Shows
Let's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastDig into Jurassic Wonders This Summer!You’re invited to step into ancient times at the Henry F. Hauser Museum by exploring an extraordinary collection of more than 500 fossil specimens and replicas from Cochise County and around the world! In this episode we meet Ron Hyde, the local resident who has formed this collection over a lifetime of fossil hunting and is sharing them with our community starting May 6. Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek also joins us to share a bit more about what is in store this summer. This includes a talk by Richard Thompson, who discovered the Arizona state dinosaur, the So...
2023-04-2129 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastBetter Work Program Offers a Hand UpJust a year and half ago we shared how the freshly launched Better Bucks of Sierra Vista was offering residents a more compassionate and secure way to help people in need. In this episode we talk to Better Bucks of Sierra Vista President Scott Borgstadt and Vice President Eva Dickerson to hear not only how this voucher program has taken off but the nonprofit’s new Better Work Program is already changing lives. Launched in January, this program is instilling a sense of pride and purpose in people experiencing homelessness. It’s even helped some find permanent employment as they...
2023-03-0335 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCity Tackles Big Projects with Energy InitiativeHave you noticed several major projects now underway at City facilities? In this episode, City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Recreation, and Library Director Laura Wilson to share an in-depth look at how the City is tackling many key projects at one time through an energy initiative with Schneider Electric. The improvements underway will boost the City's sports tourism efforts, take care of needed maintenance, and help the City save both water and energy. The best part? They're being accomplished with no additional burden to local taxpayers. Hear all about in this episode!
2023-01-2755 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastBryan Mills Reflects on 22 Years with the CityOn the eve of his retirement, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Bryan Mills joins host Adam Curtis to reflect on his career with the City and the deep roots he formed in Sierra Vista after his service in the Army first brought him here. Before moving to Parks about three years ago, Bryan worked as a drafter and engineering technician in Public Works designing many of the public facilities he would later be charged with maintaining.
2022-08-0529 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastDive Into Ocean-themed Programs This SummerIn this episode Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek joins us to talk about the museum’s new exhibit “Opulent Oceans: Extraordinary Scientific Illustrations.” This 2D traveling exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History highlights the integral role scientific illustration has played in undersea exploration and discovery!
And we’re also joined by Library, Recreation, & Cultural Services Manager Emily Duchon to highlight the library’s Summer Reading Program, which is celebrating this year’s theme “Oceans of Possibilities.” Plus we’ll discuss how Emily and Elizabeth find new ways to reach residents by teaming up across City divisi...
2022-06-1623 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastHow to Stay Cyber SafeCity of Sierra Vista Chief Information Officer Abe Rubio joins us to discuss efforts to protect the City from cyber threats, to include an innovative partnership with the University of Arizona College of Applied Science & Technology. We'll also share how to practice good cyber safety yourself at home and in the office!
2022-04-1434 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCity and Chamber Partner to Enhance Holiday TraditionsIn our final episode of 2021, podcast host and City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Leisure, and Library Director Laura Wilson and Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melany Edwards-Barton. Together we talk about how the City and Chamber are partnering to combine two of Sierra Vista’s favorite holiday traditions: The City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Chamber’s annual Christmas Light Parade. The City’s tree lighting has been expanded into a two-day festivity with children’s activities and a holiday market on Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4. That has enable...
2021-11-1933 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastNew Substation will Enhance Emergency Medical ResponseIn this episode, we’re joined by Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones as we discuss a new EMS station now under construction at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Buffalo Soldier Trail.
Funded in part by a Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant of more than $1.4 million from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the substation will aid EMS efforts on Fort Huachuca, improve response for many military families living off-post, and benefit the community at-large. Brian also shares how his department cultivates leaders from within, why it’s an extraordinary place to st...
2021-10-2224 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastA Better Way to Help Those in NeedSierra Vista Police Department Public Information Officer Cpl. Scott Borgstadt joins us in this episode to discuss the launch of Better Bucks of Sierra Vista. Modeled after a voucher program in Flagstaff, Better Bucks of Sierra Vista offers a way to help people in need without enabling issues like substance abuse. Individuals or groups can purchase Better Bucks that can be provided to people in need and redeemed for living essentials at participating merchants. Look for the Better Bucks of Sierra Vista booth at Art in the Park this weekend to purchase the first vouchers. They will also be...
2021-10-0129 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCelebrating the James Webb Space Telescope LaunchWe're looking to the stars in this episode as we highlight how the Henry F. Hauser Museum is partnering with the Huachuca Astronomy Club and Patterson Observatory to celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope! Museum curator Elizabeth Wrozek is joined by NASA Solar System Ambassador Ted Forte to share exciting news about an out-of-this-world multi-site exhibition and many special events in October all tied to the Webb Telescope. Forte is a longtime member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club and serves as director of the Patterson Observatory located on the University of Arizona Sierra Vista Campus. We...
2021-09-1729 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastRevitalizing the West EndIn this episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista, we kick off our fall season with Community Development Director Matt McLachlan and delve into longstanding efforts to revitalize the West End. With major improvements now underway along Fry Boulevard, we discuss just how long this type of project has been the subject of public input and community planning. We also cover numerous other projects and initiatives that are helping transform the West End in step with the Fry and Garden Avenue Improvement Project. We share how it’s exciting to see so many long-sought ideas result in actions that are...
2021-09-0338 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastSummer Break & Spotlight Breakfast PreviewWe're taking a summer break in July, but you can look forward to the next full episode of Let's Talk Sierra Vista in August. In the meantime, why not take this opportunity to catch up on some of our recent episodes?
In this short episode, Public Information Officer Adam Curtis provides a brief preview of this year's Spotlight Breakfast, which we're pleased to announce will take place in-person at the Sierra Vista campus of Cochise College on the morning of Tuesday, August 10. Reserve your seat today!
We'll talk again in August.
2021-07-0901 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastBreaking Down the FY 21-22 BudgetCity budgets can be tricky to understand and even harder to explain. But it's worth the effort! Amid the many moving pieces are important decisions, projects, and stories that matter to our community. This week we dive into the City’s Tentative Budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 with Assistant City Manager Victoria Yarbrough to share how the budget process works and talk about the highlights in plain language. We cover the latest news on exciting projects like upcoming improvements on West Fry Boulevard and other key items included in the Tentative Budget. We also put everything in co...
2021-06-2541 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCelebrate the Summer with Your Local LibraryIn-person activities are back and the library is open to serve the community. Libraries are beloved centers of learning and enrich our lives by providing access to knowledge, technology, and community activities. In this episode, we are joined by Youth Services Librarian Erica Merritt and Arts, Culture, and Education Division Manager Emily Duchon to discuss how the library is still adapting to serve customers today. We talk about the lessons they learned from serving patrons despite restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Summer Reading Program is up and running with a variety of events and activities as we...
2021-06-1128 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastBoots, Bikes, and Birds: Boosting Sierra Vista’s ReputationToday we talk with Marketing & Communications Manager Judy Hector and Economic Development Manager Tony Boone about recent news, events, and the City’s approach to economic development and tourism. The City tackles these areas as a team, executing a tailor-made strategy that leverages Sierra Vista’s unique assets. With an ideal climate, nearby mountain trails, blossoming events, growing sports tourism efforts, and an extraordinary variety of birds that attract birders from around the world, Sierra Vista’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation is expanding. This was recently bolstered by a declaration making Sierra Vista the official Hummingbird Capita...
2021-05-2846 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCovering Police Week and SVPD News with Chief ThrasherThis week we are bringing back Chief Thrasher for Police Week. Since 1881, 29 law enforcement professionals have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in our county. We talk about the importance of honoring those who take the risk and put on the uniform to serve and protect their community.
And if you’ve ever wanted an inside look into the Sierra Vista Police Department, this podcast is a great start! We share how SVPD has earned a CALEA accreditation for another four years, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to excellence. We also discuss the SVPD’s efforts to maintain this high leve...
2021-05-1425 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastPaul Cimino Talks Wildfire Safety, Reflects on 40-year CareerIn our second episode of season 2, longtime Sierra Vista Fire Marshal Paul Cimino reminds us how to keep our properties and community safe from wildfires. As the City’s longest tenured employee, Paul also reflects on his 40 years working for Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services. Paul will retire later this year and it was a joy to discuss some of the highlights of his time working for the City. Podcast host Adam Curtis joins Paul in recalling the Monument Fire in 2011. That crisis reminds us all why it is vital to be fire safe, especially during Sierra Vista’s wind...
2021-04-3041 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastProtecting Our Neighborhoods With Kindness and PersistenceWe are excited to welcome you back for season 2 of the podcast! Today we are joined by code enforcement officers Jessica Vannoy and Gilbert Fuentes. We discuss how their team works with Sierra Vista residents to ensure properties meet our community’s standards, which protects the character of our neighborhoods and ensures they remain safe for everyone. We also get to know Jessica and Gilbert as they share how a history of public service continues to shape who they are today. Code enforcement requires a delicate balance of compassion, cooperation, and, as a last resort, enforcement. Jessica and Gilbert take pride in keeping...
2021-04-1621 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastBreathing Life into Fry Pioneer CemeteryWith Fry Pioneer Cemetery reopening on Monday, Nov. 2, we reflect on the hard work done in the last two years to improve and preserve this National Historic Landmark. Sierra Vista Historical Society President Tim Doyle and Fry Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Committee Co-Chair Marta Messmer join us to share how the City and historical society partnered to expand the site beyond the Fry family’s plot, marking about additional 200 graves. Messmer’s father Nacho Valenzuela had marked these graves years ago and was able to join his daughter to help honor those buried there once again.
Highlights:
Why...
2020-10-3028 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastSierra Vista Sports Then and NowHenry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek and Recreation Program Supervisor John Healy join us in this episode to discuss the new Sports Through the Ages exhibit, hosted at the City of Sierra Vista Sports Division. This exhibit highlights the growth and expansion of programs that have served our community throughout the years. Wrozek shares how the City will also host Discovering Exoplanets, a national traveling exhibit developed by the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. We talk about local sports happening today and much more!
Highlights:
How John and Eliz...
2020-10-1424 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastPodcast Update and Spotlight Breakfast Video PreviewIn this mini-episode, we preview a video we’re currently producing in lieu of the City’s annual Spotlight Breakfast. An announcement of the premiere date will be coming within a week or so. We also share that the podcast will take a break in September, before returning with the next full episode in October. To keep up with the latest City announcements, be sure to sign up for our email newsletter that we send out each week. Here’s the sign up link: https://www.sierravistaaz.gov/city-sierra-vista-enewsletter-sign/.
2020-09-0302 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCaring for Sierra Vista‘s AnimalsAnimal Control Supervisor Arleen Garcia joins host City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis for this episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista. Inspired by her mother’s generosity to care for stray animals in the streets of Puerto Rico, Arleen has put her passion for animal care to work here in Sierra Vista since 2008. We discuss how folks can view or adopt/foster animals at the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center, recent improvements being made at the shelter, how important community support is to its mission, and ways to keep your pets safe this summer. Much like Arleen’s profession, this conver...
2020-08-1846 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastCompassion Lies at the Heart of SV Fire & Medical Services CultureSierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones joins us in this episode. A long-time veteran of the department who is passionate about serving his hometown community, Jones shares what makes SVF&MS such a special place to work and what approach he takes to hiring new recruits. Jones himself embodies a persistent passion for service and kindness that is central to his agency’s philosophy and its response on calls. We will also cover exciting new dispatch software that will improve our area’s medical response, how the department has adapted operations due to COVID-19, and how Jones appr...
2020-08-0728 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastPutting Sierra Vista on the MapIn the fourth episode of “Let’s Talk Sierra Vista,” we speak with Marketing and Communications Manager Judy Hector. Join us as we dive into what makes a Sierra Vista a great place to live and visit. Judy shares what goes on behind the scenes to put Sierra Vista’s name on the map, what makes our community attractive to outside visitors, and how the city works as a team to foster tourism and economic development. We’ll also learn how COVID-19 impacts these efforts by presenting new challenges and opportunities. Small businesses also face many challenges in these uncertain times, and this epi...
2020-07-2432 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastReimagining Library Services Amid COVID-19We go behind-the-scenes with youth services librarian Erica Merritt to see how the library has adapted to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about virtual classes, favorite books, how the library has evolved over recent years, and much more.
2020-07-0827 minLet's Talk Sierra Vista PodcastHistory, Redevelopment, and Beer in the West EndThis week, we dig into the economic development and historic preservation efforts at play in welcoming the Tombstone Brew Pub to the former site of Daisy Mae’s Steak House, while also honoring that building’s important place in local history. And that’s just the start of what City of Sierra Vista Economic Development Manager Tony Boone and Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek cover in this two-part episode!
2020-06-241h 05Let's Talk Sierra Vista Podcast“We Must Be Better,” a Conversation with SVPD Chief Adam ThrasherThe pilot episode of "Let's Talk Sierra Vista" features Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Adam Thrasher. Speaking with podcast host Adam Curtis, public information officer for the City, Chief Thrasher shares his thoughts on a variety of issues pertaining to his department and the profession of policing, including how the death of George Floyd has sparked nationwide protests urging police reform.
2020-06-1223 min