volume 27 ~ Issue 10 www.tempe.gov/newsroom October 2011 Tempe moves residents, builds sustainable transportation alternatives

By City Councilmember Shana Ellis Transportation is vital for our continued efforts to make Tempe a sustainable and progressive community. As chair of the City Council Transportation Committee, I monitor and provide guidance for a vast array of transportation-related issues. Together, our community has accomplished many things over the last 15 years and Honoring veterans we have exciting opportunities to come. Several activities will take place next Things really began moving when Tempe voters passed a dedicated, half-cent sales month to honor veterans here in tax in 1996. Since then, the city has enhanced its bus and Dial-a-Ride systems, Tempe and throughout the country: launched Orbit neighborhood circulators, created a free youth transit pass program youth, added bikeways and pedestrian facilities, implemented light rail and •Families and community groups are constructed two green transportation facilities. welcome to attend the annual Veterans Day Parade in Tempe on Friday, Tempe’s transportation system moves more than just cars and buses. We have an Nov. 11, starting at 9 a.m. at ASU extensive bicycle and pedestrian network that is continuously being improved. In Gammage, on Mill Avenue south of 2011, we completed two key projects: improving the Crosscut Canal multi-use path; University Drive. The parade proceeds and revamping the streetscape, bike lanes and sidewalks of a section of College north on Mill, ending with a short Avenue. The Crosscut Canal path is now paved, with landscaping, solar lighting and ceremony in Tempe Beach Park. For public art. It provides a true regional connection by linking downtown Tempe and more information, call 480-968-0634. Scottsdale. The streetscape project has sustainable features like water harvesting •Mark your calendars for Saturday, and desert landscaping, along with reduced asphalt and added trees. It includes Nov. 5, for the Veterans History Project sidewalk improvements, raised medians, median islands, bicycle lanes, raised Open House at the Tempe History intersections and street narrowing. Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave. This “meet and greet” opportunity from Moving from the recent past to the present, Tempe has recently used regional and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is for veterans and federal grant funds to put 17 new hybrid-electric buses into service, replacing older, their families, the public and especially less fuel-efficient models. You can see them on our streets now – they hold more young people. Come talk with veterans passengers, produce fewer emissions and make less noise than conventional buses. of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the We are proud that they are visible signs of Tempe’s desire to innovate, conserve fuel Gulf Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. There and provide excellent customer service. will be refreshments and displays of military memorabilia. For more While the city has completed many great transportation projects and enhanced information, contact the Veterans the way we move people, there is still much work to be done. On the horizon is the History Project at 480-352-1466. establishment of a Tempe Streetcar. Planned to open in 2016, the Tempe Streetcar will run 2.6 miles along Mill Avenue between downtown Tempe and Southern •The original Armistice Day ended Avenue. It is critical to developing a total transit network in this region. The Tempe the hostilities of World War I on the Streetcar will support the existing transit system and community with its ability to 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th attract new riders, increase mobility, strengthen existing neighborhoods and create month of 1918. This year, on Nov. sustainable development. The project will provide one additional way to get around 11, which is 11/11/11, the Tempe History Museum will host the Concert Tempe – and so much more. for Peace. At 7 p.m., the Pangean Orchestra will perform songs of peace For details on Tempe’s transportation system, visit www.tempe.gov/tim. The City from across the world using exotic and Council Transportation Committee’s work plan is available at www.tempe.gov/ classical instruments. The museum is clerk/CouncilCommittees.htm. I also invite you to watch the October edition of located at 809 E. Southern Ave. Community Focus on Tempe 11 at www.tempe.gov/tempe11. Feel free to contact me at 480-350-8813 or via email at [email protected]. Tempe’s 2012 elections The Tempe City Clerk’s Office is gearing up for two elections next year and wants to provide accurate information to residents so they can find out what they need to know to participate. A Primary Election will be held March 13 and a General Election will be held May 15. The city’s Mayoral seat is open, as are three City Council seats. Information is available at www.tempe.gov/clerk includes: • Voter registration The Maricopa County Elections Department registers voters. Unregistered Tempe residents interested in voting in the Primary Election must register by Feb. 13, and by April 16 for the General Election. For more information, call the county at 602-506-3535, TDD 602-506-2348, or visit www.recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx. Residents also can register to vote or update existing voter registration at www.servicearizona.com. Pedestrian Bridge opens The beauty of the Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge is not •Early voting simply its design – glowing, ocean-blue lights and gracefully Voters will be able to cast their ballots for the Tempe bending arches – it’s also in its usefulness. elections prior to the election days. Early voting for the Primary Election starts Feb. 16, and on April 19 for The bridge, which joins the north and south banks of the General Election. Any registered voter may place their Tempe Town Lake at the Tempe Center for the Arts, cools name on a Permanent Early Voting List and an early ballot and shades the rubberized bladder dam system. This will automatically be mailed to the voter approximately will extend the life of the bladders. An advanced sprinkler 26 days prior to the specified election. For more details, system attached to the deck of the bridge comes on only contact Maricopa County using the information above. when needed to cool the bladders and conserve water. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the bridge, making it a • Candidate packets safe crossing for walkers, joggers, parents with strollers and Tempe residents interested in running for Mayor or City bicyclists. Council seats can pick up candidate packets at the City Clerk’s Office, 31 E. Fifth St. The Clerk’s Office is open The bridge was completed at the end of September, with Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each packet residents being able to use it in early October. For more provides all the information necessary to run for elected details, visit www.tempe.gov/lake and look for the link to the office in Tempe. The first day to file completed candidate Pedestrian Bridge update in the blue box. paperwork is Nov. 14 at 8 a.m. The last day to file candidate paperwork is Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. Mayor’s final State of the City Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 480-350-8241. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Tempe, presents Mayor Hugh Hallman’s State of the City Address on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 7-9 a.m. at Hundreds of residents giving the Buttes, 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe. For the final time before stepping down as Tempe’s top elected official, the costly repairs the SLiPP Mayor will be sharing his thoughts on the accomplishments Hundreds of eligible residents have signed up for Tempe’s of the last year and the challenges to come. This annual new Service Line Protection Program (SLiPP) since enrollment event provides a valuable opportunity to enjoy a breakfast began in September. SLiPP helps residents by providing with Valley civic, business and political leaders. Registration timely, reliable assistance when they’re facing repairs of water begins at 7 a.m. and Mayor Hallman will begin his speech or sewer lines. Many homeowners are unaware that they’re and presentation at 7:30 a.m. Advance tickets are required. responsible for the main water line that runs from their home Visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480-967-7891. to the city’s water meter, as well as the main sewer line that runs from their home to the city’s sewer main. If the lines become clogged, collapse or fail to operate, the homeowner Mark your calendars is responsible for any necessary repairs, which can be very • Ironman Arizona comes to Tempe on Sunday, Nov. 20, costly and aren’t covered by most home warranties. Owners of at Tempe Town Lake and other local locations. single-family, owner-occupied homes in Tempe can pay $12 a For more, visit www.ironmanarizona.com month (included in water utility bills) for the peace of mind of • The Fantasy of Lights Parade is Saturday, Nov. 26, knowing that repairs up to $5,000 will be covered. Residents 6p.m. in downtown Tempe. This kickoff event to the who subscribe get service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, holiday season is a wonderland for kids and adults. 365 days a year. Enroll at www.tempe.gov/slipp or by calling For more, visit www.millavenue.com 480-858-7547. Golf Tempe and see what’s new With new partners, a new brand and a new way of operating, we invite you to check out the city’s two municipal golf courses and see why Golf Tempe is an entirely new experience. Golf Tempe promotes community- based golf that is affordable, accessible and adds to our quality of life as a lifetime leisure activity. Tempe’s two courses – Ken McDonald and Rolling Hills – offer: seven-day advance tee times; affordable daily fees; excellent practice facilities; full-service pro shops and restaurants; group and private lessons; corporate outings; and tournament packages. Ken McDonald Golf Course is at 800 E. Divot Drive (480-350-5250) and Rolling Hills Golf Course is located at 1415 N. Mill Ave. (480-350-5275). Call for tee times or book at www.tempe.gov/golf. People Make the Place: New Adopt-A-Path program Needlewielders To enhance the safety and appearance of Tempe’s many multi-use paths, support community the city has started a new Adopt-A-Path program that allows community members to help maintain and remove litter, weeds and graffiti along fabric these corridors. Most multi-use paths are available for adoption. Each adoptable path is 1-2 miles and volunteers commit to keep it clean and What could be better than using your talents to ready to be enjoyed. improve the lives of others? That’s just what the Needlewielders do when they meet every week Signs related to each effort, which are printed and installed by the city, at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center. With crochet will credit the adopting entity. To adopt a path, call 480-350-8428 or visit hooks, knitting needles and quilting supplies at www.tempe.gov/tim/adoptapath for a volunteer agreement and request the ready, these women – all age 50 or older – form. Adopt-A-Path joins Tempe’s already-established Adopt-A-Park and create blankets, quilts, baby hats, booties and Adopt-A-Street programs. For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/ other handmade items out of scrap materials. adopt. They donate their creations to charitable groups for distribution, or give them to veterans facilities, crisis nurseries and homeless shelters. Since they spend many hours crafting with each other each week, it is no wonder that the Needlewielders are a “tight-knit” group. So, when one of their members, Alita Kelly, passed away earlier this year, the remaining members felt a significant void without the generous woman who had attended meetings up until the end of her life, even in spite of illness. According to mem- bers, Alita reflected the generous spirit of the Tempe debuts hybrid-electric buses Needlewielders by giving the precious commodity of time without knowing who would benefit from Bus passengers on several routes are now riding on new 60-foot, her work. To carry on her example of generosity, hybrid-electric buses. These 17 hybrid-electric buses are environmentally the Needlewielders recently donated 101 stuffed friendly and save money in fuel and maintenance costs. They replaced animals and 57 fleece blankets to the Tempe older, shorter Tempe buses that have surpassed their useful life, which is Lakes Women’s Club’s Project Nite-Nite, a pro- 500,000 miles or 12 years. gram that gives homeless children a backpack with essential items to help them feel secure and Larger buses will reduce overcrowding along heavily-traveled corridors comforted. and offer environmental benefits, including less pollution, less noise, better riding experiences for passengers, and reduced parts and labor If you are interested in contributing your talents costs. The hybrid-electric buses run on stored electrical power when to the Needlewielders, call the Pyle Center at going 15 mph or less. Heavy exhaust emissions and loud noise upon 480-350-5211 or stop by the center, located at acceleration are also alleviated with the new vehicles. 655 E. Southern Ave. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Nee- These vehicles represent the second generation of Tempe’s transit bus dlewielders also happily accept donated material fleet and continue the city’s commitment to alternative fuel technology, from the community – they can use baby yarn, innovation, efficiency and a high regard for passenger service. For bus acrylic yarn, 100 percent cotton yarn, elastic, route and schedule information, visit www.tempe.gov/tim or call polyester stuffing and batting, cotton and cotton- 602-253-5000. blend fabric, crochet hooks and scissors. Calendar This is the tentative News you can use October/November schedule Tempe Old Settlers Association holds 103rd gathering for Tempe City Council For more than a century, longtime Tempe residents have gathered for an annual reunion meetings. to socialize and share memories. On Saturday, Oct. 15, the Tempe Old Settlers Association will hold their 103rd celebration of Tempe heritage from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the cafeteria October 20, 2011 of Tempe High School, 1730 S. Mill Ave. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and a meeting and 6 p.m., Issue Review Session potluck lunch starts at noon. Old Settlers members must have been born in Tempe or have 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting lived in the city for at least 30 years. For more information, call Vice Mayor Joel Navarro at 480-688-9907 or visit www.tempeoldsettlers.com. November 3, 2011 6 p.m., Issue Review Session Ditch the paper 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting Tempe’s residential and commercial water and wastewater customers have been noticing clearer utility bills and new account numbers now that the city has launched a new billing November 17, 2011 technology. Beginning in November, customers also will have the option to go paperless and 6 p.m., Issue Review Session not receive hardcopy bills in the mail. Customers who wish to keep receiving bills will not 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting need to make any changes. Details about signing up for the service are available at www. tempe.gov/waterutil/. Meetings are aired live on Tempe 11 and the Internet at www.tempe.gov/tempe11. Do you know Tempe’s next Bike Hero? City Council meetings are held in The Tempe Transportation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2012 Tempe Bike the Council Chambers at City Hall, Hero Award, which celebrates bicycling in Tempe. The public is encouraged to nominate a 31 E. Fifth St. Agendas are posted person or organization in Tempe for increasing awareness of bicycling or promoting bicycling 24 hours before each meeting outside the Council Chambers and on the as a viable mode of transportation. Individuals must live or work in Tempe and organizations second floor of City Hall. Meetings are must be located in Tempe. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31. For more information or subject to change. Confirm dates and to obtain an application, visit www.tempe.gov/tim or call 480-350-8663. times with the City Clerk’s Office, 480-350-8241 or at www.tempe.gov/clerk. Tempe hosts Shred-a-Thon in November Tempe will host another multi-purpose recycling event from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Household Products Collection Center, 1320 E. University Dr. Tempe City Council The event will include: • Shred-a-Thon: Bring your confidential documents to be securely shredded and eliminate Hugh Hallman Mayor the potential for identity theft. Joel Navarro • E-Waste: Bring unwanted technology equipment for safe recycling, including computers Vice Mayor and monitors, cell phones, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, cameras and more. • Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Program: Donate your used athletic shoes for their next life as a Robin Arredondo-Savage Councilmember sport court. Shana Ellis • Bag Central Station: Bring in plastic shopping bags for recycling. Councilmember • Compost Giveaway: Get a free bag of compost from Tempe’s green waste program, Mark W. Mitchell a partnership with Singh Farms. Proof of Tempe residency is required. Councilmember • Canned Food Donation: Bring a can of food to help those in need. Onnie Shekerjian All participants will receive a free reusable shopping bag. For more information, visit www. Councilmember tempe.gov/recycling or call 480-350-8145. Corey Woods Councilmember Gin Blossoms’ founder joins TCA Showcase Charlie Meyer In 1993, a Top 40 hit by Jesse Valenzuela and the Gin Blossoms fueled Mrs. Rita’s Palm City Manager Reading business on University Drive in Tempe. On Nov. 16, three area singer/songwriters To contact the Mayor and Council, call 480-350-8110. are hoping for similar success when they join Valenzuela for Songwriters’ Showcase VI at 7 Tempe Today is produced by the p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Walt Richardson Communication and Media hosts the Songwriters’ Showcase, a televised concert series featuring local performers and a Relations Division headliner. Performances and interviews are broadcast on Tempe 11 and Eight/KAET, Arizona PBS. For tickets, visit the box office, order at www.tempe.gov/TCA/ or call 480-350-2TCA Tempe Today editor Nikki Ripley (2822). For more details, visit www.tempe.gov/TCA/Showcase.htm. [email protected] 480-350-8846 or 480-350-8400 (TDD) DNA at Club TCA Ready to dance the night away at the Tempe Center for the Arts? The Friends of TCA holds City of Tempe its annual fundraising extravaganza on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m., to benefit the center’s 31 E. 5th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 www.tempe.gov programs. Tickets are available at the TCA box office, by calling 480-350-2TCA (2822) or online at www.tempe.gov/TCA/ or www.dna-tca.com. Gin Blossoms’ founder joins TCA Showcase In 1993, a Top 40 hit by Jesse Valenzuela and the Gin Blossoms fueled Rio Salado College Mrs. Rita’s Palm Reading business on University Drive. Hosting Food Day On Nov. 16, three area singer/ Celebration songwriters are hoping for similar Celebrate the first annual “Food Day” with success when they join Valenzuela for the students and chefs of the Café @ Rio Songwriters’ Showcase VI at 7 p.m. at on Monday Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), at Rio Salado College, 2323 W. 14th St., in 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Tickets Tempe. Food Day is a national event created are $10 at the door or by telephone, $12 online, and go on sale at 10 a.m. on to raise awareness of sustainable eating, Sept. 1 through the TCA Box Office. with a mission to transform the American “As a proud Arizonian, performing in Tempe will always be really exciting for diet and to promote healthy, affordable food me. Sharing songs in my hometown and telling the stories behind them is produced in a sustainable, humane way. The a blast,” Valenzuela said. Songwriter showcases give me a chance to meet, free event will feature cooking and gardening network and co-write with established writers and some amazing up and demos, tours, workshops and giveaways. comers. You can’t beat that kind of fun while making a living.” There will also be a mini greenhouse and aquaponics system on display for guests As a founding member of Gin Blossoms, Valenzuela was responsible for writing who are interested in learning more about or co-writing several the band’s Top 40 hits, including the #1 single “Til I Hear sustainable food methods. Rio Salado it from You.” As a songwriter and performer Valenzuela has sold in excess of College invites all those who are interested 10 million records worldwide. to attend this unique event and welcomes In addition to his career in the Gin Blossoms, Valenzuela has written, produced anyone looking to get involved in the and performed with a wide-ranging variety of artists including Stevie Nicks, “locavore” movement to come and enjoy a KISS, Judy Collins, The Calling, Los Lobos, The Rembrandts and many more. day dedicated to local food. His songs have been featured prominently in countless films, including “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Speed,” “Drill Bit Taylor,” “Wayne’s World,” and Volunteers needed “Empire Records” to name a few. Valenzuela has written extensively for TV, for tax preparation including the theme to the CTV hit show “Corner Gas,” had one of his songs used during a halftime spot on the 2008 Summer Olympics broadcast on NBC Tempe’s Financial Stability Initiative, a and has scored several shows for the Travel Channel. In addition, his songs program managed by Tempe Community have been featured in varied television shows ranging from “Friends” to “Cold Council, is seeking volunteer tax preparers Case.” for the 2012 tax season. Volunteers will help support the free tax preparation and Earned Valenzuela has donated a Fender® acoustic guitar, which he will present Income Tax Credit (EITC) program for low to to a contest winner from the TCA’s weekly Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic moderate income residents. This program Night series. Every week, Open Mic performers will be registered to win. is recognized by the IRS as a best practice. Three contest finalists will square off during the Nov. 16 event in a 30-second Training will be offered on basic tax law and performer’s duel with audience applause determining the winner. tax preparation using the Taxwise program. Singer/songwriter Walt Richardson serves as host of the Songwriters’ All volunteers must successfully complete Showcase, a televised concert series featuring area performers and a headliner the IRS course and make a minimum for a night of original music with a professional backup band. Performances commitment of 20 hours preparing taxes at and interviews are broadcast on Tempe 11, Eight/KAET, Arizona PBS, the the Tempe Schools Credit Union site. Sign Internet and other Arizona city government access channels. up to volunteer at www.tempe.gov/tcc/ taxhelp . For tickets to this and other events, visit the box office, order at www.tempe. Thank for your interest in helping Tempe gov/TCA/ or call 480-350-2TCA (2822). families and our local economy! Information: Jesse Valenzuela: www.jessevalenzuela.com/ Songwriters’ Showcase: www.tempe.gov/TCA/Showcase.htm For expanded Showcase videos: www.YouTube.com/TCAMusicshowcase/ coverage of Tempe, Walt Richardson: www.waltrichardsonmusic.com Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Night: www.tempe.gov/TCA/WIW.htm visit: www.tempe.gov/newsroom Compete in Tempe’s Tempe Tardeada virtual costume contest! In anticipation of the 34th Annual Tempe Family honors city’s Halloween Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 29, Tempe Hispanic heritage Recreation is holding a virtual Halloween costume All are invited to the 13th Annual Tempe contest on Facebook! To enter, submit photos Tardeada from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, of your coolest costumes from years past to Oct. 9, to celebrate and recognize Tempe’s [email protected] by Sunday, Oct. Hispanic roots. This free festival will take 9, for these five costume categories: Kids, Adults, place at the Tempe Community Center Family, Groups and Pets. In your e-mail, be sure to Complex, 3500 S. Rural Road, at the include your name and phone number, the category southwest corner of Rural Road and the costume fits under and any fun details about Southern Avenue. the costume. Our staff and Facebook fans will then decide the best costume in each category by Oct. A tardeada is a vibrant afternoon festival 16. The five winners will be announced and social dance featuring continuous Oct. 17 and will receive a $50 gift certificate to entertainment, traditional Mexican buy a new Halloween getup for this year, courtesy of foods, arts and crafts for children, community booths, tortilla-making HalloweenCostumes.com. demonstrations and fun for all! In conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month, the festival’s goal is to celebrate and experience the legacy of Tempe’s Hispanic culture. Some of the many performers set to appear include Power Drive and Mariachi Corazon Latino. Colorfully dressed folklorico dancers and trick ropers will add to the fun. For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/ tardeada or call Ginny Belousek at 480-350-8979. Tour de Tempe bike ride to draw hundreds More than 1,200 people are expected to participate in the 16th annual Tour de Tempe community bike ride on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 7:30-11 a.m. at Kiwanis Park, 6111 S. All-America Way, in the west parking lot north of Guadalupe 2011 Tempe Fantasy of Road. This free, 10-mile bike ride starts at 9 a.m. with registration Lights Boat Parade beginning at 7:30 a.m. Register the day of the event or fill out a The Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe registration form at www.tempe.gov/tim. Town Lake features as many as 50 festively lighted boats of all sizes and special guest Santa Claus who Free T-shirts will be available for the first 850 riders and helmets are will hear children’s gift requests in Tempe Beach required. Breakfast foods and coffee will be provided by Wildflower Park. Bring the whole family for this special event Bread Company, Whole Foods, Sunflower Farmer’s Market, Back East and be amazed at the holiday boat displays as Bagels and Starbucks. Please bring your own water. The Bicycle Cellar, they float down the lake in a glittering row! Join us Tempe Bicycle, REI, Phoenix Phreaks Bike Group and Urban Commuter Saturday, Dec. 10. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. and the will be on hand to provide bike demonstrations, safety tips, bike rodeos boat parade begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free for and bike tune-ups. Other sponsors include Berning’s Fine Jewelry, IKEA spectators. and the Tempe Bicycle Action Group. Calling all skippers! The boat parade is the only time of year that motorized vessels are allowed on Town Lake. Individuals, families and groups are invited to add to Tempe’s holiday tradition by entering their Follow us on Twitter: @Tempegov people-powered, wind-powered, or motorized and festively decorated and lighted boats. Visit www. millavenue.com/events/fantasyoflights for more Watch us on YouTube: Tempe11video information. Fan us on Facebook: City of Tempe