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This Week
Anthem Area Edition
NEWS................. 6
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
At MTA, it’s all about the children BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
Anthem establishes penalties for dog park violations
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see MTA page 4
of the improv troupe and coming in on the spot. Their confidence just grows like crazy — on and off the stage. You can just see and feel it.” Litman teaches a myriad of classes at the MTA. She also plays a handful of roles — director of educational programming, production manager, stage manager, curriculum implementation, costumes and props. Her most important role is teaching the kids, Litman said. “There’s a good community feel at the theater,” she said. “I really love the kids at this theater. There’s a good group of the sweetest kids who are willing to learn.” The MTA managed to stay open during the pandemic, with many restrictions in place. The staff felt it was important to keep kids engaged as COVID-19 swept through the world.
he Anthem Skatepark renovation and expansion project is one step closer to fruition, as the final design and associated costs of around $1.3 million have been approved. Skateboarders, scooter riders, BMX bikers and roller-skaters will soon have new and improved elements to practice and master their skills, as the expanded and renovated skatepark will include a street skating plaza, pump track as well as construction and maintenance improvements
to its existing skatepark. The final design and the associated overall cost of $1,333,531 for these new feats and operational improvements were unanimously approved by the Anthem Community Council Board of Directors during a March 24 meeting. “It’s going to be a great skatepark when it’s all done,” said Terry Mullarkey, executive director of Anthem Community Council (ACC). Construction is expected to be complete between December and February, depending on how long it takes to secure Maricopa County permitting, Mullarkey said.
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ierra Litman’s passion is teaching classes like theater, juggling, improv and film to children at the Musical Theatre of Anthem. She witnesses her students’ confidence build, as they become increasingly more comfortable on stage. “Some children are almost too scared to talk to me when they walk in for the first time,” said the affable Litman. “I had a young kid who came in for beginning puppetry. It was the first time they had done anything like this. I watched that kid go from really quiet and not being able to talk to being a part
Sierra Litman enjoys bringing confidence out of children and showing them that acting skills can carry over into “real life.” (Photo by Pablo Robles)
BUSINESS..........15
Anthem OKs final design, cost for skatepark expansion
FEATURES.........24
BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Totally Rolled Ice Cream truck serves smiles Scottsdale artist Suzie Black combines unrestained creatvity and mischief in art
OPINION.................... 12 BUSINESS.................. 15 FEATURES................. 22 CLASSIFIEDS............. 25 Zone
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The board approved MayDall Construction & Pillar Design Studios to build and design the elements of the skatepark expansion and renovation project during a meeting at the end of October and signed contracts with the team in early December. Street skaters will soon be shredding on a brandnew street skating plaza with boxes, ledges, rails and stairs with plenty of clearance to jump down. The hockey rink will be repurposed to construct the street plaza, Mullarkey said. A pump track will also be part of the skatepark
see SKATEPARK page 5
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