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September 29, 2022

In this week's issue: 

Message from Councilwoman Ann O'Brien

This past weekend was quite busy for me! On Friday, my sister and I successfully surprised my parents with a 50th Anniversary celebration at her house. Surrounded by friends, family, and a margarita machine, we celebrated the love and respect my parents have shown each other and the many, many more years of spoiling grandchildren and great grandchildren they have ahead of them. The love and admiration my parents still share for each other is something I admire and emulate with my husband for my kids. With my daughter newly married, I hope my marriage serves as an inspiration to her as my mom and dad’s do for me.

Speaking of my daughter, a couple of weeks ago I was able to share the exciting news that she is pregnant with my first grandbaby! Well, with the celebration for my parents on Friday, we figured let’s make a weekend of celebrations and roll from one to another. On Sunday, my daughter and son-in-law had a gender reveal party where we all dressed in the colors of the sex we thought the baby would be. Most people in attendance were dressed for a baby boy, but it was the colors my daughter’s dog was wearing that revealed the baby’s gender. It’s a girl!!! I am so excited to be a grandparent and to welcome my little granddaughter into the world in March!

Earnest.jpgAnd to continue the theme of celebrations, yesterday, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Phoenix Convention Center. I joined Mayor Gallego and Councilwoman Stark in celebrating Ernest Anderson who also celebrated 50 years of working at the Phoenix Convention Center! As a native Phoenician, I can remember all the different changes and periods of growth the Convention Center has gone through. Did you know, we used to have a Phoenix Grand Prix that raced through the streets of downtown and the Convention Center? The Convention Center has been home to so many celebrations, conventions, and millions of tourists – with many more to come. Expect to see the Convention Center be the center of next year’s Super Bowl celebrations, 2024’s Men’s NCAA Final Four tournament, and 2026’s Women’s NCAA Final Four tournament.

Lastly, we have a celebration coming up next week! If you have not already registered to attend the FREE Double Ten Day Celebration event on Saturday, October 8th, scroll down in my newsletter and see where to register! It’s going to be a fun celebration for all ages! Hope to see you there!

Don’t forget, tomorrow is my first Community Meeting since the summer hiatus! See you tomorrow!

All my best, 

Ann 

Councilwoman, District 1


Weekly DOJ Investigation Update

Week of September 19

  • Members of the Training Review Committee, Driving Analysis Committee and the Critical Incident Review Board presented to DOJ investigators their role and function.
  • City Auditor staff provided a presentation to DOJ staff of the auditor functions.
  • City staff met to review and outline the fourth DOJ request for documentation.
  • City staff presented the results of the Crisis Intervention Review Committee pilot to Executive Staff and received feedback regarding improvements.
  • City staff presented information on a pilot for a Force Analysis Unit for enhanced review of police responses to resistance to start this Fall.

 


Mark Your Calendars: Community Meeting

Our next meeting will be September 30th and will be located back at the DoubleTree in MetroCenter. We will be meeting at our regular scheduled time for our breakfast meetings. Plan for check in to begin at 7:30am and the meeting to start at 8pm.

You can register below for the upcoming meeting! As a reminder, please fill out the form SEPARATELY for EACH member of your family planning to attend. Thank you!


COVID-19 Free Testing & Vaccine 

COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations

As many of us begin the trek back to the workplace, some companies may require employees to get tested or vaccinated for COVID-19 before coming back. 

Testing and vaccinations are offered by the city at no out-of-pocket cost. Please check out the Phoenix COVID testing and vaccination page for a list of events scheduled.


News From the City of Phoenix

Double Ten Day: Taiwanese Independence Day

On October 8th, at 5:30pm located at ASU West Campus, we will be hosting a Double Ten Day celebration event. Double Ten Day, normally celebrated on October 10th, is Taiwanese Independence Day and celebrated all over the world as the day common Chinese people rose up against their feudal empire and became independent from the reigning dynasty. Celebrations have been held annually in China Town, San Francisco; China Town, Montreal; Hong Kong; Taiwan; and all over the world.

Annotation 2022-09-22 130459.pngAs you know, with TSMC moving into the North Phoenix region, we have already been seeing an increase in new Taiwanese residents creating homes here in Phoenix – with more on the way! We wanted to find a way to welcome them, celebrate their culture, and take the opportunity to introduce them to some of our culture. Which is why we have partnered with ASU West to celebrate their Independence Day with a Night Market theme on ASU West’s campus.

This celebration will encompass local vendors offering traditional Taiwanese cuisine, drinks and crafts, as well as local Arizona vendors offering attendees a taste of our culture. For the kids, there will be games and entertainment including traditional Lion Dances, Taiwanese Yo-Yo displays, and martial art demonstrations. As the sun sets and the sky darkens, everyone will be asked to step outside to enjoy a fireworks display celebrating the event sponsored by TSMC!

You can register for the event by clicking this link.

 

Get Your Amazing Library Card!

Amazing Library Card - Reasons Why - English.jpgPhoenix Public Library is always a great place to start when you need something. Libraries offer more than books…having a Phoenix Public Library Card gives you access to trustworthy information, resources, and things to do. Check out materials, stream music and movies, access a variety of databases, join a virtual program. Get started with an online eCard at phoenixpubliclibrary.org

Visit The Amazing Library Card to request an in-person or virtual outreach program from Phoenix Public Library, or stop by one of our 17 locations to sign up for a library card.

 

 

 

Taipei Culture Camp

Taipei Culture Camp.pngPhoenix Sister Cities Taipei City Committee is pleased to present a virtual culture camp for adults and children.  For the second year in a row, the Committee has developed these online resources to share the culture of Taipei with residents of Phoenix.  From fabulous recipes to paper folding and painting to traditional dance, the instructional and demonstration videos offer something for everyone.  Recipes and supplies lists are provided for viewers to follow along at home in creating signature dishes and works of art.  The 2022 Taipei Culture Camp may be found at phoenixsistercities.org.

 

New Trash Collection Day

New Collection Day.pngStarting October 3, many customers will have a new day of collection for their solid waste services including green organics, trash, and recycling. In an effort to enhance operational efficiency and customer service, the City of Phoenix has re-routed its trash/recycling collection routes. To find your day of collection, please visit our website: Find Your Trash and Recycling Collection Day - City of Phoenix

 

Weekend Land Restrictions Planned on Interstate 17 Beginning Friday, Sept. 9

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who use Interstate 17 to plan for the following lane restrictions between Dunlap and Peoria avenues this weekend for median work related to Valley Metro’s light rail bridge construction project.

  • North- and southbound I-17 will be narrowed to two lanes between Dunlap and  Peoria avenues from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26.

ADOT urges drivers to slow down and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while work is underway.

 

 

GAIN 2022 Save the Date

  • GAIN kickoff flyer -2022.jpgOctober 1st – GAIN Kick Off event from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Christown - Spectrum Mall, 1703 West Bethany Home Road.
    • The event will be held inside the main entrance of the mall. 
  • October 15th – GAIN Day – This year we are returning to the traditional, 3rd Saturday of October for GAIN Day.  We are encouraging groups to hold events on this one Saturday but as you can expect, many groups will hold theirs a different day or weekend.  
  • GAIN Website – the website and GAIN registration form have been updated
  • GAIN Event List – CEB will share the list of the registered GAIN events shortly after registration closes in mid-September. An updated list will be provided as we get closer to GAIN day.  

 

Black Mountain Coffee with a Cop

Please join us and your Black Mountain Community Action Officers for Coffee with a Cop. The upcoming coffee with a cop will be held on October 27th at 8:30am. It'll be located at Chompie's (3212 E Cactus). This is a great way to meet other active community members and get involved in your neighborhood! 

 

 

Cactus Park Coffee with a Cop

coffee with a cop flyer october 2022.jpgPlease join us and your Cactus Park Community Action Officers for Coffee with a Cop. The upcoming coffee with a cop will be held on October 13th at 8:30am. It'll be located at Ronnie's Café (4323 W Cactus Rd). This is a great way to meet other active community members and get involved in your neighborhood!

 

 

 

 


News From Deer Valley Unified School District

Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board Candidate Forum

FLYER_DVUSD Governing Board Candidate Forum22.jpgThe 2022 Governing Board Candidate Forum will take place on October 4th at the DVUSD Governing Board Room at 20402 N. 15th Avenue. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a candidate “meet and greet” reception. 

The Board Candidate Forum can be viewed live or at a later date at: https://livestream.com/dvusd.

Parents, students, staff, and community members submitted suggested questions for the Governing Board candidates. Forum sponsors reviewed the submitted questions and determined the final list of questions that will be asked during the forum.

 


 

News From Washington Elementary School District

SUPER Kids ad SUPER Staff Surprise Visits Begin for the 2022-2023 School Year

WESD Sept. 2022 SUPER Kids & Staff Collage.pngThe WESD was proud to start its SUPER Kids and SUPER Staff programs for the new school year! The programs honor selected students and staff from all WESD schools for their accomplishments and commitment to education. Each month this school year, WESD Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton will visit schools from around the District to help congratulate these students and staff members for their successes and to thank them for all they do. Most recently, Dr. Stanton surprised the September 2022 SUPER Kids and SUPER Staff awardees from Chaparral Elementary School, Sweetwater School and Tumbleweed Elementary School!

To view photos and learn about the September 2022 SUPER Kids, click here. For SUPER Staff, click here.

 

 

WESD Governing Board Recognizes Students for Perfect scores on English and Math Assessments

WESD_Yannis Wee_ALT_PerfectScoreStudent_2022.JPGThe WESD Governing Board recognized students for their impressive academic achievements at the recent September 22 meeting. For the second year in a row, Abraham Lincoln Traditional School student Yannis Wee was honored for receiving a perfect score on both the English Language Arts and Math portions of the 2022 Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA)! The Board also recognized 46 students from across the District who earned perfect scores on either the English Language Arts or Math portions of the 2022 AASA! Congratulations to all the students from Abraham Lincoln Traditional School, Acacia Elementary School, Arroyo Elementary School, Cactus Wren Elementary School, Chaparral Elementary School, Cholla Middle School, Desert Foothills Middle School, Desert View Elementary School, Ironwood Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School, Royal Palm Middle School, Sahuaro Elementary School, Sunburst Elementary School, Sunnyslope Elementary School and Tumbleweed Elementary School.

To view photos and learn more about the perfect score students, click here.

 

 


News From Glendale Union High School District

Greenway High School Unveils New Turf Field

GW Turf Field.pngExcellence continues at Greenway High School as football players played their latest home game on their new turf field. GUHSD Governing Board Members Patty Kennedy and Laura Arita unveiled the new field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the game.

To learn more about Greenway news, visit @GreenwayHighSchoolAZ on Facebook.

 

 

 

Cortez High School Hosts Annual Senior Central Event

CHS Senior Central.pngExcellence continues at Cortez High School as seniors and their families attended the annual “Senior Central” event. This particular evening allowed seniors and their families to gain helpful information on their next steps to graduation in May and beyond. Also, this event marked the first of many guided "to-do's" for the senior class, making sure they are fully prepared for success. 

To learn more about Cortez news, visit @CortezHighSchoolAZ on Facebook.

 

 

GUHSD National Merit Semifinalists Announced

NATL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS.pngAcademic excellence continues as Glendale Union High School District is pleased to announce that the following students have been named Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit® Scholarship Program: Marcus Giorza, Jason Leff, Noah Monroe, Nicholas Pelino, and Abby Wolf.

The Governing Board acknowledged the 2023 National Merit Semifinalists during their regular meeting. All Semifinalists received recognition and a certificate of achievement from the GUHSD Governing Board. All those in attendance, including family, friends, and community members, were informed of the process to become a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These five students are considered to be in the top one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

To learn more about GUHSD news, visit @GUHSDAZ on Facebook.

 

 


 

Interested in serving on Phoenix's Boards and Commissions? 

Boards and Commissions.pngDistrict 1 is seeking community leaders interested in serving as the District's representative for various boards and commissions, such as the Village Planning Committee. 

To start the application process, please visit the Boards and Commissions webpage

 

 



Upcoming City Council Meetings

  • Next City Council Policy Meeting: October 18th
  • Next City Council Formal Meeting: October 12th

Councilwoman O'Brien has been appointed chairperson of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee, and is also a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee and the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee. Visit the Council Subcommittee webpage for the schedule of public meetings.  


Learn more about Councilwoman O'Brien, her priorities and focus for District 1 on the district's webpage.


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