The City of Mesa will receive $10,000 from NBC Universal as a result of an additional freeway closure planned for the Red Mountain Freeway (Loop 202) from Sept. 29 at 10pm to 4am on Oct. 1.
Universal Pictures, which is filming The Kingdom along a two-mile stretch of the freeway and in other areas of the Valley, is making the donation after getting permission from the Arizona Department of Transportation to close the freeway from Higley to Power.
The donation will be used to improve the infield, dugout benches and the turf at Taft Elementary School near Crismon Road and University Drive.
The motion picture firm previously donated $40,000 to Parks and Recreation for the installation of new playground equipment after closing down the freeway for three weekends in August.
The Arizona Department of Transportation allowed the closure, which falls within the Mesa city limits.
The film company indicated it would need an extra weekend of shooting in light of delays caused by accidents on the set that took place on Aug. 12.
One of the accidents resulted in the death of a crew member.
Though temperatures have only just started to drop, organizers for the APS Electric Light Parade already are accepting applications to participate in the Dec. 2 holiday gala.
The theme for the 2006 parade is “Southwest Holiday Traditions.” The APS Electric Light Parade is the biggest attraction of the annual APS Fiesta of Light series of holiday events. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department currently is accepting applications from group and organization motorized floats, custom helium parade balloons, performance groups and marching bands.
Entry fees range from no charge up to $400.
The parade gets under way at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, on Central Avenue at Montebello (just south of Bethany Home Road). The 2006 parade will head south on Central Avenue to Camelback Road, where it will turn east to Seventh Street, where it will turn south and end at Indian School Road.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the parade route each year to enjoy the amazing spectacle of lighted floats, performance groups and the sights-and-sounds of the holidays.
Groups or individuals interested in participating can find comprehensive registration information and submit an application online at or they can call 602-262-4627. Parks staff will accept registration applications until Nov.
3 or until a total of 80 entries have been accepted.
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department staff will host a National Public Lands Day Outdoor Recreation Fair Sept. 30 from 9 a.
m. to 2 p.m.
Individuals of all ages are invited to the event at the North Mountain Visitor Center at 12950 N. 7th St., which is just south of Thunderbird Road.
A volunteer trail project will precede the fair from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Attendees will have a chance to enjoy live animals up close; take a guided hike; scale an outdoor climbing wall; attend special presentations and workshops; and much more.
Many of the displays and activities are geared toward children, making this event both exciting and educational for the whole family.
National Public Lands Day also will include displays and demonstrations from over 50 outdoor recreation and public land agencies. The event is free and open to the public.
Food and beverages will also be on sale throughout the course of the event.
Public parking for the event will be in the Western Saddle Club lot, across from the center on the east side of 7th Street. Disabled-accessible parking will be in the center lot.
For more information call the center at 602-495-5540. Information on the North Mountain Visitor Center is online at .
The National Public Lands Day Celebration is sponsored by the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, the U.
S. Bureau of Land Management and APS. Would-be volunteers also can arrange to work on a trail project at the Preserve before the festival begins.
Community groups or individuals interested in participating in the trail project must pre-register by calling 602-534-6522.
Experience the cultural treasures of Arizona when CultureFest 2006 returns to the Valley Nov. 1 – 5.
This five-day cultural festival will feature events and programs presented by the Smithsonian’s best and brightest scholars and experts - who combine the magic of the Smithsonian with the treasures found only in Arizona. The following CultureFest 2006 events will take place at these Phoenix Parks and Recreation facilities:
m. Shemer Art Center Museum
- Silly Putty, Jacks and Yo-yos: Stories behind Our Favorite Toys
- Friday, Nov. 3, 4 - 5:30 p.
m. Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project:
Additional playground equipment and some renovations are in the plans for City of Mesa parks as a result of a donation from NBC Universal, which is shooting a movie in the City.
The motion picture firm, which has been filming The Kingdom throughout the Valley this summer, has donated $40,000 to Parks and Recreation for the inconvenience of closing down two miles of the Red Mountain (Loop 202) freeway in northeast Mesa.
The Arizona Department of Transportation allowed the closure, which falls within the Mesa city limits.
Part of the donation will be used on the installation of new playground equipment at a parks basin at 64th Street and Brown Road. Additional funds will be used on the expansion and renovation of multi-purpose fields at Red Mountain Park, adjacent to Red Mountain High School, off Brown Road, east of Power Road.
The freeway between Higley and Power Roads is scheduled for two additional weekend closures from 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug.
4, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug.
7, and then from 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug.
10, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug.
14.
Healthy Lifestyles Promoted at Phoenix’s Brindar a tu Salud (Cheers to Your Health)The city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s Washington Adult Center will be hosting a free family health and safety fair titled Brindar a tu Salud (Cheers to Your Health) on Aug. 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.
m. The Washington Adult Center is located at 2240 W. Citrus Way (near the intersection of Glendale and 21st avenues).
Brindar a tu Salud will feature free medical screenings and information booths with nutritional fun facts and summer survival techniques. Individuals attending the event also will be able to get free immunizations, refreshments and learn CPR and water safety.
The event also will feature fun activities that will get children involved in, and excited about their own health and nutrition including fingerprinting, safety tips, and fun food games involving gelatos, Jell-O eating, a gigantic food pyramid game, and fruit faces.
Event participants will receive free raffle tickets that are good for free visits to the Walk-In Medical Clinic and discount coupons that may be used at the clinic for school and sports physicals. The entire family is invited to come out and learn the easy steps to having a happy, healthy summer.
Those interested can call 602-262-6971 for more information.
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 21 the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s North Mountain Visitor Center will again host the Coffee House Music Series where folks will be able to enjoy a ranger-led hike and then relax on the back patio with a cup of coffee donated by Starbucks, free refreshments provided by Trader Joe’s, live entertainment and spectacular views of the mountain preserve.
This free program will take place on the third Saturday of each month, October to April, with a one-hour interpretive hike leaving the center promptly at 8 a.
m. This two to three mile hike along Trail 100 has a minimal elevation gain with gently rolling hills and sandy washes. A more challenging hike will be offered for those looking to get a cardio workout.
The Coffee House Music Series will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and is open to hikers and non-hikers.
The North Mountain Visitor Center is located at 12950 N. Seventh St. (just south of Thunderbird Road).
For additional information call 602-495-5540. The schedule for the 2006-07 Coffee House Music Series is below.
Oct.
21, 2006 – Talia - Jazz, pop, rock
Nov. 18, 2006 – Ron Hoyos - Acoustic rock
Dec. 16, 2006 – Guitarist Bob Plack, the Campfire Cowboy
Jan.
20, 2007 – Anthony Wakeman and Lou Gonnie - Native American flute, Navajo vocals
Feb.
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