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This Week
BUSINESS.......... 16
Yoga Democracy wants what’s best for the planet
Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
Anthem Area Edition
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Walk raises money for African well BY MIKE OXENDINE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
F
or desert-dwelling Arizonans, inhabitants of one of Earth’s hottest and driest climates, the challenge of finding water is acutely personal. And as water levels continue to plummet in Lake Mead and the Colorado River, decimated by climate-change induced heatwaves and droughts, the state’s residents
are faced with an increasingly urgent threat to their future in the arid and unforgiving Sonoran landscape. The world’s water woes, of course, span far beyond the American West and a Saturday, Nov. 12, fundraiser at Anthem Community Park, Walk 4 Water Anthem, is aimed at bringing relief to villagers in east Africa while spreading awareness of a global crisis. Water 4 Kids International, a division of Phoenix-based Hope 4 Kids International,
is raising funds to drill a borehole well “that will provide safe, clean water from deep aquafers to the surrounding villages” in Ariet, located in the Bukedea District of eastern Uganda. “I think Arizonans think about the value of water on a daily basis,” said Dave Murphy of Anthem Rotary Club, which is partnering with Water 4 Kids International to promote
see WATER page 6
State’s largest tree moving into the Outlets
BY LEAH SCHWARTZ Foothills Focus Staff Writer
FEATURES......... 19
Prickly Pear Fest educates guests on the cactus
YOUTH.............. 23
American Legion, VFW hosts youth programs
OPINION.......................8 BUSINESS.................. 16 FEATURES................. 19 YOUTH....................... 23 CLASSIFIEDS............. 26 Zone I
T
he Outlets at Anthem will, for the 21st year, host the state’s tallest Christmas tree when it pulls in on a 40-foot flatbed truck at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4. The 70-foot-tall, 20-feet-wide tree is coming from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on the border between Oregon and California. The tree lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Each year, the task of obtaining the tree falls to Victor’s Custom Christmas Trees, a company that focuses on sustainable Christmas tree harvesting. The tree is handpicked and harvested with the help of forest management to clear space for
smaller trees to thrive. And for each tree cut, Victor’s Custom Christmas Trees plants 12 saplings. Lisa Nyrose, the shopping center’s manager, said the display is in line with her employer’s mission. “Bringing holiday cheer has been important to our company since its inception,” she said. “It has been a holiday tradition for families in the Valley for 21 years. People used to bring their kids, now they bring their grandchildren. I love to get to be a part of that.” After traveling 750 miles from California, the tree will arrive escorted by Santa and the Daisy Mountain Fire Department.
see TREE page 4
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