Local Youth Balances Education and Community Service
By Andrew Draper
Lonesome Valley Newsletter
While some of his friends are worrying about the next algebra test, Jason Sanchez is attending both high school and Yavapai College while working to make his community a better place.
Sanchez, 15, said he got started in community service at an early age by volunteering at the local YMCA.
"I didn't really think of it as community service. It's not like work to me. It's fun stuff," he said. "Everybody knows that you give of yourself, but it's not only giving. You get a lot back too."
Sanchez said he feels a debt to people who were a positive influenced his life.
"It's only a small thing I can do for the people who have made my life better," he said. "There are many people who have made my life better and this is a way to give back."
In addition to a full class load, Sanchez is serving on the Governor's Youth Task Force.
"Their mission is to prepare the youth of today to succeed in life," he said. "I'm a youth voice on that committee and we are trying to give youth a chance to voice their opinion."
Sanchez is also currently involved in a Youth in Philanthropy project called "Change for Change", a mini grant program from the Yavapai County Community Foundation. The program provides grants for youth to create a pubic service program.
"We are looking for a group of kids that have an idea for giving back to Central Yavapai County. We will be granting up to $300 to youth that have different causes," he said. "That way they can go right to the projects they want to do. They don't have to use a lot of time fundraising."
Sanchez said the program helps youth with the most difficult part of community service.
"It's hard raising money, for youth in the community," he said. "So we are giving it to them."
Americorps and Youth Count Director Cindy Craig said the program is receiving support from many sources including the Kiwanis Foundation.
Sanchez said his goal for the program is to be able to expand it in the future.
"We would like to be able to give out more money," he said. "We are, of course, accepting donations, and are looking for ideas that will generate the most money."
Sanchez also attended several specialized classes in grant writing and is a part of Trax TV, a local cable access channel program dedicated to youth issues.
Sanchez recently accepted an award for the programming and got the chance to meet Governor Janet Napolitano.
"We got that award for our participation in Trax TV, and I'm a reporter on that," he said. "I focused on Youth Count stories, specifically the Green Flag program that's coming up, and one was on the lemonade stand we did for National Lemonade Day."
Sanchez is taking courses to prepare for a career in either business or law.
Sanchez said he wants to encourage young people to get involved in making positive changes in their communities.
"I'm trying to reach the youth of the community and show them the opportunities that are available to them," he said. "I'm trying to make it easier for them to get involved in youth service."
For more information on youth programs call Youth Count at 708-0100.
Photo caption: Jason looks for a book before class at Yavapai College. Photo by Andrew Draper.
Fri., Nov. 11th
Veterans Day
Thurs., Nov 24th
Thanksgiving Day
The LONESOME VALLEY NEWSLETTER is mailed monthly to residents north of 89A, between The Viewpoint and Mingus Mountain Estates. It is also mailed to Granville, StoneRidge, Victorian Estates and now Quailwood Communities/Subdivisions, in Prescott Valley, AZ area. It is also dropped off at various real estate offices in Prescott Valley and Prescott, as well as our Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce, various business locations near Viewpoint Drive and 89A and other locations in Prescott Valley. To place an ad or for more information call (928) 925-6610, email: LVnewsletter@commspeed.net, or mail to: PO Box 26227, Prescott Valley, AZ, 86312-6227. If you advertise in the printed version of the Lonesome Valley Newsletter, you’ll receive a free ad on the web that links to your website or email account. Get in on the latest way to advertise, linked through another website. Tell a friend! Let’s get Linked!
Click on words in blue to read article(s).
Central Yavapai County
Fire District Articles
Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Articles
Various Events and Happening in the next few months click here to view
Miscellaneous Articles from Prior Issues
Click on the article below to read.
• Got Good Water? Why You Need to Know
• Water Saving Tips
• Could the Type of Clothes Washer You Have Save on Water & Money?
• The Wait of Wasting Water is Over
• Home Care Options... Do you Know What They Are?
• Take Classes for Fun, to Learn New Skills or to Stay Young
• Plan Less Stressful Holidays
• Beware of “Reshipping” and “Forwarding” Scams
• Writing a Check? Understand the Impact of "Check 21"
• Tsunami Charity Appeals: What Donors Should Be Aware Of
• Five 2005 Resolution Solutions For Your Finances
• Keeping Children Healthy During Flu Season
• Various 2005 Tips for Consumers-BBB
• CAREGIVER TIPS
• Cold Weather Tips
• How Safe is Your Garage?
• Public or Charter School? Do you Know the Difference?
• Is That "Free" Credit Report Really Free, Or Is It A Scam?
• That Check in the Mail Could Be a Scam
• Special Report: How to Build Your Business Credit
• How Accurate is the Information in Your Credit Report?
• Savvy Business Owners Beat the Odds with Business Credit
• FREE Credit Reports for Consumers Begins December 1st In the West
• Great Tips to Help Prevent Identity Theft this Holiday Season
• Learning Self Defense Technics Can Help Build Self Confidence
• Your Family Disaster Plan, Are You Ready?
• Adult Day Services: How Can They Help You?
• Variable Annuities May Help Solidify Your Financial Future-Part I
• Variable Annuities May Help Solidify Your Financial Future-Part II
• Still trying to quit smoking, try contacting the Arizona Smokers' Helpline
• What If I Outlive My Retirement Savings?
• ESCAPING FROM A FIRE! Will you Know What to Do?
• ICFE Certified Credit Report Reviewers and Identity Theft Prevention Specialists Trained And
Ready To Assist Potential Victims Of Identity Theft As A Result Of Recently Revealed
ChoicePoint Information Breach
• Internet Tip-Voice over IP... It Could Save You Money on Long Distance Phone Calls
• Notice of Neighborhood Meeting RE: Proposed Rezoning of the Approximate 55 Acres
• Give Peace of Mind to those You Love. Make Your Wishes Known Today (worth reading)
• Is Your Teen’s Identity Protected?
• Protein: Who Needs it and Why
• About Snakes... (worth reading)
• Golf Anyone... Learn more about StoneRidge Golf Course
• THE PRIVACY RULES OF HIPAA AND THEIR EFFECT ON TRUSTS AND HEALTH CARE
DOCUMENTS
Lockheed-Martin to Open Service Hub in Prescott Valley. click here for article
Arizona State Parks click here for more info
11/05
Lew Rees Leaving Chamber, But Will Continue to Be Involved in Community
By Andrew Draper
For Lonesome Valley Newsletter
Long-time Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and local celebrity Lew Rees said, after 10 years, it’s time for him to move on to new challenges. The flamboyant Rees turned in his resignation to the Chamber board, becoming effective after 90 days.
“I’ve done chamber work for 30 years, and I am very fortunate to work here in Prescott Valley and be part of a marvelous community,” he said. “I’ve worked for some great people and they have allowed me to do and be what I do best.”
Rees is taking a still unnamed position with the Fain Signature Group, using his many talents in different areas.
“I could not be happier, being involved with Fain Signature Group. I’m going to help anyone I can, wherever I can. I am going to be utilized in a lot of different areas for them,” he said. “I’ll be “Mr. Do-It-All”. I’ll be working on marketing and promotion, tenant relations and, obviously, event planning. I’ll probably also be their political spokesman if there is a need for that. I don’t like to be pigeonholed.”
Rees said he is very proud to be part of bringing jobs and other improvements to Prescott Valley.
“We were instrumental in bringing the Yavapai County Fair Grounds in. We were instrumental in bringing Universal Homes and Harkins Theater to town and most recently, the Global Events Center,” he said. ”I’m proud of everything that we’ve created.”
During his tenure, Rees saw Chamber membership grow from 150 members when he assumed the helm, to more than 700 members today.
“I have nothing but great things to say about this Chamber. I am leaving at the best of times,” he said. “The Chamber is in good hands. They have a wonderful staff in Bev Oleson, Belinda Wofford and Pat Anderson. Whoever comes in here will have a great opportunity to keep the momentum going.”
Oleson said she and all of the Chamber staff will miss Rees’ leadership and his friendship.
“We are, of course, very happy for him. We are just sad for us. In the ten years he’s been here, he has accomplished a lot,” she said. “Lew is taking an opportunity that he can’t turn down and we wouldn’t want to stand in his way.”
Rees said he is personally most proud of the Chamber’s support of many local charities, including the “Burning Desire to Feed the Hungry” and the turkey drive for the Yavapai Food Bank.
“It gives me a tremendous amount of gratification, helping people,” he said. “We’ve helped so many charities, and that gives me a wonderful feeling. I enjoy them all.”
Rees offered some sage advice to anyone who may follow him at the Chamber.
“I’ll tell them to love the community, love the people you’re working with and empower people,” he said. “I would let them know about utilizing people’s resources and skills and let them go to do what they can do.”
Rees said he will still work with the Chamber staff on community projects.
“I’ll still be involved in many of the things that I’ve done here,” he said. “The Fains are very community-minded people and they have been very generous in allowing me to continue to be involved. They have given back to this town over and over again. That’s one reason I want to work with them.”
Thousands Attend Pumpkin Festival as Farm Nears End
By Andrew Draper
For Lonesome Valley Newsletter
Thousands of visitors came to Dewey from all around Arizona last month to take part in the first of two remaining Young's Farm Pumpkin Festival events.
The Young family made the decision to sell the farm earlier this year, making the Oct., 2006 festival the last at the historic location.
Sarah Young-Teskey lamented the loss to not only her children, but all children.
"I have a five month-old child who is not going to have any memories of the farm, and so do a lot of other people,” she said. “Food doesn’t’ grow at the store, and they need to know that.”
Tom Garrow brought his family from their Cottonwood home for the chance to enjoy this fall classic before it disappears.
“I think it’s a great place to bring kids and family,” he said. “I can see why everyone is sorry to see it go.”
Young-Teskey said her family sold for many reasons, putting water rights at the top of the list.
“Water rights are a huge incentive,” she said. “They told us, ‘If you keep farming, your land will devalue.’”
For many years, every weekend in October children of all ages enjoyed hayrides, live music, tours of the farm, food and much more.
Along with the closing of the Collier Farm in Chino Valley, the closure of Young’s Farm removes the final location organizing a large-scale fall festival on a working farm.
Local resident and professional clown Rose Heller said she feels bad for the city kids that will never get to see the farm or attend the festival.
“I think it’s an icon for kids that have never been to a farm and didn’t realize that food actually grows in the ground and not at the store,” she said. “The pumpkin farms they have in Phoenix aren’t like Young’s Farm, and to lose that is just sad. There are not a lot of places you can come ‘down home’ to anymore.”
The crowds at the farm showed little outward signs of distress at the loss of what, for thousands of visitors, is an annual tradition.
Young-Teskey said her family and the communities around the farm worked tirelessly in a vain attempt to save it.
“It’s kind of sad and frustrating. We worked for four years to save the farm,” she said. “We had great support from community, but none from the state.”
Young-Teskey said the farm was denied a crucial grant from the Arizona State Transportation Committee and that denial sealed its fate.
She also reminded the public that the farm will operate until December of 2006, and some products will still be available after that date.
“We want people to know that Young’s Farm poultry products like chickens and fresh turkeys will still be available after we are gone,” she said. “And we encourage people to check out our website for more information.”
The Young’s Farm Restaurant is still operating and spokesman Ross Mason said the owners have made no final decisions yet on its ultimate fate.
For more information on Young’s Farm call 632-7272 or visit the website at www.youngsfarminc.com .
Editor’s note: If you want to order turkeys from Young’s Farm for the holidays, see information below (from their website) or view for yourself at: www.youngsfarminc.com .
Order for Thanksgiving
Note: We stop taking online orders for fresh turkeys on November 18 (November 10 for smoked turkeys) - After November 18, walk-in purchases are welcome, but will be taken on a first-come, first served basis.
Order for Christmas
Note: We stop taking online orders for fresh turkeys on December 19 (December 9 for smoked turkeys) - After December 19, walk-in purchases are welcome, but will be taken on a first-come, first served basis.
Photo caption: Cover: Cottonwood residents Rachael and Brieanna Garrow, 7, search for that perfect pumpkin. This page top: Goodyear resident Nathan Hone gets the once-over from a goat at the petting zoo. Below: Children of all ages enjoyed the kiddie tractor ride around the farm. The crowd dances to the music of 'Four Wheels Down' during the opening weekend of the Pumpkin Festival. Photos by Andrew Draper.
Bad Check Problems?
Having problems with people giving you bad checks that you can not collect on? Your not alone! Administered by the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, at no cost to you, is a Bad Check Program. For more information call (928) 771-3490. They are located at 255 E. Gurly Street, in Prescott (corner of Gurly and Marina). You can also find out more information and download forms from their website at: http://co.yavapai.az.us/departments/Aty/AtyBadCheck.asp .
Click on advertisers in blue to be redirected to their website or email account, right from here. Use these links at your own risk.
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© 2004 Lonesome Valley Newsletter, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DEC 2005
Last update - Dec. 22, 2005. Newsletter comes up around the middle of each month. Please check back for December’s website updates within the next few days. To view things submitted after the current month’s printed version, go to the Updates tab on left. If this page doesn’t display properly, click here as to why.
