Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
July 18 - July 31, 2015
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Neighbors Get up and dance with Come Back Buddy page 55
Chabad Hebrew School opening doors page 65
Where to Eat pages 56
WWII veteran reflects on battles, service in book Decorated veteran Jack Holder, a 93-year-old World War The Pearl Harbor bombing attack II veteran, didn’t think anyone cared survivor and naval flight engineer has about his experiences in the armed been honored with 28 medals, including services. two Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, That is, until October 2012 when six Air Medals, a Presidential Citation and he participated six Commendation in Honor Flight, Medals. a nonprofit Holder began his organization career in the U.S. dedicated to Navy in 1940 at the taking U.S. military age of 18, and was veterans to trained at an aviation their respective machinist mate memorials in school. He arrived Washington, D.C. in Pearl Harbor in While on the December, assigned East Coast, he to a plane crew as a realized that many first mechanic and a people still cared waste hatch gunner. and remembered. He also worked on “It was seacraft. a gracious The Pearl Harbor reception— attack on Dec. 7, everywhere we 1941, left Holder an went; every stop indelible memory. we made,” he said. Every fourth day, “After I got back, Holder had duty, I started making which was to stand presentations all watch. His section over Arizona.” had just filled in for Now the muster in the hangar. World War II veteran, Jack Holder, has nonagenarian “When my section released “Adrenaline, Excitement and Fear: A is sharing his leader began roll call, WWII Aviation Story,” his personal account of serving during the war. STSN photo by experiences in his we heard a screaming Tracy House book “Adrenaline, aircraft and moments Excitement and later a terrible Fear: A WWII Naval Aviation Story.” explosion,” Holder said. “We ran outside The book took 10 months to write and and saw the hangar next to ours receive was released in February. He credits the first bomb dropped on Ford Island. his wife, Ruth Calabro, for encouraging him to write his story. see WWII page 42
BY TRACY HOUSE
Executive chef Aaron Geister has joined the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, brining his distinctive style to the longest standing resort in Arizona. STSN photo by Tracy House
San Marcos Resort appoints new executive chef BY TRACY HOUSE
Aaron Geister acquired his taste for cooking while working in a bakery in his early teens. His mom secured the job for him, so Geister has her to thank for his new gig as the executive chef at the Crown Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. The Scottsdale Culinary Instituteeducated Geister gained his culinary expertise at such esteemed locations as Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House, Tonto Bar & Grill, Michael DeMaria’s Heirloom, and, most recently, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group before taking the culinary helm at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. Built in 1912, the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort is the longest standing resort in Arizona. Geister started at the resort in January, but is now ready to showcase some of the changes and offerings at the 249-room resort. He oversees two restaurants—AJ’s Cafe and the 1912 Lounge—the pool bar,
special events, in-room dining and the newly renovated Grill 60, serving the property’s onsite 18-hole championship golf course. The hotel’s eateries are expanding their food and beverage operations by focusing on locally sourced, farm-to-table goods. “That’s one of the things we’re trying now,” Geister said. “When I got here we were able to change the menu for the better. We really put a lot more effort into changing it for the better, and really going to the hyper-local.” The drive is to use local suppliers such as Hickman’s Farms, Cochise Cattle Company and Queen Creek Olive Oil in the restaurants. So far, some of the menu changes he has made include a twist on comfort food. “While you won’t find the Philly cheesesteak on there, you’ll find Philly
Ex-NFL player reinvents himself as entrepreneur, education advocate ASU alumna rewards spirited students BY ALISON STANTON
As an offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos and then the Indianapolis Colts, Marsharne Graves was consumed in his sport. After the former University of Arizona player retired, he vowed to stay involved in football. However, five years ago Graves had an epiphany. “The light came on, and I decided I wanted to do something different with my life,” said the 53-year-old Graves, who lives in Chandler with his wife. “What I ended up doing was enrolling in American Public University so I could get my master’s degree.”
A class called sports entrepreneurship called for Graves to write a business plan. It was there that PLAYAHOLIC was created. It focuses on performance wear T-shirts for men and women. Last June, Graves graduated from American Public University with a Master of Science in sports management. Graves said he was recognized by the university and the National Football League Player Association as an ambassador for being the first retired or active professional see ADVOCATE page 43
BY ISRAEL GONZALEZ
Attending a university as a full-time student while starting a business can be a balancing act of time, finances and stress. Being a woman in a maledominated field isn’t easy, either. FSW Funding founder Robyn Barrett is helping students at her alma mater of ASU get through it. Barrett recently rewarded two ASU students with scholarships focused on entrepreneurial spirit and supporting women in STEM field. Cody Van Cleve was selected for the $2,000 FSW Funding Entrepreneurial Scholarship, while Miranda Ngan was selected
see RESORT page 42
for the $1,500 FSW Funding STEM Scholarship. “The scholarships directly impact the students,” Barrett said. “It was a way of giving back to the community. It supports the community directly dollar for dollar.” Van Cleve: An entrepreneurial spirit Van Cleve, 20, is entering his junior year at ASU and studying robotic engineering. On top of being a full-time college student, he is co-founder of Ski Phoenix, a startup company that is see ASU page 43