Michael Duran to be new Phoenix �ire chief
BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Wrier
City Manager Jeff Barton welcomed Phoenix native and second-generation firefighter Michael Duran as the new chief of the Phoenix Fire Department on Jan. 25.
Duran will take over as fire chief on Feb. 22, when current chief, Kara Kalkbrenner, retires.
“Mike is a visionary strategist who I’m confident will help move our organization forward,” Barton said. “His strong communication skills and meaningful experience developing and maintaining relationships within the city, community and business partners will be invaluable as he takes on the role of chief.”
Duran has worked with the department for 27 years. He works as the as-
sistant chief in the medical and support service division, which accounts for about 85% of all fire department dispatches, and spent time in several different positions working his way up the ladder.
He started out as a firefighter, engineer and captain, during which time he got a firsthand understanding of fire services, emergency response models as well as the ins and outs of serving the city’s diverse community. Duran went on to become a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) AZ Task Force-1, where he helped provide service in emergencies like hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Florence. With FEMA, he has also provided public safety planning for the Super Bowl and college football
CHIEF ���� 5
‘Daughters’ preserve history through genealogy
BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
The Arizona chapter of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots
society is looking for new members to help with a mission to ensure the preservation of history by tracking down, documenting and teaching their genealogy.
The national organization was started in 1898 by Eugenia Washington, the great-grandniece of George Washington, and the Arizona chapter was organized in 1966. According to club President Mary Feist, members of the society must have a very specific ancestry.
“It has to be an unbroken line with the same name all the way back to the colonial founder,” Feist explained. “Then,
within that line, you also have to have a revolutionary patriot that has already been proved to have served during the American Revolution.”
The goal of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots organization is to preserve colonial heritage, whether through historical documents or family records.
��� GENEALOGY ���� 4
of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
Michael Duran will officially take over as Phoenix fire chief on Feb. 22. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Fire Department)
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GENEALOGY ����
The founders’ goals were to ensure younger generations are educated about the country’s history and to support the military.
Feist said by obtaining all the information needed to apply for the club, the stories, documents and research can then continue to be passed down the family line, preserving their family’s colonial heritage. As for educating the younger generations, Feist said members of the club regularly visit schools to do workshops and donate some of the historical items tracked down to museums or libraries.
“Genealogy is our love. History is our love,” Feist said. “Preserving the history of our country is what keeps us motivated and interested.”
To support the military, Feist joked that they are mostly older ladies who can’t do a lot of hands-on work, but the club does what it can, like getting together to walk in the Veterans Day and Fourth of July parades every year. Another way the club supports service is by presenting Junior ROTC awards to high school students and giving an ROTC medal, certificate
and monetary award to a cadet at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Feist said her personal connection is through her mother’s paternal line. Her colonial founder was Valentine Hollingsworth Sr., who came to America in 1682 and settled in Delaware. Her revolutionary patriot was Jesse Hollingsworth, who, according to documents, owned a store and donated supplies to the colonial army. Feist said she even found letters written between him and George Washington, with Washington thanking him for the donations.
She admitted that the requirements seem daunting and it can be difficult to track down all the documentation, but said a lot of the people who are interested already have some sort of genealogy record, which makes it easier to get started. From there, Feist said it’s like putting together a puzzle, and it’s hard to stop until everything is put together.
“Once you become interested in your family genealogy, you become addicted,” she said. “You find one little piece of information and then you just want to find some more.”
The Arizona chapter currently
has about 15 members. As the only Daughters of Founders and Patriots chapter in Arizona, Feist said they have members from all over the state. The organization alternates meetings from Prescott to Tucson so the same people aren’t having to drive too far. The club has three meetings a year, and the next one will be Saturday, Feb. 5, in Black Canyon City.
Feist said the club is looking for more women to join. She also said the registrar, Sharon Atkins, or any of the members can help with the application process.
“We welcome new members, and we offer any kind of assistance they need. First we determine whether they have that paternal line, that they have a revolutionary patriot and that their ancestry goes back to someone who came to America prior to 1697. Once we have that information, it’s just a matter of sitting down with them and helping them fill out the application step by step.”
If interested in learning more or applying, Feist said to reach out to Atkins at nsdfpaaz@gmail.com. More information about the organization can also be found at nationalsocietydfpa.com.
The organization presented a donation to John Markham, representative of the VA Team Red White and Blue, to help veterans transition from military to civilian life. From left to right: Julie Rouse, member; Mary Feist, president; John Markham, speaker; Lee Nelson, chaplain; and Sherry Cole, vice president. (Submitted photo)
playoffs. He also previously served as deputy chief of the central division and a division chief of facilities management and homeland defense bureaus.
Barton said these roles prove Duran to be a seasoned and accomplished firefighter and leader as well as a service-oriented member of the community.
In addition, Duran is also spearheading the implementation of the community assistance program. The $15 million program, recently approved by Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council, aims to provide better crisis response for behavioral and mental health emergency calls.
“Mike Duran has been a valued leader throughout his years of service, and especially recently as he has overseen the expansion of the Community Assistance Program in response to the mental health crisis,” Gallego said. “I am confident Chief
Duran will ensure our city’s firefighters provide quality protection and life safety services and will be a valuable mentor and ethical leader to grow the next cohort of public safety teams integral to our community.”
Duran brings more to the table than just his career accomplishments, though. He is a married father of three, a Phoenix native who is familiar with the challenges of a desert-urban interface and a local who knows how to best help the community.
“As the fire chief, I will prioritize innovative opportunities to improve the safety and services of our system,” Duran said. “I am committed to creating a positive and equitable environment while promoting the development and sustainability of our organization.”
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
Vendors sought for Anthem Days
The Anthem Community Council is inviting vendors to apply for inclusion in 2022 Anthem Days. Lock in the early bird special and turn in forms before Friday, Feb. 4. All other vendor forms are due Friday, March 4. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ AnthemDaysVendor.
Anthem Days is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 and March 27 at the Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. The free, family-friendly event includes a business expo, craft vendors, carnival, food ven-
News Briefs
dors, and entertainment. The event is open to the public. Admission and parking are free.
Commissioners OK partial consolidation in EPCOR rate case
Commissioners unanimously approved a rate case application from EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. Approval comes after discussion, consideration and adoption of myriad amendments over the course of two open meetings.
EPCOR had advocated for a full consolidation of its Arizona water districts, placing all customers under one rate design. After
hearing from numerous ratepayers, Commissioners decided to adopt an amendment from Commissioner Jim O’Connor that implemented proposed Scenario 1, a partial consolidation, leaving Paradise Valley, Sun City and Sun City West as standalone districts.
An amendment from Commissioner Sandra D. Kennedy requires EPCOR to �ile, within six months, an analysis of why participation in its low-income program is so low, and recommendations to boost participation moving forward. Additionally, it requires EPCOR work with relevant stakeholders with experience in low-income assistance
and water conservation to provide input and shall report on their recommendations.
Commissioner Justin Olson had two amendments adopted. The �irst reduced the Return on Equity from 9.25% to 8.93%, this reduces the increase to the revenue requirement by approximately $350,000. His second amendment adopted commission staff’s and the Residential Utility Consumer Of�ice’s (RUCO) recommendation to remove 50% of EPCOR’s short-term incentive plan, which reduces the revenue requirement by approximately $700,000.
In addition to his amendment adopting partial consolidation, Commissioner Jim O’Connor had a second amendment adopted during the meeting. This amendment allows EPCOR to recalculate low-income surcharges on March 31.
EPCOR’s water customers will see Anthem Water rates go from approximately $70.80 to $51.76 after a three-year rate phase in. All related documents can be found at https://edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket number WS-01303A-20-0177.
TOWN
Sometimes you find yourself lost in life
BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist
Have you ever been lost? Yes, I guess at some time or another most of us have taken a wrong turn, had trouble following directions, or just gotten mixed up about where we are headed. Being a Realtor and often in rural areas, sometimes I find that street signs do not exist, easements are not always marked, landmarks change (the big saguaro where you are supposed to make your left turn looks the same as every other one) and GPS works best in cit-
ies that are neatly platted out. Imagine my surprise while driving on a dirt road in New River (lost) and finding an old, black horse standing in the middle of the two-lane goat path. He looked as bewildered to see me as I was to see him. Evidently, he did not think I belonged there, because he made no effort to move. A roadblock of the strangest kind!
Pulling over to the side, I stopped and got out. The horse stood his ground, just sizing me up as I carefully approached him. He was pretty thin, well-mannered and seemingly curious, if not happy to see me. Looking around, I pondered
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where the big fella came from. Not normal for a horse to be standing in the middle of a road with no one else around! About 300 feet to the north, I noticed a driveway and walked, gently resting my hand on the horse’s backside, as together we headed up a long, narrow dirt drive leading to an old ranch house.
The black horse and I got up the driveway and we both stood still for a moment, while an elderly man ran out from the garage with arms open like he might hug me. Well, he did embrace his horse and for a few minutes seemed confused, then asked what I was do-
ing here with Rocky. When I said that I found Rocky standing in the middle of the road, the man looked shocked. He said, “Rocky is 34 years old and has arthritis, doesn’t eat much and barely
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Kelly joined at Biden’s hip in upcoming race
BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist
There’s no mistaking Mark Kelly for the late comedian Don Knotts — especially since our junior senator bears an uncanny resemblance to Uncle Fester of “The Addams Family” — but similar themes have emerged in the body of work from both the contemporary legislator and the comedian of a bygone era.
Knotts, who won multiple Emmy Awards for his portrayal of bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on “The Andy Griffith Show,” parlayed that success on the small screen into a five-picture deal with Universal Studios in the mid-1960s.
Sen. Kelly parlayed his fame from piloting the space shuttle into winning a seat in the Senate. Certainly Kelly’s fundraising abilities have proven astronomical; his campaign pulled in $9 million in the final three months of last year, giving him an estimated war chest of $22 million as he attempts to win a full six-year term this November.
Of course, $22 million — or more — won’t buy what it used to… not even as recently as the campaign year of 2020.
That’s because of Jan. 20, 2021… the day Joe Biden took up residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Immediately afterward, the politico-economic condition now known as
“Bidenflation” took hold.
Ol’ Joe began by revoking authorization for the Keystone XL pipeline in an executive order. In so doing, he killed 10,000 jobs and took $2.2 billion in payroll out of workers’ pockets.
One of the newly unemployed, Neal Crabtree of Fouke, Arkansas, told the “Boston Herald” his concerns extended beyond his family to friends, neighbors and his fellow countrymen.
“Now we’re seeing rising energy prices,” said Crabtree, a common-sense kind of guy, who was working as a welding foreman before Joe Biden got a new job… and took away his.
Sadly, common sense is in short supply at the White House and within the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Then again, lots of things are in short supply these days.
A crippled supply line and a predictable decline in domestic energy production prompted a spike in prices.
The result?
The worst inflation rate our nation has seen in 40 years.
As costs increased across the board for food, shelter, clothing and transportation, prices at the pump were especially troubling: a hike of almost 50% by December.
Adding even more fuel to the inflationary
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fires was the spending spree of the Biden Bunch. Unilaterally enacted by the Democrats, a $1.9 trillion cash infusion actually paid bonuses to some lucky workers to stay off the job, kept the Bureau of Printing and Engraving churning out greenbacks, and further bloated our money supply.
Whether due to economic illiteracy or delusion — perhaps both — Joe Biden then claimed that his horribly misnamed “Build Back Better” initiative would somehow reduce inflation. Left unexplained is the dubious rationale behind the misguided notion that an exponentially more obscene orgy of spending — $5.5 trillion dollars’ worth — will do anything other than launch inflation to even “greater” heights and plunge our standard of living to even lower depths.
Thankfully, the “Build Back Bummer” has been scrubbed for now… no thanks to Mark Kelly.
Instead, Kelly has been a dependable vote for Bidenomics and Bidenflation, but Republicans aren’t exactly biding their time in the effort to scrub Mark Kelly’s political mission. This summer’s primary for the Arizona GOP Senate nomination will be crowded and spirited.
The eventual winner will face a cash-infused but performance-imperiled incumbent, joined at the hip to Joe Biden. Mark Kelly’s handlers are doing what they can
right now to start a midcourse correction, recently making their man available for an interview with “Yahoo!,” which, like most Big Tech media organs, would be more accurately named “Hooray!” when covering Democrat politicians.
Despite the kid-glove “Yahoo!” coverage, Kelly cannot shake his Biden connection. He even mimicked Ol’ Joe’s attempted blame shifting to big corporations — the same folks financing the freshman senator’s campaign.
If Kelly remains reluctant to politically separate from Joe Biden, the ex-astronaut will have a lot of time on his hands a year from now to watch reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Or “The Addams Family.”
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Color alone not the only criterion for Supreme Court
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist
United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his upcoming retirement on a Wednesday morning. Within the hour, reporters, pundits and politicos had settled on a must for the 83-year-old’s successor: The next justice, the 116th in the history of our nation, must be a Black woman.
This certainty dates back to a promise President Biden made during the 2020 primaries. Struggling to get traction, especially with Black voters, Biden went to South Carolina needing a jump start to his campaign. His promise at a February 2020 debate:
“I’m looking forward to making sure there’s a Black woman on the Supreme Court to make sure we in fact get everyone represented.”
The applause was loud. Biden won a seven-way primary with 49% of the vote.
I understand we live in a nation where 108 out of 115 members of the highest court in the land have been white men. I understand and see value in diversity, of justices who bring different perspectives and cultures to the court — even if they tend to vote in lockstep with either one of America’s two dominant, disastrous political parties.
But for days I’ve been scouring the news waiting for someone to say what to me seemed abundantly obvious: Shouldn’t the president, a Democrat, nominate the most qualified liberal justice to the court, as opposed to filtering out candidates based on race and gender?
I mean this as no slight to the jurists on the short list: Ketanji Brown Jackson, who currently sits on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, considered the second most important court in the country.
Harvard educated, a former editor of the Harvard Law Review, Brown Jackson clerked for Breyer early in her career. Also getting serious consideration is Leondra
Kruger, who currently sits on the California Supreme Court. Kruger previously clerked for Justice John Paul Stevens and, as an assistant U.S. solicitor general, she argued a dozen cases before SCOTUS.
If either of these two amazing Black women is the most qualified choice for the court, then I celebrate the appointment.
Ironically, next year the court is scheduled to hear a case on affirmative action in education. The original lawsuits contend that Harvard and the University of North Carolina discriminate against Asian students, who scored higher than other racial cohorts on admission criteria like grades, tests scores and extracurriculars but were scored down on qualities like courage, kindness, personality and likability.
The end result? A racial quota system that kept the number of Asian students artificially low in favor of admitting a more diverse student body.
roster needed to proportionally express the racial composition of the U.S.? Who among the Phoenix Suns’ 14 African American players would the team cut in favor of white ballers of presumably lesser talent?
The concept that every facet of life requires equal representation by skin color is a shaky proposition, easy to turn on its head.
For example, the National Basketball Association in 2020 was about 74% African American, 17% white, not quite 3% Latino and Asian, and 6% players of other races. Today, non-Latino whites comprise 58% of the U.S. population. Latinos make up 19%, Blacks 12%.
Imagine the insanity that would ensue if the NBA mandated that each 15-man
walks any more. He usually just stands by my back porch or in his mare motel. He hasn’t walked this far in two years!”
Clearly the man was flabbergasted, and then chuckled, saying that he better be sure to close his gates.
There might be another type of “lost.”
A lady emailed me to say that she was married for 45 years and every day “knew what to do.” When her husband died, she said she “drifted” for one year, with no particular purpose or goal to do anything, except the basic chores of daily living. It can happen to us at any age. A
Would the new, perfectly representative squad still sell tickets or perform to NBA Finals levels? Doubtful and doubtful. It’s long past time for a Black woman to sit as a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. But speaking about some of our nation’s best and brightest primarily through the prism of skin color and gender — with their hard work, qualifications and successes tossed in as a footnote — demeans the process and the judges in it.
loved one is snatched away too soon and we become bereft, struggling to find that new “normal” when all we really want is to go back to that place in time where we were before. This begs the question, can we be in the most familiar of places yet be completely lost?
Life is one heck of a journey. Sometimes roads don’t take you where you expected. Lost? It happens. Grab a compass, dear readers, because there might be times when we need a little help finding our way.
Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.
BLUHM ���� page 7
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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 623-7426200 for Persimmon Clubhouse or 623465-3020 for Ironwood Clubhouse.
• Wednesday, Feb. 2
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Strength, 6:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Mixology, 7 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: Slow Flow (Level 1), 9:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Functional Training, 10:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Gentle Yoga (Beginner), 4:30 p.m.
Charles Krug Wine Dinner, 5:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Boxing, 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 7
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 8
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.
ClubLife 101 Orientation, 10 a.m.
Ironwood: Stretch, 10:30 a.m.
PWR! Moves (Fee-based), 1:15 p.m.
Kids Cook for Parents Night, 4:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Muscle Mix, 5:30 p.m.
Persimmon: Water Fitness, 5:30 p.m.
Persimmon: Candlelight Yin, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 9
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Strength, 6:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Mixology, 7 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: Slow Flow (Level 1), 9:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Functional Training, 10:30 a.m.
New Member Mixer, 4 p.m.
Persimmon: Gentle Yoga (Beginner), 4:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Boxing, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 10
Ladies Night Out, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 11
Look and Feel Your Best with Bespoke Club, 12 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 13
Big Game Viewing Party, 3:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 14
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 15
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.
ClubLife 101 Orientation, 10 a.m.
Ironwood: Stretch, 10:30 a.m.
PWR! Moves (Fee-based), 1:15 p.m.
Persimmon: Water Fitness, 5:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Muscle Mix, 5:30 p.m.
Persimmon: Candlelight Yin, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 16
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Strength, 6:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Mixology, 7 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: Slow Flow (Level 1), 9:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Functional Training, 10:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Gentle Yoga (Beginner), 4:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Boxing, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 17
Trivia Night, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 20
Country Western Night, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 21
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 22
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: Stretch, 10:30 a.m.
PWR! Moves (Fee-based), 1:15 p.m.
ClubLife 101 Orientation, 4 p.m.
Sunset Sampling with Coppola, Rubicon and Inglenook, 5 p.m.
Ironwood: Muscle Mix, 5:30 p.m.
Persimmon: Water Fitness, 5:30 p.m.
Persimmon: Candlelight Yin, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 23
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Strength, 6:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Mixology, 7 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: Slow Flow (Level 1), 9:30 a.m.
Ironwood: Functional Training, 10:30 a.m.
Persimmon: Gentle Yoga (Beginner), 4:30 p.m.
Ironwood: Boxing, 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 28
Ironwood: Cycle, 5:30 a.m.
Anthem Activities
Anthem Community Council activities
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.’ Most 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 tryout
Wednesdays or Thursdays through March
• Creative Combo Dance: 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. (2 1/2 to 5 years old)
• Kinder Combo Dance: 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. (5 to 7 years old)
• Jazz/Tumbling Dance: 6:15 to 7 p.m. (8 to 12 years old)
Monday to Thursday through February
• Adult Master Swim
5 to 6 a.m.
$35; 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
March 14 through March 18
• Youth Camps
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 21
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekly rate of $175
Daily rate of $55; Community Center
Feb. 18 and March 25
• Parents’ Night Out
6:30 to 10 p.m.
$20; Community Center
February and Marc (Tiny Tots, youth and adults)
• Tennis
Cardio Tennis is offered every Saturday morning
$10 drop-in fee (18 and older)
Prices, times and dates vary; Community Center
Wednesdays in February and March
• Evoathlete Basketball Skills Clinics & Private Training
Prices, times and dates vary
Community Center
Anthem Tots Sports
For ages 3 to 6 years old
9:15 to 11 a.m. Saturdays in February and March
$80; Community Center
Parents Day Out Sports Sampler
For ages 5 to 12 years old
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30
$25; Community Center
Teen Night
For ages 12 to 14
8 to 10 p.m. Feb. 26
$12; Community Center
Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for Dogs
For ages 18 and older
Every half hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 12
$120; Anthem Dog Park
Child & Babysitting Safety Class
For ages 11 to 16 years old
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 12
$70; Community Center
Starguard Lifeguard Classes
For ages 15 and older
February and March sessions
$125; Community Center
The indoor fitness floor, basketball gym and rock wall are open. Fitness classes are held throughout the week, including yoga, kickboxing/boxology, core, shallow and deep water (in the pool). Personal training is available; contact the Community Center for details.
Nicole Rowe makes history as the first Miss Anthem
BY ALLISON BROWN
Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Nicole Rowe, named as the first Miss Anthem in December, is grateful for the chance to represent where she grew up and to use her title to do good in the community.
“I’m very excited about it. Everyone’s been amazing in Anthem so far and beyond supportive of the journey that I’m on,” Rowe said. “It feels surreal sometimes because I did grow up there … and I’m super excited to be representing Anthem.”
This is the first time there has ever been a Miss Anthem in the Miss America organization. Previously, the area was grouped in
with North Phoenix. Cait Dempsey, executive director of the Miss Valley of the Sun Scholarship Organization, said the decision to add an Anthem and Cave Creek title came from seeing how close-knit the communities were and wanting to offer more girls the chance to compete.
“The addition of the Miss Anthem and Miss Cave Creek titles was to spread more awareness about our program across the Valley and provide more opportunities for our titleholders to serve the great communities of Anthem and Cave Creek,” Dempsey said. “We are so thrilled to have these titles and look forward to building relationships with local businesses and community members.”
Rowe graduated from Boulder Creek High
School in 2015 and went on to study communications and religious studies at Grand Canyon University. She said she started competing at 18 after a chance encounter led her to the Miss America organization.
“My mom and I ran into a random booth at Fashion Square,” she said. “The director invited me over and told me some more about the organization and how it’s based on scholarship, service, success and sisterhood. At Grand Canyon University, we didn’t have a Greek life, so getting involved in Miss America competitions was the closest thing I could find to being part of a sorority and making good friends in the community.”
Rowe added that the scholarship opportunities, networking and community service
aspects of the Miss America organization were also major factors in her decision to join.
She went on to become Miss Phoenix in 2016, Miss Chandler in 2017 and Miss Gilbert in 2018. Her talent is singing. However, Rowe took a break from competing when she graduated college because she had “a lot of growing up to do.”
She then went on a mission trip serving 11 countries in 11 months. Rowe said her experience abroad changed the way she looked at service. She returned to Arizona in 2019, just before the pandemic hit, and felt it was a good time to return to the stage.
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The weather is staying cooler up north
TOLD BY KUMA AND WRITTEN BY LORRAINE BOSSÉ-SMITH Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
Ihope you are out enjoying our fabulous weather here in the Valley of the Sun! I love this time of year because it is cooler down here, and you can find snow still north of us. That’s exactly what me and my family did recently.
We left really early in hopes of beating the crowds, but that is getting harder to do. We have had way too many people move here! Traffic was light until Munds Park, where it was slick. A car was going too fast and spun out into the ditch — upside down! Seemed like everyone was okay, but it sure slowed us down.
We were going to visit the Wildlife Viewing area again, but we were already past three hours of driving, so we opted for Plan B. We found a parking area off North #180 or North Fort Valley Road just past the Snowbowl area. Just keep an eye out on the right for plowed snow that gives you access into the forest.
Most of the roads we would normally take were blocked by mounds of snow from the plows. Remember, it is against the law to
park on the side of the road on 180. Unfortunately, nearly 100 people didn’t abide by that, and they were making matters worse for everyone. We saw very young children right there on the road. How dangerous! The parking lot was small and designed for maybe eight cars, at the most. No human
restrooms here — only trees and bushes — but it’s free. No passes required. I was eager to get going, but mom and dad needed to get all their gear on. Poor humans have to put special snow shoes on and extra clothing. I have a most excellent fur coat and paws that do just fine in the snow. Woof!
The temperature was 17 degrees, but it was sunny. We were grateful that it wasn’t windy, because wind changes everything. Some people were already there making snowmen right by the parking lot. We hoofed it into the wilderness in feet of snow! Yes, it had dumped. It was awesome.
The elevation is about 8,000 feet, so I felt it sooner than later. I allowed daddy to break trail and lead the way. It is easier to walk in his snow prints than dive into that deep snow. I tell you what — it’s a workout! Mom was feeling her legs, too.
see KUMA page 17
FEB & MARCH THURSDAY – SATURDAY / 7-9 P.M.
THURSDAY / FEBRUARY 10
RHYTHM OF THE SUN Latin Variety
FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 11
COMEDY NIGHT 5 Comedians & featured band Soulstice Sound Hosted by Savannah Hernandez
SATURDAY / FEBRUARY 12
CHAD FREEMAN & REDLINE Country
Flagstaff has snow-capped peaks.
Kuma’s dad leads the way in the snow. (Photos courtesy of Lorraine Bossé-Smith)
HOV patient shares collection of nearly 2 million stamps
BY LIN SUE FLOOD Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
It was 1939, and Monroe Wingate was just 9 years old when his father returned home from a business trip with a little package of German stamps. Two of them depicted an eagle circling the world with a swastika. Hitler’s invasion of Europe was all over the news, and the young boy knew he was holding a piece of history.
Over the last 81 years, Monroe has cataloged 962,000 stamps using a software program that helps him keep track of what he has. But he is only halfway through his collection. “Honestly, I never met a stamp I didn’t like,” the 90-year-old chuckled. “Some collectors specialize in butterfly stamps or something. But I love them all, and that’s my problem.”
Stamp collecting may have begun
as a hobby, but now it’s his life’s work. “Every stamp tells a story,” he said. “Commemorative ones celebrate statehood, for example. Others are pieces of art. They all have variations in watermarks and perforations. To me, every one of them is a miniature painting.”
After respiratory illness reduced Monroe’s mobility several years ago, he “gave up sailing and golf,” said his wife, Peggy. “But he’s never, ever bored. He can sit for hours studying stamps, storing them in albums or deciding which ones to bid on in auctions.”
When Monroe’s Hospice of the Valley social worker, Thomas Corrigan, saw the extensive collection in the couple’s Scottsdale home, he felt compelled to introduce his patient to someone who would truly appreciate his passion for stamps.
Monroe Wingate has collected nearly 2 million stamps from around the world. (Photo courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)
We continued on up a hill and deeper into the trees. The sun was glistening off the snow on the trees making it a winter wonderland. We were far enough away from the road to only hear nature. We then found an open meadow where daddy dug up a little bench and cave for us to have lunch.
Once I stopped, I got chilly. I’m just not as used to cold weather now that I am a desert dog. Mom gave me her down jacket liner to keep me warm. She got to drink hot tea, so that warmed her up. The sun beamed on us and actually made it feel tolerable. We ate a yummy lunch and then packed it up to head out.
We did a loop and eventually made our way back to the parking lot. Instead of eight cars, there were 30 or 40! People kept piling in, blocking everyone else in. Who does that? Mom and dad got out of their gear, and I got in the truck with the heat on. Dad was really frustrated because people wouldn’t move, and no one spoke any English. They didn’t seem to care that no one could get out of the parking lot, so dad got his rope. He attached
it to one guy’s truck and pulled him out of the way. Ha! He was shocked and tried to put his breaks on, but he was on ice.
Once dad got the obstacle out of the way, 30 more cars were trying to turn into that tiny, little parking lot. They blocked the exit, but dad told them to move. They finally did, and we got out of there. Eeesh. Chaos!
Loads of people were out now, and every single gas station and/or mart had 15 to 20 people deep in the restroom lines. Poor mom. She had to go but ended up waiting until the rest area near Sedona off I-17. One gas station wouldn’t open their restrooms for customers. Unreal.
We were glad to get out of the area and headed home. This is one of the reasons we sold my camper. It is getting difficult to find places to enjoy nature without hoards of people ruining it. We have no problem with people who respect nature, but unfortunately, most of these people have no clue. They are destroying it for the rest of us.
My new brother, Mowgli, greeted us when we returned. I got a long drink of water then took a nap! Even though I slept on the way home, I was tuckered out. What a great way to spend the day.
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at lorrainebosse-smith. com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures, and be sure to follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/kumathedog and Instagram at kumaito_dog.
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
Kuma and his mom take a lunch break.
Sat 9-2pm
Did you know DVUSD Kindergarten students participate in special classes Art, Music and & P.E. EVERY DAY as part of their learning?
parent!)
“Specials classes enhance our Kindergartner’s education by giving them more time to develop their motor skills. More of their brain is activated at this young age with these classes. Students develop quicker, expanding their capacity for learning, taking in information, and excelling in the classroom!”
- Mr. Acevedo, DVUSD Music Teacher
Deer Valley Spring Kindergarten Preview Nights! March 1-3, 2022
For a Full List of Deer Valley’s Preview Nights Dates & Times: www.dvusd.org/kinderevents
“I realized how much I missed it,” Rowe said. “I felt like I was in a more mature, re-
sponsible place in order to fulfill the role of a title holder, and I felt like I had a lot to offer, especially with the experience and perspective I had from my mission trip.”
Now 24 years old, Rowe’s platform is Charity the Responsible Way, which aims to make good, sustainable change in the community. She said during her time abroad, she learned that sometimes good intentions can lead to a negative change, which is why this organization focuses on listening to the needs and wants of people. For her social impact statement, Rowe said she is working on an online resource that connects volunteers to organizations making good, sustainable changes. She didn’t just stop at what’s required for
the competition, though. Rowe also volunteers to help nonprofit organizations like the Foothills Food Bank, Trevor’s Vision, Anthem Pets and 1Mission and is planning to do more.
When she’s not volunteering, Rowe works as a creative strategist at Envida Social and said the Miss America organization played a big part in her career choice. “I actually got into marketing when I started competing, because I loved the Miss America brand and what it represented,” she explained. “I wanted to be able to create successful brands for other companies as well. It’s really cool to see how my job and the new job I have as Miss Anthem work hand in hand together.”
As Miss Anthem, Rowe will go on to compete in Miss Arizona in June, with the hopes of continuing on to compete for the title of Miss America. She admitted that between work, volunteering and preparing for the next competition, her schedule is a little intense. Rowe said she has weekly voice lessons, occasional interview coaching sessions, and tries to be out at community events as much as possible.
Rowe said she hopes to encourage others in the Anthem area to join the organization, now that there is a specific title for that area, and said she is always available to help if someone is interested.
For more information, go to facebook. com/MissAnthemAZ.
History Channel’s ‘American Pickers’ coming to Arizona
BY MATTHEW ELITZ
Foothills Focus Staff Writer
The History Channel is looking for interesting individuals with fascinating finds for a March trip to the Valley.
The hosts of “American Pickers” would love to meet private collectors who live in Arizona with “rusty gold”—rare and unusual items stored in basements, garages, attics and storage sheds.
“We’re trying to find people with large private collections, people who have been collecting for years,” said Meredith Ball, associate producer for the show. “Automobile memorabilia, random toys, full garages wall to wall with stuff. We like to visit tons of places, and the bigger, the better. Our hosts love to sift through things and discover new treasures and antiques.”
A “picker” is any avid collector who gets a rush out of the journey of finding an unusual item. They’re excited about discovering or finding an unusual valuable in the most unexpected of locations.
Throughout the show’s run, these finds have been showcased and sold. They range from the original prototypes of the Yoda puppet from “The Empire Strikes Back” to a massive taxidermized elephant head worth more than $10,000.
“There’s something so humbling about
working on the show,” Ball said. “It’s much realer than something you’d get from another reality show. You don’t have to stage things. We’re finding history and talking to people, and it’s always humbling talking to people and hearing their true, real-life stories. We spend a ton of time on the Americana. It’s all about bringing an item to life, giving the item the background information it deserves, and finding cool information about the city or place we stop into. It’s fascinating.”
Anyone who might have the next big find can contact the show with their name, phone number, location, a description of what they have, and pictures of their finds. Email americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184.
Nicole Rowe is the first Miss Anthem in history, adding a fourth title to her collection. (Photo by Nicole Smith)
Host of “American Pickers” Mike Wolf will be making a trip to the Valley this coming March. (Submitted photo)
STAMPS From page 16
“I just knew he would enjoy sharing what he’s been working on for decades,” Thomas said. That is how, one sunny morning, Monroe met Kevin Lesk, president of the Phoenix Philatelic Association, who was duly impressed. “This is wonderful — the sort of thing you rarely encounter. Monroe is the epitome of a true collector who’s in it for the enjoyment and collecting for the love of it.”
The camaraderie was instant. Both men paged through heavy volumes holding hundreds of colorful stamps from faraway places. Some mark world events like the Olympic Games; others feature Hollywood legends or capture pieces of history
like the trio of Graf Zeppelin stamps. That particular set was issued for letters that the airships carried to Europe in the 1930s.
“When people share their collections, their stamps educate us — about the past or current events or art or culture,” Kevin said. “It’s a hobby
for anyone who is curious about the world. And collecting isn’t just for the rich. … It’s available on any budget.”
Enthusiasts and serious collectors can attend the Aripex Stamp Show from Friday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Mesa Convention Center. This year, 47 exhibitors will display their collections. For details, visit aripex.org. Kevin will give free appraisals to anyone who is wondering what
their stamps may be worth.
Monroe won’t be at the show this year, but he’s already looking forward to Kevin’s next visit. “I love being able to share my collection,” he said softly. “I wish more people did it.”
Lin Sue Flood is community engagement director at Hospice of the Valley. To learn about programs and volunteer opportunities, visit hov. org or call 602-530-6900.
Phoenix Philatelic Association president Kevin Lesk, left, admires Monroe Wingate’s collection. The large map above Monroe’s desk inspires him to research and pursue stamps from all over the world. (Photo courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)
The Legends of Hollywood series features likenesses of stars like Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. (Photo courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)
Our lost and found department is in Luke 15
One of my favorite chapters in the Scriptures is Luke 15. There are three stories of loss and recovery, all designed to communicate that no matter how lost one feels in this life, the way for healing is always there. God’s waiting, loving, wanting, wishing and hoping all of us “flawsome” people will someday return. What does “flawsome” mean to God? It’s God knowing our flaws but also knowing we are awesome.
Heaven is a lost and then found department, not just a found department. Jesus didn’t come to judge the world; He came to save or rescue us from the world. Jesus says to us, “You are worth dying for.” When we find out how much we are worth to God, we will stop giving discounts. When people hate you for no reason, remember God loves you for no reason.
Check out this short story illustrating “flawsome.”
A well-known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of over 200 people, he asked a question, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I will give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the $20 bill up. Then he asked, “Who still wants it?” All the hands stayed in the air.
“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and
dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” All the hands were up in the air. “People, you have all learned a precious lesson. It did not decrease in value. Even though the $20 bill is crumpled up and dirty, it is still worth $20.”
In our lives, we are often dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. As a result, we feel we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, to God, you are still priceless.
Let’s visit our lost and found department in Luke, Chapter 15. First, we see the lost sheep. Next, we see a lost coin. And last, we see a lost son. Notice that I focused on lostness. People tend to see the negative side of things. We think in terms of shame and missteps. So, I’m changing it. God believes another way. God sees the found sheep, the found
coin and the found son. They once were lost, but now they’re found. These three lost and found examples were given by Jesus to the assembled Pharisees, who have accused him of dining with “sinners.” The Pharisees weren’t fair, you see. They judged everyone by their behavior. The Pharisees represent religion at its worst. But Jesus came to show us what God thinks of people. The Pharisees knew the “sinners” names but called them by their sin. Jesus knew their sin but called them by their names. Who people are and what they do are two different things. Jesus uses the example of a man with 100 sheep. If he lost one of them, he would leave the other 99 to go and find the lost one and rejoice when he found it. Leaving the 99 sheep to find the one sheep seems stupid unless you’re the one sheep. Sheep are sometimes dumb, but they are also valuable. So Jesus, overflowing with joy, says, “Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep! Count on it — there’s more joy in heaven over one lost person’s rescued life than over 99 good people in no need of rescue.”
Then Jesus tells a story relating to a woman who has 10 coins of silver, loses one, lights a candle, and sweeps the house to find the missing coin. She rejoices when she sees the lost coin. Being less visible doesn’t make something less valuable. Once again, he draws a parallel with heaven and repentance. Jesus’ emphasis is on not giving up on those things — or people — which are feared lost. Lesson: Regaining something valuable, thought to be lost forever, is always a reason to rejoice. The coin, which has significant value to its owner, was lost but now is found. Lastly, we have a father and two sons. His wayward son strays from his upbringing through living a godless life in a country far away. He loses his inheritance, insults his father’s honor, and wrongs his father’s love for him. Isn’t it interesting how those who walk away from God move far away from God? Coming to his senses, the wayward son
returns to the father.
When the father sees his son returning from some distance away, it’s as if he knew his son would return. The father runs to him, forgives him, and welcomes him back into the fold, celebrating his return with a feast. The father declares, “My son is here, given up for dead, and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!” Lesson: Those who forget God, humble themselves, and then realize how much they need God afterward will experience a guiltless and glorious homecoming when they return. Why? God’s not dead, God’s dad.
The sheep story addresses a broken relationship with God. The coin addresses a broken identity; part of the woman was missing. The son represents a broken home.
The sheep story addresses spiritual lostness. The coin story addresses systematic brokenness in people. Finally, the son’s story addresses social pain. Notice the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in action, addressing these issues, if people let them. The found sheep represents the Good Shepherd, Jesus as the Son who saves. The found coin represents the Good Comforter, the Holy Spirit who reveals and restores. The found son represents the patient Father who loves.
Today, our takeaway is that the Godsquad loves us crumpled and dirty $20 bills. In the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and the Pharisees. It’s not what you know, but who you know, that matters in heaven.
Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonpro�it organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
BC’s QB McKenzie stars for the basketball team
BY BRENDAN MAU Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Aweek after Boulder Creek football’s last game, varsity starting quarterback Rowan McKenzie got right back to competing, this time for the varsity basketball team.
The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard is the team’s leading scorer for the second straight season. Last year, he went over to basketball after leading the JV football team to an undefeated record as its quarterback.
“He came here as a little freshman … and he starts getting buckets and I’m like, ‘Who is this kid?’” said senior captain and third-year starter Hayden Brewer.
“And he just continues to do it and keeps working with us. And yeah, he’s a very humble kid.”
McKenzie has seemed to fit right in with every sport he plays. This football season he passed for 1,753 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finds that “(in) football, you really got to hold your teammates accountable and make sure they’re doing their job. It’s the same thing in basketball.”
After basketball season, he will play for the baseball team, which he calls “a little side thing” compared to basketball and football.
According to coach Justin Collard, the three-sport athlete has been touted as one of the top basketball players in his grade across the entire state.
“Obviously, he’s really good,” Collard said. “He’s really, really good defensively. He doesn’t take plays off and he’s just really unselfish. So, he’s one of those superstars that, you know, people like to actually play
with. So, he’s pretty cool. He’s a good kid.”
McKenzie and the Jags are seeing improvement over last year, and they have their minds set on much more. They’d like to win the conference and then state.
“We’re preparing every day for it,” McKenzie said.
YOUTH
Being only a sophomore, but one of the best players on the team, McKenzie has had to take in a lot of responsibility. However, he said when it is game time, the team, as one, just has to focus in and “do what we practice, don’t get away from what we did and just make sure we’re doing it right.”
“What’s cool about this group, and why we’re probably doing so good is just because they just really care about each other. They like each other a lot. So, they get to come hang out with their buddies, so that, it’s easy — practicing when you’re hanging out with your buddies. It’s pretty cool,” Collard added.
As a testament to this, McKenzie said he looks up to his teammates.
“We push each other to get better,” he said.
Being such a young player, it has
been important that he has great leadership and teammates surrounding him. “These guys believe in me. They’re confident in me when I take the shot,” he said.
McKenzie grew up watching his older sister play tennis and by age 5, he played every sport, he said — “soccer, tennis, basketball, everything.”
“I played in the leagues. And when I got a little bit older, I just stuck with three sports, and I’ve been playing them my whole life, basically,” he said.
Before high school, he played basketball and baseball in elementary
and middle schools, and he continues to showcase his talents. As a youngster, he played in the Jaguar Youth Football program, where he was always a quarterback.
He said sports have prepared him for life by teaching him how to be a great teammate. He’s learned something different from each coach.
His personal goal “is just to win. Whatever I can do to make us win.” He also strives “to be a great person” on and off the court or field. Going forward, McKenzie said, “My goal is just to get looked at and see what college wants me.”
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