Notes for November 2007
Council picks new Fight Back neighborhoods
City bans texting while driving
Holiday parade Dec. 1
Save space for disabled
Police Museum gets piece of 9-11 history
Watch for 2008 bulk trash pickup schedule
Be sure to shop Phoenix
Hazardous waste collection planned
Party too loud? Police can help
Teen parents gain education, support
Transit rolls out Holiday Bus
Have a safe ride
Volunteers to be honored
Business forum set for Dec. 13
Youth offered international experience
Want to be a lifeguard?
Motorized skateboards illegal on Phoenix streets
Get news, job information from city
Diversity series features one-person play
Council picks new Fight Back neighborhoods
The City Council has selected the city's newest Fight Back neighborhoods, making them eligible for special funding and city assistance to fight crime, blight, traffic and other problems.Residents of each of the new areas already are meeting monthly with Neighborhood Services Department representatives and selecting areas to improve in their neighborhoods that they want to address.
After they choose and prioritize their targets, they will be joined by officials of other city departments who will help them carry out their goals.
Past Fight Back groups have brought improvements to their areas by installing street humps to control traffic, increasing police presence to fight crime and vandalism, targeting inspection activities to eliminate blight and adding street lighting to make their areas safer.
Under the program, the City Council selects an area in each of the eight council districts annually so that more and more neighborhoods and residents become involved in improving their parts of the city. New ones will not be selected until next year.
In addition to the resident-driven improvements that the program produces every year, it also strengthens neighborhoods by encouraging resident participation, neighborhood leadership and community building.
After 18 to 24 months, the residents drop their Fight Back designations and transition into formal neighborhood organizations that then continue making improvements.
For more information, call 602-534-2393 or visit phoenix.gov/nsd.
The latest Fight Back neighborhoods and their boundaries are:
- Peoria, Dunlap and 35th avenues and Interstate 17 in District 1.
- Bell Road, Paradise Lane, State Route 51 and 32nd Street in District 2.
- Cactus and Sweetwater roads and 28th and 36th streets in District 3.
- Indian School Road, the Grand Canal and 15th and 19th avenues in District 4.
- 35th Avenue and Grand Avenue north to Camelback Road in District 5.
- Glenrosa and Campbell avenues and 32nd and 34th streets; Indian School Road, Campbell Avenue and 34th and 36th streets in District 6. (These are two individual, smaller areas.)
- Encanto and McDowell roads to 83rd and 91st avenues in District 7.
- McDowell and Thomas roads, 20th Street and 24th Place in District 8.
City bans texting while driving
Texting while driving is dangerous.And in Phoenix, it's also illegal.
The City Council has passed an ordinance making text messaging while driving a civil violation subject to penalties, surcharges and other fees of $209 if the incident does not involve an accident and $485 if it does.
Phoenix is the first city in the state and one of the first in the country to make it a traffic violation for someone to use a cell phone or personal digital assistant to send and read text messages while their vehicle is in motion.
Because it is considered a primary offense, police are allowed to stop a motorist solely for text messaging.
Holiday parade Dec. 1
Phoenix will usher in the holiday season with the annual Electric Light Parade Saturday, Dec. 1.The 21st annual APS Fiesta of Light parade featuring illuminated floats, marching bands and helium balloons will begin on Central Avenue north of Montebello Avenue at 7 p.m., move south on Central to Camelback Road, turn east to Seventh Street and then continue south to Indian School Road.
Other holiday activities include:
- Adaptive Recreation Holiday Tree Trimming, 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 3 - 5. Entertainment, refreshments and a visit from Santa during the decoration of more than 60 trees for special needs children. By reservation only. Heritage and Science Park, 115 N. Sixth St., 602-262-4543.
- Annual Holiday Sale of Fine Art and Student Art Show, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8, Phoenix Center for the Arts, 1202 N. Third St., 602-262-4627.
- Breakfast with Santa, 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8, Phoenix Museum of History, 115 N. Sixth St. RSVP and find out about the cost by calling 602-253-2734, ext. 224.
- Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 8, Historic Heritage Square 115 N. Sixth St., 602-261-8948.
- National Gratitude Project, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, Bell Canyon Pavilions, northwest corner of I-17 and Bell Road, Suite 1240. Community is invited to bring presents and thank the children and spouses of Arizona's deployed military troops and the families of public safety officers and firefighters who were severely injured or died in the line of duty.
For more information, call 602-534-FEST (3378) or 602-262-4627 or visit phoenix.gov/parks/fiesta.html.
Save space for disabled
Don't let the heavy holiday traffic at malls and other shopping areas tempt you into parking in a spot reserved for people with disabilities, even if it's just for a minute.The Save Our Space campaign warns motorists that if they park in a spot designated for the disabled they could be taking away a space from someone who really needs it.
And, if they get caught, it will cost them between $250 and $500.
Police officers and volunteers patrol parking lots and issue tickets to violators.
To report violations, obtain information or become a volunteer, call 602-534-SPACE (7722). Additional information also is available at phoenix.gov/mcdi/dispark.html.
Police Museum gets piece of 9-11 history
The Police Museum in downtown Phoenix has added a piece of national history to its collection of local police memorabilia.Now on display at the museum is a section of an I-beam from one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City that was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001.
The 300-pound section was donated by the 911 Memorial Museum through the efforts of the Phoenix Police Department and the New York City Fire Department.
The Police Museum, which is located on the ground floor of Barrister Place, 101 S. Central Ave., also features a variety of memorabilia showing the history of the department as well as old police cars and motorcycles and a jail cell.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, call 602-534-7278.
Watch for 2008 bulk trash pickup schedule
By early December, city solid waste customers will receive a four-page brochure of the bulk trash pickup and other schedules for next year.Be sure to keep your copy.
The brochure includes the 2008 bulk trash collection schedule plus other important information such as Christmas tree drop-off dates and locations, holiday collection changes, monthly collections of household hazardous waste and disposal facilities locations, hours and days of operation.
The bulk trash collection schedule for next year also will appear in the Friday, Nov. 30, issue of The Arizona Republic and in the December issue of Notes. This information will apply to collections throughout the coming year.
Be sure to shop Phoenix
Whether you're planning a big holiday shopping spree or waiting for the after-holiday sales, Phoenix is the place to do your buying.Sales taxes on the merchandise you buy at businesses located in the city go into the city's general fund, which helps pay for city services such as parks, libraries, police and fire protection. When you shop in other cities, the taxes support the budgets of those communities.
So, shop Phoenix whenever you can.
Hazardous waste collection planned
Phoenix residents can dispose of common hazardous wastes and other items at a Household Hazardous Waste collection from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 - 15 at Deer Valley Park, 19602 N. 19th Ave.In addition to batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, pesticides and pool chemicals, the events will accept five road tires per household, computers and household appliances that use refrigerants, including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and heat pumps. Commercial loads will not be accepted.
The city also will pick up household appliances at your home for a fee. Call for a collection appointment. For information, call 602-262-7251, send e-mail to pwserve@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/publicworks.
Party too loud? Police can help
Are some of your neighbor's parties getting too loud?If so, the city has an ordinance that could shut them up and possibly shut them down as well.
The loud party ordinance affects parties and other gatherings of five or more people that are disturbing neighbors by making too much noise, creating traffic problems, fighting, littering, allowing minors to consume alcohol and causing other types of disturbances.
If police find the party to be a threat to the peace, health or general welfare of the public, the people responsible for the party will be assessed a police response service fee. The service fee, which can be up to $1,000, is based on the time spent at the scene and may include any damage to city equipment and medical treatment.
Residents should call crime stop at 602-262-6151 to report a loud party in progress.
Teen parents gain education, support
If you are a parent under the age of 23 and would like help in parenting and finding employment, you may be eligible to participate in the Young Families CAN or STEP-UP Young Fathers programs offered by the Human Services Department.The programs help young mothers and fathers in Phoenix learn how to apply for and keep a job, assists them with getting a high school diploma or G.E.D. and refers them to other educational and vocational programs.
Participants also receive guidance with communication and parenting skills, conflict resolution and parenting responsibilities as well as counseling, child care assistance, anger management, vocational training and job readiness and placement.
For more information, call 602-495-7522 or visit phoenix.gov/youth/tparents.html.
Transit rolls out Holiday Bus
Bundle up. The fourth annual Holiday Bus hits the streets of Phoenix this month.This year's theme for the bus, "Holiday on Ice," depicts a playful outdoor winter scene on the exterior and an array of interior decorations that include hanging socks, mittens, hats and an extra-long scarf specially knitted by the seniors at Desert West Senior Center.
The Holiday Bus will remain on the streets through Jan. 6.
For details on the routes that the bus will be traveling, visit phoenix.gov/publictransit/holiday.html or call transit information at 602-253-5000.
Have a safe ride
Thousands of people ride the 47 escalators and 26 moving walkways at Sky Harbor International Airport every day.And most of them do it safely.
You can prevent taking a spill and possibly injuring yourself by following a few simple rules when you ride an escalator or moving walkway, according to the city's Aviation and Development Services departments.
- Step on and off carefully.
- Stand facing forward.
- Hold the handrail.
- Do not touch or lean on the sides below handrail.
- Avoid the edges of the steps.
- Be aware of shoe laces and loose clothing.
Keep in mind, too, that strollers and luggage carts are not allowed on the escalators. Elevators - Sky Harbor has 106 of them - are available for people with wheeled vehicles or who are uncomfortable using escalators.
Parents also are reminded to watch their younger children carefully while riding the escalators and not allow them to sit on the stairs or run up and down them. And, if a child is apprehensive about riding on an escalator, consider taking them on an elevator instead.
To help keep escalators at the airport and in all other locations in the city safe, they are inspected by the city twice a year. The airport escalators also receive extra care under a program of high maintenance standards.
Volunteers to be honored
Individuals, organizations and businesses that have contributed leadership or service to improve the quality of life for Phoenix residents will be honored at the 36th annual city of Phoenix Community Recognition breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave.Award categories include education, community services, senior services, Carl Lightcap, youth development, Oscar Douglass and golden heart.
Reservations for the breakfast, which costs $50, may be made by calling 602-534-3328 by Nov. 30.
Business forum set for Dec. 13
The city will host a public forum for its Minority, Woman and Small Business Enterprise Program (MWSBE) from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Burton Barr Central Library, Pulliam Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave.The free forum will provide certified firms, prime contractors and small businesses with an opportunity to discuss their experiences with the program and offer the city ideas on how to strengthen business development programs and services.
The MWSBE provides for inclusive participation of minority- and woman-owned and small businesses in construction subcontracting and procurement of goods and services.
For more information about the forum or to request reasonable accommodation, call 602-262-6699/voice or 602-534-5500/TTY or e-mail trevor.bui@phoenix.gov.
Youth offered international experience
High school sophomores and juniors who live in Phoenix will have an opportunity to travel abroad next summer under the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program.Students accepted into the program will visit one of Phoenix's 10 Sister Cities where they will learn about the city and its culture through a three-week home-hosted experience. They will reciprocate when their host brother or sister visits Phoenix later in the summer.
Sister Cities will pay half of the travel expenses and the students and their families will be responsible for the other half. Financial assistance is available for qualified students.
Applications, which must be received by Friday, Dec. 7, are available at phoenixsistercities.org or by calling 602-534-3751.
Want to be a lifeguard?
If you're interested in becoming a lifeguard next summer, the Parks and Recreation Department will be holding training classes at various pools through February.The classes, which are open to anyone who is at least 15 years old prior to the last day of their training class, offers Lifeguard Training and Community First Aid certification for three years and CPR/AED certification for one year. Students who pass the course are eligible to apply for lifeguard positions - they pay $10.85 an hour - with the city for next summer.
The classes cost $75 and registration is ongoing. For more information, call 602-262-6541 or visit phoenix.gov/parks and click on "pools" and then "lifeguard opportunities." Registering for a class can be done online.
Motorized skateboards illegal on Phoenix streets
Motorized skateboards and other motorized play vehicles may make fun gifts for young people, but they are illegal on Phoenix streets and sidewalks.With the holiday season coming up, parents and youngsters are reminded that the city has an ordinance banning the vehicles from all public areas. Merchants are required to post a notice in their stores about the ban as well as give consumers written information explaining it.
For more information about the regulations, call 602-495-0964.
Get news, job information from city
If you're interested in keeping up with city news, sign up for the city's listserv e-mail service.Once you join, you will receive daily e-mails with city news releases and other information.
You can sign up by visiting phoenix.gov and clicking on "subscribe to city news" on the upper right side of the screen.
The city also offers a similar service for city jobs. Sign up to receive e-mails listing the weekly employment opportunities by going to phoenix.gov, clicking on "employment" at the top of the page and then clicking on "sign up to get job listings by e-mail" in the center of the page.
Both services are free.
Diversity series features one-person play
Carlos E. Cortés, professor emeritus of history at the University of California, Riverside, will present "A Conversation with Alana," a one-person autobiographical play at the free Faces of Diversity Brown Bag luncheon series noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Phoenix City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.The play tells the story of Cortés growing up as a young man of mixed ancestry in racially segregated and religiously divided early post-World War II Kansas City, Mo.
As the son of a Mexican-Catholic immigrant father and an American-born Jewish mother, he had to learn to navigate the city's rigid racial, ethnic and religious fault lines, while simultaneously dealing with the internal conflicts of his own divided family.
For more information, call 602-261-8242 or 602-534-1557/TTY or visit phoenix.gov/eod/bbag.html.