2008 EVENTS

THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN/LAVEEN
VILLAGE’S FESTIVAL Inc. COMMITTEE
2008 Events

Sponsored by Wal Mart at 35th. Avenue & West Southern Avenue

October 24, 25, 26 (Fri-Sun, 6 PM to 9 PM): Haunted Hayride at South Mountain Park. Bring the family for a spooky ride on a horse-drawn wagon through Box Canyon. Legends abound about ghosts in the park. There will be a haunted graveyard and pirate ship and – for the little ones – a non-scary “mummy in the maze.” $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12; 6-10 pm. Food available. Begins in the parking lot of the South Mountain Activities Complex, 10409 S. Central Ave. Info: Karen at 602.438.2928

November 1st. (Sat.): Festival of Thanksgiving Parade on Central Avenue, 10 am presented by ESPIRITU Community Development Corporation/NFL YET Academy. Parade begins at the Jesse Owens Parkway and East Baseline Road and proceeds northeast to South Central Avenue and then to the El Reposo Park at 212 East Alta Vista. Contact George Young at 602-243-3162 or Verna McClain at 602-276-5925 for entry forms and information, or use the application in the SM Villager. Free.

November 1st... (Sat.) Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Southgate Church and the Life Care Center, 8008 S. Jesse Owens Parkway 7AM. Free.

November 1st. (Sat.): Community Health, Information, Safety, Food and Craft Fair and Kids Zone, 10 am – 3 pm, at the El Reposo Park 212 East Alta Vista. Vision and heath screenings; pharmacist will answer questions, and more! Info: Jan at 602-466-3846 or Verna at 602-276-5925. Free.

November 2nd. (Sun.) 34th Annual Pioneer Luncheon at the Corona Ranch, 7611 S. 29th Ave.; 1 pm.; Honors those who have lived in the South Mountain Village for 50 years or more. Food, fun, fellowship and door prizes. Bring memorabilia to share. Pioneers free, all others: donation. Everyone welcome. Must have reservations. Sponsored by Lowman’s Arizona Funeral Home. Please call Ingried 602-276-3601 or Verna 602-276-5925.

November 6th. (Thurs.): Thanksgiving Story Circle. Longtime residents of South Mountain Village reflect on their lives and changes in their community. Presented by SMCC Storytelling Institute. PAC 740, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free. Information: 602.243.8022 or Verna at 602-276-5925.

November 9th. (Sun.) Faith Day at Southern Baptist Temple, 6520 S. Central Ave., 3 pm. Community gathers to celebrate beliefs and share pride of community and country. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Mickey at 602-276-6578. Free.

November 15th. (Sat), Harvest Daze, family fun! children’s area, entertainment, arts and crafts, food and more! Cesar Chavez Park, 35th Ave & Baseline, 10 am – 3 pm. Free. Next to the New Library.

November 22nd. (Sat), Laveen Turkey Trot, a 5-K run that begins at 7 AM at Cesar Chavez Park, for information go to Laveen.org.


December 13th. (Sat) Fun Fest to be held at the Southern Baptist Temple. Sponsored by Southgate Church and the Southern Baptist Temple. Contact Verna at 602-276-5925. Free.

If you have questions, wish to participate or be a sponsor;
please call Verna McClain 602-276-5925 or George Young 602-243-3162.

August 2008 - The Good Folks of the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s

By George Young

(gayoung@cox.net)

Well folks I know I am always talking about my partner and co-editor and I am hoping you are not getting tired of hearing about her. Recently a friend of mine interviewed Verna and wrote this article for the Arizona Republic, but I wanted to make sure all of our loyal readers had a chance to read it.

When Verna McClain settled in the South Mountain Village almost 40 years ago, few could have anticipated the impact her life would have on the area and its residents. This relentless volunteer, activist and advocate -- nearly 90 years old and a great-grandmother to 25 – is still going strong. The Village is the beneficiary of her love, focus and high energy. Despite her quiet and unassuming ways, Verna is just as well known for getting to the heart of any matter, for asking the right questions, and for calling the community to action.

"I am not sure you can measure her value to our Village. What would we use as a guide?” Asks George Young, an area volunteer and, with Verna, co-editor of the popular South Mountain Villager newspaper. “She touches so many people in so many ways, and in so many different walks of life. When I drive down the streets of our Village and see a business, a church, a school, or a recreation facility, I think of Verna and how she was partially responsible for their existence."

Verna publishes and co-edits the paper, now in its 14th year. She and many friends “started the paper to combat the bad news coverage the media was giving our community. Our policy has been to never print anything negative,” she explains.

She credits the late W.R. Schulz for putting her on the path to becoming a volunteer and leader. Verna and her late husband move to the South Mountain Village from the east in order to relieve her husband’s arthritis. Verna managed Schulz’s apartments for 15 years, “and he insisted that anyone who works for him must volunteer in the community,” she recalls.

She has a son in Florida, a daughter in California, and a son in Idaho. A grandson lives in Phoenix. She boasts nine grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, and, in her ninth decade, she adds, “I look forward to spending more time with my family.” Where does she get the energy? “There’s so much to do and I don’t want to just sit around,” she explains.

With so much to offer, Verna’s mark on the community is significant. In addition to starting the “good- news newspaper,” she was instrumental in establishing South Mountain Community College, 7050 S. 24th St.

“I was an original advisory board member before the college was even built,” she relates. More than a quarter-century ago, 35 Villagers attended all the Maricopa Community College District Board meetings, seeking a college. “The Governing Board finally gave in and gave us South Mountain Community College. I have seen it grow from the point of holding classes in churches, schools and trailers to our beautiful campus today.” Today, Verna is an active member of SMCC President Ken Atwater’s Community Advisory Board. On July 4, the college will host the 20th annual Fiesta of Independence swearing-in ceremony for 300 new citizens from more than 40 countries. You guessed it: Verna headed the group of citizens who asked former college President Raul Cardenas to host the event – and the volunteers have made it a day to remember ever since.

She was also instrumental is gaining a YMCA, even meeting with the architects and builders 13 years ago. “It’s a state-of-the-art YMCA, too,” she emphasizes.

Because they were so involved in organizing festivals and events throughout the community, Verna and her many friends organized a South Mountain Village Festivals Committee a few years ago. There was no way but to gather under one umbrella the annual Pioneer Luncheon, Thanksgiving Parade, Faith Day, Storytelling Night, Haunted Hayride, and far more. The lunch celebrating residents of more than 50 years “is getting bigger every year,” Verna explains, “and, last year, we had more than a hundred entries in the parade!”

Adding to her volunteerism basket, Verna now helps her fellow members of Southern Baptist Temple to gather items and fill a thousand Christmas stockings for area children.

Her boundless energy also extends to involvement with the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber of Commerce, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Women's Club and Helping Hands Grandmothers Club. In 2006, she was honored with the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber Spirit Award, and ten years earlier received a 12 Who Care Hon Kachina Award. In 1992 she won the first South Mountain Community College Appreciation Award.

“My greatest reward is the friendships I have made over the years, as so many individuals have come together to make the South Mountain Village a wonderful and special place to work and live.” Always practical, she quickly adds: “Also, I don't drive, and I want to thank all my friends who provide transportation for me to get to all the meetings I attend.” It’s easy to say yes to Verna McClain.

"Folks love and respect Verna because she has a genuine spiritual presence. Her faith is what keeps her going,” George Young says. “She has an overwhelming desire to help people and to improve not only her own life, but the community she lives in. This is clear when you know how involved and dedicated she is about the causes she supports.”

God Bless Verna McClain and God Bless America and God Bless the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s...

August 2008 What’s Happening In The South Mountain/Laveen Village’s

by George A. Young

“Well Folks; Please remember, good friends are good for the heart.”

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. My friend and partner Ms. Verna and I recently had dinner at the Jumbo Buffet & Grill located at 3414 West Southern. What a great place for trying just about any kind of food you have a craving for. I think we sampled a little bit of everything and it was all excellent. It is “all you can eat” for those folks that are looking for a bargain. The owner and staff are great. Stop by for lunch or dinner. The folks that own the Foothills Shopping Center on the Northeast Corner of Central and Southern had there ground breaking for the renovation of the plaza and parking lot last month. The new look is going to be great. The façade will be replaced on the whole center and a new parking lot and some landscaping. Our District 7 Council Person, Mr. Michael Nowakowski was on hand to celebrate with us. My friend Enrique is still the Manager at Phoenix Ranch Market; he has been a big supporter of the Village. For information on the South Mountain Village Planning Committee agenda 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 e-mail or call George at (602-243-3162).

· The South Mountain Village Planning Committee will meet on September 9^th. 2008 at 6:30 PM at the Travis L. Williams Family Services Center, 4732 South Central Avenue. (NEW LOCATION)

· The Target Area B Citizens Action Committee will meet on August 27^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 August 25^th.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 August 5^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; The beauty of people is, like flowers, we come in all shapes, sizes and colors and also, folks can give without loving, but folks cannot love without giving.”

Mayor Gordon’s Corner

By Mayor Phil Gordon

A few months ago, I asked you to vote “yes” in May to extend the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative. And you did, as Phoenix residents approved it with 83 percent of the vote. I thank everyone who spoke with their vote. By extending the Parks and Preserve Initiative, Phoenix continues to build on its reputation as a national leader in acquiring funding for the development of parks and natural areas.

And now, I’m asking you for something else: I’m asking you to tell your city government how you’d like the funding to be used in parks in the South Mountain and Laveen Villages.

This summer, we’re holding community meetings where you, as individuals or as neighborhood associations, can share your priorities for what projects and programs should be funded in your own neighborhood parks. The upcoming meeting most convenient to South Mountain Villagers is Tuesday, August 5, at Cesar Chavez Library, 3635 West Baseline Road from 6 to 8 p.m. Meetings were already held on July 8 at Desert West Community Center and on July 10 at South Mountain Community Center. If you missed these meetings so far or can’t attend the August 5^th meeting in person, you can still share your opinion, through the convenience of your computer. You can fill out an online survey at www.phoenix.gov/parks (click on "Park Development Projects" and then on "Vote on Your Priorities").

Before you attend a meeting or fill out the online survey, here’s a recap of what we’re asking you to comment on. For the past nine years the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative, using a one-tenth of one cent sales tax, has raised more than $200 million to fund the construction and improvement of parks throughout the city and the addition of thousands of acres of desert land to the city’s preserve system. This program was set to expire next year, but on the May 2008 ballot, voters approved a 30-year extension of the funding.

With that extension, 60 percent of the funds raised will be used to complete the regional parks started with current Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative funding; purchase land and create new regional, community and neighborhood parks; upgrade existing parks with better shade, green space, and recreational features; add more park rangers, lighting, security, and maintenance for parks and recreational facilities; add shaded pedestrian and bike paths throughout the city; and add recreation programs for youth to fight drugs, gangs, and crime. Forty percent of the funds raised will be used to purchase land for mountain and desert preserve open space; create new and better trailheads, trail, parking and interpretive centers for preserves; and provide more park rangers, security and maintenance of the preserves.

This is a long list – and so, by attending a public meeting or filling out the online survey, you can let us know which of these are your top priorities.

A complete list of the public meetings the Parks Department is holding throughout the city this summer is available at: www.phoenix.gov/newsrel/2006ppinput.html. If you’d like more general information on this public process, you also can call 602-262-6862.

Thanks again for being involved in your community by letting your voice be heard.