Relive the Nostalgia of Billy Moore Days with Contests & Competition

As part of the history of Billy Moore Days, fun competitions and contests were always a festive tradition.  Contests of past included cotton bale rolling, donkey and lawn mower races, mustache and beard growing competitions, and local beauties could compete for the coveted title of ‘Miss Billy Moore Days’.  To keep up with the tradition and bring back some of that nostalgic appeal, the event in 2016 will play host to some friendly competition. Participants can compete for the title of best ‘Yee Haw’ holler; kids are invited to take part in the Little Buckaroo/Buckarette Contest; softball and basketball teams can compete for a trophy.

Little Buckaroo/Buckarette Contest

Let your kids show off their best western attire as they compete for the title of Little Buckaroo and Buckarette. Kids, ages 10 and under, are invited to come on stage in western get-up. Prizes and title will be awarded, and winners will get to ride in the Billy Moore Days Parade on a special float.  This contest will take place Friday, October 21 at 5:45 p.m. on the Main Stage located on Western and 6th Street. Entries must check in by 5:30 p.m. to participate in the contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners. There will be one Buckaroo and one Buckarette winner for a grand prize award of a Party Rental Package (valued at $245) from A to Z Party & Event Rentals. Parents are strongly encouraged to register for the contest ahead of time, prior to the event;  http://www.billymooredays.com

Yee Haw Hollering Contest

Have you been told more than once to use your “inside voice?” Anyone with hollering skills can participate in the first ever Billy Moore Days Yee Haw Hollerin’ Contest.  It’s easy to participate—simply step up on stage and give your best rendition of ‘YEE HAW’!  The contest will take place Saturday, October 22 at 12pm in Serenas Plaza, located next to Sam Garcia Library on Western and 5th Street. Entries must check in by 11:45 am to participate in the contest.

Billy Moore Days Co-ed Softball Tournament

A co-ed ‘Wild West’ Softball Tournament for adults will be hosted Saturday, October 22 at Festival Fields Park located at 101 E. Lower Buckeye Road in Avondale.  Get your team together, and gear them up in western wear (there will be a prize for best team costume). Each inning will have a different crazy rule such as running bases backwards, lasso carry, hitting off a tee, etc.  This is a one day tournament with two games guaranteed. Fee to participate is $175 per team.  Register for the tournament at: www.avondale.org/playnow   using code #7682.  Pre-registration deadline is Monday, October 17.

Billy Moore Days Basketball Tournament

Come shoot some hoops in a 12 team double elimination basketball tournament, Saturday October 22 at the Boys & Girls Club Tri-City West Thornwood Branch located at 301 E Western Avenue in Avondale.  Tournament options are for youth ages 9-14 years and young adults 16-24 years.  Fee to participate is $20 for youth teams, $40 for young adult teams.  Stop by the Boys & Girls Club to register, or reserve your team spot by calling 623-932-1154.  Pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, October 19.

Most of the Billy Moore Days festivities will take place October 21 – 23 in the heart of Historic Avondale, on Western Avenue .  No cost to attend.  Location: Historic Avondale – 495 E Western Ave Avondale AZ 85323.  For more information and to get involved, visit http://www.billymooredays.com , or call City of Avondale at 623-333-2400.   Follow the event festivities and information on Facebook.

Representatives from the City of Goodyear at GE in New York. 

The City of Goodyear was recently announced as one of only nine cities to win the GE HealthyCities Leadership Challenge!

The city was recognized for its plan of Goodyear Community Health Park, a community wellness area anchored by two West Valley hospitals and supported by a coalition of community partners in Goodyear. The 129-acre project is being developed through a collaboration between the City of Goodyear, Abrazo West Campus, Adelante Healthcare, Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Hickman Farms, among others.

Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord

Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord and Representatives from Goodyear recently traveled to New York for recognition of their efforts and to attend a workshop that kicks off a year-long learning collaborative with GE and other communities working on healthy communities projects.

Read more about the Goodyear Community Health Park at the City of Goodyear. 

Photos from Pam Weir, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Goodyear

Congratulations to the City of El Mirage’s eight new firefighters!

El Mirage Fire Department held a badge pinning ceremony for eight new firefighters. These firefighters have completed their first year on the job, or probationary period, and were sworn in by El Mirage Fire Chief Jim Wise as full firefighters.  Mayor Lana Mook stated, “We are extremely proud of our new firefighters and wish them the best of luck in their new roles.”

Solid Waste Equipment Operator
City of Peoria

“Anything is possible. You just have to want it and believe in yourself.”

These are the words that Rosie Perez lives by as she serves the City of Peoria.

Born in Tempe and raised in southern Phoenix, Arizona, Rosie Lopez is a hometown girl whose dedication to her city has led to great accomplishments.

Rosie works for the City of Peoria as a solid waste equipment operator. In fact, she’s the only female solid waste equipment operator to work for the city. And she’s the best.

Recently Rosie competed in the “Road-E-O,” an annual event sponsored by the Solid Waste Association of North America. Her incomparable skills and belief in herself led Rosie to compete with the best of Arizona and she placed first in the rear-loading category at the national event. Weeks later, Rosie placed first in the same category for the international competition. The competition included participants from Arizona and the U.S. representing municipal and private waste haulers, landfill equipment operators, and mechanics. The “Road-E-O” promotes professionalism and safety in the field of solid waste management and facilitates a spirit of competition and goodwill.

In a typical day, Rosie does a little of everything and is happy to assist wherever she is needed. Currently she is working in residential areas as side-rail and does front-loading for commercial areas. She also operates a Kubota articulating loader, which collects uncontained loose trash.

“I am the best Kubota operator here,” says Rosie confidently.

And she has the skills – and title of number one – to prove it.

Iconic Mill Avenue serves up a collection of local businesses, new restaurants and nightlife that brings students and residents together in community. Photo from the City of Tempe.

Right in the heart of Arizona State University sits the eclectic and unique downtown of the City of Tempe. Boasting an iconic nightlife, an array of unique local businesses, tech companies, lakefront property and an unparalleled history, downtown Tempe is truly the place to be.

Downtown Tempe is home to the iconic Mill Avenue, a street marked with local businesses, new restaurants and nightlife that bring students and residents together in community. Just north of Mill Avenue sits Tempe Town Lake, a top attraction in the state of Arizona, drawing visitors to its water and waterfront parks for community events and recreational activities.

The newest location of Postino is housed in the former ASU Art Annex. Along with Snooze AM Eatery, this restaurant has led to a new crowd of visitors along College Avenue, expanding the idea of the Tempe Downtown. Photo from the City of Tempe

As Tempe continues to grow and evolve, the definition of downtown is changing. New businesses are coming to make the city home and development is continuing to change the blueprint of Tempe Town Lakefront. Up-and-coming local restaurants are claiming territory in Tempe, forever changing the landscape of downtown, like Culinary Dropout at Farmers Art District and the Postino Art Annex on College.

With new projects taking place daily and an eye towards a bright future, the Tempe Downtown will always be at the center of it all.

Tempe Town Lake light rail bridge connects the Phoenix-area METRO Light Rail with the downtown Tempe area. Behind, sits the Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge. Photo from the City of Tempe.

Tempe Town Lake and the Tempe Beach Park serve as the main gathering place in downtown Tempe, with concerts, festivals and events like Fourth of July Tempe Town Lake Festival occurring throughout the year. Photo from the City of Tempe.

A sign and statue greet visitors on U.S. 60 entering Downtown Wickenburg. Photo from the Town of Wickenburg

Wickenburg boasts one of the American West’s classic downtowns, featuring unique shops, eateries, public art, and activities. Decades of investment in streetscape improvements by the town have made Wickenburg a popular destination among tourists and Arizona natives alike, who flock to the community for its cowboy culture and Western charm.

Ben’s Saddlery is one of the longest-operating businesses in downtown Wickenburg. Photo from the Town of Wickenburg.

The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 761 sits near the original train depot, which now serves as the Wickenburg Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce offices. Photo from the Town of Wickenburg.

Visitors can explore the downtown’s public art, including life-size sculptures depicting scenes of the old west. The Desert Caballeros Western Museum, a world-renowned fine art institution, also resides downtown just a short walk from the visitor center in the old train depot. During the busy season, team roping at two nearby arenas is in full swing, and popular events such as the annual Gold Rush Days celebration fill the downtown with excitement.

The Hassayampa River Walk, completed earlier this year, is an adaptive reuse of the 1962 ADOT bridge over the Hassayampa River that hosts downtown events. Photo from the Town of Wickenburg.

In May 2015, the town completed the Hassayampa River Walk, an adaptive reuse event space overlooking the Hassayampa River.

A statue sits in the roundabout connecting US 93 and US 60 at the entrance to downtown Wickenburg. Photo from the Town of Wickenburg.

Welcome to Old Town Scottsdale. Photo courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Downtown Scottsdale is among the most vibrant and unique urban centers in the American Southwest.

It provides a mix of specialty retail, art galleries, dining to suit every taste, legendary nightlife and public art and cultural attractions with broad appeal. It is also home to one of the most successful shopping centers in the southwest – Scottsdale Fashion Square.

The LeKae Gallery in Downtown Scottsdale. Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Scottsdale’s Downtown is also known for hosting lively events throughout the year such as farmers and artisan markets, art walks, festivals, parades, concerts and block parties.

But Downtown is more than a visitor destination. It’s also the city’s second largest employment center and a budding hub for technology and health care companies like Yelp, Weebly, Zenefits, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, ZIVELO, ZocDoc, Digital Air Strike and ReplyBuy.

This employment hub has brought an increased demand for residential projects, so people can live near their jobs. Downtown Scottsdale provides a sustainable live, work and play lifestyle for residents within a vital urban environment.

The Scottsdale Waterfront, conveniently located near the Scottsdale Fashion Square, includes high-rise living and favorite local shops and restaurants. Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Historic Caitlin Court in historic Downtown Glendale. Photo from City of Glendale.

Historic Downtown Glendale has been named by USA Today & Sunset Magazine as one of the country’s ten best places for shopping. The historic downtown has two neighborhoods – Historic Catlin Court with its white picket fences and mature shade trees welcoming visitors to the bungalows-turned-specialty shops, and Old Towne, boasting brick-trimmed sidewalks and glowing gaslights leading the way to the famous antique stores and ethnic eateries.

Glendale Glitters, an annual beautiful display of holiday lights, is one of several events that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Glendale each year. Photo from the City of Glendale

The 90-plus specialty and boutique shops in downtown Glendale are noted for the retail-chain-free collection of stores, which feature everything from eclectic and funky fashion and accessories to pop-culture collectibles, and the diversity of restaurants serve up everything from savory, wood-fired pizzas to two-scoop ice-cream cones. In fact, the critically-acclaimed collection of ethnic eateries in downtown Glendale includes Polish, Italian, German, Mexican and Vietnamese. Glendale’s downtown is also home to award-winning festivals that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, which include Glendale Glitters and the Glendale Chocolate Affaire

Old Towne in Downtown Glendale. Photo from the City of Glendale

Caption: Historic Downtown Glendale has been named as one of the country’s best places for shopping. Photo from City of Glendale. Photo from the City of Glendale.

Avondale is a city full of great people who deserve a round of applause. Recently, two individuals who work for the city were recognized for their outstanding service and dedication to the Avondale community.

Avondale Fire Chief Paul Adams was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame.

Established in1998, the Arizona Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made a significant, positive contribution to the fire service and their community and which brings credit to the fire service. Individuals nominated are evaluated based on their years of service, service on committees, state and national impact, educational impact, operational impact, contributions to community, organizational impact, legislative impact or other areas that clearly demonstrate the individuals contribution to Arizona’s Fire Service.

The honor was presented during the opening ceremony of the 41^st annual Arizona Fire School. Paul Adams presently serves as Fire Chief for the City of Avondale, Arizona, a position he has held since November of 1996.  His illustrious career began in his home state of Nebraska, as a fire volunteer in 1969.  A career dedicated to service in the fire service eventually brought him to Arizona, when he was hired as Avondale Fire Chief.

This week, Avondale City Clerk Carmen Martinez, earned the prestigious designation of Master Municipal Clerk (MCC).  MMC is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc., which grants the designation only to those municiopal clerks to complete demanding education requirements and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, community and state. Carmen Martinez, Avondale’s City Clerk, has earned the prestigious designation of Master Municipal Clerk, or MMC, which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc. (IIMC).

“Carmen Martinez has worked hard to achieve this designation and it is a testament to the caliber of professionals we are fortunate to have in Avondale,” said Avondale City Manager, David Fitzhugh.

Carmen Martinez is qualified by over 16 years of municipal clerk experience.   She has served City of Avondale since 2002.

Congratulations, Chief Adams and Carmen Martinez!

Photo Courtesy Town of Youngtown

Parks are a vital part of any city or town, serving as a focal point and hub for recreation, children’s activities and neighborhood gatherings. In Youngtown, parks are extremely important to the town’s quality of life, as it has prioritized open spaces since the town’s inception. While the municipality is only two square miles, it offers seven parks, in addition to Maricopa Lake.

Visitors to Youngtown can enjoy a trip to the Caliche Cactus Garden, an oasis of desert plant life. Families with young children can spend the day in Schliefer or Uribe Park. Those looking for a relaxing afternoon can head to Maricopa Lake for an fishing or enjoying a picnic under the ramada.

For more information on Youngtown’s parks, visit www.youngtownaz.org