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Two Explosive Devices Found in Glendale

Public Awareness Important

WARNING WARNING! 
DO NOT PICK UP! EXPLOSIVE!

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

 

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

 

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

Tricked by Kevin Hearne

The last time I checked, Kevin Hearne's fourth book in The Iron Druid Chronicles, Tricked, was eleventh on the New York Times Mass Market Paperback Bestseller list, and twelfth on Publishers' Weekly's list. And, deservedly so. Hearne's stories of the Druid Atticus and his wolfhound, Oberon, combine Celtic mythology with other myths around the world in stories of good and evil. However, when the gods and the fate of the world are involved, sometimes it's hard to tell the good and evil apart.

Hearne thrusts Atticus into danger on the first page, and never lets up. Atticus is facing death at the hands of five thundergods. And, the Morrigan, the Celtic Chooser of the Slain had a vision of his death. So, along with Coyote, the Navajo trickster, Atticus sets up his own death. Maybe the gods would let him alone if they thought he was dead. Maybe so, but now he owes Coyote. And, Coyote has a job near Tuba City, Arizona, in the southwestern portion of the Navajo Nation. Coyote SAID he wants to take care of his people, putting money into renewable energy and building infrastructure on the rez so it's all owned and operated by the tribe, so he needs Atticus to find gold on the reservation. But, what he doesn't say, was what he really needs Atticus to do.

Atticus was hiding from the gods, bringing with him his apprentice, Granuaile, and, of course, Oberon. When Coyote introduces the building crew, Atticus is surprised that the team includes Frank, a hataalii, a powerful shaman. Then he learns what Coyote really wants, the destruction of two skinwalkers. And, the building project will attract those skinwalkers, determined to protect their territory. Despite facing a power he knows little about, Atticus owes Coyote, and there's no backing down.

One again, Hearne has introduced readers to a different culture and myth, that of the Navajo. He makes it so easy to learn about it, following along with Atticus as Frank explains the history of skinwalkers. But, Hearne doesn't let up on Atticus. From the moment he faces his death, he continues to face danger. Atticus and Oberon and Granuaile are threatened by vampires. And, when Atticus refuses to help Hel, the Norse goddess of death who wants his help destroying the world, she sends her creatures after him, including the hound of Hel.

Atticus and Oberon, with the addition of Granuaile, are wonderful characters who face danger with that gallows humor common to everyone who faces danger on a daily basis. The puns! The conversations between Atticus and Oberon are filled with pun challenges and humor.

Looking for the best of urban fantasy? You can't do better than Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. And, Tricked, set in Arizona, is the best in the series yet.

Note: Kevin Hearne will be appearing for Authors @ The Teague on Saturday, May 19th at 2 p.m.

Kevin Hearne's website is www.kevinhearne.com

Tricked by Kevin Herne. Del Rey. 2012. ISBN 9780345533623 (paperback), 352p.

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Glendale Public Libraries Offer Free Summer Reading Activities

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Fido Bags Hit '5'!

Girl Scout Troop 1900 Host Fundraiser for Sun Valley Animal Shelter 

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

 

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

 

 

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3830.

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

 

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

 

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3829.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3826.

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3833.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3839.

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3847.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3857.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3865.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3866.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily no. 3880.

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

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

 

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

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

For a history flashback on Fido Bags -

INJURED PETS TO GET SPECIAL

TREATMENT FROM FIREFIGHTERS 

Quick! Quick!  Throw me the FIDO BAG!

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

___________

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

 ___________

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

 

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

 

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

  Photo by Ed Sharpe

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

 

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

 

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

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

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Sun Valley Animal Shelter WEB SITE

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

 

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

Photo by Ed Sharpe

 

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

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

Address:          10713 W. Peoria Ave  Sun City AZ 85351

Phone:             (623) 974-8580

Photo by Ed Sharpe 

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

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

or

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

or 

Journalist Gets Lucky and Bumps into a Really  Cool Story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

　

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

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

　

 

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

 

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

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

　

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

 

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

　

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER ARIZONA NAMED A FINALIST IN

TOYOTA’S 2012 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM:

VOTING DAY SET FOR JUNE 21, 2012

Garnering enough Facebook votes in one day will bring new

Solar SySTEM outreach program to schools across Arizona

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

About Challenger Space Center Arizona

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

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

 

About Toyota

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

 

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

 

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

 

About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)

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

SPACEFEST IV BLASTS OFF JUNE 2012

By Marla Levine
Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

TUCSON, Ariz. – The countdown has begun for Spacefest IV, an out-of-this-world gathering of moonwalkers, astronauts, astronomers, planetary scientists and space artists. Space enthusiasts will be in orbit June 1, 2 and 3, as Spacefest IV launches its stellar convention at the JW Starr Pass Resort located at 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. in Tucson.

“Spacefest is a unique gathering of astronauts, planetary scientists and space artists intermingling with amateur space enthusiasts and professional collectors,” said Kim Poor, owner of Tucson-based Novaspace Galleries and producer of the 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012 Spacefests. “There are dozens of world-class speakers, book signings, an autograph show, space art exhibit, star-gazing party, and a golf tourney.”

The roster of history-making astronauts touching down at the three-day autograph show reads like a celebrity-superstars-of-space list that includes: most of the living moonwalkers, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Gene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Edgar Mitchell, and Dave Scott; Walt Cunningham, pilot aboard first Earth-orbit Apollo flight; Richard Gordon, command module pilot of Apollo 12; Al Worden, command module pilot of Apollo 15; and Scott Carpenter, one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.

Many additional Skylab, space shuttle astronauts, and famous test pilots join the cluster of American heroes that will sign items for a fee at the autograph show. A host of exhibitors and vendors have photos, books and memorabilia available for purchase.

The conference agenda and list of exhibitors are being continually updated on the Spacefest IV Web site at www.spacefest.info/IV/ as new crewmates come on board. Astronaut bios and autograph fees are posted on the Spacefest Web site, as well as each booth at the autograph show.

“The astronauts are happy to chat with collectors and pose for photos with fans from around the world,” said Poor. “Varied events round out the experience, such as two celebrity luncheons, the Spacefest banquet, and a breakfast that offer attendees an opportunity to dine with an astronaut or speaker. There are tours, a star-gazing party, a live space memorabilia auction, book signings, and the camaraderie of meeting like-minded folks from all across the globe.”

Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon, which became the Emmy award-winning HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, delivers the keynote speech at the Spacefest IV banquet on June 2, and moderates the Apollo astronaut panel on June 3. Throughout the three-day event, dozens of well-known authors, scientists, astronomers and spacecraft team leaders are scheduled to speak on a variety of topics, ranging from professional astronomy, to space exploration.

The Spacefest IV art show features works by world-renown space artists. Original paintings, giclées, prints and posters will be available for sale or browsing.

Daily admission is $35 per day at the door. Children under age 12 are admitted free with an adult. Preregistration for discounted ticket packages, pre-conference space-related tours, and the link to group-rate rooms at the host hotel, JW Starr Pass Resort, are featured on Spacefest IV’s secure server at http://www.spacefest.info/IV/Reg.html or by phone at 800-727-6682. For further inquiries, contact Novaspace Galleries by e-mail: staff@novaspace.com.

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

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

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

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

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

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

Here is how it  unfolded...

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3709.

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

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3730.

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

 

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

 

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3685.

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

 

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

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

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

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

        career training and commitment to academic excellence.”

 

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

        foster education, development and ultimately equip them with the necessary

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

        Nunnari, vice president of automotive services for AAA Arizona.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS, THEIR INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR SCHOOLS

 

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

The 2012 results of the competition are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

        Witthar, Phoenix regional manager for Ford Motor Company.

 

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3719.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3696.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3738.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3795.

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

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3703.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3741.

Teamwork. Names?

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3706.

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

 

 

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3724

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3704 name?

THE AWARDS -   2012 ARIZONA STATE FINALS

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3771.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3773.

Sunrise Mountain High School: 10th Place

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3776.

Mountain View High School: 9th Place.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3778.

Kofa High School: 8th Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3780.

East Valley Institute of Technology: 7th Place

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3783.

Sahuaro High School: 6th Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3785.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3788.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3790.

Prescott High School: 4th Place.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3792.

Safford High School: 3rd Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3796.

Flowing Wells High School: 2nd Place.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3805

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3802.

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

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

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

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

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3765.

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet. no. 3808.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3807.

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

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

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

About the Competition

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

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

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

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

About the Industry

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

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

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

AROUND TOWN - 

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Thunderbird Retirement Resort invites the public to attend a free Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 25. 

To attend, visit Thunderbird Retirement Resort located at 5401 W. Dailey St., just one block north of Thunderbird Road between 53rd and 55th Avenues in Glendale. Admission is free.

A host of healthcare professionals provide answers to questions that participants may have. Osteoporosis screenings and blood sugar checks are available at no charge. 

More than 20 participating vendors offer a wealth of information on home healthcare services, nutrition, rehabilitation, estate planning, hospice and much more. A number of expert resources provide advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s Health Fair encourages seniors to stay healthy and live well. Visit the Health Fair for a wide variety of valuable resources, free screenings, and door prizes. For more information call 602-938-0414.

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 602-938-0414 to schedule a tour.

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has provided successful, progressive and engaging senior housing across the country for more than 20 years and is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive.  For more information, please visit www.watermarkcommunities.com.

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------Breakfast Bunch------

Please join us!

Thursday May 10, 2012

7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Bitz-ee Mama's

58th Avenue north of Glendale Avenue

Across from Murphy Park

Come early and order breakfast and network

Guest speaker....with a new advertising idea!

Please bring a friend, business cards, door prizes welcome

 RSVP 623-847-1450 Dee

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Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.glendaleaz.com. Submit your nomination(s) to the Neighborhood Partnership Office, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Glendale, AZ 85301, or via e-mail to leadership@glendaleaz.com. For other questions, call 623-930-2868.

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In Memory of Former Glendale Mayor, J. Sterling Ridge

Former Glendale Mayor, J. Sterling Ridge passed way Thursday, April 18 at home of natural causes.  Mr. Ridge was Mayor of Glendale 1976-80 and a three-term member of the House of Representatives.  Prior to serving as mayor, Sterling Ridge served on the Glendale City Council from 1974-1976.  Among his accomplishments was the creation of Arizona West University.  After a decade of work, his efforts finally came to fruition in 1984, when as a State Representative, Sterling Ridge saw the bill that would establish ASU West was signed into law.  Sterling Ridge's legacy as mayor includes seeing the value and obtaining of the 80-acres at what is now Sahuaro Ranch Park and the Glendale Main Library.  In addition he acquired the land for the present Glendale City Hall complex at 5850 W. Glendale.

 

Ridge, was born in Alexandria, La, in 1936.  J. Sterling Ridge graduated from Glendale High School, and when onto Phoenix Community College.  From there he continued his education at Arizona State University.  He went on to be a reporter for the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette.  In 1960 to 1967 he was the executive sports editor, assistant city editor, state editor and editorial writer for the newspapers.

 

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his four children, Jennifer, Jamie, Beth and Paula; seven grandchildren; and a brother, George Ridge, Jr. of Tucson.  A western gentleman politician and family man who was dedicated to public service.  He will be missed. 

 

A memorial Scholarship has been established, the James Sterling Ridge Sr. Memorial Scholarship, will will be awarded to on Glendale Union High School graduate who exhibits excellence in community service, student government and extracurricular activities.

 

To donate:  Make checks out to Glendale Union High School District,  Memo: James Sterling Ridge Sr. Scholarship, Acct. #1011.  Main to Glendale Union High School District, Atten: Susan Worthington, 7650 N. 43rd Avenue, Glendale , Arizona 85301.

SATURDAY AT MANISTEE RANCH

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet  - 4/28/2012

Saturday, April 28 was a day to celebrate Manistee Ranch.  Built in 1897, a visit to Manistee Ranch is another way to celebrate Arizona's centennial.  Manistee Ranch is located at 5127 W. Northern Avenue.  The entrance however, is off 51st Avenue.

 

Saturday's events benefited the Glendale Arizona Historical Society.  Admission was $5.00 for an individual and $10.00 for families.  Glendale City Pride Ambassadors was the event's sponsor and for a small price, a hot dog or a hamburger and a soda would make for a lunch on the Manistee Ranch lawn.

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3651

Jody Kieran, Fallen Feathers, shows and tells what to do if you find an injured bird.  Her organization provides rescue, rehabilitation and education services for birds, even pigeons.  If you find a lost or injured bird, please call 623-533-2348.  CALL Jody FIRST at Fallen Feathers before you act to be sure the bird gets the best care and to prevent further harm to the bird.  There is no cost to call.  If you would like to help Jody and her feathered friends out, donations are accepted.  For more information, please visit http://www.fallenfeathers.org/

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3638.

Samson Model M one of the "old" iron work horses around the farms and ranches in 1919 and 1920s.  This one is now a show tractor!  More information on the Arizona Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association can be found by writing, A.E.D.G.E.&T.A., P.O. box 56386, Phoenix, Arizona 85079; by telephone: 623-435-3955 or visit http://www.aedgeta.org .

USE OF FIREWORKS NOW ILLEGAL IN GLENDALE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The ban will go into effect May 25^th.

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

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

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

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

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

National Association of Black Journalists-Arizona State University Collegiate Chapter

Banquet and Mixer  Congratulations to 2012 Graduates

The 2012 NABJ/ASU banquet/mixer was held on the 2^nd floor Cronkite Forum of the Cronkite Building, 555 N. Central Avenue on Thursday, April 12.  Three graduating seniors were each awarded certificates of completion for specialized coursework.

Retha Hill, Cronkite professor and the group's advisor offers  words of congratulations.  Tamott Wolverton , photojournalist from KPNX -12, beams a live broadcast of all of us attending in the audience back to KPNX  for the closing segment of the newscast!  This was accomplished by the portable  Live-U Backpack that KPNX has  for photojournalists that are  remotely deployed without a remote truck for live shots. The technology actually bridges 4 cell modems allowing a full HD presentation to be sent back to the station live! Since the modems are split between various cell providers, there is a redundancy if one provider  goes offline also.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3225.

Three graduating seniors received certificates at the banquet held Thursday evening, April 12, 2012.  NABJ-ASU Chapter President, Heather Jackson, Isaac Easley, Shala Marks, Jessica Hillhouse, and Arselia Gales, ASU Chapter's Founding Treasurer.

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3235

National Association of Black Journalists and Arizona State University students and former students ask banquet guest speaker and presenter Tamott Wolverton, Channel 12 News photojournalist and videographer questions about his career in professional journalism.  Covering the news can be rough.  The reporter never knows what he/she might come across in covering that story.  The calm and confident multi-media journalist Wolverton reassured the young journalists. 

 

 "Don't be scared", said Wolverton.   He went on to encourage the young soon-to-be-graduates to "listen and watch".   Computers and equipment will crash, but the "news has to go on" and sometimes the best advice is just to deal with the situation.

 

Mr. Wolverton demonstrated how one person can be a mobile television station.  The equipment Mr. Wolverton is using is sending the real time (live) images to the Channel 12 camera equipment to this year's NABJ-ASU graduating students and members of the audience.

 

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0-7360

Have camera (the backpack is a part of the video camera) and ready to cover the story.  Soon to graduate, thus the big smile.

 

 

 

Glendale Daily Planet no. 2227.

Ariyanna Norman, Historian, Ja'han Jones, Public Relations Officer, Heather Jackson, NABJ-ASUPresident, Tamott Wolverton, News Channel 12, Ashley Haines, NABJ-ASU Vice President, Arselia Gales, Treasurer, Kirsten Hillhouse, Grad recipient, Ni'Ambi Agent, Member, Malcolm Brinkley, Member.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to three outstanding young Black journalists graduating form the 
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 7355.

Graduates  from the  Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications are Isaac Easley, Shala Marks and Kirsten Hillhouse.  Each student holds a Certificates of Completion of specialized training.

 Spring Commencement and Convocation is May 2, 2012.

 

Isaac Easley

Mr. Isaac Easley, with a concentration in Sports broadcast journalism, is one our six Black graduation seniors from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  In total he has had five internships, some of which include:  ABC 15 Sports, and ESPNU.  He was also a sports reporter for Cronkite News Watch and won 1^st in television sports reporting for SPJ.  His dream is to he a sports anchor. NABJ-ASU congratulates Mr. Easley.

 

Shala Marks

With an emphasis in print journalism Miss Shala Marks is one of our six Black graduates at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  Originally from Columbus, Ohio she is a Barack Obama Scholars Program Mentor, has made the Dean's List every semester and is graduating Summa cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA.  She hope to open a youth center and plans on finishing her book next month to be published.  Tonight, NABJ-ASU honors this extraordinary young woman.  Congratulations Miss Marks.

 

Kirsten Hillhouse

Miss Kirsten Hillhouse is a pint journalism major with an English Literature minor.  Originally from Phoenix, Arizona she is one of the six Black graduates from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication this spring.  She worked for the State Press, Ahwatukee Foothills News, and ASU America Rads Tutor.  Here goal is to become a writer for a magazine or newspaper abroad.  NABJ0ASU congratulates Miss Hillhouse on graduating.  

All Aboard FOR A GLENDALE HISTORICAL JOURNEY:

2012 HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUS TOUR

Glendale, Ariz. – Roll back through time during the 9^th annual Historic Preservation Bus Tour. The event provides a guided, armchair tour of significant historic sites within Glendale as well as walking tours of a few selected homes or other sites that are historically significant. 

            The bus tour is held during the month of May, which is National Historic Preservation Month.

DATE & TIME OF TOURS

 

·         Date:                                                   Saturday, May 5, 2012

·         Boarding Time:                                   8:30 a.m.

·         Departure Time:                                  9 a.m.

·         Return Time:                                       Noon

·         Point of Departure & Return:            Glendale Civic Center - 5750 W. Glenn Drive                                     

 

A detailed itinerary along with maps and other informational items will be provided on the tour. Participation is limited to the 35 seats available on the bus, and reservations will be made on a first-come-first-served basis. Children must be over the age of 15 and accompanied by an adult.  This event is sponsored by the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors.

“The bus tour has always been a great way to see some of Glendale’s most treasured landmarks and historic districts that trace the footsteps of the past, said Glendale Planning Director Jon Froke.

To make a reservation or additional information, contact Marilyn Clark at mclark@glendaleaz.com.

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DOWNTOWN GLENDALE MERCHANTS HOST

MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

 

            GLENDALE, Ariz. – Free flowers and special gifts await Mom on her special day, thanks to Glendale’s downtown merchants. On Saturday, May 12, moms can browse the unique shops and eateries of downtown Glendale, building their own bouquet as they go.

Mothers, and those who love them, are encouraged to start their day at the Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Dr., Suite 140, to pick up a map, and while supplies last, gift bags and free flowers just for moms. Several area merchants will also offer free flowers so that after a day of browsing and shopping, Moms will have flowers for a beautiful bouquet to take home and enjoy for days to come.

The Mother’s Day Celebration also features special deals, gift ideas, and activities.  Among the highlights are:

·         Make-and-take Mother’s Day cards

·         Papa Ed’s is handing out complimentary birthday cake ice cream and a Mother’s Day recipe card for Strawberry smoothies.

·         Some shops are featuring free gifts with a purchase.

·         Mini massages and spa treatments

The Mother’s Day Celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  In addition, The Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau is collecting new and gently read books to benefit Velma Teague Library in Downtown Glendale. Books can be dropped off between now and May 12^th at the Glendale Visitor Center. Library staff will be on hand at the event to provide information on library programs.

For more information about the Mother’s Day activities, call 623-930-4500 or go online to www.visitglendale.com.  The Annual Mother’s Day Celebration is presented by the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Historic Downtown Business Community.

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REMEMBER ARTWERKS IS FIRST SAT. OF THE MONTH
BE THERE! -  DOWNTOWN GLENDALE!

CHILDREN GAIN COURT SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE AT LAW DAY

Glendale, Ariz. –– Seventh and 8^th graders from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church School will have an opportunity to learn about the court system at Glendale’s Law Day themed, “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom.”

Law Day will be held Tuesday, May 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Glendale City Court, 5711 W. Glendale Ave. Councilmember Manny Martinez will welcome the students, who will learn from a variety of professionals with diverse backgrounds involved in the legal system, including a city prosecutor, assistant police chief, public defender and judge, who will discuss their roles and answer questions.  The professionals will discuss the justice system and how it works from their perspective.  In addition, Law Day will end with the students playing a “Jeopardy” game, which will give them a fun and interactive experience.

“Students get to find out first-hand how the law relates to their freedom and rights,” said Glendale’s Presiding Judge Elizabeth Finn.  “Law Day is their opportunity to see inside the system and how the law, courts and justice are intermingled.”

Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower who believed in the importance of the rule of law and the significance it plays in our democratic society.  Each year, the American Bar Association designates May 1 as national Law Day to celebrate the rule of law.  The Glendale City Court recognizes Law Day each year by inviting a group of local students to participate in educational activities and lesson plans while hearing presentations from a variety of justice professionals.

For more information on the Glendale Court, visit www.glendaleaz.com/court.

GCC Hosts Arizona’s Top Auto Students Competition

$12 million in scholarships, prizes up for grabs

Friday, May 4, Glendale Community College hosts 20 Arizona teens as they vie for scholarship money and the title of America’s Next Top Auto Technician in the state finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition on the college’s main campus, 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, Ariz.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs kicks off this year’s competition at 9:15 a.m. The contest concludes with an awards ceremony at noon.

Two-person teams from 10 Arizona high schools race against the clock to identify and fix intentionally installed “bugs” on 2012 Ford Fusions. After diagnosing and repairing their vehicles, the teams drive across the finish line, where the car is inspected for accuracy and workmanship. Arizona winners receive scholarships to automotive programs, such as the Ford ASSET program at GCC.

“We are honored to host the 63rd Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition at Glendale Community College,” said Dr. Irene Kovala, president of GCC. “We couldn't ask for a better organization to partner with in producing a competition that embodies our college's mission of community involvement, career training and commitment to academic excellence.”

“This competition aims to put aspiring auto techs on a career path that will foster education, development and ultimately equip them with the necessary tools to respond to increasingly sophisticated auto repair challenges,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of automotive services for AAA Arizona.

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

“We hope many of these students go on to enroll in the Ford ASSET auto technician program at Glendale Community College, where they can earn an associate’s degree, work inside the service department at a Ford dealership and earn Ford’s specialized technical credentials,” said Mark Witthar, Phoenix regional manager for Ford Motor Company.

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills nationwide automotive technology competition offers nearly $12 million in scholarships and prizes to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers as automotive service technicians. More than 10,000 students from across the nation compete for the chance to represent their school and state as part of a two-person team in the National Finals on the front lawn of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. in June. The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition tests students’ automotive knowledge, workmanship and problem-solving abilities with a written test as well as a race against the clock to diagnose and properly repair intentionally “bugged” Ford vehicles. Ford and AAA are dedicated to the competition as part of their commitment to the future of automotive service in America.

Luke AFB renames fitness center to honor fallen Airman

Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. — Luke Air Force Base will hold a fitness center renaming ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday,  April 30th, to honor a 56th Fighter Wing Airman killed last year during a shooting incident in Afghanistan.

 

Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr., along with eight other Airmen, was killed when a shooter opened fire at the Afghan Command and Control Center in the Afghanistan air force headquarters, North Kabul International Airport, on April 27, 2011.

 

At Luke AFB, Bryant was an instructor pilot assigned to the 56th Operations Group. During his deployment, he served as an air advisor to the Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff, Afghanistan Pakistan Hands Program.

 

Brig. Gen. JD Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander; Janice Bryant, Colonel Bryant’s widow; and Frank Bryant Sr., father of Colonel Bryant, will speak during the ceremony.

Air Force identifies Airman killed in motorcycle accident April 21

Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. - The active-duty Airman killed in a motorcycle
accident early Saturday morning was Staff Sgt. Justin Miller, 29, a client
systems technician with the 56th Communication Squadron.

Miller, originally from Chicago, had served on active duty since June 2000.
He is survived by his spouse and 4-year-old daughter.

There was a memorial ceremony 4/26/2010 Wednesday at Club 56 on Luke AFB.

The rear window of this car traveling in Glendale recently clearly communicates what Coyote fans are thinking.  The Desert Dogs are set to enter round two of the playoffs Friday  night in Glendale against the Nashville Predators.  Tickets are on sale.  For more information call 480-563-PUCK or go to the web at http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com.  Fans at home or at the game are encouraged to wear white. 

AZ: Midwestern University Announces Founding of College of Veterinary Medicine

April 24, 2012- by Office of Communications - Midwestern University

Midwestern University President & CEO Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., is pleased to announce the establishment of a College of Veterinary Medicine on its Glendale Campus. The new program plans to welcome its inaugural class of 100 students in the Fall of 2014. The Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine will be the first and only school offering the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) in the state of Arizona.

"In our continuing mission to meet the healthcare needs of the community, we are proud to bring this new professional degree program to Arizona," stated Dr. Goeppinger. "The rural and agricultural areas of our state have shown a significant demand for more well-qualified veterinarians and have voiced strong support for this new college."

Veterinary care is critical to maintaining the integrity of the food chain, and therefore has a significant impact on human health. Likewise, quality veterinary medicine helps to reduce the impact of zoonotic diseases on both people and animals. Companion animals are integral to human well-being and have a positive psychological and therapeutic impact on many populations, including the elderly and autistic children.

Nationwide, statistics show one veterinarian per 3,500 animals. In Arizona, however, this ratio drops to one veterinarian per 4,100 animals. This shortage is especially critical in the large ranching and farming regions of the state. In three counties (Greenlee, La Paz, and Yuma), no veterinarians are currently in practice.

"This is fantastic news for both Midwestern University and the State of Arizona," said Governor Janice K. Brewer. "Quality veterinary care is an absolute necessity in our State-particularly in our farming and agricultural communities where demand is the highest and shortage of care is the most critical. The establishment of this College will produce good jobs and help ensure that Arizona develops home-grown veterinarians to meet our most pressing animal health care needs."

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges projects a shortage of 15,000 veterinarians over the next 20 years. The Government Accounting Office confirms that the veterinary workforce is not large enough to guarantee a safe food supply while adequately addressing zoonotic disease. The Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine will focus on recruiting throughout the state and region, with particular emphasis on students from rural communities who can best meet these areas of critical shortages. The University will be applying to the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education for licensure to grant the D.V.M. degree.

Midwestern University has received encouragement for this endeavor from many constituents throughout the state of Arizona, including letters of support from Arizona Senate President Steve Pierce and House Speaker Andrew Tobin.

---

The month of May marks the National Eye Institute’s Healthy Vision Month, and the students and faculty of the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University would like to share some facts about your eyes that you may never have heard before! The marvelous complexity of the eyes makes them one of our greatest bodily assets – that is why they deserve the greatest care. The Midwestern University Eye Institute, a full-service eye care clinic in Glendale, offers dilated eye exams and a complete range of services and solutions to ensure the best vision health.

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Midwestern University, home to Arizona’s largest medical school, has been recognized for its employee health initiatives by the Phoenix Business Journal for the second consecutive year. The publication ranked Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus as one of the Valley of the Sun’s Healthiest Employers (Midsize Firms) for 2012. Last year, the University was similarly honored, as the Phoenix Business Journal cited Midwestern’s “outstanding health and wellness program” and the University’s “innovative strategies” for maintaining a healthy workforce.

Clinical Psychology Program Receives Verbal Notification of Accreditation 

March 29, 2012 - Midwestern University is pleased to announce that the College of Health Sciences has received verbal notice that the Clinical Psychology program at the University’s Glendale Campus has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Formal notification of accreditation will follow within a month.

GOT DRUGS--OLD MEDICATIONS--SAFELY DISPOSE OF THEM SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Safely dispose of expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical substances and other medications.  Controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances will be accepted.

Glass containers, inhalers, intro-venous solutions, injectables and syringes CANNOT
 be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.  

For more information about this event, contact Crime Prevention Specialist: 
Doreen Anderson at 623-930-4044 or danderson@glendaleaz.com

 

Saturday, April 28, 2012
10:00 a. m. until 2:00 p. m.

 

Wal-Mart
18551 N. 83^rd Avenue
Northwest West Parking Lot

 

Waymark Gardens
5325 W. Butler Drive
North Parking Lot

Glendale collection sites will only be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

         GLENDALE, AZ. –The Glendale Police Department is coordinating a one-day collaborative effort with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs from our nation’s homes. 

This is an opportunity for residents to safely and conveniently surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications.  These expired, unused and unwanted substances in our homes can fuel diversion, abuse, or misuse and pose a risk to public health and safety.  Arizonans responded overwhelmingly to DEA’s first three Take Back events, disposing of over 18,300 pounds of pharmaceutical drugs in the past two years.  We welcome your support and hope you will join us in this effort to safely “Take Back.”     

Clean out your medicine cabinets!  Controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter substances may be collected.  No questions or requests for identification will be made.  This event is open valley wide to all interested participants.  Participants may dispose of medication in the original container or by removing the medication from the container.  If an original container is submitted, the individual would be encouraged to destroy any identifying information from the prescription label.  All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted, excluding glass containers.  Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.  No inhalers may be accepted because they will explode during incineration.  Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood- borne pathogens.

WESTMARC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2012

West Valley Regional Economic Development--The Outlook is Good

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

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

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

 

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

 

Mr. Ryan had this to say about the Summit:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3363.

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3388.

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

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3379.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3380.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3367.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3412.

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

 

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

 

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

                       

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

 

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

           

                        And the States of Destination...

                        Among the largest destination states from

                        California in ACS 2010 data

 

            –          Texas 68,959

            –          Arizona 47,164

            –          Washington 39,468

            –          Nevada 35,472

            –          Oregon 34,190

 

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

           

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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Protesters outside the Glendale City Council Chambers

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

A Day at Manistee Ranch  -  April 28, 2012

The Glendale Civic Pride Ambassador Foundation, with the volunteer assistance of the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors, will host “A Day at Manistee Ranch,” an old-fashioned day of family fun on April 28, 2012, as a fundraiser for the Glendale, Arizona Historical Society.  This event has something to appeal to guests of all ages.  There will be local country singers, an antique car show, vintage tractors, children’s games, and a petting zoo, all on the grounds of Manistee Ranch.  In addition, there will be self-guided tours of the Ranch House, and raffle drawings.   There will also be appearances by staff from the Wildlife Zoo and Fallen Feathers Bird Rescue. 

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ranch located at 5127 W. Northern Ave.   Admission is $5 per individual or $10 per family.  Parking is free, with entrance off of 51^st Avenue.

This event will raise public awareness of one of our state’s unique historic hidden gems.  It also coincides with other Arizona Centennial events taking place this year.  Manistee Ranch was built in 1897, and was privately owned and operated for many years.  Although the City of Glendale owns the date palm park to the front of the property, the house and other structures are owned by the Glendale, Arizona Historical Society.  The Glendale, Arizona Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the City of Glendale.  The GCPA Foundation and the Ambassadors want to help ensure the future of Manistee Ranch.  They hope this event will become an annual fundraiser to help the Glendale, Arizona Historical Society maintain this special historic property for years to come.  Join them for a day of fun at Manistee Ranch.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3427 or 28.

Groundbreaking for the new 38 acre Tanger Outlet Center at Westgate took place on February 20, just two months ago.  The outlet mall plans to open in November around Thanksgiving.  Just in time for holiday shopping.  The 328,000 square feet facility is located at Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue.  There are 246 days until Christmas.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3432.

L to R - Augustine Prado of Shred-It and Glendale Police Officer Jeff Horsley

  Glendale Police Department partnered with Shred-It, Cintas, and The Cornerstone Church sponsored the Shred It & Forget It event Saturday, April 21 at two locations:  The north side of Cabela's, 9380 W. Glendale Avenue, and at the Dairy Queen Shopping Center in front of the old Bashas', 6768 W. Deer Valley Road.  The event started at 8:30 a. m. and continued to 11:30 a. m. or until the truck was full.  Residents brought their old bills, bank statement and medical records to be safely shredded and forgotten.  Shredding documents with personal information is a good way to protect  yourself against identity theft.   the Cabela's location was busy filling the second truck between 11:00 and 11:30 a. m.

The Better Business Bureau recommends that you pick through your trash for personal information, you should shred receipts, credit card offers or applications, insurance forms, bank checks, expired cards, account statements and other personal documents before discarding them.

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

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.  3289

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

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

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

Bette Share/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3273.

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

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3277.

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

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

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

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3319.

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3341.

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

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3336.

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

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3345.

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

Think you can lead?
Step up, Pull a packet!

NOMINATION PACKETS AVAILABLE FOR 2012 
MAYOR AND DISTRICT ELECTIONS 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Candidate nomination packets are available for three council districts and the Mayor’s office elections in 2012.  

The city of Glendale 2012 primary and general elections are scheduled for Aug. 28 and Nov. 6. The Sahuaro, Cactus and Yucca district council seats, along with the office of Mayor, are up for election. Those wanting to be on the ballot will need to pick up a nomination packet from the City Clerk’s office located at City Hall, 5850 W. Glendale Ave., 4th floor, telephone 623-930-2252. The packets contain information pertaining to petition and signature requirements, political committees and campaign finance.  

City Clerk Pam Hanna stated, “The release of nomination packets is the beginning of the 2012 municipal election process. Municipal elections are the best opportunity for candidates and citizens to be involved in their neighborhood and community.”  

The city of Glendale City Council adopted a redistricting map Sept. 13, 2011. The adopted map must be approved by the U.S. Justice Department for use in the 2012 municipal elections. Due to the Justice Department’s process not being complete, the nomination packet will contain both the current and proposed district maps. All signatures submitted on nomination petitions must be from addresses within the finally-approved  districts. The city of Glendale expects to receive feedback from the Justice Department by the end of the year. In addition, a notification advising candidates of the requirement for Justice Department approval will be included. 

Potential candidates can submit their nomination documents April 30 – May 30, 2012. For more information, call the City Clerk’s office at 623-930-2252.

""Eggstra! Eggstra!" Read All About It! - by Marla Levine, Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

The Forum’s residents, staff and neighboring Desert Harbor residential community brought their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to join the fun at the Peoria retirement community’s third annual Easter Egg Hunt.

At 10 a.m. the 1-3 year olds leapt at the chance to take off ahead of those ages 10 and younger. Children ran in every direction as they filled their baskets with the colorful prize-filled eggs they found hidden along the lakeside community’s grassy grounds and nestled in the flowering bushes.

Much like a fortune cookie, each plastic egg contained a typed message noting which prize had been won.

“Forum residents and staff gave out hundreds of prizes, including toy Easter bunnies big and small, plush animals, Frisbees, bubble wands, activities books, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and Marshmallow Peeps Bunnies,” said The Forum’s program director Margie O’Boyle.

The Easter Bunny and a Peeps-ish Chick hopped onto the scene, visiting and posing for photos with the youngsters at heart from toddlers to 10 year olds, and parents to great-grandparents.

“Such a joy watching kids and seniors intermingle,” commented O’Boyle. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

To schedule a tour of The Forum at Desert Harbor’s waterfront community, call community relations at 623-972-0995. The full-service rental retirement community skirts the shores of Desert Harbor Lake located at 13840 N. Desert Harbor Dr., north of Thunderbird Road at 91st Avenue in Peoria.

The Forum at Desert Harbor is owned and operated by Five Star Senior Living, a division of Five Star Quality Care, Inc. To learn more about The Forum at Desert Harbor visit http://www.theforumatdesertharbor.com or Five Star Senior Living’s Web site at http://www.fivestarseniorliving.com for information.

PHOTO: HOPPING EGG HUNT
Photo by Marla Levine

The Forum at Desert Harbor was hopping with “egg-citement” as the Easter Egg Hunt took off on April 7. 
To hop by for a tour of the lakeside retirement community, call community relations at 623-972-0995.

WALKER FAMILY - THE FORUM AT DESERT HARBOR

Photo by Marla Levine

The Easter Bunny hops into a family photo with Glendale residents, Mary Walker (clockwise from center), an assisted living dining room server for six years at The Forum at Desert Harbor; daughter Tamara Walker, a server for six months in independent living; and grandsons five-year-old Angel and six-year-old Isaiah, during the lakeside retirement community’s Easter Egg Hunt on April 7.

Apartment Fire at the Monte Vista Apartments
By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet  4-11-2012

An apartment fire at the Monte Vista Apartments, 67^th  Avenue and Butler Drive, in the very early hours of Wednesday morning left 20+ Glendale families and their pets without a home.  The Red Cross arrived at the complex around 5:30 a. m. to provide the families with much needed assistance--a place to stay.  Fortunately, no one was injured.  The Peoria Fire Department was on scene early Thursday after to check the burnt buildings for any signs the fire would rekindle.  Darin Moran of the Peoria Fire Department, "There is always a chance".  No signs of rekindling were found.  The fire was in Building 5 and all three floors of the apartments were engulfed in flames.  

UPDATE: April 13, 2012

The total of damaged apartments is now 9.  Six apartments are completely gone and three have suffered smoke and water damage.  Eleven of the twenty-six residents have found housing through the Red Cross and fifteen remaining are with family and friends.  Glendale Firefighter/Medic, Michael Young said that the cause of the fire from a cigarette could not be confirmed.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3138.

Councilmember Yvonne Knaack
participated in the morning story
time at Glendale Main Library,
5959 W. Brown Street on Tuesday,
April 10. Eighty-two people were
in attendance as Councilmember
Knaack read Giraffes Can’t Dance
by Giles Andreae. The music themed
story time was coordinated
by library staff in conjunction with
National Library Week.

Glendale Family Bike Ride – Sunday! Join hundreds of riders for wonderful weather and great exercise at the annual Glendale Family Bike Ride on Sunday, April 15 at Sahuaro Ranch Park.

This is a ride for all ages and levels of riders, from kids to adults. Both the long (15-mile ride) and short (6-mile ride) routes take
cyclists on a leisurely ride through Glendale’s neighborhoods and sections of the Thunderbird Paseo and Skunk Creek pathways.
On-site registration is from 7-9 a.m. and the ride begins at 8 a.m. All riders must get on the road by 9 a.m. For more information, call 623-930-2940.

Rose Society of Glendale - 100 Years of Roses
24^th Annual Show 2012  - Glendale Rose Show

 By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

 

Roses are fascinating.  Exhibiting roses can be rewarding but also competitive.  This is the 23^rd year for the Glendale Rose Society.  Saturday, April 7 from 1-4, the public could see the prize winning roses entered in this year's show. 

 

This year's rose show was a treat for the eye and for the nose.  The colorful varieties and fragrance of the flowers was a treat for the senses.  The blossoms were perfect, or so they seem to the general viewer, and beckoned for the viewer to breath in their fragrance and to enjoy their visual beauty.

 

The Glendale Rose Society meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Glendale Women's Club, 7032 N. 56^th Avenue, 56^th Avenue and Glenn Drive.  New members and guest are welcome.  For more information, visit their web site at http://www.roseglenaz.com/index.htm

 

Sahuaro Ranch Park is located at 59^th Avenue and Mountain View Road.  The park is reminiscent of the rich agricultural and social of Glendale.  Sahuaro Ranch Park's Rose Garden has more than 400 name roses.

   

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.3128. One of the over 400 named roses in the Sahuaro Ranch Park Rose Garden at  Sahuaro Ranch Park, 59th Avenue and Mountain View Road.	Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3112. Gerry Mahoney, Rose Society of Glendale, records the winning entries at this year's annual show.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3113. The "King of the 2012 Rose Show" is Veterans' Honor entered by Hal Reynolds, Palm Desert, California.   His Sunstruck, a light yellow rose was crowned "Queen of the Show".	Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3114. Yes, there is a green rose.  This entry is from Steve Sheard of Tempe, Arizona.
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3115. Neptune is the name of this beautiful rose, and is on of the "most fragrant" of the show.       This Neptune rose was entered by Bill and Cindy Sheperd of Peoria, Arizona.

Firefighter of the Year –Captain Paul Morales

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0050.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Captain Crystal Sorensen – Retirement

Crystal was hired 9/2/1986 after spending 6 months in the GFD Reserve program and completing the Firefighter I & II class through GCC, under the direction of Captain Joe Young. She attended the Phoenix Fire Academy with fellow hires Steve Schell, Dave Green, & Bruce Jenkins, graduating in the class of “86-2”, with Captain Dale Largent as the Glendale Fire Department RTO.

She attended Medic school and graduated top of her class in 1988, and was the first female paramedic for Glendale Fire. She promoted to Engineer in 1994 and to Captain in 1995. She spent 17 years at FS151 on E151, and then opened FS158 in 2003.

Crystal was in charge of the immunization program for 2 years, was the GFD parade emcee twice, a fire pal, an instructor for the West Valley Training Consortium, and has been and still is a peer counselor on the CISD team.

She represented Glendale Fire in 4 different World Police and Fire Games, competing in the triathlon, the TCA (The Complete Athlon), sprint running, sprint swimming, and racquetball; earned gold in Indy for 100m sprint and long jump. She accumulated 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

Crystal was nominated as “Firefighter of the Year” three times by her peers during her career, which she feels is the supreme and most humbling honor. Her crews were twice awarded “Call of the Year”.

Captain Sorensen says she is fortunate to have had such a fulfilling & rewarding career. She is thankful for the people, friendships, and the opportunity to serve those with whom she works and the community.

(From the Awards meeting this weekend - )

CHIEF DON HEATWOLE CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0 dsc_3000.

Captain Crystal Sorensen and Chief Burdick.  Captain Sorensen received the Chief Don Healwole Career Achievement Award.  Captain Sorensen is retiring on March 30th after twenty-five years of service from the Glendale Fire Department.  She attended Medic school and graduated top of her class in 1988, and was the first female paramedic for Glendale Fire. She promoted to Engineer in 1994 and to Captain in 1995. She spent 17 years at FS151 on E151, and then opened FS158 in 2003.  

GLENDALE CIVIL AIR PATROL

Honors representative jerry weiers

 

 

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (March 30, 2012) – (Glendale, AZ) - Having completed the new Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron Facility at the Glendale Municipal Airport, the CAP is honoring Rep. Jerry Weiers for his efforts on their behalf. They will be doing so by dubbing their new facility as the Jerry Weiers Education Center . The dedication will take place at the facility itself on Monday, April 2nd, 2012.  The ceremony will begin at 18:00 (6:00pm) at the CAP building.

 

“Thanks to the tenacity and dedication of Representative Weiers, we are celebrating the opening of this facility that is dedicated to the aerospace education, leadership and search and rescue training of generations of young people to come”, said CAP Capt. Peter Mountain .

 

“This is the result of 12 years of hard work by community members, the CAP, airport managers and the city of Glendale . I am proud that I was able to help make this dream become a reality”, said Weiers.

 

The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and provides aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.