38 FEBRUARY 2018 Arc A d A News By Michelle Donati-Grayman Katie and Ray Zimmerman desperately wanted a family of their own. After failing to conceive through multiple fertility treatments, they ventured into the adoption process. A friend recommended they hire a consulting company to give them visibility to expectant mothers and a list of recommended adoption professionals. Once the Zimmermans were certified to adopt, they signed up with several agencies and attorneys. They paid for the consulting company to design their family profile, a scrapbook of sorts that provides expectant mothers a glimpse into prospective adoptive families’ lives. The finished product felt a little impersonal, but they decided to go with it, as they were eager to put themselves in the best position to achieve the goal of growing their family. Soon after they were matched with an expectant mother. Six weeks later, they were overjoyed to be in the delivery room and greet a baby boy, only to leave the hospital with an empty car seat and return home to a quiet nursery after learning the birth mother hadn’t been truthful about the circumstances around the adoption. Zimmerman turned her heartbreak into action, and started working with a graphic designer to revamp their family profile. She decided to remove things that focused too much on their home and occupations, and instead included information that would help expectant mothers get to know them and what it would be like for their child to grow up in their family. Not long after the new profile was created, the Zimmermans learned a new expectant mother selected their profile. This time, they were on alert fot inconsistencies in the birth mother’s story and didn’t find any, something they hadn’t done the first time around. For the second time, Zimmerman got to be in the delivery room and witness a birth. This time it was a baby girl, who the Zimmermans would adopt and name Cora. “While many know how difficult the first failed adoption was for us, it was all worth it when I look at our beautiful daughter, Cora,” Zimmerman said. “Had that first adoption gone through, we would never have met her, and I can’t imagine a minute of my life now not being her mother.” This journey led Zimmerman to launch Purl Adoption Advisory last year. “I want to help others learn from my experience,” Zimmerman said. “It was an agonizing and dark time for us, but we learned how the adoption process could be better. With my legal background as an attorney, I found a way to help other couples avoid many of the pitfalls of adoption.” The name Purl comes from a family baby blanket made by Zimmerman’s grandma that was saved for Cora. The blanket was made using a purl stitch, which is an alternative stitching method. “I was sitting in the nursery and looked over at the blanket and it just made sense, as we used an alternative way to stitch together our family,” Zimmerman said. Through the advisory, Zimmerman helps families create family profiles with a professional graphic designer, provides information on grants, loans and fundraising to offset adoption expenses and helps to counsel families on risks. Arcadia resident Melissa Ahearn found her way to Purl Adoption Advisory through a friend in a parenting group. She said working with Purl has helped her learn the ins and outs of the adoption. “There is a lot of conflicting information out there and there are things we’d never thought of in this process,” Ahearn said. “I trust Katie. We’re on the same side of the table.” Late last year, the Ahearn family was certified to adopt. Zimmerman helped them create their family profile and will work with them side-by-side throughout their adoption journey. “I have become embedded in the adoption community since adopting our daughter,” Zimmerman said. “We hope our journey inspires other families to grow through positive adoption experiences.” By Mallory Gleich These days, finding information is as easy as pressing a button on your phone or asking Google for help. The internet has become a necessity in everyday life, so it would seem libraries are losing their relevance in this age of technology, right? Wrong. Although mostly known as places to get books, today’s libraries also provide a multitude of services that reach beyond something as simple as pressing a button on your smart phone. Lee Franklin, community relations manager for Phoenix Public Libraries, says the reasons and need for public libraries today are just as obvious now as they were 20 years ago. “What you will find at any public library and specifically Phoenix Public Library is an enormous host of vetted and reliable materials, services, education, programs and access to information (and all for free) that is not replaced anywhere else within our societies,” Franklin says. Franklin added, libraries are “in existence for every individual in the community no matter their income level, ethnicity, age, ability or location.” Not only do libraries provide a safe haven for the community, they also provide an outlet for kids, teens and adults to learn and pursue knowledge, free of charge. “More than just 17 locations that house books on shelves, Phoenix Libraries are advocates for members of our community to have access to information regardless of the platform or medium and we champion civic engagement and life-long learning,” Franklin says. Approximately 15 percent of people do not have readily available access to the internet, and that is one of the many services offered at Phoenix Public Libraries. Not only are there computers to use, but free Wi-Fi is also offered at all 17 locations. The libraries have more than 1 million materials available for checkout, and host around 100,000 daily visits to their websites. Along with this, they provide a multitude of different services geared toward every member of the community. There is the College Depot, which provides a college access program for those who want to pursue education, with help in applying for schools and securing funds. There are Early Literacy programs, computer coding programs, a MACH1 program, and The Hive @ Central, which provides resources and materials for job seekers. The libraries also provide health and wellness services such as the Kid’s Café, which provides meals to children at the library six days a week. They also hold cultural events and educational programs. “I go to the library every week. They always have events going on that are great for adults and youngsters. Most recently there was a reptile event where they even brought a baby alligator,” said Gia Carbonaro, who frequents the Arabian branch on McDowell Mountain. “Libraries are a great resource for information via the web or hard literature. You can use the library’s resources for critical research techniques or take part in one of their tutoring programs,” said Christian Cook. Although the internet is a valuable tool that offers information at the click of a button, it still does not compare to the internet-related services offered by the libraries. Franklin points out that the internet is not always a credible source, and the library has “professional information managers that have an expertise in assisting every single one of our library customers in finding the right piece of information to fit their needs AND that any information and its sources is legitimate, vetted, researched and credible.” So, the internet is, of course, one of the greatest tools of information we have today, but it will never fully compare to all of the services offered at the public library. “Public libraries have always been relevant because we advocate for life-long learning, and free access to information and knowledge for everyone across the board. It really doesn’t matter what the medium or platform is, it will always need to be paired with public libraries,” Franklin said. For more: phoenixpubliclibrary.org. The importance of libraries in the digital age Adoptive mom becomes advocate for alternative families Katie Zimmerman with daughter Cora. Phoenix Burton Barr Central Library.

39 FEBRUARY 2018 Arc A d A News By Michelle Donati-Grayman It’s one of the best kept secrets in Arizona. In a few weeks, thousands of people from Arizona and beyond will travel to Sedona, but not to hike or have their aura read. Rather, they’ll descend upon red rock country for the 24 th Sedona International Film Festival. The event started in 1994. Patrick Schweiss, a former movie reviewer, was approached to join the festival as its executive director in 2004, just as it was going bankrupt. “I came along to save the festival,” Schweiss said. And save the festival he has, with the event growing from three to nine days and attendance growing from 600 when he started to 12,000 last year. Riding the festival’s popularity, Schweiss founded the Mary D. Fischer Theater in 2012, bringing year-round programming to Sedona through a monthly cinema series. “We got very popular and decided there’s more to this,” Schweiss said. This year, the festival runs from Feb. 24 through March 4 and will feature 150 independent films at three venues: The Mary D. Fischer Theatre, Sedona Performing Arts Center and Sedona Harkins 6. In addition to showing films, the event celebrates cinema standouts, including filmmakers, actors and actresses. Recent honorees include Michael Moore, Jerry Stiller, Jane Seymour, Doris Roberts and Nick Nolte. A few years ago, the festival featured a tribute to women in film. Schweiss said it is one of his most proud moments from his 14-year career with the festival. This year, the festival is honoring four- time Academy Award nominee and multiple Emmy Award-winner Jane Alexander with a 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to the award, the festival will screen three of her films: Testament , The Great White Hope and Kramer vs. Kramer . Alexander, as well as others featured during the event, will conduct a post-screening question and answer session with the audience. The event so includes a free filmmakers’ conversation series, which offers a behind- the-scenes look to film lovers and filmmakers alike. Topics range from casting and screen writing to fundraising tips for novice filmmakers. Noteworthy films being featured this year include Humor Me , a comedy featuring Jermaine Clement, Elliott Gould and Annie Potts. Another is Poisoning Paradise , a documentary on the effects of genetically engineered seeds and crop testing in Kauai. The documentary was directed by Keely Brosnan, with husband Pierce Brosnan as executive director. “It’s a great time to come and see Sedona,” Schweiss said. “There’s such excitement and buzz about it in town.” Passes for the 24th Sedona International Film Festival are available at www. sedonafilmfestival.org. A variety of ticket options are available, including a 10-ticket package for $130. Take the kids on a literary adventure 24th Sedona International Film Festival kicks off this month By Elaina Verhoff Looking for some literary inspiration for the kiddos? How about treating them to a new book, followed by a related outing to one of the many family-friendly activities taking place around town during the month of February? From book-inspired films to animals and exhibitions, here are a few ideas to get you started. READ: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter DO: See the new Peter Rabbit movie! Opening in theaters February 9, Rascal Peter Rabbit is an updated take on the classic children’s book. This PG-rated film is described as a contemporary comedy with attitude (think animal house parties and rabbit romance) with the role of Peter voiced by James Cordin, British host of “The Late Late Show”, and Irish actor Donhnall Gleeson playing Peter’s nemesis, Mr. McGregor. READ: National Geographic Readers: Swing Sloth!: Explore the Rain Forest by Susan B. Neuman DO: Head to the zoo to meet the indescribably cute Fernando, the first ever two-toed sloth to make the Phoenix Zoo his home. Hint: sloths are nocturnal, so come early in the morning for your best chance to get a glimpse of this cutie on the zoo’s Children’s Trail. Located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, admission to the zoo is $24.95, $14.95 for ages 3-13 at the gate or $22.95 and $12.95 if purchased online at www.phoenixzoo.org in advance. READ: I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis DO: Visit POMPEII: The Exhibition . After reading about the historic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, bring the family to visit this blockbuster exhibit at Arizona Science Center. More than 200 precious artifacts including wall- sized frescoes, mosaics, marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry, statues and ancient Roman coins bring the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to life. Exquisite body casts of those who perished in this natural disaster will vividly communicate the emotions of the victims. POMPEII: The Exhibition requires a timed-entry ticket. Guests can purchase tickets online at azscience.org/pompeii, or in person at Arizona Science Center. READ: Who Became Famous during the Renaissance? History Books for Kids by Baby Professor DO: Spend a day at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, where the life, language, science, arts, engineering and overall ambiance of the 16th Century village marketplace are brought to life. Sprawling across 30 acres, this theatrical European market village will immerse you in the world of royals, peasants, Galileo, Medicis, Shakespeare, Magellan and more. Jousting tournaments, artisan demonstrations, music, and munching on giant turkey legs are all part of the experience. Single day admission is $25 for adults and $15 for kids. More info at arizona.renfestinfo.com. Two-toed sloth at the Phoenix Zoo. Arizona Renaissance Festival. Pompeii: The Exhibition. Christ Lutheran School Preschool - Grade 8 • www.clsphx.org LC-MS 3901 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix | www.cclphoenix.org | (602) 955-4830 LOVE GROW SERVE Worship Sunday 8:00am & 10:45am – Traditional* | Sunday 8:30am & 10:30am – Contemporary* Sunday School/Bible Classes – 9:40am* | Sunday 12:30pm – Spanish Sunday 5pm – Sunday Night Devotions 3rd-4th Grade Youth Group – Sunday 3:30 – 5:30pm 5th-6th Grade Youth Group – Sunday 5:00 – 7:00pm Wednesday 7:00pm – Traditional | Saturday 5:00pm – Contemporary *Nursery Care is available at all Sunday AM services