiday traditions into the shows and the decorations.” As she puts the showcase together, Clymer said she is keeping the choreography fun and simple so that people of all talent levels can participate. “We want everyone to know that it doesn’t matter if you have a small amount of experience or tons of experience—we want everyone to just have fun and to give people the confidence to either start performing if they haven’t ever done it or keep performing.” Each participant will receive two tickets for guests. Audience numbers will be limited because of COVID-19 precautions. Clymer said if many people sign up, they’ll hold two showcases to accommodate the audiences. They’re also breaking the students into three age groups. All will perform at the same show, but they’ll have spacedout rehearsals. As of early November, 15 students signed up and Clymer was hoping they would have 30 to 40 kids. The groups will range from 4 to 7 years old, 8 to 12 and then 13 to 18. In addition to the children, some parents will dance with their kids. “We need positivity right now,” Fox said. “Kids and adults—everybody needs some kind of outlet. I hope we do get some kids who have never danced before or who haven’t come to the studio to see what that is about and how therapeutic dance can be. It’s super therapeutic for the body, mind and soul.” Fox explains that dance can help students cope with the changes in their life due to the pandemic. School has fundamentally changed, and students have to distance and wear masks with lim-

ited social interaction during the day. She said kids need a sense of normalcy and a chance to get out from behind the screens that dominate their school life. “Kids need movement and art right now and the creative outlets to let go of stress and work on themselves because they are sitting in front of a screen all day with school,” Fox said. “Kids come in and they’re so wild because school is weird with wearing masks all day and sitting in spaces not next to each other and not having normal interaction. With dance, they can move and express themselves. It’s super important right now. It’s what kids need.” Audiences will be required to wear masks, but Fox is leaving it up to the individual dancers and their parents whether the students will wear masks. “Some dancers have masks; some do not,” Fox said. “Some parents are not comfortable with them coming without and that’s fine, but for kids that are dancing for four or five hours straight, I do not require masks. It’s very hard for them to breathe. We’re around the same kids every week. All the teachers and front desk are wearing masks.” Clymer is also working a possible livestream of the showcase so those who don’t feel comfortable coming to the studio can still watch it from a safe distance. In what was supposed to be a celebratory 20th anniversary season for Dynamic Motion Dance Academy, the staff had to scale back on most of their plans because of the pandemic. For a time, all their classes were held virtually. Because of this, the studio wants this showcase to be a time for bringing kids back together in a healthy way. “I’m honestly just excited to work with the kids,” Clymer said. “To me, making memories is the coolest thing. I want to make memories with these kids and end 2020 with positivity—on a good note.” Merry & Bright: A Holiday Dance Showcase

When: Rehearsals December 4 to December 18, performance 3 p.m. December 19 Where: 4111 W. Innovative Drive, Building 1, Anthem Cost: $100 per student, includes show T-shirt and two tickets Info: dmdaaz.com

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

YOUTH

Boulder Creek eSports looks for championship BY ANDREW MORGAN Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

n the same morning the Arizona Interscholastic Association governing board met to vote on the uncertainty of fall sports across the state, Boulder Creek High School senior Benjamin Wolbert had no worries. Luckily for him and his teammates, his sport can be played from home, regardless of the widespread pandemic. Led by Wolbert and his software development teacher Thomas Clarke, the Boulder Creek esports team is in its first year of existence after being started back in late September. The program, which sponsors teams that compete in Overwatch, League of Legends, Fortnite and Rocket League, currently has opened the door to more than 20 students in just over a month, with plans to expand and create more teams in the future. Wolbert, an engineering student and Overwatch team captain at Boulder Creek, started getting into esports last school year. “I enjoy being able to play competitively alongside my friends. It’s very empowering,” Wolbert said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, esports teams haven’t been affected, as they can continue practicing and playing from home. Any student with access to a computer at home may join a team, free of cost. Just like a traditional sport, teams have mandatory practices, scrimmages and games. The AIA holds two seasons with the help of tournament organizer PlayVS, beginning with a round-robin style bracket that culminates in a playoff season, with the top performing teams winning scholarship money. Throughout the course of the 2020-21 season, PlayVS plans to award over $900,000 in scholarship money, sponsored by more than 170 colleges and universities. According to the World Esports Association, the esports industry is projected to have a revenue of over $1.5 billion

by 2023. Audiences have grown drastically, as 557 million people across the world watch or play video games in 2019. That number is expected to double by 2024. Although the gaming industry releases hundreds of games a year, very few gain a competitive following. One of those games is Overwatch. Released in 2015 by Blizzard Entertainment, the game grossed $565 million in sales in just the first year. Since then, the game has Esports participants include Alfred Audish, Drake Stephan and Gary Kujan. (Photo courtesy Thomas Clarke) grown to over 50 million players, making the game pete across a variety of games. naments. one of the most played in the world. The Boulder Creek esports is competing The AIA is set to host state championOverwatch League, Blizzard’s profession- in the fall regular season as teams are ships in January, with more information al esports league, plans to hand out a represented in state and regional tour- to be announced soon. prize pool of over $9.56 million in 2021, with the average professional salary at $114,000 per year. “I like the playable roles, the characters and their interactions,” said Wolbert, the Overwatch team captain. “The game is very competitive.” Boulder Creek’s esports program allows more students to connect and build a community of like-minded individuals during the pandemic. “I am a traditional coach, so it’s interesting to see what that looks like for esports,” said Thomas Clarke, the cross country coach and software development teacher at Boulder Creek. “My (computer) programming students are different. Esports really is something that they are passionate about.” “I think we’ve all argued about what a sport is, but setting that aside, we all like competition and enjoy seeing exNanette McClelland-Miller, Agent cellence and appreciate what it takes nanettemiller.com to achieve it. (Esports) opens that door to more students, which is great,” Fry’s Shopping Center: Clarke said. Next to Verizon and Tru Burger Currently, there are over 21,000 high schools with esports programs that allow more than 117,000 students to com-

Thanks, Anthem. I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do.

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020

BC lacrosse player first to join Division 1 team BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

ince Max Armitage was in elementary school, he’s been dedicated to meeting his goals. Now a senior at Boulder Creek High School, Armitage signed a letter of intent to attend High Point University in North Carolina and play lacrosse for one of the top Division 1 programs in the country. He is the first player from Anthem to commit to a Division 1 college lacrosse team. Armitage is modest about his success. His freshman year at Boulder Creek, he won the most improved award. The following year, he was first team all-state. He said he believes he achieved this because of “lack of experience.” The teen hopes to return to Arizona and show students how to play the game. “Guys like myself and (Brophy College Preparatory’s) Xander Welty, who’s going to Richmond, if we come back to Arizona, we can help advance the game,” Armitage said. “A lot of coaches who come back after playing in college come back to Arizona so (students) can experience the highest level of lacrosse.” His stepfather, lacrosse coach Jeff Wilson, said the growth of lacrosse in Arizona lags behind the rest of the country, forcing most Division 1 college coaches to look elsewhere for talent. “Players like Max need to perform on a national stage at showcase tournaments against the best talent in order to be noticed,” Wilson said. “He did so over three years from California to Virginia, catching the eye of several coaches until High Point reached out to him.” Armitage began his lacrosse career with the North Valley Predators youth lacrosse club through Boulder Creek Lacrosse Club. “I started in fifth grade—six or seven years ago,” Armitage said. “My stepdad moved here from Boston, and he was a coach. I asked him one day what he was doing, and he showed me how to play.” Wilson said Armitage committed hundreds of hours practicing on his own in addition to working with his team.

Max Armitage will attend High Point University in North Carolina in the fall of 2021 to play lacrosse. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

“Commitment to his goal of playing Division 1 lacrosse in college never wavered and, as a result, his No. 1 college team choice offered him a spot on the team,” Wilson said. Armitage said he enjoys the game be-

cause it blends several sports. “I’ve always wanted to play and get better,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just so much fun.” The son of Dave Armitage and Sheri Armitage, the teen will play his senior season with Boulder Creek Lacrosse Club this spring and will compete for a state title. He’ll join High Point’s team in the fall of 2021. “I’m kind of nervous about it, but I’m so excited,” Armitage said. “I didn’t think it was possible to go to High Point. I almost crossed them out. I didn’t think it was possible. Visiting it was different. I love the Southern accents, and the people around were so nice.” Armitage is pleased he met his goals. “I made my first goal, which was to play varsity lacrosse,” he said. “Then it was to start varsity. I just kept updating my goal once I achieved them. Right now, I want to make it in High Point and handle schoolwork. I just want to start and, ultimately, make an impact on the team.”

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