On Saturday, August 28, 2013, five members of the Cottonwood Fire Department, Lieutenant Jeff Boyd, Engineer Jeremy Doerksen, Firefighters Kerrie Hawthorne, Joe Odell and Nick Garcia, built a wheelchair ramp for a local Korean War Veteran. These Cottonwood Fire Department personnel had responded to an emergency medical call at the veteran’s residence a few days before and had discovered that U.S Army veteran and retired law enforcement officer Wilber Quick was confined to a wheelchair but did not have a ramp to make the residence wheelchair accessible. Boyd, Doerksen, Hawthorne, Odell and Garcia decided they would like show Mr. Quick their appreciation for his years of military and law enforcement service and decided to build him a wheelchair ramp. They contacted the Cottonwood Home Depot store and explained the situation to a manager there. Home Depot agreed to donate the materials needed to construct a wheelchair ramp. Doerksen, Hawthorne and Garcia returned to Mr. Quick’s residence on a day they were off-duty and constructed the ramp.
Boyd, Doerksen, Hawthorne, Odell and Garcia’s shift supervisor, Captain Troy Hoke stated “this action displays a caring heart for the community and represents what paying it forward is truly about.”

Fire Chief Mike Kuykendall added “I am proud that our personnel had the initiative and compassion to take on this project and to represent the Cottonwood Fire Department in such a positive way.”

If someone moustache you this question: Who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing false moustaches? The answer now can be proclaimed: The City of Goodyear.

Yes, it’s official. Goodyear Ballpark staff received the news from London-based Guinness World Records on August 22 that the city set the record during its Star Spangled 4th event at Goodyear Ballpark on July 4.

And Goodyear now holds the record by more than a few hairs: There were 1,957 participants who helped set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Gathering of People Wearing False Moustaches.” The previous record was 1,532 people wearing false moustaches at Gilda’s LaughFest in Grand Rapids, Michigan in March, 2013. The record attempt of the largest gathering wearing false moustaches has remained popular throughout the year, but Goodyear covets the official record for now.

“We wanted to do something that involved a large group of people to get the crowd involved,” said Debbie Diveney, Supervisor of Business Operations for Goodyear Ballpark, “Moustaches are becoming very trendy right now, and we thought having people wear them would be a fun thing to do. We felt pretty confident that we could set the record, and we did it. We were hoping to double the number of people who set the previous record, but we did pretty well.”

Participants in Goodyear were given moustaches made of synthetic hair as they entered the Moustache Zone, located in the seating area behind home plate during the 4th of July festivities. In order to officially set the record, participants had to remain in this area during the entire attempt, and keep their moustaches on for a period of five minutes. The crowd was engaged in the zone, participating in the wave and dancing to songs including Macho Man and Y.M.C.A. while members of the crowd could be seen on the scoreboard’s video screen wearing their moustaches.
Video and photographic documentation, along with steward and witness statements were submitted to Guinness World Records Headquarters in London, England to verify the record attempt was done within Guinness’ guidelines. It took approximately three and a half weeks for Guinness to make an official determination of whether or not the attempt was successful.

Participants may purchase a Certificate of Participation from the Guinness World Records store online to commemorate the event and have a piece of proof that they were part of a record-setting event.

Planning for the 2014 Star Spangled 4th has already begun.

Councilman Daniel T. Valenzuela has recently been honored with the “Community leader of the Year Award” by The Obesity Action Coalition. The award goes to an individual who actively engages the community on the major impact obesity can have on a person’s health. This award recognizes Councilman Valenzuela’s efforts in the creation of the city of Phoenix’s FitPHX program and Glendale Fire’s Healthier, Safer Lives program as a city of Glendale firefighter.

You can find more about why Councilman Valenzuela’s received the “Community Leader of the Year Award” below:

http://phoenix.gov/news/081913oacaward.html

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website,  analyzed national and statewide data to determine the best places in Arizona for young families. The results are below. You can also find more information on how these cities were ranked here: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/2013/best-towns-arizona-young-families/

1. Oro Valley

Oro Valley is a dynamic center of education and research. The town is home to a dozen high-tech firms, emerging as a regional center for the biotech industry and providing for lucrative employment opportunities. Oro Valley is distinguished by attractive qualities such as a median household income that is nearly 50% higher than the US median, a #1 FBI safety ranking in the state of Arizona and an excellent school district. Oro Valley’s BASIS Charter School is regularly ranked as one of the top ten high school programs in the country. Its students consistently outperform on both the statewide and national levels and go on to attend outstanding universities.

2. Scottsdale

Scottsdale is home to some of the country’s most gorgeous golf courses, an excellent school district and fantastic shopping. A number of its schools have earned top honors from the state government: Arcadia H.S., for example, was deemed “excelling” by the Arizona Department of Education. Beyond its great schools, Scottsdale is well known as a vacation hot spot and for all of the accompanying amenities. The city is fourth after only New York City, Las Vegas and Atlanta for the most five-diamond hotels in the country and boasts the highest number of destination spas per capita of any city in the U.S. Residents enjoy the city’s abundance of upscale restaurants, nightlife, art galleries and luxury shopping.

3. Buckeye

As one of the fastest-expanding suburbs over the last decade, Buckeye seemed to pop up overnight, with exponential economic growth and 22 master planned communities, expected to house more than 400,000 people by 2030. Family life today is already bright, too. Buckeye celebrates Countryfest in the fall, Pioneer Days in the spring, and a Fourth of July party in the summer. The town is also committed to maintaining its green spaces, with tree-planting initiatives, therefore earning the title of Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

4. Peoria

A major suburb of Phoenix, Peoria is considered a city with potential for advancement. It is the proud home of Lake Pleasant and its accompanying regional park, locally known as a “jewel in the desert”, boasting 10,000 acres of water, two marinas and boat and watercraft rentals galore. The park provides for exceptional recreational opportunities, including an extensive trail system for biking, camping and hiking; archaeological sites and even gliding lessons from the Turf Soaring School. Additionally, the city has an eye on glamorous high-end waterfront development and has already gained recognition as an educational destination for accommodating the Challenger Space Center, which hosts stargazing events and space-flight simulations.

5. Chandler

Chandler is a prominent suburb of the Phoenix metro area, with an impressive draw for high-tech career seekers. Its advanced computer-manufacturing industry, with Intel as Chandler’s top employer, attracts skilled workers from the area’s top universities and stimulates city growth and a healthy economy. Apart from its job opportunities, Chandler is also famous for its Ostrich Festival. During the 1910s, the city’s economy was sustained on ostrich farms to fulfill a demand for plumes used in women’s hats. Although that demand has now dwindled, Chandler commemorates its quirky origins with an annual celebration.

6. Sierra Vista

True to its name, which translates to “mountain view”, Sierra Vista is a haven for hikers, campers and all-around nature lovers. Bordering the city are the majestic Huachuca Mountains, rising nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, and the Miller Peak Wilderness area, which provides spectacular views. Other outdoor attractions include theKartchner Caverns, the Coronado National Forest and the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, a famous bird-watching attraction. In fact, Sierra Vista carries the nickname Hummingbird Capital of the United States since bird watchers from all around the world flock to observe and photograph hundreds of bird species.

7. Lake Havasu City

A popular tourist destination year-round, it seems that Lake Havasu City has something for everyone. In spring months, the city is joined by university students who seek out the city’s uplifting vibe, calm waters and warm beaches. Due to its lakeside location, Lake Havasu City is home to an abundance of water sports and boating competitions, including the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals. Additionally, many events center around the city’s central attraction, the London Bridge—a bridge that was actually imported from London’s Thames River in 1971. The bridge is incorporated into the city’s triathlons and marathons and makes for the perfect viewpoint for the Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair.

8. Gilbert

The town of Gilbert boasts a small-town feel with big-city appeal: its friendly community and safe neighborhoods are complemented by its progressive school districts and general appreciation for education. The Gilbert Public Schools District, for instance, employs the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers in the state: that’s 105 teachers who are recognized for their excellence and commitment to their profession. 

9. Prescott

Prescott’s downtown has regularly been recognized for its beauty. Its Courthouse Plaza stands alongside Central Park and Santa Monica Beach as one of the Great Public Spaces in the United States, according to the American Planning Association. Seven out of eight of Prescott Unified schools earned a letter grade of “B” or higher on theDepartment of Education’s statewide assessment of Arizona schools. This assessment is a comprehensive look at academic performance: scores on standardized tests, academic growth, dropout rate, graduation rate and ESL success. Education for adults is just as top-notch, too. Northern Arizona University maintains a Prescott campus that offers degrees in fields like education and public administration, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offersbachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in a number of sciences, from aviation to electrical engineering.

10. Sahuarita

Sahuarita prides itself on its natural beauty and its strong educational system, for children and adults alike. The town boasts 7,000 acres of natural spaces, including pecan groves and agricultural fields. Sahaurita High’s music department recently got a big boost: the GRAMMY Foundation awarded the program $5,500 in grant money to support fine art education at the school. Furthermore, both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College have partnered with the school district to bring more higher education opportunities to the city.

The City of Apache Junction has recently received the United States Green Building Council’s “Heavy Medal” LEED certification award. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for energy conservation and sustainability.

According to City Manager George Hoffman, “LEED is a voluntary, market driven program. It is all about creating healthy spaces for employees and the public.”

The award ceremony was hosted by Paul Horton from Channel 5 News in Phoenix, and city of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods that make economic sense.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and spearheaded by Robert K. Watson, Founding Chairman LEED Steering Committee from 1995 until 2006, LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

Cottonwood is the first city or town in the state of Arizona to sponsor, support and participate in a water conservation program for students in all grades of elementary and middle school.

Students will learn about various water conservation topics in their school through curriculum developed by the Verde Natural Resource Conservation District (VNRCD). The Cottonwood City Council approved the implementation of this program in July and is working closely with the VNRCD to implement the new program, which will begin in the fall.

Kindergarten through fourth grade students will learn the basics of water conservation in a program called “Cottonwood Kids Conserve,” which emphasizes the importance of conserving water, especially in Arizona. A total of 1650 students in these grades will go through the program.

Older students in fifth through eighth grade will learn about conservation through a variety of topics each year, including groundwater, invasive water species, healthy agriculture and the economic impacts of water conservation. The program includes field trips for certain grades to the Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Montezuma Well. Kindergartners will also have the opportunity to spend several days at the Cottonwood water and reclamation plants and visit the Verde River.

“The Cottonwood City Council is pleased to collaborate with many partners who care about our children and the important topic of conservation,” said Mayor Diane Joens. “It will be a great model for other teachers and schools to use in the future.”

Dog Fancy Cover

Dog Fancy Article

Dog Fancy Magazine named the city of Glendale regional runner-up in the Southwest in its 2013 DogTown USA ranking. With a dog population of 43,000, the city prides itself on offering dog-friendly businesses, attractions and amenities.

The article highlights Glendale’s four-legged community features such as two special dog parks that offer agility equipment;  an annual Dog Days of Summer event, sponsored by the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau and downtown merchants; dining experiences for pet owners at various restaurants with patio seating and city dogs who work for various programs in the community. For example, the Glendale Library has a reading dog program, called Read with Jessie, the loveable Golden Retriever, at Foothills Library in which children can practice reading to a dog, helping them become more comfortable reading. The next sessions are Sept. 11 and Sept. 25 for children 5 years and older. To reserve a spot, call 623.930.3837.

The Glendale Fire Department has two working dogs; Gizzi accompanies Fire’s public education manager to schools to teach children fire safety measures, and Topaz serves as a crisis response dog, helping those impacted by traumatic situations. In addition, Glendale Fire carries special FIDO pet rescue bags, supported by community donations. The FIDO bag, created by a Glendale firefighter, are medical bags containing customized oxygen masks and other medical supplies specifically made to care for animals in emergency situations. The bags were placed on Glendale fire trucks in 2007 after the Sun Valley Animal Shelter made a generous donation of $4,000 to fund the FIDO bag program.  Glendale firefighters, having saved numerous animals using the FIDO bag equipment, believe the bags are a necessity since 70% of households have pets.

Projects and activities for local dogs are not the only reason that Glendale was selected by the magazine, as part of the process included evaluating whether Glendale serves as an optimal pet destination.

Approximately 58 percent of pet owners now travel with their pets, and dogs lead the pack as the most popular pet travel companion, according to Petsweekly.com.

“This information reflects an emerging travel trend, showing the importance of outreaching to visitors who travel with their favorite canine companion. For example, 78 percent of pet owners choose a hotel due to its pet-friendly policies and the Glendale CVB offers a list of pet-friendly hotels in the area,” said Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB manager.

El Mirage is among the first communities in Arizona to be formally designated a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner under an initiative observing the 50th anniversary of the conflict’s beginning. The Commemorative Partner Program, commissioned by the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a national effort to recognize and pay tribute to the more than three million men and women who bravely served the U.S. in a war a world away, including more than 58,000 who gave their lives and more than 1,600 who are still missing in action.

As a Commemorative Partner, El Mirage has promised to carry out at least two events annually for the next four years to honor Vietnam veterans and their families in a manner consistent with the highest traditions of dignity and respect. Upon learning of the City’s selection as a Commemorative Partner, Mayor Lana Mook noted, “The sacrifices of our country in Vietnam continue to resonate with generations of Americans. The Commemorative Partner Program is a very fitting way for us to publicly recognize the immense importance of these sacrifices.”

When the new Goodyear branch of the Maricopa County Library system is completed near the end of this year, it could include space for the business leaders of tomorrow to work and brainstorm through a partnership in an incubator program with Arizona State University.

During the Goodyear City Council work session on July 8, Tracy Lea, Venture Manager at Arizona State University’s SkySong incubator center unveiled its Alexandria Model, a program that is planned inside an approximate 1,000-square-foot room in the new Goodyear branch library to serve as an entrepreneur and innovation center for those pursuing ideas and business projects.

City leaders were excited to see the presentation for the program, which will help to provide entrepreneurs the tools, resources and mentors to get on the pathway of development. Goodyear City Council will vote on finalizing the agreement with ASU and the county for the center sometime after it returns from its summer break next month.

“We appreciate SkySong because we know of its successes,” Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord said. “I’ve heard of and seen the successes there, and we look forward to having our successes here.”

Having a business “incubator” in Goodyear is one of City Council’s initiatives and the city’s Economic Development Department has been working with SkySong in south Scottsdale to make center a reality in Goodyear for six months.

SkySong’s Tracy Lea said the center also could have a military focus.  Luke expects to see $260 million of construction over the next decade and other support businesses are expected to open with the arrival of the F-35A fighter pilot training program next year.

During the meeting, Lea said, “The Alexandria Concept will create a wonderful pipeline for development.  “It’s been extraordinary working with this group of people in this city, and I believe this is such a rich environment for this to take flight. The West Valley has some amazing growth right now. Goodyear is creating a terrific growth pattern in and of itself.”

The library, budgeted at $1 million, will include 9,600-square-feet that will feature a 1,600-square-foot multi-purpose room in addition to the 8,000-square-feet of library space.

The library will replace the current one at North Litchfield Road and Van Buren Street.  Design work for the new library is on schedule to be completed by the end of July and construction beginning as early as August.

Florence Mayor Tom J. Rankin was voted in at the Wednesday, June 19th Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council meeting as the newest member to MAG’s Transportation Policy Committee (TPC).  The vote was unanimous. Congratulations to Mayor Tom J. Rankin!

You can find more about Mayor Rankin’s new position below:

http://www.florenceaz.gov/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=515&key=6908a5fbaec078dd9169d0bf8620051d&subid=201-a68755507547037c79ff6975bdc65886