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Glendale parachutist is fl ying high again
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor
Nick Batsch strives to push the limits of human fl ight.
The 40-year-old Glendale resident recently took home the gold medal in canopy piloting at the 2021 U.S. Parachute Association National Championships in Eloy. Along with the gold, he fi nished second in distance and zone accuracy and fi fth in speed.
He secured a spot on the U.S. Parachute Team, where he will represent the nation in international parachuting competitions. Batsch also earned a bronze medal in freestyle canopy piloting.
Not bad, considering Batsch was told he might never walk again.
He was at a career high with four world champion titles under his belt when he sustained a devastating injury during a training canopy dive with a buddy.
“My parachute fl ies very fast — almost 100 miles per hour,” he said. “That’s about 150 feet a second. If you pull out your parachute too high from the dive, you can’t recover from it. I got low and couldn’t get my canopy out for the dive. I hit water quite substantially. My left leg couldn’t withstand that type of impact.
“It was unfortunate for me, personally. I had just won four world titles in a row. It was a real shame. I felt like I was at the top of my game.”
Batsch was determined to not let his injury win, as he was told he may not walk again, let alone parachute. Walking was painful, but he pushed hard to recover — without reinjuring himself.
“For the longest time, I didn’t plan to parachute again for competition,” he said. “What we do with parachutes is extremely high speed. It can result in a fatal accident or a nonfatal accident. It’s the most amazing sport in terms of feeling alive and enjoying every moment. It’s quite exhilarating.”
However, he admitted that after a four-year hiatus to recover he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because it’s “such a high-speed sport.”
“It’s a risky game, but it’s well worth the reward,” he said. “It brought me back to a place where I’m more comfortable again. I had a lot of issues. For me, the parachutes I fl y are extremely tiny.”
When he recovered, Batch returned to Eloy in October for the 2021 USPA National Championships, which attracted more than 600 competitors in
(Above) Nick Batsch of Glendale is a multi-awardwinning parachutist who has competed throughout the world. (Left) Glendale skydiver Nick Batsch recently competed in the 2021 U.S. Parachute Association National Championships in Eloy. (Photos courtesy of Nick Batsch) 19 events in 26 classes, spanning seven disciplines.
The top performers in each discipline were selected for the 2022 U.S. Parachute Team to compete at the 2022 Fédération Aéronautique International World Parachuting Championship, where they will face off against the best skydiving athletes from around the globe next Oct. 20 to Oct. 26 at Skydive Arizona.
Batsch has been skydiving for 15 years and has competed over 12,000 skydives. He is a fi ve-time world champion, 10-time world record holder, and holds 33 world championship medals. He has been passionate about the sport since he tried it in his home state of Missouri. He enjoys educating the public about skydiving, and his career has been spent coaching other skydivers how to become better canopy pilots nationally and internationally. “I get to choose my own schedule and decide which facilities I want to use,” he said. “I get to travel around. I’ve traveled internationally a lot in the past. In the last two years, COVID-19 has started to put a damper on that.”
Batsch and his wife, Danielle, moved from Colorado to Glendale when she started a certifi ed registered nurse anesthetists program.
“We were in Colorado together for almost eight years,” he said. “It’s ironic how my injury had the same timing as her starting school again.”
Batsch is a member of “Team Thunderstorm,” a parachuting demo team for the Denver Broncos. He and other team members exit above the Empower Field at Mile High with pyrotechnics and swoop onto the fi eld in front of 76,000 football fans for every home game.
“I fell in love right away after one jump,” said Batsch, who competed in the Dubai International Parachute Championship in December. “I went again the same day for my second jump. The sport is like an adult playground.”
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December 30, 2021
Four in-demand items up for auction in 2022
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Auctioneer Erik Hoyer of EJ’s Auction and Appraisal is providing his predictions for the four items that will be in highest demand during 2022.
His predictions come as EJ’s gears up for two events: a free appraisal fair on Friday, Dec. 31, followed by the fourth annual New Year’s Day Auction at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1.
“We’ve seen the demand for items change quite a bit over the past year,” Hoyer said. “But there are four items that are defi nitely continuing to grow in terms of demand, and we anticipate they will be some of our most popular items throughout 2022.”
Luxury watches: According to U.S.-based consulting fi rm McKinsey, preowned luxury watches grew from a $18 billion industry in 2018 to an expected $30 billion by 2025. The big four luxury watchmakers — Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mile — continue to produce only limited inventory to ensure exclusivity. Therefore, prices and demand for these watches will only increase at auction throughout 2022.
High-end jewelry: Fine jewelry almost always does well at auction. In 2022, demand for branded jewelry by luxury designers is expected to increase more quickly than other fi ne jewelry, according to McKinsey.
Midcentury modern furniture: Quality midcentury modern furniture has experienced ture has experienced a signifi cant ina signifi cant increase in decrease in demand during mand during the past decade. the past decade.
Hoyer expects Hoyer expects this trend to conthis trend to continue, especially as tinue, especially as supply chain issues supply chain issues force delays for new furniture for the next six to 12 months, according to an article in Furniture Today.
Firearms: Firearm sales began surging along with the pandemic. So far, 2021 has been the second busiest year on record for gun sales in the United States. The record for most gun sales in the United States in one year belongs to 2020, according to the consulting group Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting. Hoyer anticipates demand for secondhand fi rearms will remain high throughout 2022.
Valley residents interested in having any of these items, or any other antiques, collectibles, art, jewelry, furniture, vintage toys or fi rearms, appraised can do so during EJ’s free appraisal fair on Dec. 31.
Participants receive a 15-minute complimentary verbal appraisal for up to three items. Professional Arizona certifi ed, G.P.P.A. appraisers evaluate
This 6.5-foot-tall Bumblebee sculpture from “Transformers” is made from scrap metal parts welded together. (Photo courtesy of EJ’s) all items.
Appraisal appointments must be booked by calling 623-878-2003. Staff at EJ’s will auction Staff at EJ’s will auction some of the highest value some of the highest value antiques and collectantiques and collectibles it has received ibles it has received in 2021 during the in 2021 during the “Auction Extrava“Auction Extravaganza” on Jan. 1. ganza” on Jan. 1. Items expected Items expected to create a bidding to create a bidding
SEE AUCTION PAGE 19
Glendale Arts Council hosting fi ne arts show
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Glendale Arts Council will host the 58th annual Juried Fine Arts Show from Saturday, Jan. 8, and Sunday, Jan. 9, and Tuesday, Jan. 11, and Sunday, Jan. 30, at Sahuaro Ranch Park, in the Historic Fruit Packing House, 9802 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale.
This year’s annual Glendale Arts Council Show will feature fi ne art from Arizona artists in a wide range of mediums displayed in the charming house. Entries will be original artworks which include 2D-framed drawings, pastels and paintings like oils and watercolors, and will include 3D art, such as sculptures.
All of the statewide entries will be displayed and for sale Jan. 8 and Jan. 9. Art will be selected by internationally recognized and award-winning artist Barbara Dahlstedt for the juried portion of the show, which will be displayed Jan. 11 to Jan. 30.
The exhibition is free and open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. In addition to the show, there is a fundraising event, the preview party from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7.
Jessica Koory, longtime Glendale Arts Council board member, said the show has grown from its fi rst 1961 art show in the park, sponsored by the Glendale Woman’s Club and a group of interested artists, to a yearly tradition.
“As the number of participating artists in the show increased,” said Koory, a Glendale resident and art enthusiast, “it was necessary to form a group to focus on the production of the yearly event.”
GAC was formed in 1972 with the focus on giving artists a venue for presenting their artwork and exposing the general community to various talented artists. Glendale Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) that provides scholarships and grants to support local arts programs.
For more information, visit https:// bit.ly/GlendaleArtsCouncil.
AUCTION FROM PAGE 18 frenzy include:
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual Men’s
Wristwatches, including a Perpetual
Day Date 18-karat gold watch, a Perpetual Milgauss men’s wristwatch, a Perpetual Submariner men’s wristwatch and a Perpetual
Daytona men’s wristwatch. • 1955 Chevrolet 210 two-door sedan • 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Sport Coupe • 2018 Ford Mustang GT with 15,000 miles • Life-size “Transformers” sculpture of Bumblebee made from scrap metal parts welded together • Oscar Berninghaus oil painting • Antoni Tapies framed abstract painting
All items are available for in-person preview by appointment at EJ’s Auction, 5880 W. Bell Road, Glendale.
Interested buyers can preview items online and register to bid at ejsauction.com. Auctions are subject to a 15% buyer’s premium.
The New Year’s Day auction begins at 10 a.m. in person and online. For more information, visit ejsauction.com or call 623878-2003.
Clip-It and Save
This 1955 Chevrolet 210 two-door sedan is expected to create a bidding frenzy. (Photo courtesy of EJ’s)
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Spend New Year’s Eve in Glendale
BY DOYOON KIM Glendale Star Staff Writer
This year is coming to a close, and there’s plenty to do in Glendale to ring in 2022. Check out these exciting events. Happy celebrating!
Noon Year’s Eve
10 a.m. to noon Westgate Entertainment District’s Fountain Park, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Glendale Free westgateaz.com
Calling all kiddos. Celebrate “noon” year at the Westgate Entertainment District with a kid-friendly celebration. The party at Fountain Park will feature costumed characters, games, crafts, prizes, and a communal countdown and confetti balloon drop at noon.
Dave & Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve
5 to 8 p.m. New Year.
New Year’s Eve Live
Dave & Buster’s, 9460 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale $47.13 eventbrite.com
Tickets include tax, gratuity, appetizer buffet, dessert, unlimited soft drinks, $20 power card, unlimited video game play, and a video ball drop to ring in the
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard Glendale $25 to $60 eventbrite.com It’s the adults’ turn at Westgate EnterWestgate Entertainment District will host several New Year’s Eve celebrations. (Photo courtesy of Westgate Entertainment District) tainment District. Inside, watch the plaza come alive as Fat Tuesday, Whiskey Rose, Salt Tacos y Tequila, Carousel Arcade Bar, The Lola and McFadden’s team up to host an inclusive block party. Celebrate at six bars for one cover at this indoor/ outdoor event featuring festive vibes, fi reworks and a live DJ performance. Cocktail attire is suggested for this 21-and-older event.
Westside Blues & Jazz New Year’s Eve
Starts at 6 p.m. 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale Various pricing eventbrite.com
Westside Blues & Jazz’s New Year’s Eve is chock-full of music. The Rocket 88s kick it off with an early celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Premium seating reservations are available to watch the blues band. Later, Grammy-nominated bassist Cros hits the stage to perform a mixture of soul, funk, blues and rock.
Cheers to the New Year
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Bar Louie, Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N. Sunrise Boulevard, Glendale Tickets are free with upgrades available
SEE NYE PAGE 21
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Spend New Year’s Eve at Bar Louie, “the original gastrobar.” Admission is free, but partiers can upgrade to the elite package for $90, which includes four drink tickets, one appetizer and one reserved seat. There is a $15 service fee. Formal attire is encouraged but not required. Must be 21 to receive drink tickets.
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e Glendale Star FEATURES 21
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