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Tempe named one of country's best rowing communities

Tempe named one of country's best rowing communities

Tempe was named one of the Best Places to Retire and Row in the United States by The Rower’s Almanac.

Rating factors included housing costs, state income tax rates, number of restaurants, theatres, libraries and hospitals, types of water and rowing available, number of boathouses and regattas, and the size of the local rowing population. Optimal rowing conditions, a low cost of living and a high quality of life also factored into the mix.

According to www.RowingandSculling.com, Florida has three cities in the top ten, Sarasota, FL (#1), Cape Coral, FL (#3) and DeLand, FL (#6). North and South Carolina each have one: Raleigh, NC (#4), and Columbia, SC (#5). Austin, TX (#2), Tempe, AZ (#6-tied with DeLand), Klamath Falls, OR (#7), Natchitoches, LA (#8), Lakeport, CA (#9) and Greenwood, NY (#10) also made the list

About The Rower’s Almanac

The Rower’s Almanac provides rowing organization information about clubs, colleges, juniors, associations, rowing businesses, coaches and referees around the world. The Rower’s Almanac maintains the largest database of rowing organizations with approximately 6,000 rowing clubs in more than 100 countries.

Courtesy Tempe Newsroom

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Tempe Center for the Arts performances - March 2010

Tempe Center for the Arts performances - March Calendar 2009

Tempe Center for the Arts performances, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway

Schedules are subject to change. Visit http://www.tempe.gov/tca/Calendar.htm or call the box office (480-350-2822) for event times and ticket information were applicable.

March Calendar of Art Events

• Arizona Wind Symphony: “Americana,” March 3, Theater
• Songwriters’ Showcase with Joe Myers, 7 p.m., March 5, Lakeside
• Paul McDermand with Esteban, March 5, Theater
• Tempe/Ahwatukee Young Life: “A Nite on Broadway,” March 6, Theater
• Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble: “Contemporary Classics,” March 8, Theater
• Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble: “High School Band Festival,” March 9, Theater
• A Supreme Evening of Jazz, March 10, Theater
• Dulce Dance Company, March 13, Theater
• Performance with a View: Mill Avenue Chamber Players, March 16, Lakeside
• Tempe Little Theatre: “Sweet Charity,” March 19-April 4, Studio
• Creation Dance Championships, March 20, Theater
• Junior Achievement: “You’re Hired,” March 25, TCA
• LakeShore Jazz: Eliane Elias Quartet, March 26, Theater
• U.S.S.A Cultural Show 2010, March 27, Theater
• Salvation Army’s International Staff Band concert, March 29, Theater
 

Art events at other city of Tempe facilities

• Lunch Talks with Doug Kupel, March 10, Tempe History Museum
• Hohokam Rock Art Tour, March 18, Hayden Butte
• Third Thirsty Night Café, March 18, Tempe History Museum 

Exhibitions at city of Tempe facilities

Visit http://www.tempe.gov/arts/whats/0310.htm or call 480-350-2867 for information. Exhibitions are free.

• The Phoenix Fridas, March 5-July 14, U.S. Post Office
• Art 6 Tempe Union High School District exhibit, March 12-May 20, Vihel Activity Center
• Chuck Amuck: A Legacy of Laughter The life and art of Chuck Jones, through June 18, Gallery at TCA
• The Books of Chuck Jones: Black and White and Read All Over, through June 18, Tempe Public Library (Children’s Library)
• Fractured Patterns, through May 12, Tempe Public Library (Connections Café
• Cups, Bowls & Plates, through March 3, U.S. Post Office, (Fifth Street & Mill Avenue)

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Phoenix Fridas

“Phoenix Fridas” bring folk-art to Tempe Post Office

“Phoenix Fridas” bring folk-art to Tempe Post Office

City of Tempe Newsroom: A group exhibition featuring artists from the local women’s art collective, “The Phoenix Fridas,” will be on display beginning in March through July 14 in the Tempe United States Post Office windows, 500 S. Mill Ave. (Southwest corner of 5th Street and Mill Ave.)

These cool chicks (as they call themselves) love artist Frida Kahlo and use her namesake for their group. Their work focuses around Mexican folk-art traditions, and group members work with diverse media including paint, jewelry, fashion, quilting and kitchy crafts. The women share ideas, support each other and promote their art. They have shown together locally at the paper Heart gallery, Burton Barr Library and annual Dia de Los Muertos events. 

The “Phoenix Fridas” are: Leticia Amezaga, Emily Costello, Tracey Dove, April Edwards, Carmen Guerrero, Anita Mabante Leach, Lucia Madrid and Kathy Cano Murillo, known locally as the “Crafty Chica,” local entrepeneaur and TV personality: www.craftychica.com.

About the Tempe Post Office exhibition space

Exhibitions in this facility, located in the heart of the Mill Avenue District, highlight local artists working in a variety of media and themes with a focus on installation. Special emphasis is placed on work that is fun, eye-catching and unusual.

City of Tempe exhibitions are provided by the Cultural Services Division

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Tempe Center for the Arts

Tempe Center for the Arts -- Tickets go on sale for dance, cultural shows March 2010

Tickets for CONDER/dance’s “Dances in Black and White” will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and tickets for the Unified Society of South Asians Cultural Show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday through the Tempe Center for the Arts Box Office, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. 

CONDER/dance
2 and 8 p.m., April 3, Theater

The stark, monochromatic staging of this concert is the perfect backdrop for the lush movement and emotional power that arises from pure dance. CONDER/dance demonstrates its compelling choreographic style in a concert that features the work of Ashleigh Leite and Carley Conder. 

Tickets range from $18 to 25, not including service or convenience fees. 

Unified Society of South Asians Cultural Show
7 p.m., March 27, Theater

This event features a night of traditional South Asian dances, songs and skits with music by a D.J. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $8 at the box office. Online purchases incur additional fees. Discounts are available for students.

CONTACT: TCA Box Office
TELEPHONE: 480-350-2TCA (2822)

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Baby Reading program begins at Tempe Public Library

Baby Reading program begins at Tempe Public Library

The Tempe Public Library is offering a Baby Reading Program designed to encourage literacy for children from birth through age four. This program helps babies build the skills needed to learn to read and succeed.

Participants receive a game board and a Ring of Rhymes with suggestions and activities for babies. Once parents and their babies complete all the rhyme cards, they will receive a free board book and a certificate of achievement.

This program is sponsored by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records with funding granted under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Information: 480-350-5907.

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Tempe's Proposed Budget Balancing Plan 2010

Tempe's Proposed Budget Balancing Plan 2010

From the Tempe Newsroom:

City Manager Charlie Meyer’s plan (available at www.tempe.gov/budgetplan) is based on $30 million in reductions and revenue-generating ideas put forward by the city’s department managers in late December. The current proposal includes a variety of cost-cutting and revenue-generating ideas for the City Council’s consideration. Among them are workforce reductions, reduced hours at city facilities, program eliminations and new fees for some services. The measures proposed in the plan address how the city could correct a $30 million deficit that, without intervention, would occur in 2010-11 and in each year for the foreseeable future.

Specific Parks and Recreation/Community Services reductions that are proposed include:

• Closing the McClintock High School pool to public swimming
• Reducing in Tempe Public Library hours from 70 to 56. Currently the library is open seven 10-hour days. The new operating hours are to be determined, but they would be a combination that adds up to 56
• Closing the Cahill Senior Center at the Westside Multi-Generational Center and eliminating Sunday hours at the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center
• Increasing Kid Zone fees by $2 a week
• Eliminating counseling services to underserved and uninsured
• Reducing the number of youth sports programs

This month, Tempe employees and community members will have opportunities to learn about Meyer’s proposal and offer their feedback at a series of forums to be held around the city. Two community forums are scheduled for next week including:

• Monday, Feb. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the Escalante Center, in the Senior Center
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at South Tempe Police Substation

Final Council approval of the budget will be in May. The 2010-11 fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2011.

The City Council has agreed to move forward with a May 18 General Election ballot measure asking residents if they want to approve a two-tenths of a percent sales tax increase beginning July 1. The language for the ballot measure will include an exemption for grocery purchases and a four-year lifespan for the tax.

Visit www.tempe.gov/budgetplan for Meyer’s full proposal, information on the February forums, a list of upcoming City Council budget discussions, a recap of the fall 2009 budget process, a feedback form, and access to the online comments submitted to date from employees and community members.

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Tempe tennis director named PTR Member

Tempe tennis director named PTR Member of the Year for Arizona

From the Tempe Newsoom – Kiwanis Recreation Center’s Director of Tennis, Larry Funk, was recognized for his continuous support of Tempe tennis programs and dedication to the enhancement of tennis at the 2010 Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) International Tennis Symposium on Feb. 16 in South Carolina.

PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 122 countries. It is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game. Larry Funk was named PTR Member of the Year for Arizona.

Larry Funk has worked tirelessly to expand and enhance the tennis programs held at Kiwanis Tennis Center, as well as the after school tennis programs offered at neighboring elementary schools. Funk also played an essential role in the city of Tempe’s selection as one of the Top 10 Best Tennis Towns chosen by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

On a day-to-day basis, Funk oversees all tennis classes at Kiwanis Recreation Center, 6111 S. All America Way. The twice named Outstanding Tennis Facility of the Year by the USTA, and USTA Winter National Championship site, features 15 lighted tennis courts with cushioned Rebound Ace playing surface.

Larry Funk’s dedication to tennis ensures that Kiwanis Recreation Center offers a full-range of programs and playing opportunities for all ages and ability levels to make tennis a sport players can learn, develop and sustain.

For more information on Kiwanis Recreation’s tennis programs, visit www.tempe.gov/tennis. Advance registration is for tennis classes is required, register online at www.tempe.gov/brochure.

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Tempe beautifies historic neighborhood

Tempe joining effort to beautify historic neighborhood

From the Tempe Newsroom – More than 200 volunteers assist in Victory Acres neighborhood cleanup event 

The City of Tempe is joining forces with Valley Toyota Dealers and Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. for the third annual Barrios Bellos (Beautiful Neighborhoods) cleanup event Saturday, Feb. 20, in Tempe’s Victory Acres neighborhood. Volunteers will gather at Esquer Park, 2407 E. McArthur Dr., starting at 8 a.m.

Barrio Bellos is a cleanup and beautification program developed by the Valley Toyota Dealers in partnership with CPLC, Arizona’s leading Hispanic nonprofit, to help strengthen Latino neighborhoods in need throughout the Valley. For this year’s event, the City of Tempe is joining the effort as a partner to benefit this historic neighborhood and have a strong impact in the community.

One of Tempe’s oldest neighborhoods, Victory Acres has been home to many Hispanic families since the 1940s. Its boundaries are University Drive on the north to McArthur Drive on the south, and Evergreen Street on the east to Price Road on the west. Through Barrio Bellos, volunteers will clean up neighborhood streets and will help beautify community buildings such as St. Margaret Church.

Barrios Bellos is a positive first step in helping to create safe and healthy Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the Valley. Last year, nearly 250 volunteers collected nearly 17 tons of trash during a cleanup event benefiting Carl Hayden neighborhood district in Phoenix.

For more information about the Barrios Bellos beautification program, contact Ixchel del Castillo at (602) 417-0656 (office), (602) 821-1996 (mobile) or idelcastillo@c-k.com.

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Tempe receives prestigious EPA award

Tempe receives prestigious EPA award for Transportation Center

From the Tempe Newsroom: The city of Tempe today received a coveted Smart Growth Achievement Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its downtown Transportation Center. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson recognized the facility as a model for sustainable design, a vibrant, mixed-use regional transportation hub that incorporates innovative and green building elements tailored to the desert environment. 

The Tempe Transportation Center is a true multi-modal facility that integrates a METRO light rail stop, the city’s main bus station and the Bicycle Cellar, a full-service bicycle commuter facility with secure bicycle parking, showers, lockers, bicycle sales and rentals. www.thebicyclecellar.com 

“Every year the Smart Growth Achievement Award winners show us new and creative ways to bring environmental sustainability to our communities – and this year is no exception,” Jackson said. “Smart growth has an important role to play in building a new foundation for prosperity in communities across the nation.” 

Tempe was one of four communities receiving the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement at today’s ceremony in Washington. Other recipients were: Lancaster County, Pa., Planning Commission; city of Charlotte, N.C; and Chicago Housing Authority. 

For more information on the Tempe Transportation Center, call 480-350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/greenprograms.

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Tempe has 13th highest foreclosure sales among major Metro Phoenix cities

Tempe has 13th highest foreclosure sales among major Metro Phoenix cities - November 2009

Tempe has 13th highest foreclosure sales among major Metro Phoenix cities for the month of November 2009. This chart is very updated and only reflects the sales from November 1st-13th, 2009.

In other words, this chart shows the number of bank owned properties sold in each city expressed as a percentage of TOTAL sales.

Leading the way in November is El Mirage with 51% of all sales being bank foreclosures. Just ahead of Tempe is the city of Surprise with 35% of sales being foreclosures.

Tempe and Queen Creek are tied for 13th position with 33% of all November sales being bank foreclosures. The lowest cities in Sun City West at 10% followed by Paradise Valley at 16%.

Metro Phoenix Foreclosure Report