December 14, 2016 • Vol. 15, No. 4
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Vistancia
The Buffalo Chip is back to business as usual one year after fire TARA ALATORRE STAFF
CAVE CREEK – It is a typical Friday night at The Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek: the dance floor is hopping, the bulls are bucking, the barbeque grills are smoking and the beer is flowing, so it is hard to believe that just one year ago, this place was reduced to a pile of rubble and ashes after a fire caused by an alleged arson on Thanksgiving last year. However, nearly $1,000,000, and one year later, the newly rebuilt Buffalo Chip has risen from the ashes with the same cozy, neighborhood bar ambiance it always did; steer skulls are tacked to the wall, pictures of Western relics line the hallways, warm rustic wood
bars and tables fill the room giving you a sense of familiarity, which is comforting if you were a patron of The Chip before it was destroyed in the fire last year. “Business is brisk right now because everyone kind of wants to see the changes, and the new building is truly unique and there is nothing like it in the Valley,” said owner Larry Wendt in a phone interview. “We got an upgrade if there is anything good that came out of this.” While Wendt and his staff have excelled in capturing the essence of this small-town Western bar, adding every painstaking detail to make his patrons feel as if they have returned home, it is
Patrons gather at the newly rebuilt Buffalo Chip Saloon.
Giving back: New nonprofit offers hope for the holidays and beyond ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
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A local motorcycle group adopted this little girl’s family through Web for Hope’s Adopt-A-Family program, delivering them Christmas gifts last weekend.
BUFFALO CHIP continued on page 8
EPCOR presents updates on wastewater rate case ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
ANTHEM – When people work together, they can do amazing things. New nonprofit Web for Hope focuses on working together; a group of dedicated volunteers have joined forces to provide resources and fulfill needs for struggling local families. “Web for Hope is composed of a network of experienced, knowledgeable, and remarkable community members who believe in and know the value of
GIVING BACK
Tara Alatorre photo
ANTHEM – The wastewater rate case concerning the five EPCOR wastewater districts is moving along, and a hearing specifically for public comment to the Arizona Corporation Commission will be held on Jan. 23, 2017. Residents can also give comments by emailing the Commissioners; email addresses are available at www.azcc.gov. Shawn Bradford, EPCOR VP of Corporate Services, shared updates on the case at a Dec. 12 meeting in Anthem.
BUSINESS:
FRAUD ALERT:
ARTS:
Anthem businesses honored
YCSO warns of
DFLT seeks artists’ works
at awards ceremony
impersonation phone scam
for art exhibit
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EPCOR staff has been hosting meetings to provide information and answer questions in each wastewater district. “We wanted to make sure we gave everybody in each community an opportunity to hear this presentation,” Bradford said. The Arizona Corporation Commission has ordered EPCOR to prepare a full wastewater rate case; the case includes three options for rates. The case will include testimony
RATE CASE
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OTHER : • Bluhm Column
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• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
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