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The Country Maiden in Catlin Court

Starts 25^th Year Countdown with Sale

by Nancy Williams

The Country Maiden invites you to join in as the shop kicks off a countdown year leading up to its Silver Anniversary celebration next September. Its “We’re Almost 25!” year begins with a special sale’s event on Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15.

To complement the shop’s 24^th year in business, at least 24 door prizes will be given away, including a $100 shopping spree to one lucky customer. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Housed in a 1920s bungalow in Downtown Glendale’s Catlin Court, The Country Maiden is the “Neighborly Country Store with More.” The shop features primitive country home décor and accessories, quality reproductions, willow furniture, every day gifts for family and friends, McCall's country candles, Unique-One-of-a-Kinds and a variety of products that are hand-made from American Folk Artists. Among these are the works of Greta Chirco—Sew Be It!—who has been recognized by The American Folk Art Museum for her artistic talents, and Olivia Thomas—Olive Rose—who lives and crafts from her home in Phoenix. New shipments continually arrive.

The Country Maiden was originally started in a Tempe strip mall in 1988, but was wisely relocated in 1991 to historic Catlin Court. Cheryl Kappes, the third owner, brought her experience and expertise to the store five years ago. Her willingness to go the extra mile in order to succeed in today’s economy is a critical part of the business’s continued success. Cheryl had worked in a major corporation for 32 years and was lucky enough to gain marketing, advertising, program management and a slew of computing expertise that she has been able to put to good use. She says the shop is her “retirement job” and she is focused on keeping the tradition alive.

Cheryl says, “In our 24th year, we are making the necessary changes to add growth and stability. We recently added a website/shopping cart at www.thecountrymaiden.com that will showcase unique, one of a kind items and feature the best sellers from our store. Right now, the focus is on reaching our 25th year and making it the best one yet!”

“Adding property improvements over time has gained us many opportunities for recognition. Our picture of the Country Maiden is often showcased when talking about Catlin Court in local newspapers,” Cheryl adds.

Some recent achievements of which Cheryl is proud include: Country Business Magazine, 2011 Retailer of the Year Finalist; Online E-card, chosen early by Glendale Visitor Center ( www.visitglendale.com/ecard/index.html ); Award: Neighborhoods We Love by Phoenix Magazine, May 2012; and a recent showcasing in the Arizona Republic’s 7 Wonders of the West Valley, a marketing activity by the Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Country Maiden is located at 7146 N. 58^th Avenue, Glendale. For more information, visit www.thecountrymaiden.com, check them out on Facebook or call 623-930-7303.

 (Publisher’s note: The Country Register and The Country Maiden share a long history together since the shop advertised in the paper’s very first issue all those years ago! It’s been an exciting journey for both of us. We congratulate Cheryl and The Country Maiden on their “Almost 25!” year and look forward to helping them celebrate when they hit the big 25 next year!)

2012 Candidates Forum at the Glendale Woman's Club

Thursday, July 12, 2010 @ 10:00 a. m. (article is in progress)

Three out of six city council seats could have new leaders next January.  There are 11 candidates for the three city council seats and three mayoral candidates.  Complex financial issues, the possibility of gaming casino, and the search for a new city manager are some of the top issues facing the candidates and the citizens of Glendale.  The primary is just a little more than six weeks away.

        Primary:  August 28, 2012

        General:  November 6, 2012

Mayoral Candidates (Mayor Elaine Scruggs--not running)

Manuel "Manny" Cruz

Walt Opaska

Jerry Weiers

Cactus District (Councilmember Phil Lieberman--not running)

Gary Hirsch

Ian Hugh

Diane Lesser

Vince Ornelas

Stew Radawec

Sahuaro District (Councilmember and Vice Mayor Steve Frate--not running)

Diane Douglas

Anthony Kern

Gary Sherwood

Yucca District

Councilwoman Joyce Clark (incumbent)

Samuel Chavira

John Kolodziej

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4083.

Glendale Woman's Club members, Jo Ann Nadasi and Jane Buckley accept questions for the candidates. 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4097.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet.

Glendale mayoral candidates are Manuel Cruz, Walt Opaska, and Jerry Weiers.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4111.

One of two time keepers at the Glendale Woman's Club candidates forum, Rosemary Lynch holds two key pieces of equipment used during the forum.

 Video  will be  here later -

Prescott Film Festival 2012 is Bigger and Better than Ever!

More days, more films, and more screenings!

This year all films will be screening on the campus of Yavapai College!  With their newly remodeled Yavapai College Performing Arts Center boasting a 10,000 lumen projector and Dolby surround sound. This promises to be a beautiful presentation that independent filmmakers deserve!  Plus two other venues on campus make for a lot of choices for the Prescott Film Festival audiences!

Plentiful FREE all-day parking at the college and it’s a quick and easy walk between theatres.  Food and beverages will be available for sale on campus so the true movie fanatics can take in as many films as they desire.

This year the Prescott Film Festival is honored to have its first Academy Award ® winning guest attend!  Michael Blake who wrote both the book and the screenplay for Dances with Wolves is scheduled to attend the screening of the film on Saturday evening August 4^th in the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, preceded by the festival’s annual wine tasting.   Mr. Blake is also scheduled to speak at one of our workshops Saturday morning. 

This year the festival has 85 FANTASTIC films!  Shorts, Features, Documentaries, Mysteries, Thrillers, Comedies and family friendly films!  Guest filmmakers will be in Prescott for Q&A’s after the films.  Trailers for films and links to purchase tickets are on the website, www.prescottfilmfestival.com.

Passes and tickets are NOW ON SALE!

Purchase tickets on line at www.ycpac.com or by calling the YC Box Office at (928) 776-2000 or (928) 458-7209

Platinum Pass:  Everything and anything the film festival fan desires!  Includes admission to all films, Wine Tasting and Dances with Wolves screening, access to the VIP Green Room during the festival, and priority seating where available.  Pass Holders are not required to get individual tickets!  Your Platinum Pass is your ticket! Pass must be worn for entry and is Non-Transferable.  Pass Holders must be in the VIP line 15 minutes before show time to be guaranteed a seat.  After the VIP line has entered the ticketholder line will be given entrance. Pass holders may enter later, but they are not guaranteed seating if they are not in VIP line.  Platinum Pass just $155!  Direct link to purchase Platinum Passes  

Movie Maven Pass:  If you are all about the movies, then this pass is for you.  All films, including Dances with Wolves.  Your Movie Maven Pass is your ticket! Pass must be worn for entry and is Non-Transferable.  Pass Holders must be in the VIP line 15 minutes before show time to be guaranteed a seat.  After the VIP line has entered, the ticketholder line will be given entrance. Pass holders may enter later, but they are not guaranteed seating if they are not in VIP line. Movie Maven Pass just $95!  Direct link to purchase Movie Maven Pass

10-Ticket Package:  Choose any regular screenings throughout the festival and enjoy 10 films with this discounted price! (Does not include Special Screening of Dances with Wolves)   10-Ticket Package just $50! 10-Ticket Package

Wine Tasting and Dances with Wolves film: The book, "Dances with Wolves" was written by Michael Blake in Bisbee Arizona.  To honor that Cochise County Arizona connection to the film, we will be featuring wines from Cochise County's Lawrence Dunham Vineyards and Arizona Stronghold!  Appetizers will accompany the wine tasting. Just $45 Direct Link to purchase Wine Tasting and Dances with Wolves

Special Screening:  Dances with Wolves, plus Q&A after film with Academy Award® winning screenwriter Michael Blake scheduled to attend.  Mr. Blake wrote the book and the screenplay.  $10.00 regular admission, $8 for students/seniors and YC employees.  Direct link to purchase Dances with Wolves ticket

Individual Ticket Prices

General Admission:  $7

Students/Seniors/YC Employees:  $5

Special Screening $10 General Admission, $8 for students/seniors and YC employees

Link to purchase individual tickets https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?w=f573943561be074bd852f38c504a8998&t=tix 

FREE WORKSHOPS!

The Prescott Film Festival will present seven FREE workshops this year!  Please see the website, www.prescottfilmfestival.com for details! 

CITY OF GLENDALE TEMPORARY SALES TAX INCREASE

~What it means and how it will work~

In June 2012, the Glendale City Council approved a temporary increase to the city sales tax.

The revenue generated from this will go into the city’s general operating budget, the General Fund, that provides funding for critical city services such as public safety and other areas like code compliance, libraries and parks and recreation.

Previous Sales Tax Rate               Temporary Sales Tax Rate
2.2%                                                 2.9%

How much is the difference?

Cost of Item               Previous Sales Tax Rate        Temporary Sales Tax Increase
$50                              $1.10 – Total: $51.10              $1.45 – Total:  $51.45

$100                            $2.20 – Total: $102.20             $2.90 – Total:  $102.90

When does the temporary sales tax increase go into effect and for how long?

Since the new rate is temporary, it is only effective for five years.  The temporary increase begins August 1, 2012 and automatically ends August 1, 2017.

When is the last time the city increased the general sales tax rate?

The last time Glendale increased the general sales tax rate was 20 years ago in 1993. Glendale voters approved increases for police, fire and transportation initiatives in 1994, 2001 and 2007 dedicated only to those services.

Why did the city temporarily increase the city sales tax?

There are a number of reasons why the temporary sales tax is needed.  The biggest reason is because of the prolonged economic recession that has affected all of us, and cities are no different.  For the past several years, substantially less revenue has come into the city in two distinct areas:  sales tax revenue and state shared revenue, which is money that Glendale receives from the state of Arizona.  Both of these are major sources of funding that help pay for city services.  In addition, Glendale has obligations for current programs and services, such as the city-owned Jobing.com Arena, a facility Glendale is required to operate and maintain. 

For the current fiscal year, which began July 1, 2012 and ends June 30, 2013, the city had an estimated $32 million budget deficit in the General Fund. Several months ago, the City Council conducted an extensive review of each department’s budget, approving $10 million in cuts. With those reductions, the deficit was reduced to approximately $22 million.  Additional cuts to the General Fund would seriously impact services the Council deemed priority: police, fire, and city court services. In order to balance the budget without impacting critical city services, additional revenue was needed.  It is estimated the temporary sales tax increase will generate $22 million to help balance the city’s budget and will only stay in effect the next five years until the economic conditions improve. 

Is Glendale the only city in the Valley to increase its sales tax rate since the economic downturn?

No – in fact, Glendale is one of the last cities in Maricopa County to increase its sales tax since the economic downturn began locally. According to the Model City Tax Code, the following cities have increased their sales tax during this time: Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Peoria, Paradise Valley, Buckeye, Cave Creek, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Queen Creek, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown. The state of Arizona also raised its sales tax rate during this time to address its budget problem. In addition, 15 other Arizona cities outside Maricopa County – from Flagstaff to Sierra Vista – have increased their sales tax rates since 2006. Thus, cities and towns across the state have addressed their respective budget deficits by increasing sales tax rates.

The temporary sales tax is for the General Fund. What services does the General Fund provide?

The General Fund is the main funding source that provides many of the services and amenities that most citizens identify with, such as: police and fire protection, libraries and park facilities, court services, code compliance, planning, and economic development.  The General Fund provides funding for almost every department in the city, paying for items ranging from electric and water bills on city buildings and parks, books and the operation of the city’s three libraries, paint to cover up graffiti, the upkeep of the city’s facilities and parks, such as mowing the lawn and irrigation as well as the wages for city workers to provide these services.

What has Glendale done the past few years to reduce expenses?

The city has taken a number of steps to be prudent financially and reduce expenses.  Staff worked to ensure that most of these cost saving measures did not affect city services and quality of life amenities for residents. 

For example:

-Since fiscal year 2009, all departmental budgets have been cut an average of almost 27%.

-Since fiscal year 2009, the number of full-time employees has decreased from 1,501 to currently 1,132 – a decrease of 369 positions or 25% of the city’s workforce. 

-Mandatory furloughs for employees for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012 created a savings of $5.9 million

-Some departments have merged to cut costs and share the workload.

Where does the money for the General Fund come from?

The General Fund’s main source of revenue comes from taxes; either sales tax collected in Glendale or sales and income taxes collected by the state that are shared with the city. Due to the prolonged recession, these two sources of revenue have decreased dramatically in the past few years.  In fact, current projected revenues are below 2004 levels.  For example:

State Shared Revenue Distributed to Glendale                  General Fund Sales Tax Collected by Glendale

2007-2008:      $66 million                                                      2007-2008:      $61 million

2008 –2009:    $64 million                                                      2008 -2009:     $52 million

2009 –2010:    $57 million                                                      2009-2010:      $51 million

2010 –2011:    $50 million                                                      2010-2011:      $52 million

How much of the General Fund is used for “priority services” such as Public Safety?

Public Safety accounts for about 63% of the city’s General Fund.  The City Council recognized that public safety is a number one priority and acknowledged that there would only be limited budget reductions to protect these priority services. 

How does the arena management fee for the city-owned Jobing.com Arena impact the need for the temporary sales tax?

The city owns Jobing.com Arena and with that ownership comes some fixed expenses; namely the annual debt payments on the arena and the costs to operate and maintain the building.    For the current fiscal year, the cost of the arena management agreement is $17 million.  This cost adds to the overall expenses in the General Fund, but does not make up the entirety of the projected deficit that is being addressed through the sales tax increase.  The need for the sales tax increase would still exist even without this arena management expense.

Where can I find more information on the city budget and how the city spends its money?

The city’s website is a great source of information:  www.glendaleaz.com

-To review the current city budget, as well as previous budgets, go to the Budget Department site at www.glendaleaz.com/budget

-Financial reports are available at www.glendaleaz.com/finance

-“Follow Your Money” – An online tool with detailed information on all financial transactions of the city and a searchable database for all city expenditures can be found at www.glendaleaz.com/FollowYourMoney

PET ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES AND FERAL CATS 

TOPICS OF COUNCILMEMBER’S NEW T.V. SHOW

Glendale, Ariz. –– Focusing on how pets enrich our lives and that many animals are in need of homes, Councilmember Yvonne Knaack features the adoption and welfare of cats and dogs on her upcoming edition of the TV show Glendale Today.   During the 30 minute program on Glendale 11, Knaack interviews guests from Maricopa County’s Animal Care and Control and Altered Tails, a spay/neuter clinic.

Knaack, who represents the Barrel District, discusses what each of these organizations offer the community from pet adoption, to medical care and a trap/neuter/return program for cats that roam neighborhoods.  To help alleviate feral cats in the Barrel District, Knaack is offering to pay the $25 fee charged by Altered Tails to those neighbors wanting to trap the felines, have them neutered and then return them to the area.   Altered Tails will supply the traps.

  The show debuts Friday, June 29 at 8 p.m. and can also be seen daily on Glendale 11, the city’s television station.  In addition, viewers can watch online via the city’s video library at www.glendaleaz.com/video.    For more information about Glendale 11 or the new TV show, visit www.glendaleaz.com/glendale11.

Data coverage now ahead of voice coverage as reason to change carrier

http://www.telecomengine.com/article/data-coverage-now-ahead-voice-coverage-reason-change-carrier

Lights, Camera, Action

 

Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau
2012 Annual Meeting

It’s showtime as the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts its annual meeting. Please join us as we spotlight the year’s accomplishments and reveal plans and initiatives for the upcoming year.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

8-10 a.m.

Arizona Broadway Theatre

7701 W. Paradise Lane

Peoria, AZ 85382

8-8:30 a.m.      Registration & Networking

8:30-10 a.m.    Breakfast & Program

This year’s featured act will be a guest panel of tourism leaders who will provide their insights on industry trends, challenges and contributions to our region and state economy. Also enjoy a special performance compliments of Arizona Broadway Theatre.

$20 per person

RSVP to our Box Office at 623-930-2966 or email: JEHughes@glendaleaz.com by August 6, 2012.

Due to permanent reductions in the City of Glendale Right-of-Way (ROW) Division’s operating and maintenance budget that became effective July 1, the city will no longer have a two-member ROW crew dedicated to the Centerline area. Instead, the Centerline area will receive the same level of service as all other ROW areas of the City, subject to remaining resources. Due to this reduction, there are a few changes that have taken place:


·        There are approximately 60 garbage cans in the Centerline area. This service will continue with a contract service for a once-a-week collection.


·        There are approximately 70 flower pots in the Centerline area that the ROW crew previously planted, watered and maintained. The city is currently in the process of cleaning out and removing these. However, there is an opportunity for businesses to “adopt” these flowerpots. If you would like to keep the flowerpot adjacent to your business, you will be required to keep it maintained with plants and a regular watering schedule. If you are willing to plant and maintain a flowerpot near your business, please contact Roger Boyer by Tuesday, July 31, to make arrangements to keep them on site. Roger can be reached at 623-930-2656 or rboyer@glendaleaz.com. All flowerpots that are not adopted by a business will be removed.


·        There are approximately five alley-way areas in Centerline. These will be placed on the same maintenance cycle as all other alleys in the city. As such, they will be serviced monthly. Servicing will consist of tree pruning, trash and weed removal and irrigation repairs.


·        The city will pressure wash the breezeway on the south side of Bitz-ee Mamas prior to the major downtown festivals.

If there are any emergencies and/or unique circumstances, the city will handle them as best as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Roger Boyer at 623-930-2656. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of the city’s Centerline programs and initiatives.

We miss the "OLD GLENDALE" in many ways that 
was the 'bedroom community' of  Phoenix.

But... into the way back machine....

This is even more uncomplicated!

For more  Penny Postcard Views of the county and Phoenix - check:
http://www.usgwarchives.org/az/maricopa/postcards/ppcs-maricopa.html

Webcasts

The National Air and Space Museum offers live webcasts of select public programs. Please check the schedule below for programs that offer a live webcast and visit this page to view the webcast.

Next Webcast: Telstar 50th Anniversary Thursday, July 12, 2012, 1:30 pm

Refresh this page near the start time of the next event to view the live webcast.

View previously recorded events in the Webcast Archive.

Upcoming Webcasts:

07/12/2012 - Telstar 50th Anniversary - 1:30 pm

VIEW ARCHIVE AFTERWARDS!

live webcast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Telstar

Thursday, July 12^th between 1:30 and 4pm EST (1730-2000 UT) there will be a live webcast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Telstar.

Be sure to Check SMECC MUSEUM TELSTAR GOODIES

http://www.smecc.org/telstar_photo_album.htm

[ John Pierce / Telstar ] [ A. C. Dickieson ] [ James Early / TELSTAR ] [ Memorabilia / TELSTAR ] [ Telstar Broadcasts ] [ W.J.Bray - UK ] [ K.D. Smith Bell Solar Batteries TELSTAR ] [ TELSTAR - Joe Meek ] [ Eugene O'Neill - TELSTAR ]

On the 12th see the Live Webcast or the archive later at below link

Glendale Police Seeking Help Identifying Person of Interest in Homicide Investigation

GLENDALE, Ariz. – On Sunday, October 30, 2011, Glendale Officers were called to a local bar in the area of 5100 N. 51^st Avenue for a call of a shooting.   A verbal altercation involving several individuals had occurred in the bar and eventually led into the parking lot.  The altercation resulted in the shooting of Jorge Luis Urrea, a 29 year old year old Hispanic male.  Jorge was treated and transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Glendale Police Detectives are seeking the community’s help identifying a person of interest that the investigation has revealed is important to the case.  Detectives have provided the attached photos of the person of interest they are seeking to identify.  The photos are from the night of the shooting inside the bar where the altercation began.  The person of interest depicted in the photos is a Hispanic female wearing a camouflage Halloween costume.  Please also note she has a tattoo of a “Grim Reaper” on the outside of her right forearm.

The Glendale Police Department encourages anyone that has information on Jorge’s death or information that may lead to the identification of the Hispanic female depicted in the photo to call the Glendale Police Department at (623) 930-3000 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. 

Two Explosive Devices
 Found in Glendale

Public Awareness Important

WARNING WARNING! 
DO NOT PICK UP! EXPLOSIVE!

IMPORTANT DATES FOR
GLENDALE’S PRIMARY ELECTION

Glendale, Ariz. –– On August 28, the city of Glendale will conduct a primary election for the office of mayor, as well as council member seats in the Sahuaro, Cactus and Yucca districts. Below are important dates related to the election:



·      July 30 – Last day to register to vote for the Primary Election

·      Aug. 17 – Last day to request an early ballot by mail or telephone for the Primary Election

·      Aug. 28 – Primary Election day

For more information on how to receive an early ballot, where to register to vote or polling locations, contact the Glendale City Clerk’s Office at 623-930-2252 (press option #1) or visit www.glendaleaz.com/clerk.
If a general election is needed, it will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

MAYOR SCRUGGS RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD
FOR REGIONAL PLANNING

 MAG Chair and Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman (right) presents the 
Lifetime Achievement Award to Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs 
during the recently held 2012 Desert Peaks Award Ceremony.  
(Submitted )

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – Mayor Elaine Scruggs is the recipient of the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award for regional planning in Maricopa County.

            Scruggs received the award from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) during its recently held 2012 Desert Peaks Awards ceremony in recognition for her 22 years of service exemplifying regional cooperation.

            “It has been my joy and honor to serve on the MAG Regional Council and various MAG committees as we collaborated to create a Valleywide freeway system, plan for the expansion of airports and airport amenities, develop air quality measures and address human services needs,” said Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs. “Working with elected officials from every city in Maricopa County and the county itself has been one of the best parts of my public service. Supporting our efforts to address current and long-range concerns that affect all Valley cities have been the talented and dedicated MAG staff members under the leadership of Executive Director Dennis Smith.  I am overwhelmed by this award and want to thank all I have worked alongside during these remarkable 22 years of progress and regional partnership.”  

            Since becoming mayor in 1993, Scruggs has held leadership positions on numerous regional organizations and committees. She has been a member of the MAG Regional Council since 1993 and served as chair of MAG from 1997-1998. Scruggs is a charter member and current member of the MAG Transportation Policy Committee, which she chaired from 2004-2006.

            She also served on the MAG Executive Committee, Transportation Subcommittee and Regional Aviation System Plan Policy Committee. In addition, she is a current member of the MAG Economic Development Committee.

            In his remarks while presenting the award to Scruggs, MAG Chair and Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said she was “instrumental in accelerating the regional freeway system completion by seven years” and that she “continues to work closely with citizens and is noted for being visible, accessible and approachable.”

            Earlier this year, Scruggs was honored as one of Arizona’s 48 most intriguing women throughout the state’s 100-year history as part the Arizona Centennial Legacy Project.

EVERYONE  IN MARICOPA COUNTY CAN 
NOW GET A FREE GLENDALE LIBRARY CARD

Reciprocal Borrowing Started  July 1, 2012

By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

No longer do the residents of Glendale have to worry about where they live to get a free Glendale Public Library (GPL) card.  Any County resident can now use any MCLD Reciprocal Borrowing Program participating library in the county without a fee, Glendale is no longer the exception.  Which means anyone living in Maricopa County, can now obtain a free library card at anyone of the three Glendale Public Libraries and anyone living in Glendale can obtain a free library card at anyone of the Avondale, Peoria, Phoenix, Maricopa County libraries, or any of the reciprocal borrowing participating libraries, with proper identification of course.  This is a win-win for all county residents and library users.  Maricopa County library patrons can now go to their nearest public library and get a free library card

Cheryl Kennedy, Glendale Public Chief Librarian states, “We are excited to be partnering with Maricopa County Library District through reciprocal borrowing as Glendale residents will have access to more services provided through additional materials, a language database, music download services and summer reading programs.  Entering into reciprocal borrowing also paves the way for Maricopa County Library District to purchase Polaris Integrated Library System for the Glendale libraries which will provide residents with more intuitive searching capabilities, seamless access to e-books and optimized catalog enhancements for mobile device users.”

Before this new reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD), potential Glendale Public Library patrons would have their address verified on a city map of Glendale by a Public Service Assistant that their home was within the city limits of Glendale even if their mailing address read Glendale.  Mailing addresses are set by the post office and may not be based on the actual physical limits of the city.  If the future patron's address was found to be outside of the city limits of Glendale, the patron had the option of purchasing a non-resident card for $60.00, which would be valid for a year.  There were exceptions for active military and currently enrolled Glendale Community College or Thunderbird School on International Management students and residents of Luke Air Force Base, for example

This was a financial hardship and very confusing for many individuals and families who thought because there mailing address on their driver's license said Glendale they were able to get a free Glendale library card.  Feelings were hurt and   tempers were lost. 

At the end of each year, MCLD will calculate the number of non-city residents using each municipal library for each city as well as those patrons who use other city libraries and/or county libraries.  This amount for each city will vary year-to-year but has the potential of approximately $163,000 in additional revenue through cash, title acquisitions and electronic database services.  For each of these new card holders (those living outside of the city limits of Glendale) the library will receive $25 from the Maricopa County Library District.  The Maricopa County Library District has sponsored the Reciprocal Borrowing Program as a regional service to all county residents since 1991.

When the Glendale main library opened in July of 1987, it was the newest and the biggest library on the west side.  There were two libraries in Glendale at that time, the Velma Teague Library, 7010 N. 58th Avenue and the new Glendale Main Library at 5959 W. Brown Street were inundated with patrons from across the West Valley which stressed library resources.  It was decided by library administration to withdraw from the Maricopa Country Reciprocal Borrowing Program by doing so, the Glendale Public Libraries could better serve its residents.  Today the West Valley has grown tremendously and there are several libraries in the West Valley.

A second deal with MCLD means a new software system or an Integrated Library System (ILS).  The Maricopa County Library District will be implemented though the county's resources, covering all cost for migration, training and annual maintenance, even upgrades.  The current ILS system in the Glendale Public can be phased out and would no longer be supported technically.  This will save the City of Glendale nearly $350,000 on one-time funds and about $35,000 annually for ongoing operating and maintenance cost.

A second deal with the MCLD involves a new software system, or Integrated Library System (ILS), that will be implemented through the county covering all costs associated with migrating, training and annual maintenance, including upgrades.  Since the current ILS at the Glendale libraries could be phased out and would no longer be technically supported, this was beneficial to the city.  While this agreement will improve the library’s technology, it also will save the city nearly $350,000 in one-time funds and an annual $35,000 ongoing in operating and maintenance costs.  The new ILS is the Polaris Integrated Library System.  Each Polaris library will have their own catalog showing only that library's holdings, and not a union catalog or an integrated one.

For a new Glendale Library card this is what you will need: a valid photo identification and proof of address.  Young patrons 12 and under must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time the application is completed.  Students 13-17 can apply without a parent or guardian present. Parents/guardians will be notified by mail that the card has been issued to the student.  (Source: GPL website)

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF MARICOPA COUNTY THERE IS A NON-RESIDENT FEE

                $60.00 for 1 year

               $30.00 for 6 months

                $15.00 for 3 months

Support your local library with a visit.

Glendale Main Library
595 W. Brown Street
Closed on Fridays

Foothills Branch Library
19055 N. 57th Avenue
Closed Thursdays and Sundays

Velma Teague Branch Library
7010 N. 58th Avenue
Closed Fridays and Sundays

For more information, visit the main Glendale Pubic Library web site at

http://www.glendaleaz.com/library/

  The Glendale Main Library at 5959 W. Brown St. offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for rent.  The indoor opportunities include a small and large meeting room and an auditorium complete with a stage and fixed, tiered seating. The entire meeting room wing, which includes access to the restrooms and southeast portion of the lobby, may also be rented. The outdoor opportunities include a small xeriscape garden on the library’s south side and the front lawn with the award-winning garden north of the building.

The Foothills Branch Library at 19055 N. 57th Ave. offers indoor spaces with a variety of options including both classroom-style setups and a large, multi-purpose room. The spaces are made up of the Hummingbird Room and the larger Roadrunner Room, which can be divided into two rooms, the Eagle Room and the Quail Room.  The Roadrunner Room includes a carpeted stage, which is in the Quail Room when divided.  The stage makes the room well suited for lectures, services or performances.  An additional option is to reserve the entire meeting room wing that includes all the rooms plus a kitchenette and lobby area with access to the restrooms.

Rental prices and capacities vary depending on the space and reservation type.  A two-hour minimum rental is required for all rooms and a refundable cleaning deposit may also be required. A surcharge of $25 per hour will be applied to rooms rented before or after library hours of operation and on weekends. This fee increases to $50 for rental of the meeting room wing at the Main Library.

For details about the libraries’ rental spaces, visit www.glendaleaz.com/library<http://www.glendaleaz.com/library> or call the Main Library at 623-930-3561 or the Foothills Branch Library at 623-930-3849.

JULY TEEN PROGRAMS AT VELMA TEAGUE LIBRARY

Glendale, Ariz. –– The following free activities are available for teens in July at the Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.:

ALTERED: Teen Summer Reading 2012
Ongoing through July 28
Change the way you see the world with this year’s teen summer reading program. Teens, ages 12-18, can stop by an of Glendale’s three library branches to register for the “ALTERED” Teen Summer Reading Program now through July 28. Teens may also register and keep track of reading time by visiting www.glendaleaz.com/teenlibrary<http://www.glendaleaz.com/teenlibrary>. Win great prizes from Sonic, Harkins Theatres, Cousins Subs, and more, just for reading! Call the library at 623-930-3431 for additional information.

Teen Library Council Meeting
6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19
Looking for something fun to do that can actually make a difference? By becoming a Teen Library Council member, you can earn volunteer service hours, have a good time and meet new people, all while helping to make the library a better place for teens. The library is currently recruiting teens, ages 12-18, to provide input on the selection of books and music for the branch’s teen collection. Council members also participate in the planning and presentation of library events. For more information or to register, call Greg at 623-930-3441.


“Get Graphic!” Teen Book Club

6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26
Manga and comic book fans, ages 12-18, will not want to miss this monthly opportunity to talk with other teens about their favorite graphic reads and view anime! Upcoming movies and video games will also be discussed. Bring along a graphic novel or comic book of your choice. Snacks will be provided. Register online at www.glendaleaz.com/library or call 623-930-3431.

Altered T-Shirts!
6 p.m., Monday, July 30

Revitalize your favorite old t-shirt! Teens, ages 12-18, can learn how to use bleach and stencils to transform a plain, dark-colored t-shirt into a funky and uniquefashion statement. The library will supply everything but the shirts (dark-colored 100% cotton t-shirts work best). Register online at www.glendaleaz.com/library or call 623-930-3431.

For more information about teen programs at the Velma Teague Library, call 623-930-3431 or visit www.glendaleaz.com/library<http://www.glendaleaz.com/library>.

GET WILD ABOUT GLENDALE PARKS AND RECREATION,
VISIT THEM ON FACEBOOK AND WIN

Glendale, Ariz. –– The city of Glendale is joining the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) “Get Wild” theme for National Parks and Recreation Month this month.  Glendale wants everyone to show how wild they are about parks and recreation and take part in the “Get Wild” activities. An added bonus to enjoying these great amenities and resources, parks and recreation is giving away a monthly pass for the Foothills Recreation &Aquatics Center. Simply log on to www.facebook.com/GlendaleRecreation<http://www.facebook.com/Glendale Recreation> and click on the contest tab to enter.
The 2012 theme of  the “Get Wild” campaign encourages individuals, families, friends and park lovers everywhere to venture to Glendale’s parks and recreation facilities to experience the many benefits they offer, such as programs to inspire healthy, active lifestyles and activities to appreciate nature and the environment.
“Glendale is proud to be a part of National Parks and Recreation month and the NRPA’s ‘Get Wild’ initiative,” said Erik Strunk Glendale Parks, Recreation and Library Services executive director. “Anything we can do to encourage residents – particularly youth – to get active, visit and play in any of the city’s parks, facilities and recreational programs, is a positive step to maintaining a healthy and connected community in Glendale.  We want residents and visitors to enjoy their parks and recreation facilities.”
            The Glendale community can get wild at a variety of activities and locations including the Foothills Sk8 Court, the dog parks, a cooking class, a social dance and the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area. To learn more about how to get wild in Glendale, see the complete month of activities available at www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation<http://www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation

JULY 2012 EVENT/ACTIVITY LISTINGS

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – The following events are offered from the city of Glendale in July.

Backyard Stargazing for Everyone
7-9 p.m., Monday, July 2, Glendale Main Library Auditorium, 5959 W. Brown St.
Free and fun for the entire family! After dark, telescopes will be in place in front of the library for viewing the night sky. For more information, call (623) 979-1393.

Stars and Stripes Patriotic Luncheon
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St.
The program starts with a presentation by the Luke Air Force Color Guard followed by a performance with the Swing Kids. Tickets are $6 per person. Call 623-930-4321 for more information.

Historic Main House Tour
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28
Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area, 9802 N. 59th Ave.
Visit the historic Main House (built between 1891 and 1898) and learn details about it, its role at the Ranch and about the people who lived there. Groups of 10+ please call 623-930-4201 for reservations.  Free.

Game Night At The Rec
Fridays starting July 6, 6:30 p.m., Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Join us for fun games and tournaments in the Activity Room, including ping pong and billiards. Noregistration required. For more information, call 623-930-4610. Free.

Kids Get Fit Adventure Program
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday - Wednesday, July 9-11 or July 23-25,
Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Get fit and have fun at the same time! Kids ages 9-12 will participate in activities such as climbing the rock wall, basketball, obstacle courses and team challenges. These recreational-based activities will challenge all participants. Attendees will need to bring a personal water bottle, wear comfortable workout attire and closed-toe/heel tennis shoes; no jeans, dresses. Price is $25 (Non-resident$32). To sign up, call 623-930-4600. For more information, call 623-930-4610.

Real to Reel Book Discussion
1 p.m., Monday, July 9, Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.
Join us for this discussion of a book made into a movie. Read the book or see the movie or do both. This month we will be discussing Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  For more information, call 623-930-3555. Free.

Writing a Winning Resume
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.
During this workshop, participants will learn how to develop, write and distribute a basic resume and cover letter. In addition to content, format and style, participants will learn how to write, attach and use a cover letter. Participants will learn how to link effective resume and cover letter distribution to job-hunting goals. The many "resume myths" will be discussed along with a "what not to do" checklist. For more information or to register, call 623-930-3531.  Free.

Water Wars
2-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.
Make a splash at the library. Teens ages 12-18 are invited to join the annual Summer Water Wars party with water balloons, super soakers and more. Bring sunscreen, a towel and attire to be outside and get wet. All materials will be provided. For more information, call 623-930-3837.  Free.

Wildlife World Zoo presents: Creatures of the Night
2-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.
The Wildlife World Zoo is bringing some of their animal ambassadors to explore the world of animals that are active in the night. For more information, call 623-930-3437. Free.

Foothills Family Swim Night
5:30-8 p.m., Saturday, July 14, Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Enjoy the three swimming pools, water slides, lazy river and more. Admission includes hot dog and lemonade. Parents/Guardians must be present. Limited to the first 350 people. Admission is $4/person (non-residents $6/person) For more information, call623-930-4610.

Capture the Flag: Water Fight!
4-5 p.m., Monday, July 16, Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.
Beat the summer heat at this massive water fight. Two teams will compete to capture the flag and reign supreme. Dress to get wet. Bringyour own water gun or one will be provided. This event is for ages 8-11 only.  For more information, call 623-930-3537. Free.

Adult Points-Based Poker League
6:30 p.m., Mondays, July 16–Aug. 27, Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
This recreational, seven-week poker league for adults is great for both the avid poker fan and the beginner. Includes six regular-season games and an end-of-season tournament. Awards are given to league and tournament champions. Price is $17 (Non-resident $21). To sign up, call 623-930-4600. For more information, call 623-930-4610.

WOW Wednesday: Yellow Bird Indian Dancers
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.
Experience the rich tradition of the American Indian through Native storytelling, song and dance, including the creativity and sheer athleticism of the Hoop Dance. Tickets (required) will be distributed from the Youth Department on a first-come, first-served basis at 1:45 p.m. Space is limited, so we do suggest you come early. For more information, call 623-930-3837. Free.

Friday Night Dances
6:30–9:30 p.m., July 20, Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
A great event to practice your dance skills or learn new styles. Experience ballroom, swing, jazz and more! The evening features a 45-minute instructional session, performances from various dance classes and social dancing. Admission is $7(Non-resident $9). For more information, call 623-930-4613.

DIY Teen: Mehndi
2-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.
What better way to alter your body than with the ancient art of temporary henna tattooing! Teens, 12-18, will learn to create and apply the unique designs of this Indian art form. Registration is required and begins on July 10. Call 623-930-3837, stop by the youth reference desk, or go online to register. Free.

Rock Wall Adventures
1-5 p.m., Saturday, July 28, Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Ages 10-17 get to work directly with the climbing professionals from Arizona Hiking Shack. This program is great for first-time climbers or anyone who wants to learn more about the sport of rock climbing. Highlighted topics include climbing technique, knottying, belaying, strategy and safety. Participants should bring a water bottle and wear comfortable workout attire and tennis shoes. No jeans, dresses or open toe/heel shoes. Price is $50 (non-resident $63). To sign up, call 623-930-4600. For more information, call 623-930-4610.

Altered T-Shirts!
6-8 p.m., Monday, July 30, Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.
Use bleach and stencils to transform a plain, dark-colored t-shirt into a funky and unique fashion statement. We’ll supply everything but the shirts (dark-colored 100% cotton t-shirts work best). Ages 12-18. Registration begins July 9. Register online or call 623-930-3431. Free.

DIY Teen: Duct Tape Designs
2-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.
Create cell phone holders, wallets, roses or many other things out of duct tape in this workshop for teens, 12-18. We supply the tape and instructions and let the teens create what they want in this duct-tape-mania class. Registration begins July 17. Call 623-930-3837, stop by the youth reference desk, or go online to register. Free.

LIBRARY USERS CAN BORROW PRELOADED NOOK EBOOK READERS

Glendale, Ariz. – Increase the size of a book’s text with a touch of your finger or carry eight books at once that all fit nicely in a purse.  These are just a few of the benefits of using a digital eBook reader, and the Glendale libraries are now offering patrons the opportunity to have this digital experience through a new Nook borrowing program.

Glendale’s libraries now have 30 Nooks preloaded with eBooks that have titles for youth, teen and adult.  Also preloaded are two books in Spanish.  With this program, users have a way to try out an eReader and eBooks before actually purchasing one of their own.  Each of Glendale’s three libraries will have 10 Nooks available.  The Nook is Barnes and Nobles’ brand of mobile electronic reading device and is touted as very light and having a good reading screen and long battery life. 

Patrons interested in borrowing one of the eReaders will need to be a Glendale Public Library card holder in good standing, 18 and over and will need to provide current photo identification at checkout.  The Nooks may be borrowed for four weeks with no renewal option.

The Nooks come preloaded so that library users could have the best experience with the eBooks and eReaders.  During a pilot program last year in Councilmember Joyce Clark’s district, feedback received included the inability to read or finish popular best sellers due to long “on hold” lists to download them.  By the time many were able to download the eBook, the eReader was due back.  With this new program users don’t experience frustration with downloading and can start reading immediately.

“The Glendale libraries are helping to bridge the digital divide, in which library users can become confident in their ability to keep up with rapidly changing technologies,” said Chief Librarian Cheryl Kennedy.  “In today’s technology savvy world, digital literacy is a crucial skill for citizens of all ages and backgrounds.  We are devoted to increasing access to information and recreational reading in all formats.”

The Nooks were provided through donations and grant money.  Councilmember Joyce Clark donated six Nooks to the Velma Teague Branch Library. Councilmember Yvonne Knaack donated $1,800 to purchase 12 more, and another 12 were purchased through a grant.  

Titles on the preloaded Nooks include the children’s books Giver by Lois Lowry and Lightening Thief by Rick Riorda, and the teen book, The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer.  There are 25 classic books and novels such as Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice and the currently popular adult books The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Next Always by Nora Roberts, Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Rescue by Nicholas Sparks; The Help by Kathryn Stockett, 11^th Hour by James Patterson, Innocent by David Baldacci, Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, and Fiddler by Beverly Lewis.

For more information on the Nook program or on the Glendale libraries, visit www.glendaleaz.com/library.

Water Wars
2-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10
Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.
Come make asplash at the library. Teens ages 12-18 are invited to join in the annual Summer Water Wars party. Water balloons, super soakers and more will make sure everyone gets wet. Bring sunscreen, a towel and dress appropriately to get wet. All materials will be provided. Register by calling 623-930-3437.

Capture the Flag: Water Fight!
4-5 p.m., Monday, July 16
Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.
Beat the summer heat at this massive water fight. Two teams will compete to capture the flag and reign supreme. Bring your own water gun or use one of ours, and dress to get wet.  Registration is required for this event for ages 8-11.  Register by calling 623-930-3537.

The Water Games
6-7:45 p.m., Tuesday, July 16
Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.
The odds are not in your favor at this water-fight free for all. Teens will attempt to stay dry and claim victory over their peers. Dress to get wet.  This event is for ages 12-18 only, and registration is required. Call 623-930-3537 to register.

Participants will be eligible to win free swim passes to either Rose Lane Aquatics Center or the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center.  For more information about programs at the Glendale libraries, visit www.glendaleaz.com/library<http://www.glendaleaz.com/library>.

Signature Festival Calendar

2012-13 Season 
(Start dreaming of cooler  weather! Good things on the way!)

Glendale Glitters Spectacular Weekend

Friday, November 23 & Saturday, November 24, 2012

5 – 10 p.m.

Glendale’s Spirit of Giving Weekend (theme pending)

Friday, November 30 & Saturday, December 1, 2012

6 – 10 p.m.

Glendale’s Winter Wonderland (theme pending)

Friday, December 7 & Saturday, December 8, 2012

6 – 10 p.m.

Glendale’s Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights (theme pending)

Friday, December 14 & Saturday, December 15, 2012

6 – 10 p.m.

Glendale Glitter & Glow Block Party

Saturday, January 12, 2013

4 – 11 p.m.

Glendale Chocolate Affaire

Friday, February 8, 2013            5 – 10 p.m.

Saturday, February 9, 2013             10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday, February 10, 2013            Noon – 5 p.m.

Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival

Saturday, April 13, 2013            Noon – 10 p.m.

Sunday, April 14, 2013                Noon – 6 p.m.

Events, dates and times subject to change

6/12 vsn

BREAKFAST BUNCH!
THURSDAY JULY 12,  7:30 A.M.--9:00 A.M.

BIT-ZEE MAMA'S 

7023 N. 58TH AVENUE

(BETWEEN GLENDALE & GLENN)

7:30-8:00 NETWORKING & BREAKFAST   8:00-9:00 MEETING

SPECIAL SPEAKER---- SHIRLEY HAMILTON OF PARK LANE JEWELRY, SHE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTING

A MINI JEWELRY PARTY AND SELECTING A MYSTERY HOSTESS TO RECEIVE FREE

MERCHANDISE!!  SO COME EARLY

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE BRING LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS, CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS,  OUR GOAL AS YOU KNOW IS TO KEEP OUR $$$ IN GLENDALE

AND THE WEST VALLEY

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR 60 SECOND COMMERICAL AND AS ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO BRING DOORPRIZES.

PLEASE RSVP TO   623-847-1450..............DEE ROBERTS

YASIEL PUIG REPORTS TO ARIZONA LEAGUE DODGERS

Workout and media availability scheduled for Thursday, July 12

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that outfielder Yasiel Puig has reported to the Dodgers’ Arizona rookie league team to begin workouts at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The Dodgers recently signed the Cuban outfielder to a seven-year Major League contract. 

“We’re thrilled that Yasiel has arrived in Arizona,” said Dodger Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White. “He's athletic, intelligent and someone that's ready to work hard and earn a chance to fulfill his dream of playing Major League baseball.”

Thursday’s workout at the Dodgers’ training facility at Camelback-Ranch Glendale will be open to media from approximately 3 to 5:45 p.m., followed by a media availability in the Minor League meeting room with Dodger Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White and Puig, who will answer baseball related questions. The meeting room is located across from the Minor League clubhouse. Media interested in this opportunity should contact the Dodgers’ Public Relations department by calling (323) 224-4220.

Puig, a native of Cienfuegos, Cuba played professionally in Cuba for Cienfuegos during the 2010-11 Cuban Series and hit .330 with 17 homers, 19 doubles, six triples, 47 RBI with a .430 on-base percentage in just 327 at-bats. In the playoffs following that season, Puig hit .370 in 46 at-bats.  If Puig reaches the Major Leagues, he will become the eighth native of Cuba in Dodger history and the first since Danys Baez in 2006. The last Dodger position player born in Cuba was shortstop Zoilo Versalles (1968). In the 2012 First-Year Draft held in June, the Dodgers took two Cuban players, pitchers Onelki Garcia and Alfredo Unzue, while signing another as a free agent, catcher Selme Angulo. Overall, the Dodgers are expanding their scouting efforts and player signings in Latin America.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, pioneers in sport and world culture, have won more games than any other club in the National League since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.  Since the start of the modern era in baseball, the Dodgers of Brooklyn and Los Angeles, combined, have won six World Series titles and 21 National League pennants with a cumulative attendance of more than 190 million, the highest total in the history of baseball or any other sport.

Two Explosive Devices Found in Glendale

Public Awareness Important

WARNING WARNING! 
DO NOT PICK UP! EXPLOSIVE!

GLENDALE, Ariz. – In the past 24 hrs the Glendale Police Department has responded to two separate detonated improvised explosive devices in Glendale.  Both explosive devices were housed in a standard 6 volt yellow handheld flashlight (see photograph attached).  In the two separate incidents, a yellow flashlight was located by a citizen, which had been left outside in the open.  When the citizen attempted to push the button to turn the flashlight on, the device detonated.  Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in either event, but Explosive Ordinance Experts say that these devices were built to inflict serious injury. 

 

As a standard, these two investigations are being worked by experts from various local agencies as well as federal entities, with the Glendale Police Department designated as the lead investigating agency.   Explosives experts are asking that if anyone finds a flashlight left out, no matter what color or shape, which they don’t immediately recognized as their own, to call 911 immediately; DO NOT attempt to touch or manipulate the flashlight in any way. 

 

Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is asked to call the Glendale Police Department immediately at 623 930-3000.   

FIREWORKS ILLEGAL TO DEPLOY IN GLENDALE

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet  

A fireworks vendor was spotted in a parking lot near 59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road on Tuesday, July 3. It is illegal to set off fireworks in Glendale.

USE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS ILLEGAL IN GLENDALE

On April 24, 2012 Glendale City Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks within the Glendale city limits. 

State law has allowed the sale of consumer fireworks since 2010, but many cities have chosen to ban fireworks completely or partially within city limits.

"Consumer fireworks present an extreme danger, not only to citizens but also to firefighters and other first responders who are the first to arrive to emergencies involving fireworks", said Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick.  "Establishing a full fireworks ban in Glendale demonstrates safety is the highest priority and creates consistency with our neighboring cities."

The penalty for setting off fireworks within city is a class 3 misdemeanor, and carries a minimum fine of $270.  Additionally. in the event that Police and or Fire and dispatched, a person may also be held financially responsible for all costs associated the emergency response.

The ban went into effect May 25, 2012.

==

BACKYARD BARBEQUE SAFETY REMINDERS

FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

Glendale, Ariz. –– During the upcoming Summer events and parties, many people will use backyard barbeques.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2005-2009, gas and charcoal grills caused on average 3,400 structure fires and 4,800 outdoor fires in or on home properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $75 million. Although July is the peak month for fires caused by barbeque grills, these types of fires can happen at any time throughout the year.  The Glendale Fire Department has several safety reminders to ensure a safe and memorable holiday week: 

• Position the grill away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches and away from play areas and foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area with a three-foot "safe zone."
• Use long-handled grilling tools for plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
• Remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so a hot grill cannot ignite it.
• For charcoal grills, purchase the proper starter fluid and store out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
• For propane grills, check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles. Have leaking fuel lines repaired before using.
• Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
• Placing combustibles too close to heat, and leaving cooking unattended, are the two leading causes for charcoal grill home fires.
• Half of all barbeque grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch. Wall coverings, exterior trim, and plants are the leading items first ignited in home outdoor barbeque grill fires.

Arnold the Red--The Other "Arnold Palmer"

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Summer is almost here and it is time to think cool and how to stay that way for six months, but who is counting.  Those who golf will probably have heard of the refreshing drink that is half ice tea and half lemonade; the "Arnold Palmer", which is named after the famous golfer.

However, some of us prefer our regular ice tea without lemon or sugar.  Until, one day last summer when Kathy at  at Coffee-Tea Express  introduced my husband and I to a berry flavored iced tea (I knew it would be a little tart) and judging by the look on my face, she asked if I wanted her to add some lemonade.  I said yes.  This has turned out to be a very smart move on my part.

Our air conditioner at home was out.  It was one of the hottest or the hottest and longest Augusts on record, and what really helped us get through was the the other "Arnold Palmer"--the "Red Arnold".  I am not sure this drink has an official name.

THE RED ARNOLD

        1/2 glass (about a 12 ounce glass) of freshly brewed Hibiscus Superflower

                (I use The Republic of Tea brand, but I think a Red Zinger like-tea would work also.)

        Lots of ice

        1/2 glass of store bought lemonade (11% fruit juice) or homemade

        Add sweetener if needed

Brew the tea according to instructions.  Usually this means bringing 6 oz of cold water (filtered water is good) to a near boil and placing a tea bag in the hot water to brew for 5-7 minutes.

        Fill a tea glass with ice

        Fill have the glass with the cooled Hibiscus Superflower Tea

        Fill the remaining half of the glass with lemonade

        Adjust to taste by adding sweetener or more water if a weak tea strength is preferred.

        Enjoy.  This is a very flexible recipe.

In addition, the information on the back of the canister of The Republic of Tea Hibiscus Superflower Tea tells of the benefits of hibiscus tea by suggesting that it can help maintain a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  "This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration", however and is the note at the bottom of the can.

For more information on the Hibiscus Superflower Tea, visit http://www.republicoftea.com

Banner Health announces plan to create trauma centers at its Valley hospitals

Banner Health has announced plans to create trauma centers of varying levels at its Valley hospitals, a decision that will help ensure that trauma patients are better able to receive the right care, at the right time, at the right place.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System recently established criteria and standards for designating trauma centers as Level I, II, III or IV, based on a hospital’s resources and capabilities. Designation as a Level I Trauma Center requires the most resources and capabilities, providing total care for every aspect of injury, while designation as a Level IV means the facility is capable of handling the least serious traumatic injuries and has procedures in place to quickly transfer patients requiring a higher level of care to a higher level facility.

While participation is voluntary,  Banner Health has committed to taking a leadership role by making the necessary investments to create trauma centers of varying levels at all of our Valley hospitals. The process will kick off this week when Banner Health formally submits applications to ADHS for Trauma Center level designations at three of its Valley hospitals: Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa (to seek a Level III designation), Banner Estrella Medical Center in west Phoenix (Level IV) and Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale (Level III).

As the leading provider of emergency services in the Valley, Banner Health’s decision to create an integrated trauma network will help ensure that emergency responders take trauma patients to the hospitals that are best equipped and staffed to care for those patients, ensuring faster and safer delivery of care to this patient population.

In many cases, trauma patients will now be able to get the care they need closer to where the injury occurred, likely leading to improved outcomes.

“That’s really the most exciting part of this initiative,” said Tracie Newman, who is leading this work. “It enhances our ability to deliver excellent patient care.”

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center will remain Banner Health’s only Level I hospital. In fact, Banner Good Samaritan was recently re-verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as an ACS Level I Trauma Center. 

Is  is near the end of baby bird season in Arizona and ... they are falling out of  trees...  read on about  some hints and some great people that can help you should you discover a baby bird at the base of one of  your trees.

Temporary Emergency Care of Wild Birds

1.  KEEP THE BIRD WARM

The first and most important thing to do when you find an orphaned or injured bird is to warm the bird to a normal temperature.  The bird must be warmed before it can be fed!

Place paper towels or rags in the bottom of a box, small cage or other container. Place the bird inside.   You may need to use crumpled paper towels to prop up the bird if it is weak so that it is in a safe position.

Place the container on a heating pad set on low.  If your heating pad has auto-shutoff, be sure to check it to make sure it is still on.  If you do not have a heating pad be sure to keep the bird in the warmest place available, but don’t overheat the bird.

2.  NEVER PUT WATER IN A BIRDS MOUTH!

A bird’s airway is located on the bottom of their mouths behind their tongue.  Because of the location of the airway it is not uncommon for the water to go into the bird’s airway then to their lungs; if this happens, they could die from aspiration.

3.  FEEDING THE BIRD -- DO NOT FEED THE BIRD IF IT IS A HUMMINGBIRD OR A RAPTOR, OR IF THE BIRD IS LETHARGIC!

After the bird is warmed, you may want to give a small amount of food.  Prepare as listed.

BABY BIRDS:

Take any dry cat or dog food, place it in lukewarm water and wait for it to turn soft.  Once the food is softened, take small pieces of the food and squeeze the water out of it so that it is moist but not dripping.  You can then place the food in the back center bird’s mouth; this will give the bird moisture and protein at the same time but avoids the chances of aspiration.  The baby bird will need to be fed every 15 to 20 minutes.

ADULT BIRDS:

Because of the various diets that each particular bird eats it is best to offer a small variety of foods.  Seed, fresh fruit and water-moistened dog food can be placed before the bird; allow them to choose which most appeals to them.

4.  CALL US!      (623) 533-2348

Fallen Feathers

Rescue, Rehabilitation & Education

9532 W. Cielo Grande

Peoria, AZ  85383

www.fallenfeathers.org

Hermes 2012  Creative Awards for the
' Planet, Bette Sharpe & Marla Levine

Glendale, AZ: CouryGraph Productions, creator of KKAT-IPTV and Glendale Daily Planet was recently honored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) with a 2012 Platinum Hermes Creative Award For Internet news presentation. In addition  individual awards went to reporters Bette Sharpe for  "Jack Sparrow has a Chance in Glendale" and Marla Levine for "Watermark for Kids Awards Ironwood Student" .

Hermes Creative Award

Hermes Creative Awards recognizes outstanding work in the industry while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals.

"Our team is extremely honored by this recognition," said Ed Sharpe, Director of CouryGraph Productions which created KKAT - IPTV for Glendale Daily Planet. "This award reflects the quality of our methodology and work of our all volunteer staff to implement innovative combinations of written, still photography and streaming methods for local programming on the Internet. Sharpe continued, "I think our product is a result of the entire city's interest, advice and participation... 

 

 

Finally Sharpe wanted to extend his thanks to other people in the newspaper, radio, television and cable industry that have counseled him and provided an example of technique and values. "I would be nothing without them" Sharpe stated.

 

Bette Sharpe stated, "I am  very pleased  that our  work has been recognized"   "I enjoy photography and it allows  me to visually tell stories that might otherwise go untold."

 

Glendale Daily Planet, the parent organization of KKAT-IPTV was started in 2004 as the first community video journalism news site in Glendale and perhaps all of Arizona... Serving The Metro West Side of the Valley of the Sun, Glendale Daily Planet has witnessed, participated in and recorded the further rejuvenation of the downtown core, the meteoric rise of the 'Glendale Sports Empire', some of the problems associated with it and the restoration of historic sections of the town.

The work of CouryGraph Productions and other participative community journalists and engineering staff may be viewed, 24-hours a day, seven days a week at www.glendaledailyplanet.com. 

 

 

Ed Sharpe  with Phillips LDK-20 TV Studio Camera Glendale Daily Planet KKAT-IPTV  Founder. 

Photo by SMECC staff

 

 

Bryan Gruley - Authors @ The Teague, 6-14-2012

Then, he started his program with a story designed to win the heart of any librarian or book lover. He said he seldom read to the audience, but he was going to read to us from a favorite book. He said, this is The Crisscross Shadow by Franklin W. Dixon, an author you might recognize. This is a Hardy Boys mystery. Bryan highlighted this book as an important book in his life. He grew up in a blue collar suburb of Detroit. He was over at a friend's house, and the friend was going on and on about this book he read, and the villain named Brett. Bryan thought in order to be cool, he'd have to read the book. So, he asked his mom for the book. It was probably the first chapter book he ever read. Bryan was enamored of the Hardy Boys. He even made up his own version, the Anderson twins. He wrote and illustrated them, and then read them to the second grade class. His mother encouraged him to write. She also knew he was a hot dog, and liked to have the attention on him. So, by eight or nine Bryan knew he wanted to write.

When Gruley graduated from Notre Dame in 1979, though, he realized he couldn't just sit around and make things up. He took a detour to journalism, a detour that has lasted for thirty-two years. He's worked all over, and it's been a great detour. Bryan is still having a blast. He enjoys being a reporter, asking people what they do.

Gruley's body of work contains a number of narratives, small versions of stories with an arc, beginning, middle and end. He swore he didn't make up the stories. He still had a longing to be a novelist. He talked about it, dreamt about it. But, he never sat his butt down in a chair and wrote. He was intimidated. He didn't know any authors. Then, a friend, Ken Wells, published his first novel. Bryan worked with Ken. He wasn't intimidating. He thought, if Wells can do it, I can at least try.

So, Bryan wrote 25,000 words. His agent didn't like it, but there was a glimmer of hockey in those 25,000 words. Bryan had played hockey since he was eight. There was a rink in his backyard, and rinks all over the neighborhood. His agent suggested a story about middle-aged guys who play hockey in the middle of the night. Right away, he had an idea, mentioned something really bad that happened, and she said, oh, that's good. It always sells.

Gruley set his book two hundred miles north of Detroit in Starvation Lake. Starvation Lake is a small lake three miles north of Big Twin Lake. There's really no town at Starvation Lake, but he put one there. It took him four years to write the book. He did several drafts. He submitted Starvation Lake in April 2006. He had twenty-six rejections. No one knew what to do with the book. Bryan didn't set out to write a mystery. He doesn't read just mysteries. He reads all sorts of things. He said they were nice rejection letters. Some suggested it might be a mystery. One young editor said it best. He said the book fell between two schools. It's too nuanced to be a genre mystery, but it's not literary. Brian concedes the latter point. It's not literary. But he's baffled by the first. He was on the verge of giving up when Touchstone, division of Simon & Schuster signed him to a three book deal. Then, he realized he had to write the other two books.


Starvation Lake came out in 2009. It deals with the death of a hockey coach relating to a snowmobile accident. Years later, the snowmobile parts who up, in a different lake in which it supposedly went down.

Gus Carpenter is the narrator of Starvation Lake. He played hockey for the great River Rat teams of the '70s, the only teams that had the chance to beat the tough teams from Detroit. He also gave up the goal that cost them their only chance at the state championship. He left Starvation Lake for college, and ended up working as a journalist in Detroit until he was fired. He went back to Starvation Lake with his tail between his legs, where he ended up as associate editor at the local newspaper. He's forced to investigate the story about the snowmobile, and learns things that are not so pleasant.

When Gruley turned in his second book, it was terrible. It didn't even have a title. His editor agreed that it was terrible. He was about to go on tour for Starvation Lake. She told him to go on tour, and got him a seven month extension on the second book. So, he threw away that second book. It had too much plot, and not enough story. Some people think it's the same thing. Plot is the skeletal structure. The story is everything else.

Bryan did like one element of his original story. There was a mystery about a tree filled with shoes, but the story was too disconnected from Gus to matter. So, he threw it away and started over, keeping just a couple scenes. He took the tree.

Once Bryan's characters have names they come to life. He named the victim Gracie McBride. She was found hanging in a shoe tree. Why did it matter to Gus? She was his second cousin. She was also Darlene's best friend. Darlene is Gus' on-again, off-again girlfriend. And, Gracie had been fooling around with Soupy, the greatest hockey player ever to come out of Starvation Lake. He threw his career away on drugs and drinking. He is also Gus' best friend. That became The Hanging Tree, which has been optioned for a movie.

Like Gruley's earlier books, The Skeleton Box began with an image. Brian picked up a little book at a package store in Michigan. It was by a Traverse City author, and it was called Ghost Towns in Michigan. It was about towns that had once thrived and then gone away. One of those towns, Isadore, still exists. In 1907, a nun disappeared in the Polish Catholic parish there. The townspeople searched for her, and never found her. Five or six years later, a woman who worked there at Holy Rosary Church went to confession and confessed she murdered the nun, and buried her bones under the church. That should have remained a secret since it was told in the confessional, but it got out, as so many secrets do. The diocese was now building a new church on the site, and they contacted the church there, and told them to get the bones out, and bury them elsewhere. They got caught. That resulted in the longest trial in Michigan's history. The woman who had confessed pleaded not guilty. There was a nonfiction book written about it called Isadore's Secret. It was published by the University of Michigan Press.

This image got Bryan going. The Skeleton Box, his latest book, is set in March 2000. Starvation Lake was set in 1998, and The Hanging Tree in 1999. This book starts with a series of burglaries. The newspaper calls them "Bingo Night Break-Ins" because someone knew the people would be out playing bingo. What was odd is that they didn't take anything, but went through the houses, as if looking for something. There were four or five burglaries, and then one burglary went bad. Darlene's mother was murdered. She was the best friend of Gus' mother, Bea. Darlene's mother died in Bea's house, and Gus has to look into it.

Gus already has problems. He's on the outs with Darlene. His future at the newspaper is iffy since he's on shaky ground with the suits in Traverse. His mother is losing her memory, and has a hard time keeping her story straight.

However, the River Rats hockey team is doing better. They have a great new player. There's also a new Evangelical Christian camp over by the lake, and the man in charge is starting to get involved in the town. His name is Brett, the same as the bad guy in The Crisscross Shadow. That's Gruley's homage to that Hardy Boys book. In fact, at one point, Soupy asks, "What is this, a Hardy Boys mystery?"

In this book, Gus has a distant connection to the disappearance of a young nun from St. Valentine's Church.

Does it get any easier? No. All the books are difficult in their own way. And, if you're ambitious, and want to get better, it doesn't get easier.Just because you continue to do something, that doesn't mean it gets easier. Bryan plays golf, so he knows it's not true that it gets easier. It doesn't necessarily get better.

When he turned in The Skeleton Box, his editor asked him questions he couldn't answer. But, she was patient, and stayed with him. The book covers decades, the 30s, 40s, and 50s, leading up to 2000. He had events in every decade, but hadn't done the boring work of building it up. He needed to see things, so he did a 20-25 page outline, beginning in 1903 with the birth of a future priest. Then, he could see it all. He needed to understand it, and see the cause and effect in order to keep it straight. So, he took seven weeks off last summer to finish The Skeleton Box.

Is the Starvation Lake series a trilogy like Tolkien's Middle Earth trilogy or George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy? It wasn't planned as a trilogy. But, Gruley is resolving issues that spanned all three books. One is the relationship between Gus and his mother. Bryan's readers email him and tell them they love Bea, but they're frustrated by her. She doesn't give up everything she knows.Gus and Bea have a similar mother-son relationship as Bryan did with his mother.

Bryan's characters are entities of their own. They're not based on real people. Saying that, Gus has some of Bryan in him, and so does Soupy. And, there are things in the relationship between Gus and his mother that Bryan had with his mother.

The Skeleton Box is Bryan's favorite of the three books. He's not sure what he's doing next. And, then he ended his formal presentation by reading the end of The Crisscross Shadow.

The first question from the audience involved characters who take over. Bryan said Gus doesn't tell him what to do. However, brains are always working. Usually, Gruley goes by gut instinct. Everything he sees influences him.

Would he ever quit his job, and write just fiction? His wife doesn't want to life in a tent. His journalism pays the bills.

Who are his favorite authors? J.D. Salinger for his short stories; Hemingway. He loves Thomas Harris' Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs. He's rereading Dennis Lehane's Mystic River. He just finished Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. That's art. It's harrowing, funny, absurd. It's written as a collection of short stories, but it's actually a memoir about men at war.

And, he ended by answering a question about his Starvation Lake tee shirt. It features a goalie, which is great, but the person who picked the number 76 must be the only person in Canada who doesn't watch hockey because no goalies have 76 as a number. All goalies have low numbers.

Bryan Gruley's website is

Photo by Judith Marlett.

Sabarro at Arrowhead Towne Center
Host a Roll-out and 
Fundraiser for St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance

By Bette Sharpe-Glendale Daily Planet

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4050.

Fresh is the word that catches the eye.

Pizza is second to hamburgers as America's favorite food.  Thursday's event, June 14, included free samples of a new pasta dishes.  Arrowhead Sbarros entire day's proceeds will go to support the St. Mary's Food Bank, helping to fight hunger throughout Arizona.  Also, all guests can enter to win a Vespa Scooter, red of course.  One-hundred guests will receive a Sbarro gift card for a 'Free Pizza or Pasta' every week for two months.

Arrowhead Towne Center is one of ten national Grand Roll-Out Celebration locations offering the new tastes and flavors from Sbarro's Italian heritage.  Sabrro is based in Melville, New York and is the world's largest Italian mall-focused restaurant franchise.  The franchise has 1000 fast-casual style restaurants in 40 countriesl.

The new open-flame, oven baked pizza to the delights of our made-to-order fresh pasta stations, guest's taste buds will thank you.  Next week, Sbarro will have staff on hand who will be asking guest to comment on the restaurant's new offerings. 

What is refreshing, literally, is that the new recipe is that it is fresh.  The tomatoes are grown in California especially for Sbarro and their pizza dough is made fresh daily. 

In 1956 the Sbarro family open an Italian grocery store, or Salumeria, in Brooklyn, N.Y.  They became very popular in the neighborhood and are known for their fresh food and traditional Italian fare.  This tradition, fresh ingredients and staying loyal to the founder's Italian heritage, along with the focus on high standards of customer service, give Sbarro high marks. 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4036

Christina Cook, St. Mary's Food Bank and Sbarro's President and Chief Executive Officer, James Greco with the check to be presented to the food bank. Next week we  will have not only the tally of the final funds but also who won  the VESPA!

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4000.

Next week we  will have not only the tally of 
the final funds but also who won  the VESPA!

History
Sbarro was founded by Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro. The couple and their three sons, Joseph, Mario, and Anthony immigrated to America from Naples, Italy, in 1956 with help from the Padovani family, who took them in. They gave Gennaro employment in their deli. The same year, the Sbarro family opened their first Salumeria (an Italian grocery store) at 1701 65th Street and 17th Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York, which became popular for its fresh food and genuine Italian fare. Their Sbarro Italian Delicatessen in Brooklyn was well received by the local community and was the first of a successful chain.

The success of the Sbarro Salumeria led to the opening of additional locations throughout the New York City area. In 1970, Sbarro opened its first mall-based restaurant in Brooklyn's Kings Plaza Shopping Center, marking the beginning of the modern Sbarro concept: Italian food in an open kitchen that allowed for fast self-service. One of their busiest outlets was located in the World Trade Center mall.

(video and more story to follow!)

NEW DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REPORT CONFIRMS
LUKE AFB AS AIR FORCE’S TOP CHOICE
FOR F-35 TRAINING CENTER  

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Luke Air Force Base remains the Air Force’s preferred location for its new F-35A training center, according to a final environmental report released this week by the Department of Defense.

The 1,000-page report, referred to as the final environmental impact statement (EIS), provides an in-depth analysis on the environmental and operational aspects on the proposed basing of the
F-35A training center at Luke, as well as at three other alternative basing locations being studied.

 The final EIS report paves the way for up to six squadrons – totaling 144 aircraft – of the new fighter jets being stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale that are scheduled to begin arriving at Luke in late 2013.

The F-35A Lightening II is the Air Force’s variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which will replace the F-16 Falcon and the A-10 Thunderbolt as the Air Force’s new multi-role fighter.

The Final EIS also noted the foresight and benefit of state statutes enacted by Arizona, which provide sufficient buffer, noise attenuation measures and land management to enable the F-35A to be stationed at Luke. The Air Force’s analysis highlights how the state statutes and local government actions dating back to 2001 to preserve the training mission of the base had significantly reduced the land acreage and number of people who might be impact by the new mission had the state laws and local land-management regulations not been implemented.    

Now that the final report is complete, the Air Force is expected to announce its final basing decision for the F-35A next month. In addition to serving as the “school house” for F-35A training, Luke will keep two F-16 training squadrons comprised of 26 aircraft at the military facility.

Prior to completing its final report, the Air Force held extensive public meetings in the community to receive input from residents, businesses and other governmental agencies. Nearly 10,000 Luke supporters attended the meetings or sent letters or emails to the Air Force in support of Luke receiving the F-35A training mission.

In total, almost 21,000 citizens living in every city and town throughout Arizona have registered their support of the new training mission at www.LukeForward.com.

The new training mission will also serve as an economic stimulus for the Valley’s beleaguered construction industry as the F-35A will require construction, facility improvements, infrastructure upgrades and other maintenance and repairs on a nearly continual basis.

Luke AFB can anticipate receiving an immediate investment from the federal government of $100-$125 million in construction-related projects should the base receive the F-35 mission. Much of this investment will positively impact the local and state economies with local labor and suppliers of construction material.

The complete final EIS report, executive summary and supporting documents are available for review online at www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com. Hard copies of the final EIS have also been provided to libraries in El Mirage, Gila Bend, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Surprise and Wickenburg.

HORATIO SKEETE APPOINTED INTERIM CITY MANAGER

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – The City Council appointed Horatio Skeete as Glendale’s interim city manager Tuesday night (June 12) during its evening meeting. 

         The appointment, which is effective immediately, was necessitated due to the retirement of Ed Beasley, who served in the post for 10 years.

         Skeete takes over as Glendale’s chief executive in charge of city operations after serving as Glendale’s assistant city manager since 2010. Skeete joined the city in 2004 as deputy city manager, where he oversaw the Transportation, Engineering, Code Compliance, Building Safety and Planning departments.

          During that time, he administered the implementation of major development agreements relating to the University of Phoenix Stadium, Westgate City Center and Zanjero, including the Cabela’s store.

         Prior to joining Glendale, Horatio was the city manager of Litchfield Park for 13 years.

         He is a long-time member of the International City/County Management Association, Arizona City/ County Management Association and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. 

         During last night’s meeting, Mayor Elaine Scruggs also informed residents that the current members of the City Council have decided to defer the recruitment for a permanent city manager to the new Council after the General Election in November. Four out of the seven council seats are up for re-election.  

SUMMER IS HOT BUT DOWNTOWN GLENDALE DEALS

AND EVENTS ARE HOTTER!

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – Stay cool and save some cold hard cash in Historic Downtown Glendale with the third annual Catlin Cash Summer Promotion. During the promotion, shoppers can visit downtown Glendale between June 1 and August 23 to earn special shopping rewards and take advantage of special offers.`

Throughout the summer, shoppers and diners will be rewarded every time they spend money in the Catlin Court Shopping District, which is located between Palmaire and Myrtle avenues from 57^th Drive to 59^th Avenue.  The Catlin Cash can be redeemed Aug. 24-25. On these dates, customers will have the chance to return to the store where they earned rewards and cash in for great discounts. This will be a two-day redemption period, so remember to save the date. Some rewards include $1 Catlin Cash with every $5 spent at various Catlin Court merchants.

        To celebrate more shopping fun and deals, Downtown Glendale is offering events such as Christmas in July on July 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Dog Days of Summer on August 4 from 7 to 10 a.m. Christmas in July offers early holiday shopping, dining and crafts, and kicks off the Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive. The Dog Days of Summer event offers activities including pet demonstrations, free pet massages, free Frost Paws dog treats, as well as and an opportunity for people to donate items for the Annual Pet Food and Supply Drive to benefit Sun Valley Animal Shelter.  Both of these events offer a great way to earn Catlin Cash.

      In addition, merchants are celebrating National Small Business Week (May 21-27) by offering special, exclusive discounts. To learn more, visit www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

      “The heart of downtown Glendale is comprised of  small businesses, so we encourage people to support the local economy by taking advantage of these summer promotions,” said Glendale CVB Manager Lorraine Pino. 

        According to the Small Business Association, 60 to 80 percent of new jobs created in the United States can be attributed to small businesses.

      For more information and a complete listing of participating merchants, call 623-930-4500 or go to www.visitglendale.com. 

Citizen’s Academy Alumni Make Big Donation

To D.A.R.E. / G.R.E.A.T. Summer Program

From Left to right are:  Officer Bud Machamer, Joel Davis President of CPAAG, and Officer Willie Jackson

Glendale, Ariz. – During the 1^st week of May 2012, the Glendale Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Group made a $4,000 donation to support the Glendale Police Department’s D.A.R.E. / G.R.E.A.T. Program.  These funds will be used in part to support the four (4) week summer camp, which is completely free of charge to 5th, 6th and 7th grade students that attend City of Glendale elementary schools.

         The two officers in Glendale assigned to D.A.R.E. / G.R.E.A.T. provide service to 22 elementary schools and will make contact with thousands of children.  Over the past few years CPAAG has donated nearly $6,600 to the program and were recently honored at an annual awards dinner on May 11, 2012.

RON SHORT HONORED WITH 2012 RUTH BYRNE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD 

 
Bette Sharpe / Glendale Daily Planet
Picture- From Left to Right - Jacoba Worsdell, Chairperson Historic Preservation Commission. Ron Short, Ruth Byrne Award Recipient, Ruth Byrne and Mayor Elaine Scruggs 

Glendale, Ariz. -- Mayor Scruggs presented the Ruth Byrne Historic Preservation Award to Ron Short for his dedication to the preservation of Glendale’s historic heritage at a recent Glendale City Council meeting.    

The Ruth Byrne Historic Preservation Award is presented on an annual basis to individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to historic preservation activities in Glendale. The award is named after Ruth Byrne, a long-time Glendale resident, who has worked tirelessly for many decades to support and further the preservation of Glendale’s history.  

The Historic Preservation Commission selected Ron from among four nominees, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to Glendale’s historic heritage.

          Since his retirement from the city of Glendale in 2010, Ron has emerged as an influential advocate for historic preservation in the private sector.  In his current role as Vice President of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Ron has been an instrumental part of a very dedicated group of people who educate and promote Glendale’s heritage.

           Ron actively volunteers for the Historical Society’s “Wedding Belles,” which is the name for a group of individuals that help facilitate the rose garden weddings performed at Sahuaro Ranch Park.  He organizes monthly meetings and programs for the society at historic sites such as the Glendale High School Auditorium, the C.L. Tinker House, the Beet Sugar Factory, and the Thunderbird Air Control Tower.

          Recognizing the value of keeping Glendale’s history alive, Ron volunteered to write historic preservation articles for the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors Newsletter.  He also prepared a Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors grant application on behalf of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society for a bronze interpretative plaque for the Messinger House. The V. E. Messinger House was built in 1895 and is the home of The Spicery restaurant. Ron was instrumental in obtaining funding through another Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors grant application on behalf of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society for procuring historic district metal street signs for the Thunderbird Estates/McDonald Addition, which is an Historic District that has  given enormous aesthetic value to the community.

He also serves as an active member of the Arizona Preservation Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes statewide historic preservation.  The foundation is dedicated to preserving Arizona's historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural resources.  Through this organization and the Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Ron is a participating member of the Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference.

          “Ron has gained the admiration and respect of the community through his tireless commitment to historic preservation,” said Glendale Planning Director Jon Froke.   “By sharing his knowledge, time and expertise, Ron has made his mark as a true champion of historic preservation.”

          For more information on this award, visit www.glendaleaz.com/planning.

GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES

ARIZONA CARDINALS PARKING PLAN

Glendale, Ariz. –– Tuesday evening the Glendale City Council approved a plan to fulfill the parking agreement with the Arizona Cardinals and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AzSTA).

This plan includes three properties to replace the parking spaces now occupied by the Tanger development. Agreements for two of the three properties were approved last night by the council. These two properties include a lot owned by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and a lot owned by The New Westgate (TNW). The city will lease both of these properties in order to provide a portion of the parking spaces. The ADOT lot contains 1,087 spaces, and the TNW lot is providing 1,648 spaces. The third parcel identified is the Hampton Inn and Suites Westgate property, with 524 spaces, and an agreement will be presented to council next month.

These three properties will provide 3,259 spaces. Combined with the existing parking lots that the city owns (2,812 spaces) this will total 6,071, thereby fulfilling the city’s obligation to provide 6,000 spaces total.  (See attached map for reference.)

“Westgate City Center is a multi-phase development project,” Economic Development Director Brian Friedman stated. “There has always been the understanding that parking will need to be adjusted to accommodate construction while maintaining the required number of spaces for NFL games. We have a contractual agreement to provide these spots and have done so every year since the stadium opened and will continue to do so per the agreement.”

Further details are available online at www.glendaleaz.com.

BEAT SUMMER BOREDOM WITH RECREATION DAY PROGRAMS

Glendale, Ariz. –– School is almost out for the summer and that means it’s time to find fun, safe activities for the children.  Glendale Parks and Recreation offers several programs to keep the kids entertained in a safe and supervised atmosphere.

Children ages 3-12 can participate in a variety of games, activities and arts and crafts, while receiving mentoring and guidance.  Caring recreation professionals have been trained to develop a variety of programsthat enhance childhood development, play and social interaction.

Drop-In Recreation Program

Drop-In Recreation Programs for children who have finished kindergarten through age 12 will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, June 4 – July 26 at six locations: Copperwood Elementary, 11232 N. 65^th Ave.; Marshall Ranch Elementary, 12995 N. Marshall Ranch; Rose Lane Recreation Center, 5003 W. Marlette Ave.; Glendale Community Center, 5401 W. Ocotillo Rd.; Pioneer Elementary, 6315 W. Port Au Prince; and O’Neil Recreation Center, 6448 W. Missouri Ave.  The only fee for the entire summer is a supply fee of $75 for Glendale residents and $90 for non-residents. An extended Drop-In Recreation Program with the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. will be offered at Pioneer Elementary and O’Neil Recreation Center. The summer supply fee is for $125 per Glendale child and $150 for non-resident children for the extended program.

Licensed Recreation Camp

A DHS licensed child-care camp is also available.  This program is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and accepts DES assistance. Participants will receive a morning and afternoon snack and are required to bring a non-perishable sack lunch.  The registration fee is $30 ($36 for non-residents).  The price for the full day program is $25 a day or $105 a week for Glendale residents and $35 a day or $155 a week for non-residents.  The price for a half-day program is $15 a day or $70 a week for Glendale residents and $18 a day or $85 a week for non-residents.  These programs for ages 5-12 are held from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday, beginning May 25 at Sahuaro Ranch Elementary, 10401 N. 63^rd Ave., and from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday beginning May 29 at Desert Mirage Elementary, 8605 W. Maryland Ave.  A preschool program will also be available for ages 3-5 only from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Thursday, June 4 – July 26 at Pioneer Elementary, 6315 W. Port Au Prince. 

Foothills 360 Summer Program

The Foothills 360 SummerProgram provides ages 5-11 with active games, fitness activities, guest speakers, swimming, rock wall climbing, art projects and more.  This program is offered Monday - Friday, May 29 - August 3, from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr. Three-day and five-day options are available.  The 3-day option (choose three days from Monday-Thursday) is $66 a week for Glendale residents and $83 fornon-residents, and the 5-day option is $100 a week for Glendale residents and $135 for non-residents. Parents need to send snacks and a non-perishable lunch or participants may buy snacks and lunch at the Foothills concession stand.

For more information about the programs or to register, call 623-930-2820 or visit www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation.

GLENDALE COMMUNITY BAND BRINGS MUSIC TO DOWNTOWN GLENDALE SUMMER EVENINGS

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Glendale’s favorite summer tradition is back for its 46^th season beginning June 7 in downtown Glendale.

The eight-week concert series takes place each Thursday at 8 p.m. June 7 through July 26, in the Murphy Park Amphitheater, located at 58^th Avenue and Glenn Drive. Music lovers of all ages will be entertained by this community band of approximately 100 musicians with its renditions of marches, ballads and show tunes.

The Glendale Summer Band, conducted by John Faris, is the longest- running community band in Arizona. The ages of the volunteer band members span several generations. The band was formed in 1966, originally playing at O’Neil Park, and moving to Murphy Park when the amphitheater was built.

These free concerts are the perfect night out for the entire family, or bring your friends, neighbors, the whole gang! Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Food, snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase at the concerts. The series will feature a special Patriotic performance on June 28 in celebration of Independence Day.

Can’t make a show? Check out the concert from the comfort of home with our live web stream. Find the link to the stream on the GlendaleAZ.com home page or www.glendaleaz.com/video, where you will find a full library of Glendale 11 programming to watch on demand.

            The Glendale Summer Band concert series is sponsored by Glendale’s Office of Special Events and  Glendale Civic Pride. For more information, call the Glendale’s Special Events hotline at 623-930-2299, or visit www.glendaleaz.com/events.

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

CELEBRATES DEDICATED EMPLOYEES

 

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – Do you ever think about how your garbage is disposed of once it leaves your curb? Who repairs traffic signals, or who is on call to ensure your water is delivered to your home twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?

         These are just a few of the many services carried out by Glendale’s public works departments.

May 20-26 marks the national observance of Public Works Week. The theme for this year’s recognition is “Public Works: Creating a Lasting Impression.” The theme speaks to the never-ending effort of public works professionals to use sustainable solutions to bring their communities the highest possible quality of life within a framework of environmental, social and economic responsibility.

Some Public Works employees recently garnering recognition for the city are winners in the Solid Waste Association of America (SWANA) state ROAD-EO competition for skills in their field. The first-place winners will advance to the national competition in Louisville, Ky. later this year. Awards were presented to: (see photos)

 

Steve Carrizoza - 1st place Mechanic and Top Gun winner
Hershel Wright - 1st place Scraper and Top Gun winner	Charles Margelot - 2nd place Compactor

The city’s Public Works Operations are encompassed in three areas: 

Public Works includes street maintenance, sanitation services, building maintenance and cares for the city’s 1,300 vehicles, which include everything from motorcycles to street sweepers. The Streets and Right-of-Way divisions oversee maintenance on 700 miles of roadways in the city, and the Facilities Management division is responsible for 1.8 million square feet of municipal buildings and properties. The Graffiti Removal Program gets rid of graffiti within 48 hours of notification via the Graffiti Hotline or the city’s Web site. Glendale’s Recycling program strives to increase the life of the landfill by diverting wastes to be reused or recycled.  Also included in Public works is the Engineering Division, which is charged with following the city’s major construction projects from start to finish, overseeing the design and construction of various city facilities including buildings, streets, sewer, water lines and drainage. Staff tracks the contract paperwork and manages good engineering practices in the city through design review, construction inspection and testing of materials on the jobsite to ensure they meet specifications.

The Water Services Department produces drinking water that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards, collects and treats wastewater and reads meters monthly to deliver timely and accurate bills. The city delivers more than 13 billion gallons of water a year. The Water Distribution division is responsible for more than 60,000 service connections that require more than 994 miles of water pipelines. The city’s wastewater collection system is comprised of about 682 miles of pipes feeding into reclamation facilities where more than 2.8 billion gallons of wastewater were treated last year.   The Environmental Resources Division ensures our city has sustainable water resources to meet current and future demand and develops water and energy conservation education programs. The Water Quality Laboratory collects thousands of samples annually to provide residents clean, safe drinking water.

      The Water Services Department has won several awards this past year, including the WESTMARC Best of the West Excellence in Innovation Award for the Oasis Groundwater Treatment Plant.  This esteemed award recognizes outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economic development of the West Valley.  The Conservation and Sustainable Living Office was also honored by the Valley Forward Association with the prestigious Crescordia Award for innovative education and public outreach programs. And just last week at the 2012 Annual Arizona Water Conference, the Water Services Department was honored with four prominent awards to include Large Distribution System of the Year, and Large Collection System of the Year.  City staffers Dave Hutchinson and Anita Lutringer also won Plant Mechanic of the Year and the Water Treatment Plant Operator of the Year, respectively.

Finally, Glendale’s Transportation Department is responsible for providing safe and efficient traffic flow on city streets, which includes vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. In addition, Transportation staff also ensures there is sufficient street lighting and administer transit and Dial-A-Ride services and provide transportation planning. The Transportation Department and staff also have garnered numerous awards recently, including being honored at the Valley Metro Clean Air Campaign Awards. Executive Director Jamsheed Mehta was given the Leadership Awards for outstanding accomplishments, and the department was given the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Livable Communities Award.

For additional information on any and all of these public works departments, visit www.glendaleaz.com.

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Mystery Author Darrell James Signs “Nazareth Child” at the Library 
Authors @ the Teague event at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 2

 

 

Glendale, Ariz. –– Mystery/thriller author Darrell James will discuss and sign his award-winning debut novel “Nazareth Child,” the first book in the Del Shannon series, during the Authors @ the Teague event at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 2 at Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58^th Ave.

Tucson missing persons operative Del Shannon travels to her old hometown of Nazareth Church, Kentucky to investigate faith healer Silas Rule and his acolytes.  Although Del is working in conjunction with the FBI, whose prior agent in the area has disappeared, she has her own agenda: this dangerous cult leader just might know what happened to the mother Del never knew.  “The fast-flowing story line will engage readers. It's nice to see James present a woman in control in the leading role.” (“Kirkus”)

Darrell James’ short stories have received a number of awards and nominations, including finalist placement in the 2009 Derringer Awards. “Nazareth Child” is the winner of the 2012 Left Coast Crime Eureka Award for Best First Novel.  The sequel, “Sonora Crossing,” will be released in September 2012. A resident of Tucson, AZ, Darrell James has served time in the military, sailed the Caribbean, and ridden motorcycles cross-country.  For more information, see http://darrelljames.com.

The program is free. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, please call 623-930-3439.

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Glendale Public Libraries Offer Free Summer Reading Activities

 

Glendale, Ariz. –– School’s out and parents are searching for affordable activities that not only prevent summer boredom but also keep their kids mentally sharp. One simple solution is to participate in the free programs offered by the Glendale Public libraries.

 

Beginning May 29, the libraries are “going to bat” for summer reading with The Arizona Republic and Arizona Diamondbacks’ sponsored “Read, Play, Win!” reading incentive program.

 

“Our ultimate goal is to make sure children read over the summer, whether it’s the Avengers graphic novels or Diary of a Wimpy Kid series,” said Kathy Pastores, youth services supervisor for Glendale Parks, Recreation and Library Services. “Students who return to school after participating in a summer reading program are more likely to read at, or even above, their grade level than non-participating peers.”

 

In addition to the reading program, each library will feature a variety of weekly events. “This year we will have magicians, balloon storytelling programs, visits from the Wildlife World Zoo, a drawing workshop, even a singing cowboy and his horse,” said Pastores.

 

Teens ages 12 to 18, are invited to change the way they view the world with “Altered: Teen Summer Reading 2012”.  The prizes for this program include coupons from Harkins Theaters, Sonic and Cousins Subs. Teens can participate online, either at home or in the library. Those who complete the program will be entered in a drawing to win a Nook Color.

 

The teen summer programs include activities from upcycling crafts to a water war party. “We put together a variety of awesome library events to fit every personality type,” said Merideth Jenson-Benjamin, teen librarian at the Glendale Main Library.

 

For more information about the summer reading programs and other summer events, stop by the Glendale Main Library at 5959 W. Brown Street, the Foothills Branch Library at 19055 N. 57^th Avenue, or the Velma Teague Branch Library at 7010 N. 58^th Avenue, or call 623-930-3530. For a list of upcoming summer reading program events, check out the monthly calendar at www.glendaleaz.com/library. 

 

The youth take over HISTORIC DOWNTOWN gLENDALE and paint THE TOWN 
WHITE IN  TO SUPPORT cOYOTES Monday, May 14  at 4 - 4:30 p.m

Fido Bags Hit '5'!

Girl Scout Troop 1900 Host Fundraiser for Sun Valley Animal Shelter 

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

 

Girl Scout Troop 1900 hosted the Sun Valley Animal Shelter Per Fair, Saturday, May 12 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the "FIDO" bag.  On average, firefighters will come across animals in 60 percent of house fires..  Due to these statistics, the Glendale Fire Department with funding from a $4,000 grant from the Sun Valley Animal Shelter in 2007, created the "FIDO" bag, which is carried on all Glendale fire trucks.  The "FIDO" bag is the medical kit which contains an oxygen mask and other medical supplies that can be used to treat animals suffering from smoke inhalation, burns or other medical emergencies.  The bag has been used numerous times since its inception.  Recently the "FIDO" bag was used to help a ferret.

 

 

The tiny Kitten poses with the  "kitten sized"  mask form the  Glendale Fire Department Fido Bag that was generously provided by the Sun Valley Animal Shelter. Photo by Ed Sharpe  A save from  the article following  this  one  in 2007!

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3830.

Some of the emergency animal rescue supplies firefighters take with them to aid animals with smoke inhalation, and other needs.

 

Girl Scout Troop 1900 lead by Carolyn Downey, began planning the pet fair in January and have    been working closely with Kurt Oleson of Sun Valley Animal Shelter.  "The girls want to do something for homeless animals", said Downey.  Planning, setting up and operating the various booths at the pet fair is part of fulfilling the requirements for the Girl Scout Bronze Award.  This year, Girl Scouts celebrate 100 years of fun, campfires and service. 

 

The troop would like to host the fundraiser annually, however because of other animal events in the West Valley, like the Pet Expo, the Pet Fair was held in May.  If the troop hosts the fair next year, they would like the fain to be schedules for sometime in March when the weather is not as warm.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3829.

Daily Troop 873 member Emma Victoria with Sherrie Urban pick out a prize after spinning the wheel. at the Pet Fair on Saturday.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3826.

Another fundraiser was the raffle table--one ticket for a $1.00 or 5 tickets for $3.00.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3833.

Glendale Firefighters Brad Young, age 10; Gabriella Young, age 5; and Michael Young, age 5; with Topaz, Glendale Crisis Response Dog.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3839.

Megan Buchert of Troop 1900 is selling a bag of homemade cat treats for a $1.00 each at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter Pet Fair, on Saturday.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3847.

Glendale Firefighters, Miles Nuessle and Dave Jensen; Girl Scout Troop 1900 members:  Alex Clugston, Tiffany Sanchez, Megan Buchert, Savannah Wood, Sabrina Kleinnann, Mckayla Smith, Topaz (Glendale Crisis Response Dog), Erika Armenta, Megan Downey, Michael Young, and Captain Sean Alford, both from the Glendale Fire Department.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3857.

Glendale Firefighters Miles Nuessle, Sean Alford, Girl Scout Daisy Troop 873, Amanda Dauch, Jamie Hart, Bayli Haynes, Emma Victoria, Natalie Ramos, Makenzie Smith, Maddy Teague, Jessica Dauch and Alexys Shearer and Firefighter Dave Jensen.  Not pictured: troop leader Cherylynn Dauch.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3865.

Daisy Troop member Makenzie Smith shows off the rock she painted to brighten up the shelter's court yard.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3866.

Maddy Teague holds the two rocks she painted for the courtyard.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily no. 3880.

Toni Bowers and her friend Maverick.  Maverick was lucky to find a home with Toni.  There are other dogs and cats waiting for good homes at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter. 

The shelter is a no-kill facility.  They are closed on Mondays, but are open 11:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Tuesday - Sunday.  Surrenders are taken by appointment only as is microchipping.  Sun Valley Animal Shelter is an official microscanning facility.  For more information you may call 623-872-7941 or visit them on the web at http://www.sunvalleypets.org/.  The are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a m. to 4:00 p. m., but are closed on Mondays.  Their address is  7150 North 110th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85307. 

 

For a history flashback on Fido Bags -   see the kick off and a actual early in use to save tiny kitty!   Go to :

http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/tiny_kitty.htm

For a history flashback on Fido Bags -

INJURED PETS TO GET SPECIAL

TREATMENT FROM FIREFIGHTERS 

Quick! Quick!  Throw me the FIDO BAG!

 April 11^th, 2007 - Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

___________

L to R: Pam Kavanaugh- Assistant Glendale City Manager and Board Member and  ,  Al Jung-  Board Member, Barry Korb-Board President of  the Sun Valley Animal Shelter and Firefighters,  Johnny Morales, Damion Fiori, Mark Bernal, and Mike Manning. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

 ___________

Glendale Daily Planet – The next time an injured family cat or dog is rescued from a fire, Glendale Firefighters will be able to provide treatment with a new EMS bag just like their human owners get. 

 

The “Fido Bag” was unveiled April 11^th, at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter located at 7150 N. 110^th at 10:00AM. The “Fido Bag” contains the necessary medical equipment to provide oxygen, treat burns, and provide treatment for the injured pets.

 

Elio Pompa, PIO for the Glendale Fire Department explained:  "Each year the Glendale Fire Department responds to house fires where family pets are unable to escape the flames, suffer severe smoke inhalation and burns.  Many pets do not survive these fires". 

  Photo by Ed Sharpe

Barry Korb,  board president of  the Sun Valley Animal Shelter,  presented a check in the amount of $4,000 to the Glendale Firefighters. These bags will be placed in every Glendale Fire-truck including the Crisis Response Vans.

 

“Even though our first priority will always be to save human lives, we know that for every 6 out of 10 residential fires we respond to, we  can expect to find a pet or two inside”, said Fire Chief Mark Burdick.  “This Fido Bag is yet another innovative way to increase the level of service to the community, and provides us with a unique way to treat our 4 legged friends” he concluded.    

 

  -as always when pictures are blue lined- click for larger view..

 L  to R:  1- The "FIDO BAG"          2- Pam Kavanaugh looks on as Elio Pompa explains Oxygen 
mask.  3-  Jake Sgrillo, Jack Martino,  Bella the Fire Dog and Nicole Jelinek. Photos by Ed Sharpe 

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Sun Valley Animal Shelter WEB SITE

Since 1995 Sun Valley Animal Shelter has provided loving, compassionate care to unwanted dogs and cats of the north-west valley.  We strive to give comfortable, temporary housing, medical care and vaccinations, good food and companionship to the scores of homeless companion animals that need our help finding loving, permanent families

 

Shelter Hours:   Closed  Mondays Tuesday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun Valley Animal Shelter 7150 N. 110th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85307 Phone - 623-872-7941 Fax - 623-872-3664 Email - Contact@sunvalleypets.org

Photo by Ed Sharpe

 

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The Sun Valley Animal Shelter is a privately funded shelter and does not receive federal funding.

Visit their resale shop that provides up 30% of our operations budget.

Address:          10713 W. Peoria Ave  Sun City AZ 85351

Phone:             (623) 974-8580

Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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For Glendale Arizona News Stories, Photos and Movies goto:  http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com

Kitten Saved - Another Success for the Glendale Fire Department Fido Bags Program

or

Glendale Fire Dept. Rescues Tiny Kitten from under SUV at Bank of America Downtown

or 

Journalist Gets Lucky and Bumps into a Really  Cool Story

Photos and story (C) Ed Sharpe November 7th, 2007 

 (These photos were shot at dusk and really are video frame pulls.)

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　Division Chief Alex Morales front, with other fire fighters behind examine under SUV while  bag raises vehicle up so firefighters can  get under it

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Christine Figueroa came down from her office was surprised to find firefighters extracting a kitten from under her SUV.

Wednesday November 7th, 2007 in the Bank of America building at 5800 w Glenn in downtown Glendale Arizona The cries of a kitten were heard by a passer by and reported to the Glendale Fire Department.

The fireman responded to the call for assistance and used inflatable air bags to be able to raise the SUV so they were able to reach up under the SUV just to get into the area the kitten occupied..

Once they had the physical clearance to reach the kitten, they extracted it and they wrapped the kitten in a blanket to prevent it from going further into shock.

Each Glendale Fire truck is equipped with a "FIDO BAG" that contains oxygen, various sized oxygen masks for different sized animals, a water bowl blanket and other first air supplies to assist a pet in need.

　

The Kitten received the benefit of the FIDO BAG's Blanket, Oxygen and water bowl as fire fighters stove to ease little kitty's pain and shock. 

A survey of the kittens condition was taken , and  it was determined there were some little burns a broken leg and other minor scrapes.

　

 

The “Fido Bag” was unveiled April 11th, at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter located at 7150 N. 110th at 10:00AM. The “Fido Bag” contains the necessary medical equipment to provide oxygen, treat burns, and provide treatment for the injured pets.

 

Deputy Chief Elio Pompa, for the Glendale Fire Department explained: "Each year the Glendale Fire Department responds to house fires where family pets are unable to escape the flames, suffer severe smoke inhalation and burns. Many pets do not survive these fires".

With the addition to each truck of this  rescue bag, many more pets are sure to survive.  

　

Christine Figueroa, who owned the SUV took the kitten to Palm Glen Animal Hospital for evaluation. It was confirmed that the tiny kitten did indeed have some burns, which are easily recoverable but also a badly broken front leg that will need to be amputated. According to employee Joyce Darra, who will adopt the tiny kitten, " Kittens seem to adapt to having only three legs"

 

Deputy Fire Chief of Community Services Chuck Montgomery stated: "Fire fighters value all life and are privileged to relieve suffering when able."

　

 

Sun Valley Animal Shelter is located on
7150 N. 110th Avenue in Glendale Arizona

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Far right: Christine Figueroa came down from her office was surprised to find firefighters extracting a kitten from under her SUV. with other bystanders looking on.  Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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Glendale Fire Department Engineer Jason Poole and  Fire Fighter Dan Wolters comfort tiny kitty. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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Glendale Fire Department Engineers  Jason Poole: Foreground and  Scott Kohoutek:  Background
work quickly to raise the SUV that has the little kitten trapped  up in the framework. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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The tiny Kitten poses with the  "kitten sized"  mask form the  Glendale Fire Department Fido Bag that was generously provided by the Sun Valley Animal Shelter. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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The tiny Kitten poses with the  "kitten sized"  mask form the  Glendale Fire Department Fido Bag that was generously provided by the Sun Valley Animal Shelter. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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Firefighter Dan Wolters comfort tiny kitty "FIDO BAG" in foreground. Photo by Ed Sharpe 

 

 Tiny Kitty!  How Cute!  Awww!!   Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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  The “Fido Bag” was unveiled April 11th 2007, at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter located at 7150 N. 110th at 10:00AM. The “Fido Bag” contains the necessary medical equipment to provide oxygen, treat burns, and provide treatment for the injured pets.  Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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The “Fido Bag” was unveiled April 11th 2007, at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter located at 7150 N. 110th at 10:00AM. The “Fido Bag” contains the necessary medical equipment to provide oxygen, treat burns, and provide treatment for the injured pets.

Barry Korb, board president of the Sun Valley Animal Shelter, (third from left) presented a check in the amount of $4,000 to the Glendale Firefighters. These bags will be placed in every Glendale Fire-truck including the Crisis Response Vans.

L to R: Pam Kavanaugh- Assistant Glendale City Manager and Board Member and ,  Al Jung- Board Member, Barry Korb-Board President of the Sun Valley Animal Shelter and Firefighters,  Johnny Morales, Damion Fiori, Mark Bernal, and Mike Manning. Photo by Ed Sharpe

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Pam Kavanaugh looks on as Elio Pompa explains Oxygen Mask use Photo by Ed Sharpe

The “Fido Bag” was unveiled April 11th 2007, at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter located at 7150 N. 110th at 10:00AM. The “Fido Bag” contains the necessary medical equipment to provide oxygen, treat burns, and provide treatment for the injured pets.

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER ARIZONA NAMED A FINALIST IN

TOYOTA’S 2012 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM:

VOTING DAY SET FOR JUNE 21, 2012

Garnering enough Facebook votes in one day will bring new

Solar SySTEM outreach program to schools across Arizona

Peoria, AZ – May 11, 2012 – Challenger Space Center Arizona announced today that it has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days.  The Center was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide.

 

Each day, beginning May 14, 2012, 100 Cars for Good will profile five finalists at www.100carsforgood.com.   Individual members of the public will be able to vote for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle.  The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models.  Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.

 

Challenger Space Center Arizona will be up for consideration on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

 

Arizona residents are encouraged to support Challenger Space Center Arizona in its quest for a new Toyota Sienna minivan.  If the Space Center receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used to take an exciting new solar system-themed outreach program called Solar SySTEM featuring giant inflatable planets on the road to children throughout the state.  The Center has a 1- in-5 chance of winning a new minivan.

 

“We are asking everyone to mark their Facebook calendars now and vote on Thursday, June 21,” said Kari Sliva, Executive Director of Challenger Space Center.  “The giant inflatable planets pack into crates, and we really are in need of a van to haul all of the equipment necessary to set the program up in gymnasiums and other locations.  The planets give children a sense of size and scale of our galaxy, and with the van we hope to bring the universe to thousands of children across Arizona.”

 

For more information on Challenger Space Center Arizona and its efforts to win one of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good, please visit the Center’s website at www.azchallenger.org, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/azchallenger, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/azchallenger.  For complete information on 100 Cars for Good and profiles of all 500 finalists, please visit www.100carsforgood.com, where you can request an email reminder to vote for your favorite organization.

 

“At Toyota, we appreciate what a significant impact a new car can have for nonprofits nationwide,” noted Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.  “Toyota has donated more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits across the U.S. over the past 20 years, and 100 Cars for Good allows us to expand that commitment to local communities in important new ways.  The 500 finalists are an extraordinary group, and we look forward to the public learning more about them.”

 

100 Cars for Good is the first initiative to directly engage the public to determine how Toyota’s philanthropic donations are awarded.  

 

A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

 

About Challenger Space Center Arizona

Challenger Space Center Arizona is a nonprofit STEM education center and aerospace museum serving 50,000 visitors annually, including 30,000 K-8 students.  Programs include field trips, simulated space missions, astronomy classes, guest speakers, science demonstrations and more.  Through interactive experiences that promote child-led learning, the Center encourages interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and careers and help students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century.

General admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (55+) and military, $5 for students (4-18), free for children ages 3 and under and Challenger Members.  Challenger Space Center is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit www.azchallenger.org or call 623-322-2001.

 

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.

 

Toyota is deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the U.S.

 

For more information on Toyota, please visit www.toyota.com.

 

About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)

TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota and Lexus in the U.S., offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust and extended service contracts and other payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). TFS employs 3,300 associates nationwide, and has managed assets totaling more than $91 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Peoria Students Claim State Title at Ford/AAA Competition
Students earn $50,000 in scholarships, advance to national finals

GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOSTS THE 63RD FORD ASSET 
(AUTOMOTIVE STUDENT SERVICE EDUCATION TRAINING) 2012 COMPLETION

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Two Centennial High School students from Peoria earned the title of Arizona’s top high school auto technicians after winning the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills State Finals on Friday, May 4. Led by their instructor Steve Maish, Eric Stover and David Mora will go on to represent Arizona in the National Finals this summer against other state titleholders from across the country. 

As the first place team, Stover and Mora won scholarships valued at more than $50,000 each to automotive programs across the country, including the Ford ASSET program at Glendale Community College and Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix. The second place team, Chanse Haines and Tanner Wolverton from Flowing Wells High School were awarded more than $25,000 to automotive programs, while the third place team, Matthew Artman  and George Vlassis from Safford High School were each awarded more than $15,000 to fund their automotive education.

“As the automotive technologies evolve, AAA understands the need for bright young minds to enter the industry,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of automotive services for AAA Arizona. “AAA is honored to help jumpstart the automotive education and training of aspiring technicians through this annual competition.”

Here is how it  unfolded...

Ten teams of two high school students from around the state were competed for scholarship money and the title of America’s Next Top Auto Technician in the state finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition on the Glendale Community College's (GCC) main campus, 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale.  This year a record number of Arizona students took the qualifying examination, 1348.  There are millions of dollars available in scholarship money and lots of recognition.

 

The competition began weeks before the actual hands-on competition began on Friday, May 4.  Team members and their instructors attended a Get Acquainted Dinner on Thursday, May 3 at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.  The well organized event contained a mandatory contest overview for students and instructors.  So all would be ready for Friday morning. 

 

The hands-on contest started early on Friday, May 4 with a 6:30 a. m. breakfast.

  The 90 minute contest begin at 9:15 a. m. with opening kick off remarks by Glendale Mayor Scruggs.  Following Mayor Scruggs, GCC president Dr. Irene Kovala spoke.

 

And then, Glendale Mayor Scruggs gave the ten teams of two their starting instructions, "gentleman, start your engines, if you can".  The junior and senior high school students began to diagnosis and fix the problems or the "bugs" deliberately planted in each of the ten new 2012 Ford Fusions cars.  Each Fusion had the same "bugs".

 

The twenty students kept their cools throughout the morning.  Under the same tent as the students and their cares were all sorts of media reporters with cameras, judges and officials.  Instructors and family members were instructed not to be inside the tent during the competition.  Each team had a judge who held a box, who usually stood in front of the test car.  Inside the boxes were parts that were the  clues/answers to solving (fixing) the problematic "bugs". 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3709.

As teams discover the "bug" that needed to be fixed, they checked with a judge for the replacement part.
Here Lane B. Butler and Luis P. Gloria confer with the judges.

The teams worked together and as they uncover the "bugs", one or both would check with their judge for the replacement part or parts.  When the team completed a check sheet, which indicated that the planted "bugs" were diagnosed and fixed, the two-person team and their instructor could drive their car to the final judging area.  Sometimes however, the "bugs" were fixed, but the car would not start. 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3730.

When a "bug" is fixed "bug" is checked off the list.

 

Once at in the final judging area, the car was in the hands of the judges.  Just because a team was the first to start and drive to the final judging area, did not mean they were in first place.  Here each vehicle was inspected for accuracy and workmanship.  The judges, via a one-way conversation, went over what they found with each car's teams. 

 

Arizona winners receive scholarships to automotive programs, such as the Ford ASSET program at GCC.  Don Davies Glendale Community College ASSET Coordinator.  The Ford ASSET program has been at GCC for 18 years. 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3685.

Glendale Community College ASSET Coordinator, Don Davies remarked that "everyone is a winner".  And that there are "a lot of jobs out there and more coming."  Good news for the new high school graduates and their parents.

 

        “We are honored to host the 63rd Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition

        at Glendale Community College,” said Dr. Irene Kovala, president of GCC.

        “We couldn't ask for a better organization to partner with in producing a

        competition that embodies our college's mission of community involvement,

        career training and commitment to academic excellence.”

 

        “This competition aims to put aspiring auto techs on a career path that will

        foster education, development and ultimately equip them with the necessary

        tools to respond to increasingly sophisticated auto repair challenges,” said Don

        Nunnari, vice president of automotive services for AAA Arizona.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS, THEIR INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR SCHOOLS

 

Based on scores from an online qualifying exam, the top-ranked automotive technology students from the following schools were selected to compete in Friday’s competition:

The 2012 results of the competition are as follows:

Place	High School	City	Instructor	Students
1st	Centennial	Peoria	Steve Maish	Eric Stover David Mora
2nd	Flowing Wells	Tucson	Jerrad Mcmurrich	Chanse Haines Tanner Wolverton
3rd	Safford	Safford	Ed Taylor	Matthew Artman George Vlassis
4th	Prescott	Prescott	Mickey Chaney	Dylan Van Demark Jay Knapp
5th	Mountain View	Tucson	David Damiani	Jeremiah Butler Myles Hall
6th	Sahuaro	Tucson	Robert Ramsey Jr.	Sebastian Orozco James Baxter
7th	East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT)	Mesa	Dan Christman	Fernando Hernandez Ryan Ozment
8th	Kofa	Yuma	Norm Champagne	Ezequiel Lopez Austin Roden
9th	Mountain View	Tucson	Brian Parag	Lane Andrews Luis Gloria
10th	Sunrise Mountain	Peoria	Scott Hereder	Mark Shaffer Daniel Okuda

Stover, Mora and their instructor will travel to Dearborn, Mich., to compete in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals, June 10-12 on the front lawn of Ford World Headquarters. At the National Finals, Stover and Mora will compete for additional scholarship money and the chance to kick start their automotive careers with a job shadow experience with premier racing team Roush Fenway Racing.

---

        "We hope many of these students go on to enroll in the Ford ASSET auto

        technician program at Glendale Community College, where they can earn an

        associate's degree, work inside the service department at a Ford

        dealership and earn Ford's specialized technical credentials," said Mark

        Witthar, Phoenix regional manager for Ford Motor Company.

 

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills (ASSET) competition tests students’ automotive knowledge, workmanship and problem-solving abilities with a written test as well as a race against the clock to diagnose and properly repair intentionally “bugged” Ford vehicles.  Ford and AAA are dedicated to the competition as part of their commitment to the future of automotive service in America.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3719.

Glendale Mayor Scruggs and Glendale Community College gave opening remarks at the 2012 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition.  Glendale Community College hosted the 63^rd Ford/AAA Student Auto Skill competition.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3696.

Glendale Mayor Scruggs told the twenty junior and senior students in the Student Auto Skills competition.  "Congratulations to you for getting to this point."  Mayor Scruggs' father worked in an auto parts department and has faun memories of going to work with her dad.  She went on to say that the young mechanics are "lifesavers in a way", since there is no real transit system in the valley.  Residents depend on their cars for reliable transportation.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3738.

AAA General Manager, Emergency Road Service William Gowitzka.  Mr. Gowitzka awarded the winning teams their certificates and trophy.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3795.

William Gowitzka, AAA General Manager presented the certificates and trophies.

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3703.

Myles E. Hall of Mountain View High School (Tucson) looking for and fixing the planet "bugs" in the new 2012 Ford Fusions as part of the 2012 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills. Contest at Glendale Community College, Friday, May4, 2012. No tool box is complete without a computer with ever changing software programs.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3741.

Teamwork. Names?

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3706.

Myles E. Hall and Jeremiah b. Butler work as a team to find and fix the planted car "bugs".  
Each 2012 Ford Fusion will be returned to the dealership and will be checked carefully
 before the are ready for the public.

 

 

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.3710. name?

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3724

 Luis P. Gloria from Mountain View High School in Tucson.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3704 name?

THE AWARDS -   2012 ARIZONA STATE FINALS

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3771.

Flowing Wells High School accepted the trophy for highest examination score.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3773.

Sunrise Mountain High School: 10th Place

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3776.

Mountain View High School: 9th Place.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3778.

Kofa High School: 8th Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3780.

East Valley Institute of Technology: 7th Place

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3783.

Sahuaro High School: 6th Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3785.

Mountain View High School team on Myles E. Hall and Jeremiah B. Butler took 5th Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3788.

Mountain View High School team on Myles E. Hall and Jeremiah B. Butler took 5th Place.  
Instructor David Damiani is on the far right.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3790.

Prescott High School: 4th Place.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3792.

Safford High School: 3rd Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3796.

Flowing Wells High School: 2nd Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3805

Centennial High School: 1st Place.  This team will be traveling to Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan this June to compete against the other two-person teams from the other states.  Good Luck.  Over 10,000 high school students competed for the opportunity to represent their school and their state.  Twelve million dollars in  scholarships is available and a job shadow experience with premier racing team Roush Fenway Racing.

William Gowitzka, AAA General Manager,  students ( not in order??)  David Mora and Eric Stover and Instructor Steve Maish

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3806 (alternate photo).

Centennial High School: 1st Place.  This team will be traveling to Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan this June to compete against the other two-person teams from the other states.  Good Luck.  Over 10,000 high school students competed for the opportunity to represent their school and their state.  Twelve million dollars in  scholarships is available and a job shadow experience with premier racing team Roush Fenway Racing.

William Gowitzka, AAA General Manager,  students ( not in order??)  David Mora and Eric Stover and Instructor Steve Maish

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3802.

Centennial High School: 1st Place.  This team will be traveling to Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan this June to compete against the other two-person teams from the other states.  Good Luck.  Over 10,000 high school students competed for the opportunity to represent their school and their state.  Twelve million dollars in  scholarships is available.

Students ( not in order??)  David Mora and Eric Stover and Instructor Steve Maish

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3804-(alternate photo).

Centennial High School: 1st Place.  This team will be traveling to Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan this June to compete against the other two-person teams from the other states.  Good Luck.  Over 10,000 high school students competed for the opportunity to represent their school and their state.  Twelve million dollars in  scholarships is available.

Students ( not in order??)  David Mora and Eric Stover and Instructor Steve Maish

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3765.

Mitch Vogel and Emily Gray talk with Dr. Ronald D. Natale, II, GCC Vice president of Academic Affairs at lunch during the Ford/AAA Student Skills competition on Friday, May 4 on the GCC main campus.  Emily is graduating from the GCC ASSET program.  

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet. no. 3808.

Each student received some tools courtesy of NAPA to help start a much need box of tools.  Ryan Henesey, welcomes the "new talent and fresh faces" to the business.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3807.

Charles Kay, Admissions Representative for Lincoln College of Technology readies the many scholarships that were awarded to Arizona high school students from the Arizona State competition. 

National Finals Grand Prize is a job shadow with NASCAR's Wood Brothers Racing and Trevor Bayne

http://autoskills.aaa.com/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=ac6b7bee-869f-4ef2-94cf-df0f9ba3ac91&groupId=11918

About the Competition

All participants begin with an online exam. The 10 highest scoring two-person teams are selected to advance to the state finals for the hands-on competition, where each team must correctly diagnose and repair a deliberately bugged vehicle.

Online exam and hands-on competition scores determine each state’s championship team that will go on to compete in the National Finals held at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., each June.

At the National Finals, competitors take a 100-question written exam before facing off in a timed competition during which they must diagnose and repair a different set of bugs in a different Ford vehicle. The National Title goes to the team with the best combined written test and hands-on competition scores.

As part of their commitment to the future of automotive service industry in America, AAA and Ford Motor Co. are dedicated to the annual competition. Founded in 1949, the event has been sponsored by various organizations committed to quality auto service. AAA has served as co-sponsor since 1984, and Ford Motor Co. began its partnership in 1994.

About the Industry

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition is just one of the many ways in which AAA and Ford work with the automotive industry and local communities to build awareness of career opportunities in the automotive service industry and ensure development of a quality workforce that is equipped to respond to increasingly sophisticated auto repair challenges.

Advancements in automobile safety, fuel management and comfort have led to an increasing reliance on computers and electronic components that make cars operate efficiently. Today’s auto technicians must be well-educated and continue training to stay on the cutting edge of advances in computer and electronic technology. They also must be skilled in all aspects of mechanical repair procedures and knowledgeable about service intervals and similar maintenance requirements on a wide variety of vehicles.

For more information, photos, video and updates on the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition, please visit the event’s Facebook page.

USE OF FIREWORKS NOW ILLEGAL IN GLENDALE

 

Glendale, Ariz. –– On April 24th, 2012, the Glendale City Council voted in favor of an ordinance prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks within the city limits.  The vote was unanimous among present council members. 

 

State law has allowed the sale of consumer fireworks since 2010, but many cities have chosen to ban fireworks completely or partially within city limits. 

 

“Consumer fireworks present an extreme danger, not only to citizens but also to firefighters and other first responders who are the first to arrive to emergencies involving fireworks,” said Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick.  “Establishing a full fireworks ban in Glendale demonstrates safety is the highest priority and creates consistency with our neighboring cities.”

 

The penalty for setting off fireworks within city limits is a class 3 misdemeanor, with a minimum fine of $275. Additionally, in the event that Police and/or Fire are dispatched, a person may also be held financially responsible for all costs associated with the emergency response.

 

The ban will go into effect May 25^th.

WESTMARC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2012

West Valley Regional Economic Development--The Outlook is Good

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michelle Ride, President and CEO, WESTMARC welcomed the attendees at the event held at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park.  There was standing room only.  The 250 business men and women in the audience far surpasses last's year's number by twice as much.  CassidyTurley/BRE Commercial was the event's sponsor and West Valley Financial Real Estate Group was the co-presenter.

 

The summit included a panel of five:  Pete O'Neil, Senior Research Analyst, Colliers International of Greater Phoenix gave an Update and Forecast for Real Estate in the West Valley, John Graham, President, and CEO, Sunbelt Holding, presentation titled:  The West Valley: An Investor's Point of View; Barry Broome, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), presentation was entitled: Competitive Position, Assets and Economic Strategy for the West Valley,  Amy St. Peter, Human Services and Special Projects Manage, Maricopa Association Governments (MAG) and Jim Rounds, Senior Vice Preside and Senior Economic, Elliot D. Pollack and Company, presented: Metropolitan Business Planning Initiative: Value for the West Valley.  Michael Ryan, Vice President/GM Community Newspapers, The Arizona Republic served as the panel's moderator.

 

Mr. Ryan had this to say about the Summit:

 

            "West Valley residents should feel encouraged that the economy is coming out of its years-long slump,'' said Michael Ryan, Arizona Republic vice president of its community newspapers and moderator of the forum. "As John Graham, president and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings said, the wind is finally at our backs and just like in golf, that's good after years of battling head winds. The key now is for all the West Valley communities to come together and work together to encourage economic development."

 

After the panel presentations, there was a short question and answer session.  Before lunch was served and, Jerry Colangelo, Principal Partner, JDM Partners, Co-Chairman, Arizona Commerce Authority delivered the keynote address.

 

The West Valley is set for an economic boom.  With regional cooperation, it could be magical, but if that cooperation breaks down, just the opposite happens.  Transportation is a key in bringing this "magic" to the West Valley.  The Loop  303 and the various sports facilities are key components to the area's success.  The area is getting noticed by companies like Sub-Zero, Amazon, Dick's and Solar First.  Each of these new business have huge footprints (very large facilities) in the West Valley.

 

The West Valley needs to compete and stay competitive nationally and internationally.  China has money and the Chinese are looking at West Valley properties.  Florida and Texas are tough competitors.  Key factors in their success are the intensives these states offer businesses.  Businesses can be like free agents in sports.  They will be looking for who can give them what they are looking for. 

 

These are new times.  Cities need to be ready and organized to deliver quickly.  An example is a quicker turnaround is for permits.  The process needs to be an online process as well and available 24/7. 

 

California is loosing people and businesses and that in turn is good for Arizona.  The West Valley could literally become East LA.  The drivers of the big 18-wheelers can be on the road for 11 hours.  The seaports on the west cost are just 6-8 hours from the West Valley.  Reasonable land prices and rents, an available labor force as well as the generally low cost of living here Arizona become very attractive to businesses who want to locate in our state.  Another key component is the Interstate 11 (I-11).  This new highway, when ready, will connect Mexico with with Canada.  Before I-11 is completely finished, it will connect Phoenix with Las Vegas.  These two large cities are the only two cities with their populations in the country that do not have a major highway connecting them.

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3363.

Glendale City Councilmember Phil Lieberman at the 2012 WESTMARC Economic Development at the Wigwam on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3388.

Michael Ryan, Vice President/GM Community Newspapers, The Arizona Republic was the moderator for the five member panel.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3379.

Peter O'Neil, Senior Research Analyst, Colliers International of Greater Phoenix, John Graham, President and CEO, Sunbelt Holdings, and Barry Broome, President and CEO. Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) were part of the five member panel and the Economic Development Summit on April 18, 2012.  Peter O'Neil said he has seen signs of growth in the West Valley since the downturn, and "this is a good sign."  Mr. Graham would like to see the "theme of collaboration" throughout the West Valley.  "He also said, We are seeing tons of activity", which supports his optimism.  "At the end of the day, it's all about building market potential," said Barry Broome.  Mr. Broome said that solar is an industry that might go through the roof.  The West Valley is well suited for solar energy installations.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3380.

Amy St. Peter, Human Services and Special Projects Manager, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Jim Rounds, Senior Vice President and Senior Economics, Elliot D. Pollack and Company were part of the five member panelist.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3367.

Former WESTMARC President and CEO Jack Lundsford attended the 2012 Economic Development Summit.  Mr. Lundsford was instrumental in establishing the Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone (GMFTZ).  Manufacturing companies using imported components and if that company utilized a warehouse/distribution center that is larger than 300,000 square feet, the center that is larger than 300,000 square feet, as the GMFTZ may help save greatly on personal and property taxes.  (Source: http://www.westmarc.org/files/images/GMFTZ-summary-brochure.pdf (April 19, 2012. 11:20 a. m.)

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3412.

Keynote speaker Jerry Colangelo, Co-Chairman Arizona Commerce Authority and Principal Partner JDM; told the standing room only crowd about Douglas Ranch in Buckeye, Arizona.  The master planned community, when finished could be about the size of Tempe, Arizona.  At 36 square miles it would be largest master-planned community to date.  Voters in Buckeye approved (by a 67 percent margin) the annexation of Douglas Ranch.  The town of Buckeye also secured the rights to the Hassayampa River groundwater aquifer, the largest untapped aquifer in the state. 

 

The finished project could have 83,000 homes and 250,000 residents.  The planed community would be divided into 27 separate planning areas, including 2,000 commercial acres and 947 acres for employment.  Twelve high schools and 25 elementary schools are planned.  there will be 22 percent of the land in Douglas Ranch will be left open for trails and parks, and there are plans for 22 golf courses.  Prices and styles for homes will inclue the entry-level to the custom built.

 

                        Source: http://www.buckeyevalleychamber.org/about-more.htm (April 19, 2012 -11:37 a. m.).  

                       

Interstate 11 (I-11) would begin at Tonopah, Arizona and follow the US 93 and US 95 routes northward.  The interstate would be part of the CANAMAX Corridor.  The southern route for I-11 is more uncertain.  Following State Route 85 south to Lukeville, Arizona is a good guess.  Population follows the highway.

 

            Arizona is one of the largest destination states for people leaving California.

           

                        And the States of Destination...

                        Among the largest destination states from

                        California in ACS 2010 data

 

            –          Texas 68,959

            –          Arizona 47,164

            –          Washington 39,468

            –          Nevada 35,472

            –          Oregon 34,190

 

These estimates have not been previously published for 2010 ACS. Because of sampling error, these estimates may not be significantly different from one another or from estimates for other flows not listed.

           

            Source:http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/2011-11- 15_migration_slides.pdf (Slide 19, April 19, 2012, 12:50 p. m.)  

 

When Arizona, and especially the West Valley, tie these things together: areas with intensives for businesses, additional highways such as the Loop 303 and the planned Interstate 11, and anticipated population growth; the results indicate the West Valley is set for very positive economic changes.  Two possible bumps in the recovery could the housing market, and in 2017-2018 some economists see a difficult financial time in Europe.  The West Valley is in the global market an economic bump in the road there could mean one here. 

 

Everyone in the room Thursday morning needs to be on the same page, according to Jerry Colangelo and everyone will need to work collectively to make things happen.

Mr. Colangelo "does want to talk to naysayers." Sports men and women know how important teamwork is for success.

 

                        Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.       
                                                                                   - Michael Jordan

---

 

 

Protesters outside the Glendale City Council Chambers

Protesters outside the Glendale City Council Chambers Tuesday afternoon, April 17.  City officials are still in the process of finalizing the budget for fiscal year 2012-13.  Sale of the Phoenix Coyotes has been reported to be forthcoming.  Maybe by the end of April.   However, there is a serious budget shortfall of a projected 35 million that needs to be addressed.  Loyal library supporters want to see their libraries open and supported financially.

29^th Annual Jazz & Blues Festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15 in Murphy Park

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Saturday, afternoon, April 14 was a little windy and cool. The threat of rain kept some jazz and blues fans away. Sunday, was a different story. The sun was out and so were the crowds. Maybe, saving the best for last. Both headliners, The Kenny Garrett Quartet and Marcia Ball performed at 4:30 p. m. and closed the show! The event had cool jazz and hot blues tunes, food and drink, a separate kid's zone, and several interactive art/performance projects.

Saturday's schedule included these artist. Performing on the Jazz stage, Pete Pancrazi Trio, Mike Vax Sextet, Laurie Fagen & Friends, Dominic Amato, Delphine Cortez and Jazz Alive Introducing Hope Morgan, and Carmen Lundy. While on the Blues stage, Leon J. with Guest Scotty Spenner, Bill Tarsha & Rocket 88s, Jimmy Peyton's Midnite Blues, Common Ground Blues, The Chuck Hall Band, The Sugar Thieves, and The Bernard Allison Group.

Sunday was a great day to bring a lawn chair and listen to jazz performed by The Young Sounds of Arizona, Ration, Khani Cole and The Kenny Garrett Quartet. All of this at no charge! To the west, near city hall, on the Blues stage Barrio Latino Blues, George Bowman & The Badboy Blues Band, Big Daddy D. & the Dynamites, and Marcia Ball.

Besides the music, there was several interactive art performances and temporary art projects--Something to Write Home About . The art was done by twenty-eight collegiate artist from Arizona State University. Artistic Directors for Something to Write Home About are Angela Ellsworth and Gregory Sale. Both are professors in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. They teach in the School of Art offering socially engaged courses including Art and Community and Intermedia Performance: Intervention and the Everyday. In 2008 they individually produced temporary public artworks for the Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival. Ellsworth has presented work nationally and internationally including the Getty Center, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney. Sale has presented work at the ASU Art Museum and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Museum, and been recognized for public projects funded by the grants including the Andy Warhol foundation as swell as a Contemporary Forum Mid-Career Artist Award through the Phoenix Art Museum.

Something to Write Home About is a program of interactive performances and temporary public art projects that unfold over the two-day Annual Jazz & Blues Festival. Twenty-eight, emerging artists present individual and collaborative projects that focus on the narrative potential of home, the culture of jazz and blues, or the community of Glendale itself. Two small, artist-made houses embody a menu of projects – one near the Blues stage and the other near the Jazz stage. These houses serve as stage, gallery, canvas, audiovisual platform, way-finding device, narrative artifact, and communication hubs. Festival visitors engage with various aspects of the projects throughout the day, depending on individual interests and the coincidental timing of their encounters.

( source: http://somethingtowritehomeabout.org/about , April 15, 2012.)

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.  3289

Gary Sale (light blue shirt) and friends have their smartphones ready for the "Smartphone Symphony" concert.

Saturday and Sunday visitors to the Jazz & Blues Festival could participate in  the "Smartphone Symphony" concert. The interactive performance piece was preformed both days of the Glendale Blues & Jazz Festival. "Smartphone Symphony" by Taylor Phillips. To join in, participants used their smartphones to go to specific website. During the festival, postcards with a picture of a musical instrument were handed out to concert goers.  At 3:00 p. m. in the afternoon on Saturday, April 14, those in the virtual symphony were to press the "play" button on their smartphones, all at the exact same time, and the tune, "Take Five" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet would be heard from the large speakers on the Glendale Blues stage and on the phones. Patrons could scan a barcode or enter this web address, http://www.tinyurl.com/7la8m91 if they wanted to join in the mass jazz performance.

One of the Something to Write Home About art projects was "From My Blues to Yours" by artist Dominika Cosic-Peranovik. On the south side of Murphy Park, Dominika set up a table under a tree. Her idea was for participants to write down a worry or a burden on a strip of blue paper with a Sharpie marking pen. The burden was then placed in a clean recycled plastic bottle, capped, and blue sand was added to weight the burden down. Then the bottle was tied with a blue ribbon. The bottle, which now has the burden, is hung with some string in the tree. The burdens, held safely and secretly in their bottles, would only exist for the day.

Bette Share/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3273.

Tony Grandilienard hangs the bottles, and the burdens, in the tree. The temporary art project was in place for Saturday only.

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3277.

Another temporary art project was Pet Marriages by Anthony Desamito. This project was hoping to promote commitment to fostering loving homes for pets. This and all of the interactive art projects were free. A certificate was given to the new couple to give credence to the commitment. The lucky couple could also have a photograph taken of the "marriage" as a memento.

Late in the afternoon of Sunday, April 15 the festival was getting ready for the last set. Two headliners were yet to perform. On the Jazz stage near the Civic Center GRAMMY Award winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist The Kenny Garrett Quartet was about to take the stage. The Kenny Garrett Quartet has just released, "Seeds from the Underground". This new release is made up of original compositions. Kenny Garrett's career reaches over 30 years and has worked with such well known musicians as Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Saxophonists extraordinaire, Kenny Garrett has been a bandleader and composer. The working band members are Kenny Garrett, saxophonist, bassist Nat Reeves and Drummer Ronald Bruner, and pianist Benito Gonzalez

Over at the Blues stage, Marcia Ball was heating up the stage. Marcia Ball has her own brand of Louisiana-Texas rhythm and blues, soulfulness and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3319.

Marcia Ball performs at Glendale's 29^th Annual Jazz & Blues Festival.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3341.

GRAMMY Award winner Kenny Garrett and his quartet performs Sunday, April 15 on the Jazz stage.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3336.

Bassist Nat Reeves and saxophonist Kenny Garret on the Jazz stage, Sunday afternoon,
April 15. The Kenny Garrett Quartet was one of the headliners that closed the two-day event.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3345.

Bassist Nat Reeves, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and drummer Benito Gonzalez on the Jazz stage at the Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival.

Firefighter of the Year –Captain Paul Morales

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0050.

Vice Mayor Steve Frate and Captain Paul Morales, 2011 Firefighter of the Year.

( Video of award acceptance speech HERE    http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/media/fire-awards-2012%20ff-year.wmv

GFD STATES - "The Firefighter of the Year Award is given to a fire department member for outstanding service to the department and/or to the safety of the community.  This is a very prestigious award.

The Firefighter of the year has shown an amazing commitment to our department in his service as the Members Services coordinator. He usually works behind the scene in his efforts and his work is usually only associated with announcements.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to members services. As we went through one of the most challenging times in recent Glendale Fire Department history, this person worked through the logistics planning and implementation of every conceivable family need. While this was one of the more obvious issues he has dealt with this year, the firefighter of the year has given his time to many other member needs both great and small. He has done this with very little fanfare and always with the membership’s best interest at heart. He continues to exemplify what is best about the Glendale Fire Department.

This person’s commitment to the members extends not only to those who serve within our department now, but also to those who have retired from service. He gives the same care to each regardless of their status. This caring spirit is an amazing asset to our membership and we should be proud to recognize Paul Morales as our Firefighter of the year for 2011. "

TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THAT I WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR ANY OFFICE IN THE 2012 ELECTIONS.

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION AND AFFECTION FOR GLENDALE’S CITIZENS WHO HAVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY JOINED ME IN THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS OF TRANSFORMING OUR CITY FROM A BEDROOM COMMUNITY WITH DISAPPEARING AGRICULTURAL ROOTS AND MINIMAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO A THRIVING CENTER OF EMPLOYMENT, RETAIL ACTIVITY, AND TOURISM.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED AS THE CHOLLA DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER IN 1990, GLENDALE WAS EXPERIENCING EXTREME BUDGET SHORTFALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DEPRESSION ERA.  THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL’S MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECT, ARROWHEAD RANCH, WAS IN DISARRAY AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S RESOLUTION TRUST CORPORATION TOOK CONTROL OF BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE RESIDENTS’ DREAMS.  THE REAL ESTATE SLUMP CAUSED OUR CITY’S ASSESSED VALUATION TO DECREASE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, FORCING THE POSTPONEMENT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.  CITY GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCED THE FIRST LAYOFF OF EMPLOYEES IN GLENDALE’S HISTORY. 

JUST TWO MONTHS AFTER I SUCCEEDED QUENTIN TOLBY AS MAYOR IN 1993, THE CITY COUNCIL HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO RAISE GLENDALE’S SALES TAX RATE BY 20% FROM 1.0% TO 1.2% BECAUSE OUR CITY’S ANEMIC ECONOMIC BASE COULD NOT SUPPORT EXISTING MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN GLENDALE.  I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH OUR RESIDENTS’ SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EFFORTS TO TURN OUR CITY AROUND AND POINT IT TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. 

GLENDALE’S RETURN TO PROSPERITY BEGAN QUICKLY WITH THE EMERGENCE OF ROBUST NEW COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND A NEW REVENUE BASE FROM ARROWHEAD TOWNE CENTER AND THE BELL ROAD CORRIDOR.  WE TRANSFORMED OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FROM A BLIGHTED, CRIME-RIDDEN AREA INTO A TOURISM DESTINATION AND A THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF SPECIALTY STORES AND RESTAURANTS.  WE LAUNCHED GLENDALE GLITTERS AND OTHER MAJOR FESTIVALS WHICH ARE NOW KNOWN NATIONWIDE, ATTRACTING A HALF MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY WHO HELP KEEP THE BUSINESSES SUCCESSFUL IN DOWNTOWN AND CATLIN COURT.   WE ENERGIZED RESPECT FOR OUR PAST WITH RENEWED HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS CHOSE GLENDALE FOR THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS CREATING THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS.  OUR THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CORRIDOR ALONE IS NOW HOME TO 3,500 JOBS.  MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY CHOSE GLENDALE FOR ITS ARIZONA CAMPUS WHICH HAS ALREADY GROWN TO FIVE COLLEGES IN 35 BUILDINGS WITH 3,000 STUDENTS.   THE GLENDALE AIRPARK WHICH HAD LANGUISHED SINCE BEING BUILT IN THE 1980’S IS NOW 94% OCCUPIED. 

FROM THE MID 1990s ON, GLENDALE WAS NO LONGER DEPENDENT JUST ON SALES TAX FROM AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIPS AND GROCERY STORES.   STRONG REVENUE GROWTH FROM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS GAVE US THE MEANS TO EXPAND SERVICES AND AMENITIES THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE CITY.

PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS IS A MAYOR’S DUTY THAT IS NOT WELL KNOWN TO RESIDENTS.  BUT IT IS A VITAL ROLE.  AS MAYOR OF GLENDALE I HAVE ACTIVELY SERVED AND HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY MY MAYORAL COLLEAGUES FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS DURING CRITICAL TIMES IN OUR REGION AND OUR STATE.

DURING MY SERVICE I HELPED TO ADVANCE COMPLETION OF THE LOOP 101 FREEWAY FORWARD SEVEN YEARS TO OCTOBER 2000.  THIS FREEWAY GAVE OUR CITY THE TRANSPORTATION ACCESS REQUIRED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.  

COMPLETION OF THE LOOP 101 BECAME THE FOUNDATION AND CATALYST FOR GLENDALE’S SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AND THE ENTITLEMENT OF LAND PLANNED FOR 25,000 FUTURE JOBS.   THIS NEW DESTINATION AREA COMPLEMENTS AND ENHANCES THE ASSETS OF OTHER WEST VALLEY CITIES.

IT IS IRONIC AND DISAPPOINTING THAT AS I LEAVE OFFICE AFTER 22 YEARS OF SERVICE, WE ARE AGAIN IN THE THROES OF A FREEFALLING NATIONAL ECONOMY, ONE EVEN WORSE THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN 1990.  HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE VISION AND LEADERSHIP TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE DIVERSIFIED ECONOMIC BASE, GLENDALE IS IN A BETTER POSITION TO RECOVER.  WITH OUR RESIDENTS’ CONTINUED SUPPORT AND PRIDE IN THEIR CITY’S VIBRANT ROLE IN ARIZONA, I KNOW GLENDALE WILL AGAIN EMERGE STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

I LOVE THIS GREAT CITY.  IT HAS BEEN MY PASSION AND MY PRIDE.  WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE, I WAS REFERRED TO AS “AN ACTIVIST” – A TERM I DIDN’T IDENTIFY WITH AT THE TIME.  REFLECTING ON MY MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF SERVICE I AM NOW COMFORTABLE WITH BEING KNOWN AS AN ACTIVIST --- A VIGOROUS ADVOCATE FOR A CAUSE.  MY CAUSE HAS BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE HELPING GLENDALE ACHIEVE ITS BEST POSSIBLE FUTURE.  

MY GREATEST JOY HAS BEEN THE CREATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES.   GLENDALE UNIVERSITY, LEGISLATIVE LINK, MY COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS PROGRAM, GLENDALE CIVIC PRIDE AMBASSADORS, OUR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ORDINANCE, OUR SCHOOLS ADEQUACY ORDINANCE, AND EXPANSION OF MY MAYOR’S YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION ARE ALL PART OF MY COMMITMENT TO BUILD UNPARALLELED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN GLENDALE.   I LOOK FORWARD TO THE LEADERSHIP WHICH WILL COME FROM THOSE WHO HAVE A RESPECT FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND EXUBERANCE FOR WORKING FOR AND WTH OUR GLENDALE RESIDENTS.

IN CLOSING, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO MY FAMILY WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SUPPORTED ME THROUGHOUT THE YEARS – OFTEN SACRIFICING OUR TIME TOGETHER SO THAT I COULD CARRY OUT MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS MAYOR OF GLENDALE.   NOW WE ARE ANXIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO PLANS FOR OUR FUTURE WHEN WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO WHENEVER WE WANT TO DO IT.

ELAINE M. SCRUGGS

MAYOR, GLENDALE AZ

elainescruggs12@cox.net

==== Elaine -  Thank you for your years of service to Glendale! ====
------ Ed Sharpe  Publisher - Glendale Daily Planet----------

48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona
Centennial Legacy Luncheon March 26, 2012

By Bette Sharpe – Glendale Daily Planet

 
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2761

Group of honored women at the 48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona Centennial Legacy Luncheon event held March 26, 2012 at the Phoenician in Scottsdale Arizona

First row, left to right: Cindy Parseghian, Sandra Day O'Connor, Ann Day, Mary Black, Susan Claassen, Carmen Bermudez, Carole Machiz, Elaine Scruggs, Gladys Johnston, Cheryl Najafi, Jeanne Herberger, Christine Wilkinson, Diana Yazzie Devine, Leah Landrum Taylor, Kimberly Yee, Pat Mathiesen

 

Second Row, left to right: Virginia Counts, Martha Mertz, Barbara Mundell, Cindy McCain, Marina Galehouse; the daughter of Anna Maria Coppola, Isola Jones, Olivia McCormick, Nadine Basha, Margaret Mullen, Susan Levine, Mary Schroeder, Sister Madonna Bolton, Sister Rachel Torrez, Sister margaret McBride, Sister Gaye Moorhead 

 

Third row, left to right: Delphine Rodriguez, Joy Johnson; Vice-Chair - 48 Women, Diane Humetewa, Mary Rose Wilcox, Coral Quiet, Jeri Williams, Barbara Barrett, Julie Sullivan, Nicola Winkel, Constance Coble, Roxanne Song Ong, Connie Robinson; Chair - 48 Women    

 

The Centennial Legacy Luncheon was held at the Phoenician in Scottsdale on Monday, March 26.  Lin Sue Cooney, News Anchor 12 News welcomed everyone to the luncheon.  Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton congratulated all of the women honored by the Centennial Legacy project. 

 

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, "Honoring them for their contributions to community, business, education, health care and all of the other categories presented remind us that today's contribution is tomorrow's history. 

 

This project recognized how women are shaping that history by their important efforts, and as a result, our cities, state, nation, and even the world is made a better place -- a place we all can take pride in."

 

Barbara Barrett, Interim President of Thunderbird School of Global Management, was the keynote speaker.  The Thunderbird School Global Management is in Glendale.

 

 

The honorees In alphabetical order they are listed below.

Lonnie Ali Barbara Barrett Nadine Basha Carmen Bermudez Mary Black Susan Classen Constance Stratton Coble Anna Maria Coppola Virginia Counts Ann Day Diana Yazzie Devine Jacquie Dorrance Diane Enos Diane Halle Jeanne L. Herberger Jane Dee Hull Diane Humetewa Gladys Styles Johnston Isola Jones

Gerda Weissmann Klein Susan Levine Carole Machiz Pat Mathiesen Cindy McCain Olivia Brusso McCormick Martha Mertz Rose Mofford Ioanna Morfessis Margaret Mullen Barbara Mundell Cheryl Najafi Roxanne K. Song Ong Cindy Parseghian Andrea Stouder Pursley Coral Quiet, M.D. Delphine Rodriquez Mary Schroeder Judy Schubert

Elaine M. Scruggs Virgilia Singh Julie Sullivan Diana Taurasi Leah Landrum Taylor Mary Rose Wilcox Christine Kajikawa Wilkinson Jeri Williams Nicola Winkel Kimberly Yee  -------------------------- 3 Legends Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Janet Napolitano Sandra Day O'Connor  -------------------------- And an Institution Sisters of Mercy

Winners of the 48 Women Centennial Essay contest:

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 9640.

Carlian W. Dawson, Student Essay Chair, announces the essay winners.

 

4^th - 6^th grade: Alanna N. Rivera - Tonalea ES/Scottsdale USD, Scottsdale, AZ --           Principal, Mrs. Friend.

7^th - 8^th grade: Mariah C. Holmes - Ira Murphy ES/Peoria USD, Peoria, AZ --

          Principal Ms. Lorisa Pombo.

9^th - 12^th grade: April Fry - St. David High School/St. David SD, St. David, AZ --

          Principal, Mrs, Fenn.

 

 

 

Connie Robinson, Chair, 48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona was invited by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to participate in an experiment.  That was two years ago.  The experiment was to take fifteen women from around the world and put them through a yearlong leadership program.  A goal of this program was to develop innovative ideas for impacting woman globally.  At the end of the program, Connie Robinson was required to submit a project plan on how she would impact her local communities.  Connie is a native Arizonan.  The plan she submitted became the 48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona - a Centennial Legacy Project.  Arizona is the 48th state, and therefore 48 intriguing women who represent the rich history of the state, 100 years, were selected.  Their vision, philanthropy and leadership has transformed the lives of Arizona women, their families and their communities in positive and beneficial ways.  Often being the first woman to achieve what they have achieved.

 

A coffee table book titled “Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women,” telling the women’s stories in words and photos, is available for purchase for $65.  Books will also be available online or at special book signing events, where select honorees will be present.  A book signing will be held from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. on Tuesday, March 27 at the Arizona Historical Society in Tempe, and on Wednesday, March 28 from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. at the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson.  At the time of this writing, the book was not available at Amazon.com.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2822.

Jeanne L. Herberger, Philanthropist, supported of education, the arts, business and community leadership and Kimberly Yee, first Asian Amerian woman elected to serve in the Arizona State Legislature.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2791.

Glendale Mayor, Elaine M. Scruggs and Christine Kajikawa Wilkinson, Arizona State University's Senior Vice President & Secretary and the first woman of color to serve as Vice President.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2777.

Cindy McCain, Inspires many through her work with the American Voluntary Medial Team, Operation Smile, Food for the Hungry and HALO Trust.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2753.

Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, and Ann Day, Pima County Supervisor who pushed through Patient's Bill of Rights.

 

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Glendale Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs signs books  for event  participants and guests

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 9623.

Glendale Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs and Dalphine Rodroguez, Church pastor and minister for incarcerated women.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2814. 

Olivia Brusso McCormick, has played a key role in attracting business and development to Bullhead City, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, and Barbara Mundell, the first female and first Hispanic presiding judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court.

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 9820

Max Patterson holds a copy of the "48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona"

  The women selected are from a variety of arenas, government, sports, entertainment and others.