Glendale AZ "Glitter & Glow"

by Jennifer McClellan
edited from The Arizona Republic
Pictures by Mike Dvorak

For the past 15 years, the Glendale Glitter and Glow Block Party has marked Glendale's farewell to the holiday season.
The season finale adds the glow of more than 20 hot air balloons to the 1.5 million lights illuminating the city's downtown area. Each year, the festival gets bigger as organizers add more balloons, bands and attractions.
"The combination of lights covering that many blocks and the balloon's glow creates this cool atmosphere," said Kim Larson, spokeswoman for Glendale. "It's getting more competitive in the balloon world as more events like ours are popping up. We have to be creative and competitive to get the cool balloons."
Last year, the celebration attracted 90,000 people. Organizers expect even more this year, as out-of-town visitors come to the city for the BCS National Championship Game at the nearby University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday.  Sixteen downtown blocks will be closed for the festival.

From the balloons' choreographed flame pulses to the buildings and trees decorated with glittering lights, the atmosphere is what makes this festival one-of-a-kind.
"It's all about the glow," Larson said.

Our Digital Christmas Card & Dvorak Year In Review

NASCAR @ PIR 2010

Getting ready for an exciting weekend at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) for the Nationwide Series this weekend.  It is WypAll 200, 200 laps for 200 miles!

The day will begin at the Nationwide Corporate Village.  A "Chalet" tent outside the track area with food, beverage & gifts for all guests!  Maybe even a pit pass to enter the garage and see what goes on under the hood of these spectacular autos. 

A great vantage point to watch the race with my fellow Nationwide workers and even some from Columbus, Ohio, the home office of Nationwide.  An opportunity to rub elbows with the top brass and make new contacts.

Yesterday, our On Your Side Center kicked off the NASCAR Celebration in Phoenix, with an event featuring the Nationwide Show Car.  It comes with a simulator so you can race your car to victory lane.  Well, maybe with a crash or two along the way!  Believe me 120 mph is fast, even in a simulator!

So, I'm looking forward to a fast paced, exhilarating weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway.  Hold onto your hat and don't forget the earplugs!

Kodiak Jack

New pictures of Jack Jakob...otherwise known as Kodiak Jack. Snow has arrived in Alaska and nothing warms the hearts of grandparents as sweet grandchildren. So, here it is, a picture I like to call Army Jack...

The second is his birth announcement:

Grand kids are truly Grand!

There's no place like home

My good buddy, Doug Edwards, made this quick video of Owosso, Michigan. Because I have not been there in nearly 2 years, he thought I should have a glimpse of my home town. Thanks, Doug, it brings back old memories and thought I would share it with the rest of you.

If only Dorothy had this technology in the Wizard of OZ; she would have never left Kansas!

Labor Day 2010

Well, it's the Labor Day Weekend. Where does the time go? September already. Next thing ya know, we will be celebrating Christmas and ringing in 2011.

For all my friends back in the Mid-West, Labor Day is the official end of summer. I know this, as trying to take a dock. boat and hoist out of the water in Lake Huron after this day requires a wet suit, as the Great Lakes gets very cold, very fast. But here in the "Valley of the Sun" of Arizona, our last official weekend of summer is somewhere around...uh, Thanksgiving! Now do not get me wrong here, the temps will cool down, as we will Begin seeing daily highs barely in the 90's! And by the end of the year, it will routinely be a very comfortable 75-80 degrees. We can sit out and use our patio well into December and do not shove any sunshine all winter long!

Enough about that, the other thought for the day are some picture posts I wanted to share with you.

One is of Samantha this weekend, driving my Dad's pontoon boat on Lake Bellaire in Michigan. She was up there with J and Dianne on a little weekend trip. She looks like she is having fun? I believe she was! :-)

The other pic is of our Kodiak Jack, from Alaska. Just 1 1/2 months old, here is one of the best photos I have seen of an infant. And I'm not just saying that because he is my Grandson. No, No...this is precious!

He is being held by his Dad, Robert. What an awesome shot! Now that photo is worth paying for.

Family....there is nothing better and Grandchildren are the best. We just wished we didn't live so blasted far away from them!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

Kitchen & Window Renovations

This is for our friends Bob & Mary Lou Luke from Marquette, Michigan. They have just purchased a house here in Sun City on Riverview Golf Course and are making renovations. So here are the latest updates...

It's All in a Name!

Well He has finally arrived! The long expected appearance of the nearly famous. He came into this world on Friday July 16, 2010 at 4:56pm (Alaska time) weighing in at 7lbs. 13.6 oz, and 19.5 inches. Mom, Baby Dvorak & Dad are doing fine, all relieved and ready for a good rest. (Well, that won't happen for about 19 years!) Before the parents know it; they will hear, "Hey Mom & Dad, can I borrow the keys to the truck and 20 bucks? Got a hot date tonight!"

Bumpa and Nanna are very pleased, sorry we aren't there to share the love!

Oh, didn't I mention at the start of this blog that we have a name? Almost forgot!

...so drum roll.....It is now official...

Jack Jakob Robert Dvorak

Now that is a great name! But I think he is still "Kodiak Jack" to me. That can be our special thing!

Star Wars with the wife & kids

OK...just something to watch that should make you chuckle!!! Starring, Heidi, J, Rob & Me.
click on the link below:

http://starwars.jibjab.com/view/wDaxqTTkx5Nzcl5g

Help Us Rent Our House

Our House in Owosso, Michigan will be available to rent beginning July 1st. Please pass this along to people you know in Michigan and help us to rent this beautiful home!
Thanks for your help. Mike & Heidi