The Foothills Focus - Zone 1 - 3.9.2022

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INSIDE

This Week

NEWS ................. 6

City tries to save pool season from lifeguard crunch

BUSINESS ......... 16 Radiant Beauty Suites filling a void in Anthem

FEATURES ........ 23 Author’s new book puts the fun in potty training

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 16 FEATURES ................ 18 YOUTH ...................... 27 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 28 Zone I

Youth summit PAGE

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

Anthem Area Edition

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Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Trio to be honored at Italian gala

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

J

erry Colangelo, Ralph Marchetta and Chris Bianco will be recognized for their outstanding achievements during the National Italian American Foundation’s Regional Arizona Gala on March 19 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.

The evening’s honorees are Colangelo, NIAF chairman emeritus; Marchetta, senior vice president and general manager of the Footprint Center; and Bianco, owner of Pizzeria Bianco and semi-finalist for the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restauranteur.

The black-tie gala will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by an awards program and an Italian-curated dinner.

During the gala, before 250 guests, the

foundation will honor Colangelo with the inaugural Jerry Colangelo Sports Excellence Award in recognition of his career as a sports, business and philanthropic icon.

“It’s always been an organization that’s been close to my heart,” Colangelo said.

“I have had a life of involvement with the organization and — in order to create awareness in the state of Arizona where I’ve lived for 60 years now coming out of Chicago — we’re planning a big night at the Arizona Biltmore. I think it’s a great platform for the organization, and certainly I’m pleased and proud to be honored by the group.”

Colangelo said it is important for him to keep his Italian heritage alive.

“I would say the Italian community is just like most of the ethnic groups in America;

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Ralph Marchetta is devoted to his Italian heritage.

The former Cave Creek resident married his wife, GinaMarie Scarpa, in Italy. (File photo)

New festival introducing services to area

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

F

oothills Food Bank & Resource Center manager Kim Basile called her nonprofit a lifeline to the community.

She hopes to reinforce that with the first Hope and Health Fest from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, at the food bank’s park-

ing lot in Black Canyon City. The event will feature 15 vendors, including dental hygienist students from Rio Salado College.

“We have several health organizations in Yavapai County participating along with Family Church BCC, the library and Daisy Mountain Fire,” Basile said. “The Daisy Mountain Fire Department will present a program on smoke detectors and carbon

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NEWS

An edition of the East Valley Tribune The Foothills Focus is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the North Valley. To find out where you can pick up a copy of The Foothills Focus, please visit www.thefoothillsfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 623-465-5808 | Fax: 623-465-1363 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-348-0343 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timespublications.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timespublications.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timespublications.com

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NEW FESTIVAL from page 1

of topics. Prizes will be raffled and a food truck from Nora Jean’s Koffee Kitchen will bring coffee and pastries.

Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center provides emergency food, financial assistance and other life necessities and resources to individuals and families in the desert foothills, which encompasses a 180-square mile area that includes Black Canyon City, Mayer, Spring Val-

The Foothills Focus Online at www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 | tsimpson@timespublications.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@thefoothillsfocus.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timespublications.com

ley, Cordes Lakes, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, North Scottsdale, Rio Verde and North Phoenix.

“We just want to make sure that everyone knows the food bank is in town,” Basile said. “We don’t discriminate We really ask very little. We’re going to have our information out there.”

Black Canyon City has about 3,000 residents, yet the food bank sees 150 clients a week.

“We have 150 clients a week who we’re contacting,” she said.

“We’re having free haircuts, which is pretty neat. Four bikes that we’re raffling. The tickets are free. We want to give away a new coffeepot and bread maker that someone in the community donated.”

As a community organization, the Foothills Food Bank serves as the neighborhood supermarket, essentially. The nonprofit sees 150 to 160 clients per week.

“Black Canyon City is lacking resources,” she said.

“They don’t have a pharmacy. We used to be able to get our propane here, as

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most of the people there live in trailers and they need propane to heat. They have to go to Anthem to fill up the tanks for propane. It’s tough.”

Recently, the Foothills Food Bank teamed up with Yavapai County after years with Maricopa County. However, the area is so far south in Yavapai County that it’s difficult for clients to get resources — especially mental health counseling, optical and hearing services.

“With this event, I’m just trying to make something a little fun and different,” she said. “There isn’t a lot that goes on there. We’re hoping, with this one, that we can get resources that stick in the town. That’s our goal for the Foothills Food Bank.

“We’re hoping for a fun day.”

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

City tries to save pool season from lifeguard crunch

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Foothills Focus Staff Writer

P

hoenix has taken a big step to save summer at city pools from the labor shortage that has hobbled business and governments across the country.

In a desperate effort to recruit nearly 650 lifeguards within a matter of weeks and open all its 29 public pools, City Council last week authorized the Parks and Recreation to provide $2,500 in “executive pay” to lifeguards that will be payable in two installments – $500 in their first check after they’re on the job and $2,000 when the season ends.

That would raise lifeguard pay this year to about $21 an hour from the current $14 an hour if they work the usual 360 hours during the summer pool season.

But Aquatics Director Beck Hulett said that rate actually could be high-

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er for lifeguards who don’t put in all that time, since they would still get the $2,000 incentive in their final paycheck.

The $2,500 bump in lifeguards’ pay is twice what Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar proposed during a hearing March 2 before Council’s Community and Cultural Investment Committee.

She had proposed a $1,000 bonus that essentially would have raised lifeguards’ pay to $16.79 an hour.

But Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who chairs the committee, proposed the $2,500 bonus, saying desperate times in the labor market required desperate measures.

“To provide Phoenix residents with access to pools with fully staffed and well-trained lifeguards, we need to understand how much this job market has changed,” Guardado said.

“We should lead the way by embracing this change so that our residents

can enjoy everything our aquatics programs can offer.”

“I think something that the pandemic has taught us is that we need to readjust, we need to change,” she said. “I don’t think it’s fair that we’re only going to open up 12 pools.”

In actuality, the bonus works out to less than $21 an hour since lifeguard applicants don’t get paid for the 28 hours they must spend to get certified even before they’re even interviewed for the job.

Moreover, time is growing short for the city’s lifeguard recruitment effort.

Unless the city can hire hundreds of guards within about a month, the city likely will be able to open no more than 12 pools across Phoenix – and even that requires they find about 100 successful applicants by mid-April, Aguilar told the committee.

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to enroll in a certification program.

Only a couple certification programs remain on the calendar and the closest training site for north Phoenix residents is the David Uribe Pool at 3801 W. Cactus Road, near 38th Avenue. Pre-testing and orientation is 5 to 6:30 p.m. March 18 and classes are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 and March 27 and 5 to 7 p.m. March 28.

Sign-up and more information is at phoenix.gov/parks/pools/lifeguard.

This is the third consecutive season that Phoenix’s public pools have been hammered.

In 2020, the pandemic prompted city officials to keep them all closed and last year, only 12 were open.

Aquilar told the committee that prior to the pandemic, more than 463,000 people used Phoenix’s pools and swimming lessons alone drew

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GALA from page 1

from one generation to the next, it gets watered down a little bit,” he said.

“That’s why it’s important to maintain the connectivity and to pass onto our children and our grandchildren the stories about their roots, where they came from, who really made it all possible in this country and, in some cases, parents and, in some cases, grandparents, who left the old country with nothing and created a life for their family.”

The stories are never ending, he said.

“They wanted to provide for their families and America gave them their platform,” he said. “They tell the stories of how people of Italian heritage have risen to the top of the heap, if you will, in medicine and business, for example—right across the board.

“A number of years ago, I was honored in D.C. at the big gala and that was a big exposure to the whole organization in my opinion for me. When I was asked to go on the board, I was asked to serve proudly. It has great roots, just like people of Italian heritage.”

Colangelo explained he’s been blessed with a lot of success in business and in sports. He credited his formative years in his “old neighborhood.” Colangelo grew up with living in the same home with his grandparents.

“Living in an Italian-American community, I learned the basic things about life—hard work, commitment, passion, family, all of it,” he said. “That’s where it all began for me. I’ve tried to pass that on to my kids, grandkids and, now, my great-grandkids.”

The Al Carfora Italian Heritage Award, named after the late Al Carfora of Phoenix, a former NIAF area coordinator, will be awarded to Marchetta and Bianco.

“It’s really an unexpected honor, but I’m super appreciative,” said Marchetta, a former Cave Creek resident who now lives in Downtown Phoenix.

“The award was named after Al Carfora. I knew Al and he was a great member of the Italian American community.

It’s like a double honor.”

His great-grandparents emigrated from Italy more than 100 years ago and,

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because of this, he has been passionate about the culture. Marchetta and his wife, GinaMarie Scarpa, even married in Italy, south of Salerno.

“I got my Italian citizenship seven years ago,” Marchetta said. “I’ve been studying the language. I’ve been involved with different organizations in town, and I’ve been trying to support the Italian culture. This is a huge honor.

It’s really an incredible honor for me.”

Marchetta and Colangelo worked together for some time, as the latter formerly owned the Phoenix Suns.

“He’s been a mentor and an inspiration,” Marchetta said. “It’s incredible, and Chris Bianco and all the success he’s had. His passion for Italian food is incredible. I’m blown away to be included.”

At the gala, special guests in attendance will include, actress, TV personality and former model Clarissa Burt; former general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks Joe Garagiola Jr.; former MLB player Luis Gonzalez; former NBA player Tom Chambers; along with District 6 representative of the Phoenix City Council in Arizona, Sal DiCiccio and

Honorary Consul General of Italy in Arizona, Roberta Gentili-Purcell.

The master of ceremonies for the evening will be former TV sports anchor Jude LaCava, with musical performances by Santan Swing Band and opera singer Sedona Libero. The event is co-chaired by NIAF’s area coordinators of Phoenix, Pete Melucci, Alfred Molina and Michael Farrar.

To commemorate NIAF’s Regional Arizona Gala, NIAF will award a $5,000 grant to the Boy Scouts of America Grand Canyon Council, based in Scottsdale.

This donation will support scholarships for Italian American children, ages 5 to 18, to attend one of four Boy Scout summer camps located in Arizona.

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

preform on our new skate park,” said Debbie Pulido, ACC special events manager.

“This bicycle thrill trick show is a must-see for our families.”

This skate park expansion project was approved during the facilities master plan process in May 2017 and construction began in October 2021.

The new design done by MayDall Construction and Pillar Design Studios incorporates various skill level areas for an all-wheel complex. This was done to accommodate the growing volume of riders in recent years.

The event will be held at Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. For more information, visit onlineatanthem.com.

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WHEN: 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner Saturday, March 19 WHERE: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $450 INFO: niaf.org; black tie; complimentary valet parking

Anthem celebrating skatepark opening

T

he Anthem Community Council is hosting a grand opening celebration for the Sk8 and Ride All Wheels Park from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12.

This almost 40,000-square-foot park will be the largest in Arizona. The day will be full of activities including a live DJ, BMX stunt team, competitions, food trucks and giveaways.

Families are encouraged to bring their skateboards, bikes, scooters and roller skates — nothing motorized — to try out the park. There will be a fireworks show at 6:45 p.m.

“Attendees will get a cool opportunity to see the Superhero Stunt Team

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

LIFEGUARD from page 6

more than 20,000 participants.

“All pools were closed in 2020, causing us to lose more than 50% of our aquatics workforce,” she said. “With only 300 aquatics employees last season, we were only able to open 12 of our 29 pools.”

“In pre-pandemic seasons, we saw close to a 50% lifeguard retention rate,” Aguilar continued. “To date only about 39% of the lifeguards who worked last season have either indicated they plan to return and or have completed the necessary steps to work for us to season. Additionally, despite our recruitment efforts, interest and participation in our lifeguard certification classes for new lifeguards is significantly lower than it has been in previous years.”

Aguilar said Phoenix is not alone.

“There continues to be a lifeguard shortage here in the Valley and across the country,” she ex-

NEWS

9

plained.

“Some of the feedback we are hearing is that our target demographic – which tends to be high school and or college students – are going to work in positions such as fast food and retail where they can earn similar or higher wages, while also not having to take the required certification and training and work in a position that essentially requires them to be responsible for saving someone’s life.”

Additionally, lifeguards need to maintain their certification by taking 48 hours of training during the year.

Hulett and Aguilar said they have yet to draw up a list of the 12 pools they’ll be able to open come Memorial Day – if they get those 100+ lifeguards they still need for them.

They said they would not necessarily be the pools that were open last year but would try to make them geographically equitable.

10

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

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@TheFoothills.Focus

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Golden ideas to avoid the gas crisis

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

H

ave you been taking many road-trips lately? Hmm. Maybe not. Now that gasoline is around $4 a gallon, it appears we’re all trying to find ways to drive less.

Some gloomy TV news commentator had the nerve to suggest that we’ll be paying $5 a gallon by summer! I’m sick of hearing how the price of petro in Europe is expensive, but no one seems to complain like we Americans.

We don’t live in little villages with trains runMountain ning Fire and Medical - Administration through town. Some of us drive in one N. Daisy Mountain Dr. * Anthem * 85086 623*465*7400 Fax: 623*465*7632 www.DaisyMountainFire.org

year what a person in Europe will drive in their lifetime! We live in sprawling communities and have many places to go. Our lives take us down many roads (literally) and we seem to need at least two vehicles per family. Now we’re rethinking our overpriced gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. Yes, it’s the perfect time for drivers to think small, compact and maybe electric.

I drove a Volkswagen Beetle when I was in my twenties, and I think I’d faint if I had to get behind the wheel of such a little car. Going back to “tiny” is a pretty hard stretch.

Besides, we love carrying “our stuff” around in our vehicles. Tools, folders, files, boxes,

sporting equipment, doggy cushions, child seats, are only a few of the “things” that we love to keep in our cars — not to mention the kids and pets!

I heard a politician point a finger into a news camera and say, “Americans should just be happy.” Hey, I take issue with that statement. How could anyone be happy when you know that today, tomorrow or the day after you’re going to get robbed at the gasoline pumps! If you are ever bored, dear readers, go to any gas station and look at the facial expressions of the poor, hapless, folks as they swipe their credit cards and watch, with glassy-eyed horror as the numbers

keep rising. It’s pretty interesting (sad) to see how people are coping.

My grandson pays about $120 to fill up his truck. This is not a “happy” situation. I did notice that he purchased a bicycle a few weeks ago, which he claims is part of a fitness program and has nothing to do with a gas-hog of a truck. I expect I’ll be riding my

see BLUHM page 15

Daisy Mountain Fire and M 41018 N. Daisy Mountain D Phone 623*465*7400 www.DaisyMo

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Pictured: Ben Archer-Clowes-Managing Partner, James Vincent Group, Brian Moore-DMFD Governing Board Chair, Brian Tobin-Fire Chief, David Maxwell- Ass’t Fire Chief Administration

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

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OPINION

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

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State moves in wrong direction on health card

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hen Dwight David Eisenhower said farewell to public life in January 1961, he noted the rise of the “conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry.”

Eisenhower warned the American People that “we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought” by what he labeled “the military-industrial complex.”

While Ike’s historic description and warning endures, his farewell address sounded an additional cautionary note about another worrisome faction. Six decades later, that less-heralded admonition has proven remarkably prophetic.

“We must also be alert,” President Eisenhower said, to the “danger that public policy itself could become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.”

Two years after Dr. Anthony Fauci persuaded President Trump that our nation faced the prospect of a dangerous pandemic from COVID-19, it is painfully obvious that Ike’s concern of six decades ago became our own bitter reality.

What began as “15 days to slow the spread” morphed into a much longer and sustained effort to establish “Fauci-ism.” As our nation’s highest paid bureaucrat, with a salary of $417,608 in 2019, Fauci obviously believes that he should have power equaling the status of his paycheck. After all, he makes more than the president!

Outpacing that generous sum from the taxpayers is Dr. Fauci’s oversized ego, demonstrating the “fine for me but not for thee” inclinations of the Washington elite.

When challenged on his policies by other health experts, the frustrated Fauci channeled French King Louis XIV,

attempting to shut down the essence of scientific inquiry, by claiming that “his” science alone was valid. “I represent science,” he boasted. (“L’Etat c’est moi,” anyone?)

Even before Dr. Fauci’s veracity began to unravel, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cast a wide net in seeking advice on the public health measures that should be taken in his state.

Eisenhower’s assertion was the catalyst that prompted DeSantis to prioritize vaccinations and care for seniors, embrace innovative treatments such as the use of monoclonal antibodies, and reopen Florida for business and travel as well as public education.

“The job of the statesman is not to subcontract out your policy to help bureaucrats,” he said. “The job of the statesman is to lead…so many governors over the last two years would simply defer to help bureaucrats because it was a safe thing to do politically.”

Governor Doug Ducey hasn’t always done the wise thing politically when it comes to combating COVID, and it appears he’s now poised to take the Grand Canyon State over the edge when it comes to individual rights and health records.

see HAYWORTH page 15

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Neighbor’s suicide leaves regret, questions in its wake

“Polimana”(Little Butterfly Girl)

by Kim Seyesnem Obrzut 25”H x 9.5”W x 8.5”D

he white house sits across the street from the window fronting my desk. Not much distinguishes the place from the rest of the block where I moved two weeks ago. Four orange trees, their trunks painted white, line the east edge of the driveway.

The side gate has a sign that reads “Beware of the Dog” in faded orange letters. On the porch sits a white pot sprouting a metal replica of a sunflower.

The flower’s bright yellow adds a little cheer to the scene, but this is not that kind of story.

I met the woman who owned the house once, a few days after I moved in.

I was unloading the last of my boxes. She walked over from across the street and introduced herself as Linda. She looked to be approaching 80, and blunt in the way people of a certain age can pull off.

“It’s a nice street,” she assured me, with a hard glance that seemed to suggest I had better keep it that way. I learned Linda had lived in the small white house for decades, beside Carolyn, her best friend and forever neighbor. There was rarely traffic on the block. Dogs barked on occasion. I told her my name. Then my phone rang. It was a work call I needed to take.

We said goodbyes and I thought nothing more of it for a few days, when I came home to a street full of police cars and an ambulance. The low white house had police crime scene tape blocking the driveway. Officers milled about. Carolyn, the forever neighbor, sat on her porch talking into her phone. I could see her shoulders heaving.

The sergeant running the scene met me in the street. He had little to say except there had been a death. Now a death investigation was happening. I asked whether there had been a crime.

He said he didn’t think so, that it looked like an older woman, the home’s only occupant, had taken her own life. No,

not with a gun. It appeared she had hanged herself.

“That’s sad,” was the best I could do.

“Very sad,” he agreed. A thought occurred to me: “I guess she might have been lonely.”

A couple of visitors have come and gone from the house since that afternoon, and I have looked for excuses to bump into Carolyn from the house next door, to ask if there’s anything I can do.

Each morning, I glance through the obituaries, to see if there might be more to Linda’s life – loved ones left behind, a memorial service scheduled, a charity where one might pay tribute.

Possibly, that’s the reporter in me, wanting to know “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say. But more likely, it’s the human being in me, the new neighbor who wishes he hadn’t answered his phone, who regrets not being warmer, who wonders how he might have made some small difference.

This is magical thinking, I suppose.

The world may feel small today, with everyone in each other’s business on Facebook, on Twitter, online, but the truth is, we have never been more isolated.

Buried under the outward self we show the world, the #blessings and

see LEIBOWITZ page 15

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

LEIBOWITZ ���� page 14

proclamations of gratitude, each of us has endless hidden nuances, stories we take pains to keep locked away.

Now I write a story about a neighbor no longer here to read it, while I stare

at the house she left vacant and wonder what happened behind those closed curtains, that front door with the iron security grate.

So it goes. We are here until we’re not, and sometimes we take the rest of the story with us.

15

BLUHM ���� page 10

money and enjoying life. It’s all good! But then I fill up my SUV and head to the grocery store and my mood begins to shift. I have started drinking a high-octane beverage, which is the only high-octane I can afford.

On a positive note, there is a jeweler in Phoenix that is exchanging gold jewelry for gasoline cards. Gold for gas? Sounds like a “golden” idea.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and local Realtor.

Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at

HAYWORTH ���� page 12

als, the so-called SMART Card puts more power in the hands of government, because it would allow government to control—and in some cases, deny— the freedom of travel to its citizens.

A “pass?” No. In reality, a national vaccine passport.

Of course, Florida is not among the 21 states who want to use “SMART cards.”

Ducey, the Legislature, and other Arizona leaders should follow Florida’s example.

SMART cards are not “what the doctor ordered.”

Well, maybe one certain doctor.

horses to a few more places. Perhaps we need to install some hitching posts at our local shops and restaurants.

But why get in a bad mood about gas prices? It’s obviously out of our control. I try to put everything into perspective. The value of our homes has skyrocketed, jobs are plentiful, incomes have increased, and people are out and about post-COVID-19, spending

The business magazine “Forbes” recently featured this headline: “A National Vaccine Pass Has Quietly Rolled Out— And Red States Are Getting On Board.”

Arizona is among 21 states, along with D.C. and Puerto Rico, that offer the SMART Health Card, a verifiable digital proof of vaccination.

“Forbes” reports that “having digital access to personal health records empowers the individual,” and that’s why Arizona wants its residents to “get SMART.” But instead of empowering individu-

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Radiant Beauty Suites filling a void in Anthem

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

C

hrissy DeVivo had an epiphany during the pandemic. It was simple: live her life on her

terms.

So, she opened Radiant Beauty Suites in Anthem. The all-suites salon features rooms rented by hair stylists, barbers, nail technicians, skin care specialists, brow/lash professionals and other beauty practitioners.

“I wanted to do this for the last 15 years,” DeVivo said. “During COVID last year, I started thinking, ‘Why not?’ I could die tomorrow. Why not just take

the risk and do the thing I always wanted to do.”

She researched the possibilities of opening a salon suite, found the commercial space and “just did it.” Radiant Beauty Suites opened in the beginning of January.

“I’ve always like to take care of myself,” she said. “I use all of these types of services. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a hair stylist. I like the beauty

See RADIANT BEAUTY Page 17

Chrissy DeVivo, a Rochester, New York, native, recently opened Radiant Beauty Suites. (Photo

courtesy of Chrissy DeVivo)

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Desert Valley Home Watch renews accreditation

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

D

esert Valley Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the third year.

The NHWA was formed in 2009 to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Home watch is a visual inspection of a home or property at vacation or primary homes while owners are not in residence.

Armed with a background in construction inspection and utilities/ project management, owner Matt Hjermstad put his skills and expertise into home safety and mainte-

nance services. Desert Valley Home Watch offers complete home watch services.

Home sitters, neighbors, friends nor family are reliable solutions for keeping homeowners’ properties safe, Hjermstad said.

Desert Valley Home Watch inspects the inside of a house for irregularities, the pipelines for leaks and ensures the yard is not overrun with pests. Hjermstad and his family live in Cave Creek.

Desert Valley Home Watch serves Anthem, Carefree, Cave Creek, North Phoenix, Scottsdale, North Scottsdale and Rio Verde. For more information, call Hjermstad at 480-665-5558 or at matt@desertvalleyhomewatch.com.

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BUSINESS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

RADIANT BEAUTY ���� Page 16

industry. I know it’s always going to be a big industry. I really like the part of helping other business owners grow their businesses. I like to help other people.”

The facility has 13 suites and DeVivo is looking for an aesthetician who can perform facials; a tattoo artist; spray tanner and additional hair stylists and a barber.

The salon suites allow health and beauty specialists to rent spaces on a monthly or a daily basis, which is unique in the salon suites industry.

Radiant also provides various amenities at no charge, including business promotion, 24/7 access, and all utilities.

DeVivo is a Rochester, New York, native, who moved to Arizona when she was 6 years old. She graduated from Moon Valley High School and now lives in Anthem near Radiant Beauty Suites.

“Being an Anthem resident, I saw that Anthem lacked a more exclusive all-inone beauty facility. So, I set out to create a more luxurious home for Anthem’s top beauty professionals,” she said.

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Uncover a love of geology at Rock and Mineral Show

BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

J

oin the Daisy Mountain Rock and Mineral Club for an interactive display show featuring hundreds of specimens and fun for the whole family Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20.

The event, located at the Anthem School, will have 30 to 35 vendors, an ultraviolet light display, raffles, door prizes and a kid’s corner, according to Nancy Gallagher, a member of the Rock and Mineral club’s executive board.

“We are a smaller rock and gem show but we have a lot to give. We definite-

ly have the rocks, minerals, fossils and gems,” she said. “We also have lots of jewelry that has been made either by wire wrapping or fine jewelry where people have made beautiful faceted gems from gems that are found right here in Arizona or around the world. It’s something for everybody.”

Gallagher said the event is family oriented, and there are plenty of things for the kids to do besides look at the rocks.

It can be an educational event, too, and spark a love for geology in kids.

“We have a remarkable Kid’s Corner,” Gallagher said. “They have lots of games

RIGOR, RELEVANCE & RELATIONSHIPS see GEOLOGY page 19

Some minerals glow different colors when put under an ultraviolet light, and there will be a fluorescent display of them at the show. (Photo by Nancy Gallagher) Schedule a tour!

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GEOLOGY from page 18

to play, they win lots of wonderful prizes and the biggest thing is that we have so many rocks, minerals and fossils to give them when they leave.”

For $1, kids can take home two egg cartons stuffed with different rocks, minerals and gems. Each piece is labeled with a number, and a key is attached to the carton so kids can dump everything out and learn the names of the pieces they are looking at.

Even besides the egg cartons, Gallagher said every kid who participates in the games will win something to take home.

There will also be a sandbox where they can dig for their own pieces of geological treasure.

Gallagher admitted it’s not just the kids that want to touch and examine the specimens. She said there’s something almost mesmerizing about the gems and minerals that draws people in, which is why most of the vendors will have something that is hands on. For instance, some of the jewelry vendors will have kits put together for people to be able to take home and make their own bracelet.

They will also be cracking open different types of geodes there at the event.

According to Gallagher, some of them could be about as large as a soccer ball, and both kids and adults love to see what’s revealed inside.

“Another thing that we put on is the fluorescents. There are minerals out

there that when you bring them home and put them under a certain wavelength, they will fluoresce, and they fluoresce beautifully,” she said. “We put on a display of that and the kids go crazy for them. When you put them underneath an ultraviolet light, it’s amazing what colors they glow.”

Gallagher said there is really something for everyone to enjoy, and everyone has their different interests. She said she typically likes to look at “the sparkly stuff,” like crystals, but her husband likes to find and purchase unique specimens at the event. Others may be solely interested in jewelry or fossils, but, either way, it’s there.

The event is sponsored and put on by the Daisy Mountain Rock and Mineral Club, a nonprofit organization. The club’s mission is to promote and further an interest in geology, mineralogy and lapidary arts through education, field experiences, public service and friendship. Founded in 2008, Gallagher said the club has grown from eight members to almost 200. Aside from their passion for geology and mineralogy, Gallagher said the club is also heavily involved in the community.

“We definitely give back to our community with scholarships for high school students. This is the first year we have reached out to the community colleges in the area and have given scholarships to first year students,” she said. “We are also highly involved in STEM nights at

The event will have 30 to 35 vendors with rocks, minerals, fossils, gems and jewelry as well as an ultraviolet light display, raffles, door prizes and a kid’s corner. (Photo by Stan Celestian, geologist board member with the Rock and Mineral Club)

many of the elementary schools in Anthem, New River and Black Canyon City.

So, we do lots to give back to the community in many ways, not just monetarily, but also through goodwill.”

The Daisy Mountain Rock and Mineral Club meets at the Anthem Civic Building from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August.

Visitors or guests are welcome to attend.

“People leave with smiles and are happy to be able to purchase something either

19

small or quite large,” Gallagher said. “So, it’s a wonderful event for all ages.”

Gem and Mineral Show

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 20 WHERE: Anthem School, 41020 N. Freedom Way Anthem COST: $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and students; kids younger than 12 free INFO: dmrmc.com

20

FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

BC grad excels for Central College football team

BY BRENDAN MAU Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Josh Van Gysel made a name for himself playing football at Boulder Creek High School, leading its defense as its middle linebacker and racking up terrific stats and bringing in a lot of awards.

Now, in only his sophomore year of college, Van Gysel led Central College in Pella, Iowa, in tackles with 97. The Central College Dutch finished 12-1 on the season winning its 32nd conference championship and advanced to the Division III quarterfinals.

“He’s kind of a silent assassin, you don’t hear him,” said coach Jeff McMartin of Van Gysel.

“He doesn’t do a lot of talking. He just plays really hard and he lets his actions speak louder than his words.”

To this point, Van Gysel said, “I don’t want to do a whole lot of talking. I just kind of go out there and play the game, I

Josh Van Gysel (No. 10) makes a tackle for Central College. (Photo courtesy of Central College) guess, and try to do my job.”

Along with his 97 tackles, Van Gysel had four interceptions, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Because of his talents, his teammates voted to give him the Lankelma Award, which honors the most outstanding underclass player.

“It meant a lot,” Van Gysel said. “It showed that they noticed I put in a lot of work, and I feel like they respect me for that and I respect them. It meant everything for them to view me like that and acknowledge me that way.”

Van Gysel also made first team all-conference and really stood out on the defensive side of the ball.

“Going into next year, we’re going to build our defense around him,” McMartin said. “It starts with Josh and works from there.”

Van Gysel moved to Anthem from Wisconsin in fourth grade. In fifth grade, he started playing football. He started as a defensive lineman and moved to linebacker in high school. He said Boulder Creek’s lessons stuck with him in col-

lege.

“I’d say Boulder Creek, as far as academics, they were pretty solid,” Van Gysel said. “I took some challenging classes and so that really helped develop like a work ethic toward school and being willing and able to learn. And to that, I feel like that’s really helped me being in college, and it’s helped me stay focused and motivated when things get tough.”

In his senior year, Van Gysel won the 6A Desert Valley Region Defensive Player of the Year after posting 94 tackles and 10 sacks on the season for the Jaguars. This garnered a lot of college interest, including Central College, where he eventually ended up going because, as he said, “the culture seemed really amazing. And obviously they have a lot of football success, so I really wanted to be part of that. But I also thought it was a great opportunity to get a good degree as well as continue playing football.”

McMartin added, “We felt like size wise, he could come in and compete

see BC GRAD page 21

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

BC GRAD from page 20

when things got tough. And so, it was really it’s an honor that they look at me like that. And I just don’t want to like let them down or anything.”

Van Gysel said a good work ethic is important. McMartin noticed that, his humbleness and his “really good heart” allows him to put his teammates first.

He’s one of the top defensive players in his conference.

“I really love to compete, so that really motivates me to keep going and actually work harder,” Van Gysel said of the biggest things that drive him. “And then winning. I love to win.”

After this stellar fall season for the Dutch, Van Gysel said the team’s success “set the bar really high, but so it’s all about like, surpassing that now.”

McMartin continues to be in awe of Van Gysel’s play.

“Good linebackers, they almost vaporize, like, you’re going to block in 1 minute. And then all of a sudden, like, they’re not there. They’re making the tackle. And you’re like, ‘how did you get there?’ And that’s kind of what Josh does,” he said.

“He just needs to maintain his drive to keep getting better, as long as he keeps wanting to get better, the sky is the limit for him, and I know he will continue to improve.”

right away, because he’s big enough to take on linemen and tight ends and guys are going to try and block him on the college level.

“We felt like he had a great motor, just relentless in how he played. And he had great speed and instincts. And those are the things that we saw when he got here, or when he was at high school. And we just felt like he can really deliver a lot to our defense and add a lot of value and contribute. And he has done that.”

For Van Gysel though, his biggest takeaway from high school football was “being a team player and being willing to trust my teammates and really working together,” he said.

“It took a little bit for me to learn that, but that’s really helped me, especially in college now. And I feel like that has really helped my development as a player and as a person.”

He said he keeps in contact and hangs out with some of his high school teammates when he is home. In college, he befriended junior linebacker Hunter Olson, who graduated from Sunrise Mountain High School.

His freshman year of college was not what he imagined it would be. Due to the pandemic, the regularly scheduled fall season of football was moved to the spring, and the Dutch only played two games and a scrimmage. “That was a little challenging, but we made it through,” Van Gysel said.

Despite this, Van Gysel impressed and won the open competition for middle linebacker.

He started a few games after the previous linebacker graduated.

Since then, McMartin said “he’s gotten stronger, and he’s gotten more confident. I think that he’s, he’s gaining experience, so like, it’s not all new anymore.”

After a very short year, Van Gysel is a leader.

“I’m not going to lie it put a lot of pressure on me, but I really relied heavily on the senior, they really led me and helped me out whenever I needed it,” he said.

Josh Van Gysel (No. 10) returns a turnover forced by the “I felt like I could rely on them Dutch. (Photo courtesy of Central College)

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New law requires public defender for some juvenile cases

BY JUDGE GERALD A. WILLIAMS North Valley Justice of the Peace

L

ast year, the Arizona legislature passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 1391. Among other changes, it requires courts to appoint an attorney for young people in most juvenile cases. A.R.S. § 8-221(A). Although many from time-to-time may appear to be juvenile, legally, a juvenile is someone younger than 18 years of age.

Juvenile courts use a process that is similar to what an adult would experience; but juvenile courts have a unique vocabulary and many more options. I tell parents that juvenile court uses terms that sound like they came out of a Charles Dickens novel (e.g., delinquent, incorrigible). In addition, in nearly all circumstances, a parent or guardian must appear in court (in person or remotely by phone or video) with a juvenile.

Court approval is needed before a juvenile can attend some type of driving school for moving violations.

A parent or guardian must participate in a juvenile’s request to attend.

Why? Part of the reason is that some high school students try to hide traffic tickets from their parents.

A delinquent offense is an act that would be a criminal (or petty) offense if committed by an adult. A.R.S. § 8-201(10). Examples include underage drinking, shoplifting, and criminal speeding. In contrast, an incorrigible offense is a prohibited act that can only be committed by a juvenile (e.g., curfew, truancy, tobacco use).

Courts must now appoint an attorney for juvenile defendants facing a delinquency allegation, even if neither the student nor a parent requested one. When a juvenile defendant is before a judge, judges hearing juvenile cases have a variety of di-

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version options, including requiring the juvenile to attend a class. Such a court order can prevent misconduct in the future without giving a juvenile an adjudication of delinquent or incorrigible.

Some cases may be set for an adjudication hearing. This is similar to a trial, except there is no right to request a jury trial. In these proceedings, the prosecutor must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. If a judge finds the juvenile committed the acts alleged, then the case will be set for a disposition hearing. That is similar to sentencing.

If a juvenile has a court date in a justice court in Maricopa County, the justice of the peace will apply the same standards as a juvenile court judge. We even use modified juvenile court forms.

Of note, under Arizona’s new recreational marijuana law, it is still illegal for anyone younger than 21 to

possess or to consume marijuana. In Maricopa County, all allegations of wrongful use or possession of marijuana, against someone under the age of 18, will be heard only in juvenile court.

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

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23

Author’s new book puts the fun in potty training

BY JORDAN HOUSTON Foothills Focus Staff Writer

A

Phoenix mom is publishing her first book for both children and parents to enjoy.

Lin Hawthorne, a mother of four, is launching this month a new book series that promotes independence and confidence in young kids. On March 1, Hawthorne launched a Kickstarter campaign for the series’ first book, “Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum,” to raise funds for printing and production costs.

The colorful picture-book is designed to “help parents and kids laugh together as they learn about potty training and independence,” according to Hawthorne. “Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum” takes readers on a “wildly funny ride to becoming more confident and responsible” as they follow the main character Zeke’s adventure to tackle potty training.

Hawthorne said she hopes the story opens the door for dialogue about responsibility and the steps to learn it.

“It is a love letter to moms and their sons and I want to honor the relationships between that,” she said. “As moms, we need to let go of things and help our kids learn to do things for themselves and that is a very hard line and it’s different for everybody. Creating this book, it helps with a prompt and opens the door for discussion about independence and responsibility – and everything is easier in this life when it is presented with humor.”

“Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum” sets out to entertain kids through joyful storytelling and instill the message of “you can do it yourself,” while parents can appreciate the tongue-incheek humor sprinkled throughout.

In the story, Zeke’s mom teaches him all about potty training. The boy delves into an imaginative bathroom adventure and ultimately learns to wipe himself. But that is only the beginning of Zeke’s discovery to self-reliance, Hawthorne disclosed.

Readers then follow the launch of a long list of things he learns to do “by himself !”

“My mentality is very much like what it is when you watch Bugs Bunny as a family – where the kids see the slapstick in it and the parents see the sophisticated humor and you can enjoy it all together,” Hawthorne explained.

“That is my viewpoint, or superpower, as a mom, knowing when to infuse a little humor, it just helps everyone get through it a little better,” she added. “We all need grace and it’s all about this journey in life. It is something we take together and it’s a give-and-take.”

Mom’s Not series is inspired by Hawthorne’s real life and the antics she experiences as a mom of three boys and one girl all under the age of 9, she emphasized.

A former graphic designer, Haw-

see AUTHOR page 24

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Phoenix mom, Lin Hawthorne, started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for printing and production costs for her first book in her series, “Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum.” (Photo courtesy of Lin

Hawthorne)

24

AUTHOR

FEATURES from page 23

thorne has written humor and short stories her whole life, she disclosed.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

It wasn’t until after an “ordinary” encounter she had while cleaning after

see AUTHOR page 25

In “Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum,” main character Zeke is taught all about potty training by his mom that delves into an imaginative bathroom adventure that leads to him learning to wipe himself. (Photo courtesy of Lin Hawthorne)

“Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum” is the first in the Mom’s Not series and is inspired by author Lin Hawthorne’s reality as a mom of three boys and one girl — all younger than 9. (Photo courtesy of Lin Hawthorne)

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

AUTHOR from page 24

one of her boys that she was inspired to take her passions for writing to the next level, she shared.

“It was an ordinary day, and I came across one of my kid’s socks and it was dirty and disgusting – it’s one of those things as a mom where it’s these micro-decisions you make,” the author recalled. “You’re busy and you want to get it done and you want to do it for them. I thought, ‘No, I’m going to call from upstairs to come look at this sock and turn it inside out and do what is the right thing.’

“I just said, ‘I’m not touching that sock,’ and it popped into my head – a little rhyme scheme where you repeat over, and over, ‘Mom is not touching the sock,’’ she continued, noting she conceived other “Mom’s Not” phrases, such as “cleaning your room” or “feeding your pet.”

Hawthorne’s March Kickstarter is designed to “help bring this labor of love to moms and kiddos everywhere,” she shared.

The mother hopes to raise $15,400 to cover the cost of printing a hard back book and help with the startup costs of self-publishing.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d write a children’s book – that was the last thing on my mind,” Hawthorne said. “I’m kind of a no-nonsense mom. I’m not very flowery or a crafty mom. But, I think there is still a place for humor in children’s literature and I think there is a lack of it – especially during these days.”

“We tend to treat kids these days with ‘kid gloves.’ They are a lot smarter, and pay attention more, than we think they do. I think by challenging that humor, and challenging the vocabulary a year or two past what you think is age-appropriate for that group, is beneficial.”

To support the Mom’s Not Kickstarter book campaign, go to kickstarter.com/projects/momsnotwipinyourbum/moms-not-book/. To get in touch with Lin, direct message on Instagram @lin.hawthorne or email author@linhawthorne.com.

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Mentally managing the Ukraine crisis CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

L

ast week, I met for lunch with a good friend from Ukraine. His family moved from Ukraine to the United States in 1992. “Vlad” was 11 years old. My friend’s name is Vladimir Prosperity. With financial help from an American relief program for those worldwide who are persecuted for their religion, they came to America. Their religion was Christianity.

“Vlad” grew up in the Northwest part of America. He started in sixth grade in an American school. Eventually, He married a Ukrainian wife, and they now have six children. They own a construction company in Glendale named Dynamite Inc. Like any family, they have their challenges. Still, their faith in Jesus Christ and their determination and character have taken them from the “outhouse” to the “penthouse,” at least by Ukrainian standards. That’s the American dream.

I wanted to hear firsthand from “Vlad” about what was going on in Ukraine at this time. His first comment was, “We are praying.” I thought to myself, “That’s a great place to start.” He told me true stories about the bravery and resistance of many Ukrainians, some of which you may have seen on the news. But with 40 miles of tanks, trucks, and Russian soldiers, bearing down on Kiev or Kyiv, the capital city, no one knows what will happen, at least at the time of this writing. In Ukraine, “the gathering storm” has morphed to “into the darkness.”

Unless the Lord stops this conflict or

Russia shoots itself in the foot because of logistical incompetency, the Russian war in Ukraine threatens to topple democratically elected governments.

Furthermore, a Russian victory may result in a human tragedy for millions of Ukrainians. The confiscation of their money, assets, and wealth accumulated throughout a lifetime of labor may disappear overnight. I saw you readers gulp at that statement. Me too! How would you like to deal with the emotional garbage of everything you worked for years goes into some “dictators gone wild” pocket?

Isn’t it interesting how one man or woman in a strategic place can determine the fate of millions of people? Joseph Mattera wrote this about the power of one leader.

“Some news outlets have reported that Putin has isolated himself and lives in his ego-centric world. Many of Russia’s people disapprove of Putin’s actions as thousands have been protesting his attack on Ukraine. Putin is just another ex-

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ample of the power one leader can exert over their nation and the entire world.

On a positive note, we could also see how one man or woman could positively impact millions of people. For example, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s heroic stand against Russia inspires billions worldwide. I would not be surprised if Time magazine named him the person of the year for 2022.”

Here’s a great illustration about the one person and the gathering storms of today’s world. It’s called Winning the Dorm Hall Battle by Jeff Etsch. He explains how to win a dorm hall battle in a university.

“Someone would start a fight by throwing cold water on a hallmate headed to the bathroom, to class, or headed out on a Friday night date. It all started in good fun but then escalated quickly. As the hall divided among alliances, soon people emerged from their rooms, joining one side or the other or just participating in the mayhem for the sake of mayhem. All in good fun and everyone sticking to the rules of a water fight. Everyone, that is, except my roommate.

“If Dave was around, things got interesting — quick. Dave was always willing to escalate to the point that no one else was. At first, this included introducing weaponry other than water. Next, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard entered the fray. Then, when others followed suit, out came the BB-gun, and people ran for their rooms.

“No one else would go to the BB-gun level, so Dave became king of the roost, and everyone knew it. His priority, after all, was winning. How? That was irrelevant. He escalated the fight to whatever level necessary to win. It was all about power and ruling the dormitory hall.

“I love my college roommate, but I believe this vignette illustrates how the enemies of liberty operate today. They are willing to go quickly where lovers of liberty and the law-abiding citizens will not.”

Note: Dave worked with different principles, priorities and purposes than the other dorm residents. Don’t expect

the Daves of the world to go by international law or character core values. We should know this by now. Freedom does not mean “free to be dumb.” With liberty comes responsibility.

Why did Dave rule the roost? No one was willing to pay the price to say, “No, you can’t do that and back it up with action.” An Arabic Proverb says: They asked the Pharoah, “What made you a tyrant?” He said, “No one stopped me.”

Thank God for the Ukrainians who didn’t roll over and say, “Whatever,” or “Where’s my safe space?” If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lost.

So, how can we mentally manage the Ukrainian crisis? As the world shakes, realize you don’t need to shake. Pray for Ukraine for strength and protection.

Pray for Ukraine’s president. God is in control. Realize that God is working for good behind the scenes for His purposes. God is revealing the intentions of the Daves of this world to all the world so we can see them for what they are.

Also, I encourage you to check your foundations. Foundations crack when the weight of a crisis increases. Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-27).

You see, it’s not the load that matters; it’s how we carry it that matters.

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

Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022

Youth TheFoothillsFocus.com

27

For more Youth News visit thefoothillsfocus.com @TheFoothills.Focus

/TheFoothillsFocus

Superintendent summit positively shapes students

BY DR. CURTIS FINCH Deer Valley Uni�ied School District Superintendent

E

very spring for the past 25 years (except for a two-year COVID-19 detour), Deer Valley Unified School District students in the fifth grade through high school gather at one of the district’s high schools for the Superintendent Advisory Council Student Leadership Summit.

The purpose of the student summit is for potential leaders to come together to learn about leadership.

Research says that 2/3 of leadership skills and attributes are learned — 1/3 of our leadership skills and attributes are born. What that means for students is that leadership can be learned: hence, the “Learn to Lead” focus of the Leadership 2022 Summit.

Throughout each school year, about 65 students out of 34,000 are chosen by their teachers and administrators to come to the DVUSD District Office to meet with the superintendent and the summit adviser to learn about leadership, provide input on district improvements, and teach each other about what it means to make a difference in their school and community.

A dozen are chosen from the 65 to be executive cabinet members to organize the monthly meetings and begin to guide the next student leadership summit.

Throughout the school year, teams are formed by region because there are five high school regions in DVUSD: Boulder Creek, O’Connor, Barry Goldwater, Deer Valley and Mountain Ridge are the district flagships.

Each monthly meeting is led by the high school students from each region. As the students learn more and

YOUTH

more from each other about leadership, they begin to form the theme and activities for the future summit.

The activities are designed to get summit participants thinking about the perils and benefits of leadership.

It’s one thing to “tell” a student “this is what leadership looks like,” but it’s another to experience leadership tasks and challenges.

After months and months of planning, more than 300 students from around DVUSD meet at one of the high schools. The last couple of years, the Student Leadership Summit has been held at Barry Goldwater High School. The summit starts in the auditorium where students hear from a speaker about leadership and move to the large gymnasium to experience leadership in action.

Students solve riddles, ride scooters through mazes making decisions, build towers with different household materials, solve leadership scenarios, and think about their impact on the community and world. After rotating through seven sessions, they

have lunch, plan for a leadership activity for their school or community and work on the steps for execution of that plan.

When the plan takes shape, they move again to the auditorium to review the purpose of the leadership summit and then catch their bus ride home. This tradition has been going on in DVUSD for many years. Other districts and organizations have copied the summit principles and are building their own. If you want your student to participate in future leadership summits, contact your principal. Because leadership can be learned, the time to start growing

your leadership skills are now. “Learn to Lead” is how DVUSD students positively shape their tomorrow.

Dr. Curtis Finch is the DVUSD superintendent and can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org

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Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

Licensed Bonded Insured ROC 288-123

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602-551-2255

480-898-6465

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MARCH 9, 2022