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INSIDE
This Week
NEWS ................. 6
Daisy Mountain fire chief shares victories
FEATURES ........ 17 Health & Rifle Club hopes to expand fanbase at Amped
YOUTH ............. 22 Anthem teen shares pickelball passion with family
OPINION ................... 11 FEATURES ................ 17 YOUTH ...................... 22 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 24 Zone I
Pastor Ed Delph Anthem Area Edition
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Bikers ride for a purpose BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
B
ikers Against Child Abuse riders may look gruff on the outside with their tattoos and leather jackets, but the caring bikers help empower abused children. They use road names for safety and are there for the kids 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We’re there so that an abused child who is afraid can live the life that a normal kid should have. And we do that just by showing up,” said Woodstock, BACA member and treasurer of the Maricopa County chapter. “It’s amazing how much showing up for a child who’s been abused and been disappointed by adults their whole lives — it’s amazing how much showing up really does empower
a child.” The process starts when an abused child’s guardian calls the BACA Arizona Helpline. A child liaison returns the call to discuss the child’s situation. Woodstock said the trained child liaison knows the specifics about the child’s situation, while the other members only know that he or she needs their help. From there, if BACA board members deem this is a child they can help, the organization does a level one interaction, which is its first visit to invite the child to be part of the organization. Turtle, who lives near Bell Road and is vice president of the Black Canyon BACA chapter, said it’s a great moment and a spectacle to see.
see BIKERS page 9
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Patch on the vest of member Turtle, of Bikers Against Child Abuse. (Photo by David Minton)
End of Trail is Renaissance Fest for cowboys
BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
A
rizona has some of the last bits of the wild west, which is why hundreds are flocking here for the Single Action Shooting Society’s world championship of cowboy action and wild bunch shooting. The 41st annual End of Trail event runs from Monday, Feb. 28, to Saturday, March 5,
at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. This is much more than a point-and-shoot event, though. It’s a full immersion into the Old West. Participants adopt a shooting persona of a character from the late 19th century and dress accordingly — with chaps, vests, spurs, hats, boots and holsters. They also use guns typical of the Old West and are required to have firearms with a pre-1900 design.
“It’s kind of like a Renaissance Festival for cowboys,” said Dean Friedt, president of the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders, the event’s organizer. This world championship will have more than 750 competitors from around the United States, as well as Canada, Germany, Poland and Australia. Competitors range in age
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NEWS
An edition of the East Valley Tribune The Foothills Focus is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the North Valley. To find out where you can pick up a copy of The Foothills Focus, please visit www.thefoothillsfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 623-465-5808 | Fax: 623-465-1363 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-348-0343 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timespublications.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timespublications.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timespublications.com Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 | tsimpson@timespublications.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@thefoothillsfocus.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
COWBOY from page 1
from 12 to over 80 years old. Friedt, whose cowboy alias is Blackjack Zak, said the parent organization is the Single Action Shooting Society, but the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders make the event happen. They build all the props, refurbish the targets and prepare the infrastructure for the competition. The Rough Riders have organized the national championship for almost 30 years. Friedt said this is the first time Arizona hosted the world championship, mostly due, in part to the weather and the Rough Riders’ successful events. “We’ve built a reputation of having a really fun, well-organized and competitive match where everybody has fun, and yet it’s still good competition,” Friedt said. “And we have great volunteers. I think that is one of the main reasons why we’re so successful and why the SASS headquarters chose us to put on the world championship. “Also, the desert is built up out here. There are still lots of saguaros around and the topography and visual presentation of the area just kind of lends itself to seeing Clint Eastwood ride by in his poncho. It just kind of gives you that old western vibe.” During timed events, shooters test their skills during 12 stages, each featuring different scenarios and scenic elements — while dressed in their full cowboy regalia and using 19th century-era guns.
Cowboy Action Shooting competition participants adopt a shooting persona of a character from the late 19th century and dress accordingly — with chaps, vests, spurs, hats, boots and holsters. (Photo courtesy of the Single Action Shooting Society)
“There is very little standing and shooting. The name of the event is ‘cowboy action shooting,’ with a lot of emphasis on ‘action,’” said Mark Steil, or “Flyin Shootist,” who has participated in the competitions for 22 years. Friedt said the goal is to be quick and accurate. The winner is based on time and, when a target is missed, there is a time penalty. “The challenge on each stage is to figure out how you’re going to move from one position to the next, because there is usually two or three, sometimes even four different positions that you have to shoot from,” he explained. “You may have to shoot pistols from this window, a rifle from the doorway on the way and then a shotgun from the hay bales on the
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right of the stage.” Steil said he grew up watching Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger on TV in black and white. He became hooked on the sport after watching one match and, since then, shooting has become an everyday hobby. Steil said people golf, he shoots. But, to Steil, he likes that it’s family friendly. Everyone is friendly and he’s even roped his family into competing. They have spent nearly every weekend shooting together for years. “To me, that’s the most important aspect of it, that, for the most part, it is a very family-friendly shooting sport,” Steil said. “I have very close friends who live all over the United States. We all shoot and travel to do this game. They’re some of the closest friends that I have. When I started in the early 2000s, it used to be a bunch of guys who got together to dress up and shoot, but now it’s a husband-and-wife team and I have two daughters who shoot as well.”
The End of Trail World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting will be held at the Ben Avery shooting facility near Anthem, hosting more than 750 competitors from around the globe. (Photo courtesy of the Single Action Shooting Society)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 5 WHERE: Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 4044 W. Black Canyon Boulevard, Phoenix COST: Free admission, $10 for parking, which is donated to charity INFO: endoftrail.org
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Daisy Mountain �ire chief shares victories BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
D
aisy Mountain Fire Medical Chief Brian Tobin gave an update on how the department has changed and grown — contracting with Cave Creek, building a new station and the sharing the strategic plan — at a town hall meeting Feb. 11. Tobin started his presentation by recalling the May 2020 East Desert fire in Cave Creek and emphasized how municipalities across the Valley, including Daisy Mountain, helped fight the flames. That incident, along with the Ocotillo Fire, was a turning point for Cave Creek, who did not have a fire department at the time. Had it not been for the outside help, those fires could have destroyed the town. With that in mind, Cave Creek committed to assembling a fire department that met the qualifications of the auto-
matic aid system. The Daisy Mountain and Scottsdale fire districts advised and supported Cave Creek throughout the process, which took a little over a year to complete. “On Nov. 19, 2021, with the help of Daisy Mountain Fire District, we hired 11 Rural Metro firefighters who worked for them and sent them to the Phoenix training academy,” Tobin said of Daisy Mountain’s role in helping. “Shortly thereafter, on Dec. 6, the town of Cave Creek and the Daisy Mountain Fire District, through our elected governing board, signed a 25-year intergovernmental agreement to contract services with the town of Cave Creek to staff their fire station. So, those were some pretty significant events going on.” This means the town of Cave Creek will pay Daisy Mountain to staff its fire department. Daisy Mountain fire engine 147 was placed in service at the Cave Creek Fire Station on Jan. 5. Cave Creek
was accepted into the automatic aid system shortly thereafter. According to Tobin, plans call for a new fire station that will be split between Cave Creek and Daisy Mountain Fire District. “There is an agreement that when the Daisy Mountain Fire District builds station 144, the town of Cave Creek will pay for half of the operational staffing on that station as well,” he explained. “So, when we put the fire station in the right location, which we are, it will serve the eastern boundary of Desert Hills and the western boundary of Cave Creek, and we will both share in the cost of that fire station.” Tobin said Daisy Mountain bought the land for the new station in December. The property is 2.2 acres and located at 24th Street and Cloud Road. He said the new station will cover Anthem, Black Canyon City, Cave Creek, Desert Hills and New River and should help
with a gap in protection to the East Desert Hills area. Station 144 is projected to open in 2024. At the town hall, Tobin discussed the recently completed analysis of the fire and medical strategic plan. “Every year the Daisy Mountain Fire District meets to set priorities for the next year. Every year that we meet — labor, management and fire board members — we bring up the strategic plan that was created in 2019 and go through it to make sure that we’re following it,” Tobin said. “It’s relative and that we’re going to be able to complete those initiatives.” The plan has eight initiatives, ranging from funding to staffing to level of service. Five of those initiatives are considered completed and are in a maintenance stage. Tobin said they are still working to-
see FIRE CHIEF page 8
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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Lottery marks 40th anniversary with giant Scratchers BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
T
he Arizona Lottery recently marked its 40th anniversary by unveiling a “big win” on a giant 30-foot Scratchers ticket in Downtown Phoenix. The ticket revealed a $40,000 Gives Back Sponsorship to Save Our Saguaros, a National Forest Foundation effort to mitigate wildfire threats across Arizona’s national forests and to ensure the future of this iconic desert species. Gov. Doug Ducey congratulated the Arizona Lottery, stating that 40 years of ticket sales have translated to a big win for Arizona. “On this day that we celebrate our 110th year as a state, we also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the lottery in Arizona,” he said on Feb. 14. “Over the past four decades, the Arizona Lottery has paid nearly $10.5 billion in prizes to players and more than $1.1 billion to retailers in commissions. More importantly, the Arizona Lottery has re-
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turned over $4.8 billion to many vital state programs and services that would otherwise rely on tax dollars for their funding.” Arizona Lottery Executive Director Gregg Edgar said the Arizona Lottery has made a substantial financial contribution over four decades to the state for programs in environmental conservation, higher education, health and human services, and economic and business development. “We’re celebrating 40 years of giving back to the community, and we’re proud to have transferred more than $4.8 billion, through ticket sales, to vital programs and services throughout the state,” Edgar said. “Our ‘Gives Back’ sponsorships, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, are funded with Arizona Lottery marketing dollars. These unique partnerships help nonprofits across Arizona accomplish their missions while helping the Arizona Lottery to tell its story.”
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Measuring 30 feet high, 15 feet wide and 6 feet deep, the Arizona Lottery’s giant Scratchers ticket was built over several hours on Feb. 11 in the Legends Entertainment District next to the Footprint Arena. Throughout the weekend, players 21 and older scanned a QR code on the bottom of the ticket into the Arizona Lottery’s Players Club, where they entered the 40th anniversary drawing for a chance to win one of 40 $400 e-gift cards. During the Feb. 14 event, emcee Gayle Bass, broadcast journalist and host of the nationally syndicated television show “Right This Minute,” ascended some 15 feet in a scissor lift to help peel off a section of the ticket for the big reveal. “We designed our giant Scratchers ticket to be educational, interactive and fun, and our big reveal this morning to the National Forest Foundation’s effort, Save Our Saguaros, in many ways symbolizes the Arizona Lottery’s giant commitment to preserving a vital part of our state’s future. Many people don’t realize that
the saguaro is a keystone species. Widespread loss of saguaros would be devastating to our desert ecosystem,” Edgar said. Unnatural wildfire and fire-prone invasive grasses are threatening saguaros, which is a key reason the Arizona Lottery chose to support the NFF’s Save Our Saguaros’ effort with a Gives Back Sponsorship. The funds will benefit conservation work on the Tonto National Forest in central Arizona and in southern Arizona’s Coronado National Forest. Both habitats are part of the scenic Sonoran Desert. Rebecca Davidson, the National Forest Foundation’s Southwest regional director, was at the Arizona Lottery event to witness the big reveal of the $40,000 Gives Back Sponsorship to the NFF’s Save Our Saguaros effort. “The saguaro cactus has evolved to thrive in the harsh and arid Sonoran Desert, and it can continue to survive,
see LOTTERY page 8
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NEWS
LOTTERY from page 7
even in times of drought” Davidson said. “But with the rapid expansion of nonnative grasses, like buffelgrass and fountain grass, saguaros and Arizona’s desert landscapes are at threat.” Davidson explained how Arizona Lottery funds will support the NFF’s Save Our Saguaros effort. “Invasive grasses fueled the June 2020 Bush Fire on the Tonto National Forest, which burned an approximate 194,000 acres into the Four Peaks Wilderness Area, impacting more than 80,000 iconic saguaros. Working with the Forest Service and other community partners, Arizona Lottery funds will help us establish a cacti and saguaro nursery so we can replant and restore portions of the scarred habitat,” she said. Arizona Lottery funds will also catalyze NFF’s Save Our Saguaros effort on the Coronado National Forest which focuses on management and treatment of invasive grasses across hundreds of acres of Sonoran Desert habitat in the Tucson area.
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
“Through continued treatment we are hoping to avoid ignition of buffelgrass-fueled fires, which can carry fire swiftly, scorching plants and soils, ultimately converting a rich desert ecosystem into a monoculture of buffelgrass in a very short time,” she said. The Arizona Lottery’s 30-foot Scratchers ticket revealed a $40,000 Gives “When lightning Back Sponsorship to Save Our Saguaros. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Lottery) sparked the Bighorn Fire in June 2020, it quickly burned over 120,000 acres ditional partners and resources to manof Sonoran Desert in the Santa Catalina age and eliminate the invasive species. Mountains, and the Tucson community “Truly, time is of the essence to protect was devastated. Luckily, no harm came our iconic saguaro cacti. Together with to people and homes and structures were the Forest Service, we’re working to raise protected, but it was a wake-up call to the awareness about the importance of these immediacy of treatment need on national issues, and get acres treated and cacti reforests and in adjacent neighborhoods.” established, and that’s why we’re so Davidson said that while treatment re- grateful for the support of organizations duces threats on some acres, it is expen- like the Arizona Lottery and our other sive work, and land managers require ad- community partners,” she said.
FIRE CHIEF from page 6
ward analyzing and evaluating the communities’ needs to provide “exceptional and compassionate service;” building a three month-cash reserve, including a capital reserve and replacement plan; and creating a career development and succession plan for the fire chief and other positions in the department. Out of those, Tobin reported substantial progress and said the initiatives should be completed within the next two years, which is the timeline outlined in the plan. Tobin said he thinks the Daisy Mountain Fire District is in a good position to meet the needs of the communities it serves, and is grateful for the support it has received. “We really love the community and how much support we have from everybody there,” he said. “We strive to do the very best we can. We’re human beings, sometimes we make mistakes, but we really are proud of serving the Daisy Mountain district and now very proud that we can serve Cave Creek.”
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
BIKERS from page 1
“This is the first interaction with the child where we will actually set up a time where the whole chapter can ride out and meet that child for the first time,” Turtle said. “And when we ride in, it’s kind of an occasion. Then we initiate them by giving them a cut to make them feel like they have that biker family.” The “cut” is a vest with a BACA patch on it, which the kids can choose whether or not to wear. The child is then assigned two primaries, those who are the main point of contact and do routine checks and visits to ensure the child’s safety and work toward removing fear from his or her life. BACA also goes to court with the kids, to provide support for the child during a stressful time. And, while the organization does not condone violence, its mission states that “if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready
to be that obstacle.” “That biker mentality of family comes into place where we don’t have to be blood to be family,” Turtle said. “We are always there for one another. And that reputation as a biker definitely helps us in the case of the perp, but it also helps us with the kids because when they get to know us, they know we’re just teddy bears. But they know we’re teddy bears that are going to do anything to protect them.” Being a biker isn’t a free pass to join the group, though, and Turtle said there is an extensive process to become a primary. After attending three group meetings, those interested in being a primary undergo a background check. Once the background check has cleared, the person will become eligible to start the “supporter” process and serve in that role for over a year to learn policies and procedures. After that time, and if approved by the board, the person will be promoted to full membership status and an honored primary.
The organization was founded in 1995 and now covers 48 states and 22 countries. Woodstock said the organization is growing strong, but the problem is increasing even faster. He said the latest studies show there were more than 51,000 cases of child abuse in Arizona annually. Both Turtle and Woodstock said they have seen the positive impact BACA can have for the kids. While they admitted the kids are sometimes a little intimidated at first, they always open up and seem to feel more confident. “When we do the level one interaction and we roll in, we wake up the neighborhood,” Woodstock said. “We’re parking all these bikes in front of the child’s house and sometimes the child will be hiding behind mom. After a few minutes, though, that child will come around after we introduce ourselves. Pretty soon, they’re walking up and down the street looking at the motorcycles with us.” Turtle said adults have repeated-
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ly disappointed these kids. Being a reliable constant in the kids’ life is a huge part of making them feel safe. He said the primaries try to be available at any time, whether it’s responding to a text or showing up in person. “We always tell the kids that they can reach out to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Turtle said. “We’ve had kids call us at 1 a.m. just to see if we will answer the phone and if we can talk them through some of their nightmares. If we need to, the primaries will do a little drive by, rev the motors up and just let the child know that we are always available for them.” He said, over time, they build a relationship with the child and the transformation is evident. In fact, that inspired Woodstock to join. “I attended a meeting and this BACA child is goofing around, playing with the president and board members, giving them a hard time, just being a
see BIKERS page 10
NEWS
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Einstein, Viking and Turtle are members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse that serve children in Arizona to help the kids conquer their fears. (Photo by David Minton)
BIKERS from page 9
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kid and having fun,” Woodstock said. “I determined that if BACA could make somebody who’s been through what she’s been through that strong, I have to join this organization.” Woodstock said he rode with a group before, but once he found BACA, he has been riding for a purpose. He said all members are volunteers, and their reward is seeing the children lose their fear. BACA has four chapters in Arizona — the Black Canyon, Maricopa County, Pima
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County and White Mountains chapters. The organization accepts new members and donations, which go toward informational brochures as well as blankets, backpacks and the cuts for the kids. The Desert Foothills Library is hosting a Bikers for Books Motorcycle Poker Run in partnership with BACA from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12. The event will be a driveby starting at Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson and ending at the Desert Foothills Library. There will also be live music, food vendors, drinks, a used book sale and raffle. Bikers for Books Motorcycle Poker Run
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12 WHERE: Starts at Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Suite 2, Phoenix COST: $25 INFO: dfla.org, arizona.bacaworld.org
OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN
Sportsmanship makes winning golden BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist
S
ports. We have been able to sit back and watch the greatest shows on Earth. The WP Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. Almost too much to comprehend in the span of a few short weeks. Dubbed the “Greatest Show on Grass,” the TPC really lived up to its name, with the spectacle of people going berserk. And the golf was fantastic too. Pandemonium on the 16th hole. Another day, another ace and another insane celebration by a crowd that looked like they
were at a rock concert. There is no bigger party than watching folks go bonkers over a hole in one, with a mist (of beer) descending onto the green like a monsoon. Oh yeah, those golf fans can be rowdy. The TPC security and medical teams were kept busy each day with quite a few “emergency” calls from ladies falling over because their high heels got stuck in the cracks in the sidewalks, drunks passing out and folks succumbing to heat stroke. Yikes! Golf (viewing) can be dangerous! The Super Bowl didn’t disappoint, unless your team lost. But at least it played out as a thrilling cliffhanger of a game. About 112
million Americans watched the “big game.” Hip-hop and rap took over the halftime show, with the likes of Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and Mary J. Blige. Some people complained bitterly, but there were plenty of rave reviews and the ratings showed people kept “tuned in.” And if you don’t like the teams, or the show, there is always the commercials. Alright, so if everything disappoints, there is always the wings, pizza and beer. The Olympics shows us the world’s best athletes attempting to achieve the incredible. Faster. Higher. Stronger. Snowboarders, skiers and ice skaters flying through the air,
defying gravity, common sense and physics. It is breathtaking to watch. A thrill to see what the human body can endure and leaving we, the viewers, wondering how they do what they do. We can barely imagine what
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BEFORE
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OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Long after studying Orwell’s novel, 1984 has arrived BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist
“W
hat you’re about to read is a vision of the future,” the teacher told her
class. “If you expect to read a tale of space travel…or a story focused on happy, prosperous people living in a bright, sparkling city of tomorrow, you need to prepare yourself for something completely different.” “Jimmy Jones, if you could develop an appreciation for books that rivals your love of the Beatles, you could get into an Ivy League School.” The teacher combined her admonition with an appeal: “JJ, I assure you that you’ll find no ‘Flying Circus’ within the pages of this novel, but the author is British and given your world view, that ought to count for something.” The large young man grabbed a box
of 40 books and put one on the desk of each of his 35 classmates. Then she said, “Class, there are three goals to which we all should aspire. We need to think clearly, speak clearly and write clearly.” “We all know that words have meaning, and that some words have many different meanings. But what would happen if a government sought to control its citizens by the deliberate distortion of language?” “Prepare to encounter ‘newspeak,’ and discover the consequences of calculated, confusing communication, designed to discourage independent thought and action.” “George Orwell’s book is titled ‘1984,’ and that’s only 10 years from now. You’ll read of a future that’s quite distressing. A future based on language control, thought control, and collective control through a surveillance state.” “Could something like that happen
here? Read this book and decide for yourself.” For the next two weeks, the class immersed itself in Orwell’s dystopian tale, discussing the distressing, foreboding future presented in the text. And then, the future arrived. JJ did in fact become a lawyer and Big Guy eventually became a federal lawmaker. Both marveled that the USA in 1984 was nothing like Orwell’s “1984.” Ronald Reagan carried every state except Minnesota en route to his second term. The same was true 10 years later. Big Guy became part of a big class of conservative congressmen – over 70, who won a Republican House Majority for the first time in 40 years. Almost 30 years have passed. What happened? A terror attack on our soil and a decision that collective security should be emphasized over personal liberty. A computer revolution that encour-
aged surveillance and enriched tech firms, which in turn offered allegiance to the business and the bottom line rather than the country that made their success possible. The election of a President, heralded as “post racial,” who instead be-
see HAYWORTH page 14
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OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Legislature outdoes its usual nonsensical self with sex ed
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W
hen I was a kid, the fastest way to get me to read a book was to tell me it was too mature for my young eyes. I passed many nights sneaking peeks at my mom’s Harold Robbins novels to find the sexy parts. And there wasn’t a kid in my middle school who couldn’t recite by heart from Page 85 of Judy Blume’s teen lit classic, “Forever.” You know, the page where Michael introduces Katharine to his manhood, which he has inexplicably named … Ralph. Speaking of members, this brings us to the Arizona Legislature, which may have done more to encourage teen reading than any governmental body in America. Last year, it passed House Bill 2035, a racy little number that made Arizona the fifth state in America to mandate parents opt-in to sex education for their kids. Had the measure stopped there, I would have been okay with it, but this being our Legislature – where common sense is not so common – they had to go just a bit further. HB 2035 also requires school governing boards to “adopt procedures to notify parents in advance and provide them the opportunity to withdraw their children from any instruction or presentations regarding sexuality” – even outside sex ed class. Which brings us to one local school district’s strenuous efforts to warn parents – about, among other things, kids cooking chicken breasts. Times Media reporter Ken Sain detailed The Great Poultry Alert last week. To comply with the state edict, the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board in December passed a new opt-in policy concerning materials that might be deemed sexual. Sain quoted Chandler High teacher Caroline Sheridan, who last week told the Governing
Board: “I teach English and I teach criminal justice,” she explained. “Somehow I found out I need permission slips before I can teach, ‘Of Mice and Men,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ‘Othello,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ I can’t teach about Emmett Till without a permission slip. Of course, this makes no sense.” In January, the Permission Slip Police also sent home an opt-in form to parents of cooking students learning to prepare chicken breasts. District spokesman Terry Locke told Sain this was “a misinterpretation of the legislative statute” which “was corrected and did not apply to the context or content.” Thank goodness the curriculum didn’t include a recipe for sticky buns. Of course, the Legislature is hardly done with the issue. This new session has seen a number of sex education bills, including a measure to change the opt-in requirement back to an opt-out requirement. There’s a bill that will require a parent’s written permission before a student can participate in “any school student group or club involving sexuality, gender or gender identity.” And there’s a bill – no doubt dead on arrival – that not
see LEIBOWITZ page 14
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OPINION
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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makes them jump, spin, twirl and race. One commentator’s 6-year-old son asked the question of Nathan Chen, after his gold medal routine, “How exactly did you do that?” We all want to know. Doping. Cheating. Lies. Lawsuits. Sadly, it is happening again. When a Russian skater tests positive for a banned substance is still allowed to compete, it causes a rupture in the trust of the Olympics and what they stand for — fair and clean competition.
HAYWORTH from page 12
came our “most racial,” inserting race and other wedge issues into virtually every public debate. A public education system transmogrified into a political indoctrination system, populated with leftist grievance mongers who promote “wokeism” — a political movement designed to intimidate by shutting down debate and insisting on uniformity. And “pandemic panic,” where sound
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Still, there are plenty of examples of how the spirit of the Olympics remains strong. When speed skater, Erin Jackson, slipped during her race at the U.S. trials, her teammate, Brittany Bowe, gave up her spot so that Jackson could be on the team to compete. Erin Jackson went on to win gold in the 500-meter race. Leaving us to ponder if it is the sportsmanship that makes winning golden and not the medal. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.
science took a backseat to political science and government curtailed our freedom of movement as well as our right to work. Through it all, echoes of “Newspeak…” Ignorance is Strength… Uniformity is Diversity… War is Peace… Equity—not Equality! Two weeks to flatten the curve. Sadly, it’s become clear…1984 is finally here.
LEIBOWITZ from page 13
only would make sex ed an opt-out class, but would also allow teachers to “discuss populations that historically have been more vulnerable to sexual abuse and assault, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community and the disability community.” Finally, there’s a bill that would forbid educators, restaurant workers and grocery store employees from “referring to certain foodstuffs and edible materials using language that may be construed to convey a sexual connotation.” Among the terms set to be joining “chicken breasts” as no longer be permissible, as spelled out in statute? Chicken “breasts.” Pork “butt.” Hot dog “buns.” The phrase “finger foods.” And Denny’s has been put on notice that diners will no longer be allowed to order the “Moons Over My Hammy.” OK, I made that last bill up. But with this group of elected geniuses, it absolutely could have been real. They’re just that … nuts.
OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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Health & Rifle Club hopes to expand fanbase at Amped BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer
N
ortheast Mesa alt-rockers The Health & Rifle Club are excited to make its Amped Coffee Co. debut on Friday, Feb. 25. The band is looking to expand its audience and with the help of fellow rocker Austin Walashek of Wild Giants. After meeting the son of Amped’s owners, The Health & Rifle Club realized this would be an ideal space to captivate a new wave of fans. “We’ve never played Amped but we shared a lot of bills with Austin,” said Palmer Saylor, drummer and keyboardist. “We’re just wanting to get out to the
staples.” Playing at a more intimate venue also provides The Health & Rifle Club the bandwidth to project its sonically soothing sounds to an engaged audience. “Because we all have an equal voice in the songs, it comes out,” Saylor said. “It feels like it’s an equal investment, which makes it easy for us to put our hearts and souls into the live show.” The band hopes that Amped Coffee Co. will provide that stage based on other bands’ rave reviews. “The cool thing about Amped Coffee Co. is that we’ve heard a lot of great things about it and we’ve built a good friendship with Wild Giants,” said guitarist Andrew Saks.
H C R A M Y / A D & R FERBSDAY – SATU
“This just sounded really cool. This is also allowing us to branch out of our Central Phoenix area.” The biggest selling point for Amped is its great sound system. “The sound of the place or the sound system is the factor that scares us the most but from what we’ve heard has eased our worries,” Saks said. “We’re expecting to go and rock it out.” Although Saks is a new addition to The Health & Rifle Club, he admitted he was a fan of the music before joining. He’s still smitten every time he takes the stage with his new bandmates. “For me — with fresh ears — every time I get into and dive deeper into the songs, I like it more and more,” Saks said. “Per-
sonally, I always love to play. There’s an element of playing in front of people that takes a song and gives it new life.” However, the songs “Gold in the Throes of Summer” and “If You Need This” remain his top tracks to play live. In addition to playing a venue that feels comfortable for the rockers, the band will be surrounded by artists with a similar sound the evening it takes the stage at Amped Coffee Co. “We’re latching on to similar sounding bands, which is surprising to us because the music scene has been an up and down, love/hate thing for the past 20 years,” Saylor said. “We’ve found some bands who are
see EXPANSION page 21
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FEATURES
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Create something great about something CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist
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et’s explore some rare insight by an unknown author. “You glow differently when you have good people with good intentions in your life.” We could also say you glow differently when you are happy. Or you glow differently when you are loved and treated well. How about you glow differently when you’re not hating, hurting, bitter or messy? Finally, you glow better when you create something great for others that comes from love or genuine altruism, not some self-serving agenda. George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Of course, finding yourself is essential, but finding yourself doesn’t end with finding yourself. Instead, we find ourselves to create ourselves, hopefully for genuine service or ministry to others. In Elmer Bendiner’s book, “The Fall of Fortresses,” on page 139, he describes one bombing run in World War II over the German city of Kassel. Read, grow, be inspired. “Our B-17 (The Tondelayo) was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was not unusual, but our gas tanks were hit on this occasion. Later, as I reflected on the miracle of a 20-millimeter shell piercing the fuel tank without touching off an explosion, our pilot, Bohn Fawkes, told me it was not quite that simple. “The morning following the raid, Bohn went to ask our crew chief for that shell as a souvenir of our unbelievable luck. The crew chief told Bohn that not just one shell but 11 were found in the gas tanks — 11 unexploded shells where only one was sufficient to blast us out of the sky. “Even after 35 years, so awesome an event leaves me shaken, especially after I heard the rest of the story from Bohn. “Bohn told him that the shells had been sent to the armorers to be defused. The armorers told him that intelligence had picked them up. They could not say why, but Bohn
eventually sought out the answer. When the armorers opened each of those shells, they found no explosive charge. They were clean as a whistle and just as harmless. Empty? Not all of them. “One contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it was a scrawl in Czech. The intelligence people scoured our base for a man who could read Czech. Eventually, they found one to decipher the note. It set us marveling. In Czech, the message read: ‘This is all we can do for you now.’” Wow, what a powerful statement, especially when you consider the origin of those written words. For much of World War II, German munitions were made by Jews in Nazi death camps — slave labor. These Jewish prisoners carried out their duties, loading explosives in the shadows of the gas chambers that would claim many of their lives. Yet, in those direst of circumstances, they were looking for goodness — looking to do good in any way they could. One thing they could do was disable the firing mechanisms in the munitions. And because of their actions, the crews’ lives were saved. Men came home from the war, married, built homes, and had families. And those families had families and so on. Their small, seemingly insignificant act of goodness echoes for generations. It still resonates today. Here are my thoughts about this historical event. You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Notice how the prisoners maximized their plight and pivoted. If their situation wouldn’t change immediately, they created something great for others. They became innovative disrupters in the nick of time. They took the risk of their lives and saved someone else who was risking their lives. They made a deep dive into their deep reserves. They didn’t save all, but they did save some. And one of those someones
see DELPH page 21
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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we are ultimately striving and navigating our way through the current new music scene. We’re hoping that our listeners hear some unique music, ultimately helping us emerge as some of the new sounds of Phoenix.” Coffeehouses, Saks said, are some of the best stages in the Valley for fledgling bands. “We’re always trying to find an audience,” Saks said. “So, we’re looking for places that make sense and we can reach people. Sometimes, as a band, you’re always looking for opportunities. You can play at
The Health & Rifle Club is, from left, Palmer Saylor III, Andrew Saks, Brent Bosely (standing) and Eric Moore. (Photo courtesy of The Health & Rifle Club)
EXPANSION
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very complementary to our sound. We’ve made fast friends with a lot of these people that we’re sharing bills with.”
DELPH
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made known to the world what no one knew about. The prisoners created for themselves a legacy that others will admire for years. The same can be true for us. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” You never know how your witness or your good deeds to and for another will affect their eternity. To the world, you might be one person, but to one person, you might be the world. Just ask the crew of the Tondelayo, who reaped the benefit of some unknown Jewish prisoners who created something good out of something bad. Here’s our takeaway. You are created by a Creator who created you to create something great about something. The best this world can get is you, being you, with God all over you. So, get out of the seat and into the street. Be an innovative disrupter in the nick of time in these chaotic times. Find a need and meet it. Be the change. Be onsite with insight. Now
Saylor said he hopes to display the band’s originality. “We’re hoping people find us original,” Saylor said. “Much like a lot of new bands in Phoenix, is not the time to isolate, now is the time to incarnate. The Word needs to become flesh and move into the neighborhood. Create a great business, service, or ministry. Create a great kind disposition and smile. Create a great honest community. Live in such a way that, when you die, even the undertaker will be sorry. One final thought for you, “This is all we can do for you now,” innovative disrupters. Karl Menninger said, “Love cures people; both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.” How do I know? Both givers and receivers glow differently. Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonpro�it organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy. com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
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the most reputable place in town to four people, whereas you can play at a coffeehouse for 30 to 40 people.” Following the show, the band plans to hibernate in the studio until its next wave of shows to record another EP. “Our battleplan is to put out an series of EPs just to get out as much as we can,” Saks said. “As we mature as a band, especially with the new lineup, the sound will evolve to a certain extent to be more representative of what we have going at the moment.”
YOUTH
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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Anthem teen shares pickleball passion with family BY LAURA LATZKO Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
M
addie Toren of Anthem is new to pickleball, but she is moving up the ranks as a player and referee. The 17-year-old started playing with her family to pass time during the height of the pandemic in February 2021, but it has developed into a passion and career. Since Maddie began playing, she has moved up to a ranking of 3.5/4.0. Pickleball players are given rankings of 1.0 to 5.5 and greater. This ranking is based on the number of points scored by and wins accumulated by players during tournaments.
Their rankings can go up when they win against higher-ranked players. She said that first tournament helped her to see her potential as a player. “That’s when I really started to really feel like this is my sport. I want to continue to get better at it,” Toren said. Primarily, Toren has competed in doubles tournaments with her dad, Adam, her mother, Crystal, and her 13-year-old brother, Jacob. She plans, however, to expand her experience in singles tourneys. During her first tournament in Mesa in May 2021, she and her mom were one game away from making medals matches in the 3.0 women’s doubles bracket, and she and her dad won gold in the 3.0
mixed doubles bracket. As a player, she worked with local pros such as Ryan Trefry and Dave Furman to develop her skills. Her family was inspired by her uncle, aunt and cousin in Canada to play pickleball. She and her mother came across rackets at a store, and her family soon decided to give it a try. Toren and her family practice around four to five times a week at local courts. They also have a pickleball net set up in their garage. Wellness advocate Toren is active with sports and wellness activities.
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She played basketball in junior high and has been a certified kids and teens yoga instructor since age 14. She offers an online animated yoga series for kids through @omwarriorkids on Instagram and via facebook.com/omwarriorkids. To stay in shape for pickleball, Toren does yoga three to five times a week and conditions her body through regular exercise. She said yoga keeps her body from getting stiff when she uses different muscles playing pickleball. “Even though you think it is more of an arm workout, it’s actually an entire body workout where you are using a lot of core muscle to follow through with your drives, bend at the knees, dink at the kitchen line,” Toren said.
Moving up In January, Toren became a level 2 referee. She is working toward becoming a certified referee, the highest level behind a line judge and level 1 referee. “After falling in love with the sport, as well as going to a few tournaments and really enjoying the environment of being at a tournament, I thought it would be the perfect tie-in to everything I’m passionate about,” Toren said. Given her age, Toren has worked hard to prove herself and earn respect in the pickleball community. Her goal is ref honest and fair matches, grow with the sport and contribute to the evolution of pickleball rules. “It has been a little different being the youngest pickleball referee and there not being anyone near my age who is refereeing,” Toren said. “I would say that earning my spot is something that I did and I’m proud of. I love being part of the refereeing community because everyone is just so supportive of me.”
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2022
YOUTH
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PICKLEBALL From Page 22
Younger pickleball players look up to her, Toren said. “I’ve just been honored to be a guide to them as they check out what refereeing is all about,” Toren said. Mentors have helped her along the way, too, including Leslie Shaughnessy and Bill McManus, a Gilbert-based referee and referee trainer, respectively. To become a level 1 or 2 or certified referee, a person must undergo an eye exam and score 90% or higher on player, line judge and referee tests. Levels 1 and 2 also require an on-court assessment during a tournament. To become a certified referee, an individual is evaluated on the ability to catch faults during a recreational tournament. Toren was recently featured on Fox Sports’ live coverage of the Carvana PPA Desert Ridge Open, during which she served as a tracking referee for a women’s doubles gold match. In this role, she helped other referees to keep track of the score, time outs and fouls. Toren has also been featured on the Professional Pickleball Association Tour’s YouTube and Facebook livestreams while serving as a lead referee at pro and senior pro matches. Although she is young, Toren sees her future in pickleball. She recently graduated early from high school in November to pursue pickleball full time. Along with playing and refereeing, Maddie also releases daily pickleball content on Instagram and TikTok under @MaddieToren. Her TikTok videos have more than 1 million views. Her Facebook page is facebook.com/maddiepickleball. She hopes to get other young people interested in the sport through engaging content. “I absolutely love creating the content, which makes it all worth it,” Maddie said. Clothing line Toren is working with her younger brothers, Jacob, and 11-year-old Cash, on developing a new pickleball clothing brand called PKLD. It will be available at pkldjar.com. A Kickstarter campaign will begin this spring. This is Maddie’s second clothing line. She also offers eco-friendly apparel
Crystal Toren, left, and Maddie Toren play in a women’s doubles tournament during the NP Celebrity Tanning Open at Red Mountain Ranch in Northeast Mesa. (Photo by Yeung Photography) through omwarrior.com. The Torens plan to expand on their pickleball endeavors by purchasing an RV and traveling to tournaments around the country. For the time being, they primarily compete in Arizona and California. In their home state, the Torens are members of the Anthem AZ Pickleball Club, which often offers clinics and round-robin play. “What really made me motivated to continue to become involved in the sport is not only is the sport so much fun, and it’s so unique that you get to play with every age and all different people, but you also get to connect with the community in a totally different way than in other sports,” Toren said. “People are so connected on Facebook and Instagram, where you can meet new pickleball players. Getting to be a part of a sport as well as a community is definitely really special.” Maddie Toren
Instagram and TikTok: @Maddie Toren Facebook: facebook.com/maddiepickleball Web: linktr.ee/maddietoren
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