Community - Online Extras [CITYSunTimes September 2009]

Supporters Reflect On Councilwoman Neely’s Past Accomplishments, Future Opportunities

Since she took office nearly eight years ago, Councilwoman Peggy Neely has managed her district through massive economic and population growth. District 2, encompassing much of North Phoenix, is a diverse community that spans over 110 square miles and is a blend of established neighborhoods and undeveloped areas. Neely’s accomplishments on the council have been as diverse as the district itself.
Bernie Pleskoff, a resident in District 2, is happy that Neely has kept her commitment to public safety. “With the new fire station in Tramonto and the planned police and fire stations on Cave Creek Road, I know the District overall is a safer place to live. I feel Councilwoman Neely has done an outstanding job articulating and representing the safety and security needs of our communities.” Reach 11 Sports Complex

Reach 11 Sports Complex

For District 2 residents, Mike and Lisa Cipriano, the open spaces and parks preservation are a key part of Neely’s success. “Watching soccer at the Reach 11 Sports Complex, enjoying the open space that was part of the Parks and Preserve Initiative or taking our kids to any one of the new parks in our area, District 2 has something for everyone in our family to enjoy. This is why we love living here and are happy to call it our home.”
Managing growth and improving transportation have also been a central part of Neely’s tenure. “This area has grown and changed over the past eight years,” says Phil Richards. “Peggy has made sure that everything from the opening of the 101 to the most recent opening of the HOV lanes on SR 51 has been complimented with well-paved and maintained city streets to better manage traffic congestion.”
However, despite all of these accomplishments, to Neely, the job is not done yet. She believes that there is still a lot of work to be done, and with her experience and commitment to continue to make a difference, she will continue to serve the community and strive to advance the City of Phoenix and District 2.

The Committee to Re-Elect Neely

Native American with Horse

Martin Grelle’s images of the American West, both contemporary and historical, reflect his deep understanding of the wide open vistas of the southwestern landscape and of the pioneering spirit of the people who live there.
Grelle, a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, will be the featured guest for an Artist in Residence dinner at 6:30pm on October 14 at Lon’s at The Hermosa. Participants will enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner designed especially for the occasion by executive chef, Michael Rusconi, and red and white wines will be selected by Lon’s sommelier.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 602.955.7878. Lon’s at The Hermosa is located at 5532 North Palo Cristi Road. For information, visit lons.com.

Photo by Adam Rodriguez

Mariposa Monarca, a monarch butterfly exhibit, returns this fall to the Desert Botanical Garden. This exhibit features hundreds of live monarch butterflies in a beautiful and lush habitat. Guests can view these delicate creatures in the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion daily from 9:30am-5pm daily, September 26 through November 15.
Mariposa Monarca features a 2,400-square-foot walk-through butterfly pavilion where visitors learn about the magical metamorphosis of the monarch life cycle. Visitors can also participate in a tagging demonstration each Thursday at 1:30pm as part of the Southwest Monarch Study. Due to popular demand the tagging demonstrations require a reservation by e-mail at monarchs@dbg.org or by calling 480.481.8128.
The Desert Botanical Garden is located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. Entrance to the exhibit is $3 for non-members 3 years and older, with paid Garden admission. Garden members and children 2 years and under are admitted free in to the exhibit. For more information, call 480.941.1225 or visit dbg.org.

CITYSunTimes Online Extras September 2009
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COMMUNITY

Neighborhood News: Phoenix

Club Hosts Golf Tournament

JW Marriott Wildfire Golf Club will hold its eighth annual golf tournament to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital on September 10 with a 7:30am shotgun start. Marriott is a long-time supporter of Phoenix Children’s and a local partner through Children’s Miracle Network, which raises funds for children’s hospitals throughout the country.
The tournament is open to everyone on a first-come basis. To reserve a sponsorship or foursome, contact Vicki Sterling at vicki.sterling@marriott.com or Candice Palmer at candice.palmer@marriott.com.
The JW Marriott Wildfire Golf Club is located at 5350 East Marriott Drive in Phoenix. For additional information, visit wildfiregolf.com or phoenixchildrens.com.

Facing Cancer In The Faith Community
Anyone in the faith community who may have a congregant facing cancer is invited to the Facing Cancer in the Faith Community conference. Religious leaders from different faiths will share best practices for establishing support programs that provide comfort, support and improved outcomes for cancer patients and their loved ones. These issues will be addressed from the perspectives of researchers, medical practitioners and religious figures, as well as individuals living with cancer and their families.
The program will kick off with an introduction by celebrity emcee and cancer survivor Frank Camacho, anchor at KTVK-TV/Channel 8, and an opening prayer led by religious leaders of three different faiths. This will be followed by breakout groups focusing on such topics as developing supportive programs, providing individual support and key facts about cancer for survivors and caregivers. Jamie Sellar of The Wellness Community (TWC) will lead a presentation on the most common myths about cancer. Several Valley cancer survivors will share their personal stories related to these widespread misconceptions.
The event will be held at Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School Road in Phoenix, on September 10 from 8am-3:30pm. The cost is $35 per person. RSVP is requested. For more information and/or to RSVP, contact TWC at 602.712.1006 or visit twccaz.org.

Resort Hosts Culinary Competition
The Heavy Medal Culinary Competition, with a four-course dinner and auction benefiting Careers through Culinary Arts Program, will be held at 6:30pm on September 21 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
Executive Chef Oliver Reschreiter from JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Chef Joshua Hebert from POSH will compete to impress celebrity judges with their culinary expertise utilizing ingredients presented for the challenge. The event will be emceed by Iron Chef America winner Mark Tarbell of Tarbell’s restaurant.
Tickets are $175 per person and can be purchased by calling 623.594.0117 or visiting blacktie-arizona.com.

Dog-Eared Pages Used Books is hosting its second annual Charity Art Auction Event on September 26 from 6-9pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Phoenix Fire Department Community Assistance Program, an all volunteer program that has been in existence since 1995. These are the first responders who provide emergency crisis intervention to victims and survivors of crimes and fires. There are over 100 volunteers who provide these services working over 20,000 hours each year giving much needed help to the community. The money raised will help offset costs for their annual recognition dinner in October.
Dog-Eared Pages Used Books is located at 16428 North 32nd Street, Suite 111 in Phoenix. For more information, contact Melanie Tighe at 602.283.5423 or visit dogearedpagesusedbooks.com.

Neighborhood News: Scottsdale

Boutique Helps Raise Funds for Arizona Military

Urban Kidz, a Scottsdale boutique for kids owned by Lila Metcalf (pictured), has partnered with Boots for Our Troops to raise money for military service men and women and their families in Arizona. For a minimum donation of $2, customers will receive a pair of “boots” on which to write their name or message. The Boots for Our Troops promotion runs through October 31 at Urban Kidz located in the Shops at Gainey Village, 8787 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 220. For more information, visit urbankidzwear.com or tempeveteransfoundation.org.

Helping Girls Thrive In Today’s World
Scottsdale Unified School District and Scottsdale Prevention Institute will host the 3rd Annual Sharing Healthy Experiences Forum (s.h.e.) from 9am-3pm on September 12 at Mountainside Middle School, 11256 North 128th Street in Scottsdale. Girls, parents and educators will enjoy live music, lunch and participate in interactive experiences all relating to the teen and “tween” girl years. The event is open to all girls in grades five to eight. For details, contact Katey McPherson at 602.881.8253 or visit sharinghealthyexperiences.com.

Award-Winning Mystery Writer Shares Tips
Aspiring writers may find that getting their shorts into print eases the path to novel publication, according to award-winning author Darrell James, who will speak at the September 16 meeting of the Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths chapter, in Old Town Scottsdale. James will discuss how authors can use short stories to develop their craft and find a unique voice; how and where short stories can be published; and how short story success, through reviews, contests and awards, can be used to build a name and public image in advance of a novel offering.
Desert Sleuths meet at Café Carumba, located at 7303 East Indian School Road. James will speak at 7pm.
Sisters in Crime is an international organization of mystery/suspense writers, readers and fans. The local chapter is open to both women and men interested in the mystery genre. For more information, call 602.454.7815 or visit desertsleuths.com.

COMMUNITY Online Extras | CITYSunTimes September 2009

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