Holiday Program, Light Parade - Dec. 3
Events include Walk-A-Thon, 20 tons of snow, Santa, car show, evening light parade
   Christmas is fast approaching and the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation and Apache Junction Main Street Inc. will be hosting the annual Holiday Program & Light Parade on Saturday, Dec.3.
   The daytime Holiday Program will take place in the Downtown area in the former Bashas’ Parking Lot on the Northwest corner of Phelps Dr. and North Apache Trail. This event is free to the community! There will be lots of activities throughout the day for the whole family, including:
   • Main Street’s Winter Walk- A-Thon: Apache Junction non-profit agencies, get together your members and supporters for a chance to win $3000 in cash prizes. Pre-registration is required and the registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 28. Walk will begin at noon and run through 2 p.m.
   • Let it Snow: Join us for this one-of-a-kind free event for the whole family! We have something for everyone: 20 tons of snow, Santa, bounce house, 28-foot volcano climbing rock wall, an obstacle course, 16 foot Climb and Slide, a car-show (contact Chrystal Sawyer at (480)474- 5159 if you are interested in registering your car for the car show), and petting zoo. Local entertainment will be provided. The snow arrives at 3 p.m. and runs through 6:30 p.m.

See A-1 and see Holiday, A-3

Council OKs Funding For Social Service Agencies
Gold Canyon dog owners donate $4K for city dog park
By Betty Swanson
The News
   Following recommendations made by the Apache Junction Health and Human Services Commission, the Apache Junction City Council voted last week to approve professional services agreements with and award $80,000 in funding to five local social agencies serving the residents of Apache Junction.
   The money was approved unanimously at the Nov. 15 meeting to go to: • Apache Junction Reach Out Food Bank - $20,000;
• Boys and Girls Club - $8,000;
• Community Alliance Agaiinst Family Abuse (CAAFA) - $14,500;
• East Valley Adult Resources for the Apache Junction Senior Center - $25,000;
• Mountain Health and Wellness (psychiatric services) - $12,500.
   In other business, Marta Saint-James, president of the Gold Canyon Dog Owners Group (DOG) presented a check for $4,104 to Mayor John Insalaco, Tess Nesser, chairman of the AJ Parks and Recreation Commission, and Lucy Young, president of the Friends of Apache Junction The funds are designated to be used in the development of the Dog Park to be constructed at Silly Mountain Regional Park. The funds were raised through donations by Gold Canyon and Apache Junction members of DOG. This organization promotes responsible dog ownership, and provides a myriad of information about dog-related issues.

DAR Gives To ‘Turkeys For Troops’

Audra Glines (right) of the Apache Junction Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) presents a check to Kathy Pearce (left), President of the Arizona Heroes to Hometowns for $385. The donation will be used to purchase $10 grocery gift cards that will be used for the purchase of a turkey or ham to complete holiday food boxes provided by Valley food banks. The effort is in support of “Turkeys to Troops” and will support Arizona’s Wounded Warriors, deployed active duty military personnel, and National Guardsmen’s families. Arizona Heroes to Hometowns is a coalition of community resources providing support to service members who have sustained injuries and can no longer serve.

AJHS Hoops Tip Off This Week

    The boys and girls varsity basketball teams kick off their 2011-12 seasons this week competing in separate tournaments. The AJHS boys play Monday through Wednesday in the Mesa Skyline Thanksgiving Classic while the Lady Prospectors tip off Monday- Wednesday in the Queen Creek Turkey Shoot.
   The Prospectors, with firstyear head coach Tom Reichwald guiding them, will take on Mesa Prep at 4:30 p.m. today, Monday, November 21. The Prospectors will also play against Skyline at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, and face Maricopa on Wednesday, November 23, at 4:30 p.m.
   The Lady Prospectors, with returning head coach Brock Kearsley on the sidelines, play today at 3:30 p.m. against Mesa Westwood and at 6:00 p.m. versus Casa Grande. The AJHS girls return to Queen Creek HS on Tuesday to face Skyline at 1:15 p.m. and to play against Mesa High at 4:45 p.m. Depending on how the girls fare in “pool play” games Monday and Tuesday will determine when they play on Wednesday and who they’ll play.
   For complete 2011-12 season schedules, visit the website www.ajhs.ajusd.org and click on “athletics” and “winter programs.”