How to Expand Your Community

By Steve Glueck
Executive Director, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce at South Mountain/Laveen

How big is your community? I remember a time long ago, in a land far away: a place called Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. I became a member of my first community organization, a local Cub Scout troop. We learned a lot of neat stuff, like tying a rope into lots of different knots, making a fire without matches and memorizing the Cub Scout Laws. One of those laws or principles was: "Know Your Neighborhood.” I’ve always remembered that one and it serves me well to this day.

Whether you are a new resident or have lived your entire life in the South Mountain area, keeping up our growing communities of Laveen, South Mountain Village and South Phoenix neighborhoods requires your attention 24/7. Even in the current economic slowdown, we continue to see new businesses open and new residents move in. To really “know this neighborhood” means to be familiar and knowledgeable about our communities that begin east of 48th Street, travel west to 75th Avenue and reach from the northern border of the Rio Salado to the southern border of South Mountain. To “know your neighborhood” helps you to care about the entire community and contribute to sustaining the quality of life that distinguishes us from other parts of the valley.

If you haven’t been out and about in your community neighborhood lately, you may want to explore a little. You will discover one or more of a dozen new sit-down restaurants that have opened for business in the past few months. Also, some of those retail centers near you have filled spaces which were vacant just a short time ago. Also, this is a great time to visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center at 3131 South Central Avenue and discover a whole new world of wild life which has returned and is flourishing in the spectacular environment of the Rio Salado Habitat Park. A drive south on Central Avenue from Dobbins Road to the Central Avenue Bridge will get you in the holiday spirit. Our local businesses are lighting up South Central Avenue for the Holidays. Take particular note of Victor Vidales’ Re/Max New Heights Realty Building at 6427 South Central Avenue.

As you travel around our beautiful community you might encounter the work of those who don’t care about your community and spend their time destroying others' property by marking up building walls and utility boxes. When you see it, report it to Graffiti Busters hotline phone by calling (602) 495-7014, or by cellular phone *4663. It makes a difference when you call. The number of calls made increases attention, funding and speed of removal. “*4663,” put it in your cell phone directory.

Enjoy getting to know your community better while you enjoy the holidays!