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www.SanTanSun.com
March 7 - 21, 2015
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Jan. 9 - Jan. 22, 2016 www.SanTanSun.com
Police, ex-chief go ‘over the edge’ for Special Olympics One hundred and thirty-eight people rappelled down the side of the 27-story CityScape Building in Phoenix on Dec. 12. Why would so many decide to skip using the elevator? Special Olympics would be the answer. “Over the Edge” was organized by Special Olympics of Arizona through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Participants signed up and committed to raise $1,000 for the “opportunity” to go over the edge of the building. Among those rappelling was former Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler, who led the 15-person Radical Rappellers. The team raised more funds—$33,000—than any other team in the state for the fourth consecutive time. Kiyler herself collected more than $11,000. The Chandler Police Department’s Chief Sean Duggan, Cmdr. Bryan Cox and Lt. Dave Ramer also participated. “You want to make sure the ropes work; that’s one of the first things I thought of,” Duggan quipped. “I was the first one to go over. It was an incredible sensation for such an amazing, worthwhile cause.” They received contributions from the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, the Chandler Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, Team 905 and various
Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan edges his way down the side of a CityScape building in downtown Phoenix as part of this year’s Over the Edge event. Submitted photo
other supporters. In addition, Modern Woodmen of America matched the $2,500 raised for a total of $5,000. The CPD’s participation marks the continuation of a three-decade relationship with the Special Olympics, Duggan explained. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide grassroots movement of law enforcement professionals dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics. “The torch run, that’s probably our largest endeavor,” he said. “We raise money throughout the year. There’s the ‘Fuel of Dreams’ where we pump gas and raise money. “There’s ‘Tip a Cop’ and a percentage of that goes to the Special Olympics. We also had a ‘Shred It’ event where the public brings in documents and they’re shredded in a very secure manner. There are multiple events.” Kiyler has been a dedicated member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for more than eight years. The Chandler Police Department has been an active partner with Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for many years, participating as “Guardians of the Flame” and raising funds as well as awareness for the cause. “It’s our responsibility not only to see OLYMPICS page 4
Herbal Wellness Center promises help for chronic conditions BY SRIANTHI PERERA
Herbal Wellness Center, a dispensary for medical marijuana, was scheduled to open Jan. 8 at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Hunt Highway in an unincorporated area of Chandler. Individuals who have state-issued medical certification may purchase strains, edibles and concentrates from the dispensary. “The one thing that sets us apart is the quality,” said Dan Schmink, company spokesman. “We’re known for having the best medication in the state.” The company was established in 2013 in Phoenix, where it now serves a few thousand patients. For several months, it had wanted to extend its services to the Southeast Valley to make it convenient
for patients who traveled long distances to obtain their medication, Schmink said. However, finding a City-approved site in Chandler proved to be difficult. While there are a few dispensaries in Gilbert, Tempe and Mesa, Chandler does not have any within its city boundaries. Chandler planning manager Kevin Mayo said that the City’s zoning code has outlined protections to separate a dispensary or a cultivation site from a certain distance to various facilities. They include schools, day cares, worship centers, residential developments and even another dispensary. “Based on those separation requirements and the things contained within our use permits in the section of the code for medical marijuana facilities, see HERBAL page 5
SanTan
FAMILY FUN
Library to launch the first TEDx in the city BY SRIANTHI PERERA
Chandler plans to spark deep discussion and create community when it hosts its first TEDx event later this month. TEDxChandlerPublicLibrary will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St. The topic is “Four Ls: Language, Literature, Linguistics and Learning.” “Chandler is an exciting and vibrant city with a really diverse population in terms of everything—in terms of ethnically and socio-economically,” said librarian Phyllis Saunders, who proposed the idea and pursued registration on behalf of the Chandler Public Library. “Also, in terms of thoughts and ideas, one has to be able to come together and learn from each other and learn from
different people,” she said. “So this seems like a good way to make that happen.” The half-day event will be hosted by Arizona Republic reporter, Storytellers founder Megan Finnerty. Six speakers are billed to speak: Carrie Gillon, an ASU professor in linguistics; Tom Leveen, a young adult author; Michelle Martinez, an ASU professor in media studies; Marshall Shore, Arizona’s “hip historian;” Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, a recent graduate of ASU, and Joanie Judd, a literacy expert from the collaborative literacy project, Read On Chandler. “We will have space for people to hang out and have discussion and converse about the things that have been sparked by the speakers,” said Cynde Cerf, information specialist at Chandler’s Cultural Affairs Department. see LIBRARY page 4
F E AT U R E STO R I E S
Check out our Family Fun Section! You will not want to miss any of the fun events listed on Family Fun calendar this month.
Chandler Rotary Club boosts hopes of Valley veterans . community . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Serenity at Fulton Ranch opens luxurious model villas . business . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Second grader raises $2,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital . youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27 Finding the ‘perfect companion’ for caregiving needs . . . . . neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 Black Violin blends hip-hop and classical . . . . . . . . . . . . . arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 58
FAMILY FUN . . . . . . . . Center Section
More Community . . . . . . . 1-19 Business . . . . . . . . 20-26 Youth . . . . . . . . . . 27-34 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Neighbors . . . . . . 44-57 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-64 Spirituality . . . . . 65-66 Directory . . . . . . . 67-68 Classifieds . . . . . . 69-70 Where to eat . . . 71-74