April 4 - April 17, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
And here’s the pitch... Little League begins season
Pratt. There was a fly-over by six World War II-era fighter jets and the kids took part in a stirring national anthem. On this day, the CNLL let every kid on every team play at least one inning and it provided a springboard to what is expected to be a fine 2015 season. “We had a lot of fun,” said 8-year-old Kyle Cristofano, who plays for the Rangers in the AA BY CURT BLAKENEY division. “I liked seeing Sparky, With clear skies and sunny the fighter planes and hearing weather painting the perfect the cheers from the crowd. I like backdrop, the ump hollered “Play my new teammates and I can’t ball!” and youngsters dashed across wait to play baseball again.” the infield dirt to man their positions CNLL has become one of the on the baseball diamond. Chandler powerhouse leagues in the state, National Little League (CNLL) began establishing a rich tradition its 2015 at Snedigar Sports Complex and setting expectations high with opening ceremonies and games for the 2015 season. In 2013, on Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. and CNLL’s South Majors All-Stars continued under lights until 10 p.m. won the Arizona state title and “It was a great day,” said Doug advanced to the Little League Brewster, the president of the CNLL West Regionals. Then in 2014, Board of Directors. “There was a lot CNLL’s North Majors All-Stars of excitement out there.” won the state championship, Little League Baseball is back. For and advanced to the Little many players and coaches, it was a League West Regionals. refreshing sight, to finally take the Chandler National teams have field after a long offseason. Baseball AA leaguer Tyler Haren shows great form at the warmup just before his first game of the season. STSN photo by Tim Sealy advanced to the Little League tryouts were conducted on Feb. World Series twice—in 2003 “Opening day turnout was high,” said sponsors taking part.” 7 and a players draft took place and 2007—and are still seeking Danny Cristofano, CNLL’s director of Opening day is filled with optimism on Feb. 14 as coaches evaluated a full their first national championship. sponsorships. “Along with the kids, parents, and enthusiasm, as CNLL pulled out all the cupboard of baseball talent in Chandler. “The 12-year-olds (Majors division) look stops for the festivities. ASU mascot Sparky really good this year; it’s a strong group,” friends, family and sponsors, we had local Close to 1,050 young players, ages 4 to 16 was on hand to throw out the ceremonial vendors, food trucks, bounce houses and years old, were divvied up between 80 said Brewster, who also manages the first pitch, as was radio personality Dave the like. We had nearly 100 local business teams. SEE THE PITCH PAGE 4
Hamilton High senior named club’s ‘Youth of the Year’
City taps MAG for $9.4 million for Cooper Road improvements
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
BY KEN ABRAMCZYK
The Chandler Compadre Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs helped one Hamilton High School senior break out of her shell and gain the confidence she needed to tackle new opportunities. “I became a whole different person over six years,” said 18-year-old Jessica Solis. “As a seventh grader coming in, I was shy and insecure.” Since becoming a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs, she has done community service work, become involved in the Leaders in Training program, as well as mentored youth and teens, all because of her newfound confidence. Jessica was named the “Youth of the Year” for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley recently during the 23rd annual Stepping Into Greatness Youth of the Year Celebration.
“It means I get a chance to alter the next young member that comes in,” she said of being named “Youth of the Year.” As a winner, she received a $20,000 scholarship from the Victoria Lund Foundation. The scholarship, Jessica said, will help her attend ASU and earn a degree in biochemistry. “I like biology and chemistry and I am good in math, so I thought I might as well go for it,” she said. Newfound confidence Jessica’s confidence stemmed from the Dance If No One Is Watching program at the Boys & Girls Clubs. “Through dance I was able to get myself out there,” Jessica said. “Because I was in the spotlight, I had to play the part in being SEE HAMILTON HIGH PAGE 5
The City of Chandler recently entered two agreements to set in motion the use of regional transportation funds for a widening of Cooper Road south of Chandler Municipal Airport. Two agreements were approved recently by the City Council with the Maricopa Association of Governments for the City of Chandler to receive $9.4 million in funds. These funds are part of a half-cent sales tax (Proposition 400) approved by county voters in 2004 for regional transportation projects. The project calls for the widening of Cooper Road to four lanes in two phases between Queen Creek and Riggs roads. Construction is not expected to begin until 2017 on the first phase, according to Dan Cook, City engineer with Chandler’s
transportation and development department. The first phase involves improvements on Cooper between Queen Creek and Chandler Heights roads. That work involves road widening, and installation of new landscaping, medians, sidewalks, traffic signals, street lights and drainage. The first agreement calls for MAG to reimburse the City $5.6 million for the City’s initial funding of design, rightof-way acquisition and construction. Chandler would receive $570,000 for design and $875,000 for right-ofway in reimbursements this year, and construction reimbursement of $4.2 million in 2019. Cook said the traffic alignment has not been determined yet for motorists, which
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler Fire Cadet Academy starts May 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Custom home builder wins award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page22 Leaders in Training program offers teens work experience. . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 29 Keep it inside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . .Page 53 ‘Cinderella’ shared through ballet at Chandler arts center . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 59
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