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Neighbors
Jan. 23 - Feb. 5, 2016
www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Europe sees renewed interest thanks to Geico commercial
Hope Covenant Church to offer workshop about abuse
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Where to Eat page 68
Wine auction honors spirit of passionate collector A special wine auction on Saturday, Feb. principal and assistant superintendent. 13, will honor the memory of a passionate, “The fact that the auction has a romantic wine collector who swept charitable component drew me to the his wife off her feet throughout their decision to sell Richard’s collection,” courtship, engagement and marriage. Galloway said. “Helping children’s causes Richard Beine lived life to the fullest was close to our hearts and continues to and took every opportunity to share his love for fine wine and art with his wife, Pam Beine Galloway. Since he died, his 400 bottles of classic, vintage and modern bottles of wine have been stored in the upscale, refrigerated Chandler CubeSmart storage unit, close to where Galloway, a Scottsdale resident, will be moving soon to be closer to her son. Beine’s impressive collection will be auctioned on Feb. 13 during J. Levine Auction & Appraisal’s inaugural “Fostering Hope: A Fine Wine Auction,” which takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the high-end auction house, 10345 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale. Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, Valentine’s chocolates, wine tastings and mixing demonstrations and live music prior to the auction starting at 7 p.m. VIP sponsorship guests will have access to the auction house’s Consignor Pam Beine Galloway holds a bottle of Justin Isosceles Reserve 2003 Paso Robles that will be part of upstairs private wine tastings and the Feb. 13 “Fostering Hope: A Fine Wine Auction” at demonstrations throughout the evening, among other sponsorship J. Levine Auction & Appraisal. A portion of proceeds benefits. A portion of proceeds will will benefit OCJ Foster Kids. Photo by Cliff Gaines/A1 Studios. benefit the nonprofit OCJ Foster Kids (Opportunity, Community & Justice for Kids). be important to me.” As the auction’s consignor, Galloway Fifteen years ago, Galloway’s life is pleased that the event will benefit a changed when she met her future husband charity that helps children. In her 38 years in California. “I knew a little bit about wine, of working as an educator, she has served but I never understood how to pair wine in various roles, including teacher, school see WINE page 41
Eklectic Pie set to open restaurant Seasoned Valley restaurant owner Charlie Harmon started his career in the food and beverage industry at the age of 16 and has spent decades honing his craft. It was a natural progression for this serial restaurateur to create a concept that focuses on unique, tasty, fresh and of course, “eklectic” pizza. To that end, Harmon and his team opened the first Eklectic Pie in Mesa at 1859 S. Stapley Dr., Suite 106 in September. The new concept in pizza has been so well received that in early February Harmon will open Eklectic Pie’s second location in Chandler at 2990 E. Germann Rd. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. From Feb. 15
through Feb. 20, Eklectic Pie will celebrate its newest location with grand opening activities including: • Tuesday, Feb. 16: Grand opening. Enjoy the Italian Street Fair theme décor while enjoying the dine-in special of the night—a 7-inch pizza, Caesar side salad and soft drink for just $8. The exclusive online special features an 11-inch pepperoni pizza for only $2.99. • Wednesday, Feb. 17: Benefit night. First 20 customers win free pizza for a year (one pizza per month). • Thursday, Feb. 18: Beer hosting party. First 20 customers win free pizza for a see EKLETIC PIE page 44
Creole Cajun Bistro has the New Orleans vibe. Submitted photo
Capture that New Orleans vibe at Creole Cajun Bistro BY JUDI KING
It’s no longer necessary to travel all the way to New Orleans to get a taste of the Big Easy. Chef Eric Rachal serves up genuine “N’awlins” hospitality, culture and cuisine at his Creole Cajun Bistro in Chandler. Born to a Cajun father and Creole mother, Rachal is the backbone of Cajun Creole. But, it is his grandmother he credits for his cooking skills. Known as “Big Red,” his grandmother, Marcell F. Jacques, was a chef and a caterer in New Orleans. Rachal was her assistant. “I was raised in the kitchen, working sideby-side with her daily,” he said. “She is the inspiration for my cooking.”
As an adult, Rachal moved to California where he worked in an oil refinery. Because his job required him to live in the facility for periods of time, he always brought his big pot with him and cooked up jambalaya and gumbo for his co-workers, earning him the nickname, “Gumbo.” “Nobody ever knew my name,” he said. “They would just say, ‘Hey Gumbo! What are you cooking tonight?’” Rachal’s love of cooking eventually drew him back into the kitchen. He started his own Creole Cajun catering business in California, where his company flourished for years before he moved to Arizona. see BISTRO page 43
Explore downtown with museum staff during entertaining walk BY SRIANTHI PERERA
If downtown Chandler is vibrant now, it’s nothing new. History shows that it has been a vibrant entertainment destination for generations. “All throughout its history, Chandler does have its entertainment centers—ice cream parlors, pool halls, movie theaters—things
for people to do downtown,” said Chandler Museum Administrator Jody Crago. Crago, together with Curator of Collectors Nate Meyers, will relate the bygone stories of these buildings when they conduct a free, interactive walking tour from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. It see WALK page 45