The Foothills Focus Anthem 03-01-2023

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This Week

Arizona Foothills 911 to launch whistle initiative

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Sunny Parker started her safety whistle initiative with one hope: to bring people home to their families unharmed.

After hearing about the deaths of hikers Dr. Evan Dishion and Kathleen Patterson in fall 2022, Parker created the Arizona Whistle Initiative through her nonprofit, Arizona Foothills 911, to provide hikers and other individuals with safety whistles for emergencies.

The initiative will launch at an event honoring Patterson and Dishion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Spur

see 911 page 4

Local event highlights DaVinci robot

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Since Dr. Varun Chakravorty moved to Norterra Fireside, he’s longed to introduce his neighbors to Valley Surgical Clinics.

He’s doing so from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4 — with kids in mind. He’ll show off a robotic surgery simulator at Norterra Fireside Community Center Great Room.

“It’s going to be a cool event where there are a lot of young professionals with kids,” he said. “They’ll learn about the DaVinci robot while they’re having fun. They’ll have the opportunity to sit and try the robot itself. I was hoping to hold it previously, but then the pandemic hit. Now the stars have aligned.”

A Toronto native who moved to the Valley in 2018, Chakravorty operates at HonorHealth and Abrazo and performs a wide range of pro -

cedures including cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), appendectomy, hernia repairs, colon surgery and thyroid surgery. His group, Valley Surgical Clinics, is home to a number of surgeons performing bariatric, anti-reflux and breast surgery, as well.

“I hope that, through this event, everyone — not just kids — can see that surgeons are members of their own community, and a lot of

see ROBOT page 8

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

Arizona Foothills 911’s founder and CEO, Sunny Parker, is launching the Arizona Whistle Initiative through her nonprofit. The initiative’s purpose is to provide hikers and other individuals with safety whistles for emergency situations. (File photo)

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Attendees can obtain whistles, Spur Cross maps and information, ready-set-go bags from Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN), participate in raffles and learn about liquid IVs.

“I think it’s really important to keep people safe on the trail,” Parker said. “After speaking to the families of both Dr. Evan Dishion and Kathleen Patterson, we’re pretty convinced that had they had a whistle, maybe they’d be here today.”

The initiative will provide 120-decibel safety whistles that one can grasp with their teeth. They can be used by not only hikers, but by anyone in an emergency.

The whistles will be free, but individuals will have to sign a waiver due to how loud they are. For now, those interested in obtaining a whistle will only be able to do so at the initiative’s events or by contacting Parker.

Parker emphasized how crucial it is to know how to safely use the whistles and how to perform the distress signal.

After placing the whistle between their teeth and covering their ears, the user will execute the distress signal: three long blasts, followed by three short blasts and another three long blasts. This translates to “SOS” in Morse code.

“A good survival whistle is designed to send out these blasts that can be heard over a mile away,” Parker said. “You’re giving yourself the

best chance you can to survive.”

To help ensure that people understand that the whistles are for hiking purposes and are not toys, an instructional video is in the works to demonstrate their proper usage.

“As this goes on and the bigger we get, the more we’re probably going to need volunteers to go to different places to hand these out and to help explain to people what they are, why you want to use them, why you don’t want to put them in a child’s hands,” Parker said.

She explained that the most valuable resource that the nonprofit can provide its communities is education, because it is “the one thing that you can give away for free.”

Because many Valley residents are transplants, it is especially important to educate newcomers about the desert environment’s harsh nature.

As a result, the organization is working on an array of educational videos discussing outdoor safety to supplement its existing services.

The videos will touch upon the need for adequate water and electrolytes, emergency blankets and other necessary hiking supplies, and recognizing one’s individual physical limits.

“I think (the initiative) is twofold — it’s a great thing for us as people to welcome new people into the neighborhood, and give them a chance to meet us and us to meet them,” she said. “But also to help them be safe, as well, and help them become great stewards of our community.”

For those who would like to support Arizona Foothills 911’s whistle

initiative, they can donate funding for the purchase of whistles.

“The most important thing is making sure that we get these survival whistles in the hands of people who need them,” Parker said.

“At the end of the day, (the goal) is just to truly make it so that if you’re totally lost, you have the confidence to get you through whatever it is and at least have a chance, a little bit better of a chance, to get back home to your loved ones.”

Parker established Arizona Foothills 911 and its Facebook page in 2020, and it has since grown to around a thousand active volunteers.

The team serves in North Valley communities like Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, New River, Desert Hills, Rio Verde, North Scottsdale and Black Canyon City.

Appropriately, their mission statement is, “Neighbors helping neighbors, because it is the right thing to do.”

In addition to the whistle initiative, the nonprofit has several branches through which it serves its local communities and those statewide, including assistance for those whose homes have burned down; clothing for those in need; transportation for animals during disasters; and care for burned animals, thanks to veterinarians who volunteer their time.

“We just want to do whatever we can to help our community during any disaster relief situation, including floods, fires, crossfires, anything we can,” Parker said.

“Whatever we can do to help our community is what we want to do. We want to make sure that we are a resource for the local people here.”

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Arizona Foothills 911

Arizona Foothills 911’s Arizona Whistle Initiative kickoff will be 9

For more information about the whistle initiative and Arizona Foothills 911, visit the nonprofit’s Facebook page or contact Sunny Parker at 480-204-4443. Donations are accepted through PayPal.

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Sobering possibilities temper city’s ‘good news’ on budget

BY PAUL MARYNIAK

Foothills Focus Staff Writer

In a cautiously optimistic report released last week, the City of Phoenix administration says it expects to start the new fiscal year beginning July 1 with a $134 million surplus and total spending for the new fiscal year to rise to $1.88 billion from a current $1.78 billion.

As it prepares for the trial budget submission to city council on March 26, the city manager’s office also warned “significant economic uncertainty and volatility exists for 2023, which makes forecasting revenues very challenging.”

The city manager’s forecast for the coming fiscal year also includes an equally cautious general fund five-year outlook.

Some of the revenue volatility cited in the 2023-24 forecast relates to a bill that state Republicans lawmakers passed to eliminate municipal rental taxes and another cutting corporate taxes.

A legislative analysis says eliminating the rent tax would cost the city $70.5 million in revenue and that the corporate tax cut would cost Phoenix another $3.5 million. The rent tax elimination bill is currently being reviewed by the Hobbs administration.

Less certain for city spending in the coming fiscal year –— as well as for the next five years — is the impact of new contracts with its major worker groups.

Existing agreements expire in June and the city manager’s forecast says it currently “assumes no changes to existing labor contracts or service levels.”

It also assumes no increase in ongoing operational costs for the new facilities proposed in the $500 million bond issue that council is likely to put up in November for voter approval.

That bond issue includes a number of new facilities, such as four new fire stations, a police evidence warehouse and a Latino Cultural Center.

But the report also assumes any budget

surplus will be “incorporated into the subsequent years’ expenditures, whether in increased one-time and ongoing costs for added programs and services, labor increases, set asides or other uses.”

“The forecast also assumes any deficit is resolved by reducing expenses in order to achieve a balanced budget,” it adds.

Both forecasts stress the numerous uncertainties that could challenge Phoenix spending and service levels.

“Areas that could impact the (general fund) include revenue volatility, continued pension cost increases, higher costs for employee compensation, impacts from State legislative actions and unfunded mandates,” it says, adding:

“Additionally, if a recession were to occur in 2023, or legislation is passed that would dramatically reduce revenues, it’s possible that deficits could occur in the future requiring strategic budget balancing actions by the city council.”

The city’s five-year forecast also notes that

while COVID-19-relief money and higher revenue collections helped the city avoid budget cuts, “the specter of another recession is beginning to take shape.

“Although many economists warn of a downturn in 2023, it is far from certain when a recession will occur, how significant the impact will be, and for what duration.”

For now, the increased spending in the coming year will include higher salaries and benefits for workers, increased vehicle replacement and fire apparatus costs, rising capital equipment prices and a host of inflation-driven expenses.

“Inflation has also dramatically impacted several expenditure categories, including commodities and contractuals such as fuel, compressed natural gas, electricity, motor vehicle parts, plumbing supplies, custodial and security services, machinery and equipment repair, and facility maintenance costs,” the forecast says.

Wage adjustment helping lifeguard shortage

BY ELIZABETH KLEIN Foothills Focus Contributor

Phoenix community pools are experiencing a lifeguard shortage that may impact the number of pools that will be open for the summer season.

Anthem is taking a series of steps to make sure its pools will stay open.

The Anthem Community Center is increasing wages and providing referral and end of summer bonuses to recruit lifeguards this season.

Anthem is not expecting a lifeguard shortage in 2023, but there are protections in place in the event of a shortage. These protections include changing lifeguard rotations and closing portions of the aquatic complex if they are shortstaffed, according to Scott Newell, Anthem’s director of programs and aquatics.

The Anthem Community Center has several pools, so they can close sections without shuttering the entire facility.

“In 2021, one of the areas that we removed coverage was the wader pool (AKA baby pool),” Newell said.

BUDGET from page 6

Hailing the surplus as “good news,” the report said it includes $69 million in ongoing savings and $65 million in unexpected revenue brought on partly by higher sales tax revenue.

That additional sales tax revenue results largely from inflation, since higher prices on many goods and services generate a bigger bite of consumer spending for taxing bodies.

Moreover, the surplus also comes from unfilled city positions as Phoenix and other municipalities compete for workers to fill a wide variety of jobs, from police officers and firefighters to administrators and skilled laborers.

Among some sharp increases in spending anticipated for the coming fiscal year is a $45 million rise in pension costs.

Of that increase, $40 million represents higher payments for police and firefighter

Anthem has the option to close the diving boards and the water slides, according to Newell.

Anthem experienced a lifeguard shortage in 2021.

“We had about 60 guards instead of our usual 75 to 80. The guards on staff did get more hours, some even getting OT,” Newell said. In 2022, Anthem was in the normal hiring range but had 30 new guards on staff, according to Newell.

“Typically, I’d say that we have around a 50% to 60% return rate each year as the lifeguards want to return to become swim lesson instructors, lead lifeguards or managers,” said Tya Kuzov, Anthem aquatics supervisor.

To attract lifeguards, Anthem has increased the pay.

“The guard pay for Anthem has increased every year to stay ahead of the minimum wage over the years. It pays at a higher rate than some of the other seasonal positions at the community center due to the training and certification required for the position,” Newell said.

Anthem is trying a new technique this summer to entice guards to come back.

“Any new guard referral will get a $100

pensions.

The forecast for the next fiscal year also includes $118 million for “pay-as-you-go capital projects.”

The pay-as-you-go projects include new information technology and a new municipal court case management system, the city manager’s report says.

The report also says the budget will increase its contingency fund from $68 million to $76 million to “improve the city’s ability to withstand future economic declines.”

It notes that the city is steadily increasing that emergency reserve so that 5% of spending in every annual budget from 2026-27 onward will be set aside for contingencies.

The spending plan for the coming fiscal year has a long way to go before becoming reality.

Once the trial budget is released March 26, council will hold hearings and citizens will be asked for their input as well.

bonus once they complete their first work week, any returning guard will get this as well, plus an additional $100 at the completion of the summer,” Newell said.

Since the referral and returning bonuses are being implemented for this first time this year, Kuzov is “not certain if this is attracting my returners.”

Anthem is relying on the increasing wage and referral bonuses to attract lifeguards.

“A big part for Anthem is that we are farther away from other city pools and the proximity to home is desired for our staff despite the hiring bonuses being offered in Phoenix and Glendale,” Kuzov said.

Nicky Casarella has been an Anthem lifeguard for five summers. He noticed parents haven’t been watching their kids, so more incidents occur.

“This could lead to teens getting

scared to lifeguard,” Casarella said. Many managers are teenagers and are still developing their managerial skills. This lack of leadership experience led to “many frustrated and angry lifeguards for the remainder of the summer,” said Casarella.

The pay is also a challenge for lifeguards. “Lifeguards, as of last summer, got paid $13.80 per hour, while starting workers at Walmart received $17 per hour,” Casarella said. “Lifeguards had multiple training sessions per week, while having people’s lives in their hands, it seemed like an unfair wage.”

Nathan Flaherty of Anthem goes to the community pool with his family every summer.

“We don’t have a pool at our house, so the pool is the best place to go to cool down during the summer,” he said. “We’d be pretty disappointed if we couldn’t go this year.”

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these services are available to them right around the corner,” Chakravorty said.

“It’s a great way to meet and talk to surgeons, whether they have an interest in a career in medicine or engineering, or they’re having a procedure.”

The event will feature snacks and soft drinks, activities for kids and goody bags. Children can earn “certificates” on robotic proficiency.

“I really love living in this community,” he said. “My girlfriend and I are expecting in April. I just really thought this would be something fun and educational that we could do not just for the kids, but adults or anyone who has any interest in it.”

Manufacturer Intuitive is bringing a traveling DaVinci robot to Norterra Fireside, and representatives will be available to chat with the public.

Chakravorty said minimally invasive surgeries are important considering the nation’s opioid epidemic.

“With minimally invasive surgeries, we’re significantly reducing the amount of medication after surgeries,” he said. “More surgeries are outpatient, rather

than admitted. Seeing the techniques that go into it can give people more understanding. Surgeries are a big deal in people’s lives. I think it makes things a little more accessible.”

Valley Surgical Clinics is Chakravorty’s first employer, after graduating St. George’s Univeristy School of Medicine. He did his residency at St. Barnabas Medical Center.

“Medicine was something I’ve always been interested in,” he said. “My mom is a retired anesthesiologist. I think what inspired me is the relationships that doctors have with patients. There are very few professions where someone will innately trust someone they’ve met for the first time. They trust you’re going to do what’s best for them.

“I take that responsibility very, very seriously. I love having that responsibility.”

Robotic Surgery Demonstration

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4

WHERE: Norterra Fireside Community Center, 28185 N Melvern Trail, Phoenix COST: Free

INFO: 602-996-4747, valleysurgicalclinics.com

ROBOT from page 1

Dr. Varun Chakravorty will show off a demonstration version of the DaVinci robot during a March 4 event at Norterra Fireside Community Center. (Dr. Varun Chakravorty/Submitted)

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Dorothy Crane is a living legend

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

Dorothy Crane has a purpose. A talent. And a God-given gift that she has graciously shared with sick children. Dorothy is having a birthday; she’ll soon celebrate her 100th.

A resident of Black Canyon City, she makes collage books out of construction paper, with cut-out pictures from magazines, creating uplifting and beautiful picture books. Her mission is to bring smiles and comfort to suffering children and every day she makes little works of art, punching holes, tying ribbon, arranging and pasting pictures, in a true labor of love.

Author H. Faizal who wrote “We Hunt the Flame,” claimed, “life without a purpose, is no life at all.” Purpose is not restricted by age, health, wealth or circumstance. It is the inner drive to forge ahead, make a difference, know that our efforts matter, that our journey is richer when we have a goal.

My mother died at the age of 97. Her last few years were difficult as she moved out of the family home, into assisted living. As her health was failing, one of her missions at the nursing home was to improve the food by “teaching” the cooking staff how to cook.

At age 96, she revised her cookbook that she had written years before. She held cooking classes at the nursing home. The lesson? Keep going. The rewards (to yourself and others) are huge.

Dorothy is a role model for each of us. Her husband of 64 years passed away many years ago and to work through

her grief, she poured her heart into craft projects. The one project that dominated her time and became a core purpose, was the collage books. When 30 books are completed, Dorothy boxes them up and sends them to a children’s hospital on her list of 20.

So how many books has Dorothy made? A whopping 17,000 books have been lovingly created, sent and received! Every box that is sent brings hope, joy and encouragement to an ill child. What a legacy!

Boxes of collage books are sent to numerous hospitals in five states. How is this possible? Neighbors and friends in Black Canyon City take magazines, paper, glue and other supplies to Dorothy Crane. Often these helpful folks take the boxes to the post office and pay for the postage. One lady inspires a whole town to spring to action. And we are all better because of it!

A couple of the hospitals who receive these books in Arizona are John C. Lincoln

BLUHM page 12

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

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

Business: 623-551-3700

Business: 623-551-3700

justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com

justin.simons.j663@statefam.com

Feds’ alphabet soup becomes gruel in Ohio

BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

For the better part of four generations, Americans have grown into adulthood seemingly afloat upon an ocean of acronyms.

That’s especially true when it comes to our federal government.

News from Washington is filled with letters denoting governmental entities — DOJ, FBI, CIA… CDC, OMB — and the one agency that expects to hear directly from you every April 15 — the IRS.

What most of us find especially taxing is the explosion of acronyms that corresponds with the exponential growth of government.

Bill Clinton may have said “the Era of

More resilient and reliable is the humor of the late Ronald Reagan. Our 40th President, speaking at a 1986 press conference,

Sure enough, there’s one federal agency that is supposed to answer urgent calls for assistance requiring the resources of the Feds.

It answers to the acronym FEMA — the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As the name implies, it is supposed to assist states, cities, towns and wherever afflicted Americans can be found in times of peril.

But like the Reagan observation of almost 40 years ago, a recent national emergency did not result in an urgent response from Uncle Sam — and unlike the Gipper’s anecdote, there’s nothing funny about it.

On the first Friday night in February, a Norfolk Southern train pulling close to 150 freight cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Twenty of those cars were carrying hazardous materials, and five of them were filled with vinyl chloride. That’s the chemical compound associated with increased risk for liver cancer, and other forms of

that disease, according to another federally funded entity, the National Cancer Institute — also known by its acronym, NCI.

Given the dangers, you would think that an SOS would emanate from that eastern Ohio town, and also from affected Pennsylvanians, who live just across the nearby state line.

In fact, that distress call did go out — but for some reason, the bureaucrats on the banks of the Potomac weren’t especially keen on offering a quick response.

Instead, those “acronym bearing swamp dwellers” embraced an anachronism — the old advertising slogan of a bygone era: “Long Distance is the next best thing to being there.”

So with Official Washington content to “phone it in,” state and local officials, along with railroad representatives, worked over that first February weekend to contain a

see HAYWORTH page 12

Nothing has changed on the Mexican border

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

The first time I visited Nogales to see the Mexican border with my own eyes was more than 20 years ago.

George W. Bush was President and the border was a sieve. A rancher named Roger Barnett gave me a tour of his land near Douglas, where he detained border crossers by the score. Later, I headed to Nogales and spoke to the Border Patrol officers.

One statistic lodged in my mind.

That year, the Border Patrol reported 1.6 million “encounters” with migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Fast forward 20 years. Little has changed except for the name of our president. In 2021, the last year for which we have complete numbers, the Border Patrol again reported 1.6 million encounters with migrants.

I mention it because the story of George Alan Kelly and Gabriel Cuen-Butimea should come as absolutely no surprise.

Kelly, a 75-year-old rancher, has been charged with first-degree homicide for allegedly shooting down Cuen-Butimea in cold blood on Jan. 30 near Kino Springs in Santa Cruz County. Kelly also faces two counts of assault for allegedly shooting two of Cuen-Butimea’s compatriots.

“Mr. Kelly shot an unarmed man in the back in an unprovoked attack as he ran for his life,” said Kimberly Hunley, the chief deputy Santa Cruz County Attorney, in a Feb. 22 court hearing. “There was no warning and the victim was more than 100 yards from the defendant’s residence when he was shot and killed.”

Kelly and his court-appointed lawyer call this version of the story absolutely false.

As Kelly tells the tale through court documents, he and his wife Wanda were about to eat lunch when he heard a gunshot. He looked outside and saw a “group of men” brandishing AK-47s “moving through the trees around his home.”

Kelly says he grabbed a rifle. “As he shot, Mr. Kelly took care to aim well over the heads of the armed group of men,” a defense motion says. “The group then began running into the desert surrounding his home.”

The Kellys called the Border Patrol, which came to investigate. The feds found nothing and left. Come sundown, Kelly went to check on his horse. That’s when he says he found a body.

“The cause of death appeared to be a single gunshot wound, and it appeared that the body was fresh,” according to the defense. “The person had a radio with him, and he was wearing tactical boots, indicating that he was possibly involved in illegal activity.”

No bullet has been found to determine which gun fired the deadly shot. Thus far, it appears the prosecutor’s case is based mostly on the testimony of Kelly’s two other alleged victims.

Unimpressed, the defense says, “It is entirely possible that the person found on Mr. Kelly’s property was a victim of other drug traffickers.”

Predictably, Kelly’s case has spawned massive international media coverage. He remains in jail on $1 million bond, the subject of death threats and on 23-hour lockdown.

Multiple GoFundMes have been started to pay for his defense — and been shut down because the case is so controversial.

see LEIBOWITZ page 12

HAYWORTH from Page 10

catastrophe that soon grew even more catastrophic.

Officials on the ground observed a“drastic temperature change” in one of the rail cars carrying vinyl chloride, and that prompted a drastic decision.

Fearing a massive explosion that could scatter shrapnel over a mile-wide area, authorities opted to evacuate East Palestine on Sunday evening, then initiate a “controlled release” of the toxic chemical the following day.

When that“vent and burn”began in the late afternoon of Monday, Feb. 6, a mushroom cloud soon took shape, prompting one official to comment that the small town had been“nuked.”

Certainly it made the situation even more politically “radioactive” for elected officials,but it was much worse for residents who were eventually allowed — and encouraged — to return to their homes.

They found pets and livestock sick and dying… And the water in nearby creeks shimmering with an ominous

rainbow hue.

Even the air that they breathed concerned the townspeople, as officials explained that the evacuation was required since more than vinyl chloride was released.

Phosgene and hydrogen chloride fumes also escaped.

Phosgene was used as a chemical weapon in World War I, a highly toxic gas that causes vomiting and breathing difficulties… And some area residents began suffering from those symptoms long after authorities had given the “all clear.”

Still unclear is Washington’s lack of motivation to provide a “muscular response.”

Is it because East Palestine, Ohio is not “diverse” enough?

Recall that Vice President Harris initially suggested that post-Hurricane Ian aid to Florida be based on “equity, and understanding that not everyone starts out at the same place… Sometimes we have to take into account those disparities.”

Or could it be the disparity between the 2020 vote totals in East Palestine? The Trump/Pence ticket received 906 more votes than Biden/Harris… A margin far

greater than the 641 ballots cast in favor of Joe and Kamala.

What casts a political shadow on all of this is the fact that FEMA finally decided to show up in East Palestine… As soon as

LEIBOWITZ from Page 11

On the political right, Kelly has become a hero, his case a cautionary tale of the evil left. As one conservative blogger spins it:“How is it that Mr. Kelly finds himself in this position? It is because of the lawlessness of the progressive socialist left, the Biden administration, to

BLUHM from Page 9

and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Today a child is in a hospital room, perhaps frightened and in need of comfort. And today, a sick child will receive a happy, handmade book of pictures of kittens, doggies, rabbits, unicorns, sunsets and princesses... And many more images that are joyful re-

Donald Trump announced that he would personally visit on Feb. 22.

Which proves that the acronym giving Joe Biden a “sinking feeling” is spelled “GOP.”

enact an unconstitutional open borders policy.”

I believe two things about this case with all my heart.

One, Kelly is innocent until proven guilty. And two, nothing at the border has changed in 20 years, no matter the president, no matter the political promises, no matter the lengthy list of the dead.

minders of a wonderful world.

How do we spread hope and love? If you are Dorothy Crane, one book at a time. And 100 years of living and giving is a milestone to emulate and celebrate. Thank you, Dorothy!

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

Foothills opens new location in Anthem

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Foothills

Sports Medicine Physical

Therapy has opened its 29th location, this time in Anthem, offering free rapid pain assessments to anyone concerned with an injury.

Located near Anthem Way and Gavilan Peak Parkway, the full-service PT clinic focuses on its patients’ needs and full recovery by restoring movement, improving function, and helping those recovering from chronic pain, surgery or an accident.

“We design each rehabilitation program custom to each patient or athlete we treat,”

said Kevin Truitt, clinic director and physical therapist.

“We will assess how they move to identify the injury site and the source of any pain or weakness. Addressing the underlying cause is essential for healing any injury, preventing recurrence and getting our patients back to feeling their best.”

During the last 23 years, Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy has helped more than 500,000 patients recover from injury.

Foothills has 29 clinics throughout the Valley and surrounding cities.

“Whether recovering from an injury, im-

pacted by physical limitation, dealing with chronic pain or being in a car accident, we understand the stress and urgency of returning to your daily routine,” Truitt said.

Hailing from Tucson, Truitt started his PT career in outpatient orthopedics and spent five years as the team physical therapist for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Since 2017, he has been with Foothills focusing on orthopedic post-op rehab and musculoskeletal pain. Truitt takes a special interest in evaluating and rehabilitating professional, amateur and overhead youth athletes. He is a certified

Truitt, clinic director and physical therapist,

Lennar’s rental homes set sales record

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

As Gen Z deals with significant pandemic-level rental rates, Arizona families have found Next Gen homes an alternative, leading to Lennar’s largest sales jump.

The 5-year-old company sees the Next Gen models accounting for 20% to 25% of all business.

For the first time, last summer, these numbers hit 30% to 35%, with some communities greater than 35% of all homes sold. Due to this increase, Lennar is growing the number of Next Gen homes in its communities from 20% to 25% to 30% to 40% of total homes. Most communities are seeing this shift, such as Lennar’s Mystic, Copperleaf, Warner Ranch and Asante neighborhoods.

Consumers are purchasing Next Gen homes as a space for adult children returning to the nest or if they are unable to afford a home on their own.

For many, the decision to buy this “home within a home” is more of an economic decision.

“We have never seen Next Gen home sales in the 35% range,” said Alan Jones, Lennar division president. “It’s changing the way we are doing business and developing our new communities.”

Lennar’s statistics fall right in line with national figures.

A 2022 study found that nearly half of all young adults are living at home in the United States — a historical high not seen since the Great Depression, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Analysts estimate that about 48% of

young adults, between the ages of 18 and 29, are living with parents in 2022, due to factors like high rental rates.

The National Association of Realtors also found in its 2022 generational trends report that Gen Z makes up only about 2% of the buying market right now, while a 2021 realtor.com survey found 72% of Gen Zers indicated they would like to buy a house in the future.

“As pricing and interest rates increase, we have seen more families combining resources to purchase a Next Gen home,” said Matt Wolf, vice president Lennar Mortgage.

“It helps with qualifying and monthly expenses based on combining incomes, property tax bills and insurance costs. We see many families with boomerang kids or aging parents strongly considering the Next Gen to solve their housing needs.”

Elan McMonigal’s family is one of those statistics.

They purchased a Next Gen as their daughter is a teacher and couldn’t qualify to buy on her own.

“The Next Gen still allows our separate privacy, while helping our kids save money to make a better living,” McMonigal said. “We are so grateful the Next Gen exists for parents who want to help their kids move into home ownership.”

Lennar pioneered the Next Gen model in Phoenix in 2011.

The Next Gen offers a private suite providing all the essentials multigenerational families need to work, learn, live and have a sense of independence.

In addition to living space for adult children, families use the Next Gen suites

as home offices, classrooms and separate businesses.

The reasons consumers purchase a Next Gen change with the economy.

Through the years, Lennar has seen it become more of a lifestyle purchase and then with the pandemic, more of a necessity.

Today the main reason is an economic one, as adult children are paying off college debt or saving money for their own home.

It’s an arrangement that’s financially

LOCATION From page 14

strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has a certification in dry needling.

The clinic specializes in physical therapy; pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation; acute injury management; chronic injury management; sports physical therapy;

feasible for adult children, while beneficial for parents.

“The Next Gen concept has expanded for us nationwide because of its ability to be self-evolving and fit so many needs,” Jones added. “Whether it’s due to constraints in the economy, a need for a home office, kids returning home or aging parents, consumers see the Next Gen model as a responsible way to manage most living conditions or economics.”

Lennar expects to see the trend last at least through 2023.

strength and conditioning; general orthopedics; pediatric and geriatric physical therapy and rapid-recovery free injury assessments.

Foothills Anthem 3655 W. Anthem Way, Suite A129, Anthem 480-847-7050 foothillsrehab.com

Kevin Truitt’s clinic in Anthem specializes in physical therapy; pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation; acute injury management; chronic injury management; sports physical therapy; strength and conditioning; general orthopedics; pediatric and geriatric physical therapy and rapid-recovery free injury assessments. (Foothills Anthem/Submitted)

When something supernatural happens

Pastor Ed Delph

Last spring, something happened to me that propelled me to a higher way of living. The incident created a highway to a higher way. Interested?

I was ministering at Destiny Center International in Phoenix. After the church service, one of the church leaders walked up to me. He looked me directly in the eyes and asked me a question loudly: “What do you need?”

Having recalled the day before when I was made aware by several board members of our ministry that our website wasn’t very inspiring, I blurted out, “I need a new website!” The leader gazed at me and said, “I’ll give you $3,000 for the new website because you said you need it. God supplies our needs, not our wants. Now, get started on the website.” I found Nemo! Knowing the higher way is more valuable than the $3,000. Did you know there is a sure way to know when something good, even supernatural, is about to happen? Read on.

The highway to a higher way I’m addressing today is about asking God for certain things to happen or not happen. Everyone, whether a Christian or a non-Christian, has asked God for something at one point in their life. “God, please let my team win.” “God, let my political candidate win.” “God, help me pass my exam.” One thing is for sure, if there are final exams, there will be prayer.

How about this plea asking, “God, please give me the promotion, new house, or the new car.” Or other more serious prayers, George Bailey prayers

like, “Lord, please don’t let me die. I want to live.” In tough times, God’s cell phone gets busy with texts and calls. Nothing improves our prayer life like a crisis.

There’s nothing wrong with asking God to answer a prayer. God’s word encourages us to ask God to meet our needs, not our greed.

Jesus said, “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? Do you scare him with a live snake on his plate if he asks for fish? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So, don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?” Matthew 7:7-11.

So, asking God is okay. But did you know there is something better than asking God for something? It’s when Jesus asks us for something. Then something supernatural happens.

My friend, Wilson Ng, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, sums this idea up this way. “As you traverse through the Gospels, you will find that whenever Jesus asks for us to do something, something supernatural takes place. Something important happens, and something divine is unleashed.”

Think of the times in the Scriptures when Jesus asked people for something, and they provided what he asked. After speaking to 5,000 people, the people became hungry. Jesus asked if anyone had some food in the audience. Someone gave him a few fish and a few loaves of bread. Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves to feed the 5,000 and then, on another occasion, to feed 4,000. That’s supernatural. After listening to Jesus, they received

a fish and chips dinner. On another occasion, Jesus attended a wedding in Cana. The hosts were running out of wine. When Jesus asked for earthen vessels filled with water, he turned water into wine. Something supernatural happened because someone provided for what Jesus asked.

On another occasion, Jesus asked his disciples to ask the owner of a donkey and the donkey’s colt if Jesus could borrow the pair of donkeys to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We still celebrate the results of Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, purity came with him. He cleansed the temple of moneychangers. After the moneychangers dispersed, God’s house became a house of prayer. After purity and prayer, the power came as Jesus healed the blind and the lame. And, after purity, prayer and power came, the children began to praise God, saying, “Hosanna” (God save us). Purity, prayer, power and praise — that’s supernatural. Why did this happen? Rather than asking Jesus for something, someone responded when Jesus asked for something.

Here’s your takeaway to a higher way. It’s one thing to ask God for something. That’s good. It’s another thing when God asks you to do something. That’s great. Why? Because something supernatural and God-sized happens.

Remember the opening of this article with the church leader? Like Jesus, he asked me a question. I provided what he asked. Then, something supernatural happened.

How will you know God asked you to do something? Here’s what Scripture says, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true,

noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9.

Above all, listen for Jesus knocking at the door of your mind and heart, asking if he can come in, then open the door and let him in, and something supernatural happens. You start harmonizing with God. Revelation 3:20.

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.

Foothills Focus Columnist

Fundraiser supports dementia care in the Valley

BY LIN SUE FLOOD Director of Community Engagement Hospice of the Valley

Enjoy a beautiful evening out while supporting a wonderful cause at Hospice of the Valley’s signature fundraiser: aaha! art. food. wine. In 45 years, no one in need of care has been turned away by the not-for-profit agency, and that is largely due to community generosity.

“We are grateful to local businesses and individuals whose donations make this event so unique and special,” said Debbie Shumway, executive director of Hospice of the Valley.

“This year, we are focusing on families

who are caring for a loved one with dementia, raising funds for programs that we provide at no charge in the community and at our new Dementia Care and Education Campus.”

Tickets are available for the March 11 gala at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn. Guests can bid on fine art, unique wines, dining experiences, dreamy getaways and exciting trips, including a luxury excursion to Spain. The benefit event features spectacular silent and live auctions, raffle prizes (including

diamond earrings and a Ralph Lauren suede crossbody bag), an elegant dinner and lively dancing to The Hamptons. Here’s a peek at this year’s fabulous live auction items:

• Explore the charm of Madrid and Seville in a six-night stay that includes luxury boutique hotels, gourmet meals, tours and day trips, shopping, cooking classes and flamenco dancing at a tapas and dinner show.

Art lovers will adore a brilliant-white enamelwork horse sculpture by Arizona artist Carl Dahl. The piece, “Justified,” stands proud and regal, a study in elegant simplicity. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

• Food and wine lovers will savor an evening with one of the Valley’s most wellknown and beloved chefs. Mark Tarbell is cooking up something special for an intimate group of friends, pairing ex-

see FUNDRAISER page 19

Delight in nature’s beauty with artist Scott Christensen’s stunning painting, “Seasonal Golds in Jackson.” (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

Artist Elaine G. Coffee’s “The Mysteries of Art” is a sophisticated glimpse into everyday life that captures people enjoying a leisurely afternoon, immersed in the masterpieces at The Met. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

At the Hospice of the Valley, the auction features a dinner with Mark Tarbell. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted) Castle Hot Springs is a luxury and wellness retreat in Arizona. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

FUNDRAISER From Page 18

quisite cuisine with exceptional wines.

• A private jet transports you to exclusive Triple Creek Ranch, high in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, for a three-night stay. The tranquil escape includes horseback riding, mountain bike riding, fly fishing, archery, sapphire panning and guided yoga.

• Hop on a Bell 429 helicopter and land

outside your sky-view cabin at Castle Hot Springs, Arizona’s famous luxury and wellness retreat. Unplug from the

world, relax in the hot spring’s magical powers and try fun activities like a farm tour, garden workshop, horseback

riding, wine tastings and mixology classes.

• Art lovers will adore a brilliant-white enamelwork horse sculpture by Arizona artist Carl Dahl. The piece, “Justified,” stands proud and regal, a study in elegant simplicity.

• Artist Elaine G. Coffee’s “The Mysteries of Art” is a sophisticated glimpse into everyday life that captures people enjoying a leisurely afternoon, immersed in the masterpieces at The Met.

• Delight in nature’s beauty with artist Scott Christensen’s stunning painting, “Seasonal Golds in Jackson.” The colorful landscape beckons the nature lover in all of us.

aaha! art. food. wine.

WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 11

WHERE: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $300

INFO: hov.org, hbrogan@hov.org or 602-636-5314

$225 27¢

Guests at the Hospice of the Valley fundraiser can bid on a trip to Triple Creek Ranch. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

The aaha! art. food. wine. event will offer an auction, featuring a six-night trip to Madrid and Seville that includes luxury boutique hotels, gourmet meals, tours and day trips, shopping, cooking classes and flamenco dancing at a tapas and dinner show. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Water 4 Kids International will host its signature Walk 4 Water fundraiser on Sunday, March 5, in partnership with Hope Church and Elevate Coffee Co. Water 4 Kids International is a division of Hope 4 Kids International, a nonprofit working to provide clean water to children and families who are suffering through extreme poverty and disease.

Proceeds raised by Walk 4 Water Norterra will fund a safe water borehole in the remote village of Bilton Forest, Uganda. The well will be drilled next to Bilton Forest High School, where schooling is interrupted each day by the student’s twomile trek to retrieve drinking water from a marsh.

A complimentary lunch will be provided by Butcher Block Catering and will include live music and a gift basket raffle at Elevate Coffee Co. 2530 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 1273, Phoenix, prior to the walk at 11:30 a.m.

Walk 4 Water Norterra will begin at 1 p.m., where participants will walk a 2-mile trail — the same distance Bilton Forest High School students must walk for water every day.

Walk 4 Water participants can walk this course as individuals or as a team and are encouraged to post their progress on social media and share the impact with friends and family using the hashtag #W4WNORTERRA.

“Together we can empower the students and families, along with neighboring villages, to transform

their lives through the life-saving gift of clean, safe water,” said Angie Simon, Hope 4 Kids International vice president of international development.

Clean water is one of the best ways to prevent diseases in remote villages in which a minor ailment could be fatal, Simon said. In addition to drilling deep water wells, Hope 4 Kids International provides these communities with hygiene and sanitation education, as well as operation and maintenance training. When properly installed, these wells can last between 30 and 50 years with little to no maintenance.

Walk 4 Water fundraising supports the nonprofit’s international efforts to provide clean drinking water and deliver long-term solutions.

Walk 4 Water Norterra’s fundraising goal is $12,500. Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for youth under 13. To register for or donate to Walk for Water Norterra, visit: http:// w4ki.org/w4wnorterra.

Diamond Canyon hosting kindergarten preview

BY GREY GARTIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Diamond Canyon, a pre-K through 8 school under the Deer Valley Unified School District, is hosting kindergarten preview night from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, to offer an overview of programs and curriculum to future Coyotes and parents.

An A++ school of excellence, recognized by the Arizona Department of Education, Diamond Canyon invites both in- and out-of-district families to the school to see classrooms and meet kin dergarten teachers on preview night.

“We have an award-winning fine arts department, a Mandarin pro gram and we have a social-emotional program,” said Lorrey Gadberry of Di

STUDENT CHRONICLES

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

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Emily Knape of Cave Creek and Cheyenne Kuczi of Phoenix were named to the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean’s list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any

grades of “incomplete,” “D” or “F;” and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours. Knape is in the media arts and technology program, while Kuczi is studying photography and imaging arts.

Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,700 students in more than 200 ca reer-oriented and professional pro grams, making it among the largest private universities in the United States.

Info: rit.edu

amond Canyon.

The social-emotional program, known as “All Things EQ,” is designed to improve

and see what it’s all about,” she said. Students who attend the kindergarten preview night with registration complete or with their paperwork in hand will receive a free Diamond Canyon T-shirt before the beginning of the 2023-

5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 1 Diamond Canyon, 40004 N. Liberty

dvusd.org/kindergarten

Diamond Canyon Kindergarten

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