By: Linda Gross

The $500,000 Dog Park Challenge

The news spread rapidly when Purina/Beneful announced a half-million dollar contest for a dream dog park in May. All the lucky winner had to do was to submit a 2 minute video showcasing why they were the most deserving of such largess. The winning entry would get a $500,000 “extreme make over” which would obviously result in one amazing facility for dogs and dog-owners. The contest began in May and this August viewers will vote for the winner.

You won’t find the Globe Park video in this coveted circle. And maybe you will decide after looking at the entries, that we didn’t deserve to be in the final ten. But like the award winning  ALLY BANK commercials which drive home the point about fair play and transparent communication, we found the Beneful contest rife with potholes for contestants trying to play by the rules.

Instead of generating good will and positive branding for the Beneful/Purina name, our experience through this process soured our opinion about the company.  Here’s why.

1: Releases.

One of the contest rules was that if you used any music in your video, it had to be copyright free, and if you used other people in your video you had to have releases from every individual. So, we used a public-domain jingle from Apple which has no copyright issues according to the Apple folks. We also included photos of 3 individuals who we were going to submit releases for, but when we searched on-line for where to provide those releases and had to call the company to get clarification on how to submit the releases,  we were told by the company rep that NO RELEASES were needed with the submittal.

Only “when we won, would they ask us for that documentation.”  What?

There was no avenue in the submittal package itself to provide this information. So how did Beneful know the music was copyright free or that the individuals in the video would approve their images? Based on what the rep told us – Beneful would ask for that information AFTER the video had been selected?

Isn’t that like telling a Miss American contestant that a background check would only be performed if she won?

2: Problems with the Upload. “Others are having problems.”

We attempted 3 times to upload the QuickTime movie clip via a MAC on both Safari and Firefox to no avail.

We called customer service who informed Darin they would look into the problem and get back to him. And at the time confirmed that “we were not the only ones having problems.” No one ever called.

We then tried uploading via a PC and Internet Explorer. This time it went through and we got the message, “Thank you for your submission.”

Yet, after 2 days when we still didn’t see the video posted on Darin’s profile we called again. It would seem that even if the video was not accepted for the public contest, it would still be viewable on the contestants page. Our concern increased when Darin got an email – after this submission – saying his profile had not yet been completed.

3: “We are not responsible for the problems you are having with our contest”

Another call to the company connected us to Mark in Customer Service.  His response to a known problem should become a textbook example of BAD form and what not to do when faced with a problem. Darin carefully outlined our process to date, our problem with submitting release forms, our problems with the upload, our concern that our entry was not even received by the Company’s website and the lack of follow through so far of anyone we’d talked to. His request to have Mark simply check to see if our video had been received met with this canned response.

Mr. Customer Service began to read a prepared script which began “Thank you for your interest in Beneful..” and proceeded to outline that part of the contest rules which said the company wasn’t responsible for anything. It was implied that this covered even problems with the Beneful system which was set up to accept contest entries.

It was a clarifying moment. And one which didn’t put Beneful in a positive light.

4: Final wrap up… Thanks for playing

We made two final attempts to confirm that YES our video had been received. We were not angling for anything more than a shot at being IN the contest. This proved to be too much to ask. In talking with Mandy of Consumer Affairs- Darin was assured that if we had gotten the message “thank you…” then it was submitted and would be reviewed before being posted to the website.

She added that if it never showed up on the website then it was likely  disqualified for some reason.

Although, this seemed more of a guess on her part than actual knowledge.

On the final day of the  contest cut off, we again asked another customer service rep if it wasn’t reasonable to expect the video to at least show up on our profile indicating it HAD made it to their servers. This was impossible she said.  She could fill out a report. We reiterated the urgency of the matter.  I asked to speak to her supervisor, to which she informed me that she “was the only one here.”

I pictured a call center meant for 500 with one lone employee manning the Beneful phones during the last day for contest submittals.

One person manning the phones on the final day of a national contest which promised a $500,000 payoff seemed like incredibly lame planning for a big-time corporate brand – or a total disregard for those you have invited to the table to play your game.

5: Another Black Eye

Beneful may have hoped to counter-act the negative press they’ve had recently regarding their dog food by putting up money for a Dream Dog Park, but if our experience with the contest is indicative of how the company deals with it’s audience, then they just succeeded in creating another public relations black eye.

What’s been your experience with Beneful Dog Food? Or the Beneful/Wagworld Dog Park Contest. We’d like to hear from you.

This last weekend, Dik Mickle, who owns the Howlin’ Javelina in Miami AZ opened up his bar early and invited his friends over for an early morning jam session for riders who are participating in the Five and Dive Summer Tour.

I took the opportunity to catch the group on a video clip which includes Dik Mickle, Dan Corradi, David Cluff, Sal Pizzo and Tim Hileman. Drummer/Songwriter, Tim Hileman toured nationally before coming back to his roots in Miami, and Dik Mickle and Sal Pizzo both used to play in various rock-n-roll bands in and around Tempe as far back as 1967. Although they knew of each other – they hadn’t met until now, but give that feeling of having played together for years. Dan Corradi, on electric guitar relocated to Globe several years ago where he and wife opened up a Radio Shack store, but music is still his passion. And the youngest member of the group – David Cluff- moved here from LA  to “take a break”.  He fills in with base guitar when needed, but can play anything.

There are others who join the core group for Fourth Friday’s including some ‘famous’ folks. Several months ago, Amy Schugar, sat in with the group. You just never know what talent will show up on stage at the Javelina….but it’s a show you don’t want to miss. Everyone has a good time and it’s hometown entertainment at it’s best!

Get your punch cards at these locations:

Apache Junction: Superstition Harley Davidson

Globe: The Huddle Sports Bar, 2 Lanes Bar, The Drift Inn

Roosevelt: Butcher Hook

Tonto Basin: Jakes Corner Bar

Get your Clues, Weekly Updates on the Tour

GLOBE MIAMI TIMES Website has an Events Page for the Tour & Links to

FIVE AND DIVE FACEBOOK PAGE

Sign up for the Email: We have put an Email Opt-In sign up on the Front Page of GMT econnect.com. Put in your email on the left-hand side and hit Submit.  You’ll get an email every week with the Clues and Weekly Info for the Tour. EMails come out Thursday Night.

There are storied moments in history which shine light on those who made history and those who remember it long past the actual event. The Dream Team of 1951 made up of  mostly Mexican kids from Bullion Plaza led by Vandals Coach Ernie Kivisto created many magic moments during that season which still resonates nearly 60 years later with the re-telling.

Playwright and journalist, James E. Garcia of the New Carpa Theater was introduced to the story by Robert Revelas ( who graduated in 1951 from Miami) nearly two years ago.

“He was familiar with my work and invited me to Miami to look around. We knew there was a story here.” The two ended up at the Miami Sports Hall of Fame- housed in the Miami Library.  In a sea of awards and accolades which have been heaped on Miami coaches and players over the last fifty years, it was the ’51 Season of the Mighty Vandals which stood out in Garcia’s mind. “This is the story I wanted to tell,” he says. “It is about perseverance… and going against the odds to achieve.”

The story takes place in 1951, just three years before the Supreme Court ruled on school segregation, and here in Globe-Miami, Bullion Plaza Elementary was the school for mostly Mexican American and Apache kids. They came from “less than privileged” backgrounds and were used to playing with hand me down uniforms and shoes.

It wasn’t until Coach Kivisto fought to get the team new uniforms and new shoes that many of the kids put on “new” for the first time in their life. As one player recounts, playing sports was “…a good way to keep our minds off how poor we were.” No doubt the kids from Miami were athletic.

There had been Vandal success stories before Kivisto arrived in ’48, but it was Kivisto’s new style of basketball involving “The Fast Break,” and his ability to pull his players together into one smooth scoring machine which helped push the Dream Team to break all State Records that year. Even their own.

James Garcia and his New Carpa players put on a shortened version for a group of Globe-Miami school kids at the Hersberger Theater.

On their way to the class B State Championship that year they inspired accolades from the community, sports writers and even big city sportswriters who scrambled to come up with new superlatives to describe the players and their amazing performances on the courts.

This was a team which consistently beat others by 40-50 points and averaged nearly 85 points per game. And at a time when coaches could be fired for loosing too many games, Coach Kivisto and his boys were instead criticized by some for winning too much and scoring too many baskets against the other team. In fact, in a pre-game lead up to the Clifton game, the team received “ two anonymous letters threatening violence if Acevedo and Truijillo shot over 15 pts in the game.” A Sheriff’s detail followed the team that night to the game and the Mighty Vandals won over their #2 rival Clifton: 122 – 58.

It wasn’t all about basketball though with Coach Kivisto. He coached them off the court as well and required all of his players to wear a suit and tie on game day. If they couldn’t afford those things he paid for them out of his own pocket. He fought for new uniforms – silky rayon, not cotton, and the team was the first in the League to play in white high-top tennis shoes. Kivisto wanted them looking like the all-star team he knew them to be.

Years later Kivisto said of the 1951 team, “ The 1951 Miami High School team was without a doubt the best high school team I have ever seen or coached, even today. They would fast break any team I have ever seen, coached or will ever coach. I shall always be thankful for that great opportunity to coach such a dedicated group of fine boys…I was fortunate to be at Miami when I was blessed with the finest, dedicated talent any coach could ever ask for.”

The ’51 Season has been recorded in numerous articles and in 2008 Sony Pena, compiled and authored a book which pulled together all the press clippings of that amazing season entitled: “The Might Miami Vandals.” It is available through the Miami Public Library and the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues.

But it is James Garcia and his New Carpa Theater Co. which is bringing the story to life on the stage. The New Carpa Theater which was formed by Garcia, focuses on Latino and multicultural theater works. Last September, he produced a one-hour play for the lunch theatre at the Hersberger Theater Center in Phoenix. Using just  7 actors, the play deftly conveys the story of this remarkable team and their coach.

Kivisto was a coach who taught them “the importance of teamwork in competitive sports and that sports belonged to everyone.” The message was clear. Basketball was a way of leveling the playing field for kids who came from a less-privileged life with working class parents. Kivisto was a coach who cared about those things that matter most in life: Heart and Hustle. And he found both in the kids from Miami.

This is a story worth the re-telling again and again and James Garcia and his New Carpa players are doing just that. Garcia hopes to premier the full length version of the play this Fall Miami if he can find the right venue to handle a crowd…because anyone knows that when you bring The Mighty Vandals to town, you’ve got to be prepared for a packed house!

Local Author,  Sonny Pena published “The Mighty Miami Vandals” which compiles all of the newspaper clippings of the Kivisto years and that amazing ’51 season. You can see an excellent book review at The Book Bank - Blog.

Christine Marin has also published an excellent account of those years with Kivisto entitled, “Courting Success and Realizing the American Dream: Arizona’s Mighty Miami High School Championship Basketball Team, 1951.
It is available on-line as a PDF at gmteconnect.com/Mighty Vandals.

Side Bar:

Kivisto introduced his players to a new style of play called the “Fast Break” – something the Phoenix Suns today are known for today – but back then Kivisto was the first high school basketball coach in the state of Arizona to initiate the fast break and the “weave”, or “figure 8” on the court. Combined with his kids athletic ability and determination, the 1951 Vandals broke all kinds of national records that year including:

Had 3 time outs to opponents 125 in 27 games
Scored 970 points in 10 home games for an average of 97 per game
Average of 84.7 in 27 games to break former average of 70.1-set by Miami in 1948
In 27 games outscored the opponents by an average of 40 points per game.

“Former East Aurora coach Ernie Kivisto — to his dying day — insisted the shot came after time expired. It remains vivid in East-West lore, however. West went on to place third in the state.”  Quoted in Tulsa Daily Herald in 2007 .

By: Laura Stennerson

Good times at Howling Javelina. Fourth Friday at Howling Javelina, 508 W. Sullivan Street in downtown Miami, is an experience not to be missed! I have loved visiting the Howling Javelina ever since Dic and Marilyn Mickle first opened. I thoroughly enjoy talking to Marilyn and Dic. Dic is the type of person who focuses on meaningful conversation. After talking with him, I feel renewed. Conversations with Dic do not just end, instead they are a jumping ground for my own thought extensions. I think all good conversations are like that, they make me think. They alter my perspective, they inspire me, change me. I can probably recall every conversation I have had with him. That is a huge thing for me to say, considering how much I forget.

Marilyn is a beauty inside and out. Smiling, genuine, caring, she has the sweetest soul with the most amazing hair. When she speaks, she has the faintest drawl. She has the voice of a singer. Even though I have never heard her sing, I envision her on stage belting out soulful melodies. She just seems balanced, a sweet soul that exudes a passionate soul as well. Their friendliness is a huge motivator for me to visit when I can.

The Howling Javelina sits in an old building in Miami. The Javelina is a tribute to the town of Miami’s past. Old pictures grace the walls. There are collections behind glass. From the tin ceiling to the hardwood floors the place is just cozy, clean, and welcoming. I was excited to actually attend my First Friday Open Mic at the Howling Javelina.

When I arrived the place was filling up. The musicians were setting up their equipment. I was thrilled to see Sal Pizzo hooking up his keyboard. Sal is a long time friend, and I like to see him play locally, so I can enjoy his easygoing keyboard fun more often. Dan Corradi was tuning his guitar and Dic Mickle was everywhere at once, I heard there was a promise that my friend Liz Weibler, artist extraordinaire, was going to sing. I had my fingers crossed, the first time I heard her sing to an audience, she sang acappella at open mic night at Jim Coates, Copper Mine Picture Cafe, and I didn’t write about it. It was one of those situations where I was blown away by someone’s talent I didn’t know existed. All those times, Liz and I sang loudly to Modest Mouse, setting up art shows, and I was not aware of the beauty of her voice. Wow!

So I was anticipating a fun filled evening of good music, and good conversation.

Dan Mickle, Dan Corradi, Sal Pizzo, and John Owenspy started the evening with a few bars of Stray Cat Strut. The jovial patrons on the couch were offering encouragement and suggestions to the musicians. The evening began with interactive motion and sound. The musicians sang and played on stage. The folks on the couch tapped their tambourines, and shook their maracas. These experienced musicians know how to cooperate. They move with each others style, in a free form of structure. It is like they create some form of swirling music mass as they jam together.

Dik Mickles behind the bar

I have mentioned before these musicians should have their own venue, and I guess they do. But where was David Cluff the third “D” of the Jam group, the 3Ds? A little later, I saw Dic on the phone, as he walked by, I heard him say something about needing the band’s bass guitarist, and I was hoping that meant David. After a few more jams, Dave did show up ready to play. The group played the Stray Cats, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, the Animals, and more. Their rendition of Gloria was great fun. I think the whole place was singing along having a wonderful time. I love those scenarios where everyone seems to be in the moment.

Guitarist, Michael Williams, and drummer Adam Buzan, were set to play next. Dic gave them a resounding endorsement. They played three of their original songs. I do appreciate bands that play their own music. They were high energy with good vocals. There were some drum malfunctions, but I think that was due to the sheer energy Adam put into those drums. They are two members of Unknown Spirit a local band. I hope the local community, and me, gets to see them perform again soon.

Liz W. with friends during the Art Walk earlier this Spring

Dic, Dan, David, Sal, and John took up places again entertaining the crowd. Liz Weibler was going to sing! She sang Wade in the Water. Her voice was smooth and blue. The gentleman next to me said smokey and sultry in describing her voice. He sure pegged it. She looked beautiful, and her delivery was calm and focused. It was rather bittersweet. I found out Liz was moving to Tucson. I am going to miss her cheerful fun personality.

Then back with the band. They played some Bob Marley and some other artists I did not take note of. As a matter of fact my notes begin to get a bit sparse here. Liz came up and sang Stay Cat Strut which was a big crowd pleaser. The crowd had been egging them to play that song in entirety all evening long. Actually that is the last thing I wrote that evening, even though the music and merriment went on. Might have been my numerous conversations, or my be bopping to the great sounds, or my consumption of that tasty yet heady Wild Blue, or maybe, I forgot what I was doing, and just had fun in the moment too. Thank you Marilyn and Dic Mickle for opening up the Howling Javelina every fourth Friday for a howling good time.

Don’t Miss the Morning Blues – playing at Howlin’ Javelina for Five and Dive Riders on June 26th from 8am – 10am.  YES, we’re opening up early for this event, so riders can get in a morning ride, catch some blues music, and get breakfast in the area before it gets hot.  Everyone is welcome – even if you don’t come in on two-wheels!

(photos of performers to follow… pending arrival!)

This was the scene this morning around 7am, as race organizers began sending off the groups of bicyclists according to their category.

by: Linda Gross

The Arizona State Road Race Championships are taking place today in Globe. The event is estimated to bring in over 400 riders in age categories from ten years to seventy years. This will be the fourth year that ProCon, the race organizer has held the event in Globe. Several years ago they held a 3 day event with a short course in Downtown Globe which blocked off streets. This proved to be too problematic for local residents and race organizers, so they have evolved into a one day event which takes place outside the Globe City Limits and utilizes the long stretches and hills between the junction of HWY188 and HWY60 and Roosevelt Lake.

Riders who are 10yrs and up compete in this race

So, be on the lookout for bicyclists today – there will be alot of them on the road heading out to Roosevelt.  The course includes a 39, 59 and 89 mile loop with the finish line at the Cobre Valley Country Club. Race organizers estimate that this event brings 20-30K to the community through food, gas and lodging sales.

Javier Reynoso and his 'dancing horses' performed on Saturday

By Linda Gross

The Tex Mex Festival 2010 held at Globe’s Community Center did not have a shortage of great entertainment during the two day event. From Reynoso’s performance with his dancing horses, to the powerful performances by three Mariachi bands from Phoenix and Tucson, the colorful and well executed dancing of Ballet Folklorico tenochtitlan, the latin sound of New Frequency and, of course the two headlining bands: Tierra and Little Joe Y Familia, those in attendance were treated to teriffic performances!

As the City’s first Big Scale event in which they partnered with Los Vecinos De Companeros to put up the $32,000 for the headliner bands, and covered the costs of staging and managing a large scale event they showed it could be done. Matt Jankowski, Parks and Recreation Manager, and his team did a commendable job of setting up a large-scale facility at the Community Center. If thousands had shown up this weekend  they could easily have been accommodated at this facility. As it was, only hundreds attended the events both days with the majority of the crowds showing up for the bands – despite very low temperatures and high winds.

That is a risk of staging large outdoor events.

Mother Nature isn’t always on board with your plans. Last April/May at this time, we had 70deg weather and clear skies. Go Figure.

One of the event attendees for Saturday’s Little Joe Y Familia event was surprised at the small crowd, but wondered if the huge protests against Arizona’s immigration bill which were being held in Phoenix and Tucson, could have been a contributing cause for the low numbers. “I know several of my friends who were going to spend the weekend in Globe, decided it was more important to show their support for the protests.”

Mariach Sol Azteca from Tucson played both days. Representing the traditional music of Mexico which so many associate with Cinco de Mayo

And, then there is the aspect of change. The City and Los Vecinos de Companeros took the local celebration of Cinco de Mayo which had been held in downtown Globe for free and re-designed it into a large-scale event with the hopes it would actually bring in money to both the City and LVC. Billed as a Tex-Mex Festival the target audience appeared to shift from down-home to outta-town. There was some local push back to the Event which many felt was an over-reach for the community. Some felt the ticket prices were too high: $30 day/$50 for two days. Some felt Tex-Mex didn’t represent ‘their kind of music, or festival. Some just felt the show was for out of towners – not locals.

Yet, watching the performances during both days, visitors must have been struck by the variety of performances and the mix of traditional with contemporary expressions of Mexican culture. From the rhythym and blues sounds of Tierra on Friday night to the rich violins and voices of Mariachi Sol Azteca, the sounds of what it is to be Hispanic were showcased by some outstanding musical talent. From the Reynoso’s who showcased their horses and roping talent to the wonderful performances by Ballet Foklorico tenochititlan the rich history – which is Mexico- was well represented!

Ballet Folklorico tenochititlan performed several numbers to the crowds delight.

The comment of one visitor said they thought the ticket prices were reasonable…especially since all the food booths and beer were “cheap.” Unlike some events where the food and drink prices are jacked up because of a captive audience, the food vendors of Globe-Miami offered up good fare at good prices!

The presentation of the La Reina de Las Flores Queens and Contestants occurred under clear skies and each of the ladies are to be commended for their achievements and performance at Saturday’s event.

Ballet Folklorico tenochtitlan showcased a variety of dances and dresses!

Queens & Contestants

Talking to Globe’s Mayor, Fernando Shipley, about what he might do differently next year, he said he would begin the Festival on Saturday, since people are working on Friday and most can’t even think of showing up until they get off work.

There are other considerations which will surely be a part of the wrap up discussion regarding better signage, more advertising outside the area and coordination with local merchants, but this should not take away from the fact that many things went right with this event.

Globe proved that we do have an excellent “staging area” for a truly large-scale event and we have the people who can pull it off. Had the crowds been larger, an event of this type can bring in money and become a well-recognized asset for this community. It can be an event which smoozes locals and outta-towners alike and celebrates the Mexican culture which is not just one thing – but a huge melting pot of many expressions. It can be an event for all. And that would be something worth celebrating.

(PS: For more photographs on the Festival please visit Globe Miami Times Facebook.)

The women of Mariachi Sonido de Mexico deliver an elegant performance

By Linda Gross

The afternoon winds and storm clouds kept many away from yesterdays full venue which included performances by three exceptional mariachi bands from both Phoenix and Tucson. But for those who braved the weather, the line up of mariachi bands delivered an full day of exceptional performances by three of the region’s best mariachi bands.

Mariachi music which stems from the 18th Century, typically includes violins, trumpets, an acoustic guitar and a vihuela (a high-pitched, five string guitar), a guitarron (large acoustic bass).

Libby stands in front of MariachiMexico Nuevo as they serenade her with a birthday song!

The Band Mariachi Mexico Nuevo from Phoenix took the stage first and warmed up the weather by at least 10degrees as their music floated  across the field and filled the air. And they entertained the crowd by dedicating several songs to those in attendance including Libby Bracomonte, who was there with daughter Marissa and grandson celebrating her birthday…and, of course serving up great food (Libby’s El Rey).

The group calling themselves, Mariachi Sonido de Mexico from Tucson, then took the stage around 4, just as the sun broke through the clouds. The nine-piece band included an incredible string line up and tight vocals.

The addition of women to the stage is relatively new occurring sometime in the 50′s, and wasn’t always well-received according to an article done Laura Sobrino on the history of Women in Mariachi music. But by the ’90s women were showing up on stage in increasing numbers and today many mariachi bands are evenly balanced between men and women, with some all-women mariachi bands.

Listen to Mariachi Sonido de Mexico…and you’ll know why.

The interplay between male and female voices, strings and trumpets, acoustic and bass is part of the joy of what we hear in mariachi

Globe Vice Mayor, Carmen Casillas talks to a member of Mariachi Sol Azteca before they take the stage

The last Mariachi band to take the stage on Friday was Mariach Sol Azteca, also from Tucson. The group delivered an outstanding performance led by the trumpet sounds of band member Jesse Rojas and Monique Grijalva and the full sound of  9 professional musicians.

Note: You will get to see them play today if you missed them yesterday.

Mariach Sol Azteca will take the stage at 2:30 pm. Don’t miss it!

The band Tierra took the stage briefly for a sound check before beginning their performance for the evening. By then, a crowd had begun to gather, enjoy the setting sun, the sounds of LATINO floating across the open skies.

To see more photographs of the individual performances, check out GMT FB

Rosemary Castenada, Ray Pini, Marlene Tiede, Darryl Dalley,and Wes Sukosky enjoy the view and the fanfare of the morning

This morning passengers flooded the Old Depot in downtown Globe, Az to board the Copper Spike for a special VIP trip to Miami and back. Over 150 people, made up of mostly local media,  area merchants, and political and community leaders found seats throughout the train’s five passenger cars.

The ride was free this morning. It’s intent to drum up enthusiasm and local support for extending the excursion rail line to Miami.

While this idea has floated around for decades, it seems the combination of Globes’ success in restoring their old Depot and drawing ridership from all over the State, plus the support of Mr. Ellis who owns Arizona Eastern and operates both the freight line and excursion train in this region, and the political will of those in charge at both the City and County levels may just move this idea from pipe dream to possible.

Ken Bitten, Director of Operations and Steve Torrico, Engineer with Arizona Eastern both have strong backgrounds in operating passenger and excursion rail lines.

According to Arizona Eastern engineer Steve Torrico, who is working his 3rd season with the Copper Spike and makes his home in Miami during the Nov-May season, this latest incarnation of bringing rail service to Miami began with the Genesis Group out of Miami, now headed by Susan Hansen, the Miami City Council, Kip Culver of Globe’s Main Street program and the Arizona Eastern Railroad.

“We all wanted to make an effort at building local interest at restoring the track between Globe and Miami and bringing back passenger service between the two communities,” he said.

To do so will cost approximately 1.5 million which includes rebuilding ten miles of railroad to enable the train to go 25 miles per hour. This would reduce the time between towns over what passengers experienced today on older track. (Avg speed was closer to 15 mph). The railroad would need to build a 50 car siding to replace the storage area currently used by the freight trains (which are the bread and butter of any rail operation.) Just HOW it all gets paid for has not been determined yet, but Torrico indicated that funding could come from a combination of City, County, Az DOT, Arizona Eastern, the Federal Railroad Association and grant monies.

Susan Hansen, Councilperson and local merchant, Co-Chairs the Genesis Group with fellow Councilman Darrel Dalley and has worked steadily with Az Eastern and others to bring back rail service to Miami

If the local group can get this idea off the drawing board and into production, Ellis, with the Arizona Eastern has indicated he would restore a steam engine similar to the one which sits in Globes’ City Park, and would add this to the line.

Torrico adds that “…once we have these tracks rehabilitated, it’s possible to run regular transit service.”

While this is still just one of those ideas floating around, it has merit when you look at the gain to both communities and the railroad itself to provide easy (and entertaining) access to both communities via a rail line.With a train depot and departure located in Miami, the Copper Spike rail line is 20 minutes closer

Phoenix and offers more opportunities for the two communities to share tourist traffic during events hosted by either community.

Bob Zache owns the Old Depot in Miami and supports the idea of extending the excursion train to Miami.

As Ken Bitten, with Arizona Eastern noted, tourist dollars brought in by an operation of this nature offer low impact and high return to communities looking for ways to generate income without adding a great deal of infrastructure. In today’s economy that adds up to a winning combination.

Delvan Hayward, stands with her mother's old train book in hand.

Today’s event showed the local community just how far this idea of rail service to Miami has come. Thanks to the vision and volunteer efforts of a handful of people….

A passenger train pulled into the station in Miami for the first time in 77 years.

It probably won’t be the last time.

You can catch the piece done on today’s event by Channel 15 news tonight at 10 and see more photos of the day’s festivities by checking out GMT’s Facebook Page.

By Linda Gross

This coming weekend, the Globe community will host one of the largest community events in recent history.  A Tex-Mex Festival in celebration of Cinco de Mayo will be held at the Globe Community Center both Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1. The City of Globe and Los Vecino y Companeros have each put up $16,000 to bring two major bands to the area for this event, along with a host of other entertainment including dancing horses, mariachi bands, Ballet Folklorico dancers and, of course, the crowing of the Queens.   The bands, Tierra and Little Joe y Familia are two of the biggest names in the industry and will be headlining the evening’s entertainment on both Friday and Saturday.

About the Bands…

Tierra, whose sound in a Latin rhythm and blues combo was  voted “Best R&B Vocal Group” by four leading magazines including Billboard. The group started their career in East Los Angeles “… with a blend of rock, pop, jazz, R&B and salsa. The result was a Latin R&B rhythm which produced classics like “Together”, “Gonna Find Her”, “Memories” and “Zoot Suit Boogie”. The band’s quarter century commitment shows a dedication that can only be understood by listening to their smooth and soulful sounds. ” The group has performed at Carnegie Hall, The American Music Awards, and American Bandstand. The second band, Little Joe and La Familia have been entertaining for more than 30 years and helped to pioneer the “Tejano” music, a mix of traditional “norteno” music and country, blues, and rock styles. Awarded a Grammy for “Dies y Seis De Septiembre”, Little Joe is known as the “King of Brown.”

Event Updates….

Matt Jankowski, City Recreation manager, has been working on plans for the event since last Fall. Just one week before the big event, everything seems to be nailed down. There will be approximately 1100 parking places on-site, and two shuttles which will operate between the Casino, several hotels, and the downtown area. The shuttles will enable event goers to park and ride, to-and-from the event. “I’m suggesting to local residents to park on the South end of Broad and take the shuttle from the Depot to the event,” says Jankowski. (Check out the Event Page for complete information on Shuttle stops and timing)

The event opens at noon on Friday and three Mariachi bands from Phoenix and Tucson will perform through the afternoon. And TIERRA opens their first set at 7:30pm.

Mariachi Mexico Nuevo  2 – 4pm  ;

Mariachi Sonido de Mexico 4 – 5:30pm; 

Mariachi Sol Azteca 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Day Two of the event begins with Opening Ceremonies at 11am and an introduction of La Reina de Las Flores Queens and Contestants.

A group calling themselves New Frequency… will start the entertainment for the afternoon and followed by a 2nd performance by Mariachi Sol Ateca, and at 3:30 pm , Javier Reynoso and his Dancing Horses will perform.

Tickets can be purchased on-line, at Globe’s City Hall and at the gate the day of the event. Prices are $50 for a two day pass and $30 for a one day pass. You can find the complete itinerary of both days on GMTeconnect.com/ CincodeMayo.

While You’re in Town…

As for suggestions while you’re in town, you might schedule some time to explore the downtown historic district of Globe, where you can start off with breakfast at Joe’s Broadstreet Grill, right across from the Old Train Depot (one of the shuttle stops), and check out the local shops, antique stores, and coffee shop. Here is a link to walking maps of downtown Globe and Miami. It shows all of the shops and restaurants in the downtown Districts. GMT will be covering the event on Facebook and twitter and we hope to see you here this weekend for Tex-Fest!