04/2016 Edition - Litchfield Park

CityLine
April-June 2016: City & Community Services
Our City & Community Services
by Sonny Culbreth, Assistant City Manager, Community and Recreation Services Director
Have you ever stopped to think what makes a City a community? The obvious answer is, “The
People.” While people play a large role in making a city a community, it is the services that
provide enjoyment and compliment their daily living. This issue of the CityLine is dedicated to
the community services provided to you as residents of Litchfield Park.
Mayor Schoaf, in his article, highlights the benefits of living in our beautiful community: housing
opportunities; recreation and special events; the cityscape and parks; the downtown district
restaurants; and, the historic Wigwam Resort. While these may be the most noticeable amenities,
I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the additional articles included in this edition that
describe services that contribute to our quality of life in Litchfield Park. After all, this publication
is one of your “community services.”
State of the City
by Mayor Tom Schoaf
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, I was pleased to report to 130 attendees on the state of our City.
In a little more than an hour, we covered a variety of topics including:
Photo Credit: Michael Jordan
• Presented residents with the Franchise Agreements reached with APS and Southwest Gas,
which provide stability for utilities using our rights of way and do not increase taxes.
• Announced that three members of our Council will be up for election this year with the Primary
on August 30, 2016, followed by the General Election on November 8, 2016.
• Cache Homes and Fry’s Marketplace developments are progressing at a fast pace. Fry’s plans
are to be open by mid-August. Mattamy Homes is also proceeding north of Fry’s.
• Designated approximately $500,000 again this year for road maintenance. Our 10-year Road
Maintenance Program continues to prioritize our needs.
• Two wall projects. First, we are replacing the perimeter wall along Camelback up to where you
can view the golf course and park. This has been partially funded by the Fry’s development.
Second, we are replacing the lake wall in the area by the condos, which is in a state of
deterioration. To reduce cost, the replacement wall will move into the lake creating room for
continuation of our pathway, which will circle the lake.
• Our final topic focused on the City’s financial condition and future. We are emerging from a difficult
time for Arizona governments. Our incoming revenues have stabilized and have started to grow.
We have controlled our operating expenses so our financial position and future are strong.
To view the entire State of the City Address, log onto litchfield-park.org/documentcenter/
view/5848.
litchfield-park.org
Welcome New Neighbors
Shop Litchfield Park and support area businesses! Help sustain the local economy and maintain
City programs and project including parks, recreation, streets, and public safety. Please extend a
“welcome” to these new Litchfield Park businesses:

Core Body Pilates West Valley LLC, Plaza in the Park, 4820 N. Litchfield Rd., Suite 104

Litchfield Park Old Fashion Barber Shop, Downtown District
106 N. Old Litchfield Rd.
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 1
A NEWSLETTER FOR LITCHFIELD PARK RESIDENTS
A Message From Mayor Tom Schoaf
This quarterly CityLine issue focuses on City & Community Services. Our City was formed some
30 years ago to protect the unique lifestyle that many residents enjoyed in “The Park”. Areas to our
north, east, south and west had been annexed by the cities of Glendale, Goodyear and Avondale.
After months of consideration, a majority of Park residents opted to incorporate our community. The
County Supervisors agreed, and the City of Litchfield Park was born. We felt a need to provide an
identity to our community. I believe history supports that this was a good decision for our residents.
There are so many unique features to our community that have grown and prospered. Within
the three and a half square miles we offer residents a diversity of housing options. The City has
apartments, patio homes, condominiums, townhouses, single family homes, and estates. We have a
vibrant season of City sponsored festivals and outdoor entertainment events. We enjoy a pathway
system that supports a healthy mix of walking, running and biking. Our children and grandchildren
enjoy playing in safe neighborhoods or in one of our numerous parks. Our Recreation Center offers aquatics, tennis, youth sports,
and preschool program. We enjoy the option of golf, tennis and fine dining at the historic Wigwam Resort. Our downtown, while
small today, features a vibrant collection of restaurants, a law office, a barber shop, a karate studio, investment advisors, and an
artisan brewery, among others. We enjoy a beautiful community that has been recognized for its lush landscaping and mature trees.
While the City enjoys a tremendous influx of young families looking for a place to raise their children, we were also just recently
voted by SmartAssets as the number one Arizona city for retirement.
We continue on a path of steady improvements. The addition of the Litchfield Marketplace provides a significant new shopping option
for our residents. This development improves the long-term financial sustainability of our City. The new housing developments by
Cache Homes and by Mattamy Homes bring new housing choices. The City recently completed acquisition of most of the vacant
land downtown. We have begun a public search for a development partner to plan this area, which will provide a City Center with
businesses and other amenities, providing new and exciting community services for our residents. We hope that you enjoy living in
Litchfield Park. Your Council and Staff will continue to strive to make it the best community for you and your family.
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED PHONE NUMBERS
Animal Control – (602) 506-7387
APS – (602) 371-7171 (to report street light outages)
Bus – (Valley Metro) – (602) 253-5000
Chamber of Commerce (Southwest Valley) – (623) 932-2260
City Hall
Administration/Clerk/City Manager – (623) 935-5033
Building Department – (623) 935-1066
Building Permits & Property Maintenance – (623) 935-1066
Court – (623) 935-7091
Finance – (623) 935-4364
Human Resources – (623) 935-4364
Public Works/Field Operations – (623) 935-4356
Cox Cable – (602) 277-1000
Dust Control Violations – (602) 372-2703
Goodyear Fire Customer Service – (623) 932-2300
Library (Litchfield Park) – (602) 652-3000
Liberty Utilities (water & sewer)
(623) 935-9367 after 4:30 p.m. call (623) 935-3395
Luke Air Force Base Information – (623) 856-1110
New Life Center – (623) 932-4404 (women’s shelter)
Police (MCSO) — Emergency – 9-1-1
Non-Emergency – (602) 876-1011
Recreation Center – (623) 935-9040
Southwest Gas Corporation – 1-877-860-6020
Waste Management – (602) 268-2222
West Valley Arts Council – (623) 935-6384
West Valley View – (623) 535-8439
MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
TOM SCHOAF, Mayor
tschoaf@litchfield-park.org
JEFF RAIBLE, Councilmember
jraible@litchfield-park.org
PAUL FAITH, Vice Mayor
pfaith@litchfield-park.org
PETER MAHONEY, Councilmember
pmahoney@litchfield-park.org
TIM BLAKE, Councilmember
tblake@litchfield-park.org
PUBLISHED BY: City of Litchfield Park
2 | Apr-Jun 2016 Issue
JOHN ROMACK, Councilmember
jromack@litchfield-park.org
PAUL STUCKY, Councilmember
pstucky@litchfield-park.org
EDITOR: Chris Weaver
DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: EZ Web Printing, LC.
litchfield-park.org
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Tips
Spring Clean Up Day
The City of Litchfield Park is collecting green waste only for
recycling on Monday, April 4, 2016, from 6:30am-2pm. Collection
will include tree trimmings, small branches, garden prunings,
bushes, and shrubs. Residents of Litchfield Park may begin placing
green waste at curbside on Saturday, April 2 after 3pm.
Please DO NOT put your green waste in trash bags. Bundle green
waste neatly and place at the end of your driveway; do not block
the sidewalk. Place green waste by the date and time specified to
avoid non-collection. Questions and concerns should be directed
to Public Works 623-935-1066, Ext. 110.
Holiday Office Closures
City Hall, Magistrate Court &
Recreation Center
Memorial Day
Monday,
May 30, 2016
4th of July
Monday,
July 4, 2016
Rec Center 4th of July “Splash Bash”
Monday, July 4, 2016 Open 10am-5pm
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With “service” being the focus of this edition of your CityLine,
I thought it would be helpful to list just a few of the many amenities
that the City offers in assisting our residents. You may be familiar
with some; others may be new. For a full list of services I invite
you to visit the website at litchfield-park.org > City Services > or
Citizen Center.
Tidbits
VACATION WATCH PROGRAM
Going on vacation? Litchfield Park residents can request extra
patrol from the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office (MCSO) and
Posse while away from their residence. Complete and submit
a Vacation Watch Report form to City Hall. Forms are available
on the website or at City Hall.
FREE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD
Litchfield Park residents can save as much as 20% on retail drug
purchases with Litchfield Park’s FREE prescription drug discount
program. The City has teamed up with the National League of
Cities (NLC) to make FREE prescription drug discount cards
available to City residents. The NLC cards are free to all residents,
regardless of age, income level or existing health coverage.
There are NO enrollment forms, NO membership fees, and the
discount cards can be used by residents and their family members
for any prescription drug not covered by insurance. The NLC
cards can be used for discounts on many commonly prescribed
drugs and is accepted at more than 59,000 participating retail
pharmacies across the country, including our very own CVS located
on Litchfield Road.
Residents may pick up a FREE discount prescription card Monday
through Friday 8am-5pm at City Hall.
REQUEST TO STOP THE DELIVERY OF HANDBILLS AND
UNINVITED NEWSPAPERS
The City provides residents with the opportunity to be officially
registered to stop delivery of handbills and uninvited newspapers.
Follow the directions stipulated on the form to become officially
registered. The registration will automatically expire on January
31 of each year. Applicants must re-register, in writing, to the
City Clerk’s office.
Tickles
POOL REOPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016
litchfield-park.org
“If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of
car payments.”
Flip Wilson
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 3
Arts in the Park Outdoor Concerts
All concerts held on The Wigwam front lawn
SEASON FINALE CONCERT
Friday, April 8, 2016, from 7-9pm
Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns
Arizona’s R&B, Blues, Fun & Soul Powerhouse
coldshottandthehurricanehorns.com
Community Garage Sale
Healthy
Litchfield Park
The Healthy Litchfield Park
programs promote healthy
living by providing fun and
enter taining experiences
through education that empowers
Litchfield Park citizens to improve
their lifestyle. The April-September
series schedules one program and one outdoor
outdoor activity each month. Questions? Call 623-935-9040.
On Saturday April 16, 2016, during the hours of 7am-5pm, the
City of Litchfield Park is encouraging a city-wide Community
Garage Sale. Litchfield Park residents who live within the city
limits are encouraged to set up a garage sale at their home. This is
an opportunity to recycle items that you no longer have a use for
and that someone else may need. A city-issued garage sale permit
is NOT required for this “rain or shine” event, however, signage
restrictions still apply. Contact Arizona 811 at www.arizona811.com
or 602-659-7500 for applicable signage restrictions. Event details
are available online at litchfield-park.org. Questions may be
directed to Tricia Kramer at tkramer@litchfield-park.org, or by
calling 623-935-9040.
2016 Flag Ceremonies
8:15am City Hall
Reception on front lawn to follow
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
All education programs are free of charge and will be held at
the Litchfield Park Branch Library Community Room, 101
W. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park.
Getting Active and Staying Active
presented by Tracey Garrett, RD, Sun Health
Monday, April 18, 2016 • 9:30-10:30am
US Army Day 241st Birthday June 14 (also Flag Day)
Flag Raising Ceremony: Tuesday, June 14
Please RSVP your attendance to Sonny Culbreth, 623-935-9040 or
sculbreth@litchfield-park.org, by Thursday, April 14, 2016.
US Coast Guard 226th Birthday August 4
Flag Raising Ceremony: Thursday, August 4
ACTIVITIES
US Air Force 69th Birthday September 18
Flag Raising Ceremony: Friday, September 16
The Healthy Litchfield Park free April, 2016 activity will be
held at the Litchfield Park Recreation Center, 100 S. Old
Litchfield Rd.
Zumba in the Pool
Saturday, April 23, 2016 • 9:30-11:30am
4 | Apr-Jun 2016 Issue
US Navy Day 241st Birthday October 13
Flag Raising Ceremony: Thursday, October 13
Marine Corps 241st Birthday November 10
Flag Raising Ceremony: Thursday, November 10
litchfield-park.org
LESD & City Partnership
by Ann Donahue, LESD Public Information Officer
The Litchfield Elementary School District (LESD) and City of
Litchfield Park have been partners since 1917 sharing city, school
and community services. In 2017, LESD will celebrate its 100th
year and is located in the heart of this charming city that has been
named the #1 most favored city to live in Arizona.
The Litchfield School District’s eBackpack service is accessed
online at www.lesd.k12.az.us. Community and event flyers are
digitally published to the school district’s website. To use this
service, the event coordinator initiates contact with the district
liaison. Once approved, the event information is published on the
website and the district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Our Mayor and City Council participate in a variety of school
sponsored activities including military holidays, Safe Night
Carnivals, assemblies, and sporting events. In addition, the
school district and City share the use of facilities. The Litchfield
Elementary and Western Sky Middle School gymnasiums are used
by the City in exchange for LESD student school outdoor pool field
trips. In addition, we share the use of school grounds for festivals
and sporting events.
Most recently, community members paid for upgrades to the Litchfield
Elementary School baseball fields. It is city and community services,
#1 ranked schools, retail establishments, churches, and community
members that contribute to our village’s livability.
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 30, 7am, WWII Memorial
The City of Litchfield Park will be remembering the men and
women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces
with a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2016, at
7am. The tribute will take place in front of the World War II
Memorial on the west side of Litchfield Elementary School, 255
E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park. The event will include the
placing of floral tributes at the memorial, a prayer and moment
of silence and the playing of Taps in honor of the brave men and
women who died while serving our country. The commemoration
is expected to last approximately 30 minutes and is open to the public. Parking will be available in the south parking lot of the school.
For more information, please contact Assistant City Manager,
Sonny Culbreth at 623-935-9040.
A Little Drama presents The Mixed Up Fairytale at the Litchfield
Elementary School on Saturday, April 2, 2016.
Doors will open at 6pm. Admission is $5 per seat; students are free
if they sit on the floor.
Grandmother needs your help! The Evil Queen has caused the Book
of Fairytales to be “mixed up”! Tinkerbell, Cinderella, the Big Bad
Wolf, and the Three Bears are looking for the Fairy Godmother to
help them get “unmixed up”.
Mayor Schoaf reading to Scott Libby Elementary school students in
celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 1, 2016.
litchfield-park.org
The production is performed by talented school students from
Litchfield, Palm Valley and Mabel Padgett elementary schools.
Questions? Please email alittledrama1@yahoo.com.
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 5
Business Directory
Are you looking for a business in Litchfield Park? Locate
community services and local businesses by accessing the “Business
Directory” link from the home page of the website or access the
Citizen Center > Find > Local Businesses. Every listing includes
the name of the business, address and contact information.
Resident Services
ARE YOU OKAY? (R.U.O.K.)
Communication Services
WEBSITE & EMAIL UPDATES
Interested in Special Events? Recreation Center news? Employment
opportunities? News and announcements? The “E-News Sign Up”
is a free notification service that provides subscribers with email or
text electronic announcements. Log onto litchfield-park.org and
access “email updates” from the home page. Review the description
of the lists available for free subscription and select from the list to
begin receiving email announcements or text messages. You may
unsubscribe or change your preferences as often as you choose. All
email addresses are kept confidential and will not be sold, disclosed
to others, or used for unsolicited mass mailings (SPAM).
SOCIAL NETWORKING
All news and calendar items
are communicated using Really
Simple Syndication (RSS). The
RSS pushes the items to Facebook
and Twitter subscribers. It is an
easy and convenient way to
keep updated with news and information that is important to you
without browsing the website.
Would you like to receive the announcements? Log onto your
Facebook account and search for Litchfield Park, click “add friend”
and your request will be sent to Litchfield Park for confirmation.
“Follow” Litchfield Park on Twitter at https://twitter.com/
litchfieldpark. All news and announcement items and main
calendar items published on the City of Litchfield Park website
will be RSS fed to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
CITYLINE NEWSLETTER
The CityLine is published quarterly by the City of Litchfield Park
with a purpose of delivering useful information to residents.
Hard copies are mailed to residents of Litchfield Park and
electronic copies are mailed to E-News Sign Up “CityLine”
subscribers. To receive an electronic copy, access litchfieldpark.org > Email Updates and submit your electronic contact
information (email address).
A FREE telephone reassurance program called “RUOK” is
offered to the residents of Litchfield Park with special needs by
the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office. The program is designed to
provide support through daily automated phone calls to residents
who have agreed to participate. The program offers peace of mind
knowing that, should a resident be unable to answer the daily phone
call, assistance is available to get the attention they may need.
If you are interested in or know of a neighbor or family member
who would benefit from the program, please contact the City at
623-935-5033 for additional information. Enrollment forms are
required to participate in the program.
BLOCK WATCH
Since the Sheriff ’s Deputies are unable to patrol every neighborhood
at all times, you can help by forming a Neighborhood Block
Watch. You and your neighbors can stay safe by looking out for
one another. In just a few steps, your neighborhood can form its
own Block Watch.
Step 1 - Contact your neighbors from corner to corner or at least
8 to 10 houses in each direction and both sides of the street to see
if they are interested in participating in a Block Watch program.
Step 2 - Contact the Litchfield Park Block Watch Coordinator,
Assistant City Manager, Sonny Culbreth at 623-935-9040 or
sculbreth@litchfield-park.org to schedule your Block Watch meeting.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CHANNEL 11
Litchfield 11, the City of Litchfield Park’s cable station brings
citizens of Litchfield Park the latest City news, information and
public domain programming. Litchfield 11 is produced by the City
of Litchfield Park and is available to residents and businesses that
subscribe to Cox Communications cable TV service that reside in
the 85340 ZIP code. The channel operates 24 hours per day with a
focus of delivering quality community news. Business advertising
is not permitted.
6 | Apr-Jun 2016 Issue
The Code Enforcement Department’s goal is to protect the public’s
health, safety and welfare, while ensuring citizens’ rights to a
clean, enjoyable neighborhood. To report a violation, fill out the
“code complaint form” online at litchfield-park.org, or contact the
Code Enforcement Officer, Lynn Webb at 623-889-6215.
litchfield-park.org
Litchfield Park
Recreation Center
Outdoor Mural
The Litchfield Park Recreation
Center (LPRC) participated in a
Public Art program sponsored by
the West Valley Arts Council. The
program was designed to offer youth
the opportunity to work alongside
of dedicated professional artists to
produce visually pleasing public
art. Funding was provided by the
West Valley Arts Council and
Friends of the Rec, a local nonprofit
organization dedicated to supporting
youth and family recreation activities
in the Litchfield School District. The
program brought together artists and talented school students to produce beautiful public art in several participating cities in the West
Valley. Artist Tal Dvir began an underwater themed mural on January 19, 2016, and completed the murals a little over a month later
on February 28. Tal sketched most of the mural on the planter walls of the Recreation Center and three high school students worked to
help fill in the artwork with vibrant colors. The completed project enhances the appearance of the Recreation Center.
APS’ New
Outage Map
Goes Live
Tierra Verde Lake Enhancement Project
by Sonny Culbreth, Assistant City Manager
The Tierra Verde Lake, located on Old Litchfield Road and Villa Nueva Drive, is scheduled to be
drained starting the end of March or the beginning of April. Draining of the lake is necessary to
repair a failing block wall on the south side of the lake that borders the backyards of some of the
condominiums. The wall is leaning and in danger of falling into the lake. The project is expected to
be completed by September. The proposed lake fill will create a promenade that will secure and hide
the failing wall. The finished project includes an eight foot pathway, grass and a security view fence
with a new concrete shoreline. There will be no public access to the lake during the time of this project.
litchfield-park.org
Just in time for the summer
monsoon! APS launched its
new outage map. You can
access the map and outage
listing by visiting www.aps.
com, clicking the “View
Map” button or you can
use the Outage Center link,
www.aps.com/outage or the
outage map link, www.aps.
com/outagemap. The map
shows outage information
throughout the APS service
area, including causes and
estimated restoration times.
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 7
Goodyear Fire Department Services
by Russ Braden, Battalion Chief
Goodyear Fire Department’s history began
in 1948 as an all-volunteer force comprised
of local community members operating from
one centrally located fire station. Over the
past 60 years, our department has developed
in to a 103 member career department with
both sworn and civilian personnel. Service
iis provided from six strategically located fire
stations providing services to an area over 200
square miles of incorporated city limits, including
the City of Litchfield Park.
The Goodyear Fire Department provides an allhazard approach to emergency services including:
•
•
Responding to all types of fires.
Emergency Medical Services: each apparatus
carries a complete complement of Advanced Life
Support equipment, two Emergency Medical
Technicians and two paramedics.
 Hazardous material incidents: our department operates two hazardous material response teams, along with support apparatus.
 Motor vehicle collisions (MVC): MVCs not only involve patients requiring treatment, but also may require complicated extrications
to remove trapped patients, may have hazardous materials present, and sometimes may have fire involved.
 Wildland fires: in addition to local responses for brush fires, our department maintains a core of highly trained and certified Wildland
Firefighters. These personnel, and a specialized apparatus, are available for deployment to local, statewide, and national wildfires.
 Aircraft emergencies: the Goodyear Airport requires our crews to be current on various approaches to safely extinguish aircraft fires,
rescue on-board personnel, and treatment of traumatic injuries.
 Support of specialized rescues: our rescues include trench and confined space rescues, mountain rescues, and swift water rescue.
Our department also provides Community Risk Reduction services such as:
 Annual business fire prevention and safety inspections.
 Community education, with a goal to minimize preventable injuries and fires to improve the quality of life for the residents of
Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
 Support of community events with on-site prevention education.
Liberty Utilities to Build West
Valley Water Sustainability Project
by Jenny Cross, Community Water Resource Coordinator
Liberty Utilities will begin construction in March 2016 on a 57-acre aquifer replenishment facility in Goodyear located near Luke Air
Force Base. Construction will take approximately six months with a goal of operations beginning in September 2016.
The water sustainability project will be jointly funded through an innovative 100-year partnership between Liberty Utilities and Central
Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD), a division of the Central Arizona Project (CAP). The facility is the first
reclaimed water recharge project in Arizona using a mix of public and private funding in order to increase the West Valley water supply.
The primary goal for Liberty and CAGRD was to enhance water sustainability through reuse of high-quality municipal effluent water
stored underground for future use in times of drought. Liberty’s community-focused business model was a key factor in making sure the
reclaimed water remain local. After extensive studies,the site was selected after extensive studies to ensure the reclaimed water will quickly
and safely percolate into the underlying groundwater aquifer in an area where the water table has dropped after years of over-pumping.
The direct impact of aquifer recharge will be a gradual rise in the water table that had been declining for years. As a result of a rising water
table, less energy will be required to pump Liberty’s water supply wells, which holds down costs for Liberty Utilities’ water customers.
In addition, CAP agreed to fund $6.1 million of the $8.3 million project. By cost-sharing with CAP, the rate-impact to wastewater
customers will be significantly less than it would have been without the partnership. Liberty’s investment in the replenishment facility
will enhance local water supplies for the long-term and ensure a sustainable, reliable water supply for its customers.
8 | Apr-Jun 2016 Issue
litchfield-park.org
Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze!
Spring has officially sprung in Litchfield Park and with it comes the
annual tradition of spring cleaning. Whether you love it or loathe
it, remember these five tips as you prepare your home for summer:
1. Make it fun! Create a playlist of songs to motivate and keep
you moving.
2. Give yourself timed deadlines to complete individual tasks
and plan a reward for completing the entire job.
3. Remember to put your bulk items on the curb by 6am on
the last Thursday/ Friday (depending on your service day) of
each month. Accepted items include yard and tree clippings
less than 4-feet in length bundled, furniture, box springs, mattresses, carpet cut into 4-foot strips, appliances (Freon must be
removed) and other similar items. No tires, liquids, paint, batteries, pesticides or 55-gallon drums will be accepted.
4. Donate clothes and reusable items instead of throwing them
away. If you have a large donation, call your favorite charity to
inquire if pickup is available.
5. Remember, only place bottles, cans and paper (including
cardboard) in your recycling bin.
What are your best spring cleaning tips? Share them with us on our
Facebook page at Facebook.com/WasteManagement. Learn more
recycling tips at RecycleOftenRecycleRight.com.
GET READY TO SPRING INTO SUMMER
For 86 years, guests have enjoyed the authentic Southwestern charm
and luxury amenities of The Wigwam. Whether you’re celebrating a
special holiday or setting your sights on summer fun, The Wigwam offers
the resort experience you’ve come to know and love.
MOTHER’S DAY
THE WIGWAM BALLROOMS will offer a scrumptious brunch buffet,
and LITCHFIELD’S will offer a 3-course brunch and dinner.
Reservations are required.
SUMMER STAYCATIONS
Book your Summer Staycation now! Relax by the pool,
pamper yourself at the RED DOOR SPA, play a round of golf and
let the kids explore the activities at CAMP WIGWAM.
CAMP WIGWAM
Smoke Alarm Walk & Education
Tanja Tanner, the Goodyear Community Education Coordinator
The Arizona Burn Foundation and the Goodyear Fire Department
are partnering with the City of Litchfield Park for a “Smoke Alarm
Walk and Education Program” on Saturday, April 16, 2016. It's a
fact: if your smoke alarm was installed more than 10 years ago it
needs to be replaced. Most home fire deaths happen when people
are asleep between 11pm- 7am. Keep your family safe by installing
smoke alarms and testing them monthly. Source: usfa.fema.gov. A
team of volunteers from various entities will contact Litchfield Park
homes and install free smoke alarms. Flyers will be distributed to
neighborhoods of Litchfield Park homes the week before the event.
litchfield-park.org
Exclusively for The Wigwam’s younger guests, CAMP WIGWAM offers traditional
camp activities in a luxury resort setting. CAMP WIGWAM starts May 31st.
GET IN THE GAME AT RED’S
Watch every buzzer-beater live during the NBA finals,
swing by to catch great golf games and much more at The Wigwam’s popular
RED’S BAR & GRILL. Plus, enjoy a 15% military discount daily!
300 East Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 9
Beautification Committee Selects Yard of the Quarter Winner
Beautification Committee Selects Yard of Quarter Winner
Congratulations! Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Isabelle Lozon, 1102 N. Oro Vista Drive
Yard of the Quarter Nominations
Ribbons Tea House
The Yard of the Quarter provides resident incentives to maintain
and improve the appearance of the community by promoting
well-kept yards and properties. Homeowners may receive one award
per year and nominated properties must be owner-occupied and
void of outstanding code violations. Nomination forms, due dates
and additional details are available online at litchfield-park.org.
The City of Litchfield Park would like to welcome our newest
small business to the community. Ribbons Tea House features
over 30 types of individually steeped teas, sandwiches, ice cream
and a variety of bakery treats, many of which come from family
recipes from the owner’s Filipino heritage. They add a new
dimension to our culinary scene, located at the corner of Desert
and Honeysuckle, downtown, next to Blu Sushi.
Nomination criteria:
 Neatness
 Creativity
 Color Harmony
 Plant Health
 Complimentary to Home/Neighborhood
 Plant Variety
 Overall Effect
 Most Improved (before and after photos helpful)
Shop the Park
Shop the Park is a shop local campaign developed and implemented
by the City of Litchfield Park. Shop the Park promotes the growth of
local businesses and the local tax base. Local businesses build strong
neighborhoods by sustaining communities, linking neighbors and by
contributing to community causes. Subscribe to receive the Shop the
Park monthly newsletter online at litchfield-park.org and accessing
“Email Updates.”
10 | Apr-Jun 2016 Issue
The Tea House features a unique patio setting to enjoy a relaxing cup
of tea. Open Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 11am-7pm and
Friday from 1-7 pm. On Sunday, they open from 12-4 pm.
The owners Joel and Arlene Mounce are new to Litchfield Park,
but have been Arizonans since 2006. Arlene is originally from the
Philippines, where her father worked for the U.S. Navy. Her family
migrated to San Francisco in 1988, where she eventually met Joel.
Both were educated in the Bay Area, and while Arlene began a
career in the downtown financial district, Joel started his career
in the printing industry. Before making the move to Arizona, both
experienced career changes. Joel became focused on automotive,
and Arlene moved in to the software industry.
The Mounce family, now grown to five, currently balance careers (Joel
with Macy’s and Arlene with Lockheed Martin) with the Ribbons Tea
House, their latest venture. They enjoy meeting new people over a cup
of tea in ‘The Park.’ Stop by, visit and give them a warm welcome.
Supporting small businesses is good for everyone because it encourages
a sense of community, and supports a strong city economy!
litchfield-park.org
Popeye the Sailor & Goodyear Aircraft
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1926, and 25 live animals from the New
York Zoo were marched down the parade route. The sight of these wild animals proved to be a
frightening experience for the young children watching on the sidelines. Because of this, Macy’s
asked the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to produce large balloons for the parade due to their
vast knowledge of lighter-than-air airships.
Since 1929, Goodyear’s Industrial Products Division has produced over 70 balloons for the parade.
Among them are Bullwinkle the Moose, Elsie the Cow, Dino the Dinosaur, Linus the Lionhearted, Toy Soldier,
Space Man, The Happy Dragon, Underdog, Smokey the Bear, Superman, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, The Flying
Trapeze, and The Gorgeous Gobbler. And in 1957, our own Goodyear Aircraft-Arizona (located at the
bottom of Litchfield Road by Hwy. 85) built Popeye the Sailor. Each balloon weighs approximately
250 pounds and is made from a special lightweight nylon fabric and inflated with helium. After the
parade, every balloon is deflated and stored in a crate about the size of an old telephone booth or
a large desk. The crates are then trucked to a Goodyear plant in Rockmart, Georgia, where they are kept until the next Thanksgiving
Day Parade. The lifespan of each balloon is only three to five years because of the many restorative coats of paint. In time, the balloon
sags and becomes unmanageable.
The Popeye balloon was nearly 56 feet in height. His forearms were seven feet in diameter and he had a 16-foot chest, a 9-foot waist, and feet
that were 10 feet in length. The enormous cartoon figure was made up of 253 separate patterns and required 33 gallons of paint in four colors
to finish. Among the workers who put together the Popeye balloon at Goodyear Aircraft-Arizona were four Southwest Valley residents: Lupe
Bedoya, Evelyn Burk, Thelma Crawford, and Lucy Moreno. Their story is told in a video prepared by the LPHS in 2008 entitled The Balloon
Girls. Popeye is shown being pieced together on the floor of the plant by young women down on their knees on the cold cement floor. You
will be able to see how the gigantic balloon was inflated with helium, painted and finally fully assembled. This video is now being played
during the LPHS’ and museum’s current exhibit entitled LIGHTER THAN AIR … Balloons, Blimps, and Dirigibles. In this exhibition, visitors
witness the evolution of hot-air ballooning and lighter-than-air airships, the history of Goodyear blimps as they did reconnaissance work for
the U.S. Navy during
WWI and WWII, and
the development of the
mammoth zeppelins
including Goodyear’s
Akron, Macon, and
Germany’s notorious
Hindenburg. Don’t miss
this once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity. Visit our
museum today!
Final check of Popeye
before being sent to
New York City for the
Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade in 1957
litchfield-park.org
Apr-Jun 2016 Issue | 11
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