The Foothills Focus 113022 Zone 1

Anthem comes together to buy boy new bike

BY CHRISTIAN JOHNSON Foothills Focus Staff Writer

An Anthem family is grateful after community members pulled to gether to buy a new bike for their son.

Moriah Luce worked hard to buy her son, Ezekiel Luce, a bike for his birthday, so when it was stolen in mid-November, she was devastated.

They searched for it with no luck.

“It was $400, and I was disappointed because, why would someone steal it?” Moriah said.

Moriah went to Facebook and saw that Anthem had a community group. She joined and posted about her son’s bike.

“I was unaware of just how big the

Friend raising money for shooting victim

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

The community is banding together for a woman who was shot five times in her car while waiting for her son to finish therapy in the 42000 block of North 41st Drive on Nov. 16.

The victim, whose family does not want

her name released, is the beneficiary of a GoFundMe set up by friend Jeff McCombs. He is trying to raise $250,000 to pay for medical expenses. To donate, visit https:// bit.ly/AnthemShootingVictim

Phoenix police said as they arrived on scene, they saw two individuals with gun shot wounds. Medical aid was provided to an adult female victim who was taken to a

local hospital in critical condition. While on scene Phoenix Fire Department pronounced the male deceased from an apparent self-in flicted gunshot wound. He was identified later as 38-year-old Eric Blair.

“Witnesses in the area had informed offi cers that the male suspect shot the female

Ezekiel Luce was gifted a bike after his was stolen. (Adam Johnson/Submitted)

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group is and so when people started responding and offering their help, I was in shock,” she said.

One of those people was Adam Johnson of Doody Defense, a pet waste removal and odor control ser vice.

“She just wanted us to keep a look out, but when I saw that, I said we could help her buy a bike. I was will ing to do it myself, but immediately other people were willing to pitch in… as a fellow single parent, I knew it was blessing time,” Johnson said.

Using Facebook to gather donors, Johnson and the neighbors raised money. Besides Johnson, those who donated included Scotty Dykes and Greer Dykes, Paul Camasto, David Fox and Darrell Cate.

Eventually, this caught the atten tion of Sunset Cyclery, a bike store in

Anthem.

“We saw a posting and saw the community coming together,” said Cary Westmark from Sunset Cyclery. “We jumped in and said, ‘If you can raise the money, we’ll get the bike at a lower cost.’”

They did, and the group told Mori ah. She kept it as a surprise for her son.

“When he walked in, he just had this sad look on his face,” Johnson said. “We were all standing there, and the owner said, ‘See this bike right here? It’s just like your original one and all these people came to gether and bought you this bike.’ His frown turned into a big smile.”

Moriah added, “Honestly, I have lived in Anthem for a year but nev er really involved myself in the com munity. So, I was really surprised by everyone’s help and even more when people came together and gifted him

a new bike.”

Longtime residents Johnson and Westmark weren’t surprised.

“Anthem is an active family com munity and people notice when we’re not taking care of each other,” Westmark said.

“The people in this community are pretty close knit… it doesn’t surprise me. I see that in this community of ten. I’m proud to be part of a com munity that takes care of each other.”

After getting the bike, Moriah post ed on Facebook and thanked every one who donated. In a time when many are struggling financially, com munities like Anthem have contin ued to stick together — especially during the holidays.

Johnson ended his own Facebook statement by saying, “Each day I en courage you all to capture the mo ment by blessing others and feeding the human spirit.”

from page 1

victim while she was in a car then walked a short distance away before shooting himself,” said Sgt. Robert Scherer, Phoe nix Police Department’s public affairs bureau.

“At this time, detectives have taken over the investigation and are working to understand what led up to this shoot

ing and the relationship between the victim and the suspect.”

McCombs called the victim “the nicest person you can imagine.”

“She’d put anybody before her,” he added. “She’s doing things for people. She loves to cook. When I go over there, they’re always feeding me.

“She’s a business owner. She loves an imals. She’s so nice and so sweet. She

doesn’t have any enemies. When it first all happened — before we figured out it was random — it blew us away, couldn’t put our heads around it. We know there was nobody who was upset with her.”

McCombs said doctors have been amazed by her improvement, however, she remains in critical condition. She’s trying to communicate and has been writing notes on paper to her family.

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MONEY

This woman was randomly shot five times in the 42000 block of North 41st Drive. (GoFundMe)

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ADOT seeks public input on overall DBE goals

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

The Arizona Department of Trans portation is seeking public input for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program as it updates its overall goals for this effort.

ADOT and agencies receiving funds through ADOT award contracts each month for transportation projects throughout the state. As a requirement of receiving U.S. Department of Trans portation funds, ADOT must operate the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enter prise Program.

ADOT is required to set three-year overall goals for DBE participation in USDOT-funded contracts. ADOT has de veloped new overall DBE goals and is seeking public input.

FHWA-funded contracts. ADOT is proposing an overall DBE goal for Fed eral Highway Administration funded contracts of 12.55% for fiscal year 2024

through 2026, which updates its current goal of 12.89%. In recent years, ADOT has achieved DBE participation very close to this goal.

Based on relative availability of DBEs for these contracts and other factors, ADOT also projects that it will not be able to achieve all of this goal solely through race-and gender-neutral means (ADOT small business programs and other efforts) and that a portion will need to be achieved through continued use of DBE contract goals. ADOT pro poses to achieve the overall DBE goal of 12.55% with 7.65% to be achieved through race- and gender-conscious means and 4.9% to be achieved through race- and gender-neutral means. A new overall DBE goal must go into effect on Oct. 1, 2023.

FAA-funded contracts. ADOT is pro posing an overall DBE goal for Federal Aviation Administration funded con tracts of 9.72% for fiscal year 2025

through 2027, which updates its current goal of 10.69%. ADOT proposes to con tinue to meet all of this overall DBE goal through race- and gender-neutral means and does not plan to use DBE contract goals for these contracts. A new overall DBE goal must go into effect on Oct. 1, 2024.

FTA-funded contracts. ADOT is pro posing an overall DBE goal for Federal Transit Administration-funded con tracts of 9.85% for fiscal year 2025 through 2027, which updates its current goal of 14.51%. ADOT proposes to con tinue to meet all of this overall DBE goal through race- and gender-neutral means and does not plan to use DBE contract goals for any of these contracts. A new overall DBE goal must go into effect on Oct. 1, 2024.

Public comments. ADOT is seeking comments on its proposed overall DBE goals and the recently completed draft 2022 Availability Study Report that pro vides information regarding these goals. Keen Independent Research, which con ducted ADOT’s 2020 Disparity Study, prepared the 2022 Availability Study. The public is encouraged to comment on the size of the proposed overall DBE goals, the methodology used to develop the goals, the results of the 2022 Avail ability Study, as well as suggestions on how to improve contracting opportuni ties for DBEs and other small business es, including what ADOT and the indus

try can do to enhance support of the Federal DBE Program.

The public comment period opened Nov. 15, and runs through Dec. 30, 2022. As part of the comment period, ADOT will be holding virtual public meetings on the following dates:

Nov. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/ADOTNov30

Dec. 1, from 5 to 6 p.m. Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/ADOTDec1

All documents related to the proposed goal and methodology and draft avail ability study will be available for review at azdot.gov. At any time during the pub lic comment period, comments can also be provided in the following ways:

Verbal testimony: At public meetings. Email: ADOTAvailabilityStudy2022@ keenindependent.com

Mail: ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance, 1801 W. Jefferson Avenue, MD 154A, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Fax: 602-712-8429

The public comment period will close on Dec. 30. All public comments will be reviewed before ADOT submits final DBE goal requests to FHWA, FTA and FAA.

Anthem Tree-Lighting Ceremony

The Outlets at Anthem held its 21st annual tree lighting and concert to usher in the Christmas season. The event included a performance by “American Idol” alum Marcus Tinsley. This year’s tree measures 70 feet tall and 20 feet wide and was transported from a specialty lot at the California/Oregon border. Photogra pher Cassandra Tomei was there to capture the holiday spirit.

1 - Marcus Tinsley entertains the crowd. 2 - This year’s event was the 21st annual tree lighting and concert. 3 - At night, the 70-foot-tall tree will brighten the sky with more than 1.5 miles of LED lights and roughly 5,000 ornaments and bows. The tree is topped with a 3-foot star.

4 - Celebrants gather for the tree lighting and concert. 5 - Marcus Tinsley is joined on stage by his wife, Jacey Tinsley, and daughter, Taylee Tinsley, who distributed toys to the crowd. 6 - The crowd tosses giant inflated Christmas ornaments during the Marcus Tinsley concert.

ADOT unveils Name-A-Snowplow contest winners

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

The results of the Arizona De partment of Transportation Name-A-Snowplow contest are in and Arizonans have chosen three pun-tastic names for ADOT snow plows.

After tabulating nearly 7,000 votes, the winning snowplow names are “Al ice Scooper,” “Snowguaro” and “Frost Responder.”

These three winning names beat out 12 other finalists in ADOT’s first Name-A-Snowplow contest. The names will be affixed to the driverand passenger-side doors of the truck cab so the snowplows can be identi fied by name.

“Alice Scooper” will be stationed at an ADOT maintenance yard in Flag staff, “Snowguaro” will patrol high ways near Superior and “Frost Re sponder” will, uh, respond to winter

weather from its soon-to-be-home in Page.

In October, Arizonans submitted nearly 4,700 names in the first phase of ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow con test. For the winning names, “Alice Scooper” was submitted by 25 peo ple, “Snowguaro” was submitted by six people and “Frost Responder” was submitted by two people.

ADOT has 200 snowplows and near ly 500 trained snowplow operators at

highway maintenance yards across the state, ready to deploy when snow falls. Arizona’s high country can re ceive a tremendous amount of snow fall — Flagstaff, in fact, is one of the snowiest cities in the country. These snowplows and their skilled opera tors play major roles in clearing high ways during and after winter storms, laying down de-icer prior to storms and are even put to work during the spring, summer and fall to push mud,

boulders and debris off highways af ter rainstorms.

Already in November, snow has fall en in Arizona’s high country. ADOT encourages motorists to make safe and smart decisions when inclement weather hits. For real-time highway conditions, including views from AD OT’s statewide network of highway cameras, visit az511.gov or download the AZ511 app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

How did “Black Friday” get its name? The phrase has been widely used since the 1980s to signify when retailers can go from oper ating in the red to finally making profits. Yet, dig a little deeper and it seems that “Black Friday” was first coined by a police officer in Philadelphia around 1960. He noticed large throngs of holi day shoppers, gloomy weather and cha otic crowds around the Army-Navy foot

ball game on the day after Thanksgiving. The entire police department dreaded “Black Friday” as it meant longer shifts, crowd control, shoplifting and all man ner of mischief. The phrase stuck.

Oh, the trials and tribulation of Black Friday. It seems people suffer greatly from indigestion on Black Friday (ac cording to sales data of antacids). May be it has something to do with overeat ing, spending money, crowded parking lots, fender benders and long lines. My daughter said “let’s go to a mall. It would be fun. How festive to see the decora tions. Let’s get into the Christmas spirit.” Sure, I love having fun!

There are all sorts of weird and scary stories that seem to emerge after Black Friday. One woman in Phoenix emailed to say that she broke her own record by spending $3,000 in one hour at one of the “seductive, outdoor shopping cen ters.” She claimed that she was “induced” to spend so much because it’s easy to do when you’re in a large crowd of shop pers who are egging each other on.

I secretly admire the brave souls who

can wake up at 4 a.m., with the steely fortitude of a Marine, armed with a com pulsively detailed list, ready to buy gifts for loved ones. Then bravely stand in line for the heavenly gates of “Bargain Paradise” to open. A noble mission?

I don’t like crowds much and I like shopping less. I get too easily distract ed. What good is a list when there are a zillion items out there — all with in credible potential to be the “best buy.” My friend spent an entire day looking for the “perfect” vase for her sister. Oh, ye of little faith, have no illusions about finding anything “perfect” for anyone. A day looking for a vessel to hold flowers? Why?

What “good deals” are you looking for this season? Can you live with the thought that trying to buy a “perfect” gift is almost impossible? Yep, the shopping season has begun. I enjoyed my Black Friday experience because I shared it with my daughter. Although, I wasn’t organized enough, didn’t follow my list, and probably made wrong choices. (Not sure why I bought a lavender sweater for

my husband, Doug).

Beyond shopping, the season of magic has arrived. It is the special time of year when we tend to focus on others more than ourselves. Every cookie we make is usually for someone else. The gifts we buy are for others. The money we do nate is to enrich someone else’s life.

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. It sets the tone for the holidays coming. Nothing black about this most beautiful time of year.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local real tor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

Thanksgiving never needed any makeover

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

During the 1960s and ’70s, in “Anytown, USA” often on Thanks giving afternoon, the ritual would be the same. After enjoying excessive amounts of turkey and dressing, fami lies would head for Main Street and the hometown pomp and pageantry of a lo cal parade.

The city’s downtown merchants as sociation, eager to get the Yuletide pur chases started, would end the festivities in familiar fashion. A certain “Jolly Old Elf” would emerge, minus the meteoro logical mystery of Groundhog Day, to “of ficially” start something very important.

“And on the final float in this holiday parade, it’s none other than Santa Claus, signaling the start of the ‘Christmas Shopping Season!’”

That last page of the script, intoned by a public address announcer to the crowd

onsite, or by a television broadcaster to the folks who stayed home to scarf down an extra piece of pumpkin pie, conveyed a none-too-subtle message: “Get down town and get your Christmas shopping done!”

By the late 1980s, America had gone to the mall, and in many of the “Anytowns,” the holiday parade had gone the way of the dodo bird. In its place, slick shopping displays would herald seasonal shop ping changes.

Merchandizers would make the jar ring transition from jack-o-lanterns to St. Nick as quickly as the calendar turned from October to November.

What about Thanksgiving?

While it isn’t just for turkey, this his toric holiday seems to get the short shrift from a merchandising and mar keting perspective.

Even so, there’s no need to place an emergency call to the newly founded Boutique PR Firm, “Late November Cri

sis Communications.”

Though major cities may find them selves in crisis, they still somehow man age to keep their massive Thanksgiving Day Parades marching. New York, Chi cago and Detroit top the list.

Speaking of Detroit…we might not classify this as “fun and games,” but once again the struggling Lions hosted an NFL contest. The most significant statistic is already in the books: this year marks the 72nd Thanksgiving that teams will take the field in Motown.

Motoring onward, Thanksgiving still tops the list for holiday travel in the USA, as the Department of Transporta tion reports that venturing to a destina tion over 50 miles or more from home increases by 54% during Thanksgiving Weekend.

And it’s not just “over the river and through the woods.” It’s coast-to-coast and through the air, too. The Sunday af ter Thanksgiving earns the dubious dis

tinction as the most crowded day to fly, hands down…er…wheels up.

So when all is said and done, Thanks giving needs no marketing makeover.

It’s not dependent on a parade, a score, or a store.

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

If you were going to chart the biggest heartbreaks I suffered in my early twenties, at the top of the list was not being able to get a ticket to U2’s sold-out concert at the old Orange Bowl in Mi ami. I’m only half kidding. We are talking about my then-favorite band, a group I worshiped with MAGA-like fervor, play ing not 20 miles from my parents’ house.

Friends of mine from high school camped out at record stores across south Florida for a couple or three night. Tickets were 20 bucks with each buyer limited to six.

Much to my crushing disappointment, I was away at college and couldn’t con nive someone to waste a few days of his or her life to sleep on concrete outside a BASS ticket outlet.

Records show that 54,111 people were in attendance that Thursday night in December 1987 when Bono, Edge,

Larry and Adam performed 18 songs, starting with “Where The Streets Have No Name” and ending with the operat ic “40,” the crowd in full throat chanting along.

I feel like I’ve spoken to all 54,000 attendees over the past 35 years. They all swear it was the apex of their con cert-going lives.

I’m pretty sure Bono invited everyone back to the tour bus afterward for Dom Perignon and caviar, plus free T-shirts and autographs. Me, I was working a double at Bennigan’s in Tallahassee.

This is how I know with great certain ty that every Valley resident – and every American – who didn’t get tickets to Tay lor Swift’s upcoming March 2023 con certs at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium will survive this crushing blow.

Does it suck for you? Yep.

But with time comes perspective and real-life losses that actually matter. You’ll eventually realize how stupid the kerfuffle around Ticketmaster flubbing

the pre-sale to “The Eras” tour sounds to people not suffering from a classic case of “first world problems.”

I have checked the Bill of Rights. No where are you guaranteed a spot in a digital line to see your favorite perform er at a reasonable price.

In fact, given that we live in a state of seven million people and that the Glen dale venue holds about 63,000 people, the laws of probability and supply and demand dictate that you never really had a chance.

Dare I echo Taylor herself and suggest that you “shake it off, shake it off?”

In the aftermath of the ticket sale gone wrong, we have learned that Ticketmas ter and parent company Live Nation are being probed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general of Ne vada, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Predictably, politicians also weighed in, including Minnesota Sen. Amy Klo buchar, who tutted-tutted her “serious concerns about the state of competition

in the ticketing industry and its harmful impact on consumers” and PR-hound Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who tweeted “Ticketmaster is a monopoly, its merger with LiveNation should never

HAYWORTH

from page 11

With apologies to Dr. Seuss for this holiday verse variation, Thanksgiving is something a whole lot more.

In the newly constituted United States, George Washington called for Americans to “unite in most humbly of fering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations…” and “to render our national government a blessing to all the people…and gener ally to grant unto all Mankind such a de gree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”

Washington’s Proclamation assigned

Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789 as our nation’s first “official” Thanksgiving Day, but much earlier observances had been celebrated in Colonial America for well over a century.

Now, over two centuries since that first Presidential Proclamation, we gath er together again.

Thanksgiving is not just a holiday… it’s a call to prayer for believers; a time for families and friends to gather for fel lowship; and a day of recognition and reflection undergirded with a spirit of gratitude.

May it always be celebrated and ob served…in “Everytown, USA.”

have been approved, and they need to be reigned in.”

Taylor herself described it as “excruci ating for me to just watch mistakes hap pen with no recourse.”

In all, 2.4 million Swifties were able to purchase tickets last week by push ing a few buttons – no sleeping bags in a parking lot necessary. The rest of you tortured souls now have two options.

You can go to Stubhub, where a nose bleed seat currently starts at about 450 bucks and field level seats are being re sold for as much as $4,000. Or you can learn to deal with heartbreak.

One day you’ll look back and laugh at how much this meant, and how silly it all seems.

But until then, it’s like Taylor writes about a broken heart in “Sad Beautiful Tragic” – “time is taking its sweet time erasing you.”

Women expand Etsy-like marketplace to Anthem

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Erica Jerido and Jacqueline Thom as’ mission of supporting and connecting local businesses with the community has expanded to Anthem.

Retail Therapy AZ opened Thanks giving weekend in the Outlets at An them next to Calvin Klein, joining its location in Historic Downtown Glen dale.

“It came about very quickly,” said Jerido, a Glendale resident who for merly taught in the Alhambra Elemen tary School District.

“We found a beautiful space. We weren’t planning it. It just felt right. We have 76 small businesses in our store. We have all handmade, all local artisans, from health and beauty to clothing, jewelry and accessories. We have grab and go snacks and a lot of great custom gift options.

“It’s like a walk-in Etsy store with the most creative people. I’m amazed on what people can make.”

Retail Therapy AZ serves as a per manent storefront for the vendors’ merchandise and operates as a onestop-local shop in all senses of the phrase.

Jerido said she and Thomas, a Tuc

son native, strive to uplift small busi nesses within the area.

“The (boutique) product we’re look ing for the most is self-made; that’s what we are going to try and narrow it down by,” she explained.

“Other than that, it is going to be ex tremely hard. We do work with an-al ready specific criteria in regard to being a woman-owned business. We work with so many business owners it is definitely going to be a challenge to narrow it down. We are hoping at

some point we can expand and rotate businesses in here.”

Retail Therapy AZ originated during the pandemic as a clothing boutique. Both moms, Jerido and Thomas start ed their own business so they could pursue their passion and spend more time with their kids.

The duo began selling clothing and accessories as a vendor, until they soon realized they were more drawn

Jacqueline Thomas (left) and Erica Jerido (right) cut the ribbon to their Etsy-like marketplace, Retail Therapy AZ, over Thanksgiving weekend in the Outlets at Anthem. (Retail Therapy AZ/Submitted)

the relationship-side of conducting business.

“We realized quickly we weren’t so interested in the merchandise and

that side of the business,” she said. “We started realizing we were pas sionate about the connections we were making with people and learning from other small businesses – we saw ourselves more on that side of things.”

Jerido called the endeavor “amaz ing.”

“Us, as a small business, and the

other small businesses we support couldn’t necessarily open a store by ourselves this fast,” she added.

“Many small businesses need a per manent space. In Glendale, we have up to 76 local businesses under one roof. We were nervous about Anthem be cause we decided to open in Novem ber, and we opened it by Small Busi ness Saturday (Nov. 26). We already had 40 businesses secure their spaces in a week.”

The way Jerido sees it, they’re sup porting someone’s dream — and their story.

“I love hearing people’s ‘why’ and what motivated them to start their business or why they create what they

create,” she said.

“When you buy small, you’re truly making a difference with an individu al. I know it helps our economy to give back to local, but it’s extremely im portant for the community to learn about shopping local.”

Retail Therapy AZ

4250 W. Anthem Way Suite 105, Phoenix 480-616-8570

7029 N. 57th Drive, Glendale 480-616-8147 retailtherapyaz.com info@retailtherapyaz.com

DAUM directs purchase of infill parcel near Deer Valley

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

DAUM Commercial Real Estate Ser vices directed the acquisition of a 7.95-acre land parcel at 24500 to 24501 N. 20th Drive, Phoenix.

DAUM assisted industrial developer and REIT Prologis in acquiring the rare infill parcel off-market from Wadsworth Development for $8.65 million to de velop two industrial buildings totaling 126,000 square feet, according to Bob Lundstedt, first vice president at DAUM Commercial.

Lundstedt, along with Skip Corley Jr., executive vice president at DAUM, and Chase Heinemann, associate vice presi dent at DAUM directed the transaction.

“Drawing on our deep expertise and long-standing relationships in a very tight land market, we were able to deliv er one of the last infill sites in Phoenix’s Deer Valley submarket for our client,” Lundstedt said.

“As one of the largest industrial REITs and developers in the country, Prologis was aggressively looking to develop in Deer Valley and actively pursued this site. Our team leveraged our nuanced knowledge and nurtured partnerships in the area to help the buyer acquire the

parcel off-market in a transaction that was advantageous to all parties.”

According to a DAUM report, as freight costs declined 61% during the quarter, the industrial sector nationwide is ex pected to benefit from this easing of sup ply chain headwinds. The Phoenix in dustrial market vacancy rate remained low at 4.6% in Q3, with rental rates con tinuing to rise, and the market has been named as a leading metro for industrial development, ranking second nationally in 2022.

“At less than 20 miles from the city of Phoenix, the Deer Valley submarket of fers access to a major Arizona metro and is an ideal target market for developers,” Lundstedt said. “Our team identified and secured a much in-demand land parcel in an area that is highly desirable for in dustrial development.”

Adding to its Deer Valley portfolio, Prologis will develop two industrial as sets on the site: an approximately 77,000-square-foot building and a roughly 49,000-square-foot building. The DAUM team of Lundstedt, Corley, Heinemann and Parker Houston, asso ciate vice president at DAUM, has been selected to handle the leasing for the project.

Rising above it all this holiday season

Well, the holiday season is in full swing, and now comes the capstone of the holidays, Christmas. Soon, Christmas lights, songs and great expectations will be the norm. After a tumultuous mid-term election, I’m sure most of us “need a lit tle Christmas now.”

Here’s a true recollection from au thor Laurie Beth Jones’s book, Jesus, CEO. “Driving home late one afternoon, I saw an intriguing sight. The Miramar Naval Air Station was having its annu al air show. Cars had stopped all along the freeway to watch the silver planes’ fantastic dips, twists, twirls and dives.

“There, in the middle of a eucalyptus tree, sat a hawk watching the planes put on their show. The hawk seemed so calm and centered amid the thunder ous display. The hawk seemed thought ful. It was as if the hawk were thinking, ‘I, too, have the power to fly with equal grace and measure. After the noise is over, I will rise and fly away — still the master of all I see.’”

I like this true-life example. That hawk wasn’t swept away by the com

motion meant to play on its emotion. The hawk was looking down from an up position. The chaos going on around the hawk didn’t get inside of it. There’s a lesson for us to learn from the hawk about successfully navigating the Christmas season. We need an ae rial view of Christmas to understand Christmas fully.

We need to rise above it all. So, let’s rise above the commotion, razzle-daz zle, optics of sugar plum fairies, and hustle-bustle of ‘Happy Holi-daze.’ Don’t look up at Christmas from an earthly or down position. Instead, look at Christmas from a heavenly or up po sition. Then you will comprehend the reason for the season.

Here’s a truth many of us don’t re alize yet. There are two realities for us humans. Currently, our condition is that we are on Earth. But if you are a believer, your condition is you are on Earth, but your position is you are seat ed with Christ in the heavens. Here’s what the scripture says about a believ er’s current condition and current po sition of being seated in the heavenlies:

“It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of world liness. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell

you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief and then ex haled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing when we felt like doing it. All of us were in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.

“Instead, immense in mercy and with incredible love, God embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down (seated us) in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.” Ephesians 2:1-6.

Now that’s a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Eternity. When believers pass from this world to God’s heaven, their condition becomes their condi tion and their position. They rise above it all.

The moment a believer dies, sever al things happen that they will expe rience. 1. Angel’s usher their souls to heaven. Luke 16:22. 2. They immedi ately enter God’s presence. 2 Corin thians 5:6-8. 3. They are conscious, in command of their thinking, feeling, speech and memories. Luke 16:19-31. 4. They participate in magnificent wor ship with angels and believers before the throne of God and Christ. Revela tions 4 and 5. 5. To some degree, they are aware of activities and events on Earth. Revelations 6:9-10. 6. They will recognize and communicate with be lievers who preceded them to Heaven. Luke 9:28-36.

Theologian Austin Farrer has notable thoughts about every human’s condi tion and potential position.

“It is strange how, when we imagine heaven, we think of it as something shadowy. We color it with tints of moonlight, sleep, and the faces of the

dead. But there are no shades there; there is the substance of joy and the vi tality of action. So, when we are there and look back on earthly life, we shall not see it as a vigorous battlefield from which we have gracefully retired; we shall see it as an insubstantial dream from which we have happily awoken.”

Just think of it. God started small to go big on the first Christmas. And just like the hawk, Jesus, despite all the thunderous noise and flashy dives around him, maintained confidence in his wings and perspective. He rose above it all.

I hope this Christmas you will rise above it all. And make your condition, also your position, on Earth as it is in heaven.

Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He 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. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

Merry and Bright Valley glows with holiday lights this season

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ith the holiday season comes many festive, colorful lights, and the Valley isn’t lacking any shine this year.

From Waddell to Gilbert, families all over Maricopa County can enjoy mil lions of lights glimmering on displays of snowmen, candy canes, reindeer and Christmas trees. Be sure to put on warm scarves and gloves for these wintery ad ventures.

Arizona Lights in the Night

To kick off the holiday season, look no further than this annual drive-thru light show.

Guests can cozy up in their cars while traveling through a sparkling expanse of

over 1 million vivid lights synchronized to popular holiday tunes. For a different perspective, one can meander through the lights aboard the new VIP trackless train.

“Arizona Lights in the Nights is the Valley’s premier drive-thru light show that’s perfect for families and friends looking for a fun way to celebrate the holiday season,” said Allen Thompson, Arizona Lights in the Night operations manager, in a statement. “We look for ward to welcoming everyone to this memorable holiday experience.”

A portion of the proceeds will benefit local children’s charities to help bright en the holidays.

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday through Thursday, Jan. 5

WHERE: Thompson Event Center, 1901

COST: Tickets start at $39.95 per ve hicle, VIP train rides are $150 to $250 depending on the reserved night INFO: arizonalightsinthenight.com

Christmas at the Princess

A beloved holiday tradition in Scotts dale going on its 13th year, Christmas at

the Princess is a perfect way to celebrate the most wonderful time of year with loved ones.

Several highlights of the 65acre winterscape include 6.5 million lights, two outdoor ice skating rinks, two festive train rides, sledding mountain, en tertainment plaza and bustling holiday towns with rides and shopping, complete with Santa and his friends in attendance.

There is also a new Chateau Cham pagne retreat ideal for date nights, and VIP firepits and igloos.

This year’s Christmas at the Princess supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a charity partner.

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thurs

1 Cigna will reduce your monthly Medicare Part B premium by $100.

2 Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/service area. Limitations, exclusions, and restrictions may apply. All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation. The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/service area. Limitations, exclusions, and restrictions may apply. Contact the plan for more information. This information is not a complete description of benefits, which vary by individual plan. You must live in the plan’s

area.

1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711) for more information. Cigna is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans,

N. Alma School Road, Mesa

day and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday through Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4 to 11 p.m. nightly through Monday, Jan. 2

WHERE: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale

COST: General admission is $20 without a car, $80 with self-parking and $120 for valet, free for hotel guests

INFO: christmasattheprincess.com

Desert Farm Lights

Get lost in West Valley’s first winter dreamland.

With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, guests can enjoy a million holiday lights illu minating the interactive Desert Lights Walking Trail and a half-acre candy cane maze. There are also plenty of festive bounce houses, a giant gingerbread slide and super-sized games, with an assort ment of food trucks featured nightly for a bite to eat.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without Santa, who will be present for photos ev ery Thursday through Sunday evening.

WHEN: 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Jan. 1

WHERE: Justice Brothers Ranch, 14629 W. Peoria Avenue, Waddell

COST: Early bird pricing starts at $17 for adults, $13 for children ages 2 to 12

INFO: desertfarmlights.com

Enchant at Salt River Fields

For its launch in Scottsdale, “Enchant” is inviting families to embark on a jour ney to a 10-acre winter paradise.

“Our designers have been working hard all year to create a fantastic story and creating some of the most fun light ed elements to highlight our debut at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick stadium where we can’t wait to introduce ‘En chant’ with more new friends and fam ilies,” says “Enchant” Christmas founder and CEO Kevin Johnston in a statement.

Sponsored by the Hallmark Chan nel, the enchanting village will feature a walkable light maze, ice skating trail, Santa visits, live entertainment, dining, a festive shopping marketplace and more. As the topper to the holiday experience, a 100-foot Christmas tree will stand tall at the center of the grounds.

WHEN: Starting at 6 p.m. nightly

Holiday light spectacular “Enchant” is coming to Scottsdale for the first time this year, bringing a light maze, Santa visits, a holiday marketplace and more. (Courtesy of MMPR Marketing)

through Sunday, Jan. 1

WHERE: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $34 for adults and are $20 for children, ice skating is $18 for all ages

INFO: enchantchristmas.com

Holiday Nights in Lights

Families can visit The Wigwam for a holiday experience featuring a mag ical lighted trail through the resort, with princesses dressed in their winter gowns singing carols.

After a stroll on the holiday path, one can enjoy various local entertainment, train rides and s’mores and hot choco late on the lawn.

The festivities support Goodyear Fire Department charities as they spread the holiday cheer to local families. Those who donate unwrapped toys receive a free hot chocolate and cookie at Wig wam Bar.

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 23

WHERE: The Wigwam, 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park COST: Free admission INFO: wigwamarizona.com

Lights at the Farm

To get into the holiday spirit, Vertuccio Farms will sparkle with 10 acres of more than 3 million lights synchronized to fes tive music that all ages will enjoy.

The fifth annual walk-thru light show will also feature ice skating, miniature golf, pony rides, a petting zoo, a pallet maze and lots of games. A 30-foot-tall cornstalk Christmas tree will provide an eye-catching photo op for families and friends alike.

To complete the holiday experience, winter treats such as hot cocoa, fudge, cookies, pancakes and popcorn will be available at vendors. There will also be a rotation of food trucks offering a variety of meal options.

WHEN: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Friday, Dec. 30

WHERE: Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Pow er Road, Mesa COST: $15 entry Sunday through Thurs day, $18 entry Friday and Saturday, children ages 2 and under are free, ice skating is $8 per 30-minute session INFO: lightsatthefarm.com

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights

Hop aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for a fun way to experience the bright holiday lights and displays around the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

After their ride, families can take a spin on the park’s historic Charros Car ousel and warm up with a cup of hot co coa from the general store. To top off the holiday experience, they can also meet Santa and his elves up until Dec. 23 be fore they have to prepare for Christmas.

WHEN: 6 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Friday, Dec. 30

WHERE: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale COST: $15 per person INFO: therailroadpark.com

Riparian After Dark

After the sun goes down, the Ripari an Preserve shines bright with the glow of holiday lights. This light show gives those who appreciate nature the op portunity to experience the preserve at nighttime with a holiday twist.

Taking a stroll around the grounds, one can encounter thousands of illumi nating lights and displays of reindeer, Christmas trees and more at every turn.

Food and drink vendors from across the community will be on-site to serve guests holiday treats.

WHEN: 5:30 to 9 p.m. nightly Friday, Dec. 9 to Tuesday, Dec. 20 WHERE: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert

COST: $5 per person

INFO: gilbertaz.gov

World of Illumination

The world’s largest drive-thru ani mated light show is popping up at three locations in the valley for the 2022 holi day season, bringing more magic to local families.

“World of Illumination is thrilled to be adding a third location to the Valley of the Sun,” says CEO Yakir Urman in a statement. “As we expand into yet anoth er venue, we also push the boundaries of what is technically and creatively possi ble to give our guests the most epic holi day experience imaginable.”

At each destination, spectators will find a different mesmerizing road trip: the new vibrant jungle expedition in Glendale, a sweet candy wonderland in Tempe and a musical-themed escapade in North Phoenix.

WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Jan. 1

WHERE: Candy Rush at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe; Enchanted Safari at Desert Diamond Casino, Glendale; Rock in’ Christmas at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, North Phoenix COST: Tickets begin at $39.99 per car INFO: worldofillumination.com

ZooLights

A twinkling adventure awaits at the Phoenix Zoo for one of the Valley’s favor ite annual holiday light expeditions. An imal lanterns will be illuminated by mil lions of lights decorating a walk-through expanse of the zoo grounds.

One can also encounter the prehistoric ages at the Dinosaurs in the Desert land scape, as well as nightly entertainment and visits from Santa himself.

New to this year’s attractions is the lake light show, which will take guests on a trip around the world — there may even be snow falling nearby at Monkey Village.

WHEN: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Jan. 15

WHERE: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix COST: $35 general admission and $30 for members online, children ages 2 and under are free

INFO: phoenixzoo.org

The Romantics’ Wally Palmar supports Ukraine efforts

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

As the lead singer of the pow er-pop band The Romantics, Wally Palmar ran into former Detroit hero Alice Cooper plenty of times. When the two were playing a St. Jude’s benefit in Palm Springs, they hatched a plan for Palmar to play Cooper’s annual Christmas Pudding show at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3.

“I’m not going to turn Alice down. I’m not that crazy,” said Palmar, whose band scored hits like “Talking in Your Sleep” and “What I Like About You.”

He’ll be joined by Sammy Hagar, Rob Zombie, Gin Blossoms, SIXWIRE and comedian Jim Breuer. Proceeds benefit Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.

“He’s such a wonderful fella. At this point, I’ll do whatever I can do to

help. The last five or six years, I find myself doing different events, char ity events or shows like that. I love doing them. It gives me a chance to break away from the norm of what I’ve been doing over the last 40 years.”

Palmar was born Volodymyr Pala marchuk in Hamtramck, Michigan, to Ukrainian immigrant parents in 1954. He and his friend formed the Romantics in 1977 and scored their first record deal two years later.

Recently, Palmar and a friend from Toronto, Jack DeKeyzer, released the song “No War,” an ode to the suffer ing of the Ukrainians after the Rus sian invasion.

“I’m Ukrainian/American,” he says. “I’m very fluid in the language. I can read and write it. He had an idea for a song, and he wanted someone on the harmonica. I told him I could throw something in there for you.

“I did the harp and we started

talking about filling out the rest of the song. I came up with the chorus. The song is in English, but the chorus is sung in Ukrainian.”

Palmar visited Ukraine with his mother the year following his fa ther’s death.

“I had a fantastic time there,” Pal mar says. “I was there once again when I was touring with Ringo Starr in 2011. We played in Kiev. It’s such a great city. It’s such a shame to see what’s gone on there since then. My heart and head were in this 100% to get this done. I think it came out pretty damn good.”

Pudding

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3

WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix COST: Sold out INFO: celebritytheatre.com

Getting Started in Trades

and homes. In high-demand, technologists in this field are trained for 2-3 years and obtain a certificate before working on-site and com pleting a paid apprenticeship.

Veterans in transition

Job opportunities in the trades are wide and varied. Many people become skilled at trades in high school, where they learn the basics of auto repair and woodworking. Some enter apprenticeships direct ly after graduating, while others attend trade or technical schools for advanced training.

Either way, trades offer a rewarding, in-demand and profitable career for many interested in working with theirs hands and possess the aptitude to diagnose and repair complicated machinery in fields such as heating and air conditioning, welding, masonry and more.

Here are some popular trades and the training required to being your career.

Electricians

High school graduates and those with a GED can enter training at a technical school for electricians. These diploma programs provide training in the fundamentals of an electri cal trade and enables students to become proficient in areas such as areas as electrical wiring and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial and industrial applications. After completing four semesters of training, new electricians enter the workforce through an apprentice ship as they work toward their license, which is required by many states.

Plumbers

Like electricians, plumbing technicians first attend at least two semesters of training at a technical school before begin ning an apprenticeship and earning a license. Modern plumb ers have the opportunity to work at a variety of job sites and install or repair new technologies, such as tankless water heaters, WiFi leak detectors and smart appliances. This trade skill is extremely valuable and sees constant job demand.

Construction technology

This relatively new, rapidly expanding trade directly taps into the fast-paced digital world, creating and installing the systems homes and businesses have com to rely upon. Smart-enabled and security systems are examples of fields that form the digital footprint of many modern workplaces

Many people enter the armed forces to take advantage of military benefits, such as funding for a college education, while also perform ing their duties around the world after attending vocational training for a particular field. After completing their service, veterans with valuable trade skills can often enter the workforce directly or take advantage of veterans benefits that provide them further training to adapt military occupations to a civilian career.

No matter what trade you pursue, the training you receive can almost guarantee a life-long position, many with substantial pay that sometimes reaches into six figures. And even if you never pursue a trade professionally, the skills you learn can be applied in your every day life, as well as a fulfilling hobby.

Not everyone is cut out for college. In fact, many people forego a formal education to enter careers in the trades.