Issuu

Cave Creek discusses, denies commercial zoning changes

BY ALLISON BROWN

Foothills Focus Staff Writer

The Cave Creek Town Council voted 5-2 to deny a proposed ordinance that would change the landscape requirements for future commercial businesses.

“The choice is between leaving (land) undisturbed and having an area that becomes, effectively, Bell Road, where it looks pretty ugly,” Councilmember Thomas McGuire said at the May 17 session.

The current zoning ordinance requires commercial land to keep 15% of natural

land undisturbed. Businesses may meet this requirement, but many (such as the Walmart on North Cave Creek Road) do so by putting up a wall, hiding the natural land, which “doesn’t benefit anyone,” according to Mayor Ernie Bunch. The proposed change would eliminate the 15% of undisturbed land and allow businesses to replace it with landscaping.

The proposal comes after complaints that while businesses met the minimum requirements detailed in the current zoning ordinance, it was not done in a way that “lived up to the look” that Cave Creek aspires to, according to Luke Kautzman, Cave Creek zoning administrator.

“Over the last two to three years, there has obviously been an increase in development in the community. Staff started getting feedback from council members, commissioners and members of the public that some of the built products weren’t really meeting their standards,” Kautzman said.

“They met the requirements of the ordinance, but it’s not necessarily how they think it should look. So, that was a catalyst for staff to start looking at changes.”

This amendment failed.

Councilmember Robert Morris ques-

see CAVE CREEK page 4

New bill to allow restaurants to sell to-go cocktails

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

Restaurants, bars and liquor stores can now sell cocktails and alcoholic beverages to go, with the passing of a new legislation.

House Bill 2773, signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey, allows restaurants to permanently sell to-go alcoholic beverages and cocktails to help bounce back from the pandemic.

“Business owners have shown that offering to-go beverages can be done responsibly and safely,” Ducey said. “House Bill 2773 will make sure restaurants and bars have the

opportunity to expand operations and meet the needs of their customers, especially after weathering the effects of the pandemic.” The law will not officially take effect until around Oct. 1. Restaurants will have to apply for another permit from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to sell alcoholic beverages to go with food. Restaurants will also have to deliver through a third-party delivery service like Uber Eats or DoorDash. These third-party contractors would also not be able to deliver alcoholic beverages between 2 and 6 a.m., and restaurants will have to stop selling alcohol at the same time they stop selling food.

Many business owners think this bill will help them pick sales back up again. Lauren Walters, a bar manager at The Tennessee Grill in Anthem, views it as a good business opportunity, especially after doing takeout only during the pandemic.

“To-go alcohol and liquor saved us a good chunk,” Walters said. “It helped bring in a lot of revenue and a lot of money, and as far as it being permanent, I think it’s a great idea.”

The Tennessee Grill started off by selling growlers of beer, which customers could purchase and then return to refill when

see COCKTAILS page 5

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tioned the benefit of this change when weighed against the disadvantages of losing natural land. Councilmember Thomas McGuire expressed concern that by allowing landscaping, the area would become unattractive.

Councilmember Kathryn Royer pointed out that there is already a request for $35,000 from the town’s budget for a professional consultant to come in and examine commercial areas and redesign the zoning code all together. She encouraged the council to wait until that was approved before making other changes.

There were also two public comments asking councilmembers to vote “no” in order to protect and preserve the natural land. Vice Mayor Smith said he had intentions of supporting the amendment, but after hearing these comments, changed his mind.

Resident David Phelps pointed out that “landscaping is not a habitat that is akin to the natural living desert.” And Nina Spitzer said this change

would go against the town’s general plan and take away from Cave Creek’s uniqueness.

“Please vote ‘no’ on this item. Remember, first, this amendment is against the general plan that you approved that states Cave Creek is a distinctive town, unique from all other communities in Arizona and beyond,” Spitzer said.

“Why did you move here? You could have moved to Scottsdale, with it’s beautiful landscaped communities, but, no, you moved to Cave Creek for the same reason (my family) did: Because it is distinctive and unique. Everywhere we look, residential or commercial, we see huge vistas and small patches of desert around us. That’s what makes us distinctive and unique. It’s also why visitors come here. You want to rip up an actual desert and replace it with desert landscaping? In a desert town, how does that make sense?”

In addition, hree other amendments were proposed and passed for a second reading. One dealt with

both the size and amount of commercial parking spots. Kautzman said the town has received complaints that parking spaces are too small for larger vehicles, and, if approved, this would increase the size of spaces for future commercial developments. In addition to the size, this amendment would also require either more trees in the overall landscape or covered parking spots in an attempt to reduce heat.

Another proposed amendment dealt with areas that are both residential and commercial, such as a building that has both apartments and offices. The current ordinance only requires proof of a “commercial use” but is not specific on what that entails. The amended ordinance would require a minimum of 50% of the first floor to be dedicated to commercial space.

The third and final proposed amendment comes after observing how restaurants and retail businesses have operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, other uses were only required to have a site plan, but the proposed amendment would require a special use permit so the town could aid in the planning, placement and development of them.

All proposed amendments would only affect future businesses; they would not be retroactive. The three amendments that passed for a second reading were scheduled, as of deadline, to be rediscussed at the June 1 town council meeting.

COCKTAILS

from page 1

they’d finished the beer. It also sold 32 oz. margaritas and regular-sized cocktails in sealed plastic containers.

The restaurant isn’t currently selling to-go alcohol, due to a change in management and lack of correct licensing; however, Walters said there are plans to partake in permanent to-go cocktail sales when able, as long as the right protocols and safety measures are put in place, like age verification.

“I do think that there are going to have to be a lot of regulations that go with this bill,” she said. “Restaurants are a little more complicated, because we can be more liable in the sense of drinking and driving.”

Other managers and business owners agree with Walters that regulations should be in place.

Becca Harding, the general manager for Local Jonny’s Tavern and Cafe in Cave Creek, said that from a business standpoint, this bill is a great way to pick up sales and make up revenue lost during the pandemic. But it feels a little different from a safety standpoint.

“My first and foremost concern is the safety of transportation,” she said. “In regard to serving drinks, it’s a little concerning to me that there is going to potentially be an open container in the car.”

Local Jonny’s transitioned to to-go orders, selling food and alcoholic beverages during the pandemic to stay in business when in-person dining shut down. Harding said the restaurant opened its pantry and kitchen and sold essentials like toilet paper; napkins; plastic silverware; and a few foods, like ground beef and cheese.

“We did whatever we could to survive, and yes, selling alcohol and cocktails to-

go was something we did participate in,” she said.

When the law officially goes into effect, Harding said Local Jonny’s will sell closed containers of wine and liquor, as well as growlers of craft beer. However, it will not sell cocktails to go.

Walters said that when The Tennessee Grill gets the right licensing and the right permits are obtained, the restaurant will partake in to-go alcoholic beverages.

Glenda Bowerman serves drinks at Local Jonny’s. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

New academy tackles urban heat

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Registration is open for the first Urban Heat Leadership Academy developed by The Nature Conservancy, Phoenix Revitalization Corp. and other partners. The academy is free and open to Valley residents.

In Greater Phoenix, urban heat is impacting health, safety, comfort and economic development, and this is projected to worsen over time. The number of days above 110 degrees are expected to more than double by 2060. With 60% of Arizona’s population concentrated around Phoenix, heat constitutes a major public health concern.

The academy’s goal is to build the capacity of Phoenix residents, so they have the knowledge, resources and skills to advocate for greener,

healthier and cooler communities. On some days, there can be a 13-degree Fahrenheit difference in Phoenix neighborhoods just 2 miles apart. The hottest neighborhoods also have the lowest tree canopy cover and the highest child poverty. Often, residents in these neighborhoods are less likely and/or able to advocate for heat-reducing, nature-based solutions, such as planting trees and using rainwater to support trees and vegetation.

“This is about empowering people to improve their quality of life,” says Diana Bermudez, The Nature Conservancy in Arizona’s director of special projects and interim deputy state director.

“This training will help people better understand urban heat, air quality, water issues and their impacts on our health and well-being, as well as

the role that nature can play in addressing some of these challenges.”

This is a key project for The Nature Conservancy’s Phoenix Healthy Cities Program, which is focused on bringing more nature into the city to mitigate urban heat and improve air quality.

There will be sessions on sustainability challenges related to urban heat, air quality and water, as well as advocacy, facilitation, communication and storytelling. This academy will equip residents with the tools and skills needed to mobilize their communities to be heard and get a fair shake for resources to make improvements in their neighborhoods.

Classes will be held via live Zoom sessions and online lessons starting on July 24 and ending in November 2021. Participants will have

the flexibility to learn at their own pace, as well as opportunities to build relationships with others in their cohort through a series of live discussions with peers and learning partners.

The modules are being led by subject matter experts from ASU, city of Phoenix, Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Trees Matter, Watershed Management Group, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Valley Interfaith Project, Instituto, and Arizona Sustainability Alliance.

Participants who complete the five-month program will also have an opportunity to get funding to apply what they learned by carrying out a green intervention in their community.

Fire dangers, protection still major issues, says town

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Ayear after the East Desert Wildland Fire devastated and scarred 1,500 acres of the Sonoran Desert around Cave Creek, the town and the Foothills community witnessed two important events.

May 19, the Whispering Hills Community at 36th Street and Carefree Highway was officially recognized by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the National Fire Protection Association as a certified Firewise/USA Community.

This is a voluntary prevention program designed for individual communities that are located within Wildland Urban Interface areas.

This program aggressively — and legally — allows developments to evaluate and put into place methods that will address issues like establishing “defensible space,” managing the plant and fuel loads close to the properties, removing invasive weeds/flash fuels and access and escape routes.

Whispering Hills Community came together shortly after the major fires last year and aggressively took the steps needed to protect their homes and investments. It is the first Official Firewise/USA com-

munity within the town limits, according to Cave Creek officials.

May 20, the anniversary of the East Desert Fire, another wildland blaze started on the northern edge of town. This fire started at a construction site and extended into the foothills of the northern mountain range.

Fire crews quickly responded and rapidly got the incident under control, holding it to approximately 1 acre. According to town officials, the fire highlights the area’s vulnerability and how quickly a wildland fire can start and spread.

Currently, the town is in stage two fire restrictions, which requires any town construction site to pull a permit and have a preinspection before workers produce sparks. This includes grinding, welding and metal/rebar cutting or anything that could ignite the invasive and light flash fuels that are abundant in the area.

Additional stage-two restrictions relate to fireworks, open flame devices, charcoal and campfires. Check the town of Cave Creek’s website for a comprehensive look at its requirements to make sites safe.

Info: cavecreekaz. gov/firesafety

The Cave Creek Ocotillo fire occurred in 2020.

(Photo courtesy of the town of Cave Creek)

Creating defensible space is important to protect properties against fires. (Photo courtesy of the town of Cave Creek)

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO Foothills Focus Executive Editor

School district awarded outstanding �inancial reporting prize

Cave Creek Unified School District 93 was given the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Association of School Business Officials International.

ASBO International’s certificate of excellence recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and transparency. The school district earned the certificate for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended 2020.

“The COE’s mission is to promote and recognize excellence in financial reporting,” said ASBO International Executive Director David Lewis.

“The comprehensive annual financial report informs stakeholders about the financial and economic state of the district, making it an important communications tool for building trust and engaging with the school community.”

By participating in the certificate of excellence program, school districts demonstrate their commitment to financial transparency. Applicants submit their report for review by a team of financial professionals who provide feedback to improve future documents. If the report meets the requirements of the program, it may receive the certificate of excellence. A district’s participation in the certificate of excellence program can facilitate bond rating and continuing bond disclosure processes.

Firearms specialists to offer �irearms

News Briefs

training at the legion

The founders of Johnson Group Tactical will offer concealed carry permit training at American Legion Post 34 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 5, for women and men interested in securing a concealed carry weapon permit.

The class, which costs $89, will be held at the American Legion Post 34 at 6272 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek.

Discounts are available for military and first responders. The class fee includes fingerprinting but does not include the $60 application fee to AZ DPS for the final permit.

Veteran owner Oz Johnson and his wife, Karin Johnson, who serves as gun range safety officer and operations manager, teach the four-hour class.

“We believe in preparation and situational awareness. We teach tactical mindset,” said Oz, a veteran who owns Johnson Group Tactical.

“It’s the ability to have the thought process that comes with training and experience by using your cognitive thinking to quickly determine your next course of action.”

Carrying a concealed weapon is the practice of carrying a weapon in a public place, in a concealed matter, either on one’s person or in close proximity. Participants must bring a photo ID and a notebook to class.

Oz, an NRA instructor, spent 10 years in the military and 20 years in law enforcement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. He served on SWAT for seven years and is a former POSTcertified firearms, rifle and building clearing instructor.

Johnson Group Tactical is a member and official partner of USCCA.

Interested participants can sign up for the course at JohnsonGroupTAC@gmail. com or by calling 602-448-8283.

Desert Foothills Library expands

hours

In response to the growing percent of vaccinated people and decline of COVD-19 cases in Maricopa County, the Desert Foothills Library expanded its hours.

Effective June 1, the library changed its hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Info: dlfa.org

Game and Fish still on the lookout for bear

BY TYLER WEGLEITNE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is searching for a young black bear that has been spotted several times in Anthem and Cave Creek, according to Pat Crouch, a field supervisor for Arizona Game and Fish Department.

“We also focus on greenbelt areas, where there’s lots of water and some type of food source for the animal,” Crouch said. “Many times, during the heat of the day we will look in underpasses or road culverts, places where they could find some shelter and some shade.”

Crouch said AZGFD sent officials to the surrounding areas in hopes of finding the bear and transporting it.

Crouch said the department is assuming the sightings are of the same bear. He said it is difficult to determine exactly how many sightings there have been because reports have come through social media and the department’s radio dispatch.

He did say that sightings like this are not common in Valley.

“We had wildlife officers in the area trying to get a visual on the animal and potentially maybe even tranquilize the animal so it can be moved back into a suitable habitat,” he said.

As of May 27, Arizona Game and Fish has not located it. The location of the release site will not be released to the public.

“If forced to draw your gun in selfdefense, you must know exactly what to do next,” Karin said. “It’s about making the right decisions. This class meets the requirements for those who want to obtain their concealed carry permit. Regardless whether the individual choose to get their permit, the education provided is beneficial for all responsibly armed Americans.”

Johnson Group Tactical participants will learn:

• legal system overview

• lethal force and aftermath

• interacting with law enforcement

• federal and Arizona state laws

• situational awareness

• personal and home protection

• gun safety and equipment

• proper mindset

“You’re really looking at a young animal that probably either lost its way, or was not able to compete with other, older animals and somehow found its way into the fringe areas around the Valley trying to, typically, look for food and water,” Crouch said.

In its search for the bear, the Game and Fish Department has mostly been relying on tips from the public and has received assistance from Maricopa County Sheriff’s officers in “working with the public” and obtaining information.

He said that although this bear was not being lured in with food, he reminds the public to not do the same. AZGFD “is very adamant about the public not feeding wildlife in such a way to attract it into communities.”

Crouch said AZGFD is urging anyone who may see the bear to not approach or follow it. Instead, they should immediately call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 602-942-3000.

AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

The ‘heart’ beat goes on

BY JUDY BLUHM

Foothills Focus Columnist

One beautiful May morning two years ago, with spring bursting forth and the sun shining, birds singing and flowers blooming, the unthinkable happened. My daughter, Tammy and her husband Leon, were notified that Leon’s son had been in a motorcycle accident on his way down the mountain from Jerome. Someone pulled out in front of him, making an illegal U-turn, and Christopher slammed into her vehicle. Just like that, an ending happened.

At first, we were told that Christopher died en route to the hospital. When Tammy and Leon went to the trauma center, they were going to retrieve his body. But wait, a nurse told them, “He is still alive.” Hope. Then Tammy and Leon rushed to the ICU and a doctor told them, “His injuries are insurmountable.” Despair. The transplant team arrived and asked for his organs. Disbelief. Then anguish. The heart beats about 70 times a minute. It goes along, carrying out its duties, day in and day out. We barely think about what our heart is doing. Why should we? It is only when something devastating

occurs that we begin to consider what happens to an organ once we are gone. Should we donate? (Please.) Would we want to receive another person’s organs? Big questions that we would rather not contemplate. Too unsettling. Until a moment comes that we never wanted to encounter, when that question is asked and we must answer for someone we love. Someone we lost. The heart beats, and it also breaks. Grief happens because we love. When a loved one passes, it is with compassion and tears that families agree to donate organs. In the United States, there are 2000 heart transplants done each year. But there are 3,000 people on a waitlist. There are folks waiting desperately for

lungs, kidneys, livers, you name it. Last year in the United States there were 39,000 organ transplants.

Last month, my 12-year-old greatniece Laren was dancing and collapsed. She had a heart attack. Born with a heart defect, she had several surgeries as a baby but had been doing well. Until that day. She needed to have a temporary ventricular pump implanted and was immediately placed on the heart list. Waiting for a new heart. Hoping for a miracle. But only if a tragedy strikes an otherwise healthy person. From unimaginable loss to divine blessing, we wait for God’s tender mercies.

see BLUHM page 14

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China means you always say ‘Sorry!’

BY JD HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

“Love means you never have to say you’re sorry,” or so Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal told us in the 1970 motion picture “Love Story.” But over a half-century later, the love of money has Hollywood falling all over itself to apologize to communist China.

“Fast and Furious” is not only an exhaustive action film franchise — if you’re keeping count, the new release is No. 9 — but it also describes how quickly bodybuilder/wrestler/movie star John Cena scrambled to get back into the good graces of the millionaire Marxists in Beijing.

After encouraging the good moviegoers of Taiwan, saying that the island nation of Chinese nationalists would be the first country to see the new feature, the communist mainland started breathing fire in dragon-like fashion, and Cena promptly surrendered to the worldview of the

jarringly misnamed “People’s Republic.”

Putting the “dip” in diplomacy, Cena sought to blame his busy promotional schedule for his unintentional deviation from Chicom dogma, with its insistence that Taiwan is really part of China, and the ominous rumblings that a “reunification” through military action could become reality.

“I’m doing a lot of interviews. I made a mistake in one of my interviews. … I love and respect China and Chinese people. I’m very, very sorry about my mistake. I apologize. I’m very sorry. You must understand that I really love, really respect China and the Chinese people. My apologies.”

To reinforce his “love and respect,” Cena offered his apology in Mandarin, a language he initially learned for WWE tours in China. He is now considered fluent in Mandarin, since he moved to China for five months in 2018, shooting a movie there with Jackie Chan.

The Cena-Chan casting combination isn’t much of a surprise in the movie biz, but the bipartisan tag teams that emerged to take apart Cena’s Mandarin mea culpa in the Twitter-sphere was eye-opening. Leftist commentator and sportscaster

Keith Olbermann called it “shameful”; conservative Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, described it as “pathetic.”

Two other broadcasters from opposite ends of the political spectrum offered another rare left-right combination.

CNN’s Jim Sciutto put forth this rhetorical question-and-answer flurry: “Why not call a decades-long healthy and functioning democracy a country? Because much of Hollywood operates in fear of Beijing, many of its blockbuster movies dependent on the mainline Chinese market.” Talk radio host

Ben Shapiro taunted Cena with a cross between “Monday Nitro” and “Firing Line”: “Taiwan is a country. Hong Kong should be free. If you are unwilling to say

these things because it might hurt your bottom line, you are a pathetic coward.”

Cowardice, calculation or both, Cena is scarcely alone when it comes to kowtowing to the communist Chinese. NBA players and coaches, so “woke” when it comes to America’s alleged social ills, stay silent on the subject of slave labor in China.

The World Health Organization, tasked by the United Nations to deal with major health problems such as global pandemics, lavished praise on the Chinese government for its initial response to COVID-19, despite reports that security forces locked infected Wuhan residents in their apartments, denying them food and medical treatment, while nature took its course. What course will the world follow in the years ahead?

Puff Daddy rapped of gritty economic reality in his 1997 hit “It’s All About the Benjamins,” but given the inclinations of the entertainment industry, the indulgent attitude of the Biden administration, and the Chinese aspirations for military and economic ascendancy, he would do well to concoct a new composition.

Perhaps “It’s All a Yin for the Yuan” will reflect the rhythms of a new reality, but don’t expect anyone in China to say “Sorry!”

And no one will confuse it with “Love Story.”

christina@timespublications.com

The Foothills Focus welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. The Foothills Focus will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Foothills Focus, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

The best flags speak about what we love

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

One of the things I miss most about America was how people used to believe certain topics shouldn’t be discussed in public.

Religion was one. So was politics. You didn’t ask people what they weighed or how much money they earned. We kept those things to ourselves, and it was deemed impolite to quiz people about it.

Those days are over. Now everyone is an amateur newspaper columnist, spouting off 24-7: constantly on social media, with bumper stickers and fullsleeve tattoos, Yelp reviews, you name it.

Then there’s the lady who lives in north Phoenix up around 56th Street along Bell Road. Not content to stop at Facebook trolling or boring the hell out of people at a Memorial Day barbe-

cue, this anonymous soul has hoisted a massive black flag up her backyard flagpole for thousands of drivers-by and neighborhood school kids to glimpse daily.

Her flag uses expletives to describe Biden and those who voted for him.

“Yes, it might be a little vulgar to some and offensive to some, but everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Ms. Profane Flag Lady told reporter Jason Barry with Arizona’s Family. “If those kids can figure out what that sign said, then those kids have already heard that kind of language and vulgarity either from their homes, on TV, in movies or in school.”

And furthermore: “It’s a sign,” said the woman, who refused to be identified out of fear for her safety. “Get over it. If it hurts your feelings, sorry.”

My standard policy when it comes to people who are striving to be offensive is to refuse to be offended. Instead, like

with this lady, I just feel sorry for them. How miserable does your life have to be that you would go to the trouble of ordering such a flag, much less taking the time to raise it to offend strangers?

Can you imagine sipping your morning coffee as the sun rises over the neighborhood, sitting in your backyard and enjoying the occasional honked horn or screamed profanity from a Prius driver tooling up Bell? Boy, talk about living.

Get a life.

That same sentiment occurs to me when I play golf on a course that winds through homes amid backyards. Trust me, Profane Flag Lady is not alone. From Mesa to Glendale, Avondale to chi chi Scottsdale, many of us still feel compelled to lash out at Donald Trump with the same class this Bell Road idiot has displayed.

Trust me, for every gentle soul mortally wounded by your cheap piece of

polyester, there’s a hundred of us who simply shake our heads at the statement you’ve chosen for all the world to see.

Put another way, there are more than 60,000 flags for sale today on Amazon. There’s innumerable Stars and Stripes. There’s Arizona flags galore. ASU, NAU, UA, they all have flags. Your alma mater has a few dozen. There’s the Jolly Roger, if you’re into pirates. For 10 bucks, you can get a flag adorned with Marlon Brando in full Don Corleone mode from “The Godfather.” There are POW/ MIA flags, yellow smiley face flags, “Beware of Pugs” flags and an “I Love Hot Moms” flag.

The best flags seem to speak about what we love, not who we hate. If you can’t manage that, there’s always no flag at all. Back in the day, we used to keep quiet about a lot of controversial things, which added some mystery to life.

The guy next door or the lady beside you in line at the bank might be an absolute jerk. Fortunately, those people rarely opened their mouths to prove it to everyone.

from page 10

The call came. It takes four hours to get an organ from donor to recipient. The heart team readies like a military unit marching into combat: to overcome all obstacles, prepare the patient, hook up the machines and wait for the medical helicopter speeding its way to the hospital with a new heart. There is a chance of a new beginning, a way for a donor to live on. A life lost. A life saved. A family crushed. Another hoping and praying in gratitude. God help the families going through this. The prayer warriors go all out. Unleash the angels!

One heart. Two lives intertwined. From tragedy to triumph, the beat goes on. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.

BLUHM

Popeyes coming to Cave Creek this fall

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is coming to Cave Creek.

Located near the southeast corner of Cave Creek and Olesen roads, the sale of the 1-acre development opportunity was announced by real estate brokerage �irm Marcus & Millichap.

According to Ryan Sarbinoff, regional manager of the �irm’s Phoenix of�ice, it sold for $800,000.

“The buyer rezoned the site to General

Commercial (GC) for a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant,” said Art Rullo, one of three investment specialists who had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, Douglass Burkhart.

“The proposed addition of a new restaurant to this growing area of the North Valley was well received by the town council, as well as residents. However, it was a challenging development site due to the factor multiple jurisdictions will be providing utilities. Additionally, COVID-19 slowed the buyer’s due diligence efforts.”

After over 15 months in escrow, the transaction closed in mid-May. The restaurant is expected to open in the fall of 2021.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen will be on the southeast corner of Cave Creek and Olesen roads. (Photo special to the Foothills Focus)

AZ TITLE & REGISTRATIONS

Keeler’s has ‘something for everybody’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Paul Keeler wanted a restaurant that felt welcoming, was affordable and comfortable for guests.

On New Year’s Eve 2018, he opened Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse in Carefree, and hasn’t looked back.

“I wanted a neighborhood steakhouse,” Keeler said. “A neighborhood steakhouse, to me, is much more than a special-occasion, steak-on-a-plate concept. There are many of those around the Valley, where you pay top dollar for the prime steak, $12 to $15 for asparagus or baked potato. It’s all a la carte.”

Keeler’s provides the same quality. He serves Certified Angus Beef brand, but each of his steaks and chops comes with two sides of Yukon Gold mash, loaded baked potato,

scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, truffle fries, onion rings, risotto, green beans, Brussels sprouts, sauteed mushrooms, creamy corn or grilled asparagus.

“I wanted to provide a better value for the dollar, as far as the entrees were concerned,”

Keeler said. “We have great seafood, chicken, pork and lamb items as well. There is a pretty diversified menu, that being said.”

Prime top sirloin baseball cut ($36), New York strip ($49), ribeye ($52), petite filet mignon ($49), filet mignon ($55), double-cut pork chop ($36), rack of lamb ($39), slow-roasted prime rib ($39 and $45), smoked half chicken ($26) and baby back ribs ($20 and $30) are all on the menu and “full of flavor,” according to the menu.

“We have several steaks,” Keeler said. “The New York strip, ribeye and filets are all very popular. We have a baseball cut sirloin, which is the big center cut filet. That’s a very popular steak.”

Soups and salads, ranging from French onion soup ($10) to Keeler’s steak salad ($19) kickstart the meal. For those who want to eat light, there are small plates like lobster mac and cheese ($17), crab cakes ($17) or steak tartare ($15).

Sandwiches, which includes burgers, lobster roll and a prime rib French dip, come with truffle fries, onion rings or a chopped salad for $13 to $18.

Seafood fans will enjoy diver scallops, Atlantic salmon, Baja seabass and shrimp scampi ($29 to $36).

As of May 26, seasonal features are cow-

Atlantic Salmon. (Photo courtesy of Keeler’s)

boy flat icon steak ($39), marinated pork tenderloin ($34) and braised short ribs ($34).

“We update the menu on a quarterly basis,” Keeler said. “We like to do features on a regular basis, as well. We recently promoted a sommelier we had working for us, who is developing the wine culture at Keeler’s.”

Diners will soon see an expanded wine list and help with selecting bottles of wine that complement meals. Recently, Keeler’s rolled out its own Garrison Brothers bourbon, which the staff barrel ages itself.

“We make sure we have something for everybody there, without blurring who we are, first and foremost,” Keeler said.

Atmosphere is everything and Keeler’s has it, he said. The restaurant boasts a centrally located island bar, large adjacent patio, gorgeous courtyard and rooftop deck designed for stargazing and acoustic performances.

“I wanted more of a neighborhood social restaurant that locals could come to one, two, three, four times a week for different, compelling reasons,” Keeler said.

“The patio that’s adjacent to the restaurant, the courtyard in the middle of the com-

plex, is very desirable. The Starlight Rooftop, where it’s completely covered with a retractable awning, is heated in the winter and misted in the summer has entertainment once a week. The happy hour portion of the concept is where we get a lot of repeat clientele.”

The food and beverage industry is all Keeler has known. He started out early, around age 15, and eventually owned his own restaurant in the Boston/Upstate New York area. Keeler was recruited to work in the hotel industry.

Keeler was named corporate director of food and beverage for Beacon Hotels Corp. in July 1984 and was promoted to the position of vice president-food and beverage for the company two years later.

In February 1995, he joined the Doubletree Hotels Corp. as vice president-food and beverage and continued there until its merger with Promus Hotel Corp. in 1999.

That year, he joined Hilton, for which he was responsible for its strategic planning for food and beverage operations at more than 3,000 North American hotels. They were generating over $2.5 billion in annual food and beverage revenue when he left in February 2007.

Steak along with geen beans, and mac and cheese. (Photo courtesy of Keeler’s)

“I’m a recovering restaurateur,” he said with a laugh. “We went back into the restaurant business (after Hilton). It’s a family situation. I have two of my sons working with me.

“I’m originally from Northern California, and I spent a third of my life in Northern California; a third on the East Coast and a third in Arizona. It’s a good variety. I’ve enjoyed these destinations. I’m definitely a restaurant guy.”

Keeler Hospitality Group LLC now includes Spencer’s Omaha in Nebraska and three Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse restaurants, two in Scottsdale and one in Madison, Wisconsin. Keeler intends to grow his company by opening a restaurant in

either the West Valley and/or Norterra.

“I’m looking to grow primarily in Arizona, in the greater Phoenix area,” he said. “I am very energized by looking for the right location for the right concept.”

As for Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, Keeler was introduced to the Historic Spanish Village space by the previous landlord. He was immediately impressed and dreamt about what he could create.

“It’s like finding the right home when you’re looking for a house,” Keeler said. “You immediately know. This one best exemplified a steakhouse. We wanted to be nonintimidating and very inviting, so people knew they could come dressed any way — coming straight off the golf course, or they could dress up, depending on the occasion.”

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Cave Creek gears up for first Creekfest

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Five businesses and several vendors will line Cave Creek Road on the first Saturday of every month beginning June 5.

The plans are part of what’s intended to be the first annual Creekfest, which will also include live music, a drive-in movie, family-friendly activities, shaved ice, and drink specials across the participating businesses, with the proceeds going to local charities.

Local Jonny’s host rock artist Seth Loveless and the Chacons.

“If you’re too old for the bounce house and you’re old enough for the samples of some things that we offer, then head on over to those tents,” Harding said.

Harding strongly hopes this event will serve audiences of all ages.

“You can come as a person that’s just looking to grab a drink and make a donation, or you can be a family that wants to get out for the day and visit all of the businesses and see what they have going on that day.

“What we’re anticipating is a block party-style charity fundraising series of events,” said Rebecca Harding, Local Jonny’s Tavern and Cafe general manager and Creekfest event coordinator.

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“There’s different themes for each business, so each person that represents their business has decided these are the things that we’re going to offer for everybody to come have fun with.”

The Eddy and Hibachibot will have a food truck roundup, as well as arcade games like Skee-Ball and pinball for eventgoers to play.

Big Earl’s Greasy Eats will sell shaved ice, as well as offer families a bounce house and show a drive-in movie.

Brian’s Black Mountain Barbecue will host a special lunch from 3 to 6 p.m. with special guest characters Elsa from “Frozen” and Spider-Man, as well as live music.

Frontier Town will have its shops open and will host the popular Quick Duck Draw game.

Local Jonny’s expanded its premises to set up a second bar in the parking lot, as well as a bounce house and slip and slide. It also plans to have space for its vendors to hand out free samples of beer, wine and spirits.

“All of the business will be participating, and we’re going to be giving a percentage of our sales to each one of the charities.”

A percentage of June 5 proceeds will go to the Foothills Food Bank, whose mission is to fight hunger while giving hope.

Later charities will be Rural Metro Fire, Desert Foothills Land Trust and Arizona Foothills 911.

“I chose them because when we first started this, I didn’t want to speak for everyone else, and I saw this event as an opportunity to really raise some awareness for some local charities,” Harding said.

This event will not be the first charitable event that Harding has coordinated, however. Local Jonny’s and Big Earls did one fundraising event prior for the victims of the Ocotillo Fire, raising around $40,000 last year.

One of the most successful parts of that charity event was the decision to set out water pitchers and large buckets for people to donate money, a practice which Harding plans to put out during Creekfest.

“We had some extremely generous donors when we did this, and we

CREEKFEST from page 18

even had an anonymous donor donate $5,000 in a water pitcher, which we are thankful for,” Harding said.

In addition to all the fun and games, Harding plans to welcome charities to set up booths to interact with customers.

“We’re also having each one of the charities come out in full form to answer questions about what they do and how they provide for the community,” Harding said.

For those who may not want to donate money, Harding is still looking for extra sets of hands to help with setting up the event.

“I’m not only asking for everybody to come out and donate, but we’re also asking for volunteers to come out and donate their time to help out,” Harding said. “For me, my main objective is to make sure that we’re raising enough money for these charities to where it is worthwhile for everybody to come out and donate their time.”

“From a business perspective, this is the time of year where everything starts to slow down, and a lot of these charities rely heavily on the support of their volunteers,” Harding said. “When you have a bunch of your volunteers leaving for the summer, it’s not always that easy.”

Harding has remained optimistic that this event will draw a crowd and that these businesses will be able to contribute a large amount of charitable donations.

“I’m looking for this to be a huge success for everybody so that we can raise money for these charities,” Harding said.

Creekfest

WHEN: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 5 WHERE: 6033 E. Cave Creek Road COST: Free INFO: 480-488-9129, frontiertownaz.com; contact Rebecca Harding at 480-495-1643 to volunteer or become a vendor

Items sought for Spur Cross time capsule

BY TARA ALATORRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

Items are being sought for a time capsule that will be installed soon in conjunction with a new monument at the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.

The monument will commemorate the citizens of Cave Creek, Maricopa County and the State of Arizona for its joint efforts to officially preserve the land in September 2000.

Organizers are seeking donations such as shirts, posters and stickers that memorialize the grassroots efforts citizens made in the late ’90s to ensure a tax bond passed. The tax allowed the town of Cave Creek to purchase the final piece of land needed to create the present day preserve.

The time capsule will be approximately 2 feet by 18 inches and will be installed underneath the monument, which will

be placed on the northwest corner of the parking lot, according to Cave Creek Councilman Paul Diefenderfer.

The contents of the time capsule will also contain historical documents with information about the dude ranch, a summary of archaeological investigations, attempts to develop the land, preservation efforts, and a list of citizens involved in the preservation effort.

Items that organizers are still specifically looking for are a green T-shirt and baseball cap — both emblazoned with a cougar and the phrase “Preserve Spur Cross” — as well as photos from an event called Save Spur Cross Ranch Day that happened on Sept. 2, 2000, and any newspaper articles from publications excluding the Sonoran News and Arizona Republic.

“Any historic items that were about Spur Cross, assuming we have room, we could put that in there. That place has a

lot of history, and so it is appropriate,” said Diefenderfer, who is building the memorial and helping collect items for the capsule.

Diefenderfer said the idea for a time capsule first came up about two years ago, when memorial organizers Sue Mueller and George Ross were talking during initial discussions about the monument’s design. They brought up the idea of adding a time capsule, and soon after, it was purchased through donations.

“It’s going right at the edge of the parking lot so everyone going there will walk right by it,” Diefenderfer said. “It’s a cool story, the fact that the town, the county and the state all got together to do this and it was driven by citizens. It took a big effort to make that happen.” He went on to explain how the design of

the monument, which is a spur on top of a cross and was the brand emblem used at the dude ranch, pays homage to all those involved with the preservation of it.

“Everyone always assumes that the parks are all just the government. In this case the government was involved, but it was driven by citizens,” he said.

It will be 6 feet high with a width of 3 feet and three layers of half-inch steel. Each layer of steel represents the town, county and state. The layers of steel will be riveted together, with the rivets representing the people who came together to preserve Spur Cross. The base of the monument will include an inscribed plaque.

“That is what I think the message is, to get people to realize that if you’re passionate, it doesn’t mean you will always be successful, but you can be,” he said.

A date for the dedication ceremony for the monument and time capsule will be published on the town’s website and social media.

This shirt is one of the items organizers are looking to place in the Spur Cross time capsule. If anyone is willing to donate the shirt or other items for the capsule, they can be dropped off at the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau. (Photo courtesy of Sue Mueller)

Time capsule donations can be dropped off at the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau, 6061 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 7, and items should be donated by June 6, 2021.

Organizers who are installing a time capsule that will be placed underneath a new monument commemorating the preservation of Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area are looking for a hat like the one pictured above. Donations for the capsule should be dropped off no later than June 6, 2021, at the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau. (Photo courtesy of Sue Mueller)