MAYOR GALLEGO WRITES... By Mayor Kate Gallego
Over the past several months, Phoenix’s Water Department has examined ways to transfer water to North Phoenix from an existing water MAYOR City of Phoenix 602.262.7111 www.phoenix.gov
treatment facility to help lessen dependency on an increasingly uncertain Colorado River water supply.
The most direct route brought a new pipeline through Dreamy Draw Park. The neighbors surrounding the park voiced concerns about what this pipeline could mean for the park’s eco-system. The city took these concerns as an opportunity to bring the plans back to the drawing board and re-examine every possible route. During this process, the city
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Film Festival Features Seven Short Films By and About Women By Susan Kricun
directly parallel to SR-51 that would allow
LUNAFEST, the fundraising film festival dedicated to championing women filmmakers and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted by Soroptimist International of Phoenix (www.siphx.org) for its fifth consecutive year at Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix Sunday, March 15. This unique film festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through seven short films by women filmmakers. The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, body image, relationships, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. All proceeds from the festival (www.lunafest.org) will benefit local nonprofit, Soroptimist International of Phoenix, whose mission is to empower women and girls by providing access to, and support of their educational objectives, and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a nonprofit organization that supports women nonfiction filmmakers whose artful and innovative storytelling catalyzes social change. Thus far, LUNAFEST, which is created and funded by LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar, has raised more than $5 million for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Tickets are now on sale now for the one-time event, Sunday, March 15. There is an informal reception beginning at 4pm and the showing of the seven short films at 5pm at Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 North 16th Street, Phoenix. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.lunafest.org/screenings/ phoenix-az-031520.
the pipeline to be safely constructed while keeping the park largely undisturbed. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the MOU with ADOT to purchase this land and move the plan forward. This project was successful because of collaborative work between the city, members of the state legislature, state agencies and, most importantly, engaged neighborhood groups. We know that water security is a key component of our city’s long-term success and that the infrastructure needed to ensure this future must be put in place before the
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need arises. This pipeline route allows us to take a sustainable approach to investment in our long-term water security. At a time when political division seems to seep into every conversation, the City of Phoenix is working across party and agency lines to get things done. Water security is extremely important for a desert city like Phoenix, and the city’s success depends on securing proper water infrastructure across the Valley. As the fifth largest and fastest growing city, we must continually think innovatively and collaboratively to meet the challenging demands of our growing infrastructure needs.
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approached ADOT about purchasing land
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