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    <title>Arizona Parks and Recreation Association News</title>
    <link>http://www.azpra.org/news</link>
    <description>Arizona Parks and Recreation Association blog posts</description>
    <dc:creator>Arizona Parks and Recreation Association</dc:creator>
    <generator>Wild Apricot web tools for non-profits</generator>
    <language>en</language>
    <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 10:41:01 GMT</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 10:41:01 GMT</lastBuildDate>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:47:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Remembering Okie</title>
      <description>O’Connor, Joseph M. “OKIE” – Passed away suddenly on April 20, 2013. Beloved son of the late Joseph M. and Maureen T. (Browne); caring brother of Moey (Ed) Oakley, Peggy, Terri (Gary Bakal) and the late Kevin; special uncle to Marykate (Carly), Connor, and Nora Oakley. Also, survived by many caring aunts, uncles, and many loving cousins and friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Tempe Mortuary, 405 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in “Okie’s” memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or to the Special Olympics of Arizona. A memorial service will also be held in Buffalo, NY on May 11, 2013.

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;img src="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Pictures/Okie.png" title="" alt="" width="200" height="200" border="0"&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1277420</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1277420</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:37:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Teens &amp; Trends...Register Now!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;There is going to be a training in April focused on Teens! Steven Ortiz, a Peoria Police officer will be discus what he’s seeing trending with Teens. And several Teen Programmers will be discussing their successes and challenges. To register for this educational session (.2 Ceu’s) go to the APRA Website. The fee is only $10 for APRA members and $15 for non and includes lunch! Stay after for our Rec Pro’s Branch meeting.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Teens and Trends Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;- Existing Teen programs and the success they’re seeing&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;- Getting the support of your supervisors for programs Teens really want&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;- The issues facing today’s Teens from the perspective of a High School Student Resource Officer&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-&amp;nbsp;A list of successful programs and ideas from all over the country!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1256370</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1256370</guid>
      <dc:creator>Erica Perez</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:18:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Arizona MAKERS: Women Who Make America</title>
      <description>Dear Friends and Community,&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
I am forwarding information on the very special event coming up this Thursday night at Civic Space Park.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
In January 2013 we started our "Civic Space Community Connections Series" to bring together community, create awareness and process engagement of many topics, issues and conversations that surround us in our great city. Events feature screenings, workshops, theater, music, poets, guest speakers, history and much more. They are open - free style settings allowing all ages to participate. &lt;b&gt;This series is presented every Thursday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the A E England Building of the Civic Space Park at 424 N. Central in downtown Phoenix&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Our first presentation on March 7th features:&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Arizona MAKERS: Women Who Make America&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Please scroll down for more information on this event and a personal invite from PBS General Manager, Kelly McCullough&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
We hope to see you at this first event in March as we celebrate Women's History Month! In addition please open attached calendar for all Thursday night presentations in March.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Carmela Ramirez&lt;br&gt;
Arts and Culture/Downtown Division&lt;br&gt;
City of Phoenix PRD&lt;br&gt;
(602) 262-7424&lt;br&gt;
carmela.ramirez@phoenix.gov&lt;br&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1241512</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1241512</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:06:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus is hosting the LARGEST recruiting event of the semester</title>
      <description>Dear AZPRA Board Members,&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
We’d like to ask that you forward this information to your members, please!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus is hosting the LARGEST recruiting event of the semester:&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Internship &amp;amp; Career Fair&lt;br&gt;
ASU Downtown Phoenix campus&lt;br&gt;
Wednesday, March 27&lt;br&gt;
1 - 4 p.m.&lt;br&gt;
Fees: $400 for Corporate; $200 for Nonprofit/Government&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
By participating in this event your organization will have the opportunity to:&lt;br&gt;
• Meet with 600+ ASU students and alumni from the degree programs located at the Downtown Phoenix campus&lt;br&gt;
• Discuss career options and collect resumes&lt;br&gt;
• Present internship opportunities and meet with faculty&lt;br&gt;
• Conduct on-campus interviews and/or information sessions&lt;br&gt;
• Brand your organization’s name with future candidates seeking positions&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Visit Sun Devil CareerLink to register: www.asu.edu/career, click the Employer tab at the top of the webpage, and then click on the Sun Devil CareerLink login logo. Call Cindy Parnell, Director of Career Services, with questions or if you need assistance at 602-496-1130.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
We look forward to hosting your organization at the Downtown Phoenix campus.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Thank you,&lt;br&gt;
Cindy&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Cindy Parnell, M.Ed.&lt;br&gt;
Director of Career Services&lt;br&gt;
Educational Outreach &amp;amp; Student Services&lt;br&gt;
ASU at the Downtown Phoenix campus&lt;br&gt;
522 North Central Ave., Suite 110&lt;br&gt;
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2165&lt;br&gt;
(602) 496-1130&lt;br&gt;
www.asu.edu/career&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
SAVE THE DATE! Internship &amp;amp; Career Fair – Weds., March 27 from 1 – 4 p.m. at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1236639</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1236639</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:01:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Grants for Organizations and Schools 2013-2014: Honoring Our Servicemembers Grants</title>
      <description>&lt;div class="page" title="Page 1"&gt;
  &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt;
    &lt;div class="column"&gt;
      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 18.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700"&gt;Arizona Commission on the Arts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 18.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Grants for Organizations and Schools 2013-2014: Honoring Our Servicemembers Grants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Program Description&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Honoring Our Servicemembers Grants assist organizations in their efforts to provide&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-style: italic"&gt;participatory&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;arts and cultural experiences for active-duty servicemembers, reservists, veterans and their families. This program is not meant to subsidize tours, entry fees or ticket prices. Proposals may focus on any arts discipline or arts therapy, or could align with existing arts programming. Projects may involve participants of any age, and can take place in a variety of settings and formats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Applicant Eligibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;An applicant must be incorporated as an Arizona nonprofit organization or school with tax-exempt status, or be a unit of government. Eligible organizations include Arizona schools, school districts, afterschool programs, parks and recreation departments, neighborhood centers, universities, libraries, social service and community organizations, retirement communities, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers and hospitals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Grant Program Review Criteria &amp;amp; Scores&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-weight: 700"&gt;Quality Programming/Service (35 points):&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Project provides quality programming or service in support of arts experiences for identified participants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-weight: 700"&gt;Community Investment (35 points):&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Project plan demonstrates capacity of the organization to engage participants in meaningful, accessible and participatory arts experiences; and to cultivate mutually-beneficial relationships, support and/or guidance from appropriate and related community partners.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-weight: 700"&gt;Stewardship of Public Funds (30 points):&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Project plan demonstrates commitment and capacity of the applicant to administer public funds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-weight: 700"&gt;Review Score based on a total of 100 points.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Eligibility Requirements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Honoring Our Servicemembers applicants must meet the following program requirements at the time of application:&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;•&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Minimum comprehensive project budget of $1,500.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-style: italic"&gt;(Includes Contracted Services/Artist Fees including travel/per diem,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-style: italic"&gt;Staff Time Equivalent, Materials/Supplies, Space Rental and Marketing/Promotion Materials)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Grant Program Does Not Fund&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;ul&gt;
        &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
          &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Organizations and schools that received Arts Commission funding in fiscal year 2012 but failed to file a final report by Monday, August 6, 2012.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
        &lt;/li&gt;

        &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
          &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Subsidy programs for tickets to performances or events.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
        &lt;/li&gt;

        &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Applications submitted by for-profit organizations.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
      &lt;/ul&gt;

      &lt;div&gt;
        &lt;font face="Calibri"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;p style="font-size: 10pt;"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

      &lt;div class="page" title="Page 2"&gt;
        &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt;
          &lt;div class="column"&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Grant Program Does Not Fund (continued)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

            &lt;ul&gt;
              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Projects involving construction of facilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Food and beverages for receptions and hospitality functions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Fundraising projects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Funding for insurance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Scholarships, awards and competitions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Producing organizations to tour or present themselves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Conferences, symposiums and the like.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Religious institution-led or religious group-sponsored projects not open to participation by non-congregants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Religious institution-led or religious group-sponsored projects whose primary purpose is the religious socialization of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;individuals, or which exist as parts of religious sermons or services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Equipment/capital expenditures.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Re-granting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'SymbolMT'"&gt;
                &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Indirect costs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;

              &lt;li&gt;
                &lt;p style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: SymbolMT;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;College or university-sponsored projects not open to participation by the community outside the university setting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

                &lt;p style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: SymbolMT;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-style: italic"&gt;This list is not comprehensive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

                &lt;p style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: SymbolMT;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Garamond'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0.000000%, 20.000000%, 80.000000%)"&gt;Award Amount/Chart/Scale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

                &lt;p style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: SymbolMT;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Calibri'"&gt;Honoring Our Servicemembers Grants range from $750 to $7,500, and must be matched 1:1, excluding in-kind support. The minimum comprehensive project budget must be $1,500. The following chart lists eligible fees for this grant program. Proposed projects are not required to have planned expenditures in all “Eligible Fees” areas. Applicants will have an opportunity to outline additional expenditures areas in the GO!EGOR online application.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

                &lt;p&gt;&lt;font face="Calibri"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.azarts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/FY14-Grant-Guidelines-Honoring-Our-Servicemembers.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;font size="4"&gt;Learn More&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
              &lt;/li&gt;
            &lt;/ul&gt;
          &lt;/div&gt;
        &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/div&gt;
  &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1233278</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1233278</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:47:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ACA - Staff Training at Its Best!</title>
      <description>&lt;b&gt;Staff Training at Its Best!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Indianapolis, IN (February 26, 2013)  The best in staff training is back! Starting now, camps can pre-order copies of ACAs popular May/June &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/mayjune" target="_blank"&gt;Staff Training Issue&lt;/a&gt; of Camping Magazine.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
This years issue features all new content for frontline staff from renowned trainers and experts such as Scott Arizala, Kim Aycock, Bob Ditter, Norman Friedman, Jeffrey Leiken, Stephen Maguire, Audrey Monke, Chris Thurber, Stephen Wallace, and more.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
The &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/mayjune" target="_blank"&gt;Staff Training Issue&lt;/a&gt; is available at a low bulk rate  $1 per copy in multiples of 10  affordable enough to order one for each member of your staff.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Dont miss out! This special issue sold out last year, so &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/mayjune" target="_blank"&gt;order&lt;/a&gt; early!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Feel free to share this message with your members.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;About ACA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1228221</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1228221</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:08:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Summer Planning Workshop - Next Wednesday! Register today!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Don’t forget to join Rec Pros next Wednesday for the summer planning workshop hosted in Phoenix. This workshop is designed for those planning and working in summer open gyms, art programs, camps, etc. We have put together statewide fieldtrip ideas, arts and craft resources (an art gallery will be on display), list of summer programs and will update with attendees at the workshop.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There will also be round table discussion on your needs, questions, problem solving etc.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Lunch is provided and Rec Pro's Branch meeting will be held after the education session.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You don't have to be a registered APRA member to attend. If you need CEU's this qualifies for 2!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Please help us spread the word and pass the information along to anyone who might be interested.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We also have a few tickets left for the Saturday spring training game.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Register at the APRA web site: &lt;a href="http://www.azpra.org/"&gt;http://www.azpra.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1213317</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1213317</guid>
      <dc:creator>Erica Perez</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:04:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ACA - Your Camp Can Support America's Military Kids</title>
      <description>&lt;b&gt;Your Camp Can Support America's Military Kids&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Indianapolis, IN (February 19, 2013)  It's not too late to integrate ways to serve the children of our nation's military families into &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/publicpolicy/support-military-kids" target="_blank"&gt;your camp&lt;/a&gt; this summer! The American Camp Association (ACA) offers ideas for supporting military kids and families through your programming.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Consider hosting a military kid session, planning a military kids week or event, adding a military kid scholarship to your annual fundraising campaign, and more! See details on these ideas and others at &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/publicpolicy/support-military-kids" target="_blank"&gt;ACAs resource page&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Many camps also serve military kids and families through &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/publicpolicy/support-military-families" target="_blank"&gt;Operation Purple&lt;/a&gt;, a program that empowers military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. While sites for Operation Purple 2013 have already been selected, your camp can consider becoming a site for 2014.</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1212432</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1212432</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:49:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Spring Training Social -  Join Rec Pros and kick off Spring Training with a Home Run!</title>
      <description>If you are interested in joining us for game and concert please purchase your tickets by Friday, Feb. 15 through the APRA web site. Limited tickets will be available after Friday!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Don’t forget to we are still taking registration for the Summer Planning Session the end of this month. This session will be filled with great ideas and discussion points about summer planning. Registration is also available on the web site-there is .2 CEU’s available for this session!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&amp;nbsp;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1207104</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1207104</guid>
      <dc:creator>Erica Perez</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:50:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Wheelchair Rugby at Spofit</title>
      <description>Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) and the Virginia G. Piper Sports &amp;amp; Fitness Center (SpoFit) invite you to the Phoenix Rugby Rave on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 15th – 17th. Experience the hard-hitting action as our home team, the Phoenix Fusion, hosts and competes in an 8-team wheelchair rugby tournament. Our players include medal-winning Paralympic athletes, who have been training vigorously for the intense action this weekend will bring. Turn in your raffle ticket at the event for the chance to win a $100 Visa Card, sponsored by Symbius. You may enter the raffle once on Friday and once on Saturday. (Additional tickets are available at the event.)&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
From 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, there will be food, drinks and entertainment. Join us and mingle with the home team!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Go to Facebook or www.spofit.org for more details on the tournament and for a game schedule, or call SpoFit at 602-386-4566. Let’s CHEER ON the Phoenix Fusion!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Please feel free to forward this to your friends.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Amber Blanchard, CTRS&lt;br&gt;
Manager&lt;br&gt;
Virginia G. Piper Sports &amp;amp; Fitness Center&lt;br&gt;
5031 East Washington St.&lt;br&gt;
Phoenix, AZ 85034&lt;br&gt;
602-386-4283</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1206022</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1206022</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:15:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ACA Winter 2013 CampLine Online</title>
      <description>Winter 2013 CampLine Online&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Indianapolis, IN (February 5, 2013)  ACAs Winter 2013 edition of CampLine is now available for free download online. CampLine is your resource for camp-specific knowledge on legal, legislative, and risk management issues.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
The Winter 2013 issue addresses new regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the anatomy of a lawsuit, and debriefing after a crisis situation. It also includes important regulatory and legal updates on issues such as the Child Protection Improvement Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and more.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/campline/winter-2013" target="_blank"&gt;Read&lt;/a&gt; the Winter 2013 CampLine now.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;About ACA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1199535</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1199535</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:08:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Food Allergies Deemed a Disability  Implications for Camps</title>
      <description>&lt;b&gt;Food Allergies Deemed a Disability  Implications for Camps&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Indianapolis, IN (January 29, 2013)  On December 20, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) deemed that food allergies may be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and thus need to be accommodated.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
This case was with a university food service program, and it is unclear yet how this ruling will impact other types of programs, including camps. However, the DOJ has released its first guidance document on this issue.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/publicpolicy/ADA-food-allergies" target="_blank"&gt;Read&lt;/a&gt; the guidance document and find additional resources at ACAs Public Policy page.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Feel free to share this message with your members.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;About ACA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
If you would like to unsubscribe from future ACA Media e-mails, please reply to this message with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line or body of the message to media@ACAcamps.org.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
5000 State Road 67 North | Martinsville, IN 46151 | 765-342-8456&lt;br&gt;
© 2011 American Camping Association, Inc.</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1192641</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1192641</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:56:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Event Cancelled - APRA Picnic</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Due to forecast for tomorrow’s weather the APRA Picnic will be cancelled.&lt;/strong&gt; We apologize for any inconvenience.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Please join us for our next social at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 23rd. Refer to the APRA Event calendar for more information.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sincerely,&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Rec Pros &amp;amp; S&amp;amp;A&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1188724</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1188724</guid>
      <dc:creator>Erica Perez</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:58:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Encourage Programs to Join the NEW AZ Afterschool Program Directory!</title>
      <description>The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (AzCASE) has developed the state’s first comprehensive web-based bilingual directory of afterschool and out-of-school programs featuring localized geographic information and details about diverse programs meeting specific needs of youth throughout Arizona.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Developed and managed by AzCASE in partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way, the directory provides afterschool and out-of-school-time managers and administrators with a free, valuable marketing tool, and parents with a single centralized resource to identify and locate programs for their children.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Among program information categories are interest and need, location, cost and language.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
We encourage you to forward this information to program managers and administrators within the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association to update or add their information to the directory, ensuring these programs receive the benefit of statewide visibility with parents and decision makers who rely on the directory. We would love to see Parks and Recreation-based afterschool and summer programs represented in the directory and appreciate you forwarding this information where you believe it will make the most impact.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
As an incentive, programs added to the directory before March 1 will be entered in a drawing to win one of TWO $250 Amazon.com gift cards! There are currently over 700 school-year programs and 400 summer programs listed in the directory!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
You can access the directory at www.azafterschool.org by clicking on Arizona Afterschool Directory in the upper right hand corner.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
For your use, attached to this email is a word document with a sample newsletter/blog item, a Facebook post, and a website posting as well as a graphic for the Directory. The fact sheet will also give you additional information about the directory. We encourage you to spread the word to your associates and program managers!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Please do not hesitate to call the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence at 602.496.3307 with any questions or for more information.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Thank you,&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Melanie W. McClintock Leila Kelly&lt;br&gt;
Executive Director Program Assistant&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence&lt;br&gt;
Ph: 602.496.3309&lt;br&gt;
112 North Central Avenue, Suite 700&lt;br&gt;
Phoenix, AZ 85004&lt;br&gt;
info@azafterschool.org&lt;br&gt;
www.azafterschool.org&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Successful Children and Youth. Empowered Professionals. Effective Public Policy.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Attachments:&lt;/b&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Documents/Afterschool%20Directory%20Fact%20Sheet.docx" target="_blank"&gt;Afterschool Directory Fact Sheet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/li&gt;

    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Documents/AZ%20Afterschool%20Program%20Directory%20Program%20Communications%20Pieces.docx" target="_blank"&gt;Arizona Afterschool Program Directory&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1187235</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1187235</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:16:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Nominate an Athlete, Coach, or Contributor for a Youth Sports</title>
      <description>Dear Sports Commission Friend,&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
The Phoenix Regional Sports Commission, together with Grand Canyon University would like to recognize exceptional youth athletes, coaches, and youth sports contributors. ­ These individuals would be recognized for their tremendous dedication to positive leadership and outstanding character, as well as acknowledging their commitment to “enriching our community through sports.” All nominees will be invited to attend an awards breakfast held at the end of the school year. This is a continuous process and we accept nominations all year. Please fill out the attached application and submit to Tara Heinrichs at tara@phoenixsports.org to nominate an individual for one of these awards.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Help us enrich our community through sports by helping to recognize those who are making a difference.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Sincerely,&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Tara Heinrichs&lt;br&gt;
PHOENIX REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION&lt;br&gt;
Email: Tara@phoenixsports.org&lt;br&gt;
2012 Sports Commission of the Year

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;img src="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Pictures/Phoenix Regional Sports Commission.jpg" title="" alt="" width="200" height="55" border="0"&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1185985</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1185985</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:07:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Legalizing Marijuana - What It Means for Camps</title>
      <description>&lt;br&gt;

&lt;table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"&gt;
  &lt;tbody&gt;
    &lt;tr&gt;
      &lt;td valign="top" class="td1"&gt;
        &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;American Camp Association® (ACA)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

        &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Indianapolis, IN (January 8,&amp;nbsp;2013) &amp;nbsp;With the results of the November 2012 elections, eighteen states and the District of Columbia have now enacted laws to legalize medical marijuana.&lt;/p&gt;

        &lt;p class="p1"&gt;However, the federal Controlled Substances Act still makes the use and possession of marijuana generally illegal. Its important for your camp to understand the implications of all of the laws should a staff applicant or camper want to bring and use their medical marijuana prescription at camp.&lt;/p&gt;

        &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Learn the top tips for camps and find resources about state laws regarding the use of medical marijuana, as well as information about the Controlled Substances Act, at ACAs &lt;a href="http://bit.ly/11c4cyX"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Medical Marijuana and Camps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; resource page.&lt;/p&gt;

        &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;br&gt;
        &lt;b&gt;About ACA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
        The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit &lt;a href="http://www.acacamps.org/"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;www.ACAcamps.org&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
      &lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1174436</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1174436</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:08:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>AzCASE - Conscious Discipline: "She Hit Me!" Handling Daily Conflict</title>
      <description>Start the year off right by registering for Conscious Discipline: "She Hit Me!" Handling Daily Conflict, AzCASE’s newest workshop! Let Diana Brown, a standout from the 2012 AZ Afterschool Conference, empower your staff to handle behavior issues like pros. She shares her decades of experience working with children in a humorous, relatable way that helps workshop attendees see how they can put her practical tips to use right away. Behavior management can prove a challenge for many programs and staff. Let Diana take the mystery out of it and put your staff back in charge. Attendees will leave knowing how to keep their cool when addressing behavior issues, handle tattle-tale behavior, calmly administer effective consequences, and understand brain stages to be able to use conflict as a teaching tool. Conference attendees loved her humor, energy, and easy to implement idea, and so will your staff - this is a training no program will want to miss! Register now for one of two Phoenix training dates!&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
This training counts for 3 Hours of DHS training requirements in the category of growth and development (infant growth and development, developmental psychology, language development, observation and child assessment, developmentally-appropriate activities, child guidance and methods, developmentally-appropriate activity areas).&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Click &lt;a href="http://azafterschool.org/Events/AzCASE-Trainings/Conscious-Discipline-Training.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt; to register and for more information on the workshop. For questions, contact 602.496.3308 or info@azafterschool.org.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Dates/Locations:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
PHOENIX&lt;br&gt;
West Valley: January 24&lt;br&gt;
9 AM - Noon&lt;br&gt;
Deer Valley Governing Board Room&lt;br&gt;
20402 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix&lt;br&gt;
$30 a person&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
East Valley: January 30&lt;br&gt;
9 AM - Noon&lt;br&gt;
Kyrene Governing Board Room&lt;br&gt;
Ben Furlong Education Center&lt;br&gt;
8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe&lt;br&gt;
$30 a person&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
TUCSON&lt;br&gt;
January 29&lt;br&gt;
9 AM - Noon&lt;br&gt;
Donna Liggins Rec Center&lt;br&gt;
2160 N 6th Ave., Tucson&lt;br&gt;
$30 a person&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
FLAGSTAFF&lt;br&gt;
January 31&lt;br&gt;
9 AM - Noon&lt;br&gt;
Coconino Community College 4th Street Campus&lt;br&gt;
3000 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff&lt;br&gt;
$30 a person</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1173666</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1173666</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:40:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ADA Webinar with John Caden</title>
      <description>&lt;b&gt;Tuesday, January 8th, 11:00am – 12:00pm Mountain Time&lt;br&gt;
(10:00am Pacific, 12:00pm Central, 1:00pm Eastern)&lt;/b&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
  Join NSPF and John Caden for a 1 hour webinar to help prepare for and ask questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) before the January 31, 2013 deadline for compliance. By registering for this webinar, NSPF will provide complimentary access to John’s online video from the 2011 World Aquatic Health™ Conference.
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
  &lt;b&gt;Webinar Content:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  As part of the webinar, John will touch on his presentation from the 2011 conference by helping registrants understand the evolution, regulations and implementation of ADA. He will also answer questions posed by registrants. If you have a question that you can’t seem to find an answer to, register for the webinar and ask John.
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
  &lt;b&gt;Presenter Bio:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  John Caden has been active in the Healthcare industry for over 30 years. He founded RehaMed International in 1996 and has been employed by S.R. Smith since October, 2009. He was a founding member of the APSP Commercial Council and served on the APSP National Board for 3 years. He has been a speaker on ADA issues at numerous conferences, including the 2009 &amp;amp; 2011 World Aquatic Health Conference. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (1970, BA History) and holds 3 US Patents.
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;a href="http://nspfcart.eproacademy.org/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=403&amp;amp;hq_e=el&amp;amp;hq_m=2202646&amp;amp;hq_l=3&amp;amp;hq_v=cb2bf00200" target="_blank"&gt;Register here&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1173652</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1173652</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:45:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Leadership Living</title>
      <description>&lt;a href="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Documents/LLc%20sample%20issues%20Nov12.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://www.azpra.org/Resources/Pictures/Leadership Living.png" width="500" height="106" border="0" alt=""&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
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&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  Click on the image above to read the full article.&amp;nbsp;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1148671</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1148671</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:19:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>Successful auctions add 6,400 acres to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve</title>
      <description>&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;b&gt;Successful auctions add 6,400 acres&amp;nbsp;to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  Contact: Mike Phillips, public affairs manager, 480-312-7825
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a href="http://scottsdaleaz.gov/News/11-21-2012-news" target="_blank"&gt;Original Source&lt;/a&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
  &lt;br&gt;
  The city of Scottsdale acquired 6,400 acres of land for the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve at three state land auctions today (Nov. 21) in which the city was the only bidder.

  &lt;div&gt;
    &lt;br&gt;
    The city’s combined successful bids totaled $ 88.2 million – approximately $16 million of that will come from a Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant approved by the Arizona State Parks Board in September. The remainder of the purchase price will come from money generated by two dedicated sales taxes approved by Scottsdale voters in 1995 and 2004. The use of state grant funding frees additional dollars to be used on future purchases.

    &lt;div&gt;
      &lt;br&gt;
      “This week marks a major accomplishment for Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve,” said Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane. “With these three auctions, we have combined our citizen-approved dedicated sales tax dollars with $16 million in state grant money to add 10 square miles to the preserve. Those 27,800 acres now connect to the Tonto National Forest – a milestone ensuring a sustainable wildlife population in our preserve.&lt;br&gt;
      “By leveraging state grant funds over the last four years we have been able to save the city more than $88 million while extending the purchasing power of local sales taxes dedicated to expanding the preserve.”

      &lt;div&gt;
        &lt;br&gt;
        With today’s acquisition, Scottsdale’s mountain preserve encompasses approximately 27,800 contiguous acres – more than 43 square miles. That is over 81 percent of the long-range goal to preserve about 34,000 acres, nearly a third of the city’s land area. Preserving these lands achieves a primary goal to establish an important wildlife corridor connection to the nearly three million acres of Tonto National Forest.

        &lt;div&gt;
          &lt;br&gt;
          The preserve land acquired today includes the majority of Cholla and Granite mountains and extensive areas of exposed bedrock, boulder outcrops, lush upper Sonoran Desert vegetation including Rawhide Wash and a number of other large washes housing abundant wildlife.

          &lt;div&gt;
            &lt;br&gt;
            The lands generally are located north of the Ashler Hills Drive alignment, south of the Stagecoach Pass alignment, east of the 100th street alignment and west of 136th street. It is within a “recommended study boundary” that includes all of the land targeted to be part of the preserve, permanently protecting the acreage from development.

            &lt;div&gt;
              &lt;br&gt;
              Learn more about Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve.&lt;br&gt;
            &lt;/div&gt;
          &lt;/div&gt;
        &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;
    &lt;/div&gt;
  &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1147244</link>
      <guid>http://www.azpra.org/news?mode=PostView&amp;bmi=1147244</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sonja Moseley</dc:creator>
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