Friday, June 12, 2009

East Valley Business Expo announced;
exhibitor registration now open

Registration has opened for the 2009 East Valley Business Expo, the largest networking mixer and business-to-business event of the year. More than 1,500 attendees are expected and 145 exhibitors will be on site for this annual event that regularly provides the best growth opportunities and business-to-business connections in the entire East Valley.

Because time is the most valuable asset of any business, the Expo brings together in one location the key elements that will help any company increase its profits. Business owners, managers, purchasing agents, sales people, human resource managers, IT managers, CEOs, CFOs and all decision-makers responsible for company growth are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open and booths are first-come, first-served at www.eastvalleybusinessexpo.com.

The East Valley Business Expo takes place from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center Street. Admission is free for attendees with a business card.

Gift cards, door prizes and giveaways will be offered to attendees. Free food and soft drinks will provided by four local restaurants. The East Valley Business Expo is a joint production of the Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa Chambers of Commerce.

For more information contact Expo Manager Sally Harrison at (480) 969-1307 x26 or sharrison@mesachamber.org

For complete information on the Expo or to register, visit www.eastvalleybusinessexpo.com.

Fine wine, scrumptious food and fantastic music:
A night to end multiple sclerosis

Taste and treat your senses to an evening of song, spirits and savory treats. Corks and Chords is the 3rd Annual National MS Society, Arizona Chapter wine tasting event. The event will be taking place in the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic’s beautiful reception area nestled among the scenic foothills. We have over nine valley chefs joining us this year! Stations of chef-prepared dishes paired with delicious wines and wonderfully-appointed acoustic music will tantalize guests as they browse packages of spirit-related items in the silent and live auction. Visit http://aza.nationalmssociety.org or call (480) 968-2488 for ticket information.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Evans Family SkyCycle takes science to
new heights at Arizona Science Center

The newest addition to Arizona Science Center’s four floors of interactive fun tests not only your science knowledge but your balance as well!

On June 14 guests at Arizona Science Center can take an exhilarating bicycle ride suspended nearly 14 feet in the air on a 40-foot cable (additional fees apply)! Visitors ride out from the loading platform backwards, then peddle forward to return.

Though suspended in air, the Evans Family SkyCycle features a large weight suspended underneath the bike, teaching riders about the principles of counterbalance and center of gravity. The suspended counterweight acts as a resisting force, lowering the center of gravity and keeping the bike in an upright position.

Swaying of the cable and bike, caused by the rider’s actions, add to the thrill, but the rider is never in danger of falling (height & weight restrictions apply).

The Evans Family SkyCycle opens to the public on Sunday, June 14 on Level 2.

COST: $3 for Members / $5 for Non-Members

www.azscience.org/

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sleep America announces inaugural
"Swim to the Third Tier" program
benefitting the Save R-Kids program

Sleep America is proud to partner with the United Phoenix Firefighters Association and St. Joe's Hospital to help support the S^3 Program. The kickoff for the main event will be held Thursday, June 4 at St. Joe's Hospital therapy pool, 350 W. Thomas Rd. in Phoenix. The program will benefit the Osborn School District as well as other children who might not be able to afford swimming lessons.

Sleep America President Debbie Gaby said, "It is great to be part of the swim program from the inception. We were there from the beginning of the pool fence program and hold water safety close to our hearts. Hopefully we can decrease the number of child drownings by helping create awareness."

Other speakers that will be in attendance include Patty White, COO of St. Joe's, Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot, Phoenix Fire Captain Tom McCracken and a representative from the Osborn School District.

Sleep America is doing their part by raising funds for the program to increase the number of children who can benefit from S^3. Customers who stop by any Sleep America location will receive a plush Dalmatian puppy for a minimum $10 donation. Mattress vendors Serta, Sealy and Spring Air have joined the cause by partnering with Sleep America. The goal is to raise $15,000 by the end of June.

For more information, visit www.sleepamerica.com.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Local Arby’s giving Valley residents a chance to help match a child with a mentor

Arby’s restaurants are giving Valley residents an easy way to help the children in their community. From June 15 through July 26, 2009, customers who visit Arby’s restaurants may donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona to help the organization match a child with an adult mentor.

“While people think of Big Brothers Big Sisters as a volunteer organization, it’s also a non-profit charity that depends on donations to make more matches,” said Greg Hawkins, Sr. Vice President of Community Partnerships, Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. “Funding is used for recruiting, careful matching, background checks, screening and maintaining ongoing professional support for the volunteers, youth and their families – the key to ensuring long-term positive outcomes that change lives and communities.”

Arby’s customers who come into local Arby’s restaurants from June 15 through July 26, 2009, may donate a dollar and sign a “Help Us Help Kids” pin-up to hang on the walls of the restaurant. Customers who donate will receive a coupon redeemable for $1 off select Arby’s menu items during their next purchase. The donated money will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, a youth-mentoring agency which helps children realize their full potential by matching them with adult mentors who help them succeed in life. Last year, Arby’s raised over $2 million nationwide through its pin-up campaign.

“There’s a growing demand for structured successful youth mentoring, particularly in this economy when families are struggling,” Brian Hassett, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona said. “Independent research shows children matched with Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are more likely to succeed in school, behave nonviolently, avoid drug and alcohol abuse and other negative influences.”

“We’ve always believed in the power of giving back to the communities that we serve,” Hawkins said. “Mentoring makes a powerful difference and I’m proud to be part of an effort that gives the entire community an opportunity to contribute.”

West Valley National Bank CEO Candace Weist to share latest economic outlook with Central Phoenix Women

It’s not all gloom and doom in the banking industry. Those banks that did not finance mortgage and construction loans are still in a good position to assist businesses grow and expand, according to West Valley National Bank CEO and former Federal Reserve Director, Candace Wiest. She presents her outlook on how businesses can weather this financial storm at the next Central Phoenix Women monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 10, from 11:30AM-1PM at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, 2401 East Camelback Road.

The lunch meeting sponsor is West Valley National Bank with favors provided by Donovan’s. Deadline for RSVPs is Friday, June 5, 2009. Invitations and information are available at www.centralphoenixwomen.org or 602-263-3589.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Editor's Letter: May/June 2009

Fiercely Local ...

This is the time of year we associate with staying indoors, keeping cool and hiding out from the summer heat. But in this issue of Phoenix Woman, we have you covered with “cool” ideas to help you enjoy an active, out-and-about summer while keeping the sweat stains and sunburns to a minimum.

One of our favorite ideas includes supporting the home team; getting out and getting in on the hottest tickets in town. Whether it’s a Phoenix Mercury or Arizona Diamondbacks game, our “12 Cool Things to Do This Summer in Arizona” explores local sports events and other “must-do” adventures that provide affordable family entertainment with just the right amount of air conditioning.

In support of our teams, we wanted to be the first to introduce you to the new man behind the Mercury women—Corey Gaines. We also profile the woman behind the Cardinals’ leading man—Brenda Warner. Although Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner had us holding our breath during this year’s Super Bowl, it’s his bold and beautiful wife, Brenda, who often steals the spotlight.

In another feature, we meet Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, who not only has the daunting task of managing the Gammage theater day-to-day, she is also one of only 750 people nationwide eligible to vote for the winners of the prestigious Tony Awards.

Additional articles in this issue look at some of today’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, options for treating those unsightly “age spots” and a new workout taking Hollywood by storm and now being offered at Valley studios. We explore the home staging evolution, the mystical isle of Kaua’i, south of the border dining and more. And did you know that this year marks an important anniversary of an event in astronomy that took place 399 years ago? Find out why the International Year of Astronomy means so much to so many.

Lastly, don’t miss our gift guide where you can find the perfect Mother’s day or Father’s day gifts offered by some of our favorite Valley businesses. Please join us in supporting our local businesses, local teams and, of course, our local women … all in the spirit of focused, fun and fiercely local!