Foothills Focus - Zone 1 - 05.12.2021

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INSIDE

This Week

BUSINESS .........15

Camila Frederico takes the reins at Civana

FEATURES ........24

Carving the stories: Gourd artist Penny Deshur turning heads

YOUTH .............27

Zoe Zidzik beats the odds for NASSP National Honor Society Scholarship.

OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 15 FEATURES ................ 20 YOUTH ...................... 27 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 29 Zone I

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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, May 12, 2021

Tramonto mom uses crafts to ease her pain

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

M

egan Gladney and her now-5-yearold daughter, Gemma, frequently created crafts together.

“She’s really smart,” Gladney said. “She is literally the craft master. She can make anything.”

When the Tramonto resident was diagnosed with endometriosis, it became even more important. She founded Carefree Highway Market (@CarefreeHighwayMKT on Etsy) to sell their personalized crayons, along with barrettes and garland. Holiday goodies are available, too.

“Right now, I sell to boutiques around the country,” Gladney said.

“We also have DIY paint kits. Boutiques are loving that right now. They can say it’s

��� GLADNEY ���� 4

Megan Gladney created Carefree Highway Market to sell personalized crayons, barrettes, garland and other holiday goodies while battling endometriosis. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Mandarin spelling bee a �irst for youngsters

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

C

ontestants across three schools will compete in Arizona Language Preparatory’s first Mandarin spelling bee on May 17.

Students from Arizona Language Pre-

paratory will compete against children from Gavilan Peak School in Anthem and Glendale’s Desert Sage Elementary in front of six judges via Zoom.

“I’m nervous because we’ll be competing with three other schools,” said Vienna Chuang, a Gavilan Peak School fourth grader.

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Chuang will have strong competition as she, along with many of the other contestants, have been learning Mandarin since they were as young as kindergarteners.

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��� MANDARIN ���� 5

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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 Associate Publisher: Eric Twohey | 480-898-5634 | erict@thefoothillsfocus.com ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 623-465-5808 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 Advertising Office Manager: Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@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 Photographer: Pablo Robles | probles@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com Proud member of :

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The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Foothills Focus assumes no responsibility for the claims of any advertisement. © 2020 Strickbine Publishing, Inc.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

GLADNEY ���� page 1

osis Association.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve had pain,” she women made.” said. “I was ignored by Larger companies have asked to sell every single doctor I her items on their sites and in their went to, even though boutiques, but Gladney doesn’t have the my mom had surgery available support, nor would she like to. and probably had it.

“We’re growing at the speed I want to “Everybody looks at right now,” she said. you like there’s nothTo promote her business, Gladney ing they can do for you. spent the quarantine posting on a plethI pushed to get my surora of social media sites. The result? gery. I’m glad I had it Customers came “in droves.” done. I hope that’s my “It became this fun thing,” said Gladlast surgery for that, ney, whose 71-year-old mother gets in- Megan Gladney created Carefree Highway Market to sell personspecifically.” volved as well. “It was something fun for alized iems for people with unique names including her daughter Endometriosis is kids because everyone was so, so bored.” Gemma. (Photo by Pablo Robles) painful and occurs Carefree Highway Market was born, thanks to Gemma, in some ways. Gladney skills run deep, as her grandmother when tissue similar to the tissue that and her husband, Christopher, named worked for Minnesota Fabrics longer normally lines the inside of a woman’s uterus — the endometrium — grows their daughter after an Italian saint. It than anyone else in the United States.

“She was sharp as a whip,” Gladney said. outside the uterus. Endometriosis most was hard to find personalized items, so Gladney took matters into her own hand. “She was valedictorian of her class, but she commonly involves ovaries, fallopian “Children’s names are unique now,” she would cut all the fabrics and know all the tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. said. “You can’t find them on a keychain. measurements in her head. She would sew Gladney explained she was embarMy items are personalized and so special.” anything for you, any design you wanted.” rassed by the endometriosis, so only a Gladney hails from Milwaukee and On her site is a list of her products, so- few close friends knew about the pain.

Christopher from Scottsdale. Gladney’s cial media—and a link to the Endometri“Everyone would say, ‘She looks great,’” she recalled. “They don’t know I’m up most nights in pain. Some think I’m a faker, so I try to be really open about it and tell everyone I sell to about it. It’s not something that should be ignored.”

After an infertility battle, Gladney gave birth to her daughter. In some ways, she was prepared for birth.

“I would show up at work—in sales, which is male-driven a lot of the times— and they would look at me like, ‘Oh, she’s not feeling well again,’” she said.

“The pain was so bad last night that I felt like I gave birth to six children last night. My husband wanted to call 911, but you can’t call 911 for this.”

Gladney was on bed rest immediately after Gemma’s birth. She wanted to return to work but wasn’t confident she could do so. Carefree Highway Market Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about has kept her occupied. your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and “I’m glad it’s taking off,” she said. “It’s a things to do in Anthem, Carefree, Cave Creek and North Phoenix great work environment.”

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Vote at TheFoothillsFocus.com Vote from April 30th-May 28th

Carefree Highway Market

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

MANDARIN ���� page 1

was in kindergarten, but my brother first started teaching me when I was still in preschool,” said Emily Martin, a Gavilan Peak School sixth grader.

Others were taught at an even younger age.

“I went to a preschool that taught Chinese,” said Ender Cotty, a fifthgrade student at the Arizona Language Preparatory. Ender lives in Cave Creek.

However, it was at the school he has called home for the past six years where Cotty has found a love for the language.

“At this school, I have found that I can connect to more people this way and I can talk to people I never could have prior and learn their culture,” Cotty said.

Other contestants have found ways to take their language skills outside of the classroom.

“My parents wanted me to learn Chinese so we could travel a lot and go to places where they speak it,” said Cora Goates-Glau, a fourth grader at Arizona Language Preparatory.

Cotty said he feels the same way.

“I can now go to Chinese restaurants, order food and hold a conversation with the staff there,” Cotty said.

Students have displayed their skills to high-ranking officials.

“I’ve been able to speak in front of the government on Chinese TV,” said Stanley Rosinski, a sixth grader at Arizona Language Preparatory. “One time when I was in China, I was able

to join a card game with some people and speak full Chinese.”

Like many other contestants, Rosinski has been learning Mandarin to prepare for future endeavors.

“Mainly, I’m learning Chinese because it will pay for college,” Rosinski said. “It’ll give me a better job and I’ll be able to travel a lot to China.”

Others are learning the language because they like a good challenge.

“I wanted to learn Mandarin because I knew it would be hard and I like facing challenges,” said Alex Luedke, a Desert Sage Elementary School sixth grader.

Students will display their linguistic talents at the Mandarin spelling bee. They’ve been spending the past few weeks learning new words and honing their character writing.

“I’m mainly memorizing the strokes of each character and also working very hard on the words that I’m struggling with,” Cotty said.

The kids have been adding up to five words per day to their vocabulary list.

“I’m always practicing the hardest words,” said Kiki Gerity, an Arizona Language Preparatory sixth grader.

Preparation doesn’t stop there.

“I’ve been preparing by going online, finding the list of words and writing down the characters,” said Sophie Peterson, a Desert Sage Elementary School fourth grader.

Repetition is a good way to build memory, but nerves still plague contestants.

“As I go into the spelling bee, I feel a little nervous because I never know

how it’s going to turn out or what it’s going to be like,” Martin said. “While we are practicing in class and doing little quizzes, it’s not the same as on the day of the competition.”

Partnering with fellow contestants has helped, too.

“What Kiki and I will do is he’ll say a word and I’ll write it on a board and then we’ll put an X on the words I got wrong and spend 5 minutes reviewing it,” Rosinski said.

Partnering has been effective, but instruction is the key.

“Our Mandarin teacher used this story that tells us about the character that means cold and has a story that’s easy to remember and helps us remember it,” said Krista Faulk, a Gavilan Peak School fourth grader.

The story was sung in unison by Faulk and Chuang, and goes, “You’re in a house with a front porch, a bench and a bush. Then inside, there’s a TV and a couch with your family sitting on it watching you.”

Gavilan Peak School sixth grader Emma Beall said her teacher taught her class 10 words a day.

“I will practice writing them a lot so that I can get comfortable writing them in the classroom,” Beall said.

“We also get time to practice with a partner.”

Although they’re nervous, the kids are excited.

“It would mean a lot to me to represent my school and my family,” Cora said. “I have a little cousin who has cancer right now and I think it would mean a lot to my family.”

Genevieve-Hope Curtis spent time

5

in Dongguan, China, and is thrilled to refresh her Mandarin.

“I’m excited to get to review some of those words again,” said Curtis, a Gavilan Peak School fourth grader.

There’s only one winner, but the children are competing for more than just themselves.

“I would feel proud and hope that I could grow the school and more people could learn Chinese, I would also feel proud that I would bring the school honor,” Cotty said.

Luedke added, “It would mean a lot to me because this is the first-ever Mandarin spelling bee and we have all worked so hard and if all that hard work paid off that would mean a lot.”

Martin said she agreed. However, she struggled at first with Mandarin but wants to show off her progress.

“If we were able to win it right off the bat it would be pretty special,” she said.

Beall added, “It would definitely build up my confidence and help me learn new words to use when I speak as well.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Oxygen treatment proves helpful to veterans

BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

R

esearch from the Department of Defense Medical Surveillance System reported 16,189 cases of traumatic brain injury in veterans just in 2020.

About 375,000 veterans were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury from 2000 to 2017.

The CDC defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. For many soldiers, these types of incidents are just part of the job. However, when the tour is finished, the soldiers and injuries return home.

Former Cave Creek resident Rickey Mangrove served two tours in Iraq, from 2005 to 2009. Mangrove said he was regularly around explosions and came home with PTSD and TBI. “I was actually [home] doing martial arts

too expensive for me.

There’s no way I could pay that amount of money.”

That’s when Healing Arizona Veterans stepped in.

Healing Arizona Veterans is a nonprofit that uses donations to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy for free to veterans. The cost for this treatLori Klauber, general manager of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, shows the ment varies based on oxygen chamber where patients receive treatment. (Photo by Pablo Robles) location. It can be up to $25,000 for one and got hit, and that re-injured the concussession, and veterans sion that stemmed way back when I was a with more serious conditions will need dozveteran,” Mangrove said. ens of treatments.

“When I got injured again, I said, ‘OK, I Since its establishment in 2017, Healneed help.’ I saw hyperbaric oxygen ther- ing Arizona Veterans has raised more than apy, which does wonders for that type of $960,000 that helped fully treat seven vetthing. I started to research it, but it was way erans from the Army, seven from the Ma-

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rines, three from the Navy, five from the Air Force and one military police officer. Nineteen of these served in the Middle East.

Mangrove said the Middle East is where he started having mental and physical “issues.” He said he thinks the military is trying to lower the numbers of TBIs by using more technology, but sometimes there’s nothing that can prevent it.

“They’re trying to keep it down to a minimum, but you’re never going to keep it [from happening,]” Mangrove said. “If you’re 5 or 10 feet away from an explosion, it doesn’t matter what you have on. That’s going to shake your whole body and you can see shockwaves even a mile away. It just comes with the job.”

Adjusting to “normal” life can be hard enough, especially when dealing with a brain injury on top of that.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

OXYGEN ���� page 6

Cave Creek, those who suffer from TBI can experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, trouble falling asleep, fatigue, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, irritability and more than 13 other symptoms that can disrupt daily life.

Klauber explained what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is and how it can help.

“The whole science behind it, in a nutshell, is you’re breathing 100% medical-grade oxygen under pressure. When you’re breathing oxygen, the receptor sites on your red blood cells will only uptake so much oxygen,” Klauber said.

“So, what happens is, pressure dissolves the oxygen into the plasma, cerebral spinal fluid and all the clear liquids in the body.

If it comes in contact with all the cells, it’s going to make them all function at a higher level. You’re just flooding the body with oxygen. It’s like your car, the cells in your body don’t care where they get the oxygen, just so long as you get the oxygen, just like your car doesn’t care if you go to Shell or Mobil.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for a plethora of medical issues, but most in-

May Specials 2021!

Rickey Mangrove uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat his TBI after serving two tours in Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Healing Arizona Veterans)

surance companies or Medicaid cover the treatment for brain injuries.

Sa’ad J. Allawi, Healing Arizona Veterans’ chief strategy and operations officer, said

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the VA contributes “none, zero, nada” for the treatment because it is not approved for brain injuries.

Allawi said the success rate of hyperbaric oxygen therapy speaks for itself.

“We’ve treated 23 veterans fully with our own money, and the two facilities, one in Cave Creek and one in Phoenix, have treated over 100 veterans in the last 20 or 22 years, and they’ve had incredible success on all of them,” Allawi said.

Mangrove had 60 sessions and testified his own success with the treatment.

“I would feel better, but it only lasts for a little bit. Then in the next session, I’d feel better again,” Mangrove said.

“Well, over a period of time, I kept feeling good. I felt a hell of a lot better, actually.

It’s an amazing program because there’s no way I could afford it without them. There’s no way I could have done it. To be able to use that facility and heal myself is wonderful. And right now, I feel really good. I feel great about it and I haven’t ever really looked back” Healing Arizona Veterans only cares about helping veterans. The staff have military backgrounds, whether they’re veterans

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themselves or they come from a military family. No one takes a salary for working with the organization.

About 95% of everything the organization receives goes to the veterans, with the remaining money used to maintain its website and market. Allawi said some veterans organizations only give about 15% of their donations, but that’s not what Healing Arizona Veterans is about.

“They do a lot of good work,” Klauber added of Healing Arizona Veterans. “They do a lot for the veterans. They’re easy to work with and they really care about the veterans.”

Healing AZ Veterans recently received its largest donation from the Phoenix estate of a retired senior military officer. The family wishes to remain anonymous. The donation will be enough to fully treat 25 to 75 veterans, depending on the severity of their conditions.

However, Allawi said they are receiving an increasing number of requests. He is worried the donations won’t allow for the number of treatments they need.

To donate, volunteer or for more information, visit healingarizonaveterans.org.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Hot air balloon makes emergency landing in New River

BY TARA ALATORRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

A

hot air balloon carrying 18 people made an emergency landing near 19th Avenue and Joy Ranch Road in New River on May 2.

Two people sustained minor injuries.

One person was transported to a local hospital for further treatment, according to Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical’s Public Information Officer Brent Fenton.

“A hot air balloon carrying 18 people made an unexpected (hard) landing,” said Fenton, who did not release the names of the injured person or the balloon company. “We do not know the cause of the unexpected landing.”

Fenton said it was windy that morning but did not say if the conditions contributed to the crash.

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The balloon landed in a relatively open desert area near a rural neighborhood and some residents witnessed the incident. However, none of the witnesses could see the company’s name.

Vinnie Lopano, who lives near 17th Avenue and Maddock, was doing yard work when the balloon caught his attention.

“They were pretty low which caught my attention because I was out doing yard work and they were low and moving quick,” Lopano said.

He described seeing the basket full of people float by his residence.

“We only saw them as they cruised on by us. Said hello, waved and laughed at each other, and they cruised on down the road,” he said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police also responded.

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One person was transported to the hospital after a hot air balloon made an unexpected landing in New River on May 2. (Photo courtesy of Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical)

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OPINION

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Shortages abound due to the COVID-19 pandemic

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

L

ast year we had no toilet paper or hand sanitizer. This year we have no houses. Oh, and let’s not forget we are running out of chicken wings, lumber, microchips and chlorine for pools. This summer, “experts” are predicting we might have shortages of gasoline and bacon. It’s almost too much to comprehend. So, the world might end up in a pretty darn perilous situation if we have a bacon shortage! If people were hoarding toilet paper last year, there

could be fist fights in the grocery store aisles when our beloved bacon becomes scarce! Limit the number of packs we can buy? I doubt that will work. It could be mayhem in the market.

Are we supposed to stock up? Not exactly sure how we do that if we are planning summer trips and there is no gasoline at the pumps. Evidently, one of the reasons for this potential “shortage” is that there are 50% fewer fuel tanker drivers this year than last year. Many had to find new work when we were all sitting at home. Now we are back to traveling, and the truck drivers are gone!

Come back! We need to go to the beach this summer and cannot drive there without gasoline.

Chicken wings are another story. The labor shortages and closures of poultry plants due to COVID-19 have caused many restaurants to have to either slash the wings from the menu or make them as expensive as gold nuggets. What are we to do? The pain is real for many folks in the food industry and lovers of these spicy, delectable chicken bites that are perfect for dipping. Americans consume 2.8 billion chicken wings a year! That would be an average of 18,000 wings in

a person’s lifetime. Yikes, how will we cope if the shortage continues?

Want to rent a car? Plan wisely. They are out there, just not in great numbers.

Many car rental companies sold off their fleets during COVID-19 travel restric-

�ee BLUHM Page 12

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Hunting should be a two-way street

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

E

very so often on Facebook or Instagram, I see that one of my friends has gone hunting, successfully killing this or that forest creature. There are smiles all around as the hunter strikes a pose beside a mule deer, turkey, or javelina. All involved — except the animal — seem inordinately proud of the conquest, which always leaves me feeling a bit curious.

As in, why such obvious pride? I mean, isn’t hunting sort of a one-sided competition, given that the predator typically has some sort of weapon, like a high-powered rifle, whereas the best a white-tailed deer can manage for weaponry is a set of antlers?

Then I remind myself what I have known for a long time: Some folks simply enjoy killing things a little bit more than the rest of us.

I was reminded again recently when

the National Park Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department offered 12 hunters the chance to cull bison from a herd of 500 that have roamed the North Rim of the Grand Canyon since the early 1900s. The bison have apparently been raising all kinds of hell up there, trampling ancient ruins, contaminating watering holes and leaving Budweiser cans and pork rinds bags everywhere.

Kidding about that last part. But, I’m not kidding when I say that more than 45,000 hunters applied online during the 48 hours the agencies were taking digital hunting applications.

As Matt Mallery of Flagstaff told the Associated Press: “It needs to happen for management purposes. And if it’s going to be somebody, it may as well be me.”

Which is exactly the opposite of my own logic when it comes to killing animals: If it’s going to be somebody, it doesn’t have to be me.

I have no moral objection to hunting.

I ate a burger for dinner last night and I

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have no affinity for, say, javelina, which tend to destroy things I like golf courses and small dogs. I wasn’t traumatized by the murder of Bambi’s mommy as a kid.

And I’m not afraid of guns, which I’ve fired on many occasions. It’s the beaming pride I don’t get – relishing taking an animal’s life.

Listen to James Vasko, one of those 45,000 applicants, explaining himself to the AP: “I just thought it would be a cool experience,” said the 27-year-old, who works in real estate and farms in Nebraska. “I’m an avid fisher, hunter. Going to the Grand Canyon to hunt bison would be absolutely awesome.”

Would it really? Male bison weigh up to 2,000 pounds and can stand 6 feet tall. They have poor eyesight and run at speeds up to 35 mph. That makes these bulls slightly larger than my parents’ 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, a 50-horse-

power behemoth that topped out at about 75 mph. While no one ever riddled that car with bullets, it wouldn’t have been a difficult shot, especially armed with a Browning BAR Mark II Safari rifle featuring the Ballistic Optimizing Shooting System and using belted magnum big game cartridges and a telescopic site.

My hunter friends love to refer to hunting as a sport. They cite rules like “fair chase,” which Game and Fish defines as the “ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and taking of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife.”

Personally, I prefer not to sugarcoat things. Just be honest and admit it: You like killing things. You can try to even up the hunt all you want, but let’s be real: Shooting a 2,000-pound bison will be a sport as soon as the bison can fire back.

BLUHM from Page 10

an ad on Facebook that showed two huge boards and several peel poles that a guy is willing to “trade” for a new red or yellow Corvette. He went on to say, “No lowball offers — I know what I have.” Yes, it is our new reality, and we must learn to survive. And maybe go without.

My husband, Doug, says I worry too much. Good advice. Hmm, I do have 25 bottles of hand sanitizer and 70 rolls of toilet paper. If anyone wants to trade me for some bacon, drop me a line.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email her at jusy@judybluhm.com.

tions. Now folks going to Maui are renting U-Haul trucks to drive around the island because $200 a day is more cost effective than trying to snag a car rental at $700 a day. That’s right, go on vacation and rent a truck to see the island.

We cannot make this stuff up!

And lumber prices are through the roof (no pun intended). The increase in home prices due to the skyrocketing cost of lumber (up 236% since last year) means that you might be spending $40,000 more to build your house. I saw

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

For Arizona’s senators, ‘D.C.’ means ‘decide carefully’

BY JD HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

K

yrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly have boldly gone where few Arizonans from their party have gone before.

Their joint membership in the “World’s Most Exclusive Club” marks the first time since 1953 that the Grand Canyon State has been represented in the Senate by a pair of Democrats.

Sen. Sinema’s unconventional fashion choices began a buzz upon her arrival, but she followed a conventional political path to the Upper Chamber.

That’s not the case for her new Arizona colleague.

Like John Glenn and Jack Schmitt before him, Mark Kelly’s path to the Senate was “out of this world;” to stay there, history’s third astronaut-turned-senator must continue to defy political gravity.

It won’t be easy.

Elected last November to complete the unfinished term of the late John McCain,

Kelly must again face the voters in 2022.

Unsurprisingly, Arizona Republicans have made the recovery of that Senate seat their top priority. Businessman Jim Lamon has already thrown his hat in the ring, and more GOP candidates are expected to announce soon.

Adding to Kelly’s challenge is the audacious overreach of his fellow Democrats in the House. Nancy Pelosi’s narrow majority has passed bills that would cost trillions, change election law to make vote-by-mail mandatory, and run counter to the Constitution.

Even though our founding document calls for the creation of a seat of government for the United States in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17; a “District not exceeding 10 miles square…” established by “Cession of particular states and the acceptance of Congress…” and that Maryland and Virginia ceded the land for the creation of Washington, D.C., which was founded in July 1790, last month House Democrats passed H.R. 51 — a bill for D.C. Statehood.

All 216 votes in favor of the measure came from Democrats — underscoring the partisan power play. The legislation would change the name from District of Columbia to Douglass Commonwealth, and more significantly, add two dependable Democrat votes in the Senate.

But the two Arizona Democrat votes in the Senate are not certain to be cast in favor of D.C. statehood. Sens. Sinema and Kelly have not sponsored the bill, and based on the findings of a new poll, they would both be wise to vote against it, should it come to the Senate floor.

A survey of 400 likely Arizona voters was conducted late last month by McLaughlin & Associates for the U.S. Justice Foundation (USJF). It found that a majority of Arizona voters, 50%, oppose D.C. statehood; only 42% support it.

Full disclosure, this columnist chairs USJF’s Advisory Committee.

Moreover, 77% of the respondents were aware of the House passage of the bill by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her

narrow Democrat majority, and the partisan implications of the legislation once signed into law.

When reviewing and discussing the effects that D.C. statehood would bring, the opposition of Arizona voters increased to almost 60%, a decisive majority.

Meanwhile, one senate Democrat has taken a decisive and public stance against statehood for Washington, D.C. Joe Manchin of West Virginia will oppose the legislation.

Recall that Sens. Manchin and Sinema worked together earlier this year to oppose removal of the filibuster from the Senate Rules. Will we see a similar alliance for denying D.C. statehood? And might that duo become a trio with the addition of Kelly?

If so, Mark Kelly could claim the mantle of John McCain, describing himself as a “principled pragmatist,” and making a midcourse correction common in spaceflight, and not unheard of in public office. If not, the third astronaut-turned-senator could see his political mission grounded early.

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Camila Frederico takes the reins at Civana

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

O

n her second go-around in Arizona, Camila Frederico is taking it in.

“As the new general manager of Civana Wellness Resort & Spa, doing so has been easy,” Frederico said. “It has certainly lived up to the hype from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and USA Today — and then some — so far.”

Frederico’s oversees the resort’s 22 acres, 144 rooms and suites and its 20,000-square-foot spa and wellness center. Frederico has trained for this position since before she could read, but she didn’t know it yet.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Frederico-competed in gymnastics at four, going so far as to be named to the country’s national team at ages 13 and 15.

During this time, Frederico earned local celebrity status when she became the first Brazilian female to do a triple rotation on the floor exercise.

“I competed until age 17, when I finished high school and after about a dozen broken bones,” Frederico said. “I was ready for a new challenge, but I took the lessons learned about wellness and exercise with me the rest of my life.”

Unlike the United States, after high school one must declare a major before entering college.

“My brother suggested I go into economics, and for some reason I did, but with a twist,” Frederico said. “In Brazil, one may work toward a master’s degree at the same time as a bachelor’s, so I did.”

Admittedly, she said she was falling asleep working toward a B.A. in economics from the University Mackenzie in São Paulo. Frederico also worked toward an M.A. in journalism from the University Casper-Libero, also in São Paulo, with

the goal of being a movie critic.

“After graduating with both (degrees) by 21, however, there were neither journalism nor economics jobs in my home country,” Frederico said. “As such, I accompanied my travel agent mother to a convention, where I learned about J-1 visas to work in the hospitality industry in the United States.”

Intrigued by travel, Frederico booked a one-way ticket for Orlando, packing just one bag.

“I laugh at that now,” Frederico said.

“The Camila of today would need 20 suitcases for shoes alone.”

Armed with that one suitcase and work ethic instilled by her family and

Camila Frederico is the new general manager of Civana. (Photo courtesy of Civana)

years of gymnastics training, Frederico earned a job as the front desk clerk at the then-largest Marriott in the country.

She fell in love with the pace and people of the industry. Frederico worked her way up in the industry over the next few years before driving cross country to Phoenix to accept a role as a meeting and event coordinator at the then-Phoenix Ritz-Carlton in 2002.

“That iconic hotel became my home for the next decade,” said Frederico, who left the property as assistant director of meetings and events in 2012 to take on an even bigger role, director of food and bever-

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

On the Move

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

L

arry Blumenthal, MBA, of Cave Creek is continuing his time on the American Lung Association National Board of Directors.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is fo-

cused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future.

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CIVANA from Page 15

age, at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in California.

At Half Moon Bay, she successfully led a $40 million culinary operation.

“The first six months there were the toughest in my career, but doing something so far out of my comfort zone pushed me to learn, grow and accept new lessons in After years in competitive gymnastics, Camila Frederico is an industry I thought I knew jumping at the chance to take part in Civana’s wellness classes, like this one, each week. (Photo courtesy of Civana) pretty darned well,” Frederico said.

Her discipline was reto wellness, health, relaxation, self-care warded with a promotion to director of and fun. I had to come out and see it for rooms at the resort and then the opportu- myself in person.” nity to join the W Hotel in a leadership role The visit solidified it: in spring 2021 upon the Marriott’s purchase of it in 2017. Frederico moved back to Arizona to be Life was moving along swimmingly for the resort’s general manager.

Frederico until 2020. As with the rest of “Being on property feels like home, the world, she was rocked by the global but a home with aerial yoga, sunset pandemic. sound healing and 25 spa treatment “It certainly was not the time to think rooms,” she said. about a job change, yet here I am,” FredShe takes at least one wellness class erico said. per week on-site in addition to running At first, she ignored a headhunter’s in- the property to fully immerse herself in formation about Civana and the idea of the culture. returning to Arizona.

“I am even working on my certification However, on a whim, she Googled the in aerial yoga, which I think will make resort, just to check it out. me the first local hospitality leader who “It was as if someone looked at my life, also happens to be able to teach yoga in starting from my first floor routine at the air, and to do so a full 25 years after age foura, and built a resort with me in retiring from high-flying stunts in the mind,” Frederico said. first place.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Cannabis-specialized �irm adds content division

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

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She previously served as public relations director.

In her new role, she will be responsible for creating a new content division of Proven Media. Clients will now be able to turn to Proven Media for all their content needs, including blogs, collateral, social, thought leadership articles and white papers. Roché has a journalism background with many published credits in national and international lifestyle publications.

“PR and content marketing have become so intertwined that it was imperative that we create a new content division to help our clients have an integrated approach to their brand promotion,” said Kim Prince, owner of Proven Media.

“Dena is one of the most talented, experienced writers I know and perfect to lead this new area of our agency.”

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FEATURES

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Mogollon brings the ‘universal language’ to the stage

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

D

uane Moore said he feels he hasn’t worked a day in his life.

Moore loves everything about the music business — and has since he co-founded Mogollon in 1979.

“I love it so much,” Moore said. “I enjoy the people and the music. I love music. I really haven’t done anything else. There’s work involved just like anything else.”

Named after Moore’s residence at the Mogollon Rim, the band is a high-energy four piece that plays rock and, specifically, old country.

“I don’t like the stuff that’s out,” Moore

said. “We play from Waylon to Willie to Hank Williams to Johnny Cash to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Pink Floyd. We play all the good classic rock.

“I play fiddle on stage, too. That works out well for a lot of cool Alabama songs.”

Music is “huge” for Moore, who is joined in the band by guitarist Guy Koplitz of Chandler; bassist/producer Bryan Kuban of Scottsdale; and drummer Jon Kinsey of Mesa. If Moore feels depressed, everything lifts when he picks up his guitar, strums a few chords and writes a song.

“It comes full circle,” he said. “It’s the universal language.”

That language is shared at gigs like

those in Anthem on May 14, Murphy Park in Glendale on May 21, and We-Ko-Pa Casino on June 18 and July 16.

“Sharing is an amazing thing,” Moore said. “I don’t use an iPad for the lyrics. If I need to look at the lyrics when I’m on stage, I don’t want to sing it. I don’t believe I’m getting the points across.

“The mechanics should be secondary so I can feel what I’m singing. I think people feel that more than they understand that. We’re in the business of selling emotions. It’s a very emotionally driven industry and that’s what we do. It’s cool when people come up and say, ‘I just had the time of my life’ or ‘My wife and I have been married x number of years. We met

10

at your concert.”

When the audience is involved, Moore said it creates an energy, the synergy that’s “pretty powerful.”

“It’s not performer-audience,” he said.

“The audience is part of us. It’s cool when you reach at pinnacle. It’s just crazy cool, getting out into the audience with my fiddle and running around. We just like to have fun with them. They love it.”

Music has helped Moore through tough times. His brother and sister passed away at 31 and 43, respectively, of complications of neurofibromatosis, a rare, inherited disorder that results in benign

see MOGOLLON page 21

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world. I’ve taken my music to exotic places. All those years prior to COVID, I took music for granted. You don’t know what you have until it’s taken away from you.

Now I drink every moment like water. I absorb it. I tell the audience that story and I thank each and every one of them.”

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Mogollon is, from left, Bryan Kuban, Jon Kinsey, Duane Moore and Guy Koplitz. (Photo courtesy of Mogollon)

MOGOLLON from page 20

tumors of the nerves and other parts of the body.

“I hope to retire from music one day and move back to my roots,” he said. “My best friends—my brother and sister—are interred there.

“They died pretty young, but everybody has a sad story. I’m a mountain boy.

I moved down here because it was a good, central location.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has been productive for Moore. He took the time to reinvent himself and retool his approach to the music side of music.

“I’m doing extremely well by myself,” he said. “I’ve never played so many single gigs. Not everybody was out of work. Our industry was beat up. Restaurants, musicians and bands were beat up bad.

“Anytime I get on stage, I thank my audience profusely. Over the years, I’ve been playing a lot of great places all over the

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

KUMA’S GREAT ADVENTURES

Arrowhead Vista Trail at Thunderbird Park TOLD BY KUMA AND WRITTEN BY LORRAINE BOSSÉ-SMITH Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

W

e are always up for adventure suggestions.

My mom’s tennis friend told her about his favorite hiking location, so off to Thunderbird Conservation Park we went. The easiest way to get there is to head west on Pinnacle Peak Road off I-17 and continue to 55th Avenue where you will find a dirt parking lot on your left. Note: There is no restroom at this trailhead. The main parking lot has one, and it is just 1/4 mile down the road at 59th Avenue: 22800 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale.

Right away we weren’t impressed because of the crowds. We are nature seekers, not city folks, and this trail is full of city people. Lots of folks were listening to music without ear buds, and many others were

talking on their cellphones. This is not a place to go to be with nature.

From the dirt parking lot, we went to the right on Coach Whip, which is a flat connector trail. The signage is poor, and there isn’t a good map that outlines the distances.

We continued straight to join the Arrowhead Vista trail, which is a difficult and extremely rocky trail. It is so heavily used that the rocks are slick from being worn down.

Besides a steady stream of people, the traffic noise is awful. You hear the road and freeway the entire time. My mom’s friend needs to get out more. Anyway, we were here and ready for the task at hand. We plugged away at the 1.5-mile uphill slog.

We saw just a few wildflowers, and as we climbed up, we did have views in every direction. To reach the top, you need to take a left onto the Arrowhead Vista Trail, which takes you to the flag.

Note: This trail is extremely hot and ex-

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Kuma and his mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, with views of Arrowhead. (Photo courtesy Lorraine Bossé-Smith) are spoiled by the beautiful Sonoran Desert by us and prefer the peace and quiet. That being said, Thunderbird Park beats a poke in the eye. It is something for those who live right there. We decided they can keep it, thank you very much.

My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, helps me share my great adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever.

Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/ and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross.

Happy tails!

posed. There are no trees and hardly even a cactus. It is very barren. Be sure to hike when temperatures are cooler and bring plenty of water.

We enjoyed looking over at Arrowhead Lake. Apparently, mom and dad looked at a house there before we moved to Phoenix.

They said they didn’t have Kuma-friendly yards. My folks always have my back.

We hung out for a while then went to the left to take the trail back down the other side. This side wasn’t quite as rocky and connected back to Coach Whip. The park has some shade structures with picnic tables, but without a human restroom, what’s the point? We pressed on to the car. BTW, mom’s ankle did great! This trail is an ankle sprain waiting to happen, so be careful.

All in all, I think we went just over 2.5 miles. Thunderbird Park does have a variety of trails from mild to wild, but they all have the traffic noise and tons of people. We

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Two-faced or true faced?

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

A

minister told his congregation, “Next week, I plan to speak about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read chapter 17 in the gospel of Mark.”

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Almost every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”

When God gives us His wisdom, it’s always for our good. What He calls sin, or “missing God’s mark” is not meant to condemn us but to help us. Sin is hurtful not because it is forbidden; it is forbidden because it is hurtful.

God’s wisdom, given to us, is true in the

case of lying. God’s admonition in the Ten Commandments is to be truthful. Why? Because lying and deception are the No. 1 causes of breakdowns in relationships.

Relationship requires trust. Making commitments generates hope. Keeping commitments generates trust. In other words, lying destroys trust, and trust is the currency of all relationships. Trust connects you to that person or institution.

Lying started back in the Garden of Eden. The serpent that tempted Eve in the garden was an expert at half-truths and deceit. He could make a mountain out of a molehill. He had more verbal twists and turns than a tornado. The liar can make a case where there was no case, just in case. Adam and Eve fell for the spin. Eat this fruit, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. In other words, you will be the judge of everything, the king and queen of the world, with all the privilege and none of the responsibility.

Well, you know the story: Adam and Eve

fell for the lie and started lying to themselves and each other. They produced what they fell for. When God came to find out what was going on, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake, and the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on. Was God trying to stop Adam and Eve from having fun? No way! God was trying to save their relationship. God was trying to keep their trust intact. The result is that men and women have had strained relationships from that day forward.

Adam and Eve’s blame shift was, in fact, a “shame shift.” They fell, they hid, they were ashamed, got angry and then got fearful. They overlooked the facts, and the end-justifies-the-means strategy of coping came into existence. They had to look perfect, be large and in charge. Their lying and fabrication suppressed the truth.

Then authenticity and integrity are replaced by expedience. Expedience is doing whatever you need to do for yourself and the plan or justification you’re push-

ing to look good. The truth is, the worst thing about being deceived is, you’re deceived.

Where did all this start? A lie that created fear produced a lifestyle and culture wherein lying and half-truths are acceptable and expected. Everyone started hiding behind fig leaves. Think of it: lies must be covered up, but the truth can be around

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Carving the stories: Gourd artist Penny Deshur turning heads

BY SHEA STANFIELD Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

B

riahnna Brown once wrote in the Smithsonian Magazine, “The art of gourd carving has been practiced in Peru for more than 4,000 years, with artisans using gourds, or mates burilados, to tell both communal and personal stories.”

But the art of gourd carving didn’t come into public consciousness in North America until the 1930s in North Carolina. Once Ginger Summit published a series of gourd crafting books in 1939, the art began to take off.

In Scottsdale, a few very talented and imaginative gourd artists are turning heads. One of them is Penny Deshur.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, she credits her mother with her creative DNA. “My mother influenced my creativity,” Deshur explained. “She was a very talented woman, artistically and musically.

She played the piano, violin and sang.

Penny Deshur credits her mother for her creativity that led to her learning how to knit, corchet, hook rugs, build miniture rooms, sketch, weave fabrics, quilt, decorate cakes and carving gourds.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

She also could knit, paint, sculpt and was a master gardener.”

After graduating from Monroe High School, Deshur took off for the Midwest to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison. At the time, she was focused on completing her Bachelor of Arts in elementary

education and a Master of Arts in remedial reading. During her junior year, she met her now-husband, got married after graduation, and ended up settling in Milwaukee, her husband’s hometown.

Deshur claims to have no formal art education except attending workshops

over the years. She learned to knit, crochet, hook rugs, build miniature rooms, construct mosaic work, quill paint, sketch, weave fabrics, quilt and decorate cakes, which has brought her to the grand finale, her eclectic and beautifully crafted gourds.

During this time, she taught first grade and remedial reading and cultivated an interest in genealogy. She has authored a number of books on her family’s history as a result of her research.

Thirteen years ago, after visiting friends and relatives in Arizona, Deshur and her husband decided to “bite the bullet” and purchase a small home in the Desert Mountain area.

“I am surrounded by a group of creative friends and live in a community surrounded by artists. There is inspiration everywhere,” Deshur said. “That piece of cactus, a found feather, an interesting seed pod, even a trip through the

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CARVING from page 24

hardware store is full of inspiration and ideas for me.

“Every gourd is a one-of-a-kind piece of sculpture,” she continued. “I experiment with new techniques for carving and wood burning, as well as find new ways to create texture, use various paints and incorporate other forms of art.”

Deshur sums it up with a quote she recently found that captures how she feels about her art and others who enjoy her creations: “When you buy something from an artist, you are buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation. You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing; you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul … a small piece of someone else’s life.”

Deshur is a member of the Sonoran Arts League and exhibits in the league’s gallery at Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek. She also exhibits with the Wuertz Gourd Festival in Casa

DELPH from page 23

Penny Deshur’s owl carving won the American Gourd Society Artistic Award at the festival last year. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

naked. No wonder relationships are at an all-time low. No one believes anyone very much anymore. Oh, by the way, beware of half-truth. You may have gotten hold of the wrong half.

A lie is the refuge of weakness. The courageous person is not afraid of the truth. Jesus was always truthful. His integrity intimidated the dishonest lawyers, politicians, religious leaders, and business owners of that time. They reacted to His honesty. Honesty is a force. Honesty has the power to flush hidden quail out of the bush in a frenzy. It was like turning over a rock in the desert and watching all the scorpions, centipedes, black widows, and bugs run for the cover of darkness again. When the light of the truth invades darkness and eventually will, it will be evident to all. Abraham Lincoln said, “No person has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.”

Psalm 15:4 talks of a person who walked in integrity and told the truth even if it was to his hurt? Why can’t we be like this person? I’ll bet that person would have many strong relationships because he could be

trusted to at least tell the truth. Such integrity would work for him, not against him, in the eyes of God and other people. It’s OK to be wrong and admit it. After all, the wonderful thing about being wrong is the joy that it brings to others.

If we can be honest for a moment, I think most would admit it’s better to be true faced than two-faced. We have lost honesty is the best policy. Here is an additional benefit of telling the truth. If you tell the truth the first time, you will never have to remember what you said.

And with my memory these days, that’s YOU a bonus. TO BE Ed Delph is a native of Phoenix who lives in the North Valley. Since 1980, he has pastored three churches in the Valley. He is a noted author of 10 books, weekly columnist in several local and worldwide newspapers, teacher, business owner and speaker. Delph has been to or ministered in over 100 countries. He is president of a worldwide ministry, NationStrategy.

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Grande. Her owl piece won first prize, best in the novice wood burning division, and the American Gourd Society Artistic Award at the festival last year.

To contact Deshur for information on her art or to purchase a piece, go to pennydeshur@me.com.

25

To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Anthem Days

1

A

nthem residents and visitors from across the Valley enjoyed perfect weather while strolling through a business expo and craft and food vendors during the May 1 and May 2 Anthem Days. Entertainment was provided and a carnival provided fun. (Photos by Pablo Robles)

1. Attendees mill around Anthem Days.

2. Daeshon Young, 12, tries on a firefighter suit during Anthem Days.

3. Joseph Rivera, owner of Eva’s Kettle Corn, makes caramel corn during the Anthem Days.

4. Made with Indian fry bread, Navajo tacos were sold at Anthem Days.

5. Quinn McGlaughlin, 10, gets a surprise visit from Sparky the Dog. 6. Al Go, Andrew Go, 8, and Rene Wang purchase rocks from a vendor.

3 2

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YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Youth TheFoothillsFocus.com

27

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

/TheFoothillsFocus

Zoe Zidzik beats the odds for scholarship

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

C

aurus Academy senior Zoe Zidzik was selected as a NASSP National Honor Society Scholarship national semifinalist.

She was among the nearly 10,000 applicants nationally and was selected as one of 575 semifinalists awarded a $3,200 college scholarship.

“I put in a lot of effort in the scholarship application,” Zidzik said. “It was rewarding to see my hard work pay off.”

In the application, she had to answer

questions, write an essay, include recommendations, and explain the work she did throughout high school.

In the fall, Zidzik is headed to NAU, where she will study environmental science, she said she believes.

“I’m not 100% sure, but I want to do something related to researching and YOUTH make a positive effect on the world,” she said. “I’ve always liked helping people and doing stuff outside, so I thought it would be a really good fit for me.”

While Zidzik is at NAU, she’s hoping to play intramural sports and participate in clubs. Many of her friends are

Zod Zidzik, a senior at Anthem’s Caurus Academy, will attend NAU this fall. She has a pet pig, two dogs and two cats at home. (Photo courtesy of Zoe Zidzik) attending NAU as well.

Zidzik was born in Missouri and then relocated with her family to Indiana. She lived there until she was 14 and them moved to Arizona.

“It was hard leaving my friends,” she said. “I played competitive soccer in Indiana. I ran cross country here. I was the captain of the team for both years.”

Other than school athletics, Zidzik enjoys going hiking, attending concerts and driving around with friends, listening to music. The last concerts she went to were Rex Orange County

and The Breakup Shoes. She also enjoys throwback “dad” music like Nirvana, as well as Britney Spears and Kesha.

At Caurus Academy, Zidzik interviewed students and teachers on camera for broadcast on Fridays. She also served as National Honor Society president, joined the chess team and sold concessions at events.

“After moving here, I was able to make a lot of friends just by going to a lot of different activities,” said Zidzik, who has a pet pig, two dogs and two cats.

28

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

STUDENT CHRONICLES Know a student doing something remarkable?

Tell us about it! Email christina@timespublications.com.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

A

s part of their 2020-2021 transmedia season, Emerson Stage students participated in a production of Steve Sater and Duncan Sheik’s “Spring Awakening.”

This was their final production of the season, and it was directed by Diane DiCroce with musical direction

by Sariva Goetz.

Virtual performances ran from April 15 to April 18. Among those involved was Jayda Mendiola of Anthem. Mendiola is pursuing a degree in musical theater and is a member of the Emerson College Class of 2021. For this production of “Spring Awakening,” Mendiola is credited as Wendla.

“Spring Awakening” is based on Frank Wedekind’s play, and it depicts a group of young people navigating the thrills and complications that come along with one’s sexual awakening.

Emerson Stage is the producing organization within the Emerson College Department of Performing Arts.

Here, the next generation of actors, designers, stage managers, technicians, administrators and educators work alongside distinguished faculty, professional staff, and guest artists to bring skills learned in the classroom to vibrant life on stage.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts,

opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s theater district, Emerson College has 3,700 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 90 student organizations and performance groups.

Emerson is known for its experiential learning programs in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, London, China, and the Czech Republic as well as its new Global Portals.

The college has an active network of 51,000 alumni who hold leadership positions in communication and the arts. Info: emerson.edu.

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CLASSIFIEDS AND SERVICE DIRECTORY Employment General

EARN EXTRA INCOME!

Gannett Publishing Services wants to contract you to deliver newspapers and magazine products in the early morning hours in the Phoenix metro area.

Gannett Publishing Services (GPS), a division of Gannett Co. and a recognized leader in the publishing industry, operates printing & packaging facilities throughout the country.

Earn up to $400 per week.

All routes are 7 days a week.

Work just 2-3 hours a day between 12:00AM – 6:00AM. Routes available now in your area (East Valley, West Valley, North Phoenix).

Current Arizona driver's license, insurance and access to a vehicle are required.

Visit deliveryopportunities.gannett.com or call 602-444-4243.

Job Type: Contract Pay: Up to $400.00 per week. ***MUST INCLUDE HOME ZIP CODE AND PHONE NUMBER WHEN APPLYING.***

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

The Foothills Focus

Online at www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

To place an ad: 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com Employment General Auto Engine Machinist

American Engines Only. Experience Required. References Needed. Full Time or Part Time.

Email Resume to:

acct.phxengine @gmail.com

Commerical/Industrial/Retail Affordable Anthem Executive Office Suite for Lease in Gateway Office Park. Incl: Internet, util, alarmed.

623-696-8670

thefoothillsfocus.com

EVERCOOL, LLC

???

Email Your Job Post to: class@times publications.com

or Call 480

898-6465

Your Local A/C & Heating Specialist

HEATING • COOLING • REPAIRS RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Serving Anthem, New River, Desert Hills, Carefree, North Phoenix, Cave Creek & Black Canyon City

623-414-2544

Owner: Cayce Sahr | Office Mgr: Dawn Kelley

evercool06@gmail.com ROC#327221

 Carpet Cleaning 100%  Upholstery Cleaning CLEANTEE!  Tile Grout Cleaning GUARAN

WWW.CLEANFEAT.BIZ (602) 464-9660

FREEATES M ESTI

480-898-6465

DONALDSON DRYWALL Cave creek Resident Since 1984 • Water Damage • TV Niche Changes • Texture Match • Repairs/Remodels • New construction

FREE ESTIMATES 480-861-1375

10% Discount for Veterans!

CALL CLASSIFIEDS

Drywall

Carpet Cleaning

Air Conditioning/Heating

People are looking in the Classifieds Every day!

Deadline: Wednesday at 5pm for the following Wednesday

Family Owned & Operated

Cleaning Services

Electrical Services

We'll Get Your Phone to Ring!

We Accept:

Employment General

Licensed Bonded Insured ROC #289594

Carpet, Tile-Grout, & Air Duct Cleaning

For AllYour Electric Needs

Commercial & Residential

Licensed - Bonded - Insured • Over 20 Years Experience

Housecleaning

Senior Discounts

FREE ESTIMATES

www.pnponecarecleaning.com

Call Today/Clean Today

602.550.7732

FREE ESTIMATES

480-502-6871 or 623-869-6019

ReliantElectricAZ.com ROC#146796

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

The legendary Rock Springs Café is

Concrete & Masonry

NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS*!

Lead Host and Assistant to the Manager Lead Pastry Baker Bussers - $15 – 20 per hour with tips Servers - $25 – 30 per hour with tips (average) Line Cooks – Flexible Hours

H errera’s M asonry LLC

*Signing CASH BONUS at the end of 30 days employment

Submit resumes to: info@rockspringscafe.com

J&B Furniture CONSIGNMENT

WE SELL NEW and GENTLY USED FURNITURE & HOME DECOR

Block Walls • Stucco Repairs • BBQ • Fireplace Concrete • Ret-Walls • Flower Beds • Iron Gates Licensed & Bonded ROC #154346

Free Estimates

Rock Springs Café is located just 15 minutes north of Anthem – Exit 242.

Furniture / Refinishing / Upholstery

Office: 480-575-7245 • Armando: 602-763-3696

BEST PRICES ON MATTRESS SETS Tuesday – Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday & Monday Closed 42407 N. Vision Way – Anthem, AZ

623.551.4135

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

CLASSIFIEDS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Glass/Mirror

Landscape/Maintenance

• Custom Glass • Shower Doors & Enclosures • Window Glass Replacement • Custom Mirrors • Glass Table Tops & Shelves Come and visit our custom glass showroom behind the Dairy Queen in Cave Creek.

480-235-6101

www.aboveandbeyondglass.com ROC 233846 & ROC 236899

Sprinkler Repair Landscaping & More!

• Affordable Same Day Service • Dependable • Guaranteed • 12 Years Experience

No Job Too Big or Small

Residential & Commercial

Landscape Design/Installation HAWKEYE LANDSCAPING INC 85085 local company.

Doing business for over 22 years. ROC CR-21138105, ROCB-3284133.

Providing all your custom design and installation needs.

623-582-1122 HawkeyeCustom Landscaping.com

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

Outdoor Improvements

81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

Call Classifieds 480-898-6465 CLASSIFIEDS

480-898-6465

Landscape/Maintenance

602-330-6965

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480.599.7388 Welding

Insurance Discount up to 30% with Drive Safe & Save !* ™

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

623-551-3700

justin.simons.j663@statefarm.com I’m inviting you to make our roads safer and get rewarded for doing so. Are you in?

Contact me today to get started.

KIB EXCAVATING Your Septic System Experts

Complete Septic Systems • Conventional & Alternative and Repairs

Engineered Pads • Site Prep • Grading • Hard Digs Utilities • Trucking/Hauling • Driveways (Gravel, Dirt and Rock)

Mobile

*Some customers could see a discount up to 50%. Discount names, percentages, availability and eligibility may vary by state and coverage selected. Enrollment, terms and conditions apply.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, Richardson, TX

602.319.1089

Licensed • Bonded • Insured COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL

FREE ESTIMATES • 623-465-2546

Irrigation

PREMIER LANDSCAPING & GARDENING

Backhoe • Hammer Hoe • Grade Tractor 1,000 Gallon Water Wagon • Dump Trailer Septic Install & Repair (Lic. #276732) Tree Brush and Cactus Removal Road/Driveway Repair & Maintenance Utility Trenching & Plumbing Construction Cleanup Material Screening

• Custom Design • Water Feature • Container/Pot Gardens • Fireplaces & BBQs • Patio & Walls • Irrigation Specialists • Tree Trim/Removal • Bi-weekly/Monthly

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC #166390

DUKES EXCAVATING

Cave Creek Welding, Inc.

Electric • Acetylene • Heliarc Equipment • Fireplace Screens Repair • Blacksmithing Portable Equipment • Gates Fencing • Wrought Iron Work Home Accessories • Small Repairs & More!

480-488-3677

CaveCreekWelding.com

Roofing

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.TheFoothillsFocus.com

PHILLIPS ROOFING LLC

Roofing

Member of ABM

Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC 223367

Valleywide

CR 42 DUAL

623-873-1626 All employees verified Free estimates on all roofs 36 Years experience in AZ Licensed contractor since 2006

Almeida Roofing Inc. All Types of Roofing

602-743-3175

ROC#215280

Irrigation

& Landscape est. 2002 ~ Anthem, Arizona

Install • Repair • Replace

623-203-7717

Free Estimates & Inspections • Tile • Shingles Foam • Coatings • Modified Bitumen • New Roof Repairs • Reroofs

SEPTIC SYSTEMS ◆ COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONAL, ALTERNATIVE SEWER, STORM DRAIN & RETENTION SITE DEVELOPMENT ◆ UTILITIES

www.almeidaroofing.com Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC #215758

ROC KA 302118 General Contractor JIM DUKES

623.606.8411

515 E. Carefree Hwy, #44, Phoenix, AZ 85085 dukesexcavatinginc@gmail.com

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

phillipsroofingaz.com phillipsroofing@cox.net

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 12, 2021

Recent Storms and COVID have Substantially Impacted Supply Chain

= 2020

2021

Inventory is Scarce Now and when the Heat hits, Quilted won’t be an Option

Replace your A/C while you have Time for only $ 79/month* *On approved credit only, please call for details.

Call or Text to Schedule an Appointment

AIR

CONDITIONING

•

ELECTRICAL

•

PLUMBING

•

WATER

TREATMENT