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Posted by somovillager on November 1, 2008
Posted in SoMo Village | Tagged: Arizona, Laveen, positive news, SoMo, South Mountain, South Mountain Villager, South Phoenix | Comments Off
Giant Yard Sale Feb 13th
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
Giant Yard Sale
Southern Baptist Temple Church
6520 South Central Avenue
February 13th. 7 AM
Sponsored by
Southern Baptist Temple Church
Unlimited Potential
Foundation for Senior Living
Arizona Humane Society
Have a cup of coffee meet your friends
Bargains galore
_________________________________________
Office Furniture, File Cabinets, Credenza Cabinets
6 ft. File Cabinets and large tables.
Can be seen by calling Verna at 602-276-5925
Posted in Community, Events | Tagged: Yard Sale | Leave a Comment »
Family Night (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
Family Night
Southern Baptist Temple Church
6520 South Central Avenue
Every Wednesday night at 6 PM we welcome you to join us for Bible Study for the adults and a kids night program
They have activities, Bible lessons and choir.
Everyone welcome. Make new Friends
Sunday Services Worship Service 11 AM
Children’s Church 11 AM
Evening Activities 6 PM
Pastor Jess Garrison
Youth Minister Vincent Sutton
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: family | Leave a Comment »
RSD (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
Roosevelt School District
Innovative Educator Joins Roosevelt Team
District Welcomes Dr. Jacqueline Jackson as New
Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
Phoenix, AZ – Recently, the Roosevelt Elementary School District welcomed Dr. Jacqueline Jackson with a Community Breakfast. The event was hosted by the P.R. Club at the V.H Lassen School.
Dr. Jackson will serve as the District’s new Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. She has won numerous awards, honors, and recognition for her outstanding work as an educator. Her credentials include a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Masters of Educational Administration from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Chicago State University. Teaching in Illinois, Arkansas, and Arizona, Dr. Jackson has experience working with children from grades K-12. She also has school leadership and district administration experience as a principal at multiple sites and directing the Title I Federal Grant Programs in the Washington Elementary School District.
The Arizona Cardinals Preparatory Academy is a good example of Dr. Jackson’s innovative leadership. Under her guidance the school maintained smaller class sizes and extended additional learning opportunities for students. She also developed partnerships with the University of Phoenix, Arizona Cardinals Football Club, and Communities in Schools. These partnerships allowed for special enrichment programs and parent involvement, making the school a family center for education.
With her research on professional learning communities in high and low performing schools, it was fitting that Dr. Jackson’s welcome ceremony was hosted at the P.R Club. “Positive Reflections” is an extra-curricular entrepreneurial program at the Lassen School that has been operating for over 20 years in the Roosevelt School District. Students earn a food handlers card, figure out budgeting for the bakery, and balance the restaurant’s check book. Middle school children from 5th-8th grade learn money management while delivering a tasty product and friendly service every Friday morning from 7-8am.
Dr. Jackson stated that “The P.R. Club is a model program which encourages independent thinking. I am excited to be in a leadership role in the Roosevelt School District; working with a progressive, innovative, and collaborative team of educators and support staff to ensure that all students receive exceptional learning experiences. I look forward to meeting and engaging with students, staff, parents, and community members across the District.”
We welcome Dr. Jackson, and look forward to her tour of community events throughout the Roosevelt School District over the next few months.
Posted in City of Phoenix, Community, RSD, positive news | Tagged: Roosevelt School District, RSD | Leave a Comment »
Church Women United (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
Church Women United
February. 1st. 9.30 AM
South Mountain Community Church
PARKING at 717 East Southern Avenue Phoenix.
Presentation
Hunger in Arizona Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Arizona.
All women welcome.
For more information phone Genie 602-268-4716
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
What’s Happening? (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
What’s Happening In The South Mountain/Laveen Village’s
George A. Young
“Well Folks remember; God loves you for whom God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.”
Please join the community at the South Mountain Village Planning Committee (SMVPC) meetings for the planning of the General Plan. Note below: we have moved our meeting location as of February. This planning process will extend for about 12 months. For information on the SMVPC agenda please contact the City of Phoenix Planning Department. Our planner is Josh Bednarek at (602-262-6823) e-mail joshua.bednarek@phoenix.gov. To inquire about developments in the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s please e-mail or call George at (gayoung@cox.net or 602-243-3162).
Well folks, hope you all had a great Christmas and a Safe New Years. I spent Christmas with my family and we had a great time. Looks like 2010 is going to be a much better year. Things got a little tough last year for some folks. Seems like everybody is having problems with their budgets. Our Families, the Fed’s, the State, our counties and most of our cities. The City of Phoenix will be conducting public meetings again this year to discuss the cuts that have been proposed. Please take the time and attend these meetings in your District and voice your opinions. I would like to see all of our services kept, but with the current source of revenues for the City it looks like that is not going to be possible. Not sure how much political will there is at City Hall to create a new source of revenues, but I am not sure how we maintain our current level of commitment to our citizens without some other source of revenues. I am not a big believer in taxes, but at some point I believe the City needs to look at a food or gas tax, or some kind of revenue generating source other than what currently exist. It is clear to me that the current plan is not working. I did hear some folks at City Hall think outsourcing is part of the answer. Given our past experiences with these at all levels of government I disagree. Currently I believe the City of Phoenix employees do a great job for the residents. We should do what we can to maintain the current level of customer service.
I am so proud of you folks. We had our first public meeting for the South Central Avenue Corridor Plan and we had a great response. We set the stage for the next event. The numbers sent a clear message to the City and our political leaders. I also want to thank all our leaders for the support they gave us and look forward to working with them. This process will be very important to our Village in the future. I sincerely hope we continue to have the participation we started with. Thanks again.
The 2010 Census is soon, please fill out the form and send it back. Thanks. Earth day this year will be on April 22nd. downtown Phoenix. Please join us and learn about what’s green and all the new sustainability efforts that are available for Phoenix.
- The South Mountain Village Planning Committee will meet on February 8th. 2010 at 6:30 PM at the South Mountain Community Collage, Student Union Hall, 7050 South 24th. Street.
- The Target Area B Citizens Action Committee will meet on February 24th. 2010 at 6:30 PM at the Travis L. Williams Family Services Center, 4732 South Central Avenue.
- The South Mountain/Laveen Village Festival Committee will meet on February 2nd. 2010 at 4 PM at 3540 E. Baseline Rd.
- South Mountain Village Clean & Beautiful Committee will meet on February 10th. 2010 at 4 PM at the Heritage Neighborhood Resource building on 2405 East Broadway Road.
“Remember Folks; Get outside everyday, miracles are waiting everywhere and all that truly matters in the end is that you loved.”
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
Mayors Corner (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
By Mayor Phil Gordan
More eyes and ears on the streets to help Phoenix police
There’s a new crime buster team hitting the streets of Phoenix to help make our neighborhoods and community safer.
Waste Management has joined forces with the Phoenix Police Department to help law enforcement spot suspicious activity.
Under operation “Waste Watch,” Waste Management drivers will act as an extra set of eyes and years for police, fire departments and emergency services and report unusual activity that may take place while drivers are on their routes.
Recently Public Safety Manager Jack Harris and Waste Management Area Vice President Dan Vermeer announced how this proactive partnership will benefit the community.
It’s win-win situation all the way around.
Waste Management is using its own resources to train their drivers; meanwhile, Phoenix will assist with training by highlighting cautions, what to look for and how to report the suspicious criminal activity.
The program makes sense for the city and for the Waste Management drivers.
After all, they live in this community and they also care about the safety of their families.
“Waste Watch” is in every sense a community-based crime fighting effort.
The drivers are familiar with their routes and neighborhoods they cover, which make them excellent candidates for spotting suspicious activity.
There are other benefits, too.
In addition to fighting crime, Harris noted that similar community safety partnerships literally save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Members of the Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol program, for example, logged on nearly 19,000 hours this year and that translates into more than $380,000 in savings for the city of Phoenix.
This community investment by Waste Management will help to prevent crime and violence in neighborhoods throughout the city.
I want to thank and commend them for taking this positive and selfless endeavor.
Posted in City of Phoenix, Community, Events, Mayor's Corner, kids, positive news | Tagged: Mayor Phil Gordon | Leave a Comment »
SML Chamber (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
South Mountain / Laveen Chamber
A Word From The President
The South Mountain Villager encourages us to “Take Pride in the South Side.” Indeed, there is much in the South Mountain and Laveen communities of which to be proud. The South Mountain – Laveen Chamber Spirit of South Mountain Awards Dinner, which will be held on February 25th, provides one opportunity for us to showcase our rich communities and the individuals who live and work among us.
Last year, the South Mountain – Laveen Chamber recognized several individuals and businesses that made a difference including Dr. Josephine Pete, Ingried Lowman, Michael Nowakowski, Hacienda Health Care and MRM Construction Services, Inc. Each award recipient demonstrated great pride and dedication to improving the lives of others.
In addition, each year the South Mountain – Laveen Chamber honors an officer of the year from Phoenix Police Department’s South Mountain Precinct. At last year’s award ceremony, I was touched by the presentation of the officer of the year award. Commander David L. Faulkner recognized two officers who went above and beyond the call of duty – one of whom, Officer Shane Figueroa, was tragically killed in the line of duty. It was a moving experience to mingle with Officer Figueroa’s family.
Please come join us again this year as we pay tribute to those who make a difference in the South Mountain and Laveen communities. For more information on the Spirit of South Mountain Awards Dinner, log onto the South Mountain – Laveen Chamber’s website at http://www.phoenixchamber.com/smlc/. I look forward to seeing you on the evening of February 25.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of a Chamber membership? Contact Executive Director Steve Glueck at steveg.smlchamber@cox.net.
February Events
Business for Breakfast
Wednesday, February 10, from 7:15 – 8:30 a.m.
Bougainvillea Golf Club
5740 W. Baseline Road, Laveen
Business After Hours Mixer
Click on the events calendar link at http://phoenixchamber.com/SMLC/index.html for more details.
South Mountain Leads Club
The Raven Grill at the Raven Golf Club
Meets each Wednesday at 7:15 a.m.
3636 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix
Posted in Chamber, City of Phoenix, Community, Events, Laveen, SoMo Village, positive news | Tagged: business, South Mountain, South Mountain Laveen Chamber | Leave a Comment »
Foster Child (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
A Special Foster Child
“I’ve always pictured my happily ever after,” says 15-year old Bryan, with “video games, soda pop, popcorn.” He laughs and says, “Just 
kidding… (I picture) a mom, a dad, couple brothers, one older, one little – just a full family. You know, we get in the mini van and go down to the beach for a day, go in the water, draw in the sand, that kind of stuff.”
As Bryan grows and matures, he tries to balance his interests and obligations. He says, “(People) are always saying I’ve made drastic improvements but I don’t see my improvements but in some ways when I get an Aha moment. I did this when I could have done this.”
Describing one of his Aha moments, Bryan says, “Four weeks before my freshman year was over, I realized I’ve only got four weeks left as a freshman in high school. I’m going to remember the last four weeks as a freshman. Because you’re not a freshman forever, you’re only a freshman for one year.
The result of his Aha moment was an improvement in his concentration and grades. Bryan states, “I turned my grades around, started behaving in class. I actually did my work and wanted to succeed. I finished all my classes with only one C, As and Bs the rest of the way.”
He thinks of what brought on this change within him. Bryan says, “I guess it’s a part of growing up. We all have to mature sometime. Because if we don’t, one day we’re going to be walking on the street and we’re going to get a reality check. We can’t just go around doing what we want to do when we want to do it.”
In keeping with his new grown up attitude, Bryan acknowledges, “There’s a lot of options still ahead of me. I have high hopes of maybe becoming an automotive engineer. I’d personally like to design software, improve navigation, maybe have it like you could have satellite, like Google maps maybe.”
He hopes a family will take a chance, even if they think they’d like to adopt a younger child. In order to convince a potential new family, Bryan smiles and says, “Pretty, pretty please! No, I’ve always had the hope that the right family will come along. Maybe a family will adopt me… you always have to have hope, stay strong and live happily ever after.”
For more information on Bryan or any of Arizona’s waiting children, please call 1-877-KidsNeedU (1-877-543-7633) or visit www.azkidsneedu.gov.
Posted in Community, kids, positive news | Tagged: family, kids | Leave a Comment »
Guest Column (Jan-Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
Ed Pastor
Column by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor for South Mountain Villager
As we move into 2010, I wanted to take some time to remind all South Mountain Village residents about this year’s Census count.
In the spring, households throughout Arizona and the nation will be receiving Census questionnaires, and as your Congressman, I strongly encourage all residents to make sure you are counted. An accurate count of Arizona residents is vital for many reasons, but in particular, to ensure that the state receives its fair allocation of federal dollars.
Each year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. In addition, census data is used to determine locations for schools, hospitals, community facilities, retail stores and new housing developments. It is also used to determine boundaries for congressional and legislative districts.
The 2010 Census consists of only 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; the names genders ages and races of others living in the household.
The first census took place in 1790 to determine the number of seats each state would have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The census also was created to gain a better understanding of where people lived and to establish patterns of settlement as the nation grew.
Households can expect the questionnaires to arrive in February or March. The individual in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented should complete the questionnaire on behalf of every person living in the residence, including relatives and non-relatives.
If you have questions about the questionnaire, call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance center at 1-866-872-6868. (If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, then dial 1-866-928-2010.) The lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week from Feb. 25 to July 30.
By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.
As always, should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact my Phoenix District Office at 602-256-0551.
Posted in Community, Ed Pastor | Tagged: Arizona, United States, Representative | Leave a Comment »
Ask Grandpa (Jan- Feb 2010)
Posted by somovillager on February 9, 2010
I heard my Dad saying that the city doesn’t have enough money to keep my school open, is this true? Jimmy H.
You may have misunderstood your Father, Jimmy. The city doesn’t have much to do with the school budget, although the city is indeed in serious trouble. Money to run the schools comes mostly from property taxes and Federal money that is tied to enrollment and attendance. There is also money that comes from the sale and leases of state owned land, overrides, earmarks and so forth. Did you ever see the guy at the State Fair that has three walnut shells with a pea under one of them and after he moves them around you have to guess where the pea is? The School Board and State Legislature does the same thing. Except now, there is no pea. The City, State and Federal governments are all short on cash and your dad is correct, some schools may need to close for awhile. If that actually happens, you will still be able to attend class; it just may be at another school and/or will be overcrowded.
You didn’t mention what grade you’re in Jimmy, but this situation is a good example of why you should study Civics (or whatever it’s called now-a-days) when the course is offered to you. If you learn how things work and pay attention to current issues, you will be able to cast an intelligent vote for those who represent you in government. If we all kept track of the performance of our representatives and graded (voted) them accordingly you wouldn’t have had to ask the question. In grade school, a friend of mine was Class President. He won the election by promising to put root beer and orange soda in all the drinking fountains. It’s the same now; voters are just as gullible and the promises are just as bogus. You can help make a change, Jimmy—you just have to be wise enough to not give your money (vote) to the guy with the walnuts and pea.
Gramps.
Posted in Ask Grandpa, Community, kids | Tagged: Ask Grandpa | Leave a Comment »
