Monday, August 25, 2008

Gila County Historical Museum Hamburger Fry

The Gila County Historical Museum hamburger fry is August 29th, at 5:30 pm. The $5 per person all-you-can-eat burger fry is at the Gila County Historical Museum at 1330 N. Broad Street, next to the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce in Globe.

New Plan To Manage Invasive Plants And Animals Approved

Most people know that hitchhiking is dangerous. What they may not know is that many of Arizona's hitchhikers are nonnative invasive plants and animals that have been unintentionally brought by people overtime through their travels or trades. Certainly not all nonnative species fit this description of "invader", but those that do can pose risks and expenses to Arizona.

To better deal with this issue, Gov. Janet Napolitano has approved a new statewide invasive species management plan that addresses ways to prevent or manage the proliferation of invasive pests.

The plan was developed by the Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council (AISAC), a multi-partner organization created by an Executive Order issued by the Governor in 2007.

The Council is comprised of a variety of stakeholder and agency representatives, and is supported and led by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Both agencies have a vested interest in the effect of pest invasions on Arizona's resources and economy. For example, the Department of Agriculture has had to deal with the agricultural damage that can result from pest invasions.

"We have spent thousands of dollars in production costs and pesticide applications trying to eradicate plant pests on our crops," said Donald Butler, AISAC co-chair and director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. "But the importation and distribution of plants is a fact of life in our global economy. AISAC will take a proactive approach by communicating best practices on invasive species prevention."

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials have also seen first-hand how invasive species can negatively impact aquatic and terrestrial habitats, interrupt ecosystem processes, and cause disease in animals and humans.

One example is the recent discovery of the quagga mussel, a nonnative invasive species in Arizona. A small, freshwater mollusk, quaggas can attach themselves to any hard surface in a lake. They can take up residence on a boat and clog engine cooling systems, or they can clog water pipes that carry water for drinking, irrigation or the production of electricity. They may also cause damage to aquatic environments, affecting fish populations and habitat.

Less than two years ago, this aquatic nuisance was first discovered in Lake Mead.

"It has now been found in lakes Havasu, Mohave and Pleasant," said Larry Voyles, AISAC co-chair and director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "This species was known to be a nuisance at the Great Lakes in Michigan, but has now been introduced to the western states by people who really didn't know better, and likely purely by accident."

"Arizona will take the steps outlined in the management plan developed by the Council to address invasive species education, control and restoration needs," said Governor Napolitano. "We have our work cut out for us, but based on their management plan, I know we can be effective and productive." The Council will continue to meet quarterly, and Council work groups will be helping Arizona implement the management plan's objectives and recommending strategies to help us track progress.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Fall And Winter Schedule

The new fall and winter schedule begins September 1st, at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Public hours will be from 8 am until 5 pm every day except Christmas.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located on U.S. Highway 60, three miles west of Superior. Call (520) 689-2723 for more information.

Roehrich Appointed To State Engineer

After more than 17 years of managing critical projects for the Arizona Department of Transportation, Floyd Roehrich, Jr. will assume the post of state engineer, providing statewide leadership over highway development, maintenance and environmental stewardship efforts.

"Floyd Roehrich will provide the leadership needed to support transportation solutions across the state, while continuing to treasure our environmental diversity and responding to the serious challenges ahead," said ADOT Director Victor Mendez. "With Floyd's experience and record of accomplishment, he will keep Arizona's transportation infrastructure moving forward."

Roehrich, a registered professional engineer in Arizona, joined ADOT’s Roadway Engineering Group in 1989. He assumed greater leadership roles working in the statewide and Valley project management sections, as well as in the State Engineer’s Office.

While working as an engineer and leader in the Valley Project Management Section, Roehrich was involved with the $185-million widening of the Superstition Freeway, the expansion of State Route 51 and studies of new corridors proposed through voter-backed plans. In October, he was promoted to deputy state engineer for the Valley Transportation Group.

"It took strong, committed partnerships with diverse communities to successfully construct the first transportation plan for Maricopa County and the ongoing Statewide Five Year Construction Program," Roehrich said. "Expanding on these partnerships across Arizona will become my focus as we work together to shape the future of transportation in the state."

Roehrich replaces Sam Elters, who recently departed ADOT for a position in California.

As state engineer, Roehrich will direct work in ADOT’s nine construction districts. He will oversee the Intermodal Transportation Division, responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 6,700 miles of highways and 4,000 bridges across the state. ADOT’s Office of Environmental Services is included in this division, embedding environmental stewardship with highway planning, operation and maintenance.

After graduating from North Dakota State University, Roehrich worked for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. He also spent two years as a senior project manager for Stanley Consultants, where he was involved with the recently-completed Red Mountain Freeway and a process to streamline project files, saving ADOT time and money. Roehrich is retired from the U.S. Army National Guard, reaching the rank of colonel.

Some DVDs Out This Week

The Law and Jake Wade
Ultimate Fighting Championship, Vol. 84
Cimarron
KOTC - Ultimate Combat Collection 2
Saddle the Wind
Escape From Fort Bravo
Three Stooges Collection 3: 1940-1942
Errol Flynn Westerns Collection
The Stalking Moon
Many Rivers to Cross
Games Girls Play
The Shield - The Complete 6th Season
Wild West Tech: Western Towns
Wild West Tech: Disaster Tech
Terry Pratchett's Discworld Collection (Wyrd Sisters / Soul Music)
The Legend of the Lone Ranger
Hillbilly-Real Story
Gimme Skelter
Everybody Hates Chris: The 3rd Season
Shipwrecked
Artifacts
a/k/a Tommy Chong
The Last Eve
Virgin Territory
Lone Rider: Lone Rider Crosses The Rio
Cannibal Terror
Puppy
Hollywood's Greatest Villains
Crusade: A March Through Time
Midnight Blue Collection Box Set (5pc Ltd Special)
The Rape of Europa
Nude for Satan
Snuff, a documentary about killing on film
Cannibal Holocaust
Heroes: Season 2
Home Sick
Fat Albert's Halloween Special
Hellfighters
Chicago 10
Postal
Vampire Diary
Skinned Alive
Tall Tale: The Unbelieveable Adventure
Entourage - The Complete 4th Season
The Best of Comedy Central Presents II
Lords Of The Street
Resurrection Mary
Suicide Notes
The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Beginning
Devil Hunter
Alvin and The Chipmunks: Trick or Treason
Phantasm 4: Oblivion
Killer's Delight
What Happens in Vegas
NCIS - The 5th Season
Kitchen Privileges
The Untouchables: Season 2, Vol. 2
One Tree Hill - The Complete 5th Season

Some Country/Folk CDs Out This Week

Johnny Cash - The Essential 3.0 Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash and George Jones - Live at the Louisiana Hayride: Johnny Cash & George Jones
Waylon Jennings - The Essential 3.0 Waylon Jennings
Emmylou Harris - Last Date
Jerry Lee Lewis - Gold
Little Feat - Join the Band
Jason Boland & the Stragglers - Comal County Blue
The Lost Trailers - Holler Back
The Bothy Band - 1975: The First Album
Roger Creager - Here It Is
Slim Whitman - Vintage Collections Series
Derailers - Guaranteed to Satisfy
Damien Dempsey - The Rocky Road
David Olney - Live at Norm's River Roadhouse, Vol. 1
Alabama - The Essential 3.0 Alabama
Papa John Creach - Papa Blues
Jimmy Wayne - Do You Believe Me Now
Eva Cassidy - Somewhere
Various Artists - Now That's What I Call Country
Jonatha Brooke - The Works
Various Artists - In the Pines: Tar Heel Folk Songs & Fiddle Tunes, Old-Time Music of North Carolina 1926-1936

Friday, August 22, 2008

Still Room For Vendors At Upcoming Oktoberfest

Pinal Mountain Foundation for Higher Education will be presenting an Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 11th, from 11 am to 9 pm. The Oktoberfest will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, 150 North Pine Street between Oak and Cedar Streets, in Globe. There will be live entertainment provided by local bands, brats, hotdogs, sodas, and a beer garden. A portion of Pine Street will be closed to provide space for vendor booths. Vendors are sought for everything but main course food and drinks. Applications and information for vendor booths can be obtained by calling John O’Donnell at 812-1010 or Nelson Milliman at 402-0100.

PMFHE is a non-profit corporation that raises funds to provide scholarships to students attending Gila Community College San Carlos and Gila Pueblo Campuses. All proceeds from the Oktoberfest will be used for scholarships. Anyone interested in contributing to the Oktoberfest or to PMFHE is encouraged to do so. PMFHE is committed to building a successful community through higher education.

Rally In The Alley

The biggest motorcycle event in Sierra Vista’s history is coming. All bikes and bikers are welcome. Join them in the alley at 176 West Fry Boulevard in Sierra Vista on Sept. 20th, from 10 am to 5 pm for a poker run, raffles, music, games, dunk tank, vendors, food, silent auction, bike wash, “Harley” girls…and MUCH more.”

The registration for the poker run is 8 to 10 am. The last stop at 1 pm will be at 176 West Fry Boulevard in Sierra Vista. The High Hand awards $200, while the person with the Low Hand will get $100. The entry fee is only $15 for rider and $10 for passenger. One extra card is only $2. Winners will be announced at 2 pm.

At an elevation of 4,500 feet, Sierra Vista is the home of historic Ft. Huachuca, the Army intelligence training center, and lies at the foot of the Huachuca Mountains in Cochise County, in southeastern Arizona.

Pinal County Superior Court Receives Award From The Arizona Supreme Court

The Superior Court in Pinal County is the recipient of a prestigious award issued by the state’s highest court, the Arizona Supreme Court. The award recognizes important initiatives designed to improve the justice system experience for the county residents who are served by the legal system.

The award recognized programs aimed at “Protecting Children, Families and Communities.” Three programs were highlighted in the nomination and all three resulted from the diligent, hard work of the Pinal County Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board. This is an all-volunteer group made up of diverse professional, cultural and community backgrounds. They are appointed by the Presiding Juvenile Judge to help evaluate and enhance services provided by Juvenile Court Services. The common interest is to ensure that Juvenile Court practices continue to reflect the best interests of youth, families, victims and the community.

“The efforts of the Community advisory Board have allowed the Juvenile Court to continue with its mission of empowering our children to make wise choices. By providing youth with educational assistance when needed, by affirming their positive progress on probation through additional incentives, and by focusing on the fact that character does in fact count, we remind young people that they have control of their futures,” said Judge Stephen McCarville.

Judge McCarville handles the Juvenile Court cases that are heard at the Superior Court in Pinal County.

“I am proud of the Community Advisory Board for all of the great work they have done on behalf of our children,” the Judge added. “They have given the courts additional resources to benefit not only the child, but all of us in these times of financial concerns.”

The nomination that earned the prestigious award mentions three Superior Court initiatives:

“Probation Works” Incentive Program – Working with probation staff, the Community Advisory Board developed a plan to teach responsibility by rewarding probationers for good behavior. A point system allows probationers to gain rewards for improving their grades, completing community service projects or paying restitution ahead of schedule. Points can be redeemed for movie passes, pizza, school supplies, etc.

Character Counts Essay Contest – Now in its third year, the contest is open to Pinal youth from K-12, including home-schooled youth. Essays on one of the “six pillars of character” – Caring, Trustworthy, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness and Citizenship – are judged by the Community Advisory Board. In 2008, students submitted 825 essays.

Youth Justice Center Enrichment Programs – The Community Advisory Board has been instrumental in bringing several initiatives that enrich the lives of the young people serving detention at the Youth Justice Center . They created a photography and art program; initiated a partnership with the YMCA, which resulted the donation of $17,000 worth of fitness equipment to begin a Healthy Body/Healthy Mind program; and developed a music program, complete with donated instruments and books.

The Superior Court’s Mental Health Task Force earned an Honorable Mention for its efforts toward forming a better, more comprehensive approach to individuals in the justice system who are affected by mental health conditions.

Moving Sale

Some of the items being sold on August 23rd, at 816 Agave Drive (in the Skyline Drive addition) in Globe include: beds, dressers, sofas, desks, kitchen appliances, book shelves, lounge chairs, patio furniture, & a dining room table and chairs. The moving sale will start at 8 am and wrap-up at 5 pm.

Donation To Arizona Military Family Relief Fund Also Helps Your Taxes

It’s halfway through the year and time to start thinking about your 2008 taxes. Not many people realize the choices they have regarding how their tax dollars will be spent. Through your donation to the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) you can receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your taxes. Not only do you reap the rewards that come from helping those in need, but now you can tell Arizona what to do with the money you already pay!

The Arizona MFRF provides up to $10,000 to families whose loved ones have been injured or killed while fighting the Global War on Terror. All funds come from Arizona tax credits or direct contributions from citizens wanting to support our brave military heroes. The fund is administered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, so your contributions will go directly to Arizona military families in need. The tax credit is the smaller of the donated amount: $200 if single and $400 if married and filing jointly, or the amount of state tax you owe.

Military Family Relief Fund recipients use the support for everything from regaining financial stability after losing a loved one, to purchasing international plane fare to be by their injured child’s side. Contributions to the fund can be made through the organization’s website or direct mail campaign.

New Chief Deputy For The PCSO

Chief Deputy Jeff Kirkham has joined the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Kirkham, who pulled an application to Casa Grande PD in order to join PCSO, said he chose the Sheriff’s Office for several reasons.

“There is a lot of potential here to bring in new ideas of modern policing, into which Pinal County is beginning to delve,” he said. “Also, I’ve been city policing for 21 years and it was time for a change. I am interested in the urban versus rural perspective. Criminals and crime are the same everywhere, but there are different ways of attacking them.”

As Chief Deputy of Pinal County, Chief Kirkham said he would like to bring his training, experience and leadership to assist PCSO with current crime-fighting techniques and practices.

“Pinal County, as one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S., is experiencing a large number of urban crime trends that can be combated with systematic community policing concepts,” he said. “I will be striving to create an agency that operates leaner, better and faster.”

A 25-year Arizona resident, Chief Kirkham has 23 years of law enforcement experience: from 1985-1987, he was with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, then from 1987-2008, he was with the Mesa Police Department.

At MCSO, Chief Kirkham served as a deputy sheriff. At Mesa PD, he held the positions of: Police Officer, including field training officer, crime scene officer, traffic officer, academy instructor, Honor Guard and recruiter; Sergeant, including detective sergeant, Honor Guard supervisor, detention supervisor and squad sergeant; Lieutenant, including patrol shift commander, accreditation manager for CALEA, professional standards lieutenant, Honor Guard commander, gang liaison lieutenant and division coordinator; & Division Commander.

Chief Kirkham has received a Lifesaving Medal, two Medals of Excellence, three Unit Citations, a Department Team Work Citation and two Commendations. His educational background includes an Associate in Arts-Business Administration from Mesa State College, CO; a Bachelor of Science-Business Administration/Secondary Education from ASU; a Master of Organization Management from the University of Phoenix; a Certified Public Manager from ASU and International Chief’s of Police Leadership in Police Organizations.

Chief Kirkham resides with his wife of 13 years, who is a Lieutenant with the Mesa Police Department, two sons, ages 12 and 10, and 9-year-old daughter.

Message From Titla: "Please Don’t Take My Signs"

Congressional candidate Mary Kim Titla is issuing a plea to fans on the Apache and Navajo reservations: Please don’t take her signs, or at least wait until the elections are over.

About a dozen requests have come in to campaign headquarters for the unique 4 ft. X 8 ft. sign from people who want to place them in their yards. A handful of people have asked if they can keep a sign after the election.

“We’ve had several signs disappear over the last few days,” Titla said. “The feedback on the design of the signs has been very positive. People really like them and we’ve had several people jokingly say they’d like to move them into their yards, but we’ve worked out the locations based on visibility and they need to stay where we‘ve placed them.”

Titla’s campaign manager, Randy Camacho, believes that the signs are being taken as souvenirs and are not disappearing as the result of dirty tricks by opponents. “We’re flattered,” said Camacho, “but please, if you have one, please put it back or give it back.”

The signs in question were placed in approved areas near roadways and were not taken by transportation workers.

34th Annual Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts

The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the 34th Annual Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts this year, from November 14th-16th. Anticipated to be the town’s largest attended event to date, the Chamber of Commerce will welcome 500 artists from around the nation, luring serious and speculative art buyers & fair goers to the town’s Avenue of the Fountains.

For three days, Fountain Hills will pulse with visitors perusing original art and crafts and enjoying live music and great food. Artists will be on-hand to discuss their work and influences, and art is available for purchase.

Each day, the festival runs from 10 am to 5 pm. Native American band Brule and mellow, Mediterranean musicians, the Sahnas Brothers, will play from two entertainment stages.

Admission and parking are free. Parking is readily available. Handicap accessible. For more information, visit fountainhillschamber.com or call (480) 837-1654.

The Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts is proudly sponsored by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, and is an ideal spot for holiday shopping.

“Every year, we see even more interest in the festival,” said Sharon Morgan, Events Producer for the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce. “We have incredible artists this year that represent every art medium; painters, sculptors, photographers and craft makers who create gorgeous and unusual crafts. It’s also a beautiful time of year to visit Fountain Hills.”

Fountain Hills boasts scenic views and a quant, small-town appeal. It is also home to some of the valley’s most interesting and architecturally-appealing high-end homes.

“Fountain Hills has a lot to offer,” said Morgan. “People who come here for the festival will have a great time beginning or adding to their original art collections, and, while they are here, they can view one of the tallest fountains in the world, take in the scenic drive on Palisades Boulevard and enjoy the one-of-a-kind homes that exist in our community. It’s an eclectic and elegant mix of small town and big-city influence, and it’s one destination in Arizona that is close enough to be convenient and far enough away to be original.”

Majority Of Candidates Agree: KidsCare Should Be Strengthened

More than 90% of 2008 candidates for the Arizona state legislature responding to a recent survey agree that strengthening KidsCare should be a priority, uniting candidates across the boundaries of political parties and geographic regions.

“This strong support among candidates reflects the high priority voters place on children’s health coverage,” said Dana Wolfe Naimark, President and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance. “Candidates and voters both know that kids can’t insure themselves; they need our help. After ten years of success with KidsCare in Arizona, we know that this strong public program works.”

Fifty-five candidates running in 24 out of the 30 districts responded to a Children’s Action Alliance questionnaire (including Democrats, Republicans, Libertarian, and Green). Their answers are posted, verbatim, on the Children’s Action Alliance website. All of the responding candidates except five answered that yes, KidsCare should be strengthened to cover more uninsured children. While many acknowledged the difficulty posed by the current budget climate, the candidates shared a broad array of ideas to strengthen KidsCare, including:

1. Elimination of premiums
2. Expanded outreach efforts and funding
3. Streamlining of inter-agency requirements pertaining to enrollment
4. Increased focus on preventative efforts
5. Increased federal funding
6. Ensuring coverage for every child in the state of Arizona

In the survey, Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) asked every candidate for the state House and Senate to answer ten questions about the issues facing children in Arizona and about their own positions and plans for children’s health care, education, child protective services, child care, and state budget and tax priorities. The candidates’ responses demonstrate that strengthening KidsCare isn’t an ideological issue – it’s a practical policy to improve children’s success and reduce unnecessary costs in our health care system. 279,000 Arizona children – nearly 4,000 school bus loads of kids – lack health insurance. An estimated half of these uninsured children are eligible for coverage in Arizona through AHCCCS or KidsCare, but aren’t enrolled.

“We’re very proud to offer voters tools during the campaign season to get information on key issues and to find the candidates who share their priorities for children and families,” said Naimark. Election information is available at azchildren.org. Click on “Elections 08” on the left.

For participating families, KidsCare offers comprehensive care, ensuring that children are healthy and in school, and that parents aren’t missing work to seek treatment for their children in expensive settings like emergency rooms because they don’t have health insurance. While the number of employers offering health insurance to employees and their children continues to drop, AHCCCS and KidsCare have provided cost-effective care through private doctors and health plans. These programs have increased the percent of children with health insurance in Arizona from 74% in 1997 to 83% in 2005.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Children’s Action Alliance does not support or oppose individual candidates. Through research, fact sheets, community events, and communications, CAA works to inform voters, candidates, and elected officials about the challenges facing children and families and about policies that can make a difference in their lives.

44th Annual Brewery Gulch Daze

Brewery Gulch Daze, on August 31st, in Bisbee will remember 128 years of history with the 44th Annual Brewery Gulch Daze. The Gulch, once considered the wildest street in North America, was home to breweries, saloons, gambling halls and the Line, across which ladies of the evening plied their trade. The celebration harks back to the days of Crazy Horse Lil, Irish Mag, Katie Elder and Black Jack, who dressed like a man, and recalls the Opera House, Kentucky Home Bar, the Hermitage and Mariotte’s French Kitchen. The Queen of the Copper Camps celebrates her heritage in carnival with plenty to do, see, hear and taste.

All events are scheduled for Brewery Ave. between 7:30 am and 7 pm. They include:
7:30 am to 11 am - Pancake Breakfast.
11:30 am to 2 pm - Waiter & Waitress Relay Competition.
10 am - Pet Parade.
12 pm to 2 pm - Polynesian Dancers and Jump Roping Contest.
10 am to 3:30 pm - Little Kids Carnival at Goar Park.
2 pm - Miz Old Biz: all contestants welcome as long as they dress in a lady-like manner.
2 pm to 6 pm - Buzz and the Soul Senders play in Brewery Gulch.

Bisbee is located 90 miles southeast of Tucson and offers old-world charm, antique shops, fine restaurants, sidewalk cafes and unique lodging. Sponsors include: City of Bisbee, Bisbee Boy’s & Girl’s Club and the Bisbee Grill.

For further information, visit discoverbisbee.com or call the Bisbee Visitor Center at (520) 432-3554.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

First Annual Doggie Dive-In

Bring your darling doggy to the Palm Island Aquatic Center to soak in the pool or soak up some sun at the First Annual Doggie Dive-In. The event takes place on Saturday, September 13th from 1 pm - 4 pm. Admission is $1 per dog, and humans are free! We will have contests, prizes, and vendors all for your precious pets. Proof of immunizations are required to enter, and only dogs will be allowed in the water for your safety. This event is co-sponsered by the City Of Casa Grande Community Services Department and City of Casa Grande Animal Control.

Contests Include:
1:15 pm - Bathing Suit Contest
2 pm - Dog Paddling Contest
3 pm - Water Retrieval Contest

Call Christella at (520) 421-8677 ext. 4550 for more details.

Public Meetings On 20-Mile High Voltage Line Being Possibly Sited In Queen Creek

Residents are encouraged to provide comments regarding the placement of a local high voltage line at upcoming public meetings. SRP has plans to site a 20-mile, 230,000 volt (230 kV) transmission line that will likely run through parts of Queen Creek.

SRP will host three open houses for review of route alternatives and to allow verbal or written public comment to SRP. Town residents are strongly encouraged to attend an open house to provide feedback related to potential line paths that may border their neighborhood. Route evaluation includes consideration of potential line operation issues, potential environmental effects of the route, current and anticipated land uses, and aesthetic impact of the transmission line. Open houses will be held:

Monday, Aug. 25th, 5 pm - 7 pm
Copper Basin K - 8 School
28682 N. Main St.
Queen Creek, AZ 85243

Tuesday, Aug. 26th, 5 pm - 7 pm
Queen Creek Middle School
20435 S. Ellsworth Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85242

Wednesday, Aug. 27th, 5 pm - 7 pm
Payne Junior High School
7655 S. Higley Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85242

The line, dubbed as Abel-Moody, will connect the Moody Substation at Recker and Pecos roads with the Abel Substation currently under construction at Judd and Attaway roads; a third substation will be constructed between the Moody and Abel substations, possibly in Queen Creek, and will connect to the line as well. This additional 230kV line will allow SRP to keep pace with current and future electrical demands and will also provide greater reliability for SRP customers; the project in-service date is scheduled for summer 2012.

For more information about the project, please call SRP’s Abel-Moody line at (866) 537-7704 or visit azpower.org.

Slide Rock Apple Festival

The Arizona State Parks Foundation presents the 4th Annual Slide Rock Apple Festival on September 20th-21st, 2008 from 9 am to 3 pm at Slide Rock State Park. Slide Rock State Park is located just north of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon.

This family event will feature "All Things Apple" and the use of natural, renewable resources through demonstrations emphasizing the theme "Moving Toward Sustainable Living." Arts and crafts, food, entertainment, games and activities for kids, a bird walking tour, history walk, a dessert auction, an Apple Fest cookbook, and prize giveaways will be additional features of the event. Volunteers will also be demonstrating the art of sorting different sizes of apples for boxing and selling. Both days of the Apple Festival are free to the public.

To get to Slide Rock State Park from Phoenix go north on I-17 to Hwy 179, west through Sedona to Hwy 89A north, and then seven miles up Oak Creek Canyon. From Flagstaff take Hwy 89A and go 20 miles south.

For many years, Slide Rock State Park was a large orchard and today is still a working commercial apple ranch producing more than 1,200 boxes of apples in 2007 in the park. An original vintage 30-foot-long apple-sorting machine reconstructed by volunteers is still in the historic Pendley apple shed.

Frank L. Pendley arrived in the canyon in 1907 and acquired the land title as part of the Homestead Act in 1910. He put in the irrigation system and planted the apple orchard in 1912. In 1933 he built the rustic cabins seen in the park today. It was sold to the Arizona Parklands Foundation for $3.6 million in 1984 to become a State Park.

Volunteers Sought For Off-Highway Vehicle Program

The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program currently has two opportunities for volunteers. One is through the OHV Ambassador Program (application deadline is by 5pm on August 25th) and the other is through the Advisory Group (application deadline is by 5pm on September 26th).

OHV drivers and other public-land users in Arizona have an opportunity to learn and teach responsible recreation ethics through the OHV Ambassador program. This program, launched in September 2007, is a partnership effort among Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, Arizona County Sheriffs, organized OHV groups and volunteers.

Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining high-quality OHV recreation opportunities; monitoring OHV trails, roads, and facilities; and actively participating in site improvements and user outreach in cooperation with local land managers. OHV Ambassadors provide their time, energy, expertise, and personal OHVs to carry out their volunteer roles in the OHV Ambassador program.

Applications for the OHV Ambassador program must be submitted to Arizona State Parks by Monday, August 25, 2008 to be considered for the training in October. For more information and to download an application go to the Arizona State Parks website under Off-Highway Vehicle Program at azstateparks.com, www.ohvambassador.coms, or call (602) 542-4174.

In addition to the volunteer opportunity with the Ambassadors, the Arizona State Parks Board is seeking two new members of the State Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG).

OHVAG is seeking one sportsperson and one OHV member. The Arizona State Parks Board appoints the seven-member, volunteer citizen Advisory Group. Five members must be members of organized OHV groups. One member must represent the general public or casual OHV enthusiast. One member must represent a sportsperson's group (a member of an organization representing hunting, fishing, or similar sportsperson outdoor activities).

The OHVAG advises the Arizona State Parks Board about OHV needs and issues statewide, on the development and implementation of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Plan, as well as expenditures from the Arizona OHV Recreation Fund and Federal Recreational Trails Program Motorized Portion. Each individual is appointed to a three-year term. The Group meets several times annually at locations around the State.