City leaders shared personal experiences that have shaped how they embrace diversity and strive to serve residents from all walks of life during a special 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Event that the Inclusion Network held on Jan. 15 at the Main Library.
They delivered passionate speeches about how the late civil rights leader inspired them to listen to residents and colleagues of diverse backgrounds to try to find common ground in order to foster an inclusive community with love and respect for everyone. Communications Director Sue Breding served as emcee and also gave a heartfelt speech.
City Manager Kevin Phelps said he was impressed with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., and shared compelling remarks from one of King’s speeches at a church in 1968. King told the audience at the church that someday when he died if people wanted to say at his funeral that he was a drum major that they should “say that I was a drum major for justice Say that I was a drum major for peace I was a drum major for righteousness ”
“So let’s all be a drum major to continue doing the work of bringing justice and righteousness to our community and as he said, it will make us all a better person and we’ll have a better world,” Phelps said
Other city leaders who spoke at the event were: Deputy City Manager Brent Stoddard, Engineering Services Director Don Bessler, Presiding Judge Nicholas C DiPiazza, Fire Chief Ryan Freeburg, Budget and Finance Director Levi Gibson, Community Services Director Kimberly Hall, Parks and Recreation Director John Kennedy, Emergency Management Director Nicole Munson and Field Operations Director Michelle Woytenko.
Enjoy this video that our Video Team produced at the event.
CHECK OUT THESE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Looking for something good to read? Check out these recommendations from city leaders! Share your favorites here. A full list will be compiled on the GRID. Happy Reading!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
SCORE FUN WITH FAMILY AT PICKLEBALL CLINIC
Grab your family members and get ready for a fun day of pickleball!
Our Parks and Recreation Department and local business Chicken N Pickle are teaming up to provide a Family Pickleball Clinic from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Chicken N Pickle, which is at 9330 W. Hanna Lane. Participants will learn game etiquette, scoring of the game, general safety, as well as how to serve and hit the ball. No experience is needed and equipment will be provided at the clinic.
The cost is $10 per player. Register for this event at the link below.
PICKLEBALL
EXPLORE BACKSTORY OF WORLD WAR II CODE TALKERS
During World War II a select group of young Navajo men enlisted in the Marines with a unique weapon Using the Navajo language, they devised a secret code that the enemy never deciphered
For many years a cloak of secrecy hung over the Code Talkers’ service until the code was declassified and former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, along with the Navajo Nation, honored them for their military contributions in the South Pacific.
The Code Talkers’ cultural background, how the code was devised and used, as well as photos and information about Navajo spiritual beliefs being used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be featured in the Armed with Our Language, We Went to War: The Navajo Code Talkers event from 2 to 3 p m at the Velma Teague Library Laura Tohe, the Navajo Nation Poet laureate and Professor Emerita with Distinction from Arizona State University, will deliver this presentation Register at the link below!
MORE GREAT EVENTS IN GLENDALE
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. but it is largely preventable!
Show your support for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Join our COG Wear Red Days on Feb. 6, 7, 13 or 14. Pose for a team photo or snap a selfie, then submit your pictures through this email address: Contest to enter a prize drawing by Feb 14
The prize winner will be chosen through a random drawing Photos will be displayed on the GRID
VIRTUAL TREK TO HELP CITY WIN BACK TROPHY
It’s time to step up your fitness and help our city get the Golden Shoe Trophy back from the town of Buckeye!
Join Team Glendale and help us win the Move It Maricopa Challenge and the coveted trophy. Enjoy a virtual route where you will explore the Maricopa and Sun Circle Trails and the competing cities of Buckeye, Chandler, Goodyear, Peoria, Scottsdale and Surprise and the Tempe Elementary School District.
The goal is to walk 7,000 steps a day to help your team “Move It” to victory! Meet the goal of 7,000 steps per day and EARN 5,000 WellStyles points. Sign-up today at the link below.
LEARN IDEAL PORTION SIZES FOR HEALTHY MEALS
Do you know how meal portion sizes compare to the sizes they were 20 years ago? You can find out in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona monthly webinar, Portion Distortion, from noon to 1 p.m. over Zoom.
Learn what true portion sizes look like to help you meet your wellness goals. Participants will also learn about burning calories through physical activity.
Register via the link below or on the GRID calendar.
PORTION DISTORTION
SOAK IN SOUNDS OF FOLK MUSIC, POETRY, EXPLORE ART
Unwind and enjoy a celebration of folk music, including its history and culture from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival at the beautiful Historic Sahuaro Ranch.
This FREE event will feature hundreds of performers from around the country sharing their talent through music, poetry, art and workshops. Check out the food trucks and vendors that will be there. Learn more by clicking the link below!
MORE WAYS TO GROW IN GLENDALE
LIBRARIES TO ENGAGE, EDUCATE WITH BL
It’s Black History Month and our libraries will celebrate this special occasion with unique events designed to educate and entertain the community while fostering inclusivity. All these events are FREE and open to the public. The library events are intended to help everyone feel “seen, heard and valued,” our Community Services Director Kimberly Hall said.
“This programming gives people a bird’s-eye view of different experiences that they, too, can enjoy,” Hall said. “It’s not just about the African-American experience, it’s the American experience, finding synergy, how do we learn more and say, ‘I like that, too.’”
The African Djembe Drum Circle was held on Feb. 2 at the Foothills Library. Attendees learned multi-rhythms on African djembe drums. Dr. Lydia A. Woods, Founder & CEO of Drum Arizona, Inc., pictured on the left, led this session.
All-Ages Art Night: Freedom Quilts: From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Velma Teague Library. The Arizona Humanities Council will talk about the patterns of Freedom Quilts, their meanings and their role in the Underground Railroad. This event is geared towards those ages 5 and older. Register here: Freedom Quilts
Creative Kids: Abstract Valentine’s Day Art Inspired by Alma Thomas: From 4 to 5 p m on Feb 13 at the Main Library Attendees will create Valentine’s Day art inspired by the late Alma Thomas, a black female artist celebrated for her attention to lively colors and her positive perspective. Thomas and some of her artwork are pictured on the right. This event is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s ideal for children ages 6 to 12, but younger children can attend with adult helpers.
Found Object Assemblage Art Inspired by James Hampton: From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Main Library. Participants will craft assemblage art pieces using found objects while exploring the work of outsider artist James Hampton. All necessary materials will be provided in this program for ages 12-18, but attendees are encouraged to bring additional found objects to enhance their creations.
Live @ the Library: Driftwood Quintet Celebrates Black History Month: From 6:30 to 7:30 p m on Feb 20 at the Main Library. Driftwood Quintet, pictured on the top right, will perform an exciting pairing of chamber music and poetry. Featured poet Sean Avery Medlin will perform new works and read from their internationally published poetry collection, “808s & Otherworlds.”
Let's Talk Diversity Storytime: From 5 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Velma Teague Library. Participants will gain a better understanding of how to talk to their children about what makes us different and what similarities we share. The spotlight will be on our city’s “Let’s Talk Diversity” kits available in the libraries. Register here between 10 a.m. on Feb. 14 and 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 21: Diversity Storytime
GREAT NEWS AROUND GLENDALE
CITY EMPLOYEES HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH CHALLENGE KICKOFF
City employees enjoyed an energy boost and bonding as they burned calories during the Move it Maricopa Kickoff on Jan. 16 in the Main Library.
Fitness expert, TV personality and author Chris Powell returned to Glendale to offer inspiration for enhancing health and lead employees through a five-minute daily exercise routine. Powell said during the last challenge period, 226 Glendale employees participated and walked a total of more than 58 million steps.
Powell talked about how exercise and good nutrition help people physically and mentally and decrease their chances of developing diseases. He guided participants through a routine that included touching toes, twisting, arm circles, squats and jogging This routine is part of Powell’s Move One Million, which is a nonprofit service that aims to bring health and togetherness back to the world The exercises, known as Rajio Taiso, date back to Japan in 1928 when there was a mandate for a radio broadcast of memorized daily movements performed to piano music At that time, the average lifespan for a Japan citizen was only 45 years and the goal was to improve the country’s health
Deputy City Manager Rick St. John, executive sponsor of our Good Life Wellness Program, told attendees how he has noticed as he gets older he needs to be more intentional about exercise, diet and sleep.
Our city is vying for a Golden Shoe Trophy, hoping to win it back from Buckeye through the Move It Maricopa Challenge. In addition to Buckeye, Chandler, Goodyear, Peoria, Scottsdale and Surprise and the Tempe Elementary School District are competing for the coveted trophy. The goal is to walk 7,000 steps a day. Register at this link to participate. Check out the Move it Maricopa Kickoff event in the video below!
MOVE MORE
MENTORING PROGRAM GRADUATES TAKE THE STAGE IN CELEBRATION
Our dedicated employees who successfully graduated from our city’s Mentoring Program were celebrated at a special event at the Civic Center last month.
There were 26 cohorts (mentee/mentor matches) in the last round of the mentoring program, which aims to support employees’ professional development. At the graduation, our Deputy City Manager Brent Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Jamsheed Mehta and Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Jim Brown delivered inspirational speeches. The mentees were recognized for their achievements with certificates and pins.
Check out the video our Video Team made below that captures the magic of the Mentoring Program.
MORE GREAT NEWS AROUND GLENDALE
CITY REVEALS DATA-DRIVEN TOOLS FOR SUCCESS WITH VISITORS
City employees had a chance to shine as they shared highlights of our successful services, programs and facilities with municipal leaders around the world when Glendale hosted a What Works Cities Exchange on Jan. 27 and 28.
Our Department of Organizational Performance hosted city officials from Charleston, South Carolina, and Porto Alegre, Brazil, along with some What Works Cities employees, for tours of city buildings with much great support from other departments And our City Manager Kevin Phelps and Mayor Jerry Weiers shared valuable information with participants along the tour. The group explored our Community Services Department’s offices at the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care, our Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC), our Main Police Department station, the Bead Museum building, State Farm Stadium and Westgate Entertainment District. Our Community Services Department Director Kimberly Hall and Deputy Director Matt Hess helped facilitate the System of Care tour and our Office of Economic Development helped with tour preparations. Also sharing their passion for the city were our Deputy City Manager Rick St. John and Assistant City Managers Jamsheed Mehta and Vicki Rios. Our Emergency Management Director Nicole Munson led a tour of our Emergency Operations Center and Police Sgt. Jonathan Clubb and the Real-Time Crime Center team gave a behind-the-scenes look at their work. And our Field Operations team helped “drive” the tour by loaning a van to the group.
What Works Cities, a Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative, helps cities use data and evidence to resolve their greatest challenges and improve residents’ lives. The What Works Cities Certification honors local governments for their excellent use of data to guide decisions, allocate money, enhance services, evaluate programs’ effectiveness and engage residents. Glendale earned the Gold Level Certification in 2022 and Silver Level Certification in 2021. Learn more about our certification here.
ENJOY NEW BICYCLE LANES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CONNECTIONS
Have you noticed something different on the streets?
The 67th Avenue Bike Lanes project is now complete, with five miles of designated bike lanes running between Missouri Avenue and Cholla Street. It’s an exciting time for bicyclists!
The area features short stretches of multi-use paths, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and upgraded signs and pavement markings to improve connection and wayfinding to the Grand Avenue crossing.
Grab your helmet, lace up your sneakers and head outside for a bike ride!
EMPLOYEE CELEBRATIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW EMPLOYEES
· Edward Isaac - City Attorney’s Office
· Lora Lakov - Development Services
· Elvia Lee - Parks and Recreation
· Toney Lee Jr. - Police
· Wahib Manzur - Parks and Recreation
· Antonio Morales - Field Operations
· Robert Navarro III - Field Operations
· Zachary Parish - Field Operations
· Kristina Sherrill - City Court
· Kavin Colebrook - Police
· Emery Day - Police
· Trent Dutry - Economic Development
· Katherine Eliserio - Police
· Brent Fisher - Transportation
· Cassidy Gambill - Police
· Romeo Silva Medina - Police
· Keenan Spieles - Innovation and Technology
· Dean Sunthorn - Transportation
· Keenan Spieles - Innovation and Technology
· Calvyn Villarino - Police
· Brook Willoby - Development Services
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY
Your hard work, dedication and loyalty are appreciated!
HAPPY 25 YEARS
· Debbie Denuit - Communications
· Miriam O'Neal - Water Services
HAPPY 20 YEARS
· Darrin Atkins - Police
· Luz Colores - Fire
· Jeremy Esh - Police
· Christopher Gridley - Water Services
· Michael Johnson - Engineering
· William Powers - Police
· Kevin Robertson - Police
· Yasmin Rochin - Police
HAPPY 15 YEARS
· Kelly O'Connell-Weigel - Police
HAPPY 10 YEARS
· Jordan Rooks - Police
· Juan Tellez - Water Services
· Natasha Trujillo - City Court
HAPPY 5 YEARS
· Pedro Arias - Transportation
· Joseline Castaneda - Development Services
· Anahi Clubb - Police
· Larry Dallmann - Police
· Jaime Gomez - Water Services
· Amber Heller - City Court
· Jonathan Hill - Budget and Finance
· Octavius Johnson - Field Operations
· Lucia Perreault - Development Services
· Amanda Press - Field Operations
· Tyler Pyne - Water Services
· Jose Santiago - Police
· Candace Schulte - Community Services
· Anne Steinmetz - Police
Would you like to give a SHOUT-OUT to a city employee who excels at their job? You can post praise anytime on the GRID on the Employee Kudos page at the link below. Don’t delay - brighten someone’s day!
