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From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop
My oldest son has been serving as a missionary for our church in Mendoza, Argentina since July 2014. We have the wonderful opportunity of traveling to Argentina this June and visiting the families he has grown to love. We haven’t seen our son for two years and we are thrilled to have him back closer to us. As I look back on the last two years, I realize how absolutely fast the time has passed. I am so grateful for that time in which he has grown and developed into such a fine young man. He has had difficulties living in a completely different culture, learning a new language and being thousands of miles from home. However, his mother and I have noticed through his weekly emails that those trials
Thomas Chamberlain
he has experienced actually caused many changes in him. He has learned gratitude, he has come to rely on prayer and the help of others at times, and he has become a more positive individual which has helped him get through rough times. When we spend time outside of our comfort zone, that’s when we tend to grow the most.
I heard a saying that I believe is true. “God is more interested in our growth than in our comfort.” Growth is usually not comfortable. But as we expand our growth, our influence and our learning, we become more comfortable in our “new” norm. Our family has grown from this two year journey with our son. In a way, our journey has many similarities to a journey with orthodontics. In braces,
the first few days of braces may bring some discomfort. There is a learning curve that we have to go through. Challenges with brushing or wearing something new in our mouth can be difficult. We want the change and must be willing to go through some nuisances in order to get our desired position, be it personal growth, physical conditioning, or straighter teeth. In the end, the positive change we experience is more than worth the trouble it took for us to get there. Looking back, we may even ask ourselves, was that all I had to go through? My advice for anyone wanting to make a positive change in their lives (including improving their smile) is to DO IT and do it as soon as you possibly can. It is always worth it.
Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
DETAILS
RETIREMENT ENGINEERING WORKSHOP™
WHAT EVERY WORKSHOP ATTENDEE RECEIVES
• 6 hours of interactive classroom instruction
• An in-depth Social Security Benefit Analysis
• Individual workbooks for each day’s workshop
• Comprehensive list of available on line retirement resources
The creators and exclusive providers of the C.O.R.E. System, Garry Madaline and John Kieber, are The Valley’s premiere retirement consultants.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW BY SECTION
MODULE 1
RETIRING IN TODAY’S WORLD
• How to chose an advisor
• What is Retirement Engineering®
• Why traditional approaches will fail many retirees
• Taking a new approach to retirement in today’s world
• Embracing existing technology to plan more efficiently
• Creating a Retirement Blueprint that covers all aspects of retirement planning
MODULE 2
RETIREMENT TAX STRATEGIES
• Setting up your current 401 (k) properly
• Why 401 (k)s and IRAs could negatively affect your retirement income
• Examining the three types of tax accounts and how to maximize the benefits of each
• Effects of losing tax deductions in retirement
• Why our nation’s spending and debt have a direct effect on your retirement income
• Whether a Roth Conversion is right for you and how to do it efficiently and painlessly
MODULE 3
DISTRIBUTION PLANNING
• What are Required Minimum Distributions
• Strategies to eliminate Required Minimum Distributions
• Why the 4% Rule will not work in today’s environment
• The importance of liquidating accounts in the correct order
• How the sequence of your investment returns may dramatically impact your savings and how to get it right
MODULE 4
PROTECTING AGAINST MARKET
LOSS
• Why “win by not losing” should be every retiree’s investment philosophy
• Why protecting your principal is more important than great returns in retirement
• Examining traditional approaches to risk management and how they perform in today’s market
• Using technology to replace outdated portfolio approaches
• How to build a comprehensive portfolio that protects you from market volatility
• Designing efficient income streams from your portfolio
MODULE 5
SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING
• When and how you should take your benefits to maximize long-term income
• Updated Social Security strategies and how they relate to you
• Strategies to prevent your Social Security from being taxed
MODULE 6
ESTATE PLANNING AND LONG TERM CARE OPTIONS
• Options to pay for long term care events
• Current Medicaid spend down rules
• Pros and cons of wills and trusts
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Evan Baltman, Jan D’Atri, Rachel Hagerman, Jill Hanks, Kimberly Hosey, Judi King, Kenneth LaFave. Cassidy Landaker, Jared McDonald, Jill Pertler
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community spotlight
By Jared McDonald
Tempe proposes new fire station
e Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department is proposing to build a new fire station in southern Tempe at Estrada Park.
e proposal follows a fire station location study that determined southern Tempe would benefit from a new fire station in the southeast corner of the city. After a year of looking at possible sites for the new station, the southwest corner of Estrada Park, near McClintock Drive and Warner Road, was determined to be the best location for the new Station 7, said Tempe Fire Chief Greg Ruiz.
e fire station currently in southern Tempe, Station 4, runs 2,300 calls a year, which is expected to increase to 3,400 calls a year by 2024, said Ruiz.
“Call volume is not going down, call volume is going up,” said Ruiz. “[Station 4] is a single-engine station for a third of the city. As call volume
goes up, our concern is it’s not reliable.”
e new Station 7 would help shorten response times and relieve the growing call volume in south Tempe, said Ruiz.
Tempe Fire has been holding community discussions to inform people about the new station and to answer questions, and to give updates at city council meetings.
Ruiz led a community discussion about Station 7 in late May, to answer questions and listen to public comments. People voiced their support and concerns about the new station.
station may decrease property values, lower water retention of the park and possibly increase flooding. e station would take up a little more than an acre of an 8-acre park.
Others voiced their support of the new station and its location, praising the city’s use of already owned land and focus on providing faster service to south Tempe.
“I’ve played basketball at Estrada Park for 25 years,” said Victor Garcia. “I know it’s sacrifice, but I know it’s for the greater good. It’s a no-brainer.”
Some expressed their concerns about the new station and its proposed location. ey were worried that the
e City Council has not scheduled a vote yet on the proposal, nor has construction been scheduled, said Ruiz.
Chamber names Denise Hart
2016 Business Woman of the Year
e Tempe Chamber of Commerce has named Denise Hart as the 2016 Business Woman of the Year. She was honored at the 21st annual Women in Business Conference on May 25 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Tempe.
“I was deeply honored to be nominated for Tempe Business Woman of the Year among so many admirable business women in the great city of Tempe,” Hart said. “Receiving the award today is the proudest moment of my career. It is always rewarding to be recognized for your achievements and work that you do.”
Hart, vice president of marketing for Vestar, oversees commercial real estate properties across the country,, including Tempe Marketplace.
e first female executive hired at Vestar, Hart mentors and promotes professional female staff members within the company, helping them succeed in the corporate world. She is a certified marketing director and certified retail property executive,
with the International Council of Shopping Centers and received the organization’s Design and Development Award.
A graduate of Tempe Leadership Class XXXI, she has served on the Tempe Tourism Office’s Board of Directors in various roles since 2003.
“ e Business Woman of the Year award recognizes the valuable contributions that Denise has made to the business community and to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. We are proud to recognize her achievements and the leadership she continues to show in our community,” said Mary Ann Miller, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber.
e two other finalists were Tracy Bullock, president of Bullock Training & Development, and Dawn Hocking, director of development at TCH.
e Tempe Chamber of Commerce strengthens the local economy through networking, advocacy, professional development and influence.
BETTER than GRANITE
neighborhood hearsay
Styron Dale Grimmett must have a lot of friends. Why else would the 26-year-old need 13 cellphones? That’s how many phones Grimmett allegedly stole from nine different cellphone stores in Tempe and other Valley communities between March 4 and May 20, according to Tempe police.
At the time of his arrest for these robberies, Grimmett was already on probation for previous cellphone thefts.
Grimmett’s method: He would ask an employee to see a phone, and once he had it in his hand, he just ran out the door with it.
Simple, effective. But as a business model, troubling.
Now, my question is: What do you do with 13 cellphones? Police claim the thief sold them to pawn shops or online. My suspicion is that Grimmett had a large network of friends and the desire to talk to them all at once. With each of 13 cellphones placing two calls at once (via multiple-calls features) and put on speaker function, that would’ve enabled Grimmett to chat with 26 pals at the same time!
But it’s all moot now. If the courts have their way, Grimmett will soon reside in a place where he will make new friends. And he won’t need a cellphone to talk with them.
Somebody told Tempe that breakfast was the most important meal of the day and the city took them seriously. In 2014 and 2015, four restaurants specializing in breakfast opened here: Snooze, Delice Bistro, Corner Bakery and Nocawich.
Phoenix eatery which also plans to open a Tempe location this autumn. Let the omelet wars begin.
The City of Tempe is now an open book. You can spend hours—days if you wish—perusing the accounting practices of your municipal government and how it spends your hard-earned tax dollars. Go to www. tempeazopengov.com.
The Friday night comedy series at the Tempe Center for the Arts presents emerging local comics. Ernie Green is the guy with the laughs at 7:30 p.m. June 24. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Green has become a favorite at the TCA.
If you check out the comedy, don’t forget happy hour, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday. “Hello Friday” is a weekly event at TCA that features splashy, affordable drinks and access to a food station, not to mention great views of Tempe. The drink of the night for June 24 is a “Purple Mist” ($8), a blend of vodka, blue curacao and cranberry juice. Chef-inspired treats for the night will include chipotle turkey pinwheels and a traditional cheese tray. For details go to www.tempe.gov and search “Friday.”
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And now comes the flagship of all breakfastlunch restaurants, First Watch. The Florida-based chain, which already has eight restaurants elsewhere in the Valley, will open a Tempe location on University west of Mill late this fall, just in time to compete with Matt’s Big Breakfast, the popular
What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.
Fireworks expected to draw big crowds on July 4
By Cassidy Landaker
e longest-running fireworks show in the Valley is returning this year at the Fox 10 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival produced for the 65th year by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend.
“We are the largest Fourth of July celebration in the state,” said event producer Judi Yates.
Even though the fireworks display is the evening’s main event, it’s not the only attraction festivalgoers can enjoy. Event producer Susan Brow said festivalgoers
can peruse merchandise vendors, eat at the food court or imbibe at the beer garden. Local performers will entertain.
Kids aren’t left out, as they can visit an inflatable village, go on rides and climb a rock wall. Another perk is the Dave & Buster’s tent, where parents can write their phone numbers on a wristband for their children to wear around the park.
In the VIP section, attendees are given an all-American barbecue dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and a seat in a misted area with a prime view of the fireworks.
How to choose a driving school
By Valerie Vinyard, AAA Arizona
Driving school used to be a rite of passage among teens.
As soon as teens turned driving age, they’d eagerly sign up for driver’s education classes, which usually were held at their high schools.
Well, times have changed. Because of budget cuts, most high schools no longer offer driver education classes, so it’s up to parents and teens to steer their own way forward.
e problem is, there are many driving schools out there, and a fair amount of substandard driving schools exist. It’s easy to make a slick website, but parents should delve deeper before writing a driving school a check.
First, they should decide what they want out of a school. For example, will a school be the sole driving education the teen will receive, or will the parent help, too? In Arizona, parents can choose to teach their teens themselves, but many don’t have the time or patience to do so. Besides, a certified driving instructor is more likely to be up on any new laws and changes in driving.
Parents should expect to help, as a driving school isn’t a silver bullet. Parents need to carve out time to help their teen succeed at driving and to help iron out problems early on.
As an automotive resource, AAA offers five tips on choosing a driving school.
• Check it out: Visit the driving school before deciding to attend. Check out the vehicles they’ll be using for
behind-the-wheel sessions. ey don’t need to be brand new, but the cars should be safe and in good shape.
• Balancing act: Make sure the school offers a balance of classroom and behind-the-wheel education, and doesn’t weigh too much on one side. Arizona teens must spend at least 30 hours driving—10 of those at night—with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old before they can take the driving test at the Motor Vehicle Division. As a safety advocate, AAA recommends driving at least twice that—60 hours, with 20 hours at night.
• Query friends: Ask licensed peers and their parents for recommendations. ey can provide invaluable insight, and warn you about not-so-great schools.
• See if it’s certified: Schools that are certified by ADTSEA—the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association—strive to develop and promote a level of excellence among driver education professionals in the delivery of instruction to the novice driver.
• Ask for references: Sure, a driving school is only going to provide positive references—similar to what job seekers do when they apply at a company, but the questions you ask—and answers you receive—still can provide enough information to tell whether the school will be a good fit.
e Tempe Color Guard will present the nation’s colors, while Kianna Martinez sings the national anthem at 7:05 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
Tickets are $5 in advance at Tempe outlets until July 1. Tickets can also be purchased at any Fry’s store for $6, or on the website, www.tempe4th.com, for $5 until July 4. VIP tickets are $60. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Entry is free for those with an active military ID. Day of event ticket price is $8.
Brow said there are various parking lots in the area, all of which can be found on the event website. Organizers, however, recommend taking a bus or the light rail.
Gates open at 5 p.m. and lawn seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees are permitted to bring blankets, chairs, portable cameras, 1 gallon of water per person and an umbrella up to 4 feet.
Use of consumer fireworks is illegal in Tempe and will not be permitted in the park.
President/CEO Mary Ann Miller to leave Tempe Chamber
e Tempe Chamber of Commerce
President/CEO Mary Ann Miller will be leaving her position after more than 21 years with the organization, effective Aug. 31.
Brian Wood, Waste Management and chairman-elect of the Chamber will head the search committee.
“During her tenure Mary Ann has guided the Chamber through diverse economies; from helping small businesses during the recession to assisting significant growth of key industries within our community. She has tirelessly advocated on behalf of our members and entire business community at City Hall, the State Legislature and in Washington.”
Miller joined the Tempe Chamber in 1995 as public affairs director. In 1999 she moved into president/CEO.
“In August the Tempe Chamber will be moving into a new location, new offices with literally a new point of view,” Miller said. “As we end our time at this location, it seemed a fitting opportunity for me to guide us to our new home, and then set the Chamber off on its own.”
During her time at the Tempe Chamber Miller earned an MBA from ASU and a certificate in organization management from the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.
Miller developed the first statewide legislative agenda for local chambers, and spoke on policy development at state, regional and national conferences. She served on the Board
of Arizona Chamber Executives, and was named Local Chamber Executive of the Year in 2008 by the Arizona Chamber. She received the Howard Pyle Vocational Service Award from Tempe South Rotary in 2011.
“Mary Ann will be missed tremendously and we are saddened to say goodbye,” Wood added. “We want to genuinely thank her for her dedication and loyalty to the Chamber and our community. I want to also personally express my appreciation for her influence on me—her authentic leadership has been inspirational. Although Mary Ann will never know the number of people she has positively affected, her ‘ripple effect’ is nothing less than exceptional. We wish her all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter of her life.”
Mary Ann Miller
Tempe named ‘Playful City USA’
By Jared McDonald
Tempe remains at the top of the list for family-friendly cities dedicated to expanding ways kids can play in their communities.
e municipality was named a KaBOOM! 2016 Playful City USA for the eighth consecutive year on Wednesday, May 18. e award recognizes communities dedicated to improving and expanding opportunities for kids, particularly in poverty, to play in their communities.
“Growing up in Tempe, I played in parks down the street,” said Mayor Mark Mitchell. “Having parks all over the city shows the quality of life in our community.”
KaBOOM! honored 257 U.S. cities, 15 of which are in Arizona.
“We are thrilled to recognize these communities that have invested their time and efforts to put kids first,” said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. “Balanced and active play is crucial to the well-being of kids and the communities that they thrive in.”
Tempe has made efforts to increase access to recreational opportunities for residents through free or affordable programming through investments made by the city and grants awarded by community partners.
“It’s really what our residents expect, so it’s important that we provide recreational opportunities,” Mitchell said. “We have such a youthful community, so it’s really important we have the amenities that people expect.”
Tempe celebrates the Playful City USA recognition with its annual PlayDay, held in late February at Kiwanis Park. e event features the Diablo Dash obstacle course, kayaking on Kiwanis Lake and a salsa-making challenge, among other activities.
A playground at Kiwanis Park was renovated last September and opened this past fall.
“You look at the playground today, you wouldn’t believe it’s the same area,” said Tempe public information officer Denise Rentschler. “Being a landlocked city, we don’t have a lot of space to build new, big, beautiful parks, so we innovate and renovate.”
KaBOOM! is a nonprofit focused on cultivating opportunities for kids, particularly those in poverty, to play in their communities. e organization believes that play is critical to allow children to thrive and learn. e organization has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than 1 million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids, according to its website.
KaBOOM! also recently launched the Play Everywhere Challenge, a national competition to share ideas and make communities more playful through different and innovative ways, like adding elements to sidewalks, bus stops and vacant lots. e program
offers a share of $1 million to make the participants’ ideas a reality.
NEW PRIMARY CARE OFFICE
PlayDay features an obstacle course, kayaking and a salsa-making challenge in February to celebrate the city receiving recognition as a KaBOOM! Playful City USA.
Participants run through an obstacle course at PlayDay.
Cool off with Tempe’s affordable family fun
By City of Tempe staff
Tempe has plenty of activities that are perfect for keeping your family members cool and entertained this summer—without breaking the bank. e city has lined up a list of the top 10 affordable or free summer activities in Tempe.
10. Beat the Heat in Tempe
Tempe has three different ways for families to beat the heat seven days a week. Enjoy outdoor fun at the Escalante Pool and ride the waves at the Kiwanis Recreation Center’s Wave Pool. Tempe’s three neighborhood spray pads at Esquer, Jaycee and Hudson parks will continue to operate on a daily basis. Visit www.Tempe.gov/Pools for more information.
9. Summer Reading— Exercise Your Mind is summer, participate in Tempe’s summer reading program through Aug. 1. e Tempe Youth
Library, Tempe Recreation, KidZone and partners will feature fun and educational events for the family during Totally Tempe Tuesdays. Held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, these programs are for the entire family. ere will also be a Meet the Music program held on two Wednesdays, June 22 and July 20. is program, held in the Storytime Room of the Tempe Public Library, showcases artists and connects music, art and literature. Adults can enjoy reading challenges, a book club, urban farming classes and more. For a full list of events and descriptions, visit www.Tempe.gov/SummerReading.
8. Stay safe and learn to swim
Tempe offers swimming lessons for all ages and skill levels. Various lessons are offered at convenient times throughout the week. Check the aquatics section of the Tempe Opportunities brochure at www. Tempe.gov/Brochure for a complete schedule of lessons.
fun and educational presentations for kids and adults of all ages to the Escalante and Westside MultiGenerational Centers. See animals up close, practice magic tricks and more. Visit www.Tempe.gov/Brochure and click the family activities link for a list of themes, dates and times.
4. Escalante’s Teen Adventure Series
e Escalante Multi-Generational Center is hosting a Summer Teen Opportunity Center, a safe, supervised environment for teens to participate in positive programs. ey can receive important information, resources and services, and participate in social and recreational activities, guest speakers, field trips, employment advice and more. Visit www.Tempe.gov/Escalante for more details.
3. Celebrate July 4 as a family
7. Tempe Time Machine
Travel back in time this summer and see what Tempe was like nearly 50 years ago. is fun summer program for families includes handson crafts, fun interactives and special performances all inspired by the featured exhibit, Legend City. Tempe Time Machine will be held on Wednesdays and the second Saturdays in June and July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.Tempe.gov/ TimeMachine for more information.
6. Glow Paddles
e Glow Paddles are popular options offering a unique perspective of the lake. No experience is required and the city provides all of the necessary kayaking equipment, including glow-in-the dark accessories. Visit www.Tempe.gov/ Boating for more information
5. Cool off at a community center with a Summer Special Events Series
On select Wednesday mornings and afternoons in June and July, the Tempe Public Library will bring
e Kiwanis Club of Tempe presents the Fox 10 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival on Monday, July 4, at Tempe Beach Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. and festivities will include live, local entertainment, a Family Fun Fest zone and the annual fireworks spectacular. Tickets are on sale. Visit www. Tempe4th.com for more information.
2. Summer Camps
Tempe offers summer camps in a wide variety of subjects and at convenient times so parents can find something for every little one in their families. Tempe even offers Adapted Recreation programs for youth ages 5-21 with developmental disabilities. Check out the complete list of programs at www.Tempe.gov/ SummerCamps.
1. Explore your summer opportunities
Summer is the perfect time to discover a new favorite hobby, learn a new skill or spend time with your family and the Summer Tempe Opportunities Brochure is the best place to find these great opportunities. Visit www.Tempe.gov/ Brochure for class information and to register.
East Valley Moms
By Kimberly Hosey
If you’re looking for an indoor adventure as our temperatures soar— or to sneak in a bit of learning while your kids are on summer break— Halle Heart Children’s Museum has you covered. During the summer, the center’s longer hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday) ensure that more visitors will have a chance to take a journey into the circulatory system to see what makes our hearts tick.
Halle Heart Children’s Museum, a program of the American Heart Association, started as the Halle Heart Center in 1996, expanding to a 16,000-square-foot museum in 2011. But until recently, the interactive, kidfriendly museum did not offer regular public hours. A grant from Insight Inc. last year allowed the museum to open to the public. Some may consider it a hidden gem, but more than 35,000 guests visit the Halle Heart Children’s Museum each year.
With an open, airy and colorful design and eight engaging exhibits, the museum makes learning heart health welcoming and entertaining for kids as well as adults. Visitors learn about everything from the dangers
of smoking to exercise and the importance of a balanced diet; as well as how to spot signs that someone is having a stroke or heart attack—and what to do. e museum’s beginnings as a center to educate school groups, teachers and parents about the heart is clear, and it’s translated beautifully into an engaging and fun family outing destination.
e museum is billed as a children’s destination, but with information such as how to perform CPR on an infant and how to plan meals, everyone in the family has something to learn here.
e museum has some striking exhibits (and photo opportunities), among them a giant model of a human heart that greets visitors, surrounded by information about arteries and veins. Life-size models of a giraffe, elephant, zebra and other creatures greet families in the “All Creatures Great and Small” exhibit—with “windows” displaying models of their hearts—that let kids compare heart sizes. You may press a button to learn about each animal and even hear the hearts beat.
What makes the museum perfect for kids—especially younger kids—is the hands-on nature of it. Kids will
love the arts and crafts available, but they can also practice making healthy food choices in the museum’s marketplace. ere, kids “shop” for artificial (but realistic) food items, read food labels, ring out at cash registers, and learn how to plan healthy meals. In the “kitchen,” meal prep takes center stage—and, all the while, kids are setting a foundation for making healthful choices.
e museum stresses eating a balanced diet, making physical activity part of our daily routine and saying no to tobacco—especially smoking, said Programs and Operations Director Claudine M. Wessel. And the museum certainly does that. But the secret to their success is the same as the “secret” to all successful lessons: ey make you want to learn.
Check the museum’s website for special events like their Toddler Test Kitchen cooking series, Little Rhythms Music and Movement classes, Video Game Olympics and more.
Public hours for self-guided tours are daily during public hours. Admission is $5 for adults and children 4 and older, $4 for guests 62 and older, and free to children 3 and younger.
e museum also offers guided tours, available by appointment only, which meet 18 state curriculum standards for science, health and physical education at the second- and fifth-grade levels.
Crafts, pretend play, sounds, sights and special events such as the signature Toddler Test Kitchen combine in a curriculum that the museum has been offering to school groups for years under the American Heart Association. It can now offer this program to the general public thanks in part to a donation from Insight, which allowed it to install video kiosks.
Oversized displays such as a giant cutaway heart, walls illustrating smooth heart muscle and animals with heart “windows” invite exploration at Halle Heart Children’s Museum in Tempe.
top 10 family events
June 20-July 20, 2016
1 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
Enjoy the holiday evening, thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. Its 65th annual Fireworks Spectacular features a variety of food vendors, music and kids’ entertainment.
WHEN: Monday, July 4, opens at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Beach Park, 620 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
COST: $5 in advance or $8 at the gate, children 12 or younger and active military are free
INFO: (480) 350-5189 or www.tempe4th.com
2 Winter in July
The Phoenix Zoo will stay cool this July with live music and more than 50 tons of snow.
WHEN: Saturday, July 16, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: The Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix
COST: Call or visit website for ticket information INFO: (602) 286-3800 or www. phoenixzoo.org
3 Disney’s
The Little Mermaid
See the hit animated movie come to life.
WHEN: Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 26, various times WHERE: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix COST: Call or visit website for ticket information INFO: (602) 253-8188, ext. 307, or www.vyt.com
4 Old Macdonald
The great sing-along story of a famous farmer and his beloved animals
WHEN: Wednesday through Saturday, June 22 through July 10, various times WHERE: Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix COST: $7 to $10
INFO: (602) 262-2050 or www.azpuppets.org
5 Legoland Discovery Center
The indoor family attraction ideal for children ages 3 to 10 features two Lego rides, 4-D cinema and a large soft-play area.
WHEN: Ongoing
WHERE: Legoland Discovery Center at Arizona Mills, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 135, Tempe
COST: $22; free for 2 and younger INFO: http://bit.ly/23g1lpo
6 Dance, America, Dance!
Celebrate the return of the Tempe Dance Academy members from their journey through Europe as they present all they learned on their nine-country tour.
WHEN: Thursday, June 23, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
COST: $20
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
7 Arizona Sea Life Aquarium
Come see the aquarium’s new resident, a blue-spotted whip tail stingray starting in June.
WHEN: Ongoing
WHERE: Arizona Sea Life Aquarium, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 145, Tempe
COST: $10.50 for tickets purchased online
INFO: (877) 526-3960 or www. visitsealife.com/arizona/
8 Family Fun Day
Come learn about contemporary art with the museum’s new exhibition, “Crafting the Collection.”
WHEN: Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: ASU Art Museum, 51 E. 10th St., Tempe COST: Free INFO: (480) 965-2787 or www.asuartmuseum.asu.edu
9 July 4th Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate Independence Day with a traditional fireworks show.
WHEN: Monday, July 4, from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler COST: $5 per vehicle INFO: (480) 782-2900
10 ArtWalk Every Thursday
Admire the Southwest artists’ amazing pieces as you stroll through Old Town.
WHEN: Every Thursday until Jan. 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Arts District, along Main Street from Scottsdale Road west to Goldwater Boulevard COST: Free INFO: www.scottsdalegalleries.com
slices of life
By Jill Pertler
Gardening with the boys
We spent most of the weekend gardening, and I’ve come to an important conclusion. Some people are born with green thumbs. Others, including the guys I live with, are simply all thumbs—and not a one of them is green.
I needed help with mulching. I consider it a heavy task and was hoping to put their muscles to work. ey were more than happy to oblige and their attitudes were terrific. A few minutes after they started, mine was not.
ey lugged the hefty bags with ease, but found it difficult to distribute the mulch without pouring it all over the top of my tender plantings. ey were so effusive in their work they covered entire plants with the mulch, leaving me to dig for leaves so my plant friends could live to see another day. When I admonished them about
being careful around the plants, they gave me a serious look and then went about their business—of covering more plants with mulch.
And then it started to sprinkle. Sprinkle. An extremely light, barely tangible, you’d-hardly-notice-it sprinkle. I was in the front yard— working. My hair was a bit damp, but the precipitation was miniscule. Refreshing, actually, if you were sweating. Which I was.
I finished my task and walked over to where the boys were supposed to be busy mulching. Not a one was in sight. I wasn’t buying the disappearing act and went in the house. ere they were: on the couch in front of the TV. Without a smidgen of guilt, they announced they were on a “rain delay.” My jaw clenched and I expended much effort refraining from saying something I might later regret.
My attitude remained far from terrific.
I went outside to continue “our” work. On the way, I shut the door in a non-gentle fashion. I hoisted one of the mulch bags over my shoulder and placed it in position. I opened the bag and poured, pure adrenaline pulsing through my veins. By the time I grabbed a second bag, they had joined me in the backyard, obviously knowing their very own supper most likely hinged on their helping me in a loving manner.
I said nothing, but accepted their “help.”
My boys have big muscles, but they also have big feet, and this was never so obvious as when they attempted to tiptoe through a freshly planted bed whereby the plants themselves seemed to attract those monstrous feet like a magnet. Squish. Some of those unfortunate plants didn’t stand a chance under my son’s 12DD. ey displayed an absolute inability to discern a weed from a wanted plant.
To their credit, this often takes people years of practice, but after they pulled up the fourth (blooming) pansy, I requested they withhold their “help” in this area. Not sure yet if the pansies will make it. My fingers are crossed. To be honest, they do their best. And they are interested and engaged— in their own way. Last year we grew cayenne peppers—of the heatedly hot variety. My boys were keenly fascinated—in determining who could eat the most peppers without throwing up. I won’t divulge here who won, but it’s safe to say this will probably be an annual contest. At least it will continue this year. e cayenne pepper plant is one of the few they didn’t stomp on or cover with mulch. True story.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Student Chronicles
Know a Tempe student who’s doing something remarkable? Send items for Student Chronicles to christina@timespublications.com.
Joseph Farmer of Tempe was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He is working toward earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws its more than 11,500 students from all 50 states and more than 75 different countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.
Nectaria Delgadillo of Tempe, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree from
University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Ceremonies were held May 6 and May 7.
Tempe residents Sara Ann Feipel, Nathaniel James Kroeger and Tyana Marie Zivec were among those making the dean’s list at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, for the spring semester. Feipel attends the Hankamer School of Business, while Nathaniel James Kroeger studied within the schools of engineering and computer science. Tyana Marie Zivec is in the College of Arts and Sciences. Meanwhile Jason Alexander Vizzerra (Hankamer School of Business) and Jacqueline Claire Voge attends the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, and Hankamer School of Business and made the dean’s academic honor roll.
By Erica Odello
Candles from coffee grounds
As a devotee of the morning coffee ritual, imagine how happy I was when I ran across instructions to turn used coffee grounds into a candle? is takes upcycling to a whole new level!
You will need: 12 to 16 ounces of dry, used coffee grounds, a 2-pound bag of granulated soy wax, three to four glass containers (preferably salvaged from jelly or even spent candles), pack of waxed wicks, pencils, Ziploc bags, silicone oven mitt, ribbons, etc.
Step 2
Step 1
Set a medium-sized pot of water to boil. Fill a Ziploc bag 2/3 full with granulated soy wax and seal. When the water boils, place the bag in the pot.
Set out some newspaper, then place the glass containers close to each other on the paper surface. Put a wick in each candle. Hold in place by wrapping the wick around a pencil and resting across the top of the container. Spread 1/4 inch of coffee grounds inside each candleholder.
Step 3
When the bag of wax has melted in the boiling water, use the silicone oven mitt to remove from the pot. Hold one of the zipped corners so the bag hangs at an angle over the first glass container. Cut the tip of the lowest corner and allow 1 inch of wax to drain into the container. Quickly move the bag to the next container, following the same procedure until all of your containers have 1 inch of wax in the bottom. Allow the wax to solidify, either by leaving it out or placing the jars in the refrigerator. When solidified, sprinkle another 1/4 inch of grounds over the layer of wax. Melt another bag of wax in the boiling water, and repeat the filling process, alternating layers and solidification, until the containers are filled to the top. Sprinkle a small amount of grounds over the last layer of wax after it has partially solidified.
Step 4
Scrape any dripped wax off of the outsides of the glass jars and use ribbons, burlap or other materials to decorate the outside of the jars.
Notes: Unfortunately, the coffee grounds do not emit the delicious scent of freshly brewed coffee when the candle burns, so it might be worth it to add some coffee-scented candle oil to the wax bag before it boils. I have tried to melt down old, used candles, or dollar store candles, to remake new ones in the past, and the wax dries very strangely with holes in the middle. It’s worth the
at
around the neighborhood
Children soaked up fun with interactive bubble discovery stations and learned the science behind the whimsical objects at the Bubble Bash at Tempe Marketplace. Kids played with and caught bubbles of all sizes, made their own bubble wands, and learned what components build the best bubbles. Parents and children also cooled off in the splash pad. Photos by Tim Sealy
1. Addison Feezell gets a ride through the bubbles on dad Tyler’s shoulders. 2. Cayden Persky loves the soapy bubble station. 3. Olivia Rivera intently follows the instructions to make her own bubble wand. 4. Mickey and Xander Gray-Lowe create their own custom bubble wands. 5. Kylie Sgarbossa is in awe of the giant bubble. 6. Kingston Malone has a great seat from which to catch passing bubbles. 7. The Force is with Bobby Hopper, as he make his bubbles. 8. Gloria Piarulli-Nacincik gives thumbs way up from inside a giant bubble. 9. Twins Jayson and Jackson Greenhaus turn the splash pad into a giant drinking fountain. 10. A large crowd of kids and parents descended on the splash pad to cool down and have a blast.
10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fallen Marine’s family awards scholarship to TUHSD student
By Jill Hanks Tempe Union High School District
Since he was a young boy, Matthew Determan wanted to be a Marine. Many said he’d never make it. He proved them wrong.
Determan knew he could not achieve his dream without a high school diploma but as his sister, Ashley, said, he liked to argue and “had a bit of a difficult time abiding by some of the school rules so...he was invited to return for a second senior year.”
Rather than complain, Determan called himself a “super senior,” chose to bite his tongue, hit the books, and in May 2013, graduated from Tempe Union’s alternative high school, Compadre Academy.
“I remember his graduation night perfectly,” said Ashley, three years later during a speech at Compadre’s Class of 2016 graduation.
“I had never in my life seen my brother so proud of himself. I had never seen such a big smile on his face.”
Determan immediately joined the Marines but, Ashley said, it wasn’t until his boot camp graduation, that the family learned how much he had excelled, earning “top achieving” status in his class.
ey never could have predicted his life would be cut so short.
Lance Cpl. Determan died on May 19, 2015, two days after the Osprey helicopter he was riding in crashed during a training exercise in Hawaii.
Hours after attending the oneyear anniversary memorial service, the Determans were back in Tempe to celebrate Compadre’s newest graduates and honor Matt’s life by helping another student achieve his dreams. ey presented Compadre’s Emmanuel “Manny” Lopez Rafael with the Matthew Determan Scholarship, known as the “Super Senior” Award. Rafael captivated the audience earlier in the ceremony, sharing how he’d gotten into trouble in another
city and couldn’t find a school willing to take him. He was about to give up when he found Compadre and entered as a sophomore with just one credit.
e young man who once thought the best thing might be to never return to school, persevered to become Compadre’s student body president, a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and earned his diploma.
e Determans trusted school counselors to select an appropriate recipient and were pleasantly surprised to hear how much Rafael’s story mirrored the scholarship’s namesake.
“(Determan’s) story is one of overcoming obstacles, obtaining his lifelong dream, and never giving up,” Ashley told the graduates. “I hope that in the future when you feel like you’ve been defeated, you are able to remember Matt’s story and push through to accomplish all that you want in life.”
Rafael, who plans on attending Mesa Community College, ASU and eventually law school, is proud to earn the $4,000 scholarship.
“I’m so honored. It means a lot and I was so happy when I heard it was me,” Rafael said with a big grin.
Ashley and her family hope to award the Matthew Determan Scholarship to deserving students for years to come.
“We want to see someone thrive,” said Ashley. “Because that’s what Matt would’ve wanted.”
Lance Cpl. Matthew Determan
Matthew Determan Scholarship recipient and 2016 Compadre Academy graduate
Manny Lopez Rafael with the Determan family on May 18, 2016.
events calendar
June 20-July 20, 2016
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Known for its politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums and memorable live performances, Parliament Funkadelic is truly one of a kind. Joining P-Funk lead singer George Clinton on stage is Captain Squeegee, Dr. Delicious, Dreams and Doorways.
WHEN: Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marquee Theater, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe COST: $36
INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com
Peppermint James
Formed in Phoenix in 2004, Peppermint James is a band whose music is heavily influenced by The Beatles, The Wailers, traditional jazz and blues artists and many other world artists.
WHEN: Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
COST: Free admission
INFO: (480) 966-9338 or http://bit.ly/1PP27nf
Stray Cat Theater presents Green Day’s American Idiot
This high-energy show includes every song from Green Day’s album “American Idiot,” as well as a couple songs from “21st Century Breakdown.” The rock opera relies very little on dialogue but instead on the lyrics to portray the struggles of love, rage and teenage life.
WHEN: Friday, June 24, to Saturday, July 16, various times
WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $30 to $35
INFO: (480) 350-2829 or http://bit.ly/1TZpjM4
AZ Improv Festival
Tempe Improv will host its fourth annual Improv Festival on June 26 with special guests Paul Brittain and Brendan Jennings. Brittain has voiced characters in “Hotel Transylvania” and starred on “Saturday Night Live” from 2010 to 2012.
WHEN: Sunday, June 26, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Improv, 30 E.
University Dr., Tempe COST: $20
INFO: (480) 921-9877 or www.tempeimprov.com
New Faces of Comedy
Come check out comedians before they hit the big time.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 29, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Dr., Tempe COST: $5
INFO: www.tempeimprov.com
Megan Merchant: Gravel Ghosts
Pushcart Prize-nominated author
Megan Merchant will arrive at Changing Hands bookstore for a reading of her debut full-length poetry collection. The book, entitled “Gravel Ghosts,” takes on family, relationships, marriage, love, loss and death.
Hometown heroes Authority Zero are no strangers to touring, and have brought their skate punk- and reggaeinfluenced alternative rock around the world. Catch these music industry veterans as they take the stage.
WHEN: Saturday, July 2, 6;15 p.m.
WHERE: Marquee Theater, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
COST: $20
INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com
Town Lake Festival Come and celebrate Independence Day at Tempe Town Lake. The festival will include a food court, music, a free inflatable village for kids and, of course, a fireworks display.
WHEN: Monday, July 4, at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
COST: $5 to $60
INFO: (480) 350-5189 or www.tempe4th.com
Ralphie May
Mentored by Sam Kinison, Ralphie May possesses the same sort of raw, uncensored comedy.
WHEN: Thursday, July 7, through Saturday, July 9, various times
WHERE: Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Dr., Tempe
COST: $25 to $50
INFO: www.tempeimprov.com
Dolan Twins
These two YouTube stars have been winning over fans since 2014 with their funny vlogs. The Dolan Twins constantly explore new areas of creativity and take their comedy and live music to the stage.
WHEN: Friday, July 8, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marquee Theater, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
COST: $30
INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com
Stephen “Ragga” Marley
The second oldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Stephen Marley is also one of the most successful artists in his genre. The singer/songwriter/ musician/producer has landed at No. 1 on the Billboard reggae album chart for each of his solo albums. “Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life” is expected to follow suit when it’s released in July.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marquee Theater, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe COST: $27
INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com
Flat 9 Entertainment presents: The Amplified Jazz Experience
A night of jazz and relaxation features nationally acclaimed recording artists flutist Althea Rene, trumpeter Lin Rountree and saxophonist Lebron.
WHEN: Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe COST: $38 - $50
INFO: (480) 350-2829 or http://1.usa.gov/1XLhyjk
Tempe
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic perform at the Marquee Theater on June 24.
Stray Cat Theatre brings ‘American Idiot’ to TCA
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Nicholas John Gearing is, admittedly, a huge Green Day fan. So when he was cast as Johnny in the Stray Cat eatre’s production of the pop-punk band’s rock opera, “American Idiot,” he wasn’t sure how to react.
“It was surreal,” Gearing said via telephone in between bells at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, where he teaches English. “It’s pretty fantastic.”
Playing at the Tempe Center for the Arts from June 24 to July 16, “American Idiot” is based on the Grammy Awardwinning concept album of the same name. e musical tells the story of three disaffected young men—Will, Johnny and Tunny. e latter two flee the suburbs, where their parents have a tight rein on them, and seek the freedom of the city. When Tunny joins the military and is shipped off to war, Johnny turns to drugs.
“American Idiot” features little dialogue and instead relies on the lyrics to execute the storyline of teen rage, love and loss.
Gearing said it’s interesting to see how the characters—many of whom were taken from album art—come together to form “this crazy kaleidoscope of things.”
e Stray Cat’s rendition of “American Idiot” is the Arizona company premiere. e only other time it has reportedly been produced in the state was when the
national touring show came to ASU Gammage.
Gearing said he isn’t the only one in the cast who has butterflies about the musical hitting the stage.
“We’re all such big fans of Green Day,” Gearing said. “You don’t want to mess anything up. ( e album) ‘American Idiot’ means something to us and being in the show gives it additional meaning. We don’t want to do it a disservice.”
“American Idiot” features all of the songs from the album (“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Holiday”), as well as other hits (“21 Guns”). Gearing paused before naming his favorite song to sing.
“‘21 Guns’ is one of the more intricate pieces, or ‘Whatsername.’ at arrangement is rather pretty. In both numbers, the room is electric.
My hair stands on its end from start to beginning. It’s one thing when you’re singing your favorite Green Day song or your favorite from this album. It’s another thing altogether when a roomful of people gets excited at the same time. I can’t say enough about that experience.”
IF YOU GO
What: “American Idiot”
When: Various times from Friday, June 24, to Saturday, July 16
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts’ Studio, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Cost: $30 to $35
Information: (480) 350-2822 or http://1.usa.gov/1U9NSs0
Shown here with Alan Khoutakoun as St. Jimmy, Nicholas Gearing, left, stars as Johnny in “American Idiot” at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
items for $6.95 to $8.95, or for a dollar less during lunch.
By Judi King
La Casa de Juana
Eduardo Chavez, owner of La Casa de Juana, has created a neat trick. When customers walk through the door of his Tempe restaurant, they are instantly transported from a strip-mall parking lot into the heart of a lively Mexican village. Latin music plays in the background and a visual explosion of vibrant colors and playful art assault the senses—in the best possible way. Customers are greeted by two lovely, life-sized metal senoritas, a roomful of colorful Mexican décor and an unmistakable great Mexican food smell. It is a “wow” moment.
Chavez was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in Rocky Point, where he worked in the hotel industry and opened a restaurant. Here, his goal was to create a restaurant where people could experience the traditional warmth and hospitality of Mexico. e name he chose for his restaurant, La Casa de Juana (translated means house of Joanna—his wife’s name) depicts his vision.
“I want people to feel as though they are eating at our house at our family’s kitchen table,” he said. “ at’s why we always make everything fresh and healthy from scratch every day. I don’t serve my customers anything I wouldn’t make at home.”
To create an authentic Mexican experience, Chavez traveled to Guadalajara to purchase furnishings. Everything was created in Mexico— from the salt and pepper shakers and margarita glasses to the paintings, statues and wall décor. An artist painted each of the chairs, tables and booths with colorful Mexican scenes.
Panoramic murals painted on the walls and colorful linen napkins and bright dishes complete the true southof-the-border setting. It is vividly spectacular.
e food has a wow factor of its own. Starting with a bowl of warm chips and the restaurant’s unique and robustly delicious signature salsa, it is apparent on the first bite that this is going to be a stellar dining experience. e extensive menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, chef specialties, seafood, vegetarian, authentic Mexican, breakfast, fiesta platters, lunch specials, American, desserts and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. e variety of menu items make ordering a challenge. e fiesta platter, which comes with its distinctively delicious yellow rice and creamy beans, is a good option because customers can build their own, choosing one to three
One of the more distinctive menu choices is the chile relleno ($6.95). is dish is typically prepared by others with a cheese-stuffed poblano that is coated with a batter and deep fried. La Casa’s version is a fire-roasted poblano, stuffed with cheese and then baked in either red or green sauce. is version gives you the full blast of flavor from the roasted pepper without the distraction of the fried coating.
When asked how he came up with that recipe, Chavez said, “I try to make things that are not so greasy. I wanted to create a healthier version without losing the flavor.” Chavez said that he loves the kitchen and cooking meals from the different regions in Mexico. “My mother is a wonderful cook and I have learned from her. You have to put love into your food.”
e love put into La Casa de Juana is evident by the attention to detail in the ambience and the great food. No need to travel any farther than La Casa de Juana in Tempe to experience that “wow” factor in an authentic Mexican restaurant.
1805 E. Elliot Rd. Tempe 85284 (480) 820-0837 juanashouse.com
La Casa de Juana
Eduardo Chavez with his two lovely metal senoritas.
What’s Cooking?
By Jan D’Atri
Potato Chip Picnic Cookies
ey’re one of the best cookies ever to come from a bag of potato chips and they’re absolutely the perfect treat to pack for a summer picnic.
Just don’t blame me if you can’t stop eating them. I’m having a hard enough time keeping away from them myself.
If you like pecan sandies, or any cookie that sort of melts in your mouth, these delicate yet heartyflavored potato chip picnic cookies are going to win you over. is heritage recipe comes from Kammy Orner of Phoenix. It’s a cookie that brings back the most loving memories of her Grandma Estelle and the cookie tin that was waiting for Kammy whenever she would visit.
“I would go see Grandma Estelle and she had this special cookie tin that came out of the cabinet and, oh boy, was I in for a treat,” Kammy said.
“All of her cookies were good, but once she found out how much I loved
the potato chip cookies, she would make them whenever she knew I was coming over. We use to sit and talk about her work. Grandma Estelle was a nurse at ASU and a diehard Sun Devils fan. She was from Wisconsin and passed away in 2003. I had asked her for years for the recipe for the cookies and one day on a visit after my grandfather had passed away, we were sitting at the kitchen table having tea and cookies she gave me the hand-written recipe. It’s a very special treasure.”
Kammy heard me talking on the radio about how much I love family recipes and stories. She said it brought a smile to her face and she decided that the greatest honor she could give her Grandma Estelle is to pass along her delicious potato chip cookie recipe for all of us to enjoy. I’m so glad you did, Kammy. Will we love Grandma Estelle’s potato chip cookies? I’d say it’s in the bag!
Potato Chip Picnic Cookies
(Makes about 28-30 cookies)
1/2 pound butter or margarine
(2 sticks)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup crushed plain potato chips, salted
1/2 cup chopped nuts
(walnuts or pecans)
Powdered sugar for sprinkling on top
In a mixing bowl with electric beater, cream butter or margarine. Slowly add in sugar and beat until light in color and texture. Gradually add flour. Add crushed potato chips and nuts, blending well. Chill dough for about 30 minutes or until firm enough to shape. Shape into balls, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on slightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Flatten cookie with fork dipped in cold water. Keep dough chilled until ready to bake. Bake at 325 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until slightly browned. When cookies are cool, sift powdered sugar over top.
Jan’s Notes: To crush potato chips, place in mini-food processor or roll over the bag of chips with rolling pin until finely ground.
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