Glendale Daily Planet

Promote Your Page Too

FACEBOOK! JOIN US!

Arizona Agricultural Day, Saturday, March 6 
at Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale, Arizona.  

Story and Photos - Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

If you did not grow up on a farm or if you did and wanted to remember the good-old-days, then Saturday’s Agricultural Day was for you.  The event included livestock displays, farm equipment, educational exhibits, gardening tips, a petting zoo and lunch for a buck!  All of this for $2.00 or 3 cans of food for Arizona Food Bank.

Hayride around Sahuaro Ranch Park. 

More HERE

WESTMARC and The West Valley Chamber Alliance
Governor Jan Brewer Annual Luncheon

Leadership from the West Valley - February 26, 2010

12:35 p.m. Introduction of Governor Jan Brewer Don Smith President, SCF Arizona

Governor Jan Brewer's Address The Honorable Jan Brewer Governor, State of Arizona

Jack Lunsford President/CEO, WESTMARC

Watch Intro, Mayor Scruggs and Gov, Brewer and others...


Watch Gov. Brewer segment only

Sue Grafton doesn't do many speaking engagements on her book tours anymore, so it was a rare opportunity to hear her when the Poisoned Pen Bookstore brought her to the Arizona Biltmore on her U is for Undertow tour.

I attended with a friend and librarian, Cathy Johnson. When we walked in the door, Sue was working the crowd, so I reintroduced myself, reminding her I had hosted her twice in Florida, and picked her up at the airport. She looked at me, and said, "Kind of a vagabond, aren't you?" She was just as kind and warm as always, and spent a half an hour going through the audience.

Barbara Peters, owner of the Poisoned Pen, introduced Sue by saying they go way back to the beginning of the bookstore, when she contacted Sue, and asked her to appear at the new bookstore. Sue said, so you're asking me to change my entire schedule and come to Arizona, and Barbara said, yes. And, she did. Barbara and Sue said they're aging together.  

See the rest of Lesa's article and others  in the Book Topics section HERE

The Fiesta Bowl Queen and her court did a read the night Before Christmas for the children on stage and the audience that listed attentively.

Glendale Daily Planet / Glendale, Ariz. – This year’s Glendale Glitters Spectacular was unlike any other, because the city is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

As part of the city’s centennial activities this year, two 100-years-young residents assisted the Glendale City Council on Friday, Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m., to turn on the stunning Glendale Glitters holiday light display of 1.5 million lights for the first time this season.

This year's humorous emcees were Tim and Willy from KMLE Country.

The Fiesta Bowl Queen and her court did a reading of the night Before Christmas for the children on stage and the audience that listed attentively. MORE - MUCH MORE HERE!

Your Hostess: Carol Migray of Cottage Garden!

(C) 2009

Photos and story by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 

The Cottage Garden Christmas in Catlin Court hosted a garden party Christmas Tea on November 14th.  The cost was $12.50 per person with finger sandwiches, sconces, ice cream and cookie, hot tea and cold tea. The Tea and food was provided by Coffee and Tea Express and the deserts from Papa Ed's Ice Cream, both businesses are also from Catlin Court, There was  a fashion show with original creations from 'Rare Earth' and modeling the spring collection that will be  available at Cottage Garden in February were the designer Leslie Christenson and Cindy Desjardins. MORE HERE

Glendale's Manager of Tourism receives accolades and a surprise  breakfast from  adoring downtown merchants

or...

Lorraine's Super Magical Surprise Party! 

Photos and story by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 11-12-2009

Bud Zomok (Right)  from Shoez in Motion, a downtown Glendale Business merchant  presents Lorraine Pino Glendale Tourism Office Manager a star shaped glass award in behalf of all the merchants in the historic downtown area comprised of historic Catlin Court and Old Towne Glendale...

 Lorraine's  favorite expression is  YAY!....  so the star trophy the  is inscribed with

 YAY!
Lorraine
You Are Our
Superstar!

In addition  Lorraine was presented with a  a crystal clock that said

Lorraine Pino
Thank you for all the "Extra" time and dedication

The Glendale Merchants thank you.
November 12 2009

Back row - Jennifer Reichelt - Marketing and Communications, Becky Shady - Vistor Center Volunteer, Jennifer Stein - Marketing and Communications

Front row - Varerie - Owner, Bears and More in Catlin Court, Lorraine Pino Tourism  Manager, Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center - Bud Zolmok - Shoez in Motion in downtown Glendale AZ

The Game's Afoot - The Party is Gonna Happen!

 

Lorraine Pino, Tourism  Manager of Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center,  is a face and  a star  that has shone down on all of us here downtown over the years. Starting out 9 years ago  as a part time employee, when the visitor center was founded, Lorraine rose to the position of  the manager of Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center. We all got together November 12. 2009 at Bit-zee Mama's in downtown Glendale to salute her.

 

A great plan has to start somewhere!

 Bud Zolmok of Shoez in Motion, A downtown Glendale merchant, tells us "This idea started about two months ago when I was talking with a the merchants from Papa Ed's Ice Cream and Country Maiden in Catlin Court. We were talking about ideas to bring more folks to the different event's and Lorraine's name and how hard she works came up."

"Just for fun I said we really should do something for her. At first a few folks thought maybe getting her some kind of a gift certificate would be nice and I said no I was thinking something a bit more personal than a gift certificate... Maybe a "Thank You" breakfast. They seemed to like that idea but it also seemed a bit big to pull off in a short period of time"

Success of a surprise party relies on getting the subject to the party totally unaware that they are going to be surprised!  Bud tells us how  he pulled this off...  "I made a phone call to Terry Williams in Lorraine's office and found a date in November that was open on her calendar. I then spoke with Valerie Burner (Bears and More) and arranged to have her call Lorraine and schedule a meeting for that morning. I knew Valerie is not a early morning person so if she asked Lorraine to meet first thing in the morning I knew Lorraine would take this very serious!"

The next step to success in  planning a surprise party  is getting the general population notified but not have the 'secret' slip out!

"Once I had the date locked in, I created an invite flier and solicited help from Cheryl Kappes from Country Maiden) and Linda Whittley  from Papa Ed's Ice Cream) to distribute the flier throughout Catlin Court." 

Bud handled the  downtown distribution of the flyer in the downtown area along Glendale Avenue. "I would open my shop, work a few hours, shut it down for ten minute and run like a crazy man delivering invites. Then back to the shop... It took me four days to hand deliver all the flier... The one thing I was most worried about was keeping this a secret!"

The  response from the  merchants was even more than Bud had anticipated, "What I found most interesting was everyone I spoke with weather they could attend or not all had great things to say about Lorraine. I did not encounter one negative comment as I handed out the invites. With the economic concerns of some of the businesses I feel their comments are even more a tribute to the hard work Lorraine does for this area."

A  week before the event Bud Zomok once again would shut his shop and ran reminder fliers to the business that had not RSVP'd.  This added effort resulted in another 12 folks calling and showing up.

Lorraine was very surprised as she walked into the banquet room at Bitz-ee Mama’s. A spontaneous standing ovation occurred and within a few seconds the tears were flowing from both Lorraine and several of the attendees.

Lorraine gave an impromptu speech about how much the downtown community  meant to her, "that they are like her family" and that "she loves each and every one of them." She expressed "she is a very lucky girl to get to have the job she has and she should be thanking us." In addition, with great elation, she  brought up the fact she is "looking forward to the 10 year anniversary of the Glendale Visitor Center."

After the event Lorraine told   'The Planet,  “What a wonderful and exciting morning at Bitz-ee Mama’s! It is a true blessing to be the Tourism Manager for the city of Glendale. I am the luckiest girl in the world and today’s celebration was such a special surprise. I am so very thankful for the downtown business community, for their passion, energy, creativity and caring. I look forward to many years ahead filled with events and activities that continue to showcase the unique aspects of our downtown and giving our visitors an unforgettable experience. Many, many thanks to all of my downtown friends who truly gave me one of the best days ever.”

Ed Sharpe, Publisher -    and  his staff noted, "Lorraine has always offered us ideas, assisted us  with stories and provided positive  critique on our efforts here at the Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV" Sharpe continued, "Many times, late at night, we are still working on a story and need some facts or a relevant quote and Lorraine pops up with a  what we need from the keyboard of her trusty blackberry!" In a disturbing era of changing work ethics Sharpe states "Lorraine is a breath of fresh air with the enthusiasm and energy she brings to her workplace and the entire downtown core."

In closing Bud Zomok told the 'Planet, "in addition to thanking Lorraine, the second most important part of this event was watching the merchants come together for a cause...  and once at the meeting they talked, laughed and shared with each other. For a few minutes they forgot if they were Catlin Court or Downtown Merchants and joined as Glendale Merchants thanking Lorraine."

 

=======  Some thoughts express during the  process and  after the fact... =======

Kelly Norton - Executive Director, The Bead Museum
"Loraine’s dependability in providing communication for The Bead Museum has been extraordinarily important. Her newsletters are full of important information that keeps me up to date on events and changes in our local business community. She is personable and always so very friendly! Many thanks Loraine!"

Jim Eggleston  - Kathy Corner
"She's the real deal... "

Jennifer Stein  - City of Glendale
"I think I'm going to cry just hearing about this..." 

Cheryl Kappes - The Country Maiden - Catlin Court
“After purchasing the Country Maiden, in early 2007, I called Lorraine at the Visitor center to learn more about That Thursday Thing. Lorraine immediately put me at ease, and really helped me to learn the ropes. Lorraine is so very good at listening, giving her undivided attention to the question at the moment, and not afraid to dig in and help with whatever ideas we come up with. Lorraine is just the right mix of energy, enthusiasm, laughter, and real passion for the Merchants success. Our City of Glendale, is very lucky to have her!”

Valerie Burner - Bears & More
"We remember when Lorraine was a part time volunteer - and her love and enthusiasm for Downtown Glendale has never wavered. What would we do without her?"

Cheryl from Country Maiden
"No one better..."  

Rose Prescott - Matilda's Vintage Closet
"Lorraine has always been looking out for us and has called us at Matilda's "Stars" when they get us out in the public eyes either by having us do a fashion show or putting us on TV...we thank her for her continued support in helping put our shop (Matilda's Vintage Closet ) and Historical Downtown Glendale on the map."

------

Other great comments  flew fast and furious and just a few were....

"Why didn't this happen sooner...  and Why didn't we think of this?"

"A gentle spirit who bleeds Glendale..."

"Wouldn't miss this for the world..."

"What a gem..."

====================================================================

 Emmy Award (R) winning Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV" is Glendale's  and the Metro Westside Valley of the Sun's 'Independent Online Journalism Initiative'.  

Read us... watch us... www.glendaledailyplanet.com

GLENDALE’S GREEN FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH
GLENDALE FAMILY BIKE RIDE MARCH 27
Photos by Bette Sharpe, CouryGraph Productions

GLENDALE’S GREEN FESTIVAL & SRP WATER EXPO AT GLENDALE MAIN LIBRARY  - 

Photo 1: Welcoming visitors are (from left to right) Eileen Kane, Sheryl Strading, and Pat Smith. - Photo by Bette Sharpe, CouryGraph Productions	Photo 2: the first 100 people got to choose a free plant.  - Photo by Bette Sharpe, CouryGraph Productions

 

Photo 3: Ironwood freshman Colton Andrews “bike” powers the all the lights. Enough power was generated by Colton to light all of the lights in the display case! It is not as easy as it looks.   - Photo by Bette Sharpe, CouryGraph Productions

GLENDALE, Ariz. – What better way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather on March 27 than a bike ride and a family festival? People went  to Sahuaro Ranch Park for the Glendale Family Bike Ride, followed by the Green Festival, two popular events that have teamed up to create a fun-filled, educational day for the whole family.

This free event is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get a little exercise and learn about water and energy efficiency, alternative transportation, going solar, and many other green-living practices.

The annual Glendale Family Bike Ride kicked off the day at Sahuaro Ranch Park at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The bike ride was suitable for cyclists of all levels and ages, with a long or a short route option.  Free snacks and water were provided at two rest stops along the route. All participants wore a bike helmet, and for those who did not have a helmet, one could  be purchased at the event for $10.

Following the bike ride, cyclists and non-cyclists headed over to the Glendale Green Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Glendale Main Library.

The event featured information booths, green-product vendors, free giveaways, green-living and desert gardening classes for homeowners, and a family zone powered by Radio Disney’s Friends for Change with fun and games for all ages, plus the SRP Water Conservation Expo for the latest in water-efficient devices.

Photo 6: George Wall, President Sonoran Audubon Society He stated  “Bird watching is the number one hobby in the United States.” he continued "Have you seen the Abert’s Towhee? This bird is found primarily in Arizona’s Colorado and Gila River Valleys".

For more information on Arizona’s birds can be found at the Sonoran Audubon Society’s web page http://sonoranaudubon.org/.

Below was the day’s scheduled activities and classes:

City of Glendale  stories for this 'News Block' below....

photo - City of Glendale

Councilmember Goulet presented a VIP check to Max and Inez Levine for exterior improvements made to their Catlin Court property. Funding is the result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is available for improvements to commercial and industrial properties in the city’s redevelopment area. For additional information on the VIP Program click here. http://www.glendaleaz.com/recovery/CDBG-R_Program.cfm


------------------------------------------------------------------
Reel Talk Movies. The Reel Talk Film Series offers top-notch movies in June and July. The theme for this summer is Visual Effects: Then and Now. The series kicks off on June 5 with the granddaddy of great effects – none other than the 1933 version of King Kong, starring Fay Wray. Reel Talk will take place at 1 p.m. in the library’s auditorium. Movie lovers are lucky to have film expert Jeannie Berg leading this favorite summertime series once again. For more information, call (623) 930-3573.

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


Summer Recreation. The summer fun edition of the Glendale Parks & Recreation Magazine is now available and loaded with special interest classes, youth and teen programs, facilities information and more. Details about Glendale’s aquatics programs are available in the 2009 Splashbook. Both of these publications are available online, at the Glendale Parks and Recreation office, 5850 W. Glendale Ave., and Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr. Click here to visit the Glendale Parks and Recreation Web site.

 The Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni of Glendale held
 its 2nd annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction

by: Nikki Colletti,  CPAAG Prisident

One of the wine stations at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar Photo by: Nikki Colletti

The Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni of Glendale held its 2nd annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction on June 12th. It was hosted again this year by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar at 9712 W. Northern Ave. in Peoria. The attendees were served an array of Fleming’s fantastic appetizers and sampled a number of wines donated by Fleming’s. There were nearly 30 silent auction items of various values covering a wide variety of interests from the traveler, to the sports enthusiast and everything in between. Over $3500 was raised! MORE HERE

UPDATE JULY 26, 2010

Glendale Residents,

 

I wanted to update all of you on the transit issue that I sent out late last week.  Veolia, the bus service operator for the City of Phoenix has signed a contract extension that is good through August 15.  As a result, regular bus service will continue at least for the time being.  We will continue to keep you informed while contract negotiations continue.

 

Sincerely,

 

Elaine M. Scruggs

Mayor   

---

 

 

 

Glendale Residents,

 

Many of our bus routes in Glendale are provided as a result of an intergovernmental agreement that we have with the City of Phoenix.  Yesterday, City of Phoenix staff contacted Glendale staff to notify us that contract negotiations between the City of Phoenix and Veolia, their bus service operator, have become unproductive. 

 

The breakdown of contract negotiations between the City of Phoenix and Veolia could have a direct impact on our transit services in the City of Glendale.  In fact, we have been told that bus service could be interrupted as early as this Monday, July 26.

 

Please read the attached news release for more information.  Also attached is a map showing all of the transit routes that could be affected. Please help us get the word out to any of your friends, neighbors and family who depend on bus service for transportation. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Elaine M. Scruggs

Mayor

POTENTIAL TRANSIT STRIKE THREATENS GLENDALE EAST/WEST BUS ROUTES

 GLENDALE, Ariz. – Due to the breakdown of contract negotiations with one of the city of Phoenix transit service operators, Veolia, on its union collective bargaining agreements, some city of Glendale bus services may be impacted.

Glendale contracts most of its transit bus service with the city of Phoenix through an annual intergovernmental agreement. Other Valley cities are impacted by the potential strike as well, including Scottsdale, Peoria and Sun City.

The agreements are set to expire on Sunday, July 25. If an agreement is not reached, there is a potential for a strike beginning Monday, July 26, at which point bus service for 11 of Glendale’s 14 fixed routes will discontinue on a temporary basis due to these unforeseen circumstances.

These 11 bus routes are primarily the east/west routes and are as follows:

·        Route 50 – Camelback Road

·        Route 60 – Bethany Home Road

·        Route 70 – Glendale Avenue

·        Route 80 – Northern Avenue

·        Route 90 – Olive Avenue

·        Route 106 – Peoria Avenue

·        Route 122 – Cactus Avenue

·        Route 138 – Thunderbird Road

·        Route 170 – Bell Road

·        Route 186 – Union Hills Road

·         Express Route 581, from 59th and Thunderbird Road

Bus routes not affected include north/south routes in the city, including those along 67th, 59th, 51st and 43rd avenues; in addition, routes not impacted include route numbers 573 (Loop 303) and 575 (Loop 101) , 570 (Northern) and the Grand Avenue Limited.

Residents without alternative transportation are encouraged to carpool or vanpool. Additional information can be found online at www.glendaleaz.com/bus.

Glendale will continue to provide the utmost customer service with its in-house transit services, including its neighborhood circulator, the Gus Bus and its Dial-a-Ride. For more information on Transit services, visit www.glendaleaz.com/transit or call 623-930-3500.

Tribe Overcomes Key Hurdle in Glendale Casino
MyFox Phoenix
Glendale spokeswoman Julie Frisoni declined to comment on the ruling until the city's attorneys could review it. "The decision by the Department of Interior ...

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Over 150 performers with styles ranging from Folk and Bluegrass to Cowboy Poetry and Storytelling will entertain at Glendale Parks and Recreation’s two-day Folk & Heritage Festival.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21 at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area, 9802 N. 59th Ave. Attendees are welcome to enjoy the entertainment on six stages and participate in free workshops, on topics such as ukulele techniques, mountain dulcimer beginning autoharp and banjo led by accomplished entertainers.

This unique festival includes family entertainment, historic Sahuaro Ranch site tours, blacksmith demonstrations and children’s stage and activity area. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission and most activities are free.

A complete schedule of the entertainment and workshops will be available February 1st at www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of activities during the event. To volunteer or for more information, call 623-930-4200.

Gary Soderlund

On Guard!  This month's Ring of big thanks goes to Tim Bissel and Gary Soderlund the Security Ambassadors in Catlin Court

Main Library Recession Response Classes Continue. If you are still on the job hunt, try checking out what Glendale Public Library has to help you. The city’s Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., is offering the following free computer classes and workshops for job seekers. For a list of classes through July, visit the glendaleaz.com/library and click on "Recession Response." For more information, call 623-930-3531.

Support and Guidance for Homeowners Don’t be a Victim! 
Visit Glendale Civic Center Friday, March 12 from 10 to 6

Story -  Bette Sharpe  Photos by Ed Sharpe

Eric Selk Director of Outreach Alliance Explains programs to  'Planet 
reporter Bette Sharpe -  Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

USA CARES was on hand to talk with vets

The Mission

USA Cares provides financial and advocacy assistance to post 9/11 active duty US military service personnel, veterans and their families. We assist all branches of service, all ranks and components and treat all with privacy and dignity in appreciation for their service and sacrifice. We never charge fees nor accept repayment and rely on donations from private citizens, businesses and foundations for all funding.

Why They Are Different

Grants not Loans: USA Cares provides grants to solve problems not loans to prolong them.

Screening of Applicants: USA Cares carefully screens each applicant. Our staff works directly with service providers (utility, mortgage company, etc.) to confirm the need.

Leveraging Other Assistance: USA Cares mobilizes other organizations to join in providing assistance thus maximizing the impact of every donation.

Low Overhead/High Efficiency: Typically more than 80% of all contributions received from donations and grants go to support service members and their families.

Their Assistance Programs

Combat Injured: Significant levels of financial support for those wounded in combat. This includes the “invisibly wounded” PTSD and TBI veterans through our Warrior Treatment Today program.

Housing Assistance: USA Cares has saved over 930 privately owned or rented homes and kept over 1,950 children in their familiar surroundings. While the mortgage and real estate crisis has affected all Americans, military families with fewer options, have been impacted disproportionately.

Basic Needs: Assistance that keeps the lights on, the home warm and the primary family car in the driveway.

For information - Click on links below.

USA Cares On YouTube

U.S.DOD News on USA Cares

Business Wire Article

USA Cares is a non-profit charity founded in 2003, existing "to help bear the burdens of service by providing military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need." In a short six years, USA Cares has helped over 11,000 service member families and delivered almost $5.5 million in support.

Media persona Dennis Miller is the organization's national spokesman. In addition, on July 4, 2006, during at speech at Fort Bragg, President George W. Bush spoke of USA Cares' honorable work.

Bill Nelson, Executive Director, USA CARES -  Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

SHE’S A HERO Story -  Bette Sharpe          Photos - Ed Sharpe

Tracey, Amber, Captain Scott Kohoutek and Tracey's brother  Firefighter Dan Wolters

Amber Christiansen is a hero according to Glendale Fire Department Captain Scott Kohoutek and his crew.  Amber and her mom Tracey were walking to visit a friend at a nearby Circle K, when Tracey, a Glendale Firefighter’s sister collapsed just out of the blue.  (During a cardiac arrest the victim looses consciousness.).  At first, Amber thought her mom had fallen.  Amber turned her mom over and tried to get her attention and when Tracey did not respond, Amber then she knew something was wrong and called 9-1-1. 

The 9-1-1 dispatcher reassured Amber and provided step-by-step instructions for continuous-chest-compassion CCC or hands- only CPR.  Help arrived when Glendale Fire Department responded to the call in about two minutes and took over the compressions for Amber.  More Story and Photos HERE!

NEW  10 MILLION DOLLAR GLENDALE HEALTH CARE FACILITY

SPECIALIZES IN HIGH-END COMFORT

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale has a new, luxurious health care option for patients before returning home from the hospital.  Advanced Health Care of Glendale officially opens its doors at 16825 N. 63rd Ave., offering a resort-like atmosphere with 54 deluxe private suites, gourmet dining, 24-hour nursing care and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

            The 44,000-square-foot Glendale location is the company’s third facility in Arizona. The $10 million, state-of-the-art building is designed to give patients an upscale choice when it comes to choosing short-term rehabilitation and nursing services. 

                “We are very pleased Advanced Health Care selected Glendale as their location of choice, especially since health care is one of our targeted industries,” said Brian Friedman, Glendale Economic Development Director.  “This first-class facility will manage more than 100 employees, bring a new source of revenue to the city and enhance the continuum of medical services in Glendale.”

               “We are delighted to provide this opportunity to the residents of Glendale, and expand the availability of exceptional health care for patients in between hospital and home,” said Andy Frasure, Advanced Health Care Sr. Vice President of Operations.  “Additionally, our Glendale facility is strategically located to accommodate Glendale’s two main hospitals; bringing more quality health care and services to the community.”

Advanced Health Care has 10 locations throughout the country.  For more information on Glendale’s Economic Development Department, go to www.glendaleaz.com/economicdevelopment.                                                                                                                                                             

NEW SHOP GLENDALE DISCOUNTS ADDED 

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – If your heart is looking for something special, join tens of thousands and get your Shop Glendale card and save some money! The city’s Shop Glendale promotion offers year-round shoppers discounts at a multitude of Glendale businesses and has added many Westgate City Center restaurants and retailers this month.

The new Westgate businesses include: Just Sports, McFadden’s, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, Margaritaville, Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt, Ridemakerz, Runway Royalty, The Shout House, Sunglass Station and Which Wich. These additions bring the total of Shop Glendale businesses to more than 50.

Participants can pick up their red Shop Glendale card at the Glendale Visitor Center and receive a list of participating merchants. Shoppers may also download the card at www.visitglendale.com. About 2,300 shoppers have taken advantage of this convenient online service that also lists participating businesses.

Those who are able to stop by the Glendale Visitor Center may enter for a chance to win a monthly drawing for a gift certificate to one of the many participating merchants and take a free spin on the Shop Glendale prize wheel.

The Glendale Office of Tourism’s Shop Glendale program encourages residents and visitors to choose Glendale as the location to spend their shopping, dining and activity dollars in an effort to bolster the economy. The program also promotes spending in Glendale, as the sales tax collected supports critical city services.

"We are one of few cities that offer a shopping discount card that is measurable," said Lorraine Pino, Glendale Tourism Manager. "Nearly 30,000 cards have been distributed since the program launched in July 2009, showing Glendale residents and visitors have a strong desire to shop in this community."

For more information, call the Glendale Visitor Center at 623-930-4500, or visit our Web site at www.visitglendale.com.

West Valley Advocacy Center Receives Donation. On March 2, 2010 Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market presented a donation of food items and gift cards to the West Valley Advocacy Center, located at 6829 N. 57 Ave.

Lieutenant Katrina Alberty, along with the Victim’s assistance caseworker, employees and volunteers, accepted the generous donation at the Fresh & Easy Store on Olive and presented Liz with a certificate of appreciation.

First-time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Loan. If you are a first-time homebuyer planning to purchase a home in Glendale, you may be eligible for a loan of up to $10,000 through the American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI) program.

Grants provided through the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Officers from the Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, El Mirage, Youngtown, Surprise and DPS Police Departments participated in a multi-agency Click it or Ticket enforcement effort on March 1st, 2010 as part of a nationwide campaign to increase awareness regarding the use of child safety seats and the wearing of seat belts.

The area that was focused on during this enforcement effort was NW Grand Avenue where it passed through each represented city and jurisdiction. Enforcement focused on Grand Avenue from 7th Avenue to SR 74 and the detail ran from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There were 50 officers working this detail throughout the day. As a result of their efforts the following statics are provided:

Total Contacts Made 478

Total number of Seatbelt Tickets issued 175

Total number of Child Safety Seat Tickets issued 6

Total number of Moving Violations ticketed 253

Total number of other Non-moving Violations Cited 159

Total Misdemeanor Arrests 27

From the above, we can consider that on average 53 motorists were stopped each enforcement hour. Approximately 37% of the violations were for No Lap/Shoulder Belt. In addition to the above enforcement, there were several warrant arrests, DUI arrests, and vehicle impoundments processed throughout the day.

Seat belts do save lives, unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse-your life, please buckle up and drive safely.

LUKE! YES!

Glendale Community College's Alumni
 Association Elects Officers, Board

Alumni Board from l to r seated, Debbie Birks, 
Courtney Butler, Karen Russo and Sally Dimond;
 back row Eric Froke, Judy Sanchez, Daniel Gaston,
 Frances Mateo and Dennis Topel.

Glendale Community College's Alumni Association has elected the following officers and members of the board for the 2010-2011 school year: President - Daniel Gaston; Vice President - Eric Froke; Secretary - Courtney Butler; Treasurer - Frances Mateo; and Board Members Debbie Birks, Sally Dimond, Karen Russo and Dennis Topel.

GCC Director of Development Judy Sanchez welcomes the new members of the board. She points out that becoming active in the Alumni Association is a way to give back to the college and reconnect with classmates. Volunteers are needed for activities from special events to mentoring to marketing. And there are many benefits including complimentary admission to all athletic events and library privileges. For details, go to http://www.gccaz.edu/Alumni .

CITY OF GLENDALE APPROVES ONE PROPOSAL
FROM POTENTIAL BUYER FOR THE
NHL COYOTES TEAM

Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
(Photos 'Kino'ed from City Cable)

 GLENDALE, Ariz. – Tuseday evening (4/13/2010)  the Glendale City Council voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from a potential buyer to purchase the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Coyotes team and keep the team playing in the Glendale-owned Jobing.com Arena.  

A mixture of citizenry adorned in anything from suits to hockey jerseys joined together in  Glendale’s Council Chambers  to address council and staff during the public comments section  required by law for an action such as this MOI to be approved. voicing support to the city, elected officials and staff for working to keep the team in Glendale. 

The Meeting was led by Vice Mayor Manny Martinez since Mayor Elaine Scruggs was in Washington along with other state and city  dignitaries to promote Luke's effort to capture the  F-35 Joint Strike fighter for training in  Arizona. Luke is a very important to city income as well as affecting all of Arizona. 

The approved MOU is from Glendale Hockey LLC, a group led by Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the MLB Chicago White Sox and NBA Chicago Bulls.

City Staff stated "The proposal matches the goals set by the Glendale City Council at the beginning of the negotiations, including keeping the team in Glendale, no use of taxpayer dollars, retaining all current city revenues, not incurring additional debt to the city and creating the potential to share in new revenue opportunities."

The Council did not approve an MOU from Ice Edge Holdings, a group of Canadian and American investors, for the primary reason the proposal held the city liable for covering debt which would impact taxpayers. 

Ice Edge CEO Anthony LeBlanc did make a last ditch attempt to offer to change verbiage of the MOU, but was met by rebuff by city staff. The specific clause concerned requiring taxpayer funds to guarantee the bank loan. 

According to city officials "The approved MOU will now go to the NHL for a final decision.  Glendale remains committed to ensuring the citizens’ and stakeholders’ best interests are at the forefront of any negotiations."

         
People in suits, as well as those in team colors, showed up to speak during the public comments section.

 The most questions asked of city staff award goes to.... Councilpersons Clark and Lieberman

 What others are saying... 

http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2010/04/13/20100413coyotesvote0414.html

http://thenhlarena.com/index.php?showtopic=139611

http://www.mvptoday.com/?p=2388

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2010/04/4114_reinsdorf_in_ic.html

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY

TELECOMMUNICATORS’ WEEK

APRIL 11-17, 2010

The nation’s first 9-1-1 call went through on February 16, 1968, in Hayleyville, Alabama. In the last 42 years, Public Safety Communications Specialists nationwide have taken millions of calls from those in need of help. In 1991, Congress issued a formal proclamation when Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create "National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week." The City of Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs proclaimed the week of April 11 through April 17, 2010, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week.

The Glendale Police Department’s Communications’ Center is the primary answering points for all 9-1-1 police and medical calls in the city of Glendale. 911 calls for police are evaluated, prioritized and assigned for dispatch. Fire and medical related calls are forwarded to the Phoenix Fire Regional Communication Center for dispatch of medical or fire personnel.  There are a total of 40 Communication Specialists in Glendale who work answering phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in order to assist the public. These men and women answer over 600,000 calls per year.

The Glendale Communications Division utilizes state of the art radio and telephone equipment to ensure public safety as well as the safety of officers and detectives protecting the streets of Glendale daily.  The 800 Mhz radio system is combined with a Computer Aided Dispatch module that corresponds with mobile data computer terminals in each patrol car.  Communications Specialists also monitor specialized equipment that keeps Glendale citizens safe, including the ShotSpotter gunshot location system, National Crime Information Center computer system, and other sensitive law enforcement tools.

These everyday heroes go beyond their roles within the Communications Center to work city Mega Events for the University of Phoenix Stadium and Jobing.com Arena as well as dispatch for specialty enforcement and response squads within the Police Department.

The Glendale Police Department Communications Division can be reached by telephone on emergency and non-emergency phone lines 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The non-emergency number for the Glendale Police Department is 623 930 3000.

Sign up for EarthWise Trees for Change now through May 31st and SRP will send you two complimentary passes to the Phoenix Zoo.

By Jamise Liddell, Ed.D- Entertainment Critic
Syndicated Lifestyle, Entertainment Reporter, Glendale Daily Planet  Entertainment Editor -

Starring:  Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson and Garry Shandling
Rated:  PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language.
Runtime:  124 min
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Iron Man 2‘s power is Johansson‘s Black Widow

Iron Man 2 is not as good as the first one,it is, however, still engagingly entertaining and better than a majority of the current new releases.  Among Iron Man 2‘s positive aspects is Scarlett Johansson who emerges in a Lycra suit as the powerful Black Widow.  Johansson‘s action scenes are mesmerizing enough to call for a film of her own.  SEE MORE CLICK HERE!

Even though the national observance of Public Works Week is over keep in mind this summer what fantastic work these folks provide us!

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Where does your garbage go when it leaves your curb? Who delivers the water that comes out of your faucet?  These and more than a dozen other services are carried out by Glendale’s Public Works Departments.

The week of May 16 - 22 marked the national observance of Public Works Week but we should always keep in mind all year long what a great job these folks do. Glendale’s Public Works Group includes more than 500 employees from the following departments: Field Operations, Transportation, Utilities and Environmental Resources. 

As summer approaches with triple-digit temperatures, these employees have the hottest jobs and are out there every day keeping the city in top shape. This week brings awareness to the many men and women who work to provide the utmost quality and customer service 24-hours-a-day. 

                For a quick look at what Glendale’s Public Works Departments do, check out these fast facts:

·         The Field Operations Department maintains 736 miles of streets, disposes of 250,000 tons of trash and manages 2 million square feet of municipal buildings and properties

·         The Transportation Department is responsible for 100,000 traffic and street signs, roadway markings for more than 500 miles of streets and keeping 19,499 lights glowing

·         The Utilities Department takes care of 1,600 miles of water and sewer pipelines and reads more than 61,000 meters monthly

·         The Environmental Resources Department collects and analyzes more than 14,000 samples of water annually to ensure regulatory agencies and residents that Glendale’s water is clear, clean and safe to use

·         The Water Conservation Office works with water customers daily to help them live a lifestyle that uses less water, reducing consumption in the home by 20 percent

Glendale is proud to recognize its Public Works employees during National Public Works Week. For more information on the public works services, visit www.glendaleaz.com/publicworks. 

What are the odds of 2 Pizza delivery trucks colliding?

2 pizza trucks collide... near 59 and Peoria both drivers ok... One from Submarinos and the other from Hungry Howie's....

People kid me about the news stories I cover always end up with free food and this was no exception... I have to say the crust on Hungry Howie's Pizza is indeed flavorful!

The driver's son kindly... offered up the pizzas that could not be delivered to bystanders and we sampled several types.

glendale announces the Glendale convention & visitors bureau 
– first in the west valley

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Beginning July 1, the Glendale Office of Tourism’s name will change to the Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB).

The city operated GCVB will represent Glendale and the West Valley and will be the first convention and visitors bureau (CVB) located west of I-17. CVBs throughout the country promote specific tourist and visitor destinations and are directly responsible for developing, promoting and marketing the destination.

CVBs are often the official point of contact for convention and meeting planners, tour operators and visitors. They assist planners with meeting preparation and encourage business travelers and visitors alike to visit local historic, cultural and recreational attractions.

“It is the intent of the GCVB to increase visits from tourists and business travelers by promoting the amenities, attractions and destinations in Glendale and the West Valley, which will in turn generate business and sales tax revenue from retail and shopping sales, restaurant visits and lodging,” says Tourism Manager Lorraine Pino.

More than four million people visit Glendale each year to attend professional and college football, hockey and spring training games as well as concerts, signature special events, mega events, conferences, tradeshows and other related events and activities. The West Valley alone, has more than 10,000 hotel rooms and is home to five Cactus League Spring Training facilities, University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena, Westgate City Center, Glendale Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, Peoria Performing Arts Center, Glendale Civic Center, Cabela’s, Phoenix International Raceway and the Wigwam Resort and Golf Club – one of the Southwest’s top ranked golf courses. There is, no doubt, that Glendale and the West Valley are in the national and international spotlight.

As Glendale and the West Valley have evolved into a premiere sports and entertainment destination, the need for an enhanced tourism entity to support, promote and attract conventions, conferences, mega events, businesses and visitors has grown. The GCVB will continue the city’s successful marketing, advertising and branding efforts while providing the opportunity to enhance services and efforts and reach an even wider audience. The GCVB will improve the region’s ability to compete in the national and international tourism marketplace and compete with CVB counterparts.

The Glendale City Council is tentatively set to adopt a membership fee schedule at its June 8th Council meeting and the official name change will take place on July 1st. The GCVB membership drive will begin in July. A grand-opening celebration will take place at the Glendale Visitor Center (5800 W Glenn Drive, Suite 140) on Tuesday, June 29th at 10 a.m.; the event is open to the public. Go to www.visitglendale.com for more information on the new Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Twenty-two new nurses join patient care team at West Valley Hospital

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (June 15, 2010) – Many of us have heard that our nation is facing a critical nursing shortage; however, if you spoke to a newly graduated/licensed nurse, you may wonder why he or she cannot find a job if the healthcare industry is in such high demand.

 

One of the challenges a new nurse graduate faces is limited experience.  Although most nursing students receive clinical exposure during their educations, hospitals are limited in how many new graduates they can accommodate while continuing to ensure the highest level of patient safety.

 

In light of this, you may wonder why West Valley Hospital began employing 22 new nurses on May 3, 2010.

 

West Valley Hospital and Abrazo Health Care nursing leadership developed a plan by which bachelor/ baccalaureate-prepared nursing graduates, many of whom had been out of school for some time, would have the opportunity to participate in a 12-week program to reorient them to the nursing profession.  Prior to enrollment in the program, applications were reviewed and a large-scale interview event occurred at West Valley Hospital.  At that time, 23 applicants were given offers; 22 accepted.

 

“As a cohort, the new nurses can develop cohesively as they move through the program together,” says Abrazo Health Care’s Regional Director of Nursing Education, Dawna Cato, RN, MS.Ned. “They are all working in different areas of the hospital and come to nursing with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  These diversities enable them to develop and grow from each other’s strengths and help them to understand they are not on this journey alone.”

 

Of course, West Valley Hospital benefits from the presence of these new nurses as well.  The nurses are supported as a unit, so they are receiving the same training and clinical experiences. 

 

“Our nursing directors have been phenomenal in embracing these new nurses and empowering them to bring fresh perspectives on patient care and caring principles, says Joan Simon, chief operating officer, West Valley Hospital.  “In turn, the nurses are receiving consistent messaging with regard to expectations of the professional nurse, with the patient at the center of everything we do.”

 

About West Valley Hospital— West Valley Hospital, an affiliate of Abrazo Health Care, is a 164-bed, acute care community hospital located just north of I-10 on McDowell, between Litchfield and Dysart Roads, in Goodyear, Arizona.  West Valley Hospital is proud to be recognized as an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, a designated Cardiac Arrest Center, and fully accredited by the Joint Commission.

 

From heart and vascular care, state-of-the-art obstetrics, and a 24-hour, full service emergency department, to medical and surgical services, laboratory, medical imaging, intensive care and women’s health services, West Valley Hospital advances health through the continuous pursuit of evidence-based, coordinated care while putting safety first—for our patients, their families and the entire West Valley Hospital team.

 

West Valley Hospital is committed to helping people achieve health for life by creating life-long relationships and changing the way health and healthcare are delivered in our communities.  

---

---

---

 

 

FOURTH GRADERS LEARN HOW TO
GO GREEN BY SAVING BLUE

Fourth grade students learn how to create a water shed with Glendale’s Water Watchers program  

 

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – What do fourth-graders take away from Glendale’s environmental educational experience? “We recycle, pick up trash, water the plants, and turn the water off,” said one student in Ms. Gleecy Butler’s class at Melvin E. Sine Elementary School after Earth Week, in which more than 100 fourth graders participated in Water Watchers, a water education program developed by the city of Glendale Water Conservation Office.

Water Watchers provides students with the unique opportunity to meet environmental professionals and learn about what they can do to become more water wise. Glendale Water Conservation staff provide interactive “Discovery Stations,” where students gain hands-on experience with 3-D models of groundwater and watershed systems, investigate desert plant adaptations and construct their own dams.

More than 600 students currently participate in the Water Watchers program annually, and about 1,500 students have been involved since the program’s inception four years ago.  The department’s youth education program, which encompasses the Water Watchers curriculum, water conservation-themed puppet shows, xeriscape garden field trips, Desert Explorers (in partnership with the Library) and school-related events involves approximately 5,000 students each year.

Fourth-grade teachers who participate in Water Watchers receive an activity guide and resource kit that is correlated to the Arizona State Standards for education. The resource kit includes student conservation tools, colorful maps and posters, most of which are donated by local partners, such as Salt River Project and Central Arizona Project. 

“Thanks to the city of Glendale for all the wonderful lessons and materials. Our students enjoyed every minute,” said Butler, who has participated for several years, and has inspired many other teachers to get involved, as well. “This is certainly a worthwhile program and we would love to do it again next year.”

Water Conservation Specialist Joanne Toms adds, “Water Watchers extends beyond the classroom with students involving their families in a take-home water audit so they can easily assess water use at home. Families who complete the home water audit receive free water conservation kits from Glendale’s Water Conservation Office”. 

These programs will soon expand. Beginning next school year, an energy conservation education program called Watt Watchers will be offered to Glendale teachers.  The city of Glendale recently received funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to develop an energy conservation program for Glendale teachers.

Fourth grade students learn about desert plants with Glendale’s Water Watchers program  

For information about Water Watchers or the new Watt Watchers program, contact Joanne Toms at 623-930-3535.

GLENDALE FIREFIGHTERS REMIND FOLKS TO BE “HEAT SAFE” HEADING INTO HOT WEEK

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Glendale Firefighters are advising the public to think “heat safety” as we head into a week with expected temperatures of about 110 degrees. The Arizona summer heat can be deadly and should NOT be underestimated. Following these Glendale Fire Department Safety Tips will add to the safety of you and your family;

·         Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids and limit beverages such as soda and those containing caffeine and alcohol. These types of beverages can cause dehydration.

·         Use sunscreen.

·         Exercise should take place indoors or as early in the morning as possible.

·         Cover your head. Wear a hat to provide shade.

·         NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS INSIDE OF AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE.

·         WATCH YOUR CHILDREN AROUND WATER

More tips on how to live healthier safer lives can be found on the Glendale Fire Department website www.glendaleaz.com/fire

.

The National Collegiate Honors Council Board of Directors, acting on the
recommendation of the Assessment and Evaluation Committee, selected
Jennifer Lane to be a member of the inaugural class of Fellows of the
NCHC. The fellows will be installed during the 2010 NCHC Conference in
Kansas City.

Lane is a member of the English Department faculty at Glendale Community
College and coordinator of the college’s Honors Program.

The NCHSC committee stated that Lane’s selection was based on her
regional, and state honors organization leadership; scholarly activities
relating to honors education; NCHC, regional, and/or state honors
special events, institutes, etc.; recognition for outstanding honors
teaching at GCC; assistance provided to other honors programs/colleges
(site visits, consulting, etc.); content of the nomination letters; and
demonstrated record of sustained commitment to honors education.

GCC Selects Dr. Ronald D. Natale II Vice President of Academic Affairs

Glendale Community College’s selection of Dr. Ronald D. Natale II as vice president of Academic Affairs was approved by the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board at its monthly meeting, May 25, 2010.  He begins his new position effective June 28.

Most recently president of Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, Georgia, Natale has extensive experience as an administrator and instructor in the community colleges of Florida. During the 80s, he was a resident of Glendale, Ariz., and taught mathematics at the Teledyne Economic Development Company as well as served as a manager, consultant and trainer for the Tandy Corp.

“Dr. Natale was chosen after a nationwide search that netted a number of very well qualified candidates,” says Dr. Velvie Green, president of Glendale Community College. “Each candidate made presentations on our campus with college and community members asking questions and providing feedback. We are please to welcome Dr. Natale to this key position at GCC.”

Natale holds a Doctor of Education, Education Leadership and Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He will reside in the Glendale area with his wife Jessica and three sons.

GCC, one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, offers associate degree, certificate and transfer programs that, in 2009, attracted approximately 30,000 students to GCC's main campus at 6000 W. Olive Ave. in Glendale and the GCC North campus, 5727 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix. www.gccaz.edu. Follow GCC on Twitter @GCCazPR, Facebook, Digg, MySpace and Foursquare.

COUNCILMEMBER STEVE FRATE

APPOINTED VICE MAYOR

 

　

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Councilmember Steve Frate is the city of Glendale’s new vice mayor.

The City Council selected Frate to the position at its meeting on Tuesday (June 8). The vice mayor performs the duties of the mayor during the mayor’s absence.

Frate, who assumes the vice mayor position July 1, replaces Councilmember Manny Martinez, who served in the position since 2007.

Frate was first elected to the City Council in 2000 and has been re-elected in 2004 and 2008. He represents the Sahuaro District.

City Council guidelines require councilmembers to nominate candidates for vice mayor each year at the first workshop in June.

CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS STRATEGIC GOALS
FOR UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Glendale City Council has set its priorities for the upcoming 2010-11 fiscal year.

The Council approved its new strategic goals and key objectives for the fiscal year that begins July 1 at its meeting on Tuesday (June 8). The goals and objectives were developed at the Council’s goal review and strategic planning retreat last December.

The goals and objectives are:

ONE COMMUNITY THAT IS FISCALLY SOUND

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Recognize that the economic challenges all communities are facing will impact Glendale in some manner and communicate effectively with the public regarding those implications and the city’s response.

Continue to inform and engage City Council early in the financial decision-making process to assure that the policy level perspective is included in the initial formation of budget options.

Make efforts to assure that service levels are minimally impacted by financial limitations.

Set goals that conservatively reflect the fiscal limitations in the economic environment.

Establish a foundation to enhance fiscal strength through quality economic development and establishing a plan for vibrancy in the city center as noted in other objectives that follow.

ONE COMMUNITY WITH STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Be proactive in code enforcement to improve neighborhood appearance.

Develop and apply innovative approaches to support neighborhoods and encourage neighborhoods to do the same.

--more--

Council priorities/add 1-1-1

Encourage neighborhoods to take ownership for improvements and to be part of the solution in difficult economic times.

Increase neighborhood involvement by educating residents to take active responsibility for their neighborhoods by strengthening neighborhood watches, working in concert with Code Compliance and establishing beneficial partnerships.

Share success stories with City Council and public as staff interacts with neighborhoods and neighborhoods take on responsibility.

ONE COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Continue the innovative and collaborative approach to assuring that Glendale is a safe community.

Work in partnership with the neighborhood strengthening effort and local businesses to ensure that Glendale is a safe community.

Communicate successes to illustrate that Glendale neighborhoods are safe.

ONE COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Identify and pursue business sectors that may be most valuable to the economic development strategy for Glendale.

Apply innovative approaches to development efforts, being willing to consider unique possibilities when they “fit” Glendale.

Retain and expand local small business as a foundation for community economic development.

Focus on opportunities that increase business locations that will improve salary levels and job quality.

City becomes a catalyst in forming an alliance with other communities and stakeholders regarding investment/incentive issues related to economic development.

ONE COMMUNITY WITH A VIBRANT CITY CENTER

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Continue the process of identifying the possibilities for Glendale Centerline and develop policies and support systems to encourage development.

Continue to focus on the Glendale Centerline to take advantage of current opportunities and prepare for an improved economy.

Be attentive to the connections between this objective and the previous three. They must work in unison to be successful.

Strengthen the public perception of downtown Glendale.

Identify ways the city can catalyze a strong downtown business district with its own business leadership organization.

Develop a strategy to encourage and retain viable retail businesses.

ONE COMMUNITY WITH AN ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH LUKE AIR FORCE BASE

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Continue to create opportunities to strengthen connection and shared experiences with base leadership.

Continue efforts to ensure federal and state support for Luke Air Force Base by building strong relationships and by enhancing lobbying efforts.

Seek opportunities to inform the public regarding the role played by Glendale in support of Luke AFB to both illustrate the level of commitment and encourage positive public support of Luke AFB.

Maintain the process to meet the base’s needs quickly.

ONE COMMUNITY WITH HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES FOR CITIZENS

Key Objectives for 2010-11

Continue to apply the organizational creativity and commitment to innovation that was so effective in the past two years.

Glendale, Ariz. – Vicki Kraintz, Library Operations Supervisor at Foothills Branch Library, has been selected as the June Employee of the Month for the Glendale Public Library System. A Phoenix resident, Kraintz has been with the library for 11 years.

She was nominated for the honor by co-worker Angela Caballero.

In order to be nominated for Employee of the Month, a person must demonstrate at least one of these qualities: teamwork, leadership and initiative, innovation and excellent performance. Caballero says that Kraintz encompasses all four of them.

Kraintz is lauded for her teamwork, helping her co-workers with a myriad of duties, whether it is helping to shelve books or take over the circulation window. Caballero notes that her efforts improve relationships and makes the library an enjoyable place where people like to work.

Kraintz has a “get up and go” attitude every day, even when a day is not going as expected.

“Vicki goes out of her way to make each and every person, from volunteers to employees and patrons, feel special,” says Caballero.

She also notes Kraintz’s ability to provide staff with new ways to improve how they perform daily tasks, ensuring that the Circulation Department runs even more efficiently.

Caballero continues, “Dedicated, hardworking, fair, respectful, always willing to listen, considerate, courteous, supportive and understanding are all words that earn Vicki Kraintz the distinction of Employee of the Month.”

WHO: The Glendale Police Department

WHAT: Fraudulent online scam awareness

WHY: It has come to our attention there are several citizens who are being victimized by online fraudulent scams nationwide. Although we haven’t had any situations brought to our attention locally we would like to inform the public to beware of such acts and how to protect themselves.

Be cautious when purchasing large ticket items without first being able to verify the legitimacy of the seller and the actual item you are purchasing.

If you receive a check for more than what you are selling an item for that is a “clue” and at minimum you should ask the bank to verify the legitimacy of the check prior to depositing it.

Verify the location of relatives and that they are in fact in need of money prior to sending anything such as (account numbers, personal information etc).

Beware of individuals or entities who request that you wire them money. Always verify the information carefully prior to sending any monies, checks or account numbers.

These are just a few simple common sense practices that can be used to protect yourself from fraudulent online scams.

CONTACT: For questions and information please refer to the following website http://wwwglandaleaz.com/police, http://www.endidtheft.com and http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

GLENDALE IS READY AS MONSOON BEGINS

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Valley’s official monsoon begins today, according to the National Weather Service. Though it might be a while longer before we see those high winds and rain, it is important that residents and visitors are educated on safety measures as well as informed on what to expect in turbulent monsoon conditions.

The city of Glendale has created a website dedicated to monsoon information, where the public can find a wealth of information about preparing for an emergency, especially during the monsoon.

Some of the valuable information on the website includes:

How to drive safely in a storm, including information on the ‘Stupid Motorist Law’

Contact information to have easily accessible in an emergency

Have a family or household emergency plan with a ready kit

This preparation can prevent confusion and allay fears for your family in a time of crisis, and can also prevent injury or property damage. Visit www.glendaleaz.com/monsoon for complete details.

City of Glendale Alarm Ordinance

 

　

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- On June 22nd, the Glendale City Council adopted an alarm ordinance for businesses and home owners. The new program assesses fines for repeated false alarms and will be managed and enforced by the Glendale Police Department.

For questions, comments or more information on the fee structure, please call the Glendale Police Alarm Ordinance Hotline at (623) 930-2466 or e-mail AlarmCoordinator@glendaleaz.com. In addition, there is a fact sheet available on the police department website at www.glendaleaz.com/police.

STRUCTURE FIRE DEATH

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – Detectives from the Glendale Police Department are investigating a body found in a structure fire, which occurred early morning on June 26, 2010 approximately 4:30 am in the area of 87 Lane and Bethany Home. Rd.

The Glendale Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire located near 6100 N. 87 Lane and upon working the scene they found two victims inside the residence. Victor Flores, 21 years of age, was medically treated at the scene and later transported to a local hospital. The other victim was found deceased in the residence and was later identified by the Medical Examiner Office as 21 year old Michael Timothy Murray.  There is a joint investigation by Glendale Police & Fire Department personnel ongoing at this time.

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

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The climbing summer temperatures this week makes everyone want to seek cool shelter. The hot weather also increases 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 warm weather months include repairs to existing air conditioning or evaporative coolers, but other examples of the types of repairs could be electrical, mechanical or plumbing.

The city’s Emergency Home Repair Program utilizes a non-profit partner, Community Services of Arizona (CSA) to provide emergency repair services.

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

“Last year, this critical service provided 203 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.

CURRENT GLENDALE PARK RENOVATIONS
HAVE LONG TERM BENEFITS

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale is making improvements to several of its popular parks and trails including Sahuaro Ranch Regional Park, Thunderbird Conservation Park and the Marshall Ranch Trail. These renovations will add to Glendale’s growing list of amenities, focusing on lasting improvements for residents.

The Sahuaro Ranch Regional Park renovation involves improvements to the hub of the popular park, the athletic complex. Residents will soon enjoy two full size multi-use fields for soccer, football and/or lacrosse, adjacent to the ballfields. There will also be new shade structures added for spectators in the complex, improved ADA accessibility, new fencing and ‘green’ lighting installation.

In addition, the Thunderbird Conservation Park will now have paved parking lots, located at 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road, and 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane,  greatly enhancing accessibility for park users. The parking lot will improve dust control and be made of an environmentally-friendly surface.

 A third park improvement involves the Marshall Ranch Trail, creating a consistent trail surface for pedestrians and bicycle users, which connects the Thunderbird Paseo Linear Park to the historic Sun Circle Trail.

For more information, visit www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation or call 623-930-2820.

*STATEMENT*

FROM THE CITY OF GLENDALE

REGARDING PURCHASE UPDATE OF THE NHL COYOTES

STATEMENT

Two potential buyers have submitted Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to the city of Glendale to purchase the NHL Coyotes to keep the team in Glendale, Arizona.

This next step continues the process of ensuring the Coyotes stay in Glendale for the remainder of the lease at Jobing.com Arena. 

We thank the citizens and fans for their continued support as the city and the NHL continue to work through this process to keep the Coyotes in their hometown of Glendale.

 Keeping this playoff-bound team in Arizona is beneficial to both the regional and statewide economy and is excellent news for Valley sports fans.

                                                          Next Steps:

The Glendale City Council will vote on the MOUs at a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13.

The council will consider the agreements based on the four goals they set. Those goals are:

            -Keep the team in Glendale

            -Share in any new revenue streams

            -Not adversely affect the current revenue stream

            -Not adversely affect the city’s debt structure

Approved MOUs will be forwarded to the NHL for a final decision. The NHL will determine the new owner based upon the league’s factors and criteria. After a selection is made, the city will continue to negotiate the additional necessary agreements.

Glendale remains committed to ensuring the citizens’ and stakeholders’ best interests are at the forefront of any negotiations

CITY OF GLENDALE RECEIVES TWO OFFERS

TO PURCHASE NHL COYOTES TEAM

         GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale has received two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to purchase the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Coyotes team and to keep the team playing in the Glendale-owned Jobing.com Arena, the team’s home since 2003.

The MOUs are available for the public to view at www.glendaleaz.com.  In addition, a public meeting will be held Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in the Glendale Council Chambers at 5850 W. Glendale Ave.  During the meeting, the proposed agreements will be voted upon by the Glendale City Council.   These MOUs will allow the groups to continue discussions with the NHL regarding the purchase of the team. 

         The two potential owners are:

·             Glendale Hockey, a group led by Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the MLB Chicago White Sox and NBA Chicago Bulls

·              Ice Edge Holdings, a group of Canadian and American investors

Glendale remains committed to ensuring the citizens’ and stakeholders’ best interests are at the forefront of any negotiations.   

Glendale Firefighter Charities -  Raise $5626 -  Aid in Haiti Relief Effort

Glendale Firefighter Daniel Valenzuela helps a 
customer at the Glendale Firefighter’s Charities booth.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Glendale Firefighter Charities, also known as Glendale’s Hope, raised $5626 at this year’s Glendale Chocolate Affair in an effort to do its part to help with Haiti relief.

            Off duty Glendale Firefighters had a booth at the popular Glendale event where they sold “Glendale’s Hope” chocolate bars and t-shirts. A portion of the profits will go toward Haiti relief with another portion going to support local Glendale Firefighter Charities.

            “When there is a need in the community, Glendale Firefighters take it personally,” said John Holland, Glendale Fire Captain and Local 493 Chapter Vice President. “This is an excellent opportunity to not only help those who need it locally but those who desperately need a hand in Haiti. We thank the Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale for helping us with this important endeavor,” Captain Holland continued. Donations can also be made at any Wells Fargo Bank using the account number: 760-559-3214.

 Left to Right. Ashley, Daniel Valenzuela, Nicole, Joesph Ceretta. Joseph Ceretta and Daniel Valenzuela congratulates the
 golden ticket grand prize winners. Ashley and Nicole will be chocolatiers for the day at the Ceretta Candy Company.

For just $3, event attendees purchased a milk chocolate bar at the Firefighters booth in Murphy Park, and all proceeds will go to the local firefighter charities and relief efforts in Haiti.

In addition, a special contest allowed buyers the chance to win a great prize. To commemorate Glendale’s Centennial year, there will be 100 Golden Tickets hidden in the chocolate bars, which winners will redeem for prizes such as hotel accommodations, gift certificates to Glendale businesses, a Glendale history book, a Fire Department ride-along, Cerreta’s candy, and much more! Prize redemption was done on site during the event.

The 15^th annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire took place in downtown Glendale on Friday, Feb. 5, 5-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7, noon – 5 p.m

---

Taste of Glendale-100 Years in The Making - A Glimpse

By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

 

Photo City of Glendale

 

Glendale, Arizona turns 100 in 2010, and as part of the centennial celebration the Glendale Office of Tourism is presenting a new limited edition centennial cookbook.  Glendale, Arizona Recipe Collection, A Taste of Glendale--100 Years in the Making, made its debut at the Citrus Zestival on January 30.  Good food, family, and friends (either from around the state or from other parts of the county) are the ingredients that make memories.

 

I made the “Arizona Christmas Salad” submitted by Ruth Sparks Byrne.  This recipe has been a Byrne Christmas family tradition for five generations.  The instructions for her salad were well written and easy to follow.

 

I juiced my own oranges.  Thank goodness the pineapple came in a can!  The salad was easy to make, once the oranges were juiced, and was fresh and healthy tasting—not too sugary nor too tart.  I did not have red grapes, so I used raisins instead.  I plan to make this salad again in the summer.  It is an elegant salad for the holidays or anytime.  January is a great time for me to use some of my own fresh citrus.

 

I made only one of the recipes, so far.  Next, I would like to prepare “Atha’s Deep South Salmon Patties”.  Atha is also 100 years old this January and this is her grandmother’s recipe, which makes it about 200 years old.  This tells me these salmon patties have will be on the dinner menu sometime soon.  The cookbook also includes appetizers, side dishes and desserts.  Information about the recipe’s connection to Glendale’s history is also included.  This gives the reader some background as to why this recipe is among some family’s favorites.  

 

Glendale residents were asked to submit recipes for this cookbook.  You can find more delicious recipes online at http://www.glendaleaz.com/centennial/cookbook.cfm (p. 33 of the cookbook gives this web address www.glendaleaz.com/centennial).  Use the first link and you will go right to them.  Or you can stop by the Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glen Drive, #140, Glendale, Arizona 85301.  The cookbooks are $5.00.

 

For more information on the Centennial cookbook, 
call the Glendale Visitor Center at 623-930-4500. 

        GLENDALE, Ariz. -- WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, has selected the Glendale Civic Center to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Best Wedding and Reception Venue.

        The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

         The Glendale Civic Center is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes more than 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

        “We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

“We are thrilled to be among premier wedding professionals who have been selected for this award,” said Glendale Civic Center Manager Martin Brown. “We take great pride in creating a unique, yet affordable wedding experience at our venue, and truly go the extra mile to give our couples the utmost in service; the success of our efforts is evidenced in this feedback that we’ve received from our customers.”

         For more information on the Glendale Civic Center, including competitively priced wedding packages, visit www.glendaleaz.com/civiccenter.

         For additional information about WeddingWire, visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Spotlight on: Teresa Hawthorne Glendale Civic Center Event Coordinator

Teresa has been employed with the Glendale Civic Center since October of 2000. She specializes in planning weddings, social events, trade shows and educational events.

Her vast knowledge of special events and weddings began at the age of 17 when she was first employed at Glendale Floral in downtown Glendale. She went on to study under the guidance of Phil Rulloda, who is a nationally recognized floral designer who once designed for the White House. Teresa also attended and graduated from the Cliff Mann’s School of Floral Management in Denver, CO. She moved to Flagstaff and was the manager for Piccadilly Flowers while attending Northern Arizona University.

After college, she returned to the valley and worked for Ann Maries Floral in Goodyear, AZ. They provided the floral designs for the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. During her tenure there, Teresa coordinated floral designs for many high-end clients and social events including many well known celebrities.

In 1980, Teresa opened her own business, The Flower Company. The Flower Company specialized in all facets of events including wedding planning and décor, conventions and special event design. Her clientele included well known Arizonans such as Rose Mofford, John McCain, Alice Cooper, and the late Olympian Jesse Owens. She designed for the newly formed Wesmarc Coalition Group and many other large Arizona-based organizations such as The Fiesta Bowl Committee. She was a certified FTD Florist and served on the Arizona Telefloral Board for several years.

Employed by The Phoenix Thunderbirds for 30 years, She later advanced to the position of Manager of Tournament Banking Operations and Front Gate Admissions for the Phoenix Open Professional Golf Tournament from 1996 to 2007. She also handled these same operations for the Thunderbird Balloon Race in the 80’s and also for The Phoenix Air Race in the 90’s. Prior to joining the Glendale Civic Center in 2000, she spent 2 years as the Office Manager for the Symphony of the West Valley.

Teresa volunteered for several years as a Hearing Officer for Glendale Justice Court for Maricopa County. Seeing a need to educate the public, she became a pro adjunct teacher and taught a Civil Litigation course at Glendale Community College.

She enjoys traveling with her husband and family, photography, reading, running ½ marathons, and generally staying active. She admits she has a fascination for Wii Fit. She also currently has a home-based business selling the remarkable new Miche Bag.

She and Pat, her husband of 26 years, are ecstatically enjoying life with their 2 children, Travis and Audrey.

GLENDALE POLICE SEEK MISSING 14 YEAR OLD FEMALE

 

　

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Glendale Police Department needs your help in locating a 14 year old female named Samantha Escajeda. Samantha was last seen at her school, located at 7755 W Orangewood Avenue on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at approximately 5 p.m.

Samantha is approximately 4’07” in height and weighs 115 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a turquoise shirt and black jeans. She has a piercing below her bottom lip on the right side of her face. Attached is a photo of Samantha.

It is unknown where Samantha might be but family has checked with friends who have not seen her. Samantha was having disciplinary problems at home and her mother is concerned for her well being.

Anyone with information about Samantha Escajeda is asked to call the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.

Glendale celebrates national tourism week

                GLENDALE, Ariz. (may-2010) – The city of Glendale is recognizing National Tourism Week (May 8-16) in celebration of an industry that continues to serve as a vital economic stimulus for our city, region and state.   According to the U.S. Travel Association, more than $770 billion is generated in direct expenditures by domestic and international travelers.

In honor of National Tourism Week, Glendale is promoting staycations, a popular concept of vacationing locally in your own backyard.

Locally and nationally, Glendale welcomes millions of tourists a year, and for National Tourism Week, residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by the Glendale Visitor Center to learn how to plan the ultimate staycation and find out the great places to discover in Glendale and Arizona.  The Arizona Office of Tourism offers a great resource, www.valueaz.com, which provides discounts on hotels and resorts, as well as complete Arizona travel packages.

“National Tourism Week is a time when cities across the United States plan special outreach efforts to promote the cultural social benefits created by travel and tourism, but in Glendale, we pride ourselves on providing key travel information throughout the year” said Lorraine Pino, Glendale tourism manager. “Here in Glendale, we are thrilled to be up 8.9% in recent hotel occupancy compared to 2008, and we are the only Valley city to have increased occupancy.”

 Visitors are welcome to the Glendale Visitor Center to take a spin on the travel-themed prize wheel and enter to win a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale’s Sports and Entertainment District in honor of National Tourism Week. Other travel-themed prizes include Glendale luggage tags, water bottles, tote bags, insulated travel mugs and more. In addition, visitors will receive a comprehensive travel packet, which will provide suggestions and ideas on how to plan a staycation this summer.

The Harrison Group 2010 Portrait of American Travelers(SM) recently released a study stating consumers may now, in fact, be taking more staycations than ever before. One in four U.S. leisure travelers with an annual household income over $50,000 took at least one overnight leisure trip/vacation within a 50-mile drive radius of their home during the previous 12 months as an alternative to vacationing in a destination that would have required traveling a greater distance.

The U.S. Travel Association also notes that direct travel expenditures produce $117 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. Each U.S. household would pay $988 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.

To give visitors and residents additional savings, the city of Glendale offers “Shop Glendale” discount cards, which are available to anyone who stops by the Glendale Visitor Center. The card offers discounts at retailers, restaurants, attractions and accommodations.

The Glendale Visitor Center is located at 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140 in downtown Glendale. Visitor Center hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 623-930-4500 or visit www.VisitGlendale.com.

Glendale, Ariz. – Lisa Colcord, Outreach Librarian at Glendale Main Library, has been selected as the May Employee of the Month for the Glendale Public Library System. A Phoenix resident, Colcord has been with the library for 11 years.

She was nominated for the honor by co-workers Melanie Edens and Valerie Rupp.

The library staff all know that Colcord is a dog lover, and Edens and Rupp wrote an amusing nomination using references to man’s best friend: “The same qualities Lisa Colcord adores in her canine friends are the very same qualities she displays here at Glendale Public Library. To put it bluntly, Lisa is a hard-working dog. She is loyal, dependable, friendly non-complainer…eternally sunny, ever smiling and full of tail-wagging enthusiasm.”

Rupp goes on to add, “Lisa tackles a variety of responsibilities at the library with ‘dog-ged’ tenacity, whether she is solving the logic problem that is our daily schedule, compiling yet another bibliography, setting up speakers for the Recession Response programming or preparing for her Real to Reel book discussion.

“Lisa is creative in her monthly book displays,” adds Edens, “caring and compassionate with the public, constant in her willingness to help out co-workers, plus contagious with her ever present smile.”

Colcord’s supervisor, Cynthia Landrum, concurs with all of the kudos being given and adds, “Lisa doesn’t just step up to get the job done. She steps above and beyond to make sure that Glendale Public Library is the best.

 Bus Route 660, the rural connector from Wickenburg to Glendale IN DANGER of going away!  Support it! Speak out!  Possible impact also to: 571, 572, 573 and 576

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Phoenix, AZ (May 12, 2010) Loss of support from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) may take Route 660, the rural connector from Wickenburg to Glendale, off of the map as early as July 26, 2010. The route that stretches for 44-miles one-way began in 2006 and currently has a ridership of 23 passengers each weekday.  Approximately 50 percent of the route’s operations costs come from a Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 grant, which funds smaller, rural transit operations. ADOT manages the FTA Section 5311 grant disbursement.

The other 50 percent of operations’ costs for Route 660 comes from Proposition 400 funds, the half-cent countywide excise tax that was passed in 2004. With ongoing sales tax revenue declines and the loss of State Lottery funds, there will be new cuts to transit service Valley-wide. 

West Valley Express bus routes that may also impacted by the downturn in the economy due to lack of funds are: 571, 572, 573 and 576. For a complete list, go to www.ValleyMetro.org.

               “With little warning, our Valley Metro member agencies have lost $22 million annually in funding for the operations of local bus, Dial-a-Ride and METRO light rail,” said Dave Boggs, Valley Metro RPTA executive director. “The elimination of funds could not have come at a worse time, with budgets already constrained due to an ongoing decline in sales tax revenues that also support transit.”

               The cuts to Valley Metro services will be felt Valley-wide. Passengers and residents can provide feedback at the following venues:

1.      June 7, 5:30 p.m.

Town of Wickenburg City Council Meeting

Town Council Regular Meeting

Council Chambers

155 N. Tegner, Wickenburg, AZ 85390

2.      Public Hearings:  Open House at 5:30 p.m.; Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m.

May 19

Glendale City Council Chambers

5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale 85301

May 25

Webster Elementary School, Cafeteria

202 N. Sycamore, Mesa 85201

May 26

Avondale City Council Chambers

11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale 85323

3.      Webinars on May 25 at noon and May 27 at 5:30 p.m. Register at ValleyMetro.org

4.      Electronic Comment Card at ValleyMetro.org

Proposed changes to service are based on ridership and performance measurements. For a complete listing of proposed service changes, go to ValleyMetro.org.

Valley Metro/RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail,  a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, and bicycle and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local, state and federal revenues; and administered by a board of 16 governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit system.

All service and projects funded by the Proposition 400 Regional Transportation Plan funds approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004.

Photos and story by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet (C) 2009

Your Hostess: Carol Migray of Cottage Garden!

Three generations  enjoy tea and treats  with a fashion show at the Cottage Garden Holiday Tea - (L to R) Jennifer Hirsch, Allyson Hirsch and Betsy Hirsch.  Being displayed are original items from the original spring collection creations from 'Rare Earth', that will be  available at Cottage Garden in February,  modeled by  the designer (R) Leslie Christenson and (L)Cindy Desjardins.

Also enjoying tea and treats  with a fashion show at the Cottage Garden Holiday 
Tea were - (L to R) Wendy Argleben, Bev Homes and Billie Swell.

Carol Migray of Cottage Garden checking up on her guests!

Good times  - with great  food, friends and a fashion show...
 Who could ask for more on a beautiful fall afternoon!

Dave, the friendly Barista from 
Coffee and Tea Express 

Cheryl Kappes from Country Maiden
 was one of the other shops along 
58th Ave. in Catlin Court offering
  special items for sale

Top PHOTO from left - Gustavo McGrew, President of PSA Art Awakenings, Sara Marriott, CEO of PSA Behavioral Health Agency, Karen Puthoff, Director of Marketing & Community Relations, & featured guest artist HT. - Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Karen Puthoff, Director of Marketing & Community Relations, tells us "A local Glendale artist known as HT was recognized as the featured artist at PSA Art Awakenings 5th Annual Glendale Exhibition at the Adult Center last night.  HT developed an interest in art at the age of and was taught by her father who was an artist.  Her interest in art continued and peaked in high school.  At the age of 26 art became her primary interest.  HT prefers working with acrylics but her style is often compared to that of French artist Toulouse-Lautrec."  HT said, “Like Lautrec, I work from how I feel, not what I see.”

From Left- Councilwoman Yvonne Knaack, City of Glendale-Barrell District, Gustavo McGrew, President of PSA Art Awakenings, Nansi Beadle-Whiteis, Jo Allebach, Darlene Jensen (front- pink top), Nadine DuRea, Sara Marriott, CEO of PSA Behavioral Health Agency, HT, CEO’s grand-daughter Jordan Nash, Wendy Hughes - Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

From Left- Karen Puthoff, Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Councilwoman Yvonne Knaack, City of Glendale-Barrell District, Gustavo McGrew, President of PSA Art Awakenings, Nansi Beadle Whiteis, Darlene Jensen, Jo Allebach, Nadine DuRea, Sara Marriott, CEO of PSA Behavioral Health Agency, HT, CEO’s grand-daughter Jordan Nash, Wendy Hughes - Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Some interesting information about the organizations - 

WHEN In 2001, Art Awakenings was born out of PSA Behavioral Health Agency, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization incorporated

A Moment With Mary Jo West

The Census: A Snapshot

What: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.

Who: All U.S. residents must be counted—both citizens and non citizens.

When: You will receive your questionnaire in March 2010 either by U.S. mail or hand delivery.

Why: The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

How: Households should complete and mail back their questionnaires. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit households that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person.

What does the 2010 Census mean to Glendale?

• More than half of the city’s operating budget is determined by Census data!
• Ensures we are fairly represented at the state and federal level
• Provides funding for police and fire protection
• Funds our parks and libraries
• Funds our streets and roads
• Funds school lunch programs and senior centers
• The higher the response rate on the 2010 U.S. Census for the city of Glendale, the more revenue the city receives to provide essential city services.

About the Census

As mandated by the United States Constitution, a census is conducted to count everyone living in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Census, the City of Glendale will be assisting to ensure that a thorough count of persons living in our community is completed by April 1, 2010. 

In addition to determining the number of congressional seats on a statewide basis, the census count is also used to distribute federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. Census revenue goes toward paying for essential city services such as police and fire protection, city parks and libraries, and streets and roads. The higher the response rate on the 2010 U.S. Census for the city of Glendale, the more revenue the city receives to provide for these services. Schools and hospitals also receive funding based on the census count.

For information about the 2010 Census visit, www.census.gov/2010census or www.glendaleaz.com/census.

National Library Week Gets Early Kick-off at Glendale Main Library on April 10 2010

 

Glendale, Ariz. – National Library Week is being celebrated this year from April 11-17. All over the country, people are acknowledging the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers. They can be found in public libraries, college libraries, school libraries and special libraries.

“Libraries are the heart of every community and our library helps our community thrive,” says Sue Komernicky, Library Director. “In Glendale, people of all backgrounds come together at the library for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get help finding a job or to find homework help.”

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

The Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., is starting their celebration a day early, on Saturday, Apr. 10 from noon-2 p.m. They are participating in D.E.A.R.: Drop Everything and Read! Families are invited to read with librarians and special guest readers from the community. New readers will appear every half hour in the Storytime Room.

That same week Tacky the Penguin will be making an appearance in the Storytime Room. Children will be entertained with stories about him on Tuesday, Apr. 13 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can also enjoy Tacky the Penguin stories on Saturday, April 17 at 2 p.m.

On Wednesday, Apr. 14, toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy Wild about Books, a preschool craft activity that give new meaning to the term “book ‘em.” All ages are welcome, but the free program, from 10-11 a.m. is geared to ages 2-5.

Tacky the Penguin, the hero of the beloved picture books by Helen Lester, visits the Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave., at all storytimes on Thursday, Apr. 15 (10:30 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.). The 5 p.m. event is a special teen-led program, which celebrates Tacky’s stories.

For more info about the Main Library events, call 623-930-3537; to learn more about the Foothills Branch events, dial 623-930-3837.

Bond sale by the City of Glendale to pay for infrastructure and
government-building projects and to benefit Conair Corp.  expansion

Erick O’Donnell special to the Glendale Daily Planet

November 24, 2009

The Glendale City Council authorized the sale of bonds worth $43 million Tuesday to pay for infrastructure and government-building projects, after the lengthy objections of one council member over their financial soundness.

The bonds will pay for a drainage system, a Fire Department building, and parks, among other projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan that are underway or completed, city finance director Horatio Skeete said. Property taxes are expected to pay for them, he added.

Council member H. Philip Lieberman was indignant over the resolution, complaining it was abrupt and demanding precise estimates of how the bonds’ interest-rate payments would change.

“I’m really upset about this,” he said.

Lieberman said he doubted tax revenue could cover the city’s payments on the bonds. Property values in Glendale are too low for taxes to pay back the sale amount and its interest over 20 years, he said.

Skeete disagreed, saying projected interest rates are staggered from year to year to account for expected rises in home values.

He also said the bond would not affect the city’s credit rating among rating agencies, reassuring council member David M. Goulet, who expressed concern over mounting municipal debt.

“The city’s financial position is as strong as it could be,” Skeete said.

The resolution passed over Lieberman’s nay vote.

Also on Tuesday, the council voted to issue bonds worth up to $10 million for Conair Corp. to expand its facilities in Glendale. The expansion will create 350 new jobs, the council’s meeting agenda says.

IEEE 125 Year Anniversary

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

The official IEEE anniversary date is 13 May 2009. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate 125 years of innovation and ingenuity with special events online and across the globe. Whether you participate in a local celebration, or contribute to our online message boards and contests, everyone can be a part of IEEE’s Anniversary Celebration.

Who is IEEE?

The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional association. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, the organization, its members, its volunteers and its associates have made a difference in everyday life.

IEEE is a leading authority on a wide variety of technical areas ranging from biomedical engineering, clocks, telecommunications, computing and robotics to power, software, consumer electronics and defense.

Dedicated to the advancement of technology, IEEE:

1. Publishes about 30 percent of the world’s literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields
2.  
3. Leads the development of international standards that support many of today's products and services - with an active portfolio of nearly 1,300 standards and projects under development
4. Sponsors or cosponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide where the latest technology advancements are unveiled
5.  
6. Provides a forum for professionals to interact, collaborate and generate new ideas and concepts that will change the world

Why Celebrate IEEE’s 125th?

By celebrating this milestone anniversary, you honor the countless contributions that IEEE members and the technology profession have made that have changed the world, and support the development of future technologies that will benefit humanity.

Get involved in IEEE's 125th Anniversary Celebration and take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of something special! By celebrating with us you’ll be able to see what your colleagues are doing, take advantage of excellent networking opportunities and participate in something truly unforgettable.

Click to Learn about IEEE's history

Note - Ed Sharpe Publisher and Chief  Engineer at Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV Is an IEEE Senior Member. 

The official IEEE anniversary date is 13 May 2009. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate 125 years of 
innovation and ingenuity with special events online and across the globe.  http://www.ieee125.org/ 

Video News - iCOM Magazine
Glendale Fire Department Volunteer Dennis Davis who teaches the fire safety class involving this vehicle was the subject of the video. The Telly Awards ...

CouryGraph Productions Receives the Accolade Award for Production ...
PR.com (press release) - Levittown,NY,USA
Glendale, AZ, October 03, 2006 --(PR.COM)-- Ed Sharpe director of CouryGraph Productions, who oversees The Glendale Daily Planet - KKAT Streaming TV ...

NEWS • TECHNOLOGY • PEOPLE • TRENDS
CouryGraph Productions Receives. the Accolade Award for ... commercial productions, including 5. Telly Awards. www.webweekmag.com ...

Fall shopping festival breezes into Glendale  

Front Porch Festival in Catlin Court Historic District located in Downtown Glendale draws patrons out for the  Saturday. 

October 17, 2009

Facebook, Twitter, E-mail and 
Even Run Your Company from Bed!

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is making it easier for patients and families to communicate with loved ones by providing free internet access during their stay at the West Valley’s largest hospital.

“Communication is everything to a family who has a loved one in the hospital,” said Tom Dickson, Chief Executive Officer at non-profit Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. “Having the internet available allows families to stay connected electronically by using Facebook, Twitter or e-mail. The Internet is a great distraction for our high risk pregnant moms who have to stay in bed and off their feet. It gives patients an easy way to keep up with the outside world while in the hospital.”

A guest wireless network account will be automatically generated when a patient is admitted- complete with instructions for logging on. The account is deactivated when the patient leaves the hospital.

Glendale Police Museum receives $10,000 dollar grant

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Dan Kallberg, curator of the Glendale police department museum will receive a $10,000 dollar grant at 9:00 am, Saturday, December 19, 2009 from the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors at the Glendale Adult Center, located at 5970 W Brown.

The Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors is a non-profit organization which formed in 1994 with the purpose of promoting and supporting City of Glendale programs. The group works at city events such as Glitter and Glow to enable them to provide grants to non- profit groups such as the Glendale Historical Society, the Salvation Army and the City of Glendale Police Museum.

This grant will enable Dan Kallberg to purchase display cases and other materials needed to set up the museum in the lobby of the Glendale Police Department’s main station as most of the historical memorabilia is currently in storage. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase some of that history.

Hands-Only CPR:  Saving Lives in Glendale

Authors:

Dr. Ben Bobrow is the Medical Director for the Bureau of EMS & Trauma System at the ADHS and the Director of the Resuscitation Science Center at Maricopa Medical Center.

Deputy Chief Chuck Montgomery and Acting Captain Daniel Valenzuela serve as instructors in the Glendale Fire Department’s CCC Program.  They work in partnership with Dr. Ross Kosinski at Midwestern University.

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

Each year roughly 300,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in our country, making it one of the leading causes of death.  In Glendale alone, there are about a dozen sudden cardiac arrest victims each month.  As opposed to a “Heart Attack” (which is a plumbing problem of the heart) when cardiac arrest occurs, the heart literally stops beating and the victim suddenly, without warning, dies.  Here one minute, gone the next…..

Well, that is what used to happen when someone suffered a cardiac arrest in Glendale.  Today, however, things are radically different, and significantly more of Glendale’s great citizens are surviving cardiac arrest, in good shape and going home with their families and loved ones.

Just a few years ago, if you had a cardiac arrest in Glendale, you had the same chance of survival as you did in most other cities in America, only about 1-2 %.  One of the central reasons we had so few survivors in the past was that our bystander CPR rate, like most places in the country, was unacceptably low.  In the past if you your heart suddenly stopped beating, on average, you had about a 1 in 4 chance of getting any bystander CPR.  The reason this is so crucial is that bystander CPR can more than triple the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. 

This is exactly what happened to Mike Mertz, 59, who while driving his car suffered a cardiac arrest and crashed into a tree and stucco wall.  Corey Ash, a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver saw what happened, called 9-1-1, then pulled Mr. Mertz from his car and began performing Continuous Chest Compression (CCC) – CPR.  Mr. Mertz was then treated by Glendale Fire Fighter Paramedics who successfully resuscitated him with their trained medical provider form of CCC-CPR called Cardiocerebral Resuscitation. Not only did Mr. Mertz survive, but he was able to tell his story to the rest of the world on CNN.

The old way of doing CPR changed dramatically in Glendale and throughout Arizona, thanks to the new concept of “Continuous Chest Compressions” pioneered at the University of Arizona, Sarver Heart Center and spread via a concerted public health campaign by our Fire Departments, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Now, the City of Glendale has also fundamentally changed their approach to cardiac arrest, with a novel complete cardiac arrest system of care model.  This system has gained national recognition and become a paragon of how to save lives.

How did this come about?

In 2004, an alliance of scientists, medical providers and public health officials across Arizona refused to accept the traditional paradigm that cardiac arrest had to result in death and there was little we could do to change that.  So this group initiated a bold program termed the Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education (SHARE) Program.  The aim of SHARE was simple, “to save as many lives as possible from cardiac arrest.”   SHARE is the only statewide program of its kind in the country that tracks both cardiac arrest and bystander CPR across an entire state as a public health initiative.  The Glendale Fire Department was one of the very initial SHARE partners in the entire state.

Much of the work from Arizona has helped provide the impetus to evolve the national guidelines for bystander CPR, which are developed by the AHA.  In March, 2008 in an attempt to increase bystander CPR rates, the AHA released a vital scientific advisory statement with the goal of simplifying and clarifying what the public should do in the case of a sudden unexpected collapse by an adult.  That document states:

“When an adult suddenly collapses, trained or untrained bystanders should – at a minimum- activate their community emergency medical response system (eg,call 911) and provide high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, minimizing interruptions.”

In other words, what you need to do if an adult collapses is REALLY SIMPLE:

-          Call 911

-          Start pushing in the center of the victim’s chest hard and fast (100 times/minute)

-          Don’t stop until medical help arrives

This very message has been spread across Glendale by the Glendale Fire Department and the Midwestern University over the past 5 years.  In the past we called it CCC-CPR which is synonymous with Hands-only CPR.

At the AHA Scientific Sessions meeting in November, 2009, Dr. Gordon Ewy, who is a renowned cardiologist and the chairman of the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona, presented data from Glendale and the rest of Arizona describing the profound impact which training the Arizona public to perform Hands-only CPR has had.  Dr. Ewy reported that as a result of this concentrated public health effort, Arizona has seen an increase in bystander CPR rates (from 25% in 2004 to 34% in 2009), and this has resulted in a doubling of survival, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, hundreds of lives saved in Arizona.

While we have made great strides, our work is not done.  Our collective challenge is to train as many Glendale citizens in our community as possible to perform Hands-only CPR.  This includes our kids in school, family members, friends, and co-workers in Glendale.  Such a simple intervention with such a powerful effect should never be withheld from anyone. 

The American Heart Association along with the Glendale Fire Department and the SHARE Program is urging everyone to learn Hands-only CPR.  It’s easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to do.  Most importantly, it saves lives.

Please visit the websites below and remember that YOUR HANDS can save a life, someone just like Mike Mertz.

http://handsonlycpr.org/

www.azshare.gov

We Streamed it live!

January 08 2009 at Glendale Civic Center

Mayor Elaine Scruggs' State of City Address - also speaking was Michael Bidwell.  

Click to Read Printed Copy of 
Mayor Scruggs Speech

         More Story HERE!
Ed Sharpe and  Tom Quinn
Photo by Bette Sharpe

The KAT KAM got larger!