SanTan Sun News; 12-20-14; Opinion

Opinion

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December 20, 2014 - January 2, 2015

41

Community Commentary

2014 marked another good year Shop Chandler for holiday for the community presents—and beyond

BY MAYOR JAY TIBSHRAENY

As 2014 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year and what it has meant for the community.

Though we weathered some challenges, overall it has been another great year for our city.

The economy continues to pick up, businesses are opening here and others are expanding.

We developed some new parks, enhanced some existing ones, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. and continue Submitted photo to play catch up on road construction in Southeast Chandler.

Our finances are strong, too.

Chandler is one of two Arizona cities with AAA bond ratings from the three national rating agencies. Our longterm vision and strong conviction to success has allowed Chandler to remain a very viable community that is working to help cultivate our base of commerce while providing outstanding services and programs.

Companies continue to look at Chandler for its great business environment. Firms like FedEx and General Motors located here while Garmin, Intel and Wells Fargo expanded their presence. In fact, Wells Fargo is expanding its campus in Chandler with 450,000 square feet of new space and likely thousands of new jobs.

Valencia and Centennial parks

opened this fall and we completed a major renovation to the Chandler Tennis Center at Tumbleweed Park.

Work is progressing nicely on Gilbert and Ocotillo roads with more projects getting set to begin in the coming months. Elevation Chandler, one of the more iconic remnants of the Great Recession, finally came down, with new mixed-use development poised to fill the space.

It’s been a hectic year, but hopefully we can slow down a little this holiday season to enjoy all we have. And when thinking of family friends, employees and co-workers, remember to “Invest Wisely—Shop Chandler.” It’s a slogan we have used for a number of years and I suspect most local business people already understand and appreciate the true impact of shopping in one’s hometown.

Sales taxes from the money you spend in Chandler help support City services such as public safety, road improvements, neighborhoods—and our economic development efforts.

These revenues also support a quality of life enhanced by parks, sports fields, trails, pools and recreation programs. This creates a community that is desirable to companies looking to locate and expand.

And if you can, please try to help the less fortunate in Chandler. You can find some ways to give back by visiting this website (www.forourcity. org/chandler.html) and clicking on the “Community Needs” tab. Happy holidays Chandler—here’s to another prosperous New Year!

You can follow Mayor Tibshraeny on Twitter (@jaytibshraeny).

BY TERRI KIMBLE

When consumers shop with local businesses, more of their money stays close to home, reinvesting in the parks, recreation centers, libraries and other things that make Chandler a great place to live. Local businesses are the ties that bind sustaining communities, linking neighborhoods, and contributing to charities and nonprofits.

Our downtown district is a vibrant, compact, walkable town Terri Kimble. center boasting Submitted photo quaint restaurants, original boutiques and a wonderful gathering place at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce would like to encourage our residents to take advantage of the diverse small businesses right here in Chandler. There’s

a sense of community when you buy local. When I walk into my favorite local boutique or restaurant, it’s not just the gifts or the food that I’m there for, it’s to catch up with the owner or the staff. You get to know the locals and you start to build relationships, all while shopping Chandler and giving back to the community.

Chandler Chamber members are offering a variety of specials for the holiday season so please take a look at their offers. These holiday specials can be found on the home page of the chamber’s website, at www.chandlerchamber.com.

The truth of the matter is that our local businesses count on this time of year for the majority of their annual profits. So challenge yourself to shop local and help keep local dollars within the community to provide essential funding for all the public services, events and jobs that make Chandler special.

For more information about shopping local, visit the chamber website at www. chandlerchamber.com.

Terri Kimble is the president and chief executive officer of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

Enjoy County parks this season

BY DENNY BARNEY

It’s nearly impossible for anyone to stroll through one of our Maricopa County parks without feeling far better for it. Especially this time of year.

Our county boasts the nation’s largest park system, with 10 regional parks totaling 120,000 acres. At least one of SEE COMMUNITY COMMENTARY PAGE 42

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Opinion

December 20, 2014 - January 2, 2015

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Community Commentary COMMUNITY COMMENTARY FROM PAGE 41

them is a short drive away from virtually every county resident, which is why more than 1.2 million visitors enter a county park every year. In the East Valley, we have two majestic parks: Usery Mountain in Northeast Mesa and San Tan Mountain in Queen Creek.

I hope you get a chance to visit one of them during this holiday season and I’d encourage you to bring outof-town guests with you so they can appreciate the spectacular desert scenery and landscapes, too.

Denny Barney.

Our Park Submitted photo Rangers conduct hikes and interpretive programs almost daily. Or, you can fashion a personal experience for yourself, at any park, with just a few clicks on your computer. From the parks home page, www.maricopa.gov/parks/, select the park you want to visit on the upper left-hand corner, then scroll down to “park itinerary,” for suggestions on what you can do within a certain time period, ranging from a one-hour to a fivehour experience.

Usery Mountain Park features archery lessons and bird watching. In fact, December is one of the best months for bird watching in Usery Park. Special events include: Thursday Bird Walks, Saturday Bird Walks, and weekly “Basics of Bird Watching” instruction.

Winter visitors interested in understanding and appreciating the desert should take advantage of programs like “Sonoran Desert 101,” “New to Arizona” and “Beginning Desert Hiking,” all at Usery Park.

And of course, don’t forget my family’s favorite hike—the Wind Cave Trail at Usery Mountain.

For Sun Lakes, San Tan, Chandler and Gilbert residents, San Tan Mountain Regional Park may be even more convenient, located south of Hunt Highway, just west of the Thompson Road and Phillips Road intersection.

For the more hardy and adventurous, a favorite is the Malpais Trail, which follows along a sandy wash and offers gorgeous scenery and an occasional glimpse of larger wildlife such as javelina, bobcats and coyotes.

A cooking class titled “Desert Cuisine: Persimmons and Pomegranates,” camera insight with Sonoran Sunset Photography, and San Tan Shredders Mountain Bike Group are also on the near horizon.

Thanks to the foresight of past generations who desired to preserve out mountain areas for future generations to enjoy, and the care and attention of our current Parks and Recreation Department staff, our county regional parks will continue to enrich our lives and those of our children.

Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Dangers lurk this time of year

BY COUNCILWOMAN NORA ELLEN

As greeting cards start filling our mailboxes with expressions of love and gratitude, our public safety personnel intensify their efforts to keep residents healthy and safe. It is easy to get carried away by the frenzy of holiday preparations.

As stress and excitement build up, people tend to let their guard down and be more prone to accidents or victims of crimes of opportunity.

Many of the tragedies that Nora Ellen. occur during Submitted photo this time can be prevented by following a few simple tips.

With the increase in alcohol consumption during holiday celebrations, it is highly recommended to designate a driver when attending a party and to remind all passengers to wear seatbelts. If you encounter hostile drivers, especially in crowded areas such as parking lots of shopping malls and post offices, the Police Department recommends leaving the area. If a confrontation occurs, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Most crimes can be prevented by simply being aware of our surroundings.

However, we are often distracted when talking on the phone or texting, and criminals take advantage of this vulnerability.

When out shopping, it is recommended to do so during the day and to avoid going alone. Park as close to the destination as possible and lock all doors and windows to reduce the risk for theft. In addition, valuables should never be left on the seat of a parked vehicle.

Women should be particularly mindful of holding purses securely, not leaving them in shopping carts and not putting them down or on top of the car when opening a door. If something doesn’t feel right, it is certainly appropriate to ask for store security to provide an escort before leaving.

At home, it is important to remain vigilant as well. Accidents such as falls, burns and house fires can be prevented.

Use extra care when putting up or taking down holiday decorations, especially when using a ladder or stairs. Never leave candles, stoves or ovens unattended and keep any flammable items away from children, pets and Christmas trees.

The police department also reminds us that thieves prey on homes vacated by holiday travelers because they are easy to stake out and invade. If traveling out of town, make sure to notify newspaper agencies and the post office to hold deliveries. This helps prevent items from stacking up in your driveway or by your doorstep, which indicates that you may

not be home. Ask a neighbor to pick up any deliveries to your house during your absence.

Installing home security systems and/ or motion detector lights around the outside of the house can be effective in deterring criminals. If you will be away from home during the evening, also purchase timers for indoor lights and install them throughout the home.

The Chandler Police Department maintains additional crime prevention tips and resources on its website at www.chandlerpd.com. For instance, you can request frequent patrols in your neighborhood, learn how to organize a Block Watch, and apply for an alarm user permit. You may also call the nonemergency phone number with any questions at (480) 782-4130.

Last but not least, remind friends and family of these simple health and safety tips so that we can all be more aware and stay vigilant. As we celebrate the season and share our blessings with those around us, let us continue to show our gratitude to those who protect us, here in our community, and those serving overseas.

Nora Ellen can be reached at nora. ellen@chandleraz.gov.

A gift of music has lasting significance

BY SUSAN YUEN

Giving gifts to the children in your life is especially joyous, which is one reason why Christmas is always fun with children around.

Developmentally, my toddler is capable of appreciating more than the shiny Christmas papers, bows and little boxes this year. Because she loves anything on wheels— tractors, trains, bikes, strollers, scooters, cars and carts—I am particularly excited to give my toddler a no pedal Susan Yuen. balance bike Submitted photo for Christmas.

Although it is fun to see children enjoying their gifts, most gifts’ enjoyment lasts only a short season, when they are new, intact, ageappropriate and still desirable.

One gift I continually give my daughter, although she may not even recognize it, is the gift of music. I give her the gift of music to enrich her life, not with the expectation that she must become a professional musician, but so she has an increased capacity to enjoy music whether she is just listening to the radio, joining in a holiday sing-along or playing with a community band. As an infant she absorbed the singing, rocking and bouncing. I enjoy sharing musical

experiences with other moms and babies in weekly classes, teaching new songs and activities, but I enjoy sharing these same experiences intimately with her at home even more. Now my girl can vocally express and give physical responses as we enjoy music together.

I cherish these bonding times. I love hearing her sing her favorite songs or seeing her move expressively when she hears music.

Early childhood music and movement is critically important. I make an intentional effort to ensure that quality musical experiences are a part of her life, especially in this vital stage before age 9, as her neural synapses are still firing up and connecting. During this stage the plasticity in her young brain allows her to continue to develop her musical aptitude. At the fall workshop for Early Childhood Music and Movement of Arizona, “Make Music: Practical Tools to Enrich Your Classroom”, Lyn Codier cited recent research, describing why music is so important, particularly for young children. Research supports the significant distinction that one’s musical development does not take away from any other area of development, but rather, music enhances it.

Music continues to be significant throughout life. As my daughter grows older I will continue to give her the gift of music. Although during some seasons of life, other studies or interests may demand her time and attention, I want her to always have opportunities to enjoy music. I will prioritize listening to music as a family, attending live concerts, creating music together, providing music lessons, advocating for music in schools, supporting her school music programs and ensembles, encouraging her music practice, and attending her recitals and concerts.

While it is obvious that some people are uniquely gifted musically and these people benefit society in special ways, it is also true that all people possess the gift of music within themselves. All are musical and can appreciate music and actively enjoy musical experiences.

Music is worthy to be pursued for its own sake; it is a vibrant language that belongs in society. Yet, music does not stand in isolation. Numerous studies affirm that musical development aids all other development: verbal, kinesthetic, academic, emotional and social. I am giving my daughter a great gift when I surround her with musical experiences. Music development has great significance in a child’s overall development.

Give the gift of music. As parents, caregivers, friends, family, school teachers and administrators, we can enrich children’s lives by giving them the gift of music. This gift will be packaged differently for each child depending on his/her interests, abilities, age, available resources and family’s inclinations, but there is music to be enjoyed and to be learned by each child. Please seek advice from a music educator you know for new ways to gift music to a child in your life.

For more information contact Susan Yuen at susanruthyuen@gmail. com or visit her website at www.

YuenMusicStudio.com