February 2 – 15, 2013
www.SanTanSun.com
Flu season slams Chandler ERs by Tracy House
SHORT SUPPLY: It’s not too late to get a flu shot, though finding available vaccine is getting tougher as widespread flu hits Chandler and the rest of the Valley hard. STSN photo
Payroll tax hikes pinch paychecks by Tracy House
Just days after the champagne glasses were put away and the last of the confetti swept up, the first paychecks of 2013 arrived, leaving many with a New Year’s headache. Just about everyone saw their payroll tax go up, with take-home pay averaging about 2% less than last year. The question is, what will happen now that the money goes from workers’ pockets to the government? Two years ago, to stimulate the economy, the
federal government reduced the employee portion of FICA from 6.2% to 4.2% to put more money into the paychecks of workers. As of January, workers are responsible for the additional 2% contribution. “The initial impact is probably going to be small,” says Don Klassen, partner with CFO Financial. “Fiftythousand (dollars) per person will be $1,000 less to spend.” see Taxes page 6
Doctors’ offices, urgent cares and hospitals across the state are seeing an increased number of patients with cold and flu symptoms. Early in January, Arizona flu activity hit widespread – the highest category possible according the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) – joining 41 other states reporting widespread activity. As the flu season continues, the demand for influenza vaccines has increased, making it more difficult to find. “There isn’t a vaccine shortage this year,” says Dr. Cara Christ, chief medical officer with ADHS. “There is plenty of supply of vaccine available.” Flu vaccines usually become available in September, according to Christ. Doctors have had it since then, but are starting to run low on their supplies, making it more difficult to find in a private provider’s office. Walgreens and CVS pharmacies may not have SICK STATE: Dr. Cara Christ, chief it in a specific store but medical officer for the Arizona can direct you to a store Department of Health Services, says confirmed flu cases spiked with them in stock. by more than 1,000 in December. Christ recommends Submitted photo going to stopthespreadaz. org to find a pharmacy or doctor office that has the vaccine in stock and to call ahead to verify it is available. A new vaccine is made every year and ordered in February or March, says Christ. Major chains can continue to order from the
see Flu page 8
Cupid grants couple miracle love by K. M. Lang
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, when couples, new and old, demonstrate their affection through the exchange of greeting cards, chocolates or maybe a dozen roses. For Southern Chandler residents Evie and Doug Wiseman, every day is Valentine’s Day, and each morning brings another opportunity to celebrate the miracle of love. “Every day, I just wake up and roll over and there she is,” marvels Doug. “It makes me feel so good that you’re here with me,” Evie answers before turning to an onlooker. “I still think he’s the most handsome man.” Evie, 81, and Doug, 82, live at Horizon Bay, a Brookdale Senior Living Community at Dobson and Pecos roads. For Evie, love meant following her husband into the assisted living facility after he suffered a serious stroke last year. For Doug, love is breaking the rules to spend a night with Evie in the rehabilitation center where she recently
recovered from surgery. The couple’s devotion is something that surrounds them, enters rooms with them, lives in their conversation and inspires others. “We’re grateful to them that they let us be part of their story,” says Mona DelValle, Horizon Bay’s sales manager, who calls the Wisemans “the most enjoyable couple” she’s met at her job. “They’re always out and about, doing things – comedy shows, dinners. They’re the social butterflies of their dinner table.” This is the second marriage for both Doug and Evie, who have been together 36 years, and have been married for 30. They have six children and three grandchildren between them, and they’re both former educators. Doug, a retired ASU professor, is an authority on special education, and Evie co-founded New Way Academy in Scottsdale, a school for students with learning challenges. Both Evie and Doug have struggled with attention deficit and learning disorders, and it was their interest in the see Love page 10
TRAVELING ON TOGETHER: Chandler residents Doug and Evie Wiseman, pictured during a visit to Turkey, were in their mid-forties when they fell in love, and have spent the past 36 years side by side. Submitted photo
F E AT U R E STO R I E S San Marcos Resort has new owner . . . . . ‘Premier’ HOA company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swim for sick kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Valentine’s Day food, events . . . . . . . . . . . ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ to CCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See page 7
Page 4 business . . . . . . Page 16 youth . . . . . . Page 29 neighbors . . . . Page 45 arts . . . . . . . Page 59 community . . .
Puppy love . . . . . . . . SanTan Family Fun . . . . . . . . . Center
More Community . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Business . . . . . . . . . . 14-25 Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-34 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . 35-36 Neighbors . . . . . . . . 45-53 Spirituality . . . . . . . 54-57 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-65 Directory . . . . . . . . . 66-68 Classifieds . . . . . . . . 69-70 Where to eat . . . . . 71-76