Individual Adult
Community Group / Organization
Educational Organization
Business
Individual Youth (18 years and younger)
Diversity Supplier Award

Nominees for the Diversity Supplier award are self-nominated and do not have the residency requirement; however they must have done business with the City of Tempe within the calendar year 2010.

Nominations must be received no later than December 17, 2010.

Nominees may not currently be serving as a Tempe elected official or a Tempe Human Relation Commissioner.

Nomination information should be sent to: City of Tempe, c/o Ginny Belousek, 31 E. Fifth Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, or faxed to 480/350-2907.

To request a nomination form or for ticket information to attend the Diversity Awards Brunch, please call (480) 350-8979.

An online  nomination form is also available at www.tempe.gov/diversity

The court plans to send outstanding delinquent balances to collection agencies if they are not paid in full by Thursday, Dec. 9. Some fines date back a few years and the court needs to collect on them, said Court Administrator Rick Rager. The total amount due to the city is about $10 million owed by more than 34,000 people.

If a debt is reported to a collection agency, it could reflect negatively on the debtor’s credit ratings.

“We do not want to send anyone to collections, but we have a duty to enforce compliance with court orders and must do what we can to ensure those who owe fines pay them,” Rager said.

For more information on paying court-ordered fines, visit www.tempe.gov/court or call 480-350-8800.

former Tempe City Councilmember Leonard Copple

A special dedication ceremony for former Tempe City Councilmember Leonard Copple will be held Dec. 15 to commemorate the naming of the Copple Courtyard at the Tempe Transportation Center, located at 200 E. Fifth St., Tempe. The courtyard is being dedicated to Leonard W. Copple in honor of his faithful support of transportation issues during his many years of service as a Tempe City Councilmember and community volunteer. A dedication ceremony will occur from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by a reception.

A true visionary, Leonard had the foresight to help create a sustainable, urban transportation system that provides much-needed connectivity within Tempe and throughout the larger metropolitan area. His influence is evident in the design and function of the Transportation Center. Always generous with his time and his talents, his desire to serve the community he loved so very much has contributed to improving the quality of life for Tempe residents now and in the future.

Leonard Copple passed away in May 2010. He served on the Tempe City Council in 1994 and again from 1998 to 2006 and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission from 1984 to 1989.

For bus and rail routes and schedules, call 602-253-5000 or visit www.valleymetro.org. For event information, call 480-350-8663 or email sue_taaffe@tempe.gov. Public parking is located at 117 E. Fifth St. across from the Transportation Center.

Photo by Per Ola Wiberg

TEMPE, Ariz. – During the winter 2011 program session, toddlers, retirees and everyone in between can make the most of the winter months with fun and educational classes that improve the mind and body.

Tempe residents can register on Monday, Dec. 6. Registration for non-Tempe residents starts the following Monday, Dec. 13.

Hundreds of new and continuing programs are featured in the winter 2011 Tempe Opportunities brochure, which can be viewed online at www.tempe.gov/brochure. You can also pick up a copy of the brochure at City of Tempe facilities and Tempe Fry’s Food Stores beginning Friday, Dec. 3. Visit www.frysfood.com to find a location near you.

New and continuing offerings include:

Reading and Eating Vegetables- Children 2-4 years old and their parents will read a great book and taste different delicious vegetables. Age-appropriate books encourage letter recognition and help improve word and grammar skills through the process of creating art.

Lady Hawks Youth Softball- Lady Hawks is a fun, instructional program designed for girls in kindergarten through eighth grades. All skill and experience levels are welcome.

Pre-Season Junior Learn to Row- Boys and girls ages 12-17 will have the chance to learn some of the basics of rowing before joining a team. Aspects of boating safety, kayak strokes, boat handling and navigation will be discussed. Equipment will be provided.

Pets; Good Dog Manners- Does your dog jump, bark, pull, growl or tremble when he sees other dogs, people and objects? Learn how to correct these behaviors while setting-up your dog for success. All skill levels and ages of dogs are welcome. Proof of vaccination is required at first class.

Introduction to Wood-Burning- Participants ages 50 and older will learn the basics of wood-burning and wood-burning as an art form from instructor Walt Blackmore. Wood-burning techniques include pattern transferring, outlining, stippling and shading on basswood.

Once you find a class you want to sign up for, you have a variety of options for registration:
1. Online at http://pkreconline.tempe.gov.
2. In person at the Recreation Administration Office, Edna Vihel Center for the Arts, Pyle Adult Recreation Center, Kiwanis Recreation Center, Escalante Community Center or North Tempe Multi-Generational Center.
3. Fax in a registration form with credit card number to 480-350-5058.
4. Mail your registration to: Class Registration, 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282.

For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/rec or call the Recreation Administration Office at 480-350-5200.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman

Tempe, Arizona – The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the city of Tempe, presents Mayor Hugh Hallman’s State of the City Address on Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 7-9 a.m., at The Buttes Resort, 2000 Westcourt Way.

The annual address features Mayor Hallman’s vision and perspective on city issues. Civic, business and political leaders from across the Valley attend this event to hear the Mayor’s annual update on Tempe. The public is welcome to attend.

To register, visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480-967-7891. If you can’t attend, Tempe 11 will rebroadcast the speech on Cox Channel 11 and make it available for viewing anytime at www.tempe.gov.tempe11.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman

Tempe, Arizona – Mayor Hugh Hallman was honored Nov. 9 with East Valley Partnership’s Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award.

The “Excel Awards” are presented each year by East Valley Partnership and Cox Communications to Valley leaders who have shaped the community with their leadership. The awards are presented in the categories of “Sustaining Leadership” and “Lifetime Achievement.” East Valley Partnership is a coalition of civic, business, government and educational institutions in Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Mayor Hallman was presented the award at the Cox Communications East Valley Economic Forum in Gilbert.

Photo by Martin L

TEMPE, Ariz. – Tempe’s Hackett House will begin the holiday season by hosting the 8th annual Chocolate Happy Hour on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Chocolate Happy Hour will feature George Rugel, executive pastry chef at the Arizona Grand Resort. There will be an appetizer buffet featuring duck confit, steak bruchetta, shrimp shooters, stuffed mushrooms, fine cheeses and fruits. A chocolate happy hour would not be complete without a cascading chocolate fountain. There will also be a caramel cascading fountain with a variety of bite-sized snacks to enjoy. Additional chocolate martinis, mud slides, wine and beer will be available for purchase.

The Chocolate Happy Hour will be held at the Hackett House, 95 W. Fourth Street, the historic building near Mill Avenue that serves as the headquarters for the Tempe Sister City Organization. The cost is $25 per person or $45 for two people. The fee includes one drink per person. Prepaid reservations are required and may be made by calling 480-350-8181. For more information, visit www.hacketthouse.org.

About Hackett House
Once Tempe’s first bakery, the Hackett House now holds fundraising events, tea parties and children’s programs year-round. 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.

Photo by Elliott Brown

Tempe, Ariz.- Now that the weather’s cooling down, it’s the perfect opportunity to help make your neighborhood a better place to play.

Tempe is excited to introduce a new volunteer program that provides residents with the opportunity to have a role in managing and maintaining their neighborhood parks – Tempe’s Adopt-A-Park program.

After the large turnout of volunteers at community cleanup events, the City created the Adopt-A-Park program as a way to coordinate year-round opportunities for the dedicated neighborhood groups, community organizations and local businesses so that they can continue to enhance the appearance, safety and cleanliness of Tempe parks.

In 2009 there were more than 7,000 volunteer hours performed by various corporate, church, high school and college groups. As well as both private and social organizations. In 2001, 10 Eagle Scout projects were accomplished at Tempe parks. In the first half of 2010, 30 projects totaling more than 6,000 volunteer hours were completed in Tempe parks.

Clean, green and safe parks are an essential part of creating and maintaining a friendly and healthy community. Tempe’s parks help to increase the visual appeal of neighborhoods and provide a safe place for neighbors to gather, friends to meet and kids to play.

All Tempe parks are eligible to be adopted. For more information on adopting a park visit www.tempe.gov/parks/adoptapark/ or contact Edith Ross at 480-350-2952 or edith_ross@tempe.gov.

Photo by Michael Ruiz

Valley Forward will host a discussion of the past, present and future of Tempe Town Lake this Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

• Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman
• Sean Walters, chief operating officer, Sunbelt Holdings
• Sandy Bahr, director, Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter.

Photo by Chris Willis

TEMPE, Ariz. – Dance the night away at a special arts-oriented dance party featuring an Outdoor Pre-Party at 7 p.m. and a “Main Event” from 8 p.m. to Midnight on Saturday at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

Dance the Night Away at the Tempe Center for the Arts (DNA@TCA) is based on the premise that “Dancing is in everyone’s DNA.” So whether guests decide to be dance party participants or merely amused spectators, there will be surprises at every turn. The TCA will be a fusion of sights, sounds and feelings created by local musicians, dancers and other fine artists.

The $75 general admission ticket includes the Pre-Party and “Main Event,” drink tickets, foodstuffs and access to floor event areas and activities. The $150 VIP admission includes everything on the general admission ticket plus a Meet-N-Greet with the evening’s special DJ’s, access to three special VIP Lounges, a dedicated bar, extra drink tickets and food service.

Tickets are available through the TCA Box Office, 480-350-2882 or online at www.tempe.gov/tca

Money raised from this event will support the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts programs, Arts Career Day for high school students; Gallery events at TCA; LakeShore Producers jazz concerts; Performance with a View; Sonoran Chamber Music Series; Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic; Songwriters’ Showcase and more.

Information: http://bit.ly/9rIXCX (requires Adobe Flash Player) or 480-350-2884.