May 2008 What's Happening

What’s Happening In The South Mountain/Laveen Village’s

by George A. Young

“Live with the 3 E’s; Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.”

The South Mountain Village Clean & Beautiful (SMVC&B) would like to hear from you if you would like to have us assist you in cleaning up your neighborhood or would like to join us in a clean up. Once again I ask you, “Have you picked yours today?” Trash that is. The South Mountain Village Planning Committee will be discussing a text amendment for the MUA designation and possible recommendation will be made at our April 8^th. 2008 meeting. Please plan to attend. For more information please contact our City of Phoenix Planner, Mrs. Chris Hood at 602-261-8727. To inquire about developments in the South Mountain/Laveen Village please call George at (602-243-3162). Well folks you know how I am always talking about my friend Alex Corona and the Corona Ranch and how great he is, well just to confirm what I have always known I received an e-mail from a resident of our Village and I will now share it with you.

I am writing as a native Arizonan and 17 year resident of the South Mountain Village. I have two teenage girls who attended Southwest Elementary School and are now at South Mountain High School in Magnet programs. I want to write with heart-felt thanks and acknowledge the kindness of another long time resident, The Corona Ranch. Specifically, Diana David the Catering Sales Manager. This is a short story about a mother (me) trying to find a location where her soon to be 16 year old daughter could have friends (30-50) to dine, dance, and have a great time celebrating the one and only “ Sweet Sixteen” birthday. The search for this location began in November of last year. I had called many of our local businesses and asked for quotes on the areas that they had available in February. There was only a small catch in this planning and preparation and that being my husband and I are one of thousands who live from paycheck to paycheck and do not have a huge amount of financial resources for such celebrations.

Corona Ranch was one of the last businesses I contacted, only because I knew in my heart that there was no way we could afford such a place, but low and behold, enters Diana David. I explained what I was looking for, and the amount I felt we could financially work with (this is the part where other business managers laughed and hung up) but Diana did not laugh but hit the floor running with estimates and food choices and took it from there. Only from the kindness of this woman and the business she represents was a party born.

My daughter’s very special birthday was a huge success with her and her friends; the food was fantastic, the service impeccable and the love in my daughter’s eyes unforgettable as she thanked us for such a huge surprise. Thank God for the “good people of South Mountain Village”. Cheryl Mercer

· The South Mountain Village Planning Committee will meet on May 13^th. 2008 at 6:30 PM at the South Mountain Park Environmental Educational Center, 10409 South Central Ave.

· The Target Area B Citizens Action Committee will meet on May 28^th. 2008 at 6:30 PM at the Travis L. Williams Family Services Center, 4732 South Central Avenue.

· The South Mountain Village Planning Committee Economic Sub-Committee will meet on June 2^nd.2008 at 6:30 PM at Travis L. Williams Family Services Center, 4732 South Central Avenue.

· The South Mountain/Laveen Village Festival Committee will meet on May 6^th. 2008 at 4 PM at 3540 E. Baseline Rd.

· South Mountain Village Clean & Beautiful Committee will meet on October 1^st. 2008 at 4 PM at the Heritage Neighborhood Resource building on 2405 East Broadway Road.

“Remember Folks; Take a 10 to 30 minute walk everyday and smile while you’re walking.”

More Than Just A Name

by Mitch Hammes

Breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in between is a great time to visit Manager Sherry Lowery and her staff at IHOP, located in the Fry’s/Target shopping center on the northwest corner of 24^th Street and Baseline Road. I’m guessing that IHOP restaurants can be found almost anywhere in America and that most of us have been to an IHOP at least once in our life. But this South Mountain Village location is anything but a faceless, corporate, national chain restaurant.

Almost everybody knows IHOP started out as International House of Pancakes, but you don’t know what you’ll be missing if you think IHOP is synonymous with pancakes. Just about anything you could want to eat is on the menu. And I should know. Over the last three years, I’ve been in Sherry’s restaurant more times than I can count. I’ve had excellent omelets, pancakes, French toast, waffles, crepes, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, soups or salads on every one of my visits.

In addition to the great tasting food, what you can’t see by looking at the menu is what makes the South Mountain Village IHOP special. In an industry that boasts extremely high employee turnover, twins Mike and Carl have been serving customers and making friends at this location since it opened. Sherry is active in our community by keeping South Mountain Village Clean and Beautiful volunteers filled with free coffee during their early morning neighborhood clean-ups and by donating the ice to keep other food and beverages cold.

What do I like most about IHOP? By far, it’s the people who smile, treat me like a friend and make delicious, fresh food consistently. So the next time you or your family are craving good ol’ American food, walk into IHOP and say, “hello” and “thanks” to Sherry, Mike, Carl and the rest of the staff. You’ll be glad you did and you’ll be supporting a neighborhood business that supports our neighborhood.

Mitch Hammes is President of The Hammes Group, a Phoenix-based restaurant and hospitality services company (www.hammesgroup.com). Mitch may be reached via email at: mitch@hammesgroup.com.