COMMUNITY

from Gilbert Sun News - 12.5.2021

by Times Media Group

GETOUT

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews

Lovin’ Life Expos return to the Valley

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN

GSN Staff Writer

After a 2020 pandemic pause, the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos are returning.

They are set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Sundial Recreation Center in Sun City, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Mesa Convention Center.

“We’re going to have great entertainment, a lot of informative exhibitors and it’s just a great way to get out and find out what is going on in the community,” says Lovin’ Life After 50 publisher Steve Strickbine. “It’s a great way to meet lots of people and have some fun.”

Previously, Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos have attracted thousands of people who network and gather information, as well as participate in the raffle prize giveaway After the pandemic hiatus, the Lovin’ Life Afgter 50 Expo is returning in January to Mesa Convention Center. (GSN file photo) and take a shot at hourly $100 cash prizes.

“These expos were started as just a way to allow organizations in the community to come together with people over 50 to show what they have to offer,” Strickbine says. “To give them information about things that are coming up in their organizations.

“It has become a very good event though for entertainment and just a great way for getting out.”

Among the exhibitors that will have booths at both the Sun City and Mesa Expos include 4C Medical Group (Optum Care), Arizona Liver Health, Home Concepts Custom Remodeling, Humana, AFC Physical Medicine and Hospice of the Valley. Specifically at the Sun City Expo will see EXPOS page 23

Charter’s garden a classroom for earth study

BY ALISON STANTON

GSN Contributor

Growing tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and herbs from seed. Tending to three baby chicks. Learning about composting, how to use garden tools and beneficial bugs.

These are some of the features and hands-on lessons from the Outdoor Environment at San Tan Charter School in Gilbert. Tabitha Maxwell, a Makerspace/ Outdoor Environment teacher, said the school’s pre-K through sixth grade Montessori students spend time and learn in the Outdoor Environment, which she describes as an extension of the classrooms.

“We have been planting and tending to our flowers, chard, squash, zucchini, tomato, peppers and herbs in our garden,” Maxwell said, adding that in addition to taking care of the trio of chicks, the students are also currently incubating a dozen chicken eggs.

Each classroom spends time in the Outdoor Environment one day per week. This is the 15th year that the school has offered the nature-themed learning for students.

Outdoor Environment teacher Tanna Dean said the students learn about a wide variety of important topics in the Outdoor Environment, including how healthy soil will help produce strong plants, how to properly compost and how an aeroponic garden works.

“We check our aeroponic garden daily to make sure we do not have any unwanted visitors like aphids or whiteflies,” Dean said.

“We spray the leaves to discourage pests and check on the progress our plants are making. We have also discussed how beneficial insects like ladybugs can help keep aphids under control.”

To ensure that the plants are watered during school vacation times and on weekends, teachers and students installed soaker hoses, and as each plant begins to grow, Dean and Maxwell point out and discuss the different shapes of the leaves and the process of photosynthesis.

Prior to planting anything new, Maxwell said she will discuss with her students which months are best for growing certain types of plants in the desert climate.

In addition to helping teach students about nature in a very hands-on way, Maxwell said being in the Outdoor

San Tan Charter preschoolers, from left, Orson Corona, Jackson Cline and Harvey Spisak work their school’s garden. (Courtesy

Environment – which is made possible through the school’s annual fundraising program – has a tangible and positive effect on the students’ mood and behavior.

“Being outside in the space reduces stress, anxiety, anger and frustration. It is calming whether the students are engaged in an activity or sitting and taking it all in. It has such a positive impact on mental health,” Maxwell said. “Other benefits of having an outdoor environment are children learning responsibility, building confidence, using all five senses, communication and interacting with living things. Some children may not have the opportunity to be outdoors at home and this gives them that opportunity.”

San Tan Charter School’s Power campus serves students in grades 7-12 and the Recker campus is an elementary school serving students K-6, including a private Montessori preschool and K-6 tuition free Montessori classrooms.

Information: santancharterschool. com.

EXPOS from page 22

be Arizona Institute and Cosmetic Laser Center, Edward Jones and MediSolutions LLC. Unique to Mesa are Bright Health Plan, Mesa Marketplace Swap Meet, Emphasis Advisors and National Cremation Society.

“With COVID we are being very careful with how we proceed, and we are following the CDC guidelines of course to make sure that we are operating with best practices to make sure that everybody that does attend stays safe,” Strickbine says.

In terms of entertainment, The Duttons will be returning to the stage once again. For those who don’t know, “they’re a band that has a theater in Branson, Missouri where they play during the summer months and then they also have a theater in the East Valley (in Mesa) where they play during the winter months. They were on ‘America’s Got Talent’ at one point,” according to Strickbine.

The Duttons’ setlist includes bluegrass, country and pop music.

“They always attract a big crowd,” Strickbine says. Ms. Senior Arizona 2022 winner Patricia Person will meet and greet with attendees.

“I think a lot of people are anxious to get back out,” Strickbine says.

Now in our 35th year! ARIZONA’S LONGEST-RUNNING EXPO IS HERE!

Lovin’ Life After 50 Sun City Expo

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24 WHERE: Sundial Recreation Center, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City COST: Free INFO: lovinlife.com

Lovin’ Life After 50 Mesa Expoa WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26 WHERE: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa COST: Free INFO: lovinlife.com