Eric Crane - Greater Metro Phoenix Arizona

Cheap Date Night -- Picture Show at Superstition Springs Mall -- Mesa Arizona

If you are looking for an inexpensive date night, why not try the "Picture Show" at Superstition Springs Mall, in Mesa Arizona.

Picture Show is a theatre that shows recently released films at the discount price of $2.00 per person
(and just $1.00 on Tuesdays).

Address: 6555 E. Southern Ave., Suite 1002, Mesa, AZ 85206
Located at Superstition Springs Mall (right near Ruby Tuesday and the Cheesecake Factory).

To learn more or to see the current movie line-up, please visit their website: www.pictureshowent.com

Cheap Date Night -- Picture Show at Superstition Springs Mall -- Mesa Arizona

Desert Botanical Garden -- Music in the Garden -- 2011 Fall Concert Series

One of our local treasures -- the Desert Botanical Garden -- will be offering a Fall Concert Series, called "Music in the Garden".

The Concert Series will take place on Friday evenings (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.), from October 7th 2011 to November 18th, 2011.

Most tickets are priced at $15 for members of the Desert Botanical Garden or $21 for the general public.

The Garden is located at: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008

To explore the concert line-up or to by tickets, please visit the Desert Botanical Garden website:
http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/music-in-the-garden

Desert Botanical Garden -- Music in the Garden -- 2011 Fall Concert Series

3rd Annual TASTE -- Chandler AZ Culinary Festival -- October 15 2011

The 3rd Annual TASTE -- Chandler Arizona's Culinary Festival -- will be taking place on Saturday, October 15th 2011, from Noon to 6:00 p.m.

The Event will take place in Historic Downtown Chandler Arizona, in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

Come on down and enjoy offerings from some of Chandler's best dining establishments. General Admission tickets are priced at $45 per adult (or $35 pre-sale) and include a variety of food and beverages.

For further information, please visit the event website: www.tastechandler.com

3rd Annual TASTE -- Chandler AZ Culinary Festival -- October 15 2011

Lauren Crane -- Recognized at 2011 Honors Convocation -- College of Science University of Arizona

Our oldest daughter, Lauren, was recognized on Friday, September 23rd, 2011 at the Honors Convocation for the College of Science at the University of Arizona.

Along with her high-performing peers, Lauren was recognized for Academic Distinction for the 2010 - 2011 school year (by maintaining a cumulative GPA between 3.5 and 3.999).

Josie, Lauren and Eric Crane -- University of Arizona Honors Convocation, September 23rd, 2011

Lauren is now in her Junior year at the U of A, working toward her degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She is looking forward to one day working as a Speech Therapist.

She is a second generation Wildcat (and second generation Resident Assistant in the University of Arizona Student Housing).

Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, Lauren -- we love you!

Lauren Crane -- Recognized at 2011 Honors Convocation -- College of Science University of Arizona

Your Federal Government at Work -- Justice Department Paying $16 for a Muffin

The Inspector General of the U.S. Justice Department released a report today, which details the findings of a study they conducted regarding the expenses at Justice Department conferences.

Specifically, they reviewed a sample of 10 conferences held between October 2007 and September 2009.

Here is a quote from the report: “Some conferences featured costly meals, refreshments, and themed breaks that we believe were indicative of wasteful or extravagant spending.”

Here are some specific examples they found:

• At one conference, the Justice Department served muffins which cost them $16 a piece
• At another, they served Beef Wellington appetizers that cost them $7.32 per serving
• A reception included swedish meatballs, for which they paid $5.00 PER MEATBALL.
• At one conference break, they served Cracker Jack, popcorn and candy bars. The Justice Department was billed $32 per person, for the snacks.

My own thoughts...
The report's findings are just one more example of the terrible waste and misallocation of resources that we find in government.

Our leaders are supposed to be good stewards of our tax dollars, but they have failed miserably. Now that they are broke, they want to raise taxes, so they can waste some more dollars.

There needs to be a very thorough audit of all government expenditures. Every nickel spent should have a good justification. We need to first cut out the waste and duplication and then have an adult conversation about what our spending priorities should be.

Only then can a realistic budget be created and sent to the American people.

To read an article about the Inspector General's study, please visit the following website:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-20/-extravagant-spending-16-muffins-found-at-justice-conferences.html

Your Federal Government at Work -- Justice Department Paying $16 for a Muffin