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Neighbors
Nov. 7 - Nov. 20, 2015
www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Randolph expects 2016 to be breakthrough year page 64
Black and White Gala benefits Chandler Christian Academy
Where to Eat page 62
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Father-daughter duo travel to Peru to help local villagers reservoir and irrigation system to help Thanks to the hard work of Chandler the villagers have water all year, without residents Jason Spears and his daughter, having to travel long distances to reach a Emily, the villagers of Amaru in Peru will water source. have a reliable source of water, and a The group also worked on constructing local production center where they can a production center, where the villagers work. can make their local handicrafts to sell in Jason, a district manager and loan officer at Academy Mortgage in Chandler, said the company rewards its top performers every year with two trips—a more traditional vacation and a service expedition. Everyone who wins the trips is allowed to bring along one person, so Jason asked 15-year-old Emily if she wanted to come along. “He mostly approached me about it and said, ‘Our next trip is to Peru, and would you like to go with me?’” said Emily, a 10th grader at Basha High School. She told her dad she would be happy to go with him on the eight-day journey. In September, Jason and Emily flew to Lima, Peru, with the other people from the Academy Mortgage President’s Club Service Expedition program. While Jason and Emily had the opportunity to hike Emily Spears and her father, Jason, recently traveled to Peru, and experience the scenic where they helped the villagers of Amaru by constructing an beauty of the region, most irrigation system and a production center. Submitted photo of their time was spent working on projects in the village of the market in the nearby town of Pisac. Amaru. “Many villagers are forced to leave Jason said they helped build a small
BY ALISON STANTON
see PERU page 50
Chandler to host eighth annual Woofstock BY MANDY LOADER
Man’s best friend. For all the dog lovers out there, these three words are more than a cliché. It’s a lifestyle. In its eighth year, Chandler’s Woofstock celebrates all things canine with numerous fun activities, discount vaccinations, pet contests, entertainment and more. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Tumbleweed Park. Admission is free. One of the premier events at this year’s Woofstock is the Walk of Honor, which benefits the American Service Animal Society, an organization that provides service animals to disabled veterans.
Watch as Chandler’s own Blazin’ K9s Flyball Racing Team shows off its doggie version of acrobatic “drag racing.” You can also take advantage of the opportunity to see a fast-paced dog chase sport with Indy’s Run for Rescue. The nonprofit Good Dog Agility Club of Chandler/Mesa will showcase its skills as the dogs tackle an agility course to promote their classes through year-round demonstrations. Adding to the fun is are the live training displays by Dog Elite Training. Join company founder and owner Neal Mestas and his 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, Bailey, as the two host training workshops and share see WOOFSTOCK page 51
The U.S. Team won silver at the Britannia Cup. Shown here, from left, are Michael Beautyman, Padg Bolton, Brian Cheney and Owen Robertson. Photo courtesy of ITF/Ray Giubilo
Tennis star ‘serves’ up silver medal BY TIM J. RANDALL
Now in his 60th year playing competitive tennis, Chandler resident Brian Cheney still gets a thrill from serving, volleying and trying to beat his opponent across the net. “I love the game and enjoy it, and hope to keep playing as well as I can for as long as I can,” he said. Cheney’s most recent tournament appearance was at the ITF Super Seniors World Team Championships Sept. 21 through Sept. 26 in Umag, Croatia. It’s the senior tennis equivalent of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Davis Cup and Fed Cup competitions, with players representing their countries in the 65-, 70-, 75- and 80-and-older age groups. Cheney and
his three teammate—Padg Bolton, Monroe, Louisiana; Michael Beautyman, Flourtown, Pennsylvania; and Owen Robertson, Lake Worth, Florida—placed second to Spain in the matches known as the Britannia Cup, in the 65-year-oldand-up bracket. Twenty-two countries were present at the Britannia matches, with the U.S. team ranked second behind the eventual Spanish winning squad, and Cheney serving as captain of the American quartet. “It was a tough draw with the first round match against Sweden, and if we did not beat them, our team would have at best a chance to place eighth in the Cup,” Cheney said. “But in a way it see TENNIS page 50
Area restaurants serve up tasty meals for Thanksgiving BY ALISON STANTON
If the thought of roasting a turkey and cooking all the trimmings seems overwhelming, or there is not enough time to take care of preparing a full Thanksgiving feast, a variety of area restaurants have stepped up to the foodie plate. From Thanksgiving Eve feasts to take
out dishes that can be served in the comfort of home on Thanksgiving, check out the following tasty options: Chompie’s Chompie’s is taking preorders for whole oven-roasted turkeys, pies and full course meal packages. The four Valley see THANKSGIVING page 53