Rebuilding the American Dream

                                                                                                ”One home at a time”

 Public meetings planned on Chandler parks

Proposed improvements to Hoopes and Shawnee parks in Chandler will be the subject of consecutive public meetings Jan. 26.

Chandler parks staff will unveil plans to improve the irrigation systems at each park, convert some perimeter areas from turf to low water use plants and decomposed granite, and add or upgrade amenities such as sport courts, ramadas, walkways, lighting and other landscaping.

There's plenty to keep you active in Chandler

The first meeting, about Hoopes Park, which sits in a neighborhood northeast of Warner and Alma School roads, is slated for 6 p.m. at Pomeroy Elementary School, 1507 W. Shawnee Drive. The second meeting on Shawnee Park, which sits next door to the elementary school, is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more information, call Chandler Parks & Recreation at (480) 782-2754


Trash Cans to become Art in Chandler

Chandler hopes to turn downtown trash cans into objects of art with a program to wrap them with photographic images captured by Arizona artists.

The Downtown Chandler Wrap Project features 18 different images printed on vinyl substrate that will be on display through the end of 2010.

The participating photographers — Maynard Breese, Sue Cullumber, George Lenz and Dale Kesel— were selected through a jury process by the Chandler Arts Commission.

For more information, call Vision Gallery at (480) 917-6859

Temporary census workers needed in Chandler

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time workers in Chandler for the 2010 Census.

The jobs include census takers, crew leaders, crew leader assistants, census clerks and recruiting assistants. Officials are searching for local residents because they want people who are familiar with the community and Chandler neighborhoods.

To apply, call toll free to (866) 861-2010. For more information on jobs or the Census visit www.2010censusjobs.gov or www.chandleraz.gov/census

Chandler to consider construction noise limits

Chandler could impose new limits on early morning and late night construction in an attempt to clear up years of confusion about when exactly noisy activity is allowed to happen.

The City Council is expected to vote Thursday on whether to restrict concrete pouring to between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily for projects within 500 feet of developed residential areas, said David de la Torre, a city planner. All other construction activities near residential areas would be limited to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Also, because city code enforcement officers are not available during the hours when most complaints are received, the proposed law gives authority over all issues relating to noise to the Chandler Police Department, whose officers are on call 24 hours a day, according to de la Torre.

"Typically, these complaints have been managed by the Police Department in after-hours circumstances and then the Development Services Division working directly with the construction permit holder during the following business day," he wrote in his report to the City Council.

Last year, the city received nine complaint calls related to noise and 20 calls in 2008, de la Torre said. Most calls are placed between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Existing city law features a general noise ordinance that prohibits "unreasonable noise" during the time considered normal business hours, de la Torre said. The new restrictions will give officers a clear direction in responding to complaints, he said.

"That's been very subjective," he said.

After surveying the laws of other cities, officials discovered that Chandler was the only city in the state, with the exception of Coolidge, that did not set detailed noise restrictions on construction, de la Torre said. The time limits proposed for Chandler are similar to those in place in other communities.

Russ Brock, vice president of municipal affairs for Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, the nonprofit industry group, said he has no objection to Chandler's proposal.

"There are noise ordinances in almost every other jurisdiction in the state," Brock said.

De la Torre said the pouring of concrete is treated separately from other construction because it requires cooler temperatures. Developers may be able to start work even before the time limit set in the new law if they obtain a permit from the city, but the permit could be revoked if the work causes a disturbance.

The proposed law does not preclude emergency construction work necessary to provide essential services such as water, sewer and electricity, or to remedy an immediate threat to public safety.

Groundbreaking Thursday on new bus station

Groundbreaking for a federal stimulus-funded bus station on a new southeast Valley bus route serving the light-rail system kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday in Chandler.

The new LINK route will run from the Tumbleweed Park & Ride at Germann Road and Hamilton Street in south Chandler up Arizona Avenue/Country Club Drive to Main Street in Mesa, then turn west and run to Sycamore Station, the easternmost terminus of the light-rail system. All told, the 12-mile route is expected to include about 20 stops in Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler.

Construction on the route is expected to be complete in July, officials have said. The total cost for design, land acquisition and construction is expected to run about $12.5 million, paid out of a $15 million pot of federal stimulus funds.

The public ceremony will be on the southwest corner of Elliot Road and Arizona Avenue. Speakers will include Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn and Gilbert Councilman and Valley Metro board member Les Presmyk.

There's Plenty to keep you busy in Chandler

I hope your New Year is off to a great start. We are now 10 days into 2010 and perhaps you made a resolution to not make resolutions this year or maybe you are already active with a specific new fitness plan. Either way, you are always free to enjoy Chandler's parks during the best time of the year or learn something new by signing up for an arts, dance or educational class offered by the Chandler Recreation staff.

Since the holidays are in the rearview mirror, it's a great time to rebound from relaxing and celebrating by participating in some of the upcoming activities and events outlined below to stay active the rest of the winter. Whether you refuse to make resolutions or excuses, just make every day count when you come out and play in 2010!

Paseo Vista Recreation Area opens

The Paseo Vista Recreation Area at the northwest corner of McQueen and Ocotillo roads is now open. Built on top of a former landfill, this new 64-acre park offers archery, disc golf, a bark park, play space and trails with spectacular views of the entire city. Information: www.chandleraz.gov/parks

TRC fitness challenge

Last weekend, the Tumbleweed Recreation Center began the "Daytona 500 Fitness Challenge" for customers aiming to reach 500 miles through a combination of cardiovascular exercise, jogging and walking by Feb. 15, the day after the big race. Starting Saturday, first-time TRC customers can take advantage of a free one-week fitness pass trial by mentioning this column or showing the coupon from page 70 of the winter Break Time. The TRC will be open Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18 for its normal weekday hours of 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed or (480) 782-2900.

EEC nature programs in January

On Tuesday, the Environmental Education Center will host its first free family open house of the year from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will feature a sampling of different nature-based activities for all ages. The EEC will host its popular "Star Party" on Jan. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the East Valley Astronomy Club. This free event includes an indoor presentation about planets at 5:30 p.m. followed by telescope viewing outdoors at 6:30 p.m. Information: (480) 782-2890 or www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis

Green living workshops

The city of Chandler is offering residents a series of free monthly workshops called "Your Green Life Now!" to provide information about topics such as solar energy, recycling, gardening, water conservation and home improvements to reduce water and energy use. Residents attending all six classes can receive a certificate signed by Mayor Boyd W. Dunn. The first class will be at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. Ensuing workshops will be on the third Thursday of the month through June 17, except for March's workshop, which will occur March 11. Residents can call (480) 782-2890 or e-mail eec@chandleraz.gov to register.

Aqua Fit classes

It may be winter, but the water is heated at Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center. Adult group exercise "Aqua Fit" classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. There also are adult lap swim hours at Mesquite Groves Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at Hamilton Aquatic Center. Both pools are closed on Jan. 18 and Feb. 15 for the city holidays. Information or registration: (480) 782-2750 or www.chandleraz.gov/aquatics

Bubble Blast

For parents with children 5 and younger, Tumbleweed Recreation Center offers "Bubble Blast" on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for $2 per child ($3 nonresident); parents and annual TRC family pass holders are free. Information: (480) 782-2900 or www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed

Family nights

"Family Night" at Tumbleweed Recreation Center continues every Wednesday throughout

January and February from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It features a different activity each week and is only $2 for children. You can view the schedule at www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

Teen Talent Show

The sixth annual Teen Talent Show will be Feb. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ($5 admission) at Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen Road, where you can cheer on local future entertainers. Information:

www.chandleraz.gov/teens

or (480) 782-2711

 



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