NEW!
The Kaddy Bar & Grill 
5740 W. Peoria Ave.
Glendale AZ

In the old location of 
Shabang's Bar & Grill.

10 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week!

Wonder where  Stanley Kubric's stash is?

 

Deborah Crombie at the Velma Teague Library 
Author of Newest Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novel 
Joins AUTHORS @ THE TEAGUE Series  in Glendale 
on National Book Tour   --  Photo and story by Lesa Holstine

 

Deborah Crombie, author of the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mysteries, appeared at the Velma Teague Library today as part of the Authors at the Teague series. We were fortunate to have her squeeze us into her schedule when she was in town to appear at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale.

Deborah asked me to interview her, so after the introduction, I asked her to give us her background. She said she was a native of Texas, as Texan as you can get. She was an Anglophile, and she went to England in her 20s. She felt a staggering sense of homecoming in England. She'd read all of the English authors from Austen to Dickens to R.F. Delderfield. And, after she was there once, she did everything in her power to get back to England. Crombie said she wasn't an Anglophile because she married a Scot; she married a Scot because she was an Anglophile. And, she was married to her Scottish husband for thirteen years.

After she came back to the United States to live, she was homesick for England. She returned to Yorkshire, at the time that James Herriot was still practicing, and he would sign his books at his surgery on Thursdays. While driving in Yorkshire, they came across an English country house that was a timeshare, and it intrigued her. Crombie thought it was a perfect spot for a classic British crime novel. And, if it was a classic British crime novel, it needed a detective. And, the detective needed an associate.

When Deborah's daughter was in Montessori, she thought she could either work on a Master's degree, or try to write a novel. Her first book, A Share in Death, sold multinationally. It was nominated for Agatha and Macavity awards for best first novel. She's written twelve books in the series in fifteen years.

The Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series is set in Britain. When the series started, Kincaid was a Scotland Yard Superintendent, and Gemma was his Sergeant. Since then, James has been promoted to Notting Hill. Crombie said she wanted her characters to be mobile, so she could travel around England, and her trips would be tax deductible. That's worked out well. However, lately she's discovered it's hard to get out of London. And, with Gemma James' job, she wouldn't logically go with Kincaid on every investigation. 
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE OVER HERE IN BOOK TOPICS SECTION!>>>

 

LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS
ON EXISTING A/C UNITS OR EVAP COOLERS

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The recent stretch of triple digit temperatures is causing all residents to seek cool shelter. The high numbers also increase wear and tear to evaporative coolers and home air conditioning units. For high-risk groups, including the elderly and small children, it is critical that these units are operating properly.

The city of Glendale utilizes federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide much-needed emergency repair assistance to qualified, low-income families and elderly who are Glendale residents. Some of the most requested calls for service during the summer months include repairs to existing air conditioning or evaporative coolers.

The city’s Emergency Home Repair Program utilizes a non-profit partner, Community Services of Arizona (CSA) to provide emergency repair services. Examples of the types of repairs allowed include electrical, mechanical, plumbing and roofing.

To qualify, applicants must own and occupy the residence, and meet income requirements based on family size and program criteria. Funding is limited, and repairs are approved on a case-by-case basis depending on the type and severity of the emergency.

“Last year, this critical service provided 165 repair visits to Glendale homeowners, many of which were A/C and cooler-related,” said Community Revitalization Administrator Gilbert Lopez.

For more information, or to apply for assistance, please call CSA directly at (480) 963-6276, extension 215.

Glendale Gaslight Inn and neighboring buildings
 of note get historic descriptive plaques.

The morning of 06/24/2008

Photos and story (C) By Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 2008
(Media buddies if you need any of this email me and  I can send you some Hi -Res Photos and credit info.)

             OK Right about here....                                         Even and Level...                           A little more measure

                Looks Straight?                                                    I Like It!                                             Don't let it Slip!                     

 Screw it  down to the wall!                                                                    All Done!                                      

The Sine Building cast bronze plaque is part of a comprehensive bronze plaque program to honor historic buildings in Glendale. There are five 18" x 24" cast bronze interpretative plaque for historic buildings in the downtown business district. These buildings have been altered and will not be eligible for listing on the National Register, but are important to the history of Glendale. There are also several other interpretative bronze plaques on poles that will be placed in historic districts and significant historic sites. Ron Short, Historic Preservation Officer stated "The bronze interpretative plaques will help residents and visitors to gain a better understanding of Glendale's story"

Ron Short, Historic Preservation Officer City of Glendale

Hear vocalist Delphine Cortez this summer with special Jazz Weekend room and entertainment
offerings! 

Summer Reading at the Teague Prizes You Can Win!

Summer Reading at the Teague Prizes you can win!

Pausing and Remembering a Bad Time in Arizona Journalism History

Photo by Bette Sharpe

Glendale Daily Planet Publisher Ed Sharpe pauses and contemplates the passing of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles, who was attacked by a car bomb in the hotel’s parking lot 32 years ago this month (1976) and later died of his injuries. 

The  Hotel Clarendon in midtown Phoenix, where the event took place, has an interesting historical display on Don Bolles and is well worth visiting. Sharpe was attending a meeting of Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), who along with other Valley journalism organizations, gathered to make a toast to UNITY 2008 Journalism conference  happening in Chicago and paid tribute to Bolle's memory.

(This is just 2 items pictured to see the rest go to the hotel)

Don Bolles

  
Photos by Bette Sharpe

GLENDALE AZ CHAMBER TRADE SHOW A SUCCESS!

Cynde Hoffman shows off a unique  advertising piece from Image West  Printing

What a delight! Rosario Ristorante - Italian Restaurant, from Glendale, 
AZ had samples on hand of their fine cuisine!

Knight Tymes Design and Team Graphics were two of the many 
people on hand to assist you with your business needs

Over 60 exhibitors were on hand to showcase their products and services at the Chamber's 2nd Annual "Keeping Your Business Healthy" Biz to Biz Trade Show, sponsored by Humana, and held on June 12 at the Glendale Civic Center.  Small business seminars on employee health care benefits, health savings accounts and evaluating your business performance through a SWOTT analysis received good participation as well.  Monica Mariani of Provincia Staffing was the lucky winner of 2 round trip plane tickets, sponsored by Southwest Airlines.  The Chamber would like to thank their sponsors, and all the exhibitors and attendees of this year's event!  They all want to see you again in 2009!

Glendale Arizona Internet News Company Wins Telly Award  
for Glendale Gaslight Inn's Jazz Grand Opening

Paul Seabrook - Glendale Gaslight Inn and Ed Sharpe - CouryGraph Productions holding the Telly Statue.
 Photo by: Kalyca Seabrook

Ed Sharpe director of CouryGraph Productions, who oversees The Glendale Daily Planet - KKAT Streaming TV, Glendale's own homegrown Internet video news source; is the recipient of the prestigious Bronze Telly Award as recognition of its outstanding programming.

The Telly Awards honors outstanding local, regional and national cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. They annually showcase the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments.

Ed Sharpe and CouryGraph Productions received the Bronze Award for 17-minute movie documenting The Glendale Gaslight Inn  Grand Opening along with a stunning Jazz Performance that took place in downtown Glendale Arizona.

The Telly Awards receives in excess of 15,000 entries each year from 50 states and foreign countries.

"It is honor to receive a highly respected national award for work in showcasing events that take place in the city of Glendale," said Ed Sharpe, Director for CouryGraph Productions and its subsidiaries. "The Telly awards highlight the high standards of excellence we wish to achieve. In addition, it is our wish to provide our viewer-ship with information they can trust and enjoy."

"It was a great project from the start" Sharpe said  "The Glendale Gaslight Inn was having a  Grand Opening after being bought and refurbished by Paul and Teresa Seabrook and  was having the world renowned Jazz singing star Nicolas Bearde present for the opening festivities and the first live Jazz Show there."

Julie Rae, who did the interview for the  news segment, stated: "It was really exciting to be a part of the grand opening of the Glendale Gaslight Inn.  It was amazing to see how Paul and Teresa had transformed the inn”.

Opening the Glendale Gaslight inn  was the culmination of  a dream for the Seabrooks, who enjoy fine surroundings, great food,  great wine and great Jazz! They had gotten all of their children off to college and it was a time to embark on a new adventure

Teresa Seabrook, Co-owner of  Glendale Gaslight Inn stated: "Creating and opening the Glendale Gaslight Inn was such an exciting time for us, and as we discovered, for Historic Downtown Glendale.  Your video certainly captures that excitement as well as the  Inn's character!!  The video has been enjoyed by many people via our website and it has been very influential in visitor's choosing to stay at our unique Inn." 

Polishing  the trophy with his shirt tail...  Sharpe gestures out into the room: "I had fun  being the director and cameraman on this  production but it was  also my interviewer Julie Rae,  the environment that the Seabrooks have created here, their hospitality and the fine Jazz music  of Nicolas Bearde that enabled us  to win this award!"

When asked what  he  would do differently with the footage today, Sharpe replied : "I edit tighter now so it  would not be quite as long and I would encode it at a higher bit rate as most people do not have the lower end DSL speed offering any longer. Higher bandwidth means better audio and video quality."  MORE STORY HERE>>

The Glendale City Parking Garage Debacle

Tons of cement dust....                   From the other side...

The City of Glendale  Statement:
A city engineer noticed the crack when he parked in the garage on Friday morning. The full garage was closed as a precaution on Friday but portions of it were open today (Monday) . At this point, we don't know the cause or have an exact estimate as to when the repairs will be completed.

GLENDALE OFFERS TIPS TO HELP
OVERCOME THE SEASONAL HEAT

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Whether you’re a new resident to the Valley or a native, everyone needs to stay alert to the dangers of the high seasonal temperatures. The city of Glendale offers the following tips to stay safe from heat-related illnesses:

Do your daily exercise early, as well as yard work and avoid being outside during the hours between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Drink plenty of water before, during and after any outside activity. Stay hydrated.

Limit soda, caffeine and alcohol during any outside activity.

Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Never leave children or pets inside of an unattended vehicle.

Become familiar with the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which includes nausea, general weakness, dizziness, and body cramps. Cooling off, preferably indoors and re-hydrating your body may relieve this condition.

Signs and symptoms of heat stroke are hot flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, cramps. Moving to unconsciousness is a much more serious condition and may require immediate medical attention.

Glendale is offering several key facilities in the event of a “Heat Warning,” as declared by the National Weather Service. If the temperatures reach this level, refuge and hydration can be found at the following sites:

O’Neil Community, 6448 W. Missouri Ave.

Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St.

Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.

Velma Teague Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave

For more information on the city’s response during a “Heat Warning,” call Glendale’s Emergency Management Department at 623/872-5000.

Courtesy: Planet News Syndicate http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/

 

Girl Found Story ... But Wait! UPDATE AGAIN! 
 Father Shane Englehart Arrested

(GPD) <Rcvd. Sunday Night>Glendale, AZ – The case of Haley Englehart, a two year-old girl found unattended Sunday evening, has undergone a major change of direction. The girl’s father, Shane Englehart, has been arrested and is being interviewed by Glendale police detectives.

Earlier today, Detectives Dean Ferullo and Shane Leske were able to locate “Samantha” who was purported by Shane Englehart to be a baby sitter he hired on short notice from the web site Craigslist. When contacted, Samantha had no idea what the detectives were talking about. She denied all involvement in Sunday’s events and stated she has known Shane Englehart for several years, but does not baby sit for him. This obviously conflicts with Englehart’s story that she was a stranger he hired at the last minute.

Detectives Ferullo and Leske met with Englehart after a Child Protective Services hearing this afternoon. Englehart repeated his story about Samantha the baby sitter. When Ferullo told him we had spoken to Samantha, Englehart admitted to lying throughout this investigation. The detectives further determined that Englehart left his daughter home unattended while he went to work and then made up the tale of Samantha to cover his tracks when he learned she had been turned over to police. We do not know if he has done this on other occasions.

Detective Ferullo plans to book Englehart on charges of Child Abuse and False Reporting to Law Enforcement.

Haley Englehart remains in the custody of Child Protective Services.

---

Small Girl Found (Update)

Glendale, AZ – Glendale police officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a 2 ½ year-old girl who was found unattended Sunday evening near 63rd and Northern Avenues. Officers have determined that the man who came forward is, in fact, her father, and so far, his story is checking out. The man has been identified as Shane Englehart (w/m 25 yrs). His daughter’s name is Haley Englehart (w/f 2 ½ yrs).

Just before 10:00 p.m. Sunday night, Englehart approached a reporter and photo journalist from ABC 15 News. He stated he was the father of the little girl who had been found five hours earlier. Police later learned he resides in Northern Greens Apartments, where the girl was found. He stated he was starting a new job Sunday and needed a baby sitter on short notice. He stated he located a sitter named Samantha on Craig’s List and arranged for her to watch his daughter Haley.

Shane went on to say that Samantha arrived around 3:00 p.m. and he went to work as planned. When he returned shortly before 10:00 p.m., he found his apartment empty and no sign of Samantha or Haley. He was then made known to police through the reporter as noted above.

The case remains under investigation and efforts are being made to locate Samantha. Glendale police suggest that parents thoroughly vet potential baby sitters including, but not limited to, asking for references and checking those references to make sure the former clients were satisfied before hiring anyone.

 

WATCH VIDEO SHOT BETWEEN THESE 2 RELEASES

Small Girl Found, Police Looking for Parent(s)

Glendale, AZ – The Glendale Police Department is asking for help in their effort to identify a small girl who was found at about 5 p.m. today (6/15) near 63rd and Northern Avenues. A photo of the girl is attached.

At about 5 p.m. today, a passerby noticed a small girl playing near the west entrance of the Northern Greens Apartments in the 8100 block of north 63rd Avenue. The police were called at about 5:30 p.m. An extensive door-to-door search of the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhoods was made, but the officers could not locate her residence.

The girl is a white female, 2 to 3 years old, with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. She is about 30 inches tall and slender, about 35 to 40 pounds. She is dressed in a white dress with small flowers on it, and a princess tiara. Although the girl does speak, she has not been able to provide her name or any other information to police. Child Protective Services has been called and has taken custody of the girl.

Anyone with information about this girl, or her parents/guardians is asked to call Glendale Police at 623-930-3000.

AZCENTRAL AWARDS - BEST OF

 DOWNTOWN GLENDALE MERCHANTS CELEBRATE!

Article Special to the Glendale Daily Planet - Gail C. Meyers
Photos by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Glendale Downtown Business Community Honors Fellow Merchants

Haus Murphy's Best German Restaurant Critics Choice Rose and Chief Hoffman

Critics Choice Winner -Best Kitchen Store - Plate It Up Heather Burton

Critics Choice Winner -Best Vintage Clothing Store Matilda's Closet - Rose Prescott

Authors at the Teague Series Saturday, June 7 at 2 p.m 

Local authors Shelley Mosley, John Charles, Joanne Hamilton-Selway and Sandra Van Winkle discussed their book:

" The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Ultimate Reading List"

Article by Lesa Holstine - Photos by Ed Sharpe

It was a packed house that greeted Shelley Mosley, former manager of the Velma Teague Library, when she and her fellow authors showed up on June 7 to speak for the Authors at the Teague Series. The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Ultimate Reading List was co-authored by Mosley, John Charles and Joanne Hamilton-Selway, who are both librarians at the Scottsdale Public Library, and Sandra Van Winkle.

John Charles (Scottsdale Public Library), Joanne Hamilton-Selway(Scottsdale Public Library), Shelley Mosley (former Velma Teague manager), Sandra Van Winkle.  

The idea for the book was born when Mosley attended a conference of Southwestern authors, and met the editor of the The Complete Idiot's series. She wanted to do a guide to libraries, but the editor and John Charles thought a guide to reading was a sexier idea. So they talked to librarians, readers, editors, maids in hotels, and anyone they could, asking what their favorite books were. A cowboy told Shelley that his favorite book was Lonesome Dove because it told it like it was. At the same time, an editor in New York told her Lonesome Dove was his favorite, but he had totally different reasons. He talked about its metaphors and literary devices.

Joanne Hamilton-Selway (left) brought up Nancy Pearl's book, Book Lust, and referred to it as somewhat uneven in its treatment of books. With tongue-in-cheek, she said she hated Nancy Pearl because she was everything Hamilton-Selway wanted to be. Pearl is a librarian who has her own segment on NPR, books, even an action figure, and she speaks throughout the country on readers' advisory and books. She said their book has chapters of the same length on each genre, so its treatment is more even than Pearl's.

The four authors said there are always books and authors they would like to add. But, they had to cut some chapters so the book wouldn't be too long. Shelley said if they ever did a second edition, she would add Jennifer Ashley's book, The Queen's Handmaiden, a novel of intrigue told by the seamstress to Queen Elizabeth I. Ashley, a RITA award winner who writes Regency mysteries under the name of Ashley Gardner, was in the audience.

Mosley (at right) asked the other authors what book they would add. Hamilton-Selway said she would add Elizabeth Frank's novel, Cheat and Charmer. It's the story of a young woman pushed to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. And, she named her sister, a woman living in Europe whose husband was a victim of the Nazis.

John Charles (at left) said sometimes they pick a representative book by an author, and by the time the book goes to press, that author has a better book that would have been a better choice. For him, the book he would have included was Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer's second collaboration, Agnes and the Hitman.

Sandra Van Winkle ( Photo to right-) did the travelogue section, and that chapter in the book had to be cut because of length. However, she enjoyed the research, and wanted to mention books in the Weird series, and some about haunted places.

The authors cut books that were out of print when compiling this one, because they wanted their selections to be available to readers. They limited authors to one book. And, the length and page count became important in each chapter. They had a problem throughout the book. If they wanted to discuss an author's series, did they pick the first in the series, or the best in the series? They continually argued this issue.

They each had favorite titles that were cut from the book. Shelley wanted to include Sammy Davis, Jr.'s autobiography, Yes, I Can, because it changed her life. However, it was out of print, so it was eliminated. Hamilton-Selway would have included Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time, in which a policeman laid up in the hospital solved the mystery of Richard III and the princes in the tower. She also liked Taylor Caldwell's books, such as Great Lion of God, books that have been somewhat forgotten.

Wayne Dyer's book, The Power of Intention, would have been Sandra Van Winkle's choice, but it was a self-help book, and the editor cut self-help books from the book.

John and Joanne share a love of suspense and mystery. Each chapter was allowed twenty pages. Who do you cut in the mystery and suspense categories? You must include Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. So, they had to cut Ngaio Marsh, who should have been included in any list with the other two authors.


There were authors they would like to add to The Ultimate Reading List. They didn't include a Barbara Kingsolver title, and, in another editon, they would include her book, The Poisonwood Bible. Shelley, who loves, and writes, romances, mentioned Claudia Dain, author of historical fiction, and Julia Alvarez' novel, ¡Yo!, the story of a heroine who writes about her family, and the family hates her. Claire Darcy who writes Regency novels is a writer for fans of Jane Austen. And, Gena Showalter writes paranormal romances, a little on the hot side.

Joanne said some authors are difficult to categorize. Where do you put Nora Roberts? Or, do you include her J.D. Robb books? What do you do with Ken Follett?

When asked what their favorite title from the book was, John Charles  responded that he doesn't read much horror, but he read The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. He'd recommend them for both their horror and suspense books. Van Winkle liked Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey. Mosley's selection was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, and Joanne's was Rebecca, the timeless book by Daphne du Maurier, with its opening line, "Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

What would they change? The mistakes in this first edition. They had six months to do the book, and dragged their feet the first two months. They finished the book, turned it in, and had no time for revisions. They received the galleys, and started correcting mistakes in spelling, and typos, but the galley went to production at the same time they received it. So, the two biggest mistakes, ones made by editor changes, were not able to be corrected. An editor changed the title of the first Harry Potter book, combining Harry and Disney to call the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Apprentice, instead of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Fantasy fans were upset, and posted the mistake all over. And, the editor changed Jan Karon's Mitford series to Medford. Shelley said they were probably the only authors to tick off people on the left and people on the right.

If they did a second edition differently, they would want more pages. Mosley asked who won more Western awards than any other author - Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey? The answer is actually Elmer Kelton. They did try to put authors who were consistently good in the book, not just ones who might be a flash in the pan.

An audience member thanked the authors for including so much genre fiction in The Ultimate Reading List, saying so many reading lists don't include genre fiction. Before asking the audience about their favorite books, Shelley mentioned that John Charles wrote ALA's book on mysteries. She writes romances under the name Deborah Shelley, and has a new one coming out called Marriage 101. John and Shelley both said they read about ten books a month.

The authors ended their program on a fun note, asking audience members about their favorite books. Who knows? If there's ever a second edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Ultimate Reading List, suggestions from the audience at the most recent Authors at the Teague program just might make that book.

Authors and Velma Teague Library staff at the Authors at the Teague program -

 Front row, left to right - Joanne Hamilton-Selway(Scottsdale Public Library), Shelley Mosley (former Velma Teague manager), Sandra Van Winkle.  Back row, left to right - Lesa Holstine (Velma Teague manager), John Charles (Scottsdale Public Library) and Bette Sharpe (Program Librarian, Velma Teague Library).

lholstine@yahoo.com
book blog:  http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

Book Topics - Glendale Daily Planet
http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/book_topics.htm

"Reach librarians, and you reach the world."  - Betty Webb

MAYOR SCRUGGS KICKS OFF SUMMER 
READING PROGRAM IN GLENDALE  

Photos byEd Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Tuseday May 27th  11 a.m.Mayor Elaine Scruggs, representatives from the Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC), the Velveteen Rabbit character, Glendale librarians and children of all ages met at the  Main branch of the Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown St.

In the top two photos - Mayor Scruggs gave out books entitled “What’ll We Do…Museum or Zoo?” courtesy of MPAC, free to all participants in the Summer Reading Program,  With the school year coming to a close, kids and parents will be looking for things to do during the summer. What can be better than the free summer reading program with prizes, such as tickets to an Arizona Diamondbacks game? In addition, MPAC’s free keepsake book “What’ll We Do…Museum or Zoo?” highlights endless family activities and the opportunity to journal their cultural adventures.

Katherine Morgan, Mayor Elaine Scruggs and  Dianne Neville getting
 things ready for the  groups of children that showed up.

Katherine Morgan assisting in handing out of materials.

  Iron Man

IM-14077R                                 Photo Credit: Zade Rosenthal

Irony Man:  Imperfect Downey Jr.  Is the Perfect  Superhero

By Jamise Liddell

Second, third, fourth and fifth chances,  Robert Downey Jr.  has had a host of opportunities to get back into the game.   The superior actor turned ex-con, turned barely working actor, was cast in the virtual Powerball  lottery of comic book characters as Iron Man.  The first of the Summer blockbusters, Downey’s film will not only restore his wealth  (it made $200 million in its opening weekend and continues to blow up the box office), Iron Man  will also provide the talented  actor with yet another opportunity to prove himself reliable.

Cool yet ironic isn’t it? The infamous Downey Jr.  has been cast as America’s main crime fighter.  Laugh or feel justified concern when Robert Downey Jr. comfortably depicts Iron Man’s human half, Tony Stark, an irresponsible, womanizing, functional alcoholic, corporate executive for a major military arms company that his father founded.  Stark’s claim to fame is selling weapons to the highest bidder, whom ever that may be.   Eventually, the greed associated with that endeavor turns friends into enemies, and forces those without conscience to muster some.

In the midst of all the comic book bravado is a message about war, and how the manufacturer’s of war  weaponry, complicate the industry war  by ensuring missiles and bombs land in the clutches of the anyone who can pay the price.

The beauty of Iron Man is Downey Jr.’s performance.  He is not too over the top, nor does he portray his character too straight,  Stark and Iron Man are played in the perfect key.  But no one questioned Downey’s  mastery of his craft,  he is in many ways an everyman’s superhero if you just focused on his brilliant acting abilities.  

Gywneth Paltrow, was pitch perfect as  Stark’s loyal, red-headed,  meek and sexy assistant slash sidekick slash sequel love interest Pepper Potts .   But the award for “big surprise” in this film goes Jeff Bridges, whom isn’t immediately recognizable with his “Mr. Clean” bald head.  Bridges is Obadiah Stane,  Stark’s business partner and eventual nemesis.    Terrence Howard is Jim Rhodes, Stark’s best friend, who meanders through the film like his character shouldn’t have died in the first 20 minutes.

Casting was just one powerful  Iron Man element, costumes were another.  The audience was so hyped when the sexy red and titanium Iron Man superhero ensemble  was unveiled, they went wild; clapping and cheering, and that was before  the suit  saw any action. 

During  the big Iron Man fight scene against Iron Monger,  the essence of several other robot movies was apparent, if not forged.  Transformer  de’ja’ vu crept all over my visual psyche, and Robocop nostalgia came to mind  as I watched the 2008 hunk s of metal  clank and fight.

As for the film Iron Man? The hype is real.  Director Joh Favreau’s version of the Iron Man’s adventures are funny, exciting, explosive and ultimately satisfying.  Iron Man is entertainment, true entertainment.  Leaving the theatre fulfilled, yet wanting more is a rare feeling indeed in this age of movie mediocrity.    For the first time in a long time you’ll feel like you got the cinematic adventure you paid for, and then some.  In fairness, most of the superhero films do well, but I think Iron Man will give them all a run for their money.  Take a deep breath in.  Can you smell  all of the sequels?  Chances galore for Downey Jr,  and Iron Man.

Glendale Daily Planet Takes Home Arizona Press Club Award
Ed Sharpe, The Glendale Daily Planet: Winner: Use of Online Media "Cesar E. Chavez 2007"

Ed Sharpe and the Glendale Daily Planet was honored for their work by the Arizona Press Club at the group’s annual banquet Saturday night May 10, 2008.

Approximately 250 participants attended this gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Heard Museum.

This was Sharpe's first time in attendance and he noted" It was amazing to meet the many other publications writers that I had seen in print and never met, I felt honored to be there!

"Sharpe continued,  "The Arizona Press Club Board of directors is to be complemented on their choice of location and caterer for this even it was spectacular!"

Ed Sharpe, The Glendale Daily Planet: Winner: Use of Online Media "Cesar E. Chavez 2007"

Judges said  “We picked the Chavez piece as the only winner in this category because it made use of multiple media. There was a video, photos, links to resources, historical text and a quiz. The piece tried to tell the full story of Cesar E. Chavez and how Luis Valdez was influenced by him. Online projects should always attempt to tell a story in a manner that best suits the medium. The multiple media here were used to their full advantage..." 

See the spectacular list of winners at this event. I was amazed by the work that won awards that evening.  

http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/press_club_winners

See the web story and video at   http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/chavez_2007.htm

 

Ed and Bette Sharpe-  Glendale Daily Planet
Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor, Arizona Republic  and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet	Bette and Ed Sharpe, Glendale Daily Planet and Jamise Liddell, Entertainment Writer, Glendale Daily Planet
Barb and Ted Simons, Ted is the Host of KAET 8  Horizon, he was also emcee, of the awards presentation. To the right is Ed Sharpe from the  Glendale Daily Planet  - Photo by Bette Sharpe	Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
Ed Sharpe, Glendale Daily Planet and Michael Lacey, New Times Photo By Bette Sharpe	Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times and Ed Sharpe, Glendale Daily Planet photo by Jamise Liddell, Entertainment Writer, Glendale Daily Planet
Bette Sharpe and Ed Sharpe, Glendale Daily Planet photo by Jamise Liddell, Entertainment Writer, Glendale Daily Planet	Ed Sharpe, Glendale Daily Planet and New Times founder and executive editor Michael Lacey, holding his award.  Lacey was honored over the weekend with the Arizona Press Club’s Distinguished Service Award. The lifetime accolade was given for Lacey’s 38 years as a writer, editor and newspaper owner in Arizona. It was one of 17 press club awards that New Times earned for its journalism in 2007  -- photo by Jamise Liddell, Entertainment Writer, Glendale Daily Planet
see  complete  program for awards here  with  some of the winning photographs  and more!  http://www.azpressclub.org/content/contest/2007/AZ_Press_Club_2007.pdf

 

 

FIREEFIGHTERS WARN WINTER VISITORS OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES

GLENDALE, Ariz. –With temperatures in the 100 degree range, firefighters want residents and winter visitors still in the valley to stay safe and know the dangers that extreme heat conditions cause. Following these simple tips will help you survive the heat. 

Do your daily exercise and yard work early and avoid being outside during the hours of 11:00 AM through 6:00 PM. 

Drink plenty of water before, during and after any outside activity. Stay hydrated. 

Limit soda, caffeine and alcohol during any outside activity. 

Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn. 

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS INSIDE OF AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE. 

Please understand the symptoms of heat exhaustion which includes; nausea, general weakness, dizziness, and body cramps. 

Cooling off, preferably indoors and re-hydrating your body may relieve this condition. 

 

 

VISITORS TO SAHUARO RANCH PARK HISTORIC AREA
CAN NOW LEARN ITS HISTORY ANYTIME

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Visitors arriving before and after the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area office hours can still have an enhanced experience of the park through 15 new interpretive signs that have been installed throughout the 1880’s historic ranch site.

The signs feature historical photos and information about the different components of the area, such as the fruit packing shed, blacksmith shop and main house.

In developing the signs, staff researched the different ways people learn and understand information and found that some people like to read information while others are visually focused and want to study photographs and maps. To be relevant and interesting to visitors now and in the future, the new signs incorporate a variety of techniques for learning.

The Glendale park was one of the Valley’s oldest and most magnificent ranches. The 17-acre Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area features 13 original buildings, a rose garden, barnyard and historic orchards. The park is located at 59th Avenue and Mountain View Road.

For more information about visiting the park or for tours, please call 623-930-4200.

GLENDALE GLITTERS WINS CRITICS’ CHOICE IN AZCENTRAL.COM’S BEST COMPETITION

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – One of Glendale’s signature festivals that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city’s downtown has been recognized as the Valley’s best by one of the state’s top online news services.

Glendale Glitters, which received the Critics’ Choice for the Best Festival in the Valley, kicks off a month-long series of holiday-themed events the day after Thanksgiving and runs through mid-January. The critics say, “Whether you want to relive memories, do some Christmas shopping…or just marvel at over 1 million Christmas lights, Glendale Glitters is the place to go.”

“Glendale competed against the top festivals in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country,” said Jerry McCoy, Glendale’s deputy director of Marketing/Communications. “Huge kudos go to our Office of Special Events staff and citywide events team for making this recognition possible!”

Glendale Glitters is the largest free holiday light display in Arizona.

Glendale adds this designation to a list of accolades the city has garnered over the last several years. The Glendale Chocolate Affaire has won numerous awards, including being named one of the top 100 events in North America by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and the American Bus Association.

The event also was bestowed with the 2003 Governor’s Tourism Award for the Best Special Event in Arizona and the Best Fair/Festival by the Arizona Chapter of the International Special Events Society.

For more information on Glendale’s events and festivals, visit www.glendaleaz.com/events or call 623-930-2299.