SanTan Sun News; 12-6-14; Full Issue

December 6 - 19, 2014

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Chandler defeats Hamilton in Div. I state football championship

BY SETH COX

For the first time in 65 years, the Chandler High School Wolves claimed a state football championship, with an emphatic 28-7 win over intra-city rival Hamilton High School in the Division I title game on Nov. 28. Even though Chandler’s offense was the big story heading into the 2014 season, it was the Wolves’ defense that came through time and time again, says Chandler Head Coach Shaun Aguano.

“I thought our defense won all of our games for us,” Aguano says. “Our defense is the one that got us here and won the state championship.”

Played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the game began slowly with both teams trading turnovers. Chandler’s special teams muffed a punt that was recovered by Hamilton’s Rico Tipton at the Chandler 14-yard line, but Chandler got it right back as defensive lineman Kalif Roberts sacked Hamilton quarterback James Sosinski, causing a fumble that Chandler recovered.

From there, Chandler’s offense found its groove, as quarterback Bryce Perkins showed his magic, marching the Wolves 66 yards down the field. Perkins capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run

CHAMPIONS: The Chandler Wolves celebrate after the school’s victory over Hamilton in the Division I title game. Photo courtesy Chandler Unified School District.

to put Chandler on the board first, 7-0.

Hamilton generated a long drive of its own, as Sosinski found Ari Johnson on third and 19 for a 27-yard catch and run on a screen pass, before delivering a perfect strike to Kyeler Burke to get Hamilton to the 9 yard line. Another Sosinski turnover, however, halted Hamilton’s drive.

This led to Chandler’s 98-yard, 10-minute drive, capped by a Perkins to Micah Reed-Campos touchdown pass for a 13-0 lead. In that drive, Perkins made several big-time throws, including a third and 16 conversion to N’Keal Harry and a third and nine conversion to Justin Jan to keep the drive alive.

Hamilton tried to cut the 13-0 margin,

but missed a long field goal before halftime.

The second half opened with an efficient 63-yard scoring drive by Hamilton, as Sosinski, Ari Johnson and Ernesto Mauricio took turns rushing the football. On third and nine from the 12 yard line, Hamilton ran its option to the left, but Brandon Krcilek sprinted from his wide receiver position to gather the pitch from Sosinski on a reverse and ran for Hamilton’s first touchdown, trimming the score to 13-7.

Hamilton’s opportunistic defense then forced its own turnover as Kyeler Burke intercepted a Perkins pass, giving the ball back to Hamilton at its one-yard line.

Hamilton then leaned on its rushing attack as Sosinski, Johnson, Rashad Williams and Rico Tipton sparked the Huskies offense, driving to Chandler’s 34 yard line. The game would change dramatically from there.

On fourth and one, Hamilton Head Coach Steve Belles elected to go for it. The Huskies handed the ball to their workhorse, Johnson, but Chandler was ready and the Wolves’ defensive line forced Johnson to bounce the run outside. With a clutch tackle, Jaray Mills SEE CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE 6

‘Tis the season to help one another

Chandler eyesore comes tumbling down

BY TRACY HOUSE

BY CURT BLAKENEY

The holidays are filled with the bustle of shopping, cooking and merriment. But for some, the holidays are stressful because they can’t provide meals or presents for their family members and children. In Chandler, there are opportunities for the community, businesses, organizations and individuals to share a little holiday spirit with those who may be struggling this season.

Many nonprofits in the community work together to share lists and meet the needs of those who reach out for help. “For Our City” coordinates registrations so that there are no duplicates and all families who need help can receive aid throughout the season. For more information about holiday drives in Chandler, visit www.forourcity.org/ Holiday_Drives_2014.

The concrete skeleton that cut into the Chandler skyline for close to a decade was a hulking reminder of the real estate excesses of the mid 2000s.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Elevation Chandler—the underfunded real estate project near Chandler Fashion Center—came tumbling down to the cheers of politicians, business leaders, community residents and gawkers, some toting infants and pets.

The conquering hero was Chris Anderson, the managing director for Hines, a Houston-based real estate development company placed in charge of the bold mixed-use project that will add luxury apartments, a hotel, offices and retail space to the property.

City bigwigs took turns donning hard hats to get close-up photos with the Cat 385CL Hydraulic Excavator brought in to raze the industrial blot on the landscape. Afterward, the 92ton excavator from local demolition company BCS Enterprises disassembled six stories and 135,000 square feet of concrete from the valuable real estate to clear room for the new Chandler Viridian project.

The entire cleanup, which includes hauling off 3,500 cubic yards of concrete rubble—roughly 350 fully loaded dump trucks—from

LENDING A HAND: Jen Mapes, left, and Jodine De Laveaga, foreground, help a client at Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. STSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo

Matthew’s Crossing Throughout the holiday season, Matthew’s Crossing offers numerous opportunities to get involved and make the winter holidays special for SEE HOLIDAY HELP PAGE 8

SEE ELEVATION CHANDLER CLEANUP PAGE 5

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Tax credits fund many student programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Snap Fitness offers friendly atmosphere, 24/7 access . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16 Autism center opens Chandler location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 27 Fiesta Mexicana introduces itself to Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 Three Dog Night concentrates on the hits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 61

SanTan Family Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Section

More Community . . . . . . .1-15 Business . . . . . . . .16-26 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 27-34 Opinion. . . . . . . . 47-48 Neighbors. . . . . . 49-56 Spirituality . . . . . 57-60 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .61-70 Directory . . . . . . .71-72 Classifieds. . . . . . .73-74 Where to eat . . . 75-78

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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December 6 – 19, 2014

GRAND OPENING COMING SOON! And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

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CHAMBERLAIN ORTHODONTICS GIVING TREE From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop his year at Chamberlain Orthodontics we are working with the Boys & Girls Club of East Valley (BGCEV) and having a Giving Tree in our office.

Dr. Thomas Chamberlain With your help with those in need we have the ability to bring smiles to some children’s faces.

Boys & Girls Club of East Valley is a community-based, character building, youth development organization. They deliver the highest quality programs and provide opportunities to assist youth and teens in developing their selfesteem, values and skills in a safe and fun environment. Their professionals guide members through personal, educational and social development to realize their full potential and

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become positive, valueoriented and productive citizens. Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley offer life-changing programs to more than 43,000 children and teens every year.

Our giving tree is adorned with ornaments listing children’s ages from 5yrs to 18yrs old, and gifts ranging from $15 and $25. So when you are running around town, please stop by one of the Chamberlain Orthodontic offices, pick out an ornament or two, and help make a child’s season brighter.

A Giving Tree has been set up at both of our office locations.

“Nothing is more satisfying than just giving to someone,” I have always loved the truth of

this statement. It seems in my life, whenever I have had the opportunity to give to someone, I have received much more in return.“ said Dr. Thomas Chamberlain. “This is an easy and convenient way to share some of the abundance with which we have been blessed.”

The ornaments will be on the trees until Dec 12th, although we hope that the tree will be bare long before that time. Simply pick out an ornament from the tree, shop for the gift and return the gift to one of our offices in a gift bag. The ornament is our gift to you to hang on your tree!

If you have any questions about the Giving Tree, give our office a call at 480-448-2477. Thank you in advance for your support this holiday season!

Dr. Thomas Chamberlain

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Community

December 6 – 19, 2014

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With the Holiday Season upon us, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and our Associates would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!

We would also like to thank our clients for their continued support of our Associates and look forward to working with you in 2015.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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ELEVATION CHANDLER CLEANUP FROM PAGE 1

the 26-acre parcel of land, is estimated to cost upward of $200,000 and will be completed in late December or early January, according to Anderson.

“Quite frankly, we wanted to get it down as fast as we could for the city and for our neighbors,” Anderson says. “It’s truly a great day for Chandler. We’re glad we could deliver this present to the city of Chandler and their residents, because I know they have been wanting to see this happen for a long time.”

Because of the steel rebar reinforcing the concrete foundation and walls, the construction crew had to forgo a wrecking ball and dynamite, and instead use the less dramatic picking-and-pulling action of the Cat excavator. It didn’t wow the crowd as many expected, but it got the job done in a timely manner.

“This is a great day for Chandler residents, and I’m glad that we can finally begin looking toward the future on this site,” says Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, who points out that the timing of the structure demolition was the most commonly asked question he received as mayor. “This is a signature intersection for our city, and Chandler residents deserve to have a quality project located there.”

Chandler residents were thrilled to see the old project topple and a new project take its place.

“It’s been an eyesore for the entire community,” says resident and businessman Erik Rothchild. “It’s about time we rid the area of the somber reminder of the economy crashing and the effect it had on Chandler. This signals a forward step

THE WRECKING CREW: Local demolition company BCS Enterprises brought in heavy artillery, a 92-ton hydraulic excavator, to dismantle six stories and 135,000 square feet of concrete.

STSN photo by Curt Blakeney

in the development of Chandler as a viable destination for new businesses and residents.”

The original Elevation Chandler project stalled after developer Jeff Cline ran out of funds in 2006, defaulting on the loan.

Lien holder Point Center Financial took ownership of the property, but later filed for bankruptcy, which was then followed by numerous foreclosures and lawsuits.

After several years of starts, stops and missteps, the Chandler City Council approved an agreement with Hines in September to develop the $150-million Chandler Viridian project on the property, which Hines purchased for $8.25 million. It was the last available site adjacent to the Chandler Fashion Center.

“It is great to see a new development

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taking the place of Elevation Chandler,” says Larry Miller, senior associate at Velocity Retail Group. “Adding residents, businesses, and hotel guests to such a premium location in the Chandler mall trade area will only continue to help the growth of retailers and restaurants in the area.”

Plans call for the addition of a luxury multifamily complex, a six-story brand name hotel, a central plaza with 250,000 square feet of Class A office space, retail options and a pedestrian promenade to the Chandler Fashion Center.

“The project is very exciting for the city as it adds a new component to the mall area with a class A hotel, office and high-end, multifamily dwellings where people can live, work and play,” says Chandler City Council Vice Mayor Rick Heumann.

THE MAN WITH THE PLAN: Chris Anderson, the managing director for Hines—the real estate development company in charge of the new Chandler Viridian project—announces the company’s plans for the site adjacent to the Chandler Fashion Center. STSN photo by Curt Blakeney

Hines has the chops to complete the project, having developed 2.4 million square feet in Arizona and New Mexico since 1996.

Notable high-profile projects developed or owned by Hines include 24th at Camelback, 24th at Camelback II, Renaissance Square and Kierland One in Phoenix, Gila River Arena in Glendale (home to the Arizona Coyotes) and US Airways Headquarters in Tempe. With offices in 113 cities and 18 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $24.3 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world.

Curt Blakeney is the associate editor of the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at curt@santansun.com.

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Community

December 6 – 19, 2014

CHAMPIONSHIP FROM PAGE 1

stopped Johnson for a loss and gave the ball back to Chandler.

The Wolves leaned on Perkins, and the senior signal caller didn’t disappoint.

The Wolves marched down the field and Perkins capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run and a 21-7 lead.

Chandler tacked on another touchdown, this time on a ReedCampos rushing touchdown, for an insurmountable 28-7 lead.

For the game, Chandler’s defense forced three turnovers and made big plays against Hamilton. But the compelling story in Chandler was the title victory engineered by Perkins.

This was the last season at Chandler High for Perkins, an Arizona State verbal commitment, but Chase Lucas, ReedCampos, Harry and a host of other key contributors to the Wolves’ state championship will be back in 2015.

Meanwhile, Hamilton is dealing with back-to-back state championship losses—it was beaten by Mountain Pointe in the 2013 Division I championship game—but after playing in seven straight championship title games, there is little doubt that it will be a formidable contender in 2015. Belles, who has a 1-3 record against Chandler with Perkins at quarterback, is looking for redemption in 2015 “I’m just glad I won’t have to coach against him next year,” Belles says.

Seth Cox is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.

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Tax credits fund many student programs

BY MEGAN BROWN

Arizona taxpayers have the opportunity provide much-needed funding to schools— including the Chandler Unified School District—and receive a tax credit in return.

The CUSD is home to 42 elementary, middle and high schools with an abundance of student programs and extracurricular activities. Sometimes, students and parents cannot bear the financial burden of participating in these sometimes-costly pastimes. To offset costs for these students and families, as well as make improvements for existing participants, tax credits are an invaluable source of funds.

Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar refunds in the actual tax owed by taxpayers. Fees directly paid to a public school or school district qualify for the tax credit, according to the CUSD website. This means, taxpayers who owe money to the state may actually receive a refund through the tax credit program or increase the refund they’ll already collect.

Taxpayers are permitted per Arizona law to make a tax credit contribution of up to $400 if filing joint return, and $200 if filing

as single or head of household.

Last year, CUSD received $2.3 million in tax credit funding for its schools, says Terry Locke, CUSD director of community relations.

An example of activities that heavily rely on tax credit donations are the district’s band programs. Locke says that large organizations like the band have high costs that are offset through these contributions.

“Certainly high school athletics and performing arts raise the most money,” Locke says. “These are large operations and it is costly to travel to, say, band competitions, even here in the state. For a marching band, they will need three school buses and three equipment trucks, for example. It is not that they receive less funding, it’s because they have large operating costs.”

Taxpayers can access tax credit contribution forms at www.cusd80.com/ tax-credit.html. They have the option of making online donations or downloading the form to fill out and mail directly to CUSD. Taxpayers have the choice to select a

specific school’s program. Additional space is provided to give a student’s name to receive credit for the funds. However, that information is not necessary.

In instances where taxpayers do not specifically designate funds for an intended purpose, the schools’ principals are permitted to distribute the funds to programs with the highest need.

“This is helpful because it gives a principal an opportunity to fill in the gaps on budgets that could vary from year to year,” Locke says. “For example, if one grade level had no donations for field trips, the principal would have the funds to assist.”

Schools with a large number of students on free or reduced lunch also strongly benefit from tax credits. Locke says these schools are appreciative of such donations as parents may not be able to make a donation even though they will receive a full refund.

Megan Brown is a third-year student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Shalom Chapter of Hadassah shops It is once again time for the Shalom Chapter’s annual shopping marathon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. This year, stores at SanTan Village in Gilbert

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Community

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Community

December 6 – 19, 2014

HOLIDAY HELP FROM PAGE 1

children and families.

Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank is a community-based nonprofit organization that helps more than 43,000 individuals, providing 13,289 emergency food boxes last year alone. With the help and dedication of approximately 50 regular and 150 seasonal volunteers, Matthew’s Crossing has served nearly 17,000 households, 40 percent of which include children younger than age 18.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the nonprofit improved this year’s Thanksgiving for 500 households by hosting a meal at Praise and Worship Center.

The PayPal Operations office in Chandler partnered with Matthew’s Crossing for the third year on the Thanksgiving Food Bag drive so employees could give back to the local community, collecting an estimated 500 bags of food for the meal. Alongside this drive, the nonprofit worked with Wal-Mart store number 4324 to make this Thanksgiving a memorable one.

Matthew’s Crossing received turkeys at a discount, funds for the event and a Walmart 18-wheeler to distribute 500 turkeys. Chad O’Malley, store manager for the Wal-Mart store, located at 1900 E. Chandler Blvd., states “Our store believes in building strong partnerships with organizations that serve our community.”

Volunteers from Matthew’s Crossing, Walmart and PayPal, including 10 bilingual speakers, were at Praise and

Worship Center, conducting a “drivethrough” distribution for clients who had been issued vouchers.

Matthew’s Crossing Executive Director Jan Terhune shares that the core mission of the food bank is to unite the community to fight hunger.

“We know that one in four Arizona children go to bed hungry each night.

Arizona is ranked among the worst states in the U.S. when it comes to child hunger, and the fifth worst for overall food insecurity. We are so grateful that our partners, PayPal and Walmart, are helping us in our pursuit to put an end to hunger in Arizona.”

Go Sold Realty Donation boxes are out at Go Sold Realty. Nick Trevillian, founder and CEO, says the office heard about Matthew’s Crossing and wanted to support a local organization.

“Every year at Go Sold Realty we do something for the holidays,” Trevillian says.

Moved by the need at Matthew’s Crossing, the office is collecting nonperishable items through the end of the year. “We wanted to make an impact, more than one meal,” Trevillian states. The goal is to collect food that is going to feed families through January

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and next year.

As the donation boxes fill up, Matthew’s Crossing will pick up the donations and leave more boxes to be filled. “They’re taking canned foods (fruits and vegetables), macaroni, peanut butter, all the canned stuff and boxed stuff that’s not perishable,” Trevillian says. “They stock their food shelves, and literally families that are hungry, walk in and get dinner. We’re trying to help them out, get some food. It’s something we believe in and wanted to help out.”

Go Sold Realty is located at 3940 S. Alma School Rd. For more information call (480) 305-6655.

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www.SanTanSun.com through age 18 this year. Gift cards in denominations of $10 are used for the older teens, while children receive the toys.

“Our toy drive is coordinated as part of all the other toy drives that go on in the city with other nonprofits, like ICAN and the Christian Community Center, and the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club. We’re all part of the group called For Our City. Our toys help the families that are registered through Chandler Care Center,” Simpkins explains. Any toys leftover are passed on to the Chandler Christian Community Center.

Toy donations can be brought to the lobby of the Fire Administration Headquarters, 151 E. Boston St., or any Chandler fire station until Dec. 15.

Last year, CFHM collected more than 3,200 toys, over $2,000 in gift cards and numerous bicycles and scooters, all of which found homes with grateful children.

CFHM toy drive Once again, the Chandler Fire, Health and Medical Department is sponsoring its annual toy drive. From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, representatives from CFHM will be at Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., near the valet parking area by the food court, accepting toy donations and giving anyone who donates a new unwrapped toy a ride in a fire engine.

Debbe Simpkins, fire program coordinator, anticipates helping between 600 and 800 children

Salvation Army seasonal activities For the Salvation Army, providing food boxes is a year-round cause, but the holidays can prove to be difficult for families, causing the number in

Community

www.SanTanSun.com need to increase. This year, the Salvation Army is sponsoring a Christmas Angel Tree at Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

Maj. Robert Deidrick explains the angel tree will provide toys for children in the Chandler area. He estimates there were 600 households that registered for help with the Salvation Army this season, with more than 2,500 children in need.

To help a child, “Take a tag off the tree. It’ll be an angel tag,” he says.

Shoppers can select a tag, purchase a gift and return the gift to the angel tree.

Cash and gift cards are also appreciated.

In conjunction with the Christmas Angel Tree, gift-wrapping is available at the mall with set fees. “The income goes toward the Christmas expenses,” Deidrick says.

Look for Salvation Army Christmas kettles at about 35 locations in Chandler and Gilbert as well. “We can use more kettle workers. More people if they want to volunteer and we actually pay workers to work the kettles,” Deidrick says.

Funds from the kettle program also support Christmas expenses and ongoing assistance to people throughout the year. “If we don’t raise this money now, we would have to cut our budget helping people later,” Deidrick says.

Contact the Salvation Army at (480) 963-2041 with questions or to donate.

Operation Santa Chandler Christian Community Center is sponsoring Operation Santa to empower families to have a great holiday

experience, says Lori Tapia with CCCC. “It’s about coming in as a family, letting us know the needs, giving us the wish list for the children and us working to match those. And then we provide those gifts to the parents, unwrapped, so the parent can go home and have that time and have that Christmas with their children.”

Children through age 18, as long as they are still in school, receive gifts from CCCC. “Every child is going to get a minimum of three gifts,” she says.

Opportunities for organizations or businesses that would like to adopt a family or sponsor a toy/food drive are available. “That is a huge need this year,” Tapia says. Items needed include clothes, shoes, gift cards, food boxes, turkeys and hams. Distribution at CCCC is Dec. 22.

You can bring your donations to the center at 345 S. California St. “We love huge toy drives, but we also love those individuals with whatever is on their heart to support,” Tapia says.

State taxpayers who contribute to CCCC can receive dollar-for-dollar tax credit through the Working Poor Tax Credit. Couples filing jointly can receive up to $400 back and single tax payers can receive up to $200. Tapia explains that the school tax credit and the working poor tax credit are two different tax credits and couples or individuals can get credit for both. Donations must be made by Dec. 31.

Contact Lori Tapia at lori@ chandlerfoodbank.org for more information.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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Tips for a safe holiday season from Chandler PD This year’s holiday shopping season is here. The Chandler Police Department warns that the hectic pace and deadlines add stress and a lack of focus that can lead to victimization or tragedy.

When you’re out shopping, conceal any items of value in your vehicle. Remember where you parked and which door or store entrance you used when shopping at a mall. Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and, whenever possible, avoiding shopping alone.

Be aware of your surroundings in the parking lot and while you’re shopping.

Avoid looking down at your mobile

phone when you should be watching for potential dangers around you. Try not to be overloaded with shopping bags because this makes you an easy target for thieves.

Avoid confrontations with other shoppers or drivers. Defensive driving and roadway courtesy can prevent a collision or road rage incident. If you do encounter a conflict, leave the area and contact the police.

The final bit of advice from the department is to always wear your seat belt and to designate a driver when alcohol consumption is a part of your holiday celebration.

FORMER ARMY INFANTRYMAN RECEIVES BRONZE STAR MEDAL BRONZE STAR MEDAL: Trenton Mericle, a retired carpenter and former Army infantryman with the 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Division, received a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge from Army Brig. Gen. William Hall, the land component commander for the Arizona Army National Guard, on Friday, Nov. 14, at Mericle’s home in Chandler. Mericle, a .30 caliber machine gunner who fought against the Japanese in New Guinea during World War II, had never received the medals he earned during time in the Army until now. National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian A. Barbour

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December 6 – 19, 2014

Community

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Utility Rate Study and Gangplank approval among Chandler City Council meeting Actions The Chandler City Council met at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, and took action on 60 agenda items, including: • Approved a five-year lease with Mac-Gray Services LLC to operate a laundry room to serve the senior adults who live in public housing at the Kingston Arms Apartments.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact Agreement among the State of Arizona, various counties tribes and local municipalities for dispatching mutual aid assistance during an emergency or disaster.

• Approved a $200,000 contract extension with Signal One Fire & Communication LLC and Aero Automatic Sprinkler Co. for fire protection services, repair and maintenance at various City of Chandler facilities.

• Approved an agreement with

Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc. for a water, wastewater and reclaimed water utility rate study to evaluate rate changes being considered for October.

• Approved a professional services contract with Gangplank LLC for a collaborative co-working space; Web and technology development; technology recruitment; and educational-related services in the amount not to exceed $550,000 over three years.

• Approved a Liquor Use Permit to Makutu’s Island.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny expressed his appreciation to the Hines Group for developing the new Chandler Viridian project and working quickly to take down and remove the unfinished shell of the former Elevation Chandler project near Chandler Fashion Center.

Councilman Jeff Weninger

congratulated TechShop and ASU on the one-year anniversary of their downtown Chandler location, and congratulated Gangplank on its new agreement with the City.

Councilman Jack Sellers talked about his Maricopa Association of Governments trip to Hermosillo, Mexico, to discuss economic development and tourism opportunities; find ways to improve the trade and transportation corridor; and advance cooperation between both regions.

Vice Mayor Rick Heumann congratulated Weninger on his election to the Arizona State Legislature representing District 17.

Councilwoman Trinity Donovan encouraged the public to visit www. fourourcity.org/Chandler.html to get information on holiday drives in the community. She praised Councilman

Kevin Hartke for his work on behalf of For Our City.

During a regular City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 17, the council took action on nine items. During the study session on Nov. 17, Tibshraeny, Hartke and the rest of the council recognized several City employees for their years of service including: Ginger Chabot, 25 years, Information Technology; Wes Eades, 20 years, Building and Facilities; Nan Kahl, 15 years, City Clerk’s; Tom Shaw, 15 years, Fire, Health and Medical; and Barbara Young, 25 years, Recreation.

The next meeting of the City Council is a regular meeting at 7 p.m., followed by a study session on Monday, Dec. 8. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed, on Chandler Channel 11 and streamed on the Web at www. chandleraz.gov/video.

Grant funds increase seat belt and safety seat enforcement The Chandler Police Department is using a $20,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to increase enforcement of seat belt laws through Sept. 30. Although Arizona has a secondary seat belt law,

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Chandler libraries offer Chandler celebrates eAudiobooks from the cloud Parade of Lights and tree lighting Dec. 6 Chandler Public Library is one of the first libraries in the country to offer eAudiobooks through the 3M Cloud Library Digital Lending System. Listen to eAudiobook titles with content from every major eAudiobook publisher, any time of day. The new content is offered in addition to the library’s existing eBook content from the 3M Cloud Library.

To use the new service, download the

latest version of the 3M Cloud Library app, found at ebook.3m.com. The app is compatible with personal iPhones, iPads, Android devices, PCs, Macs, NOOKs or Kindle Fires. After downloading the app, enter your library card information to log into Chandler Public Library’s system. Then browse the collection and check out items.

Info: www.chandlerlibrary.org.

Public input wanted on county hazard plan The City of Chandler has joined forces with jurisdictions within the Valley to review and update the existing Maricopa County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The mitigation planning process involves identifying and profiling the natural hazards most likely to occur in a community, assessing the vulnerability to these hazards, and establishing goals, strategies, actions and projects that mitigate the associated risks. The plan does not address how the City responds to emergencies like wildfires and floods, but rather the steps necessary to prevent or minimize the impact of such emergencies. The plan is at www.maricopa.gov/Emerg_Mgt/ links.aspx and feedback on Chandler’s portion of the plan can be shared with Battalion Chief Keith Hargis of the Chandler Fire, Health and Medical Department at (480) 782-2161 or at

keith.hargis@chandleraz.gov.

Maricopa County and 24 incorporated cities and towns, two tribes and one other governmental organization are participating in this cooperative effort to update the plan, which requires adjustments to maintain its relevance and remain a useful tool and resource. The update also ensures continued eligibility for nonemergency, federal and state hazard mitigation grants. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the current plan in April 2010 for five years.

An updated draft of the plan is expected in February.

For additional information, visit www. maricopa.gov/Emerg_Mgt/ or contact Meredith Bond, Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management, at (602) 273-1411 or bondm@mail.maricopa.gov.

The holiday season in downtown Chandler officially begins Saturday, Dec. 6, with the 25th annual Parade of Lights followed by the lighting of the 58th Tumbleweed Tree. More than 12,000 people are expected to join this Southwestern holiday tradition that dates back to 1957.

Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with a musical and dance entertainment, inflatables and fun activities for children, pony rides and visits with Santa Claus in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

New this year is an Ugly Sweater Contest open to individuals, couples and families. Details at www. chandleraz.gov/tumbleweedtree.

The Parade of Lights begins at 7 p.m. starting at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Frye Road. The festive floats and other entries move north on Arizona Avenue, past Chandler City Hall and continue through the downtown area. As it reaches the north end of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, the procession turns right on Buffalo Street, then again right onto Arizona Place. Moving along the east side of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, the parade ends at Boston Street and Arizona Place.

At the conclusion of the parade

LIGHT THE SEASON: Downtown Chandler’s holiday season officially kicks off Dec. 6 with a parade and tree lighting celebration.

Submitted photo

(approximately 8 p.m.), guests are invited to gather for the Tumbleweed Tree-lighting ceremony. Find out more at www.chandleraz.gov/ tumbleweedtree.

For the festivities, Arizona Avenue is closed between Chandler Boulevard and Frye Road from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Frye Road is also restricted from Arizona Avenue east to Delaware Street. A map showing street closures and parking options, including parking for the disabled, is online at www. chandleraz.gov/special-events.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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Ocotillo Road requires closures through Dec. 18

Take survey to help prioritize next year’s City budget

Ocotillo Road is closed between McQueen Road and Arizona Avenue at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing through Dec. 18 to widen the railroad crossing in conjunction with improvements being made to Ocotillo Road. The project widens Ocotillo Road from two lanes to four lanes between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road.

During the closure, alternative eastwest routes include Queen Creek and Chandler Heights roads. Local access to homes and businesses along Ocotillo Road are maintained during the closure, but no through-traffic is possible at the railroad crossing.

Chandler’s Budget Office is conducting an online survey of residents about program and service priorities and capital project priorities, as staff and the City Council develop the budget for the upcoming 20152016 fiscal year (which starts July 1).

Share opinions at www.chandleraz. gov/budget through Dec. 19. The online survey is available in Spanish and English.

Paper copies of the survey are available at the City Hall front desk, libraries, the downtown Community, Senior, Environmental Education, Snedigar Recreation and the Tumbleweed Recreation centers.

The survey results are presented

Info at www.

OcotilloRoadImprovements.com or (480) 898-4060.

to the city manager as well as Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the members of the City Council as part of the budget development process.

The public has several other opportunities to share their thoughts about the proposed budget with city leaders and staff prior to the adoption of the budget in June.

On Feb. 26, the Budget Connect online forum is another opportunity to ask questions and give input. Details on this event and other public budget hearings are posted at www.chandleraz. gov/budget when they are available, or call the Budget Office at (480) 782-2252 for updates.

Volunteer to brighten the holidays DEADLINES FOR SANTAN SUN NEWS The deadline for news is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, for the Saturday, Dec. 20, issue of the SanTan Sun News. Meanwhile, the advertising deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.

All news must be submitted to news@santansun.com by that day to be considered for the next issue or by filling in the “submit a news release” form on the newspaper’s website at SanTanSun.com. To send an item for consideration in the SanTan Family Fun, email it directly to STFF@SanTanSun.com.

Send advertising files and information to account reps or contact ads@santansun.com. For deadline information, visit www.santansun.com and click on “About us” and call (480) 7320250 for advertising rate details.

Enjoy the spirit of the season by volunteering or donating to one of the many holiday drives held throughout Chandler. Find a list of the nonprofit agencies seeking donations of cash, food, clothing or gifts by visiting www. forourcity.org and clicking on the Chandler logo. The website provides information on where to volunteer, where to refer someone in need and

where to donate. You might donate cleaning supplies to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley; toys and clothing to the Chandler Christian Community Center; or food to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. Those wanting to get involved can also contact Niki Tapia, community resources coordinator, niki.tapia@chandleraz.gov or (480) 782-2214.

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Business

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Snap Fitness offers friendly atmosphere, 24/7 access

BY ALISON STANTON

For years, Wiley White wanted to own his own gym. The self-described “gym rat” enjoys working out, and he and his fiancée, Dr. Darline Maitland, discussed eventually opening their own place.

The two achieved their goal this September when they bought Snap Fitness at the corner of Riggs and McQueen roads in Chandler.

“We had talked about it for a year, and then the opportunity to buy Snap Fitness presented itself, so we decided to do it,” White says.

In addition to offering a full range of weights, Snap Fitness also features cardio workout equipment like treadmills and ellipticals.

“We also offer classes to our members, like a Fit Dance program and kickboxing, and Darline teaches one called ‘Booty Bust’ that works the backside like the glutes and hamstrings,” White says.

For an additional small fee, White says members may purchase small group personal training classes with trainers, both of whom have more than 10 years of experience.

New members who sign up receive two free sessions with a personal trainer, White says. This helps to make sure they know how to use the equipment safely and properly.

“We do a fitness assessment during the first session and then we take

WHERE EVERYBODY IS WELCOME: Wiley White, co-owner of Snap Fitness in Chandler, says his members run the gamut of ages, sizes and fitness goals. Submitted photo

READY TO HELP PEOPLE GET IN SHAPE: Darline Maitland co-owns Snap Fitness with her fiancé, Wiley White. They like the way their gym offers a warm and encouraging environment. Submitted photo

them through a workout in the second one. But if people have questions at any time on how to use anything, I’m always more than glad to help them,” he says.

Unlike other gyms that seem to attract people that are already in great shape, White says he and Maitland have a wide variety of members.

“We have a whole range of ages and

abilities. Since we are so close to Sun Lakes, we have a lot of snowbirds who come in, and we also have teens who are 15 and 16 years old,” White says.

They also have clients who train for fitness competitions as well as people who are trying to get back into shape.

“We see a huge range of experience as well as fitness goals. It’s really the whole gamut,” White says.

Members also do not have to wait until daytime to exercise at Snap Fitness; White says that thanks to a key card, members have 24-hour access to the gym.

“We are not staffed 24 hours a day, but they can get in any time they want.

We also have a monitoring system and there are emergency buttons that they can push in case someone was to have a medical issue and need help,” he says.

White says he and Maitland are enjoying co-owning their own gym.

Although they know that many people delay implementing new exercise programs until the start of a new year, he encourages people to come in now and start getting fit during the holiday season.

“I know a lot of our members, and I talk to them like they are my friends. We really have a more cozy atmosphere here, and several people have told me that they feel really comfortable coming here. We just enjoy getting to do what we love.”

Snap Fitness is located at 990 E. Riggs Rd., Suite 4, in Chandler. For more information call (480) 3694457 or visit www.snapfitness.com/ chandleraz.

Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com

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Microsoft opens with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Grammy Award-winning rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis welcomed the new Microsoft retail store to Chandler Fashion Center in midNovember, with a rousing, hour-long concert that touched on the best parts of their debut studio album “The Heist.”

The 3,000 or so fans who showed up to the parking lot near Macy’s for the show taught the Grammy Awardwinning duo a thing or two about Arizona culture and landscape. When frontman Macklemore repeatedly used the terms “cactuses,” the crowd corrected him, yelling “cacti.” The word became a running joke throughout the set.

The audience was peppered with Microsoft goodies and concert-goers dined on free food from a handful of restaurants, including Buffalo Wild Wings.

The first 1,500 people to the Microsoft Store on opening day received tickets to the concert. About 150 people waited in line overnight for the chance to see Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, according to Jonathan Adashek, Microsoft’s general manager of communications strategy.

The state’s third Microsoft store, the Chandler location was a logical choice for the company.

“That’s the easiest question you could ask me,” says Adashek, when asked why Chandler was chosen. “We

POPPIN’ TAGS: Grammy Award-winning rap duo Macklemore, pictured above, and Ryan Lewis performed to welcome the new Microsoft retail store to Chandler Fashion Center. 123RF.com

opened our first store ever in Scottsdale five years ago and we have a special affinity for the Valley. We’ve always wanted to come back here. Getting the right spot was key to us. Chandler is an easy decision for us to come here.”

Microsoft stores, he says, are opened on three fundamental principles: choice, value and service.

“We’ve got a great selection of products in the stores—phones, all-inones, tablets and accessories,” Adashek says. “We’re always getting new devices

and bringing a new mix of devices into the store, so we can really deliver what the community is looking for. Value…I like to think about the value that we offer on the machines that leave our stores.”

For signature edition machines, Microsoft has eliminated all the software that slows it down.

“We’ve got a super clean image,” he says. “That also allows us to make that machine so much faster. When you buy a car, you want to go 25 miles on the

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gallon, not 22 because they put all this stuff on it to slow down.”

All of the machines purchased at the store have free antivirus programs. The answers desk provides stellar service, he says.

“Bring in (the machine) and we’re going to help you fix it,” he says.

“We’re going to try to do it for free.

If you break your screen or need a motherboard, there’s going to be some costs for that.

“But if you get a virus on your computer, a lot of places will charge $100 or $200. We’ll get rid of it for free.”

To celebrate the opening, Microsoft is offering several deals. For a complete list, visit www.microsoft.com/en-us/ store/locations/az/chandler/chandlerfashion-center/store-1071.

During the opening, Microsoft gave away $1.9 million in software and technology grants to the Arizona Science Center, Southwest Human Development and Crisis Nursery.

According to Adashek, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have played two to three shows for Microsoft.

“We don’t do these concerts a lot, and we don’t do a lot with those guys,” he says. “But we’re big fans of theirs and they’re big fans of ours.”

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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Doing Business Bravo Business Center Owner: Dustin and Theresa Dobson, Matthew and Hallie Richardson How long in business: Two months Specialty: Executive suites, virtual office services, meeting rooms and small business services.

Unique feature: Locally owned and operated, Bravo Business Center provides everything needed to boost professionalism, efficiency and credibility of a home-based, remote or small business.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Address: 2705 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 2, Chandler Phone: (480) 738-1610

ImprovMANIA Owner: David and Colleen Specht How long in business: Two months Specialty: Improv comedy Unique features: ImprovMANIA opened its comedy club in downtown Chandler in September. After performing in various venues in downtown Chandler for more than five years, ImprovMANIA was able to open its own venue. It offers improv comedy classes for kids, teens and adults. Its comedy shows are based on audience suggestions in the style of the hit TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

The 7 p.m. show is always family friendly and the 9 p.m. show is PG-13. Tickets are $10.

Hours: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Address: 250 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 3, Chandler Phone: (480) 699-4598

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SEND IN YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE FOR ‘DOING BUSINESS’ The SanTan Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers.

Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 38,000 homes, racks and boxes on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, specialty, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website, email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo.

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Subaru names Chandler schools as local charity of choice The family-owned Subaru Superstore of Chandler has once again partnered with the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) and the Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) for the “Share the Love” event.

The event, which allows Subaru of America and the Subaru Superstore of Chandler to donate to the CEF Scholarship Fund, runs through Friday, Jan. 2. For every Subaru sold, $250 is donated to the fund.

Richard and Lisa Cvijanovich, Subaru Superstore of Chandler owners, are supporters of CUSD, donating $10,000 for Junior High VEX Robotics this year and $6,000 for an Apple computer media lab.

“We selected CEF again for our ‘Share the Love’ event because we place a priority on supporting our outstanding CUSD teachers and students and hope to be able to double the $10,950 donation earlier this year,” says Lisa Cvijanovich.“Also, since one-third of Subaru drivers are educators, it made sense to select a local charity that will have a direct impact on our clients.”

Until Jan. 2, Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of the following national charities: ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels Association of America, National

Park Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association (local chapter). In addition to these, the CEF was selected exclusively by the Subaru Superstore of Chandler.

“We are excited to be able to share more love with more charities— including the charities in our owners’ backyard like CEF,” says Subaru chief marketing officer Dean Evans.

With the sales growth over the last seven years, Subaru and Subaru owners will have given $50 million to diverse and worthy causes.

A family-owned and -operated dealership, Subaru Superstore is the Southwest’s largest Subaru volume dealer and awarded the Arizona Subaru Dealer of the Year for customer satisfaction by DealerRater.com. Its state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot facility located on 7 acres in Chandler offers the largest selection of new, used and certified pre-owned Subaru vehicles plus, the most highly trained factory-certified technicians along with the very best selection of parts and accessories.

For more information, contact Subaru Superstore at 1050 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler by calling (480) 2226000.

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CORPORATE CHRONICLES Jim LaSon joins EXIT Realty in Chandler EXIT Realty Sun Living in Chandler announced the addition of Jim LaSon to its team of real estate professionals.

LaSon has been a top producing agent within the Phoenix Metro area since moving to Arizona in 2010.

EXIT Realty Sun Living is located at 2450 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 205, Chandler. For more information, call (480) 422-8980.

Moyer earns Military Relocation Professional Certification James Moyer with HomeSmart has earned the nationally recognized Military Relocation Professional Certification.

The National Association of Realtors James Moyer. confers Submitted photo the MRP certification to Realtors who want to help military personnel and veterans find housing

solutions that best meet their needs and allow them to take full advantage of their military benefits.

When military staff and their families relocate, the service of a real estate professional who understands their needs and timetables can make the transfer easier, faster and less stressful. Realtors who earn this certification know to work with active duty military buyers and sellers, as well as veterans.

The certification provides NAR’s members with resources to accommodate current and former military service members at any stage of their military career and is an approved elective for NAR’s Accredited Buyers Representative designation. To earn the MRP certification, Realtors are required to be in good standing with NAR; complete a one-day MRP certification core course; complete a pre-class reading to learn military background information and better understand important acronyms and military culture and complete two webinars.

For more information, visit www. militaryrelcationpro.org.

December 6 – 19, 2014

21

Earnhardts acquire Gilbert Volkswagen dealership The Earnhardt family has added the Volkswagen brand to its expanding group of auto dealerships, San Tan Volkswagen, at the San Tan Motorplex, 1489 E. Autoplex Loop, Gilbert. The acquisition was finalized on Monday, Nov. 24, and the dealership was renamed San Tan Volkswagen, an Earnhardt dealership.

“We promise our customers at San Tan Volkswagen the same great customer service and low prices that we’ve based our business on for the past 63 years,” says San Tan Volkswagen Dealer and Owner Hal Earnhardt. “We have wanted a Volkswagen franchise for many years, and we are delighted to now offer this excellent brand to our customers. We have no doubt that San Tan Volkswagen will be a very popular dealership and we are proud that it is a member of our auto group.”

The general manager of the new store is Kenny Clayton, who has been a key manager with the Earnhardt organization since 2001.

“If you haven’t seen the new Volkswagen models, I would like to personally invite you to come and view them,” he says.

The all-new Golf was named 2015 Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and the 2015 Jetta was the 2014 IIHS Top Safety pick.

The first Earnhardt store was founded by the family patriarch Tex Earnhardt in September 1951 in Chandler. At his original Ford Dealership, he sold one car at a time. Over the years, the dealerships and Earnhardt’s name grew, according to a press release. He became widely known for his great deals and as the cowboy dealer who rode a bull.

Earnhardt’s trademark slogan, “That ain’t no bull,” was the ultimate truth in advertising. The bull he rode in the commercials was actually a steer.

Earnhardt, 83, is still involved with his family’s automobile business and visits the Earnhardt stores almost daily.

Earnhardt Auto Centers is owned and managed by the Earnhardt family and is the oldest and largest familyowned automobile group in Arizona.

The organization sells 18 different automobile brands: Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Buick, GMC, Scion, Honda, Cadillac, Maserati and now Volkswagen. The dealerships are located in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Prescott Valley, Scottsdale, Avondale, Goodyear, Peoria and Phoenix.

Earnhardt dealerships consistently garner factory awards for superior customer service.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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United Food Bank announces new president and CEO The United Food Board of Directors has announced Ginny Hildebrand, who has been serving in an interim capacity since April, as its new president and CEO effective immediately.

“Since serving in an interim capacity, Ginny has greatly impressed the board of directors, staff and other stakeholders of the Food Bank,” says Bill Warren, chairman of the board of directors for United Food Bank. “We are delighted she came forward as a candidate for the position and accepted to lead the organization on a permanent basis. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the food bank from her nearly 28 years of experience as president and CEO of the Association Arizona of Food Banks, and is well connected in the nonprofit sector both locally and nationally.”

“Most importantly,” he adds, “Ginny brings a genuine passion for the food bank’s mission of serving hungry people, having served on many local, state and national advisory boards surrounding hunger issues. She will definitely build on the good work the Food Bank has been doing in Arizona since 1983.”

Hildebrand’s time at the AAFB guided many accomplishments, including the development of the Arizona Statewide Gleaning Project; advocacy work leading to the passage of the Charity Food Bank Act in 1986; the Food Bank Governmental Incentive Bill in 1996 in Arizona; and the Charitable Crop Contribution Bill Update in 2012.

Ginny Hildebrand. Submitted photo

She was also actively involved on many tasks forces at the local and state levels.

Hildebrand was a member of the Arizona Department of Economic Security Hunger Advisory Council from 1990 to 2013; a member of the Maricopa County and State Set Aside Boards for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs from 1986 to 2013 and spent the last four years as part of the executive committee.

At the organizational board level, Hildebrand was co-chairwoman of the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program Task Force for Feeding America, The Nation’s Food Bank Network.

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Beginning in 2009 and ending in 2013, she was also an advising member to Feeding America Staff regarding Partner State Association matters.

The local and national community has also recognized Hildebrand with several awards, which include the Superior Service Award—Public Community Service from the Maricopa Association of Government in 1996; Champion for Children Award from Arizona Children’s Action Alliance 2001; the first nationally given Feeding America and Food Research and Action Center joint award in 2011; and the Margie Frost Champion Against Poverty Award from the Arizona Community Action Association in 2013.

Hildebrand retired from AAFB in June 2013 and continues to be active in her community through her involvement in her church, Grace United Methodist in Mesa, where she is a member of numerous ministries. She has also been a past board member with the Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Canyon Council, UMOM New Day Centers, Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, Arizona Ecumenical Council and volunteered through the East Valley Active Adult Program-RSVP to enroll eligible individuals through the Affordable Care Act. “Beginning this new, permanent role at such a critical time like the holiday season brings a great opportunity to assure the hungry people who may need our services know how to access them in the East

Valley and surrounding Eastern Arizona counties,” says Hildebrand. “It also creates an opportunity for individuals, groups, volunteers and other organizations to help their hungry neighbors’ right where they live, work, play, learn, serve and worship.”

Hildebrand’s plans include continuing to work with partner agencies to learn what the communities need and how they can support the agencies and people they serve; collaborating with partner agencies to create ways to help the people they serve to no longer need their services by educating people about cooking, access to community gardens, and ways to increase their resiliency in times of crises; and creating more partnerships with agencies to educate the general population on how to maximize their food-buying dollars.

United Food Bank is a private nonprofit organization that provides hunger relief/ food assistance by collecting, acquiring, storing and distributing food and related commodities through a network of more than 175 partner social services agencies in eastern Maricopa County, Gila and Pinal counties and southern Apache and Navajo counties. It provides community support through 257 separate agency programs.

Last year, the food bank provided more than 18 million meals to Arizonans in need. United Food Bank is a member in good standing of Feeding America and the Association of Arizona food banks.

WHAT’S IT WORTH? Welcome to the 2014 Holiday Season!

Another Black Friday is fast approaching and many of us are wondering where can we come up with that little bit of extra cash to make this season of joy and giving one to be remembered. One way is to use the services of experts in the fields of Jewelry, Art, Collectables and other assets to see WHAT’S IT WORTH? The expertise provided by these professional appraisers to evaluate these types of assets can then offer you an option to sell these valuables at a fair price to provide additional funds to purchase the gifts and items to make the Holiday Season a special one.

The jewelry, art, collectables in the safe deposit box or hidden in the drawer of a cabinet that has been sitting there for years can be evaluated and then sold.

Resulting in cash to spend immediately. Really no better way to raise money, it offers an alternative to using credit cards that will cause aggravation in January when the bills come.

Remember that there are experts who have years of experience researching assets and buying these unusual valuables.

The process of evaluation and buying will create the extra cash for the Holiday Season. Please keep in mind that there is an option to convert your “stuff” to cash. May this Holiday Season be one with much Health and Joy. — David Goldstein

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Business

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Business

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Trust your home cleaning to Maid Right

BY LAUREN CUSIMANO

Maid Right of Greater Phoenix has no equal in the world of home cleaning services.

It has combined a state-of-the-art, science-driven cleaning process with an old-fashioned business practice that ensures those who clean your house are Maid Right owners, not employees.

With the franchisees leading the way, Maid Right has created three cleaning steps to ensure your home is as germ-free as it is dust-free: EnvironShield: Maid Right uses technology-rich equipment that lightly sanitizes your home against germs, leaving a clean and crisp smell free of solvent odors or perfumes. Your home is 99.9 percent germ-free.

Technics: The service combines colorcoded, microfiber cleaning cloths for each room with environmentally friendly disinfectants/cleaners. For example, one color of microfiber cloths are used in bathrooms with the corresponding cleaners that are best suited for that area. This ensures, among other things, virtually no cross contamination among rooms.

Signature Clean: The same professionals clean your home with the same process every time.

In the end, you receive a moderately priced, high-value cleaning service that combines the intimacy of a mom-andpop operation with the quality and expertise of a major national company.

HERE TO HELP: The Maid Right team is, from left, master owner Jeff Woods, customer service professional Yuridia Lorenzo, franchise operations manager Gonzalo Moreno Jr., and master owner Tod Higinbotham. Submitted photo

The idea of creating “mini-franchises” to allow business ownership began in 1991 when Jan-Pro, already a successful commercial cleaning company, decided it would help people create their own franchises while improving Jan-Pro’s own service.

By 2012, Jan-Pro had mushroomed to

10,000 franchisees and was the nation’s second-largest commercial cleaning service.

About the same time, Jan-Pro’s parent company decided its commercial business model could work in the home cleaning business, and soon two Phoenix businessmen took note.

Tod Higinbotham and Jeff Woods were looking for a change of life –Higinbotham spent years traveling the world as a businessman and Woods owned his own furniture and cabinet business.

“We wanted nothing to do with furniture manufacturing or making computer chips,” Higinbotham says of the pair’s past professions.

“I was very interested in business to consumer, because my whole career was in business to business. I really liked Maid Right’s creative business models.”

Soon, Maid Right of Greater Phoenix was born.

Today, they help new Maid Right franchisees—setting up LLCs and bank accounts, providing equipment and training new business owners in cleaning techniques and customer service.

Everyone’s backgrounds are checked, and all are bonded and insured. Franchises are backed with aggressive marketing, and they acquire new clients from the Maid Right master franchise run by Higinbotham and Woods.

Perhaps their own business plan best sums up their goal: “...we want to drive a customer-focused team and business process that strive to exceed customer expectations and make the cleaning experience a true value-added part of their life.”

With the slogan, “Life is short. Clean less.” Maid Right can make the timeconsuming process of housecleaning a thing of the past.

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Youth

Autism center opens Chandler location

BY TRACY HOUSE

East Valley families with children on the autism spectrum have a new treatment facility to consider at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD).

CARD provides a variety of services using the evidence-based principles of applied behavior analysis to treat the delays and challenges commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The international center, established in 1990, has opened a Chandler location to serve the area.

CARD’s Dr. Doreen founder and Granpeesheh. executive director Dr. Doreen Submitted photo Granpeesheh explains the organization works with families with individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with ASD. “We work with children from birth, all the way up to adulthood,” Granpeesheh says. “With our children, the goal of the program is to teach them all the skills they don’t have in order to help acclimate them to the real world. Once you have skills, your behavior has changed, you don’t tantrum because you’re not frustrated because you can express yourself.”

CARD has more than 100 therapists in the Valley, treating about 150 families in

a full-time program. Working with early intervention, Granpeesheh says the goal is to integrate children into school and help them to have typical functioning.

“For the children that don’t make it, our goal is find the best placement for them and help them with adaptive skills and community daily living and becoming more functional,” she says.

Older students are taught safety, vocational and life skills.

“Anything you name, we work on, from potty training to teaching how to balance their checkbook for the autism spectrum,” Granpeesheh says.

CARD also offers Skills, an online curriculum for autism. “Skills is a massive assessment of the child,” Granpeesheh says.

“A massive curriculum of all the lessons a child, or adult, could possibly need. It’s kind of our database. We currently have about 7,000 children in the Skills database, and by the end of the year, we’ll have about 10,000.”

The program is valuable for analysis of sub-types of autism, she says. Educational games, specifically programmed for the way CARD trains the students, are available for additional application.

CARD offers weekend and afterschool enrichment that includes dance, art and drama.

“We are really going heavily into enrichment here, and piloting it here,” Granpeesheh says. “We’re moving a lot into leisure enrichment for our kids, not just teaching. We want to give them the opportunity to get involved with other

aspects of life.”

Therapists work days, evenings and weekends with participants, at the center or in homes. “Any waking time for a child, we are available.”

Granpeesheh says there are plans to open a charter school to work with students during the day to allow for more interventions to kids. She explains she is actively seeking funding to offer respite services as well at CARD. Working with the families is a core component of CARD. “A lot of our program has to do with parent training, parent education, parent resources,” Granpeesheh says. “We have a parent association. They’ve basically become our parent support group. They help new parents come on board and have all sorts of incites.”

She says parent involvement is a large portion of program. “It’s very necessary.”

Funding comes from insurance coverage for services at CARD. Required by the state, “The autism mandate has no limitation on coverage,” Granpeesheh explains. She suggests viewing the CARD website at www. centerforautism.com for information about insurance coverage and admission.

The Chandler Center for Autism and Related Disorders is located at 290 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 1. For more information visit, www.centerforautism.com or call (855) 345-2272.

Tracy House is a freelance writer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

December 6 – 19, 2014

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CUSD high school tours set Approximately 3,000 eighth graders in the Chandler Unified School District will be given a tour of the four district high schools during the week of Jan. 7.

Tours will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, at Basha High School, 5990 S. Val Vista Rd., Chandler; Wednesday, Jan. 7, Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, at Chandler High School, 350 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler; Wednesday, Jan. 7, Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, at Hamilton High School, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler; and Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, at Perry High School, 1919 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert. All tours will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m.

Students will have the opportunity to explore Career and Technical Education programs, food/lounge areas and campus highlights while becoming familiar with their prospective high schools. Student presents will showcase the schools’ programs and lead the tours.

To learn more, call Basha High School at (480) 224-2100, Chandler High School at (480) 812-7700, Hamilton High School at (480) 8835000 and Perry High School at (480) 224-2800.

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Youth

December 6 – 19, 2014

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TechShop Chandler makes student projects a reality

BY MEGAN BROWN

A third-year engineering student at Arizona State University, Marcos Garcia needs to finish his autonomous underwater vehicle before RoboSub, a summertime competition in San Diego.

To complete this task, he’s using TechShop, a membership-based workshop and fabrication studio in Chandler. Founded in Menlo Park, California, TechShop has partnered with ASU, which allows students access to complimentary memberships and connections to more than $1 million worth of technology and software.

“We love it there, the members and (staff members) are great and show interest in our projects, and we couldn’t be happier to have a space where we can do so much,” Garcia says. “It’s great to see places like TechShop that foster and grow American-made products.”

Members can take advantage of 3-D printers, water jets, laser cutters, industrial sewing machines, digital prototyping software and more, according to Lindsay Hart, a public relations representative for TechShop. It has more than 6,000 members at eight nationwide locations.

“Our goal is to provide students with an accessible place to innovate and create, as well as (with) education and guidance to help them make anything they can dream up,” says Shawna Hudson, TechShop Chandler’s education coordinator and interim general manager.

WOOD SHOP: Madison Creech used the technologies and equipment provided by TechShop Chandler to create her art piece titled, “Hunting Trophies.” Photo courtesy of Madison Creech

Madison Creech, a student working toward her master’s degree from ASU’s fibers program, uses the facility to bring her visions and innovative designs to life.

“My experiences at TechShop cannot be measured,” Creech says. “TechShop has provided me with comprehensive training on a broad selection of advanced equipment.”

FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Creech began using TechShop’s resources in June as an artist in residence. In addition to having full access to the facility’s technology, Creech was given the opportunity to teach a workshop called Laser Loom: Back-strap Weaving. The workshop taught students to make their own loom for fabric weaving using the laser cutter

and demonstrated beginning techniques in weaving.

“The skills I’ve learned have given me confidence in creating,” Creech says.

“I’m able to think critically about a design and execute it with proficiency.

The knowledge I have gained has and will continue to open doors in my professional and creative career.”

Creech is not alone in her participation with the TechShop facilities. This semester, there are 645 ASU student memberships and 17 ASU faculty and staff memberships.

The program’s great success has made a difference in the intellectual and innovative growth of many students and faculty members across all four ASU campuses. Even after the promotional membership period is over, students who have been happy with their progress in the facility plan to continue memberships into the spring semester.

TechShop’s collaboration with both ASU and the City of Chandler has aimed to “advance higher education while supporting the maker movement by not only providing students the tools of innovation, but also exposing them to an established community of makers, tinkers and inventors,” Hudson says.

Megan Brown is a third-year student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

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Youth

December 6 – 19, 2014

Visit Santa HQ Seton Catholic hosts contest for for family fun young poets, artists Families are invited to HGTV’s Santa HQ through the end of the holiday season to experience wonder of Santa’s world in a new way.

Visitors can take an Elfie selfie and star in their own holiday video, explore Santa’s Observatory using ELFRAY Vision, test out the “Naughty O’ Nice Meter” and enjoy a memorable photo with Santa.

Santa HQ also features “Sleigh Ride”—a featured track on the recently released Pentatonix holiday album, “That’s Christmas to Me”—as part of Santa HQ’s light show. “That’s Christmas to Me” is available in stores and online.

Reservations can be booked online at www.Santa-HQ.com.

Entries are due by 12 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, for Seton Catholic Prep’s “Leaders of Tomorrow Art and Poetry Contest,” a competition open to all aspiring artists and writers in sixth through eighth grades.

The competition is being held in honor of Seton Catholic Prep’s 60th anniversary and patroness St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. .

Students are encouraged to submit their entries in art and poetry on one of the contest’s four central themes: courage, determination, faith and love, the special gifts that St. Elizabeth Ann

Seton stated were present in all children.

First-place winners in each category will receive a $600 Visa gift card. Other prizes include gift cards to Chandler Center for the Arts, Michaels and Barnes and Noble. Entries will be judged by Seton faculty members in the fine arts and English departments; winners will be notified by March 1 and announced at the Seton Catholic Visual Arts Showcase and Fine Arts Night events in the spring.

For more information, contest rules and to submit your entry, visit www. setoncatholic.org/60th_anniversary.

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STUDENT CHRONICLES Patric Pray of Chandler, a finance major at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, is a member of the AllColonial Athletic Association Academic Team. Patric was Hofstra’s academic selection.

Rock the Block! a rocking success The 2014 Achen-Gardner Construction Rock the Block! event, hosted recently by the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership in conjunction with Steve LeVine Entertainment and Public Relations, was a great success, welcoming 15,000 attendees in the heart of downtown Chandler.

This year’s free, family-friendly block party featured more than 100 vendors as well as food, carnival games, a kids’ zone sponsored by the SanTan Sun News, live entertainment, a beer garden

and more. Thirteen-year-old singer EmbeR was crowned the winner of the Chandler’s Got Talent competition, which featured local singers, dancers and other variety acts. EmbeR claimed the grand prize of $250 and earned the opportunity to perform on the Main Stage at Rock the Block! in November 2015.

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RoboCreepers return to LEGO competition

BY MEGAN BROWN

Ten students representing six schools are among the slew of Arizona teams participating in the annual FIRST LEGO League Robotics Tournament coming to Hamilton High School on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The RoboCreepers will demonstrate problem-solving and teamworking skills, challenges in which the group excelled in last year.

Coached by Corey Niles and his wife, Giselt, the RoboCreepers are comprised of Sebastian Quintanilla of Willis Junior High School; Angelica Rivera from Conley Elementary School; Connor Niles, DeeLan Kareem and Logan Thomas from Andersen Junior High School; Bianca Rivera, Christine Cao and Natalie Gonzales from Bogle Junior High School; Porter O’Doherty from ACP; and Xander Ballew from ASU Prep.

They will compete in three categories at the FLL tournament: research, the robot game and core values. In addition to these scored categories of the competition, kids learn the importance of working well with others.

“A couple of our kids have never been part of a team before,” Corey Niles says.

“As a coach and a parent, it’s invaluable seeing all of the kids gain experience with life skills such as computer coding, research, public speaking, teamwork and most of all, learning while having fun.”

The kids are longtime friends who found themselves moving to different schools and areas of town as they aged.

Parents of the students decided to start their own FLL team to foster the friendships and to provide experiences and skills that would be beneficial to them as they grew physically and intellectually.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 and aims to inspire innovation that fosters “well-rounded life capabilities, including self-confidence, communication and leadership,” according to the mission statement on the organization’s website.

The first portion of the tournament focuses on research where the teams must develop an innovative solution to an agreed-upon problem. For the RoboCreepers, the students have decided to analyze the ways in which they can improve creativity in the classroom to promote better learning.

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FRIENDS AND TEAMMATES The RoboCreepers, a team participating in the FIRST LEGO League, consists of 10 students who joined the program as a means to keep their long-lasting friendship alive. Photo courtesy of Giselt and Corey Niles

PRESENTATION: Connor Niles and Angelica Rivera introduce their BrainGears prototype for the enhancement of better learning in Kristina Wetzel’s classroom at Conley Elementary. Photo courtesy of Giselt and Corey Niles

Each member of the team contributed to the development of a classroom tool prototype, which they call BrainGears.

It consists of six different categories of activities for students to participate in at the start of each class. The categories range from riddles and brainteasers to having students finish an incomplete image.

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So far, the BrainGears tool has been used in classrooms at Conley and Hartford elementary schools and Andersen Junior High School. The feedback from students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.

The next portion of the competition is the robot game, where the students use a LEGO robot they’ve built to complete

“missions” on a standard robot table designed by the FLL. The missions are worth varying amounts of points and each team can select which ones to complete within a two-minute time limit.

“I really enjoy those moments when we are working on a robot mission and it is completely not working, and then out of nowhere, it works amazingly,” Sebastian says. “Those unexpected moments are the best part.”

In their rookie season at last year’s regional tournament, the RoboCreepers earned the highest score in the robot game category, earning their team’s first trophy. Their overall high score from the competition afforded them the opportunity to compete in the state competition at ASU. The final portion of the competition is core values. Defined by the FLL, these include teamwork, team spirit, respect and gracious professionalism while competing with other teams.

“The best part is that they respect each other,” Giselt Niles says. “They understand that each of them is important, some are great at drawing, others at programming, others at research. To them, there is no way that they could have done such a good job without the talent of every single member of the team.”

During the competition, the core values are judged in a room away from parents, coaches and other teams. The teams perform a skit, present a poster on their demonstration of core values and then the judges ask a number of questions about their team’s project and goals.

Each of the team members agreed that the best part of participating in this competition is the time they are able to spend with one another so their friendships may flourish into the future.

“I hope that this experience will help to give the kids a foundation for learning and competition that will continue into adulthood,” Corey Niles says. “As one of the parents said last season, ‘this experience may change their futures.’”

Megan Brown is a third-year student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

www.SanTanSun.com

Youth

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Youth

December 6 – 19, 2014

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Dec. 17-18: High school early release Dec. 19: Teacher Inservice/Workday; no school Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter intersession; no school Jan. 5: Teacher Inservice/Workday; no school

Conley Coyotes Running Club – Under the direction of Molly Brennan, the running club meets at 7:30 a.m. Monday and Thursday mornings. Students will participate in three races against other Chandler schools in January and February.

Class notes – Kindergartners recently went on a field trip to Shamrock Farms. Students learned how a dairy farm operates and were able to name two recently born calves.

Tax credits – Tax credit donations are still being accepted at the school office or online. Families are encouraged to donate to the school for field trips and clubs. All donations will be returned in the form of a tax credit. —Lisa Boileau

CTA-Independence Hawks New student info – Registration information for new students is coming soon, including registration

information for siblings of current students. School tours for prospective parents will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Jan. 8. Open enrollment forms will be accepted after the beginning of the year.

Heart smart – The CTA-Independence Site Council, with a grant from Brayden’s Buddy Organization, has received an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for the school. It is in the front office and can be used to restart a heart in case of emergency.

Many of CTA’s staff became CPR trained as a requirement for receiving the device.

Running Club – The 2014-15 Running Club season is underway with 220 students participating. A morning practice schedule has been sent home with each participant. Watch the school website for race information.

Fundraiser fun – Thanks to the Apex Fun Run Organization, PTO and parent volunteers for a successful fundraiser and their generous support. Students had a fantastic time. The PTO will be asked to approve the funds raised for new shade structures and wireless technology.

Change for change – CTA’s Student Council, in conjunction with Junior Girl Scout Troop 1362, recently held a coin drive to benefit HopeKids.

HopeKids offers ongoing events and a unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition. The girls collected, sorted, counted and donated all the

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coins to HopeKids. The girls also participated in the 3K HopeKids Walk held recently in Scottsdale.

Tax credits – The year is quickly coming to a close, and tax credit donations will be accepted through Dec. 31. Family and friends are encouraged to make a donation.

A tax credit is a full refund, not a deduction; contributions eligible for a tax credit go directly to the school, not to the state or district.

Calendar Dec. 9: Chorus Concert Dec. 18: Dollar Dress Down Day —Wendi Olson, Sandra Simko-Chavez

Haley White Tigers Day of Friendship – Kinder Tigers had their first annual “Friendship Day� celebration on Nov. 26. Families were invited to watch students perform five different songs to celebrate being thankful and then returned to their student’s classroom for cookies and punch.

Sock hop fun – From 6 p.m. to 7:30

p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Haley Tigers will dance and jive at the Haley Sock Hop. There will be live music, three food trucks and a photo booth.

Admission to this annual event is one new, unwrapped toy to benefit underprivileged children of Chandler.

Grant comes in handy – Haley Sixth Grade received a $750 CEA grant to help fund their three-day, two-night science camp at Prescott Pines Camp.

All of the camp activities are linked to the Science Curriculum and the Character Building Education that is used at Haley.

Honoring soldiers – The school’s Veterans Day assembly was a huge success. More than 60 veterans were honored by the Haley Tigers. The Haley choir performed patriotic songs to commemorate these brave soldiers service. —Stephanie Palomarez

Tarwater Toros Save the date – Tarwater’s 17th annual Jingle Jog Fun Run will be held Thursday, Dec. 18. Students, parents, teachers and guests are welcome to participate.

School Cents – Tarwater families are encouraged to stop by Guest Services at Chandler Fashion Center through Sunday, Dec. 21, to log Santa photo receipts and donate to the Salvation Army Angel Trees to earn 1,000 bonus points each. Remember that any mall gifts purchased are worth 1,000 points as well.

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www.SanTanSun.com Info night – A parent information night for Tarwater’s Kindergarten Mandarin Dual Language program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, in Tarwater’s Multipurpose Room.

Registration for the information meeting is requested; visit www. cusd80.com/Page/53071 to register to attend.

Colonial Days – Second graders celebrated Thanksgiving with Colonial Days rotations; students learned about pilgrim school, crafts like needlepoint and some traditions that Native Americans taught the pilgrims. Fifth graders brought Colonial Day to life, participating in candle-making, calligraphy, tinpunching and learning about table manners and colonial militia; many students also dressed in colonial clothes for the occasion.

VIP visitor – World War II veteran Norman Carl visited fifth-grade classes recently to talk about his experience in the Army and what it was like to go to war. He showed students a newspaper from 1945, original ration tickets from the era, V-mail (Victory mail) and several photos. Students were learning about the history of Veterans Day and were interested to hear information from a primary source. Carl has been visiting Tarwater for several years in honor of Veterans Day. —JoAnne Cawley

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Bogle Bulldogs Music notes – Four students from Bogle Junior High were invited to sing the National Anthem at Intel’s Veterans Day celebration in Chandler, a ceremony honoring the service and sacrifices of active military employees and their families as well as Intel veterans. Audience members included Sen. John McCain, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny.

—Nancy Polston

CTA-Goodman Dec. 9: Spelling Bee, 9 a.m., Media Center Dec. 9: School Tour, 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 10-12: DIBELS Testing, Grades K-3 Dec. 11: We Make History Presentation “George Washington & Friends,” grades four and five, 1 p.m., Multipurpose Room Dec. 12: PTO Second Quarter Box Top/Label Contest Ends Dec. 15: Flag Ceremony Presented by Kdg., 8 a.m., Amphitheater Dec. 16: Geography Bee, 9 a.m., Media Center Dec. 17: Good News Gators Assembly, 1:30 p.m. Multipurpose Room Dec. 18: 6th Grade/Staff Volleyball Game, 1:15 p.m., EastCourts Dec. 19: No School, Teacher Inservice/Work Day -Kathie Butters

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Teens invited to talent contest Chandler-area musical performers ages 12 to 19 are invited to audition for the City of Chandler’s annual Teen Talent Competition, to be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler.

Entry forms are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. A $30 audition fee is charged for each act. It will be refunded if the act is not chosen for the show.

Every act will be screened through auditions, to be held Monday, Dec. 15, and Wednesday, Dec. 17, at East Valley Rocks, 2909 S. Dobson Rd., Suite 15, Mesa. Applicants will be contacted for an audition date and time; performers must bring any recorded music with them to the audition. All music used in the act, recorded or live, must not contain profane lyrics. Categories for all talent acts will be determined after the audition process to ensure fair and accurate judging during the competition.

In its 11th year, the event is a chance for young local singers, dancers, rappers, band members and musicians to perform on stage. A variety of acts up to five minutes long will be performed by individuals and groups.

The first-place performance in each category will receive a cash prize. The public is invited to attend; general admission tickets are $5 at the door.

Entry forms are available online at www.chandleraz.gov/teens, at all

Chandler community and recreation centers or by calling (480) 782-2710. To learn more or to view the competition rules, visit www.chandleraz.gov/ teens or email anthony.baumann@ chandleraz.gov.

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www.SanTanSun.com

December 2014

1

SanTan

FAMILY FUN

Celebrate diverse traditions this holiday season

“An award-winning publication” A publication of the

SanTan Sun News

By Alison Stanton

What’s inside Pages 2-4

SanTan Family Fun Calendar

Page 4 Science celebration and maker event seeking exhibitors

Page 9 Girls rock careers at Chandler code club

Page 12 Sponsored by City of Chandler Recreation Division

Special High School Football Section SPONSORED BY: SCORPION CROSSFIT

Pages 5-8 Gridiron Update

When Ania Kubicki was a young girl growing up in Krakow, Poland, she remembers learning about the holidays through what she calls a “very narrow Catholic filter.”

“St. Nicholas came in early December, we all went to church during advent, and angels brought us little gifts under the tree when we woke up on Christmas morning—after going to the midnight Mass,” she says.

“Everyone put their Christmas trees up at the same time and took them down after Three Kings. It is hard to believe that in the late ’70s and early ’80s that was my entire experience of the holidays and I honestly had no idea that there was any other way to celebrate.”

When Kubicki, now a Chandler resident, became a mom, she and her husband, Jason, vowed that their son, Ben, now 10, would learn about all sorts of holiday traditions—not just their own.

“While we maintain strong faith-based traditions in our family, I wanted to make sure that Ben gets exposed to the beautiful diversity of celebrations,” she says.

“Especially since mainstream media would have you believe that Christmas is all about shopping, I wanted to make sure that Ben knows about the various ways that people celebrate Christmas or other winter holidays around the world.”

Ruth Lucas, a Chandler-based professional consultant and life coach specializing in relationships and parenting, says that there are definite benefits of teaching kids about different holiday traditions and religions. The most obvious of which, she says, is that it provides children with the opportunity to sidestep what she calls “the limitation of ethnocentrism that can stifle one’s sophistication, intellectual growth and the synergy of diversity.”

Teaching kids about other holiday cultures and religions can and should be fun, Lucas says.

“For instance, once the kids are reading, start with learning about how different countries celebrate the same holidays you do,” she explains. “If you and yours celebrate Christmas, how is Christmas celebrated in Nigeria, Hungary or Belgium?” Perhaps the kids there sing different songs than ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’”

“In Great Britain, those who celebrate Christmas also observe Boxing Day, and the kids can learn what Boxing Day is and what it means.”

Other ideas, Lucas says, involve picking out a different country or ethnicity every year when a child is young, and learning a new song and maybe a holiday-related recipe.

“As they get older, you can introduce other religions as well as traditions or invite them to select some on their own and plan a night to share what you each discovered with one another,” she says.

In addition to teaching Ben about her Polish traditions, Kubicki says they have also discussed and learned about holiday celebrations in Mexico, Italy, India and many African nations.

“We’ve talked about the importance of fasting and why such modality is present in most religions, and the importance of celebrations from prayers to foods,” she says.

Her family also really enjoyed attending the Advent and Christmas Around the World event at their church, St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community in Chandler.

Suzie Malloy, coordinator of children’s ministry at St. Andrew, says she organizes the event every two or three years, and that all 600 or so kids in the religious education program along with their parents go from room to room at the church, learning about a different country in each one and its holiday customs and traditions.

“Part of the reason we do the multicultural event is because a lot of our traditions—including putting up lights, Christmas trees and hanging up a wreath—all first took place years ago and HAVING FUN WITH FISH: Ben Kubicki, right with blue vest and tie, jokes around with family friend, Alden Witte, at a traditional Polish holiday dinner, eating some Swedish Fish with style.

Since Ben was a young boy, his parents have taught him not only about his mom’s Polish holiday traditions, but many others as well.

Submitted photo

they all come from other countries’ traditions, “ she says. “So it gives them a chance to learn these things.”

Kubicki says she, Jason and Ben all loved learning about the unique rituals observed around the same holiday in different countries. Ben especially enjoyed participating with his mom at the table they had prepared for the event about Poland.

“His favorite part was talking about the various foods that he now gets to eat on Christmas Eve at his Grandma’s house, from borsch to the tradition of sharing the thin wafer called the Oplatek and doing holiday wishes; he was so excited to give his two cents,” she says.

She hopes that by learning about other holiday traditions other than his own, Ben will grow up into a young man who has a basic knowledge and respect of other cultures and their diverse celebrations, foods and rituals.

“To me there is nothing more beautiful than human traditions and respects paid through traditions,” Kubicki says.

“I wanted to expose him to the diversity to deepen his knowledge and increase his appreciation.”

Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.

Resources • “Christmas Around the World,” by Mary D. Lankford • “Holidays Around The World: Celebrate Christmas: With Carols, Presents and Peace,” by Deborah Heiligman • “Light the Candle! Bang the Drum!: A Book of Holidays from Around the World,” by Ann Morris

SanTan

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December 2014

FAMILY FUN

1 7

The Nutcracker Toddler Stroll

14 21

Winter Solstice

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Teen Scene Tumbling Tots Globe with It

15

Teen Scene Tumbling Tots

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Yoyo Camp

2 9

Tumbling Tots

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Hanukkah Begins Tumbling Tots

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Tumbling Tots

Spirit of Christmas

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Zoppé Family Circus

3 10

Tumbling Tots STEAM Rhythm & Rhyme

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Family Night STEAM

24 Christmas Eve Tumbling Tots

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Tumbling Tots Zoppé Family Circus

1 through 24 Santa Photos at Chandler Fashion Center

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Tumbling Tots Zoppé Family Circus

31 New Year’s Eve Zoppé Family Circus Tumbling Tots

4 11

Tumbling Tots Polar Express Story Time Holiday Ornaments

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Christmas Day

SanTan Family

The Nutcracker Santa’s House Christmas Crafts Tree Lighting

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Tumbling Tots Teen Create-Space Santa’s House Polar Express

Tumbling Tots Teen Create-Space Sonoran Sunset

Arrives!

6 Fun Candy Trains

5

13

Toy Drive Santa’s House Vision Kidz Meet the Creature

20

Art Walk Bubble Blast Bug Zoo Feeding Frenzy

Santa’s House Teen Book Club Spirit of Christmas

Tumbling Tots Zoppé Family Circus

Zoppé Family Circus

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December Send family events and activities to STFF@SanTanSun.com

Always call to verify information as some events change or cancel after the calendar is printed.

Forecast Ahead: Snowfall Predicted!

Join us for our 2nd annual Rawhide’s Snowy Christmas from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23!

The kiddies can drop off letters for Ol’ Saint Nick himself and even have their photo taken with him. Stroll through Rawhide, watch the snow fall, and marvel at the holiday lights.

We look forward to welcoming you to our 1880’s western town full of fun, good eatin’, great shopping, and a little bit of the rootin’ tootin’ Christmas spirit that is Rawhide’s Snowy Christmas.

SanTan

December 2014

FAMILY FUN 1 3-D Art for Teens, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Materials and instructions are included in this fun and unique workshop. Ages 12 to 17. Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $30.

(480) 782-2727, www.chandleraz.gov.

1, 8, 15 The Teen Scene, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hang out with friends, play games, grab a spot to study, use a laptop or just munch on some snacks. Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

2 LEGO Club, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The library supplies the LEGO sets, you supply the imagination. Ages 5 to 12.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 7822800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 30 Tumbleweed Tumbling Tots, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This indoor play area is designed for children 5 and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

3, 17 Family Night at the TRC, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The first and third Wednesdays of the month, enjoy a variety of different recreational activities and entertainment. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $5. For more information contact Michael Fenzel, (480) 7822908. www.chandleraz.gov/breaktime.

3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 24, 26, 29, 31 Tumbleweed Tumbling Tots, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This indoor play area is designed for children ages 5 and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There

is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

3, 10, 17 STEAM, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through interactive and exciting activities. Ages 6 to 11. Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free, but registration required. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

4 Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Shoppers and their little ones are invited to enjoy free breakfast with Santa when they bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army’s Forgotten Angels program. Shoppers will also be able to enjoy storytelling with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, craft stations and more. Chandler Fashion Center Food Court, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. (480) 8128488, www.shopchandlerfashioncenter.com.

4, 6 Christmas Candy Trains, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Assemble festive trains using candy bars, tootsie rolls, peppermints and more. Ages 2 to 5. Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $6 to $9; $4 supply fee. (480) 782-2727, www.chandleraz.gov.

4, 11, 18 Teen Create-Space, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy an open, create-friendly environment where teens are invited to create projects like crochet, coding, duct tape art, 3-D printing/3-D Pen Doodling and more. Ages 12 to 18. Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

5 DIY Holiday Cards, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn easy and creative techniques to make your own holiday cards. Students will create three cards, using stamps, Washi Tape, pretty papers and ribbon.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9; $4

supply fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov.

5, 6, 7 Ballet Etudes’ “The Nutcracker,” various times. A feast for the eyes and ears with colorful imaginative costumes paired with Tchaikovsky’s original score, Ballet Etudes’ “The Nutcracker” is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $25 to $29.

(480) 782-2680, www.chandleraz.gov.

6 Family Birdwalks, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Desert Rivers Audubon leads freeguided bird watching tours through Veterans Oasis Park. One-hour walks begin every 30 minutes. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free, call in advance for groups of 10 or more. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov.

6 Creative Christmas Crafts, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 to 5; 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for ages 6 to 12. This festive class is full of fun and exciting Christmas crafts. Spend some time meeting new friends and exploring your creative side while celebrating the Christmas season. Snedigar Recreation Center, 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9; $6 supply fee. (480) 782-2640, www.chandleraz.gov/snedigar.

6 Annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ring in the holiday season in Historic Downtown Chandler with lights, a parade, Santa’s House, vendor booths and activities for the kids. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave, Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/special-events.

6, 13 Vision Kidz Workshop, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children will get the opportunity to work with a professional artist and create a piece of art that is representative of their creativity. Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. Free, registration required. (480) 782-2695, www.chandleraz.gov.

6, 11, 13, 20 Santa’s House, various times. Santa is coming to town and the City of Chandler invites all to get a free picture taken with the big man himself. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov.

7 Tiny Tumbleweeds: Toddler Stroll, 9 a.m. Join other families as they meander along the stroller-friendly Interpretive Trail in the cool, crisp weather. Be sure to bring water, a hat, sunscreen and wear closed-toed shoes.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Philips Rd., Queen Creek. $6. (480) 655-554, www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan.

8 Just Globe with It, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This fun and unique workshop is just for teens. Using a standard globe, they will create their own world of art.

Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free, preregistration required. (480) 7822727, www.chandleraz.gov.

10 Rhythm & Rhyme, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your energy for dancing, singing and playing instruments to favorite children’s songs. Ages birth through 5. Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free.

(480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

11, 12 Polar Express, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a night of storytelling, crafts and hot cocoa as the Tumbleweed Recreation Center recreates the North Pole for one night of magic.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

12 Come Alive Story Time with Ms. Diana—Nature Edition, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Children build positive attitudes, character, self-esteem and values through interactive stories,

summit

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music, games and drama. Environment Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov.

12 Holiday Ornaments, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Create holiday ornaments to use or gift this holiday season. Participants will make three ornaments.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $6 to $11; $10 supply fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

13 Holiday Toy Drive, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sponsored by Chandler Fire and Health and Medical, for every unwrapped toy donated participants will receive a ride on a fire truck. Chandler Fashion Center Valet Parking Area, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2120, www.chandleraz.gov.

13 Meet the Creature, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. In this interactive program, children will see animals while receiving a fun lesson in wildlife rescue and conservation. Registration required.

Children ages 2 to 12 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Veterans Oasis Park’s Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.

18 Sonoran Sunset Series, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit the Environmental Education Center for this free, lakeside entertainment series good for the whole family.

Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 7822890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.

19 Bubble Blast, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Children will enjoy playing with bubble wands, bubble machines and bubbles in a fun and safe environment.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

See Calendar, Page 4

SanTan

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December 2014

Science celebration and maker event seeking exhibitors Chandler’s annual celebration of science is looking for businesses, artists and school groups to join in the celebration.

The Chandler Science Spectacular, a two-day celebration of inventors, creativity and science in everyday lives, is accepting applications for vendors. Chandler’s festival is a signature event in the Arizona SciTech Festival, a statewide movement to earn recognition for Arizona as a science and technology hub. The events are Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, in downtown Chandler.

New this year is E.P.I.C. Fest (Explore. Play. Imagine. Create.), a mini maker event showcasing the handiwork of makers—a burgeoning movement of technology-based Do-It-Yourself creators. The maker culture is full of people using new and unique techniques, as well as traditional forms of DIY, to invent new prototypes and projects and apply practical skills creatively.

Individuals and organizations in these fields are encouraged to get involved in one of the following events: • A Night of Art and Science, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20: Technology meets the arts as downtown Chandler transforms its monthly Third Friday Art Walk into a creative look at the science behind the beauty, art and invention around us.

Exhibitors contact: Allison Davis, (480) 855-3539 or allison@downtownchandler.org.

• Chandler’s Science Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21: Science meets daily life in downtown Chandler with interactive demonstrations and activities by Chandler’s technology companies. Check out the next generation of science from ASU, UA and TechShop at the Chandler Innovation Center. See what future entrepreneurs are inventing through student projects at all education levels. Exhibitors Contact: Odetta Moore, (480) 782-3038 odetta.moore@chandleraz.gov • New this Year: E.P.I.C. Fest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21: Are you a maker?

The maker culture is full of hobbyists, tinkerers, engineers and programmers using new and unique technologies, as well as traditional forms of DIY, to create something original. They are inventing new prototypes and projects, and applying practical skills in a creative fashion. Apply early to ensure space and receive discounted pricing. Exhibiters click: http://chandlerepicfest.com/participate/ or contact Arden Morgan, (480) 657-7333, ext. 2121, arden@r-entertainment.com.

The Chandler Science Spectacular and E.P.I.C. are sponsored by Intel, and all events are free and open to the public. For details and information, visit www.chandleraz.gov/science or www.chandlerepicfest.com.

swim kids

FAMILY FUN Calendar, From Page 3 19 Bug Zoo, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Explore a real, live collection of bugs with a certified entomologist. Learn about beneficial bugs, such as butterflies, lady bugs and bees. Children will receive a free activity book. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $3 to $5 registration fee.

(480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.

19 Friday Feeding Frenzy, 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join the EEC staff on the first and third Friday of each month for a live animal feeding. Veterans Oasis Park’s Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free.

(480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.

19 Chandler Art Walk, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Browse

variety show featuring a cast of more than 100 dancers, singers, a horse and carriage, special guest performers and a champion hoop dancer.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $24 to $28. (480) 782-2680, www.chandleraz.gov.

22 Yoyo Camp, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This one-day workshop will teach participants basic yoyo skills and advance competition tricks and will be taught by a national yoyo champion. Snedigar Recreation Center, 45000 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. $3 to $5 registration fee; $10 supply fee; $10 instructor fee.

(480) 782-2640, www.chandleraz.gov/snedigar.

26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Zoppé Family Circus, various times.

the different types of art made available by talented artists. Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. (480) 855-3539, www.chandlerartwalk.com.

Entertaining audiences since 1824, this circus is full of acrobatic feats, canine capers, equestrian showmanship and plenty of audience participation. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $15 to $40. (480) 782-2680, www.chandleraz.gov.

20 Teen Book Lovers Club, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join

1 through 24 Santa Photos at Chandler Fashion Center

fellow book lovers in discussing an array of books and get the chance to read and review books before they are published. Ages 12 to 18.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

20, 21 27th Annual Spirit of Christmas, various times. Hosted by Tom Booth, this is an energetic

new vistas

GRIDIRON UPDATE

December 2014

SPONSORED BY: SCORPION CROSSFIT

The Gridiron Update

By Seth Cox

As another high school football season ends for SanTan Sun News-area schools, there are many factors to ponder for each team. With two SanTan Sun News-area schools duking it out for the 2014 Division I State Championship, this was a year to remember for high school football.

When the season started, there were questions about whether or not Hamilton was still the team to beat in Division 1 Football. After reaching its seventh straight High School State High School Championship, it is safe to say that the Huskies can never be taken lightly.

However unfinished business is fueling Chandler through its best season in the school’s history. It lost only a single game all season—to the reigning state champions—while also slaying its rival and rolling out one of the most impressive records in school history. All that is left is that elusive state championship.

Other teams in the area have goals and quandaries of their own. The Basha Bears began the season asking, “How can we replace Zach Werlinger?” Now they are wondering, “How high can sophomore quarterback Ryan Kelley support the Bears going forward?”

The Perry Pumas were simply focused on meeting one goal: making it to the Division I playoffs, because from there they could go anywhere. This year, no team seemed to be more destined for a state championship game than the Seton Catholic Sentinels, but things don’t always work out.

A brief recap of each team’s final moments this season will bring you up to speed.

Seth Cox is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.

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6

December 2014

GRIDIRON UPDATE

SPONSORED BY: SCORPION CROSSFIT

Hamilton Huskies

Basha Bears The Bears had already secured a playoff spot coming into their final regular season game, but they still came out swinging, beating Gilbert High School 42-21.

Ryan Kelley threw for 388 yards and two touchdowns—one to fellow sophomore Hunter Rison, who finished with 161 yards and a touchdown, and one to junior Hunter Dean-Gibson. The Bears dominated on the ground as well, rushing for 167 yards and four touchdowns, led by Zack Reed’s 87 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively the Bears frustrated the Tigers all night, recording seven sacks—two each for Zac Archer and Anthony Personale, and one each for J.D. Alexander, Ben Lebaron and Alex Rotteveel.

Senior defensive back Joe Storm added an interception, as the Bears’ smothering defense made life hard for Gilbert.

Heading into the playoffs, the Bears secured the seventh seed in Division I, finishing the regular season with a 6-4 record and hosting a firstround playoff game against 10th-seeded Sandra Day O’Connor Eagles.

Things did not start well for the Bears in their first round tilt, as Sandra Day O’Connor jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, thanks to some suspect defense and a Bears fumble, but the Bears came back quickly.

Kelley engineered back-to-back scoring drives, capped by touchdown runs by Reed and Alexander, as the Bears pulled even in the second quarter, 1414. However, the scoring was far from over.

Another long drive for Sandra Day would give

the Eagles a 20-14 lead that Basha cut to 20-17 after a Cade Thompson field goal.

Coming into the second half, the Bears leaned on their young quarterback, and Kelley responded. On the opening drive, Kelley found Dean-Gibson for a 59-yard touchdown. The Bears carried the lead shortly at 24-20, before the Eagles answered again, pulling out in front with a three-point lead.

The play of the game for the Bears came from senior defensive back Joe Storm, who intercepted an Eagles pass and returned it for a touchdown, allowing the Bears to take another lead, this time 31-27.

Although the Bears fell behind again with only minutes to go, they drove down the field to set up a Kendall Griffin touchdown run with only 20 seconds left. The Bears advanced to the state quarterfinals for the second consecutive year to play rival Chandler High School.

However, the Chandler Wolves demolished them 55-0, bringing about a bitter end to an otherwise strong season for the Bears. With a young team returning many key starters for 2015, Basha is expected to make another run at the postseason.

Basha High School Head coach: Gerald Todd 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler www.bashabearsfootball.com 2014 record: 7-5

In week 10, the Huskies took on the Perry Pumas and rolled to a 55-24 victory. Quarterback James Sosinski threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while backup Travis Lockhart threw for 70 yards and two touchdowns as well.

Ari Johnson ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while Ernesto Mauricio and Sosinski both rushed for a touchdown. Brandon Krcilek, Kaleb Pitts, Chip Hanson and Luc Gauthier each caught touchdown passes as the Huskies’ offense pummeled the Pumas.

Defensively the Huskies put up a ferocious pass rush with Caleb Peart getting two sacks, and David Desilva, Bernard White and Jaquan Mayberry each getting one.

Mayberry was outstanding, recording a sack, intercepting a pass and finishing with seven tackles on the night including two tackles for loss.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Huskies triumphed over Valley Vista High School, pulling most of its starters before the first half ended, in a 52-15 win.

Sosinski completed nine passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while backup Lockhart took the bulk of the snaps, throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown. Hamilton also ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns in the game as the Huskies offense piled up 573 total yards, led by Kyeler Burke who scored three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Huskies again controlled the game, as Garrett Rand recorded two sacks. In the second round of the playoffs, the Huskies had their most difficult test since their loss to Chandler in week six, as they squeaked by the Skyline

Coyotes 21-14.

Johnson led the offense, running the ball 20 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Sosinski and Lockhart threw for only two touchdowns, both to Burke.

It was the Hamilton defense that saved the day, though, as they held the normally potent Skyline rushing attack to only 86 yards.

The win gave the Huskies a trip to another state semifinal and a matchup against the Brophy Broncos, who had not lost since week three.

Again, it was the Hamilton defense that made the difference in the game.

The scoring started with Morris Kroma returning a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, but the Hamilton offense was not able to gain much momentum, as the score was tied, 7-7, at halftime.

Hamilton came out strong in the second half and made a statement on its first drive, going down the field and scoring to take a 14-7 lead on a Sosinski touchdown pass to Ian Anderson.

Hamiltons Braxton Baniszewski intercepted a pass and Johnson scored a touchdown from 19 yards out to give the Huskies a 21-7 lead.

Hamilton would win 24-7, propelling it to its seventh consecutive state title game, this one, against rival Chandler High School.

Hamilton High School Head coach: Steve Belles 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler www.hamiltonhuskies.com 2014 record: 12-1

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GRIDIRON UPDATE

SPONSORED BY: SCORPION CROSSFIT

7

Seton Sentinels

Perry Pumas

The Sentinels’ 10th game saw the team roll to another big victory, shutting out an opponent for the fourth straight game: 61-0 over Rio Rico High School.

Quarterback Zach Wade threw four touchdown passes to three receivers—two to sophomore Jacob Terrill, and one each to Antonio Campanella and George Wolter.

It was the Sentinels’ running game that did most of the damage, as Seton ran for 269 yards and four touchdowns—one each from Campanella, Matthew Bresnahan, Brandon Garcia and sophomore Forest Sweet.

The Sentinels’ defense smothered Rio Rico, as Garrett Boyd and Stephen Fugger each recorded sacks, while Brandon King and Patrick Larsen each recorded seven tackles.

Heading into the playoffs the Sentinels looked unstoppable, and through the first two rounds, they were.

In round one, top-seeded Seton Catholic took on 16th-seeded Page High School and the Sentinels continued their march of perfection, posting another impressive shutout in their 70-0 win.

Wade threw two touchdowns and ran for one, and backup junior quarterback Garrett Boyd threw one as well. Terrill was the primary weapon of the passing attack, catching six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, while George Wolter and Garcia each caught a touchdown pass.

Perry went into week 10 to take on Division I’s number one seed, the Hamilton Huskies, where the Pumas fought valiantly, but fell short 55-24.

Quarterback Austin Nightingale threw for a touchdown to Anthony Sheffield and ran for two more, while senior running back Luke Gumm scored his first touchdown of the season on a one-yard run. Defensively, junior Derek Wahlin got a sack and senior Alec Monte had an interception, while Case Hatch led the team with 11 tackles.

It wasn’t enough against the top-ranked Huskies, though.

Despite the loss, the Pumas still made the playoffs for the first time at the Division I level. Unfortunately things did not get better in the playoffs against the fourthseeded Brophy Broncos, and the Pumas were shut out 45-0.

While the Pumas struggled, it was a nice step for the team and its seniors, many of whom make up the core of its offense. The playoff berth showed that things are looking up for coach Preston Jones and his program. The biggest question the Pumas face now is how to replace Austin Nightingale, who leaves as Perry’s all-time leader in passing yards, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Perry High School Head coach: Preston Jones 1919 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert www.phsfb.com 2014 record: 5-6

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Campanella ran the ball only six times, but gained 116 yards and had three touchdowns, while Matthew Bresnahan scored two more.

Defensively, it was another day at the office for the Sentinels, shutting down all of Page’s attempts. Senior Zach Fulmer even recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

The shutout streak ended in the second round of the playoffs, but the Sentinels’ dominance did not, as Seton bounced eighth-seed Winslow 69-19 and got off to an incredible start, opening up with 35 first quarter points, before cruising to a 56-6 halftime lead and putting in mostly backups to finish the game.

Wade performed well, yet again, throwing for 250 yards and five touchdowns while Boyd threw two passes and completed one for a 29-yard touchdown.

Garcia was the hot receiver of the week, catching four passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns, while Wolter, Luke Zuluaga and Ryan Trilk each caught a touchdown pass.

Antonio Campanella ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while Matthew Bresnahan ran for 108 yards and touchdown, allowing Sentinels’ offense to again roll over the competition.

Bresnahan and Larsen each intercepted a pass on defense, while Zuluaga got a sack.

The Sentinel defense continued to dominate its opponents, even if it finally allowed points for the first time in five games.

This victory set up a showdown with fourth-seed Snowflake in the Division IV state semifinals, and a rematch of the closest game the Sentinels played all season, a 23-14 victory in week two.

Unfortunately for the Sentinels, this game was different. The Snowflake Lobos shut down the Sentinels’ rushing attack, holding Campanella to only 42 yards rushing, and they kept the ball out of Seton’s hands for much of the night with a powerful running game of their own.

The Sentinels fought behind Wade’s 365 yards passing and three touchdowns, but two interceptions and the game-long struggle to stop the Lobos’ dominating, clock-churning rushing attack ultimately led to a season-ending loss.

It was a bitter way to end what was one of the most dominating regular seasons in Arizona high school football history, but the Sentinels have a load of talent ready for 2015.

Seton Catholic Preparatory High School Head coach: Rex Bowser 1150 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler www.setoncatholic.org 2014 record: 12-1

8

December 2014

GRIDIRON UPDATE

SPONSORED BY: SCORPION CROSSFIT

Chandler Wolves Week 10 was another instance of a slow start leading to a blowout win for the Chandler Wolves in their 49-21 victory over Highland High School.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins was unstoppable after the first quarter, throwing for 350 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 48 yards. Chase Lucas ran for 102 yards and a touchdown as well, but it was Perkins and the Wolves’ passing attack that dominated the Hawks.

Perkins found five different players through the air for touchdowns, including a big game from Justin Jan, who finished with 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Wolves flustered the Hawks’ passing game and did enough against the state’s top rusher Josh Chadwick to control the game and get the big win.

In round one of the playoffs, the No. 2-seeded

Wolves took on Red Mountain High School. The Wolves sprinted out to a 34-14 halftime lead before wrapping up with the 54-14 victory.

Perkins was masterful, throwing for 267 yards and four touchdowns, while the Chandler running game controlled the ball and the game for much of the second half, as the Wolves dominated Red Mountain.

The Wolves’ defense completely shut down the Red Mountain offense behind a ferocious pass rush, registering six sacks, intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble, giving the offense a continual short field to work with.

In the second round of the playoffs, the Wolves took the Basha Bears, and again flexed their collective muscle, walloping the Bears with a 55-0.

This game was all about Lucas, the Wolves’ rushing attack and another dominating defensive effort.

Lucas ran the ball 17 times for 144 yards and four touchdowns, while Perkins chipped in 91 yards rushing and a touchdown to go along with his 131 yards passing and a touchdown pass to N’Keal Harry.

The win catapulted Chandler to a rematch against Mountain Pointe, its lone loss of the season, and a chance to make it to its first state championship.

Chandler started off quickly, as Perkins found Justin Jan for a 46-yard touchdown pass to open up an early 7-0 lead, but the Wolves were just getting started.

They scored on their next possession as well, getting a 5-yard touchdown run from Kolby Taylor to go up 14-0 before getting another long touchdown throw from Perkins, this time to Harry, giving the Wolves a 21-0 lead.

Mountain Pointe fought back and cut the Wolves’ lead to 21-15, before Anfernee Hale slammed the door shut, intercepting a Mountain Pointe pass and returning it 89 yards for a touchdown.

The Pride cut the Wolves’ lead down to 28-22, but the fourth quarter and the final result were never in doubt. Perkins found Jan for a 5-yard touchdown pass and Lucas put the final nail in the defending champ’s coffin with a 23-yard touchdown run, as the Wolves rolled to a 43-22 victory.

Chandler High School Head coach: Shaun Aguano 350 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler www.chandlerwolvesfootball.com 2014 record: 12-1

H I G H S C H O O L VA R S I T Y FO OT B A L L S C H E D U L E HAMILTON: Aug. 22 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 2 Oct.10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at O'Connor 43-7 (w) at Brophy Prep 41-6 (w) at Pinnacle 37-35 (w) Liberty ★ 21-0 (w) Mountain Pointe 30-10 (w) Chandler 56-24 (l) Basha 42-25 (w) Gilbert 49-7 (w) Highland 46-7 (w) Perry 55-24 (w)

Homecoming = ★

SETON: Aug. 21 Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Globe (scrimmage, score N/A) Estrella Foothills 35-24 (w) at Maricopa 59-27 (w) at Snowflake 23-14 (w) Cortez 55-0 (w) at Coronado 61-0 (w) Florence ★ 48-7 (w) Coolidge 44-0 (w) Combs 55-0 (w) Chino Valley 73-0 (w) Rio Rico 61-0 (w)

CHANDLER: Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 2 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Centennial 28-24 (w) Buena 56-10 (w) at Valor Christian 22-7 (w) at Mountain Pointe 20-7 (l) Cesar Chavez ★ 49-6 (w) Hamilton 56-24 (w) Gilbert 56-14 (w) Perry 56-21 (w) Basha 55-10 (w) Highland 49-21 (w)

PERRY: Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 2 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Sunnyside 53-18 (w) at O’Connor 14-13 (l) Gila Ridge ★ 20-6 (w) Mountain View 16-14 (l) Mountain Ridge 28-14 (w) Basha 28-11 (l) Highland 34-27 (w) Chandler 56-21 (l) Gilbert 31-20 (w) at Hamilton 55-24 (l)

BASHA: Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Desert Vista 31-23 (w) Centennial ★ 31-21 (w) at Cesar Chavez 55-12 (w) at Pinnacle 45-35 (l) at Westview 45-35 (l) Perry 28-11 (w) Hamilton 42-25 (w) Highland 48-31 (w) Chandler 55-10 (l) at Gilbert 42-21 (w)

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SanTan

December 2014

FAMILY FUN

9

Girls rock careers at Chandler code club

By Joan Westlake

The students in Chandler’s Girls Who Code Club are creating computer games on this last Monday in November. “Exciting” is how everyone from the youngest student to even the Intel adviser describes the activity.

You can feel the fun in the room, which is filled with 20 students taking part in a fiveand-a half-month, free weekly class in the Downtown Library.

“We have had enthusiastic support in the Chandler community for our first coding class through Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit organization that works to inspire, educate and equip girls with the computing skills to pursue opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” says Kris Sherman, Chandler Public Library, assistant library manager.

“Digital literacy skills are becoming more and more important for success in the 21st century job market,” Sherman continues.

“Chandler Public Library wants to provide an environment for people to move beyond a passive relationship with technology. With coding, you are creating your own tools.

Websites, apps, animations, programs and games are among the real world applications of learning computing skills.”

Pam Armstrong, library information specialist, says that the 20 seats in the class were taken the first week it was announced with the 10 on the waiting list quickly filled. Based on the response, she says the library is looking at providing more coding class opportuni-

ties including for boys.

The underlying goal of the Girls Who Code project is to close an increasing gender gap in the computer sciences. One of the volunteer instructors, Maribel Hudson—a tool developer and supporter at Intel who grew up in Chandler—points out that exposure to coding and confidence in what they can do will help the girls later when they may be one of the few females in their computer class or department. Those women who are extroverts usually do well, but often introverts, even those who would be successful in a coding career, drop out for lack of confidence or comfort in the environment.

Hudson teaches the class with Pooja Agawane, an Intel graphic-software engineer.

They found the project on Intel’s monthly newsletter of volunteer opportunities for its employees.

“The girls here are finding out you don’t have to be the very best in math or the very brightest. You need to be a hard worker and to persevere to code,” Hudson asserts.

She adds that through teaching, she has discovered that girls have different approaches to coding. Some catch on immediately and want to know in-depth information about the actual coding process, while others focus on what they want to create and coding is a just a way to achieve that.

“Both of those approaches make for a good development team,” Hudson says.

“You want both working on a project.”

Taking part in the Girls Who Code

program, sisters Abby Ramer, 12, and Emma, 14, say they really enjoy the class. Their father, Dave, says it sounded as though it would be an interesting way to expand his daughters’ experiences and career options. A bonus has been interacting with them on a level where they explain to him some of the complex computer ideas they are learning.

Abby admits that when her parents suggested the class, she said “OK,” but with that tone every mother and father knows that communicates it is a reluctant chore. Now, Abby says she looks forward to the classes.

Emma says, “I was really for it right away.

I love learning new things. I am taking Latin in school now because doing the unusual fascinates me. What we’ve been doing in class is really cool. I’d love to take more coding classes.”

As to whether classmates might consider this a nerdy thing to do, Emma explains that she has a wide range of friends who accept each other for whom they are.

“And, if there is someone who thinks I am too geeky, I am good with that,” she says with a confidence air.

How important is coding? Funded by donors such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Google, the nonprofit www.Code.org has launched a campaign to introduce American schoolchildren to coding and to redefine it as a basic skill to be learned alongside the three R’s.

Hudson points out that this is a 21st century career path that continues to be vital in the world of technology. There is not one cor-

GIRL FUN: Sisters Abby, left, and Emma Ramer say they are pretty excited by some of the activities in their Girls Who Code class. STSN photo by Joan Westlake

poration that isn’t going to continue to need coders. Future innovations are created by programs and you need code to write those.

For students who are interested in learning about coding, Hudson suggests going online and trying Scratch, a version used by Girls Who Code. Developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, it is an open-source programming platform where kids can code games and animation and then share projects and how-to tips. Go to http://scratch.mit.edu/help.

Joan Westlake is the Community section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

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SanTan

10

December 2014

FAMILY FUN

Matheny Brings ‘The SnowCat’ to Chandler

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A protégé of legendary trumpeter and flugelhornist Art Farmer, Chandler musician Dmitri Matheny said it’s important to persuade youngsters to listen to jazz. If he hadn’t indulged as a kid, he may not have moved on to be dubbed “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players” or “unquestionably a master.”

Matheny is doing his part with “The SnowCat,” a heartwarming tale of a little girl’s search for her wandering white cat on a chilly afternoon. Each year, the musician and his friends bring “The SnowCat” to life in a series of performances for families, including 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“I used to do these shows every Christmas, where we would take a children’s story like ‘Santa Claus’ or ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ or ‘The Grinch’ and set it to music,” Matheny says. “I did these in San Francisco just about every year for 10 years. They were pretty popular among kids and grandparents.”

But when lawyers asked him to license the characters, he created an original story.

“The SnowCat is based on an ancient Japanese parable about an ox herder, a little boy who goes looking for his lost ox,” says Matheny, who changed the story to a little girl and a cat.

The story explores a wide range of genres, including reggae, jazz, hip hop, funk and calypso.

“It’s really lively,” he says. “We’re able to keep the attention of the little kids.”

There are coloring books and plush toys to enhance

the experience. As vocalist Holly Pyle performs the songs, images and text from the book are being projected on the wall behind the musicians.

“It encourages literacy,” Matheny says. “Parents can read along with kids. While we’re performing, some of the people are sitting like a typical audience.

Some are dancing, though, some are lying on the stage around us.

It’s a wild time, man.”

Longtime goal FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Dmitri Matheny brings “The SnowCat” back to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Born on Dec. 25, 1965, in Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Pat Johnson Nashville, Matheny was raised in is his 10th as a leader.

Georgia before his family moved to Tucson, where his “We’re able to do this for a living,” he said. “It’s nice father took a job as a teacher. to play music for people, travel around and make Attracted to his father’s collection of jazz and classical friends.”

LP records, Matheny began piano lessons at age 5 and switched to the trumpet at age 9. While in his teens, he Dmitri Matheny’s “The SnowCat” will be performed at 11 fell in love with the flugelhorn and left home to attend a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, Michigan’s prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy and 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Tickets are $8 general then Boston’s Berklee College of Music. admission. For more information, call (480) 782-2680 After private studies with Carmine Caruso in New or visit www.chandlercenter.org.

York City, Matheny became the protégé of Farmer, a formative relationship that lasted over a decade, according Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the to his bio.

SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at With more than 60 recordings in his discography, christina@santansun.com.

Matheny said his latest album, “Sagebrush Rebellion,”

Beginner through advanced lessons for all ages.

Lesson horses available.

December 2014

11

12

December 2014

Opinion

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December 6 – 19, 2014

Community Commentary

Letters to the editor

Donate this holiday season

BY KEVIN HARTKE

It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. As we prepare for the festivities both individually and as a community, let us be Kevin Hartke. reminded of Submitted photo opportunities to share our blessings with those less fortunate.

Every year, many churches, nonprofit organizations and others lead efforts to identify disadvantage families and ensure that they are provided for.

While many programs have been in place for years, the coordination of efforts continues to improve. Through the For Our City-Chandler initiatives, many groups collaborate more closely to share resources, thus maximizing efficiencies. As a result, we are able to serve a greater segment of our population and address more needs.

One of the first holiday-giving events is the Stuffed with Love Boutique, which takes place on Friday, Dec. 12. The event is organized by the Chandler/Gilbert YMCA and Girl Scouts to benefit the 300 children at ICAN and their families.

The uniqueness of this program is that every child from ICAN receives five tickets to shop at the boutique to redeem one item for themselves and four items for family members. It provides them with the opportunity to give back to others, which fills them with a sense of pride and empowerment.

Donations of new or gently used

47

Thank you from About Care

items for this event are accepted until Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Chandler YMCA, located at 1655 W. Frye Rd. In addition, volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. For more information, contact Gina La Benz at (480) 262-8401 or by email at glabenz@vosymca.org.

The Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department hosts its annual Holiday Toy Drive on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Chandler Fashion Center near the Food Court area from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This event benefits disadvantaged elementary school children and families identified by the Chandler Unified School District through the Chandler CARE Center.

Anyone who donates a new, unwrapped toy will receive a ride in a fire engine on that day. Toy donations can also be dropped off at the Fire Headquarters at 151 E. Boston St. or at any Chandler Fire Station through Monday, Dec. 15. Firefighters will hand out the toys to children on Friday, Dec. 19. For information about the CARE Center or to register a family to receive gifts, call (480) 812-7900 or visit www.chandlerCAREcenter.com.

The Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Compadre Branch and Teen Center is hosting an event to benefit its registered club families on Saturday, Dec. 20. Donations can be dropped off at 300 E. Chandler Blvd., and volunteers are needed for gift wrapping from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, through Thursday, Dec. 18. Call (480) 899-8302 for additional details.

The Chandler Christian Community Center coordinates an exceptionally successful holiday giving event called Operation Santa. More than 1,000 SEE COMMUNITY COMMENTARY PAGE 48

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the talented high school art students from Chandler, Hamilton and Valley Christian high schools for participating in our Veterans Day art auction high school competition. Also, thank you to the volunteers from Intel for helping with the event. The majority of our clients are veterans or widows of veterans and it was nice to have the community come together to honor them for their service and to support About Care’s programs.

About Care’s mission is to deliver caring, compassionate support services using trained volunteers with special concern for the elderly and disabled homebound residents of Chandler and Gilbert. During this holiday season and in the New Year, I would urge everyone in our community to try to dedicate a few hours a month volunteering. Not only will you reap the benefits of this gift, but you will impact the lives of others by your generosity. Thank you again high school students and Intel employees!

Sincerely, Ann Marie McArthur Executive Director About Care

members, parents and volunteers for enabling the Chandler Unified School District to achieve the ranking of “Best School District In Arizona” by the Niche organization in its 2015 national ranking. CUSD has an outstanding staff of administrators, teachers and support personnel but it takes an entire community to lift a district of more than 40,000 students to be rated as the best in our state of more than 250 districts.

Since the school district was founded more than a century ago, the community of individuals and businesses has maintained high expectations and has provided exceptional support in terms of volunteer hours, donations and voter support for district override and bond ballot measures. We hope this recognition helps to demonstrate that the district has carefully and wisely used these precious resources.

Congratulations to our entire Chandler Unified School District community and thank you.

(The Niche ranking criteria include a broad range of district measures including academics, administration, educational outcomes, extracurriculars, food, health and safety, resources and facilities, sports and fitness, student culture and diversity and teachers.)

Robert Rice President, Chandler Unified School District Board

An open letter to the CUSD community On behalf of the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board, I would like to thank our community

Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com.

Share your opinion with SanTan Sun News!

We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan Sun News. Please keep your Letters to the Editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com.

All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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Community Commentary COMMUNITY COMMENTARY FROM PAGE 47

children are expected to be served by Santa and his helpers on Monday, Dec. 22. Donations of toys, new clothes and gift cards are accepted until Thursday, Dec. 18, and can be dropped off at 345 S. California St. Further details can be obtained by calling Lori Tapia at (480) 963-1423 or visiting www. chandlerfoodbank.org.

Christmas is by far the busiest season to volunteer but there are needs throughout the year. In Chandler, we strongly encourage community involvement and celebrate contributions with an annual Volunteer Recognition Award ceremony.

Nominations for the 2014 awards are accepted until Monday, Dec. 8.

For more information, visit www. chandleraz.gov/volunteer100.

There are plenty of ways to get involved and brighten someone’s holiday this season. And, while not everyone can take the time to volunteer or drop off donations, financial contributions truly make a big difference. In addition, to being convenient, monetary donations can also be used for tax credits or tax deductions.

All in all, let us continue to be generous and share our gifts of time, talents and treasures with those around us. I wish everyone a joyful and

generous season for giving.

Kevin Hartke is a councilman for the City of Chandler.

Shopping locally supports Chandler’s high quality of life

BY RICK HEUMANN

The holiday season has arrived and the spirit of gift giving is in the air. This is the time of year to remember the importance of shopping locally.

It’s convenient to shop online Vice Mayor Rick and have the Heumann. Submitted gifts delivered photo directly to your door, but remember, those dollars spent don’t support our community’s quality of life.

Sales tax revenue is a vital component of our community’s success.

Chandler continues to be fiscally strong, but we must still rely on revenue that is generated from sales tax on purchases made within the Chandler city limits. This funding is used to support various services and quality-of-life experiences for our

residents. Many of these include police and fire protection, road construction and maintenance, park development and upkeep, recreation programs, and support to library programs.

The City of Chandler continues to promote the campaign “Invest Wisely, Shop Chandler,” which encourages residents to spend locally at retail stores and restaurants located within city limits. As vice mayor, it is my priority to shop locally, providing support to our independent businesses.

Even when I am at meetings in other parts of the Valley, if I need to stop for lunch, I always try to seek out local, unique eateries.

The return is great when we work together in supporting our local businesses. It has been found that independent businesses tend to reinvest more in their community by contracting with local suppliers, as well as offering support and aid to local charities, food banks and other service agencies.

Patronizing small businesses has other benefits as well. They usually provide a unique shopping or dining experience, which comes with a sense of pride knowing you’re supporting the community you live and play in.

Residents can receive free email updates about offers from local businesses by joining the Shop Chandler Club at www.chandleraz.

SHOP LOCAL!

gov/shop. Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization with a mission to strengthen Arizona communities by supporting small businesses. Business directories and other tools to assist in making informed consumer decisions can be found at www.localfirstaz.com.

Hopefully you’ll join me in supporting the quality of life we all enjoy as Chandler residents by shopping local this holiday season.

Your dedication will help our business community stay strong, while also maintaining critical City services and programs.

Rick Heumann is the vice mayor of Chandler.

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49

Neighbors Fiesta Mexicana introduces itself to Chandler

El Palacio owner/chef impresses

CTeen program begins at Chabad of the East Valley

Neighbors PAGE 54

Spirituality PAGE 57

Upland Drive transforms into winter wonderland

Springfield Golf Resort’s triumphant return For Chad Shotton, it’s good to be home.

Shotton returned to the place where his career in the golf industry began, as he and his business partners recently purchased Springfield Golf Resort at 1200 E. St. Andrew’s Blvd.

“Having designed it, built it, laying out every tree and bunker and now coming back is a great feeling,” says Shotton of the 18-hole executive course near Riggs

Hailing from Jalisco, Mexico, Martin and Patricia Rangel have brought to town a fun and family-friendly restaurant that celebrates their home country.

Fiesta Mexicana restaurant in Chandler, which opened in October, is the Rangels’ ninth location nationwide.

The restaurant is a second career of sorts for the Rangels. Martin owned a car body shop for several years and Patricia ran a Latin market. But they yearned to share their love of authentic Mexican flavors by opening Fiesta Mexicana.

Manager Pedro Zayas transferred

SEE GOLF PAGE 52

NEIGHBORLY CELEBRATION: Nick Iwanski, Jake Iwanski, Ben Kubicki and Joey Iwanski pose in front of one of the thousands of decorations that adorn Upland Drive during the holiday season. Submitted photo

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

FOOD FIESTA: The combo appetizer and the burrito Mexicano are two of the most popular items on the Fiesta Mexicana menu.

STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

PAGES 75-78

BY TIM J. RANDALL

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

SEE FIESTA MEXICANA PAGE 53

Where to Eat

Each holiday season, a Chandler street transforms into a winter wonderland, albeit without snow.

The families who live on Upland Drive in The Woods at Tiburon subdivision welcome celebrants to come and share in their love of the holidays with their elaborate light displays and decorations.

An Upland Drive resident since 1986, Sue Fiorino has seen the celebration evolve from simple decorations to a large-scale event that involves every homeowner on the street.

“There were four houses that started it and it really took off and from that year on it just exploded,” Fiorino says.

“As new homeowners come in and have a lot more energy, there are more and more decorations.”

Decorations on the street include hundreds of thousands of lights, wood characters, inflatable displays, train sets and animated dolls. A barbershop quartet, dancers, holiday singers, music and even the beloved character “Buddy” SEE UPLAND DRIVE PAGE 50

LOOKING SHARP: Manicured bunkers are aplenty at the redesigned Springfield Golf Resort. Submitted photo

Wok Box offers fresh and healthy Asian fusion menu

BY ALISON STANTON

Walid Doumit knew he wanted to open his own Wok Box restaurant right after he and his wife ate at one in Scottsdale.

“We loved the fresh and healthy food and the décor and decided that we wanted to open a Wok Box of our own,” Doumit says.

Doumit got his wish this August when he opened a Wok Box in Chandler. The restaurant features Asian fusion meals from 10 different countries, including Vietnam, India, China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.

“We took the best meal out of each country,” Doumit says.

Unlike other restaurants that might rely on frozen ingredients or pre-cut meats and vegetables, Doumit says everything at the Wok Box is fresh, and that customers may choose from chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu or double vegetables in their order.

“Nothing is frozen, and everything is freshly prepared every day before going into the wok,” Doumit says.

The restaurant also features glutenSEE WOK BOX PAGE 50

FRESH AND HEALTHY: Walid Doumit, owner, operator and manager of Wok Box in Chandler, says he is proud to offer Asian fusion dishes filled with freshly prepared and tasty ingredients.

STSN photo by Alison Stanton

50

December 6 – 19, 2014

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UPLAND DRIVE FROM PAGE 49

WOK BOX FROM PAGE 49

from the holiday classic film “Elf” provide entertainment. Buddy greets visitors and has fun with the kids in the driveway of one of the homes that shows holiday movies on a big screen. Hot chocolate will be sold.

“We have tour buses, horse-drawn carriages and senior homes that come down and tour the street, so we keep the street open except on Christmas Eve,” Fiorino says. “Then we shut it down to traffic so people can walk down the street and just enjoy it.”

Upland Drive resident Ania Kubicki can thank the light show for her current home.

“I literally found this house during Christmas 2005 and it was the only house for sale at the time,” Kubicki says. “I had brought my son—who was turning 2— and we parked on Ellis. Someone told us about the decorations on this street and it was literally like we walked into a festival. I hung out with everybody a little bit and thought, ‘These are my people. I have to live on this street.’”

The family moved into the non-HOA community the following year.

Liz Dreckman has lived on Upland Drive for eight years.

“We have a ton of Christmas decorations, but we always buy more every year,” Dreckman says. “Every house has a little bit of a theme every year. I think people appreciate that we go all out for the holidays. You kind of have to be in the Christmas spirit to live on our street.

“If somebody is sick or out of town,

free, vegan and vegetarian options as well as plenty of kid-friendly meals, all of which are prepared quickly.

“None of our food contains MSG, and can also work with customers who have allergies to things like nuts and seafood. We also offer white and brown rice as well as four different kinds of noodles.”

Right now, Doumit says the Indian Butter Chicken and the Singapore Cashew are the most popular items on the menu.

“I have had many customers from India try the Indian Butter Chicken and tell me that it is very good; to get their approval is great because they are making it all the time,” he says.

Doumit says his Wok Box was the third to open in Arizona—in addition to his and the one in Scottsdale, there is also one in Gilbert. As he explains, the restaurant got its start near Vancouver,

COMING TOGETHER: Residents pitched in to purchase custom signs welcoming holiday visitors to their neighborhood.

Submitted photo we’ll pitch in to help out and decorate someone’s home,” she continues. “It’s not just Christmas that we do either. We’re pretty crazy on Halloween and we have about 1,000 trick-or-treaters every year.”

Upland Drive, also known as “The Christmas Street,” is located south of Warner Road between the Loop 101 and Dobson Road.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.

British Columbia, Canada, in 2004.

“There are about 60 or 70 Wok Boxes in Canada, and they are now expanding into the U.S. market,” he says.

Although his Wok Box has not been open that long, Doumit says business is getting “better and better” and that he and his staff are enjoying getting to know their clientele.

“We are seeing a lot of regular customers already; about 80 percent are regular, but we are also seeing new faces every day,” he says.

“It’s a lot of hours and work to run a restaurant but it’s also very rewarding and fun.”

Wok Box is located at 2100 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 10, in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 855-5574 or visit www.wokbox.net Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com

Tao Healing Center offers free yoga class Tao Healing Center is offering a free yoga class Saturday, Dec. 13. The class begins at 10 a.m. and the fundraising brunch will be held from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $10. The event will also include a silent auction of original items, gift ideas and holiday items. The silent auction items will be on display at the

center from Monday, Dec. 8, through Friday, Dec. 12.

The Tao Healing Center is located at 1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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GOLF FROM PAGE 49

and McQueen roads in Chandler. “I could not do it without my partners.”

ForeGolf opened Springfield to the public in 1996 as a partnership headed by Shotton and several other key associates.

Measuring 4,231 yards from the tips with a par of 61, the layout provided players with a great venue and was a shotmakers’ delight.

Shotton divested his stake in the property a few years later to pursue other designs, most notably Apache Creek Golf Club in Apache Junction and Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler.

Additionally, he founded CC Tractor Works with colleague Cory Prescott in 1998, and the new entity has taken on numerous course reworks and renovations.

Fast forward to 2014: the Springfield Golf Course had fallen into disrepair since Shotton left.

“The course was in really bad shape,” he says. “The range and many fairways were completely bare of grass, the bunkers had grown in, and the look was really disappointing.”

Shotton along with Prescott, Alan and Suzanne Hinners, and Alan’s brother, Jim Hinners, seized the opportunity and bought the property with an eye toward restoring its original luster.

“At one time, Springfield was considered one of the most challenging executive golf courses in the state. We are bringing it back to that quality,” Shotton says.

The results so far have been quite impressive.

LOT OF GREEN: A successful overseeding program got the fairways in excellent condition. Submitted photo

PAR FOR THE COURSE: Restored to its original luster, the Springfield Golf Resort is again considered one of the most challenging executive golf courses in Arizona. Submitted photo

“We have done significant remodels, seeding bare spots, new monument signs, yardage markers, traps recut and cleaned out and rejuvenating the greens,” Shotton says. “The main thing was getting it playable.”

The course has a new feel and playability from the tee boxes to the green complexes, most notably at the eighth hole, a narrow 152-yard, par-3 with a severely sloped putting surface and water to the right.

“This is my favorite hole on the course,” Shotton adds.

Yet the layout was not the only piece of the property that had been improved.

The group’s aggressive renovation also included a complete revamp of the

Eagles Nest Bar and Grill and pro shop.

“Alan and Suzanne manage the grill and they have done a great job of rejuvenating its look and feel,” Shotton says.

A new menu with daily happy hour and specials include a Friday fish fry, Thirsty Thursday and Monday Mayhem hot dogs (named after Shotton’s canine Mayhem).

As owner and general manager, Shotton says his biggest challenge is to get the word out that Springfield is open to the public and the course is returning to form.

“Our overseeding with rye grass was a great success,” he says. “The greens are in better condition than they have been

in years. I credit Cory, who is a great superintendent. Our projects have been successful in large part because of his contributions. The course is set up for a fun and challenging round of golf.”

Springfield’s reemergence also coincides with the golf industry’s move to make the game more affordable and shorter.

“Our rates are great and you can play a round typically in less than three hours,” Shotton said. “This is a tough course.

I challenge anyone to come here and shoot their handicap. You have to golf your ball.”

For more information about the course, visit www.springfieldgolfchandler. com, call (480) 895-0916 or email springfieldteetimes@gmail.com.

Tim J. Randall is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.

Arizona hero visits Jewish War Veterans Copper State 619 It’s been more than four years since a roadside bomb in Afghanistan nearly killed First Sgt. Cory Remsburg.

Shrapnel from a roadside bomb near Kandahar in Afghanistan left his speech slurred, his right eye blind and his left side partially paralyzed. Remsburg has no memory of what happened.

His father received a call on Oct. 1, 2009.

“It penetrated the brain,” Craig Remsburg says. “It went through the skull of the brain.

It was three and a half months before he came out of a coma. It took probably seven to eight months before he could speak.”

But with those injuries, he’s walking farther unassisted.

He did 10 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, which was a total of three years and three months of combat. When asked whether

the tougher fight was against the enemy or the battle he’s fighting now against his wounds, Remsburg says “hands down now.”

For the first two years and three months of his recovery, at least one member of his family was with him 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To accomplish that, his step mother had to quit her job.

In February 2010, while recovering from surgery he had a visitor, the President of the United States.

“At that time, I could not tell which way was up,” Cory says.

The president spotted a picture in Cory’s room and realized they had met before at the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Last August, they met for a third time and Cory knew it was the president.

He showed the president he could stand

and, with help, walk across the room. And then at the State of Union Address, Cory stood again and all the leaders of the U.S. government gave him the longest standing ovation anyone can remember.

“Here was this opportunity for everybody to agree on one thing, and that one thing was this wounded warrior in the balcony,” Craig says.

Although he was wounded while serving, he says “in a perfect world, I’d do it all over again. I’d go back if they let me.”

Although the Army pays for Remsburg’s medical bills, it cannot cover all the expenses a family incurs dealing with wounds as severe as his.

After hearing his story, Jared Allen teamed up with Lead the Way Fund Inc. and RIDE 430 Challenge powered by the

ARIZONA HERO: First Sgt. Cory Remsburg stands in front of the crowd with father, Craig, and stepmother, Annie, while visiting Jewish War Veterans Copper State 619. Submitted photo

Free Wheel Foundation, among others, to help raise money and complete the home remodel. The remodel included a walk in pool and a tiki bar.

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FIESTA MEXICANA FROM PAGE 49

from the Woodland Park, Colorado, location to help launch the Chandler restaurant. He says he built a team of excellent employees in Colorado, so the couple wanted him to apply that here.

The décor at Fiesta Mexicana is light, bright and festive. The booths and chairs in the spacious restaurant feature scenes depicting life and love from the owners’ homeland.

“They value authentic Mexican food,” says Zayas of the owners. “They want it to be Fiesta Mexicana—a Mexican party.

They wanted to create an environment that is family friendly, where people can come to eat and have a good time.”

Adding to the festive environment is a mariachi band that performs on Friday and Saturday evenings. The outdoor patio also boasts a large fireplace.

“We have two bartenders and a bar that runs all day long,” Zayas notes. There are a variety of margaritas available including blue agave, strawberry, Midori and house margaritas. That drink can be made with the customer’s choice of tequila.

The menu at Fiesta Mexicana is vast and includes many selections of salads, appetizers, seafood, tostadas, burritos and veggie-only entrées, along with many Mexican specialties. One unique item on the menu is the molcajete, which is big enough for two people to share.

“It’s a huge bowl that has five different kinds of meat,” Zayas explains. “It has pork, beef, chicken and shrimp and on the bottom layer is fish. It comes with rice and beans on the side and it’s good for a

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Manager Pedro Zayas oversees the operation of the newest Fiesta Mexicana restaurant location in Chandler, which is one of nine owned by Martin and Patricia Rangel. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

couple. It’s traditional Mexican food.”

Daily specials are available as well.

Assistant manager Rodrigo Garcia has been with Fiesta Mexicana for one year and also transferred from Colorado.

“I found out about Fiesta Mexicana in Colorado and worked there for nine months,” states Garcia, who was raised in Casa Grande. “As soon as I heard they were opening in Chandler, I decided to come here.”

Garcia continues, “We have good management and training systems here.

I like to help people and this is a great place for families.” He also mentions that he enjoys the nice weather in the winter

and that he doesn’t really miss the cold weather in Colorado.

Zayas says the restaurant is working to introduce itself to the community.

“I have the feeling that a lot of people don’t know about us or don’t know that we’re here,” Zayas says. “We’re very family oriented. We welcome in the whole family and we want people to come in and enjoy themselves.”

Fiesta Mexicana is taking reservations for holiday parties and special events.

There will be a tequila tasting at Fiesta Mexicana from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Guests will enjoy samples of Casamigos brand tequila. Appetizers and

RAINBOW OF MARGARITAS: The blue agave, strawberry, Midori and house margaritas are created daily by Fiesta Mexicana bartender José Santos. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

menu items will be available during the tasting.

“There are no tickets needed.

Everyone walks in for free and the tasting will be on the house,” says Zayas.

Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with specials on domestic and imported beer, house wine, house margaritas, well drinks and appetizers.

Fiesta Mexicana is located at 4949 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, with additional locations in Page and Avondale. Visit www. fiestamexicanarestaurants.com for information or call (480) 895-8323.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com

NOW OPEN FOR THE FALL SEASON

54

Neighbors

December 6 – 19, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

El Palacio owner/chef impresses at food championships

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

El Palacio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina has new bragging rights, courtesy of its owner and executive chef, Anthony Serrano.

Serrano finished second at the World Food Championships, a competition that is a culmination of global cooking contests and brings together hundreds of chefs to compete.

Serrano won a “golden ticket” in September at the Scottsdale Spice culinary event with his award-winning food entry—carnitas street taco made with a citrus-braised pork and spicy slaw.

With that golden ticket, Serrano moved on to the World Food Championships, also known as the Ultimate Food Fight, in Las Vegas Nov. 12 through Nov. 18.

The competition featured nine categories comprised of 500 chef teams.

Serrano competed in the recipe category, which had 45 competitors.

“One of the things they do is they only allow you to participate in just one category, so you have to focus on that,” Serrano explains. “The secret ingredient we had to use throughout was cheese.

Cheese had to be the star of the dish.”

All teams competed in the first two rounds and then the field was whittled down to the top 10 chefs. In the first round, Serrano created “Grate Balls of Risotto,” which landed him in 20th place.

“The risotto balls were stuffed with cheese, then rolled in corn flakes, rolled in cheese again and deep-fried,” Serrano

THE BIG LEAGUES: Chef Anthony Serrano poses with TV’s “MasterChef” first-season winner Whitney Miller and Food Network’s Emily Ellyn. Submitted photo

states. “It was a good little appetizer and it was definitely cheesy and creamy.”

He next moved on to the “Taco ‘Bout Cheese Taco,” a different spin on cheese tacos.

“Instead of using flour corn tortillas, it’s actually a tortilla shell made of cheese,” explains Serrano. “We use parmesan, hard Mexican cheese and a fire pepper jack with habanero and jalapeno in it. We shredded all those cheeses together.”

The cheese mixture was then cut out

using pastry circles and shaped around a taco shell form. The creative shell was stuffed with slow-braised carnitas and queso sauce and topped with corn, black beans, tomatoes and avocado.

His unique taco was presented wedged into the side of a pre-production beer can. Because judging included presentation and taste scores, Serrano shot up to fourth place.

Serrano had a cooking team consisting of his wife, mother-in-law and brother-inlaw, all of whom helped Serrano during the competition.

“In the third round, they added another level of difficulty,” Serrano notes.

“We had to have cheese and potatoes as the star of the dish.”

The final round’s creation was “Cheese-y, Potato-y, Beer-y Soup.” It was comprised of creamy bisque, dubliner cheese, queso fresco, cheddar cheese, Devil’s Ale from SanTan Brewing Company and puréed potatoes.

“My dad has a nice organic garden at our house back home,” Serrano says.

“When I was visiting, he had all these zucchini flowers growing. We cut a bunch of zucchini flowers and we stuffed them with a potato and cheese mixture, rolled the flowers in potato flakes and deep fried that whole thing,” Serrano says.

He then took the fried zucchini flowers and placed them on top of a layer of freshly made potato chips in the soup.

The final culinary effort pushed Serrano into second place and he took

home $5,000. Serrano was only one point behind the winner, Ricardo Heredia from San Diego’s Alchemy Restaurant. Heredia’s winning entry was his bacon tamal with bacon salsa verde dish. Because Serrano finished in the top 10 for the World Food Championships, he is invited to the 2015 event in Kissimmee, Florida.

“In the end, I was happy with every dish we made,” Serrano notes. “I’m sure we could have made some tweaks here and there, but as a whole, we were happy with every dish.”

Serrano’s strong finish in the World Food Championships was a prelude to El Palacio’s five-year anniversary in Chandler, which occurs on Dec. 15. To celebrate, all customers at El Palacio’s Chandler location will receive a 20 percent discount on that day. The cheesy potato beer soup that Serrano prepared in the competition may appear on the menu soon. The beer can tacos will be featured occasionally at beer-pairing dinners at El Palacio. Call the restaurant at (480) 8025770 for a schedule of beer dinners.

El Palacio is located at 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler, with additional locations in Bullhead City, Kingman, Laughlin, Mohave Valley and Lake Havasu.

Visit www.epfamilyrestaurants.com for additional information.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.

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Neighbors

www.SanTanSun.com

Celebrate Rawhide’s Snowy Christmas at Wild Horse Pass Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is hosting its second annual Snowy Christmas, where the whole family can enjoy the town decorated with thousands of holiday lights and snow.

Drop off a letter to Santa at Rawhide’s “Delivery to the SW Pole” mailbox. Every kiddo who sends Santa a letter will hear back from Ol’ St. Nick. They can also have their picture with Santa at the Photo Emporium.

The town is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, through Friday, Dec 12; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, through Friday, Dec. 19; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22, through Tuesday, Dec. 23; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 27; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28; and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Looking for unique stocking stuffers or maybe you just have a sweet tooth?

Pick up a couple pounds of homemade fudge or old-fashioned treats from Rawhide’s Sweet Sally’s candy store.

Visitors can buy a pound of fudge and get a half pound free through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Rawhide Mercantile Rawhide Mercantile is a western lifestyle upscale boutique featuring regional, community and western artists. Here, visitors will find exquisite furnishings, handmade jewelry and brands that are hard to find elsewhere.

From traditional to trendy, Rawhide Mercantile carries a full line of boots, apparel, jewelry, accessories, gifts and home decor. The last-chance holiday sale, featuring 50 percent off select items, is Wednesday, Dec. 17, through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

General Store The Rawhide General Store is hosting holiday specials throughout December, including 25 percent off select items through Sunday, Dec. 14, and a lastchance holiday sale with 50 percent off select items from Wednesday, Dec. 17, through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Reservations are highly recommended during the holiday season. Reservations can be made at (480) 502-5600 or reso@ rawhide.com.

With the holidays fast approaching, the needs of the homeless and the working poor in Arizona continue to grow. In an effort to alleviate those needs all St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores in the Valley are looking for dedicated volunteers who want to offer a helping hand.

St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores generate needed revenue and funds to support all the programs that the organization provides, including a free medical and dental clinic, more than 80 community pantries and five dining rooms.

“We need volunteers in three main areas,” Director of Retail Operations Ed Dubiel says. “Stores need folks that can test appliances, process clothes and do display and setup of the merchandise.”

During the holiday season, the organization strives to provide resources to ensure families in need get to enjoy the festivities with programs such as, Adopt a Family and extra boxes of food delivered to people’s homes.

“With the help of volunteers, we don’t add cost to processing this merchandise,” Dubiel says. “The idea is that volunteers have the opportunity to help the store bring the cost down so more money can go toward feeding, healing, clothing and housing those we serve.”

In 2013, St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores gave more than $700,000 worth of

VOLUNTEERS: St. Vincent de Paul is seeking volunteers for the holiday season to help test appliances, process clothes and setup displays of merchandise on the sales floor. Submitted photo

clothes and other products to people in need in Arizona.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering should call the store where they would like to volunteer. The manager will then meet with them to see what kind of time availability the volunteer has.

“Of course we want to make it fun for volunteers, so we are very flexible,” Dubiel says. “Our organization would not be what it is without wonderful volunteers willing to give their time to a worthy cause.”

St. Vincent de Paul’s Chandler location is at 2051 N. Arizona Ave. The manager can be reached at (480) 812-1156.

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE 347 Grill Ak-Chin 16000 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa (520) 233-2426, www. ultrastarakchin.com Children ages 6 and younger eat free with paid adult during Sunday brunch. Tuesdays are family night, where all kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of adult entrée.

Ice cream scoops are $1 in Cones Café.

Apple Dumpling Café 3076 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 279-3879, www. appledumplingcafe.com Mondays are family value night, where kids eat free with each adult meal purchase of $6.95 or more.

On family fun night, kids receive free ice cream with a meal. Ice cream happy hour is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday, where kids buy one ice cream or dessert and get one free.

Chompie’s 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 398-3008, www.chompies. com Children 10 and younger receive one free item from the kids’ meal menu with adult meal purchase of $8 or more on Tuesdays. Dine in only.

Connect5 Family Centers 222 E. Warner Rd., Chandler (480) 699-2122

Free kids’ meals with an adult purchase for Munchie Monday Free Lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Freebie Friday Free Dinner from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chandler (480) 812-8433, www.floridinos.net Kids eat free from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays. One free kids meal per $8 adult purchase. Dine in only.

(480) 792-6965, www.sidelinesaz. com Kids eat free from kids’ menu after 4 p.m. Thursdays with adult entree.

Dine in only.

Copper Still—Moonshine Grill 2531 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 656-1476, www.

CopperStillMoonshineGrill.com Kids ages 10 and younger eat for free Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Nabers Music Bar and Eats 825 N. 54th St., Chandler (480) 705-0288, www.nabersaz.com Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays, with the purchase of an adult meal and two beverages. Dine in only.

Dilly’s Deli 2895 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5, Chandler (480) 722-0645, www.dillysdeli.com Get one free kids’ meal free for each adult meal purchased for $6 or more on weekends.

NYPD Pizza 2580 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (480) 722-0898, www.aznypdpizza. com Kids eat for free on Wednesday and Sunday after 4 p.m. with purchase of a small or medium pizza. Dine in only.

Someburros!

3461 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 726-8226 2597 S. Market St., Gilbert (480) 497-8226 1335 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert (480) 755-8226 www.someburros.com From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of combo or specialty meal. Dine in only.

El Palacio Restaurant and Cantina 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 802-5770, www. epfamilyrestaurants.com Kids 12 and younger eat free with paid adult on Wednesdays.

Fat Willy’s 4850 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler (480) 883-1356, www.fatwillysaz. com/Chandler From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, dine in and get a free kids’ meal with every adult entrée purchased.

Little Leaguers menu only, 12 and younger.

Floridino’s Pizza and Pasta 590 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 35,

55

St. Vincent de Paul needs thrift store volunteers

Rawhide Steakhouse

Sweet Sally’s

December 6 – 19, 2014

Pittsburgh Willy’s 48 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler (480) 821-3197 Every day, except Sunday breakfast, a child age 10 and younger eats free with each paying adult. Additional kids eat for 50 percent off; Wee Willy menu only.

Planet Sub 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 245-6503, www.planetsub. com Kids eat free with paid adult on Mondays.

Sidelines Grill 2980 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler

The Cove Grill 5070 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 400, Chandler (480) 802-9070, www.thecovegrill. com Kids younger than 12 receive one free meal per adult entrée purchased on Tuesdays. Dine in only.

Uncle Bear’s Grill and Bar 1980 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 722-1555, www. unclebearsgrillandbar.com Kids eat free with each full price entrée purchased on Wednesdays.

Whiskey Rose Bar and Grill 135 W. Ocotillo Rd., Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673) Kids eat free Tuesdays and Sundays with purchase of an adult entree.

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE The SanTan Sun News now has a regular “Where kids eat free” section.

Restaurant owners, please email us details such as days of the week kids can eat free at your establishment, and what conditions apply, such as purchase of an adult meal, certain hours, etc., Include your restaurant name, address, phone and website and a contact name for verification.

Readers, if you know of a location that has a kidseat-free program, email us with the restaurant name, a phone and / or email for confirmation and details.

Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun.com.

56

Neighbors

December 6 – 19, 2014

www.SanTanSun.com

Fishing at Veterans Oasis Park The Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park hosted its annual Fall Fishing Clinic and Outdoor Safety Event to offer free information, activities and demonstrations, all focused around the theme of safety. During the clinic, Arizona Game and Fish Department sport fishing instructors provided basic fishing tips and guidance to participants. A limited number of fishing rods and bait were loaned on a first-come, first-served basis. STSN photos by Kimberly Carrillo

GOOD TIMES: Parents helped their children prepare fishing lines.

PASSING KNOWLEDGE: Norman Huckaby teaches Hunter Huckaby about fishing.

LEARNING CURVE: Arizona Game & Fish helpers train families how to properly use fishing poles.

FAMILY FUN: Andy and John Hodges relax and fish.

FISH ON: This man just wanted to relax by the water.

LEARN SURVIVAL SKILLS: Outdoor Adventures is a four-week program for youths to learn survival.

CHILD’S PLAY: Joshua pays close attention how to use a fishing pole.

KNOT HAPPY: Knots come easy to the beginner fishers, so the Arizona Game & Fish helped fix them.

SECRET SPOT: The park had a lot of different coves to explore.

Spirituality

www.SanTanSun.com

December 6 – 19, 2014

57

CTeen program begins at Chabad of the East Valley

BY TRACY HOUSE

Jewish teens in the East Valley can join others at Chabad of the East Valley for the newly established CTeen program, a dynamic network of Jewish teens from all backgrounds.

Co-youth director Faiga Lew explains CTeen is an outreach program for Jewish teens. “It’s a fun, positive experience, so they have a positive outlook toward Judaism and they get experience Judaism in a fun way.”

Participants, who range in age from 13 to 19, do not have to belong to the Chabad center.

CTeen’s monthly program concentrates on three pillars: education, social and humanitarian. CTeen lessons explore monthly themes aimed at teen learning, socializing and exploring service through volunteering.

The group will meet monthly with programs that bring teens together to give back to their communities and the environment, which includes trips and volunteerism, “It’s a safe environment,” Lew says.

“In our day, it’s good for them to have positive experiences.”

THREE GIFTS: Our Christmas Offering—My Life, My Heart, My Praise

Christmas Program

Sunday, Dec. 14 9:30 & 11 a.m.

First Baptist Church, Chandler 3405 S. Arizona Ave. 480-963-3439 | www.fbc.net Facebook.com/FirstBaptistChandler

Please Join us for our

Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 21st at 10:30

Christmas Service Wednesday, December 24th 6 p.m. Lessons and Carols, Candlelight Service Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. (childcare provided) Sunday Adult Bible Study: 9 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

1900 S. Arrowhead Dr., Chandler | 480-963-3821 | www.chandlerpres.org

Lew anticipates the group will involve more than 30 youth. The first meeting was held Thursday, Nov. 20, with six teens (boys and girls) ages 13 to 15.

“It went great,” Lew says. “Six kids showed up and a lot of other kids are hoping to show up the next time. There is interest, definitely.”

The group met at the center, then played paintball in Tempe and enjoyed pizza. Participants do pay for the activities, and costs vary.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, and will be a Hanukah-themed event at the Chabad center. The kids will learn about Hanukah and enjoy activities. Each month will feature different activities.

To sign up for activities, Lew suggests liking the group on Facebook.

“We post on Facebook and then we email a text to the parents of the kids, whatever numbers we have,” Lew says.

“Then they RSVP if they are coming.”

Lew says there are other programs for kids who are not yet teenagers, such as Girls Night Out for Jewish girls ages 9 to 12. This group shares experiences, interests and goals, to build friendships with other Jewish girls in the community. The next meeting of Girls Night Out is 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The cost for this program is $10 per meeting.

In addition to Girls Night Out, Chabad of the East Valley offers

CTEEN: Jewish teens from Chabad of the East Valley enjoyed an evening of paintball and pizza through the newly established CTeen Network at the center. Jewish youth, ages 13 through 19, are invited to join the program that meets monthly. Submitted photo

Hebrew School, Chandler Jewish Preschool, Kids in the KitchenInternational and Bar and Bas Mitzvah Training.

Chabad of the East Valley is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. For more information contact about CTeen, contact Faiga Lew at (480) 855-4333 or email youth@chabadcenter.com. To find the group on Facebook, search: “Chabad of the East Valley.”

Tracy House is a freelance writer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

58

December 6 – 19, 2014

Celebrate Hanukkah with storytime, book fair Rachel Wallach of The Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool will bring a whole “latke” fun to Temple Emanuel’s Hanukkah Storytime and Book Fair, which takes place at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

Wallach, preschoolers and their families will join together to read a few Hanukkah stories and to have fun creating Hanukkah crafts. After that, they can shop for books to take home, and 20 percent of proceeds from each purchase will go directly back to Temple Emanuel.

Changing Hands Bookstore is located at 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe. For questions about the store, its location or hours, call (480) 7300205.

Wallach is the director of The Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, which serves Reform Jewish families in the East Valley. The Temple is at 5801 S. Rural Rd., Tempe. For more information, visit www.emanueloftempe.org or call (480) 838-1414.

Spirituality

www.SanTanSun.com

Spiritual Reflections

HELPING HAND

Share your spiritual reflections...

COLLECTION: Ray of Light Christian Preschool at 800 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, collected more than 20 bags of food and frozen turkeys to donate to Chandler Christian Community Center Food Bank during the school’s annual drive. Submitted photo

The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sunarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@ santansun.com.

Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website.

Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

Spend ‘Longest Night’ at VUU on Dec. 18 Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation hosts its Longest Night Service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, in its Sanctuary at 6400 W. Del Rio St. in Chandler.

All are welcome at the service, which

recognizes themes of connection, safety and hope in a season often fraught by grief, illness, depression and job loss.

VUU provides a welcoming, diverse community that nurtures each person’s

Our church family already loves you.

We just haven’t met you yet.

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday Hamilton High School Auditorium 3700 S. Arizona Ave. www.loc-az.org

480-899-1400

lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. To learn more, call (480) 8994249 or visit www.vuu.org.

Spirituality

www.SanTanSun.com

December 6 – 19, 2014

‘Walk Through Bethlehem’ celebrates season

Chabad Center sets two Hanukkah events

First Baptist Church Chandler hosts a “Walk Through Bethlehem” live nativity event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14.

The event begins with a puppet show and also features crafts for children and free cookies, hot chocolate and hot cider for everyone. Era-appropriate

carolers, merchants and local village people, as well as a stable of live animals, will recreate the time of the birth of Jesus. Admission is free.

First Baptist Church Chandler is at 3405 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. For more information, visit www.fbc.net or call (480) 963-3439.

Hanukkah celebration at Whole Foods

Christmas cantata performed at Sun Lakes UMC

The Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life is celebrating Hanukkah with two unique programs in Chandler.

The organization has partnered with the Home Depot to bring to the community a one-of-a-kind Menorahbuilding workshop. Free and open to the public, the event is from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.

Children will be able to build and decorate their own Menorahs to take home and to learn about the holiday.

There will be a hands-on demonstration where everyone will get to see first-hand the process used to make olive oil from olives, play fun Hanukkah games as well as sample delicious holiday food. This year, the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life welcomes the Hanukkah mascot, Judah

Join the East Valley JCC community for an afternoon of stories, Hanukkah foods, olive oil tasting and more from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Whole Foods, 2955 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.

PJ Library will lead a very special storytime for children of all ages, complete with a craft to get ready for the Hanukkah holiday. A Hanukkah singalong will be led by Jenny Kelly, and the Whole Foods culinary team will perform cooking demonstrations during the afternoon.

For more information, visit www. evjcc.org or call (480) 897-0598.

“Canticles in Candlelight,” a Christmas cantata by composer Joseph Martin, will be performed by Sun Lakes United Methodist Church’s Chancel choir, accompanied by a 22-piece orchestra, at the 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Sunday, Dec. 14 The choir and orchestra are directed

by Cris Evans. The congregation will have opportunities to join in some of the carols.

Sun Lakes UMC is at 9248 E. Riggs Rd. in Sun Lakes. For more information, call (480) 895-8766.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m.

SUNDAY: WORSHIP 10 a.m.

19609 S. McQueen Rd. • Chandler, AZ 480-899-LIFE (5433) • 480-343-0022 www.gospel4life.org

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Chandler United Methodist Church Celebrating more than 100 Years in Chandler. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913.

SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship .............8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children ........................8:40 a.m. and 10:10 a.m.

480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

59

the Macabee, who will be joining us for photo ops for all the families.

Almost a week later, it is hosting the Grand Hanukkah Menorah Lighting and Fire Show at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Phoenix Premium Outlet Mall in Chandler.

The Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life invites the public to the Menorah lighting celebration, which combines ancient traditions with a unique and modern twist. They will be lighting a 9-foot Menorah and then the public can stick around for a doughnut-dipping bar while enjoying two local children’s choirs—the Chabad Hebrew School Choir as well as the Desert Jewish Academy Choir. The fire show will end th evening with flare. All children will receive a free gift.

Phoenix Premium Outlets are located at 4976 Premium Outlets Way, Chandler.

For more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Deitsch at (480) 8554333.

60

Spirituality

December 6 – 19, 2014

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS

Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com.

Bible Study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives.

Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ in Chandler Info: Jan Olson at 480-802-7457 or Joy King 480-588-1882 Celebrate Recovery 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.

CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: 480-722-0700, crnaz.com Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Fridays For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.

Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler

Info: 480-963-3997, chandlercc.org Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Crackers & Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

WebXtra: WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”

SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sunday Mornings Traditional Worship

7:30 & 11:30 A.M.

Contemporary Worship 8:50 & 10:10 A.M. Sunday School

Sunday Evenings CORE (6th - 8th Grade)

6:00 P.M.

High School Youth Group 6:00 P.M.

8:50 & 10:10 A.M.

Adult Forum Bible Study 8:50 A.M.

RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 23914 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248 SW CORNER OF ALMA SCHOOL & CHANDLER HEIGHTS ROADS

Phone: 480-895-6782 • Email: info@RSLCS.org • Website: www.RSLCS.org

www.SanTanSun.com

Send us your church, temple events Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@ SanTanSun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

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Arts

Three Dog Night concentrates on the hits

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

After 48 years in Three Dog Night, Danny Hutton knows what he likes when it comes to music. He’s quick to dole out advice to burgeoning bands as well as veterans.

“I personally don’t like it when I go see a band—especially a younger band—and they say, ‘We’re hip and we’re not going to cop out and do the hits. We’re going to do all new stuff,’” says Hutton during a recent phone interview. “I want to say, ‘Come on kid. We’ve been together almost 48 years.

We’ve seen it all.’”

That said, Three Dog Night is known for doing the hits like “Joy to the World” and “Shambala” during performances, which includes a Friday, Dec. 12, gig at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler.

“We’re going to do the hits—and sound like the record,” Hutton says. “We’re going to do a couple deep album cuts and a couple of new songs. Those are the songs where people can go to the bathroom.

It’s funny. It happens even with (Paul) McCartney.”

The new song to which he’s referring is the popular a cappella number “Prayer of the Children.”

“It’s all six of us,” he says. “You gotta concentrate on that one, boy.”

Three Dog Night’s music has stayed relevant thanks to horror movies by Rob Zombie, as well as the films “Forrest Gump,” “The Big Chill” and “Boogie Nights.” With his band the Danny Hutton Hitters, he contributed the song “Wouldn’t

THREE DOG NIGHT: Danny Hutton, center, is one of three singers in the iconic ‘70s band. Submitted photo

It Be Good” to the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack.

Hutton has imparted his knowledge to his sons, namely Dash, the drummer for the pop group Haim. His other son, Tim, worked with reggae singer Jimmy Cliff on the album “Rebirth.” Hutton loves to share stories about his band’s career.

“When we first played England, we did small clubs,” he shares. “I played in a club and I’d met a songwriter. They didn’t want to give us a lot of people for the guest list, so we snuck him in as one of our roadies.

He was Elton John or Reggie Dwight. We snuck in Reg.”

Born in Ireland, Hutton has no sign of an accent. Spending time in England as well, he was friends with Harry Nilsson.

“The apartment below him had a maid service and all that stuff,” he says. “Harry was crazy. I liked Harry a lot. I didn’t realize that Keith Moon died in his apartment and Cass (Elliot) died in his apartment.

He traveled a lot so people used to use it. Steve Marriott was downstairs. I was friends with Marc Bolan, too. Marc used to come over. It was crazy.”

Hutton explains that music hasn’t changed over the years, despite what others may say. The delivery of it has

December 6 – 19, 2014

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evolved, however.

“I get a kick out of looking at the charts at the back of Rolling Stone where they show No. 10, for example, just moved into the charts with 28,000 units sold,” he says.

“That is just such a joke. We are lucky enough to sell lots of records. I have a hallway full of gold and platinum records.

You had to sell a million, at least, to get those. But the reason I bring that up is you can still survive and do well doing live shows. The records are a calling card just so people can come and see you. If you’re a good live act, you’re going to do well.”

These days, Three Dog Night performs mostly one-nighters at venues that range in size from 1,500-seat former vaudeville theaters to outdoor summer festivals that attract around 35,000 fans.

“It’s different every night,” Hutton says.

“I love doing the hits though. I’ve got to tell you. Even if we go back to a city and it’s been a long time, 80 percent of the people are new. Just knowing that we’re going to get the reaction we’re going to get, it brings back a lot of good memories.

I’d rather do that than do new songs every night watching people say, ‘What the hell?’”

Three Dog Night performs at 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. Tickets are $35 to $79. For more information, call (800) WIN-GILA or visit www.wingilariver.com.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

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Arts

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Chandler well represented at Phoenix Festival of the Arts not what we create for, but it does make you feel pretty good at the end of the day that people like what you do.

You’re just doing what you love to do. If somebody likes it, it’s that much better.”

Benesh says that participation by artists and acts from the Valley— including those in Chandler—shows the diversity of the arts scene.

“It proves just how connected the arts scene is and the artists are,” he says.

“We have artists all over, including in Chandler. They’re important in the fabric of the arts and the culture scene that exists here in the Valley.”

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When Joseph Benesh took over as Phoenix Center for the Arts director in 2011, he asked the students what they wanted out of their annual arts sale.

“They said they wanted it bigger,” Benesh says. “I said, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’”

That evolved into the Phoenix Festival of the Arts, which, Benesh says, brings in more than 50 vendors and about 5,000 attendees. The numbers have steadily gone up since and art and music lovers, as well as foodies, can expect an even larger show.

“They’re (students) really happy to be part of a bigger festival,” Benesh says.

“It’s an opportunity for the city, and to showcase our local talent because Phoenix didn’t have its own signature arts festival. Every other city had one.

We have an internal mandate to be heavily local. Most of our vendors are local vendors. We focus on students and local students we have in the Valley.”

The festival is 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. For more information, visit http://phoenixfestivalofthearts.org/.

Chandler is well represented at this year’s Phoenix Festival of the Arts. Pop/ R&B singer Levi Waskom is among the entertainment, while Steve and Bonnie Harmston of Harmston Arts and Jen Becker of Molten Dragon Designs will be

SHOWCASING WORK: Steve Harmston and his wife, Bonnie, not pictured, will bring their silkscreen artwork to the Phoenix Festival of the Arts Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14.

Submitted photo

present.

Steve Harmston says the Phoenix Festival of the Arts is an important stop for him and his wife, who also participate in shows in Tempe, Scottsdale and Tubac.

“We travel from March to October,” he says. “When we’re home in the winter, that’s when we do our work.”

He earned a bachelor of fine arts in printmaking and has spent his career working as a commercial screen printer and printmaker. He has been creating hand-printed silkscreens for more than 25 years.

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His wife has a degree in marketing and began selling jewelry at art fairs with her aunt beginning in the 1970s before moving into a career of sales.

Harmston’s inspiration is simple.

“The response,” he says. “I just love doing it. There are plenty of things to be inspired by. It’s just something I kind of need to do.”

He and his wife have earned multiple awards, including best in show and best in printmaking. They are thrilled when they win.

“It justifies all the work,” Harmston says. “You do feel good about it. That’s

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

More information Can’t make it to the Phoenix Festival of the Arts? Here is information about the Chandler ties to the festival: • Steve and Bonnie Harmston, Harmston Arts: harmstonarts@gmail. com or www.harmstonarts.com.

• Jen Becker, Molten Dragon Designs: faiel@cox.net or www.moltendragon. com or www.moltendragondesigns. etsy.com.

• Levi Waskom: https://www. facebook.com/leviwaskom or https:// www.youtube.com/user/leviwaskom

Arts

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December 6 – 19, 2014

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Nail on ‘Fire’ since release of 2014 album

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Country singer David Nail is apologetic.

The one-time Taylor Swift opening act is calling late and driving through a car wash in his new ride.

“In case you hear doors slam or it gets a little loud, I apologize,” Nail says.

Free time has become a delicate balancing act for the 35-year-old performer. Since he released his 2014 album “I’m a Fire,” he headlined his own 15-plus city tour and was on the road with Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum. He is set to play Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

“This is without a doubt the most that we have worked in my career,” Nail says.

“Obviously, when you have a big song like we had with ‘Whatever She’s Got,’ the demand is going to increase. I’ve always been one of those people who probably my booking agent hated. I was always pressuring him about working more. If we’re playing Friday and Saturday, I would ask why we weren’t playing Thursday. They probably said, ‘We’re finally going to give David what he asks for.’ They definitely did.”

Nail explains he’s proud of how well “I’m a Fire” has done. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 13 on The Billboard 200, with 23,000 copies sold in the United States.

Sales have since reached more than

66,000.

“It’s been received really well,” he says.

“You don’t make records for those reasons.

It’s always good to have that on your side, I guess.”

For this collection, Nail decided it was time for a change; time to do something different.

“With every record, you’re at a different point in your life,” Nail says. “You’re drawn to different songs and different types of songs, different feels of songs. With this record, it was time for a change.

“I definitely was at a different place in my life personally and professionally.

Subconsciously the music became a reflection of that. I know for sure that it wasn’t some sort of conscious decision.”

Nail is at the “very, very beginning stages of thinking about the next record, which is a very scary thought, but at the same time I’m sure it’ll be different than the record we have out now.”

He’s surprised that the next record has crept up on him so quickly.

“People are always curious and intrigued about what’s next and what you have going on next,” he adds. “I think that’s a scary thought. You put so much effort and everything into this record. You have a tendency to relax, but take a step back and take a deep breath. You take a couple deep breaths and people are ready for whatever you have coming up.”

GRAND OLE OPRY: Days after wrapping his headlining “I’m a Fire Tour,” Grammy-nominated singer David Nail played the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Photo by Chris Hollo

The Ak-Chin Casino gig is a rare December show for Nail, who has visited Arizona often. He opened for Swift at Jobing.com Arena and played an intimate, private show at the opening of Longhorn Steakhouse in Mesa.

After his Maricopa show, he plans to take a break.

“The majority of December we will be off the road,” he says. “I’m learning how to be a husband again. My wife has no sympathy for me. With the exception of my car wash, I’m out running errands.

“For the first day or so, she let me lay around on the couch. Yesterday morning, though, I woke up to a list of things that

I have to do. This morning I have a list as well. I have to relearn some of the handy stuff around the house.”

David Nail performs outside of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort, 15406 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $25 to $45. For more information, call (480) 802-5000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or www. harrahsakchin.com/shows.html.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

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Arts

December 6 – 19, 2014

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Fox 10 weatherman McCloskey brings Scrooge to life

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

For years, Cory McCloskey dreamt of playing Ebenezer Scrooge, but he never believed he looked old enough to pull it off.

Despite that, the popular Fox 10 Arizona Morning weatherman decided to audition for the role in “A Christmas Carol” at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. He figured he would try out and leave the rest up to theater staff.

Apparently, they believed in him. He serves in the role in the “red” cast, while the “green” group features Mark Kleinman as Scrooge.

“I think people who know me from television will be shocked at how disgusting I look in this role,” McCloskey says.

“A Christmas Carol” runs Monday through Saturday until Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. There are 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances, as well as matinees at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Tickets range from $20 to $36 and can be purchased by visiting www.

HaleTheatreArizona.com.

“This has been a thrill and a half for me because I really haven’t thrown myself into a complete role in a show in 25 years,” McCloskey says. “I’m enjoying this so much.”

The role of Scrooge is nonstop.

He has to have the “pedal to the floor from scene one to the curtain because Scrooge is on the stage every

SCROOGE: Mark Kleinman and Cory McCloskey play Scrooge in Hale Centre Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” on stage through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Submitted photo

scene whether he is speaking or not,” McCloskey explains.

He enjoys playing the character because Scrooge evolves from being unpleasant to generous.

“The journey is rather grinding for

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him and for an actor, too,” McCloskey says.

His favorite moment in the play is when Scrooge sees himself as a young man in love. McCloskey describes the scene as heart-wrenching and powerful.

“I love doing it,” he says of the scene.

“It still hits me very hard every time.”

McCloskey explains “A Christmas Carol” is a special production because of the many magical moments.

The musical version of Dickens’ classic is full of special effects, stunning costumes, talented singers, dancers and actors.

“It is going to be an exciting show to see,” he says.

McCloskey recounts his journey of acting as that of a typical high school kid growing up in a small Pennsylvania town. After discovering he enjoyed musicals, he performed in his first community theater production of “Camelot” in his 20s.

“I was spotted there by a director of another theater, a dinner theater,” he explains. “She approached me and told me they needed a young man of my type for a few shows for their upcoming season. (She asked) would I be interested in coming on board and she said we would pay.”

That was a selling point for McCloskey. When he moved to Philadelphia, he was referred to a modeling agency, which led to an eightyear career.

“It was a city in the 1980s that had a few large, family-owned department stores that had enough work to keep a few men pretty busy,” he explains.

During that time, he traveled to New

www.SanTanSun.com York to audition for commercials and films.

“I had some moderate success,” McCloskey says. “I had a small role on a soap opera ‘Another World’ and sang some jingles.”

He also toured with a company that did children’s productions, all the while earning his Actors Equity Association card. Soon, his inspiration changed.

“We were sitting in the living room one night watching the evening news in Philadelphia and the weatherman came on,” he says. “I remember saying, ‘You know honey, I think I can do that job.’

The way (wife) Mary Jane is, she said, ‘Well call him up and see how he got his job.’”

The initial conversation with Philadelphia WPVI Channel 6 weatherman Dave Roberts turned into career move.

The couple moved to Illinois where McCloskey landed a part-time job, for which he learned how to work the camera. He then moved on to weatherman. He relocated to Arizona and has been a popular weatherman at Fox 10 Arizona for 13 years.

“The acting was just the best preparation, at least for me, for that job,” he says.

Arts

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Children’s Flute group gives free concert chorus to hold auditions for boys, girls The Phoenix Children’s Chorus will be holding auditions for boys and girls currently in second to 11th grade at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

The Phoenix Children’s Chorus is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 325 children. Twenty-seven percent of members are supported by a financial assistance program, funded through donations and concert admissions. The upcoming holiday concert is Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. Tickets start at $10.

For more information about the choir or auditions, or to purchase tickets, visit www.pcchorus.com.

Desert Echoes Flute Project—a flute choir program sponsored by the music department of Mesa Community College—is presenting “Peppermint Pop,” a free community concert, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa.

The DEF Project is based in the

Valley and includes commonly used C flutes and piccolos, as well as rare and unusual flutes such as contrabass, bass, alto and one of the largest collections of Eb Soprano flutes in Arizona.

For more information contact jeff@azfluteguy.com or visit www. defproject.org.

Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@santansun.com.

FANCY FLUTES: The Desert Echoes Flute Project brings together a wide variety of flutes in its specialized choir. Submitted photo

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December 6 – 19, 2014

Arts

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Arts

December 6 – 19, 2014

Choir brings Christmas ‘Tail’ running at VYT ‘Merry Little Christmas’ to Mesa The Chandler Children’s Choir is presenting its holiday performance, “A Merry Little Christmas Concert,” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, at the First United Methodist Church of Mesa, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa.

The choir will sing “Carol of the Bells,” “The Christmas Song” and even “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” for those who might rather say “bah humbug” to it all. They will also be performing “Let it Snow,” “Silver Bells” and “The Nutcracker...in About Three Minutes” as well as other favorite holiday tunes.

Admission is $10 and will help support the Chandler Children’s Choir.

Call (480) 699-9846 or visit www. chandlerchildrenschoir.org for tickets or more information.

Valley Youth Theatre continues its 26th anniversary season with its annual holiday production of “A Winnie-thePooh Christmas Tail,” running through Tuesday, Dec. 23.

This year marks the organization’s 19th year of presenting “Pooh,” as well as its 10th anniversary of collecting animals for Operation Noah, an effort that began in 2004 as a bar mitzvah project for Dennis Fries of Chandler.

Since then, more than 300,000 stuffed animals have been given to children admitted to hospitals or emergency rooms.

Fries graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in film and TV production and returned to the Valley with his own motion design and animation company.

With actors ranging in age from 6 (newcomer Ivon Staneva as Roo) to 18 (Brandon Reyes as Eeyore), the 15-member cast includes four young actors from Chandler and one each from Mesa, Paradise Valley and Waddell. Carly McClain, 16, reprises her 2012 role as Pooh and Caroline Wells returns from last season as the mama marsupial Kanga; both hail from Phoenix as do six others in the cast.

The musical follows the miserable gray donkey Eeyore who has lost his tail. Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet muster all of their friends in the Hundred-Acre Wood to help find it.

The play is based on stories by A.A. Milne and music and lyrics are by James W. Rodgers, who also adapted the Frank

Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life” into a musical.

Tickets start at $20 and are available by calling the box office at (602) 2538188, ext. 2 or online at www.vyt.com.

The theater is located at 525 N. First St., Phoenix, In other VYT news, the organization has announced the last two productions in its 2014-15 season: “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” in April at VYT and “Into the Woods” in June at the Herberger Theater Center.

The shows join “Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 22, to round out the season.

The performance of “Flat Stanley” coincides with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the book series, and VYT is going all out for the production.

“This isn’t the junior version seen at schools,” says Bobb Cooper, producing artistic director. “It’s one that features music written for more mature voices like those heard in VYT productions.”

The theater company received recognition this year when National Youth Arts Awards recognized four VYT performers as Outstanding Lead Actors or Actresses in a Musical (“Shrek the Musical”) and two Outstanding Supporting Actresses in a Musical (“Seussical the Musical”) during the 2014 Western Regional Ceremony Sept 7.

“Into the Woods” was also booked to coincide with the work’s larger impact.

“The film version is scheduled to

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open this Christmas,” says Cooper.

“So we’re hoping to lasso some of that momentum after it comes out on DVD in early 2015 and introduce the live musical version to a whole new audience.”

The “Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” is based on the children’s book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown and features lyrics by Timothy Allen McDonald and Jonathan K. Waller; music by Waller, McDonald, David Weinstein and Stephen Gabriel and musical book by McDonald, who is known for his work on such productions as “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach.”

“Into the Woods” features Tony Award-winning music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a musical book

by James Lapine. Both men collaborated on the Broadway productions of “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Passion.”

Auditions for “Flat Stanley” are Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Wednesday, Feb. 11. Auditions for “Into the Woods” Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15. However, audition dates are subject to change. Interested performers are encouraged to check www.vyt.com/onstage/auditions for any updates.

Tickets go on sale for “Flat Stanley” Monday, Feb. 2, and for “Into the Woods” Monday, March 30.

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‘Nutcracker’ comes to Queen Creek for the second year

‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ brings hijinks, holiday lessons

East Valley-based Brooksher Ballet is putting on its performance of “The Nutcracker” Friday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 21, at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, 22149 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek.

Audiences are invited to join Clara as her nutcracker comes to life. She joins a battle between toy soldiers and giant rats, frolics with the Snow Queen in the Land of the Snow and dances with the Sugar Plum Fairy on an adventure to the Kingdom of Sweets.

Directed by Joshua and Natasha Brooksher, Brooksher Ballet’s mission is to bring the highest level of training in classical dance to their students. A Mesa native, Joshua left home at 13 to pursue the level of training that would eventually lead to his international performing career. Upon retirement, he returned home with his wife to create the training he sought as a student. The Brookshers bring a unique expertise and the experience of 30 years of training and performing to aspiring dancers.

Brooksher Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” is presented through an unprecedented collaboration of five local Arizona dance schools.

The collaboration brings together organizations that typically compete against one another, to provide local students the opportunity to participate

The East Valley Children’s Theatre is presenting “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” for the holidays, with show times Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, as well as Thursday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa.

Thursday through Saturday shows begin at 4 p.m.; Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. The Dec. 7 performance will have American Sign Language interpretation.

Based on the bestselling book, this delightful comedy is a modern American

in a production that emulates those seen on professional stages. Brooksher Ballet has an eclectic cast of more than 100 talented local students, many of whom are from Gilbert and Queen Creek.

Guest artists Sara Ezzell and August Generalli from Ellison Ballet in New York will be performing the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

In 2013, its inaugural year, Brooksher Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” was praised for its festive music, lavish sets and costumes, wonderful choreography and the passion and excitement of the performers; for a magical and exciting performance for audience members of all ages.

Brooksher Ballet is preparing an abridged version of the production for the Queen Creek school district as well as local assisted living and special needs facilities, which will be presented free of charge at 9:30 am Friday, Dec. 19.

Public performances begin Friday, Dec. 19, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 21, at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center located at 22149 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek.

Tickets are available at Queen Creek Performing Arts Box Office, by calling (480) 987-SHOW (7469) or online at www.aznutcracker.com.

classic. In the warm and enchanting tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids—possibly the most misbehaved kids in history. Mayhem and fun collide when the Herdmans meet the Christmas story head-on.

Equal parts touching and silly, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is great family entertainment for the holidays.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $11 for 17 and younger. Call the box office at (480) 644-6500 or order tickets online at www. evct.org.

HOLIDAY WITH THE HERDMANS: In “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” presented by the East Valley Children’s Theatre, the Herdman kids throw a wrench in everyone’s holiday plans—and teach everyone lessons about the meaning of the season. Submitted photo NOW OFFERING CARDIO CLASSES WITH MEMBERSHIP: ZUMBA, KICKBOXING, BOOTY BUST!

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hanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Law, A.R.S. 43-1088, you may be able to designate a donation to Chandler/Gilbert Arc and receive a tax credit.

[The working poor tax credit is in addition to the education tax credits… you can take advantage of both tax credits in the same year.]

Chandler/Gilbert Arc has been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the East Valley since 1975, and provides community living, employment and day treatment and training opportunities daily.

For tax year 2014, contributions up to $400 may earn dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Arizona Income Tax return. Taxpayers filing as single or unmarried head of household have a maximum credit amount of $200; married taxpayers filling jointly have a $400 maximum credit.

Check to see if your employer will match your donation! http://doublethedonation.com/cgarc If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity; please make your check payable to:

Chandler/Gilbert Arc Charitable Tax Fund 3250 N. San Marcos Place Chandler, AZ 85225-7789 For your convenience, you make your donation on our website:

www.cgarc.org We also accept Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

Please contact Barbara or Toni at (480) 892-9422 Chandler/Gilbert Arc is an IRS Section 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and is a qualifying charitable organization registered with the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Contact the Arizona DOR at (602) 255-3381, or visit www. revenue.state.az.us

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Arts

www.SanTanSun.com

ON STAGE “Captain Jack’s Space Attack,” Sat., Dec. 6, S55. Space 55’s late-night show returns with more of the adventures of Captain Jack and his band as they explore the galaxy after the destruction of Earth in the year 3013.

“Rejoice and Sing!,” Sat., Dec. 6, and Sun., Dec. 7, SDC. Be a part of this annual tradition as the audience is invited to join the chorale in singing carols to celebrate the joys of the holiday season.

“Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Tour,” Tues., Dec. 9, MAC. Melissa Etheridge, who has won Academy and Grammy awards, will perform songs from her new album, “This is M.E.,” as well as hits like “Come to My Window,” “I’m The Only One” and “I Want to Come Over.” Etheridge will share personal stories about her remarkable journey and the inspiration behind her songs.

With Alexander Cardinale.

“The SnowCat,” Sat., Dec. 13, CCA. An original musical production by flugelhornist and composer Dmitri Matheny, “The SnowCat” is the heartwarming tale of a little girl’s search for her wandering white cat on a chilly afternoon.

“Mythbusters: Behind the Myths,” Tues., Dec. 16, MAC. Jamie Hyneman

December 6 – 19, 2014

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ON STAGE VENUE INDEX and Adam Savage are back at it again with the return of their popular tour.

Their new show promises to be an outrageous evening of entertainment featuring brand new on-stage experiments, behind-the-scenes stories and some all-time favorites.

“Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014,” Wed., Dec. 17, MAC. Dave Koz makes a visit on his Christmas tour, bringing with him guitar and vocalist, Jonathan Butler, singer songwriter ’80s hit man Christopher Cross and rhythm and blues great Maysa.

Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet, Fri., Dec. 19, and Sat., Dec. 20, DS. The Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet cast features dancers from all around the Valley.

“A Bloody Mary Christmas,” through Sun., Dec. 21, S55. A holiday musical for people who hate the holidays and musicals. Sun City retirees Blanche, Bertha and Mabel sing, dance and drink themselves silly as they battle a heartless homeowner’s association that tries to evict them from their condo on Christmas Eve. “An Irish Christmas,” Sat., Dec. 20, MAC. This popular show features dancing through the generations

over brooms and on half doors, performances of “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Carol of the Bells,” music of the pipes, flutes, fiddles, button accordion and more.

Zoppé Family Circus, Thurs., Dec. 26, to Sun., Jan. 4, CCA. The circus comes to town as the Zoppé family, which has been performing for 170 years and six generations, brings this intimate one-ring circus to Chandler Center for the Arts’ West Lawn.

“Escape to the Orient,” Wed., Dec. 31, MDN. Swedish Grammy-nominated music producer and DJ Adrian Lux, known for his single track hit “Teenage Crime,” as well as “Can’t Sleep,” “Damaged” and “Wild Child” will perform hits at this New Year’s Eve celebration.

“Paula Poundstone’s New Year’s Eve,” Wed., Dec. 31, MAC. Paula Poundstone, known from television, radio, stages across the country—and as a regular panelist on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me...”—helps audiences celebrate New Year’s Eve with laughter.

Fab Four, Fri., Jan. 16, MAC. The ultimate tribute band pays homage to The Beatles.

CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org DS—Dance Studio 111 4910 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 706-6040, www.dancestudio111.com MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www.mesaartscenter.com MDN—Maya Day + Nightclub 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: www.MayaClubAZ.com, www.sletickets.com S55—Space 55 636 E. Pierce St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 663-4032, www.space55.org SDC—Sonoran Desert Chorale First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa and Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley Tickets: (480) 305-4538, www.sonorandesertchorale.org

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December 6 – 19, 2014

Arts

www.SanTanSun.com

The Nelsons celebrate Christmas at Higley Center

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Much like Christmas, the Nelsons have the ability to evoke feelings of a simpler time.

The family members have been entertainment mainstays since the 1950s.

Ozzie and Harriet starred in TV’s “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” along with their sons Rick and David Nelson.

A third generation of performers, twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, scored hits in the 1990s, including “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection.”

Fond memories abound in the Nelson twins’ upcoming holiday concert, “Christmas with the Nelsons Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson,” at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

“There were a lot of things that happened when I was a kid, as far as Christmas was concerned, that were indelible,” Matthew Nelson says. “When Ozzie was still around and I was quite young, everybody...the entire family... would congregate at Ozzie and Harriet’s house in Hollywood.”

It’s the same home the famous couple had for 40 years and the one featured in the exterior shots of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”

“I remember walking in there and the checkerboard floor…we’d take our shoes off and slide in on our socks,” Matthew recalls. “The cousins would come and Rick and Dave and the wives and there was a huge feast. We’d watch Christmas

movies on the television. It was one of those things that no matter who was bickering or whatever, there was none of that at that house at that time. It felt like heaven, really.”

Christmas has also taken on new meaning for Matthew, who has an infant son named Ozzie, and Gunnar who recently married and takes on the role of father to his wife’s three daughters.

“Christmas is going to be very different for us now and not as lonely as it was. It feels the way that it did when I was a kid.”

Matthew says.

“Christmas with the Nelsons Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson” is a multimedia live concert event that combines harmonies, comedic moments, fun stories and video clips that span the decades, plus heartwarming memories that the Nelson brothers will share about their family.

The show will include Christmas standards performed with a Nelson twist.

The set will also feature their hits and some of their father’s trademark songs.

“We’re definitely going to integrate a little bit of our contemporary stories, videos and pictures and show where the family is headed,” Matthew explains.

The Nelsons also have Arizona ties.

Gunnar Nelson recently married a woman from Higley.

“The way I look at being married and blessed with three beautiful daughters—it is what was missing in my life,” explains

CHRISTMAS WITH THE NELSONS: “Christmas with the Nelsons Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson” comes to Higley Center for the Performing Arts 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12. Submitted photo

Gunnar, in a separate interview. “Not only in my normal life, but in my life as an artist and as a songwriter.”

He notes that his wife was a fan of the Nelsons’ first album, “After the Rain,” released in the 1990s.

“I always knew I was writing my songs for somebody and now I know who I was writing all those songs for,” Gunnar says.

Matthew, too, enjoys Arizona.

“I used to race cars and I’ve been out at PIR (Phoenix International Raceway) quite a bit. It’s a good place to go if you’re

into fast things.”

His best friend also was married at The Phoenician, “I remember we blew that place up for three days,” he quips.

Gunnar notes how much he loves the Higley Center for the Arts venue and one other special place.

“My family’s favorite place in the world is San Tan Flat,” Gunnar says. “I think every town needs a San Tan Flat.

A place where you can go and light a fire, toast marshmallows, hang out with friends and listen to good music is A-OK in my book,” he says.

“I want to share with people what life is like in the Nelson home at Christmas and what it’s always been like,” states Gunnar of the Christmas show. “Christmas is the sacred holiday for the Nelson family. It doesn’t matter how busy everybody is, where they are or what they’ve been doing. No one works in the Nelson family on Christmas. They drop what they’re doing, come back to ground zero and get together.”

“Christmas with the Nelsons Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson” is 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert. Tickets $34 to $60.20 and available by calling (480) 279-7194 or at www.higleyarts.org.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com

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A group of local business representatives and owners committed to development of local businesses in the Greater Chandler Area. Providing a forum for local businesses to promote themselves. We also work with and promote several non-profit organizations. Each member is required to assist or fund a non-profit organization as a show of support to our community. chandleralliance@gmail.com

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PAINTING

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Mention This Ad to Receive 5% OFF!

Gail’s Pet Sitting Service PROVIDING LOVING CARE FOR YOUR PETS IN THEIR HOME

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Your Quality Repaint Specialist

Your house will look better after we're done than it did brand new!

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• FREE initial meet and greet • Daily dog walks and play • Retrieving mail, plant care and more • Senior discounts

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Plumbing • Re-Pipes • Water Heaters Faucets: $69 Toilets: $69 Garbage Disposals: $69 and More!

We also specialize in: Tubs/Shower Remodels Starting at $495

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ROOFING

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PAINTING

Tile, Shingles, Flat, Walk-Decks

ROOFING SERVICES

Beyond Pool Cleaning IX LLC

Husband/Wife Team Owner Operator • Pool/Spa Service We honor • Cleaning and Repair competitor • Equipment Installation coupons for • Certified Pool first time Operator customers.

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PAINTING

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FREE Press!

GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED Go to: www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Submit a News Release”

www.SanTanSun.com

Readers Notice: Under Arizona Law, all residential and commercial contractors are required to be licensed by the state unless they fall under the handyman exemption for projects which require no building permit and are less than $750 for the total contract price. In addition, homeowners using licensed residential contractors may have access to the Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund, if the contractor is unable and/or unwilling to perform the job and if alternative dispute resolutions available through the Registrar are unsuccessful.

For more info or to verify the license status of an Arizona contractor call 602-542-1525 or visit http://www.rc.state.az.us.

Publisher’s Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preference limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Classifieds MOVERS

ALTERATIONS

IN OR OUT MOVERS

ALTERATIONS:

Professional, hard working, excellent service. No hidden fees. Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley. www.inoroutmoversphoenixmetro.com or www.moverschandleraz.com Call Terry at 602-653-5367.

Women’s and Men’s Attire, from mending to Bride’s Maid dress to Suits. 20+ years of experience, located on Chandler/Gilbert border.

Rush service available. Call Denise 480-794-0400 for appointment.

PLUMBING SanTan Sun News ONLINE Classified Ads www.SanTanSun.com Each ad starts at $22 plus Chandler tax per issue Special: Buy 3, get 4th for free for only $66 You get up to 50 words - more than other classifieds!

All classified ads entered online by the customer. Choose from a variety of options and other attention-getting online icons. Your online ad will be published on the website within two business days of your submission ~ and it will also appear in the printed version of the paper as well (“start date” refers to next newspaper distribution day; format of the printed ad will vary). All on secure, encrypted and SSL secured sites for your protection. All sales final. Questions? Phone: 480-732-0250; Email: Classifieds@SanTanSun.com

EMPLOYMENT HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Join our BFIT Family! BFIT4LIFE Boot Camps and Group Training, located in Chandler, is growing and needs to add more classes! We are currently looking for experienced Boxing Instructors, Personal Trainers/Group FIT Instructors, Massage Therapists. Must be enthusiastic about helping others with their health/ fitness goals, experienced with Certifications, references available upon request. Email us at bfit4lifebootcamps@cox.net & visit us at www.bfit4lifebootcamp.com

HEALTH/ NATURAL PRODUCTS HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENT OR BUY from the warehouse. Portable Oxygen Units, CPAP, Wheelchairs, Power Mobility, Hospital Beds, Breast Pumps, Bath Safety, Ramps, Hip Kits, Air Mattresses, Nutrition. www.easymedicalstore.com at division of Diamond Medical Equipment 1324 N. Farrell Court 102 Gilbert AZ. 85233 480-926-4363

ROOFING THE ROOF MEDICS Residential/Commercial. Repairs and Reroofing. Tile, Shingles, Flat, WalkDecks. Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

ROC #256001, K-42. 480-284-7338. www.theroofmedics.com

FLOORING GIL SIERRA TILE LLC

PLUMBING MEDIC LOCAL PLUMBING COMPANY. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Call a Plumber who cares. No Job Too Big Or Too Small. Free Estimates available in Gilbert & Chandler area. Mention SanTan Sun News for an Additional Discount at Time of Service, Guaranteed! 480-734-1745.

Licensed Contractor, ROC257806.

20 x 20 porcelain tile installed $3.74 per square foot. Includes labor, tile and materials. Thirty years industry experience. Guaranteed quality tile and installation. Other tiles available by appointment. Licensed, Bonded, General Liability, and Workmen’s Comp.

Work completed by employees not independent contractors.

ROC 290951 Gil 480-821-1927

ASAP HOME SERVICES

PEST CONTROL

PLUMBING, REPIPES, INSTALLATIONS. Family Owned and Operated providing fast, dependable & honest services in Chandler/Gilbert and the entire East Valley for the past 15 years. Our commitment is to provide Professional, Honest & affordable service on every job. WE OFFER ALL TYPES OF PLUMBING WORK. FREE ON-SITE ESTIMATES. Faucets $69 - Toilets $69 - Garbage Disposals $69 - WE ALSO SPECIALIZE IN BATH TUB REMODELS STARTING AT $495. 50 Gallon Gas Water Heater with Installation - $598. 50 Gallon Electric Water Heater with Installation - $497.

We also offer a Tankless Water Heater with Installation - $2485 Final Price.

Same day installs on all plumbing work available. Will also beat any written quote from competitor by 10%. Call for more info 480-800-7611. Service available 7 days per week - no additional charge for weekends.

VARSITY TERMITE & PEST CONTROL Termite and Pest Control. Home Sealing. Residential and Commercial.

Over 22 years of experience.

AZ License #8918 Tony 602-757-8252. tony.varsity@yahoo.com www.varsitytermiteandpestcontrol.com

TRANSPORTATION AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION Black-Car/SUV service to both airports.

We are “legal” and have been in business since 1995.

Visit Southwest Sedan Service at: www.swsedan.net 602-481-0894

HOME REPAIRS GARY’S HANDYMAN SERVICES

ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER CHANDLER/GILBERT *$50.00 OFF with this ad* *NO SERVICE CHARGE* 110% Guarantee*/OWNER OPERATED Small & Large REPAIRS 24/7 Slab leak, water main, hot water heaters, & sewer repair specialist. Water softening specialist, water filters, and reverse osmosis. 100 year warranty on parts & labor.* BBB A+ Rating. BBB Ethics Award Winner. Chandler Chamber of Commerce Employer of Choice Award. *Call for details.

480-726-1600

ELECTRICAL OHERREN ELECTRIC Our Work is Our Advertising!

Electrical Contracting. Service, Repair, Troubleshooting. Certified Apprenticeship Trained.

BBB Accredited Business.

A+BBB Rating. MasterCard, Visa.

ROC K-11160755 480-855-1403.

Experienced Home Repairs.

Includes: Ceiling Fans, Lighting, Picture Hanging, Some Carpentry, Plumbing, Drywall (minor), Painting (minor), Sink Stoppages, Water Back Flow, Sprinkler Valves. Most all home repairs. All Honey-Do Lists. For prompt, clean and reasonable services, please call Gary at Cell 714-412-1762 or Phone 480-699-8574

FOX HOME MAINTENANCE-REPAIR IN THE EAST VALLEY Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

ROC 243297 - Licensed AZ contractor that does: General Handyman Repair - Doggie Door Installation (doors and walls) - Electrical (Minor) - Plumbing (Minor) - Irrigation Repairs - Drywall Repairs - Stucco Repairs - Door & Trim - and more!

Specializing in “The Small Job” Gerald Fox, owner, 480-278-5529. foxhome@q.com Please see website: www.foxhomemaintenance.com

December 6 – 19, 2014

OLD FASHIONED HOME CARE Quality Home Repairs and Installations, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry.

No Job is Too Small!

35 years experience.

Unlicensed, not required by law.

Bob White 480-963-0707.

MIGHTY MEN MAINTENANCE Painting Interior/Exterior, Drywall & Stucco Repair, General Home Repair, All Carpentry/Trim, Remodel, Electric/Plumbing (Minimal), Small Welding Jobs.

Licensed/Insured.

40 Years Experience.

Call Dan 480-371-5531

ALL HONEY-DO LISTS! General Handyman Services.

One Call, We Do It All! Owner does all work. Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. ROC 118198.

S&I General Contracting, Inc. Steve 602-339-4766.

POOL SERVICES BEYOND POOL CLEANING IX LLC Husband/Wife Team - Owner Operator.

Pool/Spa Service, Cleaning and Repair, Equipment Installation, Certified Pool Operator, Member IPSSA. East Valley Specialists.

480-369-4540 www. BeyondPoolCleaning.com Many references Available.

Licensed/Bonded/Insured ROC#283791

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APPLIANCE REPAIR TIP | TOP APPLIANCE REPAIR Providing quality service and repair on all major brands of Washers, Driers, Refrigerators, Ovens, Microwaves and Dishwashers.

We provide a full 1 year warranty on all repairs. Certified, Licensed, Insured. Visit us at www.gototiptop.com.

For service call: 480-907-4080.

HOME SERVICES GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS Family Owned with 33 years EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures. Install new one or repair what you have, insulated units, window glass, mirrors, patio door glass, table tops to protect table.

QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates.

WESLEY’S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113, wesleysglass.com.

A2Z GARAGE DOOR SERVICES, LLC Honest, Reliable and Simply the Best!

Family Owned and Operated.

7 days a week/24 Hour Emergency Service. Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

ROC243721. AFFORDABLE - Price Match Any Licensed Competitor.

ANY make or model of Door/Opener.

Spring Replacement.

FREE Safety Inspection. $50 OFF ANY REPAIR. CALL 480-361-9700.

DM POOL SERVICE AND ESTATE MAINTENANCE. Owner Operator. Weekly Pool Service.

Equipment Repair. Filter Clean (all types). Household Repairs.

Landscape Lighting. Many Other Services. $25 towards 1st Service or Repair. 480-295-2617.

MyGoToPoolGuy.com

HENNESSY POOLS LLC Tile Cleaning/Acid Wash.

Vacation Service.

Weekly Service & Repair.

Filter Clean (All Types).

Salt Systems.

Sand Change.

Green Pool Fix. FREE Estimates.

Insured. $40 OFF Service, Repair or Filter Clean with Mention of this Ad. hennessypoolcare@yahoo.com www.hennessypools.com 480-577-2719 Member of Home Advisor.

DRYWALL ALL-STAR DRYWALL & PAINTING Hang, tape, match all textures, popcorn removal water damage repairs, interior, exterior painting and much more. 30 years experience.

ROC # 262737. Free estimates.

Call 602-743-6209.

DRAPERIES & MORE Specializing in custom window treatments: Draperies, valances, cornices, bedding, pillows and sew much more.

From fabrics to drapery hardware to installation, let this be your one stop shop. For a free consultation call: Tracy Marquez 480-895-2094 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! **I accept VISA, MC **

E. Z. ELECTRIC SERVICE RETIRED ELECTRICIAN. SMALL JOBS WANTED. ALL WORK TO CODE. I SHOW UP! 480-406-3610

HOUSE CLEANING HOUSE CLEANING The lowest prices in the valley.

We provide all cleaning supplies.

10 years experience. Trustworthy and dependable. We pay attention to details. Excellent references.

Call Vicky 480-227-1890.

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HOUSE CLEANING

MAGIC TOUCH CARPET CLEANING

AFFORDABLE AND ECO FRIENDLY

Deep Steam Cleaning of Carpeting, Area Rugs, Tile/Grout & Upholstery for residential and commercial. Carpet stretching and hot water pressure washing also available. Expect quality service with no hidden fees.

Steam cleaning of baseboards included.

We are locally-owned in Chandler.

Call for an estimate at 480-370-3333.

WINTER SPECIAL! $25 OFF 1st Service.

House Cleaning Services. Residential and Commercial Cleaning.

Move-In/Out. Window and Carpet Cleaning. Organization: closets, cabinets, garages and more!

20 years of experience. Impeccable references. Business owned and operated. Same Day Services available.

Member of BBB. Licensed. Bonded.

Insured. Alert Cleaning Services, Inc. Ecoquality Cleaning Every Time! www.alertcleaning.com olga@alertcleaning.com 480-786-3838

CLEAN CASA CLEANING SERVICES Reliable house cleaning done right the 1st time!! One-time, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, move-in/move-out, etc.

Same 2 person crew every time at your house! We bring all our own supplies and equipment. Will customize.

References. Take $10 off your first cleaning. Call today!

Amy 602-284-3579.

PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING 35 Years Experience - 20 years in the Valley. Free estimates, local references.

Move-out cleaning services available.

All work done by non-smoking meticulous owner.

Call Shirley 480-433-4945

SIMPLY GRAND CLEANING SERVICES House cleaning specialists offering weekly, biweekly, monthly, or one time cleanings. Also providing move in/out cleaning service, windows and patios.

We only use GREEN environmentally friendly products. High quality services at a great price. Very dependable, insured and with excellent references. $10 off first service with mention of this ad. Call for free estimate.

Gary or Sheri, 480-802-1992. www.simplygrandcleaningaz.com

CARPET CLEANING MUSTANG CARPET & TILE CLEANING Carpet, Tile & Grout, and Upholstery Cleaning. Family owned, truck-mounted steam cleaning. We offer 1/2 hour appt time frame, so no waiting around.

We include pre-spraying, mild deodorizer and degreasers for high traffic areas at no charge. Member BBB with A rating! “We clean like it’s our own”!

480-688-3003.

BIG JOHN’S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning. For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311. John Downs, Owner/Operator, Ocotillo Resident.

Call for monthly specials.

www.SanTanSun.com

Classifieds

December 6 – 19, 2014

WINDOW CLEANING JOHN’S WINDOW CLEANING 1-story=$115; 2-story=$135.

Price includes removing all screens, cleaning windows, inside and out, with screens replaced. Screens cleaned $2.50 each. Sunscreens and rescreening. Same day service.

Call 480-201-6471.

“MOM WAS RIGHT” Appearance Counts! PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING Detailed service and tidy inside your home!

1 story-$85 2 story-$125 - up to 35 panes. Price includes inside and out.

Screens cleaned $2 each. Pressure washing and fixture cleaning also available. 15 years of accumulated references! CALL RON at 480-584-1643.

FISH WINDOW CLEANING let us do the work, your windows and screens will look great: WINDOWS, SUNSCREENS, TRACKS, Mirrors, Ceiling Fans and Power Washing driveways, sidewalks and patios.

Call 480-962-4688 now to secure your spot on the FALL cleaning schedule.

Accredited Member BBB

SQUEEGEE CLEAN Monsoon season is over - time to clean your windows and screens, let us do it for you. We’re famous for meticulous and neat workmanship.

6 years experience. We will wash a mirror for FREE if you call this week.

Ask for $99 special.

(248) 719-9280

PAINTING SERVICES SAGEBRUSH PAINT CO. We are your Sun Lakes premium painters with competitive pricing for all of your Interior and Exterior painting needs. We were established in 1989 and love what we do. We are an Accredited BBB member.

We also do Venetian Plaster finishes, Power washing, epoxy floors, and wood staining.

Licensed Bonded and Insured.

ROC 146231 www. Sagebrushpaintco.com Please call Doug for your free Estimate We accept credit cards 602-373-6306

EAST VALLEY PAINTERS

A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE

Voted #1 Repaint Specialists!

Clean, Friendly Crews. Interior/Exterior.

Drywall Repairs. Textures.

Concrete Staining. Pool Deck Coatings.

Garage Floors. Free Estimates.

All Credit Cards Accepted.

ROC 153131. 480-688-4770

17 years experience repairing valves, drip systems, wire troubleshooting, timers. All Repairs! Honest and Reliable.

East Valley Native. Call and Compare Prices! 602-826-4717. www. AplusSprinklerRepair.com

SPRINKLER & DRIP REPAIRS A CUT ABOVE PAINTING, LLC Your quality repaint specialist.

Interior/Exterior. Epoxy Floors.

Roof Coatings. Stained Concrete.

New Construction. FREE ESTIMATES! References available. Owner will be on job. Commercial/Residential.

30 years experience.

Licensed-Bonded-Insured ROC 257167. MENTION this ad to receive 5% OFF! 480-244-9119

Aqua Masters. System Check-Ups, Troubleshooting, Repairs, Maintenance, Leak Detection, Low Pressure, Valves, Timers, Heads, System-Add-ons.

Call 480-478-0073.

30 YRS EXPERIENCE. AquaMastersAz.com

VILLAGE PAINTING - Interior/exterior painting -drywall patches and texture matched - faux finishes. Small jobs welcome.

Call for a free estimate. 35 years in the Valley! ROC# 069679 - 480-814-1588. www.villagepaintingaz.com

LANDSCAPING

WE DO INSERTS!

KUTTINGEDGE LANDSCAPE A Professional and Reliable Maintenance company. Contact us for weekly and biweekly service, one time clean ups, weed control, tree work and more. Call Rick for a free estimate 480-250-6608 or email Kuttingedgelandscape@cox.net and Visit www.kuttingedgelandscape.com.

Contact SanTan Sun News for details.

480-732-0250 email:ads@SanTanSun.com

LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION We are a full service landscape construction company. We have been in business for over 10 years and have designed and installed thousands of yards. Everything from pavers, sod, rock, concrete curbing, artificial turf, irrigation systems, landscape lighting, concrete, masonry work including outdoor kitchens, firepits and fireplaces. Our quality and pricing is hard to beat. If you already have an estimate from another company, call to see if we can beat it. For a free estimate call Tom at 480-436-2337. Licensed, bonded and Insured.

FREE PRESS! GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED Go to: www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Submit a News Release”

AZ HOME & LAWN SERVICES Complete lawn maintenance including yard clean ups and hauling, sprinkler repair, dethatching, tree trimming, installation. English speaking, reliable and free estimate. Valley wide.

We accept most major credit cards.

480-200-9598

INGALLINA LANDSCAPE MAINT. LLC Father and Son Landscape Maintenance. local residents, 15 yrs experience. English speaking, fast response, professional service. *WEEKLY, *BI WEEKLY, *MONTHLY SERVICE, *ONE TIME CLEANUPS, *STORM DAMAGE SERVICE, *HAULING SERVICES, Rates start at $25/wk. call Gerard 480-510-1391 for a free and courteous estimate. email gerardingallina@gmail.com

ADVERTISING THAT WORKS! BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADS Four ads for only: $115 + Tax Contact SanTan Sun News for details.

480-732-0250 email: ads@SanTanSun.com

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December 6 - 19, 2014

Where to Eat

www.SanTanSun.com

BUY A NOODLE -or- RICE BOX and

GET ONE FREE! *Of equal or lesser value.

Valid until 1-31-2015 at Wok Box Arizona locations only. One coupon per person.

Not redeemable for cash. Not valid with other promotions.

Present at time of order. WBAZ03-0714-01

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HOLIDAY CHEER IN A NEW YORK MINUTE!

STEAK • SEAFOOD • CHOPS • WINE • COCKTAILS Serving Midwestern CAB beef in Wisconsin for over 29 years.

Now serving it in Chandler for over 4 years.

Complete Holiday Dinners for Dine-in or To-Go* Holiday Cookies & Pastries Custom Catering • Party & Gift Trays

FREE $10 GIFT CARD** **With the Purchase of $50 in Chompie’s Gift Cards Online at www.CHOMPIES.com or any Chompie’s.

Offer ends 12/31/14. Free gift card valid after 1/1/15.

Gift cards and Chompie's Rewards not valid for catering.

Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Christmas Day 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US!

Serving Walleye or Perch

*Visit www.CHOMPIES.com

480-398-3008

VALLEY-WIDE CUSTOM CATERING

480-348-CATR(2287)

E. Queen Creek Rd.

S. Gilbert Rd.

AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE CUISINE

★

Crispy Egg Rolls and Freshly Made Spring Rolls Grilled Dishes over Rice, or Vermicelli “Pho”– Beef Noodle Soup, Also Serving Traditional Noodle Soups: Spicy Beef, Crab Meat, or Seafood

Book your holiday party now!

Prime Rib Saturdays

For Special Holiday Menus & to Register for Chompie’s Rewards

Phoenix • Scottsdale • Tempe • Chandler

Open 7 Nights A Week!

FRIDAY FISH FRY

As seen on the Travel Channel’s Man V. Food

3481 W. Frye Rd.

Just S. Chandler Fashion Center

www.SanTanSun.com

Where to Eat

December 6 - 19, 2014

ASK ABOUT OUR NEW 18 FOR $6 HAPPY HOUR MENU

98 S. San Marcos • Chandler • 480-899-4400 • www.dc-steakhouse.com

35,000

10%OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE!

Total Circulation Monthly

www.Clipit.biz

• Coupons online • Local shops • You save! www.Clipit.biz

3140 S. Gilbert Rd., Ste. 1 | Chandler | 480-802-5356 Expires 1-15-14

Friends and Family It’s that time of year!

Locally owned and operated by Chandler Residents

Happy Hour Daily 2 - 6:30 p.m. • 480.907.5893

Weddings, Corporate Events and Holiday Parties 3751 S Clubhouse Drive Chandler, AZ 85248

480.917.6660 OcotilloGolf.com

www.SanTanSun.com

Where to Eat

December 6 - 19, 2014

CHRISTMAS EVE $28 3-COURSE MENU

expires 12-31-2014

SALAD

Choose One: House or Caesar

ENTREE

Choose One: 12 oz. Prime Rib, Grilled Salmon or 1/2 Grilled Chicken & 1/2 Rack Ribs with two sides

DESSERT

Choose One: Brownie Sundae, Bread Pudding or Bacon Pecan Pie

New Year’s Eve

BASH! • SPECIAL DINNER MENU • CHAMPAGNE TOAST • LIVE MUSIC —NO COVER CHARGE— 135 W. Ocotillo Rd. • Chandler • Arizona Ave. and Ocotillo Rd.

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS (480) 895-7673 (ROSE)

Alma School & Queen Creek 480-726-9015

Arizona Ave. & Ocotillo 480-802-0440

Gilbert & Germann 480-786-4577

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Where to Eat

December 6 - 19, 2014

KIDS EAT FREE TUESDAYS

15 HD TVs!

CopperStillMoonshineGrill.com

CATCH ALL YOUR COLLEGE AND NFL GAMES HERE NFL Sunday Ticket • Pac-12 / BTN / SEC / CBSC

HAPPY HOUR

Monday - Friday 3 to 7 p.m.

Monday Night

FREE Texas Hold ’em Tourney, 7 p.m. $50 CASH TO WINNER!

Friday Night Team Trivia, 8 p.m.

HEATED PATIO SEATING WITH TVs!

20% OFF

BUY ONE LUNCH GET ONE

GIFT CARDS: 1ST, 2ND, 3RD PLACE WINNERS

GIFT CARD PURCHASE

FREE!

Saturday Night

of $25 or More

Not to be used with any other offer, or discount.

Mon. - Fri. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Karaoke 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

WEEKENDS

Open Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.

Breakfast Menu: 9 a.m. to noon

480-656-1476 2531 S. Gilbert Rd., Ste. 101, Gilbert —SE CORNER GILBERT AND WILLIAMS FIELD—

www.SanTanSun.com

www.SanTanSun.com

December 6 - 19, 2014

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www.SanTanSun.com

December 6 - 19, 2014

Contact us Today for your Free 0% DOWN Home Search

O R E Z WN

DO ENT* M PAYM

PRISTINE TURNKEY HOME IN CHANDLER!

BRAND NEW 2,046 SQFT AT $198,400!

Meticulous in every way. This is a highly sought after 2,356 sqft home with 3 big bdr's, a den, and the master bdr is split. Includes extensive tiled floors, a huge island kitchen, fireplace, oversized laundry with sink and cabinets, alarm system, 3 car garage with 8’ garage doors, and a park like rear yard. Just $334,900. Furnishings available.

This terrific 4 bdr, 2.5 bth home can be yours! And it includes an island kitchen, W/I pantry, huge master bdr w/a walk out deck, 2 tone custom paint, front yard landscaping, and a large 2,046 sqft. $3,500 in incentives. HOA includes basic cable and garbage collection. Close to shopping and freeways.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 3037

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 630

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

IN GILBERT 3,308 SQFT AT $312,990 Wait until you feast your eyes on the never ending 3,300 SQFT that includes 4 Big Bdr’s, 3.5 Baths, Huge Formal Dining, enormous Island Kitchen, spacious Great Room & a Grand MSTR Suite w/ Bdr Sized Closet. This one includes over $8,500 in Incentives. In Gilbert at $312,990!

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 643

GORGEOUS 1,700 SQFT, 1 STORY IN GILBERT! You’re going to fall in love with this pristine 3 bdr, 2 bath featuring a huge great room, big kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, and 9 ft ceilings. There’s a huge master suite, and a covered patio with a paver deck. Just $234,900!

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 2006

This home is in central Chandler and has 2,560 sqft, 3 big bdr's, 2.5 baths, a huge island kitchen with granite counters opens to an enormous great room. Optional 4th and 5th bdr’s can be added. Community pool, tot lots, and close to the freeway.

At 3,540 SQFT this Gilbert home will knock your socks off, and it’s not “AS IS”. Huge Island Kitchen, Grand Master Suite. It also includes 3.5 Baths & a 3 Car Tandem Garage.

Community Pool, Lake, Club House, 10 acre park, fishing and neighborhood school. Plus 3% in closing cost. It’s the life you’ve dreaming of.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 3028

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 268

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

NO WAY? 1,932 SQFT IN CHANDLER!

2690 SQFT IN GILBERT AT $204,990

At $229,990 this phenomenal 3 BDR 2 bath, island kitchen is centrally located and close to the 202 freeway and features, community pool, ramada, tot lots, and green belts and front landscape is included.

At only $204,990, this 2,690 sqft, 2 story home is built as a standard 3 bdr, 2 bath, den on the first floor, and a huge 2nd story loft, den or office & storage upstairs by itself. The possibilities are endless. Great room, and nook in the kitchen, is just off the covered patio. A community filled with features including, Tot Lots, Parks, Basketball Courts, and several Common Areas make this the place to call home.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 2044

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 224

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

OVER 2,400 SQFT AND A HUGE 4 CAR GARAGE!

Why not move to 3,082 sqft that includes 5 bdr’s, big island kitchen, media center, loft, and a stunning master bdr and bath with a bdr sized walk in closet. 4 car garage, and patios are included. All located inside a master planned community. Just $301,900.

And it is only $278,900. Built as a 3 bdr, 2.5 bath, and includes soaring ceiling, open kitchen, entertainment niche, split master bdr, covered patio, and a huge 4 car garage. You'll love the park, trails, and community schools.

You’re going to love this 1,982 SQFT great room plan featuring 42 inch cabinets, granite counters, microwave, garage door opener, front landscape, vast greenbelts, 3 community pools and a spa. Use “0” down financing and builder pays your closing cost.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 243

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 2041

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 253

Z DO ERO WN !

IN GILBERT AT $224,990

UNDER $300,000 IN GILBERT

It’s brand new with the colors of your choice in every part of the house. It’s not “AS IS” and comes with a warranty, 4 Bdr’s, 2 Baths, Mountain Views, Lake, Clubhouse, Community Pool, and More all in Gilbert!

This impressive 2,699 sqft home offers flexibility of up to 5 bedrooms, 3 kitchen choices, and downstairs guest suite. Includes a garage shop space, upstairs laundry, studio, and special spaces for everyone. Outdoor living and impressive patio to make the most of your Arizona lifestyle. $299,990 in Gilbert.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 269

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 2045

Pete Dijkstra

Infinity

And the 202 is even closer. This 1,635 sqft home shows very sharp, Just painted, and features lots of tile floors, a big open kitchen, and a split mstr bdr, on a cul de sac lot. It could be yours at $199,888 in Gilbert!

NEW 5 BEDROOM WITH HUGE 4 CAR TANDEM GARAGE!

Z DO ERO WN !

SCREAMING CHANDLER DEAL. JUST $262,990!

5 BDR’S IN GILBERT, 3,500 SQFT, STARTING AT $302,990!

Z DO ERO WN !

GILBERT’S NICEST 2,543 SQFT! Space, storage, and quiet spaces define this appealing 2,543 sqft split floor plan that can be built as a 5 bdr.

3 kitchens to choose from, and front courtyard that brings the outdoors in for a peaceful sanctuary. The perfect combination of luxury and a soothing retreat.

1,635 SQFT NEAR SAN TAN MALL JUST $199,888!

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 3039

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

Z DO ERO WN !

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 2008

JUST $216,150 W/ 3 BDR’S IN GILBERT!

TERRIFIC GILBERT LOCATION IN THE CHANDLER SCHOOL DISTRICT! 3% towards closing costs. Stylish home with 4 bdr's, 2 baths, and a 2 car garage. Included is a large island kitchen, formal dining, living room, split master floor plan, covered porch and patio. Many options to choose from starting at $295,990.

Plus heated community pool, fishing lakes and a fitness center.

Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today! 480-212-4625 PIN# 435

Experience That Will “MOVE” You Call The Pete Dijkstra Team Today!

480-212-4625 www.AnyAzHome.com

*Subject to qualifying terms conditions and availability of loan program. All homes shown are subject to availability and may be sold in “As Is” condition. **All new homes are subject to price adjustments and incentive reductions until time of accepted contract. Homes pictured may be the actual model home offered by the builder and are for illustration purposes only. **Subject to availability and qualifying terms and conditions. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval.

Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply.