SanTan Sun News,11-21-15: neighbors

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Neighbors

www.SanTanSun.com

Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2015

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Neighbors Yoakam hearkens back to debut on ‘Second Hand Hearts’ page 62

Community invited to SLJC’s Shabbat service page 69

Where to Eat page 55

Tumbleweed Tree: A long-standing tradition returns into place a 30-foot light pole with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is circular frames wrapped around the top a classic. Perhaps most revered scene is and bottom. Cables are then stretched the one in which the community, hand in between the top and bottom frames to hand, sings around the town’s tree. create the conical shape. The crew hangs The City of Chandler puts a decidedly chicken wire to the rings and cables to Western twist on that scene. It builds secure the tumbleweeds. This takes two and lights a Christmas tree created with tumbleweeds. The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting is a long-held tradition in Chandler initiated by reside Earl Barnum in 1957. He and other community members gathered tumbleweed from around town to build the first tree. They were the first to create a tumbleweed tree and, according to Chandler Public Information Officer Jim Phipps, it’s the only city in the Southwest that does this. Barnum started the tradition and, for the last 15 years, Russ Lassuy has continued to create the larger-than-life tree. Although the tree lighting does not take place until Saturday, Dec. 5, Lassuy and his team have already begun task, as it takes 14 days. “The whole family shows up for the tree lighting and Gathered tumbleweeds are transported to Chandler’s town parade,” Lassuy said. “I don’t square where they are attached to a 25-foot tall wire frame, know how many people sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of fl ame reshow up, but it’s in the tardant and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The tree is later thousands.” adorned with approximately 1,200 holiday lights. Photo by City of Chandler Lassuy begins by bolting

BY NICOLE CHOKSI

see TREE page 42

Stay safe while shopping during the busy holiday season BY ALISON STANTON

As the holiday season gets into full swing, thousands of Southeast Valley shoppers will head to local malls and stores to find gifts for everybody on their lists. Brian Snyder, an attorney at Snyder and Wenner P.C., said that in addition to the festive lights, decorated trees and other signs of the season, there can be a sinister side to this time of year. “Nobody wants to think about this, but chances are they are being watched by someone,” he said.

Criminals will take advantage of the busy shopping season to target harried and distracted shoppers. Snyder said stores should do what they can to help keep their customers safe. “The first thing to consider is security. Stores need to have a live security person there, and they need to make sure they are changing up their patrol schedule,” Snyder said. “They should not patrol at the same time every day, because criminals will see SHOPPING page 45

Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa is hosting a fine-dining experience for 18 guests on Friday, Dec. 11. Submitted photo

Ocotillo Village to host 5-course ‘Dinner of the Senses’ Eating at a gym usually entails noshing on a power bar or sipping on a smoothie. The state-of-the-art, 82,000-squarefeet Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa is bucking the trend and serving a gourmet, chef-crafted five-course dinner paired with a globe-straddling selection of fine wines. Named “Dinner of the Senses” and hosted at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, this meal is specifically designed to stimulate all five senses with exotic ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. Provided

by Alliance Beverage, the wine pairings will be chosen by a certified master sommelier. “The whole idea came out of our winetasting series, which has proven to be a big hit with our members,” said Rodney Kinney, director of events and programs at the Ocotillo Village. “So our chef, Isaac Rios, decided to take things one step further by hosting a fine-dining experience right here inside the club.” see SENSES page 42

Sun Lakes golfer takes swing at writing book BY TIM J. RANDALL

Golf is, at times, maddening and inspirational, humorous and serious. Retired school teacher and avid selfproclaimed high-handicap golfer Michael Pavlik encourages players to relax and take a deep breath in his new book “If You’re a Duffer, You’re OK in My Book.” “A bad round should not spoil your day

nor should it discourage us from enjoying a day out with friends and exploring the great outdoors,” said Pavlik, a 10-year resident of Sun Lakes-Oakwood. For his first book, Pavlik wanted to speak to golfers who are too hard on themselves and would appreciate the game more if they just accept the good and bad shots. see GOLFERS page 45


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