July 25, 2012 • Vol. 10, No.29
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Cave Creek seeks development of cycling path through town MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
The town of Cave Creek will continue to examine a plan that could bring bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths through approximately 4.5 miles of Cave Creek. Following a presentation by Jason Harrington of E Group Landscape Architecture the merits of what would be an approximately $7 million project were discussed at the July 16 Cave Creek Town Council meeting. The MAG Design Assistance
Program provides communities the opportunity to develop projects by assisting in the early planning and design stages. The intent is “to stimulate the integration of pedestrian and bicycle facilities into the planning and design of all types of infrastructure and development.” “We think this is an opportunity to bring in people from outside the community that could help spur the economy,” Harrington said. “We also think this amenity could discourage the driver that makes several stops through
town using their car where they add to traffic congestion by stopping numerous times.” Mike Rigney, the town’s assistant utilities manager, was in attendance as a member of the public in support of the plan. “We’re developing a reputation as a place to bike, both off road and on road,” said Rigney, an organizer for the Cave Creek Bicycle Festival, which celebrated its third annual event in November.
PATH
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Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
The Town of Cave Creek is looking for funding sources to pay to build bike lanes through the center of town. A project that would cost an estimated $7 million also would include walking paths and equestrian trails.
Former athlete offers sports, health knowledge to youth MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Seth Wright, 8, throws a pitch to his father, Joe Wright, during a workout at Total Sports Performance Thursday. Chris Matusz, a former college pitcher runs the facility, working with youth athletes.
Inside:
SPORTS:
After participating in baseball as a player, a coach and as a physical therapist Chris Matusz is taking all of what he has learned and combining it in his latest effort, Total Sports Performance. The Tramonto-based business is named after Total Sports Therapy, the physical fitness office where Matusz works for owner Drew Giardina, right next door. “I’m focusing on baseball, but I’ve worked with other athletes already,” Matusz said. “I like being able to work with the small groups or one-on-one. There aren’t any distractions here. We can just work. It’s fun
ACCIDENT:
Boulder Creek athletic director enthusiastic about new position
Fatal accident on I-17 shuts down north bound traffic at Anthem Way
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seeing them get better.” Matusz, a Valley product and one- time Cave Creek resident, attended St. Mary’s High School, advancing to Chandler Gilbert Community College before accepting a baseball scholarship to Iowa Wesleyan College Mount Pleasant, Iowa. There he was one of the program’s starting pitchers, compiling a 16-18 career record with a 4.66 E.R.A. During his senior year Matusz went 4-4 with a 3.65 E.R.A. in 61 1/3 innings. “I got a couple looks by professional teams after college, but as a right hander I was only hitting 88-90, maybe 91 miles per hour on a good day with my fastball so they weren’t willing
GOVERNMENT:
to sign me,” Matusz said. Since coming back to the Valley Matusz has spent some time as a coach, a Cactus Shadows varsity assistant under then head coach Tom Scalia, before getting into physical therapy. In his latest endeavor he’s focusing most of his efforts with younger athletes. “I worked with a bunch of high school football players from Sandra Day O’Connor on speed and agility things, but mostly it’s the youth baseball kids. You get an 8, 9, 10 year old and you can pretty much start from scratch,” he said.
YOUTH
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OTHER :
Anthem Community Council meeting set for tonight
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