Google Maps recognizes Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association as a Favorite Place on Google

Congratulations! You have made Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association a Favorite Place on Google. Between July 1 and September 30, Google users found Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listed 5547 times, and requested driving directions or other information about our association 216 times.

Because we are so popular, Google provided a decal that shows citizens we are a Favorite Place on Google. The sticker includes a special bar code that citizens may scan with cameras on their phones. Then they can see Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listings on Google, read and write reviews, and be added as a favorite right there. Our office is located in the Executive Towers Condominiums at 207 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Stop by and visit the facility and ask the office manager, Cindy Lee or one of the front desk attendants if you can capture the special bar code from the sticker. We have placed it on the condo resident bulletin board in the mail room adjacent to the lobby.

Send us an email at Info@PhoenixCentral.org if you have problems.

We look forward to providing you with more and better ways to grow the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association.

Alton J. Jones
Chairman
Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association

PhoenixCentral.org

planPHX - Big Question #2‏

IMAGINE PHOENIX IN 2050. WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Go to www.phoenix.gov/planphx and go to Events to find a Visioning Workshop during the month of November.

The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association participates in the Encanto Village group.

Source: City of Phoenix Planning Department

METRO TECH HOSTS FALL GARDEN FESTIVAL & COMMUNITY FAIR

WHAT:

Metro Tech has turned an annual Fall Garden Festival into a full-scale community celebration to showcase the high school to neighbors, prospective students, and parents.

Students and staff will showcase the unique school, which features over 20 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, as well as a four-year academic program. This year Metro Tech has been awarded a grant from the Science Foundation of Arizona to create educational projects to help reduce our carbon footprints. This Festival will include a new interactive presentation area that showcases eco-friendly ideas in addition to our famous plant sale, crafts, food, silent auction, rummage sale, kids play area, student art show and exhibits, and portraits at affordable prices. Student organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America, DECA and SkillsUSA, and local businesses will have booths and displays.

Seminars with Metro Techs’ new partner HealthCorps® will also take place.. HealthCorps is a non-profit organization founded by renowned heart surgeon and talk show host, Dr Mehmet C. Oz, to educate and empower students in high schools across America to take charge of their health. Metro Tech is one of only 50 schools nationally offering this groundbreaking program. The HealthCorps curriculum is focused on nutrition, fitness and mental resiliency. Health Coordinators, recent college graduates who defer studies in medicine or healthy policy for two years to mentor teens, carry out the mentoring program.

Metro Tech High School is a comprehensive magnet high school in the Phoenix Union High School District serving 1,420 full time students and almost 1300 dual students from other Phoenix Union schools that enroll in morning or afternoon CTE classes as juniors and seniors. CTE programs are designed to prepare students for entry- level career opportunities, as well as technical, college or university studies. The school also offers evening classes and vocation programs specifically designed to the meet the needs of special education students.

Metro Tech is a Performing Plus school, and Meets Adequate Yearly Progress in state and federal accountability rankings, reflecting its strong academics and student achievement.

WHEN:

Saturday, October 24th, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Metro Tech High School
1900 W. Thomas Road in Phoenix. (corner of 19th Ave. and Thomas)

WHO:

Metro Tech students and staff, parents, community members and local businesses

CONTACT:

Mary Throop Metro Tech Practical Horticulture Teacher (602) 764-8183
Chris Liebelt-Garcia, Metro Tech Business Teacher (602) 764-8376

Source: Phoenix Union High School District

METRO and arts venues team-up for new guide, great deals

Arts organizations celebrate with admission discounts

METRO and 39 Valley arts and culture venues are marking National Arts and Humanities Month with a new light rail destination guide and some great deals on fall arts events for the whole family.

METRO Board Chair and Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot joined Mayors Hugh Hallman and Scott Smith at the Roosevelt and Central Avenue light rail station today to unveil the new Arts and Culture Ride Guide. The three were flanked by a group of costumed performers, including a ballerina, Shakespearean actress and a dinosaur wrangler.

“The guide makes it easy to take advantage of the many incredible arts opportunities on the line, ” Simplot said, “and supporting the arts is good for the city. More than six million people visit Phoenix arts venues each year, producing millions of dollars in tax revenues and benefiting nearby businesses.”

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman, a member of the METRO board, noted that arts and culture organizations are important economic drivers in the East Valley, too.

“These organizations and their patrons generate more than $82 million a year in the East Valley alone,” he said, “and support more than 1,700 jobs in restaurants, hotels and other related businesses.”

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith encouraged Valley residents to take advantage of discounts being offered by many of the venues.

“Taking your kids to the museum and to live performances are the kinds of family experiences that make great memories,” he said. “And riding the train there is half the fun.”

Eleven venues on the METRO line are celebrating the release of the guide by offering reduced admission to transit riders. A listing of special offers and a downloadable version of the Arts and Culture Ride Guide are available online at http://www.metrolightrail.org/. The printed guide is available at visitor centers, arts venues and hotels along the light rail line.

The 33-page full-color METRO Arts and Culture Ride Guide features photos, descriptions and contact information for each venue on the line in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, along with station maps and bus connections. Getting to great entertainment is as easy as (1) choosing the venue, (2) using the guide to find the nearest light rail station and (3) buying a transit pass.

An all-day transit pass is only $3.50 for adults, half-price for children 6 to 18, and free for kids five and under. Passes are available at vending machines located at all light rail stations.

The following information on discounts and specials is approved for publication / release to the public.

Discounts offered by arts and culture venues on the METRO line

(Closest to the geographical boundaries of the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association)

Heard Museum

Show your transit pass and get 2-for-1 admission through November 30, 2009. Pay for an adult or senior admission and receive an admission of equal or lesser value free. Valid for up to four admissions. Cannot be combined with other discount offers. Not valid during special events.

About METRO

METRO is the nonprofit, public corporation responsible for operation of the 20-mile light rail system in metro Phoenix, and for design, construction and future operation of 37 miles of possible extensions. Since opening in December 2008, METRO ridership has exceeded projections by more than 33 percent. September average weekday ridership was 53% above projections. http://www.metrolightrail.org/.

About the economic impact of the arts

Nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $361 million in economic activity in Phoenix and $82 million in the East Valley.

Total attendance at Valley arts venues is more than 7.3 million annually

Arts organizations and their patrons generate more than $48 million in local and state tax revenues each year.

Note to reporters: Detailed information from the study “Arts and Economic Prosperity,” 2007, by Americans for the Arts, is available for both the city of Phoenix and the East Valley. For details, send an email to MMcNeil@MetroLightRail.org.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Revised time for ArtsGuide news conference‏

What

METRO and arts venues team-up on new Ride Guide, special deals

METRO and 39 arts organizations will mark National Arts and Humanities Month with the release of a pocket-size guide to arts venues along the light rail line.

Eleven arts venues will concurrently launch special discounts for transit riders.
Two mayors and the chair of the METRO Board of Directors will speak about the importance of arts organizations to the Valley economy. Arts organizations and their patrons are responsible for $443 million in economic activity annually in Phoenix and the East Valley.

When

12:25pm New start time. (Previously scheduled for noon)
Wednesday, October 21

Where

METRO station at Roosevelt and Central Avenue

Who

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith
Phoenix Vice Mayor and METRO Board Chair Tom Simplot

Info and Visuals

Information on economic impact of the arts and details on special discounts offered by arts venues will be available.

The elected officials will be joined by costumed performers featured in the Arts and Culture Ride Guide, including a ballerina, a Shakespearean actress, a puppeteer and a 65-million-year-old carnivorous dinosaur.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO and arts venues team-up‏

What

METRO and arts venues team-up on new Ride Guide, special deals
METRO and 39 arts organizations will mark National Arts and Humanities Month with the release of a pocket-size guide to arts venues along the light rail line.

Eleven arts venues will concurrently launch special discounts for transit riders.
Two mayors and the chair of the METRO Board of Directors will speak about the importance of arts organizations to the Valley economy. Arts organizations and their patrons are responsible for $443 million in economic activity annually in Phoenix and the East Valley.

When

Noon, Wednesday, October 21

Where

METRO station at Roosevelt and Central Avenue

Who

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith
Phoenix Vice Mayor and METRO Board Chair Tom Simplot

Info and Visuals

Information on economic impact of the arts and details on special discounts offered by arts venues will be available.

The elected officials will be joined by costumed performers featured in the Arts and Culture Ride Guide, including a ballerina, a Shakespearean actress, a puppeteer and a 65-million-year-old carnivorous dinosaur.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Ben's Halloween Bash Room Information

Rates Good Fri/Sat/Sun
October 30th-November 1st

$129 - Standard Room w/2 Free Tickets
THIS ROOM TYPE IS NOW SOLD OUT!
-or-
$149 - Junior Suite w/4 Free Tickets
ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE!
-or-
$199 - One-Bedroom Suite w/6 Free Tickets
THESE WILL SELL OUT SOON!

Includes Internet and International Calls

Get A Room - Never drink and drive!
Share a room with a group of friends!

Call 602-252-7363 to reserve your room!

Visit http://BOO.GoClarendon.com for more info!

Phoenix General Plan Update available for download

The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association has requested the City of Phoenix Planning Department to make its presentation about the General Plan Update available online for download.

Click here to download a copy of this presentation.

FYI: It's a 4.6MB pdf.

Source: City of Phoenix

Encanto Village Visioning Workshop

Encanto Village Visioning workshops begin on October 5th.

Activity 1 asks Big Question #1:

What do you value most about Phoenix and why?

Please tell us!

Click here for further details.

Source: City of Phoenix

Imagine Phoenix in 2050

The city of Phoenix is about to begin a very important project and we need your help. Every ten years Arizona State Law requires cities to update their general plans. The General Plan provides comprehensive direction for the growth, conservation and redevelopment of all physical aspects of the city through goals, policies and recommendations. This document is intended to be both long range and visionary and to provide guidance for actions over a long period of time. This project will be broken into two phases. Phase I - visioning, and Phase II - policy plan development. Phase I will kick off on October 5, 2009 and continue through June, 2010. Phase II will begin in September, 2010 and continue through September, 2011. The plan will be presented to the public for approval at an election in September, 2012.

Visit the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association calendar page at www.PhoenixCenral.org/Calendar.html for specific workshop dates. The boundaries of the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association (Indian School to Thomas Roads and 7th Avenue and 3rd Street) is assigned to the Encanto Village. A schedule for all villages can be viewed by visiting www.PhoenixCentral.org/village.pdf.

A different activity will be held each month. At the end of each workshop, more details will be provided regarding the activity for the next workshop. You are encouraged to share this list of meeting dates with your friends and neighbors and ask them to attend. These workshops are open to the public.

At the first workshops in October, you will be asked the question "What do you value most about Phoenix, and why?" To help answer this question, ask yourself how you came to be in Phoenix. Were you born here? Did you move here? What attracted you to Phoenix? What keeps you here? What stands out to you as a special moment, event or feeling during the time you have lived in Phoenix? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you are not able to attend a workshop, please emai your response to planphx@phoenix.gov.

THANK YOU!!!

Source: City of Phoenix

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Email Correction

You may have received two emails today regarding our fall classes and programs. These emails were scheduled to go out on July 17, 2009 and July 30, 2009. However, for some unknown reason, our computer program released them today! I am sure this causing some confusion.

The intent of the emails were to advise everyone that on July 17, 2009, the department will feature all its fall classes and programs on-line by accessing www.phoenix.gov.parks/ and then clicking on Classes and Programs. This would be a great time to review those programs and classes you may want to sign-up for. Then on Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m., you will be able to register on-line for those classes and programs featured on our website.

We certainly want to apologize to our loyal users, and if you have any questions, please contact me directly at (602) 261-8606 or email Steve.Turner@phoenix.gov

Source:

Steve Turner
Public Information
Parks and Recreation Dept.

METRO July 4 service plan

What

METRO July 4 service plan

METRO will run all available trains to service event goers attending July 4th celebrations along the line.

System capacity will be maximized. Passengers should expect crowds on board the trains, at METRO park-and-rides and potential delays. METRO requests that passengers be patient and plan ahead. Post-event, expect to wait in a queue line.

One line that can be completely avoided this holiday is the line at the fare vending machine with the advance purchase of the July 4th pass. Purchase this special transit pass by visiting Central Station or the Tempe Transportation Center through July 3.

Service schedule

July 3 weekend is the start of METRO’s service extension on Friday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturday nights/Sunday mornings. July 3, 4 and ongoing on weekends, METRO will provide service until past 2 a.m.

Although Saturday, July 4, is a holiday, METRO will run normal Saturday service. Additional trains will be utilized to support event traffic.

A detailed service schedule can be viewed at http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/lightrail_publications/METRO_Rail_Schedule_07_09.pdf.

Phoenix event goers

METRO is a convenient way to attend the Fabulous Phoenix 4th taking place at Steele Indian School Park.

For arrival, eastbound passengers coming from the North or West Valley should de-board at the Campbell/Central Ave. light rail station. Westbound passengers coming from the South or East Valley should de-board at the Indian School/Central Ave. light rail station. Both stations are even walks to the park’s Central Ave. entrance at Glenrosa.

For departure, return to the station from which you arrived. If heading back eastbound, use the Indian School/Central Ave. station. If heading westbound, use the Campbell/Central Ave. station. Splitting passenger traffic between the two stations will keep shorter lines in each station’s queue.

For more on this event, visit http://phoenix.gov/parks/jlymain.html.

Parking

METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis:

Montebello/19th Ave.

19th Ave./Camelback

Central Ave./Camelback

38th St./Washington

Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd.

McClintock Dr./Apache Blvd.

Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd.

Sycamore/Main St.

If any of the lots become full, please try the next closest park-and-ride. For example, if the park-and-ride at Sycamore/Main St. reaches capacity, try the Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. park-and-ride – it typically has greater availability.


METRO and its city partners have identified overflow parking opportunities along the line for this date only:

Park Central Mall – Earll Dr., west of Central Ave.; designated “retail only parking” spaces

38th St./Washington – east of 38th St. and the METRO park-and-ride; Gateway Community College parking lot

Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd. – north of Apache Blvd., west of Dorsey Ln.; behind retail building

Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. – southeast corner of the METRO park-and-ride; accessible using the same entrance

Safeway – north of Main St., west of Sycamore and the METRO park-and-ride

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) – south of Main St., east of Sycamore; use entrance off of Longmore

Notes

Event goers should purchase an all-day pass for roundtrip service. An all-day pass costs the same as two one-ride passes and only requires one visit to the fare vending machine. Platinum Pass/U-Pass users, validate before each ride.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Food Network is coming to Phoenix!‏‏

I am a Casting Assistant for The Next Food Network Star, Food Network’s hugely successful culinary reality series, which is currently casting for its 2010 season.

We would like to inform you and the members of your organization that we are holding an Open Casting Call in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

This is the first time we are coming to Phoenix for an open casting call and we can’t wait to meet all the potential candidates!

We are looking for people who are full of life, passionate about cooking, and knowledgeable about food to meet us in person at our open casting call.

Please help us spread the word to any chef, home cook, caterer or culinary enthusiast who might be interested in becoming the host of his or her own cooking show on Food Network.

The details of our event are as follows:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

10am-4pm

Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale

4415 East Paradise Village Parkway

Phoenix, AZ 85032

Phone: 602-765-5800

Also, Embassy Suites is offering a $69 rate per night for anyone traveling from out of town to attend The Next Food Network Star open casting call.

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/PHXPVES-Embassy-Suites-Phoenix-Scottsdale-Arizona/index.do

Source: CBS News

METRO safety art contest for students

A key to METRO light rail’s success is a safe operation. METRO hopes to continue to educate Valley young people on light rail safety with a summer art contest titled “Picture Yourself Safe.”

METRO invites fourth through sixth grade students in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa to illustrate ways in which they stay safe around light rail with the “Picture Yourself Safe” art contest. This is a great opportunity for students to show their talent, understanding of important safety messages and to gain regional exposure for themselves and their school.

One winner will be selected from each city and receive 30 all-day transit passes. The three winning illustrations will be featured on METRO’s 2009 back-to-school safety posters and in a light rail station display case in each city.

Those interested may download an entry form at www.metrolightrail.org/safety or pick up one at the METRO office. Completed entry forms and illustrations must be returned in-person or mailed to the METRO office before July 31, 2009. Only one entry per student is permitted.

Where

Pick up or submit entry forms to the METRO office at:

METRO
“Picture Yourself Safe” Contest
101 N. 1st Ave., 13th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003

More

The safety of pedestrians, motorists and passengers around light rail continues to be a METRO priority. Please help us share METRO safety tips including obey traffic signals, use the crosswalks, stay off the tracks and look and listen for the train.

For more METRO safety tips and how to ride information, visit http://www.metrolightrail.org/.

For more on the “Picture Yourself Safe” art contest, contact Andrea Libey at (602) 495-8209 or alibey@metrolightrail.org.

Source: Metro Light Rail

2009 Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration

The event will be returning to Steele Indian School Park again this year. The event will start at 6 p.m. with the fireworks set to go off about 9:20.

We work hard each year to find new ways to minimize the impact the event has on surrounding neighborhoods. We have a few new options for 2009 that we wanted to share with you.

First, we’re working closely with Metro Light Rail to coordinate rail coverage on event day. Light Rail officials have indicated that they’ll be adding cars and increasing stop frequency during the event. With these modifications, Light Rail should be able to carry more than three times the number of people per hour than our bus shuttles have in years past. This will help to spread parking out over the entire rail line, reducing the number of cars on neighboring streets.

Police traffic control units also will be looking to close some streets later in the day than in previous years. Though we still haven’t finalized these plans, we hope it means less time in which traffic is restricted on streets around the park.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be mailing out notification cards with details on street restrictions related to the event. Please feel free to call in the meantime if you have any questions.

Source: City of Phoenix

David Urbinato, APR
Public Information Officer
Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Office: (602) 262-4994
Cell: (602) 350-1506
Visit us online at phoenix.gov/parks

Central singers earned two gold ratings at the Forum Music Festival

Central singers earned two gold ratings at the Forum Music Festival at Fullerton, Calif. March 20. Both Concert Choir and A Cappella Anonymous earned the festival’s highest rating following their performances. A rating of gold signifies that the judges believe that the performance should be rated in the top 10% of all choirs. In addition to the gold, the Men's Section for Concert Choir received the Outstanding Musicianship Award and Erika Lopez received the outstanding soloist award for her performance with A Cappella Anonymous. The concert choir was accompanied by school piano teacher, David Schmitz.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District

Grammy Foundation

Central and Maryvale music students got a first-hand insight into the music industry from professionals at a Career Day, March 25, brought to Phoenix by the GRAMMY Foundation.

Students heard from panelists Larry Batiste, a producer, vocalist, songwriter, publisher instrumentalist and arranger, Manny Marroquin, an engineer and four-time GRAMMY winner. Batiste has written and published over 300 songs and has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dweezil Zappa, Keyshia Cole and Al Jarreau. Marroquin has worked with Usher, Alicia Keyes; Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez and John Legend. About 80 students from Central, and over 100 at Maryvale asked questions about the recording industry, technology, performing and producing. It is part of the foundation’s efforts to enhance educational opportunities.

Central and Maryvale were two of 31 national finalists for a GRAMMY Foundation
grant.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District

Central Host GRAMMY Career Day

Location: Central High School Band Room

Central and Maryvale music students will get first-hand insight into the music industry from professionals at a Career Day, brought to Phoenix by the GRAMMY Foundation in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company Fund. Students will hear from panelists, and ask questions about the recording industry, technology, performing and producing. It is part of the foundation’s efforts to enhance educational opportunities. Central and Maryvale were two of 31 national finalists for a GRAMMY Foundation grant.

Music professionals, 80 Central students, 100-150 Maryvale students, music teachers. Among the panelists are Larry Batiste, a producer, vocalist, songwriter, publisher instrumentalist and arranger, and Manny Marroquin, an enginner and four-time GRAMMY winner. Batiste has written and published over 300 songs and has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Joe Satriani, Dweezil Zappa, Keyshia Cole and Al Jarreau. Marroquin has worked with Usher, Alicia Keyes; Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez and John Legend.

Alternate location:

Maryvale High School Auditorium,
3415 N. 59th Ave.
12:30 -2 p.m.

CONTACT:

Craig Pletenik, PUHSD Community Relations, (602) 764-1530
Dr. Gerald Petersen, PUHSD Arts Curriculum Supervisor (602) 764-1318

Phoenix Sister Cities Young Artists Competition‏

Phoenix Sister Cities invites residents of Phoenix ages 13 through 18 to enter the 2007 International Young Artists Competition. The purpose of the International Young Artists Competition is to encourage youth to interpret the following international theme in their original artwork.

Deadline February 13, 2009

The theme for 2008 is:

• All submissions will be displayed during the month of March and awards will be given out at an awards ceremony. After being exhibited in Phoenix, the winning artwork will be entered into the Sister Cities International Young Artist
Competition where they are eligible to win more prizes.

MEDIUM & SPECIFICATIONS

• Only two-dimensional artwork, no larger than 24” x 30” (60 cm x 75 cm), is accepted.

• Watercolor, oils, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, computer generated art, and two dimensional mixed media, are all acceptable media.

• Do not submit framed artwork.

• Entries must be mounted on foam core or matted, so they are firm enough to stand on an easel.

• For more details—visit our website.

www.phoenixsistercities.org

Source: City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department