Foothills Focus 120722 Zone 2

Fire kills woman in Rio Verde foothills

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Awoman was killed during a fast-moving fire in the 30000 block of 140th Street in the Rio Verde foothills at 1:45 a.m. Dec. 2.

The crews originally responded to a travel trailer and SUV on fire, with a person inside. Upon arrival, they found a second trailer on fire and the flames beginning to extend to a small outbuilding.

Crew members from Engine 826 discovered propane tanks on the trailers were feeding the fire.

“Due to heavy fire, crews were forced into a defensive fire attack protecting livestock and additional recreational vehicles while con taining the fire,” said Shawn Gilleland, Rural Metro Fire public infor mation officer.

“Fire control was quickly established, and fire suppression allows on-scene crews to visually search the fire ground, during which time a victim was discovered deceased.”

Gilleland said crews believe the occupant may have barely exited the trailer before being overwhelmed by smoke or fire.

“The property owners confirmed the trailer housed an unidentified

female occupant and several birds kept in cages,” Gilleland added. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fire.

Fight for education funding is an ongoing debate

BY SUE KERN-FLEISCHER Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

Five years ago, Arizona teachers went on strike for eight days with the RedforEd movement to protest ongoing funding cuts and low salaries. In 2022, the strike ended but the fight continues.

Arizona’s educators make 5.5% less than the state’s average wage across many oc cupations, comparing 2020-2021 average

wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statis tics, according to Business.org. While other states such as Pennsylvania, which ranks first, have made little adjustments to their teacher pay in the last 10 years, their edu cators make up to 28.5% above the state’s average salary. Business.org reported the average teacher salary in Arizona for 20202021 to be $52,157.

There is a continuing debate over teacher compensation and whether state education

funds are helping teachers or being diverted to other budgetary priorities. Meanwhile, in adequate salaries for educators are cause for concern for Beth Lewis, director of Save Our Schools Arizona, a nonprofit teacher advoca cy organization. She said the biggest fear is the impact it will have on teachers and the education system as a whole.

“It is no surprise that we have a massive

Desert Foothills Theater

Rural Metro finishes fighting a fire in the 30000 block of 140th Street in the Rio Verde foothills at 1:45 a.m. Dec. 2. (Rural Metro/Submitted)

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lack of teachers who are willing to work for this pay and, under these working conditions, these numbers don’t sur prise me whatsoever,” Lewis said.

Educators made their dissatisfaction known in 2018 with the RedforEd move ment. Educators in Arizona and other states went on strike for anywhere from five to 10 days, fighting for better sala ries and fewer budget cuts. Following the walkouts, Gov. Doug Ducey passed the “20x2020” plan — a plan to increase Arizona’s teacher salary by 20% by the year 2020.

While Business.org ranked Arizona No. 50 — the worst state in the United States for teacher pay — as reporting teacher pay has declined by 9.59% from 2010-2021. Matt Beienburg, director of education at the Goldwater Institute, said Business.org’s numbers don’t quite match up with data from the state Audi tor General, however. Data from the Au ditor General shows the average teacher salary was $56,349 in the 2021 fiscal year, June 2020 to June 2021.

Additionally, Beienburg disputes Busi ness.org’s report and said there has actu ally been an increase in teacher salaries from 2010-2021, though a small one.

In Beienburg’s 2021 policy report, “The Truth About Teacher Pay in Arizo na: How Arizona School Districts Have Held Down Teacher Salaries, Blamed Lawmakers, and Continually Cap tured Public Sympathy,” he looks at the 20x2020 funds increase and what the distribution of that money looks like in the state’s school districts.

Beienburg’s research indicates that while teachers were receiving pay increas es, much of the money was actually being directed away from the pockets of the classroom teachers it was intended for.

“Before you get to a question about more or less, is what we’re spending even getting to the teachers?” Beienburg said. “That’s kind of the fundamental question.”

Much of the teacher pay increases for Arizona’s education staff came from al ready existing funding districts receive to offset inflation as well as pay increas es. However, the funds from the 20x2020 plan were meant to provide a 20% in

crease on top of these already existing inflation funds. Even so, districts used less than half of the 20x2020 funds to ward pay increases, resulting in only an estimated $3,016 increase per teacher, instead of what was meant to be a $7,050 increase per teacher, according to the Goldwater Institute’s policy report.

So if school districts received funding intended to increase teachers’ salaries by 20%, where is the money being allo cated within districts?

Marisol Garcia is the president of the Arizona Education Association, the state’s teachers’ union organization. She rejects the idea of funds being misused and said the idea is meant to conceive a public distrust for increased funding in public school systems.

“The idea that districts are misusing money is just an easy thing to say,” Garcia said. “It’s almost trying to find a reason to try to take away money.”

She said the funds aren’t being mis used, but that numbers can get confus ing, which may be the reason for the dif fering data reports. She said the termi nology “classroom teachers” in funding discussions and reports often excludes other educators who fall behind the line of what is considered a “classroom teacher,” but maintain certifications and play essential roles in student lives.

“I would have students that are sig nificantly disabled…and so there’s a person there to help. They’re not con sidered classroom teachers,” Garcia said. “They’re paraprofessionals, who are highly qualified, really important peo ple, but they’re not going to show up as a classroom teacher, right?”

While Tori Schroeder, president of Sunnyside Unified School District’s Ed ucation Association, said she thinks the money her district receives goes a long way, it still isn’t as much as some might think.

“There’s a really big disconnect…the assumption is that this amount of mon ey is adequate, not understanding what happens when you break that down,” Schroeder said.

She said that hundreds of certified ed ucators in her district are not labeled as “classroom teachers” and also received salary increases such as counselors, cafe teria staff and janitorial staff.

But even for districts said to be doing well allocating funds back to all educa tors, the extra increases provided still ar en’t enough for some to make ends meet. Lewis, Garcia and Schroeder all speak of their own experiences witnessing col leagues leave the profession and struggle with motivation to stay in their positions as educators because they can’t afford to live on their teacher salary.

Marisol Garcia with the AEA said the high turnover rate for teachers is a large ly concerning stressor in already unsta ble schools and feels what is needed is less focus on teacher recruitment and more focus on teacher retention. A fo cus on raising the teacher retention rate would be much easier to obtain with a better salary to offer, Garcia said.

“I’ve had tons of friends who came in and out two, three years in and left; three, five years and left, and they just couldn’t take it,” Garcia said. “When we start losing veteran educators — we’ve lost. If we don’t get them to stay, that in stability is going to disrupt even more.”

With low funding and salaries causing districts to lose educators, Schroeder also said she has noticed area districts and schools have become competitive, offering incentives like bonuses or high er wages.

“It’s very hard for districts, in general, to find especially math, science and spe cial education positions just at all. Liter ally there’s no applicants for this posi tion,” Schroeder said.

Lewis added that teaching is becoming a profession that many people just can’t take on for economic reasons.

“I’ve been a teacher in Arizona for 12 years,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen it first hand and I have seen many, many teachers who are incredibly talented, amazing souls, who really serve kids walk away because they not only aren’t able to take care of their own families but also be cause they feel disrespected.”

“There are people who are running the math on, ‘Can I stay in this profes sion, can I do this thing and still make these bills?’” Schroeder said. “For some of them, it really is, ‘I can’t afford to be in this profession.’”

With talk of more school funding in creases to come from Katie Hobbs, gov ernor-elect, the debate goes on.

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Brnovich issues holiday shopping tips

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is reminding Arizo nans to watch out for possible scams while shopping this holiday season.

“Scammers also see the holidays as a wonderful time of the year and you never want to be on their list,” Brnovich said.

“Make responsible purchases and maintain the joy of the season.” He offers the following tips:

Do your research

• Use a business/retailer that you know or trust.

• Beware of unsolicited texts or emails that appear to be from a le gitimate business but want you to click a link. Visit a website directly on your own and never from a link

you have received.

• Always use trusted websites with reliable track records.

• Before making a purchase based on a social media ad or post, look into the company. Use a search en gine to visit the company’s actual website or to search the company’s name with “scam,” “complaint,” or “review” and see if the company has a track record of keeping its promises.

Pay a smart way

• Use a credit card for purchases, if possible. Credit cards generally offer the most protection against fraud, including the right to dispute charges if there are problems with your purchase.

• Money wire transfers, cash apps, cryptocurrency and gift card pay ments should be considered the

same as using cash. Once you send the funds, it is difficult, if not nearly impossible, to get your money back.

Remain vigilant

• Beware of delivery scams. These con artists pose as a de livery service and call or send a text message asking you to confirm your credit card num ber to pay for the delivery of a package.

• Beware of phishing attempts. Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming problems to lure consumers into revealing financial information. If you receive such an email, call the business directly by searching online for the business’ website and using the number list ed there.

Those who believe they have been

the victim of consumer fraud can file a consumer complaint by visiting the attorney general’s website, azag.gov

To receive a complaint form via mail, the attorney general’s office in Phoenix at 602-542-5763, in Tuc son at 520-628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1-800-352-8431.

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

What’s with a Christmas tree anyway?

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

To tree, or not to tree, that is the question. Oh Christmas Angel, please guide my decision, as I am contemplating not putting up a Christ mas tree this year. Yes, we decorated the house with holly, wreaths, poinsettias and other holiday trimmings, but the tree stands silently in a box in the ga rage, awaiting its fate.

Having coffee with my husband, Doug, one morning, I said that I think maybe we might just forget about putting up the tree this year. Doug stared at me for

a few seconds, then started fist pumping as he joyfully yelled, “Yes!” Hey, this was not the response I had hoped for! What about thoughtful discussion of the pros and cons? Yikes, I thought he loved our Christmas tree!

When I mentioned this “tree situation” to my girlfriend, she said (in a very se rious tone), “Well, you know this is how old people think. Last month you wanted to buy flat dress shoes instead of heels, this month you are ditching the Christ mas tree. What’s next?” Ouch! It’s just a tree and has nothing to do with “getting

old.” It’s all about convenience.

My daughter, Tammy, is holding Christmas at her house this year. The whole family will be gathered, includ ing my grandson who serves in the Navy and has missed every Christmas for six years. So, it seems like a perfect time to “take a break” from decorating. Because I usually make all big meals for the holi days, Doug and I are looking forward to being guests instead of hosts. You know, show up late, eat well and leave early.

Getting back to the tree dilemma, I cannot recall not having a Christmas

tree beautifully decorated gracing our home over the holidays. Old ornaments that the grandkids made, little silver bells with engraved birthdates of fami

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County officials adopt grim comedy routine on election

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

You can forget all about “Abbott and Costello…” ditto for “Martin and Lewis.”

A new comedy team with a familiar name has suddenly emerged in Arizona. These days, Maricopa County residents are treated to the escapades of a real-life “Mutt and Jeff.” And unlike the original comic strip duo, this modern-day pair isn’t confined to the funny papers.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates and County Recorder Stephen Rich er have made headlines in the aftermath of Election Day. Unfortunately for them, their act—or more accurately, their actions— are not receiving rave reviews.

Still, their “political performance art” played to a full house and a large internet audience during the supervisors’ “special meeting” Nov. 28.

Gates unwittingly affirmed the perfor mance emphasis in his opening remarks,

referring to the meeting agenda as a “run of show.” And what a show!

As pure entertainment, it fell some where between the efforts of earnest am ateur thespians giving their all in a “com munity theater” production and “open mic night” at a comedy club where most standup aspirants would be well-advised to re

main seated.

The county’s lead players could be found in that latter category.

Our taxpayer-subsidized comedy team relies upon the maudlin schmaltz of mutu al admiration.

With a presentation style reminiscent of “Mister Rogers,” Gates introduced Richter: “The Board is very grateful for your work, Stephen, and thanks so much for address ing us,”

Richer recited some specific numbers: 1.87 million ballots mailed to county vot ers; 1.3 million completed and returned, 290,000 of those dropped off at voting centers on Election Day and needing sig nature verification which was completed by Thursday afternoon; then the process ing of those ballots, done by Sunday after noon.

In other words, those early ballots dropped off on Nov. 8 – a record number for any election and almost 120,000 more than arrived on Election Day 2020—took until five days after Nov. 8 to be prepared

for counting.

And left dangling in Richer’s account was this oratorical gem: “Over 100 people of all parties contributed to the signature verification process.”

That sounds mighty inclusive, but it is devoid of a key detail: what was the par tisan composition of that signature check ing group?

After expressing his 100% confidence “in the integrity and character of the peo ple working the other half of the election operation,”— the Election Day balloting, so plagued with problems—Richer spread a heavy dose of verbal frosting on this slice of rhetorical flattery:

“That starts with Chairman Bill Gates, who has continued to lead, despite person ally and probably going through personal hell.”

As for the majority of concerned citizens in attendance, Richer was disdainfully dis missive.

Election deniers take crazy to a new level

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

We begin with the good news about the process of certifying Arizona’s November 2022 elec tion.

After all the conspiracy theories, death threats, and fact-deprived screaming about rigged results, only a few hundred protesters showed up for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ Nov. 28 spe cial meeting to certify the county’s results.

In a state of more than seven million people – and in a county where 1,562,758 of us voted on Nov. 8 – a few hundred “nay screamers” amounts to a raindrop in a riv er.

The bad news? The people who did show up to scream at the five supervisors were bull goose loony.

Like election denier and podcaster Joe Oltman, who traveled from Castle Pines, Colorado, to lament the board’s lack of transparency – in a public meeting broad cast around the world online – and to ac cuse them of “gaslight(ing) the American people.”

That was tame compared to speakers who threw around terms like “evil,” “trai tors,” “crooked,” “clowns” and “violent rev olution.”

Heck, one lady from Wickenburg, Lydia Abril, used her two minutes to share “what God has to say to all elected officials,” cour tesy of the Book of Psalms. She thundered about “high and mighty politicians” and “giving justice in exchange for bribes,” be fore asking God to “break off their fangs” and “let them be as snails that dissolve into slime.”

That got quite the round of applause from her fellow zealots.

Later came my personal favorite speak er, failed Board of Supervisors candidate Gail Golec, a Trump-endorsed Scottsdale Republican, who got pasted in the primary by Supervisor Tom Galvin. Golec demand ed a halt to the certification “until we can get some more audits.”

Golec really hit it out of the park with her finger-wagging tirade: “These ma chines have come into play and have taken over countries. South America right now is almost gone because of selections! Thank God for Brazil or we would lose a continent – a whole continent – to these machines!”

Lady, for heaven’s sake, please burn your collection of “Terminator” DVDs, pronto.

After four hours of this nonsense, the su pervisors – four Republicans and a Demo crat – voted to certify the county’s election results, as required by law. Fourteen out of Arizona’s 15 counties have done the same, with only tiny Cochise County, population 126,000, as the lone holdout.

So, Election 2022 continues to sputter to its conclusion, despite some national and local press coverage portraying Arizona and the Valley as something of a laugh ingstock, populated by nuts and dolts and those who see a conspiracy around every corner and every time a computer printer runs out of toner.

My assessment, which I previewed for you in a column several weeks ago, is this: The 2022 election was imperfect, in part because all elections are. But there were no hijinks afoot.

If it took two weeks to count the ballots,

ly members, even my horses had orna ments made with their photos. The an gel we put on top was given to me from my parents about 30 years ago.

My niece says that when you break with traditions that you love it is because you are depressed (not really). My neighbor hasn’t put a tree up since her husband’s shoulder surgery, which was two years ago (good choice). A close friend claims that the tree is the one true symbol of Christmas and when that goes, so does the wonder of the holiday (nonsense).

O Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches. What exactly does the Christmas tree sym bolize? And how did it evolve into the

most celebrated icon of the season?

Going back to 16th century Germany, Christians began decorating trees, of ten placing candles on the branches. The Christmas tree tradition was not widely embraced in America until the mid-1800s. Homemade decorations of berries on strings and cookies hung on branches were an early custom. By the 1900s, Americans were buying shiny ornaments and tinsel.

There is more to the Christmas season than a tree! To the folks who are con vinced that not putting up a tree is “sad,” I say, “Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle.”

There’s always mistletoe.

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

problems.

You remember those, I’m guessing.

that’s because (a) it always takes long, and (b) a record number of voters listened to MAGA leaders who told them to hold onto their early ballots until Election Day, thus creating the very issue – slow counting –that they later lambasted.

Given the relatively few people who showed up to protest the supervisors – a far smaller crowd than your average JV football game – I’d suggest that 99% of us have moved on to bigger issues and real

Inflation. Rising crime. Our troubled public school system. The lack of housing supply in our state. The fentanyl epidemic. Our porous border.

These were the issues would-be elected leaders used to campaign on, before they turned to false tales of stolen elections and machine takeovers.

I miss the old days, when the other 1 percent – not the crazy 1% – got all the at tention.

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Saying the focus needed to be on “real issues,” the recorder characterized the grassroots skepticism as “conspiracy the ories promoted on social media by people who know nothing,” drawing a loud, angry reaction from the crowd.

Once the recorder finished, the presid ing officer made a pronouncement that was shockingly premature: “This election was run extremely well, as you pointed out,” Gates told Richer.

Despite a parade of eyewitnesses re counting mechanical problems with tabu lators and printers, as well as a plethora of other Election Day problems, it was clear that this “public hearing” didn’t result in officials truly listening.

After 90-plus minutes of comments, con cerned citizen Michelle Dillard summed it

up: “This election is not certifiable…it was targeted voter suppression by the Coun ty, including elected officials with glaring conflicts of interest.”

Among the elected officials with “glaring conflicts?” The recorder and the chairman.

Richer started a dark money political action committee, “Democracy Republi cans PAC,” targeting Trump-endorsed can didates; Gates spoke out publicly against those same GOP nominees, calling their primary victories a “catastrophe.” and tell ing Politico he hoped for Republican “hu miliation at the ballot box.”

There’s humiliation all right, but it’s Gates and Richer who should be embar rassed – along with all the members of the Board of Supervisors, who voted unani mously to certify the 2022 election.

Mutt and Jeff may be smiling, but few voters in Maricopa County are laughing.

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AZ zip codes turn up gold for residents

“If you live in the state of Arizona you need to find the first three digits of your zip code listed in today’s newspaper announcement and call immediately,” said Laura A. Lynne, Director of Coin and Currency for National Mint and Treasury.

That’s because Arizona residents can really cash in for the next 48 hours. Here’s why. Non-state residents and those who miss the 48-hour deadline must pay $8 per coin, but Arizona residents who take the Vault Bricks cover just the $4 per coin state minimum. That means Arizona residents get all 125 coins with rare 24 Karat Gold Layering for just $500 which is a real steal since non-state residents must pay over $1,000 for each Vault Brick. And it gets even better for those claiming the Jumbo Gold Vault Bricks.

This is all happening because thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the gold. Now any resident who finds their zip code listed in today’s publication and calls to verify it gets to claim the Gold Vault Bricks for themselves and keep all the valuable gold found inside.

And here’s the best part. Arizona residents who find the first three digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication are getting Sealed Vault Bricks containing the only Arizona State Gold Bank Rolls known to exist with the exclusive State Restricted Design and each loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Buffalo Nickels layered in valuable 24 Karat Gold by National Mint and Treasury.

“As Director of Coin and Currency for National Mint and Treasury, one of my jobs is to deliver breaking news. And today’s announcement confirming the release of Sealed Gold Vault Bricks to residents of the state of Arizona is as big as it gets,” Lynne said.

“So my advice is this, anyone who gets an opportunity to get their hands on one of these Gold Vault Bricks full of coins issued by the U.S. Gov’t nearly 100 years ago with rare 24 Karat Gold layering from the National Mint and Treasury better jump at the chance while they still can,” Lynne said.

“These Gold Vault Bricks make the most impressive gifts for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and any other occasion, especially for that hard-to-buy-for person,” Lynne said.

According to Ms. Lynne, since thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the dead-

but not everybody will. That’s why those who do need

who does is authorized to claim sealed Vault Bricks

exist for the lowest ever $4 per coin minimum set for

48 hour deadline must pay $8 per coin, if any remain.

■ RARELY SEEN: ISSUED BY THE U.S. GOV’T NEARLY 100 YEARS AGO

Contents inside sealed Vault Bricks reveal old U.S. coins with added 24 Karat Gold Layering minted nearly 100 years ago are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who find their zip code below; but only those who beat the 48 hour deadline are getting them at just state minimum

line to claim the gold, today and tomorrow are intended as a “special 48 hour release” for the benefit of Arizona residents. This gives them a fair chance to claim the Sealed Gold Vault Bricks and all the valuable gold loaded inside for themselves.

But, Ms. Lynne added, “The Sealed Gold Vault Bricks are only available as inventory permits during the special 48 hour release so please do not miss the deadline.” The director added, “We have no power to stop coin dealers, resellers or collectors buying up all the Gold Vault Bricks they can get their hands on,” Lynne said.

”We already know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of agents are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 48 hours to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all,” Lynne said.

“That’s why National Mint and Treasury set up the State Distribution Hotlines in order to make sure residents of Arizona can get them now,” Lynne said.

The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they live in one of the zip codes listed and call the State Distribution Hotlines before the special 48 hour deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

Answering Your Questions

Q: How much are the Gold Vault Bricks worth?

A: It’s impossible to say, but these Buffalos date clear back to the early 1900’s and are not ordinary U.S. coins. That’s because only an extremely low percentage of Buffalos were then commissioned by National Mint and Treasury to be covered with rarely seen 24 Karat Gold Layering, then sealed and protected in brilliant collector condition inside special 25 count Arizona Bank Rolls. That’s why you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Arizona State Bank Rolls known to exist. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these sealed Vault Bricks should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Q:

Why are so many Arizona residents calling to get them?

A: Because they are the only Arizona State Bank Rolls known to exist we’re bracing for the flood of calls. These are not ordinary Bank Rolls. These are full Bank Rolls containing 25 Buffalos dating clear back to the early 1900’s. Best of all each Buffalo is layered in 24 Karat Gold and the state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury is restricted to Arizona residents who find the first three digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication and beat the deadline only. That means Arizona residents cover only $4 per Buffalo when they claim the Gold Vault Bricks, which is just $500 for the next 2 days.

Q: How do I get the Gold Vault Bricks?

A: The only thing Arizona residents need to do is find the first three digits of their zip code in today’s publication and call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 1-800-280-4564 Ext. GNH1243 before the deadline ends. Everyone who does is getting the Bank Rolls for just the state minimum. That’s a sealed Gold Vault Brick containing the only Arizona State Bank Rolls known to exist each loaded with the rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Buffalo Nickels layered in valuable 24 Karat Gold for just the $4 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, which totals just $500 for the full sealed Gold Vault Brick. That’s a real steal because state residents and non-state residents who miss the deadline must pay $1,000 for each sealed Gold Vault Brick if any remain.

That’s because Arizona

in

the next 48

and those who miss the 48-hour deadline must pay $8 per coin, but Arizona residents who take the Gold Vault Bricks pictured above cover just the $4 per coin state minimum. That means Arizona residents get all 125 coins with rare 24 Karat Gold Layering for just $500 which is a real steal since non-state residents must pay over $1,000 for each Gold Vault Brick. And it gets even better for those claiming the Jumbo Gold Vault Bricks.

NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2022 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY.

■ FIRST LOOK INSIDE GOLD VAULT BRICKS: Shown above is a sneak peak inside the Gold Vault Bricks. The Gold Vault Bricks are loaded with Arizona State Gold Bank Rolls containing U.S. Buffalos each layered in 24 Karat Gold. The phone lines will be ringing off the hook beginning at precisely 8:30 am this morning.

residents can really cash

for

hours. Here’s why. Non-state residents

YC’s defies challenges to open new store

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

The pandemic was tough for restaurants, and Geoff Stanisic can attest to that.

The owner of build-your-own stir-

fry concept YC’s Mongolian Grill says he is grateful that the industry has re turned to some semblance of normal cy.

“We’re just very grateful,” Stanisic says.

“A lot of establishments didn’t make it out of COVID. We had some minor setbacks, but we circled the wagons and we’re growing again.”

His “minor setback” was the bank ruptcy of the Scottsdale Pavilions location near Salt River Fields. His other restaurants survived Gov. Doug Ducey’s pandemic-dictated closure of restaurants and buffet restaurants.

In October, he brought his flavor

ful bowls back to Scottsdale when he opened a new store at 14850 N. 87th Street, near Raintree Drive and Loop 101.

“People’s dining habits changed,” he says. “In Tempe, there were no stu dents. In Chandler, there were no mov ie theater patrons. Scottsdale was all entertainment driven. We didn’t know what was going to happen with COVID. Nobody did. We had to shutter those. Now, when we reopened, we’re less re liant on any one type of demographic.

“We have to be able to draw in busi nesspeople and residential guests. This location is the perfect fit for all of them. In the last week, I’ve met so

many people at the Scottsdale store who said they had driven from Scott sdale all the way to (Gilbert/Mesa) for our food. I had no idea. I was awe struck by the amount of people who made the trek.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill Scottsdale fea tures the restaurant’s signature small, large and unlimited bowls with flavor ful, world-inspired sauces including Calcutta curry, spicy Thai, curry-ya ki and spicy black pepper. Guests are encouraged to pack their bowls full of fresh veggies, rice, noodles and sauc es to customize their bowl experience.

Each bowl is then stir-fried by a YC’s chef on the restaurant’s signature flattop grill.

“What separates us are our noodles,” Stanisic says.

“You don’t know why you like our lo mein noodles, but we hand steam them. Most places, whether it’s Mon golian barbecue or others, will boil noodles. We steam. It’s much more time consuming and labor intensive.”

The noodles absorb the flavor from the sauce and the grill, while with boiled noodles, it just runs off.

“Our lo mein noodles don’t have the glisten of moisture, but that’s because they’re absorbing all the sauce,” he says. “They’re in that absorbent stage.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill has been a lo cally owned and operated Valley sta ple for more than 30 years, opening its first location in Tempe in 1991. He has already purchased space for his next location: Downtown Phoenix behind The Vig on Fifth Avenue.

“It’s a 1913 home that we’re going to

keep historic in the front and we’ll put the kitchen in the back,” he says.

“It’s a new feel for us. It’s more of a neighborhood place. Folks near there, they don’t drive. They walk their dogs, ride their bikes. Kids take their scoot ers.”

A graduate of Catalina High School in Tucson and NAU, Stanisic would love to expand throughout the state, but he has bigger priorities.

“I’m still a dad,” he says. “My kids are 14 and 15. My kids need a dad at home, more than they need a restaurant. Plus, opening this restaurant was not easy, especially during this supply-chain era.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill

14850 N. 87th Street, Suite 140, Scottsdale 480-590-5479

752 W. Elliot Road, Tempe 480-777-2929

4770 E. Ray Road, Suite 101, Gilbert 480-457-8681 ycs-mongoliangrill.com

Geoff Stanisic, owner of YC’s Mongolian Grill says he is grateful the industry has returned to some normalcy. He has opened a new store in Scottsdale. (YC’s Mongolian Grill/submitted)

CHURCH

The San Francisco Chronicle re ported a story about a hump back whale on Dec. 14, 2005. On Dec. 11, 2005, a female humpback whale was entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She had hun dreds of pounds of crab traps and yards of lines wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso and even a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her east of the Farallon Islands, just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. He radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off that the only way to save her was to dive in and untan gle her. Talk about danger. One slap of a whale’s tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers said she swam in what seemed like joy ous circles. She then returned to each diver and nudged them as if to thank them. The divers were stunned. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eye followed him the whole time and said he would never be the same.

I’m glad someone got involved and took the time, effort and courage to save the whale. You might say the group of divers was like Jesus. They set the ensnared whale free from certain death. But, wouldn’t it be just as good, if not better, if someone was Jesus to those people caught in heavy traps and long lines of calamity, even if by their own doing? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if someone were Jesus to the lonely per son in the nursing home who needs a

visit from someone? Wouldn’t finding a need and meeting it be better than complaining about long store lines or judging others for their political cor rectness or the lack thereof?

Wouldn’t it be better to go outside your comfort zone and volunteer for a worthy cause in your commu nity? You don’t get to experience what those whale-freeing divers ex perienced by just sending a check. When you give a check, something is withdrawn from your bank account. When you get involved, something is deposited in you. You give a Christ mas present to yourself when you give your presence as a present to another who needs it.

It’s interesting how everybody these days wants somebody or any body to do something about the prob lems in the world or their communi ty. This story illustrates my point.

A mother was preparing breakfast for her sons, Kevin, age 5, and Ryan, age 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw an opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’ Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” That was our home about 30 years ago.

Have you heard the illustration about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody? There was an important job to do, and Everybody was sure that Some body would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. So, then, Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Ev erybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Every body wouldn’t do it. So, it ended up

that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

We live in a world of specialists. In some respects, this is great. We all ap preciate someone who specializes in a specific area, especially if we need the specialist’s specialty. But saying or thinking, “That’s not my depart ment,” regarding a simple job that anyone could do, is something else. That sounds like, “Ryan, you be Jesus.”

cialists, professionals, politicians, ac ademics and theologians won’t. Too

Foothills Focus Columnist

Theater to host holiday fundraising events

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Desert Foothills Theater is raising funds — and sharing holiday fun and entertainment — with two special events on Saturday, Dec. 10, at The Holland Center at 34250 N. 60th Street in Scottsdale.

“We have been hard at work planning events that will bring the holidays to life for kids and adults while also rais ing much-needed funds for our theater,” said Sandi Carll, DFT’s producing artis tic director. “These fundraisers also give us a chance to show off the talent of our performers with an incredible lineup of live holiday musical numbers.”

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the commu nity theater company will present Oh What Fun! A Holiday Family Festival, an open-house style event featuring live musical numbers from DFT’s youth per

Kids from across the Valley performed “Dear Edwina Jr.” last spring at Desert Foothills Theater. (Desert Foothills Theater/Submitted)

formers along with a full lineup of holi day-themed treats and activities.

Kids and families can enjoy photo opportunities, cold-weather snacks, a hot chocolate bar, holiday games and a make-and-take craft. Guests also are in vited to bid on raffle baskets.

Tickets for the Holiday Family Festival are $25 each or $100 for a family fivepack. Children 3 and under are free.

Later that night, local actor Ken Good enberger will join New York City jazz vocalist Kimberly Woods to host Oh What Fun! After Dark, A Holiday Cab aret. From 6:30 to 10 p.m., adults can enjoy a grown-up fundraiser featuring performances from Woods, who has sung in major venues nationwide, along with DFT’s teen and adult ensembles. Guests also can enjoy holiday crafted cocktails, savory bites provided by the Creek Patio Grill, a dessert and espresso bar and a variety of silent auction items. The After Dark event, recommended for adults 21 and up, is $75 per person or $125 per couple.

All proceeds from the events will benefit DFT. Funds will offset the huge array of costs the theater incurs to host classes and camps and produce stage productions. Guests who attend the events, bid on raffle items or make cash donations will help cover a multitude of expenses, from costumes and set builds to teaching artists and scholarships for children and teens whose financial cir cumstances would otherwise preclude them from participating in the arts.

“It takes a lot of hard work, dedicat ed people who are passionate about the arts, talented performers and sup port from our community to run a the ater and stage quality productions, but we are here for the long haul,” Carll said. “With the help of our hardwork ing committee of DFT supporters, we know these fundraisers will give us a much-needed boost as we continue our 2022-23 ‘Season of Laughter’ and pre pare for the months and years ahead.”

To purchase tickets for DFT’s holiday fundraisers or to learn about upcoming auditions and stage productions, visit dftheater.org.

Kids from across the Valley performed “Dear Edwina Jr.” last spring at Desert Foothills Theater. (Desert Foothills Theater/Submitted)

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many people look for a way out of serving others in real and tangible ways. Might I suggest that instead, you look for a “way in” to help others in real and tangible ways, not just an academic or philosophical way?

Look at Jesus in the Bible. Jesus val ued people. Jesus took time out for people in need that others could have done. He made time for the children. Jesus talked to the “loose” woman at the well when most men didn’t speak to that kind of woman. He stopped his journey, healing a Roman Centurion’s servant on the way to a family funeral. Unheard of, yet He did it. In doing this,

From page 17 www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

Jesus reveals to us God’s nature. Jesus both presented God and represented God. God loves everyone. Everybody is Somebody to God. The first Christ mas, God gave us the present of his presence, “now in flesh appearing.”

Here are some final thoughts about stopping the Everybody-blamedSomebody-when-Nobody-did-whatAnybody-could-have-done cycle. Be a ‘Solutionary.’ You might be one per son to the world, but to one person, you might be the world. The more I look at things, the more I believe the willingness to start is the littlest thing in life that makes the biggest difference.

Take a risk, get started, and con tribute more than a protest. If you are going to point out a problem, be pre pared to fix it. Don’t say, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” Who knows, you might untan gle some person or family from the traps and lines that entangle them. Maybe I could say it this way. Giving is living, so why not live this Christ mas by giving Christmas? After all, your presence is a present.

CAVE CREEK

The Foothills Focus publishes on Wednesday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Foothills Focus coverage area. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside the Foothills Focus cir culation area will be considered because there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries.

Weekly calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Wednesday to be considered for the following Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christina@ timespublications.com.

Craft N Chat

MONDAYS

Those

Foothills

enced

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 1 to 3 p.m., free, dfla.org

Yoga Fusion

THURSDAYS

Join Elizabeth Boisson in an intermediate-level course of Yoga Fusion at the Desert Foothills Library from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays. The class will start with breathing exercises and then go through dif ferent types of stretching movements and then into Vinyasa or flow yoga.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, noon to 1 p.m., $10 cash per class, dfla.org

Friday Night Bull Riding & Mutton Bustin’

FRIDAYS

Come watch riders rodeo on the back of a mighty bull. For children 3 to 6, sheep are available to ride alongside them.

Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 8 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., $10 tickets $20 to ride a bull, buffalochipsaloon.com

Live Music at Janey’s Coffeehouse NIGHTLY

Come listen to live music every night at Janey’s Coffeehouse, performed by a variety of talented local artists. The venue has over a dozen unique performers each month, and for those looking to perform, new talent is encouraged to come by and sign up. This week, check out Bill Dutcher, Men of the T-Bonez, Gedalife, Tap Takeover Bonehaus Brewery and Jay Allan.

Janey’s Coffeehouse, 6602 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., ca vecreekazmusic.com

The Arizona Gold Mining Experience

DEC. 10

Discover the way gold is mined in Arizona’s only functional ten-stamp ore crushing mill. Visitors will learn everything about the way gold was mined back in the district’s heyday, from the workers, to the carts, to the crushers, then on to the anvil, where metal is forged into valuable tools. Tickets must be pre-purchased.

Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, $15 adult, free for children under 12, 10 to 11:15 a.m., cavecreekmuseum.org

Bake Sale

DEC. 10

To ensure funding and support for the library and its services, come enjoy a fresh selection of baked goods and the monthly book sale. The library cannot guarantee food served during the program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., dfla.org

A Homesteader Christmas

DEC. 11

Celebrate the holidays in the classic style and learn to live out Christmas like the homesteaders at the Cave Creek Museum. On the Homestead they didn’t worry about fancy ornaments from the store. They made their own wrapping paper, ornaments and gift cards. Make your own special ornament just like they did.

Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, free, 2 to 4 p.m., cavecreekmuse um.org

Euchre Tournament

DEC. 12

Join in a classic trick-taking card game played in groups of two. Learn a new game and connect with new people for a beginner friendly hand of cards.

American Legion 34, 6272 E. Cave Creek Road, Arizona, free, http://azpost34. com/

The Painters Palette

DEC. 14

Bring your paints, palette, watercolors and brushes to a public gathering of artists. Learn to let the cre ative juices flow with other creatives and join other artists in the community to learn new techniques and gain valuable insight into your own work and the work of others. Open to any medium and skill level.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, 9 to 11 a.m., free, dfla.org

Little Known Stories of World War II DEC. 16

Watch a film filled with intrigue and suspense about the lesser known, often overlooked stories behind the second World War. This month, check out A Call to Spy by Lydia Dean Pilcher, about the British women who took on the role of spy during the early days of the second world war.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, 2 to 5 p.m., free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

Christmas Benefit Concert

DEC. 18

Join the American Veterans for a benefit concert featuring a number of talented local bands and mu sicians. Throughout the free concert, donations will be accepted to support charities and local veterans. Food and drink will be sold during the event.

American Legion 34, 6272 E. Cave Creek Road, Arizona, free, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., http://azpost34.com/

The Foothills Focus Online at www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

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