11 minute read
Kids’ Corner
WATCH YOUR KIDS AROUND WATER! WATER SAFETY IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN
By Jill “Mamabug” Frier
Summer is fast approaching and, unfortunately for Phoenix, so is accidental drowning season. City resources, state agencies and first responders come out in droves this time of year to caution parents to “Watch Your Kids Around Water.” Sadly, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under age four in Arizona. While most children drown in their own pools, other water sources can also be dangerous, including canals, buckets, toilets, bathtubs and ponds.
Here are some safety tips from the experts and local resources for you to help you keep your kids safe around water.
PREVENTING DROWNING
The best way to prevent drowning is to watch kids when they are in or around water – without distractions. Put the cell phone down and be sure to keep children within reach of an adult. And never leave a child alone around a water source – it only takes two inches of water to drown.
Other important ways to prevent drowning are to:
• Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house. • Keep life-saving devices like hooks, poles, or flotation devices, near the pool and readily available. • Don’t allow kids to play in the pool area or store toys near the pool. • Keep large objects that kids can climb on, like tables, chairs, large toys or ladders, away from pool fences. • Always have a designated child watcher whenever kids are around the pool and take the kids with you when you leave the area.
Don’t forget the non-pool areas, too. Be sure to empty all tubs, buckets, containers and kiddie pools immediately after you use them and store them upside down so they don’t collect water. Keep toilet lids shut and doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.
HELPING SOMEONE IN DANGER
Accidents happen and sometimes kids find their way to the pool or water source, despite your best efforts. Do you know what to do in an emergency? An accident by definition is unexpected, which is why it is always a good idea to learn CPR and basic water rescue skills. You never know when you may need to step in and save someone’s life, child or adult.
The main steps to remember if you find someone in trouble in a water emergency are:
• Yell for help and pull the person out of the water. • Call 9-1-1 immediately and stay on the line with the operator for instructions. • Begin CPR, if you know it. • If you are not trained, follow the instructions from the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.
Plan ahead and prepare yourself to know what to do in an emergency, because learning CPR and basic water rescue skills may help you save a life.
POOL SAFETY TIPS
One of the most important things you can do to keep your kids safe around water is to teach them to swim. Swimming lessons not only teach kids how to swim when they are in the water, they also teach kids to respect the potential dangers of the water and the rules for being safe around a pool. There are many different options for swimming lessons and a huge range of prices, times and locations. You can sign them up for private or group swimming lessons at one of the many swim schools in town, or go to a city pool or non-profit community center. Get your kids familiar with water, comfortable with the rules for a swimming pool, and respectful of the dangers that come with drowning.
Here are some specific tips to keep kids, and adults, safe around the pool this summer:
• Learn to swim – this is the best way to gain respect for the water and keep yourself afloat. • Never swim alone – use the buddy system, whether you are an adult or keeping an eye on kids. • Never swim under the influence of alcohol or medications – it’s hard to prevent drowning if you’re not awake, alert and attentive. • Never swim when you hear thunder or see lightning – electricity and water are a bad combination. • Never dive into an unfamiliar body of water – you never know what will be at the bottom. • Learn CPR – you may just save someone’s life one day.
Water is a great way to cool off and have fun, but take steps to be safe and prevent accidents or drowning while you splash around. Be sure to check www.LadybugsBlog.com for many more ideas for having fun outside while keeping your kids safe this summer in Arizona!
For more information on Water Safety, call the City of Phoenix Fire Department Community Involvement Section 602-262-6910 or visit www.phoenix.gov/fire
COVER STORY CARLOS O’BRIEN’S: SERVING THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER
By Jennifer Marshall
Olé! Cinco de Mayo is coming, and Carlos O’Brien’s is ready to party. Make merry and indulge your cravings for the yummiest Mexican food in the Valley.
A magnet for luxurious resorts, with world-class amenities and stunning mountain views, Phoenix, with its miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, is an outdoor lovers paradise. From American restaurants to those representing the cuisines from countries around the globe, Phoenix boasts a plethora of dining options making it a food lovers destination. Given the Valley of the Sun’s close proximity to Mexico, it’s known for its Mexican food, which is a fan favorite of residents and visitors alike. And for 40 plus years, Carlos O’Brien’s has been the home of and the place for the best in Mexican cuisine. This family owned and operated business prides itself on serving generous portions at reasonable prices to be enjoyed in a fun, friendly and family-like atmosphere.
“We’re known for serving the best in Arizona style and Sonoran style Mexican food with a little bit of an Irish twist,” said Corey O’Brien, Owner and Manager of their newest location in Norterra. Carlos O’Brien’s was established in 1978 by Sean O’Brien (Corey’s father) and Jeff Lipson (his uncle). They opened their first restaurant at 16th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
And, yes, the founders really are Irish.
“My father was a manager of a Mexican restaurant when he was in college,” said O’Brien, “so his experience was in Mexican food. That first restaurant at 16th Avenue and Bethany Home Road had been a former Mexican place, Casa de Carlos, so he just took part of that name and went with it.” In 1985, their restaurant was so successful that they closed that location and moved to a larger space at 12th Street and Northern Avenue where they are still going strong today. Corey joined the Carlos O’Brien’s team working alongside his father and his uncle, and in 1998, they opened their second location; this restaurant is in North Scottsdale not far from the Mayo Clinic Hospital. Then, in July of 2017, Carlos O’Brien’s opened their Norterra restaurant on Happy Valley Road and I-17.
“Except for word of mouth,” said O’Brien, “we haven’t done a lot of marketing of our Happy Valley Road
Corey O’Brien, owner and manager of their newest location in Norterra.
restaurant, and we’re doing really well at that location.”
The family operates a fourth Carlos O’Brien’s in Avondale, but it’s the smallest of the four. While this location serves delicious Mexican eats daily, it doesn’t offer the same services as its sister establishments. For example, the other three restaurants now offer DoorDash and online ordering, and the Norterra location can accommodate up to 60 people for parties and events while the other two locations, Central Phoenix and Scottsdale, can fit up to 30 guests for parties and events.
“In every community that our four locations are in, we want to be a vital part of that neighborhood,” said O’Brien. “To that end, we encourage schools and other local groups to reach out to us.”
Mexican foodies can make Carlos O’Brien’s their daily pleasure. In addition to dinner service each night, lunch specials are available seven days a week, and every kind of appetite can be whet by checking out their menus online at their website (www.carlosobriens.com). For those looking for a little post work relaxation, stop in at any of their four locations, and unwind at Happy Hour from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. And for those hankering for the best in Mexican cuisine, but don’t feel like dining in, all four Carlos O’Brien’s offer takeout.
“Diners will find us, the owners, in-house every day,” said O’Brien. “We’re all about great food and great service. Our mission is to serve delicious Mexican food in big portions at reasonable prices. While we’re expanding slowly, we’re as popular as ever and a staple of Arizona comfort food.”
Food at Carlos O’Brien’s is prepped fresh upon order, and their menu features all the Mexican classics like chimichangas, burritos, enchiladas, tacos (both soft and street) and fajitas.
According to O’Brien, their chimichangas are very popular with their “Pollo Fundido” being a perennial favorite. “Pollo Fundido” is a “chicken chimichanga covered with jalapeño cream cheese and cheddar cheese served with rice and beans.” Other chimichangas can be ordered with beef and pork and red chili sauce or green chili sauce.
“Our burrito grande, ‘Grande Burro Enchilada Style’, is quite possibly the biggest burrito around,” said O’Brien. “Our food isn’t as spicy as Tex-Mex; it’s more flavorful. And our style is definitely cheesy as we’re heavy on the cheese and heavy on the portions.”
Their famous “#1 Cheese Enchilada and Beef Taco” dinner, which is dressed with rice and beans, is considered an old standard and quintessential Sonoran. Enchiladas are also prepared in other ‘flavors’ such as beef, chicken and pork, and in fact, O’Brien highly recommends the “Shrimp Enchilada.” Sauces choices range from red and green chili to tomatillo to ranchero.
“Different parts of Mexico have various styles of food,” said O’Brien, “We have some Baja influence with our delicious beer battered fish tacos, ‘Baja Fish Tacos’, and our ‘Macho Street Tacos’ are great as well. Actually, they’re on our Happy Hour menu, too.” When it comes to fajitas, “Favorite Fajita Quesadilla,” is always a crowdpleaser. This entree is comprised of “marinated beef, chicken or both grilled with onions and bell peppers served in a flour tortilla quesadilla with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo.” This is how to say yummy! Oh, and don’t forget to finish off that yummy meal with some “Fried Ice Cream” a Mexican staple of sweetness. Vegans and vegetarians will be happy to know that Carlos O’Brien’s doesn’t use animal products or byproducts in any of their beans. For those who are health conscious, they make it easy to eat healthy with their à la carte ordering, and everything is always made-toorder to the customer’s specifications and satisfaction. Given the O’Brien’s Irish heritage and their Mexican influences, both Saint Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo are big days for celebration every year. While Guinness beer is always on tap at all their locations, their Irish roots are most evident on Saint Patrick’s Day. Carlos O’Brien’s expresses and marries their ancestry and their food passions on this totally Irish day through such dishes as their famous corn beef tacos. Another merging of cultures is reflected in their Irish Margarita, which is available every day from their full-service bar. In the end, while they’ve dabbled in some Irish food over the years, Saint Patrick’s Day is their one day where they go a little green.
Cinco de Mayo is always a fun time at Carlos O’Brien’s. They offer food and drink specials and exciting giveaways. In addition to the celebration and festivities going on inside their restaurants, this is a big catering day for them as well. Their food is most often the choice for many office parties and other organizations hosting celebratory events. This year, Cinco de Mayo is Sunday, May 5, so be sure to join in the
CARLOS O’BRIEN’S LOCATIONS:
Norterra 2501 W. Happy Valley Road, Building 14 623-582-0679
Scottsdale 7000 East Mayo Boulevard, Building #21 480-367-0469
Avondale 765 North 114th Avenue 623-266-6003
www.carlosobriens.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Carlos!
merriment at Carlos O’Brien’s.
HAPPY HOUR 3pm – 6:30pm | Everyday Domestic Pints $3 Import & Craft Pints $4 House Wines & Sangria Wines $5 Well Vodka, Rum, Gin or Tequila $5 Fruit Margarita Frozen or Sangria $5 Our Original Margarita $5 / $7 Grande Mollyrita $6
Reposado Tequila, Celtic Honey Liqueur and Fresh Lime Juice. Carlos’ 100% Reposado Margarita $6 100% Reposado Tequila, Muddled Orange and Fresh Lime Juice. Four Delicious Locations
NORTH PHOENIX CENTRAL PHOENIX SCOTTSDALE 2501 W. Happy Valley Rd. 1133 East Northern Ave. 7000 E Mayo Blvd. Phoenix | 623.582.0679 Phoenix | 602.274.5881 Phoenix | 480.367.0469 www.carlosobriens.com
AVONDALE 765 N. 114th Ave. Avondale | 623.266.6003
