Page 30 October 2011 5k run/walk will support Sister Cities programs By Christina Sampson The Second annual Phoenix Sister Cities 5K Run/Walk for World Peace is set for Oct. 22, offering Valley residents a chance to run along the canal, while supporting a good cause. The event supports Phoenix Sister Cities, an organization that fosters cultural understanding and partnerships through public and private partnerships. The mayor of each of the nine sister cities - which span from Chengdu, China and Ennis, Ireland to Hermosillo, Mexico and Calgary, Canada – has agreed to promote cross-cultural understanding by exchanging professional, political, academic and artistic delegates who participate in one of the many Sister City programs. Participants in the Run/Walk for World Peace can choose which Sister City program they want their registration fee to support by checking the appropriate box on the registration form. “A lot of runners really want the best time and a canal run is superior,” said race coordinator Gwen Schaecher. “It’s really a runner friendly venue and one of the fi rst races of the season.” Schaecher said the event is open to all fi tness levels. “People can bring their strollers and their families. It’s all about having fun and bringing together the international community,” she said. Several of the race’s main sponsors, including John C. Lincoln Hospital and Pediatric Surgeons of Phoenix, will have booths set up. Among the most well-known of the Sister Cities programs is the Youth Ambassador program, under which 21 of a sister city’s best students are selected to live in a partner city for three weeks. The students spend nearly a year preparing for the trip by taking language and cultural classes and holding fundraisers. Fundraising also goes toward the events for Student Ambassadors. Delegates who come to Phoenix, for example, journey to the Grand Canyon and Disneyland, meet the mayor and attend the Student Ambassador Prom. “It can cost up to $20,000 to host all the different events and activities for the students,” Schaecher said. “And it would be a shame to see it not continue because of the economy.” The 5K Race/Walk for World Peace starts at 8 a.m. at the canal (Arizona Falls) at 5630 E. Indian School Road. Continued on page 44 RESIDENTIAL REMODELING GENERAL CONTRACTOR BONDED-INSURED • LIC #237983 COMPLETE BUILDING AND DESIGN SERVICE FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL REMODELING PROJECTS FREE ESTIMATES FREE ESTIMATES FREE PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS FREE PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS √ Room Additions √ Guest Houses √ Major Remodeling √ Patios & Ramadas √ Kitchen & Baths √ Garages & Carports √ City Ready Blueprints √ ASID Interior Design 100S OF REFERENCES ON REQUEST 100S OF REFERENCES ON REQUEST DESIGNING AND BUILDING IN ARCADIA AND CENTRAL PHOENIX FOR OVER 20 YEAR DESIGNING AND BUILDING IN ARCADIA AND CENTRAL PHOENIX FOR OVER 20 YEARs s 602.275.5906 4520 E. Indian School Road #5 www.arcadiadb.com michael@arcadiadb.com FREE city-ready blue print with room addition or major remodel. Minimum $1500 value. Oct. and Nov. only W I N D O W S & D O O R S 6425 East Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 656-4600 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM & DESIGN CENTER PRESENT THIS AD FOR EXCEPTIONAL FALL SAVINGS www.arcadiawd.com FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED