Exciting summer offerings at GCC-Payson

Gila Community College will be offering Photoshop and Digital Photography classes this Summer Session.

ART 128, Beginning Digital Photography,
Mon & Tues 8-11:50 am, with D. Trimble.

ART 287, Digital Imaging/Photoshop,
Tues & Thurs, 8-11:50 am, with J. Herford.

There is still time to register for Yoga classes, and/or a new Zumba Gold class this summer.

The Yoga class will be MTWTh 10-10:50 am.
The Physioball class will by MTWTh 9-9:50 am.

The ZUMBA® Gold Fitness program is designed for the active adult, the true beginner, people who are not used to exercising, and/or people who may be limited physically. The main difference between ZUMBA Gold and ZUMBA Basic is that ZUMBA Gold is done at a lower intensity, not as fast, but it certainly is as fun. The same great Latin styles of music and dance are used. In 50 minutes, you will get a safe and effective total body workout while maintaining the party atmosphere of a regular ZUMBA class.

HPE 101AJ Beginning Aerobics I – Zumba Gold Latin Fitness Plus
MTWTh 8-8:50 am June 1-July 26.

It is also not too late to register for summer quilting classes.

7767FCR 132Quilting* (Hand Quilting)1  Th8-11:50 am  6/1-7/26  D Tatsch

7766FCR 132Quilting* (Clothing Construction)1  W10 am-1:50 pm  6/1-7/26  L Peacock

7765FCR 134Advanced Quilting* (Clothing Constructuion)1W10 am-1:50 pm6/1-7/26L Peacock

Summer classes begin June 1.

New mortgage laws better protect homeowners

My Turn

By Terry Goddard
Arizona Attorney General

Arizona will soon have two new laws that I fought for this session to help crack down on deceptive and predatory lending businesses that prey on struggling homeowners.

The measures will take effect July 29.

A key priority for my Office was the elimination of upfront fees for mortgage modifications. SB1130, sponsored by Sen. John Nelson, does just that. Prior to the passage of this bill, mortgage modification advisers could exploit homeowners’ by charging enormous upfront fees and preying on their fears over the risk of foreclosure.

The new law bans upfront fees, but requires foreclosure consultants to fully disclose the terms and costs of their services. It also provides an important three-day right of cancellation. Violators who engage in fraud or deceit now can be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

I also called for a new law to protect seniors from scams associated with reverse mortgages. HB 2242, sponsored by Rep. Bill Konopnicki, extends the protection currently under federal law to a new class of reverse mortgages.

A reverse mortgage lets the homeowner convert a portion of the home’s equity into cash and typically requires no repayment for as long as the homeowner lives in the home. The cash can be paid to the homeowner all at once, as a regular monthly advance, or at times and in amounts agreed to by the homeowner and creditor. These loans can be helpful to cash-strapped homeowners, if the terms are fair and fully understandable.

Under the new law, homeowners now must get better information explaining the mortgage in detail before they can be bound to the mortgage terms. In addition, the law ensures that the borrower not pay any unnecessary costs for obtaining the reverse mortgage, including any costs of estate planning, financial advice or related fees.

With these two new laws on the books, Arizona has more tools in the fight against mortgage scams that have hurt both homeowners and the housing market. Protecting Arizona residents and keeping them in their homes helps stabilize our communities and neighborhoods. I have instructed my prosecutors to be vigilant in prosecuting bad actors and fraudulent foreclosure “rescue” businesses that seek to rip off homeowners.

While the legislature did other things this session that set Arizona back in many ways, I’m pleased with my Office’s legislative efforts to protect Arizona homeowners in these economically challenging times.

Blasting rescheduled on 260 east of Star Valley

Wednesday’s detonation now set for Thursday

PAYSON – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will close a two-mile segment of Arizona State Route 260 15 miles east of Payson at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 27. The roadway will be closed for 45 minutes to provide a safe work zone for crews as they conduct blasting operations on a project to widen the highway.

Eastbound traffic will be stopped at approximately milepost 265 and westbound traffic will be stopped at approximately milepost 267.

Blasting will continue two or three days per week for the next several months as ADOT works to transform the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway from Little Green Valley to Thompson Draw.
Drivers can expect delays of up to 45 minutes and should allow extra time to reach their destinations. Speed limits are reduced and a width restriction of 10 feet is in place. Message boards, temporary barricades, and signage will guide motorists through the work zone.

ADOT advises drivers to slow down, be alert for workers and heavy equipment, and anticipate delays as construction continues until fall 2011.

Information regarding the project is available on the toll-free project hotline at 1-877-521-1118. Weekly construction e-updates are available at prescottdistrictupdates@azdot.gov.

While ADOT strives to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, during any construction project there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Drivers are advised to visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1 for the most current information about restrictions statewide.

'Robin Hood' an action adventure for grownups

Robin Hood

By Andy McKinney
Gazette Connection Film Critic

This week audiences across the fruited plain have been given a beautiful movie, an action adventure for grownups. It remains to be seen if this will be a successful venture or not. If it succeeds, it will be due to the unusual concentration of high-grade talent at all levels of the effort.

The script by Brian Helgeland is unimpeachable. He wrote such important and well-received films as “L.A. Confidential,” also featuring Russell Crowe. Director Ridley Scott is known for building beautifully filmed, breathtaking big screen epics. In “Robin Hood” he combines the grand sweep with intimate close ups that allow the fabulous cast of veteran actors to display the full pallet of their skills. The battle scenes are first rate.

Russell Crowe plays Robin as a fiercely honorable warrior in a time when honor comes at a terrible price. He is matched by Cate Blanchett as Marion. Blanchett is a striking actress rather than a beautiful, decorative young thing and brings depth and soul to her role. Max von Sydow plays her father in law and William Hurt appears as William Marshal, known historically as the greatest knight to ever live. Having actors with such experience and reputation to adorn a film is right thinking, giving them something useful to do - as writer Helgeland and director Scott do - is just short of genius.

That said, is it apparent that I liked this film very much? The film brings little that is fresh, if we accept the story line. The story begins just before the death of King Richard at a foolish siege in France and introduces the Robin character as a soldier returning from the Holy Land. He assumes the identity of Marion’s dead husband.

There is a scene where the helpless peasants are herded into a building, trapped and the building set on fire, a la “The Patriot.” Scott has even taken a shot from the 1991 version of “Robin Hood” when Crowe fires an arrow in extreme close up. At least he took good stuff from good movies.

This PG 13 epic will need to find its audience in order to make back its $155 million budget. It has the spectacle of “Brave Heart” and the sophistication of “L.A Confidential.” The three and a half saw blade movie runs a good value at two and a half hours.

“Prince of Persia ”, a swashbuckler aimed at a younger group, is coming soon. “Jonah Hex” will be appearing this summer. There is a local connection to this comic based flick.

I hope to see you at the Sawmill soon.

Memorial Day events scheduled in Rim Country

The theme of this year's Memorial Day presentations is "Payson Remembers."

All citizens are invited to join friends and neighbors to remember those who have died in our nation's service and to honor those who have defended, and continue to defend, the standards and values upon which our country was founded.

This year's program will consist of four separate tributes:

1. THE ANNUAL PIONEER CEMETERY TRIBUTE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT PAYSON’S PIONEER CEMETERY ON SATURDAY, 29 MAY.


2. THE ANNUAL MOUNTAIN MEADOWS TRIBUTE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 A.M. AT THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS CEMETERY IN ROUND VALLEY ON SUNDAY, 30 MAY. THIS TRIBUTE IS SPONSORED BY MESSENGERS FUNERAL HOME AND SUPPORTED BY THE PAYSON PATRIOTIC EVENTS COMMITTEE, THE VFW AND THE AMERICAN LEGION.


3. A FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT THE MAZATZAL CASINO FLAGPOLE WHICH BEGINS AT 8 A.M. ON MONDAY, 31 MAY WITH PATRIOTIC MUSIC FOLLOWED BY AN APPROPRIATE CEREMONY AND PROGRAM.


4. A MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE AT PAYSON’S GREEN VALLEY PARK WHICH WILL BEGIN AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL ON MONDAY, 31 MAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 A.M. THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED BY THE PAYSON PATRIOTIC EVENTS COMMITTEE AND WILL INCLUDE: PATRIOTIC MUSICAL PRESENTATIONS; A PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS; AN ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR OF PAYSON FOLLOWED BY GUEST SPEAKERS; A TRIBUTE BY THE PAYSON MILITARY HONOR GUARD WHICH WILL INCLUDE A RIFLE SALUTE AND TAPS; A MOVING BAGPIPE RENDITION OF “AMAZING GRACE”; A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION FOR OUR VETERNS PAST AND PRESENT; AND MUCH MORE.

Memorial Day is proclaimed as a national holiday set aside to remember those who have paid the supreme sacrifice and to honor our veterans and members of the armed forces for service to our country. You are encouraged to join with your fellow Americans and participate by attending these events.

Medicare Part D beneficiaries will save 50 percent

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued new guidance to Part D plan sponsors to guarantee that Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Part D prescription drug plans will see 50 percent savings on their brand name and some authorized generic drugs when they enter the coverage gap, or donut hole, during 2011.

In a notice in the Federal Register, CMS also issued the draft model agreement that drug manufacturers of applicable Part D drugs will sign in order to participate in the discount program. These agreements with manufacturers represent an unprecedented partnership to help millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Discounts will apply when the beneficiary reaches the coverage gap. Eligible beneficiaries will see the discount when they buy their drugs at their local pharmacy counter.

CMS will host a public meeting on June 1 to discuss and collect public feedback about the draft manufacturer agreement, and to gather feedback about the final Part D guidance released today. As part of the June 1 meeting, CMS is encouraging drug manufacturers, Part D plan sponsors, and representatives from the beneficiary advocacy community to provide input and comments. All stakeholders can register online at: http://cmsconference.hcmsllc.com/Conf06012010/register.aspx

Closing the coverage gap is an important part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 signed by President Barack Obama earlier this year, beginning with a one-time check for $250 in 2010 for those that reach the donut hole in 2010 and are not eligible for low-income assistance, the 50 percent discount for brand-name and some authorized generic drugs beginning in 2011 and additional savings until drugs are covered throughout the coverage the gap by 2020.

“The documents we are releasing today facilitate the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s provisions to help Medicare beneficiaries with the high costs of their prescription medicines,” said CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare Jonathan Blum.

The Part D plan guidance released today was finalized after receiving comments on the draft guidance that was issued on April 30. This guidance clarifies how the discount program will be implemented and that CMS will coordinate the manufacturers’ reimbursement for discount payments that Part D sponsors provide on their behalf to applicable beneficiaries under this program through a third-party administrative contractor. The third-party administrator will also help to verify the accuracy of the manufacturer discounts reported by Part D sponsors.

For more information on this program, see the Federal Register notice that will be displayed on May 21, 2010 at: http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-12559_PI.pdf
Or visit http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx

High winds, blowing dust close I-40 east of Flag

HOLBROOK – A combination of high winds and blowing dust have again prompted the closure of Interstate 40 east of Flagstaff.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has closed the highway from milepost 219 to milepost 252 due to near-zero visibility and high winds.

The westbound closure at milepost 252 is in Winslow and traffic is being diverted into the city. The eastbound closure at milepost 219 is at the Twin Arrows Interchange, where traffic is being turned around.

The National Weather Service is predicting strong gusting winds into the evening. Drivers should expect long delays and take alternative routes where possible.

Closures of I-40 can last hours due to the nature of the storms. In the past, similar conditions have been strong enough to cause high-profile vehicles to be blown over. Blowing dust has reduced visibility to near zero. With the ongoing storm, ADOT crews are closely monitoring conditions.

Drivers planning trips along I-40 today are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 5-1-1 within Arizona, 1.888.411.ROAD outside the state, or via the Web at www.az511.gov. Because weather conditions can quickly evolve, drivers are encouraged to regularly check in with ADOT’s Traveler Information Service. Motorists should delay or detour travel plans if necessary.

ADOT, along with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, will continue to work as a public safety team to support Arizona’s highways and drivers and will closely monitor conditions on I-40 while maintaining driver safety. I-40 is a critical national corridor for commercial traffic and there are few other alternatives across Northern Arizona.