"Haboob"?

July 5, 2011--Estrella Pkwy & I-10

So one week ago tonight we had one of the biggest storms on record. It wasn't your typical "monsoon" dust storm...

Brent, Laren and I were stuck out in the mess as Laren had dance classes in Goodyear. We heard on the radio that it was heading our way. We called my sister and had them go online to look at the radar. It appeared that we would have enough time to wait until she got out at 8 and get home before it arrived. WRONG! As soon as we started out we could see the cloud but it looked like it was much further away than it was. So, we pushed on. As we drove it got worse and worse but still looked a good distance away.

We got about 3 miles from home when it hit. I was driving....my car. I have been caught in dust storms before but I have NEVER seen anything like this. It wasn't just dust blowing, or should I say drifting about 3-4 inches deep across the road. It was also grass, sticks, hay and whatever else was in the desert. It was blowing straight at my driver side door. We were so close we just kept going, very slowly. The area had no safe shoulder to pull over on, was on a curve and was leading up to a bridge.

We krept along at about 15 mph while getting plastered by tumble weeds, branches, dirt etc. We could not see past the front of the car. Out of seemingly nowhere this HUGE tumbleweed (or as I now refer to it, tumbleTREE!) bigger than the car came flying across and smacked the windshield. SCARY!!

We got home and the wind was fierce. We watched out the window as pretty much everything on our property was blown everywhere. I was shaken for hours after we got home. It was a very tense and scary drive.

When we got up the next morning it was almost comical to see everything on one side of the lot. Thank goodness we are fenced all the way around as we would have been still looking for things.

Then, I looked at the car....omg! It is so scratched :( and my logo/emblem thingy from the front is long gone ha. But, thank GOD we got home safely and no one got hurt. I heard there were accidents all over the valley. I prayed the whole way home and He got us home.

Needless to say, I will not be wanting to be out driving in any storms for a long time. LOL I always like driving in the rain. I even drove to Flagstaff in Oct. 10 when they had all those tornadoes, right in the middle of it, and that was not as scary as this was.

I did not get any pix obviously as I was a little busy. My arms were sore the next two days from trying to keep the car on the road. But I did get a few on my phone in the parking lot at dance before it all happened and I got some from July 3 when we had our first dust storm. I will share those on this post.

Front Page News...

I did it! This week I got my pix and story on the FRONT PAGE! Woot! I covered the free swim event put on by the town and fire department. here is the article...see the website for the rest of my pics :)
-----------------

BUCKEYE AQUATICS CENTER FREE SWIM SPONSORED BY UNITED BUCKEYE FIRE UNION & TOWN OF BUCKEYE

BUCKEYE, AZ—A blazing afternoon in Buckeye brought out residents to cool off at the Free Swim event sponsored by the United Buckeye Fire Union and the Town of Buckeye. It was a full house according to Valerie Stewart, one of the cashiers at the Aquatics Center, they had over 400 swimmers. “We were maxed out at 400 by the time the rescue drill had begun. I had about 30 people waiting to get in at that time; I had to wait for people to leave before letting more in. So, I would say that we had 400 people until about 4pm and then some did start leaving” said Stewart.

Shortly after 2:00 p.m. the AirEvac folks did a wonderful surprise demonstration on how they perform emergency situations in a pool environment. For a few minutes many patrons thought it was a real-life rescue until it was announced that it was a drill and the “victim” was ok. The pool employees and lifeguards cleared the pool while the Buckeye Fire Department paramedics and other lifeguards “treated” their “victim”.

The part of the “victim” was wonderfully played by 13 year-old Sam Malanowski, brother of Dan Malanowski, who was one of the organizers of this event. He did a fantastic job portraying an injured swimmer while the lifeguards got him stabilized and out of the pool. The paramedics called 911 and the AirEvac helicopter flew in and landed in the field on the south side of the facility. Sam was quickly carried to and put into the helicopter and swiftly flown away. The audience seemed to be very impressed by the demonstration and erupted in applause as the bright yellow helicopter lifted off and flew into the distance.

It was a considerable turnout and swimmers enjoyed free hot dogs, snow cones and bottled water provided by the Buckeye Fire Department. Free sunscreen was also provided to protect folks from the scorching sun. With temperatures over 112 that day, it was a great thing to see so many residents come out and show their appreciation and support for our town and fire department. Another Free Swim event is planned for Monday, July 25 from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. This event is being sponsored by Buckeye Police Department. For more information visit the Town of Buckeye website http://www.buckeyeaz.gov .

###

We are excited about Laren's new Hip Hop teacher. Here is his story:


Terrence “Toonz” Fizer has been teaching hip-hop in the Phoenix area for 8 years. A dancer since the age of 7, he has performed all over Arizona. He was a Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury team dancer from 2009 to 2010, where besides Suns and Mercury games he also performed at the NBA All-Star game. He has also participated in the Herberger Theatre’s “Celebration of Dance” in 2004 and 2008, and was featured in The Nutcracker performed by Ballet Arizona in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, he opened for Lil’ Wayne and taught a Hip-Hop class at the Tucson Convention Center to the cast of Cirque Du Soleil’s Alegria.

recital

this thing has been goofing up on me every time i try to post this....we'll see this time! This shot was from her hip hop dance. we could not take cameras in for the performance, so this is from dress rehearsal. was a great show!

my pix of the recital dress rehearsal that ran with my article...

I have been very busy lately! As of last week I am now working again! I am working for the Buckeye Valley News! I have re-designed and will be maintaining their website. It is now up and running so you can click the link in the last line. I have a few different things that I am doing and keep adding more each day haha. First, I will be selling advertising. I have also, though, been getting some of my photos published starting with my earlier post, the Memorial Day pix. The ones directly above are from Laren's dance recital a couple of weeks ago (Desert West Dance Academy). I also wrote the article for that as well as a re-write on another story about our brand new fire station! It's right by our house and beautiful! I re-wrote the article submitted by another guy, and then they used his photos. I will include those below. Also I have been having several of my ads ran for free! My friend is actually the editor so that helps! I also did an ad for DWDA as they have sold their building here in town, that has been for sale for 2 years now! And they will be only having their new facility in Goodyear now.

==========================================

DWDA Recital Article:

Desert West Dance Academy Celebrates 11th Year with Annual Recital
--Loni Bakeman

Buckeye, Arizona, Saturday, June 4, 2011: Desert West Dance Academy, here in Buckeye, celebrate their 11th year this year and just held their Annual Recital. This year’s theme was “A Night to Remember” and was, as always, a dazzling event. Recitals at DWDA are sure to please and entice every emotion, from the delicate ballet number to the high energy hip hop showdown and didn’t leave a dry eye in the house with the tender father and daughter performace.

Owners, Rendee Combs and Geri Parker, Instructors, and the Dancers seem to out-do themselves each and every year with their performances and the recital is something that is looked forward to every year by all.

This year DWDA will lose one of their students, Tayte Swafford, as she has just graduated from high school. Tayte will join previous DWDA dancer Lara Benbow this fall at the University of Arizona on the Pom Line. The recital was wrapped up with a special video tribute to Tayte.

While the studio in Buckeye is closed for the summer, DWDA has recently opened a second location at 15671 W. Roosevelt Street, Ste. 105 in Goodyear. This location is having Summer classes and are offering a 2 for 1 Summer Special. Call 623-925-2636 or visit their website (www.DesertWestDance.com) for more information and to register.

===============================================
Firestation Article:

BUCKEYE VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT STATION NUMBER 326
OPEN HOUSE: JUNE 11, 2011
--Loni Bakeman

James Adams kicked off the evening by leading the Pledge of Allegiance and was followed by an Invocation by Mike Linderman. Fire Chief, Scott Benbow, delivered a welcoming speech and gave recognition to all of those responsible for the construction of the new station. Mr. Benbow offered an open invitation to all to come by and tour the facility any time. Also in attendance was architect Gerald Adams, and Director of the Project, Bill Cox. The ceremonial Ribbon Cutting was performed by Chief Benbow, Mark Alexander (Assistant Chief) and Core Pelman. (member of the Fire Board).

Attendees were taken on a tour of the station. Board Member, Ed Pahl explained how efficient the new facility is and how it will work closely with nearby stations, such as Goodyear. Pahl discussed that between the two facilities there are adequate resources to cover any emergency. After the tour, guests enjoyed a great meal provided by Core Construction who sponsored the event.

Buckeye Valley Fire District Station No. 326 is a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facility and uses solar power. Complete with a full kitchen, community room, community salon, a gym and more.

Special thanks and appreciation were given to the Firefighters of Station No. 326 for their patience and support over the last four years while they waited for this new facility.

Summer Dance

Up until this year the place where Laren takes dance has been closed for summer. They recently opened a new location in Goodyear and are now for the first time offering summer classes! Laren is very excited and starts tonight! This year will be her 4th year with Desert West :) She will be taking Hip Hop, Ballet & Contemporary.

this is out of order, but wanted to pay tribute to my Dad for Memorial Day. I thought I did, but then remembered I had trouble uploading that night. My dad was in the US Air Force and served in Viet Nam. We miss him terribly. This August will make 17 years since he left us. It's hard to believe it has been that long. I truely thought the world would stop without him. :(

**UPDATE** I found out yesterday that this photo ran in the newspaper back in IL where my parents are from and where we moved to several years ago. I sent it to them but didn't know if they would put it in or not. So, I am being sent a copy of it!