A look at key Gilbert facts and figures

Like the south East Valley itself, Gilbert’s Congress of Neighborhoods has become less a discussion of future plans and more a showcase of growth, organizers said.

January 1, 2004

Gilbert’s Rodeo Park, Queen Creek’s future equestrian center, Tempe’s under-construction arts center and a future recreation area in Chandler have one thing in common: All are on top of trash.

Because of the actions of two Paz de Cristo Community Center employees and the quick response of Mesa and Tempe fire departments, the facility that serves as a food bank, social services center and dining hall for the homeless and working poor was spared major damage when flames broke out last week.

Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre’s community arena is back open after being waterlogged and closed for more than a week.

Learn how to create positive change in your neighborhood at the annual Neighborhoods Arizona! Conference 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at the Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert.

May 17, 2005

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre's community arena in Queen Creek is closed due to mud.

More than 30 students will be enrolled this summer in the first classes to be offered by the University of Arizona at UA Chandler, located at the Chandler Community Center. Classes begin May 18.

It’s hard to find a neighborhood these days that isn’t governed by a homeowners association.

A local organization seeking nonprofit status has spent the past year formulating criteria for neighborhoods to become an "Arizona great community."

Some of the parties involved in a proposal to build downtown Phoenix’s tallest building have set their sights on central Apache Junction.

Chandler Christian Community Center will host a family day of play in the snow Jan. 26.

Arizona’s first public umbilical cord blood bank opened Thursday in Gilbert. Celebration Stem Cell Centre is a privately owned facility at 3495 S. Mercy Road, near Banner Gateway Medical Center.

Registration has begun for the next session of the Chandler HOA academy, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 2. The academy consists of six evening classes through Oct. 7, and covers budgets, meeting facilitation, CC&R enforcement, homeowner rights and responsibilities, selecting a management company and more. The classes are held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Chandler Police Department, Main Station Community Room, 250 E. Chicago St.

A complete list of winners from the 2004-2005 Arizoni Awards announced Monday, Sept. 26, at the Mesa Arts Center.

All you cool cats out there — slip on your poodle skirts and saddle shoes or dust off you leather jacket and cuffed jeans before you jive to sounds from the ‘50s and other tunes.

Organizers of the 15th annual AriZoni Awards — the Valley theater scene’s version of the Tony Awards — announced nominees from the 2004-05 season Monday, with Mesa’s Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Gilbert’s Hale Centre Theatre and Phoenix Theatre each earning dozens of nods for acting, directing and behind-the -scenes work.

Organizers of the 15th annual AriZoni Awards — the Valley theater scene’s version of the Tony Awards — announced nominees from the 2004-05 season Monday, with Mesa’s Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Gilbert’s Hale Centre Theatre and Phoenix Theatre each earning dozens of nods for acting, directing and behind-the -scenes work.

Registration for the recreation classes, camps and activities offered by the City of Chandler this fall opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday for residents. Nonresidents can sign up beginning 10 a.m. Aug. 10.

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny’s Committee for the Aging is hosting Chandler’s 22nd annual Senior Expo 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave. The Senior Expo is free and open to the public.

BOUQUETS to Kevin Bishop, Cynthia Dunham and the Town of Gilbert for sponsoring a homeowners association leadership forum recently to help avoid the kinds of abuses that tarnish the image of all HOAs. Bishop runs Renaissance Community Partners management company and Dunham, a former mayor of Gilbert, runs the Leadership Centre.