Because We Love Youth, Books, and Christmas...

It always seems that the last month of the year is also the hardest. Pennies are pinched and budgets are tight while the holidays seamingly sneak up on us. Yet somehow, we manage to scrape up just enough money to have a little Holiday celebration; perhaps children are the reason as they emanate untainted joy at this time of year.

However, inevitably this year, some child somewhere will be unable to experience Christmas. This may be due to economic hardship that so many of us find ourselves in, or perhaps these children are homeless, or unclaimed and belong to no family~ orphans we call them, abandoned by society and those who gave them life. The term 'orphanage' seems so obsolete these days.

When I think of the word "ophanage" this is the kind of image I get in my head.

something old, of the past, nonexistent in my universe.....

However, they do exist.

In Arizona, we just like to slap another name on it to make it sound a little less bleary, and dark.

We use the word "shelter."

Yet, regardless of what it is called, it is our community's duty to reach out to these institutions and give the children in them hope and the means for a better life.

This year, we want to make a difference for the girls and boys at the Lighthouse Shelter in Phoenix ran by seven loving co-workers (monica, Rosie, Blanca, Anna, Ana, Andrea, and Avis) as well as Sheri Wang, who owns a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives. Clean Air Cab plans to volunteer at this year's Christmas party and we were hoping we could share the experience of bring joy to children with you. If you would like to make a donation to bring Christmas to this makeshift family, just read the list below and drop off any donations to the Clean Air Cab main office located at 1600 W. Main Street in Mesa, Arizona.

The Girls

Arayah, age two, wears size (3 years) and desperately wants a Little Tikes Princess Cozy Coupe

Ynica, age three, wears size (4) and hopes to find a Little Tikes Bumble Bee Buggy under the Tree

Monique, age 11 months, wears size (18mo) and would love a V Tech care and learn Teddy

Toryanna, age six, wears size (7) and wishes for a Girl Scooter for Christmas

Joline, age fourteen, wears size (small in juniors) and hopes to jam out to Yule-tide carols on a new I-pod.

The Boys

Kayden, age one, wears size (2) and yearns for a Little Tikes Go & Grow Lil Rollin Giraffe (ride-on)

Aaron, age five, wears size (4) and hopes to find K'Nex Mario Kart Brewser's Castle (Mario and Luigi at the starting line)

Andrew, age three, wears size (4) and would love to find a Fisher Price Grow with me Trike on Christmas

Derrick, age five, wears size (6) and wishes for the Leap Frog Leapster 2

Joziah, age three, wears size (4) and hopes for a Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Set

Xavier, age seven, wears size (10) and longs for an Air Hogs Hyperactives Radio Control Vehicle

Sean, age eight, wears a size (10) and wants a Nerf Vertex Nitron

Devin, age five, wears a size (6) and would be delighted to get a Racio flyer Lights & Sound Racer

Harley, age five, wears a size (6) and would be grateful to receive a Lego Harry Potter- The Knight Bus

Rico, age seven, wear a size (8) and wishes for a Lazer Stunt Chaser Dragon Fire

Devin, age four, wears a size (5) and longs for a Bayblade Metal Fusion Spiral Blitz, 2pk Earth Virgo



In addition to this Christmas project, we would also like to collect donations of books for the Extreme Library Makeover project in San Carlos as the non-profit organization Learning Through Literacy works with  tribal leaders and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. If you would like to find out more about Loving Through Literacy, click here... if you would like to read about the San Carlos Library project just click the link.

Every child in our community deserves access to the tools neccessary to receive the best of educations.

Be part of the Solution.

I bet you didn't know....

1. The saguaro cactus blossom is the official state flower. The white flower blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during May and June. The saguaro is the largest American cactus.

2. Arizona leads the nation in copper production.

3. Petrified wood is the official state fossil. Most petrified wood comes from the Petrified Forest in northeastern Arizona.

4. The bola tie is the official state neckwear.

5. The Palo verde is the official state tree. Its name means green stick and it blooms a brilliant yellow-gold in April or May.

6. Turquoise is the official state gemstone. The blue-green stone has a somewhat waxy surface and can be found throughout the state.

7. The ringtail is the official state mammal. The ringtail is a small fox-like animal about two and one-half feet long and is a shy, nocturnal creature.

8. The amount of copper on the roof of the Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies.

9. The Castilian and Burgundian flags of Spain, the Mexican flag, the Confederate flag, and the flag of the United States have all flown over the land area that has become Arizona.

10. The original London Bridge was shipped stone-by-stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City.

11. The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake is perhaps the most beautiful of all eleven species of rattlesnakes found in Arizona. (what do you think?)

12. Located in Fountain Hills is a fountain believed to be the tallest in the world.

13. The Hopi Indians of Arizona are noted for growing their multicolored corn.

14. Oraibi is the oldest Indian settlement in the United States. The Hopis Indians founded it.

15. At one time camels were used to transport goods across Arizona.

In addition to these useless, albeit extremely interesting facts, there are some important dates you should be aware of.

On the 11th of November is Veteran's Day and later on this month, is Thanksgiving. TODAY, Friday, November 4th is Use Your Common Sense Day; and we aren't making that up.


In commemoration of Use Your Common Sense Day, we thought of a few things you could do to take that special someone of your's out for a night around the town for FREE. This Friday is November 4th, which also happens to be the first friday of the month. This is wonderful for several reasons:



1.) admittance to the Arizona Science Center is free from 5:30 to 9:00 pm~ want more information? click here.

2.) First Fridays in Phoenix is a street event where various vendors gather and there is always an adventure to be had, wether you are enjoying the art or the eclectic crowd. curious? you have but to click this button.

3.) Have a need for art? there is a free gallery featuring artwork from the students at Arizona State University at Tempe Marketplace. Read more at the Herberger Institute



Interested in going to any of these places, showing off your newfound knowledge about the State of Arizona, but don't want to deal with the hassel of driving a car in the Phoenix area?

well..... use your common sense, and call us, Clean Air Cab, at 480-777-9777 or make an online reservation.