Five Tempe residents were showcased as community leaders in efforts to improve our city through a series of short videos. Mayor Hallman gave nods to Walt Richardson for his longtime efforts working toward the resurgence of music in Tempe, Raillife.com's Nick Bastian for his promotion of real estate around the light rail line, Christina Cenzano and the Dave's Electric Brewpub team to highlight the experiences of new business owners, Pastor Sang Hoon Yoo for his role with For Our City, a group of faith leaders helping in the community and Lisa Roach, for her work on a neighborhood committee to renovate her local park.

The speech, given at The Buttes Resort, and videos are available online at www.tempe.gov/elected/hallman.htm -- click on Additional Links, State of the City 2009.

Mayor Hallman also called out www.tempe.gov/shoptempe as a resource for businesses to sign up for exposure through the city. Tempe-based businesses may provide a synopsis of their business and contact information for this website. Shoppers may use this directory as a means to find local shops near them. Also online will be a series of gift-giving ideas. The first list, Help Your Neighbor, focuses on Mom and Pop shops that people love. New lists will be added monthly. 

In his Tempe State of the City Address Mayor Hallman said, "It is by better networking, and further reducing your costs of doing business in Tempe that we hope to help you and your businesses flourish in Tempe. We all must help one another succeed. Just as Tempe cannot succeed unless its surrounding communities do, most of us will not succeed independently; we must all work together to improve the business climate in Tempe, in Arizona, in this nation and across the globe."

The Shop Tempe initiative is a step in that direction.

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"The Crime Prevention Unit is no longer housed at 10 W Guadalupe Rd. The unit has de-centralized, meaning that we are located at 2 different stations. Mike Fleming and Cyndi Calender are located at the Apache Substation, 1855 E Apache Blvd. Julie Williams, Dan Brown, Brandon Eaden, and Andrew Rodriguez are located at the Hardy Substation, 8201 S Hardy Dr. The phone numbers are still the same and the Crime Prevention Officers/Specialists are still responsible for their same areas and expertise. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call and I'll be happy to direct you to the appropriate person.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Julie Williams
Tempe Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
480-858-6333 Office
480-858-6339 Fax"

The city of Tempe Transportation Program, Tempe in Motion, received an award Oct. 27 from the Clean Air Campaign for its comprehensive bicycle program . The Clean Air Awards recognize the best clean air and alternative transportation programs in Maricopa County. 

The city received the award for implementing an outstanding bicycle program by encouraging commuters to use bicycles as an alternative mode through improved facilities, educational programs and events. Annual bicycle events include the Tour de Tempe community bike ride, Bike to Work and School Day and the Bike-a-Palooza.

Tempe recently opened Bicycle Cellar, the first facility of its kind in Arizona to offer secure bicycle parking and related services to make cyclists’ lives easier. Services include repairs, equipment and accessory sales, bicycle advice and education, bicycle rentals and restrooms and changing rooms. Bicycle Cellar offers various membership plans, and members have access to the facility from 4 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

A city of Tempe employee, Oddvar Tveit, received the outstanding bicyclists commuter award from the Clean Air Campaign. Oddvar has ridden his bicycle to work everyday since June 2003 racking up more than 27,000 miles on his bike.  His dedication is paramount as he has made commuting by bicycle a staple of his life.

Tempe has approximately 170 miles of dedicated bikeways, including on-street bike lanes and off-street multi-use paths and is designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

For information, call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim.

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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.

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.

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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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.

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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• Golf Advisory Committee: Three openings and one vacancy. This committee advises City Council and assists the City Manager in the establishment of policies, rules and regulations related to the planning, acquisition, disposition, operation, use, care and maintenance of golf facilities owned, leased or otherwise acquired by the City for use as municipal golf courses. The committee has nine members, with terms of three years. Members must be Tempe residents. Meetings are usually on the first Wednesday of every other month. Apply by Oct. 30.

• Joint Review Committee: Four openings, two for alternate members. This committee reviews and makes decisions and recommendations on development actions in lieu of the Board of Adjustment and Development Review Commissions for projects within the Mixed Use Educational Zoning District. The committee has seven regular members and five alternates. Members serve for three years. Apply by Oct. 30.

• Municipal Arts Commission: Three openings in January 2010. This commission advises the City Council, through the Community Services Department, in the development of a Municipal Arts Plan and assists and advises in the establishment of essential policies, rules and regulations relating to the presentation, acquisition, disposition, maintenance, use, care and promotion of public arts within the City. The commission also recommends methods of selecting and commissioning artists and for the selection and commissioning of artists for the placement of works of art on public sites approved by the City Council. There are 15 members, who must be Tempe residents, and serve three year terms. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month.

• Neighborhood Advisory Commission: Six openings in January 2010. This commission proposes and makes recommendations to the City Council and assists City departments on specific programs designed to build upon neighborhood strengths, as well as to prevent the decline of neighborhoods. The commission also reviews projects and concepts developed or proposed by the Neighborhood Program Office staff, the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, and citizens. There are 21 members, appointed proportionately to the geographic distribution of population by zip codes, subject to change as population shifts occur. Members must be residents of Tempe who have resided in Tempe for a minimum of one year. Terms are for three years.

• Parks and Recreation Board: Three openings and two vacancies. This board advises the City Council and assists the Parks and Recreation Department Manager in the establishment of essential policies, rules and regulations relating to the planning and operation of all areas and structures used as parks and preserves. The board also advises the City Council in the establishment of essential policies, rules and regulations relating to the acquisition, conservation and use of parks and preserves and assists in the development of a continuing plan for the City's park system and its recreation program. The board has nine members who must be Tempe residents. Members serve for three years. Meetings are usually on the third Wednesday of every month. Apply by Oct. 30.

• Plumbing Code Advisory Board of Appeals: Openings for a doctor or health official, a plumber or plumbing contractor, and a mechanical contractor. The board provides minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use, location and maintenance of all plumbing and mechanical systems in the city. Members serve a three-year term, and meet at least once every three months. Apply by Oct. 30.
• Police Citizens Review Board: Four openings in January 2010. This board reviews police complaints and use of force. The board has 15 members and three police department members. The members shall be selected from Tempe residents. Terms of service for citizen members shall be three years in length and citizen members may not serve more than two complete consecutive terms. The Chief of Police shall select three police department employees to serve as members of the Board.

• Rio Salado Advisory Commission: Six openings in January 2010. This commission advises the City Council on major matters pertaining to the Rio Salado, including proposed developments,  supports and assists in educating the public on Rio Salado activities and acts as advocate for the Rio Salado both in Tempe and throughout the Valley. The commission also reviews and provides input annually to the Tempe Rio Salado Master Plan, serves as a forum for discussions of ideas and opportunities to enhance the Rio Salado and solicits public input. The Rio Salado Advisory Commission has 13 members who serve a term of three years. Members must be Tempe residents. Meetings of the Rio Salado Advisory Board are usually on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

• Transportation Commission: Five openings in January 2010. This commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Council and assists City departments and the City Manager regarding a balanced transportation system within Tempe which incorporates all forms of transportation in a unified, interconnected manner and complements land use, as well as making a positive environmental impact through reduction of energy consumption, air pollution and congestion. The commission also promotes economic development and providing mobility for all persons, including the elderly and disabled. The commission has 15 members, who must Tempe residents. Members serve for three years, and usually meet on the second Tuesday of each month.

Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 31 E. Fifth St., and at www.tempe.gov/clerk. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 30.

Nikki Ripley
City of Tempe
Communication and Media Relations Director
480-350-8846 nikki_ripley@tempe.gov

Tempe Orbit bus Systems may lose routes

Tempe to host public meetings about Orbit and bus systems