ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Purse Impressions PAGE
Ofrenda restaurant
16
Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Cave Creek, Carefree, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
TheFoothillsFocus.com
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS ..................... 12
20
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
CCUSD superintendent retiring after 12 years BY SARA EDWARDS Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
3 Deer Valley Unified schools given A+ ratings
C
ave Creek Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Debbi Burdick is retiring after 12 years. Burdick joined the district in 2004 as associate superintendent and became the interim superintendent in 2008 before she officially took the position. “A humble thank you to the entire CCUSD
community for working alongside me for the benefit of our students,” she said. “I will miss working with the incredible CCUSD staff, parents and students, but I look forward to continuing to support our schools as a shareholder in our extraordinary CCUSD community.” Burdick earned two master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University. In 1995, she and her family moved to Arizona.
She earned her doctorate degree from ASU. Throughout her career, before her superintendent position, Burdick has held teacher, principal and educational consultant positions. She was also an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University and ASU. She’s been an educator for 47 years. “It is special to have the opportunity to live and work in the same community, and
see CCUSD page 5
‘Blessing Squad’ gives gift cards to needy families
BUSINESS ........18
Proven Media elevates marijuana’s reputation
YOUTH ...........28
Arizona Coyotes give back to Village Meadows students
OPINION ................... 13 BUSINESS ................. 16 FEATURES ................ 20 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 29 Zone
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF CAVE CREEK)
PAGE
I
BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
T
here’s no question that many families are suffering financially and emotionally due to the unprecedented challenges that come with the COVID-19 pandemic. This inspired Adam Johnson, CEO and founder of Doody Defense, a pet waste removal and odor control service, to team with other North Valley businesses to give two families $500 gift cards, assembling what he dubbed “The Blessing Squad.” “I reached out to local businesses in Anthem and New River, and not a single one hesitated,” Johnson said. “Everybody
see BLESSING page 4
Adam Johnson, founder and CEO of Doody Defense, shows off his festively decorated company car. Johnson teamed up with other North Valley business owners to assemble “The Blessing Squad” to give away two $500 gift cards to two struggling local families. (Photo by Sarah Donahue)