19 minute read
SPORTS
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BOW camp teaches outdoor skills for female adults
BY ARIZONA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
After two years of upheaval, we have gained a few pieces of wisdom — we are loving the outdoors, cherishing time with each other, and wanting to feel confi dent taking care of ourselves.
Sounds like summer camp, doesn’t it?
But what if you’re not a kid anymore? Where does a gal learn to hunt and fi sh, shoot a bow, or scale down a cliff?
All this and more are offered at the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) camp.
As repeat participants say, “It’s like scout camp for grown-ups!”
BOW provides a safe space to introduce women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, nonthreatening way for the absolute beginner of any physical ability. Expert instructors provide lots of support, and the three-hour long classes offer plenty of time to ask questions and try out what you learn. Classes are held during the day, and the evenings and mornings are fi lled with fun and entertainment like bird walks, yoga, fl y tying, night fi shing and presentations. No prior experience is needed, and all the equipment and materials are provided. A woman can try a new sport without buying all of the equipment.
AZ BOW is held at Friendly Pines Camp located just south of Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains. Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin. The only thing the participant needs to bring is her personal stuff, a good attitude and a willingness to learn. The program is sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation with lots of help from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The workshop begins at noon Friday, April 29, and ends at noon Sunday, May 1. There will be four sessions during the weekend, with six choices for each one. Classes range from outdoor photography to bowhunting. Class materials, food and lodging are all included in the $350 registration fee. Space is limited.
For more information, a schedule of classes, and to register, go online at azwildlife.org/bow.
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The Glendale tar
The Glendale Star publishes on Thursday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofi t groups — runs every issue.
Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Star’s coverage area, which is in the city of Glendale.
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 offi ce by 4 p.m. Thursday to be considered for the following Thursday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christina@timespublications.com.
Mon & Tues in March One-on-One Consultation
Meet with Amy K. Nichols oneon-one Mondays and Tuesdays in March to discuss writing advice and manuscript reviews. Glendale Public Library, virtual, 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, free, glendaleazlibrary.com
March 16
Mecum Auctions March 16-18
Collector cars from high-profi le collections and individual offerings that stand out as headline-worthy attractions have been added to the lineup for Glendale 2022, Mecum’s fourth annual auction at State Farm Stadium. The auction will feature an estimated 1,500 classic and collector vehicles on offer along with approximately 200 pieces of road art and memorabilia. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., $20 in advance online, mecum.com
March 17
Socrates Café: A Virtual
Philosophical Discussion
Have a thoughtful conversation with fellow members of the community facilitated by Renee Kirschner. Bring home ideas and experiences. Glendale Public Library, virtual, 10 a.m. to noon, free, glendaleazlibrary.com
March 18
Moe Flavour
The R&B-fl avored Moe Flavour, which includes Lawrence Ross and saxophonist Bryne Donaldson, entertain at Westside Blues. There’s a two-drink minimum per guest. Westside Blues and Jazz Night Club, 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Suite 104, Glendale, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., ticket prices vary, westsideblues.com
Bluegrass Jam
All levels of acoustic artists are invited to the Glendale Public Library and jam out to bluegrass, country, folk and gospel. Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale, 1 to 3 p.m., free, glendaleazlibrary.com
March 19
Pittsburgh Penguins at Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes and Pittsburgh Pirates face off at Gila River Arena. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12, gilariverarena.com
March 22
Seattle Kraken at Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes and Seattle Kraken face off at Gila River Arena. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12, gilariverarena.com
March 26
The 2022 Arizona Super Show
The 2022 Arizona Super Show features custom, classic, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedal cars. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, noon, tickets start $47, statefarmstadium.com
Sugar Art Expo March 26-27
The Sugar Art Expo is Arizona’s largest sugar art show that will feature over 40 exhibiting vendors. During the expo, create with the hands-on sugar art classes and watch live cake decorating competitions. Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., tickets start at $27, glendaleciviccenter.com
March 30
Virtual Writers Group Workshop
Get quality feedback from fellow members of the community every last Wednesday of each month. All writing styles are welcome. Glendale Public Library, virtual, 6 to 8 p.m., free, glendaleazlibrary.com
San Jose Sharks at Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks face off at Gila River Arena. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12, gilariverarena.com
March 31
Where Stories Come From
Bring a notebook and learn how to grow an idea. Glendale Public Library, virtual, 4 to 6 p.m., free, glendaleazlibrary.com
April 1
Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes
The fi rst 5,000 fans receive the second limited-edition hat, courtesy of Gila River Resorts & Casinos in the Local Artist Hat Trick Series on Los Yotes Night. The hat, designed by local Xicana and Native American artist Lucinda “La Morena” Hinojos, and the night will commemorate the vibrant and proud Chicano culture in Arizona. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12, gilariverarena. com
April 7
Vancouver Canucks at Arizona Coyotes
Fans can revel in the return of former Coyotes players Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland, both of whom now play for the Vancouver Canucks. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12, gilariverarena. com
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While having access to acute care and emergency treatment is critical in cardiac episodes, preventing acute cardiac issues through early diagnosis and treatment is always preferable. Stay on top of your heart health by having regular heart check ups and seeking medical attention when you experience new symptoms. Give us a call today – our team is here to help you at every step of your heart health journey.
Call today to schedule an appointment. 480-765-2800
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Last Train to Juarez shares its map to success
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor
With a cowboy hat pulled deep to his eyes and a thick beard, Dejan Knezevic fi ts the red dirt/outlaw country genre well.
He has his fans fooled — and that’s not a bad thing. Born in Chicago, Knezevic was raised by parents from Montenegro and Bosnia. Serbian is his fi rst language. The Serbian coat of arms adorns his hat.
“My family is from former Yugoslavia,” he said. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard of an American Serbian country singer before. There’s a fi rst for everything, I guess.”
In late 2018, Knezevic formed Last Train to Juarez, following the lineage of his heroes, Ward Davis, Whitey Morgan, Hank 3 and Jamey Johnson. They released their debut album, “Some Road,” on March 18.
“It was an awakening, so to speak, for me, and I quickly started discovering a whole genre of country music that spoke to me,” Knezevic said. “It was around this time that I started seriously considering starting a project in the red dirt/outlaw genre of country music.”
Last Train to Juarez is a departure from previous projects like Pelvic Meatloaf.
“I’ve been in the scene, in metal bands, for the better part of 30 years,” he said. “I didn’t grow up on country music. It was the red dirt/new outlaw movement that got my ears and sold me on it. It’s inspired me to go in this direction, to the dismay of a lot of my metalhead brothers.
“I was one of those guys who thought country was basic and boring. I grew up with that mentality. Once I started play it, I found it was way more diffi cult. It’s been an interesting ride.”
Last Train to Juarez sees Knezevic
Dejan Knezevic and his band Last Train to Juarez recently released the album “Some Road.” (Photo by Dennis Murphy) singing for the fi rst time, something that even surprised his wife of 23 years.
“Sure, I fronted a metal band in the past, but I never really tried singing,” Knezevic said. “What we did back then was death metal and growling so this whole singing thing was new to me. I wasn’t confi dent at all. But what I lacked in confi dence, I made up with motivation and perseverance.”
In late 2018, he pulled the trigger and went all in. His fi rst solo performance was at the MetalHeads MC clubhouse. The gig at the local motorcycle club’s headquarters motivated him to take it to the next level. He placed ads seeking bandmates.
He had a revolving group of musicians until April 2021 when the lineup was solidifi ed as vocalist/acoustic guitarist Knezevic; Mark Tomeo, pedal steel, dobro, backing vocals; bassist Jonathan Candler; drummer Brian Teille; and lead guitarist Stephen Dietrich. Additionally, fi ddler/mandolin player Austin Brooks joins.
Debut EP released
In 2021, Last Train to Juarez released its debut EP, “Dirt and Stone,” which was recorded at Villain Recording Studio with Byron Filson engineering and producing. Prior to the album release, the band dropped the singles “Some Road” and “This Letter.”
“Our music blurs the lines a bit and doesn’t fi t neatly into any specifi c country genre,” he said.
“I’ve heard people refer to us as outlaw, red dirt, biker country, and rock or metal country. Ultimately, what is most important to me as an artist is to write and create music that is pure, honest and authentic, music that comes from the heart and soul, which is why I prefer to stick with originals over cover tunes.
“Granted, we do play cover songs out of necessity since we are a newer band and don’t have enough original material to cover a four-hour gig, but that is quickly changing as I continue to write new material.”
By the end of this year, Last Train to Juarez will be playing 60% originals and 40% covers on longer gigs.
“I have nothing against cover songs at all,” he said.
“It’s just not what I want to do, and I feel there is plenty of cover and tribute bands in the Valley already. I get my kicks hearing performances by singer/ songwriters who have stories to tell, and that’s the path I feel is right for me.”
Last Train to Juarez has a host of shows scheduled. They’re booked in Rocky Point, Mexico, monthly at Wrecked at the Reef. Additionally, the band is scheduled to play Too Broke for Sturgis’ annual motorcycle rally later this year, as well as Colorado and the Midwest.
“I chose to pave our own path; however, that has created obstacles, as there are many venues in town that won’t give us the time of day. That’s OK,” he said.
“We’re doing pretty well in spite of that. The fans we are picking up are wholeheartedly embracing what we are doing. I’d rather have 10 people intently watching, listening and appreciating our original songs over a packed room of people singing every word to a Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line cover song. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Just not my thing.”
Knezevic said he could pen pop radio songs to “make it big.”
“It ain’t about the destination,” he said. “It’s about the ride, and so far the ride has been epic.”
Music is in his blood
Sometimes Knezevic can’t help but be drawn to music. In 2014, he visited Bosnia and, when he arrived, he was
JUAREZ FROM PAGE 16 wired due to the time zone change. From his families’ village, he could hear the faint sounds of music.
“Everyone else was asleep,” he said. “I put a couple beers in my pockets and hands. I figured there was a party or show going on. You have to remember, we’re in a village, not in a town. I crossed fields, creeks and a two-lane highway to find this music.
As he approached, he could see a fair amount of people under a canopy. He was concerned it was a Croatian, Muslim or Serbian party.
“That definitely matters,” he said. “I tucked my Serbian cross inside of my shirt. If they asked, I was going to say I’m American. I saw two Serbian flags, so I took the necklace out of my shirt.”
As he walked up, the crowed formed around him.
“It was 1 a.m. and they were probably thinking, ‘Who the hell is this guy who just walked out of the wood?’” he said with a laugh.
“I speak it fluently, but they could hear the accent. Apparently, it was a big party for two sons who were get-
Last Train to Juarez will celebrate the release of its new album as part of the Forgotten Country Music Fest in Buckeye Saturday, March 19. (Special to Glendale Star) ting ready to go into the military. The military is obligatory. It was a big celebration with bands. They were roasting pigs. It was incredible. I’m sitting there trying to explain.” Then, a “little old lady” walked up to him and slapped him after he shared his story of walking through the woods and down the road by the refinery.
“I thought, ‘Great. These people are going to kill me now,’” he recalled. “In Serbian, she says, ‘You (expletive) idiot. That’s all mined from the war, you moron. Keep him here until it’s daylight. Feed him well. Show him what an idiot he is. In the morning, they threw me in the car and every 15 feet there was skull and crossbones on a pole.”
Last Train to Juarez
WHEN: As part of the Forgotten Country Music Fest, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19 WHERE: Hidden Lake, 24445 W. Sunrise Drive, Buckeye COST: Tickets are $65 INFO: hiddenlakeaz.com
WHEN: Time TBA Saturday, March 26 WHERE: Dillon’s at Western Trails Ranch, 37839 W. Grand Avenue, Morristown COST: Call for ticket prices INFO: 623-388-2000, dillonsrestaurant.com
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Live in a place where there’s plenty of cheese
Let’s start with some questions about individual and national crises. First, I’ll start with the subject of an individual crisis. Have you ever lost your direction, feeling like you are in the wilderness? Amid your crisis, could you have used some guidance? Or have you ever felt miserable, chained to the consequences of destructive personal choices that you made? Are you dealing with an unhealthy habit that is tearing your life apart? Are you currently navigating a crisis that came into your life caused by circumstances beyond your control?
Let’s consider a national crisis. Have you noticed how history repeats itself? For example, take nation after nation in world history. They started strong, then became prideful and lazy. They became blind to their condition. They erased and replaced the values and leaders who made them great for destructive values and leaders that disable them. Then the downward slide continues. They were great for a short season. Then, they fi nished wrong, not strong.
In either individual or national crises, did God cause the downfall? No. Individual and national hubris and self-reliance caused it. The problem with pride is that it picks up momentum as it goes along. People aren’t punished so much for their mistakes as by their mistakes. So, the cycle continues. At best, people and nations become captive to mediocrity, stuck on a perpetual trapeze that swings back and forth. Never confuse motion with constructive action.
Don’t worry; this isn’t a negative article. On the contrary, there’s a very positive, uplifting message in it. Be a trend breaker. Learn from others’ mistakes; the second mouse gets the cheese. There’s plenty of cheese left if you are the second mouse.
All the questions I asked above applied to a nation (Israel) and its people long ago. But in this case, in Psalm 107, we see the downward pattern and spiral reversed. Israel and its people move from captivity to deliverance, from “Why me?” to “What next?” in three crises.
I call this pattern “Their problem, their prayer, their provision and their praise.” All countries and people will face a crisis. The key is what we do in a crisis. So, let’s be the second mouse. Let’s understand what most will never understand.
The fi rst crisis was that Israel lost its direction. Their problem was they were lost in the wilderness. They needed guidance. They needed to get their bearings back. Sound familiar? The Scriptures say, “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; they did not fi nd a way to the inhabited city.” (vs. 4-5). They recognized they had a problem. That’s half the battle.
What happened then? They prayed, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble.” (vs. 6). God’s provision came in answer to their prayer. “He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them by a straight way to the inhabited city.” (vs.7). Finally, notice their praise to God. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness…” (vs. 7-8). There it is: “Their problem, their prayer, their provision and their praise.”
The next problem was they were captives of their sin and rebellion in verses 10-12. They left God out of their heritage. Israel got into all kinds of disabling stuff that had dangerous consequences. Sound familiar? “There were those who dwelt in darkness and the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains.” What did they do then? They prayed the same prayer as before. “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble.” (vs. 13). God brought provision in answer to their prayer. (vs. 13-14). “He saved them out of their distresses.” What was their response to this deliverance? It was Praise to God. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness is everlasting.” (vs. 15). There it is again: “Their problem, their prayer, their provision and their praise.”
Next, we see the crisis of a people or nation delivered from circumstances beyond their control. The people were on a ship, and a storm came up in verse 27. They didn’t create that problem. Sound familiar? Amid the storm, they prayed as before, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble.” (vs. 28). Then God comes with provision. “He caused the storm to be still so that the waves of the sea were hushed.” (vs. 28-30). What was the people’s response? “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness…” (vs. 31). That’s how we get delivered from captivity.
God gave this solution to all nations, too. “If my people, called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14. This pattern is good for business, church and everyday people, too. The problem comes, which causes people to pray, to which God hears and responds. Then people thank God. Lesson: It’s our responsibility to respond to God’s ability.
Regrettably, history shows us that after the problem, prayer, provision and praise go away, it’s likely we will marginalize God. And then the cycle starts all over again. But there is always a way back to God. The time is always right to do what’s right. One lesson we learn for sure, when it’s hardest to pray is when we pray the hardest.
How about in our current national or personal crisis, we shift from their problem, their prayer, their provision and their praise to our problem, our prayer, our provision and our praise? There’s plenty of cheese if you’re the second mouse. Aha!
CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph
Glendale Star Columnist
Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofi t organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
