On Nov. 9, 2011, children across the city of Avondale will take the Kids at Hope Pledge in honor of Kids at Hope Day, signifying their commitment to a powerful initiative that is changing the way they see their future – a pledge to remember to celebrate the Kids at Hope culture and every child’s potential to succeed.

Research shows that children (and adults) who learn and practice positive self-talk are more optimistic, successful and hopeful than those who do not. As a result, the Kids at Hope pledge was created as an affirmation of the Kids at Hope initiative, an evidenced-based belief system that reverses the “youth at risk” paradigm and engages an entire school, youth organization and/or community in the effort to support the success of all children without exception. The city of Avondale became a Kids at Hope City in 2009, and since then, most of its school districts and youth-serving organizations within Avondale have adopted this initiative as well.

“It is important to instill in our youth the philosophy that we are capable of success in all we do and we make the effort,” said Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers. “We are proud to be part of this initiative that uplifts our children and gives them the opportunity and hope for a great future.”

The theme for 2011 Kids at Hope Day is “We Believe, We Connect, We Time Travel”:
· We Believe: Children succeed when they are surrounded by adults who believe they can succeed, No Exceptions.

· We Connect: Children succeed when they have meaningful and sustainable relationships with caring adults.

· We Time Travel: Children succeed when they can articulate their future in four domains rather than just one (which is generally education & career): Home & Family, Education & Career, Community & Service and Hobbies & Recreation

Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers has proclaimed November 9, 2011 as Kids at Hope Day in Avondale. Learn more and view the Kids at Hope pledge and how the cultural transformation is happening in communities throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, and the research behind it at www.kidsathope.org. For information about this and other Youth Services programs and initiatives in Avondale, contact Chris Lopez at 623-333-2700.

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10 Things parents can do at home to Believe, Connect and Time Travel in celebration of Kids at Hope Day 2011:

1.  Write a letter to your child that describes all the talents and skills that they possess
2.  Practice reciting the Kids at Hope pledge and the Treasure Hunter Pledge during dinner. You can find the Kids at Hope pledges here.
3.  Read The Kids at Hope Friends Meet the Dream Stealing Villain book at bed time to your child. You can purchase the Kids at Hope book here.
4.  Ask your child to name as many caring adults that they have in their life. Be sure to remind them that you are one of those caring adults
5. Help your child to figure out what year they will graduate from high school and college and prominently display those dates as “Graduating Class of ____ “ in your home.
6.   Ask your child what they want to study when they go to college. Remind them that they get to choose the subjects in college.
7.  Talk to your child about your hobbies and ask your child what hobbies would they like to have as an adult or start a new hobby with your child such as walking, hiking or biking
8.  Talk to your child about “service to others” and choose a project you can do together to help someone such as picking up trash or doing a good deed for a neighbor
9.  Have your child draw a picture of their future home and family. Ask them where they want to live, what kind of parent they think they will be etc.
10.  Ask your child to think of three careers that they might like to have as an adult and talk about what they need to do to get ready for those careers.

Saint-Gobain Glass Establishes First Manufacturing Facility in Metro Area

CBRE has leased 140,000 square feet of manufacturing space at 17300 W. Broadway Road in Goodyear, Ariz. Saint-Gobain Glass Corporation, the world leader in design, manufacture and distribution of energy-efficient building material for use in home and commercial construction, has expanded its global platform into the Phoenix-area market.

Joe Porter, Pat Feeney, Dan Calihan and Rusty Kennedy of CBRE’s Phoenix office represented the landlord, BT Goodyear LLC of Horsham, Penn., a subsidiary of BET Investments, and structured the long-term lease agreement. The tenant was represented by Tom Louer of Lee & Associates in Phoenix, along with Chris Robinson of Fischer & Associates in Dallas, Texas. The exact financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This is yet another example of the wave of manufacturing companies choosing to locate in the metro Phoenix marketplace,” said Feeney. “Quality big-box industrial product with competitive lease rates, combined with the area’s business-friendly environment and low cost of living, are tough for other neighboring markets, like California, to compete against.”

Saint-Gobain took occupancy of the facility in September 2011, where it will install a reflective surface on glass plates as part of the process to manufacture solar panels, which includes heating, cleaning and polishing the glass surface. The new building provides ample space, adequate power and the necessary loading capabilities for Saint-Gobain to expand its operation, while meeting its distribution needs through an active rail spur and proximity to Interstate 10 and State Route 85.

Saint-Gobain was founded in 1655 in Paris, France. The company’s first major project was manufacturing and installing all the mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. Saint-Gobain has more than 190,000 employees worldwide and operates facilities in 64 countries.

About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2010 revenue). The Company has approximately 31,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our Web site at www.cbre.com.

About BET Investments
BET Investments was founded in 1998 by Bruce E. Toll. The Company and its affiliates own, manage, develop, and lease shopping centers, power retail centers, mid-rise office buildings, office parks, apartment buildings, and flex office/industrial space throughout the United States that encompass more than 5 million square feet. Please visit our website at www.betinvestments.com..

The West Valley Symphony has announced a 2011-12 calendar of concerts and special events appealing to Northwest Valley residents of all ages. Venues in Sun City and Surprise will host the orchestra, led by Maestro Cal Stewart Kellogg, as it performs timeless works by master composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn. Four of the five concerts will take place at the Valley Vista Performing Arts Center in Surprise, with the other concert at the Sundial in Sun City. In addition, in November concert goers will have the opportunity to re-stock the shelves at Valley View Community Food Bank in Youngtown, just in time for the increased need during the holiday season. Bins for collecting the food items will be available in the lobby prior to Nov. 13 concert.

CONCERTS
The Symphony’s five-concert season begins on Nov. 13 with VETERAN’S DAY SALUTE, a program honoring America’s service members. Several patriotic blockbusters will be featured: Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “The Lincoln Portrait”, the Richard Rodger’s score created for the World War II documentary “Victory at Sea” and marches by John Philip Sousa. A highlight of this program is a composition by the orchestra’s own Music Director and Conductor, Cal Stewart Kellogg, who wrote music to accompany a letter sent home by Major Sullivan Ballou as he served during the Civil War. The letter was uncovered by Ken Burns for his documentary “The Civil War” and will be performed by baritone Andrew Darling. “I was struck by the overwhelming power and conviction of Ballou’s letter. The confession of love for his wife and his country is stirring and will stand as one of the greatest statements on those subjects written by “the common man” states Mr. Kellogg. “The musical setting includes the use of three songs from the early period of the war that Major Ballou would have certainly known. They are dispersed throughout the piece, as are thematic fragments of the words he writes about home, family and the undying love for his wife. The piece is quite appropriate as a part of this important tribute program”. The concert, sponsored by Banner MediSun, begins at 3:00pm in the Valley Vista Performing Arts Center, 15550 N. Parkview Place in Surprise. At this concert, the Symphony is encouraging concert goers to support Valley View Community Food Bank by bringing along a non-perishable food item for.

On Dec. 18 the Symphony and the West Valley Chorale will raise their voices in a spirited CELEBRATION OF THE SEASON. The program features orchestral compositions and works for chorus and soloist. Leading off the concert is a performance of Corelli’s “Concerto Grosso” also known as the “Christmas Concerto”. Following that, the orchestra will be joined by the chorale for a program that includes Holst’s “Christmas Day” and Bennett/Shaw’s arrangement of “Many Moods of Christmas”. In addition, the Chorale’s Artistic Director, Ken Goodenberger will perform as tenor soloist. The concert begins at 3:00pm in the Valley Vista Performing Arts Center and is sponsored by Arrowhead Lexus.

On Jan. 22, 2012, ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, TWO BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONIES, presents concert-goers the perfect opportunity to hear masterworks by two of the greatest composers of all time. Mozart’s familiar “Marriage of Figaro” and “Symphony No. 41” (Jupiter) as well as Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 4” will be performed. The concert is sponsored by Casa Premier Senior Living Apartments and will be at the Sundial Auditorium in Sun City.

In February and March, the orchestra returns to Valley Vista Performing Arts Center with its final two concerts of the Season. On Feb. 12 the Symphony celebrates Valentine’s Day in “AN AFTERNOON OF CLASSICAL ROMANCE” sponsored by Gerry and Peggy Schuld. Renowned pianist Walter Cosand will perform Rachmaninoff’s”Concerto No. 2 for Piano” in this concert dedicated to the nature of love. And the season finale on Mar. 11 “HOW SUITE IT IS” features three of the greatest suites in the classical repertoire: Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite”. This final concert of the season is sponsored by Larkin & Associates Investment Advisors of Surprise.

“We are so grateful for the support of our community” says Barbara Lashmet, President of the Symphony’s Board of Trustees. “We would not be able to bring this wonderful music to our audiences without the help of our patrons, contributors and sponsors. And I want to give a special shout out to Sun Health and especially to this year’s Season Sponsor,The Daily News Sun”

West Valley Symphony concerts are on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm. All seating is general admission. Individual classical-season concert tickets are on sale now for $25 adult and $15 youth. A season subscription to the five-concert classical series (Nov. 13, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 12 & Mar. 11) is available for $115, a discount over individual concert ticket prices. Visit the West Valley Symphony at www.westvalleysymphony.org or call (623) 236-6781 to order tickets and additional information.

FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
In addition to the concerts, the Symphony and Rio Salado College’s RISE Learning for Life will continue their well-attended Friday morning series of free educational events. The first of these community events, “Salute to our Veterans” is Nov. 4, at 10 am. Maestro Kellogg will discuss Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa and his own composition featured in the November 13th concert “Major Sullivan Ballou’s Letter”. Following a break after the morning session, participants will reconvene at 1pm to hear a performance by the West Valley Brass Ensemble.

Similar events are scheduled for Jan. 13 and Mar. 2, 2012. These educational events are free and open to the public as a community-outreach contribution. They take place on the Rio Salado/RISE campus at 12535 W. Smokey Drive in Surprise. Seating is limited; to sign up call RISE at (480) 377-4251.

Visit the West Valley Symphony at www.westvalleysymphony.org, use email westvalleysymphony@yahoo.com, or call (623) 236-6781 to order tickets and get additional information.

The West Valley’s premier wind ensemble, The Arizona Winds Concert Band, opens its 2011-2012 season with back-to-back weekend concerts at the Sun Bowl in Sun City on Sunday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m. and the Mountain Ridge High School Auditorium on Sunday, October 23rd at 3:00 p.m. The Sun Bowl is located just south of Peoria Avenue on 107th Avenue and Mountain Ridge High School is located at 22800 North 67th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona. From Loop 101, go north on 67th Avenue one-and-a half
miles. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

The band’s first concert leans heavily on American music from Academy Award winning composers Henry Mancini and Harold Arlin, to the music of the American circus. One of the highlights of the concert will be a tribute to Arizona’s upcoming Centennial Celebration with a guest performance by the Territorial Brass, Arizona’s official historical brass band.

For the Sun Bowl performance, bring your lawn chairs, light jackets and picnic baskets and enjoy a beautiful fall evening of music under the stars.

You can find further information about the band at: www.azwinds.com, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaWindsConcertBand, or YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/ArizonaWindsBand.

The Arizona Myeloma Network (AzMN) has created a grassroots campaign that makes fighting cancer fun with golfing, a spaghetti dinner, and a 4 foot teddy bear.

The cancer fighting fun starts with a partnership with the Black Bear Diner. Stop by the diner anytime on Tuesday October 11th, and 10% of your spaghetti dinner dollars will go to the AzMN. The Bears that Care raffle, is another great way to get involved during the month. For $1.00 guests are given the opportunity to win the diner’s beloved mascot, a 4 foot plush Brutus the Bear (or dinner for 8). Raffle tickets can be purchased at any of the five Arizona Black Bear Diner locations.

The festivities continue, and on October 22nd is the 7th Annual Arizona Myeloma Network/United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Charity Golf Tournament. Join local celebrities, (Kwamie Lassiter, Kevin McCabe, Russ Ortiz, Scott Hairston, and Butch Baird) and tee off for a chance to win $10,000 and other great prizes, while helping AzMN raise awareness for Myeloma. “It’s a fun event and we hope you will join our team,” says Kurt Riske, member of the AzMN Board of Directors and Brand Manager for Black Bear Diner and Smashburger.

Myeloma is a complex and often misdiagnosed bone marrow plasma cell cancer that attacks and destroys the bone. AzMN provides outreach events and educational programs for Myeloma patients, their families and caregivers. AzMN was formed after the founder’s husband was diagnosed with Myeloma. “We started AzMN to help others like us, who don’t know where to turn for help and information,” says Barbara Kavanagh, President and Founder. “Kurt Riske and the Black Bear Diner’s have been wonderful community partners…and truly inspire those of us who are ‘living’ with cancer.”

Participants wishing to register for the 7th Annual Arizona Myeloma Network/United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Charity Golf Tournament, or for more information on Myeloma and The Arizona Myeloma Network visit www.azmyelomanetwork.org.

Surprise School One of About 60 Businesses Recognized Last Week at Awards Ceremony

From the moment it opened its doors, Arizona Charter Academy has been focused on providing a supportive, positive and embracing culture for both its students and staff members.

Last week, the school was recognized for its ability to consistently meet this goal as well as others when it was named as one of “Arizona’s Most Admired Companies.” The award ceremony was held on September 7 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. This marks the second consecutive year that the Surprise school received this prestigious honor.

Arizona Business Magazine and Best Companies AZ teamed up to recognize the contributions and impact that local companies bring to the state. Award categories included Workplace Culture, Leadership Experience, Corporate and Social Responsibility and Customer Opinion.

Chief Operations Officer Melissa Holdaway said the award is based on employee, customer and community opinions and focuses on companies with more than 25 employees.

“We are so proud to have been chosen as one of the most admired companies for the second year in a row,” she said. “Since the beginning, we have worked hard to build a positive culture that embraces racial and economic diversity in a safe and welcoming environment.  To be recognized for that with such a wonderful award is really very gratifying to everyone who works here.”

Examples of the school’s outstanding community atmosphere, Holdaway said, include a strong commitment to the community through projects like hosting blood drives and building a house from the ground up for a family in need every year along with shared decision making and leadership opportunities for staff.

For more information about Arizona Charter Academy and the “Arizona’s Most Admired Companies” award, or to speak with a student or staff member about what makes the school special to them, contact Melissa Holdaway at 623-974-4959 or 602-478-8793.