SanTan Sun News;12-5-15: book

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www.SanTanSun.com

March 7 - 21, 2015

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Dec. 5 - Dec. 18, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com

‘Bad guys doing good’

Stormtrooper group looks forward to ‘The Force Awakens’ duneseagarrison.com. “I’ve been with them just about a year,” Betsko said “I love it. It’s fantastic. You can’t get any better than working with the kids. The smiles on the kids’ faces make it all worth it. “Plus, you get to wear the armor, which is really exciting—right—for any lifelong fan.” He said it took a while for his wife to wrap her head around the concept, but she eventually grasped it. “My kids, they’re not fazed by seeing dad in a Stormtrooper costume anymore,” he added. “They got used to it when they saw a roomful of them getting geared up.” His young children even have gotten into the game. During a recent “Star Wars Reads” program at the Hamilton Library, one son donned authentic Jango Fett gear while the other one was Kylo Ren. “I bought that [Jango Fett] from another garrison member,” he said. As for “The Force Awakens,” the 40-year-old Betsko is looking forward to next year’s film, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” a story that’s set between Episode Three (“Revenge of the Sith”) and Episode Four (“A New Hope”) said he.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Dressing up as a Stormtrooper as part of the 501st Legion is more than just play to Chandler resident Michael Betsko. It’s an opportunity to coax a smile out of the most cynical people. Members of the local Dune Sea Garrison and its parent organization, 501st Legion, put their costumes to good use taking part in charity events like the MS Walk and visits to children’s hospitals. “I’ve been to Phoenix Children’s Hospital twice,” Betsko said. “I’ve done Comicon, obviously, Make-a-Wish Foundation, some fundraising events. Just yesterday, I was at an event— Clara’s Run—for a young girl who passed away last year.” The garrison, which has been around for 12-plus years, is especially popular now with the Friday, Dec. 18, release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the seventh episode in the film series. The latest chapter is cloaked in mystery, save for a few trailers. Prospective members of the garrison or legion must be 18 and own a high-quality costume, which can cost more than $1,000 and take about 50 hours of manpower to create. For information about the group, visit www.501st.com or www.

“Star Wars” is being passed to new generations, as Michael Betsko, donning Stormtrooper armor, is flanked by sons Rylan and Marek. STSN photo by Tim Sealy

Home for the holidays

Locals encouraged to take a pledge against drinking and driving

City allows the Gil family to keep their son’s emotional support pig BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Just in time for the holidays—and after a three-month legal scuffle—the City of Chandler has ruled that the Gil family is allowed to keep Maggie, a pet pig that serves as a therapy animal for the family’s 9-year-old son, Julian. The issue began in August when the City received an anonymous complaint about the pig. Initially, the City told the family that Maggie would have to leave because their property is not zoned for livestock. But, according to the family, Maggie is not livestock—she’s an emotional support animal for Julian, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. The complaint opened a months-long back and forth between the family’s legal team and the City of Chandler. On

see STORMTROOPER page 3

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Nov. 17, Maggie was approved to stay with the Gils. “The City of Chandler has approved the Gils’ request for a reasonable accommodation under the Federal Fair Housing Act,” said Matt Burdick, communications and public affairs director for the City. “The City took the time necessary to investigate the complaint and reviewed information submitted in support of the Gils’ reasonable accommodation request. This outcome was reached through a fair process that balances the child’s rights under the law along with the rights of neighboring property owners.” According to the City’s official see HOME page 5

Last year, 265 Arizonans were killed and another 3,146 injured because of impaired drivers, according to recent statistics. To combat startling numbers like these, Desert Car Care Center of Chandler and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Phoenix are launching their annual “Tie One On For Safety” campaign to remind community members to always have a designated driver. Both groups support this cause, especially during the holiday season. “Tie One On For Safety is MADD’s longest public awareness campaign, and between Thanksgiving and New Year’s there is a higher potential for impaired driving crashes and fatalities—all during a time that is meant for family and friends,” said Beverly Mason Biggers, Arizona

program manager for MADD. “We could end drunk driving deaths tomorrow by simply not getting behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs—legal, illegal and over the counter medicines.” The event is dedicated to Chandler Police Officer David Payne, who was part of the East Valley DUI Task Force and supported the 2012 event. While on duty on Oct. 31, 2014, Payne was hit by a drunk driver and killed. The official kick off date is Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Desert Care of Chandler, located at 95 N. Dobson Rd. Then, through Dec. 31, community members can come in and sign the Pledge to Drive Sober and receive a “Tie One On For Safety” MADD decal, a free set of windshield wiper blades and a voucher

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Diversity Office promotes mutual respect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . community . . . . . . . . Page 10 Agents needed for local nonprofit event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . business . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Seton Catholic wrestling program attains national spotlight . . youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 34 City to celebrate two parks in ceremonies on Dec. 12 . . . . . . . neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 Gin Blossoms return home for free show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 62

Associate Broker REALTOR® CDPE ABR GRI SFR SRS CSSPE

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SANTAN FAMILY FUN . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Section

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More Community . . . . . . . 1-19 Business . . . . . . . . 20-27 Youth . . . . . . . . . . 28-36 Opinion . . . . . . . . 45-46 Neighbors . . . . . . 47-59 Where to eat . . . 60-62 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . 63-70 Spirituality . . . . . 71-74 Directory . . . . . . . 75-76 Classifieds . . . . . . 77-79


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