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March 15 – April 4, 2014 www.SanTanSun.com

Nachie Marquez named assistant city manager

Ozzie Smith, Clydesdales visit downtown Chandler

BY BETH LUCAS

BY TRACY HOUSE

Nachie Marquez is no stranger to a challenge. Second youngest of six children, Marquez never questioned whether she would become the first in her family to earn a college degree. She’s embraced challenging roles in life since, forging enthusiasm among coworkers and family along the way. On March 17, Marquez will end her 14-year stint as Chandler’s communications leader and leaps into a new role as assistant city manager, following an exhaustive interview process. “It’s still a little surreal to me. But I think it sends a super strong message that communications continues to be very important in Chandler,” Marquez says. “I think my interpersonal skills not only established with employees, but with community contact, in partnering, building coalitions—that’s a huge advantage as well. I’m passionate about community service.” Her No. 1 goal is one also repeated by employees who City Manager Rich Dlugas says played an important role in the hiring process: Creating infectious enthusiasm about the City’s work. Employees joined City management and elected officials to serve on finalist panels, as the municipality whittled down 150 candidates in a

Downtown Chandler was transformed into a production set when Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith and the worldrenowned Budweiser Clydesdales, with a little help from Coach and Willie’s, worked to persuade baseball fans to sign a petition to make Opening Day a holiday. Fans lined up along Boston Street outside Coach and Willie’s as eight majestic Budweiser Clydesdales were secured to the Budweiser coach and special guest Smith took the infamous horses around downtown Chandler for the filming of the commercial. Smith explains “We’ve had some surveys done and there are 22 million Americans that have played hooky from school or work and it really is an unofficial holiday that we’re trying to make an official holiday by getting 100,000 signatures. “We’re halfway there after about a week of starting the campaign. So we feel pretty good about our chances of making it. When you get 100,000 signatures on any proposition then you can take it to D.C. and they have to take a look at it.” The first video is posted at www. budweiser.com/opening-day.html and the newest video shot in Chandler is due out the week of March 17. “(We’re) just making our trips around the country to try to drum up support

NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER: Longtime Chandler communications director, Nachie Marquez, works with Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. Marquez was named the city’s new assistant city manager. Submitted photo

national search. “I’m looking forward to adding her to the city manager’s staff in terms of her enthusiasm and her willingness to tackle issues and projects,” Dlugas explains. “I think she’s going to bring a new enthusiasm. She’s also one of those people who really think outside of the box. She’s very creative and has a lot of good ideas.” Her experience as the city’s first communications and public affairs director yields an emphasis on SEE ASSISTANT

CITY MANAGER PAGE 6

FAN FAVORITE: Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith takes center stage in downtown Chandler. Smith ﬁlmed a commercial to promote the petition to make MLB Opening Day a national holiday. STSN photo by Tracy House

for this and if this is any indication of how people feel about it, then we’ll do pretty well,” Smith says of the turnout in Chandler. Smith says that Opening Day “was my life.” SEE OZZIE SMITH PAGE 4

Rattlers’ Kerry Reed ready to get the ball rolling

Hamilton Aquatics hosts ‘Water Safety Awareness Day’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

BY TRACY HOUSE

Sitting at a patio table with planes from Falcon Field flying overhead, Kerry Reed is exhausted after a training session with his fellow Arizona Rattlers at Gene Autry Park in East Mesa. The 6-foot 2-inch, 210-pound wide receiver from Chandler emerges from the Rattlers’ office with a white towel covering his head and a wide smile that reveals a gold tooth. His demeanor perks up, however, when asked about the Rattlers’ forthcoming season that begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at US Airways Center against the Philadelphia Soul. It’s a rematch between last year’s Arena

Spring is around the corner and summer is close behind. In Arizona that means swimming weather and to get ready for the season the City of Chandler Aquatics and Chandler Fire Department are teaming up to bring Water Safety Awareness Day to the community. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, Chandler Aquatics is hosting the free community Water Safety Awareness Day at Hamilton Aquatic Center, 3838 S. Arizona Ave. The facility will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. for swimming and water fun. Hillary Bellus, aquatic coordinator at Hamilton Aquatic Center, says Salt River Project (SRP) will be out there in addition

SEE KERRY REED PAGE 5

STAR PLAYER: Wide receiver Kerry Reed, shown here during a game at US Airways Center in Phoenix, takes his sport seriously on and off the ﬁeld. Photo courtesy of Yeung Photography FOR A COOLER ARIZONA

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to the ﬁre department which will offer demonstrations and answer questions. “We’ll do some demonstrations of rescues in the water and we’ll also swim test children so that if parents want to they can know what class to sign their children up for swimming classes in Chandler. We will be rafﬂing off free swimming lessons and other prizes and goodies.” Bellus says there will be food available to buy and participants are welcome to bring in their own. The pool will be open for swimming throughout Water Safety Awareness Day. The Chandler Fire Department will demonstrate hands-only CPR—basic skills

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Living the good, healthy life in Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Tootsie’s Boutique features ﬂip-ﬂops and more. . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17 RAK Summer Camp Fair brings camps to community. . . . . . . YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 26 Train enthusiasts chug to twice yearly tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . .Page 45 Reinvention on Blues Traveler’s itinerary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 60

CLIP-IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Section

SEE WATER SAFETY PAGE 7

More Community . . . . . . 1-16 Business . . . . . . . . 17-25 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 26-38 Opinion. . . . . . . . 43-44 Neighbors. . . . . . 45-59 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 60-66 Spirituality . . . . . 67-70 Directory . . . . . . .71-72 Classiﬁeds. . . . . . .73-74 Where to eat . . . 75-78

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

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Community

March 15 - April 4, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

OZZIE SMITH FROM PAGE 1

“It became a trademark strictly by accident but it was one of those things people looked forward to,” Smith says. “It meant the start of a new season and, for most fans, it’s all about optimism. After you come out of Spring Training you get to Opening Day, it’s a new slate and you can start anew and the promise of what the season could be. This could be that magical year. That’s what it’s all about.” Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, Osborne Earl Smith also known as “The Wizard of Oz,” played for the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals, retiring in 1996. The acrobatic shortstop, known for his backﬂips, is a 13-time Golden Glove Award winner with more than 2,400 hits and 500 stolen bases in his 19-year career. More information about Smith can be found at www.ozziesmith.com/bio. Shooting for the video began at 1 p.m. and wrapped up around 2:15 p.m. but the production company was out readying the scene well in advance. Smith says the long day is well worth it and the project is a big undertaking. “Anytime you bring the horses out you get overshadowed.” The Clydesdales made their ﬁrst appearance in 1933 and have become an American icon and the symbol of Budweiser beer. Their presence in downtown Chandler was a crowd pleaser to the many fans that gathered for the event. Smith explains that the fans are what it’s all about. “Opening Day is about family and friends you can spend time

OPENING DAY: Chandler was chosen for the production of an online video to support Budweiser’s campaign to make MLB Opening Day a holiday, via direct petition to the White House. STSN photo by Tracy House

with. Going to the ballgame and having a Budweiser and some hot dogs. There’s nothing better.”

Choosing Chandler It didn’t take long for things to start rolling once the decision was made to ﬁlm in Chandler. Kevin Grojean, of Coach and Willie’s, explains that this all began when a location scout came into the restaurant looking for sports bars in which to shoot the commercial. Within nine days the Chandler restaurant was chosen. Things started happening fast once Grojean received the word. Within 24 hours, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, the City of Chandler and the Chandler Police Department laid out the

PARADE THROUGH THE STREETS: Ozzie Smith aboard the Budweiser Clydesdales hitch exchanges a handshake with Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. STSN photo by Tracy House

specifics. “Terri Kimble, the president of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, was my first call because she’s fantastic and she gathered up the troops. We met here (Coach and Willie’s) the next morning. I think I emailed here at 9 p.m. and we were meeting at 9 a.m.” Grojean says Coach and Willie’s was chosen because it’s such a beautiful upscale restaurant, but continues “I think it’s a testament to the City of Chandler and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and downtown Chandler for being such a fabulous looking, fabulously cooperative place in which people can unite very quickly to make anything happen to benefit downtown Chandler.

“The generosity shown by the mayor, the generosity shown by the chamber, the generosity of time is purely reﬂective on what a great job this community does as a whole. We couldn’t be more proud to be here. We couldn’t be more proud to be a corner spot of it. We love it here and we hope we bring as much to the table as we get.” Grojean says he’s met Smith before. “It’s not just the icon that Ozzie Smith is. I grew up in St. Louis and grew up 5 miles from the stables and the brewery. The Clydesdales and the wagon—they’re world famous, iconic...Everybody knows the Clydesdales and everybody knows who Chip the Dalmatian is, and everybody knows who Budweiser is. So that to me is more iconic of the two things. Ozzie is an ambassador not only to Major League Baseball but to the human race and today was a great day on many different levels.” The 2014 ofﬁcial Opening Day is Saturday, March 22, when the hometown Arizona Diamondbacks begin a twogame series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Australia. Coach and Willie’s is located at 1 E. Boston St., Chandler. For more information, visit www.coachandwillie’s. com. To sign the petition and view the video content, baseball fans 21 and older are encouraged to go to www.budweiser. com/openingday. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

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Community

www.SanTanSun.com KERRY REED FROM PAGE 1

Bowl contenders; the Rattlers were victorious. “We’ve seen these guys five times in the last two years or so,” says Reed of the Soul. “It’s going to be a pretty interesting game. Of course they lost to us in the Arena Bowl. It’s a new season. I know those guys are going to come out on fire. We have to protect the home field and come with our ‘A’ game.” The “A” game begins with practice at the park, which bears a large banner proclaiming the facility “Rattlers Country.” “We’ve got a good camp going on right now,” he says. “We’re having fun out here. There are a lot of guys competing, which is a good thing. We’re just ready to get the ball rolling.” This is Reed’s fourth season with the Rattlers, an organization he dubs “first class.” “Everybody carries themselves first class,” he says. “We do things first class here. I love it. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” That’s because football is in Reed’s blood. Born in Miami 29 years ago, Reed has also played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens. He suited up in college for Michigan State University after attending South Dade High School in Homestead, Fla. With that experience, Reed realizes that he’s in a special place. “I tell the guys, ‘There are plenty of players who would love to be in your

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privileges they have. “You have the gift of working with a professional that doesn’t charge anything,” Reed imparts. “I’m just doing it for the love and I want to see those guys move on and be successful. There’s no sense in moping and crying. You come out here. You’re going to do the work. That’s something I love to do. I hope that when my career is done, I can go into coaching and coach high school.”

shoes.’ I say, ‘Get excited. Have fun with it. You have to enjoy it while you’re still playing it,’” says Reed, who listens to Rick Ross and T.I. to pump up for a game, and Beyoncé to chill out. “You gotta love what you’re doing. You gotta get up in the morning, come out here, put the work in and enjoy it while you’re doing it. Everybody doesn’t have this opportunity. You don’t know if it’s your last play or your last day playing here. You gotta love it.” Quarterback Jason Murrietta is just as fond of Reed as the player is of his team. “Kerry is a reliable receiver who plays consistently and knows the game,” Murrietta says in an emailed statement. “You know what you’re going to get from him every day. He has great hands—maybe even arguably the best hands.”

Reed doesn’t just share his wisdom with his teammates. In the offseason, he can be found mentoring youths he meets around Chandler. “I was training high school kids that were in my position—wide receiver— and trying to get them on the right path on and off the field, giving them the knowledge that I know, especially in the classroom,” says Reed, who is unmarried and has no children. He does have “a woman,” though. “I’m trying to get the kids prepared for taking tests and the next step— college. Some of the things I was

March 15 - April 4, 2014

WARMING UP CROWD: Arizona Rattlers wide receiver Kerry Reed pumps up the audience at a 2013 game. Photo courtesy of Yeung Photography

teaching is kind of new to them. They haven’t done the exercises before. It was great to see kids go from not doing exercises to coming along and getting the exercises down pat. It’s a wonderful sight to see.” He tells kids he meets that there aren’t a lot of folks who have the

When the season begins on March 15, Reed will be ready to repeat the Arena Bowl championship, but he’s not taking the team’s success for granted. “The biggest challenge I would say is, as a whole, we just can’t get complacent. We can’t think everybody is going to bow down because we’re the Rattlers and we went to two straight Arena Bowls and we won two back to back,” says Reed who prepares for games by reading Scripture and relaxing around his house. “I think each day we have to practice hard and show up on Saturday or Sunday and come with our ‘A’ game.” Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun.com.

Community

March 15 - April 4, 2014

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FROM PAGE 1

increasing communications among staff. She adds that she plans to continue to encourage employees to become ambassadors about the city to the community. Marquez says her first priority is to delve deeper into her current relationships with department heads. “One of the first things I will do is become intimately familiar with every department,” she says. “I’ll be able to work that much closer with departments, in terms of the intimate level of the projects, challenges, and opportunities within the department.” Empowering and motivating employees will be vital to her own success, she adds. It’s key that every employee understands how vital their role is, she says. “The reason I am going to be successful is because it will be all of us working together,” Marquez says. “I’ll just be one of the key components of every single employee contributing every single day.” Marquez fills a position left vacant by Assistant City Manager Pat McDermott, who retired in February. But after Dlugas left his own role as an assistant manager to be first interim and then official city manager, the City has operated often with only one assistant manager. Marquez joins Assistant City Manager Marsha Reed, hired in April 2013, in a two-woman team who will split the departments who report to them. “We’re excited to be getting fully

ENTHUSIASTIC: Chandler’s new assistant city manager, Nachie Marquez, promises to focus on bringing new enthusiasm and motivation to City employees and residents. Submitted photo

staffed up again,” Dlugas said. “It will free up more of my time to spend with mayor and council and working with them.” Dlugas adds that despite qualified candidates applying from around the nation, he’s proud that three of the four finalists were internal city leaders. The other finalists were Dawn Lang, Chandler’s management services director, RJ Zeder, Chandler’s

JUST LISTED!

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transportation and development director, and Rick Buss, Gila Bend town manager. Marquez was named the first communications director in September 2000. She has more than 25 years of experience working in city government, including in Phoenix and Tempe following a career in broadcast journalism. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism in 1985 from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts degree in vocational education from Northern Arizona State University in 1989. While working for the city of Tempe, Marquez lead numerous panels and extensive two-year coordination for the state’s first Super Bowl. It was that experience that gave Marquez confidence in leading important city operations. The appointment comes at an important time for Chandler, as the city undergoes its budget process in the midst of a transition from building to complete build out. For local governments, that’s a key change in revenue needs, from relying on home building fees, to ensuring a strong tax base exists to continue to support functions like police, fire, roads and parks. Economic development will continue to be a core priority for management staff, based on council policy direction, Marquez says. “We’re not growing as fast as we used to,” she explains. “We’re still the fourth largest city in the state, third in Maricopa County.”

“Everything has hit build-out. And we’re landlocked. Economic development is at the core of everything—jobs to employ our residents, and taxes coming back into the city to help with our roads.” Marquez is married to her high school sweetheart and retired professor Juan Marquez, with whom she has two sons, ages 23 and 21. Always an athlete in her youth, she says she thrives on teamwork. Today, her example has led to both of her sons embracing a college education— as well as numerous nieces and nephews turning to her for motivation and encouragement. A 2007 recipient of Valle del Sol’s Profile of Success Exemplary Leadership Award, Marquez is proud to represent the Latino population in Chandler. She often speaks to youth in the community about her success, gained through hard work. “I’ve been blessed with a lot of great opportunities,” she says. “I think it sheds light to them, on the fact that with dedication, hard work and education. As my parents always told me, if you get these things you will excel in life.” The City has not outlined its process to fill the communication director role, which Marquez will continue to oversee as one of her departments in her new role. Beth Lucas is a freelancer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com

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Community

WATER SAFETY FROM PAGE 1

to help in a water incident. It will also support the aquatics division with a fire truck and personnel on hand. Tom Dwiggins, of the Chandler Fire Department, says, “The aquatics and the fire department work together. They’re really the lead people on the whole Hamilton pool event and we’re the lead on the actual walks, where we go around and walk and put door hangars on the doors with our water safety message. It’s a supportive role. We support them in turn by teaching CPR lessons and then they support us by bringing out volunteers and helping us distribute fliers.” Firefighters will be on hand to talk about water safety, including the eye-toeye campaign, pool fences and the need for a barrier between children and a pool, and the importance of CPR and the role it plays in determining the outcome of drowning. Parents can have children tested for the appropriate swim level and sign up for swim classes on that day. “We have swimming classes year round in the City of Chandler,” Bellus explains. “Whatever works for them. December is the only month of the year when we don’t have swimming lessons.” The day will also be promoting sun safety. “We have a little booth where we talk about ways to stay safe in the sun. Not only staying hydrated and wearing sun screen, but all the things you can do—sunglasses, hats, long sleeves, staying in the shade—just little tips and tricks,” Bellus says. She says that last year more than 200

SAFETY FIRST: Hamilton Aquatic Center is hosting Water Safety Awareness Day March 22. The free event offers the opportunity for children to be tested for swimming levels and sign up for swim classes. STSN photo by Tracy House

people participated in Water Safety Awareness Day. She estimates that 30 to 35 kids were swim tested last year as well and adds the aquatics facilities test children for swim levels at any time—no appointment is necessary. “In 2013 we had 9,690 participants in swimming lessons,” Bellus says. “It’s a lot of fun. We have a lot of people and we teach a lot of swimming lessons. We have six facilities and four of those teach swimming lessons in the morning and the evening.” The need for water safety awareness is something that the city and the ﬁre

department take seriously. According to Dwiggins, in 2012 Chandler had more than 18 water-related incidents. In 2013 Chandler recorded seven water related incidents, unfortunately one of those was a fatality. “That’s all it takes is one,” says Dwiggins. “That’s all it takes for us to continue to be aggressive and getting the message out there about watching your kids around water.” While there has been a decrease, Dwiggins says he hopes to see the trend go downward. “We make it a point that any time we’re out in the public...we have a few messages. Make sure you have a functioning and working smoke detector and then especially around the summer time, we talk about drowning—making sure to watch the kids around water.” The message is something that resonates year round. Dwiggins explains that CPR classes are available throughout the year. “You can go through our website, which is www. chandlerﬁre.org and get information about CPR lessons. You can call down to our headquarters and you can sign up for classes monthly.” This includes certiﬁcation in CPR. “Part of our campaign—the education portion of it—is not only CPR, but getting your child in swim lessons,” says Dwiggins. “The sooner we can get our kids swimming lessons and teach them tools that they need to learn how to swim, the better it is.” The Chandler Fire Department is sponsoring a water safety walk on March 29. “We’re going to walk 15,000 homes and

March 15 - April 4, 2014

put fliers out there. It basically gives our message of water safety,” says Dwiggins. The department is looking for volunteers to help distribute the fliers. Interested volunteers can meet at 9 a.m. at the Desert Oasis Aquatic Center, 1400 W. Summit Pl. to help. Groups and organizations are welcome to participate in the water safety walk. For more information call (480) 782-2175. Chandler aquatics facilities welcomed 301,000 participants last year. “We get a lot of that over the seven or eight weeks over the summer,” Bellus comments. She says that each of the facilities has one night per week of free swimming and one night for the entire family to swim for $1. “Those days rotate...so you can pretty much go to any one of the six facilities and swim for free or pay a dollar.” Information about these nights is available on the Chandler Aquatics calendar. Hamilton Aquatic and Mesquite Groves Aquatic, 5901 S. Hillcrest Dr., Chandler, will be open for spring break. For a list of specific dates and times, visit www.chandleraz.gov/ content/14SpringBTPage21.pdf. “We are a fun facility. We are a fun city,” Bellus says. “Have some good oldfashioned fun outside before it gets too hot.” For more information about Water Safety Awareness Day, visit www. chandleraz.gov/aquatics or call (480) 7822749. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

City of Chandler Insider

March 15 - April 4, 2014

A word from the mayor on spring cleaning Some people believe that the term “Spring Cleaning” comes from Persia. It is when families would perform “khooneh tekouni”—where everything in the house was thoroughly cleaned before the first day of spring—which also marked the Persian New Year. Here in Chandler, spring is the perfect time to do a little cleanup of your wellness routine. If you do not have a regimen for sustained health, think about starting one. If you do have a routine, maybe shake it up a little. The perfect place to start is the Mayor’s Health Connect Expo, set to take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, located at Tumbleweed Park on the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads. Chandler has plenty to offer in terms of wellness and fitness, but my Health Connect initiative is also aimed at connecting residents with resources to make sure they also have good mental health and strong finances. With all of the products and services on the market that are geared toward fitness and a more productive lifestyle, it can get a little confusing as to which ones can help jump-start your new

devotion to a more ﬁt routine. That is why we have brought together an array of displays, vendors and more, to help you make some Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. new healthy Submitted photo choices. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center will be buzzing with demonstrations, speakers, and close to 30 nonproﬁt organizations and retailers. Demonstrations include cooking, Zumba and more. There will be plenty of giveaways and the entire event is free! The expo is co-sponsored by our good friends at Dignity Health, and Chandler Regional Medical Center. The event will take place at 745 E. Germann Rd. at Tumbleweed Park Recreation Center in Chandler. For more information, visit www. chandleraz.gov/connect.

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Living the good, healthy life Mayor Jay Tibshraeny is leading the way to a healthier Chandler with the Health Connect Expo. He and Tim Bricker, president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers, will kick things off with a group cycling class in the morning. The expo will include safety demonstrations, games and healthy cooking tips. “It’s a fun way to encourage residents to keep on track with fitness, and let them know what great resources we have in Chandler, such as our local businesses and amenities like the Tumbleweed Recreation Center,” says Tibshraeny. “This is an event for the entire family, and a great way for parents to connect with their kids around healthy choices.” In addition to the hands-on activities throughout the morning, Dignity Health is offering two important free events: Aging and Your Memory by Dr. Jonathan Hodgson and Concussions by Dr. Mark Garrett. “Dignity Health is an important partner for the City of Chandler, and we are grateful to have such a rich resource right in our own backyard,” says Tibshraeny. Preventative services will also be offered, including health screenings, child IDs and dental sealant.

This is the second annual expo, and it is part of the mayor’s ongoing Health Connect initiative to promote overall well-being for Chandler residents in a three-pronged approach, including physical, mental and financial health. Financial health is promoted through a prescription drug card that can save residents as much as 59 percent on prescription drug rates. Last year, residents saved $208,103 through the program. Additionally, the mayor emphasizes good mental health through his twitter account, @jaytibshraeny. The Health Expo is free and open to the public and runs 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd. For more information, visit www.chandleraz.gov/ connect.

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Health Seminars Dignity Health is offering two free seminars at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center in conjunction with the Mayor’s Health Connect Expo. The seminars are free, however seating is limited so RSVP is required for both events. To RSVP, call (480) 728-5414 or email resourcelink@dignityhealth.org. Aging and Your Memory, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with Dr. Jonathan Hodgson, a boardcertiﬁed neurologist. He earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Hodgson completed his neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology fellowship at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. Hodgson also serves the East Valley as the Dr. Jonathan Hodgson. Submitted medical director of the photo Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, Stroke Center. Concussions, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mark Garrett, M.D. Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at Brigham Young University and attended medical school at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga. He went on to complete his neurosurgical residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix where he

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received extensive training in skull base neurosurgery and completed fellowships in complex spinal disorders and stereotactic radiosurgery. Garrett also spent time in Tanzania, Africa, where he was part of a Barrow initiative to Mark Garrett. train neurosurgeons in Submitted photo developing countries. Garrett treats patients with complex and simple cranial and spinal disorders, utilizing the latest in surgical techniques and instrumentation, often employing minimally invasive approaches. Schedule of Events 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Special Apex student warm-up for Chandler Schools 9 a.m. Event Opens booths, demonstrations and activities 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Aging and Your Memory, Dr. Jonathan Hodgson 10 a.m. Cycle Class, led by Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and Tim Bricker 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Concussions, Dr. Mark Garrett 12 p.m. Event closes Information provided by the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

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Tax help is available to Chandler residents It’s time to ﬁle taxes and Chandler’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is here to help by offering free preparations. Running through early April, those earning less than $52,000 last year are eligible to take advantage of the VITA program by visiting one of the seven locations across Chandler. Chandler’s VITA program began in 2004 after a statewide tax force was convened by Arizona to focus on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refund that

often goes unclaimed. Those earning less than $51,567 in 2013 are eligible for the EITC of up to $6,044 per household. Volunteer tax preparers, translators and screeners make the Chandler’s VITA program possible each year. All volunteer tax preparers go through a training program and are certiﬁed by the IRS. “Much thanks goes to everyone who has contributed to the success of this program,” Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny says in a news release. “It has far exceeded our expectations thanks to those who

have graciously volunteered their time and experience over the past decade.” In the 10 years of Chandler’s VITA program, it has helped families collect more than $9 million in tax returns, including more than $2.7 million in returns from the EITC. Free tax return services are available on a walk-in, ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-serve basis at seven locations with varying operating days. The locations include; the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Chandler CARE Center, Chandler Christian Community Center,

Chandler Downtown Library, ChandlerGilbert Community College, First Credit Union and the Sun Lakes Country Club. Those seeking tax services should bring W-2 forms, photo identiﬁcation and social security cards for all household members. A copy of last year’s tax return as well as information for all deductions and credits, and form 1099 if applicable are also items needed to complete tax forms. For more information about Chandler’s VITA program, locations and times, visit www.chandleraz.gov/VITA.

Sunset Library’s ‘Our Stories’ to cover Spring Training baseball

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REFINED TECHNIQUE: Chandler ﬁreﬁghters demonstrate a rescue from a wrecked car. STSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo

The Chandler Sunset Library is hosting a speaker series called “Our Stories.” On Saturday, March 15, the topic will be the “History of Spring Training Baseball in Arizona.” The session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will include a brief history of Arizona’s Cactus League, including Spring Training baseball at Chandler’s Compadre Stadium. The “Our Stories” series is presented by the Chandler Museum, Chandler Historical Society and the Chandler Public Library and is held at the Chandler Sunset Library at 4930 W. Ray Rd. in Chandler. This free event will include a presentation by Rodney Johnson, president of the Arizona Chapter for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

His presentation will delve into the more than 60 years of Spring Training history in Arizona and will include presentations of rare photographs and a question and answer session. Johnson is also an ofﬁcial scorer for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the historian for “Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience,” an exhibit presented by the Mesa Historical Museum. The “Our Stories” series continues on April 12 with a presentation on Arizona music history with legendary Valley radio DJ Johnny D. Then in May the series will include the history of the Ocotillo area in South Chandler. For more information on these and other Chandler Museum events, call (480) 782-2751 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/ museum.

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Bike with mayor at Chandler Family Bike Ride Join Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny for a bike ride along the scenic Paseo Trail during Chandler’s sixth annual Family Bike Ride scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26. The 7.4-mile ride will start at Chandler’s Park and Ride lot, 2100 S. Hamilton St., and travel the Paseo Trail along the Consolidated Canal to Crossbow Park. “This is one of my favorite events,” Tibshraeny says. “I love the gathering of families, the cool morning air, and the smiles and laughter this event generates.” The free event is held in conjunction with Valley Bike Month (April)

and provides families with a great opportunity to get a little exercise and celebrate bicycling for recreation or commuting. Participants will receive information about bicycle safety, transit services and related topics. Plus the ﬁrst 100 people who preregister will receive a free T-shirt. Preregister online at www.chandleraz. gov/transit until Thursday, April 24, or the day of the event beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Chandler’s Park and Ride lot. All riders must wear helmets. For more information, contact Ann Marie Riley at (480) 782-3442 or annmarie.riley@chandleraz.gov.

CRUISING: Mayor Jay Tibshraeny leads the ride. Submitted photo

March 15 - April 4, 2014

City of Chandler hosts ‘Let’s Pull Together’ annual weed-pulling effort Chandler residents are encouraged to contact the City’s Neighborhood Programs Office with addresses and contact information of elderly and disabled residents or others in the community struggling to keep their properties free of weeds. City staff and volunteers will work with residents to obtain authorization to clean their properties during Chandler’s annual “Let’s Pull Together” weed-pulling campaign organized in conjunction with For Our City-Chandler. “This will be the fifth year of our annual weed-pulling crusade and it is having a significant impact on the lives of both volunteers and those being helped,” says Councilman Kevin Hartke, who also serves as director of For Our City–Chandler.” Volunteers will be organized into weed eradication teams on consecutive Saturdays beginning Saturday, March 29, and ending Saturday, April 12. Volunteers will pull weeds from yards and alleys, assist with front-yard maintenance, and pick up trash from vacant or abandoned homes. The “Let’s Pull Together” campaign was a finalist for the best neighborhood program in the country in 2012 as chosen by Neighborhoods

PULLING TOGETHER: Volunteers gather in the community effort to pull weeds from neighborhoods. Submitted photo

USA, a national nonprofit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. For more information call (480) 782-4348 or email judy. ramos@chandleraz.gov.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Community

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Community

18 miles of city streets being resurfaced Over the next few months, 18 miles of Chandler streets will be resurfaced as part of an annual street repaving program. The repairs will occur along 87 sections of residential streets and be performed by M.R. Tanner Construction Inc. of Gilbert. The $4 million repaving project will continue through early summer and involve removing the top inch-and-a-half of old asphalt and replacing it with new pavement. This type of repair, called Mill and Inlay, becomes necessary when the existing pavement is in a condition that

can no longer be maintained with slurry seal or microseal applications. The work is taking place on neighborhood streets in various parts of the city, including areas north of Ray Road between Alma School Road and Arizona Avenue, west of Hartford Street between Chandler Boulevard and Ray Road, west of Bullmoose Drive between Knox and Warner roads, and north of Chandler Boulevard between Country Club Way and the Price Freeway frontage road. Maps showing speciﬁc locations

can be found by clicking on the Road Construction and Street Closures link on the Transportation page of the City’s website at www.chandleraz.gov/ transportation. Notices to homeowners and businesses fronting the streets will be provided in advance. Access will be maintained to residences and businesses during the construction. For more information, contact the Chandler Street Division at (480) 782-3500.

Environmental Education Center hosts annual Earth Day Celebration The City of Chandler Environmental Education Center (EEC) at Veterans Oasis Park is looking for vendors and exhibitors to share their environmentally friendly products and services with guests during the annual Earth Day Celebration and Arbor Day Commemoration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25. This free, family friendly event—which is also a celebration of the EEC’s sixyear anniversary—will include hands-on activities, live animal presentations, food and beverage vendors, and information booths featuring a variety of organizations and businesses promoting “green” products, conservation and ways to live a more ecofriendly, sustainable lifestyle.

For more information about the event or to request a vendor application, contact eec@chandleraz.gov or (480) 782-2894. The EEC is located at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., just east of Lindsay Road, and is open six days a week: from 8 a.m. to 8

p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The EEC is closed on Sundays and on City of Chandler holidays. More information is available online at www.chandleraz.gov/ veterans-oasis or at (480) 782-2890.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Survey shows Chandler provides favorable quality of life More than 700 individuals submitted their responses to the Citizen Budget Survey focusing on issues relating to the city budget as well as municipal government performance and community quality of life. The survey showed that a large majority believe city leaders are managing the City’s operations well, and that the City Council’s financial decisions are in line with citizen priorities and expectations. A total of 747 people submitted survey responses which will help Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the City Council develop budgetary priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Chandler residents are invited to attend the budget briefing to the City Council Friday, May 2, in the Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St., in downtown Chandler. Comments and questions will be welcome at several subsequent council meetings prior to the adoption of the budget on June 12. Public input is always available by contacting councilmembers or staff directly. Complete survey results and additional information are available at www.chandleraz.gov/budget.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Community

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Outstanding volunteers honored at inaugural recognition event Eleven individuals accustomed to working behind the scenes were instead front and center at Chandler’s inaugural Volunteer Recognition Breakfast held Feb. 12 at the Chandler Center for the Arts. The city joined with the Chandler NonProfit Coalition (CNPC) and For Our CityChandler to recognize volunteers for the time, talents and energy they contribute to the betterment of the Chandler community. Faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, businesses and other groups utilizing volunteers were encouraged to nominate individuals for one of eight awards. In addition, a Mayor’s Choice and People’s Choice Award were presented and six individuals were inducted into a 1,000 Hour Volunteer Club for contributing more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service in 2013. The recognition event was headlined by CNPC President Melissa Jimro, Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and For Our CityChandler Director and City Councilman Kevin Hartke, who also emceed the affair. “The volunteer breakfast began as part of the celebration of Chandler’s 100th birthday, but upon seeing all the wonderful faces and hearing all the moving stories at that gathering, we decided to make this an annual event to recognize your tremendous service,” Hartke told those in attendance. “I think it is fitting we take some time each year to honor those who put in so much time to enhance our way of life,” Tibshraeny added. Fifty-one nominations were received

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and People’s Choice Award recipient Glenn Klassen at Chandler’s Volunteer Recognition Breakfast. Submitted Photo

and up to two honorees could be selected in each award category. To be nominated, honorees had to perform their service primarily in Chandler. Award recipients were: Ernesto Sidi, Innovation Award (This volunteer brings especially creative and unique solutions to the job.): Lauded for his creative fundraising ideas as a volunteer at the House of Refuge, Sidi is credited with helping raise nearly $15,000 in donations. Patti Bruno, Longevity Award (This

volunteer has worked for an organization for many years, providing a commitment and dedication to service that is aweinspiring.): Bruno’s involvement with ICAN during its ﬁrst year of operation in 1991 helped to surge it forward both in terms of community recognition and ﬁnancial support. In addition to her extensive board service, she consistently volunteers her time for additional holiday activities and in-kind collection efforts. Russ Puckett and Roger Hogle, Makes

It Happen Award (These volunteers work for many organizations, with the goal of contributing anywhere and everywhere, in any way they can.): Puckett has been a volunteer tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for more than 15 years and instructed or mentored more than 400 volunteers. Hogle is a VITA site coordinator and has instructed new and returning volunteers for nine years. Anthony Vizcarra, Multitasking Maestro Award (This volunteer is someone who takes on a diverse array of multiple assignments, jobs or objectives at the same time and can juggle them effectively, while accomplishing all of them successfully.): Vizcarra’s volunteering spans a wide range of activities, responsibilities and organizations. He coordinates Intel Corp.’s participation at several volunteer events and leverages his computer and development skills as a volunteer at the Chandler Christian Community Center and the Clothes Cabin. Al Leibowitz, Strong Arms Award (This volunteer is not afraid to take on any job no matter how “down-n-dirty” it may be. This nominee may also be called the jackof-all-trades in an organization.): Leibowitz is a retired New Jersey Volunteer Fire Chief and the “Go-To Guy” for the Chandler Fire Department. This year alone, he has given more than 450 hours of his time to the ﬁre department, including participation in a recent smoke detector walk in downtown Chandler. Scott McDonald, Sunbeam Award (This volunteer is the most cheerful person in the

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Gilbert Road improvements update Crews are working to complete the pouring of curb, gutter, sidewalks and ADA ramps on the east side of Gilbert Road, from Powell Place to the canal. Crews are working to place and grade the subsurface of the east side of Gilbert Road, from south of Chandler Heights Road at approximately Leo Place, to the canal. This work will continue for two to three weeks as crews prepare for paving of the east side of Gilbert Road in early March. Crews are also working to install a valley gutter on the east side of place! They have the best personality, attitude, and they are always smiling and helpful.): McDonald volunteered more than 500 hours in service to the Chandler Police Department last year as a Motorist Assist, helping numerous members of the public and establishing a great relationship with the ofﬁcers and his co-workers. Radhika Arora, Youth Award (This category is for youth, 17 and younger. The nominee is dedicated, positive and hardworking or otherwise stands out from the crowd.): Arora desires to pursue a career in public service and has served in local youth councils, at Chandler Regional Medical Center, and volunteered as a tutor at an afterschool program. She serves on the Governor’s Youth Commission, plays competitive tennis for Chandler

Gilbert Road across Powell Place. Valley gutters are concrete gutters in the asphalt which aid in channeling water across the road to nearby catch basins or scuppers. Crews are also working to remove trees and re-grade retention basins at Meade and Brooks Farm; as well as fine grading and installing scuppers for all retention basins on the east side of Gilbert Road. Electrical crews have completed installing conduit on the east side of Gilbert Road for the SRP conversion. High, and participated in fundraising events for the less fortunate. Vinnie Holmquist, Inspiration Award (The recipient of this award exhibits a work ethic and behaviors that inspire those around them.): Vinnie is 14 years old and started the community youth volunteer program and coordinates various monthly events for Boy Scout Troop 280. He volunteers for the iHelp ministry of Sun Valley Church, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Chandler Food Bank. Brian Walsh, Mayor’s Choice Award (This award is not subject to nomination, but instead is selected by the Chandler Mayor.): Walsh has spent untold hours reaching out to the homeless community in Chandler. In addition to helping connect them with resources and services, Walsh spends

SRP crews will soon begin pulling wire so that the power poles can be removed. Gilbert Road traffic is shifted to the west side of Gilbert Road, one lane in each direction from approximately Mead Drive to just south of Ocotillo Road. Feel free to continue to patronize your local businesses during construction but be cautious when driving through the construction zone. For more information visit www. gilbertroadimprovements.com

weekends with a team of volunteers serving breakfast to the homeless community in a downtown Chandler park. Ironically, Walsh was not present to accept his award because he was fulﬁlling a volunteer commitment. Glenn Klassen, People’s Choice Award (The recipient of this award was chosen from those in attendance at the Chandler Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.): A Chandler resident since 2003, Klassen maintains and repairs safety equipment as a volunteer for the Chandler Fire Department and serves on the boards of the Chandler Coalition on Youth Substance Abuse and the Phoenix Air National Guard Patriots which help support the families of Guard members deployed overseas.

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Tootsie’s features comfy and stylish clothing BY ALISON STANTON

Memory foam flip-flops, adorned with whimsical charms. Custom-fit and stylish toe rings. These are just a few of the many

things that shoppers will find inside Tootsie’s Boutique in Chandler. Sophia Gorke opened Tootsie’s Boutique last November. She says

FULFILLING A DREAM: When she opened Tootsie’s Boutique last November, Sophia Gorke achieved a longtime dream of owning her own store. Submitted photo

Word of Mouth

owning her own store fulfills a longtime dream. “For many years I’ve wanted to open my own business, and I’d explain it to my husband, who usually said ‘not now,’” Gorke says. “But when I had some changes at work last year, I told my husband ‘it’s now or never,’ and he said I could go ahead and check into it, and decide what I would want to sell there.” Coming up with ideas for her inventory was easy for Gorke. The Arizona native says she and her family enjoy visiting California frequently, and they almost always make it over to Laguna Beach. “There’s a store there that sells these great custom-fit toe rings that you can wear with all kinds of shoes because they are solid bands and don’t pinch. I told my husband that if I opened my own store some day, I’d sell them there.” Gorke was also inspired to carry the Popits brand of flip-flops and charms after traveling with friends to Disneyland. “One of my friends broke her shoes while we were walking around, and we found a kiosk in Downtown Disney that sold Popits. They are a memory foam flip-flop with interchangeable charms.” Gorke bought a pair of the

‘Get Golf Ready’ at Ocotillo “Get Golf Ready” provides golfers, whether they are new to the game, want a refresher, or simply do not have the time to play 18 holes an opportunity to play four holes of golf “The Loop” on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. Admission is $10. A partnership was formed between Ocotillo Golf Resort and Women on Course to help grow the game of golf. It opens the door and invites individuals to enjoy all the beneﬁts the golf lifestyle has to offer. Visit www.womenoncourse. com for more information. The Ocotillo’s Junior Golf Academy is offered for golfers ages 18 and younger. For just $50 a month, practice and playing privileges are offered on a space available basis. Ocotillo Golf Resort is located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Dr., Chandler.

SEE TOOTSIE’S PAGE 20

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The Amy Jones Group It's Like Working With Your Best Friends! “They sold my house in 3 weeks whereas it had been previously listed with two other brokers for almost three years unsuccessfully. We have never experienced a real estate company that acted in as professional and competent manner as the Amy Jones Group.”

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Doing Business Pollack Tempe Cinemas Owner: Michael Pollack Specialty: Movies, sing alongs, corporate rentals. $3 admission. Unique features: More than $800,000 in new digital audio, video and new seating. Also the largest character and memorabilia displays. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Address: 1825 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe Phone: (480) 345-6461 Website: www.pollacktempecinemas.com

Buyer One Owner: Denise Ovalle How long in business: More than 20 years Specialty: Residential real estate Unique features: Exclusive buyer brokers Hours: By appointment Address: Gilbert and Germann roads Phone: (480) 345-6000 Website: www.buyerone.com

Advanced Therapy Solutions Owner: Beth Lawton and Shelly Carr How long in business: Seven years Specialty: Pediatric speech, physical and occupational therapy Unique features: Home, clinic, hippo therapy (on a horse), AAC evaluations (devices to help communicate) Hours: Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment Address: 690 E. Warner Rd., Suite 105 Phone: (480) 820-6366 Website: www.atsaz.net

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SEND IN YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE FOR ‘DOING BUSINESS’ The SanTan Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers. Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 35,000 homes, racks and boxes on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website, email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo. The sooner you submit the information to us, the sooner we’ll be able to profile your business, as it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Email this information to business@ santansun.com or visit www. santansun.com and click on the “Doing Business” form to submit.

Discover Career Connectors, a nonproﬁt organization that connects professionals to high quality resources and hiring companies. Professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three or four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits are a part of each event. Join Career Connectors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Central Christian Church Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert. Career Connectors events are held four times a month at three locations, all at no cost. For more information, call (480) 634-4205 or visit www. careerconnections.org.

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FROM TOOTSIE’S PAGE 17

comfortable flip-flops, too, and says she was immediately hooked. “I told my husband that if I ever owned my own store, we needed to carry Popits too, because here in Arizona we are wearing open-toe shoes all year round.” While a few customers assume that Gorke named her boutique after a nickname for feet—especially because she carries some products made for “tootsies”—she says this is actually not the case. “When I was growing up, my Grandma Nancy bought a beauty shop in downtown Scottsdale called Irene’s Beauty Shop. I would ask why she didn’t rename it, and she told me it’s not about the name, but about the customers. That really stuck with me.” When it came time to name Gorke’s new boutique, she says she talked about it with her husband and their two daughters, ages 20 and 21. “Grandma Nancy’s nickname growing up was Tootsie, and she was from California too. We lost her a couple of years ago, so we named the boutique in honor of her.” In addition to the Popits flip-flops, more than 100 kinds of charms and custom-fit toe rings, Gorke says she sells a variety of clothing in a wide range of sizes, including junior plus sizes and women’s sizes. She also sells jewelry, cute socks, wall art and a variety of gift items. “We have cute tops, some skirts, dresses, leggings and camis, dresses,

Inner Vision Yoga announces seven-day retreat to Mexico

COMFY AND STYLISH: Sophia Gorke says her line of Popits ﬂip-ﬂops are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. Submitted photo

‘CHARMING’ FLIP-FLOPS: The Popits ﬂip-ﬂops can be adorned with a variety of interchangeable charms. Submitted photo

rompers and scarves,” she says, adding that she tries really hard to keep prices affordable. “I want to provide things that people can afford. Customers will often say ‘this is so cute and so reasonably priced.’” In the short time Tootsie’s Boutique has been open, Gorke says it’s been exciting to build her customer base, including starting a birthday club. “I love my store and I’m very excited about it. It’s a really cute store, and I’m

thrilled to bring these unique items to the East Valley.” Tootsie’s Boutique is located at 1940 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 2 in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 9631541 or visit www.tootsiesboutiqueaz. com or www.facebook.com/ tootsiesboutiquechandler Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com

Inner Vision Yoga is hosting a sevenday yoga retreat to Maya Tulum, Mexico, from May 10 through May 17. Co-owner and Master Yoga Teacher Jeff Martens and Master Teacher Donna DiNunzio invite all levels of yoga practitioners to nourish their mind, body and spirit on this exotic adventure to a beautiful setting on the Riviera Maya, between pristine ocean and emerald green rain forest. Experience the unhurried pace and healing power that will allow participants to detoxify, rejuvenate and elevate their spirits as they enjoy yoga classes in a loving, supported environment emphasizing individual alignment, strength and fun. The retreat is inclusive with oceanfront bungalow accommodations, amazing meals, daily private yoga classes, evening yoga workshops and other adventurous activities. Space is limited and participants should call Inner Vision Yoga at (480) 632-7899.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Cup O’Karma comes to Chandler library ‘Community Café for a Cause’ BY TRACY HOUSE

Grab a snack, a cup of coffee or browse the crafts at Chandler Downtown Library’s newest addition, Cup O’Karma Chandler, the “Community Café for a Cause.” The café is operated by National Advocacy and Training Network (NATN), a nonproﬁt that was founded in 2002 by a group of survivors, volunteers, advocates and professionals working to end violence against women and children. “They are planning on having different coffee beverages, food, snacks,” explains Brenda Brown, library manager. “They also sell gifts and handmade jewelry and crafts. I’m excited about it because I believe having a café in the downtown library will add value for the library experience.” MonaLou Callery, NATN founder and chief operating ofﬁcer, explains that the money earned through Cup O’Karma is used to fund the four homes—two in Chandler and two in Mesa—for battered and sexually abused women and children. Callery says the foundation helps approximately 80 women and children a year. Women can stay in the homes for up to two years as they work to become independent and learn transferable job skills. “It’s not just a short-term Band-Aid approach that we take.”

Cup O’Karma was established in Mesa. Callery says when the foundation heard about the request for proposal for the Chandler site it decided to pursue it. “They selected us. We were ecstatic over that,” she says. “When we saw who we were up against...we saw some big retail coffee chains trying to get it so we were a little surprised they picked us.” Some of the women from the homes and community volunteers acting as mentors work in the café. The NATN program provides career and job coaching and resume writing to help the women ﬁnd a permanent job. Cup O’Karma was featured on “Secret Millionaire” on Aug. 11, 2013, with Jay Deutsch, chief executive ofﬁcer and co-founder of Bensussen Deutsch and Associates (BDA). From that encounter, NATN received a donation and was able to buy the fourth home in Chandler. Once a woman is ready to move out on her own, NATN helps secure living arrangements. “To start all over, you can only imagine how expensive that is to start from scratch,” Callery comments. “So we take donations of furniture and household items and really help set up the household for the women and the kids when they’re ready to move on beyond us.” Callery says Cup O’Karma Chandler will have a theme each month, honoring

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a different culture and featuring specialty drinks in addition to the food and craft items available. The grand opening was March 1. Members from Soroptimist International of the San Tans (SIST) were on hand to lend their support and help serve. NATN’s main project, Support, Education, Empowerment and Directions (SEEDS) is the SIST 2013-2014 grant award winner. The grant money and proceeds from the coffee shop go toward the programs sponsored by NATN including services and training. “It’s going to be more than a cup of coffee,” Callery says. “We say we don’t sell a cup of coffee we sell our mission.” Cup O’Karma Chandler is located in the Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Open during library hours, the cafe is on the library’s ﬁrst ﬂoor. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information about National Advocacy and Training Network, visit www.natn-az.org. Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nomoreviolence or www.facebook/cupokarma. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

COFFEE-CAFÉ-CRAFTS: Cup O’Karma inside the Chandler Downtown Library offers coffee, breakfast and lunch, as well as crafts and boutique items. All the proceeds go to National Advocacy and Training Network to help victims of abuse. STSN photo by Tracy House

HELPING HANDS: Members of the Soroptimist International of the San Tans were on hand to lend their support for Cup O’Karma’s grand opening. From left, Kathryn Pierce, Karen Goodrich, Alexis Alcott, Robert Dapcich (executive director of National Advocacy and Training Network), Karen Drake and Elaine Beery. STSN photo by Tracy House

Business

March 15 - April 4, 2014

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Gilbert chamber calendar features March and April events Gilbert chamber hosting membership orientation March 19 The 411 is a comprehensive membership orientation at which you will learn how to maximize the beneﬁts of your chamber investment. Gain an insider’s view of our programs and services, ask questions of our staff and develop your action plan for chamber engagement and success. The event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101. Breakfast will be provided by Bruegger’s. The event is free for current and prospective members of the chamber.

Chamber Chat - Midday Networking Event The Chamber Chat-Midday Networking Event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Famous Dave’s Barbecue, 2206 E. Williams Field Rd., Suite 101. Meet up with other chamber members for lunch. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in our community. There is no agenda, no script, just good food, great company and friendly conversation. There is no admission charge. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their own meal. RSVP for purpose of seating estimate.

Education and Business Luncheon features ASU President Crow The business and education communities will come together at this special luncheon featuring Arizona State University President Michael Crow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert, 1800 S. SanTan Village Pkwy. Crow will address the importance of career readiness and share the university’s engagement and cooperation with education, business and government partners to prepare Arizona’s students for employment in the global economy. General admission is $50 per person and $35 for chamber members. Table for eight is $350 and includes company’s name on event program and log on reserved-table signage.

Power Hour - Networking Power Hour - Networking will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, at Santé of Mesa, 5358 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa. Power Hour Networking is a quarterly networking event with the purpose of providing business professionals with networking opportunities to focus on connecting people, opening doors for new business, and developing new resources and relationships. Come out to share your creative and valuable ideas, network

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with business leaders, create referrals and generate business. Admission for chamber members is $10.

Good Government Town Hall Meeting: Rep. Matt Salmon An event of SRP’s Good Government series, this Town Hall meeting will bring together Rep. Matt Salmon and the business community for a discussion on the latest in federal issues from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. Join the group for this meet and greet and one-on-one conversation with Salmon. Ask questions and provide feedback that will contribute to a vibrant business environment. Chamber member admission is $20 and $35 for nonmembers.

Power Hour Jill Schiefelbein of Impromptu Guru, will help you generate ideas and solutions to improve your business during Power Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Cooper Crossing Executive Suites, 1820 E. Ray Rd., Chandler. Come prepared to share your issues and be ready to learn from others. We’ll have the meeting space for an additional hour after Power Hour to continue conversations and network. This intensive work session is designed for small businesses with ﬁve or less employees, including homebased businesses and solopreneurs. The chamber member only event is free.

Chamber Chat - Morning Networking Event Meet up with other chamber members for breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches, 2795 S. Market St., Suite 110, Gilbert. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in our community. No agenda, no script, just good food, good company, and friendly conversation. No admission is charged. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their own meal. RSVP for seating estimates.

WHAT’S IT WORTH? After spending reading about the blue diamond, it 30 plus years in reminded me of a story that happened the diamond and not too long ago. A friend brought in a jewelry business, bracelet to have adjustments made, you start to think I mentioned to her that the stone maybe you’ve seen needed to be certified. After a short it all. Oh contraire, discussion of the reasons, we proceeded that is the amazing to certify the stone and my opinion and thing that keeps me the certificate was the same. After going for so many years. We all chase receiving the certificate of this just over the “Holy Grail” in diamonds and jewelry. one carat Blue polished diamond, To define the “Holy Grail,” we recently I discussed with the client an offer of saw the 29ct plus Blue Rough $180,000. What happened next was Diamond found in a mine in South amazing, she showed me the invoice Africa. This is one of the from 1967 when her finest and rare pieces of “...KNOWLEDGE father purchased the Blue Rough Diamond ever stone at a jeweler who IS POWER! found and already estimated was no longer is in UTILIZE OUR in the tens of millions. business in the Midwest. So, are diamonds a KNOWLEDGE Her father paid $2,000! good investment? This Another interesting part AT BILTMORE question surrounds the was the stone had a LOAN diamond and jewelry 1967 certificate, which I business and is met with felt was outdated and ANYTIME.” great controversy. I, for incorrect. The standards one, never sell diamonds as an investover the years have changed; the ment. To define investment, there can updated certificate had an improved be many answers. Is the value the item color from the original, thus increasing sells for what you paid? Or is it a personal the value. Point to be made, “knowlchoice if you wear and enjoy the item edge is power!” Utilize our knowledge for years, and then receive most of at Biltmore Loan anytime. In conclusion, your money back when you sell? Either diamonds have considerate monetary way, it is not for me to decide. After and personal value.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

New monthly program works to empower women Join one of many Chandler Chamber of Commerce scheduled events for the month of March.

Women in Business expands support to female business owners Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Council has a new name and expanded mission. The premier organization, the Chandler Chamber’s Women in Business, was created by women to empower and propel women into business success through education, networking and mentor programs. Women in Business, a Chandler Chamber of Commerce committee, will meet the third Tuesday of each month at SoHo63, 63 E. Boston St., Chandler. Keynote business speakers, an educational salon, networking and an expert’s lounge for local business women and men are all a part of the monthly programs. Call the Chandler Chamber at (480) 963-4571, for more information.

Three-part program mentors needed A three-part mentoring program with Women in Business is seeking volunteers. “Our mission is to empower and propel women into business success through education, networking and mentor programs,” D’vine Gourmet Chairwoman and Owner Denise

McCreery says. “Our program includes an Experts’ Lounge before our monthly luncheon, a Peer to Peer mentoring program, and Take Me to the Top, a program designed to help women business owners reach the $1 million revenue mark.” From 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Experts’ Lounge is available before each Chandler Chamber Women in Business luncheon. Questions related to such topics as HR, accounting, leadership and marketing will be answered by a panel of professionals. The experts, who have experience in various areas, will meet with attendees one-on-one to provide the right community resources are available. A mastermind group for business owners, as well as executives is offered through the Peer to Peer mentoring program. The group, which is led by one individual, will meet monthly separate from the Women in Business luncheon. Business owners can learn from each other, obtain ideas on problem solving and help others by sharing skills and expertise in a confidential setting. A leader will head each group, which will be composed of five to six professionals and businesses and have no duplicate employers or industries. The program is available to Chandler Chamber of Commerce members for free. An application must be submitted, as well as a commitment of time, effort and confidentiality to participate in the program. Leaders are also needed.

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Women business owners and women executives who want to climb the corporate ladder is the focus of the Take Me to the Top Mentoring Program. The one-on-one program has mentees aided by a mentor. The program focuses on business or executive goals, creates a plan with its own identity and set measurable goals. Take Me to the Top Mentoring Program involves teaching, helping, directing and encouraging individuals to reach the goals they set. Mentoring is applicable to any field of commerce. The activities for learning focus on business, professional and personal growth areas that are needed to attain goals. Only 15 mentor/mentee teams will be paired during the first year of the program. There is a charge for the program in order to cover material costs. “The program provides three major benefits,” Meredith Dekker, chairwoman of the Women in Business mentoring committee and owner of Dekker Financial says. “One is learning from the personal experience of some of the most successful business owners and executives in our community. The second is gaining clarity to your goals and what you want to achieve. The third is to identify, absorb and integrate missing business disciplines that include assessing your planning, time management and how to handle short term problems.”

Mentee qualifications include: must have been in business for a minimum of two years; must join or have an active Chandler Chamber of Commerce membership for the duration of the program; must own at least 51 percent of the business; must be in revenue; must have a business plan or a personal plan written out; expect a future valuation of $500,000 or more and executives must have a current salary of at least $100,000 and a future salary of at least $200,000. Mentor qualifications include: must have owned a business for a minimum of four years; have a desire to help other women business owners to move their business to the next level and executives must have a director or equivalent position. Those interested in participating as an expert, mentor or mentee call (480) 229-7227 or email meredith.dekker@ dekkerfinancial.com.

Contact the Chamber The Chandler Chamber of Commerce is at 25 S. Arizona Pl., Suite 201. Unless otherwise speciﬁed, for more information and to register for these programs, call (480) 963-4571, visit www. chandlerchamber.com or www.meetup. com/ChandlerChamber, or email info@ chandlerchamber.com. No refunds are available within 72 hours of an event.

Business

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Vibetality holding workshop

CORPORATE CHRONICLES Chandler landscape architecture firm anticipates growth in Lone Star State With a No. 3 listing on Forbes’ list of fastest growing cities and positive U.S. Census projection for the foreseeable future, smart development in Dallas is a must as the city expands. Chandlerbased landscape architecture and urban planning firm AndersonBaron is bringing its development expertise, backed by its true places ideology to the Metroplex and surrounding areas. The firm is known for its unique approach to deliver authentic projects centered on the needs of the end user, which include spaces that feel like an inevitable outcome of the natural surroundings. Senior project manager and landscape architect Brian Rogers, RLA, will manage the Dallas office with the support of principals and cofounders Baron and Brett Anderson, ASLA.

Katie Elsberry earns Certiﬁed Association Executive Credential Katie Elsberry, association and conference manager at KCA, has earned the Certiﬁed Association Executive credential from the American Katie Elsberry Society of Association Submitted photo Executives. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than 5 percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE.

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To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years’ experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management.

Health care professional Ann Sherman joins United Aesthetics Organization The United Aesthetics Organization, Arizona’s leading professional organization for aestheticians, recently welcomed Ann Sherman to its membership roster. Ann Sherman Sherman is a student Submitted photo specializing in laser technique at the Southwest Institute of Natural Esthetics, but she is no stranger to the health care industry. She worked as a registered nurse for 10 years. Sherman has a Master’s Degree in business administration with emphasis in business and marketing. Prior to enrolling at SWINA, the Chandler resident worked for the leadership team at Hospice of the Valley where she enhanced operations and streamlined systems ensuring compliance and quality care of patients and families.

Vibetality, the world’s first yoga and whole body vibration human optimization studio, is hosting a Yoga and Fitness Alignment 101 Workshop for Chandler residents. The hands-on, interactive workshop will focus on proper alignment and safety through basic yoga and fitness moves. The workshop’s goal is to support a new, or existing, fitness or yoga practice by revisiting and reviewing common movements, so that each student can build a strong foundation centered on healthy alignment and movement. The one-hour workshop will be held at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Vibetality Studio, 1940 S. Alma School Rd., on the northwest corner

of Alma School and Germann roads. The workshop is free to all Vibetality members and $10 for nonmembers. The Vibetality studio offers 2,600 square feet of convenient health and ﬁtness options for the East Valley community. In addition to offering premier yoga instruction, the focus of the Vibetality studio is the innovative whole body vibration classes. The studio is equipped with 10 state-of-the-art whole body vibration plates, which are used in the Vibetality one-of-a-kind 15-minute ﬁtness, yoga and renewal classes. For more information, visit www. vibetality.com or call (602) 842-3007 or email info@vibetality.com.

WORKSHOP: Join the hands-on, interactive workshop at Vibetality studio on Saturday, March 15. The workshop will focus on proper alignment and safety through basic yoga and ﬁtness moves. Submitted photo

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Business

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

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RAK Summer Camp Fair brings camps to community

Academics key to Seton wrestling program

BY TRACY HOUSE

BY MAX KRAUST

Celebrating its 11th year of helping families find the right summer camp, Raising Arizona Kids magazine brought its 2014 Camp Fair AZ to Chandler Preparatory Academy at Warner and Alma School roads as part of its two-day summer camp fair. The first day of the summer camp was held at Tesseract School in Phoenix and more than 80 camps were represented, says Brandy Collet, circulation coordinator and camp fair organizer for Raising Arizona Kids (RAK). The Chandler summer camp fair brought in 55-plus camps for parents and children to visit and learn what options are available for the summer. RAK has been promoting the camp fair for six months, ensuring there are a variety of camp options to meet individual camper’s interests. Camps are able to sign up with RAK, which has a summer camp directory, and then come to the fair to meet the families to provide information on the camp. Whether families were looking for fullday, half-day, overnight, out-of-town, or out-of-state camps, there was something for everyone. Camp offerings included music, arts, science, gymnastics, dance and cheer, Spanish learning, drama, engineering, physical fitness, sports, academic, animal fun and more. “The nice thing about this is most of the people at the camps or at their

booths, they are the owners, they are the directors, so these parents come, they know who the people they’re working with, where they’re going to send their kids this summer,” Collet explains. “That’s the nicest thing about it. You’re not just sending your kids off into somewhere you searched on the internet. I think that’s really the nice thing, you get a chance to meet with the directors and really get a feel for the camp.” Camps for consideration are for preschool age through high school. Families were able to interact, ask questions and get a sense of what each of the camps has to offer and what might be the best ﬁt. Children got a chance to pet a bunny, iguana and snake, build with LEGO, rock climb and try their hands at some crafts and guitar playing. For a parent considering sending a child to overnight camp, this was an opportunity to talk with the camp representatives, Collet says. “They’ll talk with your kids and help them work through the insecurities and not being sure whether they want to do it or not.” Offering a variety of camps for parents to come and ﬁnd something for kids, Collet says, “A lot of parents don’t think to send their kids to camp. This just offers a way to get involved and start thinking about ‘Hey this is a really great experience to send SEE SUMMER

CAMP

PAGE 28

Seton Catholic High School’s wrestling team is one that prides itself on academics and it was able to excel on and off the mat during the 2013-14 season. The Sentinel wrestling team had four wrestlers ﬁnish in the top ﬁve of their weight class at the 2014 AIA D3/D4 State Championships. And all of them were also honor roll students. Freshman Quentin Hovis and junior Sergio Chavez were

crowned champions in their individual weight classes, the school’s first two wrestling champions. Freshmen Vincent Dolce and Brandon Konecny also placed at the state tournament, finishing second and fifth, respectively. “Our priority is making strong studentathletes. We push our kids to get all A’s in school,” says SCHS Head Wrestling Coach SEE SETON

WRESTLING

PAGE 28

TOP-NOTCH PROGRAM: Coach Jack Cardinal, Vincent Dolce, Brandon Konecny, Coach Kellan Fluckiger, Quentin Hovis, Sergio Chavez and Coach Eric Larkin after the 2014 AIA D3/D4 State Championship wrestling tournament. Submitted photo

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

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SUMMER CAMP FROM PAGE 26

your kids to camp.’ Teaches them how to be independent of their parents and teaches them lifelong skills.” From the two-day fair this year, Collet estimates that more than 1,600 people came out to the summer camp fairs. “We’ve got great feedback from our vendors. They all say this is the best camp fair around.” She says many of the camps have been out several years to represent the camp and talk to parents and kids. Looking forward Collet explains, “Our newest event in November, we are going to do something similar to this, is an education fair. So we’re working with charter schools, private schools, all kinds of schools all around the Valley, after school programs

Youth and we’re going to do a similar set up.” The education fair will be another tool for parents to ﬁnd out what’s available, what choices are out there and make that decision based on what’s best for their child’s educational needs. Raising Arizona Kids magazine is celebrating its 25th year of providing quality information for Arizona parents. For more information about the camps, visit www.campfairaz.com. Go to www.raisingarizonakids.com for more information about Raising Arizona Kids magazine. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

SETON WRESTLING FROM PAGE 26

Eric Larkin. Larkin and his coaching staff took over the SCHS wrestling program last year and have since preached academic and athletic excellence. Larkin wrestled at Arizona State University for ﬁve years where he was the 2003 NCAA Division I National Champion at 149 pounds. Assistant coaches Jack Cardinal and Kellan Fluckiger also wrestled at the collegiate level. “Our goal is to be a top high school team in the country,” Cardinal says. “The kids that we have work extremely hard and all have goals of wrestling in college.” The Sentinel wrestling team only had four wrestlers when Larkin took over, but that number has since grown to 11. As a team, the Sentinels ﬁnished ninth at the state tournament and eight out of the 11 wrestlers are honor roll students at SCHS, achieving a GPA of 3.0 or better. Wrestlers must take on an extra workload at practice if their grades fall below the expectations of receiving A’s in all their classes.

www.SanTanSun.com “It is going to be easy for these guys in college because they are already dialed in,” Larkin says. The Sentinels also have plans of competing in national tournaments where they will be seen by college coaches from programs all over the country. The team will travel to a tournament in Iowa in April as well as one in Fargo, N.D., this July. “One of the big differences with our program is that we are committed to the parents and kids,” Cardinal says. “We don’t start in November and end in February, we are with them 10 months out of the year.” “We want them to be well-rounded student athletes, be respectful and humble,” Larkin adds. Larkin and his staff will continue to expect the best out of their studentathletes on and off the mat and hope to further build the foundation of the Sentinel wrestling program. Max Kraust is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at max@santansun.com.

Grants available to CUSD teachers

CAMP RUFFIN’ IT: Samantha Taubel and Toto with the Arizona Animal Welfare League were on hand at the Raising Arizona Kids 2014 Camp Fair AZ. STSN photo by Tracy House

The Teacher Next Door Program offers up to $5,000 in grant money to teachers who are buying or selling a home in Arizona. All teachers—kindergarten through 12th grade—qualify for at least $1,000 in grant money through Teacher Next Door. For more information, contact (800) 989-3550 or visit www.teachernextdoor.us. Teachers can also contact Realtor Melissa Kalinowski at (602) 432-2488, mel.kal@pruaz.com; or Realtor Tammy Gray, at (602) 931-6382, tammy.gray@pruaz.com. The Teacher Next Door Program is a free beneﬁt available to all teachers. A personal representative will guide teachers smoothly through the entire process, from pre-approval to locating the perfect home; contract negotiations through closing and beyond.

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Kids: Win $15 gift card from Changing Hands Bookstore Students who either live in Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek or surrounding areas or who attend area schools can win $15 gift cards from Changing Hands Bookstore, thanks to a partnership between the bookseller and the SanTan Sun News. This ongoing, monthly promotion awards a $15 Changing Hands gift card to every youth whose article, story, poem, essay, editorial, book review, photo or illustration is chosen to be printed in the SanTan Sun Kids Opportunity section, while supplies last. The Kids Opportunity section is printed in the Youth Section of the ﬁrst paper of the month, each month. The best news is that even though only one to three submissions are printed per month, all good submissions are

held in a ﬁle to be printed in future issues. So if an entry doesn’t win this month, it could win next month—or even the month after that. To enter, visit SanTanSun.com, click on Youth and then on Student Writer Permission Slip to download a submission-permission slip. Complete the form and have a parent sign it so the paper has permission to print the entry and the author or artist’s byline. Then, email the submission-permission slip and writing or artwork to news@ SanTanSun.com as a Word ﬁle, if writing, or JPEG, if art, or pasted into the email.

K.O.

Registration begins for CYF Registration for Chandler Youth Football’s upcoming season will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16; and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Youth ages 6 to 15 are welcome to register to participate in the youth football organization, which has served the Chandler community for more than 39 years and remains committed to providing high-level football instruction while emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork and academic excellence. To learn more, visit www.ChandlerYouthFootball.net or call (480) 840-4142.

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YOUTH CHRONICLES Ghassan Abukar of Chandler is a December 2013 graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Ghassan earned a Master of Science degree in systems engineering. Kaitlyn Ammerlaan, Margarita Garcia, Holly Hobgood and Sarah Moonen of Chandler and Donovan Fiore, Alicia Knox and Colby Lancaster of Gilbert are among 17 Phoenix-area students awarded a special scholarship from Honeywell to attend the 2014 Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Dylan Cowan of Chandler is the recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship at Cornell College, a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Hong Bin Kim of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Emory College, the undergraduate liberal arts college of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Students must be in the top 20 percent of Emory College or have approximately a 3.85 grade point average or higher to be named to the Dean’s List. Sung-Min Kim of Chandler is on the fall 2013 honor roll at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Conn. Founded in 1843, Miss Porter’s School is a college preparatory boarding and day school for girls in ninth through 12th grades. Legacy Traditional School District has been awarded AdvancED accreditation. The accreditation follows an extensive

review process during which the learning environments at all eight district campuses were observed and interviews conducted with founders, board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, students and parents. Legacy Traditional Schools joins just 13 other school systems in the state to gain full accreditation. Mitch McCulley, Zach Werlinger and Levi Sterling of Chandler and Gannon Conway, Drew Emanuel, Luke Petruzzi and Jackson Spilsbury of Gilbert and Carson Sawyer of Queen Creek were among 39 high school and college football scholar athletes honored recently by Valley of the Sun Chapter of National Football Foundation. Sarah Moore of Chandler is a fall 2013 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Sarah earned an Associate of Arts in child care and guidance. Jared Ruchensky of Chandler was inducted into the student chapter of the Jesuit Honor Society Alpha Sigma Nu at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Jared is a student in the Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences. Hugo Soll of Chandler is a fall 2013 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. Hugo earned a Master of Business Administration in business administration-online from RIT’s Saunders College of Business.

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT March 10-21: Spring Intersession; no school March 24: Teacher Inservice/Workday; no school

Carlson Champions Looking ahead – Carlson’s PTO is accepting nominations for next year’s ofﬁcers. Forms must be submitted by Tuesday, March 25. Elections are Thursday, March 27. Spring carnival – Silent auction donations are being sought for the schoolwide event in April. Donationrequest letters can be retrieved through the students’ Monday Morning Message or room parent.

Calendar March 27: General PTO meeting and elections, 6:30 p.m., Media Center April 4: Jamba Juice Fun Friday, smoothies $3 each —Lora Robinson

taxes for the full amount. Thanks to the Hancock families who have already contributed. —Andrea Dickson

CTA-Independence Hawks

Yearbook photos – Submit photos of Hull students and events to the yearbook by Saturday, March 15; email to hullyearbook@yahoo.com and include the names and grades of students’ pictures. Read-a-thon – Hull’s PTO is excited to sponsor its first read-a-thon, “Reading Takes You Places,” designed to promote reading as a fun activity while raising money to support the school. Students will track their reading from Friday, March 28, through Thursday, April 3, for chances to win great prizes. All pledges are due by Friday, April 11, to be eligible for prizes. Election time – The last PTO meeting of the school year and elections for the 2014-15 PTO executive board will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in the Media Center. Along with elections, the PTO will vote on how to spend its fundraising dollars. Email hullptopres@gmail.com for more information. Thanks due – Albertsons staff and store manager Mike Farfalla presented a check for $1,000 to Hull PTO recently. Thanks to everyone at Albertsons for supporting Hull. —Kristen Boyd

Movie night – Student Council hosts a Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. All families and siblings of students are invited to attend. Save the dates – State testing is scheduled for April 9 and April 10, second grade; April 9 through April 11, third grade; and April 8 through April 11, fourth through sixth grades. Families are asked not to schedule appointments during testing dates. Budding scientists – Congrats to CTAIndependence ﬁfth graders Anthony Catone, Alec Gonzalez and Zak Lalani, whose science project, “Freeing Water from Chlorine,” placed third at the Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair. —Wendi Olson

Hancock Heat FOLLOW THE CARLSON KIDS: Student Council stages its rendition of “The Wizard of Oz” at a recent school assembly, after participating in the CUSD leadership convention, “The Wonderful Leaders of the World.” The group won ﬁrst place for its banner out of 28 other CUSD elementary schools. Submitted photo

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Welcome kindies – Families may come in and register their children for the 2014-15 school year; documents needed for registration include the child’s birth certiﬁcate, immunization records and proof of address. Tax credits – Donations for 2014 can be given any time. Up to $400 can be donated to Hancock for credit on 2014

Hull Heroes

Tarwater Toros School Cents – Tarwater families can earn triple School Cents points in March when they log their receipts for the following Chandler Fashion Center stores: Build-A-Bear Workshop, The Children’s Place, Claire’s, Cotton On, Crazy 9, Disney Store, DownEast Basics, Fuzziwigs Candy Factory, Gap, GameStop, Gymboree, Icing, LEGO Store, Justice & Brothers, XXI Forever and Xtreme Toys. Spring Book Fair – Prepare for fourth-quarter AR goals and stock up for summer reading at the Spring Book Fair April 1 through 4. Email arizonadunns@cox.net if interested in volunteering for this event. Save the dates – Tarwater families are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch at school with their students at the spring barbecue Friday, April 4. Tarwater’s final Restaurant Night of the year is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Barro’s; both dine-in and carry-out orders benefit the school. Language learning – Tarwater will offer a Kindergarten Mandarin Immersion program for the 2014-2015 school year. Contact Tarwater for more information at (480) 883-4300 or visit the school website. Music notes – Congrats to the Tarwater students who were recently chosen to participate in the Elementary All-State Orchestra in Show Low: Justin Bai, second chair, cello; Ashley Lepham, third

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Youth

www.SanTanSun.com chair, cello; Holly Xu, 17th chair, first violin; and Lucy Xu, 18th chair, first violin. Thanks to Mrs. Ivanhose for her dedication to Tarwater’s orchestra students. Running Club – The Toros just finished a great season, with 180 students who dedicated themselves to working hard and improving their running abilities. Runners participated in 17 practices and three races over the season, earning 98 individual ribbons. Award winners – Lucy Alwin and Benjamin Neumann were “Sneaker of the Month” award winners for logging the most exercise minutes in January. Both students are in Mrs. Meyer’s class; their classroom also won the Golden Tennis Shoe for logging the most cumulative fitness minutes for third grade. —JoAnne Cawley

Bogle Bulldogs Group work – A group of volunteers led by Sun Lakes resident Don Robins for the AWIM (A World in Motion) program has been visiting students in Mrs. Phillips’ eighth-grade science classes to give STEM instructional lessons and lead a project on motorized toys. Students recently gave their final presentations on their projects. —Terry Locke

Payne Panthers Book notes – Payne students have

been celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday by participating in the Reading Across America program since winter break. Some books were chosen by librarian Stephanie Merrill, but students were also allowed to choose their own. Any students who read six books by the March deadline participated in a VIP party in the library, during which they received lunch, played USA Bingo and had the chance to win raffle prizes. More than 30 students in seventh and eighth grades finished reading six books. —Stephanie Merrill

Basha High Bears Kudos – Basha High senior David Li is a finalist for the 2013 National Merit Scholarship. He qualified by maintaining an outstanding academic record, being endorsed and recommended by a high school official and earning SAT scores that confirmed the qualifying test performance. David took the test as a junior and only missed one question; the previous year, he received a perfect score as a sophomore. Volunteer spirit – Basha High sophomore Dustyn Phillips was honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award, granted by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Obama. Basha High’s Kids Helping Kids nominated Dustyn for national honors

March 15 - April 4, 2014

this fall in recognition of his hundreds of hours of volunteer service at Chandler Christian Community Service, Kids Helping Kids and local churches. High honor – Basha High special education teacher Julie Mitchell is this year’s recipient of Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny’s Committee for People with Disabilities’ Educator of the Year Award. For the last seven years, Mrs. Mitchell has been the CASE (Curriculum for Alternate Standards Education) teacher in the self-contained classroom at Basha, where she teaches math, vocational math, language arts, computers, vocational language arts, vocational/ transitional skills and the Off Campus Work Program; she also created work environments to assist students in acquiring social and vocational skills in order to obtain entry-level competitive employment when they graduate. In addition, she is the sponsor for SHADESS (Students Helping to Achieve Diversity, Educational and Social Success) Club, which offers opportunities for students with and without special needs to form friendships through weekly meetings and monthly club events. —Carol Skocypec

CTA-Goodman Gators Award winner – CTA-Goodman special education student Camila Lopez is the recipient of the “I Can Do It” award from the AZ Council for Exceptional

Children. Camila receives services for a hearing impairment after retinoblastoma cancer and the accompanying treatment left her with vision and hearing losses. She is an excelling student at CTAGoodman who always demonstrates a positive attitude, excellent citizenship, enthusiasm for learning, kindness, respect and effort to be her personal best. Calendar March 25: APEX Pep Rally March 26: Report cards sent home —Kathie Butters

CTA-Freedom Falcons Tax credit donations – Arizona taxpayers can donate to CTA-Freedom and earn a 100 percent tax refund on their Arizona state taxes. The money goes toward fieldtrips and extracurricular activities. To learn more, visit www.ctafreedom.com and click on the Tax Credit link in Announcements. —Erin Morgan-Canter

Knox Knights Arts Night – The KGA Arts Night will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, featuring live musical performances, hands-on projects and a piece of art from every student in the school displayed in a “gallery.” For more information, email knoxartmasterpiece@gmail.com. SEE CUSD NEWS PAGE 34

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

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Teacher’s legacy lives on at Hershey Track and Field Meet

CUSD NEWS FROM AGE 33

BY BETH LUCAS

TEAM WORK: The Knox Gifted Academy VEX Robotics Team holds its Judges Award at the state ﬁnals competition. In its rookie year, the Knox VEX Robotics Team competed 14 times during the season, making it to the state ﬁnals, and each time earned the prestigious Sportsmanship or Judges Award. KGA is one of only two elementary schools represented, competing alongside other junior high and high school teams. Thanks to team members and parents for the wonderful experience. Submitted photo

Help wanted – Nominations for next year’s Knox PTO Board are being accepted; anyone interested should contact knoxelementarypto@gmail. com for more information. High honors – KGA scored big at the Hamilton High School Invitational Science and Engineering Fair, with sixth grader Sachit S. winning ﬁrst place for his project, “Antimicrobial Properties of Tumeric.” Also taking home ﬁrst prize plus a special Intel Innovator Award

were ﬁfth graders Uriel C. and Ethan M. for their project called “Disasteroid.” Yearbook orders – Orders for Knox’s 2014 yearbook are being taken. PayPal users should attach a copy of the receipt to their order forms to expedite processing. Calendar April 4: Arts Night April 8: PTO meeting April 8-11: AIMS testing —Jacqueline Bartrim

NEW VISTAS CENTER FOR EDUCATION

Sue Vant Hof spent her physical education career encouraging Chandler youth to embrace active lifestyles. Her legacy lies in the success stories of local young athletes like 13-year-old Anna Foreman, who placed third in the national Hershey Track and Field Meet last year. Anna returns as an eighth-grader to this year’s Hershey Track and Field Meet in Chandler at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5. Open to youth ages 7 to 14, the meet will feature Vant Hof’s former students who will see her legacy live on. Vant Hof, a 34-year Chandler Uniﬁed School District physical education teacher who died in 2013, will be namesake for the event’s participation award. “She believed in the program, and understood its beneﬁts,” says Teo Ruiz, who manages the Hershey program for the City of Chandler. “She really pushed it, and got other P.E. teachers involved from all over Chandler. There’s a lot of positive energy in the event. It’s fun to see the community come together.” The honor recognizing Vant Hof’s successful career teaching youth to embrace activity and healthy lifestyles is new this year. The Sue Vant Hof Award will go to a school that engages children in the most participation. Ruiz said during Vant Hof’s years, enrollment at the Hershey meet grew between 600 and 900 students. He is

trying to meet those numbers. Chandler youth can participate in any two categories, including short and long sprints, relays, long jump and softball throw. Erik Foreman, who encourages both of his eighth-grade children to be active, recalls what a role Vant Hof played in his daughter Anna’s success. “If you take a look at the choices put in front of us as far as health and nutrition, if you don’t choose the right path, you are going to end up later in life with a lot of health issues,” Foreman says. “If you can stick with healthy food choices, and find something you enjoy on the athletic side, you will be much better off later in life.” His daughter chose running, an activity that Vant Hof championed with clubs she established at elementary schools. As a national finalist, she was further encouraged by Olympians and champion runners including Carl Lewis whom she had the chance to meet in Pennsylvania. The goal of the Hershey meet is to encourage a love of active lifestyles among all children. “They celebrate not just the athletes, they celebrate everybody,” Foreman adds. “Physical fitness is really what they are celebrating. They’re celebrating the kids. To me, it’s a really fun event to go and watch.” Vant Hof began her career at Hartford Elementary School in 1976. She helped SEE TEACHER PAGE 36

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Youth

www.SanTanSun.com

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Senior’s project beneﬁts autism awareness BY TRACY HOUSE

Hannah Steele, 17, could have focused on any topic for her senior project. But she chose to help the community. “Dancing 4 Autism—Raising Autism Awareness” is a community dance to benefit Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Navarrete Elementary School’s multipurpose room, 6469 S. Sun Groves Blvd., Chandler. The project is one she’s been working on since her freshman year. It evolved from a mere concept and now she’s putting it into action as a Basha High School senior in college prep English. Hannah credits her mom, Debbie Steele, with the idea. “I knew I wanted to raise money, but I didn’t know how because I could do a lot of other things but I felt that a dance would bring them together and have fun,” Hannah says. “My mom works with autism kids so I’ve always been around it and I thought it would be a lot of help if I could do something to help them raise money.” Hannah works at Fitness Works in the gym and says she does get autistic children in the kid zone. Meanwhile, Debbie works as a para-professional in Navarrete Elementary School’s resource room. She works one-on-one with an autistic student. She says the Navarrete student council has been helpful in the planning

Whitening •

ACTION PLAN: Basha High School student Hannah Steele is putting her senior project into action with “Dancing 4 Autism—Raising Autism Awareness” dance at Navarrete Elementary School on March 25. STSN photo by Tracy House of the dance and will be decorating the multipurpose room. Debbie explains that the Panther Pals—a group of student volunteers from Payne Junior High School—will

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be helping out. The suggestion for donating to L.I.F.E came from Karen Smith, a special needs teacher at Payne. L.I.F.E is a therapy center for developmentally disabled children.

It offers a variety of therapies that nurture each individual child’s growth to improve his or her quality of life and the lives of his or her family members. For more information about L.I.F.E. visit www.laurensinstitute.org. Fliers have been distributed to surrounding schools and at Basha High School. Hannah has invited L.I.F.E families as well and the public to come out and enjoy the event. There will be a DJ, face painting, games, snacks and a raffle at the dance. Admission is $2 for children, $5 for adults. Hannah says she is looking for donations for the raffle basket: gift cards and vendors items, but any donations are appreciated. The raffle will be $1 per ticket, or six tickets for $5. They’ll be available at the dance, but you do not have to be present to win. Hannah lives in Cooper Commons and plans on heading to ChandlerGilbert Community College after graduation. Her dream is to become a second-grade teacher. Her senior project will include a PowerPoint presentation of pictures from the project and dance, an essay on the topic and presentation. To donate to Dancing for Autism or for more information, contact Hannah Steele at hannahrose1210@aol.com. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

TEACHER FROM AGE 34

open for additional elementary schools open before retiring from Ryan Elementary School in 2010. In 1996 she was named the Arizona Governor’s Physical Educator of the Year. Leslie Hicks keeps a photo of Vant Hof at her desk as a curriculum specialist with the school district, where she had Vant Hof as a physical education teacher almost every elementary grade. Trained in physical education herself, she is proud to see Vant Hof’s impact continue to make an imprint on the community. “It just shows what an impact and heart she had for kids. She was passionate about kids,” Hicks says. “Whether it was fitness or otherwise supporting them, getting kids to be the best person they could be. She wanted you to find what you were passionate about and would celebrate that with you.” Today, Hicks continues to incorporate a variety of activities to encourage children of every interest to find a lifelong love of fitness and health. “Sue established successful running clubs at each of her schools,” says Terry Locke, district spokesman. “Her love for and dedication to her students was evident in all that she did to support and encourage them.” She would enter students in track and field events, including Hershey, and would always offer encouraging words,” he adds: “Her students often came back winners, although Sue told them, ‘Participation is victory in itself.’”

www.SanTanSun.com

Perry basketball coach recalls stellar season BY COACH JOSEPH BABINSKI

HERSHEY HONORS: Anna Foreman was one of three Chandler youth to go to the national Hershey Track and Field Meet in Pennsylvania, where she earned third place in the 800-yard run. Photo courtesy of Erik Foreman Foreman encouraged parents to sign up their children, of all interests and talents. “My advice is, put your kids first when it comes to exercise. It also opens the doors to parents. I see many parents at our local high school walking the track, while they have kids who are running in the field. Use your facilities.” The meet takes place at Chandler High School’s Austin Field, 350 N. Arizona Ave. While the official deadline was March 7, Ruiz says the City will still accept students for the next couple weeks. Cost for Chandler residents is $4; nonresidents pay $6. Visit www. chandleraz.gov or call (480) 782-2704. Beth Lucas is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

Many people feel the Perry basketball team has flown under the radar for quite some time. That is no longer the sentiment felt the by the team’s 15 varsity players. From the start of the season, the Perry Pumas told themselves, “We’re going to the state playoffs.” That most certainly held true this season for the Pumas. The team had the most difficult schedule set before them of any team in the Division I Section II. Not only did the Corona Aztecs make a schedule change due to testing, their game was rescheduled during the most challenging week for the Pumas, the week they would face the Highland Hawks, Gilbert Tigers and Hamilton Huskies. Corona was thrown in the same week. The Pumas continued to believe. Qualifying for Sectionals, they triumphed over the Westview Knights and the Central Bobcats to play the Corona Aztecs in the finals and earn runner up in Division I Section II Sectional Playoffs. This would solidify a fourthseed run and a bye for the Pumas for the state playoffs, making school history for the Perry. They played the Red Mountain Lions at home in the Sweet 16 for the victory. It was six seniors last game. The Pumas moved on to the Elite Eight to play an undefeated Sunnyslope Vikings. The Pumas would defeat the Vikings and made it to the Final Four, where they were to play Corona. Perry did not only finish the season with a 26-6 record, but it was the first time the school made the Final Four. What a season it’s been for the Chandler students, athletes and coaches. We look forward to what the next season brings. Go Pumas!

Perry Puma Accomplishments: Paradise Valley Invitational TournamentChampions-Perry Pumas Paradise Valley Invitational Tournament-MVPJordan Howard Paradise Valley All-Tournament Team-Markus Howard McClintock Holiday Tournament-ChampionsPerry Pumas McClintock All-Tournament Team-Jordan Howard McClintock All-Tournament Team-Markus Howard Division I, Section II-All Section Teams: First Team-Jordan Howard-Senior-Perry High School-15.9 PPG, 2.9 APG First Team-Markus Howard-Freshman-Perry High School-23.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG Honorable Mention-Geoffrey VredevoogdSenior-Perry High School-8.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG Honorable Mention-Bryce Fisher-SophomorePerry High School-3.5 PPG, 2.2 APG Division I, Section II-All Academic Team: Jordan Howard-Senior-Perry High School-4.375 GPA 2013-2014 State Basketball-Super Sectionals: Runner Ups-Perry Pumas 2013-2014 State Playoffs: Final Four-Perry Pumas-History for PHS Season Record: 26-6 State (AZ) Ranking-MAXPREPS No. 2

www.SanTanSun.com

Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

WEEK 1: JUNE 2-6, SUPER SPORTS! Children will participate in playing sports and games, both classic and crazy! From good old-fashioned kick ball to games like monkey soccer and everything in between. Amazing athletes will be spending 30 minutes a day leading our students in athletic fun and games!

WEEK 2: JUNE 9-13, SPLISH SPLASH! Welcome to wettest week of summer, wear your swimsuit to get soaked! Splash pad, rubber duck races, and slip ’n slide are just some of the fun activities planned for this wildly wet-filled week! Come cool off and stay refreshed on the hottest days of summer. Carebear will have a bouncy water slide this week and we will be visited by the Chandler Fire Department to learn about water safety.

WEEK 3: JUNE 16-20, CAREBEAR COOKS Come enjoy the creativity of cooking. This class gives children the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cooking experiences as they create delicious snacks. Students will use cooking tools, learn about etiquette and nutrition, and learn how to make recipes and mix ingredients!

WEEK 4: JUNE 23-27, ANIMAL PLANET Join us for a week of animals adventures. Our Carebear explorers will learn about mammals, birds and reptiles. We will have a visit from the Reptile Guy who will bring his cool creatures.

WEEK 5: JUNE 30-JULY 3, PARTY IN THE U.S.A. The children will celebrate the USA’s birthday with some good old fashioned summer fun, watermelon eating, flag making, sidewalk child, water games, s’mores and much more!

WEEK 6: JULY 7-11, A CAMPING WE WILL GO It's going to be a wonderful week in the wilderness! The children will enjoy reading tents, s’mores and games. During this week as well the children will get to learn about constellations, nature and even get to build a pretend campfire.

Full-Day Programs for 2- to 5-year-olds

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Youth

March 15 - April 4, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s More Than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Talking With The Animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; At Zoo Camp 2014

DIRECTORY

BY TRACY HOUSE

Feed a tortoise, bathe an elephant, hang out with a rhino and yes, talk with the animals. Camp Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo is making plans for summer camp 2014. This animal-ďŹ lled adventure runs June 2 through July 25 for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. Camps are weeklong sessions and offered as full and half-day camps. Dean Watanabe, family program supervisor at the Phoenix Zoo, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a typical day of camp, we start at 8 a.m., kids check in and get situated into their groups and from there we are off and running.â&#x20AC;? Campers are separated into ageappropriate groups, kindergarten through eighth grade. Each age group has an animal-based curriculum that includes interaction with the animals, crafts and experiential learning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids all have an air-conditioned home base,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very important. We have new facilities here at the Phoenix Zoo. Usually weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start out with some kind of opening circle and then from there weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll explore the zoo, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have animals visit them in their classroom, all of their activities have to do with the daily and weekly theme.â&#x20AC;? Camp Zoo offers eight sessions with biweekly themes of alternating curriculum ranging from Storybook Safaris to Who Works at the Zoo? In addition to the themes, Watanabe said there is a lot of behind-the-scenes action the campers will be involved in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of cleaning and feeding, opportunities to do stuff that the general public never gets to do.â&#x20AC;? As hot as it is to be outside in the summer heat here in the Valley, Watanabe said the camp does take precautions for the campers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of the kids get a water bottle and a hat as part of what

Camp Zoo offers special needs campers unique opportunity BY TRACY HOUSE

CAMP ZOO: Campers at Camp Zoo make a few â&#x20AC;&#x153;newâ&#x20AC;? friends and experience the amazing interactions and experiential learning at the Phoenix Zoo in its unique and fascinating summer camps offered June 2 through July 25. Submitted photo

we issue them for camp. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re constantly drinking and ďŹ lling that up. We incorporate water play into their day at the zoo.â&#x20AC;? Campers cool off at one of the two water pads and most of the hikes and outdoor explorations take place in the mornings to avoid the higher temperatures. In the classrooms, campers enjoy arts and crafts, play games and visit with the animals. Instructors for Camp Zoo are either yearlong camp instructors at the zoo or are hired for the summer camps. All instructors undergo a background check and are older than 18 years old. Campers can sign up for all eight weeks or one week at a time. Animal interactions are related to the theme of the week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the activities we do with some of the age groups is give our elephants a bath,â&#x20AC;? Watanabe said.

Gymnastics, Games, Bounce Houses, Swimming, Water Slide, Crafts, Trampolines, Special Guests and More!

Some activities take the camper experience out into Papago Park for a hike to Hole in the Rock and to perform science experiments on the soil and water of the area. Campers need to provide their own lunch, but do receive a morning and afternoon snack. In addition to the water bottle and hat, each camper receives a T-shirt to wear during their Camp Zoo experience. Camp fees range from $155 to $275. To ďŹ nd out more about Camp Zoo 2014 visit http://phoenixzoo.org/camps-programs/ camp-zoo/ or call (602) 914-9333. The Phoenix Zoo is located at 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. Tracy House is the news editor for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com

This fascinating experience continues for children with special needs through Camp Zoo Sense of Wonders, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, and Camp Zoo Wild Hearts Camp, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30. Camp Zoo Sense of Wonders is specially designed for campers with visual impairments and combines auditory and tactile experiences for campers to get up-close with the animals, interact, play games and experience the natural world. Camp Zoo Wild Hearts Camp was developed for children with orthopedic impairments to experience the zoo. Activities and behind the scenes experiences have been selected speciďŹ cally for children with physical disabilities. Each camper receives a T-shirt, water bottle and hat. Contact the Camp Zoo supervisor to discuss your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and determine if Camp Zoo is appropriate for your camper at (602) 914-9333. Both camps are sponsored by the Arizona Diamondbacks and scholarship information is available at www.phoenixzoo.org, click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Camp Zoo.â&#x20AC;?

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Our summer classes fill up quickly and space is limited. Our theme is Sports, Fitness and Fun—Each day there is 2-3 hours of Karate, Dance, Tumbling, mixed with creative arts and crafts projects, science, video game competition and more! Our camp is run by experienced adult counselors, school teachers, and parent volunteers, we have been doing this for more than 20 years! There is a different theme every week and exciting field trips including: AZ Science Museum, Horseback Riding, FlipSide, Sea Life Aquarium, Amazing Jakes, Kiwanis wave pool, Peter Piper Pizza, Gameworks, Rain Forest Café, Mukutus Island, Hamilton Aquatic Park, and Cosmic Bowling at Brunswick Zone. Build giant LEGO robots and put them into battle! Your child will be happy and tired at the end of the day. Cost is $169 - $249 per week. Multiple week discounts and sibling discounts as well! Our camp sells out fast, check us out online and call and reserve your space today!

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MARCH 2014

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Spartan Metabolic Nutrition Plan we develop a plan that works for you and at the same time increases metabolism: • We give you a detailed plan in writing. It tells you exactly what you are going eat and when you are going to eat and how much you are going to eat for the next 30 days.

www.Spartan-Training.com 985 W. Chandler Heights Rd., #12 SE corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights at The Summit M-F 5 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat. 6 a.m. - Noon, Closed Sundays

Spartan Metabolic Cardio Plan: • Includes how much cardio as in how many minutes and how many days as well as what kind of cardio, as in where the heart rate must be and lastly when the cardio should be performed for the next 30 days.

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MARCH 2014

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Opinion

www.SanTanSun.com

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Community Commentary

Letters to the editor

Some things you might not know about Maricopa County BY DENNY BARNEY

Since I was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2012, citizens often ask me: “What does a supervisor do?” And “What can you tell me Denny Barney. Submitted about Maricopa photo County?” Here are a few things you might not have known about Maricopa County. • To this day, more than half of all the roses grown in the United States come from Maricopa County, specifically a few farms in the Northwest Valley. Millions of bushes are grown here and shipped to nurseries and big retailers like Walmart and Home Depot. • In land area, Maricopa County is about the same size as Vermont. Maricopa County is larger than El Salvador, Israel and seven states. • If Maricopa County were a state, it would have seven electoral votes, as many as Oklahoma, Oregon and Connecticut and we are gaining on Kentucky and Louisiana. • One of the most useful tools to locate information and services, “Find Help Arizona,” was created by a Maricopa County Public Health worker, Adrienne Decker Delgado. Check it out at: www.maricopa.gov/ findhelpphx/categories.aspx . • Many might consider the Chandler Ostrich Festival, held each year in early March, as a curious novelty. But a century ago, ranchers around here traded in their cows for ostriches to satisfy women’s fashion preferences. In 1910, the feathers brought in more than $1 million to the Salt River Valley. Once feathers went out of fashion on hats and dresses the industry died out. • My hometown, Gilbert, was once the “Alfalfa Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” supplying the U.S. Army with hay for its horses during World War I.

• In 1910, Maricopa County Sheriff Carl Hayden organized the first posse that used an automobile to chase and capture train robbers. His courage and fame as a lawman propelled him to be elected to Arizona’s first Congressional seat in 1911, before Arizona officially became a state. He served eight terms in the House and seven terms in the U.S. Senate until he retired in 1968. • To appreciate the volume of work our county’s criminal justice system faces, last December alone, 8,178 persons were booked into jail, another 8,389 were released and the average daily jail population was 7,618. That’s a lot of people to feed, house, and provide medical care for. • With nationally renowned adult communities around the Valley like Sun Lakes, Rio Verde and the Sun Cities, many are surprised to learn the median age in Maricopa County is 33.6 years, three years younger than the national average. • Abraham Lincoln is a special historic figure for me. So it pleases me that it was Lincoln who signed the legislation establishing Arizona as a territory in 1863. • The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station produces more electricity than any other power plant in the country. • Maricopa County boasts one of largest regional parks systems in the nation with more than 120,000 acres of open space parks. There are organized activities nearly every day in one of the 10 regional parks. • In the spring and fall, Usery Mountain Pass becomes a major sheep trail for flocks of sheep traveling from the high country near Mount Baldy to the Salt River Valley. As for the answer to “What does a supervisor do?” stay tuned. Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. MORE COMMUNITY COMMENTARY ON PAGE 44

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Dear editor, The State Legislature of Arizona passed a law and sent it on to their governor to allow businesses to deny service to “gay” people. They would be allowed to do this as a way to assert their religious beliefs. Similar legislation that is masquerading as “religious protection” has been introduced in Ohio, Mississippi, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Efforts are stalled in Idaho and Kansas. Scenarios have been raised where Americans in Arizona could be denied service at a restaurant or refused medical treatment if a business owner thought they were gay. That is discrimination. Since the Arizona government has crossed the line into religious territory let us examine something. According to the High Priests in the Arizona Legislature, gay people would not be entitled to a burger, fries and a milkshake if someone in the restaurant—a waiter, waitress, bartender, owner—who knows?—decided that they did not want to serve them because they looked “gay.” However, the High Priests of the Arizona Legislature would still jealously guard the rights of anyone who worships strange gods, takes the name of the Lord in vain, dishonors their parents, murders, steals, makes false witness and anyone conspiring to take things that do not belong to them. In other words, the High Priests of Arizona Legislature are willing to force restaurants to serve murderers, rapists and

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Ostrich Fest unethical To the editor: Most traditions evolve with the times. What once may have been considered a novelty grows old and morally questionable. Case in point: Chandler’s Ostrich Festival, which is long overdue to be relegated to history books. In their natural homes, ostriches are desert-dwelling birds designed to roam over vast home ranges. Ostriches are complex birds who form close family bonds. Females lay their eggs in a communal nest, allowing the eggs and young all to be cared for by one bonded pair. Despite their size, the necks and legs of these birds are deceptively fragile. Being forced to run while carrying full-grown adults on their backs is terrifying and goes entirely against their nature. If Chandler wants to attract visitors year round, it should devise a fresh and innovative marketing campaign that doesn’t exploit these beautiful birds. Yours truly, Jennifer O’Connor PETA Foundation

We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to the editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com. All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

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Community Commentary

Numerous gaps in health care coverage for state’s children BY DR. ELIZABETH MCKENNA

Over the past few months, in Arizona, there have been multiple changes affecting health care coverage for children in Arizona. In October, a bipartisan bill passed which increased Medicaid expansion to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and many more Arizona families qualified for AHCCCS. The Affordable Care Act created an online marketplace with the aim of enrolling all eligible individuals in the United States in health insurance. Patients have a choice of plans to fit their individual financial and health needs. Employers are encouraged to provide health insurance to their employees, and those employees whose employers do not provide affordable health insurance, are eligible to receive tax credit subsidies to offset costs of buying private health insurance. However, there are still numerous gaps in health care coverage for children in Arizona. The reasons for these gaps are many. First, many employers will provide health insurance for the individual employee, but not the family of the employee. In addition, because affordable health insurance is offered to an employee, the employee is not eligible to receive tax credit subsidies to offset the cost of monthly premiums, so many families cannot afford health insurance for their children. Many of these children in other states are covered by the Children’s Health

Insurance Program (CHIP), which covers children up to 200 percent of the FPL. However on Jan. 31, 14,000 children lost their health insurance because Arizona’s CHIP program, KIDSCARE II, was frozen and new enrollment was stopped. Many of these children will automatically receive AHCCCS, but there will still be a good number of children who will not, and will not have health insurance. There are other reasons for gaps in coverage, many of which relate to immigration status. Documented immigrants who enter into the United States, must wait at least ﬁve years in a “qualiﬁed” status to be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. Families of immigrants who have received employer-provided health insurance may not be able to receive health coverage because of cost. Children of undocumented immigrants, who arrived in Arizona with their families, are not covered by health insurance because they do not qualify for AHCCCS, and their parents are not able to buy health insurance. Homelessness, mental illness or a lack of parental knowledge or ability to navigate the health coverage enrollment process prevent many children from having health care coverage. In addition, many families are just not aware of the crucial importance of obtaining health insurance. Why is it important to have health

insurance? It is important because it helps you get the health care you need at a low cost. People with health insurance are able to go to their primary care doctor and medical home to keep themselves healthy, and take care of health problems before they become large emergencies. There are studies that having health insurance saves the public money because there are not large costs incurred because of lengthy extensive emergency room visits for problems that could have been helped earlier by a visit with a primary care provider. If you, or anyone you know is in need of health care, enrollment in the program created by the Affordable Care Act, started Oct. 1, 2013. The deadline for enrollment has been extended to March 31. You can enroll by going to www.Healthcare.gov. There are people who are trained and certiﬁed to help you apply for health insurance, because the application is rather lengthy. These people are called “assisters” and can be found on the www.Healthcare.gov website or by telephoning (800) 318-2596. When you enroll, you will be able to choose plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is where you can apply for health insurance that ﬁts your family budget. After applying you will be able to enroll in one of several different health insurance plans. If you

qualify for Medicaid (AHCCCS ), your application will automatically go to that agency for enrollment. How can you keep your child’s regular doctor? On the Marketplace website, you can look up your current pediatrician to see if he or she participates in the plan you choose. If you use an assister to help you apply, be sure to tell them the name of your child’s pediatrician. What if you don’t qualify for AHCCCS or the Marketplace? Many primary care pediatricians and community health centers will see children and allow parents to pay on a sliding fee schedule. In addition, if your child has an acute episodic problem such as an ear infection, rash, etc., you can ask the school nurse to refer them to a pediatrician who participates in the Medical Services Project. The Medical Services Project is run by the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and helps children who are in the Notch group, i.e., whose parents cannot afford health insurance but do not qualify for AHCCCS . Dr. Elizabeth McKenna is chairwoman of the Access to Care Committee, of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She takes care of patients through age 18 in Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek at Healing Hearts Pediatrics.

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Train enthusiasts chug into 347 Grill at UltraStar boasts new backyards for tours executive chef, upgraded menu BY MEGHAN MCCOY

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Valleywide members of the Arizona Big Train Operators are opening their backyards to the public to provide rare glimpses into their garden train layouts. Sun Lakes resident Rich Hill says Arizona Big Train Operators, a club dedicated to garden railroad enthusiasts, boasts 90 members mostly in Chandler, Mesa, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. The Spring Open House Tour is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30. For all locations, as well as a map, visit www.azbigtrains. org. Five members who live in Chandler and Sun Lakes will have their railways on display. “There are usually about 14 or 15 families that participate in this,” he says. “Everyone that is involved really are the leaders of our club. They take an interest in this and make sure their layout is pristine for the public to see. It’s a big deal for everyone at every age.” The tour is the ﬁrst of two this year. The Christmas event in 2013 attracted more than 1,300 people over two weekends, Hill says. This is the second year the club has held a Spring Open House Railway Tour for the public. Last year the two-day event attracted up to 500 people.

If you haven’t had a chance to get out to UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, you are missing out on one of the most fun and delicious restaurants to open in the last year. The 347 Grill located in UltraStar is getting ready to unveil its new menu. Executive Chef Frank Abeyta has recently come on board at the 347 Grill and has been revamping the menu to reﬂect a more exciting ﬂavor palette and versatile menu offerings. “We’ll be debuting the new menu in the second or third week of March,” Abeyta states. “I’ve been changing recipes and upgrading the quality of the ingredients.” Abeyta was trained in the Valley and has served as an executive chef for 25 years. Eight years ago,

SEE TRAIN PAGE 46

SEE 347 GRILL PAGE 46

347 GRILL WELCOMES YOU: Chef Frank Abeyta is excited to debut a revised and exciting menu at 347 Grill in mid-March. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

Pioneer Luncheon evolves into Celebrate Chandler BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

TRAIN LAYOUT: Richard Hull, Sun Lakes resident and Arizona Big Train Operators, will have his train layout on display during the Spring Open House Railway Tours. The tour will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. Submitted photo

Since 1985, the Chandler Historical Society has been hosting the Pioneer Luncheon which honored members of the community who had been instrumental in developing Chandler. To mark a new outlook, the event has been rebranded the Celebrate Chandler Luncheon and will take place Saturday, March 29. “Now that we’ve had our ﬁrst 100 years, we’re looking at the next 100 and what is the next 100 going to be like,” says Michel Larson, Chandler Historical Society president. “What is our future going to look like? That’s the focus of this luncheon from now on.” The Celebrate Chandler Luncheon is open

HONORED: Chandler Historical Society Volunteer of the Year Jordan Golobich, center, with Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, left, and former Chandler Historical Society President Jim Patterson, right. Jordan received the award last year for his diligent work and countless hours digitizing the Chandler Arizonan newspaper for Chandlerpedia. Submitted photo

to the public. This year’s event will be held at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort at One San Marcos Pl., downtown Chandler. SEE LUNCHEON PAGE 46

Swim, bike and run for a good cause Tri for the Cure set for March 23 at Chandler High BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Women from the Valley and beyond will converge on Chandler for the eighth annual Tri for the Cure which raises money for Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona. The event is set for Sunday, March 23, at Chandler High School, 350 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Kathy Morrill, a Chandler resident, considers her Tri for the Cure participation seven years ago as her first triathlon. She was joined by four or five other ladies and since then the group has swelled to seven or eight. They have not missed a year since then. “We were very afraid the first time,” she

says. “We didn’t know what we were getting into and didn’t know what to expect.” Morrill likes that it’s a women-only event. It’s for a good cause, she says, with Christina Catalano, past event chairwoman and committee member, agreeing. “It’s awareness for our causes and women in our community supporting each other,” Catalano says. She says the high school is a great location for the event due to its layout. She says the triathlon uses the school’s pool to kick off the event and the race ﬁnishes in the stadium. SEE TRI FOR THE CURE PAGE 47

TRI-ATHLETES: Kim Ungvarsky and Kathy Morrill wear their Curbside Cyclery tri kits while participating in the Tri for the Cure event in Chandler. Submitted photo

March 15 - April 4, 2014

347 GRILL FROM PAGE 45

front-of-the-house management and also served as a food and beverage director. “I didn’t realize how much I missed being a chef and how much I loved it.” From the get-go, Abeyta has set to work thoughtfully redesigning the menu. “347 Grill is American-style cuisine presented in a beautiful way,” he says. “The quality of our food is comparable to Scottsdale, but at a fair price.” “We are very excited to have Chef Frank join our team,” states Vice President of Operations and General Manager of UltraStar Adam Saks. “Frank has stepped right in and has had an immediate impact on our program and the guests already know him by name.”

New taste sensations One of our favorite new menu items is the pearled couscous, watermelon and goat cheese salad. The clever presentation features a large piece of ﬂavorful parmesan specially prepared and then “wrapped” around the entree. The goat cheese provides a bit of tang and creaminess and the “pop” of sweetness from the watermelon make this one of the most unique dishes on the menu, combining excellent ingredients and a thoughtful combination of textures and ﬂavors. Another stand-out item is the shrimp ceviche tacos, which are carefully stacked and then presented with a colorful assortment of greens. This is a perfectly sized dish for a personal appetizer or dinner or to share with a small group. The caprese salad is also a welcome addition to the menu, one that is usually a crowd favorite and pairs well

LUNCHEON FROM PAGE 45

Reservations are required by calling Larson at (480) 201-5884 or emailing him at Michel.200@live.com. Tickets are $25 and food service begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $250 for a six-seat table sponsorship and $500 and $1,000 for the 12-seat table sponsorship. These sponsorships may be tax deductible. Visit http://downtownchandler.org/events/ celebrate-chandler-luncheon/ for additional information. “Some of our speakers are going to address what they see in the future for their business,” Larson says.

Neighbors with just about any main entree. Some of the most popular items on the menu are the stone-ﬁred pizzas and those will remain. The crust is somewhere between a deep dish and thin crust and features just the right amount of tangy sauce. Build-your-own just the way you want. The pizzas alone are worth the trip. “Everyone who comes out should at least try the pizza. It’s what we’re known for,” Abeyta states. The lobster mac and cheese is another favorite at 347 Grill that will be staying. A bit of a departure from other restaurants that offer the same dish, this version boasts creamy lobster bisque with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, crunchy seasoned breadcrumbs and is served with garlic bread. Other items on the menu will include shared plates such as bruschetta, lamb sliders, lobster cake and Asian chicken lettuce wraps and soups, salads and sandwiches like grilled chicken ciabatta, French dip and grilled Portobello. A variety of unique burgers rounds out the main menu. There is also a kids’ menu with children’s favorites including sliders and quesadillas. The dessert menu will also be adding a decadent chocolate tuxedo mousse, a generous-sized portion served as a mousse/cake combo and served with fresh berries. “My goal with this new menu is to bring more customers into the building,” Abeyta explains. “Then they can stay in the building and go to the movie theater.” Saks adds, “The new menus Chef Frank has in store will really be exciting. He will be focusing on farm fresh ideas and local vendors to bring seasonal changes and reinvent our menus, making a trip to UltraStar Multi-tainment Center a culinary journey and experience.” “Eddie ‘Trey’ Basha III is the president/ CEO of the Basha Company and they have a long history in Chandler, but what is it going to be from now on? Intel has been here since the ‘80s, too, and what’s it going to be like for them from now on? What do they foresee for their business?” Mayor Jay Tibshraeny will also address luncheon attendees. Funds raised during the Celebrate Chandler Luncheon support the Chandler Museum, which features displays, exhibits and historical items that relate to Chandler’s rich history, including a 1925 Dodge Coupe that once belonged to Dr. A.J. Chandler. The car will be on display

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DISCOVER WHAT IS NEW: Shrimp ceviche tacos, the pearled couscous, watermelon and goat cheese salad and the caprese salad are all new additions to the 347 Grill menu. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

A variety of entertainment, one location UltraStar Multi-tainment Center is located right next to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa. The massive complex features a state-ofthe-art movie theater with 12 movie auditoriums, stadium-style seating and StarClass Balconies for guests 21 and older, with wine and beer service and in-seat ordering. VIP and party rooms also give groups and parties a unique experience with added privacy. 3-D ﬁlm capability is available, plus D-BOX motion chairs, which give an added interactive dimension to the movieviewing experience, putting you right in the middle of the action. Other activities at UltraStar include

at Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort during the luncheon. “People can join the society and the membership is very reasonable. There will be membership forms on the tables,” Larson notes. The Chandler Historical Society was founded in 1969. “Our focus is preserving the history of Chandler, which has a unique history, and developing programs and helping to fund the museum.” Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.

an upscale bowling experience at Ten Pins Down, laser tag at Urban Arena Laser Tag and a wide variety of arcade-style games and a cool tickets redemption center. Adults 21 and older will also love spending time with friends or watching the game in Luxe Lounge. In addition to redesigning the menu at 347 Grill, Abeyta is also redoing the menus at Luxe Lounge, Ten Pins Down and Cones Café (desserts, goodies and homemade ice cream). 347 Grill and UltraStar Multi-tainment Center are located at 16000 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Call (520) 233-2425 or visit www.ultrastarakcin.com for additional information. Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com

PIONEERS: Bob and Danell Tarwater receive the Chandler Historical Society’s Pioneers of the Year award last year. Also pictured: Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, left, former Chandler Historical Society president Jim Patterson, right. Submitted photo

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TRI FOR THE CURE FROM PAGE 45

The first year the triathlon took place in Tempe. The swimming portion was held in the open water, which Catalano expresses, was not good for beginner triathletes. “We quickly realized we needed to move it to a pool,” she says. “It is a short triathlon to help encourage first-time tri-athletes. We try to keep it safe and inviting as possible.” There are four race options this year: an adult women’s triathlon, a 400-yard swim, 8-mile bike and 2-mile run; adult women’s duathlon, 1-mile run, 8-mile bike and 2-mile run; adult women’s triathlon relay; and a 3.2-mile women’s 5K Fun Run. Catalano says they have added a 5K and a duathlon for ladies who are hesitant about swimming. Morrill says anyone who is thinking of trying their first triathlon should sign up for Tri for the Cure. She says the atmosphere is more relaxed and not intimidating. “They come back and do it again,” Catalano says of first-time participants. “It’s a boost to their confidence.” The transition area opens at 5 a.m. for the event, as well as body marking and aerobic warm-up. The race starts at 7 a.m. Catalano says such celebrities as Olympic gold medal winner Misty Hyman, who won for her butterfly and backstroke swim, will lead the event. Although Morrill has trained steadily throughout the year, she says she swims and runs twice a week, and does triathlon training every day to get ready.

SWIM: The eighth annual Tri for the Cure event at Chandler High School includes a 400-yard swim in the pool. Submitted photo

“We continuously do everything just to stay ﬁt and improve our times,” she says. “I have other events that I do all year long.” The smaller triathlon has expanded her distance in other events, such as the half

and full iron man. “I used to be just a runner,” Morrill says of half marathons. “To do a triathlon and do a little bit of everything, it’s just awesome.” The post-race party begins at 8:30 a.m.

Founder Preston Miller says everyone has a lot of fun at the event, which welcomes families. “We have food, entertainment. It’s pretty much a country fair kind of atmosphere,” he says. Miller says they always have a really wonderful group of survivors not only racing, but handing out medals at the finish line. He says they host clinics and classroom training for the bike and pool portion of the triathlon three months leading up to the race to dispel any fears participants might have with doing a triathlon. He explains the Tri Scottsdale Foundation, a nonprofit organization and triathlon club, decided it wanted to do something beneficial for the community. Miller says it decided to hold a fundraising event for the Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona foundation due to young triathlon pro, and cofounder, Lewis Elliot losing his mother to breast cancer. Miller says they have raised more than $250,000 for the Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona as a third-party fundraiser. A percentage of all entry fees and 100 percent of participant fundraisers go to Susan G. Komen. “Per participant, we donate more than any other third party,” Catalano says. For more information or to register, visit www.triforthecureaz.com. Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@ santansun.com.

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Neighbors

interest in real trains and I still do.” Thompson says his dad was an engineer on the North Central when he was a young boy. He says he got through college by working on the railroad. After graduating, the railroad crews began getting cut and he became a teacher in Indiana for 12 years. When he moved to Arizona in 1976, he spotted Arizona Train Depot, which ignited a new hobby. “By the time I got out of there, I joined the club and held about every ofﬁce in the club,” Thompson says.

TRAIN FROM PAGE 45

“Just about everyone is putting a lot of effort in the Spring Open House,” Hill says. Ennis Thompson, also a Sun Lakes resident, says in 1997 he began an open house by himself to showcase his train layout. “One year, we had 11,000 people in 16 days in my backyard,” Thompson says. At one time, he held an open house for 20 straight days for four hours each day, which increased the crowd. Now Thompson is among the ABTO members who participate in the spring and Christmas open house tours.

Open house enjoyment

Backyard train layouts Once Thompson moved to Sun Lakes, he built another railroad in his backyard. Thompson’s layout is 34 feet by 12 feet and which runs five trains at a time. The railroad tracks run up a mountain and back down to a station where there is a pond with fish. He fashions his own buildings for the layout. “I’m going to put up a little car dealership at the end,” Thompson says. “I would like to build a covered bridge.” Hill’s layout is just as elaborate. He began setting up his 35 feet by 70 feet program as soon as he moved into his Sun Lakes home. The layout, dubbed Rooster Creek Railroad, includes more than 500 feet of track. The layout has a fictitious town set in the 1950s with buildings named after businesses in his hometown Atlantic, Iowa. “I like the era of the 1950s,” Hill says. Attending school during that decade, “a lot of things stuck in my mind. That’s what I tried to recreate.”

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RAILWAY TOURS: The public is invited to stop by Sun Lakes resident Ennis Thompson’s home and view his train layout during the Spring Open House Railway Tours later this month. Submitted photo

The layout also includes an oil refinery with 400 lights, a mine building, a farm with silos and about 400 people. A movie theater with a marquee and flashing lights is also among the layout, one of only two made in the United States. “Most of my buildings are now five to six years old and they look almost brand new because I put them inside,” Hill says. Hill has a three-car garage that he turned into a hobby room containing memorabilia from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. “My son and I are building a Ringling train from the 1950s,” Hill explains. Hill conducts a scavenger hunt for the youngsters who visit his layout during the open house. He says the scavenger hunt includes items that can be found on the

train layout. Donations, which are tax deductible, will be accepted at the homes participating in the tour. The money donated will support ABTO activities and a train layout at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa. Founded in 1996 for those interested in g-scale trains, ABTO meets monthly.

Early love of trains Hill’s love of trains started as a young boy when he and his brother received one for Christmas. “I grew up in an area where four railroads went within 20 miles of our house,” Hill explains. “My parents always made sure my brother and I were around when the famous trains came through. I had a real

Thompson says he enjoys participating in the open house because he loves watching the people. “I really enjoy seeing people enjoy the railroad,” he says. “It brings back their pasts and some kids just stand there in awe.” Hill agrees that people, particularly the young, are the reason he participates. He says there have been times when parents have to take their children away in tears because they do not want to leave. Some of the youngsters make sure to tell Hill what he has added from tour to tour. “The older adults enjoy it because chances are they had a model train as a child,” Hill says. “They notice things on the train layout and it brings back memories from their childhood.” Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@ santansun.com.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Senior Expo offers abundance of information for Baby Boomers BY MEGHAN MCCOY

The 24th annual Senior Expo, a free educational and informational event, will showcase a plethora of vendors for attendees. Sponsored by the Mayor’s Committee for the Aging, the Senior Expo will feature 60 vendors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave. Chandler Senior Center Manager Nancy Jackson says the Mayor’s Committee for the Aging wanted to provide an all-inclusive event that has unlimited information for the senior population. Ann Marie McArthur, Senior Expo chairwoman and a committee member, says the organization helps promote services for the elderly in Chandler. It is dedicated to improving the welfare, dignity and quality of life for Chandler’s Baby Boomers. Jackson says the committee’s functions are to develop and disperse information to the aging, their families, caregivers and others who provide service for them; help the aging population through promoting volunteerism; educate the City Council and the community on issues that affect the aging population and track and study proposed legislation at the federal, state and local levels. “As the population is growing older by the minute, we try to primarily put the expo on, which provides a variety of information for the seniors,” she explains.

HELPING SENIORS: The 24th annual Senior Expo, which features 60 vendors, is Wednesday, March 19, at the Chandler Community Center. Submitted photo

Maxing out at 60 vendors annually, the event keeps a waiting list for potential exhibitors. Attendance reaches between 1,000 and 1,200. “It’s quite busy through a three-hour period,” Jackson says. “They know when they come to the expo there will be a good variety of vendors for them to see.” Representatives from health care agencies, leisure services, senior-related product ﬁrms, city departments and local organizations will be in attendance to provide information for those who attend. McArthur will promote her organization, About Care, through the fair. “My organization has a table because we give free service to the elderly,” she explains. The volunteer-run organization has approximately 400 clients who receive

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HELPING HAND: Sixty vendors will make up the 24th annual Senior Expo providing information about health care agencies, leisure services, senior-related product ﬁrms, city departments and local organizations on Wednesday, March 19. Submitted photo

services such as transportation to medical appointments and the senior center, shopping and errands, reassurance phone calls, computer assistance program and minor home repairs. “It’s a really rewarding service,” McArthur says. In addition to the vendors, the expo will also include free blood pressure screenings provided by the ﬁre department and a limited number of cholesterol and glucose tests. Free coffee and entertainment will also be a part of the event. McArthur says the mayor and City Council typically make an appearance as well. “It’s free, it’s really fun,” McArthur says

about the expo. “It’s just a really fun event to help our elderly.” The Youth Committee will provide a helping hand during the expo by setting up the center, cleaning up afterward and acting as tour guides for the attendees. For more information call (480) 7822720 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/senioradults. The 2014 Chandler Senior Expo is presented by Dignity Health and cosponsored by Cigna and Prime Times Magazine. Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@ santansun.com.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Neighbors

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Family Fun Run recognizes Disability Phoenix Bikefest at Wild Horse Pass delivers concert headliners in April Awareness Month BY LILY LIEBERMAN

For the seventh year, the Chandler City Council and the Committee for People with Disabilities will come together to host the Chandler Family Fun Run at 10:15 a.m. Friday, April 4. In honor of Disability Awareness Month, the two groups present a free day of fun at Tumbleweed Park’s POWER WALKING: A participant power McDowell Mountain pavilion. walks to the ﬁnish line at the Chandler “The mayor’s committee always gives Fun Run. Submitted photo out awards and recognizes Disability Awareness Month with a proclamation through the mayor, so in conjunction with that we started a fun run,” says Collette Prather, recreation coordinator and the mayor’s committee city liaison. This year, the event has expanded to include kids and adults with disabilities in the community. Surrounding schools, caregivers and individuals with and without disabilities are encouraged to attend as well. “We offer a free day in the park for kids in the surrounding schools to come out and participate with us,” Prather says. “We have music, a balloon artist and a face painter, and then they do a run around the park. It’s about a mile and they do as much or as little as they want.” The Fun Run will be held until 12 p.m. and will include dancing and a hot dog lunch. Designed to encourage physical activity, participants are welcome to bring therapeutic tools to the run. “Some (people) come out with their therapy bikes and lots of times physical therapists come out with them,” she says. “The schools will sometimes bring peer facilitators that come to help and just interact with participants.” Reservations for the event are encouraged by Monday, March 31. For questions and to RSVP, call Collette Prather at (480) 782-2709. “It’s just a fun day in the park to be out in the community and highlight their abilities,” Prather says. Lily Lieberman is an intern for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

The three-day Phoenix Bikefest at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s new festival park is set to bring rockers The Cult on its Electric 13 Concert Tour, Friday, April 4, and Sammy Hagar, the “Red Rocker” and his “Four Decades of Rock” performance Saturday, April 5. The two rockers headline jam-packed highlights of concert entrainment beginning at 5 p.m. both evenings. In addition, the official Post Party on Saturday night includes a performance by Metalhead at the Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. It is walking distance from the Phoenix Bikefest site, and free to Sammy Hagar concert ticketholders. Area Harley-Davidson Dealers, in conjunction with R Entertainment Co., will deliver the rockin’ concert entertainment along with the first Phoenix Bikefest “Ride through Experience,” a gateway entry designed to create a parade of arriving bikes, which onlookers can enjoy throughout the day. Phoenix Bikefest is free. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The only ticketed portion of the three-day event is the evening concerts. Concert tickets range from $25 general admission (standing) to reserved seating from $50 to $75. Tickets can be purchased by visiting, www.phoenixbikefest.com or by phone at (866) 977-6849. A $5 discount is available on general admission tickets only when fans visit participating Valley Harley-Davidson dealers. A discount of $5 is also available at Wild Horse Pass Casino box office. Phoenix Bikefest campsites are available for fans at Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park,

which is adjacent to the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. Reservations can be made at www. PhoenixBikeFest.com. “Phoenix Bikefest promises to be a fantastic biker experience free to the public, and transformed into a rockin’ concert venue in the evening,” says Barry Caraway, Phoenix Bikefest coordinator, and publisher of Cyclerides.com. “Plus with the optimum location of the new Festival Park at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, Phoenix Bikefest delivers the makings of one fantastic weekend.” Phoenix Bikefest is presented by Valley Harley-Davidson dealers including Arrowhead Harley-Davidson, Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson, Chandler Harley-Davidson, Chester’s HarleyDavison, Superstition Harley-Davidson and RideNow Powersports, along with Caraway. Phoenix Bikefest also features participants: Indian Motorcycle, BMW, Aprilia, Ducati, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Can Am, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha and Spyder. Guests are welcome to test ride the latest and greatest in the motorcycle industry, including the new 2014 Harley-Davidson lineup and the 2014 Can-Am Sypder RT. Guests can stroll and enjoy the event grounds as well as the nearby 100,000 square foot Wild Horse Pass Casino. Among weekend highlights are food, drink, vendors of all kinds, a Bike Show and live concert entertainment. For information to participate as a vendor, contact Barry Caraway at barry@phoenixbikefest. com or visit www.phoenixbikefest.com. Also, like Phoenix Bikefest on Facebook, www.facebook. com/phoenixbikefest.

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Neighbors

Friends of the Sun Lakes Library will donate hearing induction loop system The Sun Lakes Friends of the Library have made it possible for hearing-impaired patrons to participate in special events at the Ed Robson Library more fully by funding a $14,000 state-of-the-art technology enhancement. Becoming one of the East Valley’s first libraries to become equipped with this new feature, the branch has updated the Lecky Arts and Community Center adjoining the library with a hearing induction loop system, which uses electromagnetic energy to transmit sound directly into a hearing aid. On Monday, March 17, the Friends of the Library will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate this new technology, welcoming Maricopa County Supervisor Denny Barney, Maricopa County Library District officials, representatives of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the public. The open house will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the hearing induction loop system will be officially dedicated at 12 p.m. Part of the Maricopa County Library District, the Ed Robson Library, is located at 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. Its Friends of the Library chapter has been actively supporting the library since 1991, encouraging literacy, reading and community involvement. “For nearly nine years, I have been privileged to be part of this group,” Friends of the Library President Linda Goth says. “Its members see

beyond the property lines of this library and we are dedicated to funding expenditures to improve the quality of our library. The new hearing induction loop system will be available to everyone who uses the Lecky Center, enhancing their library experience.” Common in Europe, hearing loops transfer source sound to a hearing aid’s telecoil without interference or acoustic distortion, enabling hearing-impaired patrons to enjoy concerts, presentations and special events without amplified background noise. With prices ranging from $500 in a home theater to $18,000 in a larger venue, the technology is expensive, making it cost-prohibitive for many public and nonprofit facilities. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, participants are invited to join the Friends of the Library in welcoming award-winning author Anne Hillerman as the first presenter to utilize the hearing induction loop system. Based in Sante Fe, Hillerman has published eight works of nonfiction and writes weekly restaurant reviews for the Albuquerque Journal. Her first novel, “Spider Woman’s Daughter,” follows the trail of legendary Navajo detectives Leaphorn and Chee—created by her father, best-selling author Tony Hillerman. “It is our pleasure to bring visiting authors like Hillerman to Sun Lakes,” Goth says. “We invited our guests to enjoy her 1 p.m. presentation.”

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Complete wedding planning services offered through Cruise Planners Couples-to-be are offered an opportunity to create their ultimate dream wedding through Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners/ American Express franchise owner Maria Corchuelo, a home-based travel adviser located in Chandler. The complete wedding planning services are for shore-side ceremonies and celebrations in ports of call around the globe. The new wedding planning services is a partnership between Cruise Planners/American Express and Imagine Weddings and Events, an international full-service wedding and event company. Corchuelo can coordinate all reservations for destination wedding travel, as well as the wedding ceremony packages, honeymoon travel and reservations for family and friends through this partnership. Couples can rest easy knowing all logistics for their destination wedding from the rehearsal dinner and welcome reception to ceremony and other celebrations will be handled by Imagine’s expert wedding specialist. “The destination wedding market is growing at a rapid pace and I’m thrilled to be able to offer this service to my clients,” Corchuelo says. “It really is an added beneﬁt for my clients as they will be able to work with someone they trust who knows the destinations and can easily manage all the arrangements. “I want to be that one-stop travel agent for all of my clients. By introducing this new service, I can combine my expertise in travel services with Imagine’s extraordinary wedding planning capabilities so couples-to-be can bask in the happiest time of their lives.” The partnership with Imagine follows a recent collaboration with www.honeymoonwishes.com, an online honeymoon wedding registry provider. Engaged couples can register their wedding travel and honeymoon activities directly at www.joyatsea.com as wedding gifts directly through Corchuelo’s personal registry website. For more information, visit www.joyatsea.com or call (480) 219-7070.

Neighbors

March 15 - April 4, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

Sign up for Chandler Parks and Recreation Department mailing list When posting on social media use “Come Out and Play Chandler” and #FunInChandler while visiting Chandler parks, recreation facilities and aquatic centers. Sign up for the Chandler Parks and Recreation newsletter and stay up to date with activities at www.chandleraz.gov/ listserv. Enter your email address in the Parks and Recreation Newsletter opt-in box.

Break Time recreation guide available Registration for spring classes, March, April and May, are being accepted. Such programs and classes, as leisure and lifestyle are offered for all ages. Hip-hop and jazz classes, jazz classes for preschoolers, personal training at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center and the SRC Kids Clubhouse are among some of the new sessions. Stress-free structured child care is offered at the clubhouse at an affordable price at the Snedigar Recreation Center on Friday nights. Intersession camps for youth, adult sports league, swim lessons and senior center activities are among some of the returning favorites. These activities are offered at various locations and times throughout the city. Printed copies of the quarterly Break Time Recreation Guide are available at numerous city facilities. Visit www. chandleraz.gov/breaktime for an electronic version. Register at www.chandleraz.gov/

registration, by mail or in person at Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave.; Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd.; Snedigar Recreation Center, 4500 S. Basha Rd.; or Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd. Registration for swim programs can be done in person at the Aquatics Administrative ofﬁces, 650 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler. Call (480) 782-2727, for more information.

Chandler Environmental Education Center activities To receive updates and status of programs, call the Environmental Education Center hotline at (480) 782-2889. The center is at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., within Veterans Oasis Park.

Spring Training game at new Cubs facility Join the senior center to watch a Cubs game at the new training facility at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 17. The Cubs play the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Tickets are $26 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

Snedigar Recreation Center Walking Club The Walking Group, which is open to anyone interested in walking, staying active and not doing it alone, offers dates throughout the month of March for all skill levels.

The club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. through March 31. It is $31 for residents and $42 for nonresidents. Other times are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. through March 27. Cost is $28 for residents and $38 for nonresidents. Bring a bottle of water.

Belly Dancing at Snedigar Recreation Center Do you want to learn to belly dance? The Snedigar Recreation Center is offering classes on Wednesdays until April 9 for $22 for residents and $30 for nonresidents. A Belly Dance Mother and Daughter class, which teaches basic belly dance moves with a parent or guardian, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The class is geared toward girls 9 years old and older. Belly Dance Drills class will be held. Get a great low-impact workout while focusing on learning the foundational belly dance movements and variations at your own pace during a Belly Dance Drills class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is an open level class. Students will learn and have the opportunity to perform choreographed dance that fuses traditional belly dance movements with elements from other dance styles during the Belly Dance Fusion Class. The class will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Adult Sports spring registration Get back in the game. Adult Sports spring registration begins Monday, March 24. For more information, call Teo Ruiz at (480) 782-2704 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/adultsports.

Chandler Tennis Center registration for spring session classes and leagues Spring session classes and leagues are now enrolling at the Chandler Tennis Center beginning the week of Monday, March 24. Spring is fast approaching and the youth and adult classes are ﬁlling up. For a fun and exciting way to take in the beautiful weather and promote ﬁtness, check out our leagues and lessons. Classes start at age 4.

Building Blocks The Building Blocks, a preschool program, will begin on March 24. The Monday, Wednesday and Friday programs are $167 for residents and $226 for nonresidents. The Tuesday and Thursday program is $111 for residents and $150 for nonresidents. Children ages 4 to 5 years old have the opportunity to grow and develop, socially and educationally, during this program. Each subject is creatively expanded in detail to help build the foundation for your child’s classroom experience. Children must be 4 years old by March 24 and must be potty trained. No diapers or pull-ups allowed. The Chandler Community Center is located at 125 E. Commonwealth Ave.

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www.SanTanSun.com Kick Start to Kindergarten Kick Start to Kindergarten kicks off from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. Cost is $191 for residents and $258 for nonresidents. There is a supply fee of $50. This class will help 3 to 5 year olds prepare for school in a well-rounded, fun and imaginative preschool setting. The class will focus on scholastics, encouraging creativity and developing ﬁne motor skills through fun arts and crafts projects. Children must by potty trained. The Chandler Community Center is located at 125 E. Commonwealth Ave.

Home Sweet Home Home Sweet Home will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Environmental Education Center. Cost is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. Ever wonder how animals live in the desert? Explore different desert habitats found in Veterans Oasis Park and discover the animals that live there through stories, songs, walks and crafts. Children ages 3 to 6 will observe animals in their natural environments and learn about how animals live. Fee is per child, and parents are invited to attend. The Environmental Education Center is located at 4050 E. Chandler Heights.

Fossil Fools Day Learn about the effects of fossil fuels on our environment and alternative energy resources through activities and displays during Fossil Fools Day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Environmental Education Center. This event is free and

open to all ages. The Environmental Education Center is located at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd..

Come Alive Story Time with Ms. Diana Come Alive Story Time with Ms. Diana will take place on Wednesdays until March 26 at Snedigar Recreation Center, 4500 S. Basha Rd. The program is held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Cost is $13 for residents and $18 for nonresidents. Encourage the joy of reading and the fun of laughter. Music and stories are an important part of shaping a child’s life. Through interactive stories, music, games and drama, we build positive attitudes, characters, self-esteem and values.

Youth Spring Break Camp The second week of Youth Spring Break Camp will take place from Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21. A full-day is offered from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $128 for residents and $173 for nonresidents. Morning halfday is offered from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $87 for residents and $117 for nonresidents. Afternoon half-day is offered from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for $87 for residents and $118 for nonresidents. To ensure a safe, fun and active spring break, enroll your kids in Snedigar’s Youth Spring Break Camp. Qualiﬁed staff will engage kids, ages 5 to 12 years old, in sports, games and arts and crafts. Camps are drop-in programs and participants may come and go at their own volition during the session for which they are registered.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Jr. High Dance

Saturday Adult Bowling

The Jr. High Dance will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 21. Cost is $5 for residents and $8 for nonresidents. The Chandler Teen Programs will host a dance for junior high students, sixth to eighth grade. Come and hang out with us, as we play great music, have several contests and enjoy pizza and drinks. For more information contact Manny Padia at (480) 782-2746 or manuel.padia@ chandleraz.gov.

Saturday Adult Bowling will be held on Saturdays, May 17 through Aug. 2 at Chandler AMF Lanes. All registration fees are paid by RAD. There is a $7 weekly bowling fee. Throughout the season we will have drawings for gift cards and each week, you will participate in three games of bowling. The last day will include pizza for bowlers and treats for all. This activity is geared for ages 18 and older.

Tumble Tots

Teen Dodgeball League The Teen Dodgeball League will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28, through Wednesday, April 9. The team fee is $50. Does your team have what it takes to be the dodgeball champs? Join us for a Friday night dodgeball league built just for teens, ages 12 to 17. We will play a six-week season with an end-of-season tournament. You must register as a team to participate. Contact League Coordinator Manny Padia at (480) 782-2746 or by email at manuel.padia@chandleraz.gov for more information.

Therapeutic Walking Club The Therapeutic Walking Club will meet from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays April 2 through April 30 at Desert Breeze Park Ramadas. Cost is $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents. If you love to walk, like to socialize, want someone to help you exercise more, or just want to enjoy the spring weather, then the walking club is just for you. Wonderful activities are offered for ages 12 and older.

The Tumbleweed Recreation Center is offering Tumble Tots on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Tree house and on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the West Gym. Cost is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and younger to play with parent/ guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean indoor play area has plenty of toys and equipment that will keep the kids entertained.

Personal Training at Tumbleweed Recreation Center Make wellness your priority and get ﬁt the right way at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Personal training options include 30 and 60 minute one-onone sessions and small group training. Call the TRC at (480) 782-2900 to schedule a session. SEE RECREATION PAGE 54

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

RECREATION FROM PAGE 53

Sonoran Sunset Series The free Sonoran Sunset Series, “The Knockabouts,” will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Veterans Oasis Park. The series features live, lakeside entertainment suitable for the entire family. Participants may bring blankets, chairs, or food and should dress warmly on cool evenings. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held inside the Environmental Education Center. Call the EEC Program hotline at (480) 782-2889 for updates.

Neighbors 2014 Family Easter Celebration The free 2014 Family Easter Celebration will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Snedigar Sportsplex. The Easter Egg Scrambles start at 10:30 a.m. for all kids up to 9 years of age. In addition to the egg hunts, there will be information booths, displays, interactive amusements and performances. At 11:30 a.m. there is a Family Easter Basket GiveAway. The event is free, with minimal charges for some interactive activities and photos with the Easter Bunny. For more information, call the City Special Event Line at (480) 782-2735 or go to www. chandleraz.gov/special-events.

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Call for entries for Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award The Mom-e Club, a Gilbert-based, international networking organization, is accepting video entries from mom entrepreneurs across the nation looking to inspire others through their own entrepreneurial journey for the Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mom entrepreneurs, regardless of what stage their children or business are in, are encouraged to enter by submitting a 2- to 3-minute video by March 31. Once videos are judged, The Mom-e Club will announce its top 10 finalists and even record a professional video complimentary for local finalists courtesy of sponsor BASIX Media. Videos are then displayed on The Mom-e Club website for the nation to vote on. The winner will be determined by the number of unique votes received. Once the voting period ends, The Mom-e Club recognizes its top 10 finalists on stage at its annual Mom Entrepreneur Celebration slated for Thursday, May 8, at the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe before Mother’s Day, and awards its winner with a sash, tiara, roses and all. “I’m incredibly passionate about this event,” says Tisha Marie Pelletier, founder of The Mom-e Club and creator of the Annual Mom Entrepreneur Celebration. “Mom entrepreneurs need to be recognized and this is the best way I know to applaud them in front of their peers and families for all they’ve accomplished. This year is even more special to me as we’re

WINNER: Angela Harrolle, of Chandler, left, is a past winner of the Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is pictured here with founder Tisha Marie Pelletier. Submitted photo

celebrating a milestone. It’s the ﬁfth year of hosting this event and sharing the stories of 50 incredibly talented, determined women. If you’re looking for inspiration from real women, this is deﬁnitely the place to be.” Past award winners include Karen Nowicki of Chandler, Shannon Rozas of Mesa, Dr. Susan Wilder of Scottsdale and Angela Harrolle of Chandler. For eligibility requirements and additional details on how to enter the contest, or to attend or become a vendor at the May event, contact Pelletier at tisha@mom-eclub.com or visit www.momeclub.com/thecontest.

Neighbors

www.SanTanSun.com

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Family Season Pass sale ends March 16 for aquatic facilities Receive a 15-percent discount on a Family Season Pass when you purchase a pass before Sunday, March 16. Passes are $95 for admission to all six aquatic centers for a family of four, $13 for each additional member, all summer long. Family Season Passes are available to Chandler residents and are valid March through November.

Mesquite and Hamilton hours Mesquite Groves is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during March and Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 21. The play structure is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25 through March 28 and the play pool area is open 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the same days. Hamilton is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 through March 22 for spring break.

Spring lessons and sessions Registration is open for March and April sessions for the learn-to-swim classes. To register, visit www.chandleraz. gov/registration. Spring Session 3 will take place at Hamilton and Mesquite Groves on Saturdays from March 29 to April 19. Mesquite Groves will also have a Tuesday and Thursday evening Spring Session 3 through March 27. Spring Session 4 will take place at Arrowhead Pool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from March 24 through April 4. This free session will be taught by water safety instructor candidates, thanks to a sponsorship from SRP.

Youth Stroke Development This program is designed to be an introductory experience for swimmers

ages 8 to 18 interested in swimming on a team. Instructors will provide ﬁtness swimming workouts, including drills, to prepare swimmers for a recreational swim team experience. The freestyle, backstroke, starts and turns will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Arrowhead Pool from 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. April 8 through April 25.

flotation device Get free admission to Mesquite Groves during spring break, until March 22, by bringing in a swimsuit or U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device. One swimsuit equals one free admission to pool; one U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device equals one free family admission to pool.

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course

Adult Beginner and Adult Stroke Development classes Adults need lessons too. The City of Chandler offers several different class types designed around your needs; whether you are learning how to swim or looking to improve your stroke technique and endurance, there are classes designed speciﬁcally for the adult learner. It’s never too late to learn to swim or become a better swimmer. The teen adult beginner class will be held at Hamilton Aquatic 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Saturdays March 29 through April 19. the adult stroke development classes will be held at Mesquite Groves from6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays until March 27.

Aqua Fit classes return Aqua Fit classes are back. Cost is $35 for residents and $48 for nonresidents. Drop-in fees are $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents space permitting. All classes are 50 minutes. Participants must be 16 years or older. Fee is based on eight classes. Classes will be canceled three days prior to start of class date if minimal enrollment required is not met. Aqua Fit Shallow, 3.5- to 5-feet deep, includes walking, running, jumping and a variety of aerobic movements performed in the shallow end of the

This course trains instructor’s candidates to teach water safety, including the basic water rescue course, six levels of the progressive to learn swim program and parent and child aquatics. This is a 43-hour course and includes five hours of F.I.T. course and eight hours of instructor candidate practice teaching time. Cost is $103 for residents and $127 for nonresidents. Prerequisites include: demonstrate proficiency in front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and the butterfly; maintain position on back for one minute in deep water, tread water for one minute and must be 16 years old by the last day of the class. The next session will be held at Arrowhead Pool on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from March 17 to April 4.

pool to increase heart rate and provide a cardiovascular and strength training workout. A variety of water equipment is used for conditioning and total body toning, includes stretching, warm-up, cardio, toning and cool down. Shoes are required. Aqua Fit Deep uses deep water jogging and exercises to challenge and strengthen the entire body including the core. This class is held in 6- to 12-feet of water, in a vertical position, feet not touching the bottom to improve overall ﬁtness. Flotation belts, noodles and other equipment are used but comfort in the water is recommended. The upcoming sessions will be held 7 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through March 27. For more information call Mesquite Groves at (480) 782-2635 or (480) 782-2636.

Private Pool Rentals Looking forward to an upcoming birthday party, ofﬁce party, family gathering, church outing or family reunion? Aquatic facilities are rented outside of public swim hours on Saturdays and Sundays May 3 through Aug. 24. Rent a pool by calling Sheri Passey at (480) 782-2753.

Free admission for gently used swim suit or U.S. Coast Guard

Celebrate spring break at Rawhide Serious Scribes seeking new members Celebrate spring break at Rawhide Western Town with gunﬁghts, explosions, daring falls and all the antics of the Arizona Roughride from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, through Sunday, March 23, and from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, through Sunday, March 30. Rawhide Western Town offers a full schedule of activities for all ages. Enjoy a hay ride, the petting zoo, panning for gold,

shooting gallery, gun ﬁghts, stunt shows, live country music, a real blacksmith and more. Admission to Rawhide is free. Individual attraction tickets are $4.95 plus tax each. Town pass, one-day unlimited usage wristband, is $14.95 plus tax. Rawhide is located at 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler. For more information call (480) 502-5600 or visit www.rawhide.com.

The Serious Scribes, a Chandler critique writers group, is looking for new members. The group asks for serious mature writers who can devote two Fridays a month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It meets at the Coffee Cove in Gilbert, which is on the north side

of Warner and Gilbert roads. We accept all genres, except porn. All the owner asks is that everyone make a purchase while we meet. Any questions email mistilove@aol. com.

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Neighbors

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Apple Dumpling CafĂŠ 3076 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 279-3879 www.appledumplingcafe.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Mondays are Family Value night, where kids eat free with each adult meal and two drinks purchased. On Family Fun night, kids receive free ice cream with a meal. After school coolness is from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, where kids buy one ice cream, and get one free Chompieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 398-3008 www.chompies.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: All day Tuesday, children 10 and younger receive one free item from the kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meal menu with adult meal purchase of $8 or more. Dine in only. Connect5 Family Centers Corp. 222 E. Warner Rd., Chandler (480) 699-2122 1495 S. Higley Rd., Gilbert (480) 361-8410 Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Mondays and Fridays free kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meals with an adult purchase for Munchie Monday Free Lunch and Freebie Friday Free Dinner. Copper Still - Moonshine Grill 2531 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101,

3011 S. Lindsay Rd. Suite 105 Gilbert, AZ 85295 P: (480) 699-5536 F: (480) 699-9283 www.LifetimeHeart.com

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WHERE KIDS EAT FREE

Gilbert (480) 242-1258 www.CopperStillMoonshineGrill. com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Every Tuesday, 10 year old and younger, eat for free with the purchase of an adult meal.

Dillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deli 2895 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5, Chandler (480) 722-0644 www.dillysdeli.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: On weekends, get one free kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meal for each adult meal purchased for $4.79 or more. El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 802-5770 www.epchandler.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Wednesday kids 12 and younger eat free with paid adult. Fat Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4850 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler (480) 883-1356 www.fatwillysaz.com/Chandler Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, dine in and get a free kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meal with every adult entrĂŠe purchased. Little Leaguers menu only, 12 and younger. Nabers Music Bar and Eats 825 N. 54th St., Chandler (480) 705-0288

www.nabersaz.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Kids eat free every Monday and Tuesday, with the purchase of an adult meal and two beverages.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Every Tuesday night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of combo or specialty meal. Dine-in only.

Pittsburgh Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1509 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler (480) 857-2860 www.pittsburghwillys.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Every day except Sunday breakfast, kids younger than 10 eat free with each paying adult. Additional kids eat for 50 percent off; Wee Willy menu only.

The Cove Grill 5070 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 400, Chandler (480) 802-9070 www.thecovegrill.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Tuesday kids younger than 12 receive one free meal per adult entrĂŠe purchased.

Planet Sub 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 245-6503 www.planetsub.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Monday kids eat free with paid adult. Sidelines Grill 2980 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler (480) 792-6965 www.sidelinesaz.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Kids eat free from kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; menu after 4 p.m. Thursdays with adult entree. Dine-in only. Cannot be combined with any other offers or specials. Someburros! 3461 W. Frye Rd., Chandler 2597 S. Market St., Gilbert 1335 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert www.someburros.com

The Sushi Room 2475 W. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler (480) 821-9000 www.sushiroomaz.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Sunday Funday means kids 12 and younger eat free, two kids per paying adult. Uncle Bearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grill and Bar 1980 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 722-1555 www.unclebearsgrillandbar.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Wednesday kids eat free with each full price entrĂŠe purchased. Whiskey Rose Bar and Grill 135 W. Ocotillo Rd. Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673) www.whiskeyrosesaloon.com Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deal: Kids eat free every day with the purchase of an adult entree and kids drink.

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE The SanTan Sun News now has a regular â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where kids eat freeâ&#x20AC;? section. Restaurant owners, please email us details such as days of the week kids can eat free at your establishment, and what conditions apply, such as purchase of an adult meal, certain hours, etc., Include your restaurant name, address, phone and website and a contact name for veriďŹ cation. Readers, if you know of a location that has a kidseat-free program, email us with the restaurant name, a phone and / or email for conďŹ rmation and details. Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun.com.

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Neighbors

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NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS

Call ahead to conﬁrm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly meeting you would like listed in Neighborhood Networks, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com. Note: The SanTan Sun News now has a Spiritual Connections column in the Spirituality section for ongoing religious-related events.

About Care Monthly volunteer training, by individual appointment. A nonproﬁt serving homebound Chandler and Gilbert residents; provides transportation, shopping and errands, friendly visits, reassurance phone calls, minor home repairs. Info: (480) 802-2331, www. aboutcare.org

5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month Support group for caregivers of people with dementia. Free; no preregistration required. Chandler Regional Hospital, Morrison Building, Learning Resource Room 1875 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, ext. 201

25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes Info: Commander Byron Weston, (480) 802-6623

American Society of Women Accountants, Mesa East Valley Chapter 5:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month Nonproﬁt organization holds monthly networking and educational sessions for women in accounting. Absolute Business Builders: Alzheimer’s Association Business Networking Desert Southwest Chapter, Landmark Restaurant 809 W. Main St., Mesa International Gilbert 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Wednesdays 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. ﬁrst and third Info: Shelby, (602) 430-8834, www.aswa-mev.org Chompie’s Friday of the month 3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Support group for caregivers Arizona Business Info: Nikki Janulewicz, (480) of people with dementia. Connection Networking 570-1835, Nikki@azbestmove. Free; no preregistration Group com required. 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays First United Methodist Networking / referral group Action Networkers: Business Church of Gilbert holds weekly breakfast Networking International 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert meetings with member 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, presentations and marketing Chompies ext. 201 training sessions. Guests are 3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler free. Call in advance. Info: Marty Recht, (602) 315- American Legion James O. Dobson Ranch Golf Course 2056, Marty@AZMarty.com Schroeder Post 55 Restaurant 7 p.m. third Tuesday of the 2155 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa Alzheimer’s Association month Info: Danny, (602) 363-0147, Desert Southwest Chapter, Sun Lakes Country Club, Danny.Balanon@RealLiving. Chandler Navajo Room com

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Arizona Special Education Network, Chandler area Provides disability-related education, advocacy and resources to help parents navigate the complex special education system. Info: (602) 531-0230 Business Referral Exchange Worldwide (BREW) 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. first and third Thursday of the month Industry-specific referral and networking group Dobson Ranch Inn 1666 S. Country Club Dr., Mesa Info: Jeremy McClymonds, (480) 444-2228, www. BREWus.com Build Your Own Business: Chandler 8 a.m. first and third Thursdays of the month East Valley networking and referral organization, meets in Ahwatukee at a private location; address will be provided upon contact. Info: Lisa, lisa@lisamatusak. com, facebook.com/ BYOBAZ

WebXtra:

Chandler Airport Commission 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month The Commission makes recommendations to Chandler City Council regarding airport operations, physical growth, economic development and proposed land use. Chandler Municipal Airport terminal 2380 S. Stinson Way, Chandler Info: (480) 782-3540 Chandler Business Alliance 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Thursdays Professional business coalition dedicated to the economic and social development of its members and the Chandler community as a whole. BLD 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler Info: chandleralliance@gmail. com, www.chandleralliance. com Chandler Chamber Business Golf 7 a.m. tee time, ﬁrst and third

Wednesdays of the month Includes nine holes of golf, continental breakfast and networking opportunities. Preregistration required online. Golf venue varies. Info: www.chandlerchamber. com Chandler Farmers Market 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays Weekly market with more than 30 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, gourmet food and handmade crafts. Free admission. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, east side of Arizona Avenue, Chandler Info: (480) 855-3539, www. downtownchandler.org Chandler Lions Club 6:30 p.m. ﬁrst and third Tuesdays of the month Area residents are invited to come join like-minded volunteers and make new friends. Atria Chandler Villas, Community Room 101 S. Yucca St., Chandler Info: RuthJon Wick, (480) 895-3569, az1ruthjon@q.com

For a complete list of SanTan Sun area clubs, associations and networking groups, visit www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Neighbors” to read Neighborhood Networks.

Neighbors

March 15 - April 4, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

Buy-one, get-one free premium Angus burger deal at Chompie’s

CRUISE-In for Veterans Car and Motorcycle Show

Mouth-watering buy-one get-one free burger deal is being offered at Chompie’s, Arizona’s NY Deli, for the Cactus League spring training season. After 3 p.m., seven days a week, through Sunday, March 30, diners can buy-one, get-one free any charbroiled half pound of premium Angus beef burger of equal or lesser value, with the purchase of two burgers. The charbroiled burgers are extra ﬂavorful and are served on a fresh-baked sesame brioche bun, accompanied by Chompie’s famous homemade coleslaw and fries. Cheese, bacon, fried egg and pastrami toppings can be added to customize your burger at an additional cost. The Classic Borenstein burger, the original grilled patty melt, chipotle ranch burger, Texas longhorn burger, sourdough patty melt and the Baja burger are other choices. The offer is not valid on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17. The offer serves two guests; dine-in only. No substitutions. Not valid with promotional gift cards or any other coupons, discounts or offers. Adam Richman of the Travel Channel’s popular show, “Man vs. Food” made Chompie’s famous. Chompie’s is located at Chandler

The American Legion Post 97, in San Tan Valley, has announced plans for a Cruise-In for the Veterans Car and Motorcycle Show to be held Saturday, April 26, at the Olive Mill in Queen Creek. The fundraiser will feature classic, custom, street rod, muscle car and truck vehicles and motorcycles. The admission to the public is free. Tickets are available for raffle prizes. The event will feature vendors, live music, food and drink, free wine tasting and more. Parking is free. Trophies will be awarded by peers for first, second and third place in 13 categories, which include motorcycle and specialty military transportation. The entry fee is $25 for those who preregister. It includes a free dash plaque and show T-shirt. Onsite entries are $30 with a dash plaque and T-shirt available upon purchase. Sponsorships including Title Sponsor, trophy sponsors and vendor booths are available on a first-come basis. Only one vendor per company, brand, is allowed and no food vendors can participate. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with trophies awarded at 2 p.m. Special guests and local personalities are expected. This is a family event to support not only American Legion

Village Center, 3481 W. Frye Rd. For more information, visit www.chompies. com.

Chompie’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration An All-You-Can-Eat Corned Beef Feast will be part of the Chompie’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration. The annual feast will be served from 11 a.m. to close. It includes Chompie’s specially seasoned and slow-roasted corned beef, boiled red potatoes, cabbage and fresh baked Irish soda bread for $18.99. The special is for dinein only. A single-serving complete corned beef meal and a special dessert for $15.99 for takeout or dine in is another special offered. Also offered is Chompie’s fresh baked St. Patrick’s themed backed goods including cookies, cupcakes, cakes, green bagels and Irish soda bread. The specials are only available on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17. Beer, wine, cocktails and a variety of drinks, including Chompie’s famous Brooklyn, N.Y.-style egg creams are also available. For more information, visit www. chompies.com. All locations are participating.

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Post 97, but also San Tan Youth Programs, including six American Legion Baseball teams the post sponsors, as well as other programs for veterans, their families, and the community at large. American Legion Baseball works with 14 to 19 year olds from Poston Butte, Combs, San Tan Foothills, and other high schools in Pinal County to provide leadership skills and activities during the summer months. “The youth of our generation must be supported and provided with programs that will encourage teamwork, instill conﬁdence, and provide activities to keep them focused,” Commander of Post 97 Alan Pease says. The Peases hope to build a community center in San Tan Valley through a foundation being formed by Post 97. All funds derived from this event go directly to ongoing or new programs for veterans and the community. For information on registering your vehicles, sponsorships and vendor booths, contact Jeffrey A. Kramer at (480) 250-4445 or marketingpro@cox.net.

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Neighbors

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Ozzie Smith, Budweiser Clydesdales take over downtown Chandler Downtown Chandler played host to Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith and the infamous Budweiser Clydesdales on Wednesday, March 5. In an effort to make Opening Day a national holiday, Smith and Budweiser ﬁlmed a commercial in the streets of Chandler. STSN photos by Tracy House

MAJESTIC CREATURES: Eight of the Budweiser Clydesdales were hitched up for the ﬁlming of the commercial.

OPENING DAY: The Budweiser hitch is parked in front of Coach and Willie’s in downtown Chandler as preparations were made to ﬁlm the commercial.

THANK YOU: Mayor Jay Tibshraeny gets a handshake and a thank you from Ozzie Smith.

ON HAND: Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, center, with one of the drivers of the hitch and Terri Kimble, president of Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Ozzie Smith, atop the Budweiser hitch, greets fans as he rides through downtown Chandler.

IN GRAND FASHION: One of eight of the Budweiser Clydesdales being led out to the hitch prior to the commercial be ﬁlmed.

FRIENDLY ICON: Chip the Dalmatian poses with Ofﬁcer Emma Bribiescas before boarding the hitch.

HAVIN’ FUN: Randy Walters, owner of Pittsburgh Willy’s, came out for the event and brought a friend.

A GREAT DAY: Chandler Chamber of Commerce President Terri Kimble and Councilman Kevin Hartke were out to watch the festivities.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Arts

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Reinvention on Blues Traveler’s itinerary BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Blues Traveler guitarist Chandler Kinchla is loving that his band is headlining The Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival on Saturday March 22, in downtown Chandler. “Tell Chandler thanks for naming a town after me,” Kinchla jokes. “When we were told we had an interview in Chandler, Ariz., they asked, ‘Who’s up for that one?’ Come on!” Jokes aside, Blues Traveler is in the midst of a reinvention of sorts. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its album “Four.” In celebration, the record company is re-releasing it with a companion disc that will feature writing collaborations with the likes of Gavin DeGraw, John Mayer, the Plain White T’s and 3OH!3. The Plain White T’s track was produced by ‘N Sync’s JC Chasez. “He’s (Chasez) very musical because ‘N Sync sang all those harmonies and it’s all theory based,” Kinchla explains. “You need to know how music’s put together to be able to do that, believe it or not. ‘N Sync is such a big pop phenomena that it might be easy to think it was just overproduced. But singing is singing. “He really knows the musical side of things. I think his pop sensibility is kind of cool. We’re usually a little more rock oriented. It was neat to get that sensibility—especially with us and the Plain White T’s. He was great in getting the vibe right.” The variety of acts with which Blues Traveler is working displays the band’s diversity. “‘N Sync were terrific,” Kinchla says. “I like only one kind of music—good music, which could be anything from Rihanna to ‘N Sync to Prince to Charlie

COMING TO TOWN: Blues Traveler brings its improvisational rock to The Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival on Saturday March 22, in downtown Chandler. Submitted photo

Parker. ‘N Sync was definitely my favorite of the boy bands. I love me some JT (Justin Timberlake). Who doesn’t love JT?” He admitted that Blues Traveler tried to get Chasez to cut a rug, but he refused that and any

other ‘90s moves. “At one point, we were doing a photo with the band and all that,” he says. “We said, ‘Let’s finger point!’ He said, ‘No thanks. I did so much finger pointing back then.’”

Arts

www.SanTanSun.com The Princeton, N.J.-bred band is recording the collection at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606, the home of the console revered in the award-winning documentary “Sound City.” After the album is finished, Blues Traveler will embark on a seven-week tour with “a bunch of different bands” that Kinchla wasn’t at liberty to name yet. In the fall, “Four” and the accompanying disc will be released and Blues Traveler will head out once again. At the Chandler show, Blues Traveler will not have new tunes ready to debut. Instead, it will perform a plethora of hits as well as songs from its latest album, 2012’s “Suzie Cracks the Whip.” The collection, Kinchla says, translates well live. “We’ve been playing a lot of material off there,” he says. “With some records, there are one to two songs that really fit in the repertoire. This one, we play everything pretty regularly. It fits right with the show.” For ticket information, visit http:// chandlerbbq.com/#home. The show should be a good performance, he explains. “Everyone’s in good spirits,” Kinchla says. “We’ve been off for the last couple months, so we’re all ready to get back to work.” Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun. com.

The Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival returns for 2014 BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Patrons are invited to come hungry for the huge assortment of fun food fare at the Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival on Saturday, March 22, at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. In its fourth year, the event, presented by HDE Agency, is packing a one-two punch of beer and barbecue. Public and Media Relations Manager Jen Pruett describes how the event has grown. “For the last two years in the row, we’ve won Outstanding Event of the Year from the APS AzTec Awards, which are the Valley’s largest committee that gives event-based annual awards,” Pruett states. “This is the ﬁrst event to win back-toback awards so we’re really excited to brag about that a little.” From design and entertainment to the variety of vendors and activities, this festival has something for every family member. Some of the many barbecue vendors taking part include Waldo’s BBQ, Up ‘N Smoke BBQ, Chandler BBQ Co., Tom’s BBQ and Joe’s Real BBQ. Other participating vendors include DGP Gourmet Fry Bread, SanTan Brewing Co., Paletas Betty and many more. Take part in the Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ rib eating, Tastebuds pie eating, Hungry Monk wing eating and Von Hanson’s brat eating

contests. Tickets are $8 in advance at all Valley Bashas’ locations or online; or $10 at the gate. Kids ages 12 and younger are admitted for free. General admission tickets include live entertainment, the eating competitions and the expanded Kid Zone. Food pricing is set by each vendor.

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Festival entrance fees at the gate are cash only and it is recommended for most food items, too. “We do advise people that cash is the best. Some vendors will take cards, but there will be ATM machines located throughout the event,” Pruett explains. VIP festival tickets are also available online only for $150 and include food, six alcoholic beverages, unlimited water and soft drinks and a VIP gift bag. Porkopolis will provide food for VIP ticket holders. Mark and Anna Smith are the owners of Honey Bear’s BBQ and have taken part SEE BARBEQUE FESTIVAL PAGE 62

CELEBRATION OF FOOD: The Great American Barbeque and Festival is 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler. Submitted photo

Arts

March 15 - April 4, 2014

BARBECUE FESTIVAL FROM PAGE 61

in the event for several years. “This is one of the most amazing day events in the state,” says Mark Smith. “People just eat, eat, eat. This is the day where people break their fast and eat barbecue all day long.” As a business owner, Smith recognizes the value of getting his food out to the masses at The Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival. “If you do a great job out there, you’re going to win a customer,” he notes. Honey Bear’s BBQ will serve barbecue pork, chicken and beef, ribs, ribs tips and stuffed barbecue baked potatoes. Entertainment this year includes Arizona-based country rock cover band Georgia Chrome, Nashville recording artist and Arizona native Laura Walsh, Top 20 Billboard recording artist Craig Campbell, and headliners Grammy Award winning artists Blues Traveler whose hits include “Run-Around,” “But Anyway” and “Hook.” (See accompanying story.) Other event highlights include the SanTan Brewing Tailgaters’ Lawn, UltraStar March Madness Lounge, Chester’s Harley Davidson Pavilion, Porkopolis VIP Quarters, Dickel Hoedown Rodeo Zone, Bulleit Bourbon BBQ Pit Row, DC Farmers Market and an expanded kids’ play zone. Barbecue pit masters will also compete in the Bashas’ Backyard Throwdown Competition. “We had about 17,000 people attend last year,” Pruett notes. “We hope to hit the 20,000 mark this year. To make room for that, we have added about 10,000 square feet of activity space this year.”

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Photo art on display at Vision Gallery

FAMILY FRIENDLY: The festival features something for every member of the family, including food vendors, beer vendors, the Kid Zone and eating contests. Submitted photo

A portion of the event proceeds will beneﬁt the Boot Campaign, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing assistance to wounded military and their families with job placement, securing mortgage-free homes, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, adaptive clothing and more. For additional information visit www. bootcampaign.com. To purchase tickets and for a full entertainment event schedule, visit www. chandlerbbq.com. Event hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is street parking located throughout downtown Chandler including a lot in front of the city building and a dirt lot at the north end of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. Parking is free. Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be contacted at lynette@santansun.com.

The artwork of Linda Ingraham will be on display through Saturday, May 3, at the Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler. Ingraham is a local mixedmedia photographer who has honed her skills in places as diverse as Italy, New Mexico and the Sorbonne in Paris. The works in “25 Years of Mixed Media Photography” are influenced by her travels as well as her childhood and extensive artistic studies, and she incorporates painting into the background of her photographs. Ingraham’s work has been displayed in galleries and museums around the country as well as in Japan and Brussels. In 1993 she received two grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts: a Visual Arts Fellowship and an Artists Project Grant. She has also worked with the Phoenix Art Museum and Ballet Arizona.

Ingraham’s photo-constructions appear haunting and emotional as she strives to evoke the sense of reverence she felt while viewing altars and icons of the Gothic and Renaissance periods. She uses her works to create visual metaphors of things like fear, hope and desire. “I am drawn to beauty but I like to push beyond the boundary of the merely beautiful and imbue it with an emotional quality. A large part of my work deals with metaphors, trying to embody an idea or an emotion by using a figure, object or juxtaposition of photographs in a simple iconic way,” Ingraham says in her artist’s statement. For more information call (480) 7822695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.

improvMANIA hosts comedy show improvMANIA, a locally founded and based comedy troupe, will present a free 90-minute program in the style of television’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?” from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and Saturday, June 21, held at Sozo Coffee in Chandler. The show is family friendly and fast paced, so guests should arrive early to catch it all, and plan to drink some coffee and laugh all night long. From its beginnings in downtown

Chandler, improvMANIA has performed all over Arizona; including Payson, Prescott, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun Lakes, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. Sozo Coffee is located at 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, at the southwest corner of Alma School and Warner roads, directly under the clock tower. To learn more visit http:// improvMANIA.net.

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Jazz festival celebrates the blues next month BY MAX KRAUST

The 15th annual Chandler Jazz Festival, which takes place April 4-5 in downtown Chandler, provides families with free entertainment and a unique cultural experience. The festival will feature dozens of jazz bands and individuals performing all along the downtown Chandler area, starting at 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 4. Performances will continue until 2 a.m. and then pick up again at 12 p.m. Saturday. “It’s a nice, relaxed, laidback event where residents can enjoy an exciting but mellow atmosphere,” Chandler Special Events Coordinator Hermelinda Llamas says. The event began as the Chandler Fall Rhythm Fest and then evolved into a celebration of the lesser listened to genre of the rhythm group, jazz. The two-day festival will attract around 12,000 people. “The festival offers an opportunity to see diversity in jazz music itself,” Llamas says. “You get to hear all the different styles of jazz music and have fun and get up and dance. We want them to really feel engaged with the bands.” Each year the festival attempts to highlight a different style of the genre, with this year’s event focusing on blues. There will be a main stage at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park with featured performers, as well as performers lining the streets and local merchants, keeping the music going at all times. On the east side of the park is the “New Orleans Square” which will have

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Open studio tour to beneﬁt CCA John Gleason and Jacque Keller of Quantum Art Inc. will open their studio at 371 N. Carriage Ln., Chandler, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 22, for an exhibition and sale to beneﬁt the Chandler Center for the Arts. During the show and continuing for all of 2014, 20 percent of all sales will go to the center at customers’ requests. To learn more about the artists or their studio, visit www.QuantumArtInc.com or contact them at info@quantumartinc.com or (480) 216-0450.

FUN MOMENT: Willis Junior High School Jazz Band performing at last year’s Chandler Jazz Festival. Submitted photo

entertainment from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Bands are on the sidewalks and in the restaurants which overﬂows into the entire downtown area,” Llamas says. “We try to keep the party going all day and night.” The festival is more than just music, however. An arts and crafts fair as well as a beer and wine garden for festival attendees offer additional ﬂavor. “The arts and crafts portion gives people an opportunity walking downtown to be entertained and then do some shopping,” Llamas says. The Dmitri Matheny Group is one of the featured bands at this year’s festival. It performed at the festival in 2010 and the act’s namesake says it’s one of his favorite

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places to perform. “As a touring musician, I’ve performed in music festivals all over the world, and the Chandler Jazz Festival ranks among the best of them,” Matheny says. “It’s a great big party and a wonderful showcase for both established and emerging jazz artists. It’s gonna be a stone groove!” The Dmitri Matheny Group will take the main stage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. For a complete listing of performers, schedule of events and more information, visit www.chandleraz.gov/jazz. Max Kraust is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at max@santansun.com.

Sun Lakes Chorale presents ‘Let There Be Peace’ The 80-voice Sun Lakes Chorale will present its annual spring concert, “Let There Be Peace,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9249 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. Cristine Temple-Evans, chorale director, will lead the men and women in the performance. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sun Lakes ACE Hardware’s “Ticket Tuesdays” through March 25. Call (480) 883-6997 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Arts

March 15 - April 4, 2014

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Dive into the Palms Theatre for Spring break camp at Copperstar â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Dixie Swim Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dixie Swim Club,â&#x20AC;? a lighthearted comedy about the ups and downs of five Southern friends over the years, will be on stage through Saturday, April 12, in the Marquee Theatre at Palms Theatre at 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. From the authors of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mama Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Flyâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dearly Departed,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dixie Swim Clubâ&#x20AC;? introduces audiences to five Southern women who met years ago on their college swim team, and continue to meet for a long weekend at a beach cottage on North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outer banks each August to reconnect and share stories from their lives. The five friends grow closer over the years even as they lead separate lives; and grow to rely on each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice and boisterous conversations as they face many challenges. When

one of the women is rattled by a twist of fate in the second act, her friends come together to support her. The Palmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; production is directed by Paul Bernier and features Megan Orlowski (Sheree), Kira Galindo (Lexie), Sharon Yormick (Dinah), Heather Fallon (Vernadette) and Laura Vave (Jeri Neal). Tickets can be purchased online at www.ThePalmsTheatre.com, by phone (480) 924-6260, or at the box office located at 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. Tickets, including buffet and show: matinees $42; Sunday through Friday evenings $42; Saturday evenings $48. Show-only seating is $28. Group pricing for 20 or more is available; call group sales director Cliff Richeson (480) 924-6260 ext. 106 for more information.

Copperstar Repertory Company still has registration open for its spring break camp running from Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 21 at its studio at 3002 N. Arizona Ave., Suites 3 and 4, Chandler. Visit www.springcamps14.eventbrite.com to register for the camp. Spring break camps include Rising Stars camp for children ages 8 to 15, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and presents a performance at 2 p.m. Friday, March 21. An Imagination Station camp for children ages 4 to 7 is also available from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a sharing time with parents at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Grease Copperstar is also hosting an interactive sing-along evening at Pollack Tempe Cinemas at 1825 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, as they present the ďŹ lm â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greaseâ&#x20AC;? Thursday, March 20 and again Monday, March 24. The classic John Travolta and Olivia Newton John ďŹ lm will include subtitles, so the audience can

Chandler, African choirs join for beneďŹ t concert Tri-City Baptist Church will host the African Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, as it joins the Chandler Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir for a concert to beneďŹ t the African group. The choirs will come together to present vibrant, youthful songs; singing everything from classical tunes and well-loved childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s songs to folk songs and spirituals.

The CCC is the premiere youth community choir in the East Valley, with three different choirs and more than 100 children who are thrilled to collaborate with the African Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir. Music for Life, the parent organization for the African Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir, works in countries including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

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sing along to the iconic tunes. The evening will begin with a vocal warmup led by Copperstar costumed hosts. After the warmup, the audience will learn the â&#x20AC;&#x153;hand jiveâ&#x20AC;? and hosts will walk them through their complimentary goody bag, which contains props to be used during certain moments throughout the ďŹ lm. In addition to singing and dancing, the audience is encouraged to arrive in costume; wear their black leather biker jackets, powder-pink bomber jackets, poodle skirts, greased hair and anything else worn in the 1950s at Rydell High. The eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events begin at 7 p.m., with the movie starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Copperstar Studios up to the date of each event, as well as online at www.singalonggrease. eventbrite.com. Concessions will be available at the Pollack Tempe Cinemas concession stand. For more information about Copperstar Repertory, call (480) 699-1655 or visit www. copperstarrep.org. and most recently the Queen of England for her diamond jubilee. The choir has also performed alongside Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Michael W. Smith and others. Tri-City Baptist Church is at 2211 W. Germann Rd. in Chandler. Tickets are $15. Call (480) 699-9846 or visit www.chandlerchildrenschoir.org for more information.

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Mesa Arts Center features contemporary art exhibits Hammered metal, selected prints, a showcase of crafts from around the country and more are on display now at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, located at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa.

First Impressions The exhibit First Impressions, running through March 23, displays prints featured in the Mesa Contemporary Arts annual print calendar in the last ﬁve years. Pieces include prints from relief, screen, etchings and lithographs. The 2014 calendar is available for purchase at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in limited quantities. Each month on the calendar features a different print, adhered to the calendar with photo corners for easy removal for framing, and no two calendars are alike. The juror for this year’s calendar was master printer David Manje, who supervises 2-D classes at Mesa Arts Center.

35th annual Contemporary Crafts Mesa’s 35th annual Contemporary Arts’ annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition, continuing through April 13, displays works from around the country. The craft showcase includes traditional crafts like jewelry, basketry, ﬁbers, metals, papermaking, book arts and metals. Forty-six works of art will be featured by 35 artists from 14 states. The guest juror for the 35th annual

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Local student stars in concert

Contemporary Craft was independent curator Julie Muñiz.

Hammered Steve Shelby, recipient of the 34th annual Contemporary Crafts Juror’s Choice Award, is showing his work in a solo exhibition in the Dr. Ruth Tan Lim Project Room. The exhibit, Hammered, will be on display through April 13. Shelby creates handcrafted metal pieces, using hammers and stakes to shape ﬂat sheets of metal into 3-D forms. The results are playful and humorous at times, and often inspired by shapes in nature. The exhibition is a retrospective look at Shelby’s work from the last 11 years.

M8K Marks Faculty and resident artists from the past 30 years share their art at M8K Marks, a showcase for the prominent artists. Artists Lisa Albinger, Michael Healy, Susan Manje, David Manje, Helen Norsigian, Rowles, Augie Tantalo, Janet Towbin, Agustin Vargas and Jeremy Yocum are featured. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is at the Mesa Arts Center campus at One E. Main St., downtown Mesa. Admission is free and visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call (480) 644-6567 to learn more.

Corona Del Sol High School freshman and violinist Tiffany Chang will take center stage at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, on Sunday, March 23, to perform Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto in D Major” with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. Chang recently won the CSO’s sixth annual Youth Competition, and is one of the youngest Youth Competition winners in the contest’s history. Her win gives her the chance to perform with the orchestra March 23, when the second- and third-place winners will also be honored. “I am so honored to win this competition,” Chang says. “It really gives me an opportunity to understand what it’s like to be a concert soloist and to play with actual orchestras.” Chang is a member of the Corona Del Sol chamber orchestra, and has been playing the violin for most of her life. She began playing at the age of 3, and became a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Mesa at 6, eventually rising to concertmaster in Division I by the time she was 10. At 15 she is no stranger to awards and recognitions, most recently as grand prize winner of the Phoenix Youth Symphony Young Musicians Competition 2014. She is a student of Phoenix Symphony

violinist Jing Zeng. The piece that Chang will perform on stage with the orchestra–Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35–is one of Tchaikovsky’s most renowned and most often played works. The concert will also include performances of Richard Wagner’s “Rienzi Overture” as well as Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, the “Reformation Symphony.” The Chandler Symphony Orchestra 2014 Youth Competition was open to string, woodwind, brass, harp and percussion students in grades seven to 12. Cash awards are granted to the top three competitors. This year’s second-prize winner is Dobson High School 12th grade clarinetist Alex Dergal, who performed Claude Debussy’s “Premiere Rhapsodie” for clarinet at the CSO Chamber Music concert Saturday, March 1. Awarded third prize is seventh grade violinist Hannah Goldstick. The awards will be presented to all three winners at the March 23 concert. The March 23 concert will be at 3 p.m. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to defray operating expenses for the all-volunteer organization. For more information visit www. chandlersymphony.net.

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Arts

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spark! Mesa’s Festival of Creativity hosts original performances, interactive art The Mesa Arts Center is welcoming spring break with spark!, Mesa’s Festival of Creativity, from Wednesday, March 19, to Sunday, March 23. The festival celebrates the arts, innovation and boundless creativity through participatory activities, music, original performances, interactive art and more. Features of the festival will include Austin Bike Zoo, an imaginative collaboration between bike builders, puppet makers and performers. Bike Zoo menagerie creatures to be featured include an 80-foot rideable rattlesnake bike, many butterflies ranging in height from 10 to 18 feet, and animated bat and owl bikes. Performances will include spokenword and hip-hop performances led by Phonetic Spit, movement and stilt-walking performance by San Francisco’s Carpetbag Brigade, Pop-Up performances by Mesa Arts Center’s resident companies, a zoo of Weaving the Wild characters in detailed frog, lizard, bird and insect costumes and a variety of popular local and regional musical acts in Western, rock, blues and jazz. Hands-on art-making activities will include a 20-foot-wide jungle scene colorby-number mural, two giant communitybuilt LEGO giraffes, a make-your-own glow-in-the-dark dragonfly, finger knit Jungle and beast-your-bike workshops (for a $5 fee), in which participants can create attachable art that will turn their bicycles into creatures. Exhibitions include an outdoor, overhead installation of iridescent, solar-

STILT SPECTACLE: The Carpetbag Brigade brings its unique brand of physical performance to the festival. Submitted photo BIKE BEASTS: The Austin Bike Zoo will roll by the festival with butterflies, owls and other “creatures” from its bicycle menagerie. Submitted photo powered dragonflies by Arizona artist Jeff Zischke and five exhibitions in the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, including the 35th annual Contemporary Crafts Exhibition. Also, like a page out of a Dr. Seuss book, the campus will be covered with colorful knitted tree sleeves created by members of the community. Interactive projects will include the Wonder Dome by Dan Fine, a 360-degree immersive dome with an interactive system for live performance; the Amyloid Project, a new steel sculpture and performance by UrbanSTEW, which will

bring complex research to life through interactive sound and dance performance and TubberKnockers by Doug Boyd, which will offer a musical playground that invites everyone to get involved in music-making. Inside MADE Garden, conceived by Megan Flod Johnson and created entirely out of recycled materials, insect performers will guide visitors on a personal tour. New this year, spark! After Dark on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. will include the Dance Lighthouse and Digital Light Painting by Glowing Pictures; It’s You, an interactive projection

piece by Karolina Sobecka; Fractured Future by Moheeb Zara, an interactive DJ/ VJ installation that invites participants to change image and sound on a projectionmapped installation from a built-in DJ/ VJ kiosk and ﬁre and glow performances by circus artists Martin Taylor and Juggler James Reid. All festival activities and outdoor performances are free with the exception of ticketed performances in the MAC’s theaters, studio sampler workshops in the MAC’s arts studios or Beast Your Bike workshops led by Austin Bike Zoo artists. For further details visit the spark! event page at www.mesaartscenter.com.

Spirituality

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March 15 - April 4, 2014

Teens to volunteer in Haiti BY TRACY HOUSE

For some kids, Spring Break is a time to relax, get in some extra sleep, play video games and hang out with friends. But for two Chandler-area boys, Spring Break will be spent helping Haitians. Part of Boy Scout Troop 172, Matthew Bade and Trung Nguyen are heading to Haiti as part of an 11-person group from St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Chandler. Their mission is to build bunk beds for children at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Orphanage in Jeremie, Haiti. Matthew, 16, attends Brophy High School and will be working on his Eagle Scout Project while in Haiti. “My project is kind of a subset of the church mission as a whole,” Matthew says. “The church was going to go build bunk beds anyway, so my project is raise the funds for and supervise building two of those beds directly.” He explains the requirement for the Eagle Scout project is a leadership demonstration. “Take a leading role in building and assembling these bunk beds.” The group will build 14 bunks. Matthew’s been involved in scouts for 10 years. This is his ﬁrst trip to Haiti. To prepare for the trip, he says, “There have been a lot of vaccinations, but not as many as my father.” Matthew’s dad, Tom Bade, is serving as a volunteer for the 10-day trip. The bunk beds will be assembled for the girls’ dormitory on this trip. The last group that went built bunk beds for the boys’ dorm. The church group will install mosquito netting in the dormitories as well.

Matthew says he’s looking forward to “helping people in general. It’s not a sightseeing trip; we’re going to help people improve their lives.” His choice to build bunk beds as his Eagle Scout project involved several factors. “One of them was that I didn’t want to do something that was simple and had been done before, like build a garden or clear rocks for the forest service. I wanted to do something that would make a difference, a big difference and was kind of new.” Matthew is building the beds from the ground up—literally and ﬁguratively. He was also responsible for raising the funds necessary for the beds. Also volunteering during his Spring Break is 15-year-old Trung, a a sophomore at Hamilton High School. The Eagle Scout says he’s heading to Haiti “so I can help out. It just feels nice to help others out.” Trung says he’ll be working with everyone else building the beds and keeping the children entertained. To prepare for the trip, Trung says he had to get just one shot, for typhoid, and some medicines. He chose to travel on the mission because Matthew and his father were attending. “It’s a coincidence that Matt and I are both in the same troop and we both go here (St. Andrew).” Trung explained there are 70 to 80 children at the orphanage from 3 to 16 years old. The group is taking coloring books, toothbrushes and toothpaste and other personal items, as well as the

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HEADING TO HAITI: Matthew Bade and Trung Nguyen will spend their Spring Break in Jeremie, Haiti, helping put together bunk beds for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Orphanage. STSN photo by Tracy House mosquito nets. The group of volunteers recently had a packing party at the parish to assemble and pack the donations and make sure all was in order before the journey. In anticipation of the trip, Trung says he received a list and pictures of the children. “They also told us they were easily excited and we should be prepared for them to smile and give us handshakes and hugs. They also told us what they like to do, because they like to play a lot of different games, especially sports.” This missionary opportunity is sponsored by St. Andrew the Apostle Church through the Haiti Outreach

ministry. The parish made a commitment in 2010 to support the orphanage. Matthew and Trung’s mission will be the parish’s ﬁfth trip to Jeremie, Haiti. As a parish, St. Andrew counts more than 1,000 donors who have helped in this cause. St. Andrew the Apostle Church is located at 3450 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. To ﬁnd out more about the parish or the Haiti Outreach program, visit www.standrewcfc.org or view a video at www.standrewcfc.org/haiti-outreach.php. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

Spirituality

March 15 - April 4, 2014

Duo complete VUUsica concert series The Mikel and Meridith Duo from the Sugar Thieves blues band will wrap up the 2013-14 VUUSICA concert series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6400 W. Del Rio St., in Chandler. Nominated for “Best Local Band” by the Phoenix New Times for 2009, the duo of guitarist Mikel Lander and vocalist Meridith Moore will bring its high-energy showmanship along with its original songs, blues and even rock/blues-inﬂuenced standards to the VUUSICA concert. Advance tickets are $12, or $15 at the door for adults, and $7 for students and 12 and

younger and may be purchased online at www.vuu.org. For more details, call the VUU ofﬁce at (480) 899-4249.

Social classes, Calvin and Hobbes at VUU Barbara Face talks about the Unitarian Universalist Beloved Conversation project, and how it is unfolding at VUU, in a March 16 service titled “Growing Beloved Conversation at VUU.” Participants provide testimonials of their experience in the Beloved Conversation workshop. Then, the Rev. Andy Burnette looks at the

Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections... The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun area churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to News@SanTanSun.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

GOD IS CALLING FOR UNCHAINED REVIVAL

Every Saturday in March from 6:30-8pm

Acts 1: 6-8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

COME AND SEE. That’s all Jesus said to the original followers... Christian music, Testimonies of God’s power, prayer for needs and healing. The Holy Spirit will be the driving force. Come expecting a miracle!

Praise and Worship Center • 2551 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler • 480-649-0300

many life lessons of the classic comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes,” in a March 23 service titled “Lessons from Calvin and Hobbes.” “Sharing the Light” is the theme of the March 30 pledge service. Burnette, Alison Cantley and Mary Rothschild share their stories about VUU and the role faith plays in their lives. Alex Isotov, Hillary Cully and the VUU Band provide music for the service. After the service is a special celebratory treat. VUU services begin at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and generally last an hour and 15 minutes. The VUU sanctuary is wheelchair accessible and has a hearing loop installed.

Cornerstone hosts event for women Women of all ages are invited to REMIX from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, March 31, at Cornerstone Church, 1595 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. REMIX is a free, semi-annual event with a vibrant, energetic atmosphere where women can reﬁne their purpose through Christ with a mix of inspiration and play. Registration is not required. To learn more, visit www. cornerstoneonline.com/groups/remix or call (480) 726-8000.

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British ﬂair at Purim party Chabad of the East Valley hosts its 16th annual Purim around-theworld party and its ﬁrst Purim in its new building Sunday, March 16, at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. A Megillah reading will be held at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Britishstyle party, “Purim in England,” at 5 p.m. The event features a buffet dinner, special children’s program, hamantaschen, British-themed crafts and games and more. Guests are invited to masquerade in English attire or costumes of their choice. Cost is $25 per adult or $15 per child. To learn more or RSVP, call (480) 855-4333 or visit www. chabadcenter.com.

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SLJC celebrates season A full slate of activities, including two holiday celebrations, is on the agenda for Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation. A Purim Party hosted by SLJC will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes. The evening will feature a Purim trivia challenge, prizes for best costume, a wide range of appetizers from congregants and traditional hamantaschen for dessert. A special twilight service will be held Friday, March 28. SLCJ hosts its Second Night Passover Seder Tuesday, April 15. Rabbi Irwin Wiener will conduct the service. The Seder will be presented by Heidi’s Events and Catering. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is an established reform congregation that meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month at the Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. N., Sun Lakes. For more information, visit www. sunlakesjewishcongregation.org.

SPIRITUAL SPEAKER

SLJC Sisterhood holds monthly meeting Members attending the SLJC Sisterhood’s meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Chapel Center in Sun Lakes 1 will hear from guest speaker Joan Sitvar and discuss the Shanghai Ghetto, a largely unknown piece of Holocaust history. The ongoing Toys from the Heart program always welcomes donations; checks in any amount can be made to SLJC Sisterhood and mailed to 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, AZ 85249. To learn more about SLJC Sisterhood, contact Co-Presidents Geri or Carol at (480) 305-0123 or (480) 8953168, respectively.

Church holds rummage sale A rummage sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, in the Chandler Presbyterian Church parking lot, 1500 W. Germann Rd., Chandler. The sale will raise funds to send

March 15 - April 4, 2014

youth to Montlure Presbyterian Church Camp this summer in Greer. To learn more about Chandler Presbyterian Church, visit www. chandlerpres.org.

JOURNEY OF GROWTH: Pastoral bereavement educator and companion John Churchman, MA, CDOS, examines the beneﬁts of exposure to a wide variety of experiences and growth opportunities, including those that bring pain and sorrow, during Sun Lakes United Church of Christ’s Lenten Reﬂections from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays March 19 and 26 at Sun Lakes Chapel Center, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. N., Sun Lakes. Churchman, an Arizona resident, has authored 16 books on life, loss and spirituality and offers workshops, seminars, in-service programs and retreats on grief, caregiving and spirituality. Call (480) 895-6317 or visit Churchman’s website at www. sacredtorch.com to learn more. Submitted photo

pace S d e t Limi er Now! t Regis 480-963-6105, Ext. 211 800 West Ray Road South Campus • Chandler www.RayofLightPreschool.org

Lent 2014 Sundays 10a Hancock Elementary onechurch.com

Our church family already loves you. We just haven’t met you yet. Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday Hamilton High School Auditorium 3700 S. Arizona Ave. www.loc-az.org

480-899-1400

2014-2015 PROGRAMS 9 A.M. - NOON 3-Year-Old Class Tuesday and Thursday Monday, Wednesday and Friday Monday thru Friday 4-Year-Old Class Monday, Wednesday and Friday Pre-K Class Monday thru Friday

Spirituality

March 15 - April 4, 2014

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS

Call ahead to conﬁrm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com. Bible study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ in Chandler Info: Jan Olson at (480) 802-7457 or Joy King (480) 588-1882 Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 722-0700, www.crnaz.com Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Fridays For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger. Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 963-3997, www.chandlercc.org Chandler Yoga for Food 6 p.m. Tuesdays All faiths, backgrounds, ages, and skill

Send us your church, temple events Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@SanTanSun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for veriﬁcation purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

levels welcome. Yoga and stretching hosted by the Rev. Dr. Kristin Longenecker from Jacob’s Well United Methodist Church and led via Skype by Yogi Sheila Lively from www.StepLivelyNowllc.com. Guests should bring mat and water and wear comfortable clothes. Admission: $3 or three cans or boxes of food to be donated to the Food Bank at Chandler Christian Community Center. No previous yoga experience necessary. Accompanying children can use Xtreme Air during yoga session for $5. Xtreme Air Jump ‘N Skate 910 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler Info: kristin@jacobswellumc.org Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, East Valley Chapter 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Mission Church Seminar Room 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com East Valley JCC Parent & Child Playgroup 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Fridays Playgroup for parents with children ages 12 months to 2-1/2 years old. East Valley JCC 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler

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Info: Emily Malin, (480) 897-0588, maline@ evjcc.org East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies, plays, etc. for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Info: Melissa, (480) 785-0744, beadlover@ cox.net Forever Marriage Ministries Marriage Restoration Support Group for Wives 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mondays Support group for wives committed to their marriages. Offering hope, encouragement, biblical truths, fellowship and prayers to stand together for the restoration of marriage. Sozo Coffee House, private room 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Lisa (602) 377-8847, Marriage@ lisacmyers.com, www.lisacmyers.com, www.facebook.com/forevermarriages. Free Beginning Guitar Classes 6 p.m. Mondays Jonathan Crissman, Arizona State University doctoral guitar student and Jacob’s Well United Methodist Church worship leader, teaches this free class for beginners. Classes for intermediate students are also available for a modest fee. Gangplank Chandler 260 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler Info: jonathancrissman@hotmail.com Grief Care 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, south campus old church building 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler, a quarter mile south of Alma School Road on the north side of Ray Road. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com Grief Share 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays A combination seminar and support group that meets weekly with people who understand because they have “been there” themselves. Fee for materials is $15,

WebXtra:

but scholarships are available. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 739 W. Erie St., Chandler Info: (480) 963-4127, www.htlutheran.com H.O.P.E. – Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays Free weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church, Room 106 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler Info: hope4all@comcast.net, www. helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org Jewish Women International, Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon Iguana Mack’s 1371 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler RSVP: (480) 802-9304, (480) 655-8812 JumpStart 11:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays JumpStart is a sidewalk Sunday school community outreach program serving “some of the poorest neighborhoods” in Chandler, offering snacks, games and teachings about Jesus to area children. Participants meet at Faith Family Church 11530 E. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler Info: Joanne Sweeney, (480) 539-8933 Kid’s Sunday School 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Chandler 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800, www. unityofchandler.org Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music. Unity of Chandler 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800, www. unityofchandler.org Moms in Prayer International A group of mothers who meet one hour each week to intercede for their children and schools through prayer. Info: Liane Wright, (480) 699-7887, www. momsinprayer.org

WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Chandler United Methodist Church Celebrating more than 100 Years in Chandler. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913.

SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship .............8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children..................................................8:40 a.m. ASH WEDNESDAY Worship .................................12:00 Noon & 7:00 p.m. 480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m. SUNDAY: WORSHIP 10 a.m. 19609 S. McQueen Rd. • Chandler, AZ 480-899-LIFE (5433) • 480-343-0022 www.gospel4life.org