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Neighbors
Jan. 9 - Jan. 22, 2016
www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Smith set to headline the Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival page 62
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ welcomes back Churchman page 65
Where to Eat page 71
New role continues chef’s lifelong love of food industry “I worked with focus groups, and then I One of Michael Hoobler’s earliest rolled out all brand new menus in October, memories is standing on a milk crate which were all received very well,” he said. washing dishes in his father’s Sun City He is preparing to roll out new menus at supper club in the 1980s. the end of January. “I grew up in the restaurant industry, and “In the club industry, change is good. I remember working during weekends in the The bulk of our business is primarily from summer,” he said. After mastering dishwashing, Hoobler graduated to a busboy and eventually started cooking at night. “I really advanced pretty quickly,” he said. The Chandler resident enjoyed his experiences so much at his family’s restaurant that he decided to pursue a career as a chef, working throughout the Valley at top-notch locales like the Royal Palms, Boulders Resort and Spa, DC Ranch and Desert Highlands Golf Club. “Desert Highlands was my first club experience and I loved it,” said Hoobler, who focuses on Mediterranean cuisine. Last year, Hoobler was hired as executive chef at Bistro 1528 at Encanterra Country Club in San Tan Valley. He said the club’s proximity to Chef Michael Hoobler, who was recently hired as execuhis home along with its positive tive chef at Encanterra Country Club, has fond memories work atmosphere inspired him to of working at his father’s restaurant. Submitted photo take the position. “A lot of it was Encanterra’s culture. In membership, so it’s important to offer new our industry the environment we work in is things.” just as important as everything else, and I Although Hoobler said Bistro 1528 offers want to be happy in my work life. Here, the primarily the Mediterranean-inspired culture is all about family,” he said. cuisine that he knows and loves, he strives During his first six weeks at Encanterra to keep plenty of familiar foods on the Country Club, Hoobler said he observed the menu. venue’s activities.
BY ALISON STANTON
see CHEF page 45
Donnelly star QB in Cardinals’ eyes BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON
Audrea Donnelly, a local resident, mom and active community volunteer, was awarded the Arizona Cardinals Community Quarterback Award in December. Selected out of hundreds of other nominees for her dedication to Valley animals, Donnelly received a $5,000 check on the field during halftime of a home game. The proceeds will go to the C.A.R.E. Medical Fund, an organization that Donnelly founded that provides emergency medical funding and assistance to local shelters. It’s just one of the many ways Donnelly is involved in assisting homeless East
Valley cats and dogs. “I want people to understand that you can find some of the best pets in a shelter,” Donnelly said. “There is such a huge misconception that they are all broken and abused and don’t make very good pets. All of my dogs have been rescues and, with over 200 dogs and cats entering Valley shelters every day, we need start thinking adoption over purchasing a dog or cat.” Donnelly explained that when her lab died at the age of 14 she decided that, instead of adopting another dog, she would start fostering. “The need for foster families was see DONNELLY page 52
Past campers at Lions Camp Tatiyee enjoy a variety of traditional summer camp activities. Lions Camp Tatiyee is the only free summer camp for children and adults with special needs in Arizona. Photo submitted by Lions Camp Tatiyee.
Lions Club’s Casino Night benefits special needs summer camp BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON
When it comes to service organizations, Lions Clubs International is by far one of the most well-known groups worldwide. According to the club, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Locally, the Sun Lakes Lions Club raises funds through a variety of projects to benefit the blind and other special needs
individuals in Arizona. One such major project is the club’s upcoming 12th annual Casino Night that benefits Lions Camp Tatiyee, which has served as the only free special needs camp in Arizona since 1958. Casino Night takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25425 S. Sun Lakes Blvd. Sun Lakes Lions Club Past President Forrest Cheuvront said the ongoing event brings in an estimated $5,000 to $7,000 annually for the campers at Lions Camp Tatiyee. see CASINO page 45
Drink to your health with Ocotillo Village Pint Club There’s a new movement in the East Valley that is off and running, literally. Led by a group of fun-loving runners at the Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa in Chandler, the “Pint Club—Pub Runs” are new ways to work out and socialize with fellow exercise lovers. Ocotillo Village
personal fitness/running trainer Faye Del Mundo said the new club appeals to runners looking for something a little different. Running clubs are concerned solely with running and trying to have the fastest people in the club,” Del see CLUB page 47