If you arrive past 10 a.m. to Mesa’s Main Street and Sycamore light rail station, you will be hard pressed to find an open the space: the spacious lot will already be filled to the brim with cars.

Students, tourists and businessmen and women alike all utilize the crowded Mesa stop to get to their final destinations throughout the greater Phoenix area.

With ten cities comprising the Phoenix metropolitan area, the area’s commuter tailored busses and 20-mile light rail track have been put to extensive use by its inhabitants.

For Jentry Lanza, a sophomore at Arizona State University, the Valley Metro system provides a cheap, efficient way for her to commute from her parents’ home in Tempe.

“I feel like our transit system is a very convenient way to get you where you want to go, especially around ASU with the addition of the light rail,” said Lanza.

However, Lanza is just one of many individuals who were inconvenienced last month due to the six-day bus strike Phoenix wide bus strike by Veolia Transportation Services.

Bus drivers for Veolia went on strike March 10 after engaging in a labor dispute with the city.

According to Neal Young, Public Transit Director for Phoenix, only 14-30 percent of routes were being serviced three days into the strike.

The delays prompted a fierce backlash from individuals throughout the city, many of who were unable to go to work or school.

“The bus strike really inconvenienced me because a lot of the buses around ASU were running off schedule,” said Lanza. “I had to wait much longer to get to where I wanted to go or arrange other methods of transportation.”

Matthew Lobato, a student at Phoenix College, said his weekly commuting routine was also severely altered because of the strike.

“As a result of the strike I had to take a different route than my usual one and I had to walk certain places,” said Phoenix College student Matthew Lobato.

Mayor Greg Stanton urged Veolia workers and the city to work together in coming up with a solution to bring a swift resolution to the strike.

“At some point you need to put aside your short-term self-interest and look at the greater community interest,” said Stanton. “For so many of the riders of our transit system, they don’t have an alternative form of transportation.”

Stanton stressed his empathy with the riders affected by the strike, hearkening back to his own experiences with public transportation growing up in West Phoenix.

“My family could not have made it economically without a solid City of Phoenix bus system,” said Stanton. “To this mayor, a bus strike that affects the people of this city is something I take very, very personally.

Though the city has made great strides in regards to implementing and using public transportation over the last few years, the strike has had an indelible impact on several riders.

“I’ve learned that one of the negative things about commuting is that it takes longer to use public transportation and you can easily be inconvenienced by things such as this strike,” said Lanza.

By Heather Miles Austin

Chandler, Mesa and Apache Junction are very different East Valley communities, but each is committed to enhancing its downtown. Their progression and stages of development showcase the full evolution required to establish a thriving city core.

Apache Junction – First Steps Toward Success

In 2011, Apache Junction completed its first phase of a new “Main Street” concept featuring on-street parking, pedestrian sidewalks, major landscape enhancements and specialty lighting. Unlike East Valley neighbors, Apache Junction is not revitalizing a traditional downtown space. Instead, the city has developed plans to overhaul a six-lane highway into a pedestrian-friendly, community-gathering space.

“We’ve grown up very differently than other downtowns,” explains Janine Solley, business advocate for the city of Apache Junction. “However, 2011 momentum will allow us to continue meeting redevelopment goals to promote private investment, job growth and business opportunities.”

2011 successes include:

•  Mountain Health & Wellness Grand Opening

This multi-million-dollar, 35,000-square-foot facility provides primary health care, behavioral health care and wellness services for adults and children. The integrated health care facility also showcases the new downtown vision in its exterior landscaping and signage.

• Central Arizona College (CAC) Expansion

CAC’s expansion of its Superstition Mountain Campus will bring additional classroom space and education amenities to the downtown community. CAC road improvements and traffic signal additions also complement downtown infrastructure plans.

•  Arizona Expansion of Shopper’s Supply

Iowa-based Shoppers Supply selected downtown Apache Junction as its first Arizona retail location. The family-owned retailer customizes inventory and services to residents’ individual needs.

Additional 2011 road, drainage, signage and infrastructure projects have been completed under-budget, allowing the city to stretch dollars even further to meet ongoing downtown development goals.

Creative Revival on Mesa’s Main Street

Inspired by the Mesa Arts Center and the nostalgic charm of historic storefronts, Mesa’s downtown creative scene has been successfully evolving the past few years.

“The creative economy in downtown Mesa has recently blossomed with the addition of new galleries, development of hacker space as well as festivals and events featuring downtown’s creative spirit,” explains William J. Jabjiniak, economic development director for the city of Mesa.

A sampling of thriving Main Street creatives include:

• FOUND

In 1999, Kristin and Dan Alber launched Domestic Bliss – a distinctively unpretentious boutique on Main Street. Its popularity grew and the business branched out over time. The Alber’s evolution continues with the recent creation of FOUND – antique and vintage home furnishings with a funky modern flair. Through FOUND, the Albers offer full design and styling services for interior designers and clients. FOUND’s eclectic mix of bedding, lighting, furniture and décor is available Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only, and to the public at ongoing special events. Further demonstrating their commitment to downtown Mesa, the Albers, along with The Berge Group, renovated the C.M. Berge building in 2004.

• The Guitar Collector and M-Troniks:

When Arizona native Jeff Naylor bought M-Troniks five years ago, he launched The Guitar Collector in the front half of the building. Mesa’s thriving Indie music scene already saw M-Troniks as the place to repair and customize equipment, but this addition created a new haven for local musicians. The Guitar Collector buys, sells and trades rare Gibson, Fender and Gretsch guitars ranging from $500 to $50,000. Naylor’s shop now houses the largest collection of vintage guitars in the Southwest. These beauties line the walls, waiting for the right owner to take them home. The good news, Naylor welcomes test-drives at his laid-back downtown gem.

• Alison Tyler Jones Photography:

Regionally recognized commercial and portrait photographer, Allison Tyler Jones also shares her talents with locals wishing to capture relationships in a modern, unconventional light. Jones was influenced to move downtown by her sister Caroline, whose upstairs high-end design firm DeCesare Design Group specializes in both luxury residential and hospitality projects. Caroline and Allison are fifth-generation Mesa natives whose great grandfather patrolled their building decades ago – as one of Mesa’s first deputies.

“There is such a sense of history in downtown Mesa,” explains Jones. “Caroline and I were drawn to the architecture and charm of this building and have seen it inspire others as well. We often have random visitors stop in for a breath of creative inspiration on their lunch break or afternoon stroll.”

Additional tenants like the SunDust Gallery, HeatSync Labs, 12WestMain, Gotham City Comics, Muralts Custom Jewelers and others each fill a distinct creative niche, but all maintain Mesa’s rich history and fuel its inspired future.

Downtown Chandler – The Complete Scene

From eclectic vendors and great local musicians at popular community events – to laid-back dining and shopping – downtown Chandler has successfully transformed itself into a model of economic revitalization.

“The vibe we are trying to create is a unique, quirky, walkable area where there is lots to explore,” explains Teri Killgore, downtown redevelopment manager for the city of Chandler. “We want anyone who enjoys good food, independent shops and fun events to feel welcome.”

Chandler continues to grow, recently adding nearly a dozen new merchants and restaurants to the downtown scene including:

• DC Steakhouse

Chandler residents Dean and Lori Laplant opened the rustic, yet inviting steakhouse in 2010 after eyeing the downtown location for five years. In addition to offering perfectly seasoned steaks, seafood, chops, wine and more, DC Steakhouse pays homage to Chandler’s historic past with artistic murals throughout its interior walls.

• Paletas Betty

Already a hit with locals and professional food critics, Paletas Betty hand makes every Mexican ice and cream pop from scratch – using only fresh fruit, ingredients and spices. Accordingly, flavors change with the season, but always include ingenious creations like limón (tangy key lime pie with fresh-baked graham cracker ‘crust’), cereza (brandied cherries in a creamy almond blend) and platano (bananas foster with homemade caramel and añejo rum).

• Simply Klassic Interiors

Specializing in commercial and residential interior design, Simply Klassic Interiors offers something for everyone. Retail shoppers can stop in to find unique home décor, furniture and art, or order directly from vendors through the Simply Klassic Interiors’ Design Center. Industry colleagues may even bring in their own clients to the design center to touch, feel and order different textiles and finishes. Owners regularly offer discounts and seasonal promotions, as well as extending hours for weekend and evening events downtown.

“The location provides great traffic, especially now that the weather is nice,” explains Kimber Hicken, co-owner of Simply Klassic Interiors. “With all the great restaurants and community events downtown – we regularly have customers wander in, excited to see our retail furniture and décor – and then learn about design services.”

Other new business includes Vintage 95 Wine Bar, Coach and Willie’s, Sibley’s West Gifts, One Wing Boutique, Vintage Bunny Gifts, and The Pampered Pinkie.

What’s next for downtown Chandler? Expect to hear major tenant announcements including a new partnership with the University of Arizona (UofA), the beginning of construction on a new mixed-use space, new life for the historic San Marcos Resort and expanded community events.

The Next Chapter

Downtown educational partnerships will also play a prominent role in each city’s future. Benedictine College’s recent site selection of downtown Mesa, CAC’s Apache Junction expansion and Chandler’s announcement with the UofA should each create tremendous new opportunities. Despite their differences, each city’s downtown evolution can remain on track with continued collaboration between civic, community and business leaders in 2012 and beyond.

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It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy Broadway, reggae, comedy or ballet—you don’t have to leave the East Valley to experience the fine arts. The performing arts centers in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Queen Creek, Higley and Apache Junction offer shows by both local and national performers, art exhibits, classes and festivals. And, while the actors may “break a leg” during the course of an evening, you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg to appreciate their talent.

Mesa Arts Center

The Mesa Arts Center (MAC) is the largest performing arts center in Arizona, boasting four theaters, a contemporary arts museum, and 14 visual and performing arts studios where students, residents and non-residents alike, can learn ceramics, jewelry making, drawing, photography, dance, theater, and more. It also features some of the state’s premier performing arts groups, including Ballet Etudes, East Valley Children’s Theatre, Mesa Encore Theatre, and Southwest Shakespeare Company, in addition to celebrities like Bill Cosby (March 30) and musicians like Yo-Yo Ma (April 22).

But, the MAC is just as well known for its free events and festivals. From noon to 9 p.m. March 9-18, the MAC hosts its inaugural Festival of Creativity. Guests can hear live musical performances, watch artists at work and, for a $5 fee, tour the giant inflatable sculpture Mirazozo. Free music, art and entertainment highlight the Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) with upcoming dates March 10, March 17 and April 7. And, on the first Sunday of each month, families can visit the Mesa Contemporary Arts, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth for free as part of the Target-sponsored 3 for Free event.

Tempe Center for the Arts

The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is as much about art as it is about performances. Its gallery displays works by both locally- and internationally-recognized artists, and the small display to the left of the main entrance features works by local high school students. There’s even a sculpture garden, and from the third floor observation deck, you can look out over Tempe Town Lake.

Of course, there’s more to the TCA than art and great views. Nine performing arts groups, including Childsplay and the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, share the TCA’s two theaters. Upcoming events include comedy group Bully Mammoth (March 17), Brazilian pianist and singer Eliane Elias (March 24), and Childsplay’s Tomás and the Library Lady (April 7-15).

Chandler Performing Arts Center

When the recently refurbished Chandler Performing Arts Center opened in August 1989, it became one of the nation’s first joint ventures between a city and a school district. The center, which is located on the Chandler High School campus, hosts nationally-recognized entertainers like Debbie Reynolds, Wayne Newton and Chaka Khan, as well as Ballet Etudes, special events and high school performances.

It also reaches out to children in the community through its summer camps, Glee camps and art workshops. Once a year, the center’s gallery displays the high school’s artwork and photographs.

This spring, the center will host The Awesome ‘80s Prom (March 19-24), Joan Rivers (March 30), the Chandler Symphony Orchestra (April 18) and Ballet Etudes’ performance of Cinderella (May 18-20).

Queen Creek Performing Arts Center

Part of the Queen Creek High School campus, the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center (QCPAC) offers a mix of touring theatrical and community productions, plus a special event series that in the past has featured country performers like Vince Gill and Little Big Town. In the upcoming months, the community theater will present Pride and Prejudice (April 20-23) and Oliver (June 22-25). Spring break camp is March 12-16 and March 19-23.

Higley Performing Arts Center

The Higley Performing Arts Center, located on the Higley High School campus, brings theatrical and musical productions to the Gilbert community. At times, the 1,220-seat theater serves as a venue for the Chandler Performing Arts Center’s offerings, but is also home of the Copperstate Repertory Co., which will stage Seussical this spring (March 23-31). In addition to theatrical works, the repertory company offers musical theater camps in October, March and June, coinciding with the school’s breaks.

Apache Junction Performing Arts Center

Although used primarily by the school district—it is part of the local high school, after all—the Apache Junction Performing Arts Center does provide some community programming. On Monday evenings through March, the Arizona Lecture Series concludes with Explorations, Disappearances & Murder in Canyon Country (March 12), Desert Drugstore (March 19) and Goldfield’s History in the Superstition Mountains (March 26).

Locations

Mesa Performing Arts Center
One East Main St., Mesa
www.mesaartscenter.com
480-644-6500

Tempe Performing Arts Center
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
www.tempe.gov/tca
480-350-2829

Chandler Performing Arts Center
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
www.chandlercenter.org
480-782-2680

Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
22149 E. Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek
www.qcpac.com
480-987-7469

Higley Performing Arts Center
4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert
www.higleyarts.org
480-279-7190

Apache Junction Performing Arts Center
2525 S. Ironwood Road, Apache Junction
www.ajusd.org
480-982-1110

Other Venues

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center
www.cgc.maricopa.edu
480-732-7000

Stray Cat Theatre
www.straycattheatre.org
480-634-6435

Hale Centre Theatre
www.haletheatrearizona.com
480-497-1181

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
www.broadwaypalmwest.com
480-325-6700

From the outside décor, it is hard to know what to expect once inside Breadsmith Artisan Bread Bakery. However, once inside you are met with the warm, savory aroma of freshly baked bread. A cursory glance around to the bread lined walls and array of olive oils for dipping quickly alerts the customer to the fact that this is a store specializing in the baked product in its name.

For the casual bread eater like myself, the extensive list of loaves including Cranberry Orange, Russian Rye and Icelandic Brown can appear overwhelming at first. However, kind and informative assistance from the young ladies at the counter will soon steer you in the right direction; for me, that direction was towards the French Peasant loaf.

With a wide array of tastes and textures, all of the breads at Breadsmith are made without additives, preservatives or dough conditioners of any kind. Additionally, each loaf is made by hand daily. The addition of grains, fruits, nuts, herbs or spices into the breads ensures there is a taste to satisfy everyone’s palette.

For those in the mood for something other than bread, Breadsmith also offers a variety of sweets in its menu, with dessert breads, muffins and cookies whose flavors run the gamut from apple, cranberry and zucchini walnut.

Breadsmith prides itself on being community-based and donates day-old bread to shelters and soup kitchens. The community presence can genuinely be felt, as during one ten-minute visit you will see several regulars dart in and out, grabbing their favorite loaves in the process.

The European-style artisan breads truly taste as if a master baker had personally prepared your loaf. With the slogan, “Bread the way it was meant to be,” Breadsmith is truly a cut above the company when it comes to a healthy and satiating locale for your weekly bread stop.

Breadsmith Artisan Bread Bakery
Address: 2831 N. Power Road • Mesa, AZ 85215
Hours: Tue-Fri: 7am-6pm, Sat: 7am-5pm, Sun: 8am-4pm, Mon: Closed
Phone: 480-981-7600
Website: http://www.breadsmith.com/

Our staff initially ventured out to Willy’s on a Wednesday – notable for being the only day each week that they serve homemade pierogi, an Eastern European dish that is a Pittsburgh tradition. Ravioli-like dumplings are filled with potato and cheese and smothered in butter. Pittsburgh loves its pierogi so much, there are grown men in pierogi costumes who run around Pirates games after the fifth inning of every game. And Willy’s loves Pittsburgh so much, he brought the best of it to the East Valley. The restaurant is teeming with Pittsburgh paraphernalia – from sports banners, action figures, and signed sports souvenirs. Our tablecloth listed famed Pittsburgh residents – did you know Andy Warhol was from Pittsburgh? We didn’t either.

Although pierogi was our main mission, our visit fell on an unusual Wednesday when no pierogi were to be found due to back-to-back special events off-site that kept the Willy’s team too busy for the time-consuming task of cranking out pierogi by the hundreds. At one of these recent events, they were crowned “Valley’s Best Hot Dog” by country radio station KMLE 108 FM. So all four of us opted for the award-winning “Pittsburgher” – a delicious all meat dog on a soft, fluffy bun smothered in ham that had been sauteed in butter and topped with freshly grated cheddar cheese. It was easily the best hot dog I’ve ever eaten in my life. Forget the hot dogs you ate when you were a kid, or the lifeless tubes of meat that you may have partaken of at a ball game – this is the real deal.

The rest of the menu ranges from the basic (The Big Willy) to the gourmet (The Red White & Bleu) and there’s also sandwiches, if you don’t feel like a dog. A variety of soft drinks are available in bottles and cans and there is also a pretty extensive dessert menu. Follow Pittsburgh Willy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pittsburghwillys for up-to-the minute information on menu changes and specials.

For great, local food in a spot that’s perfect for grabbing a quick lunch, Pittsburgh Willy’s can’t be beat. It’s an East Valley gem that is deservedly getting more and more popular through word of mouth – get there before noon to avoid the big lunch crowds.

Address:
1509 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler

Hours:
M, T, TH, F: 11 am to 3 pm
W: 11 am to 7 pm
Sat & Sun: 11 am to 4 pm

Phone:
480-857-2860

Website:
www.pittsburghwillys.com

When the city of Chandler opened its Innovations Incubator in 2010, it had almost everything it needed to cultivate high-wage, technology-related businesses: state-of-the-art facilities with wet and dry labs; access to academic institutions, venture funds and an educated workforce; and a 40,000-square-foot former Intel building equipped with all the amenities.

What was missing, however, was an educational component to further enhance chances for success for these fledgling companies. In 2011 the city applied for and received a $70,000 grant from Chandler’s Industrial Development Authority. A partnership was forged with the Maricopa Community Colleges Small Business Development Center (SBDC) — known for its business education programs and free one-on-one counseling — and in the fall of 2011 the TechEDge program was born.

“This is one of the best partnerships we have undertaken,” said Christine Mackay, director of economic development for the city of Chandler. “With the Incubator in its infancy, it’s critical to bring professional expertise in as quickly as possible to assist in companies developing a successful path.”

The 10-week course includes 10 key topics, from discerning whether your product is ready for commercialization (“TechStart”) to refining your business model (“TechLaunch”), forming strategic partnerships (“TechPeers”), and capital formation strategies (“TechFund”).

What makes the format unique, according to SBDC Director Mark Engle, is not only the level of expertise of the subject matter experts brought in each week, but the participants’ level of interaction with these experts and each other. In addition, anyone participating in the class is assigned to an SBDC counselor for free, one-on-one counseling.

Companies do not have to be an Innovations-based company to participate in the program, which had a nominal $120 charge to cover the cost of course material and exclusive web content. But some of the most enthusiastic graduates of the inaugural fall 2011 class, which consisted of 12 companies from pre-venture to a firm with 25 employees, said they benefited from the synergy.

“It was a great way to explore the process of raising capital and figuring out how to position the company,” said Chuck Moxley, CEO and president of Ideaology Partners, a 2 1/2-year-old company that uses technology to help schools and athletic groups do more effective fundraising. As a result of his participation, Moxley was one of six companies selected to present to the Arizona Technology Investor Forum (ATIF).

“They got you in front of lot of information — it was pretty intensive,” he added.

For Dr. Mary Meadows, founder and CEO of H2 Pure Power, also an Innovations resident, the experience had major ramifications for her company, which manufactures hydrogen-on-demand systems for vehicles. She enthusiastically described the breadth of the program provided; noting that it far exceeded her expectations.

“I learned that the founder of the company is rarely suited to remain in the CEO position as the company grows,” she said. “I had heard that before, but it had never been explained in such depth.

“As a result, I decided to step down as CEO and become the director of marketing,” Meadows said. “It’s a big thing to turn over your company, but now I understand why. They helped me go through the process of letting go.”

Marni Patterson, the TechEDge coordinator, agreed that the strength of the program lies with the comprehensive curriculum, which was developed in partnership with Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and the presenters’ expertise, many of whom are known nationally.

“In my experience, the technology business owner focuses on the intricate details of the products, not what it takes to run a business — the operations, the marketing, and how to make money,” Patterson said. “This is a healthy approach to what it takes to run a company.”

The program was so successful that not only has Chandler scheduled its next class for the spring, but other cities are hoping to start TechEDge programs as well. Patterson will be helping to bring the program statewide, while Sanjay Dhole, the resident SBDC counselor at Innovations, will be taking over the Chandler program.

Dhole said that, in his experience, one of the most important aspects of growing a technology business is the process of commercializing the technology — a subject area in which TechEDge is particularly rich. And growing healthy, vibrant businesses and expanding the employment bases are touchstones for both the SBDC and the cities it serves.

“This is a great win-win,” Engle said. “Whether we’re talking about the city of Chandler’s economic development, the SBDC, or other partners, we’re all on the same page. We’re trying to create new jobs and create sustainability in our local economy.”

By Donna Larson

It’s clear why Fort Lauderdale, on the south eastern coast of Florida, is known for beautiful white sandy beaches. Along the 23-mile ocean front stretch are eight sparkling beaches that have an identity and attraction all their own. Strolling along the beach front, beach goers feel the warmth of fine white sand sifting through their toes, and the crispness of clean air that rejuvenates the entire body.

The beauty of the beaches isn’t a mirage. This is the 10th consecutive year Fort Lauderdale beaches have been certified as clean, safe, user-friendly Blue Wave Beaches by the Clean Beaches Council in Washington, D.C.

Hillsboro Beach is known as Greater Fort Lauderdale’s quiet escape. It is also one of the most popular beaches for nature lovers. January through April is the best time to spot ancient mariners, the returning native sea turtles. Keep an eye out at night along the beach, but no bright lights please; a stroll may be interrupted by a female turtle coming ashore to nest, or hatchlings struggling towards the ocean. Along Florida’s east coast is the largest nesting area in the western hemisphere for Loggerhead sea turtles. From March to October turtles return to their home beaches. During the evenings, female turtles come ashore and lay approximately 100 eggs each, cover them with sand and abandon the nest, returning to the ocean never to see the hatchlings.

While human visitors tread carefully to avoid damaging nests at Hillsboro, some nests on more developed beaches will be relocated to areas with fewer bright lights, streets and highway traffic. Florida passionately protects its ancient mariners, making it illegal to touch or disturb nests.

A little further south along the Greater Fort Lauderdale shore is Pompano Beach, which is named after the saltwater fish found only in these waters. A bend in the Gulf Stream at this location creates some of the clearest and warmest waters in south Florida. For snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, the beach at Lauderdale By the Sea is the only location in Florida that has a living coral reef within 100 yards of its shoreline; so close that visitors can simply swim out to see the underwater habitat of spiny lobster, rust-colored barrel sponges, grouper, sea fans, protected corals, and a variety of colorful tropical fish. Considered to be the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem, reefs are less than a quarter of 1 percent of marine environment, but home to more than 25 percent of all fish species. That’s what makes exploring them a breath-taking wonder. For those that lack the skill or desire to be in the ocean, this amazing ecosystem can still be experienced with a ride to the reefs in a glass bottom boat.

After enjoying white sandy beaches and warm blue water, tee up for championship golf at one of Fort Lauderdale’s year-round courses. With magnificent settings and sunny skies championship level or beginner, golfers will be playing like a pro on one of over 40 courses. To check out the courses and catch some local specials, visit www.golfthegoldcoast.com.

Escape into another world by visiting the environment only found in Florida. A short distance from the beaches, visitors can venture into a rare primeval preserve, the Everglades. Most of the southern third of Florida’s peninsula is a sensitive wilderness land protected by the government. It is North America’s only sub-tropical wilderness area and one of the largest wetlands in the world. Explorers can spend a few hours or days marveling at the variety and rarity of the glade’s inhabitants in this ancient cypress swamp. Traveling through the Everglades’ four distinct ecosystems gives an appreciation of this rare habitat.

Pete Corradino, wildlife biologist and guide at Everglades Day Safari, takes adventurous visitors on tours of the unusual and exotic wetlands. “Understanding the Everglades ecosystem and the interconnectedness of all living things is essential in not only protecting the Everglades itself, but it helps us understand how we value our natural resources wherever we may come from.”

Since the 1800s, people in Florida have altered the land around the Everglades to create farm land and buildings. But Corradino and many other biologists are working to reverse these effects.

“It has only been since the last few decades that some have realized the errors of our ways and there has been a concerted effort to protect what remains and restore what can be reclaimed as natural Everglades habitat,” he says.

Tour companies like Everglades Day Safari offer visitors a way to experience the unique environment. Catch a ride on an airboat and skim above the water in search of alligators hiding in the River of Grass where birders will be excited with the variety of species and may spot the rare endangered snail kite. Big Cypress, a 780,000 acre National Preserve, boasts a different environment. Freshwater made up of saw grass prairies and open savannah is home to alligators, turtles, dozens of bird species, white tail deer, and black bear. The endangered Florida panther prowls these lands. The Mangrove Forest, second largest in the world, is another unique ecosystem. On a recent trip through the Mangrove, Corradino’s tour group spotted a West Indian manatee and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. This forest offers another opportunity for birders to see nesting osprey and bald eagles.

From soaking up the sun on white sandy beaches to venturing into a primeval preserve, young and old will find the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation while visiting Fort Lauderdale.

By Michelle Streeter

More than 50 years ago, a handful of public-spirited citizens created an organization to bring Major League baseball to Mesa in the spring of each year to train and prepare for the upcoming season. They called themselves the HoHoKams.

Those founders came from many professions including banking, the legal profession, ranching, journalism and retail business. They all gave their professional talents to create Spring Training in Mesa, and to support youth sports in the Mesa area, just like they do today.

It was the beloved Chicago Cubs that made Mesa a true Spring Training town with their arrival in 1952. Through the years, Cubs’ fans continue to be a phenomenon. For nearly three decades they have led the Cactus League in attendance and continue to break their home attendance record year over year. Because of this outstanding support, dozens of Mesa and East Valley youth charities have received many thousands of dollars annually.

In 2011, the HoHoKam Foundation provided nearly $200,000 in grants to dozens of youth sports organizations throughout Mesa including the East Valley YMCA and Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley. They also support numerous junior-high and high-school athletic programs throughout Mesa through much-needed funds and volunteer service. Monies raised by the HoHoKams and Spring Training are also dedicated for annual stadium improvements.

Generations of HoHoKams have donned the iconic red shirt and displayed the treasured bolo tie with honor and pride. Today, the HoHoKams are comprised of nearly 200 community leaders who volunteer their time, just like their founders, to ensure your Spring Training experience in Mesa is enjoyable. By any measure the HoHoKams are an exceptionally successful volunteer organization. Each member knows what job needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how to do it. Each member is there from love of the organization, love of Mesa, love of baseball, and love of the Cubs. For more information, visit www.MesaHohokams.com.

Listening to the land and understanding a regional context for a major new community can be a daunting task. The vision and the legacy of a new large-scale community will impact a region for decades into the future. The scope and complexity of such an effort demands careful study, thoughtful conversations and long-view thinking. For the planning and development teams at DMB Associates, this exercise began many years ago when the company’s leadership were contemplating opportunities in an area they envisioned as a future major regional core for the Valley.

The area is Gateway, an area boasting a unique alignment of amenities that create a synergy unrivaled in the region: completed infrastructure, an expanding airport at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, high quality education and health care. Visionary groups like East Valley Partnership, the Brookings Institute and ASU’s Morrison Institute studied this area and also identified Gateway as a key growth opportunity for the East Valley.

Situated the heart of the Gateway area, General Motors held nearly 4,000 acres of land to test its cars and motorcycles of the future. For more than 50 years, the General Motors Proving Grounds operations made its mark on the East Valley, employing thousands of inspired engineers and imprinting its legacy on the area. As GM made plans to move its operations to Yuma, the possibilities of this site became one of the most exciting opportunities in the entire Valley.

With the purchase of 3,200 acres of the Proving Grounds by DMB Associates, the planning team embarked on a new adventure to contextualize all of the growth that had occurred over the past few years and crystallize the area’s future as a place called Eastmark.

Trevor Barger, the principal of Espiritu Loci, worked for more than a decade on the planning team for DC Ranch, DMB’s first major masterplanned community and has been a part of the Eastmark team from the first days. This new project presented unique opportunities for the planning team.

“Growing up in the East Valley, the GM Proving Grounds was a mysterious place,” Barger said. “There was a sense of pride, around the work being done there. We wanted to build on that legacy by creating a community that would be a catalyst for the area.”

Six years ago, Barger and the Eastmark planning team were charged with becoming futurists. “Our early discussions often included words like nurture and incubator, referring to both families and businesses. Silicon Valley grew from the well-educated children who played with electronics. Ideas grew into an industry, and the industry attracted like-minded people to the region. In the same way, we wanted to make sure we start with a good foundation for community – a framework that encourages growth, evolution, sharing and the exchange of ideas.”

DMB’s communities around the Valley are developed to reflect the local communities’ interests and environments. This “placemaking” signals to residents and visitors that they are in a place with intentional connections and thoughtful design, which sets it apart through how all of the community elements come together.

To create this unifying vision, DMB’s team worked with the city of Mesa to develop a new model for long-term planning for Eastmark. Utilizing a form-based code, where uses can be integrated and are flexible so each use develops in the appropriate place, the plans for this community reflect the long-term opportunity of Eastmark. This development plan has already earned awards for the city of Mesa and DMB Associates from the Arizona Planning Association for its unique vision, forward thinking and detail.

“The development plan, using form based code, will ensure that Eastmark will develop well over time, and remain timeless,” said Dea McDonald, DMB’s senior vice president and general manager for Eastmark.

“As the East Valley originally inspired a century of agriculture that supported the small towns I grew up in, Eastmark should inspire a region that will be internationally known for its support and innovations in health care, education, aerospace and technology. What an exciting start to the second 100 years of Arizona history,” Barger said.

For 25 years, plants have flourished in Tempe Councilwoman Onnie Shekerjian’s backyard. It was there that the idea blossomed to create a garden that the community could enjoy, a place for people to come together, grow fresh fruits and vegetables, and get to know one another.

“In the Phoenix-Metro area, we build walls around our yards that separate us from each other,” Shekerjian says. “Working in a garden lets you get to know your neighbors.”

Community gardens are sprouting up all over the country, and the East Valley is no exception. These popular areas are used in a variety of ways, from donating food to homeless shelters, to giving back to low-income school children.

In Tempe, Councilwoman Shekerjian was a big supporter of giving these gardens roots in the city. The community garden at Escalante Park is a city partnership with a non-profit organization that welcomes community members of all stripes to get their hands dirty and grow some organic produce. So far, Shekerjian says, it has been quite a success.

Other community gardens in Tempe include Friends in Gasca Gardens, or FIGG, a garden at Warner and Kyrene roads thriving on neighborhood land donated by a community member, and Harvest for Humanity at Guadalupe and Rural roads, a non-profit organization that gives its produce to local food banks and those in need. Harvest for Humanity is also collaborating with the city of Chandler to create a community garden in downtown Chandler on one of the unoccupied city-owned lots.

The city of Mesa is gearing up for its own community garden as well. The city has recently introduced its Mesa initiative to build a community garden in the downtown area. They have reached out to the Mesa community to create a plan for the future garden.

“We want to bring vibrancy to the area,” says Donna DiFrancesco, conservation specialist at the city of Mesa. “We want to see community connections and diversity in the garden.”

The goal of the project is to connect people and the benefits of gardening. Right now, there are a few community gardens in Mesa where the community benefits are reaped. From work programs and juvenile probation, to homeless shelters and educational institutions, the cooperation and product that is coming out of the local gardens has a large impact on the surrounding area.

The city is asking for ideas for funding sources, location, and partnership proposals to begin building the garden. The garden will hopefully be open to the public in the fall.

The idea of community gardening isn’t unique to city areas, but colleges and universities are growing their own plants and produce with the help of student and faculty support.

Arizona State University boasts gardens on both its Tempe and Polytechnic campuses, and Mesa Community College grows produce on a large lot as well. At the ASU Polytechnic campus in east Mesa, over 100 people have been involved in the project, and contributions from Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s plant science classes, ASU’s plant and agriculture science classes, key leadership at ASU, and community members have allowed the garden to flourish.

“Having interactive gardens at ASU are valuable for nutritious food, amicable gathering spaces, and offer us a venue for knowledge exchange,” says Jehnifer Niklas, program coordinator for the ASU Sustainability Practices office.

The campus dining partner works to incorporate the produce grown on campus gardens into dining programs, including orange flavored salad dressing and date bars. The Phoenix Zoo has also received some of the citrus grown at the ASU community gardens to help supplement the animals’ diets.

“I like to tell students that learning to grow organic food is a skill they might actually want to use post-graduation someday when they settle into their future communities,” Niklas says.

Organic gardening is not a new fad, but it has become more popular in recent years. As concerns about processed food continue to increase, growing organic produce in backyards and gardens has become a popular alternative.

Communities across the nation are also looking for ways to reduce waste and cut costs. It just so happens community gardens can help with both.

In Tempe, the green waste composting program hopes to save the city $300,000 when established citywide. The pilot program now encompasses four to six neighborhoods, where waste is collected and taken to Singh Farms in Scottsdale to compost. The compost is then brought back to the community to use in parks, including Escalante’s community garden.

The city of Tempe is gearing up for another introduction to the community garden family. As part of the clean up of the Mill on Mill Avenue and Fifth Street, the city has partnered with Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability to create the garden. It will be used for gardening practice and help sustainability students better understand agriculture in urban areas.

“This area is such a big part of our past, but also a part of our present and future,” Shekerjian says. “And down the road, it will be a great backdrop for a farmers market.”

As community gardening becomes more widespread, the hope is that more people will be involved. Not only do gardens provide fresh, organic produce, but they are an outlet for neighbors to get to know one another in a cooperative, positive environment.