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CALIFORNIA
HISTORICAL RADIO SOCIETY
IS PLEASED TO HONOR
EDWARD
A. SHARPE
WITH THE
CHARLES D. 'DOC' HERROLD
AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN
THE PRESERVATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF
EARLY RADIO.
BY
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 1992:
| |
not really in perfect date order... just as I pulled them
off the main page to archive! -Ed
Woody's
Bar·B·Q Opens in Glendale
By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily
Planet / KKAT-IPTV
All
ready for hungry folk! Grand Opening
Day! PHOTO - Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Left
to right, Mike Small, Vice President of Operations,
Sierra Bradley, Jacque Nathey, Woody Mills,
Co-Founder Woody's Bar·B·Q, Crystal Davis and Lisa
Schenk. They came from 'Main HQ' in Florida to help
kick off the opening! PHOTO - Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
January
21st was opening day for Woody's Bar·B·Q
at 5740 West Peoria Avenue in Glendale. The same location
has been tried by three other eateries, JBs, Greek Spice
Grill, Shabangs, and now Woody's. Maybe the economy is
turning around. The opening of a new restaurant is a
positive sign—for the businessman who is hopeful that
customers will provide a steady source of income and for the
customers who have to answer the question, where do you want
to eat. The Glendale location is the first Woody's Barbeque
in Arizona!

Ron
Kent, location owner and owner retired Honeywell
aeronautical inspector, went in business with
son Brian Kent to open the Woody's
Bar·B·Q location in Glendale
Arizona. They are aided by their manager Jorge
Kinze and an excellent crew.
Originally
from Dayton Ohio, Ron came
to Arizona when he was
stationed at Williams AFB.
After leaving the Air Force he went to work for
Honeywell ( formally Garret Air Research) in 1977. PHOTO
- Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
OK!
Let's Eat!
Opening
day was proving to be a busy one. We had lunch Around 12:30
or so. Lunch Service was polite and attentive. The food
arrived hot (very important), was as ordered and we did not
have to wait unreasonably long. My pulled pork sandwich was
not drowning in a sauce, but rather, there were squeeze
bottles of Woody's three special barbeque sauces on the
table. A little or a lot could be added according to taste.
I added a little of the Southern Sweet to my sandwich. The
cole slaw was creamy and was not too sweet, sour or
overpowered by too much mayonnaise. My sandwich came with
two sides, the second item I ordered was a serving of pinto
beans. I know the star item on my plate was the barbeque
pulled pork sandwich; however, good pinto beans are one of
my favorites. Ed thought the pinto beans were so good, he
ordered a portion for himself. The price for the sandwich
with two sides was $6.99. Very nice!
In
1980 Woody Mills and his partner Yolanda Mills-Mawman wanted
to create a barbeque restaurant that featured
melt-in-your-mouth and fall-off-the-bone barbeque selections
with a Southern flair. They did and the number of their
restaurants is growing! Ms. Mills is hoping to open another
sixteen restaurants in the near future. Corporate
headquarters for Woody's Bar·B·Q
is in Jacksonville, Florida.
Menu
information can be found at, http://www.woodys.com.
Dinners can eat in or take out. Bottles of the secret flavor
of Woody's can be purchased also. There are three barbeque
sauces available. Each bottle is $3.59 and tax.
-
Tangy Mustard--is a tangy unique blend of tomato, mustard
and onion.
- Southern Sweet--is a traditional sweet, hickory
tomato-based sauce.
- Smoking' Hot--is a barbeque sauce where the name says it
all.
PHOTO
- - Woody's
A
30 year history of famous fine recipes
means you are in for a wonderful meal at the new Glendale
location.
_________________________________
Woody's
Bar·B·Q
5740 West Peoria Avenue|
Glendale,
Arizona 85305
623-334-2726
623-334-0061 (FAX)
Call
in or take out
Delivery & Catering Services are available.
http://www.woodys.com

Since Woody's is a
Glendale Chamber of Commerce Member there was a ribbon cutting
earlier that morning!
Here is pictured the entire Woody's crew plus the Florida startup crew with councilperson Yvonne Knaack in the
center between Woody and Ron.
- Photo by Harry Shapiro Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
|
STATE
OF THE CITY ADDRESS FEBRUARY 16, 2011 CITY OF GLENDALE,
ARIZONA
MAYOR ELAINE SCRUGGS AND STEVE ELLMAN SPEAKING

Steve Ellman and
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
/ KKAT-IPTV
LISTEN
TO MP3 AUDIO FILE OF BOTH SPEAKERS
HERE
GLENDALE
MAYOR ELAINE SCRUGGS’ STATE OF THE CITY
ADDRESS FEBRUARY 16, 2011 CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA

Photos by Ed Sharpe
Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV
WHEN WE LOOK
OBJECTIVELY AT THE PAST YEAR WE SEE SUCCESSES THAT WERE
ACHIEVED IN A TIME OF ECONOMIC ADVERSITY FOR BUSINESS,
GOVERNMENT AND EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM.
19 COMPANIES
MOVED IN TO GLENDALE AND 3 EXPANDED THEIR OPERATIONS IN OUR
CITY DURING THE PAST YEAR. THESE ACTIONS RESULTED IN 1,776 NEW
JOBS BEING CREATED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THESE CORPORATE
LOCATES AND EXPANSIONS FILLED MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION SQUARE
FEET OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE SPACE.
HUMANA IS ONE
OF THE COMPANIES NOW CALLING GLENDALE HOME. HUMANA RELOCATED
THEIR OFFICES INTO A NEW THREE-STORY OFFICE BUILDING THAT HAD
BEEN VACANT MOST OF THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS DUE TO THE
RECESSION. IN ADDITION TO THE 300 JOBS HUMANA MOVED FROM TEMPE
TO GLENDALE, THEY HAVE PLANS TO ADD 150 MORE EMPLOYEES THIS
YEAR.
WE ARE
EXTREMELY PLEASED AND PROUD THAT HUMANA --- WHICH IS A FORTUNE
100 COMPANY --- HAS INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WERE ALSO
EXTREMELY PLEASED TO WELCOME De VRY UNIVERSITY TO GLENDALE
LAST YEAR. IN A UNIQUE BUSINESS STRATEGY, DeVRY LOCATED IN
18,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE IN WESTGATE. THEY
CAN SERVE 500 STUDENTS AT THIS LOCATION.
BASED ON THE
FACT THAT 96 OF THE FORTUNE 100 COMPANIES CURRENTLY EMPLOY
DeVRY GRADUATES, WE FEEL SURE THEIR PRESENCE WILL BE YET
ANOTHER GLENDALE AMENITY.
WE APPRECIATE
DeVRY’S INVESTMENT IN THE CITY OF GLENDALE.
LAST YEAR, THE
WATEROUS COMPANY CONSOLIDATED ITS ARIZONA OPERATIONS INTO A
51,000 SQUARE FOOT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN GLENDALE. WATEROUS
IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING 2
MOBILE
FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS. IN ADDITION TO 32 NEW
JOBS, GLENDALE WILL REALIZE MORE THAN $700,000 IN DIRECT
REVENUE OVER 10 YEARS.
EXPANSION OF
BUSINESSES ALREADY DOING BUSINESS IN GLENDALE IS JUST AS
IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMIC VITALITY AS BRINGING IN NEW
BUSINESSES. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE TWO OF THOSE THAT
CONTINUE TO GROW IN SIZE AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
2010 MARKED THE
COMPLETION OF BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER’S $290
MILLION PROJECT THAT ADDED 200 IN-PATIENT BEDS, A NEW
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR ADULTS, AN EMERGENCY ROOM JUST FOR
CHILDREN, A HEART AND VASCULAR CENTER, A NEW SURGICAL AREA,
– AND -- THE WEST VALLEY’S FIRST PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE
UNIT .
BANNER
THUNDERBIRD NOW EMPLOYS MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE – MAKING IT
OUR CITY’S LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYER.
WE THANK THE
BANNER HEALTH SYSTEM FOR THEIR CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE
CITY OF GLENDALE.
IN 2010
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY CONTINUED CAMPUS EXPANSIONS AS THEY
CELEBRATED THEIR 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN GLENDALE. FROM 144
STUDENTS IN THEIR FIRST MEDICAL CLASS IN 1996, MIDWESTERN IS
NOW HOME TO 2,464 STUDENTS AND FIVE COLLEGES OFFERING 12
DEGREES.
MIDWESTERN HAS
INVESTED MORE THAN $300 MILLION IN GLENDALE AS IT HAS
CONSTRUCTED 33 BUILDINGS TOTALLING MORE THAN ONE MILLION
SQUARE FEET.
MIDWESTERN
EMPLOYMENT HAS GROWN FROM 50 IN 1996 TO 560 FACULTY, STAFF AND
MEDICAL RESIDENTS TODAY --- AND AN ADDITIONAL 50 JOBS ARE
PLANNED FOR 2011.
MORE THAN 4,100
STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM MIDWESTERN’S GLENDALE CAMPUS IN
THEIR 15 YEARS HERE AND OVER 40% OF MIDWESTERN’S STUDENTS
STAY IN ARIZONA TO PRACTICE.
WE THANK
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY FOR THEIR CONTINUED INVESTMENT ---NOT
ONLY IN THE CITY OF GLENDALE BUT ALSO IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
3
THESE EXAMPLES
OF QUALITY JOB GROWTH IN SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES ARE SOME OF THE
SIGNS THAT OUR ECONOMY IS SHOWING INDICATIONS OF SLIGHT
IMPROVEMENT. THERE IS REASON FOR CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.
DURING THIS
TIME WHILE SO MANY PROJECTS REMAIN ON HOLD WE MUST CONTINUE
OUR PLANNING EFFORTS IN ORDER TO BE READY FOR NEW
OPPORTUNITIES. TRANSPORTATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS
BE KEY TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS FOR CITIES IN THIS METROPOLITAN
REGION. FOR THAT REASON I AM HAPPY TO SHARE POSITIVE NEWS
ABOUT THE LONG-AWAITED NORTHERN PARKWAY.
MORE THAN A
DECADE AGO GLENDALE’S TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING STAFF
DEVELOPED THE IDEA OF WIDENING NORTHERN AVENUE INTO A PARKWAY.
I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS
RECENTLY GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO FUND A LARGE PORTION OF THIS
$330 MILLION PROJECT. CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN SOON ON THE
FIRST PHASE OF THE 12.5 MILE PARKWAY, WHICH WILL TURN NORTHERN
AVENUE INTO A HIGH-CAPACITY ACCESS-CONTROLLED, SIX-LANE
EXPRESSWAY RUNNING WEST TO EAST FROM LOOP 303 TO GRAND AVENUE.
WE EXPECT THE FIRST FOUR MILES TO BE COMPLETED FROM LOOP 303
TO DYSART ROAD WITHIN TWO YEARS.
THIS NEW
ROADWAY WILL NOT ONLY HELP COMMUTERS --- IT WILL ALSO BE A
MAJOR ECONOMIC BOOST FOR OUR ENTIRE REGION.
TRANSPORTATION
IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF EVERY CITY’S ECONOMIC PLAN FOR
PROSPERITY. THERE ARE FEW BETTER EXAMPLES OF THIS THAN LOOP
101 AND THE SURROUNDING MAJOR ARTERIAL CORRIDORS WHICH HAVE
PROVIDED WESTERN GLENDALE AND OTHER WEST VALLEY COMMUNITIES
THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY PARTICPATE IN ONE OF ARIZONA’S
LARGEST INDUSTRIES --- TOURISM.
WESTGATE CITY
CENTER AND THE SPORTS VENUES IN GLENDALE MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT
HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT THE EASE OF ACCESS TO THESE ATTRACTIONS.
TOURISM IS
DEFINITELY A DYNAMIC BUSINESS SECTOR IN GLENDALE TODAY. 4
THE MOST RECENT
MEGA TOURIST EVENT HELD IN OUR CITY WAS COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BETWEEN THE #1 AUBURN TIGERS AND
THE #2 OREGON DUCKS.
78,603 ATTENDED
THE GAME IN GLENDALE. THAT WAS A NEW STADIUM RECORD. TENS OF
THOUSANDS MORE WERE IN RESTAURANTS IN AND AROUND WESTGATE.
GLENDALE HOTELS OPERATED AT 100% OCCUPANCY.
IN THE
WEEK-AND-A-HALF LEADING UP TO THE GAME, OUR GLENDALE’S GOT
GAME WEBSITE HAD ALMOST 400,000 VISITORS.
THE GAME WAS
CARRIED ON ESPN AND WAS WATCHED BY 27,316,000 VIEWERS --- MORE
THAN ANY PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF CABLE TELEVISION.
THROUGHOUT THE
GAME AS WELL AS THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO IT AND SEVERAL DAYS
AFTER IT, THE NAME GLENDALE ARIZONA WAS BEING SAID AND READ
ABOUT AND HEARD THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
NAME IDENTITY
… BRANDING … SEPARATING YOURSELF FROM THE PACK … IT’S
VERY EXPENSIVE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH.
YOUR BUSINESS,
YOUR STORE, YOUR LAND AND YOUR INVESTMENT IS IN GLENDALE,
ARIZONA.
GLENDALE IS
HELPING TO ACHIEVE THAT DISTINCTION AND COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR
YOU IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FOR OUR CITY. ALL YOU
HAVE TO DO IS FIGURE OUT HOW TO LEVERAGE OUR EFFORTS INTO
GREATER SUCCESS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATIONS.
THE POSITIVE
IMPACT FROM EVENTS IN OUR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
REACH BEYOND OUR WESTERN AREA.
ONE EXAMPLE IS
OUR GLITTER AND GLOW EVENT HELD THE SATURDAY BEFORE THE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. A CROWD OF 100,000 PEOPLE ARRIVED
IN DOWNTOWN GLENDALE TO ATTEND OUR ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY. THEY
WERE HERE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES; THEY WERE HAPPY;
AND THEY WERE SPENDING MONEY FREELY. 5
MANY DOWNTOWN
MERCHANTS REPORTED RECORD SALES --- MEANING RECORD SALES IN
THE HISTORY OF THEIR BUSINESSSES IN OLD TOWNE AND CATLIN
COURT.
BUT WE ARE NOT
RELYING ON THE LAST BIG GAME THAT CAME TO TOWN. WE ARE
CONTINUALLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO KEEP GLENDALE GOING FORWARD.
TRANSFORMING
OUR 10-YEAR-OLD GLENDALE VISITORS CENTER INTO A
STATE-SANCTIONED CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU LAST YEAR IS
ONE OF THE WAYS WE ARE MORE AGGRESSIVELY MARKETING GLENDALE
AND OTHER WEST VALLEY HOT SPOTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED
THAT 32 MILLION TRAVELERS VISIT THE WEST VALLEY EACH YEAR TO
ATTEND PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL, HOCKEY AND SPRING
TRAINING GAMES, NASCAR, TENNIS TOURNAMENTS, CONCERTS,
PERFORMING ARTS, SIGNATURE SPECIAL EVENTS, CONFERENCES,
TRADESHOWS AND OTHER RELATED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. THE
GLENDALE CVB ALLOWS THE ENTIRE WEST VALLEY TO COMPETE IN THE
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MARKETPLACE AND PROMOTE OUR
PREMIERE DESTINATIONS TO AN EVEN WIDER AND MORE DIVERSE
AUDIENCE.
WE ARE VERY
PLEASED TO HAVE TWO WEST VALLEY CITIES AS MEMBERS OF THE FIRST
CVB WEST OF I-17. THE CITY OF SURPRISE AND ITS SURPRISE
RECREATION CAMPUS FEATURING THEIR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS COMPLEX,
SPRING TRAINING FACILITY, AND OTHER AMENITIES IS NOW A MEMBER.
AND THE CITY OF PEORIA AND ITS VERY POPULAR PEORIA SPORTS
COMPLEX HAS JOINED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS EXTRA WAY TO
INCREASE TOURISM REVENUE.
IF YOU SEE HOW
YOUR BUSINESS CAN BENEFIT AS A MEMBER OF THE GLENDALE CVB, YOU
CAN EASILY GET INFORMATION ON OUR VISITGLENDALE.COM WEBSITE.
WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
AS WE BEGIN
THIS NEW YEAR, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES CONTINUE TO
FOCUS ON THE GLENDALE CENTERLINE PROJECT WHICH WE LAUNCHED IN
2008. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO 6
CREATE A
REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE GLENDALE AVENUE CORRIDOR FROM
43RD TO 67TH AVENUES BETWEEN OCOTILLO ROAD AND MYRTLE AVENUE.
INITIATIVES
WILL BE DIRECTED AT EFFORTS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND LOCAL
BUSINESSES, CREATE HOUSING OPTIONS AND IMPROVE PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE. THE GLENDALE CENTERLINE OVERLAY DISTRICT WHICH
PROVIDES NEW STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS WILL BE
PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN LATE MARCH.
ALTHOUGH THE
ECONOMY HAS KEPT CENTERLINE FROM PROGRESSING AS RAPIDLY AS WE
HOPED, THERE IS RECENT GOOD NEWS.
SOUTHWEST
AMBULANCE MOVED ITS WEST VALLEY HEADQUARTERS INTO A VACANT
18,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AT 52ND AND GLENDALE AVENUES.
CURRENTLY 60 EMPLOYEES ARE WORKING OUT OF THAT FACILITY AND
BRINGING NEW COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY TO OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES.
SOUTHWEST
AMBULANCE HAS ALSO RECENTLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO MOVE
INTO THE PROMENADE AT PALMAIRE, WHICH IS JUST WEST OF THIS
BUILDING.
SOUTHWEST
AMBULANCE WILL FILL THE REMAINING VACANT SPACE AT THE
PROMENADE WITH THEIR 24-HOUR DISPATCH CENTER. THEIR 70
EMPLOYEES WILL GENERATE NEW SPENDING AT DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES.
WE THANK
SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE FOR LOCATING TWO VITAL COMPONENTS OF THEIR
BUSINESS ALONG OUR CENTERLINE CORRIDOR AND FOR PLACING THEIR
CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN THE VISION WE HAVE CREATED FOR THE
AREA.
MORE GOOD NEWS
FOR OUR DOWNTOWN IS THAT THIS CITY-OWNED CIVIC CENTER BROKE
ALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS THIS PAST YEAR --- HOSTING MORE THAN
70,000 GUESTS IN 2010. ONCE AGAIN, OUR CIVIC CENTER WAS NAMED
ONE OF THE BEST VENUES IN THE STATE FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS,
WEDDINGS AND CONFERENCES IN THE "RANKING ARIZONA"
COMPETITION SPONSORED BY THE PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL. 7
THIS MAKES THE
FOURTH YEAR WE’VE BEEN RANKED AMONG THE TOP FIVE CONFERENCE
FACILITIES IN THE STATE.
I WANTED TO
LEAD OFF MY REMARKS TODAY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT GOOD AND
POSITIVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE COME TO GLENDALE IN THE
PAST YEAR. I THINK ALL OF US ARE PRETTY TIRED OF HEARING
CONSTANT NEGATIVE STORES. AT THE SAME TIME WE CAN’T IGNORE
THE ECONOMIC REALITIES THAT HAVE BUILT OVER THE PAST FEW
YEARS.
ALTHOUGH WE
HAVE REASON TO THINK WE HAVE WEATHERED THE WORST OF THE
RECESSION, THE FACT REMAINS THAT OUR CURRENT REVENUES REMAIN
AT 2005 LEVELS.
PRESIDENT
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONCE SAID, "YOU
CAN’T ESCAPE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TOMORROW BY EVADING IT
TODAY."
I AM PROUD TO
TELL YOU THAT GLENDALE CITY GOVERNMENT HAS FACED UP TO OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND HAS BEEN TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO
MAINTAIN A BALANCED BUDGET DURING SEVERE ECONOMIC DECLINES.
OVER THE PAST
THREE FISCAL YEARS WE HAVE CUT $249 MILLION FROM OUR TOTAL
CITY BUDGET. THIS 27% DECREASE WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A
VARIETY OF METHODS INCLUDING A 15% REDUCTION OF BUDGETED
GENERAL FUND POSITIONS FROM 1,412 DOWN TO 1,202; AN EMPLOYEE
FURLOUGH PROGRAM WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A 5% PAY CUT TO
EMPLOYEES; REDUCTIONS IN DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGETS RANGING
FROM 10% TO 27%; REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF SERVICES FOR
WHICH DEMAND HAS DIMINISHED; AND THE DELAY OR TOTAL
CANCELLATION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS.
NONE OF THIS
WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR DEDICATED CITY EMPLOYEES
WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE HIGHEST QUALITY
SERVICES AND PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR ALL CITIZENS ---
AND DOING IT WITH FEWER RESOURCES.
NEXT MONTH, THE
CITY COUNCIL WILL BEGIN HEARING OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM’S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GLENDALE’S FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 BUDGET.
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EXPECT A NO-FRILLS, STRAIGHTFORWARD
FINANCIAL PLAN. 8
IN ADDITION TO
BUDGET ISSUES, GLENDALE IS INVOLVED IN TWO MAJOR CHALLENGES
AND TODAY’S STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE
WITHOUT DISCUSSING THOSE.
THE FIRST ISSUE
BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO …. LEADERS OF THE TOHONO O’ODHAM
NATION INFORMED CITY AND STATE LEADERS THAT THEY WOULD BE
FILING AN APPLICATION WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
INTERIOR TO TAKE LAND INTO TRUST NEAR 91ST AND NORTHERN
AVENUES IN GLENDALE. THEIR APPLICATION WAS TO TURN IT INTO AN
INDIAN RESERVATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A CASINO ON
THE SITE. THAT APPLICATION WAS FILED THE NEXT DAY, JANUARY 29,
2009.
OTHER THAN THIS
LAND WITHIN THE EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE,
THE LANDS OF THE TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION ARE LOCATED WITHIN
THE SONORAN DESERT IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA. BOUNDARIES BEGIN
SOUTH OF CASA GRANDE AND ENCOMPASS PARTS OF PINAL, PIMA AND
MARICOPA COUNTIES BEFORE CONTINUING SOUTH INTO MEXICO. CLOSEST
TO GLENDALE IS THE NATION’S SAN LUCY DISTRICT LOCATED NEAR
THE CITY OF GILA BEND.
THE GLENDALE
LAND THAT THE TOHONO O’ODHAMS NOW WANT INCLUDED AS A PART OF
THEIR RESERVATION IS THE ABORIGINAL LAND OF THE AKAMEL O’ODHAM
PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW PART OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
THE LAND WAS
PURCHASED BY THE TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION ON AUGUST 21, 2003
UNDER THE NAME RAINIER RESOURCES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
WITH A SEATTLE MAILING ADDRESS. IT WAS HELD IN THIS ASSUMED
NAME FOR SIX YEARS WHILE THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPED,
INCLUDING A HIGH SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET. THE TRIBE NEVER
MENTIONED ONE WORD ABOUT THEIR LAND OWNERSHIP NOR THEIR PLANS.
AFTER SEVERAL
CONVERSATIONS AND MEETINGS BETWEEN VARIOUS CITY OFFICIALS AND
THE TRIBE, THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERED LEGAL, SOCIAL
AND FINANCIAL ANALYSES OF IMPACTS TO OUR CITY IF THE TOHONO O’ODHAM
NATION’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED.
ON APRIL 9,
2009 AFTER VARIOUS MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS ON THIS TOPIC, THE
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE
CITY’S OPPOSITION TO THE CREATION OF AN INDIAN RESERVATION
ON A PARCEL WITHIN THE GLENDALE MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREA. 9
I WANT TO DRAW
YOUR ATTENTION TO THE WORDS, "OPPOSITION TO THE CREATION
OF AN INDIAN RESERVATION."
THE TOHONO O’ODHAM
INITIALLY PROPOSED A COMPLEX THAT INCLUDED A HOTEL, CONFERENCE
CENTER, SPA, AND OTHER COMMERCIAL USES IN ADDITION TO A
CASINO. OF ALL OF THOSE, ONLY A CASINO REQUIRES THAT THE LAND
BE CONVERTED INTO AN INDIAN RESERVATION --- WHICH IS A
SOVEREIGN NATION REMOVED FROM STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND
REGULATIONS THAT NON-TRIBAL BUSINESSES AND DEVELOPERS FOLLOW
FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ALL OTHER RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES.
GLENDALE
REMAINS WILLING AND EAGER TO WORK WITH THE TOHONO O’ODHAM
NATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PROPERTY AS ALL OTHER
PRIVATELY OWNED LANDS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED –IN COMPLIANCE
WITH EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA
COUNTY AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA. IN THAT WAY ALL OF THE JOBS
BEING PROPOSED WILL COME TO FRUITION --- AND THERE WILL BE
REVENUE GENERATED AND PAID TO THE JURISDICTIONS PROVIDING THE
SERVICES TO THE PROJECT.
UNFORTUNATELY,
THE TRIBE HAS RECENTLY REVISED THEIR PROPOSAL AND THE CASINO
IS NOW THE ENTIRE FIRST PHASE OF THEIR PLAN --THE ONE ENDEAVOR
THAT REQUIRES THE LAND TO BE CONVERTED INTO AN INDIAN
RESERVATION. IT IS VERY IMP0ORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE
TOHONO O’ODHAM HAS WITHDRAWN ITS REQUEST FOR FEDERAL
APPROVAL OF GAMING. ALL THEY HAVE REQUESTED IS CREATION OF A
RESERVATION AND NOT APPROVAL FOR A VERY LARGE GAMING FACILITY.
THERE ARE MANY
COMPLEX ISSUES RELATED TO THE SUBJECT OF GAMING ON THIS LAND
OWNED BY THE TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION. FOR THAT REASON ARIZONA’S
ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGISLATURE, ALONG WITH THE GILA RIVER
INDIAN COMMUNITY, HAVE FILED LEGAL ACTIONS.
THIS IS NO
LONGER JUST A GLENDALE ISSUE. IT IS A STATES’ RIGHTS ISSUE.
THIS WAS MADE CLEAR WHEN GOVERNOR BREWER FILED A LEGAL BRIEF
IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE AND ISSUED THIS STATEMENT:
"THIS MASSIVE CASINO PLAN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN URBAN AREA
IS EXACTLY WHAT ARIZONA VOTERS SOUNDLY REJECTED IN 2002. THE
PROPOSED CASINO NOT ONLY UNDERMINES THE 10
LIMITED GAMING
MODEL THAT THE STATE AND TRIBES AGREED UPON IN ENTERING THE
COMPACTS, IT ALSO VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW."
THIS ISSUE IS
ALSO OF GREAT CONCERN TO OTHER ARIZONA INDIAN NATIONS. HERE
ARE JUST A FEW OF THE STATEMENTS FROM RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER
OFFICIAL ACTIONS PASSED BY VARIOUS ARIZONA INDIAN NATIONS IN
OPPPOSITION TO THE TOHONO O’ODHAM’S PROPOSED CASINO:
"IT
VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF PROPOSITION 202 THEREBY FUELING SUPPORT
FOR OFF-RESERVATION AND NON-INDIAN GAMING."
"IT IS IN
OPPOSITION OF THE INITIATIVE PREPARED BY THE 17 ARIZONA TRIBES
AND COMMUNICATED TO THE VOTERS OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA THAT
VOTED TO APPROVE THAT INITIATIVE."
"THE
TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION HAS NEITHER AN ABORIGINAL CLAIM, NOR
HISTORIC OR CULTURAL TIES, TO THE AREA WHERE IT IS SEEKING TO
PLACE A MAJOR CASINO. ITS ACTIONS ARE AN ABUSE OF TRIBAL
GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND INCONSISTENT WITH
THE UNDERSTANDINGS AMONG TRIBES IN ARIZONA."
LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX AND VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I
WOULD GUESS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT OF
WHAT I HAVE SAID TODAY. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VERIFY THESE
STATEMENTS FOR YOURSELF. THEY ARE ALL IN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
MOST CAN BE FOUND ON OUR GLENDALEAZ.COM WEBSITE.
I FERVENTLY
HOPE YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHICH HAS THE
POTENTIAL TO MAKE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
I FEEL SURE YOU
CAN GUESS THAT THE SECOND MAJOR CHALLENGE FACING THE CITY OF
GLENDALE AT THIS TIME INVOLVES THE CITY-OWNED JOBING.COM ARENA
AND THE COYOTES HOCKEY TEAM.
I WOULD LIKE TO
GIVE BACKGROUND INFORMATION WHICH SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW AND
SOME HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. 11
IN 2001 THE
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL ENTERED INTO VARIOUS AGREEMENTS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CREATING A HIGH-QUALITY MAJOR ECONOMIC CENTER
CONSISTING OF OFFICES, HOTELS, ENTERTAINMENT, RETAIL AND
RESTAURANTS. AS PART OF THIS ACTION THE COUNCIL ENTERED INTO A
RELATED AGREEMENT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER MANISTEE
TOWN CENTER INTO WHAT IS NOW THE VERY SUCCESSFUL NORTHERN
CROSSING RETAIL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 59TH AND NORTHERN
AVENUES.
IN MY EARLIER
REMARKS I TALKED ABOUT OUR ARENA AND WESTGATE AND ALL THAT
THEY HAVE DONE TO CREATE NEW REVENUE FOR OUR CITY AND HELP US
DEVELOP INTO A TOURISM DESTINATION. THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE
MEMBERS OF THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL IN 2001 RECOGNIZED WE HAD
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A STRONG, ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FUTURE
FOR OUR RESIDENTS. AND SO THE AGREEMENTS WERE APPROVED BY
UNANIMOUS VOTES IN APRIL 2001.
UNEXPECTEDLY IN
MAY 2009 THE FORMER TEAM OWNER FOR FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY
PROTECTION.
UP UNTIL THAT
TIME GLENDALE’S INVESTMENT WAS MEETING ALL FINANCIAL
PROJECTIONS AND ATTRACTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE AREA.
DURING THE
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS, THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PURCHASED
THE ASSETS OF THE COYOTES BUT DID NOT ASSUME THE ARENA
MANAGEMENT, USE AND LEASE AGREEMENT.
FOR THE PAST
TWO YEARS CITY MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH POTENTIAL
BUYERS OF THE COYOTES TO STRUCTURE AN ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD
KEEP THE TEAM IN GLENDALE. THAT WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN WITH THE
FULL SUPPORT OF THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL.
THE CRITERIA
SET BY THE COUNCIL INCLUDED KEEPING THE TEAM IN GLENDALE FOR
THE FULL LENGTH OF THE LEASE, KEEPING THE EXISTING ARENA
REVENUES INTACT, AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO
SHARE IN NEW REVENUE STREAMS WHEN FEASIBLE.
DURING THE
SPRING OF 2010 THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
TWO SEPARATE AGREEMENTS WITH TWO POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THE
PHOENIX COYOTES HOCKEY TEAM. NEITHER POTENTIAL BUYER MOVED
FORWARD WITH VIABLE PLANS TO PURCHASE THE TEAM. 12
NOW A NEW
ENTITY WISHES TO PURCHASE THE HOCKEY TEAM AND MANAGE OUR
ARENA.
DEBATES ABOUT
WHY THE CITY OF GLENDALE IS TRYING TO KEEP THE COYOTES HOCKEY
TEAM IN GLENDALE HAVE BEEN RAMPANT FROM THE BEGINNING.
HERE ARE THE
FACTS OF THE MATTER.
THE CITY OF
GLENDALE OWNS THE ARENA AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OPERATION
AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AND FOR ENSURING THAT EVENTS AND
PERFORMERS ARE BOOKED SO THE BUILDING CONTINUES PRODUCING
REVENUE.
THE PROJECTED
EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING THE ARENA ARE APPROXIMATELY
$17 MILLION PER YEAR. THAT AMOUNT IS CURRENTLY OFFSET BY THE
REVENUE EARNED BY HAVING THE COYOTES AS THE ARENA’S MAIN
TENANT. IF THE TEAM VACATES THE ARENA, THE EXPENSES WOULD
REMAIN. HOWEVER A SUBSTANTIAL SOURCE OF FUNDS TO PAY THE
EXPENSES WOULD BE ELIMINATED.
DURING THE
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECONOMIC
IMPACT OF THE COYOTES TO THE CITY OF GLENDALE WAS
APPROXIMATELY $511 MILLION. THE AGREEMENT BY THE COYOTES NOT
TO RELOCATE DURING THE TERM OF THE ARENA LEASE AND MANGEMENT
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VALUED AT BETWEEN $270
MILLION AND $338 MILLION.
WHAT THIS SAYS
IS THAT THE AGREEMENT NOT TO RELOCATE THE TEAM --- WITHOUT
FACTORING IN ALL OF THE OTHER FEES, RENT, ETC. --- HAS A VALUE
TO THE CITY TODAY --- RIGHT NOW --- OF BETWEEN $270 MILLION
AND $338 MILLION. EVERYBODY IS AGREEING TO THAT AND THE TEAM
IS AGREEING THAT IS THE VALUE OF THE DAMAGES THEY WOULD HAVE
TO PAY IF THEY BROKE THE LEASE AND MOVED.
SEEMS IT WOULD
BE HARD FOR SOMEONE TO DISPUTE THAT – BUT THEY DO.
WE WILL SOON
REACH THE CONCLUSION OF THIS ALMOST THREE YEAR SAGA. AND,
HOWEVER IT TURNS OUT, WE WILL KNOW THE CITY OF GLENDALE HAS
DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN AND HAVE BEEN 13
ASKED TO DO. WE
HAVE STAYED WITHIN THE BOUNDS, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL, IN MAKING
DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE.
GLENDALE
RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN ALL PARTS OF OUR CITY
BENEFIT FROM REVENUES GENERATED BY THE SUCCESS OF OUR SPORTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT --- AND THE NEW AGREEMENT WITH MR.
HULSIZER WILL CONTINUE TO HELP CREATE JOBS, INCREASE GLENDALE’S
TAX BASE AND STIMULATE ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
AS WITH THE
PREVIOUS TOPIC, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK OUT THESE FACTS AND
DRAW YOUR OWN INFORMED CONCLUSION ON THIS ISSUE WHICH WILL
AFFECT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS IN SOME WAY FOR YEARS TO COME.
AND NOW IT IS
MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME OUR GUEST, MR. STEVE ELLMAN, TO THE
STAGE.
STEVE’S
VISION OF HOW 220 ACRES OF FARMLAND BETWEEN 91ST AND 99TH
AVENUES FROM GLENDALE AVENUE SOUTH TO MARYLAND AVENUE COULD BE
DEVELOPED TO TRANSFORM GLENDALE FROM A BEDROOM COMMUNITY INTO
A NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN DESTINATION CITY WAS
THE CATALYST FOR ALL THAT WE KNOW TODAY AS GLENDALE’S SPORTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
IT’S PRETTY
EASY TO RIDE WAVES OF SUCCESS --- BUT FEW ARE WILLING TO BE
THE FIRST TO INVEST THEIR OWN MONEY AND BEGIN WITH A BLANK
CANVAS. EVEN FEWER HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO FOLLOW
THROUGH ON IDEAS.
STEVE ELLMAN
HAD THE VISION --- HE HAD THE RESOURCES ---AND HE STAYED THE
COURSE EVEN THOUGH THE EVENTS OF 9/11 INTERVENED BETWEEN THE
APPROVAL OF OUR PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT IN APRIL 2001 AND THE
APPROVAL OF OUR FINAL AGREEMENT IN NOVEMBER 2001.
MR. STEVE
ELLMAN (UNSCRIPTED
LISTEN TO MP3 FOR ELLMAN'S SPEECH)
(Mayor Scruggs
closes the event)
THANK YOU,
STEVE, FOR YOUR INSIGHTS INTO THE EVOLUTION AND GROWTH OF
WESTGATE AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED BELIEF AND INVESTMENT IN
GLENDALE’S SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. 14
WE HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT IN A SHORT TIME SPAN AND WE
HAVE LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR ONGOING SUCCESS.
GLENDALE IS NOW
THE 72ND LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES. YES, WE HAVE GROWN
SIGNIFICANTLY. BUT WE HAVE ALSO GROWN SMARTLY.
WE CHOOSE TO
CONTINUE INVESTING IN OUR CITY BY BUILDING THE NECESSARY
INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE COMPETITIVE AS WE EMERGE FROM THE
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.
WE CHOOSE TO
PROVIDE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A GREAT
PLACE TO LIVE.
AS I HAVE
STATED MANY TIMES BEFORE, ACCOMPLISHING MORE DOES NOT COME
WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES.
WE HAVE BUILT A
SOLID FOUNDATION AND CREATED A STRONG VISION. OUR ECONOMY IS
MORE DIVERSIFIED THAN EVER AND CONTINUES TO GROW.
WE WILL
CONTINUE TO BALANCE PRIORITIES DURING LEAN TIMES AND KEEP OUR
CITY POSITIONED AS A LEADER IN THE REGION AND THE STATE. WE
SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL WORK WITH US AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE
GLENDALE FORWARD TO OUR BEST POSSIBLE FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR
ATTENDING TODAY. I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS IN
THE YEAR AHEAD.
STEVE
ELLMAN'S SPEECH WAS WITHOUT SCRIPT BUT LISTEN TO MP3

Steve Ellman Speaks - Photos
by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV
VIDEO TO FOLLOW LATER
THIS WEEK!
|
Update – Glendale
Homicide Investigation
17400 N. 56th Ave
GLENDALE,
Ariz. – Just before midnight on Saturday April 23, 2011
Glendale Officers responded to a stabbing in the 17400 block of 56th
Avenue. Once on seen,
Officers located three victims; 18 yr old Stevie Runquist, 18 yr old
Casey Charleston and 17 yr old who had all sustained stab wounds.
Charleston and the 17 yr old victim sustained non-life
threatening injuries. They
were treated and released from a valley hospital, then interviewed
by Investigators. Stevie
Runquist died as a result of his injuries.
Homicide
Investigators working this case learned that 18 yr old Frankie
Morris was the person that stabbed all three during a fight, but he
fled the scene prior to police arrival.
Late Sunday afternoon detectives located and interviewed
Frankie Morris, who reported that he acted in self-defense after
being attacked. As
a result of everything the Investigators learned at the scene and
from all the interviews, Frankie Morris was released from custody
and charges will be submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s
Office for review.
|
|
Glendale
& NHL Coyotes Agreement |
City Of Glendale View
-
 |
Frequently
Asked Questions - Glendale & NHL Coyotes Agreement
The city of Glendale is releasing an FAQ sheet to present
facts about its business agreement with Matthew Hulsizer, a
potential buyer of the National Hockey League (NHL) Coyotes
team. This FAQ has been designed to alleviate the
misinformation created by the Goldwater Institute.
Click
here (pdf)
|
Also... Hear various
speeches by Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs >>HERE<< |
Goldwate Institute View -
...and Audio of the April Meeting
between Glendale and the Goldwater Institute >>HERE<<
|
GLENDALE
INCREASES UTILITY DEPOSITS TO BETTER MANAGE DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
GLENDALE, Ariz.
– For the first time in 19 years, the city of Glendale has made an
adjustment to its deposit for water, sewer and sanitation accounts.
The deposit increase only applies to new utility accounts.
For
residential property owners and renters, the deposit amount is now
$200. For commercial
customers, the deposit ranges from $250 to $300, depending on the
meter size. This amount is approximately two months of water, sewer
and sanitation bills paid by the average customer. Accounts that
become delinquent and require shut-off typically have about two
months of unpaid utility charges; therefore, this deposit would
assist in recovering a portion, if not all, of any unpaid charges as
well as the staff costs associated with turning off delinquent
accounts.
Along with the
adjustment to the deposit, Glendale has changed the administrative
procedure pertaining to deposits. Utility services can now be
contracted with renters. Renters
must supply the city with a lease agreement and deposit before an
account will be opened. Contracting
services with the renter ensures that all charges remain the
responsibility of the renter, not the property owner.
Furthermore,
residential property owners who have six consecutive months of good
account history may request a refund of their deposit beginning in
the seventh month of service. Tenant and commercial accounts will
have the deposit remain on the account until the account is closed
and all outstanding charges are paid; then any remaining funds will
be returned.
For more information, call Glendale’s Customer
Service Office at 623-930-3190
|
GLENDALE
COMMUNITY SERVICES
MAGAZINE AVAILABLE MAY 6
GLENDALE, Ariz.
– Glendale community services department’s summer issues of the My
Community magazine will be available for pickup and online
Friday, May 6.
My
Community features events,
programs and services offered by the Parks and Recreation and
Library Department, Neighborhood and Human Services Department and
Code Compliance Department.
The summer issue will highlight the summer reading program,
summer art camp, summer recreation drop-in and licensed programs,
over 100 self-enrichment classes, library special events and
swimming pool safety. Also included are all the programs available
at all the libraries and through parks and recreation for the months
of May-August.
The magazine is available online at www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation
and for pick up at the following locations:
§
Glendale Main Library, 5959
W Brown St.
§
Foothills Branch Library,
19055 N. 57th Ave.
§
Velma Teague Branch Library,
7010 N. 58th Ave.
§
Glendale Parks and
Recreation office, 5850 W. Glendale Ave.
§
Foothills Recreation &
Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
§
Glendale Adult Center, 5970
W. Brown St.
§
Glendale Community Center,
5401 W. Ocotillo Rd.
|
Voter
Registration Climbs to 3.2 Million in
Arizona
PHOENIX
–
Just as
Arizona
’s number of congressional districts will increase, so has the
state’s number registered voters. According to Secretary of
State Ken Bennett, the latest voter
registration figures show an increase of 63,307 since last year’s
general election.
“People
are taking advantage of our EZ voter programs where they can
register online instead of
standing in line,” said
Secretary Bennett. “Combined with the state’s early voting
system where people can request a mail in ballot, the entire process
is more efficient and convenient than ever before.”
Since
last year’s general election, the number of voters who have
registered with independent parties or have not designated a party
preference has risen by 48,023 to 1,030,500, while Republicans and
Democrats have added 10,243 and 4,187 respectively.
Libertarians
make up a little less than one percent of the state’s total
registration with 24,941, while 5,105 voters are currently
registered as members of the Green Party. This puts total
voter registration for the state at 3,209,725.
“Important
choices lie ahead,” continued Bennett. “Whether
citizens are registering for the first time or have just
re-registered, they have taken the first step toward exercising one
of our most fundamental rights. The right to vote.”
|
EXCITING
news from La Piazza Al Forno!
Chef Justin Piazza tells
us - La Piazza Al Forno was certified as an authentic
Neapolitan pizzeria on Wednesday, April 20th by a master pizzaiolo
from Italy. There is only one other in the valley and only 35
restaurants in the country that have this prestigious honor. A
celibration started at 12:30 p.m. which continued throughout
the day into the evening.
The certification (VPN) Verace pizza Napoletana, certifies that La
Piazza Al Forno makes their pizza per the requirements and
specifications.
The
objectives of this certification are:
-
To cultivate the culinary discipline of the Neapolitan pizza, with
its requisite, preparation, ingredients and manner of cooking.
- To defend the origin of the authentic pizza and the tradition of
the pizza as it began in Naples, Italy.
- To designate by certification those
pizzerias which respect the culinary tradition of the Neapolitan
pizza.
1. A
Wood-Burning Oven.
Pizza Napoletana must be cooked in a wood-fired
dome oven. Gas, coal or electric ovens, while capable of produce
wonderful pizza, are not conformed to the Pizza Napoletana
tradition.
2.
Proper Ingredients.
Flour (Tipo 00), San Marzano (plum)
tomatoes, all natural Fior-di-Latte or Bufala fresh mozzarella,
fresh basil, sea salt and yeast. Only fresh, all-natural,
non-processed ingredients (preferably imported from
Naples or Campnia region)are acceptable.
3.
Proper Technique.
Pizza dough kneaded either by hand, or with a
low speed mixer. No mechanical dough shaping, such as a dough press
or rolling pin, are allowed. Pizza baking time should not exceed 90
seconds.
4.
Proper Equipment.
A proper work surface (usually a marble slab)
and a wood-fired oven
operating at roughly 900ºF.
5.
The Final Product: Pizza Napoletana.
This
is a 300-year old time honored tradition and in the United States
there are only 35 Pizza’s that have been certified.
La
Piazza Al Forno
5803 W. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-847-3301
www.LaPiazzaAlForno.com
|
‘101
THINGS TO DO’ HIGHLIGHTS NEW TOURISM EFFORT
GLENDALE,
Ariz. -- Along Loop 101 in Glendale and the West Valley, there
are at least 101 things to do. That’s according to the cover
story in the hot-off-the-press issue of Visit Glendale, the
official tourism magazine of the Glendale Convention and Visitors
Bureau (CVB).
The
magazine is the bureau’s latest outreach effort to build tourism
in the West Valley with feature stories such as “Art & Soul: A
Cultural Guide to the Region,” and “Get Your Game On!” about
pro sports in the West Valley.
“The
bureau fields thousands of calls annually and we have
representatives at events throughout the year,” said Lorraine Pino,
manager of the bureau. “A piece like this is essential to
telling our story and enticing people to visit the area, bringing
their tourism dollars with them.”
Ironically,
Pino expects the magazine to be a big hit locally, too. “It
helps people re-discover the area and explore it the way a tourist
would. The economy has made ‘staycations’ an attractive
option. By picking up the 2011 edition of Visit Glendale,
locals can learn about the amenities and attractions that bring
people from across the country to our hometown.”
The
Visit Glendale magazine is the first published by the CVB
since the bureau was launched in July.
Over
the next 12 months, the bureau and its members anticipate
distributing 60,000 copies of the magazine, which was printed on
recycled paper. However, the bulk of the bureau’s resources
are online as part of its commitment to sustainability and to give
the bureau instant global reach.
Outreach
includes Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, but the
bureau’s online travel tools are popular resources, too.
These include an online travel planner, e-newsletters, maps, video
and photo galleries, and a virtual brochure rack. The Visit
Glendale magazine is also available online. To view it, go
to www.visitglendale.com. To get your own copy, stop by the
Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140, or to have
a copy mailed by calling 623-930-4500
BOWL
GAME STIRS INTEREST IN GLENDALE HISTORIC SITES
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Just in time for the increase of tourists
that comes with the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 10, the city of
Glendale has updated its historic preservation website at www.glendaleaz.com/historicpreservation.
That’s because history shows when football fans head to Glendale,
they won’t only be looking to see if their favorite team lines up
in a single wing formation; they’ll also be looking at how many
wings are on the city’s historic buildings and homes.
“When
people travel here from other parts of the country, one of the
things they like to do is drive through historic neighborhoods and
learn how other people lived,” said Jon Froke, who serves as
Glendale’s Historic Preservation Officer. “With bowl
games, we always see increased interest in our historic districts,
too.”
The
city, with eight designated historic districts, doesn’t
disappoint. And now it’s easier than ever for tourists and
residents alike to research the areas and plan their visits to view
everything from modest bungalows built in the early 1900s to Dutch
Colonial Revival homes popular in the 1930s to the ranch style homes
that proliferated at the end of World War II.
The
website includes a virtual tour as a starting point and provides
details on four other tours people may want to take:
·
The
Walking Tour
·
The
Historic Homes and District Tour
·
The
Historic Gems Tour, and
·
The
Landmark Tours.
The
website also lists the 18 properties in Glendale that are on the
National Register of Historic Places. To learn more about the
tours and Glendale’s historic preservation efforts, go online to www.glendaleaz.com/historicpreservation
or call the Glendale Visitor Center at 623-930-4500.
2010
Year in Review from City of Glendale
As
the new year kicks off, it’s easy to forget how much has
happened in the past 365 days. But here’s a recap of the
events and accomplishments that made an impression on the many
residents, fans and visitors in the city of Glendale.
In no particular order, they include …
Most
Memorable Weekend: Mar. 27 and 28, 2010
In
one weekend, Glendale saw record crowds as WrestleMania XXVI at
University of Phoenix Stadium grossed $5.8 million, Paul McCartney
kicked off his world tour at Jobing.com Arena, the Phoenix Coyotes
beat the Colorado Avalanche at a sold-out game, and the Los
Angeles Dodgers broke previous attendance records at Camelback
Ranch-Glendale, its spring training facility. All-in-all,
more than 122,000 visitors converged on Glendale to enjoy the
city’s coveted sports and entertainment district.
Boost
for Business
In
spite of slow economic growth nationwide, Glendale filled more
than one million square feet of office and industrial space and
attracted more than 1,000 jobs in two targeted industries:
healthcare and education. Among the coups: attracting Devry
University to Westgate City Center, and reaching nearly 100
percent capacity at Glendale Airpark. Even restaurants, a
notoriously hard-hit segment of the economy, were upbeat about
doing business in Glendale. New offerings ranged from fine dining
to barbeque and contributed to both the city’s quality of life
and tourism goals.
Making
the Season Bright
Glendale
Glitters – a season of award-winning festivals in the city’s
historic downtown – continued to make the season bright for more
than a quarter of a million people who came to view the city’s
1.5 million holiday lights. The lights weren’t the only
bright idea associated with this 17-year tradition. The city
not only provides family fun with the festival, but also uses the
popular festival to showcase non-profit agencies in a special
Spirit of Giving Weekend.
Luke
Forward
The
city was looking forward, not back, when the Department of Defense
set out to determine the best location for hosting its new F-35
Pilot Training Center. With Luke Air Force Base considered
“one of the region’s largest economic generators,” as well
as being critical to the nation’s defense, Glendale Mayor Elaine
Scruggs co-chaired the Luke Forward campaign supporting the pilot
training center. As the year ended, Scruggs looks forward to
Luke continuing its legacy as an important component of the area
for the next 50 years.
Hockey
to stay in Glendale
The
Glendale City Council approved a new agreement with the potential
new owner of the National Hockey League (NHL) Coyotes at its
meeting Dec. 14, which will keep the team playing in Glendale at
the city-owned Jobing.com Arena. The agreement is between
the city and potential new team owner Matthew Hulsizer.
Tapping
into tourists
In
July, Glendale was part of another first – creation of the first
convention and visitors bureau west of I-17. The bureau,
which represents Glendale and the entire West Valley, was formed
to increase visits from tourists and business travelers, and has
improved the region’s ability to compete in the national and
international tourism marketplace.
|
BILL
PROTECTS FUNERALS
STATE
CAPITOL,
PHOENIX
(January 11, 2011) – Today,
the Arizona Legislature passed legislation to create a 300-foot zone
between picketers and any location where a funeral or burial
service is held.
The
bill applies one hour before, and one hour after, the funeral. Any
person who violates the legislation is guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor.
“This
is an important moment for
Arizona
and our nation as we come together to do what is right during
a time of grief and mourning,” said House Speaker Kirk Adams,
sponsor of the House version of the bill. “Protesting or picketing
outside the funeral of an innocent victim is despicable. It's time
to bring Arizona in line with the many other states that protect the
sensitivities of victims against groups that use fear and hate to
denigrate the lives of Americans.”
“Today
we have joined together to provide some small measure of comfort for
families grieving over the loss of a loved one,” said Sen. Kyrsten
Sinema, the sponsor of the Senate version. “During times of grief,
families should be free from harassment or intimidation. This law
does the right thing by protecting those families.”
SB
1101 was passed in one day with an emergency clause, which makes it
effective immediately upon signature of the governor.
The
Senate version of the legislation is located online at:
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/sb1101p.pdf
|
Making video for
your Grandma's TV in the late 40's early 50s

( www.smecc.org
- Glendale AZ)
The TK-30 (late 40's early
50's) was the RCA field camera, although used also in studios,
this had less trim and gliz than the studio cased version the
TK-10. This one is missing the sign on the side that
says TELEVISION. You will see photos of TK-10's in the field and
flipped with TK-30's on nice studio pedestals in a
studio!
These cameras got even plainer looking
when owned by CBS, due to the rivalry between CBS
& RCA/NBC they would still buy the RCA Camera but would strip
off EVERYTHING, paint them grey and sometimes in a smaller station
even with a paintbrush.
CBS really hated CBS & RCA/NBC
over the NTSC acceptance of the RCA color system which was compatible
to Black and white, over the CBS Field Sequential
system (a real Rube Goldberg affair with spinning color wheels
etc)
A fascinating history fraught with
conflict. - Ed Sharpe
|
|
Pregnant
and stressed out?
Follow
these tips to reduce stress during pregnancy, or risk premature
labor, says Banner Thunderbird physician/author
GLENDALE,
Ariz. (January 13, 2011)
– Pregnancy
can be stressful in and of itself. This can be generated by a number
of things, including 40 weeks of waiting, frequent prenatal visits
and concern about the pregnancy itself.
Add
to that other stress factors that regularly come from the world
around us and you have a potentially dangerous mix, says Thomas
Strong, Jr., MD, medical director of the Maternal Fetal Medicine
Center at nonprofit Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and an author
of two books on pregnancy and prenatal care.
According
to Dr. Strong, stress causes a chain of events in the body which can
stimulate contractions in a pregnant woman.
“The
brain releases certain biochemicals during stress that can increase
a pregnant woman’s uterine contractions and possibly produce
preterm cervical changes,” Dr. Strong said. “Stress hormones
also have a strong influence on the placenta which responds by
producing its own stress hormones.”
The
result is a uterus which is more susceptible to preterm labor and a
fetus more susceptible to preterm delivery. Maternal stress hormones
can also trigger stress and negative health effects in the unborn
baby, Dr. Strong said.
“Lean
on your friends, family, spouse, partner and pregnancy support
groups to help distract you from the pregnancy from time to time,”
said Dr. Strong. “Look for opportunities to participate in
stress-relieving activities, such as going to a movie or spending an
afternoon with friends. And don’t be afraid to ask for help around
the house.”
Dr.
Strong also recommends light exercise (if your obstetrician
approves), meditation, and getting of sleep, preferably eight to ten
hours a night. A well balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables,
and of course, plenty of water, is also important.
“Avoid
smoking, substance abuse and other practices that could produce
maternal or fetal stress,” Dr. Strong advises. “What’s good
for the mom is generally good for the baby.”
|
FIRST
TEN DAYS OF 2011 BRINGS A
QUARTER
MILLION VISITORS TO GLENDALE
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale rang in the New Year
by hosting nearly 250,000 visitors, starting with the Fiesta Bowl on
Jan. 1, followed by the BCS National Championship just a few days
later as the eyes of the nation watched the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers
win an exciting last minute game against the #2 Oregon Ducks.
In addition to hosting the
bowl games at University of Phoenix Stadium, the city hosted the
Glendale Glitter & Glow Block Party during BCS weekend, rolling
out the red carpet for residents and fans in town for the big game.
Although official attendance estimates are not in yet, the Office of
Special Events conservatively estimates that numbers approached the
record-breaking attendance set in 2007, also a BCS weekend, meaning
at least 100,000 people enjoyed glittering lights and glowing
balloons at the event held in Historic Downtown Glendale Saturday.
According to the Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB),
Glendale’s hotels were at 100 percent capacity for the BCS
game and at 85 percent capacity for the Fiesta Bowl. The CVB
has seen more than 800 walk-in visitors, received nearly 900 phone
calls and distributed hundreds of Glendale’s Got Game gift bags to
visitors dressed in team apparel, all in the past week.
The
Glendale CVB also coordinated a Fiesta Bowl ticket giveaway contest
with more than 450 entering to win.
Glendale’s websites saw a huge traffic increase, almost
immediately as Fiesta Bowl and BCS championship teams started
looking into travel plans online. Just under 400,000 visitors logged
on to GlendalesGotGame.com since Dec. 5, 2010 -- a 300% increase
over last year. Requests for travel information more than tripled
from the previous year on VisitGlendale.com. The city’s Shop
Glendale card, a shop local discount program, was downloaded in this
same time frame more than 600 times, a 100% increase over last year.
Glendale’s Media Center played host to both national and local TV
crews -- including ESPN, CNN, Sports Illustrated, and stations from
Alabama and Oregon plus local affiliates -- which broadcast their
news and sports reports from the city’s state-of-the-art media
center.
Glendale’s
transportation leaders said they were pleased with traffic
operations and noted an increase in fans utilizing buses or sharing
vehicles resulting in a smooth flow of traffic. Barricades
were removed two hours after the game, which is typical in a close
scoring game, according to the Glendale Transportation Department.
For more information about Glendale’s Sports and Entertainment
District, visit www.glendalesgotgame.com.
|
Fry’s
Food Stores Partners with the
Arizona Myeloma Network to Fight Cancer!

(L-R) Pam Giannonatti, Community
Relations Manager for Fry’s Food Stores, Barbara Kavanagh,
President of Arizona Myeloma Network (AzMN) and Jack
Kavanagh - Myeloma survivor.
|
Phoenix,
AZ - January 18, 2011 - Fry’s Food Stores has awarded a $6,000
grant to the Arizona Myeloma Network to continue and expand its
breast cancer outreach program in the Navajo Nation.
The
grant provided by the Fry’s Food Stores “Giving Hope a
Hand” campaign will support AZMN’s outreach programs on the
Navajo Nation. The program involves an annual cancer awareness
conference which is free and open to the public. The Navajo
Women’s Breast Cancer Education and Training Program, “Women
Helping Women,” program provides information about mammograms and
other prevention and screening resources for women and families on
the reservation.
“Our
partnership with Fry’s will mean so much to AzMN and our cancer
programs on the Navajo Nation. We are so pleased to have Fry’s
Food Stores recognize our work and to want to partner with us in our
efforts. Though Native American women have a high incidence of
breast cancer, they have been underserved in terms of education on
breast cancer prevention and treatment,” said Barbara Kavanagh,
President of AzMN.
“Fry’s
is very much aware the toll this disease takes on the lives of our
associates and customers and we are committed to helping women and
their families find treatment and resources they need to face breast
cancer head on. The Giving Hope a Hand campaign allows Fry’s to
help give back to the communities we serve and to provide hope to
those who face this disease daily” said Pam Giannonatti, Community
Relations Manager for Fry’s Food Stores. “We chose to partner
with AzMN because we know that the dollars given to this
organization are put to good use.”
Fry’s
Food Stores, through their Giving Hope a Hand campaign
provides grants to support cancer awareness, treatment and research
programs in the communities in which we share. Funds raised by the
annual cause-marketing campaign will assist dozens of local
organizations fighting breast cancer in many communities across the
country. The Kroger family of stores will continue their commitment
to this cause by investing $3 million for breast cancer awareness,
treatment and research back into the community.
About
Barbara B. Kavanagh and the Arizona Myeloma Network (AzMN)
Barbara
B. Kavanagh, MSW, founded the AzMN, a non-profit organization in
June 2004. The AzMN provides outreach and education for myeloma
cancer patients; their families and caregivers, with special
consideration to under served populations such as African Americans,
Asian-Pacific, Hispanic, and Native Americans. Myeloma is a
blood-plasma cancer that attacks the bone marrow. The cause is
unknown. There are more than 1,600 new cases of myeloma diagnosed
each month in the United States alone.
Although there is no cure, myeloma is treatable. With new
research, better treatment, and new medication, lives can be saved.
For more information on AzMN and current outreach programs or
events, please visit our website at: www.azmyelomanetwork.org
About
Fry’s Food Stores
Fry’s Food Stores is headquartered in Tolleson, AZ. The company
employs more than 18,000 Arizona residents. The 121 Fry’s Food
Stores service more than one million households per week. This year,
Fry’s has been serving Arizonan’s with fresh food at famous low
prices since 1960. Fry’s Food Stores is a proud member of the
Kroger Co. based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit
the company’s website at www.frysfood.com
|
THUNDERBIRD RETIREMENT RESORT
SENIOR
SWEETHEARTS OFFER COUPLES LASTING LOVE ADVICE
By Marla Levine - Special to the
Glendale Daily Planet
GLENDALE,
Ariz. – In
celebration of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, several couples
residing at Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale contemplated
what words of wisdom they would share with today’s young lovers.
The engaging topic prompted sweet talk of their own love stories as
Thunderbird’s seniors shared relationship tips that are as
pertinent for today’s young couples as it was in their youth.
Having met through a mutual friend, J.T. and Irene Peterson,
married 55 years said, “Be prepared to work harder than you have
on anything in your life. Compromise, forgive the hurts, and work,
work, work.” They emphasized, “Try to do something you both love
together. Be best friends.”
Steve
and Claire Gallizioli, married 61 years, met when she traveled from
New York to California to see her sister’s two children for the
first time. “His mother and my sister were friends,” Claire
recalled. “She took me to meet Steve’s mother, and I met Steve
too.”
The
Galliziolis offered young couples this advice, “Follow your
promise to love for better or worse, and if you work hard to make it
better, it will be better. You will have arguments, but talk it
out.”
George
“Ken” and Georgena Mead, married 55 years, met through mutual
friends. “Continue to see and share activities with your single
friends,” Georgena suggested. “Add younger and older friends to
your life, including parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews, their
friends and neighbors, etc. Take time out sometimes to be alone
together.”
Paul
and Sue Bennett, married 51 years, met at a church youth group in
Caribou, Maine and married four months later. “Give God first
place in your heart and life,” Paul said. “Be considerate. Treat
your partner the way you want to be treated. Be a good listener. Be
faithful. You have to work at it lovingly.”
Milo
Kinn and Dorothy Weisenberger, have been together three years.
“While visiting Thunderbird, the first day at breakfast, we began
our courtship,” Dorothy said. “I made several more visits before
moving in with Milo.” As for the secret to a successful
relationship, she says with a smile, “Good humor and laughing
together a lot. Self respect and respect for each other.
Communication!”

PAUL
& SUE BENNETT – Submitted Photo
Thunderbird
Retirement Resort residents Paul and Sue Bennett, married 51
years, offer young couples this advice, “Be considerate.
Treat your partner the way you want to be treated. Be a good
listener. Be faithful. You have to work at it lovingly.” |

JT &
IRENE PETERSON – Submitted
Photo
Thunderbird Retirement Resort residents J.T. and Irene
Peterson, married 55 years and parents of three children,
offer young couples this advice, “Try to do something you
both love together. Be best friends.” |

GEORGE
& GEORGENA MEAD –Submitted Photo
Thunderbird Retirement Resort residents George “Ken” and
Georgena Mead, married 55 years with three sons and four
grandchildren, offer young couples this advice, “Add
younger and older friends to your life, including parents,
in-laws, nieces and nephews, their friends and neighbors,
etc. Take time out sometimes to be alone together.” |
Thunderbird Retirement Resort is located at 5401 W. Dailey
St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale.
To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, call
602-938-0414.
About Thunderbird Retirement Resort:
Thunderbird Retirement Resort features
spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard
views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To
learn more about Thunderbird
Retirement Resort, visit
www.watermarkcommunities.com or
call 602-588-1492 to
schedule a tour.
About Watermark Retirement
Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20
years, and is committed to creating extraordinary communities where
people thrive. Watermark Retirement Communities is located at 2020 West Rudasill Road in
Tucson, Ariz. To learn more, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com.
|
VOLUNTEERS
TO AID WITH TAX RETURNS;
COUNCILWOMAN
KICKS OFF ANNUAL PROGRAM FEB. 1
GLENDALE, Ariz. – IRS-certified AARP volunteers have
sharpened their pencils and are returning to Glendale Adult Center,
5970 W. Brown Street, starting Feb. 1 to begin work on tax returns
for area residents who need assistance. Glendale city council
member Yvonne Knaack will be on hand to kick off the free service
from AARP Tax-Aide which will run through April 18.
Each year the volunteers provide
the free help with personal income tax
returns for members of the public with low to moderate income.
Special attention is given those age 60 and older, but
participation is not restricted to AARP members or retirees.
Last
year, the Tax-Aide program at Glendale Adult Center was responsible
for helping Glendale families recoup almost $700,000 in the Earned
Income Tax Credit; $408,817 in Child Tax Credit; $48,573 in
Education Tax Credit with total refunds of $2.6 million.
Approximately, 2,700 returns were prepared in 2010. At an
average cost of $150 per return, the service represents a savings of
$405,000.
This
year organizers hope to complete even more returns. The service is
provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. No appointments
are taken. Those wanting to participate should arrive during
the following scheduled hours:
·
9 a.m. until first 50
people served.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
·
9 a.m. until first 75
people served
Thursday
·
9 a.m. until first 25
people served
Saturday
Participants
should bring the following items with them:
·
Last year's income tax
return.
·
W-2
forms.
·
Unemployment
compensation statement.
·
SSA-1099
form if paid Social Security benefits.
·
All
1099 forms showing interest and/or dividends and documentation of
original purchase price of sold assets.
·
1099R
forms if you received a pension or annuity.
·
Forms
indicating federal income tax paid.
·
Child
care provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security
number).
·
Receipts
or canceled checks if itemizing deductions.
·
Social
Security numbers for dependents.
AARP
Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction
with the IRS, and hosted free-of-charge at the Glendale Adult
Center. For more information about AARP Tax-Aide, call
1-888-227-7669 or visit http://aztax-aide.org/.
|
|
We
just joined 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting and think
you are one of the 169,999,999 other Americans who use public
broadcasting every month. Please help me protect funding for public
broadcasting, one of the most cost effective and best investments
our country can make in its future. Sign up at
170MillionAmericans.org I hope you will consider this and sign up.
Thanks! Ed Sharpe, Publisher Glendale
Daily Planet
170 Million
Americans for Public Broadcasting is a collaboration of public radio
and television stations, national organizations, producers and our
viewers and listeners throughout the country in favor of a strong
public media in the United States. This project receives no
government funding and participating stations use no public funds to
promote this effort.
|
FRY’s
Partners With the Happily Ever After League (HEAL) to Assist Valley
Moms
Fry’s
Food Stores recently donated $10,000 to the Scottsdale based
non-profit, the Happily Ever After League (HEAL). HEAL is dedicated
to nurturing, facilitating and providing support to mothers
diagnosed with cancer. Founded in 2004 by mother and cancer
survivor, Lauren Daniels, HEAL has helped more than 500 moms since
its inception – an average of 70 moms each year.
“We
are so grateful for Fry’s $10,000 donation and will put it to very
good use. The majority of our moms are the working poor and many are
uninsured or under-insured so this will mean so much to HEAL and its
recipients. I am honored to have been selected for this grant from an
organization like Fry's and to be a partner in making a
positive and lasting impact on our community.” Daniels stated.
“Each
year, Fry’s and its associate work hard to raise funds to help
find a cure for breast cancer and support women battling the
disease,” says Fry’s President Jon Flora. “By supporting HEAL,
everyone can help make life just a little easier for moms battling
cancer. Fry’s salutes Ms. Daniels for her leadership and vision in
creating HEAL,” Flora adds.
About
Fry’s Food Stores
Fry’s
Food Stores is headquartered in Tolleson, Ariz. The company
employs more than 18,000 Arizona residents. The 121 Fry’s Food
Stores service more than one million households per week. Fry’s
has been serving Arizonan’s with fresh food at famous low prices
since 1960. Fry’s Food Stores is a proud member of the Kroger Co.
based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit the
company’s Web site at www.frysfood.com.
|
WESTMARC
PRESIDENT & CEO JACK LUNSFORD RETIRES;
CITES
HEALTH REASONS
In a one-page written
statement WESTMARC President & CEO Jack Lunsford today announced
he is retiring from WESTMARC due to health reasons.
Lunsford also made the formal announcement during his annual
report at WESTMARC’s Annual Meeting and Economic Forecast
Breakfast while unofficially celebrating his 7th anniversary as
President & CEO.
Lunsford was diagnosed
with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October, 2009.
He has since undergone chemotherapy and two related
surgeries.
“In some respects the
decision to retire was one of the toughest of my life,” explained
Lunsford, “because I love what I do for WESTMARC and the West
Valley. On the other
hand, it was one of the easiest, because I have an opportunity to
get better for my family and the future.”
Lunsford has just begun a
clinical trial at Mayo Clinic and his oncologists are strongly
recommending a bone marrow stem cell transplant.
“My team of oncologists
and other physicians has strongly recommended me for a stem cell
bone marrow transplant as a way to combat my lymphoma.
After complete consultation with that team, my family,
friends, and cancer survivors, and recognizing the chances for
success in the transplant, I made the final decision this past
weekend to undergo that process.”
Lunsford continued, “My
type of lymphoma is chronic but can come back often and aggressive.
With this proposed transplant treatment it is the first time
anyone has discussed even a remote possibility of a cure.”
Lunsford wishes he could
remain with WESTMARC to face the challenges and help lead the West
Valley in the coming years. He
mentioned WESTMARC’s recent leadership in establishing and
administering the Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone (GMFTZ) as
having great appeal to him.
“Continuing my
leadership role in that exciting, most worthwhile economic
development endeavor is by itself enough for me to want to stay with
WESTMARC,” Lunsford stated. “When
the challenges of addressing the West Valley’s infrastructure
needs and demands are added---transportation, healthcare, and
education---I can only wish for the opportunity to continue with
WESTMARC. Sadly for me,
that is not to be.”
Lunsford indicated he
will stay with WESTMARC as long as he can to assist with the
transition, but that will be determined by his transplant date in a
couple of months. Meanwhile,
he complimented the WESTMARC staff, saying that with its experience,
knowledge and expertise WESTMARC is assured of being able to manage
his transition.
“Amity Bravo, Amber
Botamer, and Darah Mann have time and again demonstrated their
commitment to WESTMARC’s mission, vision, and success,”
complimented Lunsford, “and I am confident WESTMARC can and will
rely on them.”
An original co-founder of
WESTMARC and its 1st Chairman, Lunsford concluded, “I have always
given more than 100% to any effort I have undertaken and when I
can’t do that I end up frustrated.
My commitment to WESTMARC has been unwavering, but I know I
won’t be able to continue that for some time while I recover,
likely six months or more. The
West Valley deserves and needs someone who can provide the
day-to-day visibility and leadership for this outstanding advocacy
organization, something I won’t be able to do.”
Lunsford’s retirement
is effective June 6, 2011, but his last official day will depend on
the transplant date and any unused leave time he has earned.
He has agreed to be available for a smooth transition.
About WESTMARC Founded in 1990, WESTMARC is the regional coalition of
business, government, and education that promotes the West Valley
and advocates on its behalf. WESTMARC
promotes public policies leading to responsible growth, a positive
quality of life, a healthy environment, strong community development
and a favorable public image. WESTMARC represents 35 percent of the
population of the county and the region includes the cities of
Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Glendale, Goodyear,
Litchfield Park, Peoria, West Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West,
Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown.
|
Artwerks
Lateral 58 the Soul of Glendale's Centerline
By
Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
First
Saturdays, which
officially starts on February 5th
and continues through May, start at 10 a.m. and continue to 4
p.m. Events scheduled
these Saturdays will feature live music, original paintings, hand
crafted jewelry, mosaics, performing ensembles and art workshops.
Artists who are
interested in joining Glendale's new art district, which is part of
the Glendale Centerline project, in the historic part of downtown
Glendale; can find more information at http://www.ArtwerksLateral58.org. Artwerks
Lateral 58 (or 58th parallel is now 58th Avenue) includes the
breezeway alongside Bitzee-Mammas Restaurant and the alleyway that
continues south, ward to Glendale Avenue.
The
objective of Artwerks is to bring the arts (not just the visual
arts) to Glendale's Centerline district and start a community of
business, artists, and audiences.
Wednesday,
January 26 a meeting was held at Bitzee-Mammas Restaurant to get the
community's creative juices flowing for a mural project and maybe opening
the door for more mural projects.
The purposed mural talked about in Wednesday's meeting is 16
x 9. The band, Fishbone
provided the music. Some
ideas and/or concepts that were suggested for the community mural
were butterflies, trees and their roots, cultural diversity found
within the City of Glendale, sky (for mood), the City of Glendale's
centennial.
Annie
Loyd, The Fusion Foundation founder, president and CEO, said
"we build communities" by reaching out to
businesses, city schools; "to all sectors".
Artist from the immediate area and as far away as Scottsdale
were in attendance. Several
area business owners were also in attendance.
One other idea for a community arts project is to do something
with the green curtain hanging on construction fence that surrounds
the block were the old Southern Baptist Church is located.
Mark Paratore, Economic Development Specialist from the City
of Glendale was in attendance also.
The
Fusion Foundation, will provide artist, both visual and musical, for
the First Saturday events. You
may remember, Artwertks held events in December during Glendale
Glitters. The First
Saturday events start February 5th
in the Lateral 58th breezeway
and alleyway.
A second follow-up
meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 2nd
at Bitzee-Mammas to continue the discussion.
If you have any ideas for the community mural project, bring
your ideas and photographs to Bitzee-Mammas next Wednesday. Meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.
More information can be found also at, http://www.ArtwerksLateral58.org.

Bette Sharpe-Glendale Daily Planet
No. 1296
Fishbone provided some cool jazz for Wednesday's
meeting.

Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
Martin Moreno of Los Artes
De Maricopa gave a slide show of some of the murals, some painted
and some constructed with ceramic tile, that he has been associated
with. You can see an example of his work at the PSA
Art Awakenings / Las Artes de Maricopa Mural at Historic Sahuaro
Ranch Park - Glendale Arizona.
Or simply watch the video below and see the unveiling
of it for the first time to the public!

From Glendale High School--Irlanda
Morlina, Jonathan Espino, Jennifer Burgos (GHS Art Club President),
Art Teacher, Sherrie Zeoli. All
very excited about the new opportunities for art in downtown
Glendale. All are
artists, and each would like to participate--to do the art.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily
Planet No.1313.

Martin Moreno, Artist--Las
Artes De Maricopa and Annie Loyd, Founder, President and CEO of The
Fusion Fusion Foundation.
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily
Planet No. 0546.

Mark Paratore, Economic Development
Specialist City of Glendale, and
Annie Loyd are excited about Artwerks Lateral 58th
and the First Saturday events starting, Saturday,
February 5th.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily
Planet 1306


|
Susan
Pohlman - Authors @ The Teague From January 22, 2011
Story and Photo by: Lesa Holstine Glendale Daily Planet Book
Topics Editor
Susan Pohlman, author of Halfway to
Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home, is
one of the most inspirational authors I've ever heard. Her
program for Authors @ The Teague was a treat.
Pohlman
said she didn't expect any of those experiences to happen to her,
from the story in the book, to writing the book, so she was just
going to speak from her heart. She and her family were
living in Los Angeles. Her husband was in the radio
business. They had been married for sixteen years, together
for five before that. They had two kids, and their marriage
had just run its course. There comes a time in so many
marriages when they've just run its course. And, that hurt.
Susan was a teacher who devoted her life to supporting families.
So, she was heartbroken, but, without telling her husband, Tim,
she went to a lawyer.
Then her husband came home and asked if she
wanted to go with him on an incentive trip to Italy. Before
the economy went bad, radio and TV stations offered incentive
trips. If you spent X amount of money, you'd be taken on a
trip. So, they would be entertaining clients on this trip.
Susan didn't think it was a good idea to go on the trip with
things falling apart. But, her husband kept pushing, and at
the last minute she decided she could suffer through Italy and go
on the last trip. They were taking forty clients for six
days. They arrived in Florence, and it just knocked her
sideways; it was so beautiful. There was something spiritual
about it with the ancient streets and building, and the artwork.
Pohlman said she was overwhelmed at feeling
so alive. In LA, you can get caught up in all the nonsense,
and lose your soul. But, she was knocked off her axis in
Florence. Tim felt the same way. On day four, they
went to Liguria in northwestern Italy. It's a tiny area, and
they were in the town of Santa Margherita. It was a free
day, and Tim and Susan had to spend the day together. They
planned to rent Vespas, but when they arrived at the Vespa store,
it never opened. So, they walked back along the water, and
Tim said, "I could live here," and, she agreed, and
thought, but not together. And, he repeated, "No, I
could REALLY live here," with a look in his eyes that said
let's move her. Susan said that's not a good idea, but he
wouldn't let up. They had a conversation, asking what
happened to us. He said he would quit his job if she'd
consider it. She knew how serious he was because he was in
his early 40s, in charge of six radio stations, what he'd worked
for his entire life. So, she said, if there's an American
school, I'll consider it.
They headed to Genoa, the largest city in
the area, a very Italian city. They found the American
school, and the principal was even there that late in the day.
He said they were really crowded, but when he heard their children
were 11 and 15 at the time, he said, what a coincidence.
Those were the only two classes with openings. So Tim and
Susan agreed they only had one day to find a place to live.
If they could do that, they would move there. There's only
one realtor for the area, and the realtor said there was one
apartment, but they couldn't see it until 5 at night. And,
the whole time, Susan's mind was saying no, but her heart was
saying yes. It was a very spiritual moment. When they
arrived at the apartment, they found a seven-story building with a
very tiny elevator. And, Susan said, if it's a dump, we're
not staying. They agreed, if it wasn't a dump, they'd stay.
And, all along she thought it's going to be a dump. The
apartment was on the top floor, and when they stepped in, they
were hit by a wall of glass overlooking the Ligurian Sea, just a
beautiful place with wooden floors. So, they agreed they'd
have to do this. Against all intelligence, Susan Pohlman
signed her name to a lease in Italian that she couldn't read.
She was forty-four. Her family was falling apart. The
stress of his job was killing her husband. And, they decided
to take a risk.
They went back to LA. Susan's husband
quit his job. They sold their house (at a time when houses
still sold), and sold other stuff. That's what they lived
on. Within eight weeks, they had packed up their kids, Katie
and Matt, and were living in Italy. They decided to put
their lives in God's hands, and see what happened. They
experienced adventure and the Italian culture. Tim and Susan
didn't work for a year, and when school started the kids were in
school. They saved their family, and renewed their marriage.
This was in 2003, the same year Elizabeth
Gilbert was there working on Eat, Pray, Love. That
was the summer there was a heat wave, and thousands of people died
in Europe. They were all hot and sweat. They had two
kids with them. They were all displaced and didn't speak the
language. They put all the pettiness aside, and built a home
again. They travelled extensively, but never took the kids
out of school. The kids blossomed there. They had no
car. And, the kids developed a deep friendship, something
that might not have happened in this country with the two of them
in different schools, different sports, and going different
directions.
Pohlman said they had the emotional space
there to start over, and they found each other. Americans
live exhausting lives. But, the Pohlmans ran out of money
eventually. They couldn't work there, so they came back to
LA. It was a harder transition coming back to our culture
than it was going there. But, they started over, and did it
peacefully, after seeing the downside of abundance. In a
nutshell, that's what the book, Halfway to Each Other, is
about. The book ends the day they leave Italy.
Asked how the book came about, Pohlman said
before they went to Italy, she had been learning to write
screenplays. She studied it, and how to write scenes.
One girlfriend told her not to go, that it was a big mistake.
But, others asked her to write and tell them what it was like,
with no holds barred. So, Susan wrote to her friends,
telling about moments, and writing them in scenes. Soon she
had a little following. The family arrived in Italy in July.
In November, a friend who worked for the Washington Times
wrote, saying he thought she should quit sending the scenes
because she just might have a book. So, she kept writing
those series of moments. When she finished writing, she
tried to find an agent, which is like trying to find a needle in a
haystack. When she did, the agent tried to sell it, but it
was hard to sell after Eat, Pray, Love.
The book has finally started taking off a
little because it's striking a chord. People are struggling
in this economy. Families are struggling, and people are
losing everything. They are finding great hopefulness in
this story.
Asked about her daughter, who didn't want to
leave Italy at the end of the book, Susan reminded us that Katie
was fifteen when they got there in July. By the end of
October, she was settled in with friends. She just
blossomed, turning into a woman. With the buses and trains,
she could travel without her mother driving. She had friends
from all over. For the first time, she had relationships not
based on social pressure. There was no materialism in those
friendships, just young people having fun.
It was hard for Katie when they got back.
They immediately put her into school, and it was the same culture
as when they left. She was in a school with kids with lots
of money. And, they were mean girls. Katie was now a
junior, and everyone was mean to her. So, they moved her to
a larger school, with a more diverse population, and it clicked.
She's twenty-two now, living in San Francisco. She's going
to be a teacher, and she minored in Italian. She's going to
bring a global view to her classroom.
Matthew was the easygoing one, so he was
happy to be anywhere. He's going to be attending Ohio State.
They had returned home, and neither Tim nor
Susan had jobs. Tim said he'd like to start his own
business. It would take the last of their savings, but Susan
said she'd learned the secret to surrendering. Within six
months, he had a partner, and bought two radio stations in
Phoenix, and two in Las Vegas. She got a job as an assistant
principal. And, then it started all over again. Tim
was never home, since he had to travel. So, she said, they
needed to honor their family, and move to one of the markets.
They moved to this area, but he eventually lost the business as
the economy went to hell. So, here they were in Arizona, and
neither of them had jobs. But, now Tim runs the three CBS
radio stations here. She said she wouldn't have changed it
all all. They like it here in Arizona.
Asked if they've been back, Susan said they
can't stay away. They've been back to Italy three times.
They took clients. Katie went to school in Florence, and
they went then. They still know people there. Facebook
and Skype has helped, and they remain friends.
When she was asked if they picked up the
language, Pohlman said somewhat by the time they left. She
found it hard. It took a while to pick up enough to
understand. The kids had it in school, so it was easier for
them. Susan still couldn't really learn it. She said
she could understand and use nouns. It's a tough language.
One question was about health care.
She said they have socialized health care, so you can go right to
the hospital and they'll take care of you. Her daughter got
sick, and they took care of her. But, there are private
clinics, too, where they speak English. And, doctors still
make housecalls. When Matt ran a high fever, the doctor came
to the house with his little black bag.
One couple was particularly interested in
going to Italy, so Pohlman recommended Untour.com, a company her
parents use. It covers the hidden infrastructure. It
finds you a place to live, a car, the what happens if. It's
a safety net while you stay in another country.
Asked what next, Pohlman said they're going
to be empty nesters with their son going to college. She's
writing another book. She's developed her voice. And,
she thinks she's more savvy about the marketplace. Marketing
her book is the hardest thing she's ever done. And, she
knows she has to look at evergreen topics. So, she's found a
topic that people want. Pohlman just turned fifty.
It's a transition. So, she's writing about it. It's a
topic that should be attractive to book buyers.
Susan said they stay the same place
everytime they go back to Italy. They learned to relax about
life. Here, we worry about wasting time. There, she
learned not to mind about wasting time. It was important
just to be there, and live that life.
She admitted the only thing she would have
done differently was probably learn the language a little earlier
before going, but they only had eight weeks to get ready, so there
really wasn't time.
Susan Pohlman had an important message for
closing. "If you have an adventure in your heart, DO
IT!"
You never know who will be at
AUTHORS AT THE TEAGUE!
See more of Lesa's Book Topics HERE
|
A
Poisoned Pen Press Party
January 31, 2011
Story and Photos by: Lesa Holstine Glendale Daily Planet Book
Topics Editor
Saturday evening Barbara Peters hosted
a Poisoned Pen Press Party at the Poisoned Pen bookstore
in Scottsdale, celebrating the publication of books by four
of the publishing house's authors. Donis Casey's new
book is Crying Blood. The third book by
Jeffrey Siger is Prey on Patmos. Dana
Stabenow flew in from Alaska, arriving at the airport at
4:30 for the 5:00 program. She was celebrating two
books. Though Not Dead is just out from St. Martin's
Minotaur, and Poisoned Pen Press just republished the first
book in her Kate Shugak series, A Cold Day for Murder.
The program also marked the debut of a new author, Tina
Whittle, with The Dangerous Edge of Things.
 |
Left
to right - Dana Stabenow, Donis Casey and Barbara
Peters |
It was fun to mingle and listen to audience comments before
the program. Donis Casey's latest book includes
details of butchering hogs, and one woman said she didn't
think she'd be as eager to try the recipes in this book.
Frederick Ramsay, the Poisoned Pen Press author of the Ike
Schwartz mysteries told Barbara he always shows up to see
Donis. And, Deborah Ledford, author of Snare,
gave me a copy of the book, which has just been nominated
for the Hillerman Sky Award to be presented next month at
Left Coast Crime to the mystery that best represents the
southwest.
Barbara Peters kicked off the program
by asking Jeffrey Siger, "man-about-town, resident of
Greece, where he hangs out on the beach," to open the
champagne. Then, she started giving us a little
background, and told us why Dana Stabenow was included in
the group. Dana's first book won the Edgar for Best
Paperback Original. The first three books in the
series only came out in paperback, and, now, eighteen years
later, number two through nine in the series are out of
print. Only that first one, A Cold Day
for Murder remained in print because it won the Edgar,
and kicked off a series. But, Poisoned Pen Press is
publishing the first three books as hardcovers, and the
first one was just out.
Peters said the hardcover's introduction includes Stabenow's
comments as to how it felt to win the Edgar. Barbara
said that was the first time she met Dana. Peters,
Lisa Scottoline, Nevada Barr and Stabenow all met in the
restroom. The new book also includes a map of the
Park.
Barbara went on to introduce two people from the Poisoned
Pen Press staff. Nan Beams is the person responsible
for the appearance of the books, with the blood spots on the
book jackets. Peters said people have complained
that the quality of the Book News has deteriorated since Nan
and Barbara are no longer doing it. She said Nan was
her editor because even an editor needs an editor. She
also introduced Jessica Tribble, Associate Editor, saying
she was responsible for lots of things.
 |
Tina
Whittle and Jeffrey Siger
|
She ran through a quick introduction
of the other authors, before asking each of them to speak.
Peters said we already knew Jeffrey Siger lived in and wrote
about Greece. The Dangerous Edge of Things was
Tina Whittle's first novel. The book received starred
reviews from everyone. But, people didn't know exactly
how to review it. Some compared it to Evanovich, and
Peters said no. Someone else said Meg Gardner or Karen
Slaughter. Since Gardner and Slaughter are nothing
like Evanovich, it's obvious Whittle is unique.
Peters said she uses Amazon because it's the world's largest
card catalog. And, she checks to see who they're using
to compare Poisoned Pen authors. Dana hasn't had a
comparison, but recently someone said C.J. Box or another
Poisoned Pen author, Steven Havill.
Peters herself has used Donis Casey's work when describing
Ann Parker's. She went on to say Donis' first book had
the best title they've ever published, The Old Buzzard
Had It Coming. Peters liked the second title, Hornswoggled,
because it was a word her father always used. Donis
went on to write The Drop Edge of Yonder, The
Sky Took Him, and, now, Crying Blood.
Tony Hillerman was a fan. He blurbed her books, saying
her character, Alafair Tucker, reminded him of his mother.
Carolyn Hart and Margaret Maron have recently blurbed her
books.
Then,
she asked Jeffrey Siger to tell how they met. Jeffrey
said he was shopping his first book, Murder in Mykonos.
He said his agent wanted the book to go to a bigger house,
and Jeffrey suggested Poisoned Pen Press. The agent
wanted to wait. But, Siger insisted they send an
inquiry, and Poisoned Pen Press liked it. However, his
agent tried to kill the deal. However, Jeffrey is a
lawyer, and he shut up his agent. In the meantime, a
publisher in Greece fell in love with the book, and wanted
to publish it in Greece. Poisoned Pen Press agreed the
other publisher could publish it there. Murder in
Mykonos went to #1 for English books published in
Greece. The Greek version was in the top ten. Assassins of
Athens, the second book, was also in the top ten.
Prey in Patmos hasn't been published there yet.
Peters said Siger is the only one who was a success in
writing about modern Greece. His books are a painful
examination of the problems in Greece. He predicted
the current problems, and where they would occur. He
said if you life in Greece, you know the problems. His
current book, Prey on Patmos, deals with a
monastery in an ancient area whose financial scandal is
undermining the Greek economy. That's the beginning of
the book. A year ago, in Vanity Fair, Michael
Lewis discussed that exact same subject that Siger had
already written about.
Siger's
first book dealt with sexual religious hysteria. The
second, Assassins of Athens, dealt with hubris.
And this third book focused on how the church deals with
issues. They are masters of manipulation. Prey
on Patmos deals with how the church and other people
react to threats to the church.
The subheading on the book jacket says, "An Aegean
Prophecy." The English publisher, Little, Brown,
liked that with the connection to prophecies about the end
of the world in 2012 and Patmos, the location where St. John
wrote the Book of Revelation. The book starts
with a murder in Holy Week in Patmos. Siger said it's
prophetic, and the events surrounding one character will
come to be true some day.
Asked why an outsider can write better about a place than
someone bound to it, Siger answered that he lives in Greece
for seven months a year. He meets with politicians,
crooks, and other people in the middle of the night in bars.
And, he'll only speak English with them, so they are forced
to give him the straight stuff, the essence. He
doesn't have to put up with two hours of a story.
Peters said the first book, Murder in Mykonos, had
a serial killer, someone who was irrational and emotional.
Assassins of Athens had a serial murderer.
Police have a better chance of finding that kind of killer
because there is a pattern.
Jeffrey Siger is a lawyer who did well enough to retire to
Greece to write. His main character is Chief
Inspector Andreas Kaldis. Peters told Jeffrey she
liked the banter he had in this book with the woman in his
life. Siger responded that Barbara Peters inspired
him. The femme fatale in this book is named Barbara.
Peters thought that was funny, saying Barbara was fun to
read, and maybe Peters will be a cougar.
Jeffrey said he has finished the next book, but doesn't know
the title. It will be "something" in Sparta.
Again, his concept is prophetic, reminiscent of recent
events in Tunis. It has to do with individuals who
believe certain acts of behavior can overturn the
government. The incineration of six people in a car at
the beginning of the book is right out of the headlines.
He said he doesn't know what he's tapping into to write
these stories before they happen.
Siger's fifth book will be a straight police procedural
dealing with a secret treasure on an island in Greece.
When people give gifts to the church, where do they go?
Turning
to Donis Casey, Peters told us Donis' books almost moved too
fast in time for her. She told her to slow down the
time. This one, Crying Blood, takes place
only a few months after The Sky Took Him.
Casey makes a departure in this one. It doesn't
feature one of the children. It revolves around
Alafair Tucker's husband, Shaw. In Sept. 1915, Shaw
and the men in the family go quail hunting. Donis said
they were camping on land that had been abandoned by Shaw's
stepfather. Shaw's always melancholy in the fall.
It reminds him of the time when he was a little boy and
hunted with his father. And, in this book, he's also
sad because his children are growing up. One of the
hunting dogs finds an old skeleton. The kids think
it's a great adventure, but Shaw's disturbed. He
doesn't think they should have disturbed the grave.
And, then something follows them home. There are
things in the dark. The past gets in your head, and
you don't know whether it's real. Shaw plunges into
the dark after it.
Peters said this book makes you think about people who put
themselves at risk, and the people that are left behind.
One of the most powerful sentences in the book deals with
Alafair preparing herself to face life as a widow.
Alafair is usually the person placing herself at risk. But,
there's a role reversal in this story. She always
threw herself into danger. The book resonates with
real emotions. Barbara said there are real emotions in
all of Donis Casey's books.
She told her she couldn't go on marrying off her daughters
in every book. Peters thought the best plot had to do
with flim-flam when Alafair went to Enid in the last book, The
Sky Took Him. Donis admitted that book wrote
itself. Casey's husband is from Enid, Oklahoma.
They were visiting, and took her sister-in-law out to lunch.
On the wall in the restaurant were pictures of Enid in 1915,
including a street scene of two women going into Kraus'
Department Store. Donis knew that was Alafair and her
daughter, Martha, walking in. That was the first scene
written for the book.
Casey said she did a lot of research on oil wells and
nitroglycerin for the books. Asked if she was afraid
she'd be put on a watch list, she said that's why she did
her research on nitroglycerin at the library.
When everyone laughed, Barbara Peters said mystery authors
have rich life we don't. She said David Baldacci once
was on a train, and forgot he was in a crowd. He was
on the phone talking about murder, and the conductor came to
escort him off.
She asked Jeffrey about that, and he said he was taking
pictures of the Greece National Headquarters, never
thinking he was taking pictures with men with guns watching.
While working on his second book, he had his camera in a
cab, and he was surrounded by terrorists. One man came
up to the car, and demanded his camera, and he told the taxi
driver to just go. But, when he looked, there were eight men
around him. The driver explained he was a writer.
But, you get in a zone, and forget where you are.
Going back to Crying Blood, Peters said Casey's
book has lengthy descriptions of hog butchering, and Barbara
told her it was too detailed and needed to go in the
Appendix. Casey said they got so much from the hog,
soap, as well as food. She said she always has that
problem. She does so much research, and has to decide
how many details to put in the book, and how much in the
appendix. She admitted after doing that much research,
she wants to put it in.
When it was Dana Stabenow's turn, they discussed her book
from St. Martin's, Though Not Dead. Dana said
it's her longest book, and her favorite. She never
thought she'd write a history of Alaska. There are
three tracks in this book. A character died at the end
of the last book, and he sent Kate Shugak on a treasure
hunt. There's the Alaskan history. And, Jim, one
of her characters, has a life elsewhere in the book.
And, in one scene, a character hitches a ride with Dana's
dad. She said it's her favorite book.
Tina Whittle and Barbara Peters met because Tina submitted
her book to Poisoned Pen Press. Whittle told us she
was from Georgia. She was a composition instructor at
a college, and one of the perks was that she could take
classes for free. So, she took a mystery fiction
class. And, a story she wrote for that class took
first place in a short story competition. She had a
great character in that story that stayed with her.
Tina went back to teaching, and then read about stroke
victims who were unable to speak, but are better at telling
if someone is telling lies or the truth than others.
So, she paired him up with her heroine for the short story.
That pairing was the basis of The Dangerous Edge of
Things. Peters said she picked the title from a
Robert Browning poem.
Tai
Randolph inherits a gun shop in Atlanta, and her brother
disappears. Peters said she liked Tai, but
there is a lot of interest in the male character, Trey.
Tina said he's the dangerous edge. He's traumatized
and physically broken, a broken man. But, he puts his
life back together, and he's a security guard. He
thinks in black and white. Whittle admits she finds
him fascinating. She went on to talk about events in
the news recently, the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords.
She said each brain injury is different, and each recovery
is different. The brain has a remarkable way of
working around what is lost. What is the same is that
someone is not going to be the same person coming out of the
injury.
Whittle's mystery is set in Atlanta. She said her
husband is from there, so she visited Atlanta a lot.
It's the hardest city to capture though, because it shifts
identity. Sherman set it on fire, but the citizens
took the rest of the city down. They knocked it down
and created a glorious landscape. The melting pot
never took there, and it has different communities.
It's a commercial and modern city.
There's lots of history in Georgia. It was the only
penal colony in the United States, the place the British
sent prisoners before they sent them to Australia.
It's the setting of Gone with the Wind. Tina
said you can set any kind of story in Atlanta.
Whittle's protagonist, Tai, bounced around in her 20s.
Then she inherited a Confederate themed gun shop.
Whittle said authenticity is important for Confederate
reenactors, and lots of her family does that.
Reenactments are huge for historic purposes, and the
authenticity is important. But, the Confederacy is a
divisive part of Atlanta's history. Inheriting that
shop will change Tai's life. Tina asked, "How
do you be a liberal feminist gun shop owner? Do you want to
keep the shop, or how do you dispose of it?" The
gun culture is strong, and regional in Atlanta. There
are moral and ethical issues along with the inheritance.
Peters mentioned that Tai's missing brother is a
psychiatrist, and there are other interesting characters in
the book. Whittle and Peters agreed it's important to
have strong supporting characters. She pointed to Fred
Ramsay in the audience as an example. His Ike Schwartz
books have a great group of deputies and their families.
Dana's books feature family members. Stabenow said
good crime fiction in a series is about the ensemble.
You have to have it to maintain a series. She
gleefully admitted she kills off anyone she wants to,
whenever she wants to.
Peters mentioned that Left Coast Crime has an awards
category this year called the Watson, for the best sidekick.
Barbara said she nominated the dog in Dana's series, Mutt,
but Mutt was beat out. It was also pointed out that
Deb Ledford, a nominee for the Hillerman Sky Award was in
the audience. Peters said she was reviewing Deb's
book, Snare, in the next Book News.
Tina said she bonded her two characters together. It
was necessary for them to work together. They both
have deficits, and they complement each other. She
liked the relationship professionally. Barbara Peters
said there would be another book in the series. She
said there's nothing worse than introducing readers to a new
author, and letting them wonder if there will be a second
book.
Peters said although one series is a police procedural
series set in Athens; one series features a gun shop owner
in Atlanta; the third is set in Oklahoma at the turn of the
century, and the fourth series ranges around Alaska, they
have one thing in common. They are all about identity,
who are we and how does life shift. Siger's Andreas is
resolving his life. Jeffrey said Tim Hallinan told
him, "The return to order in a broken society is the
basic underpinnings of every crime novel." He
said that wasn't original with Hallinan. Siger said
mysteries are optimistic. Barbara agreed, except for
noir, where there is a spiral downward. Someone said
the quote might have originated with Agatha Christie, and
said the victim and perpetrator were both out of order, and
the sleuth's job was to restore order. Dana said
Dorothy L. Sayers, in a couple books, allowed Lord Peter and
Harriet to have a discussion whether crime fiction was
worthwhile, and Lord Peter always came down on the side that
it was.
When an audience member mentioned that he had to leave soon,
Peters said she feels they owe the audience a performance
and interaction, but, after one and a half hours, she knew
the chairs became butt killers. Then, there was one
final question before the book signing. Someone
mentioned the mystery writers did a good job not giving away
the endings of their books. Are you different from
other writers, such as nonfiction authors, who can reveal
everything? Dana answered for the group. She
said she hopes there is a revelation or discovery in every
book. No. She isn't going to give away the ending.
You have to read the book for yourself.
 |
Jeffrey
Siger, Donis Casey and Tina Whittle |
--
Lesa Holstine
lesa.holstine@gmail.com
|
|
Crying
Blood by Donis Casey
January 31, 2011
by: Lesa Holstine Glendale Daily Planet Book
Topics Editor

Tempe resident Donis Casey has taken
an unusual turn in this fifth book in her Alafair Tucker
series. The mysteries tell the story of Alafair, her
husband, Shaw, and their ten children in the early twentieth
century in rural Oklahoma. Each of the earlier
books found one of Alafair's older children involved in a
murder, with the protective mother taking over in order to
keep her child from harm. And, in each book, we learn
a little more about ranch life in the 1900s from the woman's
viewpoint, cooking, doing laundry. Casey is a master
at providing details that bring the time period to life.
But, Crying Blood departs from that pattern.
In this book, we see life from the male point of view, and
Shaw takes center stage. Fans of this series should be
very pleased to get to know the husband and father of the
Tucker family as he becomes the sleuth.
Shaw, his two sons, his brother, and his sons, went hunting
in the fall of 1915 on property that belonged to Shaw's
stepfather. But, the first day they flushed quail, one
of the dogs returned with a boot with bones in it.
When they followed the dog to the burial site, they found a
body, shot in the head. And, Shaw, for some reason he
didn't understand himself, took a snake necklace from the
site. That night, while the others slept, Shaw saw
moccasins outside the tent, and heard his name called.
He didn't find anyone. The next day, after reporting
to the sheriff, the men went home early, but someone
followed them. And, Shaw remained uneasy, questioning
his stepfather, only to hear that the land was haunted, and
they stay away from it.
Trying to forget about that body isn't too hard, when there
is butchering to do for the winter, and Casey does her usual
excellent job of providing the details of everyday life.
But, that night, after the first day of butchering and
preparing meat, someone takes a hunk out of one of the hogs.
Shaw tracks the thief, returning home with a young Indian
boy of 15, who tells a story of a white haired man who
murdered his brother. Before Shaw can learn more, the
boy he thought was called Crying Blood is murdered in the
barn that night. Shaw suggests Alafair accompany his
cousin, the sheriff, to find the minister who raised the
boy, while he, unbeknownst to Alafair, sets out to avenge
the boy's death.
Donis Casey excels at the details of ordinary life in
Oklahoma. She's told us stories of doing laundry,
cooking for a large family, preparing for a funeral.
Now, she gives us hunting trips, butchering hogs, and
preparing the meat, along with breeding horses. And,
she puts Shaw, the son of a Cherokee mother, on the trail of
a killer, in a story about the Indians and land claims in
Oklahoma. Crying Blood is a fascinating glimpse into
the past, and, for a change, into the life of Shaw Tucker.
Donis Casey's website is http://www.doniscasey.com/
Crying Blood by Donis Casey. Poisoned Pen Press, ©2011.
ISBN 9781590588314 (hardcover), 250p.
|
Arizona Mystery
Author Donis Casey
Is “Crying
Blood” at the Library Feb. 26

GLENDALE,
Ariz. – Arizona author
Donis Casey will discuss and sign her fifth Alafair Tucker mystery,
“Crying Blood,” during the upcoming Authors @ the Teague event
at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, at Velma Teague Branch Library,
7010 N. 58th Ave.
After finding human remains during a hunting trip in 1915
Oklahoma, Shaw Tucker is followed home by Crying Blood, a Creek
Indian boy seeking his brother’s murderer. When the boy winds up dead as well, Shaw is determined to
catch the killer, while his wife, Alafair, is equally determined to
keep Shaw from getting himself killed too.
A fascinating, authentic account of turn-of-the-century farm
life and Native American history, “[this book] will appeal to
history buffs and Hillerman aficionados.” (“Kirkus Reviews”)
Originally a
third-generation farm girl from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Casey worked as an
academic librarian and a shopkeeper before becoming a full-time
writer. She and her
husband now live in Tempe. For
more information, see http://www.doniscasey.com.
The
program is free. Books
will be available for purchase and signing.
For more information, please call 623-930-3439
|
2011
Glendale Chocolate Affaire
Prelim. Draft By Bette Sharpe
February 4th-6th
This year is the 17th Annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire. Chocolate, romance authors, and the arts come to the downtown
Glendale. Glendale's
very own candy maker, Cerreta
Candy Company is a major
sponsor for this Valley wide favorite. .
There is something for everyone, really.
A variety of rides for the kids that
includes the human-hamster-ball.
Romance authors hosting workshops and signing their
books and all kinds of chocolate; of course.
This is the second year the Glendale Arts Commission
will help coordinate the Plein (or open) Air competition which
takes place from on Saturday. Artists cannot use photographs.
All painting is done live and outside.
Last year's competition drew about 25 artist for this
year's challenge almost has seem a dramatic increase in
participation.
The Winners Are:
Best of Show: DJ Berard
Portraiture: Michael S. Petry
Landscape/Cityscape: Michael John Lugo
Architecture: Elena Golberg
Animal/Fauna: Diane M. Wehr
Abstract: Jill Davis
Food and music are part of the three-day event's
offerings. One of
the new foods available this year are chocolate potato chips. The salty and sweet crunch was to much to resist for some.
There was just too much to see and do in one day.
Future writers attended workshop presented by awarding
winning authors. A
few steps away in the Fountain 'Terrace area of the Civic
Center, cooking demonstrations were held featuring—chocolate.
Offerings Glendale Chocolate Affaire continues on
Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1336.
Gloria Smith from Casa Grande sketches with pastels
to “warm up”
before she switches to acrylics.
The chance to paint and possibly win some prize money
helped Gloria brave the cool temperatures on Saturday.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1345.
Willard (Wil) Lee Coe, Scottsdale, AZ paints on the
northeast corner of
58th Ave
and Palmaire.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1350
Sherri Aldawood of Mesa, Arizona paints in oil to capture the
image of Papa Ed's Ice Cream.
Aldawood won a prize in last year's competition.
The temperature is still unseasonable low.
A warm coat really helps.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1383
Annie Loyd stands by as Lucretia Torva paints.
Artist Torva said, “there will be a car in the picture”.
She has been painting for thirty years and has painted
murals for ten years.
Really, chocolate covered potato chips?!
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1412--cropped.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. 1390.
Anthony Richard, Urban Surf Art, works with pastels
on the back outside wall of Bitzee-Mama's Restaurant.
This is a temporary work.
A new work is planned for each of the First
Saturday events.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. 1396.
Author, Abby Irish, signs her book, There's
Always Chocolate.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. 1432.
Romance author Erin Quinn and Glendale resident,
Dorlisa Dvorak have something in common, the romance novel.
Erin Quinn's stories have an element of time travel to
them.
Dorlisa has attended the romance authors portion of
the Glendale Chocolate Affaire since is began. She said she, “wouldn't miss it”.
Erin
Quinn has a new book due out this March, Haunting
Desire, which is the third in the series.
The fourth title in the series is due to be released in
November 2011.
She lives in Arizona and enjoys talking with her
readers. She
website can be found at
http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/index.htm.
“Erin Quinn writes with passion,power, and heart.”
----Nalini Singh, New
Yourk Times
bestselling author.
SOURCE: http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/Books.htm

Bette Sharpe/ Glendale Daily Planet No. 1430.
Romance author, Judy Durate said the “future is uncertain--things will work out”
in romances and “this is why they are still selling.”
Title
of the book to the left in the above photograph.
Her new book, Healing
Dr. Fortune;
Silhouette Special edition; book 2 in the Fortunes of Texas
continuity series.

Cover
of Judy Duarte's other title in the above photograph.
Judy Duarte has a cat named Mom and lives near the
beach in Southern California—from her website;
http://www.judyduarte.com/bio.html
SOURCE: http://www.judyduarte.com/books.html
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC3332. Plein
Air artist.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet No. DSC_1425.
Cerreta Candy Company tours are free with free shuttles
taking visitors right to the candy company's door.
The shuttle stops taking attendees 30 minutes prior to
even closing, however, the shuttle will continue to return
guests to the event until all are returned. No one really wants to spend the night in a candy factory, do
they? (The
correct answer is no.)

Heilee
O'Quinn, Arizona Community Tree Council (ACTC), Community
Development, poses in front of the ACTC table in the Lateral
58 First Saturday event.
Saturday, February 5th
was
the first of the First Saturdays in downtown Glendale.
ACTC encourages and facilitates the planting and care
of trees in Arizona. According
to ACTC, trees help to grow communities.
|
home
remodeling on an upswing in Glendale; springtime kicks off
permit 101 class
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Spring is “Home Sweet Home”
improvement for many homeowners in Glendale where the Building
Safety Department is seeing a remodeling permit boom, which
has resulted in a 35 percent increase in residential permits
and 22 percent increase in solar permits in the last year.
The
city is offering consumers a special class on the tips they
need to stay safe and save money during renovations. The class
will teach residents how to get a permit for construction
projects, an explanation of why permits are necessary, how to
fill out the required paperwork and what the possible costs
are associated with these projects.
The
Glendale Building Safety Department and Home Depot have teamed
up to get these important safety messages to those who are
actively working on projects. The class is 11 a.m.,
March 19 at the Home Depot at 67th Avenue. and Bell Road. To
reserve a spot in the class, call 623.930.2800 or email rhuggins@glendaleaz.com.
Instructors Adam Venetis and Randy Huggins with Glendale
Building Safety will educate homeowners
about when a permit is necessary. For example, basic
projects such as painting, tiling and
replacing broken windows do
not require permits. However, permits
are required for modifying electrical, plumbing,
air conditioning and irrigation systems.
One
of the most popular springtime home projects is building a
patio. During this class, instructors will demonstrate how to
build a patio from the ground up. The city will provide free
handouts filled with sample plans, which can be used a guide
to build a new patio.
Another
popular improvement area that will be covered in the class is
the conversion to solar systems from traditional electric. The
filing of solar permits has been soaring in the last few years
as homeowners recognize renewable energy benefits. The solar
permit rise is also a testament to the commitment of Glendale
residents practicing green living. Over the last three years,
there has been a 277 percent increase in solar projects and a
234 percent increase in residential additions.
“We
typically see an increase in permits in the springtime as
people are starting to fix-up or remodel homes,” said Randy
Huggins, senior development services representative for
Glendale Building Safety Department. “It is important to
reach out to people prior to starting a remodel job so
there is understanding of what permits are necessary. Safety
is our number one priority and the best way to protect the
homeowner is to provide tips, advice and helpful plans in
advance of a project.”
For
more information on the free permit 101 class or general
information on how to obtain a building permit, call
623.930.2800 or visit www.glendaleaz.com/buildingsafety.
|
CITY
TO TAP TEEN TALENT TO DEVELOP
POSITIVE
RECYCLING MESSAGE
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Because the younger generation
often leads the way on recycling efforts, the city of Glendale
Sanitation Department is foregoing Madison Avenue types, and
turning instead to local high school students to develop
public service announcements (PSAs) promoting the city’s
recycling program.
The Phoenix Coyotes
have jumped on board with the effort offering the winners free
game tickets and a screening of their PSA on the jumbotron at
the Coyotes April 1 home game at Jobing.com Arena. The
high school students responsible for creating the winning
30-second message will also be featured in pre-game
festivities and will win Cox Digital Dollars for their effort.
Contest organizers have reached out to media classes and
Environmental Clubs at high schools located in Glendale.
However, any student who attends a Glendale-based high school
is eligible to enter.
“We want the public service announcements to reach all
audiences, but we recognize the importance of reaching the
younger generation who will have the most impact on
recycling,” said Joe Zak, a Glendale Sanitation inspector
and originator of the contest. “Teens know how to
relate to one another. We’re counting on their
creativity to help us stress the importance of recycling.”
In addition to being showcased at the Coyotes game, the
winning PSA will be featured on Glendale’s Channel 11 and be
provided to high schools to run in their morning
announcements.
All entries in the contest must be submitted by 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23. For full contest guidelines, call
the Glendale Sanitation Department at 623-930-2660 or look for
entry forms at www.glendaleaz.com/sanitation/recycling/index.cfm.
|
FINN
REAPPOINTED TO TWO-YEAR TERM; CONTINUES
CAREER AS ARIZONA’S LONGEST SERVING JUDGE
GLENDALE,
Ariz. – The Glendale City Council
reappointed Judge Elizabeth Finn in its Feb. 22 meeting to a
fifth term presiding over the city’s municipal court,
following up on the unanimous recommendation of Finn by the
Judicial Selection Advisory Board.
Prior to the
council’s vote, the advisory board undertakes an extensive
reappointment review that includes interviews, public input
and confidential surveys conducted by a private research firm.
With the council’s
recent action, Judge Finn will serve another two-year term
that places her on the bench through March 25, 2013.
Already, Finn is the longest seated judge serving Arizona.
She took over the helm of Glendale City Court in 2003 after
nearly 24 years serving on the Phoenix Municipal Court.
Her tenure in Glendale has been characterized by:
·
Securing
funding for innovative programs that breakdown barriers
between police, courts, prosecutors, probation officers and
others to provide a more effective and efficient approach to
justice.
·
Development
of a “treatment court” model, which moves beyond a
punishment-only approach to help domestic violence and DUI
defendants avoid becoming repeat offenders.
·
Creation of a six-city coordinated program to
increase the number of protective orders that are actually
served, and, therefore enforceable to give legal safeguards to
victims of abuse.
Judge
Finn’s accomplishments have been recognized far beyond the
city. State and national groups seek her expertise, most
notably on domestic violence and DUI issues, and on gender and
cultural diversity. Adding to a long list of honors,
Branch 1 of the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of
Social Workers will be honoring Judge Finn at a March 25
breakfast as “Citizen of the Year.”
In the past, Judge Finn has received awards for:
- Outstanding
Limited Jurisdiction Judge in the nation by the American
Bar Association (1998)
- Outstanding
judge in Arizona by the State Bar of Arizona (1999)
- One
of the Outstanding 100 Women and Minority Attorneys in
Arizona History (2000)
- Award
and Proclamation from Gov. Janet Napolitano for 25 years
service to Arizona Phoenix Opportunities Industrialization
Center, a community-based training organization. (2008)
In
addition to accolades, Judge Finn’s resume is one filled
with service. She has been past Dean of the Judicial
College of Arizona and the New Judge Orientation; she chaired
the Arizona Supreme Court Committee that developed the
Benchbook for Orders of Protections/Injunctions Against
Domestic Violence, which effectively set the domestic violence
policy for all Arizona courts; she has represented the Supreme
Court of Arizona at national conferences on DUI, domestic
violence, gender and cultural diversity; she is a frequently
requested speaker at judicial and community-based events.
For
more information on the Glendale City Court that Judge Finn
presides over, go online to www.glendaleaz.com/courts.
|
Donis
Casey for Authors @ The Teague

Story and Photos by: Lesa Holstine Glendale Daily Planet Book
Topics Editor
Donis Casey's appearance for Authors @
The Teague attracted an audience that was particularly
interested in her mystery series because the books are set in
Oklahoma. They recognized the settings of her mysteries,
Boynton. So, Donis introduced herself by saying she and her
husband moved to Arizona from Oklahoma about twenty-five years
ago. She worked as a librarian at Arizona State University,
and when she felt like quitting, she opened a business in
Tempe, a gift shop that specialized in items from Scotland and
Ireland. But, she'd always wanted to write a mystery, so she
closed her business with plans to write. However, her sister
asked her to wait to write the mystery until she gave the
family a gift by writing a family history for her siblings,
since Casey had already done some genealogical work.
As Donis researched, she also remembered her family history,
and stories of the family, stories she remembered from growing
up in Oklahoma. Her grandfather owned a barber shop in
Boynton. Her grandmother ran Mrs. Casey's Cafe. Donis' other
grandparents had a farm, the farm described in her mysteries.
And, she remembered how they lived on the farm, with no
electricity, no running water, but they were self-sufficient.
And, even her husband, who grew up at the edge of town in
Enid, Oklahoma, grew up with no indoor toilet. Donis saw her
grandmother do laundry in the backyard over a big old iron
kettle, using blueing, and hanging the sheets on the line or
draping them over bushes. It's a scene she used in her
first book, The Old Buzzard Had It Coming. She included
a lot of detail as to the laundry. She uses many of the
stories of her family in the books.
Casey
said she discovered history was made by her ancestors.
When you're living your life, you don't realize you're making
history.
Alafair Tucker is Donis Casey's sleuth. When the series
starts, she's not quite forty. She has nine children in
that first book. Her oldest children are in their early
twenties. Later in the series, she has ten children.
So, their ages range from early twenties down to an infant.
Originally, Casey planned to center each book on a different
child. She though of the series as having a ten story
arc. Each one of the children would get in mischief, and
mama, Alafair, would get them out, whether or not they wanted
her to do that. All of the children have their own
personalities.
The first book, The Old Buzzard Had It Coming, is set
in 1912. It's centered on Phoebe, who is seventeen in that
book. Phoebe is based on Donis' mother, Phoebe. Alafair is the
name of her father's grandmother. The second book, Hornswoggled,
features Alice, based on Casey's father's mother. She's
Phoebe's twin, but she's headstrong, and doesn't want her
mother interfering in her life.
In book three, The Drop Edge of Yonder, the story deals
with Mary, named for Casey's father's aunt. Donis told
us she's particularly fond of the fourth book, The Sky Took
Him. In that mystery, Alafair and her oldest daughter,
Martha, take a train ride to Enid, Oklahoma. This is
Casey's mother/daughter story. Since Alafair really isn't that
much older than Martha, this is their opportunity to discover
each other as human beings, rather than just mother and
daughter. Each of those first four books featured a
child.
So, then it was time for the fifth book, Crying Blood.
Casey told us she once went to see mystery writer Jerrilyn
Farmer, who writes a series about a caterer. Farmer said when
she started, she heard it takes about five books to feel as if
you've made it. Now, she understands it takes seven books
before you feel as if you've made it.
Casey's idea was to write ten books in the series. She
knew where it was going. But, things change, and people want
to know about the characters. For her fifth book, she started
to write a story set at the beginning of World War I in 1917.
But, her editor wanted her to slow down, and not make everyone
grow up so fast. So, Crying Blood is set only three
months after The Sky Took Him, in 1915.
Crying
Blood deals with Alafair's husband, Shaw. This one
deals with the men in the family.
Donis told us that she went to college from 1966-70. She was a
big feminist. She was not interested in living the traditional
woman's life. But, eventually, she realized in denigrating the
lives our mothers and grandmothers were living, she was making
a mistake. If not for them, she wouldn't be what she is. She
couldn't think their lives were any less important than men's.
In her opinion, civilization is because of women. If not for
them, we would still be living in caves. She wanted to honor
her grandmothers, and how they lived with such grace.
Alafair's daughters are coming up in a new world in the 20th
century. They have choices. They're hoping for votes for
women. Alafair didn't have the same choices, yet she has
tremendous power over her family.
Crying Blood is to honor the father, Shaw. It's setting
is the fall of 1915, beginning with the men's annual quail
hunting trip. They're hunting on abandoned land owned by
Shaw's stepfather. Shaw is always melancholy this time of
year. It reminds him of his father who took them hunting.
Shaw's father died when he was eight. But, this year, he's
melancholy because his older children are growing up and
leaving home. So, he's already in a state at the beginning of
the story.
Instead of bringing back a bird, one of the dogs brings back
an old boot. When the boys dump it out, bones fall out. The
dog leads Shaw back to an old grave in the woods, where they
uncover a skeleton that was shot between the eyes. That makes
Shaw uneasy because the land is owned by his stepfather, who
he wasn't fond of. They reported the body to the local
authorities who said it could have been an Indian or it could
have even been from the Civil War, which wasn't that far in
the past in 1915. But, when the men return home, things happen
on the farm. Shaw is aware that something followed them home,
and he wishes they hadn't disturbed that grave.
Casey said the past has long arms. There are echoes of things
that happened long ago. Crying Blood is set on Creek
land, and she calls it her Indian book. The Creeks believed in
Crying Blood. Their Master of Breath, a beautiful term for
God, set the world in balance, and it remains that way unless
we screw it up. If the world is set out of balance, if someone
is killed before their time and it's someone's fault, that
person has to make restitution, or the family of the victim is
crying blood, trying to set the world back in balance. This
story is about setting the past back in balance. And, Shaw
takes things into his own hands.
Donis' mysteries talk about the lives of the people, and the
way they lived those lives. Food is important in the books.
With ten kids, what's for dinner is important. She includes
recipes in the back of her books that are directions for
making the food they might have eaten. But, this book has to
deal with butchering time. They kill hogs and preserve the
meat. One of Casey's readers told her she didn't think she'd
be making these recipes for things such as head cheese.
There will be another book before the World War I story.
Casey's trying to write one that will come out in
2012,Arizona's centennial year, that will bring Alafair to
Arizona. She's been researching what was happening here in
1916. It was quite a busy year. The Mexican Civil War was
going on, and immigrant were trying to escape from Mexico,
pouring into Arizona. There were so many that in 1914 the
state passed a law saying all businesses must have at least
80% of the employees who were native born. But that didn't
work, because they couldn't find enough workers to pick the
crops. They repealed that a year later.
Donis hopes to set her book in Tempe in 1916. There was a
Hollywood movie filming there that year, "The Yaqui,"
featuring a major star, Hobart Bosworth.
Casey said she has the whole storyline arc planned for her
books. She has five books out now. She wants them all to be
interesting books that hold up. She told us any series writer
starts to be desperate after writing five to ten books.
Mystery writers refer to the Cabot Cove syndrome, in which too
many murders occur in a small community. Cabot Cove became a
murder capitol in the Jessica Fletcher series. So, she took
Alafair Tucker out of Boynton for the fourth book in the
series. She wants to keep the series fresh, so Alafair is
going to have to travel again. She feels sorry for Sue
Grafton, who is committed to a twenty-six book series. When
she started the series, it was a contemporary series set in
the 1980s. Now it's a historical series, set in the '80s.
If Donis takes all of her children through the arc of the
series, Alafair's youngest will be in her twenties just in
time for the Depression. Casey really didn't want to
cover the Depression because that's all anyone thinks of when
they think of Oklahoma. But, in this time period, 1912 on,
Oklahoma is actually booming with growth, businesses, oil.
Donis Casey hadn't been back to Boynton, Oklahoma since 1979,
when she returned in 2006. The town that had boomed with
businesses, restaurants, and two banks really isn't there
anymore. It's sad. The last census counted 200 residents, and
it's probably smaller now. It was a little boom town in the
early twentieth century.
Casey's mystery series allows her to preserve a way of life
that she only got in at the tail end of.
Donis Casey's website is www.doniscasey.com
Crying Blood by Donis Casey. Poisoned Pen Press, ©2011.
ISBN 9781590588314 (hardcover), 250p.
lholstine@yahoo.com
|
GLENDALE’S
GRAND SLAM PROMOTION OFFERS DISCOUNTS & GIVEAWAYS FOR
SPRING TRAINING FANS
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale is getting
into the swing of things this baseball season by encouraging
baseball fans to make a line drive for the Glendale Convention
and Visitors Bureau (CVB) for its spring training celebration
during the month of March.
The Grand Slam
promotion is back for baseball fans to enjoy special discounts
at participating businesses. Fans should make their first stop
at the Glendale CVB to pick up the Grand Slam map and take a
spin on the baseball prize wheel. In addition, special
baseball gift bags will be given out to those fans who come
into the Visitor Center decked out in their favorite baseball
team’s apparel. Baseball gift bags will be available on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Cactus
League schedules and maps for the entire Valley will be
available at the Glendale Visitor Center. The
Glendale CVB is located at 5800 W. Glenn Drive, #140 in
downtown Glendale.
Glendale
is proud to be a part of Cactus League spring training. This
valued tourism event amounted to more than 1.47 million fans
attending games in March 2010, generating nearly $350 million
in economic impact for our state. Last year in Glendale,
more than 205,000 fans watched spring training games at
Camelback Ranch – Glendale.
“Spring
training is like our March Madness because of the tourism
increase we experience with out of state and local visitors
spending their time and money enjoying baseball in
Glendale,” said Lorraine Pino, tourism manager for the
Glendale CVB. “We serve as spring training
headquarters because of Glendale’s proximity to several
spring training facilities in the West Valley.”
For
more information on spring training at Camelback Ranch -
Glendale or to learn more about Grand Slam promotions and
additional spring training activities, visit
www.visitglendale.com or call (623) 930-4500.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Glendale
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Spring
Training GRAND SLAM in the West Valley
www.VisitGlendale.com
Enjoy
these special discounts, deals and offers in Glendale &
throughout the Valley!
Arizona
Scenic Tours
10459 W.
Pasadena Ave.
Glendale,
AZ
480-459-7144/800-724-1251
www.arizonascenictours.com
Grand
Slam Offer: 10-15% off of tours throughout Arizona for all
Spring Training attendees. Discount depends on group size. 10%
off for up to two, 15% for three or more people. Call for
details or visit website for more info on tours offered.
Avon
5707 W.
Myrtle Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-252-1358
www.youravon.com/JillHornburg
Grand Slam Offer: Buy/order $40 and get a free gift.
Drawing for free prizes.
The
Glendale Shoe Company
5750 W. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-939-0125
www.glendaleshoecompany.com
Grand
Slam Offer: 20% off any purchase with game ticket stub or
wearing team apparel. The first 100 visitors to bring in a new
baseball will receive a FREE crystal glass nail file.
Baseballs will be donated to a local elementary school.
Jimmy
Buffett’s Margaritaville
6751 N.
Sunset Blvd.
Glendale, AZ
623-772-0011
www.margaritavilleglendale.com
Grand
Slam Offer: Join us at Margaritaville after the
game! Bring your ticket stub to Margaritaville and receive a
15% discount on food, beverage and retail.
Lois’
Loveables
5807 W. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-934-8846
Grand Slam Offer: 10% off discount on anything when
fans wear team apparel.
Oohhh I
Like That Stamp!
5707 W. Myrtle Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-252-1358
Grand Slam Offer: Buy/order $40, get $6.95 stamp FREE!
Drawing for free workshop class.
Papa
Ed’s Ice Cream
7146 N. 58th Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-915-4438
www.papaedsicecream.com
Grand Slam Offer: March Flavor of the Month is
“Dreyer’s Drumstick.” Enjoy America’s favorite cone in
a new way. Fudge swirls, chocolaty coated peanuts and cone
pieces in vanilla premium ice cream. Baseball & Peanuts go
together! Bring your game ticket stub during the month of
March and receive $.50 off (1) ice cream item, any flavor.
The
Spicery in Our 1895 Home
7141 N.
59th Ave.
Glendale,
AZ
623-937-6534
www.1895spicery.com
Grand
Slam Offer: Show your ticket stub for a free dessert with
the purchase of an entrée and drink. Valid February 27 to
March 31, 2011.
Supershuttle
– ExecuCar
4610 S. 35th Street
Phoenix,
AZ
602-232-4654
www.supershuttle.com
Grand Slam Offer: Discount: $4.00 off roundtrip
per person on SuperShuttle ($2.00 off one way per person)
$10.00 off roundtrip per sedan on ExecuCar ($5.00 off one way
per sedan)
Validity:
To and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport between 2/9/11 –
4/15/11.
Rules:
Must book on line via www.supershuttle.com or www.execucar.com
using the “Grand Slam
Promotion” discount code: GPTL2 to get special savings.
Web link: https://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?GC=GPTL2
Surprise
Recreation Campus
15960 N. Bullard Ave.
623-222-2207
Surprise,
AZ
www.suprisespringtraining.com
2011 Spring Baseball in Surprise
Grand Slam Offer: Home of the Kansas City Royals and
2010 American League Champions Texas Rangers.
Half-price tickets at the Surprise Recreation
Campus for select 2011 Spring Training games.
Sunday,
March 20 – Texas Rangers vs. Kansas City Royals @ 1:05
pm
Monday, March 21 – Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
@ 1:05pm
Thursday, March 24 – San Diego Padres vs. Texas Rangers @
6:05pm
Monday, March 28 – Milwaukee Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals
@ 1:05pm
Tuesday, March 29 – Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals
@ 12:05 pm
PROMOTION
CODE: GCVB
Includes: Upper Dugout, Infield & Plaza Levels
Tickets. Valid for up to (6) tickets per coupon.
Subject to availability. Not valid with other offers or
discounts. Discount does not apply to previous purchase.
The
Wigwam
300 E.
Wigwam Blvd.
Litchfield Park, AZ
623-935-3811
www.wigwamarizona.com
Grand
Slam Offer: With rates starting from $259 per night, ask
for the “Home Run Spring Training Package” during March
which offers 15% off two-night stays, 25% off three-nights
stays and 35% off four-night stays.
Zendejas
Grill
19420 N.
59th Ave.
Glendale, AZ
623-398-6434
www.zendejasgrill.com
Grand Slam Offer: Bring in your game ticket stub to
receive: Free Cheese Crisp with the purchase of a beverage or
buy one Burger, Wrap or Sandwich, receive the second free,
with purchase of two beverages; or 15% off total bill.
|

City
of Glendale CVB and Merchants TEAM up to promote Down
Town Historic Glendale At Glendale Day at Camelback
Ranch Ball Park!

 
|
|
Snare
by Deborah J. Ledford

Story by: Lesa Holstine Glendale Daily Planet Book
Topics Editor
Deborah J. Ledford, an Arizona
author who lives in Maricopa County, has been nominated for
the Hillerman Sky Award, a mystery that best portrays the
Southwest.
I
don't read mysteries or thrillers for the frantic pace. I read
for character and plot, which is why I don't read many
thrillers. But Deborah J. Ledfords' Snare offers
a depth of character, and an eerie feeling of atmosphere that
isn't always present in thrillers. It's tense, but, at
the same time she allows the story to develop at a natural
pace, without forcing the suspense. The book deserves its
nomination for this year's Hillerman Sky Award.
From page one, we're drawn into the tragedy of young Katina
Salvo's life as she listens to her mother's last fight with
her abusive father. And, even at twenty-three, fifteen
years later, she's fleeing from her past. It's no wonder
the successful Native American singer/songwriter has never
appeared in public. But, that's about to change, and her
first concert will be in North Carolina, where Deputy Steven
Hawk is charged with keeping her safe. It's too bad
neither Hawk nor Katina know all the reasons someone might
want her dead.
Despite all precautions, Katrina and Hawk are caught in a trap
the night of the concert. When Hawk is seriously injured,
something prevents a greater tragedy, a presence they both
sense. While Hawk has to recover physically, Katrina has to
recover emotionally from the events of that night. She
turns to her past, her aunt's home on the Taos Pueblo
Reservation in New Mexico for answers, and Hawk accompanies
her, not knowing if he's looking for her father or a man from
the reservation who comes and goes like a ghost. But,
both of them sense that answers will only be found there.
Ledford's novel is so much more impressive than so many
thrillers, with its depth of character. Hawk is fully
developed as a black deputy, very much aware of some feelings
against him in North Carolina. At the same time, his
strong family ties gives him a grounding, a safety net in life
that Katina lacks. It's Katina's story that slowly
unfolds in the course of the story as the true tragedy of her
life is told. Ledford even tells the parallel story of
Katrina's father, an ex-con who only learns of his daughter's
success after he's out of prison.
The story has an atmosphere of impending doom that hangs over
the entire book. Some of that comes from the use of nature and
symbols. Ledford shows a great respect for spiritual
beliefs of Katina's people and Hawk's. Those beliefs are
essential to the story, beliefs in spirits and their roles
after death, beliefs in the messages sent by the birds and
nature. The beauty of the two settings, North Carolina and the
Taos Pueblo Reservation, are in stark contrast to the dark
atmosphere hanging over Katina's life.
With its atmosphere and strong characters, Snare is a
gripping story of a woman trapped by her past, and the past of
her dead mother. It's also the story of a lawman who chose his
profession to make a difference in his community. For once, he
has to leave his life, to help a young woman survive, and find
her own community.
Deborah J. Ledford's website is www.DeborahJLedford.com
Snare by Deborah J. Ledford. Second Wind Publishing, ©2010.
ISBN 9781935171577 (paperback), 325p.
lholstine@yahoo.com
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