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Neighbors
May 4 – 17, 2013
El Palacio hosts Cinco de Mayo celebration Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a piñata party, cooking class and burrito eating competition on Sat., May 4 and Sun., May 5 at El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina, 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Cinco de Mayo, celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico, commemorates Mexico’s triumphant Battle of Puebla where they fought against France on May 5, 1862. This celebration of victory continues with festivities focused on Mexican culture, tradition, food and fun. Bring the whole family to El Palacio’s Piñata Patio Party from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat., May 4 to enjoy games, crafts, activities and piñatas. Kids 12 and younger eat for free with a paid adult. El Palacio wraps up the Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sun., May 5 with Mexican draft beers for 99 cents all day, and enthusiastic food competitors can test their skills in the Godfather
www.SanTanSun.com
Railway museum celebrates ‘National Train Day’
Burrito Challenge at 4 p.m. The first competitor to finish this massive burrito filled with a chile relleno, beans, pork, rice and ranchera sauce topped with lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, onions, sour cream and guacamole will win a trophy and $75 cash. There is a $10 buy-in fee and only the first 20 people to register can compete. After the Burrito Challenge on Sunday, Chef Anthony will hold a free cooking class at 5 p.m. featuring his Mexican Flag Enchilada plate. Reservations are recommended for cooking classes and can be made in person or by calling 480802-5770. El Palacio is open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit epchandler.com and facebook. com/elpalaciochandler for more details. FIESTA: Learn how to make Mexican flag enchiladas with Chef Anthony at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Palacio of Chandler. Submitted photo
HIT THE RAILS: Visitors to the Arizona Railway Museum can see its centerpiece, the Southern Pacific #2562 steam locomotive, on display on National Train Day, May 11. Submitted photo
Train fans can take a sentimental journey on National Train Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., May 11 at Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler. The Arizona Railway Museum, part of Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park, is located about one mile south of the Santan Loop 202 Freeway off Arizona Ave. National Train Day celebrates travel by rail and the completion of the first transcontinental rail line in 1869. Visitors can learn about the importance of railroads while they tour railcars under restoration and which are normally not open to the public. Arizona Railway Museum volunteers will be on hand to explain the type of work that is required to restore and refurbish these cars to keep them “alive.” Visitors can also meet the Winslow
Harvey Girls; see the PCC trolley that was in the Phoenix Transit Center; blow the horn on a diesel locomotive and maybe even blow the whistle on a steam locomotive; visit a caboose as it was in the 1900s; and observe how the conductor and brakeman lived and worked. Admission and parking are free for this event; however, donations from the public and local businesses are greatly appreciated. Food and beverages will also be available for sale, with all proceeds benefitting the Arizona Railway Museum and Chandler Lions Club charities. For more information, visit azrymuseum.org, or contact Mark Redmond at mark.redmond@ azrymuseum.org or 480-489-6174.