Marana Communications Manager named Top 40 Under 40

Town of Marana Communications Manager Vickie Hathaway received the 40 Under 40 Award given by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The award recognizes forty young professionals under the age of forty who are influential in the community through their professional and philanthropic contributions and leadership. 

“I’m very honored,” said Hathaway. “To be included with so many incredible people is humbling, and I am inspired by all the accomplishments.”

Passionate about effective communication and compelling storytelling, she pursued projects that enhanced the Town’s communication program. Those projects include incorporating photography and videography into the Town’s brand, restructuring the town’s website MaranaAZ.gov, creating the Marana Newsroom, and establishing the Communications Division of the Town Manager’s Office to oversee public relations, brand management, and events.

“On numerous occasions I’ve sought out Ms. Hathaway for guidance related to branding, community outreach and effective communication, and I’ve always been impressed with the big picture approach she takes with everything she does,” said Marana Police Department Chief of Police. “She is truly a great asset to the Town of Marana.”   

Hathaway has also worked to create positive experiences and memories for individuals and families by restructuring the Town’s signature events program through the use of working relationships with businesses and non-profits from throughout the community. Marana events now collectively draw over thirty-thousand people to the community every year.

“She believes in Marana and what we are doing and works so hard to make sure every detail is thought through,” said Marana Mayor Ed Honea. 

She and her team have received numerous awards for their work, including national recognition for the Town of Marana’s community branding campaign, website design, and citizen outreach.

 “I feel this is also great recognition for the Town of Marana and the great projects my team and I have been able to pursue for the community,” Hathaway said.

Hathaway was raised in southern Arizona and is passionate about public service. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration & Public Policy in 2008 and her Master Degree in Public Administration in 2011 from the University of Arizona. She began her local government career as a Management Assistant in 2013 and then Assistant to the Town Manager in 2014 before becoming Communications Manager in 2016.

Ina Road Update: Traffic changes

Drivers heading from northwest Pima County toward downtown Tucson will start using new eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 at Ina Road this weekend.

Beginning the evening of Saturday, Dec. 16, Arizona Department of Transportation crews will begin moving eastbound traffic to the new I-10 lanes as part of a two-year project to improve both I-10 and Ina Road. The work is expected to be complete the morning of Sunday, Dec. 17.

Also on Sunday, about one mile west of the freeway, Ina Road traffic will switch to a new bridge over the Santa Cruz River. This bridge will carry one lane of traffic in each direction while the old bridge is removed and a second new bridge is built in its place.

The I-10/Ina Road interchange project, which remains on schedule approaching the halfway point, will add a lane in each direction to both I-10 and Ina Road and includes a bridge to carry Ina Road traffic over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The improvements will allow traffic to move more smoothly through the area while enhancing safety.

In mid- to late January, westbound I-10 traffic also will switch to the new eastbound pavement, with a concrete barrier separating three lanes of traffic in each direction.

When the work is complete in early 2019, I-10 will have four lanes in each direction, Ina Road will be two lanes in each direction and there will be two bridges over the Santa Cruz River west of I-10, each carrying two lanes of traffic.

ADOT is overseeing the $128 million project, which is funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority. The town of Marana is contributing $7.9 million toward the cost of the new Ina Road bridges over the Santa Cruz River.

For more information on the project, visit azdot.gov/InaTI.

Marana Police Department hosting volunteer info meeting

The Marana Police Department is looking for some energetic, community giving, hardworking, fun individuals to become Marana Police Volunteers in their patrol assignment.

The Marana Police Volunteers will be having an open house out at the Highlands at Dove Mountain located at 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd this Wednesday, December 13th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm to talk to anyone who is interested in joining the program.

MPD will have volunteers from our patrol side as well as our administrative side there for questions.

The Marana Police Department encourages and provides an opportunity for citizens to volunteer in different areas within the police department.

The Mission of the Marana Police Volunteers program is to support and expand the services that the Marana Police Department provides to its citizens of the Marana Community. Currently there are approximately 50 volunteers involved in several areas within the Police Department.

In addition to the patrol assignment that the meeting covers, Marana Police volunteers generously give their time in many areas, including helping with traffic control, computer and data entry, fingerprinting, administrative duties and more.

The citizens patrol acts as the eyes and ears for the Police Department and the community, helping out in both residential and business areas.

The time given by their volunteers allows Marana Police Officers and staff to devote their time to the work they are trained to do. The volunteer program is always looking for new candidates who are looking to match their skill to their programs and current volunteer opportunities.

Marana named 9th safest city in Arizona

The Town of Marana was named one of the top-10 safest cities in Arizona by SafeHome.org, ranking 9th overall of cities with a population of at least 38,000.

Additionally, Town of Marana was rated as the second safest city in Southern Arizona and third safest small city with a population under 50,000.

Marana had a Safety Score of 80.68. The top score in the state was 86.71, while the lowest was 50.74. The higher the Safety Score, the safer data shows the city to be.

SafeHome.org looks at several different factors when assigning a Safety Score to a city, including the FBI’s latest report of how many and what types of crimes occurred in each city over a single year, the city’s crime trends, and the number of law enforcement officers compared to the population. Cities showing a decline in crime are given a higher Safety Score.

Demographic metrics that are commonly correlated to crime have a small impact on SafeHome.org’s Safety Score. These metrics include population density and trends, unemployment rate, median income, and education level.

Safe Home is an Organization dedicated to helping people create safer living environments for their families.

“Whether that’s reading through one of our research reports, understanding why your city was ranked as one of the safest (or most dangerous) or just simply looking for a new home security system, tour goal is to drive awareness through research, data analysis and education,” they state on their website.

Full listing of the top-25 safest cities in Arizona.

Marana hosts pesticide safety training

On Thursday, December 7, Marana Parks and Recreation hosted a special all-day training at the Recreation Community Center for Herbicide/Pesticide Application. 

The training was provided by the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Office of Pesticide Management. There are 65 maintenance professionals from throughout Southern Arizona participating in this specialized training. 
 
"We are placing a major emphasis on staff training and are looking at opportunities to host various trainings at our facilities," said Marana Parks and Rec Director Jim Conroy. "These trainings will professionally develop Marana staff and strengthen the overall Marana team."

The training was provided by Wilbur-Ellis for the Arizona Department of Agriculture Office of Pest Management’s Continuing Education Units (CEU).

The training will help both Marana Parks and Rec employee and those who utilize their facilities to be safer. The training was specifically beneficial to employees who handle and apply pesticides to perform their duties in a safer manner.

Among the topics covered in the training include the safe handling and mixing of pesticides, what to do if one becomes exposed to pesticides, and environmental impacts of pesticides.

PRESS RELEASE: Traffic Signal Activation at the Intersection of Camino de Oeste/Tangerine Road

As part of the Tangerine Road Corridor Project, a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Tangerine Road and Camino de Oeste. At approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2017, the signal will be energized and placed on flash mode, with a RED ball indication for the Camino de Oeste approach, and AMBER ball indication for the Tangerine Road approach. 

After 9 a.m. on Monday, December 18, 2017, the signal will be set to full color operation mode, and function as a fully signalized intersection.

The installation of the new traffic signal at the Camino de Oeste intersection, addresses the operation of the roadway and safety of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists along this stretch of the Tangerine Road Corridor.

Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com

Spotlight on Schools: Second grade students in Marana develop student-run business

Tucson News Now posted a great story about second graders at a Marana Unified School District school that have started their own business to raise money for charity.

Second grade teacher, Aimee Katz, and her students at DeGrazia Elementary, within the Marana Unified School District, have embarked on a unique journey and are learning real-world business skills. 

Made possible through a Real World Scholars EdCorp grant, these young hard working, entrepreneurial thinking students have developed their own student-run business, Corky Kidz, making a variety of creative designs and items out of reused corks!

Learning entrepreneurship skills through real-world learning, students developed their business from the ground up. After creating their business name, Corky Kidz, and tagline, "Fun, Funky, and creative cork designs made by Kidz," students spent months seeking cork donations from local businesses, family and friends; researching and developing product prototypes; and learning various aspects of business.

"I wanted to start an EdCorp to provide my students with the opportunity to do some real-world learning but also do something that they will remember," states Aimee Katz, second grade Degrazia Elementary teacher. "I want students to be able to understand that what they are learning is and will be used in their life. While students are having fun, they are learning. They are learning real-life skills and if there is something they don’t know how to do, we research it."

Spotlight on Schools: MHS earns Special Olympics honor

The Marana News had a great story on Marana High School being honored for their participation in Special Olympics.

A shower of gold glitter unveiled Marana High School’s new title: National Unified Champion School for the Special Olympics of Arizona. The title came on a new banner revealed at the high school’s pep rally last Friday, Dec. 1.

“Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools equip students with the necessary tools and training to create inclusive sports, classroom and community experiences that reduce bullying, promote healthy activities, combat stereotypes, eliminate hurtful language and improve the overall school climate,” Holly Thompson,  area director for Special Olympics Arizona announced at the school assembly. “Marana High School continues to excel in all these areas and this is why you have received this national recognition.”

The dozens of special education students at Marana High School kicked off the assembly by parading into the school gym holding a sign announcing their new title. They marched into the gym among applause and through a tunnel formed by cheerleaders and mascots. Thompson awarded a certificate to Brett Secemski, the school’s life skills teacher and Special Olympics coach.

Mountain View High School also won the award though a celebratory assembly is still being planned.

Read the whole story at the Marana News

Nightly Holiday Light Show encores

Did you miss the Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting? Catch any of the encore shows every night from 5-9 PM on the hour at the Marana Municipal Complex. Or watch it/relive it here!

Every night at 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 p.m. we will be re-running the light show, that is synchronized to great holiday music.

The encores are at the Marana Municipal Complex roundabout at 11555 W. Civic Center Drive.

Did you come out to the Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting? If so, please take our survey to help us find out what we did right, and what we can do even better next year. 

Marana News: Food tour brings area’s UNESCO designation to life

In 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added 47 locations to its “Creative Cities” network. Tucson (and all of Southern Arizona) was added for gastronomy. In response to this designation, the Town of Marana created a unique Gastronomy Tour. The Marana News covered the designation and tour in a recent issue

Marana possesses a rich food culture, blending ancient flavors with contemporary techniques, that it was deserving of its own showcase.

This showcase comes in the form of the Marana gastronomy tour program, a five hour ride with tastings of local wild foods, samples of craft beers, and historical explorations.

“I’ve found that everything people use to describe Tucson’s food describes Marana better,” said Laura Cortelyou, tourism and marketing manager for the Town of Marana.

In development since December 2016, Marana’s tour is the first food tour approved by a UNESCO creative city in the United States.

With a 4,000-year-old agricultural history (one of the oldest in North America) surrounding them, patrons of Marana’s food tour will experience what few rarely do: visiting archaeological sites, learning about their food history, and then going to modern restaurants where the same styles of dishes are made today. Some of the stops will include drinks at Catalina Brewing Company and a sampling of wild gourmet foods from Bean Tree Farm foods, and cocktails and more at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.

“The best part is that we’re not setting up a fake tour to show the food,” Cortelyou said. “These really are local foods we use all the time—prickly pear, nopales, Sonoran wheat, mesquite, tepary beans. You can forage more wild foods here than in any other desert in the world.”

The tour runs twice a week, from Dec. 1 through April 2018, and promises to hold up to a worldwide UNESCO standard. To sign up, visit sign up: graylinearizona.com/tours/marana-gastronomy-tour/.

“I designed this so that anyone in the world who came to our city could understand our food culture.” Cortelyou said, “The goal is to showcase the creativity of our brewers and bakers, and show how their food is inspired by the local flavors. The tour works because it’s what we already do here. It all just fell into place.”

Read the full story in the Marana News

Marana PD hosts Dispose-A-Med

The Marana Police Department and several of their community partners are conducting a Dispose-A-Med event on Saturday, December 9th at the Target at 3901 W. Ina Rd. The event is from 10 a.m. – noon and will be set up directly in front of the store. Residents are able to safely dispose of any unused or expired prescription medications. Prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules will be collected. We will not be able to collect liquids, creams, veterinary medications, vitamins, and needles.

The Marana Police Department is collaborating with the Marana Health Center, Marana-Foothills Optimist Club, Marana Mortuary, and the Marana Prevention Alliance to put on these monthly events. 

Since the program’s inception in 2010, they have collected over 4,100 pounds of medication. Since the start of 2017, they have already properly disposed of 642 pounds of medication.

For safety and confidentiality reasons, any items turned over for collection cannot be returned. They cannot accept drugs from commercial organizations. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Unused prescription drugs that are not disposed of safely can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold, while unused drugs that are flushed down the toilet can contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

For more information, contact Officer David Danielson at the Marana PD Community Resource Unit at 520-382-2051.

Marana In The Media: KVOA at Holiday Festival

This past weekend the Town of Marana hosted their annual Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting and KVOA was on hand to cover the event. They produced a great video from the festival (although there were several thousand people in attendance, not several hundred.)

Read the full account at KVOA.com

VIDEO: Holiday Festival Walkthrough

Tomorrow is the Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting. We are in the process of getting the area ready for the festivities. We recorded a little sneak preview of what you can expect. The event is at the Marana Municipal Complex from 3-8 p.m.

Marana News: Holiday Festival Preview

The Marana News previewed this Saturday's Marana Holliday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting.

Town of Marana’s annual holiday event is expected to draw more than 6,000 attendees this year, and will take place this Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Marana Municipal Complex Roundabout (11555 W. Civic Center Drive).

“Our hope is that we can create an experience that will help people to build new traditions and family memories,” said Town of Marana Special Events Coordinator Monique Hagberg. “We carefully think through every element so that there is something for everyone. We want this to be a fun, festive event for the entire family.” 

The centerpiece of any holiday festival tends to be the lighting of the Christmas tree, and Marana has long embraced this tradition in the form of a 40-foot tree. Not only will the evergreen monolith act as the centerpiece of the entire gathering, but the tree is also part of a massive, synchronized light show that incorporates the surrounding area. The lighting and first performance of the show will take place at 6 p.m., and is the largest in Southern Arizona. The light show will run every hour from 5 to 9 p.m. beginning next Monday, Dec. 4 through New Year’s Eve.

Even though the event takes place in Southern Arizona, don’t be surprised to find a bit of snow in the desert at the Marana event. After a successful debut last year, the town has announced that the snow globe will make a triumphant return for a second year. According to the town, 20 tons of snow will be shipped in—leaving plenty for a snowball, sledding and maybe a snowman (or woman) or two.

“We’ve nearly doubled the amount of snow we are bringing in this year to enhance the experience of walking into an actual snow globe,” Hagberg said.

The roundabout affair will host a variety of local dancers, singers and musicians, including the Silver Steppers, Estes Elementary Ukulele club, the Marana Chamber High School Chamber Orchestra, the Mountain View High School Jazz Band and more. The live show kicks off at 3 p.m. with the Silver Steppers, and the Marana High School Symphonic Choir close the show when they take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Make sure to bring an empty stomach, because no festival is complete without a wide selection of food. According to Hagberg, the selection will satisfy any craving, from ice cream to barbecue, French pastries to authentic Hawaiian delights.

Nearly two dozen vendors will attend the event, including an “Elf Flea Market,” and The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will join Marana’s Animal Services Division with some “fur-babies” to adopt. And most importantly (to some), the red-coated couple of Christmas spirit is returning to Marana in the form of Mr. and Ms. Claus.

Read the full story at the Explorer News.

Marana News: Deer Dedication

The Marana News had an in-depth story on the new public art installation on Tangerine Road:

A family of massive deer has settled down in the Town of Marana, and they’re here to stay.

Built of metal and painted to match the surrounding environment, the deer can be found on the south side of West Tangerine Road between Camino De Oeste and Camino De Mañana. Unveiled in a public ceremony earlier this month led by Mayor Ed Honea and town staff, the public art installation at the site of the under-development Tangerine Sky Park is aptly named “Deer at Tangerine Sky Park.”

The multi-year project was made possible by the Transportation Art by Youth Program, part of the Pima Association of Governments, which granted the town $75,000. The art program incorporates art into regional transportation projects, in this case the Tangerine Corridor Project.

The artist behind the deer concept was Trevor O’Tool, who worked alongside Marana High School Welding Teacher Kenton Webb in supervising a handful of students who crafted the three fawns. With some assistance, O’Tool constructed the doe and buck.

Tony Hunter, Marana’s assistant to the town manager, said the concept developed from a brainstorming session. The desire for public art mixed well with an interest in involving the youth of the community and the PAG grant seemed to “fit perfectly” into the mix, according to Hunter.

Read the full story at the Marana News

Spotlight on Schools: Marana High singers among "best of the best"

Marana High School singers, Cassandra Brandriff and Nick Victoratos will perform at the National Association for Music Education's 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles this week at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort/Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. This is a collection of the “best of the best” high school singers.

“These outstanding artists qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program and competed against top students for one of 609 spots in these national honor ensembles,” explained the Marana Unified School District in a press release.

Brandriff and Victoratos will have the honor to perform under the baton of five of the most prominent conductors in the United States. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, and jazz ensemble.

Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting preview

The Town of Marana will host its annual Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 2 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the Marana Municipal Complex Roundabout.

The event has grown from its humble beginnings, and over 6,000 people are expected to attend this year’s edition. The event moved from the MMC courtyard to the roundabout in 2015 to accommodate the growth and open up the event for a variety of new activities, as well as giving ample space to old favorites.

The centerpiece of the event is the Christmas Tree lighting itself. Not only is the 40-foot Christmas Tree illuminated, but it is part of a synchronized, musical light show that incorporates the surrounding trees. The lighting and first performance of the show will take place at 6:00 p.m. and is the biggest in Southern Arizona. The light show is not a one-time event, it will run every hour from 5 to 9 p.m. beginning Monday, Dec. 4 until New Year’s Eve.

Snow is back at Holiday Festival. After a successful debut last year, the snow globe returns for kids to play in. Due to the popularity, this year 20 tons will be brought in for children to play in, sled on, and make snow men with. It is our way to bring a little bit of a winter wonderland to the Marana.

Santa and Mrs. Claus return to Marana. Always one of the more popular features of the event, The jolly couple will make their arrival and then be on hand to listen to the Christmas wishes of all the good boys and girls. Make sure you are on the “good” list!

The roundabout will again host the stage and it will feature a variety of entertainment. Nine acts from the community will perform, including dancers, singers, and musicians of all ages.

A wide selection of food vendors will be on hand to satisfy any craving. Nearly 20 food vendors will be on hand, serving everything from ice cream to barbecue to French pastry to authentic Hawaiian fare.

20 non-food vendors will also be on hand. Some will be selling their wares, while others will be trying raise awareness for their non-profit organizations. The Elf Flea Market will be open for business. You will find gently used and beautifully hand crafted holiday decor at reasonable prices. All items are donated and funds benefit the Community Food Bank in Marana. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will join Marana’s Animal Services Division, and will have some furry friends for adoption.

Musical Acts:

• 3:00 - 3:20: Silver Steppers

• 3:30 - 3:50: The Thornydale Songbirds

• 4:00 - 4:20: Estes Elementary Ukulele Club

• 4:30 - 4:50: Open Doors Community School

• 5:00 - 5:20: Marana High School Chamber Orchestra

• 5:30 - 5:50: Pointe of Grace Dancers

• 6:00 - 6:20: Christmas Tree Light Show

• 6:30 - 6:50: Mountain View Jazz Band

• 7:00 - 7:20: ShowBiz Academy of Dance

• 7:30 - 7:50: Marana High School Symphonic Choir

Food Vendors

• Bugaloo's Soft Serve

• Cafe Fancais

• Ciao Down

• Cody Coyote Kettle Corn

• Dickey's Barbecue Pit

• I & C Kitchen

• Jakesdonuts and Treat Trolley

• La Garrafa

• Marana Heritage Conservancy

• Meatball Madness

• Mona's Frybread

• Mutt's Restaurant

• Red Rock Ice Cream Company

• Ro's Rollout American Comfort Food

• Road Running Wood Fired Pizza

• Ry's Snacks

• Sonoran Mexican Cuisine

• Sugar & Spice

• Taste of Island Paradise AZ

Spotlight on Schools: Dual honors for MV's Oliver

Mountain View Head Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine Teacher Leah Oliver received a pair of honors over the past few weeks.

At the last Marana Unified School District Governing Board meeting, she was formally recognized for being named a 2018 Arizona Educational Foundation Top 10 Teacher of the Year.

The AEF™ Arizona Teacher of the Year program spotlights the contributions of outstanding public school teachers throughout Arizona by annually recognizing 10 exceptionally skilled and dedicated pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public school teachers.

Oliver was one of just two teachers from Southern Arizona to make the top-10, and the only from the Tucson area.

Oliver was also honored by the students and staff at Mountain View high School, but naming their athletic training center in her honor. The honored Oliver with the renamed “Ms. O's Athletic Training Center” during a surprise celebration in the school’s gymnasium. Former and current students (dating back to her first class in 1989), former coaches, staff, administration, and family and friends came out to honor her.

Oliver has been an educator since 1989 and has earned a reputation as “a phenomenal teacher who truly cares for students, staff and parents.” Her sports medicine class and student athletic trainers are the most award-winning in the state

Marana 28-Mile El Tour Segment Drone footage

HawkView Aerial Aerial was on-hand at the Town of Marana’s 28-Mile Segment of the El Tour de Tucson. Their drone captured the start of the race at Marana Heritage River Park.

The video below has the full start of the 28-Mile Segment:

HawkView Aerial Solutions is a Marana-based company.

Spotlight on Schools: MUSD's Wilson honored

Marana Unified School Districts’ superintendent - Dr. Doug Wilson – was selected as the 2018 American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year® for Arizona by the Arizona School Administrators.

Dr. Wilson has worked in public education for the last 36 years, and he is “humbled by this honor.”

According to an MUSD press release, Dr. Wilson “believes the ability to make a difference in the life of a child and influence the future through education is one of the noblest professions there is.”

“This recognition speaks more to the quality of the people who I am surrounded by, than anything I have accomplished,” Wilson added. “I cannot think of anyplace I would rather be, or anything I would rather be doing than serving the educational community in Marana as superintendent. The last nine and a half years working beside our dedicated teachers, support staff, administrators, Governing Board members, and parents have been the best years of my professional life… there is not a day that goes by that I am not inspired.”

The AASA, The School Superintendents Association National Superintendent of the Year® Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation's public schools. The program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents.

Dr. Wilson will be recognized as the award recipient at the Arizona School Boards Association/Arizona School Administrators Annual Superintendents Conference in December and at the 2018 AASA National Conference on Education in February.