Foodies will have the opportunity to sample food from more than a dozen restaurants at SanTan Village while supporting an East Valley organization this month.
The Taste of SanTan will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at SanTan Village, 2218 E. Williams Field Rd. Tickets for the 21-and-older event are $50, with $25 tax-deductible.
“This event supports Save the Family’s general operating budget by generating over $50,000 in gross revenue annually,” said Tina Lopez, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona’s chief development officer. Lopez said the event can hold up to 800 attendees and has sold out in years past.
She said eight years ago shopping center operator Macerich, formerly Westcor, approached Save the Family about being the beneficiary. The organization said yes.
“Over the years this has become one of two of Save the Family’s signature fundraising events, which is hosted by SanTan Village and managed and facilitated by Save the Family,” Lopez said.
The event will feature unlimited food tastings from 16 restaurants in the shopping center. Beer, wine and signature Santinis will be provided by Tito’s Vodka, as well as other refreshing nonalcoholic beverages.
The restaurants include Barnes & Noble Café; Brio Tuscan Grille; Caketini; Cantina Laredo; Famous Dave’s; Fat Straw; Frost Gelato; Gordon Biersch; Grimaldi’s; Johnny Rockets; The Keg; Kona Grill; Paradise Bakery; Wok Box and World of Beer.
“Guests will be served samplings from each restaurant that will range from fajitas, chopped pork sliders and Japanese yellowtail sashimi to brownies, cheesecakes and cannolis,” Lopez said.
Tickets are available for the many raffle prizes. Submitted photo
At 7 p.m. TreJa Vu Band will perform followed by Arizona’s Original Dance Crew Footklan. Cornhole and door prizes will also be available.
A free photo booth is being provided by Cox Communications and free caricature drawings are included. There’s even more.
“There will also be a super raffle that you do not need to be present to win, which includes prizes of $500 SanTan Village shopping spree, Apple iWatch, a year of date nights, events tickets galore featuring tickets to sporting events, concerts and local shows, and a wine tasting for 20 people from Total Wine & More,” Lopez said.
Tickets can be purchased by calling
(480) 466-7714 for $20, four for $50, or 12 for $100.
Save the Family was founded in 1988 in Mesa and has housing in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale and a domestic violence shelter in Phoenix, housing 14 single moms with children. The organization has a three-pronged approach to equip families with what they need while addressing poverty and overcoming homelessness.
“Last year Save the Family assisted over 500 homeless, low-income and veteran families with housing, case management and extensive supportive services to get them on the path to self-sufficiency,” Lopez said.
The organization’s supportive services include the Career Development Center that provides resources, skills, job training and mentoring, which assists their clients in getting back into the workforce. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Childcare and transportation is facilitated to help parents while they are searching for a job.
“Our Career Development Center Program offers classes to help with the pre-employment process, such as resume writing, mock interviews, job leads, GED training and testing, dress for success and more,” Lopez said. “We also provide soft skills training, such as communication, listening skills and body language, which are all important factors in obtaining and keeping employment. Clients are trained on computers, given manuals and materials that relate to computer skills, taught typing skills, office equipment training and Microsoft training.”
She said 80 percent of their adult clients are women and, of those, 45 percent are victims of domestic violence.
Revelers indulge in food and drink from more than a dozen area residents during Taste of SanTan. Submitted photos
The event supports Save the Family’s general
according to Tina Lopez. Submitted photos
Local blogger celebrates all things food
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Scarlett Bendixen enjoys blogging about food on her Made It. Ate It. Loved It. site. She said it’s fun because she can share the stories behind her dishes.
“My mom had published a few cookbooks (and I have been) baking and cooking my entire life,” the Arizona native and, now, Gilbert resident said.
About 18 months ago, Bendixen became part of Krusteaz Baker’s Dozen, a group of creative food and baking bloggers. She was invited to join after she contacted the public relations staff asking for a beer bread mix.
“They sent me a beer bread mix that I had never heard of and never baked with,” she said. “I created soft pretzels.”
Bendixen is inspired by visits to restaurants and sampling their dishes. When she returns home, she recreates the meal with a few twists.
One of those visits yielded pineapple upside down pancakes using a box of Krusteaz as a way of celebrating National Breakfast Month in September.
“I’m always looking for fun ways to eat pancakes,” Bendixen said.
The recipe uses Krusteaz buttermilk pancake mix combined with vanilla cream syrup and cinnamon butter.
Bendixen said she enjoys being a part of Krusteaz Baker’s Dozen because of the members’ creativity. She said it’s a lot of fun to create something different that no one will think of, all while using box mixes.
“People don’t realize you can do so much from the box of Krusteaz mixes,” she said. “There is a lot of trial and error, but it is fun.”
Her blog posts include a plethora of photographs, the recipe and how her family enjoyed the dish. Her brood includes three children who are 3, 5 and 7, two of whom are picky eaters. Bendixen said she enjoys giving her kids a variety of meals.
Since joining the group, she creates recipes monthly.
“We did a back-to-school cooking one,” she said. “I just turned in a pumpkin recipe that will feature next month.”
Her blog can be found at www. madeitateitlovedit.com.
Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 cups Krusteaz buttermilk pancake mix
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices, cut into fourths
Vanilla Cream Syrup ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda
Cinnamon Butter ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat griddle to 375 degrees. Mix together the pancake mix and water with a wire whisk. Batter will still be slightly lumpy. Pour about 1/4 cup of the pancake mix on the griddle. Sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar on the mix once it is on the griddle. Place three pieces of the cut pineapple slices over the brown sugar. Cook for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until ready to flip. Then cook on the other side for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
Vanilla Cream Syrup instructions In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sugar, buttermilk, heavy cream, and salt. Continue stirring until it comes to a boil. Once it comes to a boil remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda.
Cinnamon Butter instructions:
Whip all ingredients together. Once everything is done cooking, grab a few pancakes and top with a spoonful of cinnamon butter. You can add leftover pineapple and sprinkles of brown sugar on top too. Then pour over the vanilla cream syrup and enjoy.
Black-tie event to raise funds for stroke therapy programs
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Dr. Brian Beck admits he’s never seen the ABC TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” If he had, he might have been a little apprehensive about participating in the first “Dancing for Stroke” fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa.
“It would have probably been a lot scarier than what I have in mind,” Beck said with a laugh. “It’s the first time I’ve done any dancing whatsoever. My wife is excited to watch me.”
Beck is one of 10 doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are training with Arizona Ballroom Champions instructors for the fundraiser. The participants have only three months to learn their dance routines. Beck will be dancing the tango and cha-cha as part of the event, which benefits Dignity Health East Valley stroke programs.
“We’re doing it for stroke camp for Dignity Health,” Beck explained. “They have one of those per year right now. It’s in Prescott. Twenty five patients come up at a time and the camp gives them the chance to be in a different situation than
they normally would have being at home with the daily grind.”
It allows patients as well as caregivers time away from the stresses of having to deal with the implications of a stroke.
Organizers are hoping to raise $150,000 to $200,000 so they can increase the camp to twice a year, thereby doubling the number of patients it serves.
The evening will begin with a preshow event, dinner at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, then the dancers will compete in front of three judges, including Jonathan Roberts of “Dancing with the Stars” and Bree Watson, a champion professional dancer. The judges will rate the participants and the audience will determine the winners.
“There’s going to be a nice cocktail party before the event,” said Shawn Nerdhal of Chandler’s Arizona Ballroom Champions and one of the fundraiser’s creators.
“There will be a couple of performances before the event gets started. After everybody dances, there will be time to dance to DJ music. The whole audience
Dignity Health Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp is just one of the groups that would benefit from the “Dancing for Stroke” fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3 at the
Pass
and Spa Submitted photo
can get up and dance.”
For Nerdhal, it’s been a satisfying run.
“It’s very rewarding to watch people think that they can’t do it, and then grow into something that they love,” Nerdhal said.
For information about “Dancing for Stroke,” including ticket prices, contact Terri Lamb of Dignity Health East Valley Foundation at (480) 201-1057 or visit www.dancingforstrokeaz.com.
Sheraton Wild Horse
Resort
Terri Lamb and Shawn Nerdahl came up with the idea for the “Dancing for Stroke” fundraiser Submitted photo
New Papa Murphy’s offers free pizza
Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, the first 100 customers in line at Papa Murphy’s new store at 1981 E. Pecos Rd. in Gilbert will receive a free large pepperoni pizza. After the giveaway ends, large pepperoni pizzas will be $4 on Saturday. The regular price of a large pepperoni pizza is $11.25. Additionally, the new location will offer customers pizza-tasting, games, prizes and other kid-friendly activities throughout the day on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 18, the Gilbert and Pecos location will offer large pepperoni pizzas for $6.
The newest location is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and is owned by Jesse and Toni Bolander.
The Gilbert and Pecos Papa Murphy’s will host a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
Customers can text AZ099 to 90421 for a chance to win the grand prize, of free pizza for a year through Oct. 15.
The Gilbert and Pecos location can be reached at (480) 726-6770.
Fall concert series set for downtown
BY TRACY HOUSE
Grab the family, pack a picnic basket and head to The Downtown Concert Series premiering 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert’s Heritage District.
The fall concert series runs every other Thursday night through Dec. 3, as well as Wednesday, Nov. 18, when the Water Tower Lighting will take place.
Mike Leppert, recreation coordinator for the Town of Gilbert, said the concert series was moved downtown last year from Freestone Park.
“We wanted to do something on a Thursday night for people. The weekend is pretty busy downtown. Friday and Saturday, we didn’t want to bring more people. We want to bring more people downtown on a weekday.”
The free outdoor concert features music from different genres, with local business sponsored booths on hand with information and hand-outs.
Restaurants in the area will be open for dinner. “We’re always encouraging folks to eat or go to the downtown restaurants; go before the concert or grab it to go and eat it out at the concert,” Leppert said.
There is limited seating downtown, so
Leppert is encouraging residents to bring a blanket or chair, the latter of which is permitted in designated areas only.
“There’s a lot of nice grass areas to sit out there.”
“It’s a great community event for Gilbert,” Leppert said. “I think we’re servicing a lot more ZIP codes in Gilbert, meaning there are a lot more people from different areas of Gilbert coming downtown.”
Leppert said the splash pad will be open for kids to run through prior to the concert and during intermission. “It’s one of the amenities that is already existing at the park,” he said.
There are a variety of performers slated for the series. Local bands scheduled for the concert include: Swain’s World, Thursday, Oct. 8; Sir Harrison Band, Thursday, Oct. 22; Come Back Buddy, Thursday, Nov. 5; Joshua Stone
Snooze offers unique breakfast dishes
BY KATHY KERBY
Snooze: An A.M. Eatery just opened in July but it’s already become a favorite in Gilbert. On a recent visit with my husband, Lou, there was a 20- to 30-minute wait for a table, but it flew by as we just observed the action and enjoyed the energy of the restaurant. The staff is young, diverse and energetic and each one seemed to really enjoy serving the crowd, which was a nice range of babies in carriers to retired seniors.
With an urban feel, massive windows, funky round booths, large orange pendant lights and a well-stocked bar, Snooze seemed to delight its 145 guests. A festive patio on the west side provides seating for perhaps 50 and there was enough shade to block our Arizona sun.
While we were there, we chatted with general manager Matt Brower, who calls himself “The Rooster.” He is a 25-year food industry veteran and said that Snooze is “all about having fun.” His motto is “it only takes a moment to make a difference.”
The first Snooze opened in Colorado in 2006 and the Gilbert location is No. 12 and the third in Arizona.
We received a text to let us know our table was ready and our server, Arlen,
Band, Wednesday, Nov. 18; and Dueling Pianos, Thursday, Dec. 3.
“We try typically try to stay local on all these and try to have some fun, give a variety of genres, so we’ll have a cover band one week, a rock n’ roll, a country band one week, and then we’ll have a ‘50s/‘60s band. We’re ending the series with the Dueling Pianos, which is always kind of fun, where they play a little bit of everything,” Leppert said.
The Thursday, Nov. 5, concert will be held at the new St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn Ave. “It’ll be one block north of Water Tower Plaza,” Leppert said. “It’s a special engagement. We’ll be holding that concert on the St. Xavier campus.”
There will not be onsite food or beverage vendors, so the public is encouraged to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy during the concert. Alcohol and glass containers are not permitted. Free public parking is available at the Gilbert Park and Ride on Page Avenue, south of Water Tower Plaza. The spring concert series picks up again in March. For more information about bands, to become a sponsor or performing at the Fall Concert Series visit, www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parksand-recreation/special-events/concerts-inthe-park.
brought our menus. He let us know that they are made from recycled paper and that sustainability, which includes composting and recycling, is important. Snooze also donates 1 percent of sales to the local community. The menu was delightful, placing the dishes into four categories—“flavors from the hen,” “the art of Hollandaise,” “like a feather” and “sweet utopia.” This menu oozed creativity and each offering sounded even better than the last.
We made our choices and shortly. Arlen brought our beautiful breakfast pot pie ($9), OMG! French toast ($9.50), Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes ($7.50) and threeegg omelet ($9.75). Lou dug into the pot pie which was a tasty tower of puff pastry
smothered with rosemary sausage gravy and topped with a sunny side up egg and a side of hash browns.
The OMG! French toast was almost too pretty to eat with brioche stuffed with mascarpone cheese and topped with vanilla crème, salted caramel, fresh strawberries and toasted coconut. Each bite was an explosion of flavor.
For the omelet, there is a lengthy list of meats, cheeses, veggies and sauces so the possibilities are endless. Lou chose bacon, sausage and wild mushrooms with sourdough toast and hash browns. The omelet was unbelievably light and fluffy, cooked perfectly and served piping hot. The pineapple upside down pancake with caramelized pineapple chunks and cinnamon butter is a Snooze original. We couldn’t finish this enormous sweet delicacy so our grandchildren enjoyed it for an afternoon snack.
The manager and staff of Snooze want their guests to enjoy the best dining experience possible. They’ve accomplished that.
Snooze: An A.M. Eatery 310 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert 85234 (480) 664-4488 www.snoozeeatery.com
The Downtown Concert Series premieres Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert’s Heritage District. Submitted photo
Fair celebrates U.S. Constitution
The Town of Gilbert’s Constitution Fair is the largest celebration of Constitution Week in the country. Set aside in the 1950s as an observance of the founding document of the United States, Constitution Week runs from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23 annually. Gilbert celebrates it with a parade and with volunteers who go into schools with educational materials. This year’s event culminated in a fair featuring period re-enactments, exhibits and entertainment. GSN photos by Kimberly Carrillo
Rifles sit outside of an English encampment.
Attendees visit a food truck to purchase hot dogs.
A replica of the Liberty Bell is exhibited against the backdrop of a painted sky.
Rows of memorials commemorate those who served our country. Singers entertain the audience.
A squadron of planes perform a flyby.
Suzy Plinkett gets a trading card from one of the characters.
Characters visit and talk during the event.
A live Lady Liberty posed for the entire event.
examine some of the military vehicles on display.
Gilbert Fall Carnival coming to Crossroads Park
BY TRACY HOUSE
Crossroads Park will be transformed for the Town’s annual fall carnival Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11.
The four-day event will feature rides like the Ferris wheel, Zipper and merrygo-round, games and fair treats. There will be carnival games for prizes, too.
“It’s a fun, four-day event,” said Mike Leppert, recreation coordinator for the Town of Gilbert.
“There will be light snacks available for purchase.”
Admission is free, but rides require paid wrist bands.
Discounted ride wrist bands are being sold through Oct. 7 for $15 for unlimited rides for one day at www. gilbertrecreation.com.
sharing information and hosting giveaways from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10.
“Come out and have some fun in Arizona. Enjoy the weather, outdoors. Let the wind blow in your hair while you’re on the Ferris wheel,” Leppert said.
“If you buy them that day of the event they’ll be more money,” Leppert said. “It’s free to get in, but each ride is individualized. Tickets are $1 a piece and then each ride is one to four or five tickets. They will have wristbands for sale the day of.”
Local vendors will be out at the event
Carnival hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11; and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12.
The Gilbert Fall Carnival is presented by St. Xavier University.
The all-ages free event will be held at Crossroads Park located at 2155 E. Knox Rd., Gilbert, near Greenfield Road. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information or to be a sponsor, contact Mike Leppert at (480) 503-6235, email him at mike.leppert@gilbertaz.gov, or visit www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/ parks-and-recreation/special-events/fallcarnival.
Friends for Life host 16th annual BARKtoberfest
Celebrate all things dog at the 16th annual BARKtoberfest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Gilbert Town Center, 50 E. Civic Center Dr. BARKtoberfest has grown each year and 7,500 are expected to attend this year’s event to enjoy live DJ entertainment, food trucks, shopping booths, fine arts and crafts, dog wash, Lure Course, an agility course, dog art (DOGvinci), dog adoptions, raffles, contests for pet and owner lookalike, best trick and costumes and more.
Admission is free but some activities require a small donation. All of the proceeds go toward saving the lives
of homeless dogs and cats in our community.
Last year, the organizers sent 14 dogs home and even finalized one cat adoption at the event.
Friends for Live Animal Rescue, located at 143 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert, is a 501(c) (3) registered nonprofit, volunteer-run, no-kill shelter dedicated to ending the suffering of homeless dogs and cats in the community.
For more information, call (480) 4978296 or email pr@azfriends.org. The club’s website is www.azfriends.org or follow the group on Facebook.
No need to break the bank this Halloween
Showing that the Halloween spirit is alive and well across America, a new survey from Savers thrift stores finds that with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, people plan to revel in the festivities all
“Halloweekend” long.
More than 56 percent will attend Halloween parties and nearly as many will visit multiple parties. Young and old alike plan to participate with close to six in 10 reporting they typically don costumes for Halloween and 92 percent of parents saying their kids will dress up.
Pop culture inspired
The majority of people (51 percent) who celebrate Halloween say that current events, entertainment or pop culture tend to inspire their costumes. As the election season progresses, most Americans (63 percent) believe that the Democratic candidates for president will have better costumes than the current Republican candidates this year. And no matter what color you saw, nearly 30 percent believe that “The Dress” will be the 2015 event that will inspire the most Halloween costumes this year. There are still traditionalists in the mix, with almost 30 percent stating they typically stick to classic Halloween themes
such as ghosts and witches.
From trick or treat to deals and steals
One in two agree that it’s not necessary to spend a fortune to earn the title best costume. In fact, 41 percent feel that secondhand or thrift stores are great for costume inspiration, which represents a 20 percent jump from last year. The vast majority (68 percent) usually won’t buy new packaged costumes. Instead, they combine new and used, make outfits by hand, repeat costumes or borrow from others.
Other trends
Who wore it best? Celebrities Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift lead the pack in who is predicted to have the best Halloween costume of 2015 (21 and 19 percent, respectively). Meanwhile Willow and Jaden Smith are expected to have the best celebrity child costume this year (25 percent).
Top TV inspiration: For the third consecutive year, “The Walking Dead” (33
percent) rates as the top TV show to inspire Halloween costumes this year.
Fun for fido: For millions of Americans, it’s important for pets to get in on the howlo-ween fun. One in two (50 percent) pet owners report that their furry friends have been known to wear Halloween costumes.
Planning makes perfect: Chances are, you’re already thinking about Halloween. The survey found that people typically start preparing costumes almost three months (81 days) ahead of Halloween.
“Year after year, we see demand for new and used Halloween merchandise continue to grow, and with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we expect adults and children alike to celebrate with multiple parties and multiple costumes,” said Ken Alterman, president and CEO of Savers. “We are proud to be the place shoppers know they can stay under budget and stand out from the crowd not only for Halloween, but all year long.”
Celebrate dogs at the 16th annual BARKtoberfest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Gilbert Town Center, 50 E. Civic Center Dr. Submitted photo
