SanTan Sun News: Opinion - Feb. 20, 2016

Opinion

www.SanTanSun.com

Feb. 20 - March 4, 2016

37

Community Commentaries

Ostrich Festival returns March 11 to Tumbleweed Park March 11. The three-day festival Well, folks, get ready, it’s all takes place at Tumbleweed Park happening again. The countdown with carnival rides, games, live music, to the 28th Chandler Chamber of camel and pony rides, a petting Commerce Ostrich Festival has zoo and more. New this year are begun. The event, which regularly a free stingray encounter, wild draws more than 100,000 visitors science exhibit, motorcycle stunts, over the three-day extravaganza, remote-controlled vehicle races is scheduled for March 11-13 at and several thrill rides including “the Terry Roe. Tumbleweed Park.

Inversion,” “the Quasar” and “1001 Submitted photo Every year, the festival Nachts.” Details about the rides and keeps getting bigger and better attractions can be found online at with new attractions, live entertainment, www.ostrichfestival.com. food vendors and the highly anticipated The entertainment lineup promises to ostrich races. A week prior to the festival, be appealing to a diverse audience. There the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor will be nationally recognized country bands its annual Mayor’s Fun Run and Ostrich and famous Latin, salsa, jazz, rock and hipParade along Arizona Avenue in downtown hop performers. Magicians, balloon artists, Chandler. singers, dancers and fictional characters will The Ostrich Festival has been a Chandler perform on and off stage to keep the young tradition since 1988. It began as a community ones entertained as well. celebration of our ostrich-ranching heritage, For the first time, tickets for the festival when Chandler was a leading producer of are available online at www.ostrichfestival. ostrich feathers in the early 20th century. com. There is also an option to purchase Slowly over time, it has grown to become a Fast Passes to avoid lines for the rides and signature event for our city and one of the group packages for 10 people at a 15-percent premier festivals in the Southwest. discount. Regular tickets are $10 for adults; This year, the celebration kicks off on seniors 60 and older and children 12 and March 5, with a 5K run along Arizona Avenue. under are $7; and children 4 and younger Walkers and runners of all ages are welcome are free. Parking is $5 per car and $3 per to participate. Registration is available online motorcycle. Through March 10, advance at www.4peaksracing.com or by calling the tickets will also be available for sale at Chamber of Commerce at (480) 963-4571.

Fry’s Food and Drug stores. For further Children younger than age 10 can participate information about the events, tickets and for free. Participants 11 years and older volunteer opportunities, call the Ostrich receive a T-shirt with their registration.

Festival hotline at (480) 588-8497.

After the Mayor’s Fun Run, at 10 a.m., A big “thank you” to the Chandler visitors can enjoy the ostrich-themed Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors parade. It is a colorful and lively procession including SRP, Peoples Mortgage Company, of 100 entries that include floats, bands, Native Grill, Fry’s Food Stores, the SanTan dancers, classic cars and horses. It is a free, Brewery, Thorobred Chevrolet as well as all must-see event for anyone in the downtown the vendors, participants and volunteers that day. If that’s not fun enough for you who contribute to the success of this and the family, the annual public safety outstanding event. open houses will take place right around the corner, with demonstrations from our Police City Councilman Terry Roe can be and Fire, Health and Medical Departments. reached at terry.roe@chandleraz.gov. His The carnival itself begins at 2 p.m. Friday, term expires January 2019.

BY COUNCILMAN TERRY ROE

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Chandler SciTech Festival celebrates fifth anniversary On Saturday, Feb. 20, the Chandler SciTech Festival Chandler has long will be held from 10 a.m. demonstrated successful to 4 p.m. in downtown leadership and partnership Chandler. There are more roles within the region than 60 participants that creates a positive providing interactive culture for science and demonstrations and technology. The annual educational opportunities Chandler SciTech Festival for people of all ages. continues that legacy, Residents can meet makers celebrating its fifth showcasing some of their anniversary. Chandler’s products and learn about Rick Heumann. Submitted event continues to be a coding, forensic science, part of the Arizona SciTech photo robotics, rocketry and Festival statewide event atmospheric pressure. and is being recognized as With the continued support of the signature event this year. the Chandler Education Coalition, This two-day event is being held in represented by local businesses, downtown Chandler and focuses on educational institutions, nonprofits and the world of science, providing a fun, various City departments, we are able engaging experience for all who attend. to continue to offer this free, family This is a way to celebrate science, friendly event and provide experiences technology, engineering and math for everyone. Intel has graciously (STEM), and is a fun way to learn about offered to sponsor this event for the the importance of STEM in everyday life third year, and I extend my sincere situations. appreciation for its continued support.

Studying STEM is no longer boring I am very proud of how this event like some may remember. Handscontinues to grow each year. It wouldn’t on activities allow one to see how be successful without the dedication something works, instead of reading from all of the participants. I want to about it from a book. It provides a personally thank them for volunteering way to imagine, explore, make things their time to provide this opportunity happen and remember the how and why. to our youth.

Watching kids engage and get excited Bring your family and have fun makes this all worth it! enjoying the art of learning without Day one of the event highlighted even realizing it! For information the world of science as it relates to on schedules, program details and art and every day technology. The event maps, visit our website at www. festivities began on Friday, Feb. 19, with chandleraz.gov/science. For more the monthly Art Walk. It was a Night of information on statewide events, visit Art and Science in downtown Chandler. www.azscitech.com.

Local artists will showcase their creations, while residents learn about City Councilman Rick Heumann can the science and technology behind the be reached at rick.heumann@chandleraz. tools and processes used. Residents can gov. His term expires January 2017. learn about the art of 3-D printing, wire sculpturing and woodworking.

BY COUNCILMAN RICK HEUMANN

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38

Opinion

Feb. 20 - March 4, 2016

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Community Commentaries

A world-class resource

BY ERIC EHST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEIGHBORS WHO CARE

Recently I was in Gilbert at a meeting of East Valley senior service providers. As soon as I introduced myself as being from Neighbors Who Care another attendee spoke up, “My grandmother lives in Sun Lakes and you take such good care of her!” Then the moderator asked somewhat incredulously, “And you do all of this for free?” Before the meeting ended two other people came up to tell me that NWC cares for their relatives or friends and to compliment us on the outstanding job we do.

This was not an isolated incident or in any way unusual. Wherever I go, anywhere in the Valley, I invariably get one of two comments. I either hear about a loved one or acquaintance whose life has been touched, or even “saved,” by the volunteers

of Neighbors Who Care. Or I hear some version of, “I wish there was an organization like yours where my mother/grandmother/ friend lives.”

We are periodically visited by representatives from charitable foundations, city agencies and other service organizations.

The tours almost always last twice as long as scheduled so we can cover everything we do and are followed by comments such as: “I had no idea you did all of that,” “Your volunteers are amazing” and the ever-popular, “I really wish there was an organization like yours where my mother lives.”

To the people of Sun Lakes and South Chandler, Neighbors Who Care is not a secret. What is not so generally known is the breadth of our services or the profound effect we have on the lives of those we

serve. We now have over 500 volunteers helping about 1,500 clients. Demand is increasing as we add about 30 new clients each month and as they continue to age.

About 40 percent are now over 85, with 75 percent older than 75. Over two-thirds of them live alone, many with no local family to help out and without enough money pay for all of the care they need. That’s what makes us so vital. In their own words: “Thank you for coming to my rescue!”

“I know we couldn’t have made it without your help.”

“Thank you for the wonderful support you provided to my grandfather.”

“I can never thank you enough.”

“Without your help and kindness, I’d be in a home.”

Even as we work to meet the demand we’re finding new ways to improve. We now provide free meals when clients can’t afford them. We provide an extra layer of support to frail seniors discharged from hospitals and rehab centers. We are experimenting with new ways to keep our homebound clients socially connected and active.

Our community is lucky. Neighbors Who Care is truly a world-class organization on the cutting edge of providing cost effective community-based solutions to the challenge of caring for our aging population. Our volunteers are among the best and most caring people in an increasingly hostile world. We’d love to have you join us. For more information, call (480) 895-7133 or visit www.NeighborsWhoCare.com.

The editors of the SanTan Sun News are seeking residents of the Southeast Chandler community to contribute to our publication. We have been delivering the news of the area to 30,000 driveways for more than 17 years. As a writer for the SanTan Sun News you would be compensated for reporting on local stories in your community. Professional writing experience is required. If you might have an interest in joining our stable of talented community journalists, please send your resume and writing samples to Christina@SanTanSun.com.

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