MLA 2006 Local Assistance Committee: Phoenix

The guest authors are Jon Talton and Betty Webb for the special evening on Sunday, May 21. Both authors will talk about their work, answer questions, and then sign books. Register via the MLA conference form. You can send in a "Just the Event" paper copy of the form if you have already registered for the conference and somehow missed signing up for a Night of Mystery! We have more than the minimum number of registrants - sign up before we run out of room!

Betty Webb's new novel is Desert Run. It's a complex case based on real Arizona history. In this story, Scottsdale private eye, Lena Jones, is doing security for Warren Quinn, director of a documentary being shot at Papago Park about the German POW camp and the "great escape" of Christmas Eve, 1944, when some prisoners tunneled out and fled. (Did you know that Scottsdale housed a German POW camp during WWII?) And one surviving escapee, Kapitan Zur See Erik Ernst, a man in his nineties confined to a wheelchair after a boating accident, has just been murdered. Worse, his Ethiopian caregiver begs Lena to clear him as a suspect. Lena learns that Ernst and two other POWs hid out in the rugged Superstition Mountains. Nearby, on Christmas Night, a farm family was slaughtered. A jury didn't convict the family's only survivor, a teen-age son. What might Chess Bollinger know about Ernst and vice versa? And how much can Lena trust Quinn, either as a client, a witness, or a lover? Betty is the author of three other Lena Jones novels: Desert Noir, Desert Wives and Desert Shadows.

Jon Talton's third novel, Dry Heat, also captures the culture and life of Phoenix. Indeed, the past is never past on the mean streets of Phoenix. Half a century after the unsolved murder of an FBI agent, the missing badge is found on the body of a dead transient. The case seems a perfect fit for David Mapstone, history professor turne

Everyone is going to Phoenix!

Due to high demand for accommodations at MLA '06, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Wyndham Phoenix and SpringHill Suites are sold out over Saturday/Sunday nights.

To accommodate attendees, MLA has added a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, 620 N. Sixth St. Phoenix, AZ 85004.

To make a reservation at the Holiday Inn Express, call 602/452-2020. Be sure to specify you are with the MLA group. The special MLA group rate is $99 to $109 per night, plus applicable state and local taxes.

Holiday Inn Express is located a few blocks from the Phoenix Civic Plaza and Convention Center, site of MLA'06. (Mapquest shows the distance as .52 miles).

More information about MLA'06 is available.

If you are holding a hotel reservation you do not need, please consider cancelling it so the room can be released to another member who might need it.

The 2006 HLS Silent Auction is underway - Donations Wanted !

The Hospital Library Section is having another HLS Silent Auction - partly to keep the Section within budget, but mostly to have fun! As before, the Auction will conclude at the HLS Business Meeting Reception at the MLA Annual Meeting this May, but with a new twist: You can bid online up to an hour before the Business Meeting. Whether you bid online or at the Meeting, payment is by cash or check-they can't take credit cards.

For more information, including photos of current items up for bid, or about donating items, please see:

http://hls.mlanet.org/silentauction/items.html

You might want to make this URL a "favorite" or "bookmark" :

Check out our local weather at: http://www.azcentral.com/weather/ to know what clothes to pack and be prepared!

Like MLA and our profession, downtown Phoenix is transforming itself! You will find much in transition when you arrive here, as noted by my favorite columnist, E.J. Montini, who made these comments in today's column:

"Downtown Phoenix has always been so tidy and accommodating. So unassuming. So quiet. For years, decades maybe, downtown Phoenix has been like the student who rarely speaks in class but manages to get all A's. The one who tucks his pressed shirt into creased trousers. The one whose sensible shoes are always polished. Downtown Phoenix kept its hair trimmed, its pencils sharpened, its notebooks in order. It never interrupted the teacher and always turned in its assignments on time. Downtown Phoenix was so reliable and polite, so conscientious, so dependable, that it went from being taken for granted to being completely ignored. Until now."

And, as in any transformation, things are messy. And noisy. And disruptive. So, I am writing to apologize for the construction and chaos in advance. I am very excited about what downtown will be. I ask that you bear with us as we grow up to become a "real city." We're even getting a light rail, and improved public transportation all around! Our downtown is coming back to life, and it's great!

You can find Montini's entire column at: http://www.azcentral.com/news/columns/articles/0321montini0321.html

Thanks...We can't wait to see you!
Jacque Doyle

Due to high demand for accommodations at MLA '06, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix and the Wyndham Phoenix are sold out over Saturday/Sunday nights.

To accommodate attendees, MLA has added a block of rooms at SpringHill Suites by Marriott, 802 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006. (map - Mapquest shows the distance as .41 miles.) SpringHill Suites is located a few blocks from the Phoenix Civic Plaza and Convention Center, site of MLA'06.

To make a reservation at SpringHill Suites call 602/307-9929. Be sure to specify you are with the MLA group. The special MLA group rate is $119 per night, plus applicable state and local taxes.

For more information about MLA'06 see http://mlanet.org/am/am2006/index.html

From
Ray Naegele, CPA
Director of Financial and Administrative Services
Medical Library Association

The LAC received a request for info about yarn shops in Phoenix. Here is what we have learned:

The two closest to the hotels, but requiring a car/cab ride:

• PHOENIX KNITS NEEDLEPOINT CO. map
  THE NEEDLEPOINT SHOP
  5044 N. 7TH ST.
  PHOENIX, AZ 85014
  602-230-8104

• FAMILY ARTS NEEDLEWORK map
  Some information
  5515-1 NORTH 7TH ST.
  PHOENIX, AZ 85014
  602-277-0694

Recommendations in Scottsdale:

• Knitting in Scottsdale - 7116 E. Mercer Lane, #106. Scottsdale 85254
  Arizona Knitting and Needlepoint - 3617 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale 85251

For more information, see the Yahoo Arts & Crafts - Phoenix Yellow Pages. Scroll past the advertising to the section that shows distance from the Hyatt.


Our local craft guru is: Kathy Cano Murillo who has a blog at: http://www.craftychica.com/index2.php

Our Restaurant Guide has gone to press, and recommendations keep pouring in! Visit our Intranet Site to see what 's there, and to inquire of LAC members about their favorites. Go to: http://www.west.asu.edu/colt97z/documents/RetaurantGuideMar1ver_001.doc. See what is there and cast your own votes here on the blog.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered - a guide to Phoenix.

Echo Magazine - Local gay magazine: has a great bar guide and map

Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce - news, events

PFlag for Phoenix – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

GayPhoenix - information on the local Phoenix gay community including Clubs, Bars, Support Groups, local gay and gay friendly Businesses

Gay Phoenix Shopping

Community Church of Hope Gay-run church close to downtown

Metropolitan Community Church – Another church; well-recognized

AZ Frontrunners Local running/walking group

Arizona Human Rights Fund Political organization

Desert Valley Squares (square dancing group)

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I have been to afternoon tea several times at the Phoenician Resort. It is a lovely setting in the lobby of the hotel overlooking the resort grounds and the mountains are in the background. However, it is very pricey, approximately $25 per person. It is a lovely English High Tea. Consistently voted "Best Afternoon Tea" by New Times and Arizona Republic readers, full tea includes finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of fine teas. Classical music provides a charming backdrop for a genteel afternoon break.
Kathleen Carlson, Assistant Librarian-John C. Lincoln Health Network

Several libraries are in cycling distance or a short taxi or car ride from the Hyatt. It is important to call before you visit as many of these libraries are one-person-libraries, and you might miss them.


Banner Good Samaritan – Brown Health Sciences Library and Middlebrook Patient/Family Resource Center
URL-- http://www.bannerhealth.com/Physicians+and+Residents/Medical+Libraries/AZ+Medical+Library/Library+Home.htm and http://www.bannerhealth.com/Locations/Arizona/Banner+Good+Samaritan+Medical+Center/Programs+and+Services/Support+Services/Middlebrook+Learning+Center.htm
Contact—Sally and Lora at the Brown Library, and Jacque at the Middlebrook Library
Phone -- 602 239-4353 at Brown and 602 239-4970 at the Middlebrook Library.
Email -- sally.harvey@bannerhealth.com
Note – Sister Banner Libraries are in nearby Glendale and Mesa.


St. Joseph’s Medical Center Medical Library
URL: http://chw.azhin.org/.
Contact: Molly Harrington
Phone: 602-406-3299
Email Molly.Harrington@CHW.EDU


Phoenix Children’s Hospital Medical Library and Emily Anderson Family Resource Center
URL: Medical Library -- http://www.phoenixchildrenshospital.com/professionals/medicallibrary.html Emily Center -- http://www.phoenixchildrenshospital.com/about/services/emilycenter/index.html
Address -- 1919 E. Thomas Road
Contact -- Medical Library: Kathy Zeblisky
Phone – Med Library: (602) 546-4248 Emily Center: 602-546-1400
Email -- kzeblisky@phoenixchildrens.com and emilyc@phoenixchildrens.com

Phoenix Public Library Burton Barr Central Library
URL-- http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/branchinfo.jsp?bid=BBB
Address -- 1221 N. Central Av
Phone -- (602) 262-4636
Email – Susie.matazzoni@phxlib.org



Other wonderful libraries are a bit further out, but worth considering, for example Mayo Clinic and Hospital, ASU Libraries, and others. The Central Arizona Biomedical Libraries (CABL) and the southern Arizona Biomedical Libraries (SABL) invite your visit:

CABL: Phoenix and north--http://www.samaritan.edu/cabl/#CABL
SABL: south of Phoenix, including Tucson-- http://www.ahsc.arizona.edu/sabl/

As y'all know, the Hospitality Center / Booth is staffed through much of the conference, and your time and energy are invited! One doesn't have to be a Phoenician to volunteer - one should be friendly, resourceful, creative, and a good researcher--but aren't we all? After all, we are librarians! Please visit the LAC Intranet to volunteer - scroll down to Documents and Forms and we will welcome you to our group of wonderful volunteers!

Visit: http://www.west.asu.edu/colt97z/mlalac.htm to find a day and time to help -Please!

We need help for the Member Resource Room and Placement Center as well!

Thanks!

The Phoenix Suns have made the National Basketball Association Eastern Conference Finals, and all of Arizona is optimistic for another wonderful season. Visit the Suns at : http://www.nba.com/suns/ to stay on top of our standing and excitement!

Phoenix in May is very “cool,” so don’t let the temperatures keep you from getting out and seeing the town. Average Phoenix temperatures in May are high of 92 degrees and low 64 degrees with little or no precipitation. The afternoons are warm, but buildings are kept refreshingly cool. Bring a hat or umbrella for sun shade, but you shouldn’t need it for rain showers. The annual meeting in Phoenix calls for casual attire. Cotton or linen clothing is the most comfortable choice for the weather. You may need a light jacket or sweater for the air conditioned meeting rooms, but otherwise don’t pack suits, ties, or hosiery. Do pack sunscreen, sunglasses and always carry a water bottle with you on your outings. Visitors to the desert sometimes are not aware of the extreme dry air and necessity to stay hydrated.
If you have leisure time while in Phoenix, here are some ideas on how to enjoy your visit. The Herberger Theater is walking distance from the hotel and annual meeting. Enjoy a performance at the Herberger of “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds” or “Tuesdays with Morrie.” See http://www.herbergertheater.org/ for ticket information.

Phoenix Symphony Hall is another venue near the MLA meeting. Beethoven will inspire you at Symphony Hall with performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony May 18, 19, and 20. See http://www.phoenixsymphony.org/ for information.

Explore at the Arizona Science Center http://www.azscience.org/. Located only a few blocks from the MLA meeting and hotels, the Science Center boasts a planetarium, IMAX Theater, hands-on learning, exhibits, and the Atomic Café for lunch.

If you prefer sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team is at “home” during MLA. Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks, in downtown Phoenix is seven blocks or a short taxi ride from the Hyatt. Check out the game schedule http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/.

If you would like to step outside the Annual Meeting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are convenient cafes and restaurants nearby. If you are in a hurry in the morning, you can grab a Starbucks coffee at the Wyndham Hotel or stop at Einstein’s in the Hyatt Hotel lobby. Tom’s Tavern (http://www.tomstavernphoenix.com/) at Central Avenue and Washington Street is known for its friendly, quaint pub-like atmosphere. Since 1929 they have served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kincaid’s, America’s Fish, Chop and Steakhouse, http://www.kincaids.com/index.php?cook=1&locations=Phoenix is located downtown and only a few blocks from the MLA meeting.

Your welcome packet will have a copy of the Phoenix Restaurant Guide. Please also check the hospitality desk for specific dining information and sample menus. The metropolitan Phoenix area has an enormous selection of restaurants to choose from. Many of the restaurants and bars have casual patio dining complete with misting systems to keep you cool and comfortable during your Southwest dining experience.

A warm welcome is extended to all MLA meeting attendees. Phoenix is known for its western hospitality, so come to the annual meeting and enjoy your stay in the “Valley of the Sun.”
The very first-ever MLA Hospitality blog is up and running, and is being used and tracked. Members are asked to make use of the blog by reading it, and by submitting your own comments and questions. Find the blog at: http://mla-lac.blogspot.com/
Please visit the MLA’06 website to learn more about our annual meeting in Phoenix. http://www.mlanet.org/am/am2006/index.html.

A special event is planned .... Purchase tickets when registering for MLA in the Special Events section. Watch this spot for information about the guest author!

If you have a phone, handheld or PC with WiFi, finding a hotspot can be a chore. The Convention Center, may, possibly, have WiFi enabled by May. Numerous commercial sites provide daily - weekly - monthly - yearly WiFi licenses. A few, listed below, offer customers free access.


Free WiFi (wireless Internet; 802.11)
Guests at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix get free wifi with their rooms.

As of March 2006:
- Crave Sandwich Cafe - 541 E. Van Buren (4 blocks)
- Burton Barr Central Library - 1221 N Central Ave. (14 blocks)
- General Phoenix area
- T-Mobile allows its phone subscribers free use of their hotspots on weekends. Scroll past the advertising to a list of their nearby sites. Sign up at their web site.

Search wifi hotspot finders for the Zipcode: 85004.
- -http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com

$$ WiFi Hotspots
As of March 2006:

• JiWire list

Ethernet - wired connections
The Wyndham Phoenix offers high-speed Ethernet connections, as does the public library.