Land preservation group to host party on Feb. 25

The Desert Foothills Land Trust, an area nonprofit land preservation group, is hosting a party from 3‑7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in New River.

The event is intended to educate the community about the land trust’s mission, recruit more members, and raise money for their cause.

Since it was founded in 1991, the DFLT has preserved over 500 acres north of Carefree Highway and it established the New River Nature Reserve (NRNR).

The upcoming party is free and open to public, but donations are welcome. The event will be held at the Roadrunner Café located at the Interstate 17 Frontage Road and New River Road. The Whiskey River Band will provide live entertainment. For more information, call (480) 488‑6131 or visit dflt.org.

 Fund raising gala for the Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center

Dubbed an “Evening in the Park,” the 20th Annual Fundraising Gala for the Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 10.

The gala will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa at 5225 E Pathfinder Dr. in  Phoenix. The event includes dinner, a hosted bar, dancing and an auction.

Tickets are $250 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. For more information, visit   phoenix friends.org. 

Fundraiser to fight blindness to be held on March 10

The 1st Annual Phoenix Visionwalk to raise money for research into blindness will be held on March 10, according to a news release from the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

The event is a 5‑kilometer walk held at Arizona Horse Lovers Park, 19224 N. Tatum Boulevard in Phoenix. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to register early, call (303) 799‑1501 or visit fightblindness.org.

New fast food franchise hosts fundraiser for area schools

As part of its grand opening celebration, the new Cave Creek McDonald’s restaurant is kicking off a week‑long  fundraiser that is expected to raise thousands of dollars for Cave Creek schools.

The McTeacher’s Night Challenge will run from 4:30‑7:30 p.m. Feb. 20‑28 with the following schedule: Feb. 20, Desert Arroyo Middle School; Feb. 21, Black Mountain Elementary School;  Feb. 22, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School; Feb. 26, Cactus Shadows High School; Feb. 27, Desert Sun Elementary; and Feb. 28, Lone Mountain Elementary School.

The school that raises the most money will receive an additional $1,000 donation from McDonald’s owner Ken Clement.

A portion of McDonald’s sales during 4:30‑7:30 p.m. will benefit each school. Each school’s principal and up to 10 teachers will “work” at McDonald’s greeting customers and working the registers. Families of students and local school supporters are encouraged to visit McDonald’s and tip their teachers to help raise funds.

The new restaurant is located at 29555 N. Cave Creek Rd.

On the widening of 1‑17

This letter was addressed to Michael Daehler, ADOT Environmental Planner, in reference to the widening of I‑17 north of New River to Cordes Junction. For information on the plans, visit the www.azdot.gov Web site.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed alternatives for the widening of Interstate 17 between the New River Traffic Interchange (TI) at Milepost (MP) 232 and the Cordes Junction TI at MP 262. We agree that widening is needed; not only to handle the current traffic but also in conjunction with the I‑17 widening project south of New River Road and future projected traffic counts. 

The widening of 1‑17 in this segment should achieve the following:

· Increase capacity to allow traffic travel with consistent flow at reasonable speeds.

· Ensure access to emergency services (medical, fire, and public safety) both during and after construction.

 · Restrict slower moving trucks and other vehicles to a specified lane allowing faster traffic to pass.

· Eliminate or reduce the danger of the “suicide curve” that runs on the southbound lanes just north of Black Canyon City.

· Minimize impacts to the visual, cultural, recreational, and wildlife resources during and after construction.

· Retain the ease of access to and from Bumble Bee, Crown King, and Badger Springs.

· Reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of Sunset Point on wildlife and cultural resources and enhance public safety.

With those goals in mind, we have considered the ADOT proposed alternatives and submit the following comments:

· We agree with the project team that Alternatives B, C, F, and H should not be considered.

· Alternative D‑1 should also be eliminated from consideration.

· We think that the existing A corridor should be used as much a possible–using the inside and/or outside shoulders to widen. In addition to being the most cost effective alternative, A has the least negative impacts on the visual, cultural, recreational, and wildlife resources.

· Alternative D warrants further study if it addresses the problems from Black Canyon City MP 245 to about MP251 just south of Sunset Point. Black Mesa and the surrounding region are rich in archeological resources. ADOT should ensure that the alternatives do not impact major sites and work closely with the BLM to mitigate any and all impacts these alternatives have.

· Alternative E does not seem desirable due to the impacts to the visual, recreational, and wildlife resources.

· Alternative G does not seem desirable due to the impacts to the visual, recreational, cultural, and wildlife resources. It is also considerably west of Sunset Point (no access) and would require a new access (TI) for Bumble Bee Road.

· We want ADOT to consider limit widening of the road to only 6 lanes (3 northbound and 3 southbound). This would permit restricting one lane to slower moving vehicles. In considering this suggestion, please factor in the effect of some traffic being directed/encouraged to take other north/south routes such as 93 from Wickenburg or 60/77 from Phoenix, or 77 from Tucson.

· We want ADOT to consider abandoning Sunset Point as a rest stop. Drivers needing a rest can use Camp Verde, Cordes Junction, or Black Canyon. Weary travelers would then have the added benefit of water, restrooms, and other public services. In addition, it makes sense to allow another town or municipality the opportunity for economic benefit by providing resources to the public that the BLM cannot. The problems with the current use of  Sunset Point include disruption of important wildlife corridors, criminal behavior that is not monitored/obstructed, litter and illegal dumping, and vandalism/damage to nearby cultural sites.

· We want ADOT to consider habitat connectivity and pronghorn antelope movement when analyzing alternatives and include options for wildlife passes. The placement and construction of the original freeway caused significant harm to native pronghorn by severely restricting their movement and fracturing their historic habitat. To maintain genetic viability and sustainable health among this population requires full range throughout their migration corridor.

· ADOT needs to include conceptual mass transportation options in this project study.

It was well documented through the extensive public input process required in preparing the BLM’s draft Resource Management Plans for this area, that there is overwhelming public and community support for protecting the natural, cultural, historic, and visual resources contained within the project area. We realize that by relying heavily on Alternative A (existing corridor), we may experience more traffic delays in the short‑term,