VISIT WITH ALAMOS, MEXICO
On October 6, 2008 Alamos Mayor Ruth Acuña, and Chela Alcorn, President of Alamos Sister Cities, and other members of the Alamos, Mexico city administration visited Scottsdale. Upon arrival in Scottsdale, they were greeted at the Scottsdale Community College by the SCC President, and Scottsdale Sister Cities board members, Therese Tendick and John Liffiton (who are also faculty of SCC).  Joe Brett, President of Scottsdale Sister Cities welcomed the delegation to the afternoon session at SCC and served as moderator. Therese and John provided power point presentations on the capabilities of SCC with regard to English as a second language for the tourism industry and for teachers and professionals from Mexico who want a tailor-made immersion program in English. Marcos Alcorn, son of the President of the Alamos sister city organization, did the translation for the session (and later at the Mayors office and subsequent dinner). Marcos of the Scottsdale Sister City Association.
 
Mayors Meet to Discuss Exchange Opportunities
At 5 PM after the welcome at SCC, Mayor Acuña, Chela Alcorn, and Joe Brett met with Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross in her office for the purpose of discussing opportunities for exchanges between our two communities.  It was the first meeting between the two mayors and both took pleasure in the fact that they are both female mayors.
 
Opportunities discussed include: cultural exchanges, art exhibits, photography exhibits, immersion in Spanish, cooperation with special education, more student & teacher exchanges, public administrator exchanges, & historical and museum exchanges as well as SCC programs in English education for Alamos teachers and tourism professionals.
 
Plans for Subsequent Visits
Later that evening, both mayors and the sister cities leaders, all joined by joined by their respective spouses continued their discussions over dinner at the Tortilla Factory, hosted by Scottsdale Sister City Association. During the meal and festivities, Mayor Acuna invited the Scottsdale Mayor and the members of our Sister City Association for a visit to Alamos in January.

Hurricane Devastates Alamos; Scottsdale Hears Call to Action
A few days later, on Sunday, October 12th, Alamos was struck by hurricane related rains and resulting floods.  These devastated Alamos, wiping out buildings, flooding streets, and washing away homes, killing at least 8 people and countless animals. Cars and other equipment were also washed away.  Having just established communications between the mayors and sister cities organizations, Scottsdale immediately heard of the devastation.
 
On Sunday and Monday calls were received from Alamos asking for assistance. The two mayors spoke over the phone confirming the needs in Alamos.  On Tuesday, Mayor Manross asked Joe Brett for Sister Cities to coordinate the city's relief effort. Mayor Manross immediately issued a HOT LINE alert to her staff and city employees to bring requested donated items (such as wheelchairs, blankets, food, bottled water, clothing and other basic necessities) to two drop sites in Scottsdale: Pima North Neighborhood Resource Center and Granite Reef Neighborhood Resource Center. Volunteers, including students from the international clubs of Chaparral and Saguaro high schools, were instrumental in gathering donations together. Scottsdale residents generously made contributions; the local press covered the story. Items were delivered by 6 PM on Thursday, the 16th, and were picked up on Friday by Marcos Alcorn, Joe Brett and several volunteers who drove through the night to get to Alamos as soon as possible.
 
Joe Brett stayed in Alamos to assist and returned on Tuesday, October 21st. In the process of organizing the trip south, it was learned that school supplies such as paper, notebooks, pencils and pens are also needed.  Another load was sent the weekend of November 1st and yet another load will be sent the weekend of November 15.  Alamos’ additional needs will be closely monitored and reported to the city and sister cities members.