September 7 - 20, 2013
www.SanTanSun.com
Local baseball players strive for a career in the big leagues
Two-time cancer survivor named Hero of Hope
BY PAT MARRUJO
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Chandler high school graduates made their mark on the 2013 Major League Baseball amateur draft earlier this summer. More than 30 Arizona athletes were taken in the draft; five of them attended high school in Chandler. The son of former MLB player Clay Bellinger, Hamilton High School first baseman Cody Bellinger, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB amateur draft. Basha High School shortstop Jamie Westbrook was claimed in the fifth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The two teens were covered extensively in the SanTan
Sun News in the Aug. 3 issue. Now the SanTan Sun News looks at Hamilton star Patrick Murphy, the first Arizona high school pitcher taken when he was selected in the third round by the Toronto Blue Jays; and a pair of Seton Catholic Sentinels who were drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers—pitcher M.J. Villegas in the 23rd round and outfielder Matt Haggerty in the 40th round.
Patrick Murphy Patrick Murphy hasn’t pitched an inning since April 2012 when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that SEE BASEBALL PAGE 4
Diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, Alan Zaben was not expected to live more than three months. That was in September 1988. Now, the Chandler resident has been named the American Cancer Society 2013 Relay for Life Hero of Hope for Arizona for his efforts in raising money to fight the dreaded disease and for supporting others who have gone through a similar ordeal. “Alan is a dedicated volunteer, who by sharing his story, inspires others that there is hope against cancer,” American Cancer Society District Executive Director Brandi Hunt says. “The Hero of Hope award recognizes Alan for his dedication to Relay for Life and his passion to make a difference.” The Hero of Hope is one of the highest honors that the American Cancer Society presents to an individual. SEE SURVIVOR PAGE 6
SURVIVOR: Alan Zaben, a Chandler resident, was recently honored as the American Cancer Society 2013 Relay for Life Hero of Hope for Arizona. Submitted photo
Woman heads to Cambodia to volunteer BY MEGHAN MCCOY
ON THE MOVE: Patrick Murphy, second from left, hangs out with fellow Hamilton teammates Connor Woods, Zach Strand, Tyler Hill and Cody Bellinger at their school’s banquet. Murphy has since signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, while Cody Bellinger inked a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Submitted photo
Ex-NFL player opens spa—with a twist BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Opening a salon and day spa may not be the first business that comes to mind when you think of a former NFL player, but for ex-Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets cornerback, David “Antonio” Barrett, it was a natural choice. Chandler is the home to D. Antonio’s Signature Day Spa & Ink. “When I played, I did get pampered,” Barrett explains. “I got massages, I got pedicures, manicures—I got things that made me feel good.” Catering to men and women, Barrett, with the help of his fiancée Kristi Thames and his longtime barber, Jessica Herndon, has included a menu of beauty and pampering services that are reasonably priced, but carried out in an upscale setting. “We sat down, we brainstormed and
FROM NFL TO ENTREPRENEUR: David “Antonio” Barrett welcomes clients to D. Antonio’s Signature Spa & Ink. STSN photo by Kimberly Hosey
we came up with the idea of opening a barbershop, then a day spa, then it went to adding tattoo and we finally came up
The dream of traveling and volunteering abroad will finally become a reality for Chandler resident Melanie Sassano when she heads to Cambodia on Sat., Sept. 14, for two weeks. “I always wanted to go abroad and volunteer,” she says. “I do a lot of reading about different cultures and countries and I always wanted to help.” The 30-year-old was determined to set her plan into motion after her husband was in a serious motorcycle accident two months ago. Although he will recover fully, the accident reminded her that life is unpredictable. “Even though we all know that we can be driving to work and not make it, it’s a reminder that there isn’t anything stopping me from going,” says Sassano, who adds that there is “never a perfect time to do something like this.” Before she decided where she wanted to volunteer, Sassano spent a lot of time researching International Volunteer HQ, an organization that calmed her nerves. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking to go to a country you have never been before,” she explains. The international volunteer
VOLUNTEER: Chandler resident Melanie Sassano, 30, will travel to Cambodia to volunteer at an orphanage for two weeks. Photo by Sara Johnson
organization, which was established in 2007, sends more than 4,000 volunteers abroad every year to 18 different countries. To date, it has sent more than 15,000 volunteers to such places as SEE VOLUNTEER PAGE 5
SEE DAY SPA PAGE 8
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Wastewater, reclaimed water rates to increase . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Confectioner concocts sweet, savory treats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Phoenix Boys Choir returns from Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 26 Guedo’s Cantina Grille offers unique eats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 SunDust Gallery and Art Center moves to Gilbert . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 62
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