Associations
n The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association recently honored the following individuals and programs representing parks, recreation and cultural services at the group’s 2007 conference in Tucson.

The Valley
Bambino Buddy Miracle League, Outstanding Adaptive Program, city of Surprise.
WorldFest, Outstanding Cultural Awareness
Program, city of Avondale. Mary Hardt, Outstanding Volunteer.
Litchfield Park Fine Art & Culinary Festival,
Community/Neighborhood Special Event Award (populations under 25,000).
50th Tumbleweed Tree-Lighting Ceremony & 17th Parade of Lights, Community/Neighborhood
Special Event Award (populations over 100,000), city of Chandler.
Teri Palmberg, Professional of the Year.
Liz Langenbach, Young Professional Award.
Southwest Valley Republic, Media.
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association “Basketball Bonanza,” Outstanding Sports Program.
Leaders in Training Outstanding Educational
Program, city of Chandler.
Pecos Community Center, Outstanding Facility (populations over 100,000), city of Phoenix.

Tucson
KIDCO KARES, Outstanding Youth Enrichment Program, city of Tucson.
New Way, Outstanding Aquatics Program, city of Tucson.
Clean & Beautiful “Adopt a Park & Public Areas” and city of Tucson Parks and Recreation Partnership Award.
Carol West, Outstanding Public Official, Tucson City Council.
Midge Irwin, Professional Award.
Donna Higginbotham-Perkins, Outstanding Volunteer.
Around the state
Spring Frenzy, Outstanding Active Adult 50+ Program, Lake Havasu City.
Little Delbert Days, Community/Neighborhood Special Event Award (populations 25,000 – 100,000), Lake Havasu City.
Hassayampa Playground, Outstanding Facility (populations under 25,000), town of Wickenburg.
The Basin BMX Park, Outstanding Facility (populations 25,000 – 100,000), city of Flagstaff.
Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary, Natural Resources Award.
New Hires
• Kim MacEachern, has joined Rose Law Group. She has been practicing law for 18 years and has held positions with state government agencies. She has practiced before various agencies, boards and commissions. MacEachern also serves as a judge pro tempore in municipal courts and has worked as a lobbyist and litigator.
• Renée M. Shprecher has joined Rose Law Group to practice in the areas of commercial leasing and commercial real estate transactions. Shprecher has experience in assisting developers and landlords in all phases of development and operations, including acquisition, planning, covenants, conditions and restrictions, easement issues, all phases of due diligence and title issues, lease negotiations, and various property management issues.
Lewis and Roca has hired 14 associates. The following seven will be based in the Phoenix office.
• Anthony W. Austin joins the firm’s Bankruptcy and Commercial Litigation practice group. Previously, Austin was a law clerk for the Pima County Attorney’s Office Criminal Division. He received his JD from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and his BS in political science from Northern Arizona University. 
• Matthew G. Bingham joins the firm’s Real Estate and Environmental, Natural Resources and Utilities practice groups. He received his JD from the Columbia University School of Law, his BS in civil engineering from ASU and his associate’s degree in physics from Eastern Arizona College.
• Stefan L. Palys joins the firm’s Appellate and Commercial Litigation practice groups. rior to joining the firm, Palys was a judicial clerk for Judge Ann A. Scott Timmer of the Arizona Court of Appeals. He received his JD from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law and his BA from Wake Forest University.
• Marsha R. Peterson is an associate in the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Construction practice groups. She previously served as a legal extern for Judge Procter R. Hug, Jr., United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit.
• Kirstin Story is an associate in the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group.  Prior to joining the firm, Story was a judicial clerk to the Judge Donn G. Kessler, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division 1. She received her JD from Northeastern University School of Law and her BA from the University of Arizona.
n Peter Wand joins the firm’s Tribal Gaming practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Wand was a legal intern for the United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary’s subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology & Homeland Security. He received his JD from Georgetown University Law Center and his BA from the University of Arizona.
• Joshua R. Zimmerman joins the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group. Prior to joining Lewis and Roca, Zimmerman held a law clerk position with the chief counsel for Import Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of General Counsel in Washington D.C. He received his JD from George Washington Law School and his BA in political science and psychology from the University of New Mexico.
Awards
• The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has chosen the following ten women as finalists for its ATHENA Award, to be presented Oct. 25 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. ATHENA finalists are chosen for their excellence in business and leadership, dedication to the community and support and mentorship of other women.
Dana Campbell Saylor, YWCA of Maricopa County.
Susan Gerard, Arizona Department of Health Services.
Lisa Glow, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center.
Kristine Hedlund, Phoenix Woman Magazine.
Patricia Lee Refo, Snell & Wilmer.
KC Miller, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.
Jill Stamm, Ph.D., New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development.
Choo Tay, Media88, Inc.
Toby Urvater, Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
Tamara Woodbury, Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus Pine Council.