Cigna Healthcare of Arizona Teams Up With The American Diabetes Association to “Step Out” In The Fight Against Diabetes on Saturday, September 27th

Phoenix - For the second consecutive year, CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are teaming up to combat diabetes. “Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes” is the ADA’s premier walking event to raise funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy.

Kurt Weimer, president and general manager of CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, will once again serve as this year’s corporate chairman.

Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes

Way Out West Oktoberfest

It’s time for Tempe’s annual Way Out West Oktoberfest, celebrating this traditional German festival Arizona-style.  Wear your lederhosen or your shorts & flip flops. Dance the polka, or do the chicken dance.  Eat some German Bratwurst, sauerkraut and strudel, or have some pizza. Drink traditional Oktoberfest beer direct from Germany or have a good American brew!

It’s all there at Tempe’s Oktoberfest from October 3rd to 5th. Three stages of entertainment - polka, mainstream contemporary and family.

Bands Tuning Up to Play at the State’s Biggest and Best Independence Day Festival

TEMPE, Ariz. - Some of the best local bands in Arizona are getting ready to entertain a big crowd this year at the 57th Annual CBS5 Tempe Town Lake July 4th Festival, presented by TruWest Credit Union and produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. Live music will kick-off in the afternoon with the smoothest singers performing at the biggest Independence Day celebration in the state.

“We have some amazingly talented performers and bands in Arizona and it’s always fun to showcase them at Tempe’s July 4th festival,” said Mike Cryer, Kiwanis Club of Tempe member. “We love to introduce the audience to new music and bring back some of the crowd favorites.”

Scottsdale singer and songwriter James Kole will open the festivities at 4 p.m. with his rockabilly singing style and a swagger to match. Kole released his latest CD, Best of James Kole, in 2007, his seventh CD to date. The Minnesota native moved to Arizona in 1999 and has been performing and writing music for songs and films ever since.

Next on the bill is Arizona’s best funk-soul-rock sextet Calumet, taking the stage at 5 p.m. The band has made musical appearances in venues across the state and has even been honored in the 2007 Phoenix New Times Best Blues/Jazz Category. Self-proclaimed “funkateers,” the six band members of Calumet have covered numerous hit songs and are currently working on their third CD. Calumet’s funky and positive-vibe music will get fans groovin’ as they enjoy the show.

The well-known local band G.A.S., Gear Acquisition Syndrome, will follow at 6 p.m. G.A.S. appeared at the event last year and was so well-received that they were asked to return for the 2008 festival. The band has opened for several high-profile shows in the Valley, including Martina McBride. The five band members all have extensive musical backgrounds, and are sure to impress yet again at this year’s performance.

Headlining the July 4th festival at 8 p.m., after an amazing performance at the event last year, is Chris Parker Project - a local cover band that finds a way to please the musical tastes of all its fans and audiences. Headed by radio station Mix 96.9’s morning host, Chris Parker, the highly popular band has made a name for itself by performing in the nightclub scene across Arizona. Chris Parker Project has shared a stage with bands such as The Fixx, Tears For Fears and, most notably, Maroon 5. The high-energy band will play before the fantastic firework display and then will come back for an encore at 10 p.m.

The CBS5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival will feature great food and drinks, activities for all ages, and a fireworks display that tops any other show in Arizona. For the past 57 years the annual fundraiser has raised millions of dollars that benefit organizations serving children in the Tempe area. At last year’s event about $90,000 was raised that was distributed as grants to nearly 20 different organizations.

For more information, including a complete list of the entertainment and activities, visit http://www.tempe4th.com/ or call 480-350-5189.

Tempe Town Lake 4th of July Festival

Texas-Style BBQ Beef Back Ribs

BBQ Ribs Recipe - Beef Ribs Recipe

Texas-Style BBQ Beef Ribs Recipes

Memorial Day is simply not the same without the smell of BBQ cooking.  Fire up your grill and rustle up some grub for an good old fashioned Memorial Day Barbeque.  These ribs and your favorite BBQ Sauce will make a great main dish and you can add all the other holiday favorites or call it a potluck and see what the neighbors bring.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Servings: Serves 6-8

2 racks of beef back ribs (7 ribs per rack)
2 Tbsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. ground oregano
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

Combine all spices. Rub over surface of ribs to coat well.

Preheat oven to 300�F.

Place ribs on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1/2-inch of water to bottom of pan. Cover pan with foil and tightly seal edges.

Bake at 300�F for 2 hours.

Remove ribs from pan and place on grill over medium coals for 15 minutes.

Serve with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Cut between ribs to serve.

Beef Ribs Recipe

Barbeque Recipes - Barbeque Sauce - Homemade

It’s really doesn’t feel like Memorial Day without a Barbeque and here is a favorite recipe for Bar-B-Que Sauce.  Combine this with your favorite BBQ Ribs Recipe and some Cauliflower Potato Salad and get down to the park for a day of family fun.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

1 medium Onion, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup Ketchup
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup White Vinegar
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 tbsp fresh Lemon Juice
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp Light Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Mustard
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Liquid Hickory Smoke
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

In a medium saucepan, bring to a boil the lemon juice, onion, vinegar, water, brown sugar, mustard, ground black pepper, salt,
cayenne pepper and vegetable oil. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Return the sauce to a boil and then remove from heat. Refrigerate until
ready to use.

Bar-B-Que - Barbecue Recipes - World Famous Barbeque Recipes

Diabetes Expo Phoenix - American Diabetes Expo

PHOENIX Arizona — On Saturday, April 26, 2008, the American Diabetes Association will once again host the free Diabetes Expo—an annual, one-day event showcasing the latest products and services for people affected by diabetes. This highly interactive Phoenix Diabetes Expo event includes activities for people of all ages, including a fun Youth Zone with exciting activities and information for children with diabetes and their families. The Diabetes Expo also provides the public with a unique opportunity to talk with health care experts and obtain important medical and nutrition information.

“If you or a loved one has diabetes – or is at high risk of developing the disease – Diabetes Expo provides a fun, relaxed environment to learn a great deal about the important aspects of prevention and management of diabetes and its serious complications,” said Howard Shulman, DO, FACP, FACOI, Diabetes Expo Chair. “The Diabetes Expo is for all people affected by diabetes, as well as anyone interested in healthy eating and active living.”

Diabetes is the nation’s fifth deadliest disease, and it has no cure. In 2005, there were approximately 469,000 residents of Arizona who self-identified as having diabetes, nearly 7.5 percent of the total population (Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, 2005). Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to manage the disease and lower the risk of complications. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is critical. Unfortunately, many people living with diabetes do not even know it.

More than 75 exhibitors are participating in the 12th annual ADA Diabetes Expo in Phoenix, which will be held Saturday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Phoenix Convention Center, Halls F & G (33 S. Third St. in Phoenix, Arizona 85004). Admission is Free. Stop by “ADA World” and participate in interactive cooking demonstrations, live Web site demonstrations, and find out how the American Diabetes Association is helping people with diabetes and their families in your community.

For more information about diabetes or the Diabetes Expo, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit the Arizona Diabetes Expo site.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Where: Phoenix Convention Center
Exhibit Halls F & G
33 S. Third St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85004 - Map and directions.

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities.

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Bikers Against Diabetes

Environmental News and Issues about the Environment

ScrapComputer.com Earth Day Recycle Drive

April 12 , 2008 by Editor

On April 22, Scrap Computer .com is holding an Earth Day Recycle Drive at Cambridge Academy East – 9412 E Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ 85207 giving residents the chance to remove their clutter and clean up the environment.

During ScrapComputer.com Earth Day Recycle Drive, individuals are encouraged to bring in all unwanted electronic items to Cambridge Academy East. Items recycled or disposed of through eco-friendly methods. Hazardous and controlled substances are prohibited.

ScrapComputer.com Earth Day Recycle Drive

A free dump day for Maricopa residents will be held on Saturday, April 19 at two locations.

The Butterfield Station Landfill (map) will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Residents can take any unwanted furniture, bulk trash and other household waste to this landfill free of charge on Saturday, April 19. This location will not accept commercial loads, tires, appliances, oil, paint, televisions or computer monitors.

Recycling Association of Maricopa location (map)will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Waste not, want not: free dump day in Maricopa

Cambridge Academy East School to Host Earth Day Festival

April 04 , 2008 by Editor
Join Cambridge Academy East School to celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd, 2008. The Earth Day Festival runs from 12:00a.m. until 6:00p.m. The theme is “I can make a difference”, so stop by and learn how we are all in this together and what you can do to make a difference.

Admission to this great event is FREE, but you are encouraged to bring in any nonperishable food item for the second grade class canned food drive.

City of Tempe celebrates Tempe Bike Month in April  - Phoenix Arizona News

Bike Month

Great Bike Chase Combines Favorite Pastimes: Baseball and Biking

Approximately 1,000 kids and adults will ride their bicycles 3 miles through downtown Phoenix in order to take a greener form of transportation to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. The community event is part of April Valley Bike Month, declared by Gov. Janet Napolitano and Valley Metro to educate citizens about  safe bicycle use and how it can benefit our health, improve air quality and alleviate traffic congestion.Great Bike Chase

If you get tired of the same old primary colors for your Easter eggs. We are having a contest to see just how creative you can get.

Use this Easter Egg Color Chart to make your Easter egg coloring much more interesting and build some new family traditions around the age old tradition of coloring Easter Eggs. With this chart of new colors, you can make Easter and spring colors for your eggs with this FOOD COLORING CHART like never before.

Send us pictures of your most spectacular Easter egg creations and we will publish some of the best submissions at a later date. (Submission of pictures grants us a non-exclusive, perpetual right to publish the submitted photographs, and associated information.)

Phoenix Arizona Details are here: Easter Egg Coloring Contest

PS: Bonus Easter Jokes

Q. What’s the best way to catch a unique rabbit?

A. You ‘nique up on him.

Q. How do you catch a tame rabbit?

A. Tame way, unique up on it.

More (much better) Easter Jokes and Easter Jokes