Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
March 21 - April 3, 2015
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Neighbors Cheers Arizona! Neighbors PAGE 54
Jazz Festival returns to Downtown Chandler
Where to Eat PAGES 56-58
ARTS PAGE 61
Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers on Golf tourney raises funds for New tap for Chandler Horizons Youth Homes BY CURT BLAKENEY
STORY AND PHOTOS BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
After finding success in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers has added a location in Chandler, in the space formerly occupied by Uncle Bear’s Grill and Bar. Although new to this side of town, the restaurant’s reputation precedes itself. The concept is simple: Wash down thick, juicy hamburgers with a variety of beers on tap. I stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and the large restaurant was nearly at capacity. I asked the server for a menu and a beer list and was surprised at how extensive they were. The beer menu was cleverly arranged in lists of draughts, cans and bottles from lightest to darkest brew. Although I didn’t order beer for lunch, the beer menu included a huge variety of national and local beers such as Abita Purple Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers opened in late Haze, Mudshark Desert February and boasts extensive menus of both Shark IPA, Four Peaks Oatmeal food and a variety of beers. Submitted photo Stout, Foster’s Oil Can, Angry Orchard and Grand Canyon Pilsner, just to name a few. Incidentally, my favorite is Abita Purple Haze for its color and slightly fruity raspberry flavor. Plus, hey, you can’t go wrong with a beer named after a Jimi Hendrix tune. It was time to dig in to the food menu. The generous list of starters includes grilled asparagus spears with olive oil, reggiano and grilled Roma tomatoes, grilled drummettes, parmesan truffle fries and “totchos”—the Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers’ version of nachos, but made with tater tots. Ultimately, I decided on the buffalo chicken egg rolls ($7). These babies have a nifty kick to them and include juicy buffalo chicken tucked inside a crispy egg roll and served up with blue cheese dipping sauce. This appetizer was a spicy variation of a Southwestern eggroll and would
Not every child gets off to a smooth start in life. Some, unfortunately, are abandoned, abused or caught in a bad cycle of crime, drugs and emotional problems at a very young age. A Chandler-based nonprofit, New Horizon Youth Homes (NHYH), has offered troubled youths a second chance by providing shelter and counseling so they can become productive members of the community. Programs like NHYH need funding and support from local residents, so the organization is engaging the Chandler community by hosting a fundraising event: the inaugural NHYH Fore! The Kids Golf Tournament. A shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, at the Ocotillo Golf Resort kicks off a day full of raffles, contests, prizes, awards, dinner and spirited competition for participants. “As a local nonprofit, we are always looking for fun and exciting ways to expand our programming and provide for the needs of our young men and women,” says Michele Sosebee, administrative assistant for New Horizon Youth Homes. Single players can join the tournament for $125, while four-player teams are $400. Each registration includes greens fees, range balls, a goody bag and a buffet awards dinner following the tournament. Others who wish SEE TOURNEY PAGE 42
Spring holidays bring restaurant specials BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Valley restaurants are encouraging families to eschew cooking at home and enjoy the spring holidays at their eateries. Several restaurants in the SanTan Sun News area are offering special menus for Easter and Passover. Here are some of the highlights. Chompie’s
Celebrate Passover, the Jewish high holiday, while enjoying some of Chompie’s favorite dishes between Friday, April 3, and
Saturday, April 11. Arizona’s NY Deli will offer a Passover dinner from 5 p.m. to close, with dine-in and take-out options. The menu will also include holiday cakes, desserts and Passover bagels for all eight nights. A special Matzo Brie menu, as well as flourless holiday cakes and baked goods, are also available during Passover. For more information, call (480) 398-3008 or visit
SEE COLD BEERS PAGE 42
SEE RESTAURANT PAGE 44
The Country Clipper Barbershop is a Chandler tradition BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Country Clipper Barbershop owner Maury Williamson has seen hairstyles come and go. But one thing that has remained constant is the stellar service his shop has provided for the last century. Williamson took ownership of the Country Clipper in 1994 after working there for seven years. “It was hard to find barbers in Chandler back in those years because it was such a small town, but I’ve been here ever since,” Williamson says. The Country Clipper has stayed put as well, remaining in the same shop since it was established in 1912. Williamson admits that he’s thought about relocating, but the Country Clipper’s history keeps him firmly planted in Downtown
The Country Clipper Barbershop has been in business in the same downtown Chandler location since 1912. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington
Chandler. “I always hesitate to grow too fast, but
this is something we’ve needed for a few years and I’ve held off,” says Williamson,
who has cut hair since the mid-1980s. “But if you look around us, we have all these new restaurants and bars and everything is starting to grow. I have to stay relevant with what’s around me and we’ve been doing it subtly.” The Country Clipper—which has four full-time barbers and a handful of part-timers—stays relevant, but provides traditional services as well. He performs straight-razor shaves, haircuts and trims, while sharing great stories. Among Williamson’s employees is Dave Calderon, who owned 13 barbershops in California before retiring in Arizona. “My dad was a barber and my grandpa was a barber, so this shop reminds me of them,” he says. SEE TRADITION PAGE 45