Give Back at the Summer Blood Drive Organized by Shea Cheese
Shea Cheese invites the community to make a difference this summer at their Blood Drive on July 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be conveniently located in the parking lot at 10880 N. 32nd St., in Phoenix.

Summer can be a challenging time for nonprofits and businesses in the Valley, with high demand for services but lower donation rates due to the decreased population. In response, Shea Cheese is hosting a blood drive to provide a vital service to those in need and to bring the community together in support of one another.

To show appreciation for the generous act of donating blood, Shea Cheese and its partners are offering a special gift to each donor. After their donation, participants are invited to visit the Shea Cheese Lounge to pick up a goodie bag and enjoy a few treats. It’s Shea Cheese’s way of saying thank you for the community’s generosity.

For more information, visit sheacheese.com/red-cross-blood-drive.
New Heat Illness Treatment Tool USED by the Phoenix Fire Department
Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Fire Department
​​​This summer, the Phoenix Fire Department has introduced a new and innovative approach to treating heat victims: cold water immersion. For this technique, specialized ice bags are being used to rapidly cool down individuals suffering from extreme heat-related illnesses, offering a quick and effective method to manage the often-dangerous effects of extreme heat.

Cold water immersion is used when a patient’s temperature surpasses 104 degrees, and they present with altered mental status. Once the patient is fully immersed in the ice, firefighter/paramedics constantly reevaluate vital signs including their temperature. The patient is removed from the bag when their temperature drops to 101 degrees.

Since May, every response vehicle within the Phoenix Fire Department has been outfitted with the equipment and necessary tools to integrate this method into standard protocol for dealing with heat-related emergencies. Training for the proper application and monitoring of this method has been provided to ensure effectiveness and safety to all 1,800 Phoenix firefighters.

At the beginning of May, one bag a week was used on average. Nearing the end of June, the bags are used roughly three times a day.

“This is a collaborative effort,” Captain Rob McDade says. “We’ve worked with local E.R.s, local doctors, our own medical director, our EMS department – we looked at how can we help those that we serve having critical heat emergencies?”
As the excessive heat becomes more frequent and intense, this simple yet effective measure plays a crucial role in saving lives and enhancing emergency response capabilities. And the impact has already been seen.

Battalion Chief Austin Moreland works within the Emergency Medical Services section and helped deploy this new program and training. He says, “We’ve already seen people who were extremely hot this year, who last year they might not have made it – and because of these efforts this year, they’re leaving the hospital with no deficits.”​

Discover Summer Fun at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center
This month, the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, affectionately known as “The J,” is the place to be for exciting events and enriching classes. Located at 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale. The J offers activities for all ages and interests. Here are two special events in July that you won’t want to miss:

July 11: Cooking Class & Dinner with Chef Jojo from The Capital Grille
Join renowned Chef Jojo from The Capital Grille in Scottsdale for a hands-on cooking class on July 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Chef Jojo will guide participants through the preparation of a summer-themed menu, featuring an avocado cucumber salad, restaurant-style pan-seared salmon, and a refreshing pineapple ginger lemonade. Printed recipes will be provided, and everyone will enjoy the delicious dishes they create. This class is open to ages 13 and up. The cost is $36 for J members and $45 for non-members.

July 25: Line Dancing Night at Handlebar J
Dust off your boots for a night of line dancing at Handlebar J BBQ Restaurant & Bar on July 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dance lessons starting at 6:30 p.m. Located at the intersection of Shea and Scottsdale Road, Handlebar J offers a fun and lively atmosphere. The event costs $18 for J members and $25 for non-members, which includes dance lessons, two drink tickets, and appetizers.

To register for these July events, call The J at (480) 481-1756 or email Adult Programs Director Chi Isiogu at [email protected]. For more information, visit vosjcc.org.