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Mystery Writer J.A. Jance  Appeared at  Foothills Branch Library on Aug. 1

Glendale, Ariz. – A part-time Arizona resident and a top “New York Times” bestselling author, mystery writer J.A. Jance  appeared at Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. She read from her latest novels, talked about her writings, answered audience questions to a packed full house and signed her books.

Jance also lives in of Seattle, Washington, where her series about Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont is set. This police series was first published in 1985 with “Until Proven Guilty,” and 19 other Beaumont novels have followed. The latest Beaumont yarn, “Fire and Ice,” is coming out on July 21.

Jance was born in South Dakota, but raised in Bisbee. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Arizona, where she earned a degree in English and Secondary Education in 1966. A few years later she obtained a Masters of Education in Library Science. For two years, she taught high school English in Tucson, followed by a five year stint as a K-12 librarian in Sells, Arizona.

Even though she loved her work in the schools, Jance longed to be a writer. After being denied admission to the University of Arizona’s creative writing program, she did the next best thing.

“I married a man who was allowed in the program that was closed to me,” says Jance. “My first husband imitated Faulkner and Hemingway primarily by drinking too much and writing too little.” Unfortunately, Jance’s husband decided that there could only be one writer in the family, so her writing dreams were put on hold.

A divorce and two children later, Jance started writing in 1982 in earnest. That effort resulted in her first published novel.  She has gone on to write several series. Arizonans especially love the Joanna Brady books about a small-town sheriff set in southeastern Arizona. The newest Brady book is “Damage Control,” published in 2008.

Jance’s third series is about Ali Reynolds, a 45-year-old television anchorwoman was fired for being too old in “Edge of Evil.” She moved back to her hometown of Sedona, and before she knew it, a murderer was in her sights. Three more Ali Reynolds mysteries have been written.

Happily for Jance, she met her current husband in Washington state in the mid-‘80s. They combined their five children and formed a not quite “Brady Bunch-style” family.

GLITTER & GLOW BLOCK PARTY ROCKS 
DOWNTOWN GLENDALE JANUARY 17  

Photos Courtesy e123photography.com and City of Glendale
Layout and some text by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

  GLENDALE, Ariz. – Downtown Glendale was rockin’ on Saturday, Jan. 17 as two dozen hot air balloons are fired up, amidst the best in local bands performing for a huge crowd. The event ran from 4-10 p.m. with free admission and free parking!  

This year’s entertainment featured something for everyone’s musical tastes, including rock, country, jazz, blues, reggae and bluegrass, as well as myriad amazing street performers. The entertainment lineup included the following bands, performing the duration of the event, between 4-10 p.m.:

Urban Country - Come Back Buddy  - Zimis - Groove, Inc - Island Steel - Peppermint James
Rhythm Edition - Muskellunge Bluegrass - The Geetars

           Groove, Inc 

 
Peppermint James will be one of the many bands 
performing at Glendale’s Glitter and Glow Block Party.

Peppermint James' original music is inspired by the music of the 60's and 70's from many genres, including rhythm and blues, rock, funk, reggae, soul and world.  Their favorite influences include The Beatles, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Ray Charles and Ravi Shankar.

Come Back Buddy is a 3-piece rock and roll band inspired by the legendary Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The trio's repertoire includes the music of many artists from the 50's era including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson and of course, Buddy Holly.

What is a Zimis, you may ask? The name Zimis comes from the phonetic spelling of the word Tzimmes, which means a “loud occasion”, similar to a ruckus or hullabaloo. Zimis, the band, is a blend of many different musical styles and influences that form a unique blend of rock and funk with a little bit of soul for good measure.

Muskellunge Bluegrass consists of Nolan McKelvey (Vocals/Guitar), Aaron Tyler (Mandolin/Vocals), Tim Hogan (Bass/Vocals), and Frank Dedera (Banjo), performing original and traditional bluegrass music.  Nolan has performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, among others, and has been referred to as "One of the best songwriters of the Southwest."  

Glendale’s signature event is sure to delight all ages with 12 blocks of downtown Glendale packed with entertainment galore! In addition to the hot air balloons and amazing entertainment, families checked out the awesome Kid Zone, with which featured rides, a rock-climbing wall, the Euro Bungee and face painting. Visitors also enjoyed shopping the post-holiday sales at more than 90 boutiques and specialty shops located throughout downtown Glendale.

The Taylor Troupe Is a favorite of all Glendale event goers! Glendale’s Glitter and Glow Block Party is sponsored by APS, Shell Vacations, KTVK, KMLE, KOOL, JAMZ, Bass, Fuze and The Arizona Republic.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Today, I have accepted President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to join his administration as the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. I am humbled by the invitation, and proud to accept it, but it was by no means an easy decision.

Over the past six years, together, we have accomplished a great deal in Arizona. We moved our state in a new direction, strengthening our schools with voluntary full-day kindergarten, higher teacher pay and higher standards for our students. We expanded access to children’s health insurance and saved Arizonans millions of dollars with one of the largest free prescription drug discount programs in the country. And we’re rebuilding Arizona’s economy with a focus on high-wage, high-tech jobs of the future.

Yet, I believe that when called upon to serve in a new way – particularly at such a critical time in the history of our country – it is my duty as a citizen to step forward and say, “Yes.”

Arizona also faces a time of challenge, and I intend to carry forward with my most important responsibilities as the leader of this state. In just a few weeks, I will deliver my State of the State address, and shortly thereafter, I will present to the Arizona Legislature a balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010.

In the weeks that follow, upon my confirmation as Secretary by the U.S. Senate, I will tender my resignation as Governor of Arizona. Secretary of State Jan Brewer will then take over. In the meantime, specific members of my staff will be designated to oversee the Arizona transition, to ensure that power and responsibility are transferred seamlessly.

So, while our work here at the Governor’s office is not over, I want to take this opportunity to say, “thank you.” You entrusted me to run this state to the best of my ability, and I have tried with all my being to do so. I will continue to work toward what is best for Arizona and Arizonans, but from a different place and with a different charge.

In my first inaugural speech, I said, “Our strength lies in our diversity and it lies in our heritage. And we must draw on both of these gifts in the days ahead.” Those words are still true and still useful today. We will face change together, and continue to stand together as “One Arizona.”

Yours very truly,

Janet Napolitano Governor

 Ed Sharpe up on the stairway at the Glendale Gaslight Inn

MAYOR ELAINE SCRUGGS TO RECEIVE

EDUCATION VISIONARY AWARD

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs is the recipient of the prestigious 2009 PEEF Education Visionary Award for her contributions to education in the city.

Scruggs will receive the award at the Fourth Annual Peoria Education Enrichment Foundation (PEEF) Education Visionary Awards Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Union Hills Country Club in Sun City.

Since becoming Glendale’s mayor in 1993, fostering positive development in young people has been a priority for Scruggs.

From participating in her Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission that engages and inspires high school students to take an active role in their city to her service on the YWCA Advisory Board, Scruggs has made a positive impact on children living in Glendale.

Also, through Scruggs’ leadership, Glendale was named the first Kids at Hope City in the United States. Kids at Hope is a national youth initiative that mobilizes teachers, police offices, coaches, parents and others in the community to identify and bring out the talents and potential in all school-aged children.

PEEF is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1987 to help enrich and support excellence in public education in the Peoria Unified School District. Some of the school programs that PEEF supports are literacy, science and math, technology, special needs, character building, fine arts and staff development.

For more information on the awards dinner, call 623-486-6046.

Light Rail Opening Day Photo By Ed Sharpe

Valley Metro With Two Forms of Transportation in Downtown Phoenix!

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Raintree Recorder Consort - 12/18/2008  
Velma Teague Branch Library in Downtown Glendale
By Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet (C) 2008

Raintree Recorder Consort performed live holiday music at the Velma Teague Branch Library in downtown Glendale.  Raintree features members of the Utopia Road Recorder Consort, which has performed many times at the very came branch library. 

Classical and contemporary music is performed on replica instruments from the 15th and 16th centuries. 

Lights surround the Velma Teague Branch Library in downtown Glendale
After the Consort it was wonderful to enjoy the crisp air and beautiful lights!

We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in downtown Glendale on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 4-10 p.m. as the city presented Fiesta Glendale!

The place? Murphy Park of course, where all the best westside events take place! 

The entire family had a fun-filled day! Fiesta Glendale offered free admission and free parking. Two stages of entertainment will feature some of the Valley’s top entertainment, see entertainment grid below, representing elements of Hispanic history and culture. 

The event  included craft artisans, jewelry booths and other family activities, including children’s amusement attractions and make-and-take crafts... of course, there was a delicious assortment of traditional Hispanic food vendors and a beer garden.

 Fiesta Glendale was sponsored by APS, Diamond Resorts, Big Red and Squirt.

Bright Lights, Shining Stars Gala Event 
at Midwestern University

 By Ed and Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet Oct. 18, 2008

(MWU/GDP-2008) Midwestern University (MWU) and community leaders attended  the annual Bright Lights, Shining Stars gala on Saturday evening, October 18th at the MWU Campus at 19555 North 59th Avenue in Glendale. Two West Valley community leaders were honored with prestigious special service awards, and nine MWU students received scholarships in recognition of their “spirit of service.”

Michael Bidwill, President of the Arizona Cardinals, is the winner of this year’s
 COMET Award  Right - Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, City of Glendale and
  Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., MWU President & CEO

Michael Bidwill, President of the Arizona Cardinals, is the winner of this year’s COMET (Community Outreach: Motivating Excellence for Tomorrow) Award, established by Midwestern University and the City of Glendale in 1999 to recognize exemplary commitment to education, health care, and community service. Mr. Bidwill is extremely dedicated to the community, serving as Chair of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership, and a strong supporter of youth sports. He is also an enthusiastic pilot and volunteer for the Flying Samaritans, helping to provide free medical clinics in Mexico.

Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, City of Glendale, Michael Bidwill, President of the 
Arizona Cardinals, Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., MWU President & CEO

The COMET Award was presented by Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., MWU President & CEO, and the Honorable Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, City of Glendale.

In addition, a Shooting Star Award was presented by Dr. Goeppinger to Kristin Parrack, founder of the GIFT (Growth Improvement for Female Teens) program. GIFT was founded in 2003 to empower young women to overcome life’s challenges through support groups and leadership development. Ms. Parrack currently teaches special education at the Howard Gray School, which was developed by Banner Behavioral Health for 5th-12th grade kids with academic and emotional difficulties.

Student winners of this year’s Spirit of Service scholarship awards include: Omar Chowdhry, Janet Leathers, and Nathan Hale from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM); Sapna Sawhney, Hope Kimura, and Denise Stephens from the College of Pharmacy-Glendale (CPG); and, Zack Gangwer, Marna Haverkamp, and Jamie Mieras from the College of Health Sciences (CHS).

(Names above but not in order of appearance.)

Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, City of Glendale, Kristin Parrack, founder of the GIFT, Michael Bidwill, President of the Arizona Cardinals, Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., MWU President & CEO

Kurt Gentles -top,  with Vinita Jamess of the Arizona Republic and her husband

Enjoying a Dance...

Jack Lunsford  CEO of WESTMARC and Anne Wendell; Manager, Government Relations; TriWest Helathcare

Kurt Gentles  who was instrumental in this event flowing as well as it did along with
 Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Glendale Council assistant Kristin Krey

Ed Sharpe,  Glendale Daily Planet.  takes a break to hang out with Don Rinehart Glendale Chamber of Commerce and Fellow  journalist Bill Toops from the Glendale Star. 
Bill was the Comet Award winner in 2007 at this very same  event last year!

Peaces of Life Puzzle Project is the brainchild of  Annette & Rebecca at Peaces of Life in Catlin Court where they have a Boutique & Laser Engraving operation at   7149 N. 57th Drive Glendale, AZ  85301 623-939-3949.

Channel 3 on the job!

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EDITORIAL: We welcome our new cartoonist Stephan Hartt

 Stephan  tells us:  "Times are rugged in America. People are seriously working through difficult financial situations. And for those who are not directly affected by loss there is concern, or fear of loss. Although giant financial rescues, greed, good and bad decision-making, and political maneuvering capture the headlines and media attention, these are really only evidence of the people's lack of faith in God and and America.

I believe that. we need to pray for the leaders of our country and our fellow citizens, decide what we really need, discipline ourselves financially, be helpful and supportive to one another, and develop   a sense of humor about our present time.

In order to aid tee development of  a sense of humor I have created the enclosed cartoon. 

Sincerely yours, Stephan M. Hartt"

Publishers Note: How true Stephan,  let's pay attention to our core values, keep a little humor and work together!       - Ed Sharpe, Publisher - Glendale Daily Planet

The Glendale Library System was the beneficiary of the city of Glendale's That Thursday Thing on Thursday, Feb. 19.  Lesa Holstine, Library Manager at the Velma Teague Branch Library, collected book donations from the people who showed up at the Visitors' Center.  According to Holstine, people were generous in their donations, giving 190 books that will either be added to the collection, or sold in the library's ongoing booksale, with proceeds going to the library. 

Visitors register for a wonderful 'Chocolate Experience!

Tall Man Taylor entertains the young and old alike!

CHOCOHOLICS COME OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR 
GLENDALE’S CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE

WrestleMania XXVI on Sunday, March 28, 2010

GLENDALE APPROVES $350,000 TO FUND EIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale announces the approval of eight grants for the Fall 2008 cycle, totaling $350,000 that will assist residents with improvements to their neighborhoods. The grant awards represent the 25th funding cycle since the program started in FY 1994-95.

During this time span, the City Council has provided more than $8.6 million in neighborhood improvement grant funding to residents living in neighborhoods that are 15 years or older.

As part of its commitment to revitalizing and preserving older neighborhoods, the City Council established the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods to make funding recommendations on neighborhood improvement grant requests.

“The Neighborhood Improvement Grants Program provides an excellent opportunity for residents in older areas to proactively seek help from the city to improve their neighborhood,” said Matt Cohrs, Neighborhood Partnership Administrator.

The Commission on Neighborhoods reviewed the following eight neighborhood grant requests, which were approved by the Mayor and City Council on Dec. 9:

East Catlin Court Historic District – This neighborhood is located on the south side of Orangewood to the north side of Myrtle, from 55th to 57th avenues. The commission voted to recommend $81,625 for the construction of a streetscape project that includes right-of-way landscaping improvements such as the installation of new pedestrian lighting and trees.

 

Floralcroft - This neighborhood is located west of 59th Avenue, north of Myrtle Avenue

to the south side of State Avenue. The commission voted to recommend $50,650 for the formal design of new pedestrian lighting throughout the neighborhood.

Sands West - This neighborhood is located from Caron Avenue north to Mission Avenue, 48th to 49th avenues. The commission voted to recommend $31,500 to add several amenities to Mission Park, such as a shade structure, trees, and picnic tables.

Thunderbird Palms/Hickory Shadows - This neighborhood is located north of Columbine Road to Voltaire Avenue, 51st Avenue to the Paseo Canal. The commission voted to recommend $63,666 to install new park equipment such as a playground shade structure, drinking fountain, resurfacing basketball court, and a ramada with tables, within Sunset Palms Park.

Arrowhead Ranch Phase II - This neighborhood is located north of Union Hills Road from 75th Avenue to Loop 101 (north and west sides). The commission voted to recommend $27,335 to improve the existing landscaping along the west side of 75th Avenue from Union Hills Road to just south of Utopia Road. The project also includes the painting of the perimeter wall in the same area.

Arrowhead Lakes - This neighborhood is located north of Beardsley Road to Melinda Lane, from 51st to 59th avenues. The commission voted to recommend $35,537 to improve the landscaping along the east side of 59th Avenue from Melinda Lane to just south of the Thunderbird Conservation Park.

Maryland Heights II - This neighborhood is located north of Maryland Avenue to McLellan Road, 45th to 46th avenues. The commission voted to recommend $42,000 for various internal street drainage enhancements that will improve the current condition of the neighborhood's streets.

Emerald Point - This neighborhood is located from Missouri Avenue south to Georgia Avenue, 81st to 83rd avenues. The commission voted to recommend up to $21,563 (contingent upon cost savings from other Fall 2008 grant projects) to improve one of the neighborhood’s public retention basins on the east side of 83rd Avenue. If cost savings are not available, funding will be at $17,687. The project also includes the painting of the perimeter subdivision wall in the same area.

For more information on this program, contact the Neighborhood Partnership Office at 623-930-2868 or visit www.glendaleaz.com.

(COG) GLENDALE, Ariz. – For colleges across the country, the road to a BCS bowl game is a hard fought battle on the field and “Game Day in Glendale” is now in sight. The city is excited to welcome football fans from Texas and Ohio State to the 38th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which will be played in Glendale on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.

For more information about the game, the Gridiron Jam, lodging or other amenities in the area, visit www.GlendaleAz.com or www.GlendalesGotGame.com.

Mike Schmidt from Channel 3 interviews  Jennifer Stein from City of Glendale Marketing and Communications Department.    The visitor center spent the day interacting with the media to get the word out!	Jennifer Reichelt  of Glendale Marketing helping make up  gift bags. Photos by Ed Sharpe
	Photos left and right of the  goodies and  assembled  bags! Photos by Ed Sharpe

GLENDALE GLITTERS CONTINUED CELEBRATION

WITH GINGERBREAD NIGHTS DEC. 5-6

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The holiday magic continued in Glendale December 5-6 with 1.5 million dazzling lights, entertainment, and a special dedication to that iconic holiday treat – gingerbread!

Gingerbread Night will featured activities for all ages, including inflatable amusements, train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday arts and craft merchandise and more. The downtown area was adorned with Gingerbread House decorations – transporting you back to the fairy tales you remember from childhood!

Glendale Glitters offered free admission and free parking in the downtown area.

Kids  enjoyed free make-and-take gingerbread crafts, and of course, visits with Santa Claus. Some watched  the holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” showing at 6:30 p.m. both evenings.

In addition to gingerbread treats, all kind of delicious food and beverages were available, from kettle corn to funnel cakes to candy apples! Although you can’t eat them, visitors enjoyed a display of unique, handmade gingerbread houses created by local chefs.

 Bears & More, who decorated their business to look like a gingerbread
 house in the spirit of Glendale's Gingerbread Nights this weekend.

Many of the downtown merchants offered extended hours to help visitors get their holiday shopping done! 

The amphitheater stage featured the following entertainment from local community groups:

Gingerbread Nights was sponsored by APS, KTVK Channel 3, KMLE, KOOL, 101.5 Jamz, 7-UP, Shell Vacations and the Arizona Republic.

For more information on upcoming events, call the Special Event Hotline at 623-930-2299 or visit www.glendaleaz.com/events.

Before the sun went down Red Hat Ladies
 descended on Miracle Haven in
 Catlin Court for a treat and some shopping!

 

 

 

HAY RIDE TO CHURCH AT 56 AND MYRTLE TO SEE LIVING NATIVITY
- Photo by Ed Sharpe	ALL THE WAY ACROSS FRONT OF PARKING GARAGE THE WAITING LINE HUGE!! - Photo by Ed Sharpe
PRETTY TRACTOR DRIVER...- Photo by Ed Sharpe	THE TRAILER- Photo by Ed Sharpe

 

 

HERE ARE SOME NICE SHOTS OF THE BEARS AND MORE DURING GINGERBREAD NIGHTS.
Linda at Bears and More - Photo by Ed Sharpe
- Photo by Ed Sharpe	- Photo by Ed Sharpe
- Photo by Ed Sharpe	During the daytime! Photo-COG

 

GLENDALE UNVEILS NEW TODDLER PLAYGROUND 
DESIGNED TO BATTLE CHILDHOOD OBESITY

(Story and Photo COG) GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Little Glendale residents will have a new, healthy way to have a ball at Sahuaro Ranch Park, with the addition of a new playground designed to keep kids fit while having fun. The new playground was just recently installed, and is now open to the public.

The new playground, called WeeVOS, is designed for toddlers aged 2-5, and complements the adjacent EVOS play structure for older children.

The unique playground concept is a suspended structure that encourages physical exertion, as well as thought on the part of the kids as they maneuver over, under and around all of the play features.

“This new amenity provides a truly unique play experience for 2-5 year olds,” says Project Manager Roger Boyer. “The unusual structure exposes young children to new dimensions of play, utilizing motion and sound to captivate their imagination while they explore with their senses.”

This prototype is being donated to the city by Landscape Structures, a company located in Delano, MN.  In 2007, the company donated the first playground of this type to the city, and has been a big hit with kids of all ages, as the “funny-looking” play structure attracts a great deal of curiosity.

Sahuaro Ranch Park is located at 59th Avenue and Mountain View Road. For more information on parks and recreation amenities, visit www.glendaleaz.com or call 623-930-2820.

 

 

GLENDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMINDS FAMILIES TO BE SAFE WHILE HEATING THE HOME

GLENDALE, AZ. – As nightly temperatures continue to drop, the Glendale Fire Department wants to remind everyone of the dangers of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels go unburned. Many people get creative by trying to stay warm and inadvertently fall victim to what firefighters call, “the silent killer”- carbon monoxide poisoning. It is called the silent killer because carbon monoxide cannot be seen and can’t be detected by smell or taste. Often times you may not know when it’s around until it is too late. A common mistake that firefighters are still finding are the use of camping type stoves, ovens and even propane bar-b-q grills in the home as a source of heat. Only electric heaters that are approved are recommended to heat your home.

Another mistake happens when people start their car to warm it up while it is still parked in the garage. Many times this is done with the garage door kept down. This can also be deadly. It doesn’t take long for the garage and home to be filled with the deadly gas. It is important to open the garage door before starting the engine, pull the car out of the garage to be warmed while it is parked outside of the garage.

The Glendale Fire Department is asking everyone to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors work like smoke alarms do. They will sound when the odorless gas is detected to let everyone know it is time to get out and call 9-11. Carbon monoxide detectors can be picked up at most places smoke alarms can be found.

More safety information can be found on these websites: www.glendaleaz.com/fire and www.nfpa.org

Holy Comic Book Store Batman! Right here in Downtown Glendale?

Jessica Parks  - Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

The shop is neither imposing nor daunting. The floors inside are bare cement, the walls white, and the only decoration is the colorful covers of the merchandise itself.  Behind the counter is an impressive life-size model of the Silver Surfer, complete with board, looking as if it had just leapt out of one of the comic books sitting on the racks in the middle of the room.

It looks entirely like the basement of a careful, dedicated collector, and in a way it is.

Ken Brown, 34, has owned his comic book shop, aptly named "Drawn to Comics," for three and a half years, located on 5757 W. Glendale Ave. He runs the shop with only his wife, but the fact that Drawn to Comics is small compared to some of the competition chain stores hasn't stopped Brown. The Phoenix New Times awarded him with their 2008 awards for Best Comic Book Shop.

"I don't mind being the Boy Wonder," Brown said with a small smile. He said that what sets Drawn to Comics apart is their customer service and friendly attitude.

"I'm proud of what I do, but I don't want to say that I'm better than anyone else. I just think we do a really awesome job at what we do," he said. "We try to make everyone feel like they're part of the experience, part of us…it's not just our store, it's their store too."

The customers agree. Brian Ress, 23, works with special-needs children. He likes the friendly atmosphere of the shop.

"I've been to some of the chains and it's like, 'shop and get out,'" he said. Ress said that he hadn't been into the shop for more than a year, but Brown still remembered his name. Brown also gave him a deal on a stack of comics for the children he works with.

"I've loved comics since I was 10 years old," Brown said. "I walked into a 7-Eleven to look at the magazines. I picked up a Spiderman and it had Spiderman in a black costume. I thought 'wow, that's weird; I've never seen that before.' I thought it was the coolest thing. So I became addicted, almost immediately, trying to figure out where that black costume came from. I just got hooked."

Brown, a journalism major, has done over 20 years of research in the comic book field, from reading "quite a lot" of the new titles each week to investment portfolios for those who want to make long and short-term investments in comic books. Brown said that it was an increasing practice since comics don't have negative losses like stocks do.

"Right now there's attention on comics," he said. "Drawn to Comics is a place where you go to find the answers." He has made long-term investments in comics as well, although he prefers to do it from the point of a collector, not an investor.

Tobin Crouch, 38, has been collecting comics since he was eight, and first came to Drawn to Comics after being recommended by another store. His first comic was purchased in "a little convenience store up at Cadillac, Michigan."

Brown also uses his shop for many different community and charity events, including canned food drives, Toys for Tots, literacy nights, and most recently, a cancer drive for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and American Cancer Society on behalf of Michael Turner, a comic book artist who died recently from bone cancer. He also offers a 10 percent discount for student and military personnel all year round.

"Well this is my first time here, but I like this place!" said Parker Faries, 8. His favorite comic book is Power Pack.

"I just like it because the superheroes are kids," he said. He and his brother Dillon, 6, are both excited to be there.

Brown's favorite comic started it all.

"Spiderman #252," he said, with the same smile as Parker and Dillon Faries. "The first time Spiderman was seen in his black costume. I had no interest in comics whatsoever until I saw that black costume."

---

Silver Surfs  Into Glendale!
Photos by Ed Sharpe

I dropped in to see Ken's new additions at DRAWN TO COMICS on Glendale Ave near Murphy Park.  The life sized Silver Surfer weighs over 100 pounds and was used  as a movie promotion. The Daily Planet Globe  at left is cool too! Be sure to read Jessica Parks' fine article on Ken above,  learn how he got started and what it is all about!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Today, I have accepted President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to join his administration as the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. I am humbled by the invitation, and proud to accept it, but it was by no means an easy decision.

Over the past six years, together, we have accomplished a great deal in Arizona. We moved our state in a new direction, strengthening our schools with voluntary full-day kindergarten, higher teacher pay and higher standards for our students. We expanded access to children’s health insurance and saved Arizonans millions of dollars with one of the largest free prescription drug discount programs in the country. And we’re rebuilding Arizona’s economy with a focus on high-wage, high-tech jobs of the future.

Yet, I believe that when called upon to serve in a new way – particularly at such a critical time in the history of our country – it is my duty as a citizen to step forward and say, “Yes.”

Arizona also faces a time of challenge, and I intend to carry forward with my most important responsibilities as the leader of this state. In just a few weeks, I will deliver my State of the State address, and shortly thereafter, I will present to the Arizona Legislature a balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010.

In the weeks that follow, upon my confirmation as Secretary by the U.S. Senate, I will tender my resignation as Governor of Arizona. Secretary of State Jan Brewer will then take over. In the meantime, specific members of my staff will be designated to oversee the Arizona transition, to ensure that power and responsibility are transferred seamlessly.

So, while our work here at the Governor’s office is not over, I want to take this opportunity to say, “thank you.” You entrusted me to run this state to the best of my ability, and I have tried with all my being to do so. I will continue to work toward what is best for Arizona and Arizonans, but from a different place and with a different charge.

In my first inaugural speech, I said, “Our strength lies in our diversity and it lies in our heritage. And we must draw on both of these gifts in the days ahead.” Those words are still true and still useful today. We will face change together, and continue to stand together as “One Arizona.”

Yours very truly,

Janet Napolitano Governor