SanTan Sun News;12-19-15: neighbors

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Neighbors

Dec. 19 - Jan. 8, 2016

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Neighbors Looking at Granzow’s photos evokes a story in one’s mind

Temple hosts successful Hanukkah party, toy drive page 68

Where to Eat page 55

page 58

German genealogy expert uncovers past for clients that he not only had a talent for Karl-Michael Sala may be Chandler’s uncovering history, but a passion for it as version of an ancestry whisperer. well. He and his wife, Lynell, assist “My father always told me about a individuals wanting to trace their heritage career: Find something you are willing to and genealogy through their company do for free, and then find a way to get GermanGenealogist.com. paid for it,” said Sala. “That’s what I have “We have worked with hundreds of clients over the years, helping them find their history,” said Karl-Michael. “We like to say we are shedding light on your German and European ancestry.” Sala started his career in ancestry in 1979, long before he founded the genealogy website in 2008, and way before the Internet. A student at Brigham Young University, Sala looked into his roots. “I wanted to chase down my own ancestry, so I headed up to Salt Lake City,” he said. Prior to his leaving, a fellow student asked if Sala could do a little hunting on his past because he was making the trip. “He paid me $20 and I was Karl-Michael Sala started GermanGenealogist.com with a professional,” Sala said with a his wife, Lynell, to help people trace their genealogy. chuckle. Submitted photo Sala had German ties, his mother was a native German and married done all these years, and some clients his father, a U.S. Air Force member, in actually pay me.” 1952. Sala also lived in Germany and With the growth and development Turkey in the early to mid-1970s. of the Internet, Sala said much of the Tracking down his ancestry led Sala to background research can be done online; bring a revelation to his immediate family however, he is quick to point out that as well. the new sites such as ancestry.com, “I did some digging and ended up myheritage.com and others are not 100 telling my grandparents who their percent reliable, and cannot fully take the grandparents were,” he said. see GENEALOGY page 43 As Sala honed his craft, he realized

BY TIM J. RANDALL

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Sean and Deborah Larusso opened Madiston Avenue Salon and Day Spa in 1998. Submitted photo

Spa owners continue family tradition with Madison Avenue BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Sean Larusso couldn’t see himself as a salon and spa owner 25 years ago. Now, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “My grandfather was a barber in New York; my father a salon owner for 40 years,” said Larusso, who owns the four locations of Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa in the Valley with his wife, Deborah. “I’m an accountant by trade. I worked in Manhattan for almost three years for a big accounting firm. I came out here in the early ‘90s for a long weekend and fell in love with it.” He packed up and moved cross-country

and subsequently was employed by a local firm. Deborah worked as a stylist for a nearby salon. Larusso said he believed that he and Deborah had the formula for success. So in April 1998, the couple opened Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa. Twelve of the original employees still work for the company. “We’ve been fortunate enough to build something that people consider to be a career,” he said. “They’re here for an extended period of time. That has been see TRADITION page 43

Ring in 2016 in a tasty and festive way BY ALISON STANTON

It may be hard to believe, but 2015 is about to draw to a close. To celebrate the end of this year while ringing in 2016, many area establishments are hosting special meals and other events for New Year’s Eve. For ideas, check out these festive options:

ASU gymnasts Asi Peko and Beka Conrad clown around for the kids. See page 54 for more photos.

Bernard’s People can celebrate the New Year at Bernard’s at Ocotillo Golf Resort. The restaurant is offering dinner seatings from

8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. The meal will include a starter and dessert buffet and choice of entrée. From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. patrons can enjoy live music and dancing with the Khani Cole Band, and conclude the evening with a champagne toast. The price is $90 per person; does not include tax and gratuity. Bernard’s is located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Dr. in Chandler. For reservations visit www. ocotillogolf.com. see 2016 page 44


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