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Professional chefs teach cooking classes at Tempe's Hackett House

Professional chefs teach cooking classes at Tempe's Hackett House

Hackett House in Tempe AZ, the charming building that was once Tempe’s first bakery and now serves as the headquarters for the Tempe Sister Cities organization, will offer an exciting array of cooking classes throughout the remainder of the year. As part of the “Cuisines of the World” program, professional guest chefs will teach participants how to create delectable appetizers, desserts and everything in between.

• Monday, Oct. 26: Louis Basile, owner of Wildfower Bread Company restaurants
• Monday, Nov. 9: Danka Shulz and Jacky Lelu from Beaulieu-ser-Mer, France, one of Tempe’s Sister Cities
• Monday, Nov. 16: Kathy Andrews, popular culinary expert
• Monday, Dec. 7: Michael O’Dowd, Executive Chef at Kai at Wild Horse Pass Resort

All classes are held at the Hackett House, 95 W. Fourth Street, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Cost is $45 per class, with the exception of the Nov. 9 class which is $65. Prepaid reservations are required and may be made by calling the Hackett House at 480-350-8181. A wine bar will be featured at the classes. For menus, visit www.hacketthouse.org.

About Louis Basile

The mastermind behind the wildly popular Wildfower Bread Company restaurants grew up in a big Italian family where “someone was always cooking.” Louis has many fond memories of family meals and learned the “goodness” at an early age.

About Danka Shulz and Jacky Lelu
Direct from Tempe’s French Sister City, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Danka and Jacky are the owners of Les Agaves, the choice restaurant of the area.

About Kathy Andrews
Kathy re-creates famous dishes from around the world for this class. Enjoy crab cakes from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, Veal Carolina from The Italian Grotto in Old Town Scottsdale and more.

About Michael O’Dowd

Michael knew at the age of 17 that food and “making edible memories” would play a major part in his life. He is now the Executive Chef at Kai at Wild Horse Pass Resort, the only Mobil 5 Star Restaurant in Arizona.

About Hackett House
In addition to Cuisines of the World, Hackett House holds fundraising special events, tea parties and children’s programs. All money raised through the Hackett House supports City of Tempe programs, as well as the award-winning Tempe Sister City Organization, which sponsors student, teacher, practical and professional exchange programs with Tempe’s eight international sister cities. For more information on the Tempe Sister City Organization, visit www.tempesistercity.org.

Tempe Lecture series -- Who's Your Neighbor -- Cultural Awareness

Who's Your Neighbor? A Brown Bag Luncheon

The City of Tempe Diversity Department is offering a program entitled “Who’s Your Neighbor?”-  A Brown Bag Lecture Series on Cultural Awareness.  This program is a series of presentations focused on learning about who lives, works, and plays in the Tempe community.  While individuals may know their own culture, traditions and lifestyles, some people may not know about or understand their neighbor’s cultures, traditions and lifestyles. The purpose of the lecture series is to create a greater understanding of each other in an effort to eliminate biases.

This program, which is presented in partnership with the City of Tempe Housing Division and the Valley of the Sun United Way, will take place on Wednesday, October 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Tempe City Council Chambers, 31 E. 5th Street, Garden Level.  Parking is available in the parking garage on 5th Street, east of the City Hall building.  Parking stubs will be validated at the program.

On any given night there are more than 8,500 homeless men, women and children living on Valley streets and in shelters.  The Faces of Homelessness presentation will focus on two to three of these individuals and their experiences.  Speakers will describe what their life was like before and during homelessness, what changed to end their homelessness and their hopes for the future.  The information shared will challenge preconceived notions and myths about people who are experiencing homelessness while raising awareness on this complex issue.

This program is offered free, and no registration is necessary.  Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch, and dessert will be provided.  For further information, call Ginny Belousek, Sr. Diversity Specialist, at 480/350-8979.

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Mill Avenue Farmers Market opens Sunday

Mill Avenue Farmers Market opens Sunday

Fresh fruits, mouthwatering organic vegetables, homemade bread from local bakeries. The Mill Avenue Farmers Market promises a delightful array of sensory treats.
 
This Sunday, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at Sixth Street Plaza, the Mill Avenue Farmers Market will open for the first time. This is a soft opening, with the grand opening happening Nov. 14. The market will be open every Sunday through Mother's Day in May, depending on weather.
 
The market will include organic and conventional produce, sweets, breads, oils, herbal supplements, flowers, and small, Tempe-owned companies like Revolution Tea.
 
The Mill Avenue Farmers Market will have about 15- 20 booths this Sunday, with as many as 40 at high season. It is expected to draw hundreds of people weekly. This week, it is a watering station for Tour de Tempe. www.millavefarmersmarket.com
 
The Mill Avenue Farmers Market operator, James Neal has been working to bring this market to Tempe for more than a year. He introduced the concept at the light rail grand opening party, Destination: Tempe. Thousands enjoyed goods and services provided by vendors he organized especially for the event. He is also an owner of Chronic Taco and has been doing business in Tempe for two years.
 
This is the third market to open in Tempe in recent days. The Mill Avenue Farmers Market joins the Thursday night Market on Mill, at Seventh Street and Mill and the Tempe Farmer’s Market on Farmer Avenue and University.
 
Market on Mill is hosted by the Downtown Tempe Community and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. Unlike a traditional farmers’ market that is food-and-produce-only, and unlike an art festival that brings out artists only, the Market on Mill features local growers alongside exclusively local artists and www.marketonmill.com
 
Tempe Farmer’s Market is a daily indoor farmers market featuring locally grown produce and specialty foods such as dairy, vegan/vegetarian, honey, cheese, hormone-free meats and more. www.tempefarmersmarket.com
 
For additional information on the Mill Avenue Farmers Market, please call James Neal at 480 464-4400 or Sheri Wakefield-Saenz at 480 350-8812 - City of Tempe Economic Development Division.
 

Tempe Public Library closed due to mercury spill

Tempe Public Library closed due to mercury spill

The Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road, is temporarily closed to allow for a cleanup effort after small amounts of mercury were found inside and outside the building today. The library is expected to reopen Friday at 9 a.m.

The city has contracted with an EPA-certified cleanup crew to remove the mercury. No library patrons or staff are believed to have been put at risk by the mercury, which is most dangerous only after prolonged exposures.

Tempe Police and Fire are conducting a joint investigation into who brought the mercury to the library.

After library closing Wednesday night, Fire responded to a call claiming that kids had been on site playing with mercury. The fire crew found trace amounts of the heavy metal outside the library entrance and cleaned it up.

Today at about 1 p.m. the library was closed after a patron noticed mercury near a library computer. About 200 patrons and staff were asked to leave the building. Since then, additional amounts of mercury were detected in the library parking lot.

The city’s cleanup contractor is working with Tempe Fire to complete an assessment to determine how much mercury is on site and what cleanup will entail.

Tempe expects the library to reopen Friday at 9 a.m. The city wants to undertake a thorough uninterrupted mercury cleanup in order to ensure the safety of library patrons and staff.

The city will provide updates on the Tempe Public Library as they become available.

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City of Tempe Boards and Commissions vacancies

City of Tempe Boards and Commissions vacancies

Tempe, Arizona — The City of Tempe is looking to fill the following vacancies on its volunteer Boards and Commissions:

• Tempe Aviation Commission: Four openings in January 2010. This commission advises the mayor and City Council and assists city departments on matters related to the impact of aircraft noise on Tempe residents; on the monitoring, implementation and enforcement of agreements made between the City of Phoenix and Tempe concerning the operations of Sky Harbor Airport; on studies conducted of Sky Harbor Airport and its impact on Tempe. Members serve for three years. The commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

• Building Code Advisory Board of Appeals: Openings for a building contractor, an architect and a fire protection consultant. This board interprets the provisions of the Building Code in special cases where the provisions may be inadequate and/or do not cover an issue in question and approves the use of alternate materials or construction methods. The board also recommends new regulations to the City Council and grants variances to the provisions of the Building Code. Members serve for three years. The board meets at least once every three months. Apply by Oct. 30.

• Board of Adjustment: Three openings in January 2010. This board hears appeals to denials of variances or approvals of abatements. The board consists of seven members and two alternates. Each member must be a Tempe resident. Alternate members serve at board meetings whenever one or more regular board member is unable to attend or must decline due to a conflict of interest. The terms are for three years and meetings are held as needed.

Gift to Tempe community: Free boating on Tempe Town Lake on Nov. 7, 2009

Gift to Tempe community: Free boating on Town Lake on Nov. 7
 
To celebrate the tenth birthday of Tempe Town Lake, the City of Tempe is offering a free day of boating on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the SRP Town Lake Marina.
 
This is the first day that everyone who owns a boat on Town Lake at no cost. Normally, one day boat permits cost $5.
 
Free boating day doesn’t just apply to people who own boats. Tempe Parks and Recreation will have free kayaks for people to try. Many of the boat clubs that operate at Tempe Town Lake will offer rides and demonstrations to visitors. Check out the dragon boats, sailboats, outrigger canoes and rowing shells. Arizona Game and Fish will offer boating safety classes. US Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach life jacket (PFD) safety.
 
Saturday, Nov. 7 Schedule:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free kayaking, boating and safety demonstrations
Bring your driver’s license or Arizona Identification Card to paddle a kayak on the lake at no charge and take a look at the boating clubs on Town Lake, sign up for Parks and Recreation classes and learn boat safety.
 
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free boating for boat owners
Staff will be ready to issue one-day permits to boats that meet Tempe Town Lake guidelines. No gas-powered boats are allowed on Tempe Town Lake – only boats that are manually powered, wind-powered or electric-powered.
 
Those participating can register for great prizes like an overnight stay at the Tempe aloft hotel and dinner at Monti’s la Casa Vieja. 
 
SRP Town Lake Marina is located on College Avenue south of Curry Road. Details about the marina: http://www.tempe.gov/lake/Development/Marina.htm For a map: http://www.tempe.gov/lake/Events/Images/MarinaMap.jpg
 
(And don’t forget the birthday party: Town Lake Turns 10 on Dec. 12 from 3-7 p.m. The APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade follows immediately with Santa, fireworks and illuminated boats! Get more details at www.tempe.gov/lake/birthday.htm)

Tempe Orbit bus Systems may lose routes

Tempe Orbit bus Systems may lose routes

Tempe to host public meetings about Orbit and bus systems

Tempe residents are encouraged to attend one of three public meetings to learn more about potential route changes to the existing Orbit neighborhood circulator and fixed route arterial bus systems. The purpose of these meetings is to gather ideas from neighbors and get input on potential Orbit route changes that may occur in January and/or July 2010.
The scope of the proposed route changes has been expanded to include the majority of the arterial bus route system in Tempe. These proposed changes are due in large part to the slowing economy. The Tempe transit system is funded primarily by a half cent sales tax, which has dramatically decreased causing Tempe to reevaluate the Orbit transit system to make it more efficient in order to reduce costs. Passengers and residents are able to comment online beginning Oct. 28. at www.tempe.gov/tim. The same Orbit bus systems information will be presented at all three meetings. Meetings will occur:

Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.
Pyle Adult Recreation Center
655 E. Southern Ave., Tempe
 
Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
Tempe Transportation Center
Don Cassano Community Room
200 E. Fifth St., Tempe
 
Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.
Tempe Transportation Center
Don Cassano Community Room
200 E. Fifth St., Tempe
 
For information about Orbit bus systems, call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim

Tempe Art Exhibit starts in October 2009

TEMPE, Ariz. – “Psychedelic,” an art exhibit featuring Ignacio Farias, of Mesa, and Marvin Carlton, of Phoenix, will be on display starting on Friday through Jan. 27 in the Connections Café exhibit space, Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road.

Both artists exhibit colorful, abstract and geometric art work in digital form.

Farias’ work houses subjects as diverse and vast as the media he uses to execute them. He has used tools as simple as a pencil and paper or even spatulas, syringes, combs or ice picks to create his work. Today, many of his art works utilize an abundance of digital resources. Farias takes inspiration from the culture of the people and landscapes that comprise each of the cities in which he visits and lives, including Mexico City, New York City and Arizona.

Carlton, a native of Arizona, attended college in Santa Barbara, Calif. After graduation, he pursued a career in the Photographic Industry. He and his wife opened their own art studio in 1983. Since, he has explored digital imaging which have influenced new levels of creativity in his art work. His work has been published both nationally and internationally.

HOURS: (Closed on city-observed holidays)
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday
Noon to 5:30 p.m., Sunday

Exhibitions in the Connections Café are produced by the city of Tempe Cultural Services Division. We look forward to your visit to the Tempe art exhibit.

Tempe Orchestra opens 35th season

Tempe Orchestra opens 35th season

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State Graduate and Rice University Associate Professor of Cello Brinton Smith rejoins the Tempe Symphony Orchestra as it opens its 35th season at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

This is a free, General Admission event. Tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first served basis.

Smith has performed at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, Carnegie Recital Hall, the Marlboro Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, the Banff Centre for the Arts, and in recital throughout the United States.

Music
“Egmont Overture,” Beethoven
“Symphony 3 (mvt. 1)”, Mahler
“Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 126,” Schumann; Brinton Smith, Cello soloist

Notes:
The Tempe Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Richard E. Strange and is owned and operated by the city of Tempe Cultural Services Division with support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For information, call 480/350-5287 or visit www.tempe.gov/arts/events/TSO/.