Meet Pavel, a two-year-old Pit Bull who somehow found his way into my back yard last week. He was covered in ticks and emaciated – it was obvious he was a stray who had been roaming in the extreme heat for some time. Being the dog lover I am, I took Pavel in, tended to some of his wounds, gave him fresh water and food. He is a very sweet and docile dog who was clearly a great pet, but there was no way to identify his owners – he had no collar and no microchip. I posted photos of him on Pets911 and put up a public posting on Facebook. I checked with neighbors to see if any of them recognize the dog, to no avail.

As much as I wanted to keep him around, we already have three dogs and Pavel needed medical attention, so I called Maricopa County Animal Control. Pavel was taken to the County shelter on 27^th Avenue in Phoenix. That evening, my friend Jordan Sperko asked me what would happen to the dog. He saw my posting on Facebook and was interested in taking Pavel in; he wanted to adopt a dog and was specifically looking for a Pit Bull. 

Thrilled at this news, we contacted the shelter to see if anybody had claimed him. They said no, and we learned that he had been scheduled for euthanasia. Maricopa County takes in some 150 – 200 stray dogs every day and simply does not have the facilities to keep them all for adoption. In addition, Pavel’s physical condition would probably deter potential adopters. 

Jordan immediately went to the shelter to see Pavel and it was love at first sight. He pleaded with the shelter manager to release the dog to him for adoption. This morning, I joined Jordan as he “officially” adopted Pavel! After some minor medical procedures, Pavel will be going to his new forever home on Thursday afternoon. I am beyond thrilled that this story has a happy ending! Please join me in applauding Jordan Sperko for being a hero – he has saved Pavel’s life… all thanks to Facebook! We look forward to seeing Pavel for doggie play dates soon!

Ear Candy Charity and Glendale Pawn & Jewelry have partnered to gather greatly-needed musical instruments for Valley children. From July 22 to July 25, Glendale Pawn & Jewelry will be hosting an Instrument Drive® with the hopes of collecting in excess of 100 instruments to be used by school children across the Valley.

(more…)

We’ve called it “the Y” for decades. Now the organization will, too.

The YMCA made numerous national headlines this week; the iconic organization announced that the nonprofit will simply be called “the Y,” marking the first branding change in more than 40 years. I’ve followed the coverage with curiosity because serving the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee as public relations manager was my first PR gig after making the switch from a career in media. (more…)

I’m often amused by humorous postings from my friends on Facebook, so I decided to write a “story” by combining real posts  and comments from my Facebook friends, and a few of my own.  Enjoy!

Every now and again I encounter those who subtly remind me why I drink. But I don’t get drunk, I get awesome. I have the worst hangover….ever. I didn’t know I could drink so much beer! I vow never to drink anything but vodka ever again. There are no absolutes in life – only vodka. If you want to get technical, vodka is practically a health drink if you just call it potato juice… which it really is, anyway.

(more…)

Spartan Boot Camps will hold a fitness boot camp on Saturday, June 26 to raise funds for Hope for Friends, a grassroots non-profit organization that raises funds to help support women and families financially when they need it most. The hour long event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Athletic Republic Scottsdale located at Bell Road and the Loop 101.

(more…)

The popular “Biggest Looser” show on NBC, along with corporate sponsors, has put together a national contest to help local communities fight hunger.  It’s called “Pound For Pound,” where you pledge to loose weight as part of a local team. For every pound you pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America®—enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local family.

(more…)

According to a Nielson report released Tuesday, three of the world’s most popular brands online are social-media related (Facebook, YouTube and Wikipedia) and people in the world now spend over 110 billion minutes on social networks and blog sites. This equates to 22 percent of all time online or one in every four and half minutes.

For the first time ever, social network or blog sites are visited by three quarters of global consumers who go online, after the numbers of people visiting these sites increased by 24% over last year. The average visitor spends 66% more time on these sites than a year ago, almost 6 hours in April 2010 versus 3 hours, 31 minutes last year. (more…)

Hosting private media party at Disco Scottsdale on June 24

One of the cool things about having a night club as a client? An awesome place to throw a huge party, of course!  The wonderful folks at Disco Scottsdale have graciously agreed to open their doors for a private media / industry party Thursday, June 24, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (HOSTED BAR!).

So if you are a local media type or work in the hospitality industry, come and check out Scottsdale’s fabulous new night club and have a drink or two with Joe PR Guy!  Disco is a must-see venue that features a custom, interactive LED dance floor that responds to your feet when you dance.  We call it a post modern interpretation of the classic discothèque.  Did I mention there will be an open bar? 

(more…)

Disco Scottsdale, a post-modern interpretation of the discotheque, opens Friday, June 4th at 10p.m.

Potential Entertainment, a company that specializes in the development and operation of unique entertainment concepts throughout the world, has unveiled details of its latest project; Disco Scottsdale will open to the public on Friday, June 4 at 10:00 p.m.  The company has renovated the space located at 4301 N. Civic Center Plaza to create a stunning, world-class venue.  In addition to a total overhaul of the building, Disco Scottsdale features a custom 10’ by 20’ interactive LED dance floor, state-of-the-art digital audio visual systems, custom seating, dance poles, balcony, two bars, huge patios and a massive disco ball.

(more…)

National Association of Home Builders Honors Philip Beere, Green Street Development

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) named Philip Beere of Green Street Development as the “Green Building Remodeler Advocate of the Year,” and named one of his company’s residential remodel projects, 150 West Elm in Phoenix, as “Remodel Project of the Year.” The association honored Beere with these two prestigious awards at the 12th Annual NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C on earlier this month.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by NAHB with these awards,” Beere said.  “It was a privilege to be nominated along side many national leaders in green building and sustainability; together, we all make an impact through our work, both in our communities and for the greater good of the entire nation.” (more…)