Inside Mesa

I have mentioned to many that rest for me is a key word. Many come to that time when retiring from a place of employment. Others continue to work, enjoying the participation and social aspect of life.Moving to Mesa I slowly jumped in and took part in many volunteer activities. I learned so much and soon being a community activist, I found it very rewarding although some good times and bad.For me rest is not having to be concerned about the expectations of returning to the world of a busy volunteer.Although restoration can have several meanings as I previewed the word in an expository dictionary - I find I need to stop and "smell the roses" so that I can be as fully restored as possible. Definitions: restoring to the rightful owner, to give back, restore to a former condition of health, to mend - all with the tense a continuous present, being patience and perseverining.This is what I desire and know is right, and feeling it important to share this with you although personal. In my rest I do look forward to reading about your ideas and opinions! It’s been fun but it’s time to let go - and be at rest.

There are times one might take good fortune or what some may call a lucky break for granted. Those having faith in a higher power included.We may not always fully recognize or believe where that blessing - that miracle - came from. Not true in the life of a friend of mine here in Mesa. Susan Thomas, a single mom and U.S.A.F. Veteran, experienced a Christmas miracle as she cried out for the plight of her daughter-U.S. Air Force and boyfriend-U.S. Navy, brought on by snow-laden conditions. Here is a mom’s thankful letter written yesterday, then shared with her friends: "My daughter, Laura, is stationed at Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Due to blizzard conditions she had run out of food and was unable to get groceries. Someone gave her a box of "hot pockets" to tide her over until she could get to a grocery store. She had also just learned that morning that her boyfriend, Ryan, was stuck in Illinois at the airport. DIA was closed and so were all the interstates in and out of Denver. When she called me with this news we were both in tears.I felt so helpless, and didn’t know what I could do to help except pray. I didn’t want her to be alone and without food for Christmas. So I began praying right there on the phone that God would make a way for them to be together for Christmas.Ryan is also in the military, the Navy. He had just finished his schooling as a medic, and had fully out-processed, enroute to his next duty station. When he arrived at the airport, discovered that DIA was closed and that he wouldn’t be able to fly out until Sunday, he was literally homeless. Here he is with duffle bag in hand, no family there to call, little money, and stranded.A man walked up to him and asked him if he was in the military and he said "yes." This man was an Army Captain. As it turned out, he was on his way out west. So, he rescued and delivered Ryan safe and sound into the arms of my daughter (where she was anxiously waiting in a rental car, in the parking lot of the local IHOP restaurant in Cheyenne). They all had breakfast together, then Laura and Ryan headed to Colorado Springs to spend Christmas with his family. Our God is still a miracle-working God, all we have to do is ask, and BELIEVE. I don’t know the name of the Army Captain that was so kind and generous to Ryan, but he drove hundreds of miles to get him home for Christmas. This story shows that truly "home is where the heart is." Thank-you "Captain" for making my daughter’s Christmas wish come true, you are an angel. May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you His peace, the peace of Christmas.MERRY CHRISTMASSusan"I asked if I might share this story as a reminder to daily be open to see His miracles in every day life - no matter how great or small. Christmas - the miracle that continues to make a world of difference.

The Tribune Saturday had an interesting story about Arizona’s new minimum wage and the disabled being paid that same wage - typically they’re paid less!These are men and women learning job skills or doing jobs that others may not want - like preparing tea bags for P.F. Chang’s - an important job but perhaps not sought after as it’s tedious and it takes time. What happened to paid on-the-job training? People do get paid a regular wage while learning the job. The Marc Center is one of the organizations that help the disabled learn a skill. Randy Gray, President and CEO of the Marc Center in Mesa, provides transitional employment for about 500 people. There are about 5,000 people throughout the state within other agencies that provide this wonderful program; contracting with private companies like Bashas’ and government agencies for labor. Randy is working hard to find a solution. Before Proposition 202 agencies such as this were able to train people at a lower than minimum wage rate. Passing the new minimum wage law was good for the general population but no one thought about including a clause for transitional training - now programs such as this is in jeopardy.Maybe that’s a good thing. Why not pay disabled the new minimum wage? If the cost is the worry, have them work less hours with the new wage. Mention was made in the article that there are those that can work faster - fill in with these workers to help keep up production that would help with funding for the program. Of course the best answer is find the funds to pay people while they are being trained, providing labor to get a job done deserves a wage like anyone else. If room, board, and meals are provided at the Center or at Shelters - that would be different and seems would be easy to work with. Something like waitressing - they do not get a minimum wage because they are compensated by customer tips. Will the new minimum wage affect waitresses since the Legislature states all workers will receive minimum wage?I like what Carrie Hobbs Guiden, Executive Director of the State Advocacy Group Arc of Arizona says - she believes there are other options for the developmentally disabled besides job shelters or centers. Arc of the U.S. and of Arizona say that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else and should be included in the new minimum wage increase that will go into effect come January 1. I understand a period of 6 months is allowed for rulings - in the meantime I hope no one is out a job or a center is forced to close until it all comes about with any extra verbage for clarity.The article was written by Sarah N. Lynch & J. Craig Anderson, p. A1

It’s obvious that Dr. Larry Christiansen has what it takes to rise to Chancellor.One out of three as a finalist in the Houston Community College System, with 50,000 students and six schools makes for a good move in the life of a man that has excelled in his field.Being President of MCC with one year shy of 20 years - brings a lot of experience to the table. He has been excellent in reaching out to the community and involving others. I’ve been to several events at MCC, all of which included diversity in many different ways.What I see is that he has been able to realize the construction of a life sciences building, iconic library building, and the Red Mountain Campus which brought together his one school - two campus vision. Hopefully, the library discussions for downtown Mesa will continue and be a reality as well. As Mark Gooding, MCC Instructor puts it "he runs a pretty tight ship. He has a lean organization here." That’s brings a bit of insight into how he is seen by his staff.Dr. Christiansen has been positive and assertive in being open and making changes in recent months by changing methods that needed to be addressed. What else could one ask for?Houston would be most fortunate to hire someone with his excellent outreach and administrative skills.

Last week, Fremont Junior High in East Mesa held their winter concert which included a variety of performances from the choir, orchestra and band. I was impressed with the talent of these students as well as their teachers who have instructed them to continually improve their talents. Recently, the Fremont Falcon Band received national recognition for its performance at the National Wind Band Honors competition. The Falcon Band has been selected to perform in an Honors Concert at the Arizona Music Educators Conference in January.You may be wondering how schools are able to afford things like competitions, travel arrangements, and instruments. Good question.There is a program for contributions to your school and your extra-curricular activity of choice basically for free. It’s called ECA tax credit. If you contribute $200 for single or $400 for jointly filers, you get the exact amount you contributed either refunded or credited on your Arizona State tax return. Activities such as sports, visual and performing arts, field trips, clubs, outdoor education, gifted programs, or classroom enrichment programs can be funded with tax credit money. This tax credit is available to all Arizona individual taxpayers regardless of whether or not they have children in school. 100 percent of your donation goes directly to the schools for extracurricular activities that benefit students by enriching campus life and learning. For more information, contact your local school. Investing in our students is an investment in our community. Many Mesa thanks!

I was listening to the radio a couple of days ago and heard this song….sung to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Clause". But instead of the words stated in the correct title, the words "Here Comes Menopause" were substituted instead. The song went on to poke fun of the condition women face in life and though I have to admit I did find it amusing, I wonder if it goes too far in making fun of people.I’m just wondering if anyone else has hear this song?Comments welcome