I can’t believe I am sitting at High Desert Middle School’s auditorium waiting to see the Globe High School Band, and the Miami High School Band and Choir perform together in a concert. For all I know this is a first time event. I feel as if we are on the brink of a monumental moment. Our communities share families, students, visitors. We share jobs, businesses, parks. We share the community events that bring us all together. It feels inspiring that Globe and Miami bands have collaborated, embracing a new tradition, setting aside an ancient tradition of fierce rivalry.

This is progress! I grew up in Miami, my mother grew up in Miami, my grandmother grew up in Miami. My great-grandparents, moved from Juarez, Mexico to Miami, Arizona around 1900. I have roots there. I visit Miami and contribute to businesses. I have friends who live in Miami. I work and live in Globe. My children attend Globe schools, one having already graduated from Globe High School. I have friends who live in Globe. I have roots here. Our communities are combined in my mind. Separate, but whole. United. I have found I do not need any misplaced loyalty to either town. We are more connected than divided.   And, I have noticed, there seems to be a new understanding of the need of our communities aligning. One town’s success, is the other town’s success. We impact one another with our decisions, good or bad.

This concert of merging minds, and musicians, coupled with hard work, and passion is a joy. In my mind I begin to see this event as a catalyst for change. I see future events between towns and schools. Art shows, perhaps even class credit exchanges between high schools, especially if there is a lack of a qualified teacher at either school. For all I know this could already be happening, so if it is, leave a comment. I also start dreaming of one of those miles long antique/yard sales, that runs from the west of Miami to the east of Globe. I have a keen sense of visualization, and I can see the treasure I find at this collaborative sale. A rhinestone broach, a piece of American pottery, a book of botanical prints, and maybe even an old watering can. I smile at the image and bring myself back to the moment.

Seats are filling up. I feel so grateful I did not fall into the temptation to just collapse after work. I am glad I am here with my daughter. I want her to be inspired by these young musicians and this event. Looking around, I realize I hope everyone is inspired tonight. And in my usual visualizing mind I begin to see global change brought on by tonight’s concert. If Globe and Miami schools can come together in a celebration of music performed by their students, then who knows, maybe the animosity held by towns, cities, countries, and lands across the world will dissipate into oblivion. It could happen. You never know where critical mass may begin. It could begin here. Or should I say, it is beginning.

Nolan Frost, Miami High School Band and Choir director, and Richard Franco, Globe High School Band director, each told their own story of inspired and dedicated students, hardworking booster clubs, generous sponsors, and faithful families. Their outpouring of gratitude cheered my heart. And I certainly was not the only person who saw the significance of rivalry transcended. Nolan Frost called music a “thrilling language,” and it is. Music moves. It resonates through us, connecting us. It fuels our moods and desires. Music wraps us up in color and light. We have created, and continue to create original music, instruments, and musical thought. Music is a part of who we are as a species. Brain research indicates that humans may be “hard wired” for music appreciation, and not from just one part of our brain, but from many different areas of the brain. It is a language that doesn’t necessarily need a translation. I can be fully engrossed in the opera, La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi, yet I do not speak Italian. I can listen to a piece of music with no words, yet it speaks to me. Music is magic.

Richard Franco expressed much gratitude to the parents and families of his band students. He recognizes their everyday dedication to their children. He stressed the importance of parents in the lives of their children. He understands what it means to be a good parent because his parents are role models. He completely appreciates his parents for his successes. He praised his students for their diligence to playing music at Globe High School. Mr. Paul Allison, president of Globe High Booster Club, was introduced as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Mr. Allison further remarked on this portentous gathering. He also praised the students, and the community support. He also sent out a plea for further support of the schools’ endeavors to continue music education at our districts. He emphasized the value of music to education as a whole.
Ms. Cindy Parravano Globe High School principal spoke also. She likened being a band member to an athlete. She admired the band members’ drive and spoke how they worked as hard as an athlete. Ms. Parravano was funny and entertaining as she spoke, remembered how her siblings practiced band when she was a child. She commented on the importance of our Miami and Globe students working together for this concert.

Mr. Allison introduced the first performer LeeAnna Gourdin, who played a piano solo, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, from Walt Disney’s Lion King. What an appropriate song to begin the Concert. The Globe High School Groovers, played a fun mix of Bob Marley, Step N Wolf, Michael Jackson, Neil Diamond, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, arranged by Richard Franco, who also played the drums. These kids were high energy and seemed to be enjoying themselves which was communicated through their music to the audience. The Miami High School Choir performed next. They were not accompanied by music. They sang Lollipop, and a folk song, The Water is Wide. These young women did a great job singing and I honestly would like to have heard more. I could pick out some very strong voices from the choir. The Miami High School Band played next. They played five beautiful and moving selections. The second piece was called Dance Dirigble by Nolan Frost. The music had an nice exotic feel. Globe High School Band followed with four numbers. The music was well executed and well received. The Globe and Miami Bands combined played , An American Hymntune, by Robert Sheldon. The audience was enthusiastic of each school’s efforts. There were standing ovations, cheers, and ardent applause. The audience went crazy after the last song was played. Standing, clapping, and cheering, the audience was obviously inspired by these performers and their teachers.

The efforts of the band directors, Richard Franco and Nolan Frost need to be commended. Thank you for having inspired foresight for the potential of collaboration and future collaboration between our schools. Kudos to the students and all the people who help in the band enterprises. These undertakings make positive change.

The next day, I asked Mr. Franco and Mr. Nolan if they would give me a few words about the concert. Here are their insightful words. Mr. Franco wrote: “Last night was a culmination of months of work. Looking back on it I would have to say that it was an overwhelming success. The students for both schools prepared extremely well and put together an amazing show. I am grateful for all their hard work and dedication to music. I look forward to working with Miami in the future. It was an awesome and great event for the community.”
Mr Frost wrote: “It is always so exciting when you get a bunch of musicians together. Both music programs are in a rebuilding phase right now, and I think the energy and passion is palpable. Playing with your peers adds something special to what we already love doing. To bring both the communities of Miami and Globe together to celebrate the talent of this generation of young people is long overdue. Wherever you are from, the future of our young people is thrilling and something to be nurtured. As adults we need to be careful not to vicariously live out all of our own passions and prejudice in our young, but allow them to fulfill their own promise.” Mr. Frost went on to state: “I am so proud with what Miami’s Music Program has accomplished this year. We have grown together both as musicians and humans. The love of what we do is infectious and makes teaching for me, a joy! Everyday, we get together first period and wish we could stay in band and choir all day.”
Mr. Franco and the Globe school system has been extremely gracious and generous and I greatly look forward to our continued connection. As a music teacher, I know so very well that success depends strongly on parents, administration and the community. We are ambassadors for our art.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to perform in your great auditorium. We are looking forward to Globe’s visit to our auditorium next year.”

And I thank you both for giving our communities something to look forward to.

Kudos to those who are gutsy enough to get out there and share a bit of their soul. And kudos to all those that come out to support them.

By: Laura Baker

Note: This is a reprint from an article Laura wrote for the GlobeMiamiTimes. Featuring the Romero’s amazing garden which supplies the region with a plethora of options for growing chilis,tomatoes and herbs.

Image via Wikipedia

I remember the first time I drove through Six Shooter Canyon.  The wind was cool and the sun danced merrily through the tall trees that lined the narrow road.  The quaint houses and the quiet street were a refreshing change to the smog, the crowds, and the miles of asphalt spidering across the Phoenix Valley.  There, nearly at the end of the road, I spotted a weather-worn sign that read “Sunrise & Sunset Chile & Herb Garden.”  We parked like we were visiting old friends and entered a small fenced yard.  There I met Pat & Manuel Romero, owners of the Sunrise & Sunset Chile & Herb Garden, who casually asked what they could do for us.  Where to begin?  The perimeter was lined with young tomato and pepper plants, a center table was filled with a plethora of herbs, and to the right was a greenhouse filled with every kind of chili plant.  After perusing Pat’s three-ring binder and circling the premises several times, I finally left with a few tomato plants, a white bell pepper, some kitchen herbs, and a little plant called yarrow that Pat threw in for “fun.”

But, in fact, I came away with much more. Visiting the Salsa Gardens (as it is sometimes called) is no Wal-Mart experience.  The Romeros don’t simply welcome you into a store; they welcome you into their garden, their outdoor home, a place grown from patience, hard work, and a passion for plants.  They tell you stories, remember your name (or at least your face), and with gracious familiarity help you take home a little garden.   The plants themselves are as refreshing as the people who sell them.  They were not prepared in bulk, at the lowest cost possible, in some far away place.  No, each plant began its life on the Romero’s kitchen table as a tiny seed, was nurtured all winter in the warmth of their home, and then hardened for the spring, awaiting their final destination in your garden.

The Sunrise & Sunset Chili and Herb garden is the inspiration for many awesome Salsa Gardens throughout this area!

Exotic Plants..and more

While the personal touch drew me in, the sheer variety found at the Sunrise & Sunset Garden sold me as a return customer.  Where else can you find white, purple, or brown bell peppers or tomatoes that range from pink, white, orange to zebra-stripped?  Pat’s personal favorite is the fatalii chili pepper, the African equivalent of the habanero pepper.  Even Ace and Walmart recognize they can hold nothing over the little garden and refer customers seeking something more unique to the Salsa Gardens.  In fact, customers come from all over the area from as far away as Apache Junction, Dudleyville, and Roosevelt.

60 Varieties of Tomatoes…

While today the Chile & Herb Garden attracts visitors from all over, its beginnings were humble.  The Romero’s first sold their seedlings at yard sales.  Impressed with the quality of the plants, friends and neighbors encourage the Romero’s to sell more. So, in 1996, they began their little store with a few plants and one small greenhouse.  Since then the greenhouse has expanded and the number of plants has grown to about three to four thousand, with 50 to 60 varieties of tomatoes, 70 kinds of chilis, and about 25 to 30 types of sweet peppers, not to mention a whole host of herbs.  Despite this growth, the Romero’s remain community-minded.  Every year, they donate plants to places such as the senior center, nursing homes, or the food bank, and their final weeks of profit to the St. Andrea’s Children’s Clinic in Nogales, Mexico.

Sunrise and Sunset Chile and Herb Garden Open for Business

The Sunrise and  Sunset Chile and Herb Garden is open from the first or second week in March till the first week in June.  Their regular hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, but Pat assures me that if you find her there other times she’ll help you out then too.  As a small seasonal business, they don’t take credit cards, so bring cash.  The tomatoes and peppers are $2.50 each and herbs are $3.25 ea. They are located at 9149 Six Shooter Canyon Road, Globe, AZ.  They can be contacted via email peppers@cableone.net or by phone at 928-425-6218.

I must admit that buying a plant from the Romero’s does not guarantee a “green thumb,” but I believe it does something even better: it inspires a “green heart.”  So this year, whether you are preparing an elaborate garden or just hoping to grow a little something in a pot, make sure to visit the Sunrise and Sunset Chile and Herb Garden.  And who knows maybe this summer you will find yourself having a salad with zebra-striped tomatoes and purple bell peppers!

We seem to have entered a phase in local politics where the public voice simply seems to be an inconvenience to those in power. Something to deal with – rather than listen to.  And no, I’m not talking about what is happening in Wisconsin, although there are some parallels. No, I’m referring to our own elected leaders in Globe who have insisted on pushing through a private prison project despite significant citizen opposition.  Recently they paid $700 to put ads in the local papers identifying what they say are the “Facts” about a private prison in Globe.

Debating these ‘facts’ Jim Moss, spokes person with Citizens Opposed, and Micky Nye with the Chamber of Commerce and EDC were on KIKO’s Open Line at 9:30 both yesterday and today. We hope to post those debates in their entirety here, on this site, later this week. One of the issues discussed today was a DVD which was produced by the Emerald Companies and shown at a closed door meeting nearly a year ago to handful community and politicos to help “sell” the idea.  We acquired a copy of that DVD and have posted it here for your review.

When ex-EDC Director ingratiatingly says the community is “thrilled” with the project, she must have been speaking about present company, since very few in the community even knew of it’s existence at the time the DVD was produced.

Here are just FOUR of the False Facts reviewed in the KIKO debates :

False Fact #1: The State of Arizona guarantees usage of the building for 20 years at 90% occupancy.

Unless, of course, the State of Arizona chooses to exercise the opt-out clause in the RFP which excuses the State from this ‘guarantee’ if the legislature determines it is not in their best interest to keep populating these prison facilities.

**And at least one staunch Republican legislator is making a strong case for moving away from building more prisons and incarcerating more prisoners. This Mesa Republican, Cecil Ash, represents the 18th district and he points out that if the State continues it’s current course it will incur an additional $979 million over and above the $949 million the State already spends!  He relays an actual case of a man who stole a $200 bicycle and was sentenced to 8.5 years. At the average cost of $22,000 per prisoner per year, that means tax payers are now spending $160,000 for that $200 criminal. Ash, and others, simply point to a plain truth. The current system is simply un-sustainable. To believe that the State is going to continue to find ways to fund greater incarceration rates on the backs of tax payers is to live in La La Land.  See: Cecil Ash/ Issues

FalseFact 2: Comparing the one escape from our local State-run prison to the safety record of privately-run prisons is a phony factoid. Remember Kingman where the alarm had been going off every 20 minutes for months and guards ignored it? The track record of prisons which are operated by the for-profit entities including Correction Corp of America, MTC, Emerald and others, fall short of those State-run facilities for *security, *pay scale, and *training. Private prison fact sheet 2009(2)

False Fact #3: “We are not creating another industry, just adding to one that is already here.” This is a direct quote by Jerry McCreary, EDC who was part of a short video created by the Emerald Companies to convince the State DOC that this community supported the idea of a private prison.  In actuality, there is not ONE private prison operating in Gila County and this issue has never been approved by the voters of this area.

False Fact #4: “There is a significant amount of work done by inmates, including clean ups along side highways, making bicycles …and helping out Besh Ba Gowah.”  OK, here’s a question for you dear reader. Just how many inmates have you seen working around the area? Ten? Twenty? Well, that would appear to represent less than  10% of our current prison population.

Hey, I’m all for putting these guys to work on behalf of good causes like cleaning up the roadways. But until we have all 350 inmates at the State run prison out on the roads cleaning up trash, I don’t think it’s a valid argument to say we need to house 1000 MORE inmates within our City Limits, to do some community service. That’s lame don’t you think?

Recently, Citizen’s Opposed requested that this controversial issue be put to the voters by placing it on the upcoming ballot in May. They have even agreed to pay for the costs if they loose this vote. (This option was actually suggested by Councilwoman Thea Wilshire a month ago during a council meeting in which a citizen suggested putting it to a vote.)

Wilshire wondered aloud that such a vote might be costly, and perhaps “The Citizens Opposed would be willing to pick up the cost.”

The opposition has agreed to that and a letter requesting a public vote in May has now been circulated to the the Mayor and Council members. Will they agree to settle this issue by putting it to a vote ?

There is a feeling I get when I have a moment of acute awareness. My breath catches, I tingle, and sometimes I even giggle. Well that is exactly how I felt as I got in my car to leave Vida E Cafe 157 W. Ceder Street, Globe, Az. I had just attended their First Friday Open Mic, and I was a bit jittery from my triple shot latte, which might account for the catchy breath, tingling, and even the giggling. Yet, I knew I was on to a dawning realization of why I so enjoy the open mic events in our community. It is not just those individuals who fearlessly go forward to perform, it not just the delicious coffee and food that I crave, no, it is the fellowship, the camaraderie, it is the love that keeps me coming back. The erasing of imaginary boundaries between young and old, genres, styles, words spoken or sang. On this First Friday, I watched as musicians exchanged ideas, equipment, stories, and a deep appreciation for each others musical endeavors. I watched as family and friends, and musicians and poets not performing came to support the evening’s performers in a delightful attitude of fun. A sense of joy swirled around the room, intermingling with music and the warm reassuring scent of coffee.

Sleep did not come to me easily that night, thanks to my lack of restraint concerning my penchant for lattes, dark and strong, and my usual racing mind. So with sleep eluding me, my thoughts went back to my lingering impressions of the evening. I thought of Mitchell Brown singing and playing harmonica and guitar to the great folk songs of the 1960s. He played Creedance Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen The Rain, then Jackson Browne’s After The Deluge, and finally People Get Ready by Curtis Mayfield. I enjoyed Mitchell’s commentary between songs. He was from that time, singing songs from that time and that experience was evident. He had a wealth of information, and I watched, as young and older musicians came to him after he played to talk to him. There were some technical difficulties in the middle of Mitchell’s first song, a loud pop came from the speaker, and it seemed to be broken. But this did not seem to hinder his playing at all. Jared Spencer, the ever diligent and delightful MC raced home to get his equipment, as did the masterful Jim Vandine. Soon the equipment was switched over and the show went on.

This camaraderie, continued on beyond our local community, to people like, Linda Watson, a poet who resides in Fort Thomas, who came all the way to Globe with a friend to enjoy Vida E’s First Friday. Linda read two poems, A Single Rose, and Darkness. A Single Rose was a beautiful metaphor for the cycle of life. Darkness, was filled with vivid imagery. I so appreciate fellow poets. It is a perk for me to attend these events where poets read. I recalled being impressed by a young man offering his chair to a lady. The place was packed, truly, standing room only. I was struck with just how caring our community is, how eager to help, and appreciative of all the good our community has to offer.

I reflected, as my mind was still reeling, on the other musicians like Chris Mathews, a young musician playing the guitar and harmonica, with a nice wavering voice, reminiscent of the lead singer of the Desaparecidos, Conner Oberst. Chris played two original songs, which were nicely fleshed out. His words held intense imagery, poetry with music. He finished his set with the classic Resolution Road by Bob Dylan. His youthful exuberance made me think of how important it is that our local schools teach music and art. Our community needs to stand behind our schools in finding ways to have music and art education for all grade levels. We need more hot shot music educators like Mr. Franco at Globe High School. So, mindful folks in our community, jump on the bandwagon for music and art education, and let’s give our would be musicians and artists opportunities to develop their talent and skill. And speaking of educators, this leads right to Mr. Adam Creary, a Globe High science teacher, who is also a musician.

I had to chuckle as I thought of Adam. I thoroughly enjoy exchanging ideas with Adam. He makes me laugh, smile, and think. I always felt we held similar philosophies in education. Adam definitely wants to be approachable by his students, knowing that fostering community in the classroom, gives a beneficial boost to what students learn. And here he was at Vida playing with Josh Dobbs, a Globe High School student. I chuckled more as I thought of all the fun Adam and Josh seemed to be having. They power played Bob Dylan’s Knocking On Heaven’s Door, and Eric Clampton’s, I Feel Wonderful Tonight. I was thrilled to watch Josh and Adam and I hope to see them play again in the future.

As I continued to reflect of the events of the evening, I remembered how the place was filled with old friends, and potential new friends. I did take time from my note taking to talk to people. I had the pleasure to meet a very astute eleven year old, Sarah. She certainly had the vocabulary and soul of a poet. We conversed on a variety of subjects. She wanted to read a poem she had written, but it was getting late and she needed to leave. Perhaps she will read to a packed room in a future First Friday.

A young woman, Candice Hainey, accompanied by guitarist Ken Nandez, sang three moving hymns; Revelation Song, You’ll Come, and Hosanna. Her clear voice sang praises that received praise as well. And if my rewind is accurate, Amy Schugar played next. Amy has great stage presence. She involves the audience. Her strong bluesy voice and guitar, lifts everyone around her. She is a professional, and a pleasure to watch. I must of gotten lost in the moment, because my notes are a bit fuzzy as to who she was covering. I do know she sang the beautiful song by Susan Tadishy, Little by Little. I remembered feeling a sense of urgency building around this time. It was drawing near closing, but patrons and performers were holding tight after almost two hours of performances. There was still an eager expectation for more.

And more is what we got! Jim Vandine played next. Wow! Now there is someone who keeps the fellowship and camaraderie alive and well in our communities’ open mics and musical events. Jim attends most all the events. He speaks with everyone. He encourages musicians young and old. His lovely wife Gloria, photographs the performers then shares her pictures with them. They are a tireless dynamic duo for our community. I mused at how long I have listened and watched Jim with a great appreciation for his talent, and I really think it has been at least five years. Jim and Gloria, thank you! Jim sang the blues that night. A departure from his usual classic guitar. He played Albert King, and a great tune by ZZ Tops, Blue Jean Blues. Jim’s fingers worked hard with great effect. I like this new musical diversion.

Well I sucked it up and read next. I have to giggle when I think about reading my poetry. I have a greater empathy for all those that let their feelings of embarrassment go, and get up there and perform. I had fun, and I was glad Jared urged me to read. John Shultz was next. John doesn’t need any urging. It is obvious by listening to him sing his original songs that he is inspired to share his thoughts and talent. John sang, Great Creator, Grandma, and I Didn’t Know You. I was glad to see that John was still in town. He is looking for a home to rent, for himself and family. It is good to have new families moving here that support the fine life experiences that our community offers.

It must be winter, because Earl Knoob is back in town with our very own Copper Spike train. He dropped in to sing Anna on a Memory, All Time Woman, and Moon Glow Highway. Welcome back Earl. It is good to have you in town again. The evening had turned into night, and Jared took the mic as the dedicated Vida workers waited for the finale. Jared has been the perfect host, from rescuing the equipment to keeping the show going seamlessly. Jared has had a busy evening running First Friday, but as usual, he did it with a joke and a smile. Jared closed the evening recounting his 27th birthday experience. It is good to be alive. It was way past closing, so we only got a bit of Jared’s impromptu art of words and music. I was happy as I began to feel sleep encroaching upon me. I was honored to take part in an experience of town fellowship. Our town’s fellowship. A group of people who believe in and support the arts knowing that art is what elevates a town. Positive communal experiences that enrich, making life joyous and fun. Kudos to all those in our community who support the arts and our artists. We are a community that develops many varied artists. I know. I see it in all our schools, around our town, and events like this. The talent and future talent of our communities is something to be noticed. Our future is in our artists and thinkers. Somehow our area has been blessed with an abundance of talented individuals encompassing all means of art and thought. We should recognize this and promote these talents with opportunities for more cottage industries in our towns. Or, industry that need employees who are artists. It is time to think out of the box for our town. Time to recognize that our greatest financial reward for this town is in its people. Oh no! I almost started to get jazzed up again! I took a few meditative breaths reminding myself to never drink more than my share of espresso, ever. But I went to sleep with a smile on my face filled with the joyous togetherness of musicians, poets, and those that came to experience them. As I drifted off to sleep, my heart sang.

Kudos to those who are gutsy enough to get out there and share a bit of their soul. And kudos to all those that come out to support them. Great coffee, company, and fun.
Thanks to the Bakers and the friendly efficient staff of Vida E Cafe for creating a warm environment for these happenings.

Vida E Cafe First Friday Open Mic February Fourth
Jim Coates Picture Mine Cafe Second Friday Open Mic February Eleventh
Vida E Cafe Second Saturday February Twelfth
Does anyone know if the Second Saturday will have a love theme in honor of Valentine’s Day? Leave a comment. Help me promote community events by dishing on what is up and coming.

Hope to see you there!

Water & Sewer Line breaks on Cedar Street

According to City workers, both water and sewer lines broke on Cedar Street between Hill and Broad. Crews arrived about 5pm and began repairs. They are expected to take a day.

For more info. call Globe 425-7146  Water Dept.

By: Linda Gross

We’re in the running! Really.  Globe Arizona, population about 7,000 people is competing against FIFTY other entries from around the country to win the Reader’s Digest  “We Hear You America” contest.  Why, in just the last three weeks, thanks to the blogosphere, facebook and email, we have gone from 7th place to 3rd place with just over just over 10,000 clicks for GLOBE!  Of course, it it alittle embarrassing that Ava, Missouri with a population of just 3,000 is ahead of us with 13,000 clicks, but at the rate we’re going – we might just catch up to AVA! How do we do this!  CLICKS. Go here:”We Hear You America” and click ten times!

We Hear You America is a contest of CLICKS for your favorite hometown team! Globe is currently FOURTH out of 50 locations. Go Globe!!

Yes, the first time I did it, I didn’t realize you can just click away for your ten times. A cute message appears every time you click which encourages you: Siss Boom Bah your city loves you, 2-4-6-8 your town appreciates you! etc. It’s easy.

Now- Why am I asking you to do this?

Because Readers Digest, that bastion of American hometown literature, is running a contest for what town can get the most CLICKS by February 7th, 2011. They are giving away five million dollars with first place getting $40,000, 2nd place getting $25,000 and 3rd place getting $10,000. Runner ups will receive $500 each.

We are 3000 clicks away from being in the money for 3rd place!  So if you want to support your HOMETOWN for some much needed funds… Please go HERE and CLICK for Globe!

Lots of people have weighed in on what they’d like to see the money spent for, but the leading request seems to be the effort to build a new library.

By: Linda Gross

The name, Good Junk Bakery ,stems from all the other “good junk” businesses Sam Palmer has owned , including a recycling business in Miami and a used furniture store in Globe. He has always been able to turn a profit on offering “Good Junk” for sale. So, he kept the name when he decided to open the Bakery. Nothing pretentious or oversold here. He simply wants to ‘make a living’ as he says, and produce fresh, baked goods to go with his freshly ground coffees. He starts his days at 4:30 am now when the skies are pitch black and not a soul is stirring on Broad Street. By 6:45 am Sam is pulling out piping hot cinnamon buns, and 20minutes later, he is pulling out hot loaves of bread.

Good Junk Bakery on Broad Street starts baking when most of us are still sleeping!

Cinnamon, walnuts and raisins go into Sams rolls.

He usually sells out of the cinnamon buns by 10am, and the best time to get yours is, of course, right around 7am when the heat is still rising from them.

There is a choice of those with cream cheese frosting, and those without. The Cinnamon Buns sell for $2.00 each. And if you want to pick up a dozen for the office, it’s a good idea to put in an order the night before.

Phone #   928-812-2953

The Bakery is also beginning to supply the Copper Spike with fresh baked breads for their meal service and will be offering mini-loaves of rosemary/basil bread for Joe Wilson’s new restaurant venture next door.

Baker, Sam Palmer, produces cinnamon rolls and fresh bread daily

Sam’s Good Junk Bakery is an old storefront on Broad Street, right across from McSpadden Ford and next to the Copper Parrot on the south end of the Historic District. Tables and Chairs are scattered and mismatched, but make a welcome place to visit with friends.

Sam Palmer considers himself his own apprentice baker because he is learning as he goes. The large commercial oven he bought on E-bay and the exact mix of ingredients for his various breads and cinnamon rolls are one part science and one part inspiration.  To be a baker whether you are born into it or come to it through a more circuitous route like Sam, is a process you learn by doing. Sure you have to have the equipment and the basic ingredients, and a rudimentary understanding of your craft. But it is only in the hands of a baker that those things come together for an “Aha” experience.

Sam prepares his first batch of cinnamon rolls

To get your “aha” experience of the day – stop in early and get your fresh baked goods piping hot from the ovens of Good Junk Bakery – on Broad Street in Globe.

The Bakery is open 4:30 am – 4:00pm 6 days a week.

The morning begins when Sam brews up freshly roasted coffee from his own stock (which he also sells by the lb). In fact, this is the only place you can get great coffee at 5 in the morning! And, while the latest batch of rolls aren’t due out of the ovens until about 7, he always has a nice selection of day-old breads at half price for the really early birds who come in for coffee on their way to work.

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In the attacks on 9/11, just under three thousand people died in the World Trade Center.

Three thousand people in one day. A day that has become not only a national anniversary of sorrow, but was also a call to war on those who claimed to be involved, and on others who had nothing to do with it. We were an angry nation.

Three thousand people died and almost five thousand U.S. Troops and over one million civilians have died as a result. Our entire country, and world of nations, has been forever changed by the deaths of three thousand people in one day.

Even Worse

By the year 2035, the entire city of New York and the entire city of Houston, Texas will have died due to something just as horrible. By the year 2035, the entire population of the state of Alabama and the state of Arizona will have died due to a different sort of ‘attack’. Within 25 years from now, the city of Chicago and the entire state of Virginia will have completely been destroyed in another way.

In the next 25 years, 10 million people will be dead. This is the equivalent of  two attacks on the World Trade Center, every week of the year, for the next 25 years. This is bigger than an Axis of Evil, this is deadlier than a man in a cave and this will be the costliest war this nation has ever seen.

In the next 25 years, 10 million women will have died from Breast Cancer.

3000 deaths in one day has motivated an entire  nation to declare war against an enemy that was destroying its citizens. Can you imagine, if we had two 9/11 attacks every week, what that would do to this country? Well, it’s already happening, and it has to stop.

Wearing pink is great, changing your Facebook status is fine and buying products that give a portion of proceeds to research is wonderful…but there is something else.

From 2005 to 2008 I volunteered at the Climb for Cancer in Flagstaff. In 2009 I worked at a Run for Cancer in Phoenix and in 2010 I worked at the Walk for Cancer in Globe. The people I met there were the most amazing, wonderful people you could ever want to meet.

They were cancer survivors, people currently in the battle and people who had lost loved ones. Their were families, office groups, church groups and individuals who came out for the cause. But one thing has always bothered me about these days set aside to raise awareness. Where was everyone else?

Don’t get me wrong, there were MANY groups who are doing what they can to help make a difference, many individuals who are working day and night to find a cure and make a difference and millions of Americans who are donating time and money to end this nightmare.

But…

But, when I think about the population of Globe and think about the amount of people I saw during my 12 hours there, it didn’t really add up.

When I think about the population of Phoenix and saw how many were running or supporting, the numbers weren’t that amazing. When I think of how many people in Northern Arizona will gather for a beer festival or a rock concert, and then remember how many were climbing the hill that day, it seemed a little sad.

A majority of people at these events were either survivors, families of survivors, families of victims, coworkers of victims or were in the middle of their own battle. There was an extremely amazing portion of people there who were there to lend their support not because they have been personally affected, but because they understand the enormity of the situation.

I loved that so many of them came out, but it was not enough.

It was not enough, because if I told you that a 9/11 would happen, two times a week for the next twenty five years in every town and city in America, you would not stand for it. If I told you that 10 million would be dead in 25 years, or that 5 million would be dead in 12 1/2 years or that in just over six years from today, around 2.5 million people will be dead from breast cancer…do you really think this isn’t going to touch your life someday?

Why wait?

One more thing.

I have only been talking about Breast Cancer. I didn’t even give you the numbers for cancers of the lung, brain, liver, colon, stomach, blood and on and on. If you would rather go that direction, around 1,500 people die in ONE DAY in this country.

That is a 9/11 attack happening every TWO days in this country. How many people would sit by if that was happening?

It’s happening.

Eventually, we are ALL going to be INVOLVED in this one way or another, why not do it voluntarily, so that some day you won’t do it as a statistic?

Get involved.

http://ww5.komen.org/

http://www.cancer.org/

By:  Linda Gross

Many of you will remember the cool restored Fire Engine which participated in many Globe events over the last several years. It led the parade when Channel 3 came to Globe several years ago. It has been in Homecoming Parades, Light Parades & the Gila County Rodeo Parade. What many don’t know is that it started it’s illustrious career right here in Globe in 1953.  Built in 1952, the American LeFrance Engine was used by the Globe Fire Department fro 1953 to 1991 before being retired.

Vernon Perry, representing Gila County Historical Museum, and Globe Fire Chief Al Gameros and Doug Brannan pose with the 1952 Fire Truck

At that time it was purchased by the Biosphere so they could officially have an on-site fire engine, although it was never used. There it sat for 10 years soaking up the desert heat of Tucson, when it was rescued by Doug, and restored to it’s current (pristine) condition.

The ’52 American LaFrance Engine comes from a long line of emergency vehicles built by American LeFrance. The company has been making Emergency Vehicles for 175 years and if you want to see a cool time line of all the styles from then to now, check out the museums’  Historical Time Line.

Doug says it was in researching the Engine’s history that first pulled him to Globe to check out the community and talk to people who could give him any information on the Engine’s history. Turns out, Fire Chief Al Gameros served on this engine in his early days as a fire fighter. The Brannans ended up moving to Globe in 2006 and opening a business on Broad Street; The Rusty Buffalo Traders, and volunteering hundreds of hours for Main Street projects headed up by Kip Culver. Last year, when Doug’s brother got sick, they made the difficult decision to move out of the area. Doug always wanted the Fire Engine to remain with the community, and although he had offers on it from outside parties, and had put over $20,000 into its restoration, he offered it to the Globe Fire Department for $10,000.  With the help of the Gila County Historical Museum who contributed half, the Globe Fire Department was able to raise the other half and and today they proudly handed over a check to Doug.

Doug, airing up the tires last December for the Light Parade

Thanks to Doug and Cynthia who rescued it from obscurity, and to the Historical Museum and the Globe Fire Department, THIS old Engine – which is in pristine condition – has come home to stay.

Members of the Globe Fire Department arrived just in time for a photo op. They had been on a call, so we gave them a pass on being alittle late for the photo op!

The 1952 American LaFrance

By Vince Yanez

The Private Prison sales pitch finds a receptive audience among small, economically challenged communities who want to find jobs and a way of paying the light bill at City Hall.  Or, perhaps more to the point in the case of Globe – a way of getting a new sewer line for the NW Corridor.

Yet, it turns out the sales pitch is does not give the whole story.

The Information Highway goes both ways

Consider the information provided by the Prison Policy Initiative, a non-profit, non-partisan organization which researches and documents prison policy. They report that in spreading the gospel of privatization, our friends at Corrections Corp of America (James Parkey) and its competitors (Emerald Companies, Management & Training Corp (Kingman),Cornell and others)”… have used a small body of professional literature that purports to approve the superiority of for-profit corrections. What they fail to mention is that much of this literature has been written by analysts who are either being funded by the industry or have an ideological predisposition in favor of privatization.”

What were murderers doing in Kingman?

In the effort to package their message to local communities who are more open to warehousing the “not so violent” residents are often told by the pitch men,  “Prisoners housed in private facilities are far less likely to be convicted of serious or violent offenses, or to have high medical and mental health needs,than prisoners housed in public facilities used to generate cost comparisons.”

In actuality, PPI reports,  Public prisoners were seven times as likely to be serving time for violent offenses, three times as likely to be serving time for serious offenses and twice as likely to have high medical needs than those housed in private facilities.

You need look no further for proof of this than our own example here in Arizona recently, when 3 murderers escaped last week, from the 1400 bed facility in Kingman which was approved in 2004 by voters as a minimum to medium security prison to house DUI and Substance Abuse Cases!

According to Management & Training Corporation – the needs of the DOC “expanded.”

Next week, we will look at the issue of funding and how that plays out in the debate over Private Prisons. You know that saying, “Freedom isn’t Free”? Well, Neither are Private Prisons.