Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
June 7 – 20, 2014
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Neighbors Chandler Center for the Arts honors Wells Fargo
Risen Savior collects, donates 3.6 tons of food
Neighbors PAGE 51
Spirituality PAGE 67
Summer travel Local comes first at BLD tips from YTC A trip to the beach, colder climates or even a staycation, summer travel is about to commence and staying safe and making the most of any vacation is what counts. Laura Stewart, a travel consultant for Your Travel Center (YTC), offers some timely suggestions for loading up the kids, bringing four-legged friends and traveling in or out of the country this season.
BY ALISON STANTON
In honor of dear old dad, a variety of restaurants and other businesses are featuring specials for Father’s Day. The following tasty meals, refreshing beverages and other events are sure to help make the day special for local dads and their families too.
Family time
Air travel Stewart advises when traveling SEE YTC PAGE 53
PAGES 74-78
A plethora of specials await dads on Father’s Day
BY TRACY HOUSE
Accommodations are always something to consider and Stewart suggests finding hotels that have activities for adults as well as kids. “We’re finding a lot of the hotels are starting to gear activities towards kids to make them feel as special as the adults. They might have movie nights, scavenger hunts of things waiting at the hotel. They’re reaching out to the family to make it all encompassing.” Because more families are staying in town for vacation and for staycations it’s best to be aware of what amenities are offered and the added costs that are attributed to those, whether it’s horseback riding, golf, meals or services. “It depends on what the client is looking for and the family as well.” When traveling with children, Stewart says to make sure to have activities to keep the kids occupied for a road trip, for example, games or DVDs. “Anything to make your trip and their trip fun.”
Where to Eat
Chompie’s
LIGHT AND BRIGHT: The spacious interior and patio provide ample room for small and large groups. Submitted photo BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Standing for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the eatery BLD has been a dynamic part of the Chandler culinary scene for three years and features a large variety of menu options—some of which are changing for the summer season. “The tilapia is new; a little more of summer flavors with that one,” says operating partner Brent Shinyeda. “Panroasted tilapia served over a Greek-style salad with tomatoes and cucumbers...is a nice lighter entrée. As we start evolving the menu into the summer, especially the dinner menu, we see stuff starting to lighten up a little bit in preparation for those high temperatures. As good as
risotto is, it’s not always something you want when it’s 112 degrees outside.” The breakfast and lunch menu doesn’t change too much, he added. “We found that people look for a little bit more fun, fresh or different dinnerwise, but when it comes to breakfast, they’re creatures of habit...you don’t see a lot of experimentation at breakfast.” The vegetarian omelet, breakfast burritos and the simple breakfast of eggs, toast bacon and potatoes continue to be crowd favorites. Executive chef Ehren Litzenberger has infused creativity into the BLD’s menus. One unique entrée is the squash SEE BLD PAGE 51
From 4 p.m. until close on Sunday, June 15, kids 10 and younger can eat for free from the Kids’ Menu at Chompie’s. While kids are enjoying their free meals, dads can indulge in one of Chompie’s many popular dishes, including braised brisket of beef, Grandma Sadie’s meatloaf, chicken schnitzel dinners or the mile high sandwiches, one-half pound Angus beef burgers or Jewish sliders. The special is for dine-in only, and kids can get one free meal for each paid adult meal of $8 or more. Chompie’s is located at 3481 W. Frye Rd. in the Chandler Village Center. Info: (480) 398-3008 or www.chompies.com.
Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse On Sunday, June 15, Rawhide is featuring a “Hot off the Grill” special for dads who enjoy a good steak. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., dads can enjoy a 16-ounce Black Angus porterhouse served with a loaded baked potato, fire roasted corn on the cob, a side salad and dinner roll SEE FATHER’S DAY PAGE 52
‘Jeep Girls’ explore the Western Slope BY BRITTANY AND ASHLEY HILL, THE “JEEP GIRLS” SPECIAL TO THE SANTAN SUN NEWS
We have found the place for a unique weekend road trip. We packed our Jeep Cherokee and journeyed to the Western Slope, exploring from Grand Junction, Colorado, to the summer outdoor heaven of Moab, Utah. Before leaving the Grand Junction area, we met up with Mike Edwards at Grand Junction Chrysler. Mike is “the guy” on many fronts. He grew up in this beautiful terrain. “I went out to see the world and serve my country and chose to came back to this place,” he says. He is also “the guy” to know if you are
interested in purchasing a Jeep Wrangler in the greater Four Corners region to have your own adventure. He prepared us well for our wild road trip and mentioned that there would be a lot of unexpected twists and turns on the paved roads ahead. Traveling in a beautiful Anvil—a muscular grey-blue Jeep Wrangler Unlimited—we stumbled upon two fellow road warriors at Woody’s World Famous Tavern. Daniel and Shawn, visiting from nearby Salt Lake City, shared some astrological advice with us. Every time we meet someone on an adventure, we feel as if they are there to guide us on this “scavenger hunt.” Duval, a local, appeared throughout town like a ghost! More on
Duval later... Daniel and Shawn confirmed that the stars, and the upcoming lunar eclipse, would signify the “best year yet!” We’re excited, who can argue with that? Before checking into our new home for the week, we met Missy and Janie at The Days Inn Hotel. To the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, we received a very warm and friendly welcome. This place is great. If you meet these two young ladies, you feel as if you are a part of the Moab family. Before we went back into town, Missy drew us a hand-drawn map leading to her favorite place to watch the SEE JEEP GIRLS PAGE 54
TAKING IN THE SIGHTS: Ashley Hill sees the beauty in Telluride. Submitted photo