The Foothills Focus - 07-29-2020

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This Week

NEWS............................... 3 MCSO: ASU professor Chae was killed in North Phoenix

NEWS................................... 4 Cave Creek budget focuses on water, wastewaster systems

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PAGE 13

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Share the Road campaign pushes for vehicle safety

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

J

ennifer Canziani was riding her motorcycle north on Scottsdale Road and was nearly to Cave Creek when tragedy struck.

A woman who was playing with gadgets in her boss’ car swerved near Canziani, whose husband saw it all through a rearview mirror.

“My husband was in front of me and I said, on the microphone, ‘I don’t think that girl is going to stop,’” said Canziani, a former Ahwatukee resident who now lives in Maricopa.

“I looked over and it was like our eyes clicked and everything went in slow motion.

I went sliding and she sped off. I was out of my body and watched myself get attached to her car and drag me. I just closed my eyes.”

When everything stopped, Canziani’s jacket was ripped apart and her shoe was off.

She was afraid to look at her leg.

“The whole leg was shattered,” said Can-

ziani, who graduated from Red Mountain High School in Northeast Mesa. “I had pins and plates in there. I couldn’t walk for almost six months. When I started walking in rehab, my bone shifted in my knee, so I kept tearing my meniscus and ACL. In seven months, they had repaired it four times.”

Jennifer Canziani was an avid motorcycle rider until she lost her leg due to injury. (Photos

courtesy Jennifer Canziani)

see SHARE page 2

Caring Corps names Arthur Gimson top humanitarian OPINION....................... 6 2020 on course to top the horror of 1347

OPINION.................................. 6 BUSINESS................................ 9 ARTS........................................ 10 FEATURES............................. 11 DINING....................................13 CLASSIFIEDS....................... 14

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

A

s a child in England, Arthur Gimson learned the importance of neighbors.

Gimson recalls his mother giving a neighbor sugar, even though she knew the person couldn’t repay the “loan.”

When he moved to Carefree, he brought that mentality to the Foothills; and for his efforts, The Foothills Caring Corps named him its Humanitarian of the Year.

“His unselfish and dedicated service to our neighbors as a van and medical transportation driver has made a significant difference

in our community,” said Debbra Determan, Foothills Caring Corps director.

“As I head into my own retirement from the Caring Corps, I am delighted to recognize Arthur for all he has done for us.”

The Foothills Caring Corps is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting independence and enhancing the quality of life for older residents.

Determan gave Gimson the award, which previously honored William (Bill) Budris, Phil and Marion Abramowitz, Jill Ford, David Schwan, Jean and Richard (Dick) Segil, William (Bill) Bergman and Peter Slocum.

The agency recently celebrated 20 years of serving the community by providing a variety of invaluable services, including medical and van transportation, friendly visits, mobile meals, shopping assistance and more for North Valley residents, including those in Cave Creek, Carefree, North Phoenix and North Scottsdale.

Gimson was born in Kingsbury, Middlesex, England. At 6 months old, his parents moved to Watford, Hertfordshire, where he attended Parkgate Road primary school and the Watford Grammar School for Boys. His father

see GIMSON page 2

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GIMSON

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

from page 1

worked for the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (the U.K. equivalent of Social Security).

His father could not enlist because his work was deemed “essential.” Instead, he kept his daytime job from 9 to 5, and after hours he served as a Home Guard air raid warden who made sure curtains on houses showed no lights. Also among his duties was standing watch on the tops of tall buildings, looking out for Germans dropping incendiary bombs to find out their positioning.

Gimson, along with his two brothers, and his mother slept on mattresses in a steel air raid shelter in the front room of their house. Even though the war ended in 1945, rationing continued until 1953.

After the war, even though his parents were working, they volunteered at the local community center, which hosted dances, theater and other activities for the locals. His mother baked cookies—or “biscuits,” as they’re called in England— especially coconut macaroons and other mini desserts, selling them for pennies, with all money raised going to a needy cause.

At school, Gimson and his twin brother were encouraged to join the Wolf Cubs,

SHARE from page 1 Share the Road

Last year, along with more than 3,000 motorcycle and 123,000 vehicle crashes in which people were hurt, there were record numbers of fatalities.

The Share the Road campaign is a statewide public awareness effort aimed at focusing Arizona motorists on the critical need to be undistracted when

Arthur Gimson said it is humbling to be Humanitarian of the Year for something that brought him so much pleasure. (Photo courtesy Foothills Caring Corps)

later graduating to the Boy Scouts.

After leaving high school, he spent nearly 30 years with Hilton Hotels. Management staff were encouraged to participate in trade associations but also in community service activities. He participated in

the United Way, later as a member of the Kiwanis Club and 14 years as a member of the Rotary Club.

After moving to Carefree, Gimson became very involved with his homeowners association. He was later elected to

driving and to train motorcyclists how to ride more defensively.

This multipronged movement, which is geared to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Arizona roads, is supported and promoted by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation, Dignity Health, Arizona Trauma Association, the Governor’s Of-

fice of Highway Safety, Law Tigers, RideNow and Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation.

As noted recently by Gov. Doug Ducey, the time is now to focus drivers and riders on the critical importance of sharing the road with respect and being completely aware of one’s surroundings.

Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation—a nonprofit and its partners, which encompass health care, insurance, legal, police departments, corporations, small business and the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety—stresses the need for Arizona drivers/riders to stay undistracted.

According to the Peoria-based foundation’s executive director, Mick Degn, Share the Road leaders promote the need for drivers/riders to share the road and to be more aware of their surroundings as they travel. Efforts include public safety outreach and community grassroots efforts including billboards,

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the Carefree Town Council for a two-year term.

Soon, he became a volunteer for the Foothills Caring Corps. Even though Pastor Jayne Hubbard told him never to be afraid of saying no (she didn’t want her drivers getting burned out), it was difficult for Gimson not to accept requests for help.

He has been the Caring Corps federal Passenger Assistance Safety & Sensitivity (PASS) trainer since 2012. Gimson is the first volunteer who was certified as a PASS trainer in Arizona. The six-hour PASS training class he teaches is required for all Level II drivers and assistants who are transporting.

For Gimson, it is humbling to be nominated as Humanitarian of the Year for just doing something that brought him so much pleasure. A tap on his shoulder from a neighbor after a van trip, with a smile saying “thank you,” was just as satisfying as getting a paycheck.

He said in retrospect, he wishes he kept a log of the van trips and medical transportation runs that he drove. The stories he can tell could fill a book.

Info: 480-488-1105, foothillscaringcorps.com police safety events and working with social media.

“Our program is the only one of its kind in the United States,” Degn said. “We need everyone’s support and involvement to continue to increase awareness.

Just as importantly, we want to work with Arizona businesses to develop driver/rider safety awareness ideas and initiatives. After all, the people sharing our roadways are your family members, customers, friends and colleagues. Their lives matter, as does their safety and the safety of others.”

Painful procedures

One day, Canziani’s orthopedic surgeon told her he would stop repeatedly fixing her leg. He encouraged her to stay in a wheelchair.

“I’m not the type to stay in a wheelchair,” she said. “I asked for my other op-

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

MCSO: Chae was killed in North Phoenix

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BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

M

aricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies have determined ASU Professor Jun Seok Chae, who was found dead July 17 in the Northwest Regional Landfill, was killed near Carefree Highway and Seventh Street.

Chae was reported missing to the ASU Police Department after he did not return home from work. On March 30, MSCO detectives were contacted by the Shreveport, Louisiana, police department.

Shreveport police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call, contacting 18-year-old Javian Ezell, 18-year-old Ga-

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tions. One was a knee replacement, but he couldn’t do it because my leg had too much damage. He said I needed a better orthopedic surgeon.”

He referred Canziani to another doctor, who said the same thing. Her leg was too damaged.

“I don’t know if there’s a doctor in town who can do it,” she recalled him saying. “I was giving up hope. I was thinking I was really going to have to stay in a wheelchair. My kids were in high school, about to graduate and start their lives.”

The next orthopedic surgeon was confident, but Canziani had her doubts. In four years, she had 13 surgeries. This doctor told her everything was alright, but she had an undiagnosed yeast infection in her knee.

“He didn’t know what he was doing,” she said. “I was a guinea pig to him. I’m not trying to bash him or anything. I felt like he dropped the ball and didn’t want to pick it back up after a while.”

She went septic after her 13th surgery and, thankfully, there was an infectious disease doctor nearby. On April 22, 2016, Canziani was advised to go to the doctor because she was dying.

“I was trying to figure out why my doctor didn’t just sit me down and say, ‘Let’s take this leg,’” she recalled.

“I brought it up a couple times. I remember him saying it was a good leg. I

3

brielle Austin and a third individual. Officers determined the vehicle belonged to Chae and obtained statements from the suspects, which led them to believe Chae was a homicide victim.

MCSO detectives determined Chae’s body was placed in a dumpster by the suspects and was ultimately deposited in the Northwest Regional Landfill.

MCSO conducted a landfill search from May 11 to July 17, when his body was found with related evidence.

Ezell and Austin were extradited to Arizona and are in MCSO custody. They were booked into MCSO jail with a bond of $1 million for each charge—first-degree murder, armed robbery and theft of means of transportation.

“I continue to be impressed by the hard work of our deputies,” Sheriff Paul Penzone said. “Their perseverance in an extremely complex and demanding case will now allow the victim’s family closure to what has surely been a difficult period. Investigative efforts to recover a body from a landfill are rarely successful. The Herculean efforts by deputies in this case cannot be overstated.”

MCSO received assistance from the ASU, Phoenix, Surprise and Buckeye police departments. Detectives also received help from the Army National Guard (Hazmat 91st), Waste Management Inc. and Rummel Construction, who provided heavy equipment and excavated the search area.

was going to be fine. I ended up losing my leg.”

Canziani now has a prosthetic leg.

Throughout her counseling, she was told to fight her fears and get back on a motorcycle. She tried trikes and conversions, but neither one worked until she found a Ryker.

“It’s this weird-looking bike,” she said with a laugh. “It’s all in the wrist. It has one wheel in the front and two in the back. It looks like the Batmobile.

“I get on it and I ride—still with a helmet. My husband doesn’t want to see another accident. He saw it from his rearview mirror and heard it in his speaker in his helmet. By the time he was able to pull off and get to my rescue, I was already done sliding.”

Canziani admittedly has anxiety issues, especially about a certain North Scottsdale intersection, but that’s to be expected. As for the girl who hit her, she returned to the scene and was cited.

Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center seeks school supplies

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

F

oothills Food Bank & Resource Center needs school supplies for its young clients. Schools will open soon, and the food bank’s goal is to have critical school supplies on hand.

The list of needs is backpacks; threering binders; notebooks; markers; paper; red, black and blue pens; crayons; sharpies; erasers; glue sticks and highlighters. This year, Foothills Food Bank also wants to outfit children with

clothing, running shoes, shorts, socks, pants and undergarments, among other items.

Bring supplies to the two Foothills Food Bank locations: 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive in Cave Creek, and Black Canyon City at 34501 Old Black Canyon Highway. For more information, call 480488-1145.

NEWS

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

Cave Creek budget focuses on water, wastewater systems

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

C

ave Creek Mayor Ernie Bunch recently outlined the town’s budget in a letter to constituents.

The budget, which the town council unanimously approved, caps expenditures at $37,748,705.

“This cap means the town cannot exceed this amount, but it may not spend it all if time and human resources do not permit,” he said.

The FY 2020-21 budget primarily focuses on capital improvements and modifications to the water and wastewater systems. Along with that, it includes funding for road maintenance and construction and other essential projects.

“Just because it is budgeted does not mean the expenditure will occur,” he said. “But the projects must be in the budget for them to be purchased or constructed.”

Profile of Cave Creek

Cave Creek’s population is 5,838, with 52.2% of the residents female and 47.8% male; 10.8% are under 18 years old, and 34.8% are 65 and older.

The median income is $85,529. There are 2.13 persons per household; 53.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median value of owner-occupied housing is $485,400, and there are 2,615 housing units in Cave Creek.

Budget assumptions and trends

In terms of revenue, the continued economic growth in Arizona and the town are contingent upon the extent and long-term effects of COVID-19. Given the increase in real estate and construction activity over the previous years and higher-income households, Cave Creek council and staff are in a good position but are being cautious.

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Budget highlights

Administration: The town manager’s FY 2020-21 budget is $322,250, down from $372,850 in FY 2019-20. The town is not increasing its number of employees; however, it has been and continues to reorganize department functions to better utilize the existing positions to be more effective and efficient. Medical benefit costs are expected to increase by 10%, and retirement benefit costs are also expected to increase as determined by the state.

Legal services: $650,000, up from $588,000 in FY 2019-20, primarily due to the condemnation proceeding by the town of Carefree.

Planning, Zoning and Economic Development: $501,700, down from $755,300, as the expenditures related to updating the general plan come to an end. The town will start surveying and mapping rights of way and expanding the town’s mapping database to include trails and pathways.

Building and Fire Safety, including town facilities and fleet, parks and the rodeo grounds: The FY 2020-21 budget is $1,284,960, down from $1,875,400 in FY 2019-20. This year, the major project tentatively budgeted for is the rodeo grounds’ restroom; however, the project is contingent upon how the local economy is affected by COVID-19. Mayor and council will decide if the project moves forward based on how revenues come in and a presentation of the project cost proposal.

Finance: $604,550, as compared with $606,550 in FY 2019-20. Notable costs have not changed from prior year. They include professional services, software maintenance agreements and bank service fees.

Town council: FY 2020-21 budget includes, for the first time, a budget estimate of $300,000 to cover the costs of fighting two wildfires—the Ocotillo Fire and the East Desert Fire.

“It is important to note that the costs could have been in the millions had it not been for assistance from federal, state and local jurisdictions in fighting these wildfires,” Bunch said. “In addition, council continues to develop unified mission, vision and values for the town and a strategic goal-setting process, which provides a foundation for future budgets.”

Contingency fund: Each year, council sets aside a contingency fund, which is not expected to be spent but is available in case of emergencies. This year, the contingency is $739,000, down from $769,700 in FY 2019-20.

Public Works and Engineering: $2,139,129, down from $2,807,936 in FY 2019-20. The primary focus of this division is maintaining and improving town roads and rights of way.

Water and wastewater: Funding for Cave Creek’s ongoing water infrastructure capital projects is $7,354,918 to construct and maintain the transmission, treatment and distribution systems within the Cave Creek water system. Ongoing multiyear projects include design for waterline interconnection with Phoenix ($375,000), water treatment plant pall membrane filters ($2,422,000), a SCADA system to remotely monitor and control utility sites ($300,000) and construction of new CAP pump stations ($4,540,000).

Desert Hills Water System Capital Project includes a SCADA system to remotely monitor and control utility sites ($40,000), master plan improvements ($50,000) and repair of storage reservoirs ($50,000).

The Cave Creek Wastewater System budget includes a manhole rehabilitation program ($60,000), completions of upgrades to the Rancho Manana Lift Station ($50,000), completion of a new bypass connection at Chuparosa Lift Station ($150,000) and evaluations and repairs of the wastewater system ($150,000).

Info: cavecreekaz.gov

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

We all need help finding our way

BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Guest Columnist

H

ave you ever been lost? Yes, I guess at some time or another most of us have taken a wrong turn, had trouble reading a map, or just gotten mixed up about where we are headed.

Being a Realtor and often in rural areas, sometimes I find that street signs do not exist, landmarks change (the big tree where you are supposed to make your left turn looks the same as every other tree) and GPS works best in cities that are neatly platted out. Imagine my surprise while driving on a dirt road (lost) and finding an old, black horse standing in the middle of the two-lane

goat path. He looked as bewildered to see me as I was to see him. Evidently, he did not think I belonged there, because he made no effort to move. A roadblock of the strangest kind!

Pulling over to the side, I stopped and got out. The horse stood his ground, just sizing me up as I carefully approached him. He was pretty thin, well mannered and seemed curious, if not happy, to see me. Looking around, I pondered where the big fella came from. Not normal for a horse to be standing in the middle of a road with no one else around!

About 300 feet to the north, I noticed a driveway and walked, gently resting my hand on the horse’s backside, as together we headed up a long, narrow dirt drive leading to an old ranch house.

The black horse and I got up the driveway and we both stood still for a moment while an elderly man ran out from the garage with arms open like he might hug me. Well, he did embrace his horse, and for a few minutes he seemed confused, then he asked what I was doing here with Rocky. When I said I found Rocky standing in the middle of the road, the man looked shocked. He said, “Rocky is 34 years old and has arthritis, doesn’t eat much and barely walks anymore. He usually just stands by my back porch or in his barn. He hasn’t walked this far in two years!”

Clearly the man was flabbergasted, and then he chuckled, saying that he better be sure to close his gates.

There might be another type of “lost.”

A lady emailed me to say that she was married for 45 years and every day

“knew what to do.” When her husband died, she said she “drifted” for one year, with no particular reason or goal to do anything, except the basic chores of daily living. It can happen to us at any age. A loved one is snatched away too soon and we become bereft, struggling to find that new “normal,” when all we really want is to go back to that place in time where we were before.

This begs the question: Can we be in the most familiar of places yet be completely lost?

Life is one heck of a journey. Lost? It happens. Grab a compass, dear readers, because there might be times when we need a little help finding our way.

time. 2020 started off on a downer note just a few days after New Year’s when brain cancer took Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist from Rush.

If you’re a rock fan between the ages of 20 and Methuselah, you’ve madly air drummed in time to Peart’s beats in “Tom Sawyer” or the instrumental “YYZ.” Named the fourth-greatest drummer ever by Rolling Stone, Peart was only 67 when he passed.

Speaking of too young, three weeks later 2020 took Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash that killed nine people in all.

Bryant, 41 at the time of his death, arguably belongs on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore as a five-time champion, an

18-time All Star and the league’s 2008 Most Valuable Player.

Personally, I loved to despise Bryant, but there’s no denying he was a transcendent talent.

By March, 2020 shifted from targeting famous people to killing the masses. You can blame the COVID-19 fatalities on a perfect storm: a lethal virus meeting clueless elected leaders and an inattentive populace, or you can chalk it up to 2020 doing more 2020 things.

The pandemic count at press time?

Over 15 million cases worldwide and 620,000 dead. I’ll spare you the latest from Arizona, which seems determined to add World COVID Champion 2020 to that lonely Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Series crown.

On the positive side, I’m halfway through this column and I haven’t mentioned President Trump.

I’m trying to stay away from that subject to cut down on my hate mail.

Plus, there’s the folks who track me down online to let me have it every time I mention the president. Had Donald Trump been king in 1347, I absolutely believe his court jester would have put out a parchment press release longer than the Silk Road.

It would have labeled the Black Death the “Mongol Flu” and proclaimed that the world was “better off without that other half of the population, because they weren’t our best people anyway.”

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment?

Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

2020 on course to top the horror of 1347

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

W

hen it comes to bad years, it’s pretty tough to top 1347. That was the year the Black Death kicked into overdrive, contaminating major cities in Europe and Asia. Ultimately, that epidemic killed more than 50 million people over the next few years.

By any estimation, that’s an epically horrendous year. Though 2020 seems ready to jump up and shout, “What, you think that’s miserable? Dude, hold my beer.”

One measure of tracking how awful a year is tracking the folks we lose over

see

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

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Then Trump would have raided France and given himself credit for “ending the 100 Years War more than 90 years ahead of schedule.”

I still wouldn’t put that past him if things get desperate heading into Election Day. Meanwhile, 2020 continues to pick off some of America’s best and brightest.

Hugh Downs, as smart and classy a newsman as has walked God’s green earth, passed away July 1 in Scottsdale.

Downs was everything today’s network anchor clowns are not: fair, strong minded and able to probe without being a

jerk.

Strength was also the hallmark of civil rights icon John Lewis, 80, who left us last week at a moment when we need his dignity and unerring instinct for justice. Lewis was 23 when he spoke at the 1963 March on Washington. He survived police batons, segregationist attacks and 33 years in Congress to emerge a legend.

I don’t imagine Lewis quit a day in his life, which is inspiration enough not to give up on 2020.

This year is surely a test, however. And to this point, we are being stretched near to breaking.

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Local tour company continues through pandemic

BY BRANDIE BOSWORTH Foothills Focus Staff Writer

H

unting scorpions after sunset, firing machine guns off of ATVs, and off-roading at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains with Tomcars are a few of the adventures guests can experience through Desert Wolf Tours.

Located in 85086, the business began in 2006 when the original owner started leading tour expeditions for tourists stopping at Jack Ass Acres, an old gas station off the I-17 and New River. The owner had two Tomcars and ran it as a one-man show. Fast forward 14 years, and the business has expanded to 16 Tomcars with more activities added to the mix.

Tomcars originated from off-road military vehicles and are durable, versatile machines that are designed to be safe and dependable in rugged terrain.

Hunter Corbier has been the general manager at Desert Wolf Tours for eight years. He said the tours are unlike any other, even for locals to experience.

“The biggest expectation would be to go out there without any,” Corbier said.

One of the more popular tours is the half-day Tomcar adventure. Guests 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license get to drive their own Tomcar, following a guide into the desert. The vehicles hold four people and all ages can be passengers, as there are car seats for the little ones.

“Our vehicles are very smooth; they are kind of like the Cadillacs of the offroad vehicles,” Corbier said.

This experience includes about two hours of drive time in the Tomcars. The rest of the time is filled with sharing knowledge about the surrounding area.

Corbier said, “We do have certain stops where the guide gets out with them and teaches about the plants, animals, history, desert survival and does some active

Located in 85086, Desert Wolf Tours began in 2006 when the original owner started leading tour expeditions for tourists stopping at Jack Ass Acres, an old gas station off the I-17 and New River. (Submitted photos)

The ATV Tour Machine Gun Adventure lets guests use firearms at a permitted desert shooting range.

demonstrations.”

One demonstration showcases the different cactus that are safe for consumption. To do so, they burn the needles off first. Another demonstration allows guests to try mesquite flour straight from mesquite trees and its pea pods.

The Tomcar “Scorpion Hunt” Sunset ATV Tour takes guests out to watch the sunset. Then, the hunt for scorpions begins.

“We flip on our LED light bars in the cars and head farther into the desert

until we get to a spot we call Scorpion Alley,” Corbier said. “We get out with black lights, and you light them up with the black light like a highlighter; they are very distinct and bright.”

Guides will talk about the scorpions, and depending on the temperature, anywhere from 10 to 40 scorpions may be uncovered.

The ATV Tour Machine Gun Adventure lets guests use firearms at a permitted desert shooting range. One firearm, an M1919 machine gun, is mounted on an

ATV that guests shoot from the top of the vehicle. The other guns are an AK-47 and a military grade M4.

Other packages include guns like a fully automatic 9mm Uzi. There are over 13 different machine gun platforms, and Corbier said the customer can customize the guns they want to try however they wish. Customers must be at least 13 years old to shoot.

Desert Wolf Tours was hit hard by the coronavirus, as have other tourism companies, Corbier said. However, to combat the virus, the company is having guests be in their own vehicles and not combining different groups of guests.

Additionally, dust gators are given to each guest before the tour, and they not only keep the dust at bay but qualify as a face covering. The sanitization of the vehicles is a little different, Corbier said, but the other aspects of the operation are the same.

In the summer season, tours run in the mornings and sunset to beat the summer heat. When it gets cooler, they run in the mornings and afternoons. Some of the tours are unavailable due to the fire ban and fire hazards associated with them.

Prices begin at around $150 per person and increase based upon the adventure and customer customizations.

The business has racked up several awards for its excursions since its beginnings, Corbier said, including being in TripAdvisors Hall of Fame.

“I know everyone’s been cooped up inside with not a whole lot going on, and the desert is a good way to get out of the house and have a change in scenery,” Corbier said.

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Jerry O’Connell visualized a ‘Secret’ role, and landed it

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

A

ctor Jerry O’Connell was on a set of a TV show and frequently complaining about his life when a coworker gave him a copy of the book “The Secret.”

“I said, ‘Oh brother. This is going to be like a cult,’” O’Connell recalled. “I read it and it was very helpful. It was a really crazy time in my life professionally. I know it sounds cheesy to say this, but I visualized if they ever made a scripted version of the film, I wanted to be in it.”

He is.

“The Secret: Dare to Dream” hit premium video-on-demand outlets on July 31. The film was originally slated for an April 17 theatrical release by Roadside Attractions, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that.

The movie tells the story of Miranda Wells (Katie Holmes), a hard-working young widow struggling to raise three children, when she encounters Bray Johnson (Josh Lucas). He’s carrying— literally—a secret that could change Miranda’s life. Meanwhile, she’s involved with her coworker, Tucker, played by O’Connell.

Written by Rhonda Byrne, “The Secret” was one of 2006’s best-selling self-help books, based on an earlier film of the same name. It is based on the belief of the law of attraction, which claims that thoughts can change a person’s life directly. It sold 30 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages.

“The book has such a fanbase,” O’Connell said. “It has changed so many people’s lives. I’m interested to see what ardent followers of the rules of attraction will think about the scripted version of their beloved book.

“It’s an international phenomenon, ‘The Secret.’ This is a dramatic version

Jerry O’Connell, right, jokes that he nearly fell off the roof when he saw Josh Lucas’ blue eyes. The two costar in “The Secret: Dare to Dream.” (Photo

courtesy Lionsgate)

Katie Holmes plays Miranda Wells, the love interest of Jerry O’Connell’s Tucker, in “The Secret: Dare to Dream.” (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)

of that. I think the most challenging part is making sure the secret, this is the dramatic version of that.

I think the most challenging part is making sure—I wouldn’t call it the fans—the followers of ‘The Secret’ are happy with what we did.”

The movie was directed by Andy Tennant, with whom Lucas fans would be familiar because he helmed “Sweet Home Alabama” as well.

“They certainly got the right person when they got Andy Tennant to come do it,” O’Connell said. “He’s our writer/director, and I guess he really is one of the kings of rom-com.

It was just so interesting that they went to him with the scripted version of ‘The Secret.’”

O’Connell is keeping busy these days. Amazon’s IMDB TV is carrying his show “Carter,” which is about an actor who played a cop on televi-

sion and has a problem determining the difference between reality and fiction.

He also voices Cmdr. Jack Ransom on CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” which premieres on August 10. He describes the 10-episode run as a comedic version of “Star Trek.”

During the pandemic, O’Connell says he’s using his “laws of attraction” talents and visualization techniques to get his kids back in school.

(He’s kidding.)

He’s hoping that fans and followers of “The Secret” have as much fun with the movie as he did.

“It was a fun set,” O’Connell saids.

“Katie Holmes is such a doll. She’s so much fun to work with.

“And man, I wasn’t playing his love interest, but that Josh Lucas is so dreamy. I had scenes with him—not to judge him—but I do get lost in his Paul Newman-esque blue eyes.

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Pietro Marsala fought for the right to fly commercial planes The diagnosis came after he lost 10 pounds in a week, he was thirsty and urinated frequently. Marsala was devastated to be diagnosed with a chronic illness at 21. Ten to 11 months later, he started “feeling weird” again and was re-diagnosed as a type-1 diabetic.

“I didn’t fit the bill of a type-2 diabetic,” he said. “I was fairly fit and pretty young.

That was the hardest day of my life, to go back on insulin, a career-ending drug.”

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

P

ietro Marsala remembers, as a child, his father bribing him with trips to the flight deck midflight when they flew to Italy every summer to see family.

“I was the best kid in the world for two weeks,” Marsala said. “It would be just me and my dad in there with them. This was before 9/11. I’d be in awe of everything going on. I looked at them like they were superheroes.

“I loved the way they carried themselves in the terminals, the equipment they fly and their passion. I was in awe of it all. I developed my passion for flying there.”

That passion never died, but a diagnosis of type-1 diabetes almost derailed his dreams.

For pilots who dreamed of flying airplanes commercially, a diabetes diagnosis meant having to give it up. That is until November, when the Federal Aviation Association reversed course and began issuing first- and second-class medical certificates required for commercial flying to people with diabetes, like Marsala, a Scottsdale resident.

Why the change? A combination of advancements in diabetes technology—and a ton of heart and perseverance from the people who use it.

Not ready to give up

Vince D’Aliesio’s home in Carefree was built around the mountain. (Photo by Pablo Robles) Pietro Marsala shows the results of his continuous glucose monitoring device, a small wearable technology that is placed on a person’s lower abdomen and automatically sends a user’s blood glucose levels to a receiver, smartphone or Apple Watch every 5 minutes. (Photo courtesy Pietro Marsala)

Practice makes perfect

When Marsala was 11, he spent hours on his Microsoft flight simulator, giving him his first taste of flight. As time progressed, he developed his passion for flying.

“I would spend hours on it,” Marsala said. “I’d have my parents and brother behind me in the office and act like my passengers. They couldn’t stand more than 30 minutes of being there.

“Then it would be just me in the room.

It’s so realistic and it’s in real time. I would take off from Chicago and fly across the

Pietro Marsala, right, with the FAA’s James DeVoll when they met to discuss diabetic pilots. (Photo courtesy Pietro Marsala)

Atlantic Ocean, put it on autopilot and set the alarm for Spain. I had a couch in the office, where I’d sleep.

I’d wake up and pick up where I left off and turn autopilot off.”

When he entered high school, Marsala thought maybe he wasn’t smart enough to be a pilot. He was indecisive until he went on a tour of a flight school at Deer Valley Airport.

“I saw I could learn to fly in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, at Deer Valley Airport, so I went out there,” Marsala said. “I fell in love. The rest is history. I started taking flying lessons, doing my training and working on my commercial flight training. Right in the beginning of it, they diagnosed me with type-2 diabetes.”

Marsala, who was licensed to instruct, was still determined to be a commercial pilot. The FAA allowed pilots with diabetes to obtain third-class medical certificates, enabling them to fly privately and flight instruct. But they can’t earn firstand second-class medical certificates required for commercial flying.

The FAA believed pilots with diabetes who suffered from severe high or low blood sugar during a flight would endanger the passengers and the aircraft. With continuous glucose monitoring technology from companies like Dexcom, users can see their blood glucose levels at any given moment and know if their levels are trending up or down so that they can proactively make educated treatment decisions.

A continuous glucose monitoring device is a small wearable technology that is placed on a person’s lower abdomen and automatically sends a user’s blood glucose levels to a receiver, smartphone or Apple Watch every 5 minutes. The Dexcom system also has built-in alerts that proactively notify patients and their family and friends before their blood glucose reaches potentially dangerous levels.

“It’s great because it sends to a cloud and I’m able to print these reports from my receiver,” he said. “It constantly records blood sugar.”

see FLY page 12

12

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

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FLY from page 11

He and his friend decided to take a trip to Washington, D.C., in 2015 and while they were there, Marsala inquired with the FAA’s Dr. James DeVoll. He was turned away, so instead Marsala sent DeVoll an email. Surprisingly, he received a response.

“Two hours later, I received a response when I was at dinner that he’d like to meet me,” he recalled. “The next day, at noon, I went up there and I was overly excited to meet him. He said he didn’t have too much time, but we ended up talking for about an hour and a half.”

Marsala showed DeVoll he was stable in flight and the FAA said they were going

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to consider type-1 diabetics on a case-bycase basis. However, no one had been certified yet.

“I was pleasantly aggressive,” he said. “I made an Excel spreadsheet to prove I’m stable in flight.”

On November 7, the FAA decided to allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to apply to fly commercial airliners.

The FAA’s reversal came after a series of lawsuits issued by the American Diabetes Association in partnership with diabetic pilots. Another factor that played a role in the FAA’s decision making is the advancement of medical technology.

Marsala sent records from a cardiologist, endocrinologist and optometrist, and he was certified in April.

“I knew we were close, but I didn’t know when it was going to come,” he said. “I was driving, and my watch goes off. It was an email from the FAA. I thought, ‘Holy cow.

This is it.’ It required a password, so I did that, and I scrolled to the bottom—not even reading the whole thing. It said I was first-class medical certified.

“Eight long years. I didn’t give myself a chance to enjoy the moment. I immediately called my doctor, thanking him and still crying at the time. I thanked him for believing in me and trust me. He changed my life forever. He said, ‘If I didn’t shed a tear when I sent out that email, I would have been lying.’ I knew it meant a lot to him as well.”

Now comes the task of looking for a job in the time of COVID-19, when many flights are grounded.

“I hope things pick up pretty quickly,” he said. “There’s so much uncertainty around the whole industry, but the biggest obstacle is over.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

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There’s nothing basic about Tru Burger

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

S

tuart Gee has literally spent his life in the restaurant business.

Growing up in Waterloo, Iowa, he split his days between school and his father’s Chinese restaurant. After college, he worked for Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill, Mimi’s and TGI Friday’s—all in management or executive positions.

When he bought Tru Burger, which at the time had stores in Peoria and Anthem, he went with his gut instinct.

“I did like the name. I liked the concept, but I thought it was a little undervalued,” Gee said.

“The past owner wasn’t really a restaurant person. Both stores were on negative sales trends, so I was able to get him at a good price. My whole world was in corporate at Macaroni Grill, Red Lobster, TGI Friday’s, things like that. I’ve been the turnaround guy.

“That’s why it appealed to me. They had a good product, but they started taking short cuts. I knew that there was a lot of low-hanging food to move the needle the right way.”

Since Gee bought Tru Burger in April 2017, the Anthem location has doubled in sales. He chalks it up to improved management and products.

“Since we’ve doubled our sales, there are a lot of loyal guests,” he said. “Internally, when we talk, we wonder how our ‘Tru Believers’ will feel about this rollout, that addition to the appetizers, these burgers. We stay way ahead of the curve.”

He doesn’t skimp on product, either, which helped bolster sales. Burgers start at $9.95.

“Our main burger that we use on all of our items is a half-pound black angus all-natural patty with no added hormones or antibiotics,” Gee said.

Stuart Gee had a long history in the restaurant business before acquiring Tru Burger, which has locations in Anthem, shown above, and Downtown Phoenix. (Photo by Pablo Robes)

“If you’re going to have a burger, that’s about as healthy as you can get. We don’t do a basic cheeseburger. There are some people who say we’re a little expensive. We may be a little more expensive, but our food cost is about 5 points higher, simple because we invest in the food that’s going to give us the repeat business, the high scores and good value.”

And while the cost of beef has risen, Gee has kept his prices the same. Gee said his chefs will also cook burgers to a certain temperature—something a lot of other restaurants will not do. With black angus certified, there’s a lot less risk of illness, too.

“A very small number of cows make up that ground beef,” Gee said. “A thousand different animals are sometimes in other beef products. You never know where

to look to find the problem.

“Fortunately, black angus has never had an issue. It’s safer for the consumer. You don’t get as much saturated fat, either. We’re proud to serve that burger.

We do not and will not serve an inferior burger.”

Gee said the pandemic has been difficult and disappointing—especially when he had to switch to takeout only in March. He makes most of his money during the winter season, from January through the end of May. However,

Anthem and the city of Phoenix helped keep the restaurant afloat.

“We did not hit the sales,” Gee said.

“We did about 50% of what we would have done with takeout. We did that with a lot less people. We were able to make money through those times, which was very, very helpful. And with (Gov. Doug) Ducey allowing alcoholic beverages for takeout sales, it worked. There’s very low labor to serve drinks.”

For August, the Tru Burger staff revamped its drink menu, which features fresh-squeezed fruit.

“If you order lemon, lime or orange juice, all of it is freshly squeezed,” Gee said. “It takes more labor, but the drinks are significantly better than if you use canned frozen concentrate of anything.

“We want to promote a better price and product, so you’ll get the full benefit of the taste, the look and the sweetness of the fruit that’s in season. Mexico has a year-round growing season, so we have a lot of choices.”

Tru Burger’s trademark drink is the Pink Dragon ($9), which is a blend of fresh watermelon juice, vodka, basil and a few secrets Gee didn’t want to divulge.

The restaurant’s most recognizable drink is the smoked old fashioned made with bourbon liquor-soaked cherries.

“They’re out of this world,” Gee said with a laugh. “You get a nice buzz and have a nice snack. The smoked old fashioned is my medicine I take when I don’t feel well.”

Gee challenges his staff to create new dishes and drinks. After working with top chefs at national chains, Gee has a lot of the answers, he said—but not all of them.

see

BURGER page 13

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

BURGER

from page 13

“Getting our employees involved with the creative side gives them buy-in, job satisfaction,” Gee added. “They’re going to sell something they’ve created.

“We get quite good ideas from our guests, too. They wanted different options besides burgers, salads and sandwiches. A guest came in and said her husband loves Tru Burger and wants a burger every week, but she wasn’t a burger person.”

As a result, Gee added three grilled entrees—salmon with a compound lemon butter, fries and a side of fresh roasted vegetables ($16.95); marinated chicken

($14.95) or steak ($18.95) served the same with garlic herb butter.

“This is a great steak,” Gee said. “It’s also black angus. It’s aged with no hormones. It’s expensive for us—$19. It’s a plateful, but you’d pay $30 anywhere else.”

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 29, 2020

• Refinance at historically low rates and lower your monthly payment • Cash out refinance for debt consolidation or home improvements • Reduce the number of years on your mortgage • Purchase loans, get pre-qualified prior to finding your home • Investment loans for rental property purchase or refinance Deborah Hartwick Branch Sales Manager

3715 W Anthem Way Ste 110-11, Anthem AZ 85086

NMLS # 323067 Office:

480.310.1240

DHartwick@prmg.net

Cell:

949.701.1787

©2020 Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. NMLS# 75243 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org This is not a loan commitment, guarantee of any financial benefit. or a guarantee of any kind. Loan approval and rate is dependent on borrower credit. collateral, financial history, and program availability at the time of origination.

Interest rate and terms, and programs are subject to change without notice. 7.1.20

Men’s Lounge Barbershop provides a relaxing men’s classic barbershop atmosphere, focused on the lifestyle of today’s man.

Everyone is welcome at Men’s Lounge Barbershop where you will be treated the same regardless of your wealth and/or community status. Come on by and get the lounge treatment.

You’ll never look for another barbershop again.

Peoria

6791 West Happy Valley Road Suite 105 Peoria Arizona, 85383 623-440-9412

Phoenix

2501 W. Happy Valley Rd. Suite 32-107, Phoenix Arizona, 85085 623-556-3193

www.mensloungeaz.com