The Foothills Focus Anthem 02-01-2023

Torres: Always in search of richer experiences

BY ELIZABETH TURNER Anthem Veterans Memorial

The son of El Salvador immigrants, José (Joe) Torres, grew up in the Los Angeles area with his mother and younger brother.

As a first-generation American in a single-parent home, his life was challenging. It wasn’t anything he couldn’t overcome.

“I wanted to be a firefighter, but in Los Angeles that required a college degree, which we could not afford, nor was I aware of scholarship resources,” Torres said.

“When I saw the Army ‘Be All That You Can Be’ television advertisement, I learned the Army provides a $30,000 college scholarship. I signed up for the Army my junior year.”

He was interested in infantry, so he could get a full Army experience. First, he needed to share

see TORRES page 4

Phoenix contemplates mandatory water line insurance

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

It’s the last thing a Phoenix homeowner may think about but when it happens, a broken water or sewer line can create an expensive nightmare.

That’s why Phoenix and a National League of Cities joined the Service Line Warranties of America by HomeServe in a partnership “to educate property owners about their service

line responsibilities and to help residents avoid out-of-pocket expenses for unanticipated and potentially costly service line repairs and replacements,” according to a memo to Phoenix City Council from by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer.

Calling Phoenix “one of the program’s early adopters,” Spencer noted that the city is now one of 1,000 municipalities and utilities participating in the program nationwide.”

While the program has been voluntary for single-family homeowners, the department is asking the council to consider making it mandatory.

Single-family and other homeowners are responsible to pay for repairs and replacements of broken lines between the city water meter and their home.

see WATER page 7

Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix

Joe Torres trains in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Joe Torres/Submitted)

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: 480-898-6500 | classifieds@TimesLocalMedia.com

TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com

Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timeslocalmedia.com

Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 tsimpson@timeslocalmedia.com

Director of National Advertising

Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@timeslocalmedia.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT

Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timeslocalmedia.com

Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timeslocalmedia.com

Design/Production Supervisor: Shannon Mead | 480-898-5616 smead@timeslocalmedia.com

CIRCULATION : 623-535-8439

Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | aaron@phoenix.org

Distribution Manager: Brian Juhl | brian@timeslocalmedia.com

Proud member of :

TORRES from page 1

the decision with his girlfriend, Teri.

“Two days after my high school graduation, 1994, I was sworn into the US Army and off to basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia,” he said.

“Leaving my family and Teri was difficult. I will never forget the tears and long embraces,” Torres said.

“It was the first time in my life I realized I needed to be stoic to help my family understand I would be OK. I didn’t have any expectations for what was to come, I just wanted to make this life chapter an adventure.”

Torres was not aware the extent of his family military background until after his enlistment. His grandfather was in the military in El Salvador, his uncle and two cousins had served in the U.S. Army. His mother’s cousin was a Marine and another cousin an Army recruiter. His brother also enlisted in the Army.

“To know so many in my family were, and still are, a part of defending this nation, is special,” he said.

“Serving this country and watching my mother receive her U.S. citizenship made my military service even more important to me. My infantry training at Fort Carson, Colorado, was intense. Assigned to the 4th Infantry, I trained 12 hours a day. Field training often took me away from home for weeks or months at a time.

“Teri and I were newly married, and she moved to Colorado to be with me, but with training I never really had much time with her. It was important to me that she form her a network of friends and felt safe, so our weekends were often spent with other military couples.

that back Bradley back door drop and soldiers take their positions to clear a hill or disappear in the tree line,” he said.

After returning from Korea, and nearing the end of his enlistment, he and Teri thought a quieter adventure was in their futures. In 2001, Torres left active duty and entered into the Army Reserves.

Anthem bound

Teri, an ASU graduate with family in Lake Havasu, had close friends in Cave Creek, so they moved to Arizona.

Torres and his wife purchased their first home in the new Anthem Del Webb development. Teri was starting her career, working as a federal probation officer and Torres was heading back to college and assigned to a unit in the East Valley.

“Life was starting to settle, and Teri and I were able to live in the same place,” he said. “I was finishing my degree and fulfilling my reservist training. A friend suggested I apply to USAA. I was hired and, one week after my orientation, with the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks fresh in our minds, my orders to deploy came again.

“I hated leaving Teri again. We kept a positive outlook as this time she had a local support system and new job to distract her. We had to look at this as another adventure.

Torres was stationed outside Karshi-Khanabad, known as K-2, located in southeastern Uzbekistan. He was on a former Soviet-era air base used by the Army, Air Force and Marine forces for support missions into Afghanistan from 2001 to 2005.

On the way to Uzbekistan, his plane was diverted to Kabul to secure soldiers who had been injured in combat, including a first sergeant who had stepped on a land mine.

munications. He held the encryption codes for the daily communications and ensured needed intel would get to the soldiers and their needs back to command.

“My world was confined within a 50-meter fenced perimeter,” he said. “I had to build a chair in front of my tent just to watch people walking around me. We were not encouraged to leave the camp.

“However, on the weekends, the Green Berets on base knew about my infantry training and allowed me to accompany them on their security missions outside the fence. Joining them opened up an entire world and made this adventure far more interesting.”

Re-enlisting

After nine months in Uzbekistan, Torres returned stateside and reunited with Teri. Now together and starting their family, it was time to leave the Army. In spring 2003, he was given his separation papers. Torres completed his degree, enjoyed beginning his career with USAA and looked forward to starting his family.

Over time, working with military clients from the call center reminded Torres how much he loved the military. After talking with Teri, he re-enlisted, promising not to be far from their two growing daughters and not to serve in the infantry.

He was assigned to 301st Papago, classified as infantry, but working in operations and communications.

Torres, commissioned to 2nd lieutenant, completed his officer training and was approached by his chief about deploying and entering Civil Affairs Officer Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Queen Creek Tribune is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation company owned & operated by Times Media Group

The public is limited to one copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org.

To start or stop delivery of the paper, please visit: https://timespublications.com/phoenix/ or call 480-898-7901

To your free online edition subscription, please visite: https://www.thefoothillsfocus.com/e-subscribe/

The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Foothills Focus assumes no responsibility for the claims of any advertisement.

© 2023 Strickbine Publishing, Inc.

“Far too soon, I received unaccompanied orders for South Korea. We had just been married, the technology at that time to communicate with family members back home was nowhere near what it is now, so my bride and I felt it best she live with her sister for that time. She understood I had to leave, and she supported me then and has done so every step of our journey and each of my adventures.”

During the nine-month deployment in Korea, he continued infantry training, working as a Bradley vehicle gunner, commander and dismount squad leader, leading those in the back of the Bradley on exercises.

“There is nothing cooler than to watch

“I was on the plane with seven years’ extensive infantry training. The Army ensured we were ‘always ready.’ I was comfortable in my training and confident in my experience. That wasn’t the case for others.

“Some of the soldiers, whether fresh out of basic or and seasoned Reservists who had only experienced weekend training were reluctant, timid and terrified; not at all mentally ready for what they were seeing. This was quite the reality check for them and a reminder to continue regular mental checks with my fellow soldiers.”

Torres’ role at K-2 was to support the troops in combat in Afghanistan and command units elsewhere by establishing secure com-

Torres had decided he was in the Army for the long haul and knew this was the opportunity he needed. After talking with Teri and with a new adventure in his grasp, he accepted the offer.

Civil affairs officers partner with civilians and government agencies or military units to establish positive relationships with foreign governments and help protect civilians and reduce conflict. They are there to foster positive relationships between all parties so that goals are fulfilled.

His deployment orders came quickly and Torres left for Kandahar, Afghanistan, assigned with the 4th Infantry on the Civil Affairs Team (CAT).

We Are Your Resident Experts

Not only are we experts in plumbing and air conditioning, we are your neighbors. As residents of North Phoenix, we bring over 31 years of experience with 16 years in business and a neighborly approach to service.

We recognize that nobody likes to have air-conditioning/heating or plumbing problems, but when you do, you have a choice. When you choose West Coast Plumbing and Air, you are choosing the company that looks out for its neighbors and one that comes with a 100% money back guarantee.

Testimonials

“Thank you for getting our air working for us! It was an urgent matter, and they had someone at our house within 2 hours of my phone call.”

“The technician was awesome he was fast, professional and polite. Hopefully I won’t have to call anyone anytime soon but, if I had to West Coast Plumbing & Air would be my rst choice.”

“Great service! Got the job done right, and for the right price.”

Each CAT was composed of four to five soldiers given specific areas in Afghanistan to work. Torres was based on the Kandahar Air Base, but responsible for an area, “heavily nested in the northern region of the town.”

Unlike the previous deployment, this job required he leave the camp, often daily, to meet civilians and local officials.

“A lot of people think this must have been a pretty easy job as it revolves around talking with people. By this point in time, because the more highly educated and affluent had left the region, it was challenging work as those who remained had little understanding of infrastructure, governance and business operations.

“I watched kids playing in watering holes, families leading a very simple life in wartorn regions who were happy. I never got nervous when I saw smiles and children playing in the streets. When the streets emptied and the distant gunfire had stopped, that is when I got nervous as it meant those rounds were going to be used elsewhere or replaced with IEDs.”

This was the reason they always left base

in Kevlar vests, helmets, extra ammunition and weapons always in the ready. Occasionally, to help foster a peaceful discussion, the protective gear may come off, but that was only when the trust efforts were shared among the parties.

“While visiting a teaching compound, I remember being approached by three men in their 20s. Let’s just say they didn’t come out of curiosity. One firmly asked, “What are you doing here?’

“I knew my answer would be important. I took a minute, assessed his posture as he stared deep into my eyes and started asking him questions in friendly banter. Then I responded to his question, ‘I have been here all of 18 minutes and am building a relationship with you. You and your friends have been here 18 years. What are you doing?’”

While attached to the Kandahar Provincial Team, Torres received a Bronze Star for identifying a significant financial problem in the region after learning money dedicated for the maintenance of new buildings and infrastructure was not coming into the local economy. From 2002 to that time in 2011, no one knew of the problem.

From a career starting as an enlisted in-

fantry soldier to now a major with the civil affairs brigade in Riverside, California, he continues his work at USAA and his military roles have been modified to working with high-level government officials and ambassadors. He trains with the 8th Army Corps, 2nd Infantry Division and duties regularly take him to South Korea.

“As I reflect upon my life, growing up in a single-parent home in Los Angeles was difficult,” he said.

“My mother worked really hard, but we

didn’t have much. Because of my faith and those who offered advice or gave notice, I am grateful. To this day, guided by my faith, I appreciate every opportunity I have been given and see the positive in all my experiences.

“I love what I do. Even after 23 years in the military, I am still learning and recognize life truly is an adventure. My military experiences shaped a renewed patriotism for me and my family. I am honored to help out at the Anthem Veterans Memorial and live in a town that really values veterans. I am truly grateful for my past, my present and what the future holds for us all.”

Capt. Joe Torres, prior to promotion to major. (Joe Torres/Submitted)

Joe Torres in South Korea liaising with a South Korean officer and the U.S. military. (Joe Torres/ Submitted)

Parkside reveals candidates for open seats

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

The Anthem Parkside Community Association (APCA) has announced the names of candidates running for two open seats on the APCA Board of Directors and one open Parkside seat on the Anthem Community Council. The deadline to declare can-

didacy ended at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23.

Naresh Goel, John Meidinger and Mike Struzik as well as, incumbent Rob MacGregor are running for two open seats on the APCA Board of Directors. Dino Cotton and Terry Mullarkey are running for the available Parkside seat on the ACC Board of Directors. The declared winners of the APCA election will serve

Intro to CPR coming to Anthem Community Center

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Mark Barbee has witnessed the importance of knowing CPR as a Peoria battalion chief.

Approximately 383,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and 88% of these happen at home, Barbee said. Most victims of cardiac arrests do not have underlying conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure.

Only 32% of heart attacks happen outside the home where an unknown bystander helps the victim. Knowing CPR is essential. Only 8% of the victims who have a cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.

He’s bringing his knowledge to fellow Anthem residents with two free Intro to CPR classes: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the community center.

The class is open to families and individuals, and it does not qualify for certification class. Instead, it’s a free class guiding participants through the CPR process in case of an emergency.

The owner of AZ ACLS, Barbee has more than two decades of experience training professionals in emergency medical procedures.

AZ ACLS offers condensed training sessions for physicians and health care professionals in private settings, at the time and location that works best for them.

Because AZ ACLS’ training is geared toward medical professionals who hold ACLS, BLS or PALS certifications, they can renew all three.

Intro to CPR, however, is for the general public.

“I have held classes for bigger kids and adults who wanted to listen in one of the neighbor’s backyards,” Barbee said. “This class was derived from the people asking me questions about (Buffalo Bills player) Demar Hamlin.”

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a recent “Monday Night Football” game. He is recovering.

“I thought, why don’t I offer two classes— one on a weekday and another on the weekend. I pitched it to Scott (Scott Newell, Anthem Community director of programs) and he said, ‘That sounds great.’”

Intro to CPR

WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11

WHERE: Anthem Community Center, 41130 N. Freedom Way, Anthem COST: Free

INFO: 623-879-3011

a two-year term, and the winner of the ACC election will serve a three-year term.

The public is invited to a Meet the Candidates Night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Anthem Civic Building. This is an opportunity for residents to hear what the candidates have to say about various community issues and ask questions to determine who to vote for in the

WATER from page 1

The voluntary insurance covers two kinds of breaks under two separate policies whose policy cost is tacked onto their monthly bill from the Water Services Department.

For $7.95 a month, they can cover damage to their water line up to $8,500 per claim. There is no limit on the number of claims that can be filed in any given year — though only one break can be covered per claim and no more than $8,500 worth of repairs would be covered.

The same claims restriction exist for the policy covering septic and sewer line breaks between a meter and the home. That policy costs another $9.45 per month.

According to Spencer, the city’s 10-year partnership with the insurer to date has generated $3 million in revenue for the city and covered $7.4 million worth of repairs totaling 13,461. A total 27,324 homeowners participate in the program.

In suggesting that Council may want to consider making the policy mandatory for all Water Services customers, Spencer said

To Serve and Protect

election.

Biographies and photos of each candidate will be posted online at onlineatanthem.com. Voting will begin on Fe. 15. All voting will take place online and will be accepted until midnight on March 10. Results will be announced on March 15. Newly elected board members will take their seats at the April board meetings.

HomeServe has created two new programs “that would provide water and sewer line coverage for all Phoenix homes in the event of a water or sewer line emergency instead of the current opt-in program.

“HomeServe also offers a Water Leak Adjustment Program for Phoenix residential customers that would cover actual water leaks in addition to water and sewer line repairs,” she added. “This would require participation by all Phoenix single-family residential customers. Both programs can be explored further and considered as future partnership opportunities.”

The programs were scheduled to be discussed at a Feb. 1 meeting of the council’s Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee but immediate action is not considered likely.

Meanwhile, homeowners interested in signing up for the voluntary program can go to slwofa.com or call 1-844-257-8795. Additionally, residents can enroll by sending in the enrollment form that comes in the information letters that SLWA sends to Phoenix homeowners periodically.

Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Jarod Mellott, from Phoenix, loops mooring lines on bits in the forecastle aboard Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) as the ship prepares to pull into Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Jan. 19. Oakland, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim/U.S. Navy Photo)

Mark Barbee will teach Intro to CPR on Monday, Feb. 6, and Saturday, Feb. 11. (Mark Barbee/Submitted)

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Oreo lovers are smart cookies

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

What do Oreo cookies and psychoactive drugs have in common?

Evidently, they are both highly addictive. Ha! I knew that some very serious group of scientists would one day be sitting around in their lab coats, breaking apart the little chocolate rounds and licking the icing, with a big glass of milk. Geez, a new discovery was made! These cookies taste good! Oh yeah, get me a lab coat because I want that job.

Nothing like getting a big fat grant (gov-

ernment funded) and a plate of cookies to make an earth shattering “find” that all of us already know. We love our Oreos. Can 100 countries be wrong? Could 60 billion cookies sold each year give us all the “research” that we really need? No wonder our government finds itself “in the red” most of the time! Why are we even “investigating” the addictive quality in cookies?

It seems obvious that people love their Oreos. They like to twist, lick, dunk and eat them! OK, so a bunch of lab rats in a Connecticut college experiment were given the choice of eating rice cakes (cardboard)

or Oreos (heaven) and we are supposed to be shocked that they all chose the Oreos? It was also determined that eating the cookies activated more neurons in the rat brain’s “pleasure centers” than drugs, such as cocaine. Oh, and the rats liked to break open the chocolate biscuits and eat the delicious creamy center first. Smart little rodents.

What those scientists failed to tell us is that the “addiction” to Oreos doesn’t seem to matter. No marriages ruined, jobs lost, laws broken, and lives ravaged because folks like to eat cookies. OK, so those pesky little “pleasure centers” in human (and rat)

brains do seem to release a whole bunch of “feel good” neurons while we are eating

see BLUHM page 9

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

Hall of Fame catcher and noted clubhouse philosopher Yogi Berra offered a mathematically dubious calculation to describe the “mind games” within our national pastime. You might call it “Yogi’s Law.”

“Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”

Brock Purdy plays a different professional sport in a different era, but he probably would not deny the larger truth preceding Berra’s computation – especially in the wake of the Queen Creek native’s remarkable rookie season in the NFL.

Brock’s improbable rise from third-team reserve to San Francisco’s starting quarterback—with his successful string of seven straight victories—is the stuff of storybooks.

As this column is being written, Purdy and his Forty Niner teammates are preparing to visit Philadelphia to play the Eagles for the NFC Championship.

Dizzying heights, for sure…especially for his first year in pro football. But instead of a storybook, Purdy relies on the Good Book, and the Bible has imbued him with wisdom beyond his 23 years.

“Everything happens for a reason; it’s all a lesson from the Lord,” Brock has said. A few hard knocks have supplemented Scripture and kept him humble.

Mononucleosis sidelined Purdy for the first three games of his junior season at Perry High and affected his standing among major college recruiters, who initially displayed minor interest. Then the big schools saw Brock’s big numbers in passing yard-

age for the Pumas and pounced with catlike quickness – especially Alabama, which upped its offer from “preferred walk-on” to full scholarship.

Tuscaloosa ain’t Tinseltown, but the Crimson Tide’s head coach then appeared to take a page from the unnamed Hollywood casting director who reportedly said of Fred Astaire, “Can’t act, can’t sing, can dance a little.”

During Brock’s campus visit to Alabama, Nick Saban didn’t mince words, telling Purdy, “You’re below average in height. Your arm strength is whatever. Your accuracy is average.”

Whether it was candor meant to inspire Purdy or confusion with another recruit, Saban’s unvarnished assessment certainly proved motivational. It motivated Brock Purdy to pass on the perennial national power, take a close look at Texas A & M and finally choose Iowa State.

Purdy’s four years as a Cyclone were a whirlwind. Foreshadowing his NFL experience, he began his freshman season as a third-stringer, but soon became the starter,

opening eight games and ending up with the sixth-best pass rating in the NCAA. His second season brought second-team All Big 12 Honors, and he was first team All-Conference his final two years.

April of last year brought another transition and an action some might consider an insult – or, as Yogi Berra might have called it, “Deja vu all over again.”

Purdy’s name was called at the NFL Draft but was the last name called and that final pick came with a nickname that is less than complimentary.

When San Francisco selected him with the 262nd—and concluding— pick of the draft, Purdy earned the title “Mr. Irrelevant.”

What might seem insulting at first glance was actually initiated as an honor. The late Paul Selata, who starred as a receiver first at Southern Cal and later with the Forty Niners, thought the last player picked should receive an “accolade” similar to the top selection.

So Selata began “Irrelevant Week” in 1976, bringing the bottom selection to Newport Beach, California, for a trip to Disneyland, a golf tournament, a regatta, and a celebrity roast, where “Mr. Irrelevant” is awarded the “Lowsman Trophy”—the opposite of the Heisman—get it?

There is a higher purpose to the “exercise in irrelevancy”—raising funds for charities such as SPIN—Serving People In Need—so Brock and his family gladly made the trip.

Now Purdy and the Niners face this fundamental truth: they are one win away from the Super Bowl.

Berra would caution that “it’s not over ’til it’s over.”

But regardless of the outcome, for Brock Purdy, this is just the beginning.

sugar (or using drugs). But the use of the term “Oreo addict” seems a bit harsh. They are just cookies!

I do recall one of my grandsons stole a package of Oreos when he was about 6 years old. He grabbed them out of the pantry, sat in a closet and happily ate 10 cookies and hid the rest from his brothers. When confronted about the cookie hoist, he claimed a “strange man walked into the

house and stole the Oreos.” Although the evidence of cookie crumbs was on his face, he stuck to his story. (He has grown up to be a non-addicted adult).

Who knew that two little chocolate disks of biscuit sandwiched between vanilla crème filling would become the biggest-selling treat in the world for over 111 years? Addictive? Perhaps. Bad for us? Never! Oreos are part of our collective memories of childhood. They are not just a cookie, but bits of our childhood sand-

wiched between recollections of a simpler, purer time.

Let’s not worry about what scientists say about Oreos. I am conducting my own “cookie research” at this very moment and will report back to you. In the meantime, Dear readers, don’t be afraid to twist, lick, munch and dunk. It’s all good.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email Bluhm at judy@judybluhm.com or visit aroundthebluhmintown.com.

BLUHM from Page 8

Super Bowl ‘bargains’ put skinning in the game

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

With Super Bowl LVII fast approaching, one can only marvel at the prices being commanded from the tourists coming to the Valley for the Big Game. I am currently staring at the booking page for a Motel Six located near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road in Maryvale.

The price for a 200-square-foot “premium room,” which features two double beds, a fridge, a microwave, and a violent crime rate over twice the national average?

A mere $864 a night.

Keep in mind, this is a hotel with 906 reviews that average two stars. This is not exactly Fodor’s material: “Holes in the walls and floor, green sludge on the floor. Deposit was more than the room. Check out took 45 minutes. Security was solid though.”

I’m a glass-half-full fellow. Between the solid security and the free wifi, I can’t recommend these luxe accommodations enough. My only regret is that the Dallas Cowboys got knocked out of the playoffs. I would’ve

paid big money to see some cowpoke in a 10-gallon Stetson and a Roger Staubach jersey trying to choose between Filiberto’s up the street or the IHOP on the other side of I-10.

Then there’s trying to book a round of golf. If you read this space regularly, you know I’m addicted to that cursed game.

Right now, even modest public golf courses plan to gouge golfers for upwards of $300 a round during Super Bowl week. Consider OrangeTree in Scottsdale, which in summer is almost worth every bit of their $50 bucks in greens fees. This week, rounds in prime time are going for about $150 for 18 holes. Super Bowl week? If you want to play the Friday morning before the game, be prepared to part with $315 per person.

Factor in that it’ll be a five-hour round full of drunken bros sporting cigars the size of a 7-iron and I’ll pass. But look on the bright side: These would-be Bryson DeChambeaus typically shoot about 120 not counting mulligans. At $2.62 a stroke, that makes OrangeTree a better buy than a gallon of unleaded.

According to a study by researchers at

Arizona State University, SB57 should create about 100,000 visitors to Glendale and points beyond and about $600 million in economic impact.

A sizable portion of this haul will be created by locals renting out their homes. Browsing the available short-term rentals on VRBO shows about 300 properties left unrented.

The most opulent of the bunch: A “tropical modern paradise” atop Camelback Mountain renting for about $16,000 a night – or 114 grand for the week. It’s a six-bedroom private gated villa close to Paradise Valley with a chipping green and a bocce court. It also includes “daily maid service” and “500 thread count luxury white linens.”

No word on whether security is solid.

As a get-rich-quick scheme, I briefly considered going on vacation and renting out my place. Or as I planned to describe it on Airbnb: “Motel 5! Like A Motel 6 Minus The Crime!”

If a room full of green sludge gets 860 bucks a night, I thought I could get $1000 a night, easy. Heck, I might even get 1,200 a night if the out-of-towner wanted to borrow

my “personal private security force,” which includes Violet, a pitbull mix, and Lucy and Ethel, who together comprise “25 pounds of canine terror.”

Seems like more trouble than it’s worth, though. I’m going to stay home, stay off the golf course, and watch the big game on TV. That means I’ll miss the Super Bowl Experience, and I’m perfectly okay with that.

I’ve been robbed before.

I don’t need to volunteer for a repeat.

New Arizona law allows people to seal criminal records

BY JUDGE GERALD A. WILLIAMS North Valley Justice Court

Under A.R.S. § 13-911, a person can now request a court seal their criminal case records if: (1) they have completed their sentence, (2) the charge was dismissed or they were found not guilty, or (3) they were arrested but no charges were filed. There are some significant exceptions and policymakers made some arguably questionable choices.

Convicted criminals must wait a significant amount of time before they will be able to hide their criminal record. For class one misdemeanors, the waiting period is three years. For other misdemeanors, it is two years. Convicted felons must wait either five or 10 years (depending on the felony) to have their convictions concealed. But even when records are sealed, government

agencies can still access them. Various people and agencies will be able to access these sealed records. They include the defendant’s attorney and a crime victim. Law enforcement agencies, prosecuting agencies, probation departments, courts, the department of child safety, and correctional

facilities will be able see sealed records.

In short, there are some ways a prosecutor could still use sealed records against someone. Perhaps the most significant is a sealed felony or DUI conviction still counts as a prior conviction if the defendant is convicted of another crime in the future. A prosecutor could also potentially ask a defendant about a sealed conviction if they are testifying while on trial for a different crime. But the new law is even more complicated.

One part of this new law encourages people to make false statements. A.R.S. § 13-911(I)(5) authorizes a person with a sealed conviction to “state, in all instances, that the person has never been arrested for, charged with or convicted of the crime … including in response to questions on employment, housing, financial aid or loan applications.”

There are some exceptions to this legal

permission to lie. For example, it you are applying for a job that requires you to enter other people’s residences, you cannot lie about a burglary conviction. Likewise, you will not be able to lawfully hide a forgery conviction if you are applying for a position requiring you manage someone else’s money.

Is this fair to future employers? Will they face additional lawsuits? The new law says an employer is not liable either for hiring or for contracting with someone who had their criminal case sealed.

This is a complicated law. The Arizona Judicial Branch web page provides an excellent detailed explanation, complete with sample forms, at https://bit. ly/ArizonaSealingRecords

Judge Gerald A. Williams is the justice of the peace for the North Valley Justice Court. That court’s jurisdiction includes Glendale, Phoenix, Anthem and Desert Hills.

Justin Simons, Agent 3655 W Anthem Way Anthem, AZ 85086

Justin Simons, Agent 41722 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, #110 Anthem, AZ 85086 (Next to Barro’s Pizza)

Business: 623-551-3700

Business: 623-551-3700

justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com

justin.simons.j663@statefam.com

Kierland Commons • 15205 N. Kierland Blvd. • Scottsdale, AZ

Entertainment by: Sandra Bassett &

Anthem Activities

Anthem Golf & Country Club schedule

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Due to the limited availability, Anthem Golf & Country Club is asking members to not register for back-to-back classes, so everyone has a chance to register. No-shows are charged $10.

Classes are held at Persimmon or Ironwood, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive or 41551 N. Anthem Hills Drive, respectively. For more information, call 623-742-6200 for Persimmon Clubhouse or 623-465-3020 for Ironwood Clubhouse.

• Wednesday, Feb. 1

Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mixology: 7 a.m.

Persimmon: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Slow Flow (Level 1): 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Training: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Yoga Stretch: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 2

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Boxology: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Yoga Basics: 10:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Tabata: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 3

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Strength/

Balance: 9:45 a.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 4

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Bootcamp: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Chair Yoga: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Heart Health Workshop: 10:30 a.m.

• Monday, Feb. 6

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Power Strength/Stretch: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Meditation & Chair: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Feb. 7

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: HITT: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Barre Fusion: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Blast: 10 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 5:30 p.m.

Find Your Fit Life: Heart Health Webinar: 4 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 8

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mixology: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Slow Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Training: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Yoga Stretch: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 9

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Boxology: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Yoga Basics: 10:15 a.m.

Ironwood Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Tabata: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 10

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Strength/Balance: 9:45 a.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 11

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Bootcamp: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Chair Yoga: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

• Monday, Feb. 13

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood Power Strength/Stretch: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Meditation & Chair: 4:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood Ballroom: Stretch & Sip Workshop: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Feb. 14

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: HITT: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Barre Fusion: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Blast: 10 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5 p.m.

Wine & Spirit Sunset Sampling: 5 p.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 15

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mixology: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 6:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Slow Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Training: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Yoga Stretch: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 16

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Boxology: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Yoga Basics: 10:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Tabata: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 17

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Don’t Miss Out on DVUSD Kindergarten!

Registration Now Open ~ Preview Nights

March 1 & 2!

Deer Valley Spring Preview Nights!

March 1 & 2, 2023

Kindergarten Preview Nights at all K-6 & K-8 DVUSD Schools!

Why is it just better here at DVUSD?

Free, Full-Day Program

Variety of Specialized programs, including: Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), Academy of Arts, Traditional Academy, various gifted program models, Spanish and Mandarin language immersion programs & more!

92% of DVUSD K-6/K-8 Schools are A or B - Rated Schools

Registration for 2023-24 Now Open!

Scan the QR Code to Learn more about DVUSD Kindergarten & Register Today!

CALENDAR from Page 12

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Strength/Balance: 9:45 a.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 18

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Bootcamp: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Chair Yoga: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Glow Pickleball Family Fun Night: 6:30 p.m.

• Monday, Feb. 20

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Power Strength/Stretch: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Meditation & Chair: 4:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Feb. 21

Anthem Activities

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: HITT: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Barre Fusion: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Blast: 10 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5 p.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 22

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mixology: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Slow Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

AnthemLife 101: New Member Orientation: 10 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Training: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Yoga Stretch: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 23

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Boxology: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Yoga Basics: 10:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5:30 p.m.

Ironwood: Tabata: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 24

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Functional Strength/Balance: 9:45 a.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 25

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Bootcamp: 8 a.m.

Persimmon: Chair Yoga: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Anthem Community Council calendar

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Programs and activities are available at the Community Center and Civic Building for all ages. Learn more and register online at onlineatanthem.com. Visit the “residents” tab, then click on “activity registration.” All programs and classes are available to nonresidents for an additional fee. With questions, contact the Community Center at 623-879-3011.

• Dolphins swim team

Many levels to choose from. Email Paul Root at proot@anthemcouncil.com for more information or to try out

• Adult Master Swim

5 to 6 a.m. Monday to Thursday

$35; Community Center

• Wednesdays or Thursdays

Dance classes: Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting in March $150; Community Center

• Senior activities (50 years and older)

Golden Go-Getters: 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays

Mexican Train Game: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays Free; Civic Building ongoing

• Parents’ Night Out

6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 $20; Community Center

• Tennis Youth tennis: Monday to Thursday options Cardio tennis: Saturday mornings; $10

drop-in fee (18 years and older) Prices, times and dates vary; Community Center

• Anthem Tots Sports

Ages: 3 to 6 years old February sessions: 9:15 to 11 a.m. Saturdays $80; Community Center

• Silver Buttons Child & Caregiver Music

Ages: 4 and younger 9 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through April 26

$220; Drop-in fees offered Civic Building

• Youth Recreational League Sports Volleyball, pickleball, soccer and basketball

Ages: 5 to 13

• Monday, Feb. 26

Ironwood: Cycle: 5:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Strength: 6:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Kickology Strong: 7 a.m.

Ironwood: Cycle: 7:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Fun & Fit: 8:15 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio/Core Strength: 8:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 9:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Vinyassa Flow: 9:30 a.m.

Ironwood: Power Strength/Stretch: 10:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Meditation and Chair: 4:15 p.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Kickboxing: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Feb. 28

Ironwood: Total Body: 5:30 a.m.

Persimmon: Mat Pilates: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: HITT: 8 a.m.

Ironwood: Barre Fusion: 9 a.m.

Persimmon: Zumba: 9 a.m.

Ironwood: Cardio Blast: 10 a.m.

Ironwood Stretch: 10:45 a.m.

PWR! Moves: Fee Based: 1:15 p.m.

Persimmon: Water Fitness: 5 p.m.

Wine & Spirit Sunset Sampling: 5 p.m.

Ironwood: Muscle Mix: 5:30 p.m.

Persimmon: Candlelight Yin: 6:30 p.m.

Winter and spring sessions: $100 Community Center

Jujitsu and Swordfit

Tuesday and Thursdays

February sessions

Youth and adult classes

$125; Community Center

• AARP Tax Services

Ages: 50 and older

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April 12

Drop-in, no appointment needed

Civic Building

• Youth camps

Feb. 20

Ages: 5 to 12 years

Multiple dates available

$55; Community Center

Doing consistently what others do occasionally

Pastor Ed Delph

For some time now, I have been thinking about the attribute of willpower. Other words for willpower might be determination, consistency or perseverance. I admire folks with willpower. When the times get tough, the determined are not deterred or detoured. Instead, they have what I call “beginergy.” They have spirit, grit and mental toughness. They may not reach their ultimate dream or goal, but it will not be because of a lack of effort.

Author Elmer Towns says that some

people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined. Thomas Edison said that everything comes to those who hustle while they wait. The snail reached the ark because it was determined. There is a world of difference between “not quite” and “never quit.” Generally, you can’t keep the fainthearted up and you can’t keep the determined down. Determined people consistently do what others occasionally do.

Character First defines determination as purposing to accomplish the right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition. I like that concept,

the right goals at the right time. Determination is pure when truth and virtue, not self-aggrandizement, are vied for. Let me give you an example of what I’m saying here from research by the Character First staff. It’s called “How One Man’s Determination Brought Literacy to a Whole People.”

“Sequoyah served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812 in the United States. After the war, he began work on the Cherokee writing system, for which he is now famous. He started creating symbols for whole words and eventually arrived at 85 symbols

see DELPH page 20

Foothills Focus Columnist

A car lover’s dream comes to Fountain Hills

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Anthem resident Randy Gottschalk knows his black sub 60 2000 Ferrari 456M goes from 0 to 60 miles an hour in less than 6 seconds. The car’s top speed is about 160 miles per hour.

He won’t reveal exactly how he knows that, but he’s looking forward to chatting cars at the ninth annual Gila River Resorts & Casinos Concours in the Hills, presented by Matson Money, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills.

The show benefits the Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Hope Fund, which finances research, cutting-edge technology, recruitment of top physicians and child-friendly programs to make young patients more comfortable.

“I’m a childhood cancer survivor, myself,” said creator Peter Volny. “I know the agony, not only physical but even more, mental, that kids go through. I’ve been to the hospital, and I just decided that they would be the beneficiary.”

Although the event is free, there will be opportunities to give.

“People are coming for free, but we would like them to make a donation,” Volny said. “We had 40,000 to 50,000 people there last year. If everybody put in a couple of bucks, we’d be raising a lot of money.”

Since its inception in 2014, Concours in the Hills has set multiple records for the number of cars on display, sponsors and spectators and total funds raised for Phoenix Children’s. Since 2018, the show has raised over $900,000 for Phoenix Children’s. The 2022 show alone raised $460,000 for the

Center for Heart Care.

The free event to the community started in 2014 with 220 cars and 3,000 spectators. The 2022 event featured 1,200 cars, 100 sponsor booths and an estimated 50,000 spectators, smashing all previous records.

The show is heavily supported by car clubs and dealers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Corvette, Mustang, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. The value of vehicles is many hundreds of millions, with several individual cars worth over $10

million.

The show is organized by sections for domestics, imports, race cars, limited-edition exotics, off-road and motorcycles. A helicopter display includes military attack helicopters.

“Have you heard of Cobras?” Volny asked. “The Cobra Car Club came to me and said, ‘You’ve put us on the very edge, and we want to be in the middle (of the park).’ Well, there’s only one middle, and you can’t put everybody in the middle.”

Volny thought about it and came up with a solution.

“I knew that the attack helicopters that the (U.S. Army) flew in Vietnam were called Cobras,” he said. “I found out there’s one here in the Valley that’s operated by the Army Aviation Historical Foundation.”

The organization agreed to be part of the show. Shelby Cobra owners will park their babies next to it.

Not to be outdone, the U.S. Marines will be flying in a Viper helicopter, where Viper owners will have their cars parked.

“We have cars that are worth millions of dollars each,” Volny said. “We have one very,

very rare Ferrari coming that was bought about five years ago for $9 million. It’s probably worth way more than that now.”

Gottschalk contends that owning a Ferrari, however, is within reach. Used ones start at about $75,000; new ones more than three times that cost.

“Some of the models are a lot more affordable than others,” he said. “Nowadays, if you want to get a Ferrari, it’s going to cost you somewhere between the low range from $70,000 on up. If you say to yourself, ‘I want to get a Ferrari. What generally is the cheapest Ferrari out there?’ There are some out there that are between $50,000 and $70,000 that are good cars.”

Gila River Resorts & Casinos

Concours in the Hills, presented by Matson Money

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, February 4

WHERE: Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills

COST: Free admission; donations accepted

INFO: phoenixchildrensfoundation.org/signature/concours/

This 2000 Ferrari 456M, which is a sub 60 car, is owned by Randy Gottschalk of Anthem. Gottschalk claims he has never been ticketed while driving the car with its butterscotch leather interior and automatic transmission. (Randy Gottschalk/Submitted)

SMALL CLASS SIZES!

RIGOR,

SMALL

DELPH From Page 16

representing sounds. Unfortunately, his neighbors didn’t understand him, and his wife reportedly destroyed his work at one point. But he persevered, and in 1821, Sequoyah and his daughter, Ah-yoka, unveiled his syllabify and opened the door to literacy for thousands of his people.

“Sequoyah endured and succeeded because he couldn’t do anything else. He possessed perseverance. Willpower is choosing not to give up until what you set out to do is accomplished. Willpower and focus are not letting your mind, emotions, other distractions, or people deter us from achieving the right goals at the right time regardless of the opposition.”

The Bible has many stories of people who had determination. The women who had been hemorrhaging for years

RIGOR,

& RELATIONSHIPS

turned around to see who the determined woman was. He said to the women, “You’re healed.” Lesson: Her healing came from Jesus, but her determination put her in the position for healing to happen.

What is the lesson here? Winners are ex-losers who just got determined. So, if you don’t succeed at first, try not to look too astonished. Anything worthwhile will probably take a while. Determination is what happens between the start and the finish.

The unique aspect of determination is people can use determination for both good or evil or for construction or destruction. Determined people can undermine a whole culture, country or community. Hitler was determined. Churchill and the Allies were more determined. It takes committed, consistent people to ensure good triumphs over evil. Consider the postage stamp.

ergy worrying about others. Don’t take your eyes off the prize. That’s “di-vision” or should I say “die-vision.”

Tom Landry enlightened us about how to win the Super Bowl. “My job is to get men to do what they don’t want to do to achieve something they have always wanted to achieve.” Whenever you see a successful business, someone makes a courageous decision and finishes what they started. Focus, self-control, and perseverance are the qualities that distinguish the fittest (mentally and physically) to survive.

The Scriptures give us sage advice about perseverance and consistency for the right things. “Summing it all up, my friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9.

My good friend, Chris Estrada of Destiny Center International Church

Schedule a tour!

for 6-12 Campus caurusacademy.org/schedule-a-tour

in Phoenix, enlightens us about consistently doing what other people occasionally do this way. “Consistency is a skill many people lack but can be learned through repetition. The more consistent you are with doing the right thing and not cutting a corner, the better results you’ll receive when attempting to do anything. Let’s go!” I like that. It would make my day if this article encouraged you to keep on, keeping on, for something great and sound you are pursuing. Remember, a great oak is only a little nut that held its ground.

Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

Schedule

for K-5 Campus or 623-466-8187 for 6-12 Campus or schedule online. Visit caurusacademy.org/schedule-a-tour

Middle/High

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Know a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Miami University students who are ranked in the top 3% of undergraduate students within each division for the fall semester 2022-23 have been named to the president’s list recognizing academic excellence.

Recently Madeline Begalke and Mady Bachmeier were honored for their grade-point averages.

An Anthem resident, Begalke is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business in information systems and analytics, supply chain and operations management.

A resident of Cave Creek, Bachmeier is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology, nutrition and health, premedical studies.

Nationally recognized as one of the most outstanding undergraduate institutions, Miami University is a public university located in Oxford, Ohio. With a student body of nearly 19,000, Miami effectively combines a wide range of strong academic programs with faculty who love to teach, and the personal attention ordinarily found only at much smaller institutions.

Hofstra in Hempstead, New York, recently honored Adam Schwartz of Cave Creek with a fall 2022 dean’s list designation for achieving a GPA of at least 3.5. His major is drama.

Phoenix’s Armando Saenz was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, for achieving a GPA of at least 3.5. Saenz’s major is film studies and production.

Hofstra University is an internationally ranked and recognized private university with nearly 11,000 students.

Cave Creek’s Erin Gerveler was named to University of Iowa dean’s list for the spring semester. Gerveler was among more than 4,000 undergraduate students at the university to be honored. Gerveler is a second-year student in Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is majoring in speech and hearing science. Dean’s list status was earned by 714 first-year undergraduates during the 2022 spring semester at Iowa, only 1,268 second-year students, only 1,559 third-year students, and only 2,045 fourth-year students. Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the Tippie College of Business, and University College who achieve a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded coursework during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of “I” (incomplete) or “O” (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the dean’s list for that semester.

COMPREHENSIVE CLEANING SERVICES

MOVE-IN/MOVE-OUT CLEANING - We understand moving is a stressful experience. Let our cleaning teams help, so you aren't overwhelmed.

HOME CLEANING SERVICES - Many homeowners enjoy the time and energy that is saved when a professional cleaning service comes in and takes care of the hard work

CARPET CLEANING - Nothing freshens up a home more than a thorough carpet cleaning!

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING - We also have specialized equipment to clean upholstery, such as armchairs or sofas.

TILE & GROUT CLEANING - Tile floors can look fantastic, but even with regular cleaning stains build up on your tile and grout.

W INDOW CLEANING - Our window cleaning services include hard water removal, frame and track cleaning, along with a thorough inside and outside cleaning job.

PRESSURE WASHING - Offered on patios and garages! SPECIAL