The Foothills Focus Cave Creek 02-08-2023

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Museum to break ground for veterans garden

BY GREY GARTIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Cave Creek Museum is set to break ground Tuesday, Feb. 28, on the Veterans Memory Garden to honor each branch of the U.S. military, including the U.S. Space Force.

The Veterans Memory Garden will sit in front of the museum, with six areas dedicated to each military branch and a seventh exclusively for Cave Creek veterans.

This project, designed by landscape designer Marc Viator, is a combined endeavor of the Cave Creek Museum staff, board of directors and Dream Team, American Legion Post 34, and the Black Mountain Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Master gardener Marcia D’Alessandro will oversee the creation of each area’s individual garden. The sections will be connected by a central location that will not only specifically feature service members from the Cave Creek and Carefree areas, but will display the

American flag and a memorial for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Twenty-one plants will also be shown in this central section to represent the 21-gun salute at the tomb at Arlington National Cemetery.

Last May, the museum board was given a presentation about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Subsequently, the board decided to honor the memory of U.S. service members whose remains have not been

see GARDEN page 4

Harold’s, Mel Blount hosting cornhole tourney

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Mel Blount, the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl champion and NFL Top 100 player, returns to Cave Creek on Saturday, Feb. 11, for the 11th annual “Legends of the Game” Cornhole Tournament at Harold’s Corral, also known fondly as “Heinz Field West.”

The popular fundraiser, which will feature other NFL stars and sports greats, benefits the Mel Blount Youth Home, a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect. A portion of proceeds will also benefit the Foothills Food Bank.

see HAROLD’S page 4

Celestial Artisan Meadery brews ‘nectar of the gods’

James Wagner stands in front of Harold’s Corral new UniBet sportsbook, which offers both off-track betting on horses and live wagering on all major sports. (Harold’s Cave Creek Corral/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

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HAROLD’S from page 1

Several other former Steelers players are expected to attend along with other sports greats, including Arizona Cardinals analyst Ron Wolfley. KNIX’s Tim Hattrick will emcee the event, which is sponsored by Sanderson Ford and UniBet.

Hundreds of Cardinals and Steelers fans are expected to attend the weekend events at Harold’s, which also feature a “Backyard BBQ Special” on Sunday, Feb. 12. For $15, guests receive one of five barbecue options that include a pint of either Four Peaks drafts, Bud Light or Michelob Ultra drafts, or a nonalcoholic beverage for those under 21.

Guests sitting outside on Harold’s new backyard patio can watch the Big

GARDEN

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identified with a small plaque or sign, according to Evelyn Johnson, executive director of the museum.

However, she said that the idea quickly evolved into Veterans Memory Garden.

“This amazing garden is being developed to recognize all who served and those who will serve,” said Johnson in a statement.

The garden is meant for families to honor the service and lives of their loved ones even if they have deceased ancestors who are out of state. Soon, the museum will give community mem-

while playing cornhole or ping pong. The event will also feature a free raffle of a 65-inch HD TV for all those in attendance, as well as free prizes and giveaways.

“Get your friends together and come play cornhole for a good cause,” said Harold’s Corral co-owner and Pittsburgh native, Danny Piacquadio. “Harold’s is also the place to be to watch the Big Game and make bets at our new sportsbook.”

Harold’s is one of just nine bars and restaurants in the Phoenix metro area that has live sportsbook wagering through UniBet. The sportsbook offers off-track betting on horses and live wagering on all major sports. Harold’s sportsbook is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or when major sports events are

bers the chance to sponsor small areas of commemoration for their loved ones as construction begins on the garden in the coming months.

“We want all of the veterans that are recognized to have the same size plaque, because their service is significant,” Johnson said.

As the details of the garden begin to be finalized, veterans will be partnered with local artists to create pieces that will be located throughout the garden and Cave Creek.

“It’s truly about honoring the veterans,” said Steve Greenberg, co-chair for the garden committee, said in a statement.

Pittsburgh

and

will be part of Harold’s Corral’s “Legends of the Game” charity cornhole tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11. (Harold’s Cave Creek Corral/Submitted)

“Legends of the Game” Cornhole Tournament

WHEN: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11

WHERE: Harold’s Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek COST: Team fees start at $50 INFO: 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com

“The Veterans Memory Garden will be a living, breathing garden in a beautiful desert setting including work by local master artists. It will be an uplifting place to visit, reflect, gather and share our appreciation and common history.”

Veterans Memory Garden Groundbreaking

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28

WHERE: Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek COST: Free

INFO: cavecreekmuseum.org

from page 1

Steelers Hall of Famer Mel Blount

other NFL stars

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MAG executive director retires after 40 years

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Calling it the “best job I have ever had the opportunity to hold,” Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), Executive Director Eric Anderson has said he will retire from the agency after 40 years of service.

“It is time for me to retire from the best job I have ever had the opportunity to hold. I will be stepping down as executive director of the Maricopa Association of Governments effective July 1, 2023,” Anderson told employees in a written statement announcing his retirement.

“Whether in the private or the public sector, helping make communities better has been a common theme of my career. But the best memories that I will have from my work life will be the experiences I have had with the amazing MAG family.”

Anderson began working with MAG in 1983 preparing socioeconomic projections for the region. In 1992, he was retained by MAG to lead the fiscal analysis unit, which

was charged with putting a solid foundation in place for the management and financial integrity of the MAG Freeway Program. He was hired in 2000 as transportation director and was appointed executive director in 2018.

“Eric is an outstanding leader and a true champion for this region,” said MAG Chair Kenn Weise, mayor of Avondale. “On behalf of the Regional Council and for the residents whose lives have been improved by the work of MAG, I want to thank him for his service.”

Over his career, Anderson has focused on regional and urban growth, economic development and economic impact analysis. He has been involved in a number of planning and research efforts related to technology, including autonomous and connected vehicles. He has focused on the urban form and social impacts of new technology and the implications for the regional transportation system. Recent efforts include overseeing the development of a 25-year regional transportation investment plan known as MOMENTUM 2050. Funding for the plan would need to come through an extension of the

half-cent sales tax for transportation, which was approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 as Proposition 400. The current funding expires in 2025.

“The work to extend Proposition 400 will continue and I will be available to provide whatever assistance I can to make sure this region continues to have a world class transportation system,” Anderson said.

“Our members and business community understand how critical this is to not only the MAG region, but to the state of Arizona. The MAG staff has no equal in terms of ex-

pertise, professionalism and commitment to improving our community,” he said.

Anderson served as interim CEO for Valley Metro prior to the appointment of Scott Smith in 2016. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute Arizona Advisory Board, Lambda Alpha International and the board of directors of the Arizona Transit Association. He earned an M.S. degree in economics from ASU.

Anderson said he will work together with MAG member agencies to ensure a smooth transition.

IKE conducts operations in Atlantic

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Erin Martinez, from Phoenix, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jesus Garcia, from Clearwater, Florida, build a weapons ammunition skid aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

IKE is underway conducting ammunition onload, flight deck certification and air wing qualification as part of its tailored basic phase prior to deployment.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Janae Chambers/Released)

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Let them eat cake

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

How do you celebrate your birthday? My girlfriend, Carol, has a big birthday coming up. She is thinking about going skydiving to celebrate. She wondered if I might like to join her. I told her there wasn’t enough alcohol in the world to get me to jump out of a moving plane. That’s when she said three mean, heartless, sad little words, “You are boring.” Oh, come on. If aging isn’t bad enough, so is the pressure to do something “exciting” to celebrate the passing of time. We are encouraged to make bucket lists with lots of places we should go and things we should do. You know, like going to Pamplona, Spain to run with the bulls (terrifying). Zipline through the jungle in Costa Rica (nope). Swim with the dolphins (possibly). Well, I am not having any of it! I don’t have a bucket list! Carol also suggested that I go to France with her and a few other friends, so we can take cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu. She said it would be a “delicious” way to enhance our cooking skills, plus have fun. When I mentioned this to my husband, Doug, he just looked at me and laughed, “But you have a Julia Child cookbook.” So true. You see, it is not “normal” (in my world) to go flying off to Paris to learn how to make coq au vin. Although I would like to wear a white apron and chef’s hat for a day. I may not take a French cooking class, but I do know how to make a birthday cake. In Western cultures, particularly in the U.S., we eat lots of cake. The American Institute of Baking estimates that Americans eat about 100 million cakes per year! This started out as a German tradition centuries ago and carried

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over from early Roman times when birthdays were celebrated with a gathering (for men only). Then, candles were added by the ancient Greeks to make the cakes glow like the moon in honor of the goddess Artemis.

Today, birthday parties, balloons, cards and singing “Happy Birthday to You” are as American as apple pie. And aside from greeting cards and gifts, we also like to give (kids) birthday spankings. Well, in Brazil they pull earlobes (ouch), in Ireland they like to give bumps (kicks) and in Venezuela they like to push the lucky person’s face into their own birthday cake (yum).

My granddaughter just turned 7 and after doing cartwheels at her party, she announced that her birthday “is the happiest day of my life.” My mother said the same thing when she turned 90. How we celebrate is less important than the fact that we are joyful to have a birthday.

I made my friend, Carol, a birthday cake and gave her a small decorative bucket with a notepad and pen, so she

Mesa AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

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The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

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Conspiracy theories hide a simple truth

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

Minutes after the conclusion of the AFC Championship Game, won 23-20 by the Kansas City Chiefs courtesy of a number of controversial plays culminating in a game-deciding late-hit penalty against the Cincinnati Bengals the phrase #NFLrigged began trending on Twitter. Because, gee, why wouldn’t it?

The theory, in a nutshell: The powers that be in the National Football League wanted the Kansas City Chiefs to advance to the Super Bowl, thus the referees failed to call several penalties against the Chiefs late in the game, meanwhile flagging Bengals defender Joseph Ossai for a late hit that advanced the Chiefs into field goal range with three seconds left.

Chiefs kicker Harrsion Butker converted the 45-yard kick. Let the accusations of a massive conspiracy commence.

Normally, I would ignore such silliness, except conspiracies, cover-ups and illogical reasoning have never been more rampant.

Back in the day, you used to hear the

occasional doozy the CIA assassinated President Kennedy; Roswell is the site of an alien landing; Sept. 11 never happened.

Now everything is fixed, fake or staged by a powerful cabal intent on screwing the rest of us.

There’s the 2020 election, which according to President Donald Trump was “rigged.” Or as he put it, absent any evidence: “It’s about poll watchers who were not allowed to watch. So illegal. It’s about ballots that poured in and nobody but a few knew where they came from. ... It’s about machinery that was defective, machinery that was stopped.”

Not to be outdone, losing Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has continued to assert that she, too, was the victim of outright theft again, absent a scintilla of evidence that her loss was due to votes not counted or fraudulently counted.

As Lake told her supporters at yet another fraud-fest rally last week: “Our experts actually testified, with 99.999% accuracy and certainty, that a minimum of 140,000 fraudulent mail-in ballots with bad signatures were counted in our election. It’s outrageous. Bogus

signatures.”

There’s a word for that claim. It rhymes with, uh, “bull twit.”

Already, Lake’s case has been tossed out of court for lack of evidence, but so long as she can continue to raise money claiming fraud $2.5 million and counting since Election Day, according to campaign finance reports she will continue to spew falsehoods.

Lest you believe I think only the political right is capable of bad logic and fantasy, let me assure you that’s not the case. I’m equally tired of the political left and its ability to take one incident or a string of incidents and use it to damn an entire swath of humanity.

An example? The recent awful beating death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers has been used to advance the notion that all police officers are thugs, racists and violent predators.

Currently, there are 670,000 sworn men and women in law enforcement in this country. Nichols’ death, while absolutely tragic, says little to nothing about any cop who wasn’t present that night, in exactly the same way that a crime committed by one member of a race or

religion says nothing exact about every other member of that group.

As a devoted subscriber to Occam’s Razor, my predisposition is to believe in the simplest explanation possible.

The refs, fallible humans, blew calls in Kansas City. Trump and Lake lost in elections marked by a few anomalies, not widespread fraud. And five cops in Memphis who deserve to be prosecuted for homicide do not mean an entire profession is evil.

Call me overly simplistic if you’d like. But in 2023, the same old saying remains viable: What you see is still exactly what you get.

State universities must halt their new ‘pledge’

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

You could say it before you could spell it.

And even now — years later — you can recite the words with ease.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Yes, the Pledge has been amended…

Most notably in the 1950s, when the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, led a public campaign to add the words “under God.” On June

14, 1954 — Flag Day — President Eisenhower signed a bill into law adding that phrase to the Pledge.

Might someone mount a similar effort today?

If so, who… And what changes would they want to make?

It’s not a wild leap of imagination to conclude that the “Woke” among us might offer the following alterations:

“I choose to express my conditional support for this flag, which represents the People, who can freely change what it stands for, through their collective will, based on their genuine feelings. While Haters promote division, We the Enlightened embrace a future of Diver-

sity, Equity and Inclusion for all.”

Don’t laugh.

It’s already happening.

What amounts to a “pledge” to uphold DEI — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — is in statewide circulation.

No, it’s not occurring in elementary schools.

Granted, it is not performed as a public recitation.

Instead, Arizona’s taxpayer supported universities are getting it in writing… And while it does not focus on the flag, a leading public policy organization has quite properly “flagged” it.

The Goldwater Institute released a report last month that most assuredly will

not be the last word on the long-term leftist goal of redefining indoctrination as education.

The January study is entitled “The New Loyalty Oaths: How Arizona’s Public Universities Compel Job Applicants to Endorse Progressive Politics.”

The Goldwater scholars and researchers took to Twitter to reveal the report’s disturbing conclusion:

“Arizona’s public universities FORCE job applicants to provide MANDATORY ‘diversity statements.’ It’s a full-frontal attack on free expression and equal opportunity for ALL…”

If you’re scoring at home — or more importantly, if your hard-earned money is being used to pay tuition at one of our three state-supported universities — it’s only fair to ask: “Just how widespread is this mandated ‘profession of faith’ in DEI?”

ASU (USA spelled backwards) leads the way, making such statements mandatory in 81% of its job postings; NAU requires the same in 73% of its job applications; and the U of A lags far behind at a surprisingly low 28%.

Unsurprisingly, the Goldwater Institute advises that all of this nonsense should stop. “The Arizona Board of Regents and/or state lawmakers must prohibit this practice.”

Such a prohibition would “restore the ideological neutrality of taxpayer-funded universities and restore compliance with the state constitution’s ban on political tests.”

the official motto of the fictional nation of Oceania, in George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece, “1984.”

The administrative “educrats” in charge of our three public universities are so collectively comatose that they are choosing to restrict the rights guaranteed in our Constitution. And, in so doing, they are helping establish a real-life American Dystopia.

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The not-so-funny thing is that the way in which DEI is utilized in “woke” constructs. It clearly fails the contextual requirements needed for passing the most elemental of freshman vocabulary tests. “Diversity” is not “uniformity;” “equity” is not “equality;” and “inclusion” does not promote “exclusion.”

Then again, “War is Peace… Freedom is Slavery… Ignorance is Strength,” reads

It seems the least they could do is rearrange the order of the acronym to which they pledge their allegiance.

Sure, “Diversity, Inclusion and Equity” are not arranged alphabetically… But it would more accurately reflect the fate these so-called intellectual elites would insure for our Republic.

It would D-I-E.

That’s easy to spell.

could make her “list” in style. For your next birthday, dear readers, eat the cake and blow out the candles. Avoid spankings. Try doing a cartwheel

(let me know how that works out). Celebrate the “happiest day of your life!” No parachute required.

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

Celestial Artisan Meadery brews ‘the nectar of the gods’

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Reporter

Heather Hurst-Kline and Uwe Boer see creating drinks at Celestial Artisan Meadery as a liquid art, one they want to share with the rest of the world. Mead, or honey wine, is the fastest-growing alcohol subset in the country. Historically a drink choice held in high regard by Norse mythological figures, it is the world’s oldest-known beverage. Celestial Artisan Meadery blends innovative artisanal meads and craft ciders with modern techniques, all while honoring ancient traditions.

The Carefree facility, whose tasting room is temporarily closed, was launched by owners Hurst-Kline and mead master Boer only a year ago. In its short time, the meadery has found its footing in the community.

“We’re just a small company, but we’re committed to customers being happy, growing our product line and having people try (mead) and see if they like it,” HurstKline said.

“We put a lot of love into what we do, we put a lot of our heart into it.”

Despite its ancient beginnings, HurstKline explained that many people they encounter in Carefree and Cave Creek are unfamiliar with mead. Their goal is to introduce the drink to as many locals as possible.

Celestial Artisan’s meads can be found at over 30 stores across the Valley, including Bottle Shop 48 in Tempe, Craft Beer Hop Shop in Phoenix and a dozen Total Wines across the state.

The meadery also has a visionary club whereby people can enjoy benefits and privileges such as discounts, priority access to specialty products, and complimentary tastings and tours.

Its traditional meads are created with yeast and water, while its melomel meads, which are made with fermented honey and fruit, contain spices. All of the honey they use is sourced from Arizona, as well.

Hurst-Kline described Celestial Artisan’s meads as “clean and crisp” and “not super sweet.”

Unlike some alcoholic beverages, their meads are healthy.

Hurst-Kline emphasized that they do not add sulfites, which are preservatives often added to products shipped on a large scale.

Their meads are also gluten-free, nonGMO and are not backsweetened, the process of sweetening a liquid after fermentation.

“We try to get the healthiest (ingredients) that we can get, so what goes into our products are healthy and something that we would want to drink,” Hurst-Kline said. “So, we are very careful about that kind of thing.”

The meadery has six flavors on the menu, with Raspberry Supernova its best-selling product. The tart raspberry and sweet honey fusion sells for $33.95 per 750 mL bottle.

Tart Cherry Quasar is also popular. The cyser, which is a mead base with apples, and is $15 for a 500 mL bottle.

“It’s sort of like a mix between a cider and a cyser, because it’s sparkling, as well,” HurstKline said. “It’s not sweet at all, so it’s probably our second best-seller.”

The Omega Sweet and Helios Dry — simple concoctions of honey and water — are popular among those looking for a traditional mead. Both are $29.95 for a

750 mL bottle.

Its other meads include the orange, vanilla and honey Andromeda Creamsicle and the banana, chocolate and vanilla Banana Split in Space, both selling for $33.95 per 750 mL bottle. There is also 101 Hard Cider, a sparkling, unfiltered cider. A 500 mL bottle is $9.

Celestial Artisan has more flavors of mead and cider brewing behind the scenes. Currently, they’re creating many barrel-aged meads alongside their regular blends.

“A great thing about mead is you can literally do any kind of flavors or add any kind of fruit, spices or whatever to make it fun,” Hurst-Kline said.

The meadery has had many customers venture in and share that they didn’t like mead the first time they tried it, only to be quickly surprised at the quality and flavors of Celestial Artisan’s blends.

According to Hurst-Kline, what sets Celestial Artisan apart is the mastermind behind their innovative beverages. Boer crafted meads as a hobby for over three decades, creating his own concoctions at home and bringing them to parties. His home brewing has even accumulated awards.

Seeing his product’s potential, HurstKline encouraged her friend to go into the mead business for years before they opened his dream meadery in February 2022.

Oftentimes, Boer invents unique flavors for which Hurst-Kline doesn’t have high expectations, only to be surprised at how delicious the brew is.

“Uwe is just masterful… He knows the flavor profiles and exactly what he’s doing filtering wise,” she said.

The quality and unique flavors of Celestial Artisan’s meads have brought the meadery far in its one year of business, as it has expanded quickly and become an active participant in its local community.

In October, the meadery was welcomed into the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce.

The team regularly engages in festivals across the Valley, including Thunderbird Artists’ events, such as the fine art and wine festivals in Carefree, Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

Celestial Artisan’s next event is the Downtown Chandler Fine Art & Wine Festival from Friday, Feb. 17, to Sunday, Feb. 19, at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West.

“It’s a great way for us to interface with people and have them try mead,” HurstKline said.

The demand for its product has become so great, that Celestial Artisan has begun plans to expand and are looking for larger locations in Carefree and Cave Creek to increase production while having space for a tasting room.

At the moment, their priority is sharing their meads by getting them onto more store shelves.

“We have some places that have contacted us and we’re looking at distribution in other states, period,” Hurst-Kline said. “The next big thing for us is getting either licensed or getting a distributor in California, Colorado, being a couple of them.”

Celestial Artisan Meadery, located in Carefree, is owned by Heather Hurst-Kline and Uwe Boer. They launched the meadery in February 2022. (Celestial Artisan Meadery/Submitted)

‘Art Affaire’ showcases expanded gallery

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

One of the North Valley’s largest art galleries is gearing up for a reintroduction of sorts.

The Finer Arts Gallery will host a special “Art Affaire” artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, to showcase its expanded 4,000-squarefoot gallery space and celebrate the new, diverse works of its 50 artists, all of whom are Arizona professional artists. The gallery is located inside the historic Treehouse building, 6137 E. Cave Creek Road, in Cave Creek.

Pat Isaacson, a talented glass artist and one of the gallery’s eight co-owners said The Finer Arts Gallery has come a long way since it opened in September 2021.

“When we first opened, we occupied a 2,200-square-foot section of the building,” Isaacson said. “Over time, we were able to expand into the full building and add to our roster of fine artists. It has been very rewarding to hear from visitors how warm, inviting and beautiful our gallery is, and we hope those who have not visited in some time will come see how we’ve grown.”

Landscape painter Linda Lindus, also a gallery co-owner, explained that The Finer Arts Gallery has a unique business model.

“Our desire was to be able to focus exclusively on local artists, Arizona professionals,

all of whom we juried prior to offering a space in the gallery,” Lindus said. “Additionally, we wanted to ensure that the gallery captured the charm of the area by including work that is diverse in both subject and medium. It is reflective of this eclectic area.”

Visitors to The Finer Arts Gallery will find diverse paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, photography, glass, wood, fiber, ceramics, jewelry and other original work. With more than four dozen fine artists, the gallery features all genres of art, from western to contemporary and even some AI-inspired and Steampunk-inspired art.

The February “Art Affaire” event marks a six-month rotation of art, but the gallery also features four artists every month. In addition,

the gallery hosts an “Art Affaire” event on the third Friday of every month.

The Finer Arts Gallery’s February featured artists include:

Jo Adams: As a child, Adams became enamored with turquoise when she spent a summer with relatives in a rural part of New Mexico. She has fond memories of visiting the nearby trading post, where an entire wall was covered with stunning Native American turquoise pawn jewelry. Years later, she discovered her passion for working with beads when she accidently broke some fetishes on a necklace and ventured into a bead supply store. Today, Adams works out of her Scottsdale studio to create breathtaking, original contemporary, Southwest and Native American jewelry designs.

Suzie Black: A Scottsdale resident, Black blends her background of traditional painting with the freedom and energy of abstract expressionism. Growing up in New Jersey, Black and her family often visited art galleries and museums in Manhattan. She began painting as a teenager and was drawn to abstract expressionist and expressionist portrait painters, including Richard Diebenkorn, Julian Freud and Egon Schiele. She strives to create mixed media paintings that are “brimming with emotion, rhythm and pulsing life.”

Paulette Galop: Best known for her large sculptural ceramics, Galop has been active

in the arts community for many years. In her early career, she was a studio potter making functional ware until adventure called. She traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Mexico and Belize. After earning a fine arts degree, she started a family and worked in retail before pursuing her passion for clay. An award-winning artist and Cave Creek resident, Galop often finds inspiration hiking in the mountains, riding her Clydesdales on desert trails and diving in the ocean.

Merrily Kulmer: A Scottsdale resident, Merrily Kulmer is an “experimental artist” enjoying the disciplines of both realism and abstraction. She said she believes they both have challenges and keep her humble. She was a member of the Ching Hai Oriental Painting Association, and many of her abstract paintings reflect an Asian influence. Kulmer is drawn to contemporary abstract expressionism, and she hopes these paintings invite viewers of her work to draw their own interpretations. Her new work includes colorful, vibrant acrylic paintings, including an Arizona sunset series.

The Finer Arts Gallery’s Art Affaire

WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17

WHERE: The Finer Arts Gallery, Treehouse building, 6137 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek COST: Free

INFO: 480-488-2923, thefinerartsgallery.com

The Finer Arts Gallery is in the historic Treehouse building in Cave Creek. (Sandy Ashbaugh/Contributor)

Glass artist Pat Isaacson and landscape painter Linda Lindus inside The Finer Arts Gallery. (Shannon Taggart/Contributor)

Merrily Kulmer in her studio. Kulmer is one of 50 artists exhibiting work at The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek. (Merrily Kulmer/Contributor)

Merrily Kulmer in her studio. Kulmer is an “experimental artist enjoying both realism and abstraction. (Merrily Kulmer/Contributor)

Holland Center to highlight family’s Holocaust story

BY GREY GARTIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Well-known artist Jan Downey will discuss her family’s private struggle during the Holocaust during World War II.

A former cultural anthropologist, Downey is the daughter and granddaughter of a German-Jewish family who was affected by the horrendous actions of the Nazi party.

She’ll share primary-source documents related to the escape of her father, Guenther, and his parents, John and Julie Selig — much of which was documented in a book Guenther began writing at a young age.

Her 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 talk at The Holland Center is part of the Lifelong Learning Classes. Other topics include art classes, seminars on traveling with disabilities, history lessons and more.

“He really had a knack for remembering details,” Downey said, referencing her father. “Even the day something happened, not just even the date.”

Some of the documents include original handwritten passports and marriage documents that the Nazis altered.

When Downey’s father, Guenther, escaped the Holocaust, he quickly returned to Europe to bring his parents to his new home in the U.S.

Once John, a tailor in Germany, arrived in America, he crocheted a collection of intricate dolls to honor the lives lost in Europe during WWII and

the bravery displayed by American soldiers in liberating the continent from the Nazis.

“He made these dolls as a gesture of patriotism that he felt toward this country (the U.S.) that saved his life,” Downey said. “The dolls are a man and woman in their native dress from each of the countries that were invaded by Hitler.”

Downey said that her grandfather was a perfectionist. “Every doll has such a detailed dress, and little lace pantaloons, just beautifully done. He made a wireframe and then wrapped yarn around the frame to create the figure,” she said.

An avid painter, John always had an artistic side. Downey will show his pieces and the doll collection at the Holland Center.

Downey said she feels it is important to tell these stories.

“The survivors of the Holocaust are getting older and passing, and there is a real need to capture their stories while we still have access to them,” Downey said.

To that affect, Downey is hoping that the collection of original documents and handmade dolls will be exhibited in a permanent place. She said that the collection is “unusual in its breadth” however, so keeping everything together may become a challenge in the future.

“I have all of their immigration papers and cards and even the card my dad had to carry to attend his apprenticeship, which he did when he couldn’t attend high school. He really did a good job for his children and grandchildren.”

Boulders serving various special dinners

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

The Boulders Resort & Spa will show its versatility with various special dinners throughout February.

Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits will prepare a four-course gourmet dinner paired with the wines at the Palo Verde restaurant. It offers views of the resort’s sixth golf fairway, the scenic duck pond and the lush surrounding desert landscape. The Friday, Feb. 24 dinner is $165 per person at Palo Verde Restaurant, 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. For more information, call 480-4889009 or visit theboulders.com.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, dinner will be served at Grill Kitchen & Bar, 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. The Grill Kitchen, located at the Boulders’ award-winning golf course, offers a varied menu. Ladies will receive a beautiful red rose.

For starters, guests can choose from red root soup with red beets, golden Yukon, tuile and micro flowers or Valentine salad with red gem, macadamia nuts, dehydrated strawberry, goat cheese and cacao vinaigrette.

The choice of entrees are rack of garlic crusted lamb, sweet potato mash, mint gremolata and baby planet carrot; charred Romanesco hangar steak, pearl onions, black garlic polenta, heirloom cherry tomato and chimi churri; or black striped sea bass with pea puree, yucca hash, tiny vegetable crudité with butter and lemon emulsion.

Tiramisu with chocolate sauce and marbled chocolate shavings, and red velvet cake with strawberry coulis and dehydrated strawberry are the two dessert choices. Tickets are $94 per person. To make a reservation, call 480-595-4621 or visit opentable.com.

The Boulders’ signature restaurant, The Palo Verde, is hosting Valentine’s Day, too, from 5 to 9 p.m. Women receive a rose.

The choices are, for a starter, asparagus soup, young garlic puree, roasted tomato, charred baby onion, asparagus tips, green curls and crisp egg, or strawberry

citrus salad, crisp farm greens, local orange, fresh strawberry, Crows Daily goat cheese, berry dust and dried strawberry with mesquite honey vinaigrette.

The entrees are a choice of flame finished prime beef striploin confit heirloom potato, miniature globe carrots, buttered turnips, wild forest fronds, black garlic jus and herbed butter powder; or plugrá seared diver scallops, roasted red beet risotto, English pea, aged pancetta, vanilla butter, rose coral and farm herb salad; or steadfast herb-roasted chicken breast, celeriac puree, caramelized yam, pickled golden beet, red ribbon sorrel and miso bon jus.

For dessert, guests can choosen between charred lemon meringue tart, champagne crème Anglaise, wild berry powder and organic blueberry tangerine lace; or double chocolate espresso tart, cultivated blueberry sauce, lemon essence, organic farm flowers and berry tuile.

The cost is $102 per person. To make a reservation, call 480-488-9009, ext. 7486, or visit opentable.com.

On a completely different (musical) note, the Boulders is hosting a Mardi Gras jazz brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Grill Kitchen & Bar, 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. The cost is $112 per person.

Choices are:

• New Orleans-style gumbo with dirty rice

• Carved Delmonico steak with traditional b éarnaise

• Bourbon Street pasta salad with blackened aioli

• Creole spiced eggs Benedict

• Chilled royal red shrimp/remoulade

• Cajun seafood boil-mussels/crab/ prawns/crawfish

• Duck roasted potato hash/duck confit/ caramelized onion

• Crème fraiche mashed potatoes

• Pecan praline torte

• Traditional king cake

• Bananas Foster

• Fresh beignet station/powdered sugar/ honey/café au lait sauce

• Hand-crafted New Orleans hurricane cocktails

• Live entertainment New Orleans band For reservations, call 480-595-4668 or visit theboulders.com.

Carefree hosts gardening seminar

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Gardening educator and author Kirti Mathura will return to the Carefree Desert Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 11, for a seminar on drought-tolerant landscaping.

The program, which usually includes a plant raffle, begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs through noon at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion in the town center. A donation — $5 or more — is appreciated to support these programs.

For more information, visit carefree.org or call 480-488-3686. This is the second of four programs in the 2023 Carefree Desert Gardens seminar series.

The city of Phoenix issued a stage-one water alert activation of the drought management plan in June 2022. Mathura will discuss that through water-efficiency, sensible planning and proper all-around maintenance, residents can still have beautiful landscapes in times of extreme drought.

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association said, in a statement, “Water conservation and efficiency are essential for a sustainable future here in the desert. Amid worsening conditions on the Colorado Riv-

er, practical lifestyle changes will positively impact our community’s water future.”

Mathura has worked at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix for over 17 years. She worked as the horticulturist for Cesar Mazier Landscaping & Consulting and Singh Farms. She taught plant materials for the landscape architecture program at ASU’s School of Design.

She is the program coordinator for the Smartscape training with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and teaches landscaping and gardening workshops in the Valley. Mathura authored “The Arizona Low Desert Flower Garden” and has contributed to other landscaping and gardening publications, including Desert Landscaping for Beginners, published by Arizona Master Gardener Press.

2023 Carefree Desert Gardens seminar series w/Kirti Mathura

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11

WHERE: Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy Street, Carefree

COST: $5 donation or more INFO: 480-488-3686, carefree.org

• Scallop creole station with trinity rice and creole sauce

The Boulders Resort & Spa is hosting dinners for Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. (The Boulders Resort & Spa/Submitted)

Marriage style home improvement through communication

This coming May will be my wife Becky and my 40th anniversary. That’s right. We established the Becky Bridges/Ed Delph corporation, collaboration and combination in 1983. There were still dinosaurs alive when we got married. Where did the time go?

I’m aware many of you out there have been married for 50, 60 or maybe even 70plus years. You are amazing. But please understand that we have never been married for 40 years before, so it is a new experience for us. Many people have asked us, “How have you stay married for so long?” “What’s your secret?” For most people, it’s easy to get married but much harder to stay married. After all, marriage is the usually peaceful coexistence of two nervous systems.

So, I thought that I would write about traditional marriage in this article. I realize there are many variations to “marriage” in

this day and age. However, most of the same principles and ideas will apply, especially in this article. First, I’ll share some marriage quotes and a key to a sustainable marriage.

Here are some marriage quotes. “Marriage is like a deck of cards. It begins with two hearts and a diamond but often ends with a club and a spade.” “Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.” “Love is grand. Divorce is a hundred grand.” “The best way to compliment your wife is frequently.” “My wife and I often laugh about how competitive we are. But I laugh more.” “Marriages don’t work for people unless the people work for the marriage.” “You can never be happily married until you get a divorce from yourself.”“You can’t sink someone else’s end of the boat and keep your end afloat.”

“Marriage is the world’s most expensive way to discover your faults.” “Opposites attract, and that’s too bad.” “Marriage is often

a union that defies management.” “It would be a much better world if more married couples were as deeply in love as they are in debt.” “Adam and Eve had the perfect marriage. He didn’t have to hear about all the men she could have married, and she didn’t have to hear about how his mother cooked.”

Here are some reflective quotes about marriage. “Marriage has different attractions for different people. Those who marry for love want something wonderful, and they sometimes get it. The people who marry because they want to escape something usually don’t.” “People searching for the ideal mate rarely stop to ask themselves why such a paragon would be interested in them.”

One thing is for sure: marriage isn’t a battle somebody is supposed to win. In marriage or any relationship, the same issue can be a deal breaker or a deal maker. So don’t put the key to your happiness into anyone’s pocket but your own. Change yourself and your attitude first before you try to change another. Marriage is a Declaration of Interdependence, not Independence. Marriage is less ‘me’ and more ‘we.’

So, how does a marriage become less me and more we? I think it starts with communication. But before I start sharing, please understand that there are few perfect communicators. A happy marriage needs good communication for both parties. It’s hard to have cooperation without communication.

Think about this. The average couple in America talks 17 hours per year. In other words, talk two-thirds of the day and then don’t speak for the rest of the year, and you’re average in America. The lack of meaningful communication is a significant reason why one out of two marriages end in divorce and one out of five marriages end before the first anniversary.

As I said before, marriage is a real eye-opener about ourselves and our communication ability. The object is to communicate, not get mad because ‘they’ didn’t hear you the first time. Remember, nothing is so simple that it can’t be misunderstood, especially when one’s partner is from Venus

and the other from Mars. In the long run, what goes on in the dining room influences what goes on in the bedroom.

Women are from Venus. Men are from Mars. No, you’re both from Earth. Deal with it. How do you do that? Two-way communication. Generally, opposites attract and then negotiate the differences — that takes communication. Honest communication opens the possibility of commitment. Real commitment often comes from understanding. Marriage may feel least comfortable when it is most necessary. Our differences may not go away, but our hostilities can.

Fear or anger will never accept responsibility. Love does. Love embraces the mess. When responsibility is accepted, repentance and a new beginning become possible. Forgiveness means giving up control. When you admit you made a mistake and apologize to the offended party, you are simply acknowledging that you are wiser now than you were when you made the mistake.

Since none of us is the whole, independent, self-sufficient, superb, capable, all-powerful hotshot being, let’s quit acting like we are. Life is lonely enough without us playing that silly role. To make this thing called marriage work, we must lean and support; relate and respond; give and take; confess and forgive; release and rely on God working with each other. Partner in making excellent decisions together.

Marriage is a blend of love and friendship via communication. It’s easy to leave a spouse, hard to leave a friend. Friends and lovers in the bond of marriage usually stay in love. Why? They communicate.

Would you like to have a home improvement in your marriage? Then, communicate. After all, marriage is a game that two can play, and both win.

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.

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph

Foothills Focus Columnist

CAVE CREEK

The Foothills Focus publishes on Wednesday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Foothills Focus coverage area. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside the Foothills Focus circulation area will be considered because there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries. Weekly calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Wednesday to be considered for the following Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christina@ timespublications.com.

Live Music at Janey’s Coffeehouse

NIGHTLY

Listen to live music every night at Janey’s Coffeehouse, performed by a variety of talented local artists. The venue has over a dozen performers each month, and new talent is encouraged to sign up and play. This week, check out Glade Wilson, The Sarah James Band, Aaron Howard and Mike Chutz.

Janey’s Coffeehouse, 6602 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., free admission, cavecreekazmusic.com

Canasta

FEB. 8

Enjoy the classic card game of Canasta, a game that’s easy to learn. Cards will be provided, and those who aren’t familiar with the rules will be taught. Young, old, new and experienced players are all welcome.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 2 to 5 p.m., free, dfla.org

Traveling With Disabilities

FEB. 8

Accessible travel is more widespread than ever, and planning a vacation with your loved ones can be smooth and enjoyable with the right support and forethought. Learn how to travel with them and gain confidence through planning and proper preparation with help from the Holland Center.

Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, 11 a.m. to noon, free, hollandcenter.org

Live Music at Keeler’s Steakhouse

FEB. 9

Enjoy live music on the patio of Keeler’s Steakhouse every Thursday night with local artists showing off their creativity. This week, Chris Lawrie plays.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, 7212 Ho Hum Drive, Carefree, 5 to 8 p.m., free admission, keelerssteakhouse.com

Around the World in 9 Films: International Series

FEB. 10

The international film series features interesting cultures from abroad. This week, check out “Barbara,” a German film made in 2012 about romance in 1980’s East Germany. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 2 to 5 p.m., free, dfla.org

Carefree Desert Gardens Seminar

FEB. 11

The preservation of Arizona’s water is a key part of the state’s future. Learn more about what can be done to help maintain

responsible water use, as well as how the worsening conditions of the Colorado River have begun to cause problems. A plant raffle will be held, and donations of any size are appreciated. Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, 9:30 a.m. to noon, $5 donation recommended, 480-488-3686, carefree.org

Valentine Market

FEB. 11

The GCS Farmers Market celebrates the season of love with a special market this Valentine’s Day season. Enjoy all the usual produce plus extra goodies from more than 50 vendors. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free admission, gcsfarmersmarket. com

The Big Game at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral

FEB. 12

Celebrate Super Bowl LVII at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral enjoy food, drink and game-day specials.

Harold’s Cave Creek Corral 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 3:30 p.m., free admission, 480488-1906, haroldscorral.com

Third Thursday Art Walk

FEB. 16

Every third Thursday Downtown Carefree invites visitors to explore the art. Begin at any gallery, and see a vast display of styles, mediums and inspirations. Check online for participating businesses and galleries.

Downtown Carefree, 4 to 7 p.m., free, carefree.org

Meet & Greet Carefree Ambassadors

FEB. 16

Join Carefree’s passionate town advocates for a late afternoon of light refreshments, and learn more about how to better navigate the town and its amenities. Carefree Ambassadors are individuals who care about the town and are willing to help those with questions learn more about how to get involved in local life. Carefree Visitor Center, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, 4 to 5 p.m., free, carefree.org

Builders Showcase 2023

FEB. 17 TO FEB. 19

Celebrate motorcycles and the people who build them, and find all of Arizona’s top cycle builders all in one place. Meet the very best and enjoy live music and see a show where the best of their craft come together to create unique and interesting builds.

Hosted by The Hideaway Grill and The Roadhouse.

The Hideaway Grill, 6746 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, noon, free admission, hideaway-usa.com

1720 E DEER VALLEY RD., #104

Career fairs are a time-honored way of bringing many employers and job seekers together at once.

Whether sponsored by colleges, government job agencies or professional organizations, career fairs are an opportunity to meet with employers, learn about job openings and companies, schedule interviews and maybe even go home with a job.

PREPARING FOR

A CAREER FAIR

The first thing you need to do is decide what you want from the fair. Are you merely collecting information? Are you hoping to get a job while there? Are you planning to market yourself?

Dress for the job you want. If you’re going to a career fair that is hiring for a manufacturing job, it may be acceptable to wear clean

Find a Job at a Career Fair

jeans and a shirt. For a professional job, a business suit is more appropriate. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. While a career fair for artistic/design and creative jobs might allow for more leeway, generally you want to dress conservatively.

Get a list of who will be at the career fair and research them. This helps you plan who you want to see. This also lets you spend your limited time with each recruiter talking about your qualifications rather than having to learn their basic information.

Prepare questions to ask about a job opening — but avoid such things as pay rate or benefits. What are some good questions? Ask things like the average tenure of employees at the organization, what sort of attributes are essential to success in the organization, or what accomplishments are valued and

rewarded in the organization.

Prepare your elevator speech or commercial. Introduce yourself in 30 seconds and communicate what you are looking for and why you are interested in a job provider. Practice before you go. The ASHA Career Portal recommends including who you are, what your passion is, what your purpose is and the skills you have to achieve it, and what your something “extra” is.

PACKING FOR A FAIR

Print several copies of the strongest version you have of your resume, one designed to appeal to the type of companies that will be at the career fair.

Other things to take include a pen, notepad and breath mints. Don’t chew gum. Carry a portfolio or a briefcase.

CCUSD

33016 N. 60TH ST

SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85262

FEBRUARY 21

MARCH 23

4 PM - 7 PM

FIND

AT THE FAIR

Always behave professionally—whether you are in the restroom, the elevator or standing in front of a booth. You never know who is going to see or hear you.

Project confidence. Use a strong handshake, make eye contact and speak in a clear and natural voice. Be aware of your body language and project the image of a professional.

AFTER THE FAIR

Send thank-you letters to those employers that you have a high amount of interest in, especially if you gave them a resume. Identify the jobs you are interested in and if you didn’t give them a resume at the fair, follow up with a cover letter and resume, mentioning that you met a representative. Update your resume with anything you learned that better reflects your qualifications.

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