Youth outreach artist and muralist honored at Governor’s Arts Awards

Martin Moreno

Laveen artist Martin Moreno, who harnesses the power of art to help at-risk students complete their General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs) and whose murals, sculptures, paintings and mosaics have been exhibited across the state, received the 2011 Artist Award at the 30th annual Arizona Governor’s Arts Awards at the Herberger Theater Tuesday night.

RAK staff multimedia journalist Vicki Louk Balint interviewed Moreno for a story in our January 2010 magazine. Her podcast of that interview is available here and a story she later co-produced with 12News is available here.

Also honored at the event were longtime arts supporter and advocate Carol Duval Whiteman, who received the Individual Award, and Ann Ludwig, an educator, mentor, choreographer, performer and director, who received the Arts In Education – Individual Award, the first time that award has been presented.

Other honorees included:

• Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona – Community Award
• Tonto Community Concert Association – Arts in Education – Organization Award
• Cox Communications of Southern Arizona – Business Award

More than 500 arts supporters, advocates, business leaders and elected officials attended the annual event at which honorees were named in six categories. Nearly 80 individuals, artists, businesses, arts education programs and community programs from 22 communities around the state were nominated for 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards.

Whiteman’s connection with Arizona arts and cultural organizations began in Tucson in the late 1960s with the Tucson Museum of Art and she was later instrumental in founding Arizona Theatre Company. A published poet and author, Whiteman also helped build a new venue for the Arizona Poetry Center. She was a driving force in helping sustain Ballet Arizona during its darkest days 10 years ago and has served on the boards of Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Ballet Arizona, Childsplay and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Ludwig, the founder and artistic director of A Ludwig Dance Theatre, has guided many students and artists into successful careers as choreographers. She has served as Graduate Director of the Arizona State University Department of Dance and is a recent recipient of a presidential award from the National Dance Education Organization in recognition of her service, impact and passion for dance.

Free Arts for Abused Children in Arizona is the state’s only organization combining arts with a social service setting to reach 5,500 children from age 3 to 21 each year. Through the program that has reached nearly 65,000 abused and at-risk children living in poverty since its founding in 1993, young people are able to productively channel their emotions, improve social skills and develop trust in adults. The organization relies on 800 volunteers who serve children at 110 foster care homes, emergency shelters and residential treatment centers.

For more than three decades, the all-volunteer Tonto Community Concert Association has programmed performances ranging from classical to country and baroque to The Beatles that reach communities and schools in Payson and the surrounding areas. Complementing each performance are student outreach programs designed in collaboration with each of the performing artists. Students of every age are bussed to Payson High School to participate in the programs.

Cox Communications of Southern Arizona has been a consistent supporter of arts and culture for many years. In one year alone, the company donated more than 1,000 employee volunteer hours, provided more than $1 million in cash sponsorships and more than $1 million in public service and in-kind ads. Among the organizations supported by Cox in Southern Arizona are the Loft Cinema, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson Children’s Museum and Opening Minds Through the Arts.

The Governor’s Arts Awards are presented by Arizona Citizens for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor to recognize outstanding achievement and contributions to the Arizona arts and culture community.

“Babes In Hollywood” to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital

On Sunday, Nov. 14, local children will take to the runway to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The “Babes In Hollywood” fashion show and brunch is being organized by Christina Ivanhoe of Ivanhoe Couture.

“I am thankful every day that my soon-to-be 3-year-old is healthy,” the Scottsdale mom says. “Hannah was born with torticollis [a twisting of muscles of the neck beyond their normal position], and we had to go see one of the doctors at Phoenix Children’s. The hospital is amazing. It could be any of our children in there and they do an amazing job of keeping it a happy environment. This is just one of the ways that I feel I can show my gratitude for what they have blessed me with.”

The event will take place from 11am to 2pm at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa and will include face painting, gymnastics activities, games, a show by the Tumblinas, photographers who will take pictures, balloon making, a gourmet brunch and a choreographed fashion show.

“The fashion show will be sporting all of the fun apparel and tutus and bling by Ivanhoe Couture; there will be a lot of fun, hip, and playful designs,” Ivanhoe says. “It is going to be full of fun for the kids and parents and of course they will know that they are helping an amazing cause.”

Tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for “young adults” and $25 for children. For more information visit ivanhoecouture.com.

Learn more about Christina Ivanhoe.

Glendale district honors Teacher of the Year

Lacey Merritt, GESD Teacher of the Year.

The Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) Teacher of the Year award was presented to Lacey Merritt, an eighth grade science teacher and teacher of special education at Coyote Ridge.

“I nominated Lacey Merritt because of her enthusiasm for the craft of teaching and her commitment to the success of her students,” wrote Kristen Adkins, a Coyote Ridge art teacher, in her letter of nomination. “In addition, her passion and tireless efforts extend outside the classroom to extracurricular activities encouraging a positive school culture.”

Merritt has been part of GESD as an instructor since 2004. Colleagues describe her as a gifted mentor and teacher; she is also a new-teacher mentor and grade-level department chair.

“I don’t know why exactly I do what I do,” Merritt says. “It’s just a part of me. I enjoy having the kids involved in their school. The more they are involved, the more they feel they’re invested and a part of the school.”

After graduating high school, Merritt joined the U.S. Army, earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and then continued her education after joining GESD, eventually obtaining a master’s degree in elementary education with technology from ASU.

“The military exposed me to so many cultures and really broadened my idea of the world,” Merritt says. “There are so many different cultures in the school and my experience in the military is really to my advantage and to the parents’ advantage because I can better understand what they want and different ways to do things.”

Merritt’s students just wrapped up the school year with projects including a SMART Fair where they got to show their science projects, a bottle rocket project where they used altitude finders to measure the height that the rockets flew and a “science buddies” project that paired older students with younger students to do science experiments.

In memory of Gabriel

Gabriel's life was spent comforting children in pain. Photo courtesy of Gabriel's Angels.

Last week, a gentle grey dog named Gabriel lost his battle with cancer. Gabriel, a Weimaraner, was trained to be a therapy dog and began visiting the children of Crisis Nursery Phoenix 10 years ago. He offered unconditional and non-judgmental love, changing the lives of more than 5,000 children and countless adults.

“While we mourn the passing of an amazing therapy dog, we also celebrate the unconditional love, hope and compassion Gabriel shared with everyone he met,” says Pam Gaber, Gabriel’s “mom,” who is also the Founder and CEO of Gabriel’s Angels. “I knew Gabriel was a special dog when I brought him home. But he really proved how very special he was with all the children he helped, and his namesake will live on in his memory.”

Gabriel’s Angels mission is to deliver healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk children, nurturing their ability to love and trust, thereby freeing them from the cycle of violence.

In Gabriel’s memory, Gabriel’s Angels’ 150 Pet Therapy Teams will continue to visit more than 100 facilities around the Metro Phoenix area and Southern Arizona, helping more than 13,000 children each year. The volunteer teams — owners and their dogs — visit children in crisis nurseries, domestic violence and homeless shelters, group homes after-school programs and self-contained classrooms.

Gabriel’s passing marks the organization’s 10th anniversary. To make a donation in Gabriel’s honor, call 602-266-0875 or visit GabrielsAngels.org.

Watch a video about Gabriel’s Angels.

‘Turn over please’

This afternoon I (Katie) was inputting new subscription orders and renewals as I typically do on a Thursday. I open up the envelopes, separate the checks from the slips and type away in our system.

Every once in a while a renewal subscription slip will come back with the word “CANCEL” scrawled across the name and address. When this occurs, I will follow-up with the subscriber to inquire as to the reason they will not be renewing. Most times I don’t hear back.

This thought was in my mind as I pulled a renewal slip out of the envelope today with the words ‘turn over please’ written on the front.

To Whom It May Concern:

I won’t be renewing my subscription, as my kids are now 21 and 17-years-old. It’s been wonderful having your subscription all these years – enjoyable and informative! I’ve enjoyed seeing you grow from the “little” black and white magazine to the wonderful, colorful, production you have now. Thank you for all the wonderful articles and events you have given me over the years. I wish you nothing but continued success!

Wow.

The staff here at Raising Arizona Kids are not rock stars. We come in day in and day out, put in a hard day’s work in this fledgling industry and hope that we help one parent connect better with their child(ren) and family. This small note that took one subscriber maybe five minutes to scribble down made our entire office’s day.

And when I checked her records? Subscriber since 1992.

Thank you Linda for your loyalty and appreciation. We’re happy to have been a part of your children’s lives as they’ve grown, and thrilled you’ve been with us as we have as well.

Meeting the moms

As Community Relations Manager, it’s my job to mingle.  I voraciously eat up any and all feedback about the magazine in order to plan events, provide suggestions on content and improve our many resources (directories, e-zine, subscription offers).

However, I had yet to attend a moms group…until last week.

The Laveen MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group invited me to speak at their end-of-the-year meeting. I was a bit nervous as I parked my little Nissan Cube outside the meeting place. Would they be disappointed I wasn’t a mom?

I was instantly put at ease by the mentor mom leading the meeting. Bubbly and talking a mile a minute (just like me!) she introduced me to the other moms and walked me through the agenda.

I could tell I was in for a real treat.

My piece of the program was short – a simple discussion of the mission of Raising Arizona Kids, how we seek to help parents and the resources we have available. The mom’s asked lots of questions and were very responsive.

The best part though was soon-to-come.

Each mom was invited to provide feedback on what they found most valuable about the group. This was eye-opening for me as a person working in the “mom” business. At the end of the meeting, I felt as though I knew each and every woman.

I came in a stranger and left a friend. When’s the next one? =)

Media is about YOU!

News used to be what was told to you. The media were the gatekeepers and the level of entry was high.

That standard has changed.

This shouldn’t be news to you (pun intended). We’ve been living in a world where anyone can be a journalist, a writer, or break a news story, for quite some time.

What you may not know is that media WANTS you to participate. We want to help you break the news story, or be the story yourself. We want your comments, your ideas, your input.

Raising Arizona Kids is about community. And that means we NEED YOU.

How I can participate?

RAKMompreneur

Each Monday, blogger/writer Brittney Walker shares the story of a local woman who runs her own business while raising a family. Her stories are inspirational, uplifting and encourage us to support each other. We are always looking for RAKMompreneur suggestions. Have a favorite local business with a strong mom behind it? Email your suggestion to Brittney.

RAKRecipes

The U.S. is an all out health war. More than ever it is important to teach healthy eating habits to our kids. All it takes is an email with your favorite recipe for an after-school snack, bag lunch or family meal. Our photographer may even make time to come out and shoot a beautiful photo of your creation. Help us make all parents food decisions a little easier – and healthier!

Focus Groups

Once every few months, Raising Arizona Kids looks to you for ways we could improve. We invite parents to come share their insights on resources, directories, online content and what we should be writing about. Without your feedback, these changes may never get made. We make it worth your time with giveaways, snacks and old fashion appreciation. Help make it worth ours. Sign-up for our e-newsletter, Twitter and Facebook pages for focus group notifications.

Rant/Rave/Reflect

At the end of every print issue, we invite our readers to submit their stories. Parents share experiences about cell phones, babysitting, tough times and special moments. Submit yours by emailing mailbox@raisingarizonakids.com.

Social Networks

Our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts are there for you. We have 20 years of archives ready to answer your parenting questions. Not only that, but we have over 3,500 fans/followers ready to help you out as well. I know I’ve asked for help and had great response. Try it.

And most importantly, COMMENT! Tell our bloggers what you think by posting a comment to their posts. Call in if you enjoyed or hated a story. Write on our Facebook wall, or reply to us on Twitter.

We can’t read minds. We need you.

Indirect impact

It was a typical Thursday afternoon. I was sitting at my computer, entering in subscription orders and answering emails, when the phone rang.

“Raising Arizona Kids magazine. How can I help you?”

But this wasn’t a typical call. The voice on the other end was Jamie Morris, the Senior Director for Phoenix Suns Charities.

She informed me that the charity was looking to help relief efforts in Haiti through a local connection, and had chosen the Chances 4 Children organization based on our December article, “Celebrating family day” by Sue Breding, about the Juntunen family. Jamie was asking for permission from Editor/Publisher  Karen Barr to use the Raising Arizona Kids article as part of their announcement that the charity would be donating $20,000 to the Juntunen’s cause.

Though we at the magazine strive everyday to make a difference in the lives of parents and families in Arizona, it is a rare pleasure indeed to see  a feature in our magazine help impact people over 3,000 miles away. The work of the Juntunen family in aiding the orphans of Haiti that is truly miraculous and we are happy to tell their story.

If you would like to donate to aid the relief efforts in Haiti, Chances 4 Children is accepting donations on their website.

Doctors

Confession: I have a strong dislike for doctors.

My doctors have never been personable, in what is one of the most personal of professions.

That lack of connection is precisely why I came up with the idea to host twitter chats with doctors about various topics through Raising Arizona Kids (@RAKmagazine).

Whatever reservations or preconceived notions you may have about Twitter, it is above all a connector. Individuals that may have never been able to meet as the result of geography or professional standing, can now interact in a public space and receive instant feedback.

When it comes to your child’s health, you want an expert. These monthly chats provide the perfect opportunity to ask real questions, receive real responses in REAL TIME from a specialist in that particular field.

But even more important than talking to a specialist is talking to a specialist who understands what you’re going through. That is why I am so excited for this month’s twitter chat – asthma and allergies.

I suffered from childhood asthma that disappeared in high school. My middle sister suffers from such severe allergies that she has to change her pillowcase every night and receive weekly shots. Growing up my parents had lots of questions, without the luxury of internet to help them get answers.

Kim Wells, Cardon Childrens’ pediatric asthma educator, can relate. Her daughter, now 16, was diagnosed with asthma when she was only 3 years old. Kim has been where you are now and she wants to help lead you through that.

Maybe you or your children don’t suffer from allergies or asthma. Take advantage of this opportunity to interact with a specialist on a personal level. Break down those barriers between doctor and patient – release that harbored hatred for hospitals.

Get to know the people passionate about making you better.

Twitter Chat with Kim Wells
Wednesday, January 13
12 – 1 pm
Follow @RAKmagazine and @CardonChildrens or type in #azhealth into Twitter search.

For earlier Twitter chat transcripts, visit the Cardon Childrens’ chat page.

The Gift of the Magi

A friend recently posted the holiday tale, “The Gift of the Magi” on the web. If you are not familiar with the tale, a poor couple want to buy gifts they believe to be the other’s greatest desire. Since they have no money, each sacrifices a personal treasure to buy the other a gift – for the woman it is her long, beautiful hair, for the man, his antique watch. When they open their presents, the woman discovers the man has bought her jeweled combs for her now cropped hair and the man finds a beautiful gold chain for his sold watch.

The moral of the story is of course that unselfish love is the greatest gift and material possessions should not matter as much as we allow them to.

In that spirit, spread some love during this holiday season to those in need. Here are just a few of the many opportunities to participate in this season:

Book & Toy Drive - Fulton Homes and radio station KEZ 99.9 have teamed up with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to provide the children with a wonderful holiday. Drop off toys and books at the radio station or at the Borders at The Biltmore Fashion Park on Friday, December 11 from 4-6 p.m.

Home for the Holidays - Our four-legged friends are often forgotten at the holidays. This year, a donation of just $75 to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona allows an individual, family, business or school to become a sponsor and help a shelter pet find a permanent new home. The $75 will go towards caring for the animal until it is adopted.

Holiday Greeting Program – For a minimum donation of $10 per card, a beautiful, specially designed holiday card will be sent to your recipients whenever you wish – for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah – and your gift is tax-deductible. The inside of the card informs those on your list that “a gift has been made in your honor to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.” Personalized cards are also available for businesses.

My Little Stocking – Devereux Arizona, a nonprofit organization that cares for children and families with behavioral health and social welfare needs, is asking the community to help bring joy and hope to 700 children this holiday season. Volunteers can donate handmade stockings, as well as toys to place within. Donations can be delivered to Devereux Arizona treatment centers around the state.

2nd Annual Gold Canyon Gingerbread Festival - The MOMS Club of Gold Canyon is hosting the Gingerbread Festival at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort on Saturday, December 12. There will children’s activities, such as a gingerbread house decorating contest, face painting and music, as well as a raffle and dinner. All proceeds benefit the Pinal County Court Appointed Special Advocates.