December 5, 2012 • Vol. 11, No.4
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Anthem tabs consultant for renovation
Anthem celebrates holiday season STAFF REPORT
MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Since purchasing the building at 3715 W. Anthem Way in late June, Anthem staff has been laying out the plan for renovating the 36,500 square foot building, which will serve the community in a number of ways. At the Nov. 28 Anthem Community Council meeting Community Executive Officer Jenna Kollings announced an important step is now in place as the group has selected Rider Levett Bucknall, a construction consultancy to represent Anthem during construction. The group was one of 13 companies that submitted for the job and among four that interviewed with a panel from Anthem on Nov. 7. “They really impressed us,” Kollings said. “They have a lot of experience working to build civic centers. They’ve worked in Anthem before. They’ll be our representative in overseeing the project, to make sure what is being built is what we agreed to.” Ward Simpson, from Rider Levett Bucknall, was introduced as the firm’s main liaison for the project. “I’m excited about this project,” he said. “It’s an important project that will serve the entire community. It’s a somewhat complicated
RENOVATIONS
continued on page 6
Inside:
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Arts and crafts are part of the festivities at Anthem’s Holiday in the Park event, set for 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Friday in Anthem Community Park. The family event costs $29 for a family of four, with a $5 charge for each additional child.
Anthem and Valley-wide residents are invited to celebrate the diversity of the holidays at this year’s Anthem Community Council (ACC) Holiday In the Park event from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Friday, at the ACC Community Park, 41130 N. Freedom Way, in Anthem. Residents will gather with friends and family in park, which will be aglow with festive lights and ornaments, including 300 luminaries lining the paths. The following activities are designed to get every age into the holiday spirit: • M ulti-cultural holidaythemed craft activities
• H oliday carols sung by Musical Theatre of Anthem • A nthem Polar Express train rides at Daisy Mountain Railroad • H ot chocolate and holiday sweet treats • P hoto opportunities Santa Claus
with
Tickets are $29 for a family of four (plus $5 per each additional child), $15 per couple, and $9 per individual adult. Children under 1 year old are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For information: 623-879-3011, or visit the ACC Community Center front desk, 41130 North Freedom Way.
Cactus Shadows eyes return trip to state finals MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Cactus Shadows coach Jeff Vittorio doesn’t hesitate to say the 2012-2013 edition of the Falcons soccer team has more talent than last year’s team, which went 22-4 and advanced to the state championship match for the first time in school history. What he’s waiting to find out is how this year’s unit, which returns seven players from last year’s squad, comes together as a team. “Last year we had such great leadership,” the eighth year coach said. “We went as far as we did because everyone was completely glued into
that common goal. The girls didn’t worry about records or stats or any of those individual accomplishments. They simply wanted to win a state championship.” While they ultimately came up short, falling 2-0 to Catalina Foothills in the championship match, the players believe the journey of getting there will benefit this year’s squad. “It was an amazing experience,” junior captain Anika Brock said. “Right away it was there at the start of the season. We all wanted the same thing.” Brock, a midfielder, said she likes what she sees out of this year’s team.
Sports:
FUNDRAISER:
Boulder Creek girls soccer rolls to seasonopening tourney title
Page 3
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Bridgette Sabanosh prepares to shoot on a first half goal during the Falcons first win of the season. The Falcons look to return to the state finals after a 22-4 season in 2012-2013. To view more photos from Thursday’s game go to facebook.com/thefoothills.focus.
“The teamwork is there,” she said. “We’re pretty strong with our passing. We’re great at connecting and executing give and goes.” Midfielder Kelli Reid, the elder statesman on the team as a
MUSIC:
four year varsity veteran, said she too likes the group, particularly the offensive capabilities her team possesses.
RETURN
continued on page 10
OTHER :
Cave Creek luminaria run aids pair of non-profits
Cave Creek restaurant hosts variety of musical acts throughout December
• Editorial Page
• Service Directory
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• Classified Ads
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