Yuma Glance 8-7-07

DQ Blizzard to benefit children; Lights back on at playground; Water transmission line project on 24th Street; Firefighters give back; Democratic club hosts city forum; Foreign exchange program seeks Yuma families; Organization asking hunters to donate

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DQ BLIZZARD TO BENEFIT CHILDREN

All proceeds from Dairy Queen Blizzards sold Thursday will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network as fundraiser for 170 children's hospitals nationwide as part of the Miracle Treat Day program, according to a news release.

According to the Web site, the following Yuma locations will be participating: 551 E. 32nd St., 2077 S. 4th Ave. and 2000 S. Avenue B in Yuma, and 611 E. Main St. in Somerton.

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LIGHTS BACK ON AT PLAYGROUND

An arcing wire has been repaired that caused a power outage at the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground during the weekend. The lights were functional again Monday morning.

The playground at the Yuma West Wetlands Regional Park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the lights scheduled to turn on at 7:45 p.m. No definite cause for the arcing wire has been determined. Only the lights at the Wolfe playground were affected by the outage.

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WATER TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT ON 24TH STREET

The water transmission line installation project along 24th Street between Avenue B and Avenue D will begin at Avenue B, not Avenue C as was originally planned.

Because of the amount of work and the limited time frame before Cibola High School begins classes Aug. 14, the contractor and the city decided to postpone the work in the intersection of Avenue C and 24th Street until Oct. 8-19, coinciding with the Crane Elementary School District's fall break.

Work was to have begun at the 24th and C location Monday. Instead, work will commence at 6 a.m. Wednesday at 24th Street and Avenue B and proceed west from that point. The right-turn lane from eastbound 24th Street to southbound Avenue B may be closed for up to two weeks.

The overall water line project includes the installation of approximately 1 mile of 24-inch water line between Avenue B and Avenue C and the installation of approximately 1 mile of 20-inch water line between Avenue C and Avenue D. Expected completion is January.

Motorists can expect delays and restrictions during the project. Drivers are encouraged to use other east-west routes through the city, such as 16th Street, 32nd Street, 8th Street and 1st Street. The water transmission line project comes ahead of new water storage tanks and a booster pump facility along 24th Street, and the eventual reconstruction and widening of 24th Street between Avenues B and D.

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FIREFIGHTERS GIVE BACK

Firefighters from Yuma, Somerton/Cocopah and San Luis Fire Departments, along with KYMA-TV's Brad Wills and Yuma Regional Medical Center's Shay Andres, went school shopping recently for a good cause.

The United Yuma Firefighters Association decided to lend a hand to YRMC's annual "Drive for School Supplies” this year. Firefighters purchased $1,000 worth of school supplies for needy children with their charity fund, made up of profits from fundraising events held throughout the year.

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DEMOCRATIC CLUB HOSTS CITY FORUM

The Yuma Democratic Club is hosting a city council candidate forum at noon Saturday at the Yuma County Board of Supervisors main auditorium at 198 S. Main St. The public is invited to attend and to submit questions to the candidates.

Questions may be submitted to connieb@yumademocrats.com or by mail to Candidates Forum, Yuma Democratic Club, 318 S. Main St. Yuma, AZ 85364. Questions will be accepted in writing immediately before the forum begins. The forum is expected to last slightly more than one hour.

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FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM SEEKS YUMA FAMILIES

American Field Service, a foreign exchange student program, is looking for local residents to open their homes.

This summer, high school exchange students from around the world will arrive in the Yuma area.

Host families welcome exchange students into their home and lives, provide a bed and meals and the same guidance, love and support as they would to their own children.

AFS volunteers arrange for students to attend local high schools and provide support throughout the hosting experience. Host families participate in orientations before the arrival of their students, and a liaison supports the family, student and school.

The students arrive in August, live with a family while attending the local high school and return home in late June or early July after a year in America.

This past year, AFS students came from more than 40 different countries.

Contact Jane Sharp, a local AFS volunteer, at 1-760-336-0090.

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ORGANIZATION ASKING HUNTERS TO DONATE

Hunt of a Lifetime provides hunting and fishing opportunities for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

The Arizona chapter of the national, nonprofit organization began in 2000. The organization has sent 14 children on 16 hunts. The organization is asking hunters to donated their big-game tags if perhaps the hunters are injured, or unable to hunt this year, or just feeling generous.

Children accepted into the program receive equipment, transportation (air and car), a guide or outfitter, lodging, meat processing, delivery and taxidermy at no cost. They are able to bring one parent along on the hunt. Businesses can also donate frequent flyer miles, hotel accommodations, etc.

For more information about donating, call Terry Petko at 1-602-689-9524.