Chandler Lifestyle March 2014

Chandler march 2014

ChandlerLifestyle.com

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Spring into the

all-american sport

65 Years of Arizona Baseball History Yummy Green Recipes for St. Paddy’s Day Brad Ziegler’s Diamondback Career

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Editor’s Letter

march 2014

T

his month we celebrate one of my favorite spring and summertime activities: baseball. I can remember going to the Kansas City Royals games with my family as a child. I would always get nachos piled high with jalapenos to enjoy during the game. I recall Slugger, the Royal’s mascot, would take a hot dog launcher and shoot hot dogs into the crowd as we all hoped desperately to catch one. One time I even got to be on the big screen with my cousin. Our post-game tradition was getting an ice cream cone. Those memories of the all-American game are ones I will never forget.

There are several stories this month that will capture the attention of any baseball fan. In our Family Feature, Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler shares his love for the game and opens up about the support he has received from his family. This spring he is actually preparing for two seasons: baseball and parenting.

Parents, be sure to read our Giving Back article about Little League in Arizona. You may be raising the next Hall of Famer and not even know it. From Chandler to Scottsdale there is an opportunity for your children to get involved in the game. And you can get involved, too. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities to support your baseball player and their Little League team. Who knows, maybe your child could be a star in the next Little League World Series.

publisher Steven Schowengerdt sales director Eric Williams | EWilliams@LifestylePubs.com

editor

Moriah Schowengerdt | Moriah@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Meghann Finn Sepulveda, Erica Forst, Kory Kilmer, Michelle Guerrero, Suzette Zara, Hona Amer, Brittany Belsterling

contributing photographers Joy Reynolds, Steve Pauken, Judy Anderson, Jon Willey, Arizona Diamondbacks Published monthly, subscriptions are available: 1 year for $22 or 2 years for $39. Details at ChandlerLifestyle.com

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry

Our state has some incredible baseball history divulged in our feature this month. The remarkable exhibition at the Mesa Historical Museum will not only inspire enjoyment of the game, but also create appreciation for where it all started. With artifacts from 65 years of Arizona baseball, the exhibit will surely reveal something you never knew.

In the midst of all this baseball, don’t forget to eat your greens on St. Patrick’s Day. In our What’s Cooking piece you’ll find some delicious green recipes that will have your taste buds dancing like a leprechaun.

chief financial officer | DeLand Shore national editor | Lisa Cooke Harrison director of marketing | Brad Broockerd national art director | Carrie Julian advertising director | Mike Baugher production director | Christina Sandberg regional art director | Sara Minor ad coordinator | Cyndi Vreeland

It’s time to get outside and enjoy what spring has to offer. With 15 baseball teams playing in 11 stadiums across the Valley for spring training, grab a hot dog and some friends and go cheer on your favorite. I know the Royals will be here and although they have not had the best previous record…I still enjoy watching them play. I hope to see you out there.

national copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Play Ball!

by Community ™

Moriah Schowengerdt, Editor

| ChandlerLifestyle.com |

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Chandler Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Chandler’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Chandler Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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March 2014

Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Family Feature

18

Star Student

20 Giving Back Field Trip

24

Hot Spot

26

Now Open

29

Locally Owned

30 Healthy Lifestyle

12 Baseball’s Brad Ziegler

22

The Diamondbacks relief pitcher opens up about his life.

14 The Play Ball Experience Discover the history of the Arizona Cactus League.

31

Sold Properties

32

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

20 Little League for Children

Maybe you’re raising the next Hall of Famer?

14

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Good Times

T. Rexcellent Times

Pre-historic Australia came to life as Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo took the stage at the Mesa Arts Center. Vivid puppetry ignited imaginations, and audience members interacted with the life-like insects, mammals, and dinosaurs.

Chandler’s 19th Annual Multicultural Festival Guests tasted foods from different cultures while enjoying the diverse music, dance and storytelling. During this unique weekend, 192 individuals celebrated becoming U.S. citizens at the official Naturalization Ceremony.

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Around Town bowling, beer pong, and a dunk-the-leprechaun tank. So get on your green attire and head out to Downtown Chandler for what guarantees to be a great time. For more information, visit DowntownChandler.org.

ARIZONA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

SENIOR VARIETY SHOW

The Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival is here to celebrate its 11th year on Tempe Town Lake. Teams gather from all around town to compete on dragon boats with paddlers and drummers working together to get ahead of the next boat. The festival is not just for pros, though. Team building is the key, as different levels of boaters take to the waters of the lake.

From families to corporate teams, all are welcome. This year’s festival promises to be the best yet, as teams from across the United States, as well as Canada, China, and Taiwan come together to enjoy the weekend. The races take place on March 22 and 23, and will be held at the SRP Marina at Tempe Town Lake.

For more information, visit AZdba.com.

Come cheer on the talents of the seniors (50 yrs+) of our community as they sing, dance, and perform at the 21st Annual Spice of Life Senior Variety Show. Audiences will be entertained as these seniors enter the spotlight with their many talents on display at The Center for the Arts on March 12 and 13. The Center for the Arts is located at 250 N Arizona Ave just north of Chandler Blvd. For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org, or call 480.782.2680.

OSTRICH FESTIVAL The 26th Ostrich Festival is back to delight fans with unpredictable amusement and wacky activity. Events start on March 1 when harriers can run the parade route at 8 a.m. in the 5k fun run/walk. Then at 10 a.m. the Centennial Ostrich Festival Parade takes place on Ray Road and Arizona Avenue. Musical performances start on March 8 and include Three Dog Night, as well as, The Guess Who on March 9. Other attractions include the famous ostrich races, Axe Women Loggers of Maine, and The Fearless Flores Thrill Show.

The Ostrich Festival takes place at 2250 S McQueen Rd just south of E Germann Rd. To see a complete list and schedule of activities and performers, visit OstrichFestival.com.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL Slainte! Let the luck of the Irish be on your side, as you take part in the good times of St. Patty’s Day. The 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival starts this year at noon on March 15.

Live music, Irish food, and, of course, green beer promise to have you jigging the day away. Irish-themed games include cabbage 10 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

BYU INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE

March 23 and goes from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Falcon Field is located at 4636 East Fighter Aces Drive in Mesa (north of McKellips Road between Greenfield and Higley roads). For more information, visit MesaAZ.gov.

ARIZONA SENIOR OLYMPICS Staying fit after fifty is the passion of the Arizona Senior Olympics. And you can see this passion in all the activities and programs that these seniors take on. Now you can witness them at their finest, as they vie for gold in this year’s Arizona Senior Olympics. Archery, swimming, and track and field are all a part of the Games, with medals and prizes being handed out to the top performers.

Come get inspired and motivated. For more information and a schedule of events, visit SeniorGames.org.

TAD SMITH: THE CHANDLER PORTRAITS

The BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE) offers one of the widest ranges of folk dance performed by a single group of its kind.

Its traditional approach to music includes the distinct sounds of the banjo, the fiddle, spoons, bones, and bodhrans. IFDE features 46 dancers, musicians, and technicians who together put on a primo performance. On March 7 at 7:30 p.m. the group comes to The Chandler Center for the Arts in Chandler. It is a show for the whole family to enjoy! For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org.

Tad Smith of The Design Idea brings his graphic artwork of some of Chandler’s most respected residents to the Vision Gallery. His artwork features the images of generous and philanthropic members in the community.

Members include those who have served on boards and commissions, and have been long-established citizens working to help the city evolve. Come see the exhibit before it closes on the March 8. The Vision Galley is located at 10 E Chicago Street in Chandler. For more information or to see examples of his work, visit VisionGallery.org or call 480.782.2695.

FALCON FIELD OPEN HOUSE

SONORAN SUNSET SERIES

Visitors can get a close look at aircraft, unique cars, military vehicles and more when the City of Mesa’s Falcon Field Airport hosts its 5th Annual Open House. The event will showcase its vital avionic and economic role in Mesa’s community. Magnificent aircrafts to see include Boeings, Apache helicopter, vintage warbirds, and experimental aircrafts. There will also be an exhibit put on by the Commemorative Air Force that will show Falcon Field’s origin as a pilot training place during World War II. Other entertainment includes a classic car show, model railroads and a radio-controlled aircraft display. Food vendors and music will also add to the fun. The event takes place on

Come relax with friends and family as you listen to live music at Veterans Oasis park in Chandler. The City’s outdoor Sonoran Sunset Series features free monthly entertainment with concerts running from 6 to 7 p.m. This month’s concert takes place on March 30.

The park is at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd on the northeast corner of Chandler heights and Lindsay roads, and the concerts are held at the lakeside amphitheater. Blankets, chairs, and food are welcome for patrons to bring. Snacks and beverages will be available for a small fee.

For more information, visit ChandlerAZ.gov or call 480.782.2890.

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Family Feature

Getting Acquainted with Brad Ziegler Diamondbacks relief pitcher prepares for baseball, and a baby boy Article Meghann Finn Sepulveda | Photography Arizona Diamondbacks, Jon Willey, Jennifer Stewart, Jordan Megenhardt

A

rizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler has a lot to look forward to in 2014. Following a successful season, Ziegler signed a two-year contract extension, is gearing up to play his fourth season with the Diamondbacks, and is expecting a baby boy just weeks before the home opener in March.

Brad and his wife, Kristen, both 34, are settled back into their home in Chandler, where they’ll reside until the end of the season. During the off-season, the couple spends time at their residence in Springfield, Mo., close to his 6-year-old daughter, Kaylin, and family.

A blooming professional career

Brad, the 6 foot 4 inch graduate of Missouri State University, started his professional baseball career when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003.

For several years he was a free agent and played for the Minor Leagues until he joined the Oakland Athletics in 2008. That same year he set a Major League record for 39 consecutive scoreless innings. He won his first game against the Anaheim Angels.

He participated in the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a member of Team USA. 12 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

In 2011, Ziegler was acquired by the Diamondbacks where he was recognized for throwing at least 50 innings without surrendering a home run.

He was the team nominee for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2012.

Brad ended last season on a seven-game winning streak, the longest active streak in baseball.

Balancing family and life on the road

In January, the Ziegler’s moved back to their temporary home in south Chandler. Brad reported to spring training in early February.

“We like the area a lot, hopefully we’ll be in Chandler until the end of the World Series,” says Brad.

When the season kicks off, Brad usually spends one week at home and one on the road with the team. He expects his wife and baby boy will be joining him.

“It’ll give me an opportunity to see the baby during the summer,” says Brad. “My wife knows it will be tough and that she’ll have to make adjustments, but she loves going to games, and we enjoy exploring new cities together.”

When at home, he and Kristen enjoy dining at The Living Room.

“It’s our favorite restaurant. We love the patio, the food is good and it’s a fun place that’s close to home,” says Brad.

The couple also spends time with their neighbors attending community events and barbeques, trying new restaurants, seeing a movie or just hanging at home since there isn’t much down time.

Giving back to the community

In 2010, Brad launched Pastime for Patriots, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting men and women of our Armed Forces and their families.

Pastime for Patriots provides educationally-based financial assistance to military children and their families.

Last season, with support from the Diamondback’s Foundation, the organization was able to purchase more than 3,000 tickets to send military families to a game.

Additionally, Pastime for Patriots joined the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund to

offer financial assistance to students who have lost a parent in the military. From 2012 to 2013, Pastime for Patriots donated $15,000 to help fund scholarships.

Pastime for Patriots has supported Operation Shower, an organization that hosts baby showers for military wives who are pregnant or have just given birth while a spouse was deployed.

Brad was also selected to join Armed Forces Entertainment in 2010, where he made stops in Djibouti, Africa, and boarded the LH-3 USS Kearsarge in the Gulf of Aden. He says his trip was an amazing experience and a great way to show support for our troops.

With the addition of a baby boy, Ziegler could be looking at raising the next generation Diamondback pitcher. His son surely has a great role model.

Follow Ziegler on Twitter @BradZiegler. Learn more about Pastime for Patriots at PastimeForPatriots.org.

Outlook on the future

Making the commitment to extend his contract with the Diamondbacks was easy for Ziegler, who says he enjoys the great stadium and appreciates the good fan base.

“I play with a great group of guys,” says Ziegler. “It’s going to be an exciting year for us.”

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The

Play Ball

Experience

Discover the history of Spring Training in Arizona.

Article Moriah Schowengerdt | Photography Provided

B

aseball has been a favorite sport in America since its earliest days. It draws the roaring crowds and brings unity to the fans as they cheer on their favorite teams. As the years have passed, outstanding players have graced the ball field and left their legacies on the diamond. There is a place near by where those legacies continue to live and the history of baseball is celebrated on a daily basis.

The Play Ball exhibition was just an idea that Lisa Anderson, director and CEO of Mesa Historical Museum, had in early 2008.

Her idea was to simply present the history of the Arizona Cactus League in a one- or two-room exhibition. Once the exhibit opened in early 2009, Anderson became quickly aware of the demand for more space. Now, the Play Ball exhibition has been open for more than five years and versions of the exhibit have been taken all over the Valley.

Spring training has been coming to the Valley since even before 1947. It is an exciting and important event for fans of all ages giving them an up close and personal experience with their favorite teams and players. Between mid-February and the beginning of 14 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

the season (usually the first week of April), 15 teams from around the country will play in 11 stadiums around the Valley as spring training season in full swing. Pitchers show up first as they benefit from a longer practice season. Not long after, usually a week, the field players arrive and begin preparing for all the things they will face during the season. From drills to batting, these players work hard to prepare for the best season possible. Spring training is a significant economic driver for the state of Arizona bringing in more than $422 million dollars every year.

The Play Ball exhibition at the Mesa Historical Museum is home to 400 pieces out of the 4,000 pieces that are in the collection total. “It features rare and never before seen baseball memorabilia, art, stories, and photos of major league teams and players,� says Anderson. “All of these artifacts represent a span of 65 years of baseball in Arizona. There are literally tens of thousands of people who come to see these incredible artifacts each and every year.

This is truly a collection to be seen. And not only can this amazing exhibition be seen in Mesa but there are exhibitions at different venues around the Valley. This year, we feature a new installation at Mesa Historical Museum on Main Street in Mesa and two ex-

hibits at ballparks: Tempe Diablo and Goodyear. This makes it easy and more accessible for everyone around the Valley to truly experience the history of the game and the league.”

Over the years many famous players have visited the exhibition and offered support to keep it up as well. Hall of Fame Pitcher Gaylord Perry made his presence at the opening day of the exhibit when it first began. He offered his autograph to hundreds of fans and made a donation to the museum’s cause.

Another was Chicago Cubs Fergie Jenkins. This Hall of Famer stopped by to show support and offer a hand in early fundraising for the project. And the A’s famous catcher, Ray Fosse, did the same in offering fundraising support. So not only has this exhibit caught the eye of baseball fans, but also it’s a place where even the pros take time to show their gratitude for such an impeccable collection.

One of the most unique aspects to this exhibit is the fact that it is the only one like it in the entire country.

“It is one of a kind,” says Anderson.

“There is something for everyone because in addition to the 15 teams which train here now, there are another dozen that have trained here in the past. So even fans of the Yankees, the Orioles and the Red Sox will see unique memorabilia from their favorite teams.”

There are big future plans in the works.

The goal is to take this exhibit and turn it into it’s own freestanding museum in the upcoming years. Ideally, the Arizona Spring Training Experience and the Cactus League

Hall of Fame will become a full time and permanent attraction. Not only will it continue to draw people who visit for spring training but will draw baseball fans all year long. Anderson has had a hand in this remarkable story from the beginning.

“The most rewarding experiences working on this project have been connecting Arizona to one of its most iconic stories and finding the previously unknown stories,” she says. “The histories of baseball and its importance to the state are so great to discover.”

So as spring training begins, take some time with your children and family to go experience the true history of the Arizona Cactus League. What a great thing it will be to watch your favorite teams this year with a little more understanding of the history of how they got here in the first place.

Cheer loud, eat hot dogs and enjoy the spring weather as we gather from around the Valley and even the country to enjoy our favorite All-American game.

The most rewarding experiences working on this project have been connecting Arizona to one of its most iconic stories and finding the previously unknown stories. The histories of baseball and its importance to the state are so great to discover.

The Mesa Historical Museum is open all year round Wednesday-Saturday, 10

a.m.-4 p.m. They are located at 51 E Main Street Mesa, AZ, 85201. For more information on the exhibits they offer and on the Play Ball Experience, please visit them at PlayBallExperience.com or give them a call at 480.835.2286.

March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 15

Bright Beginnings charter school

Offering alternate education to public and private school.

Article Brittany Belsterling | Photography Provided

I

t is a scary fact for many parents that Arizona is ranked 49th in the United States for its education system. With many public schools failing and private schools with high tuition, most parents are unsure of the alternative options that exist for their child’s education aside from expensive schools or moving out of state.

“It is important that parents know the options for their child’s education,” says Karen Edris, superintendent at Bright Beginnings, a Chandler-based charter school. “Unfortunately, most parents don’t understand the difference between a public school, private school and a charter school.”

Bright Beginnings is a kindergarten through eighth grade charter school that offers an accelerated curriculum to its students in order to prepare them for high school and beyond. The school’s accelerated curriculum has continually placed Bright Beginnings among the top-ranked schools in Arizona since opening in 1996.

16 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

“Our students are learning material that is at least one grade level ahead of their current grade; this offers students a competitive edge, and pushes them to excel and academically grow,” says Edris. “More than that, we focus on educating the whole student – not just the academics but also the arts. In an age where these types of programs are being cut from public schools, we are adding and expanding them at Bright Beginnings to round out our entire program.”

Along with an accelerated curriculum, Bright Beginnings offers smaller class sizes compared to district public schools, which can have more than 25 students per classroom. Bright Beginnings has a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with a full-time aide in each elementary classroom, as well as a middle school aide for additional classroom support. While smaller class sizes are a common characteristic of many private schools, these schools are tuition-based.

mentary students to continue their education in a similar environment. Although on two campuses, Bright Beginnings Elementary and Middle School both provide the same specialized programs, such as its fine arts programs, and operates as one cohesive school.

Since charter schools generally have specialized programs that allow for child growth and development, at Bright Beginnings, the school provides programs in fine arts, as well as math and science.

With the specialized fine arts program, students have the ability to become involved in activities such as music or theater as early as pre-school. Bright Beginnings’ music program is highly recognized with music teacher Sarah Burke leading her students to develop their passion for music at a young age. In December 2013, Burke brought famous band American Authors to Bright Beginnings to perform at their winter concert with her students – which is just one of the mainly highlights of the school’s fine arts program. The well-developed fine arts program serves as a driving force for Bright Beginnings for years, as parents choose to enroll their children into the school due to its success.

The fine arts is not the only accelerated program that Bright Beginnings students receive, as the charter school is well known for its math and science program. This program not only teaches ahead of the grade level, along with the school’s other programs, but it is a preparatory program to ensure that students are ready for high school.

With accelerated programs inside the classroom, Bright Beginnings also offers opportunities for students to be active through its physical education program. Although the school prides itself in a strong arts program, one class that students continue to benefit from is its in-depth physical education program.

To learn more about Bright Beginnings and the benefits of a charter school education, please call 480.634.8867 or visit BBSCHL.com

As a charter school, Bright Beginnings is able to operate as tuition-free and continues to maintain low numbers in class sizes, which provides students with a hands-on learning approach and a personalized education.

As a charter school, Bright Beginnings is able to operate as tuition-free and continues to maintain low numbers in class sizes, which provides students with a hands-on learning approach and a personalized education. Due to individualization of these classes, families opt to enroll their children in charter schools, like Bright Beginnings, instead of public schools. Charter schools, like Bright Beginnings, allow for a private school education with the cost of a public school education.

Within the past year, Bright Beginnings opened the doors to its second school, Bright Beginnings Middle School, allowing its ele-

Bright Beginnings is located at 2716 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, AZ 85224.

March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 17

Star Student

All-American Dreams How baseball is positively shaping the life of one Chandler boy Article Meghann Finn Sepulveda | Photography Provided

A

lex Rosenberg is an aspiring professional baseball player. At only 10, the Chandler boy has already made progress towards reaching that goal. A talented pitcher and outfield baseman, Alex plays for Chandler National Little League and the USSSA club baseball organization.

Demonstrating skill at an early age

Not long after he began walking, Alex showed interest in baseball.

“When he was only 18 months, he and I would play wiffle ball in our living room,” says Alex’s dad, Dave. “But then he began hitting the ball too hard and it was time to sign him up for t-ball.”

Following several years of t-ball offered through various organizations such as the local YMCA, Alex joined a Little League team in Chandler. This past November, he tried out for a club team and was selected as a starting pitcher.

“I prefer pitching,” says Alex. “It keeps me busy.”

Athleticism seems to come naturally to Alex, who has demonstrated he’s a quick learner.

“He’s played other sports including football and basketball and he’s done very well,” says Dave. “But he really excels at baseball.”

Baseball runs in the family

Alex’s dad and grandfather grew up playing baseball. His grandfather played at Seton Catholic Preparatory School in Chandler and was in the first graduating class of 1958.

His uncle Ronnie was also a talented player who excelled at Scottsdale Community College and was being scouted by pro18 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

fessional baseball recruiters. After making the decision to switch and play at Central Arizona College in 1988, Ronnie was killed in a tragic accident at 19. He was also a pitcher.

“When I watch Alex play, it’s like looking into a mirror and I see the similarities because Ronnie was a right-handed pitcher and Alex is a left-handed pitcher,” says Ron Felix, Ronnie’s father and grandfather to Alex. “It’s ironic that Alex chose the same position and does it so well.”

Practice makes perfect

Alex spends two days per week for two hours at practice and one day a week at strengthening and conditioning. His dad is an assistant coach on his Little League team. Adelita, Alex’s mom, and little sister Amelia, 8, are his biggest fans.

He also has a minimum of three games over the weekend and two tournaments a month. On his days off from practice, Dave usually takes Alex to Strike Zone, an indoor batting cage to sharpen his skills.

“It’s a big commitment,” says Dave. “It is a requirement that he keeps his grades up if he wants to continue to play.”

A fifth grader at Tarwater Elementary School, Alex is excelling in school.

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A star in the making

Today, Alex’s pitching speed is in the 50’s, what is considered above average for his age. At his last game he pitched four innings, had 8 strikeouts and only gave up two hits.

He hopes to play college ball and eventually join the major leagues.

“I feel like baseball is my life,” says Alex. “I love the sport.”

Alex gets his motivation from Babe Ruth, one of his all-time favorite players.

On preparing for the future

Alex’s family says the amount of progress he has made is remarkable.

“I love watching him play,” says Dave. “It’s wonderful to see all the steps he’s taken and the little milestones he’s reached along the way. My only hope is that he always enjoys it.”

The Rosenberg’s have just one request: that Alex attends a college in Arizona so they can visit often.

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March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 19

Giving Back

Little League Baseball Bringing together a community Article by Michelle Guerrero | Photography Provided

T

he bases are loaded, the bleachers are packed and the aroma of popcorn and hotdogs fills the air. The next player takes the bat, the pitcher throws and Smack! The ball goes sailing into the outfield. The exuberant fans stand and cheer as the base runner scores the winning run. That, my friend, is baseball, the all-American sport that is so much more than a game for many Valley families. It’s a lifestyle.

Little League has brought baseball to thousands of families for 75 years. The Chandler National Little League (CNLL) alone serves 1200 players from ages 5 to 17, making 85 teams. About 450 volunteers drive this train, including three coaches per team and a 24-member board, according to Doug Brewster, president of the CNLL, district 13.

Brewster has volunteered for Little League for 15 years as a team manager and board member.

He became involved when his son joined and continued on when his son outgrew the league.

CNLL went to the Little League World Series in 2003 and 2007, and two of their kids were recruited into the major leagues during 20 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

their senior year of high school.

“We have tremendous coaching in our league and have several retired ball players who coach, and I think that’s one reasons our league is so successful,” says Brewster.

In Scottsdale, the Cactus Little League (CLL), district 3, is a smaller league, yet the impact to the children and their families is just as powerful.

“It’s a neat feeling when everyone comes down to the field,” says Michael Alosi, president of CLL. “It’s a quaint little field and when the snack bar opens, there is something so genuine about it. Even people from the neighborhood who don’t have young kids in the league anymore come down to enjoy.”

Alosi is also a Little League parent who began doing whatever volunteer jobs were needed. Nine years later, he’s approaching retirement from the board as this is his son’s last season. He will take with him years of fond memories and gets choked up thinking of all the great times he had.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” says Alosi.

Alosi plans to be around if he’s needed.

He lives just down the street from the field.

Greg Sanchez is a father of four, three of whom have played in the league.

“What’s nice about the league is it’s the lowest price sport out there,” says Sanchez.

His youngest who is 5 is finally old enough to join CNLL. Sanchez coached his sons and has volunteered for 10 years.

The league offers scholarship opportunities, so no child is ever turned away. A raffle helps participants recoup registration fees.

For Children 8 and under, registration costs $85; for older kids it is $120. This includes a helmet, hat and jersey. Families are responsible for pants, socks and a belt. The fees help cover the cost of uniforms, baseballs, equipment, the umpires, field charges and the catcher’s equipment. The teams also fundraise and seek sponsors.

Participation takes a lot of time and commitment from players and their fam-

Bowling

S

ilies. Often times the kids play two games a week, plus attend two to three practices.

But those involved don’t seem to mind.

“Sometimes my work gets in the way of my baseball!” says Brewster, who’s a computer project manager by day.

“Little League showed my kids team work, and they made their best friends on their teams. And some of my wife and I’s best friends are from Chandler Nationals,” says Sanchez.

It’s clearly not just the children that benefit from Little League. Sanchez reminisced about receiving a signed baseball, an end-of-season gift for coaching. A mom asked the 9-year-olds to write their number by their name. The first kid wrote his telephone number instead of his jersey number and all the other kids followed suite.

“It’s a great experience and the amount of talent that comes out of the All Star league is really incredible. A lot of ex pro big

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Little League creates a community circle where children and parents make lasting friendships, adults have an opportunity to volunteer, businesses have the opportunity to give and kids gain the love of the game.

Good, clean fun to be had by all.

It was apparent talking to Brewster, Sanchez and Alosi, how much Little League has permeated their lives and the lives of their families in positive ways. While interviewing Sanchez on the phone he apologized in advance in case he had to call me back.

He and his 17-year-old started a business selling kid cell phone covers; he was at a trade-show, their company’s big launch.

Sanchez told me that one day the dog ate his youngest son’s ball and the older boy teasingly made a cell phone cover from it, which sparked the inspiration for FoneFace.

In the middle of telling me his story, Sanchez chuckles and explains that each of the phone covers was named after a different Little Leaguer who played with his son as a kid, such as Crash, Cheese and Quinn.

You can take the player off the field, but the game remains with him forever.

To submit your favorite nonprofit organization, or a special person involved in the community, for our Giving Back column, send an email to MichelleMGuerrero @live.com.

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March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 21

Field Trip

Living Baseball History in Bisbee Article Kory Kilmer Photography Steve Pauken and Judy Anderson

A

s they say in the movies, “If you build it, they will come.” And baseball fans from all over have been coming to a tiny little field of dreams in the heart of Cochise County in Southeast Arizona for going on 105 years.

Near the start of the 1900’s, the town of Bisbee was the largest in the Arizona territory. At its peak of notoriety, it was a hubs for speculators looking to cash in on the precious metals boom out west. In an effort to provide an outlet to a rowdy bunch of miners, the Arizona Mining Company built Warren Ballpark in 1909 and formed a recreational league.

Three years older than Fenway Park and five years older than Wrigley Field, Warren Ballpark is still hosting games today, and is considered the oldest continually used ballpark in the United States.

As mining slowly dried up and found its way out of Bisbee, the Bisbee Unified School District purchased Warren Ballpark in 1936 for a mere $10. And the school district put it to quick use.

“Bisbee High School has been playing football on that field since before there were helmets,” says Mike Anderson, author of Warren Ballpark: Images Of Sports, who serves as its official historian. The ballpark has hosted a diverse lineup of events that includes soccer, rugby, cricket, rodeos and fast-pitch softball.

Baseball was the park’s mainstay, however, as it hosted numerous barnstorming exhibitions in its early years as major league teams made their way out west for spring training. The city’s first minor league team took up residence in 1928 when the Bisbee 22 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

Bees were founding members of the Class D Arizona State League. And over the years many other teams have called Warren Ballpark home, including the Yanks, Javelinas, Miners and Copper Kings.

In addition to its rich history, what makes Warren Ballpark so unique is how little it has changed. With the exception

of the grandstands needing an overhaul in the 1930’s and an upgrade toward modern lighting in the 1990’s, not much else has been touched, including the lack of an electronic scoreboard.

“If one of those players could come back to life and walk out to that field to-

day, they would see the same ballpark that they would have seen in 1936,” explains Anderson.

Of all those players, Anderson verifies at least 16 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown have taken the field as either a player or manager at Warren Ballpark at one time or another, including names such as John McGraw, Connie Mack, Honus Wagner and Mel Ott. Legendary New York Yankees player and manager Billy Martin even spent a lot of time there during the summer of 1947, displaying his notorious temper by fighting a rival infielder.

Perhaps Warren Ballpark’s most defining event had nothing to do with baseball, however. Beginning at 2 a.m. on July 12, 1917, more than 1,100 striking miners and their supporters were taken from their homes by an estimated 2,000 armed vigilantes. They were held at the park, where they were individually asked to abandon their strike. Those who agreed were released, while those who refused were boarded onto boxcars otherwise used to ship manure.

They were then abandoned across the New Mexico border, in what is today known as the Bisbee Deportation, and is considered a watershed moment in U.S. labor relations.

Today, spectators still fill the grandstands of Warren Ballpark

to cheer on their Bisbee High School Pumas. This spring, professional baseball will also return to the ballpark when the Bisbee Blues take the field for their inaugural season as a member of the independent Pecos League.

But that begs the question: Is it worth the trip down there to catch a game? Mike Anderson thinks the answer is a no-brainer.

“There is an intimacy here you could never get somewhere like Chase Field, but there is also a sense of living history,” he explains. “Here you can experience what it would have been like to watch a ballgame at the beginning of the twentieth century, while at the same time watching hungry, young ballplayers with hopes that this might be their ticket to getting a shot. This place represents baseball as it was, but also as it is today.”

Warren Ballpark is located in Bisbee, Arizona, which is 82 miles southeast of Tucson on Highway 80. Anyone interested in an in-depth tour of the park can reach out to the Friends of Warren Ballpark on their website at FriendsOfWarrenBallpark.com. For those looking to catch a Blues game, the team posts their schedule of the league website at PecosLeague.com.

March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 23

Hot Spot

A Place the Whole Family Will Love Article Kathleen Blair | Photography Provided

N

estled in a shopping strip on Gilbert Road just south of Ocotillo, it’s a great family restaurant that just happens to have 15 TV’s for sports viewing. Partners Jason Kafcas and Chris Gelenites had worked together in the restaurant industry for over 30 years before deciding to open their own place.

With tons of experience and lots of great ideas, they opened their first Fat Willy’s, Family Sports Grill six years ago. Obviously, they combined the right ingredients as they now have five restaurants in the East Valley.

I met with General Manager, Kyle Walters, who has been at Fat Willy’s for four years. He began his restaurant career 5 ½ years as a bartender and, later, working at a sushi bar.

“We pride ourselves on not only having delicious food, but also on our level of service. We treat every guest as friends and family,” states Walters. “We know you by name, and also know what you do and the names of your children.”

Let the tasting begin

One look at the menu and I was hooked.

There are so many wonderful things to try on the extensive list; I was eager to start. I began 24 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

by sampling the Buffalo Chicken Dip served with colorful nacho chips. It was very tasty.

Next, I tried the Berry Chicken Delight, and delightful it was. Very crisp, with large strips of grilled chicken, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, cranberries and a tasty raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Yummy! I then sampled the Creamy Garlic Pizza – it was really good.

There are nine pizzas offered on the menu or you can choose your own toppings, for either a 12” or 16” pizza. Each pizza is prepared using their house made sauce and pizza dough, then baked in the large brick pizza oven which can be viewed from the dining area.

My next item was a generous serving of the Four Cheese Rigatoni with grilled chicken. It was very flavorful. I loved the taste of the blend of the four cheeses with the grilled chicken. A winner! But if I had to choose one item that I enjoyed the most, hands down, it was the St. Louis style ribs. These slowed roasted, meaty ribs were absolutely scrumptious. I’ve tasted ribs at many restaurants in the Valley and these were the best I’ve had in a very long time. Plus you get to choose the sauce you want on them from barbecue, honey barbecue, sweet chili, Caribbean or teriyaki. In fact, if you order their All Star Com-

bo, you’ll get a 1/3 rack of ribs, beer battered shrimp and chicken tenders. But, if you really enjoy ribs, I recommend you get a full slab.

Let’s talk burgers

There are 13 burgers on the menu with a choice of sides that include fries, slaw, cottage cheese; and potato salad or you can choose sweet potatoes, onion rings or a side salad for a small, additional charge. Hamburger choices include a firecracker burger, a mushroom Swiss burger, a black and bleu burger, a pizza burger, a cheeseburger, a California burger, a buffalo burger, a bruschetta burger, a carnivore (no meat) burger, a port wine cheddar burger, a southwestern barbecue burger, a quesadilla burger and their signature chicken burger. With so many choices, you may want to try them one Monday at a time as that’s $5 Burger day.

They probably have the biggest kid’s menu I’ve seen. It offers a wide variety of choices and the portions will meet both younger and junior appetites. Plus, the menu has games and puzzles on the back to entertain them while they wait for their meal to be prepared.

There also are a couple of video games for them to enjoy playing.

A life-long love of learning Fat Willy’s is a big supporter of the three high schools in the neighborhood - Hamilton High, Basha High and Perry High – and feed the coaches and players during the season.

They also sponsor community events and fund raisers for other schools in the area.

And, while you’re there, take a look at all the photos of neighborhood kids playing sports that decorate the walls.

This is definitely a family sports restaurant that has a bar where serious sports enthusiasts can hang out, watch the game, enjoy good food and some of the 23 beers on tap (12 being premium and local craft beers). There also is an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Spring Training Special – Bring your game stub in that day and receive special food discounts. And, be sure to join in on the fun as this location celebrates their second anniversary this month. For more details and to join their email list for specials and coupons be sure to visit their website.

Details Fat Willy’s

4850 S. Gilbert Road Chandler, AZ 85249 480.883.1356 FatWillysAZ.com Happy Hour:

Hours:

Every Day 2 – 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close Mon – Fri 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Sat - 8 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Sun 8 a.m. –10 p.m.

Bright Beginnings is a preschool and elementary-middle charter school serving bright and curious children three years old through 8th grade. It’s an excellent place to start your child’s education and is an A+ excelling school as determined by the Arizona Department of Education. Receive a “private education” for free at our charter school which ranks among the top elementary schools in the state. We’re creating wellrounded students through accelerated curriculum developed to prepare students for higher learning.

Specialized Art, Music, Spanish and Physical Education classes.

Highly qualified teachers and low student-teacher ratio.

Honors classes offered for those who qualify.

Spanish classes designed for student success on the National Spanish Exam.

Daily Specials:

- $5 Burgers with beverage Tuesday - Kids eat free

(with adult purchase) 2 – 9 pm Wednesday - Team Trivia Thursday - Craft Beer and Ladies Night Friday - $9.99 Fish Fry Saturday – Music Weekends - Breakfast menu Monday

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facebook.com/BrightBeginningsSchool March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 25

Now Open

Indoor Batting Cages Batting cages, Pitching Machines, and Professional Video Analysis Technology

Article Meghann Finn Sepulveda

I

f you want to practice your swing or perfect a pitch, head over to Strike Zone, Chandler’s popular indoor batting cage where players of all levels can sharpen skills individually, as a team or work with qualified coaches. Strike Zone, a 15,000-square-foot facility is located at 1315 S. Arizona Ave. and opened in 2012.

Open batting cages for baseball, softball

Baseball and softball players alike will enjoy taking advantage of Strike Zone’s six commercial pitching machines that include fast and slow pitch and offer automatic ball return systems.

Two utility tunnels are ideal for those players who want to develop pitching, catching and fielding drills. Mounds can easily be configured for various ranges of levels.

For younger players, Strike Zone offers hitting stations with tees and soft toss machines are available.

Hours and location

Strike Zone utilizes RVP Professional System, a video anaylsis technology, as a more efficient way to teach players. This technology has been used by college, Major League Baseball, and U.S. Olympic teams. It has proven to be very successful.

By reviewing a pitch or hit, players can make quicker adjustments for better outcomes. It helps to view the drill for individual performance. The technology is also useful for coaches who can review the play and compare each motion.

Strike Zone is open to the public Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Cost ranges from $10 for 15 minutes of an individual batting cage or utility tunnel rental, and up to $60 an hour for a private lesson. A variety of packages consisting of 5, 10 or 20 sessions are also available for purchase. Monthly memberships begin at $275 for a 60 minute team practice per week.

Birthday parties can also be hosted at Strike Zone.

Lessons, clinics and camps

To learn more call 602.644.1536 or visit StrikeZoneAZ.com.

Video analysis technology

Individual and teams can rent batting cages in 15 minute, half hour and hour time increments. Utility tunnels can be rented for 30 and 60 minutes.

If private lessons are of higher interest, Strike Zone offers one hour lessons under the direction of qualified coaches.

Lessons can be focused on hitting, pitching, catching or fielding, and are taught by highly experienced professional players and coaches.

Clinics are held regularly and include two hours of batting cage or utility tunnel access, along with two hours of instruction by a qualified coach for typically four to six players.

Camps are offered during school breaks and in the summer.

26 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

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T

he best business ideas are those that place themselves in a unique position to assist in the overall benefit of their surrounding community. And that is precisely where the founding therapists of Sozo Physical Therapy wanted to be from the very beginning.

“Chandler is our backyard,” says Sumi Thomas. “It is where we live and raise our families. We wanted to invest in the people who we see on a regular basis at church, the grocery store, and high school sporting and community events. We knew we did not want to be the type of practice whose patients are simply a name and number on a chart. We wanted to invest in the people around us.”

Named for the Greek word for total body wellness, Sozo Physical Therapy opened its doors in 2012 and offers a wide variety of services, including spinal manipulation, dry needling, anodyne infrared light therapy, sports specific training and rehab, orthotics, foot assessments, ergonomic training, functional capacity exams, pre and post-employment testing, vestibular disorders, post-operative orthopedic rehab.

What sets Sozo apart from other providers, however, is their unique and holistic approach to their client’s needs. Rather than focusing solely on the injury, the staff believes in treating the indi-

vidual as a whole. Each client goes through an extensive screening process that includes an evaluation of diets, sleeping habits, occupation and lifestyle. This enables the therapist to construct a plan to not only minimize recovery time but also reach an ultimate goal of remaining pain-free over the long term.

This level of interaction creates a solid foundation of trust within the client-therapist relationship that can be hard to find in the impersonal medical world. But that is also exactly what Sozo believes sets them apart from the competition, and what their team believes to be the outline for their long-term success.

“We get to know our patients beyond their injury,” explains Thomas. “Patients become family by the end of their treatment sessions and we often don’t just end up seeing one person, we see entire families. Our patients come from all over the valley because of personalized style of treatment and success.”

Does it work? Sozo lets the numbers speak for themselves, as they boast a 90 percent return to full functional capacity amongst their clients.

“In this age of ever changing health care, we just do it better than anyone else,” adds Thomas. “We aren’t a chain or a franchise. You

won’t see new employees every week and you don’t see a new therapist every time you come through our doors. We stay consistent in your treatment so that you are being analyzed and treated by the same therapist so they can watch your progression to full health.”

Sozo also takes their position in the community very seriously, and makes sure to find numerous avenues to give back throughout the year. Recently they sponsored a golf tournament which is one of the main fundraisers for the Hamilton High School Baseball Team, and once a week team members head over to the Sun Bird Retirement Community to offer some advice and coaching for people who are not getting out of their bodies quite what they used to.

Looking down the road, Sozo hopes to be able to dedicate one day a week providing services for those who are otherwise unable to afford them.

Sozo Physical Therapy is located at 5970 S. Cooper Road Suite #3, on the northwest corner of the intersection with Riggs Road, of building #1. Their regular hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as well as Saturday by appointment. They can also often accommodate same day appointments. Call their office at 480.895.0965 for a free evaluation today.

March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 29

Healthy Lifestyle

What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer Article Lori J. Engelmann, DDS

E

ach year more than 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer, resulting in approximately 8,000 deaths.

That’s a higher rate than cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, thyroid and skin cancer amongst other deadly forms of the disease.

It might just be the least talked about cancer. However, awareness is changing. Through the efforts of the Oral Cancer Foundation, Americans are being made aware of the risks, causes and treatments for the disease.

Are you at risk for oral cancer? Recent studies show that the risk factors associated with this disease aren’t necessarily the ones we first think of. Smoking and ‘smokeless’ tobacco products readily come to mind as likely causes when we hear oral cancer discussed. These aren’t the only causes we should be worried about. One of the newest causes has been traced to an increase in the human papilloma virus HPV16. If you consume alcohol and smoke you are fifteen times more likely to develop oral cancer than people who don’t indulge.

What was once a disease primarily associated with those over 40 has now seen an increase in occurrence amongst people in their 20s and 30s, due to the spread of HPV16. Men are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer as women. When race is considered, blacks are twice as likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer as whites.

Oral cancer has a particularly high death rate, primarily due to being detected very late in its development. While breast cancer is

widely screened through self-checks and mammograms, oral cancer lacks a similar coordinated screening process. Often times it is not detected until it has metastasized to other parts of the body.

What should you be looking for? Oral cancer is often painless and causes very few physical changes in your mouth. You should have any sore or discolored area in your mouth examined by a professional if doesn’t heal within 14 days. Some common symptoms are a lump or mass on the inside of your mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking or chewing, or any numbness in your mouth. You should also be on alert for persistent ear aches, especially if they are only on one side of your head.

The ideal time for an oral cancer screening is during your semi-annual visit to the dentist. He or she is specially trained to recognize the symptoms of oral cancer. Many dentists have begun using advanced cancer screening tools unavailable just a few years ago.

For more information on oral cancer prevention, state-of-the-art screening devices, semi-annual cleanings, and modern dentistry, please make an appointment with Dr. Tyler Clayton at Crossroads Dental Group. His practice is located at 2880 E Germann Rd, Ste 13 in Chandler. To schedule an appointment, please call 480.821.5444 or visit them online at ChandlerCrossroadsDental.com.

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March Lifestyle Calendar

stage, beer gardens, vendors, food and fun. For more information, visit DowntownMesa.com or call 480.890.2613.

laughter take the place of sadness and tears. For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org, or call 480.782.2680.

MARCH 8

MARCH 20

GOOD LIFE FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY CINEMA:

DEBBIE REYNOLDS

SAN TAN VALLEY

THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI

CHANDLER

Berlin opens as Huey Lewis and The News headlines this Good Life Festival. This tour marks the 30th anniversary of one the most influential and celebrated albums in pop/rock history. Peaking at #1 on the Billboard Charts, selling over 10 million copies worldwide, winning a Grammy Award, “Sports” is the anthem of a generation. For more information, visit TheGoodLifeFest.com

MESA

MARCH 1

Debbie Reynolds started on her path to fame with her first leading role in Singin’ in the Rain and has been entertaining audiences since.

Debbie will enchant audiences once again at the Chandler Center for the Arts for an evening of nostalgia. For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org.

MARCH 1

Community Cinema is a groundbreaking public education and civic engagement initiative featuring monthly screenings of films from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens. The Trials of Muhammad Ali covers the famed boxer’s toughest bout of all: his battle to overturn the five-year prison sentence he received for refusing U.S. military service. For more information, visit MesaAZ.gov.

BLAKE’S MIRACLE SWIM-KID-ATHON

MARCH 8

MESA

HO’OKENA

MARCH 21

Have fun while supporting a great cause. Cheer on swimmers and floaters in The 9th Annual Swim-Kid-A-Thon. Proceeds benefit Cardon Children’s Medical Center and drowning prevention programs. For more information, visit BlakesMiracle.org or call 480.820.9109.

CHANDLER

SIRO-A: TECHNODELIC COMEDY

The sounds of the islands come to life as Ho’okena combines the sights and sounds of traditional Polynesian dance and music paying tribute to Hawaii’s rich heritage. For more information, visit WinGilaRiver.com.

CHANDLER

MARCH 7

MARCH 8

MERLE HAGGARD

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

CHANDLER

CHANDLER

Merle Haggard, the Okie from Muskogee brings her Americana style to Chandler. Haggard has nearly 40 number hits including; “Workin’ Man Blues,” “Sing Me Back Home,” and “Mamma Tried.” For more information, visit WinGilaRiver.com.

Gary Mullen brings legendary Queen front man Freddie Mercury back to life in a two-hour energy-filled concert that will have toddlers to grandparents dancing in the aisles. For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org, or call 480.782.2680.

MARCH 7

MARCH 14

GILBERT SPRING CONCERTS IN THE PARK

MC HAMMER

MARCH 22

GILBERT

CHANDLER

BOBBY VINTON

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a night of music at free concerts in Gilbert’s beautiful Freestone Park. The series features local performers from a variety of genres. For more information, visit GilbertAZ.gov.

Stop...it’s Hammertime. During the early nineties nobody put on a bigger show than MC Hammer. With hits like, “U Can’t Touch This,” “Too Legit to Quit” and “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em” the rapper had everyone in every town dancing. For more information, visit WinGilaRiver.com

CHANDLER

MARCH 7 MOTORCYCLES ON MAIN MESA

The first Friday of every month is bike night in Downtown Mesa. Join over 1000 motorcycles and their riders on Main Street for an event that attracts bike lovers from all over Arizona and beyond. There will be live music on the main 32 Chandler Lifestyle | March 2014

MARCH 15 YAKOV SMIRNOFF CHANDLER

In this “The Happily Ever Laughter Tour,” Smirnoff showcases laughter’s effects on relationships, and imagines a world where love and

Often compared to the Blue Man Group, Siro-A fuses modern technology with breath-taking optical illusions, movement and comedy all set to a energetic electro beat. For more information, visit ChandlerCenter.org, or call 480.782.2680.

MARCH 22 SALUTE A SOLDIER 5K GILBERT

AZ Heroes to Hometowns is proud to honor our military and wounded troops. Come run in the 5K to show the troops your support. For more information, visit AZHeroes ToHometowns.org.

Romance will be in the air as Bobby Vinton brings his classic love songs to the stage. For more information, visit WinGilaRiver.com.

MARCH 22 GREAT AMERICAN BBQ & BEER FESTIVAL DOWNTOWN CHANDLER

Come on down to Downtown Chandler’s Great American BBQ & Beer Festival and have a finger licking good time. The event includes live entertainment, all ages Kid’s Zone, and a bike show. For more information, visit ChandlerBBQ.com.

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Art & Photography LD Vinci (480) 726-7382 ldvinci.net

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Education

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Entertainment & Recreation FlipSide (480) 471-8444 exploreflipside.com

Fashion & Accessories London Gold (480) 367-1717 londongold.com

Financial Services & Planning Netzel Financial (480) 219-0657 netzelfinancial.com

Health & Wellness Funktional Fitness (480) 855-0204 funkfit.com

Home Builders & Remodelers Arizona Stone Gallery (480) 968-1187 arizonastonegallery.com

Home Design & Furnishings Jen @ Home (480) 883-2292 jenathome.com

Home Services

Phoenix Patio Systems (480) 812-0100 phxpatios.com Phoenix Wholesale Inc. (480) 725-1240 getruud.com

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Marc J. Victor PC (480) 455-5233 attorneyforfreedom.com

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The Realtor Henry Group (480) 355-0422 realtorhenry.com

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New Heights Church (480) 747-7826 newheightsaz.com

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Vida Mae’s Salon & Spa (480) 802-0222

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East Valley Dermatology Center (480) 821-8888 evderm.com Eyes On Site (480) 626-8925 eyesonsite.com

March 2014 | Chandler Lifestyle 33

Parting Thoughts

Waking Up to a Fresh Start Words Hona Amer

I

lace up my tennis shoes, open the door and the crisp air reminds me that a new day has dawned. My brain is in resistance as I start on my morning walk. I know that if I just start moving that it will warm up. As I take the first few steps, the sun peeks over the horizon to greet me. A couple of birds start singing a sweet melody that I had forgotten existed. I breathe in and fill my lungs with fresh air, followed by a sigh. I am so glad to be alive.

I continue on my journey. I wave at a neighbor whose dog is frolicking in the front yard. The world seems to be slowly awakening from its slumber. In the quiet moments of the morning, the worries of the coming day seem to be distant, and I am reminded how something as simple as a morning walk can bring order to one’s day.

It creates space in your life that busyness wants to crowd out. As my path takes me around a curve in the road, I am reminded that a healthy lifestyle is more than taking a walk every once in a while, but it is about finding alignment in multiple areas of our lives.

We need to create space and margin in our lives. As we create the much-needed margin in our lives, our life’s pace takes on a new rhythm. Many times, creating space equates to not booking our days and schedules so full that we don’t have time for the simple things. If exercise is the only thing on which we focus to create a healthy lifestyle, we miss the other key parts of the equation. We miss eating well because we run out of time and forget that what we put into our body matters. Choosing to eat clean impacts not only our bodies but our mental outlook as well. We need space to

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cook healthy food instead of always choosing convenience.

Margin gives us time to read a book and rest when the tasks of the day have made us tired. It allows us to have people and relationships in our lives that bring joy to our hearts; we are not meant to do life alone. We have time to invest in our emotional well-being by taking care of ourselves, letting go of toxic relationships, giving to others, and finding fulfillment in our lives.

My breathing gets deeper. I finish the last few paces of my walk and sense a shift in my perspective. I unlace my tennis shoes, feeling physically rejuvenated and ready to face the day. As I step inside and realize the day has already begun, my heart is thankful for moments where I can pause, moments where I can be thankful for the blessings in my life. It’s not just about having a healthy body, but it’s about having a healthy life.

Hona Amer is the author of the book, Smart Work U, a book that focuses on helping prospective college students achieve the most from their college experience, in the most cost effective manner. She received her M.B.A. from Missouri State University. Hona Amer is an adjunct professor at Evangel University. She is the founder of The H Group, a creative marketing company. Her weekly inspirational message, Monday Morning Coffee with Hona, can be found at LiveOutLife.com

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