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Glendale Community College Arizona SciTech Festival 
OR What did Dr. Bob blow up earlier?

By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

 

The 2014 Arizona SciTech Festival offers hundreds for free events for adults and kids. The festival takes place February and March at several locations around the state. Glendale Community College hosted its Arizona SciTech Festival on Friday afternoon from 4:00 p .m. to 7:00 p. m.; February 21, 2014 on the GCC main campus. The event offered families, children, middle and high school students the opportunities to check out the sciences—bioscience, health, medicine, space science, astronomy, physics, mathematics, chemistry, geology, to mention a few. Students could ask professional’s questions and make-and-take something fun to take home like a paper Trilobite. All in this entire event and others like offer a chance to investigate the various sciences for possibly study and career planning.

The trilled of discovery does not go away. The first time you see something that leaves you aw struck, will probably stay with you for a very long time. Like what happens when a banana is placed in liquid nitrogen? Or what happens to a balloon when goes into the liquid nitrogen tank?

Several booms could be heard on the physical sciences plaza on Friday, February 21. And as usual, the chemistry department got the credit and the positive attention from the kids and parents attending the Arizona Science Festival at Glendale Community College (GCC). Dr. Bob one of the chemistry instructor’s demonstrated flammable and exploding gases. He did so as part of his informative demonstration, but it was fun.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4821.

Joe Springer drops balloons that have been in the liquid nitrogen tank on onto the table. He asked members of the audience what would happen to the balloons and how many balloons they thought he could fit into the tank. More than you might first think, about 13 balloons. Once outside and on the lab table, the air (a gas) warms and expands back to normal size. Liquid nitrogen can reach temperatures of -346 ͦF and -320.44 ͦF under normal atmospheric conditions and is dangerous unless handled properly. Joe Springer uses tongs, heavy gloves and eye protection during his demonstrations.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4862.

Mike Demlong, Arizona Game and Fish, and to his right a Turkey Vulture (or buzzard) from around Globe, Arizona. The bird cannot be released back into the wild because he has been around humans—feed and cared for—for too long. Mike knows the bird is NOT a pet. If he gets too close to the bird, the bird opens his beak as a promissory warning to not mess with me. A large Turkey Vulture can have a wingspan of almost five feet or 72 inches.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4860.

Mike Demlong, Arizona Game and Fish, and to his right a Turkey Vulture (or buzzard) from around Globe, Arizona. The bird cannot be released back into the wild because he has been around humans—feed and cared for—for too long. Mike knows the bird is NOT a pet. If he gets too close to the bird, the bird opens his beak as a promissory warning to not mess with me. A large Turkey Vulture can have a wingspan of almost five feet or 72 inches.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4805.

Panning for gold was one of the science adventures students and parents could partake in on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Glendale Arizona SciTech Festival held on the Glendale Community College main campus on the physical sciences plaza. Matthew and Joshua Minier and Billy Wardle demonstrate panning for gold inside the geology building.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4836.

These guys built a catapult that slung a tennis ball 221 feet with a 35 pound counter weight. Impressive! Their device is a MURLIN Trebuchet; MURLIN stands for multi radius linear nodes; its physics. A trebuchet is a medieval engine with a sling for tossing or hurling missiles at the enemy. Pictured are Sean Napier, Mack Tulenko, Dustin Odorcic, and Semir Kasumovic. The four young men are from Glendale Community College.

For more information on the Arizona SciTech Festival, visit http://azscitechfest.org/

 

 

 

Former Local News Pilot Jerry Foster Signs

“Earthbound Misfit” at the Library

Glendale, Ariz. –– Former TV news personality and helicopter pilot Jerry Foster will discuss and sign his new book, “Earthbound Misfit,” during the Authors @ the Teague event at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 8 at Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58^th Ave.

The most decorated civilian helicopter pilot in history, Foster spent more than 20 years covering the news for three different Phoenix stations. After starting out reporting traffic conditions, he progressed to breaking stories in the Valley, including many daring rescue and recovery missions. Foster even inadvertently became part of the news a few times during his career. For more information, see his website at www.sky12.tv.

Prior to becoming a news helicopter pilot, Foster trained pilots bound for Vietnam. He is the recipient of the Harmon Trophy, the highest civilian honor in aviation. After retiring, he has continued to fly various aircraft. He is married and lives in Phoenix and Show Low. His book is co-authored by Dee Dees, a personal historian, writer and ghostwriter residing in Gilbert.

The program is free and books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, call 623-930-3431.

 

 

 

The 58th Annual Volunteer Nonprofit Service Associaton (VNSA) Used Book Sale

By Ed and Bette Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet

 

 

 

Really!  This is the weekend for book lovers!

The 58th Annual Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association (VNSA) Used Book Sale; 
A World of Words is this weekend. Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 8am. to 
6pm. --  Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 8am. to 4pm. The big sale is held at the
Arizona State Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. The event is free and open to the public.
The Fairground facilities  does charge for  parking though.

The VNSA Book sale  is a multi-generational event.

 Families for generations have saved for the day of  the sale! 

VNSA began in 1949 as the auxiliary and fundraising arm of the Visiting Nurse
Service in Phoenix. When the Visiting Nurse Service became affiliated with a
hospital in 1987, the members of VNSA chose to remain active supporting Valley
nonprofit agencies. The members adopted a new name Volunteer Nonprofit
Service Association and thus got to keep the same readily identifiable  initials, VNSA.

The VNSA Used Book Sale has been a Valley fixture every February for almost
60 years. The February sale is the only one the organization puts on all year.
Recently awarded the 'Best Place to Buy a Vintage Book' by the Phoenix New
Times in their 2013 Best of Phoenix awards, the VNSA is an all-volunteer
organization. The 2013 VNSA Book Sale offered more than 500,000 books and
book-related items, attracted more than 12,000 shoppers from all parts of the
United States and from as far away as Australia, and raised more than $380,000.
Since the first sale in 1957, VNSA has returned almost $7 million to our
community.

One week prior to the sale, volunteers from two local Teamsters unions, inmates
from Alhambra Fox Unit, and workers from the MANA House for homeless
veterans unload hundreds of pallets of books from semi trucks that have
transported more than 7,300 boxes of books to the Fairgrounds
Then members, their families and friends unpack each box and arrange more
than half a million books into 27 well organized categories. Nearly 500 members,
friends and family volunteer their time to staff our book sale each year.

All books are donated by individuals, groups and businesses. Volunteers are 
available  for fast and friendly home pickup of  donations  for the VNSA Booksale.
In addition  drop boxes are conveniently  located   throughout the valley and
you may find locations  here > http://www.vnsabooksale.org/DropBoxes .

At the massive sale you will find thousands of children's books, novels, books on science  -  ANYTHING!  

A couple things   caught our eye, a large size softcover copy of "The Forgotten  Garden", 
by Kate Morton was priced at $3.00. the regular listed price is $15.00. If you like nonfiction,
a soft cover copy of "David Busch’s Nikon D300, Guide to Digital SLR Photography", was
also priced at $3.00. Originally this title was priced at $29.99. Two good books, for a great 
price, for a great cause.

Since 1987, the main beneficiaries of The VNSA book sale proceeds continue to be:

- Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) is organized
to promote the self esteem and enrich the lives of Arizona's children in
foster care. AFFCF funds activities, education and other opportunities that
provide the children with quality experiences while they live in difficult
circumstances.

- Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County (LVMC) teaches individuals
ages 16 and older to read, write, and speak English. LVMC also helps
adults increase skills for job advancement and prepare for their GED.
LVMC operates three Learning Centers in Phoenix offering computer assisted
instruction and provides targeted adult education classes for
school districts and local employers.

In addition the VNSA annually selects additional local charities for one time
supplemental funding grants.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.4734.

Ginny Andrews has volunteered for with the VNSA for 32 years. She is always on the lookout for a good read. She has a "stack at home" referring to a stack of books of course. Book readers and book lovers wait all year for the VNSA book sale. The selection is vast with about 400,000 titles that include books (paperbacks and hardbacks), CDs, and DVDs, and games.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.4733.

It is Media Day at the VNSA Used Book Sale in the Arizona State Fairgrounds Exhibit Building, volunteers were busy making sure everything was ready for Friday, when the sale opens to the public.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet 

The rare book section at the VNSA Used Book Sale is a must see for some annual book buyers. To see some of the rare and unusual items available are posted on the VNSA web site at  http://www.vnsabooksale.org/ 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.DSC00286.

Books and friends, life is better with both - The 58th Annual VNSA Used Book Sale
Carolyn Osborne Golden (born and raised in Peoria Arizona) on the right and Christal Van Meter Collins (born and raised in Peoria) on the left. Carolyn Osborne Golden has been going to the book sale since 5th grade.

The three generations of Osborne/Golden involvement started when Betty Osborne, Carolyn's mother (a Peoria resident from the 1940's) would take her daughter out of school on Friday afternoon and they would go wait in the long line at VNSA BOOK SALE on Friday afternoon ( as that is when it stated in the old days) with Carolyn's little red wagon to harvest treasured tomes.

Carolyn's husband Bruce Golden has been a member of teamsters local 104 for 35 yrs. Bruce has been volunteering for over 30 years. Carolyn Osborne Golden has been volunteering for over 20 years. Christal, a family friend of Carolyn's, although living now on the other side of the country, has flown in from Boston for the past few years to volunteer at that sale and visit family and friends.

The teamsters local 104 has been helping the VNSA for over 50 years.

But wait! there is more! -

Bruce and Carolyn's 3 boys John, Jared and Jason Golden also helped each year when they were old enough and when they are in town or available they still volunteer.

In addition, Betty Osborne, although going to VNSA sales for eons, has become a volunteer for over 10 years at VNSA and is currently president of Peoria historical society.

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Just part of the selection

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

But  wait there is  more!   ...behind me  that  did not  fit into the photo...

---

 

 

Mark the date for the 58th Annual

 

Saturday Feb. 15, 2014 8:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 8:00am - 4:00pm

Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association
58th VNSA ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

Purpose: To raise funds for nonprofit organizations in Maricopa County. More
than 500,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs, videos, books on
tape, puzzles and maps were sold last year to over 12,000
customers.

Books are available in 27 categories and hundreds of subcategories.

When: The THIRD Weekend in February
Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 8am. to 6pm.
Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 8am. to 4pm.

Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds
Exhibit Building
1826 W. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(Enter from 17th Avenue & West McDowell Road)
Cost: Admission to the Book Sale is free.
The State Fairgrounds charges a parking fee.

Payment options: Cash, local checks with proper identification, Visa, MasterCard or
debit cards with the Visa and MasterCard logo

 

Tanks, Song, Pie and Romance—All in one Saturday!

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Flashback to 2008! 
Professor Nikki Giovanni , Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Horatio Skeete-Deputy City Manager.

Collection drive for our special 
furry friends who are in need

The Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau is partnering with the Glendale Police Department to host a collection drive for our special furry friends who are in need. Items are being collected at the Glendale Visitor Center (5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140) to benefit homeless animals at the Sun Valley Animal Shelter, a private non-profit, no-kill shelter located at 7150 N. 110th Avenue in Glendale. Below is a wish list of animal shelter items that are desperately needed.

Since 1995, the Sun Valley Animal Shelter (SVAS) has provided loving, compassionate care to homeless dogs and cats of the northwest valley. SVAS adopts over 900 dogs and cats each year with animals coming from the New Hope Program through Maricopa County Animal Care and control and owner surrenders. The shelter receives no federal or state funding, and must rely on generous donations, resale shop revenue, and fundraising events to meet operating costs. The SVAS mission is to provide humane housing, care and companionship for homeless dogs and cats in a comfortable setting which meets their physical and emotional needs until such time as adoption is secured. If you are looking for a new member of your family, please visit SVAS to check out their furry friends who are looking for a forever family.

We are accepting items through December 19^th. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information. Many, many thanks for your consideration!

Wish List Items

· Science Diet Dog and Puppy Food

· Science Diet Cat and Kitten Food

· Alpo Chophouse ground or Pedigree ground canned dog food

· Friskies or Nine Lives canned cat food

· Cat Toys/ Dog Toys – Kongs, Squeaky, Rope Toys

· Dryer Sheets and Sponges

· Cat Litter and Litter Pans ( Non-scoopable )

· Hand Sanitizer/ Hand Soap

· Dog and Cat Beds ( All sizes )

· Metal Food Bowls

· Blankets and Towels ( All sizes )

· Industrial Mop Buckets

· First Aid Items/ Neosporin

· Industrial Hose

· Cat Scratching Posts & Toys

· Puppy Housebreaking Pads

· Dog Collars and Leashes

· Vinegar and Bleach

· Cat Condos and Trees

· Gallon and Snack Size Ziplock

· Bags

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3703.

Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack was a Salvation Army bell ringer at the K Mart on Bell and 67th.