east valley
Volume 3 Issue 24 Mesa, AZ
December 27, 2020
Pandemic failed to darken Mesa lights �irm BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Tribune Contributor
S
IN THE BIZ
ome of Santa’s busiest elves this year used cherry pickers. Those elves are the employees of family-owned Christmas Light Decorators in Mesa and include 25 full-time and 70 seasonal workers hired to add festivity to a multiplicity of municipalities, shopping centers and private homes in Arizona and beyond. Owners Doug and Marcy Topham are the directors of decorating that begins as early as July. Contemplating holiday decor in the heat of summer takes discipline and desire. This year, the pandemic had its effect on Christmas Light Decorators, especially during the initial shutdown. As the COVID-19 restrictions loosened, municipalities and retail businesses jumped back into the holiday spirit. “COVID-19 definitely affected our business. We had some retailers, especially, who decreased the amount they decorated as they weren’t sure the government would allow them to be open. Others decorated more since they wanted to try to increase traffic at this important time of the year,” said Doug Topham. Christmas Light Decorators CEO Aaron Farrelly, who has been with the company 11 years, said COVID-19 “made things interesting.” “We were unsure how it would affect our industry but in the end our clients all wanted to decorate. I think the desire to have Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune
Among the holiday lights projects undertaken this year by Christmas Light Decorators in Mesa was this display at a high-end mall in Seattle. (Special to the Tribune) Christmas cheer is higher than ever. I think the spirit of Christmas is something people are craving. This seems to have translated into our clients’ desire to keep their properties decorated; and in some cases, even more so than a normal year,” said Farrelly. In 2016, CLD had 360 projects from Flagstaff to Yuma and with stellar and well-known projects like Glendale Glitters (the company’s first project in 2004 uses more than 1.2 million lights) and Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza (the city that now holds the title “Arizona’s Christmas City”). This year, the business had 425 projects in six states, including municipalities and a new extravagant one in a high-end Bellevue Washington shopping (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
Mailing Address: 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 898-6500 Steven Strickbine, publisher Paul Maryniak, executive editor
center, The Shops at the Bravern. “I wouldn’t measure our growth so much based on the number of projects but the average size of our projects – and that’s increased,” explained Farrelly. “You have to think about it this way: It would take 30 HOA communities to equal the amount of work we do for one city. We do fewer HOA’s now but more cities.” As happens with city and shopping center displays like Scottsdale’s Quarter’s Holiday Lights, another long-term customer, most work must be done after the stores have closed. That means decorating begins after 9 p.m. and continues throughout the night. At Scottsdale Quarter, besides the exSubscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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pansive and magical light display, CLD installs three 30-foot circlets, each steel frame weighing a ton. A new display this year was commissioned in Chandler in conjunction with the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership and R&D Designs. “Sugarland” is an interactive display of holiday decorations in the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West that continues through Jan. 3. As night descends, the Sugarland display showcases CLD’s “Sugarland’s Canal of Lights,” a walkway over the Commonwealth Canal on Commonwealth Avenue with more than 500 colorful lights pulsating to holiday music. The Sugarland display also includes the 12-foot-long candy sleigh that seats four people – a sold-out offering on CLD’s “Commercial Christmas Catalog,” a business CLD purchased 16 years ago that allows Topham and crew to ensure quality products for clients while staying apprised of the industry’s latest trends. The decorating of municipalities, shopping centers and even private homes is not a task for the faint of heart but then, Doug Topham hasn’t ever been accused of that.
Public Notice Advertisement for Bids Publication December 17, 2020 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Request for Pricing (RFP #857) has been requested. Any qualified licensed general contractor may commence their interest by “Requesting access to our online bidding portal” by emailing gary. ray@mesaaz.gov. Please reference the project address in your email as well. A pre-bid project walk has been scheduled for February 1st, 2021, at 10:00 am. *NO CONTRACTORS ARE PERMITTED ON THE PREMISES PRIOR TO THE PRE-BID PROJECT WALK. Bid due date has been scheduled for February 24th, 2021 by 2:00 pm. Project award has been forecasted for March 2nd, 2021. Project duration is 150 consecutive calendar day from issuance of “Notice to Proceed” All bid proposals must be entered via the HDP portal. Bid proposals submitted via email or by any other means will not be reviewed and will be rejected. The contract will include permits, stamped drawings, materials and labor including equipment necessary to perform the work in a “Turn Key” fashion.
From 1984 through 1991, Topham was active in the U.S. Air Force as a jet pilot. From there, he entered the corporate world working in sales for industry giants including General Electric. But the urge to own his own company grew stronger and in 2003, the Tophams staked their house and savings to purchase the then-small local business Christmas Light Decorators. With tenacity and the sales acumen he’d gleaned working with corporations, the business has grown to be one of the largest holiday lighting and decor companies in the southwestern U.S. Last year, the company moved from their 10,000 square foot warehouse to a new 44,000-square-foot office and warehouse at 3414 N. Higley Road. There, CLD stores more than 10 million lights and other decor used not only during the Christmas holidays but for others, including Hanukkah (menorahs up to 9 feet tall), Halloween, Valentine’s Day, awareness months and various year-round fiberglass props and photo pods for businesses’ promotions. Topham and his wife Marcy have six
The referenced project consists of three unit residential project located at 432 W Pepper Place. Project scope will include the following: All permits, stamped drawings as may be required by the City of Mesa building dept Demolition. New plumbing systems including supply, drain, waste, sewer. New Electrical systems including, panels, wiring, receptacles, switching, lighting. New Mechanical systems including, duct work, supply and returns, plenums, compressors/ condensers. New Framing systems including, walls, ceilings, structural rafter support. New insulation and drywall including all finishes. New Doors and windows. New Cabinetry throughout. New Bathrooms including tubs/ showers/fixtures/finishes. New Flooring. Site improvements such as new exterior concrete walkways, slabs, hardscape rock areas, trash enclosure. Awarded contractor will be required to provide a Payment and Performance bond equal to the amount of the bid proposal. Contractors desiring to submit proposals must be or become an approved contractor. You may request an application by emailing gary.ray@mesaaz.
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
children, three in college. One might think with the stress over the growing number of holiday displays – the installation of some that begins in late spring or early summer – Topham might tend to be Scrooge-like this time of year. It isn’t the case. “I love the holidays and the spirit of the holidays,” he said. “It’s a fun, magical time, especially for children, and I enjoy seeing the faces of everyone when the lights are up and lit.” Marcy Topham said the family tradition includes tours of the local holiday displays put in place by Christmas Light Decorators. “We usually don’t do a lot of decorating for Christmas. We spend a lot of time going to our projects to check on the lights, and so we consider those our Christmas decorations,” she laughed. Farrelly, who has two children ages 9 and 6, said he and his family also tour the local finished projects. “We work hard all year to make preparations for the season and it always pays off when I see the final product and the faces on people who enjoy our work throughout the state,” he said.
gov and request the “Contractor application”. Requirements for approved contractor include but are not limited to the following: Must have; A City of Mesa Tax License General Residential Contractor License (B) and be in good standing with the ROC. Not be on the HUD “Excluded Party List” (EPL). Be registered with “System for Award Management (S.A.M.) Have current Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum $1 million per occurrence and $2 mil-lion aggregate. Must be in compliance with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 regarding Women and Minority Owned Business recruitments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Equal Employment Opportunities (EEOC) regulations not discriminating against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin; Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990; Drug Free Workplace regulations; Davis Bacon and Labor Standards regulations: Federal and local bond requirements; Lead Based Paint Hazard Control regulations; Maricopa County Air Quality Department environmental regulations regarding Dust Contro l, Asbestos and NESHAP; Energy
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Policy Act (EPA) of 2005; The Federal Immigration and Nationality Act (FINA) and Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, and Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 23-214 related to the verification of employment eligibility of employees or anyone working on the project. Woman and Minority owned business, and Certified Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to participate. The right is herby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive and informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any person who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa Gary Ray Housing & Community Development Rehabilitation Specialist Community Services | Housing & Community Development 200 S Central Ave, Building B Mesa AZ 85201 480-695-3601 www.mesaaz. gov/residents/communit ydevelopment M-Th 7:00am – 6:00pm | Closed Fridays Published: East Valley Tribune, Dec. 27, 2020 / 35182
DECEMBER 27, 2020
99 rt.com
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ARIEL MARKER
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DECEMBER 27, 2020
ESTEAVISO ES PROVEIDO POR EL SERVICIO DE TUBERIA DE UNITED DAIRY MEN OF ARIZONA NUMERO DE EMERGENCIA 24HRS AL DIA 480-310-1516 OR 480-303-1322
1. Un extrano olor en la vecindad de las tuberia de gas. 2. Un ruido extrano causado por el Gas Natural o Producto escapando de las tuberias. 3. Llamas (lumbre) originando de una abiertura de la tierra. 4. Si usted se da cuenta de alguna fuga en las tuberias...
Si usted mira a alguien que este escabando o haciendo otra clase de trabajo de construction o si usted esta planeando hacer un trabajo cerca de tuberia...por facor habla al numero de telefon que indica en el marcador y avise a la Compania de la tuberia para que los daños sean evitados. Esto es por interes de usted...y de la Nacion.
Si usted no sabe quien es el operador de la tuberia, hable al departamento de Bomberos, Policia, Sheriffs o Policia del Estado, adviertales la naturaleza y lugar de EMERGENCIA.
• Notifique (avise) al operador de tuberia en cuanto o lo mas pronto que alla alcansado un lugar seguro, llame por cobrar, deles su nombre, describa la fuga y donde se encuentra (localidad).
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• ABANDONE EL AREA (LUGAR) INMEDIATAMENTE • Evite manejar (conducir) cerca de la fuga de gas. • Evite contacto directo con los gases o liquidos que estan escapando. • Evite crear chispas, usar cosas calientes que puedan cousar que el gas se encienda y se queme. • Si usted se encuentra en una area sospechosa de fuga de gas, no encienda un cerillo, no cominse un motor o encienda un interruptor de electricidad.
GASING VENT
Pero esta alli, trabajando calladamente para proveer energia para ti y otros consumidores atraves los Estados Unidos. Algunas de estas señales numbran las comodidades transportadas en estas lineas, el nombre del operador y un numero de telefono donde el representante del operador pude ser locallsado todo el teimpo, aunque las tuberias tienen un record de seguridad excepionalmente bueno de ves en cuando puede ocurrir una fuga. Indicaciones de una fuga puede incluir:
GROUND MARKER
DANGER GAS PIPELINE
Cuando usted mire señales como estas que se muestran en seguida, le dicen que hay una tuberia cerca y si usted no la pueda ver es que de sequro es subterraneano (bajo tierra).
America tiene sobre 230,000 millas de tuberia de Gas Natural y productos a traves los Estados Unidos. Estas lineas tienen un record de seguridad Segundo a nada en la industria de transportacion... y queremos que usted nos ayude a menteneria de ase manera.
LEGAL NOTICE
This notice is provided by United Dairymen of Arizona 24 hour Emergency Phone Number 480-310-1516 or 480-303-1322
1. A strange or unusual odor in the vicinity of a pipeline. 2. A hissing of roaring sound (caused by natural gas or product escaping from a pipeline.) 3. Flames originating from an opening in the ground. 4. If you become aware of a pipeline leak...
If you see someone digging near a pipeline or doing other construction work.. or if you plan to do such work near a pipeline yourself.. please call the telephone number show on the sigh and let the pipeline company know so damage can be avoided. It’s in your interest... and the nation’s.
• Notify the pipeline operator as soon as you reach a safe area. Call collect. Give your name, a description of the leak and its location. If you do not know who the pipeline operator is, call your local fire, police, or sheriff’s department, or the state police. Advise them of the nature and location of the emergency.
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• LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY • Avoid driving near escaping gas • Avoid direct contact with the escaping gas or liquid. • Avoid creating sparks or sources of heat which could cause the natural gas to ignite and burn. If you find yourself in a suspected gaseous area, do not light a match, start an engine, or even switch on an electric light.
GASING VENT
But it’s there, working quietly to provide energy for you and other consumers throughout this nation. Some of these signs list the commodity transported in the pipeline, the name of the operator, and a telephone number where the operator’s Representative can be reached at all times. Although pipelines have an exceptionally good safety record, once in a while a leak can occur. Indications of a leak might include:
GROUND MARKER
DANGER GAS PIPELINE
When you see signs like those shown below, they tell you that there’s a pipeline nearby. If it’s underground, you can’t see it, of course.
America has over 230,00 miles of pipelines carrying natural gas and products across the United States. These pipelines have a safety record second to none in the transportation industry... and we want you to help us keep it that way.
PIPELINE PUBLIC EDUCATION
To be published in the Odessa American on Thursday, November 14, 2019
EDUCATION PUBLICA SOBRE TUBERIAS DE GAS SUBTERRANEAS
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