Traveling this summer with kids? How to keep them safe and happy
By Alison Stanton
Summer vacation is just around the corner and throughout the East Valley, many families’ thoughts are turning to that of travel. From weekend staycations at a local resort to long plane trips to see grandma and grandpa, families will soon hit the road and air with their kids in tow.
To keep children of all ages as safe as possible while away from home, Dr. Allison Kaplan, a Chandler resident and family physician at Desert Grove Family Medical in Gilbert, said parents have to focus on doing as much planning as possible.
“I think parents have to prepare a lot for family vacations, and remember to bring all of the booster seats and car seats, and talk to their kids about not running off, and if they are going to the beach they have to remember sunscreen,” said Kaplan, the mother of four.
Jennifer Lawhead, a Chandler mom of two young boys, has plenty of family vacations under her belt. She and her husband Mike have taken road trips with their two young sons, Dexter, 3, and Teddy, 9 months. They also traveled by air with Dexter before Teddy was born.
Like Kaplan, she agrees that successful and safe traveling with kids involves plenty of organization.
With this in mind, Kaplan and Lawhead offer the following suggestions to parents:
Road trips
If it’s possible to do so, Lawhead said parents should consider driving at dusk. This way, the kids are more likely to fall asleep during the drive, which will prevent them from being overly antsy.
To prevent having to rummage through things and avoid moving around in a moving vehicle, Lawhead suggest keeping needed items like food and toys close by, while storing larger items in the trunk. To keep awake kids
safely occupied during long drives, Lawhead suggests sticker books and mess-free coloring books as well as iPads loaded with some new kid-friendly apps.
Traveling by plane
For families who are flying, Kaplan said they should bring along the appropriate car and booster seats.
“The car rental place might not have one, so it’s important that they bring them along,” she said.
Parents can either check the seats with the luggage or bring them on the plane and strap the children in to keep them safe and secure during the flight.
Curbside check-in is a must to help unload luggage as early as possible, Lawhead said.
“I always check big pieces of luggage and car seats so I’m left with just the stroller and a diaper bag,” Lawhead said.
“You can bring the stroller onto the plane and check at the gate, which is an option I usually use.”
To keep children happily occupied while in the air, Lawhead suggests simple and colorful toys, and if they are in diapers, put them in a double diaper or one meant for overnight.
“Trust me on this one. When the seatbelt sign is on and your kiddo needs a change, you’ll be less stressed out. And it buys you a little extra time instead of braving the small airplane bathroom.”
Hotel room tips
Keeping young children safe and secure in hotel rooms can be difficult, Kaplan said.
“You just have to keep a sharp eye on them and if there is a patio door be sure to keep it shut, and let older kids know that they are not to leave the room without a parent,” she said.
If parents have a Pack ‘n Play portable playpen, Kaplan said they can place it at the end of the
beds and let the kids play on the floor in the space in between the beds.
Lawhead brings along outlet covers and does as much childproofing of the room as she can, looking for red flags like a dresser that can easily tip over.
“Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel staff if you need something changed,” she said.
Visiting theme parks
If the vacation involves a trip to a theme park, Kaplan said parents should talk with their kids about stranger danger and not running off.
“When we recently went to Disneyland, we showed our kids what the employees look like and told them they could ask them for help if they got lost,” Kaplan said.
Depending on the age of the children, parents can decide on a meeting place in case anyone gets lost.
Preparing for boo boos
Because she knows from experience that kids will fall down and get scrapes while on vacation, or they may come down with a bug of some type, Kaplan said her family always brings along a homemade first-aid kit.
“We always bring along basic things like ibuprofen or Tylenol and Benadryl, Band-Aids and topical antibiotics. We keep the kit in the car and we always plan ahead to bring it,” she said.
Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@ santansun.com.
Resources
Websites
• www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelingchildren
• www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/kid_tips.htm
• www.bestwestern.com/travel-planning/tips/ family-safety.asp
Books
• “Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids,” by Bill Richards and E. Ashley Steel
• “National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Maps, Games, Activities and More for Hours of Backseat Fun,” by Crispin Boyer
Dr. Allison Kaplan said with some planning and proper supplies, parents can help keep their kids safe during family vacations. Submitted photo
2
Dia de los Ninos, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by United Healthcare Community Plan, this health fair will feature free screenings and healthy living information. Music and dancing will be hosted by Si Se Puede Inc. Chandler’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Chihuahua Races. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
3
History Alive: Martin Luther King Jr., 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Actor Mike Traylor will perform a reenactment of highlights from the civil rights activist’s life. Traylor will perform a selection of King’s most historical speeches including his inspirational “I Have a Dream.” This program is a family event held in conjunction with the Jewish Community Center’s “Then They Came for Us” exhibit on display at the library. Downtown Library, Copper Room South, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2797, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
4 May the 4th Be With You: Maker Days, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Explore science, technology, engineering, art and math at the Maker Days program. Families can enjoy “Star Wars”-themed, hands-on activities. Downtown Library, Copper Room North, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
4, 11, 18
High Five Read and Play Group, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Come join this community where parents can play with their children while helping them develop key literacy, social and cognitive skills. Staff will be available to cover information on the five early literacy practices. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 7822788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
4, 11, 18
Minecraft Mondays, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Explore Minecraft weekly with other game lovers ages 6 to 18. Downtown Library, Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
5, 12, 19
Family Storytime, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 30-minute High Five Program offers stories and activities that are developmentally appropriate. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
5, 12, 19
Bilingual Storytime, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come hear stories and songs in English and Spanish for 20 minutes. For children age 5 and younger. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
5 STEAM Club—Engineering with Simple Machines, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Play games, explore weird science, play with LEGO cars, dig for dinos and more. Prizes awarded just for showing up. Downtown Library, Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 7822788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
6, 13, 20, 27
Lapsit Babytime, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bring babies up to 18 months old for this 40-minute storytime complete with books, puppets and group playtime. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
7, 14, 21, 28
Toddler Time, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A 20-minute program with puppets, actions songs and books. The activities are designed to enhance the development of children ages 14 to 36 months. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
7, 14, 21, 28
Preschool Storytime, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bring children ages 3 to 5 for this 30-minute program including flannel board, books, songs and more. Downtown Library, Cloud Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
7, 14, 21, 28
LEGO Club, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come make new friends and have fun building with LEGO. The library supplies the LEGO and kids supply the creativity. Downtown Library, Copper Room South, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
7, 21
Upcycled Headbands, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Old T-shirts can be upcycled here. Learn to make two headbands using a Celtic knot and a five-strand braid. Bring at least one shirt and a pair of scissors for this one-hour class. Ages 8 to 12 years. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $6. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl.
8, 22, 29
Ballet Folklorico, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take an hour to learn this traditional Latin dance, emphasizing the native culture through specific dance moves. Folklorico combines classic ballet with folk music of Mexico. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Room 204, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $8. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl.
9
Make and Take Mother’s Day Crafts, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. A fun and easy way to get the kids together and celebrate mothers. Create your Mother’s Day crafts and take them home to give to mom. Downtown Library, Copper Room South, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
10 Happy Mother’s Day!
11
A-Plus Video Game Design: For Youngsters, 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Learn to conceive, build and design computer games with a partner. Start from the ground up to create characters, the background and music. Ages 6 to 9. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Room 101, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $24. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl.
12
STEAM Club—Art in Sculptures, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Play games, explore weird science, play with LEGO cars, dig for dinos and so much more. Prizes awarded just for showing up. Downtown Chandler Library, Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
13
DreamWorld with Beyond the Bell, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dive into the world of architecture and engineering as kids build their own mini buildings. Using STEM elements of learning children will be challenged to use their creativity to build what they dream. Snedigar Recreation Center, Room 517, 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. $7. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl.
15
Sportball Basketball, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Learn the ins and outs of basketball including shooting, defense, footwork, ball handling, teamwork and positional play. Certified Sportball coaches are trained athletes who will help your kids love basketball as they improve their skills. Ages 6-10. Chuparosa Park, 2400 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler. $17. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/recreation.
16
Family Book Club, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. An activity the whole family can enjoy. Free snacks, games with prizes and books. Enjoy a morning of reading, playing, and snacking together. Registration is limited to 20 families. Downtown Library, Copper Room South, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
17
Let’s Bowl: Fans Across America Charitable Foundation Fundraiser, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The family-friendly event features pizza, soft drinks, prizes, door prizes, raffles, silent auction and, of course, bowling. McRay Plaza Lanes, 3825 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. $30 to $150. www.fansacrossamerica.org.
19
STEAM Club, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Play games, explore weird science, play with LEGO cars, dig for dinos and more. Prizes awarded just for showing up. Downtown Chandler Library, Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
20
Teen Create-Space, 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check out this open space dedicated to creating. Use this time to experiment with a variety of materials to design projects like coding, robotics, video editing, duct tape art and book making. Hamilton Library, Programming Room, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
22
Create-Play-Learn, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is the perfect class for mini-STEAMers. Explore science, technology, engineering, art and math like the older STEAM club but with kids your age. Ages 2-5. Community Center Room 111 at Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
23
Cupcake Wars Art & Design Decorating for Kids, 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. If you have a child who loves helping in the kitchen, they’re going to love this class. Classes cover different cooking and design topics like texture, repetition and color theory. Attend every Saturday in May to create sheep, bugs, piggies, monsters, owls and more. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Community Center Room 115, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $18. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl.
24
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs, 1:10 p.m. Watch the D-backs take on the Chicago Cubs, and grab a free team fedora while passing through the gates. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $12 to $150. (602) 462-6500, www. arizonadiamondbacks.com.
25 Memorial Day
26
Pottery Kidz, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn the art of wheel-throwing at this creative potter class just for kids. Create birdhouses, pots, and masks while making new friends. Make sure to dress the part— you might get messy. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Ceramics Studio, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $43. (480) 782-2900, www.1.usa.gov/1EOUmbl
30
Read to Dogs, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Come try your hand at reading books to a dog. Who knows, they might really dig it. Ages 3 and older. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2788, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
31
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come enjoy the Scottsdale park while listening to some family-friendly tunes. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale. Free admission; charge for some attractions. (480) 3122312, www.therailroadpark.com.
The girls of Watch Out Boyz Racing are serving notice to the guys
By Curt Blakeney
Auto racing has been around for more than 100 years, and the sport has been consistently dominated by men. In recent years, however, female drivers like Danica Patrick, Courtney Force and Ashley Force Hood started breaking down barriers. Finally, women are starting to make an impact in auto racing and the movement relies on the younger generation of drivers to keep moving the needle forward.
Those female role models, and others like Arizona native Corry Weller, serve as inspiration for Valley teenagers Rylie Pierce, Brianna “Brii” Smith and Mykele “Mykii” Smith who compete head to head with male drivers as part of Watch Out Boyz Racing, an off-road racing team that recently competed at the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Arizona Nationals on April 24 and 25 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler. The team (along with Amanda Sorensen, 12, of Las Vegas, who is the fourth member) also plans to compete May 8 and 9 in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Arizona Regionals—also at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
“It’s cool to see these girls racing against the boys,” said Francie Pierce, the mother of Rylie and the matriarch of the team. “It gets really competitive out there.”
Rylie, 14, lives in Apache Junction and is a freshman at Desert Ridge High School. An admitted adrenaline junkie, she started driving quads when she was 5 years old. Her family made frequent trips to the dunes.
“I got a quad for Christmas,” Rylie recalled. “I made little tracks for myself and try to go faster and faster. I like the feeling of going fast.”
Her brother Alek, 23, also races off-road
trucks, but Rylie gets her inspiration and love of engines from her father, Wayne Pierce, who owns a general contracting business, Tier 1 Contracting Inc.
“My dad and I will spend hours and hours in our garage,” Rylie said. “He teaches me all about engines and how to get them to run faster.”
Rylie has been racing competitively for three years, progressing from Junior 1 Kart to Modified Kart. She met the Smith twins, Brianna and Mykele, last May.
“I was racing Junior 1s when I met them,” Rylie said. “And our friendship grew from there. Now we’re all best friends. We’ll go go-carting, hang out, swim, jump on the trampoline—the usual stuff.
“I have friends in school too,” she explained. “But my friends in racing are different from my friends in school. I feel more comfortable with my friends in racing.”
Mention the name Corry Weller, a popular off-road racer, and Rylie perks up.
“Corry Weller started out in quads too,” Rylie said. “Now when she races, she gets podium. She’s won championships. I’m hoping one day I can win championships too.”
Mykele Smith, 15, a freshman at Dobson High School in Mesa, also has an admiration and respect for Weller. Mykele’s racing career has followed a similar arch as Rylie’s—this is her third year racing competitively, her second driving Modifieds.
“I like the challenge of off-road racing and the attention to detail it takes,” Mykele said. “I
like the technique that’s required and setting up a truck for a race.”
Mykele enjoys rolling up her sleeves and tinkering with engines. Her father, Brian Smith—the owner of Get HID Lights, an installer of aftermarket lighting for off-road vehicles—used to race in the SR1 off-road class. But he doesn’t baby her when it comes to engines, according to Mykele.
“I have to learn everything on my own,” she said. “I take auto class at school, but that’s for the basic stuff.”
Like Rylie, Mykele likes hanging out with her friends, longboarding, riding dunes and racing go-carts, but off-road racing is still her passion. It was that common interest that sparked the friendship with Rylie.
“After we met at Junior 1, we became best
The Desert Fieldhouse is hosting two-hour basketball and volleyball camp sessions this June and July.
The facility, located at 255 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, will have camp open houses from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2 for second through fifth grade students and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for sixth through eighth graders. Parents can learn more about the classes during the open house.
The facility’s camps will be held Mondays through Thursdays in June and July at the two new high school regulation basketball courts that can be configured to support three volleyball courts. Basketball camps are June 1 through June 25, while volleyball is July 13 through July 16.
To register, or for more information including pricing, visit, www.thedesertfieldhouse.com.
“We are excited about providing a healthy outlet for students who love basketball and volleyball to learn in a noncompetitive environment sportsmanship and game fundamentals,” said coach Lawrence Alfonso, co-owner of The Desert Fieldhouse.
Lawrence and his wife, Heather, started the Arizona Sting Basketball Club 15 years ago. It was through the AZ Sting that his passion for working with kids grew. The duo started The Desert Fieldhouse so they could offer basketball and other similar sports in a clean, safe environment. Children are taught to train and practice the right way.
Lawrence has coached youth basketball for more than 18 years and has assisted many kids in reaching their dream of playing
college basketball. Basketball camp director, Travis Gordon, has had a Division I coaching career, participating in two men’s basketball NCAA Division I tournaments. He has also served as an assistant general manager of an ABA franchise and general manager of a WNBA franchise, winning the WBA general manager of the year in 2005.
Gordon has been a sports radio personality since 2002, co-hosting “Team MS” and “The Show” sports talk shows.
Volleyball camp director coach Nikki Revling grew up with a passion for sports, playing basketball and volleyball. She earned a master’s degree in exercise science from New Mexico Highlands University.
After college, she was offered an opportunity to play professional volleyball overseas but instead came home to fulfill her real passion, helping kids develop their love for the game. Now as a kindergarten through eighth-grade physical education teacher, Revling helps kids each day.
“Everyone deserves the chance to train like a champion,” said Revling, who has coached for more than 12 years at YMCA and club levels.
Rylie Pierce (No. 575) catches air while racing her Modified Kart for Watch Out Boyz Racing. She finished her 2014 season fifth in points in Junior 1 for the Arizona Regional series and 10th in points for the National series. Submitted photo
friends” she said. “Then we decided to form our own race team. We added Amanda to the team this year.
That friendship of course, includes her sister, Brianna. The three of them are peas in a pod off the track. But once the engines start, it’s a different game.
“We’re really competitive on the track,” Mykele said of the relationship with her twin sister. “I’ll tell her, ‘You’re my sister, but you’re also my competition.’”
For Brianna, 15, also a freshman at Dobson High School, there is life outside of off-road racing. She practices dance after school, including jazz, modern and hip-hop.
After school and dance, Brianna and her sister stop by their father’s shop for some engine homework. As both girls pointed out,
they do all the work on their own engines.
“My dad makes us figure it out,” Brianna said. “If you know your car inside and out, it makes you a better driver. I’m getting better. What used to take me four hours now takes me 20 minutes.”
Brianna’s role model is Sheldon Creed, a 17-year-old Pro Lite racer who started driving when he was three.
“I like that we compete in a male-dominated sport,” she said. “We have the same ambition as the guys.”
So what does their mother think of the twins participating in off-road racing?
“She likes that we do it, but she gets worried” Mykele said. “She supports us, but she was always worried when we rode quads. She’d rather we race off-road trucks than quads
because there is a cage.”
The girls understand that this may be a kid’s phase that they’re all going through. Most young off-road racers stop after Modifieds, said Mykele. Brianna, meanwhile, admits that she probably would have been an orthodontist if not for racing.
“I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie.” Brianna said. “But now that my racing skills have grown, I want to make it my career.”
When the girls of Watch Out Boyz Racing are competing on the track, spectators would never know the vehicles are being commandeered by female drivers...except for a heavy dose of pink in the paint scheme. Girls will be girls, even in the case of racing.
“The audience can only see the body of the car, so they can’t see inside,” Mykele explained.
8:30am Doors Open / Monday - Thursday / Ages 5 - 14
Take 1 week or up to 11 weeks
OPTION 1: 9:00am - 11:30am Cost $80
OPTION 2: 12:30pm - 3:00pm Cost $80
OPTION 3: 9:00am - 3:00pm Cost $115
*Extended Day Available (3:00pm - 6:00pm) $5/Day. Pay at drop off
Week 1 : May 25 - May 28
Week 2: June 1 - June 4
Week 3: June 8 - June 11
Week 4: June 15 - June 18
Week 5: June 22 - June 25
Week 6: June 29 - July 2
Week 7: July 6 - July 9
Week 8: July 13 - July 16
Week 9: July 20 - July 23
Week 10: July 27 - July 30
Week 11: August 3 - August 6
“So if the body is pink, then spectators know it’s a girl driving.”
Amanda, the last racer to join the all-girl team, nearly had a run-in with the other girls, but her pink, black and white paint scheme saved the day.
“At practice, me, Brii and Mykii got caught up and ran into each other,” said Amanda, who is in her first year of racing off-road competitively. “They checked to see if I was OK. We started talking and then they asked me to join the team. Now we get along great because our personalities mesh.”
When the races are over, that’s when the girls really bond.
“We all hang out and watch races,” Mykele said. “We have a lot of fun together.”
Besides feeding her need for speed, and just having fun on and off the tracks with her teammates, Mykele has a higher purpose for racing competitively. She has her sights set on a few goals this year.
“I hope to help my team to get known more, have people recognize us more, and do better on the track” she said. “I also want them to know that just because guys do a sport, doesn’t mean that girls can’t do it as well.”
The girls can thank Danica Patrick, Courtney Force and Corry Weller for being trendsetters and clearing the path for them. They’re happy to take the baton and run with it. Or in this case, ride with it.
Curt Blakeney is an associate editor with the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at cblakeney@santansun.com.
WILLY WONKA KIDS
Week 1: May 25-May 28
Week 2: June 1-June 4
Performance on June 4th at 11:30am
Performance on June 4th at 3pm Tickets: $5/person
JUNGLE BOOK KIDS
Week 3: June 8-11
Week 4: June 15-18
Performance on June 18th at 11:30am
Performance on June 18th at 3pm Tickets: $5/person
ARISTOCATS KIDS
Week 5: June 22-June 25
Week 6: June 29-July 2
Performance on July 2nd at 11:30am
Performance on July 2nd at 3pm Tickets: $5/person
WINNIE THE POOH KIDS
Week 7: July 6-July 9
Week 8: July 13-July 16
Performance on July 16th at 11:30am
Performance on July 16th at 3pm
Tickets: $5/person
Mykele Smith (No. 581) tries to pass her teammate Rylie Pierce (No. 575) during competition. All the girls of Watch Out Boyz Racing use a pink color scheme for their Modified Karts. Submitted photo
Student receives honorable mention for Goldwater Scholarship
By Lynette Carrington
Former Chandler resident Alison Ochs was named an honorable mention in the run for the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program.
Now a sophomore majoring in biological sciences at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, Ochs graduated from Corona Del Sol High School.
“It’s pretty amazing, considering I’m just a sophomore,” she explained. “I’m definitely going to apply again next year. I’ll be doing some work this summer that I think will beef up my application.”
She is looking at a volunteer program in Madagascar where she will be able to study bird species and the ecosystem in the country’s mangroves forest.
Considered a premier undergraduate award, the Goldwater Scholarship was founded by Sen. Barry Goldwater and was designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in math, natural sciences and engineering. The 2015 applicants included 1,206 students. Oneand two-year scholarships were given to 260 students, with 269 receiving honorable mentions.
As part of her scholarship application, Ochs wrote a paper about research she conducted last summer in connection with salamanders in Harvard Forest in Massachusetts.
“One thing that’s happening up there is that it’s a hemlock forest and there is
an invasive insect called the hemlock wooly adelgid that was brought over from Asia in Chinese hemlock trees and spread to the Eastern hemlocks, which are native to the area,” Ochs explained.
The adelgids suck the sap out of the hemlocks and eventually kill them. She was one of a group of students looking at how salamanders are reacting to the environmental change. Ochs said that salamanders react quickly and obviously to signs of stress or disturbance.
Martha Hoopes, an associate professor of biological sciences at Mount Holyoke College, recommended Ochs for the scholarship.
“Alison, in her first year at Mount Holyoke, was in my ecology class which is generally a junior or senior class,” Hoopes said. “Alison took it as a firstyear (student) and did well. I met her before the semester started when she showed up to ask permission to get into the class. She became my academic advisee and I have interacted with her every semester since then.”
Hoopes was impressed by Ochs because she was holding an invasion ecology textbook when they met.
“She was just reading it because it was interesting to her and that is an unusual thing for a first-year student,” Hoopes said.
This spring, Ochs is taking a class in invasion ecology with Hoopes.
“She’s very poised, interested, dedicated and hard-working,” the professor
said. “She’s one of those students who does very well in class, but nonetheless takes advantage of all the extra things offered, like peer study group.”
She happily recommended Hoopes for the Goldwater Scholarship and wrote a letter about her to the scholarship committee.
“There are things outside of academics
that are very interesting to her,” Hoopes said. “When you combine that with the discipline required to be an excellent student, that’s the sort of student that will go on to do big and important things.”
Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.
Beginner through advanced lessons for all ages. Lesson horses available.
Mount Holyoke College sophomore and former Chandler resident Alison Ochs received an honorable mention for the 2015 Goldwater Scholarship. Submitted photo
Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the Chandler City Council
We offer hundreds of opportunities for you and your family to discover hidden talents, develop new skills and have fun through our classes, programs and events. For a complete listing of upcoming activities or for more information on programs highlighted below pick up Break Time magazine at Chandler facilities, visit www.chandleraz.gov/registration or call 480-782-2727.
Summer INTERSESSION YOUTH CAMPS
JUNE 1- JULY 17
Don’t let your kids be home alone or bored all break - enroll them in our fun and affordable youth programs! Qualified staff will engage kids in sports, games, arts & crafts, skits, youth development activities and special events. Morning, afternoon, or full day sessions are available at the Community Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Snedigar Recreation Center and the Environmental Education Center.
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE TRC
Club TRC TWEEN SUMMER CAMP
JUNE 1- JULY 17
Looking for a camp to keep your “tween” busy this spring intersession? Then Club TRC is the perfect option for you. This exciting two-week camp o ers weekly full day and afternoon half-day sessions for ages 10-13. Days are packed with a variety of activities including sports, crafts, trips and more!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 FROM 5:30-7 P.M.
Join in the fun at Family Night at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, this week the theme is “Planets are far out!” Call 480-782-2900 or visit www. chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed for more information.
Leaders in Training!
The Leaders In Training program places youth in a work environment within the City of Chandler over the summer where they learn about real jobs and gain great experience! Hours can be used towards scholarships and looks great on resumes. Contact Tony Baumann for more information at 480782-2710. Registration is $17 residents / $23 Non-residents.
YOU LOOK MARVELOUS FASHION SHOW
SATURDAY, MAY 9. 1 - 2 P.M.
Brought to you by the cities of Chandler and Mesa Therapeutic and Adaptive Recreation Programs. The fashion show at Chandler Center for the Arts is designed to promote disability awareness and provide an opportunity to build self-esteem for the models. Children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities will be modeling spring fashions.
CHANDLER Pools open soon!
Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center: Open
Nozomi Aquatic Center: May 2
Hamilton Aquatic Center: May 2
Desert Oasis Aquatic Center: May 16
Arrowhead Pool: May 23
Folley Pool: May 29
Visit www.chandleraz.gov/aquatics for more info!
347 Grill
Ak-Chin
16000 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa (520) 233-2426, www.ultrastarakchin.com
Children ages 6 and under eat free with paid adult during Sunday brunch. Tuesdays are family nights, where all kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. Ice cream scoops are $1 in the Cones Café.
Apple Dumpling Café
3076 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 279-3879, www. appledumplingcafe.com
Mondays are family value night, where kids eat free with each adult meal purchase of $6.95 or more. On family fun night, kids receive free ice cream with a meal. Ice cream happy hour is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, where kids buy one ice cream or dessert and get one free.
Chompie’s
3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 398-3008, www.chompies.com
Children 10 and younger receive one free item from the kids’ meal menu with an adult meal purchase of $8 or more on Tuesdays. Dine-in only.
Connect5 Family Centers Corp.
222 E. Warner Rd., Chandler
WHERE KIDS EAT FREE
adult purchase for Munchie Monday, free lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Freebie Friday Free Dinner from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Copper Still Moonshine Grill
2531 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 656-1476, www.CopperStillMoonshineGrill. com
Kids ages 10 and younger eat for free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.
Dilly’s Deli
2895 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5, Chandler (480) 722-0645, www.dillysdeli.com
Get one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased at $6 or more on weekends.
El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina
2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 802-5770, www.epfamilyrestaurants.com
Kids 12 and younger eat free when adult meals are purchased on Wednesdays.
Fat Willy’s
4850 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler (480) 883-1356, www.fatwillysaz.com/Chandler
From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, dine-in and get a free kids’ meal with every adult entrée purchased. Kids can select from the Little Leaguers
Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta
590 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 35, Chandler (480) 812-8433, www.floridinos.net
Kids eat free from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Receive one free kids meal per $8 adult purchase when customers dine-in only.
Nabers Music Bar & Eats
825 N. 54th St., Chandler (480) 705-0288, www.nabersaz.com
Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal and two beverages. Dine-in only.
NYPD Pizza
2580 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (480) 722-0898, www.aznypdpizza.com
Kids eat for free on Wednesday and Sunday after 4 p.m. with the purchase of a small or medium pizza. Dine-in only.
Pittsburgh Willy’s
48 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler (480) 821-3197
Everyday, except Sunday breakfast, one child aged 10 and under eats free with each paying adult, while additional kids eat for 50 percent off, when they order from the Wee Willy menu only.
Planet Sub
1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 245-6503, www.planetsub.com
Sidelines Grill
2980 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler (480) 792-6965, www.sidelinesaz.com
Kids eat free from the kids’ menu after 4 p.m. on Thursdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Dine-in only.
Someburros Great Mexican Food
3461 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 726-8226
2597 S. Market St., Gilbert (480) 497-8226
1335 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert (480) 755-8226
www.someburros.com
From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of a combo or specialty meal. Dine-in only.
The Cove Grill
5070 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 400, Chandler (480) 802-9070, www.thecovegrill.com
Kids younger than 12 receive one free meal per adult entrée purchased on Tuesdays. Dine-in only.
Whiskey Rose Bar and Grill
135 W. Ocotillo Rd., Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673)
Kids eat free with a paying adult on
Kids eat free on Tuesdays and Sundays with purchase of an adult entree.
WHERE KIDS EAT FREE
The SanTan Sun News now has a regular “Where kids eat free” 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 verification.
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 confirmation and details. Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun. com.
