March 7 – March 20, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
Chamber preparing for 27th annual Ostrich Festival BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
The Sun City llamas may have been a viral hit, but the ostriches of Chandler trump the rollicking duo. By early 1914, Chandler boasted more than 80 percent of the ostriches in the United States. One of the biggest ostrich ranchers was Dr. A.J. Chandler, the city’s namesake. He owned 550 ostriches. To celebrate the flightless birds’ long, colorful history in Chandler, the chamber of commerce hosts the annual Ostrich Festival. This year, the event, which attracts more than 100,000 people over three days, will be held Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15, at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd. “This is a big deal,” says Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s president and chief executive officer. “The entire community comes out to support it. This is the city’s largest festival. This is a huge economic impact.” Tickets to the event are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors age 60 and older, as well as youth ages 5 to 12. It is free for children ages 4 and younger. Visit www. ostrichfestival.com/tickets for information about pricing packages for carnival ride passes and wristbands. Parking is separate: $5 per car and $3 for a motorcycle. In terms of beverages, longtime Ostrich Festival vendor Hensley Beverage of Chandler will supply beer along with SanTan Brewing Company. “I’m really excited about that,” Kimble says. “Both are important pieces of the
The annual Ostrich Festival will be held Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15, at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd. Submitted photo
community.” The Ostrich Festival brings together a love of ostriches, music, food and fun. Among the musical acts set to perform are classic
Mayor ‘shines a little light’ on new development BY SYDNEY BOWEN
Mayor Jay Tibshraeny attempted to, in his own words, “shine a little light” on some of the city’s economic success stories during his State of the City address on Feb. 19. Tibshraeny was relieved he didn’t have to answer questions about an old nemesis: Elevation Chandler. “This may be the first time since coming back as mayor in 2011, where I can discuss our economic development efforts without having to make excuses or apologies for Elevation Chandler,” Tibshraeny said. Elevation Chandler was the partiallybuilt hotel adjacent to the Chandler Fashion Center that had become an eyesore for the community and a thorn in the side
for Tibshraeny. The concrete skeleton was finally demolished last November. In its place, Chandler Viridian—a mixed-use project that will feature a hotel, retail space and offices—is under development and is expected to have a positive economic impact on the area. Tibshraeny highlighted several promising companies in Chandler that have been experiencing growth. AvAir, an airplane parts supplier based in West Chandler for the past 15 years, is expanding into a new 170,000-square-foot building. The company is expecting to grow from 33 to 100 employees in the next five years. AvAir was recently named to Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s fastest growing, privately held companies. SEE MAYOR PAGE 4
rockers Grand Funk Railroad and professional golfer-turned-country rapper Colt Ford. See page 11 for complete coverage. Laura Marano, who stars as “Ally” in the
Disney Channel’s “Austin and Ally” will host a meet and greet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15. The events scheduled throughout the three days are family friendly. “The ostrich races are always the key,” Kimble says. “They’re here, obviously. This year, we have a completely different lineup.” “Tiger Talks” provides festival goers a look into the humane and responsible care and training of big cats. “It gives kids and adults the chance to see these big tigers up close,” Kimble says. “The handlers will have an educational component to it. They show how they work with the tigers, how they train with them.” Kimble is most excited about the “Shark Encounter” that is coming to the Sonoran Desert. “They have a 55-foot semitrailer,” she says. “They will put down the sides and the audience will see a live shark swimming up and down this tank. There are encounter and educational components as well.” Also included in the price of admission are the “Texas Thrill Show,” “Family Magic Show,” petting zoo, pony and camel rides, “The Birdman,” “Survivor Family Game Show,” duck race and “Rocket Man.” Shows with an extra charge include the bungee trampoline, flight simulator, Free Drop USA and water balls. Once again, Kimble expects to see at least 100,000 visitors that weekend. “If we have nice weather, it’ll be more,” SEE OSTRICH
FESTIVAL PAGE 4
New elementary school to be named after Auxiers BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Dr. Gary Auxier and his wife Annette Auxier have dedicated their lives to helping others in the community. In honor of their civic contributions, the Chandler Unified School District unanimously voted during a Feb. 25 meeting to name a new school—located at Power and Brooks Farm roads in Queen Creek—after the couple: Auxier Elementary School. “I think it’s great,” Chandler Unified School District Governing Board President Karen McGee says. “We are very privileged and honored that we can do this as an appreciation for all that they have committed to the community and Chandler schools. I’m very pleased that we were able to honor them in this way.” For Annette, the whole experience has been somewhat surreal.
“You just can’t believe that someone can do such a wonderful thing to you and for you,” she says. “We are absolutely thrilled. We have been blessed with so much. Both of us came from a very poor background.” Annette was born in Newton, Kansas. Her mother abandoned a then 5-year-old Annette and her two siblings, leaving her father to care for them. The family moved to Arizona, so relatives could help care for the children. Annette met Gary in a theater class at Coronado High School. High school sweethearts, the couple eventually married, and have been going strong for more than 43 years. Gary, a well-respected pediatrician who
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Neighborhoods awarded for excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 New Tai Chi and Qigong classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Chandler teen youngest Symetra winner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 24 Thrill seekers invited to ‘Be the Match’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 40 Comedian strives to become role model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 54
SANTAN FAMILY FUN. . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Section
SEE SCHOOL PAGE 5
More Community . . . . . . .1-15 Business . . . . . . . . 16-23 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 24-30 Opinion. . . . . . . . . 31-32 Neighbors. . . . . . 40-52 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .53-59 Spirituality . . . . . 60-63 Directory . . . . . . 64-65 Classifieds. . . . . . 66-67 Where to eat . . . 68-70