Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
May 3 – 16, 2014
49
Neighbors Chandler firefighters featured in steamy novel
Gorey receives Volunteer of the Year award
‘No Longer Two’ helps couples
Neighbors PAGE 56
Spirituality PAGE 67
Silk delivers fresh Asian cuisine
PAGES 75-78
Celebrating mom on Mother’s Day BY ALISON STANTON
While most moms love homemade cards from the kids and the chance to sleep in, they probably wouldn’t say no to a nice meal at a local restaurant. In honor of the holiday, many area eateries are running Mother’s Day specials featuring delicious entrees, tasty beverages and more. Here is a sampling of what local establishments have planned for Sunday, May 11:
BY TRACY HOUSE
Local author Shelley Watters has penned her first book and the pages are heating up in this romance novel featuring the Chandler Fire Department. “Burn Me” paints firefighters as not only heroes, but people who make mistakes and fall in love, but in the end put their lives on the line every day to help others. The romance heats up between Katrina Hale and Greyson Neal on the pages of “Burn Me” as the two struggle with their feelings.
Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House
SEE NOVEL PAGE 51
TRADITIONAL THAI: Pad Ka Prow Chicken is just one of the many traditional Thai dishes served at Silk True Asian. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
SIZZLING ROMANCE: The new ebook “Burn Me” by Shelley Watters is set in Chandler. Submitted photo
Where to Eat
Silk True Asian opened its doors in Chandler just a few weeks ago and it has been an incredible experience for the owners. A native of northeast Thailand, Watchuree Gerding has realized a lifelong dream of opening her own restaurant and the Chandler community has gained an affordable and lovely new restaurant that focuses on the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam and China. Partnering in the restaurant is Charlie Allen, who was also the owner of Firebird Raceway. Gerding came to the United States from Thailand and settled in San Diego in 2000 and pursued a master’s degree in computer science. Soon she shifted gears. While she was in school, she waitressed in San Diego and gained a lot of experience in Thai restaurants. “I know what I like
and I really enjoy working with people,” Gerding states. “I like to serve customers and I love to see them happy.” Her experience serving diverse ethnic groups in San Diego spurred her interest in the restaurant industry and she moved to Arizona. “I moved to Arizona, changed my career and I went to study the hospitality industry at Scottsdale Community College,” Gerding notes. Although her parents were not too pleased, it was the right choice for her. After working with her ex-husband in his Thai restaurant in Scottsdale and gaining additional insight into the restaurant industry, Gerding combined her passion, experience and schooling in opening Silk True Asian. “I didn’t expect that we would get so SEE SILK PAGE 53
At Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House, moms can get a free entrée with a $20 purchase. In addition, moms can enjoy a Champagne Split for $2; limit one entrée and one drink per mom. For reservations, call (480) 584-0542. Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House is located at 58 S. San Marcos Pl. in downtown Chandler. SEE MOTHER’S DAY PAGE 52
LOVELY LIKE A ROSE: At Isabel’s Amor in Gilbert, moms will be given a free rose during lunch and dinner on Mother’s Day. Submitted photo
Cancer survivors deliver new ‘hope’ BY BETH LUCAS
When Mickey Poling was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew her life would never be the same. It hit hard. A surprise: Breast cancer doesn’t run in the family. A double mastectomy. “I was so blessed because I have an amazing circle of friends and family,” says Poling of Chandler. “A lot of people think that once you’re done with chemo or radiation, now things can go back to normal. You find your new normal. We may look like we feel really well on the outside, but on the inside we feel like crap. Sometimes I think people, family members, forget
because they so want to get everything back to normal.” And then she found a group of cancer survivors who understood. My Hope Bag was founded in the wake of Sarah Ellery’s battle with breast cancer. What the Gilbert mother and grandmother didn’t know, is that her fight would also change thousands of other lives for the better. “I’m very fortunate that I have a very dear, loving family,” says Ellery, who will be officially in remission five years in December. “My husband and my daughter were in with me when the doctor told me the news. I couldn’t even look at my
daughter, I knew we would fall apart.” Doctors gave her the best of care, but Ellery and daughter Beckie Black saw something was missing: A network of the kind of support that doctors don’t provide. Support like a hug from another woman, who has been through the same surgeries, radiation, chemo and wide range of emotions. Support like referrals to specialty bras and creams, or how to deal with day-to-day needs like reaching a back itch when you can’t lift your arm. “We never knew what to do for her when she was going through it,” says Black, “We didn’t know where the resources were, didn’t know anybody SEE CANCER SURVIVORS PAGE 54
SURVIVOR HOPE: Breast cancer survivors volunteer to personally deliver My Hope Bags and offer support and answers. Front row left to right: Michelle Konst and Sarah Ellery; back row left to right: Joan Tomich and Mickey Poling. Submitted photo