Yesterday, for the first time, I had the exciting and scary experience of appearing in front of a tv camera. Councilman Michael Nowakowski is our District 7 councilman for the Phoenix City Council and his office asked me to appear on a panel with the Councilman and 2 other community activists. The other participants were Philip Wooley, the PC/Health Department head of the new Betty Fairfax High School in Laveen, and Alvin Battle, a newly appointed member of the Maryvale Revitalization Committee. 

 

Mr. Wooley spoke about the formation of a Laveen volunteer-run sports organization. Laveen, in southwest Phoenix, has grown so quickly that the Phoenix Parks & Rec. Department has not yet formulated activities for the growing population. Mr. Wooley and his group have undertaken the task of running baseball, football, and soon, basketball leagues until Phoenix Parks & Rec. can catch up. 

 

Alvin Battle is also a real estate broker and has lived in Maryvale for over 30 years. Maryvale is on the west side of Phoenix and was developed by John F. Long, a local developer, who recently passed away. Maryvale was named for Long’s wife, Mary. The Revitalization Committee is tasked with a huge job of uniting their diverse population to rebuild and revitalize Maryvale. I was impressed by Mr. Battle’s assertion that diversity can be a strength rather than a weakness. I was also impressed by Mr. Battle’s enthusiasm for his task and his can-do attitude.

 

I spoke about the March 30^th Coronado Home Tour and Festival. As nervous as I was, it was easy to speak to something I’m passionate about, and I was surprised at how the words came from me, when I needed them. The nervousness disappeared as I was speaking about Coronado and the Home Tour. It’s an experience I’ll remember, and perhaps, have an opportunity to repeat. 

 

The video of our discussion will be broadcast on Phoenix Channel 11, beginning Monday, March 24^th  and ending Sunday, April 6^th, and air at various times throughout the day.   For more information about the Coronado Home Tour and Festival, go to gcna.info and click on the Home Tour page.