As part of our efforts to strive for excellence in patient satisfaction, we commit ourselves to continuous training. Each year we invest in days of staff training. Last year we challenged our staff to read a book called, The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence. Following our book club reading, we visited the Chandler Mall Nordstrom where we met the store manager and took a behind the scenes tour. Afterward we had a little shopping spree for the staff. It was a fun afternoon of learning, inspiration and shopping.
This year, we have challenged ourselves to read the Book, “The New Gold Standard: The Ritz Carlton. All of our staff are engaged in reading and discussing the book. We know there is always something to
learn from the best in each industry. One item that I found interesting in last year’s book reading was Nordstrom’s philosophy to, “hire the smile, train the skill.” I completely relate to this statement. Not just due to the fact the an attractive smile is proven to raise one’s ability to find better employment and higher pay, but also in the fact that if you are striving for amazing customer satisfaction, you need people who are “nice.” One of my favorite compliments are when our patients exclaim that all of at Chamberlain Orthodontics are just so nice. True, it is a wonderful place to work and that the atmosphere definitely makes it easier to be pleasant, but I feel that the staff at Chamberlain Orthodontics are unique in their “niceness.” Yes, they are highly skilled, hard workers, problem solvers and great thinkers.
Numerous reviews from our community can attest to that fact. But more than all of those great qualities, I’m proud that our staff members are uniquely nice. As the author, Robert Spector has written, “Have you ever tried to take someone who is not inherently nice and magically make them nice? It can’t be done.”
If you happen to stop by our office in the next few weeks, please ask us about what we liked best about our new book.
For those of our office staff who read the book in its entirety, we plan to take a trip to the Dove Mountain Ritz and experience firsthand why The Ritz has become synonymous with customer service. And, if you have a desire to create a smile that matches your “niceness,” please stop by or give us a call. I know we can do wonders with your smile and that you will have a “nice” experience!
Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
DETAILS
RETIREMENT ENGINEERING WORKSHOP™
2-Day Workshop for Adults Ages 50-70
WHAT EVERY WORKSHOP ATTENDEE RECEIVES
• 6 hours of interactive classroom instruction
• An in-depth Social Security Benefit Analysis
• Individual workbooks for each day’s workshop
• Comprehensive list of available on line retirement resources
Contact the Nearby News at (480) 898-5610 • Fax: (480) 898-5606 Editor@NearbyNews.com
Distribution Area:
community spotlight
By Seth Tyler Chandler Police Department
Accident demonstration makes an ‘impact’ on seniors
“Chandler units, copy an injury accident at Chandler High School Austin Field… Two vehicles, several injuries, Fire Department is en route…”
No, there wasn’t a real tragedy at the school. On ursday morning, April 14, two days before prom, Chandler High conducted its annual “IMPACT Assembly” for seniors. As the students watched from the stands, police and fire personnel from throughout the city narrated the mock fatal traffic collision on the football field.
New YMCA president vows to make a difference
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
As the new president and CEO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, Bryan Madden says he can change the world.
“Every day I go into work and figure out how to make people’s lives better,” Madden said. “ at’s a pretty exciting position to be in.”
He plans to emphasize the importance of swim lessons in Arizona. Having just moved to the Valley from South Carolina, Madden was surprised to hear there is a large number of drownings in the Grand Canyon State.
CEO. I have the responsibility to set the strategic direction along with the board of directors. We have a great tradition. It’s not that we need to tear it apart and build it back. We need to build upon our base. I always say I’m the guy who sits underneath the trees that someone else planted. We have 124 years of history and now it’s time to continue to grow that tradition.”
Besides stressing the importance of swim lessons, Madden wants to make sure that all of the facilities are focused on family activities.
In the scenario, it was prom night; and one of the drivers, “Joaquin,” decided to drink and drive with his friend “Nick” in the car with him. at vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle carrying two other students, “Jordan” and “Bre,” inside. “Jordan” was the driver and is lucky to be alive. “Bre” wasn’t so lucky; she was killed on impact.
Students watched the scene, and you could hear a pin drop as “Bre” was pulled out of the car, placed on the ground, and covered with a blanket because she was already dead. “Jordan” and “Nick” were extricated from their damaged vehicles by the fire department. e “Jaws of Life” was fired up, and the vehicles were opened like a tin can, allowing the rescue personnel access to the injured. Once the students were removed from the twisted metal that was the vehicle they were driving just a few moments earlier, paramedics moved in to evaluate their conditions. At the center of the football field, a Native Air helicopter landed to transport “Nick” to a Level 1 Trauma Center due to his severe injuries. “Jordan” was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital. e students in the crowd realize that it takes longer than the few moments often depicted on televsion shows to get the injured
to a medical facility.
“Joaquin” was put through the standardized field sobriety tests, which he failed. He was arrested, handcuffed and led to a waiting patrol vehicle just past the carnage he created. “Joaquin” will be charged for DUI and manslaughter in the death of “Bre.” Finally, Bueler Mortuary arrived to remove “Bre” from the scene in a body bag.
At this point, trauma nurses Valerie Holsinger and Dawn Polkable spoke to the students about the medical staff ’s treatment of injuries once the victims reach the hospital. ey described the long-term physical and psychological injuries.
CHS Assistant Principal Margaret Tierney has coordinated the mock crash assembly since 2008 with the help of community partners. e event is completely funded by the participating agencies, businesses and individuals. e planning usually begins about two months before the event and consists of several meetings with all of the stakeholders.
e agencies responsible for collaboration on the IMPACT assembly include the Chandler Unified School District, the Chandler Police Department, the Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department, Banner Health, All City Towing, Bueler Mortuary, Chandler Regional Hospital, Native Air, MADD, NotMyKid, and the Chandler Center for Youth Substance Abuse.
“How can we be the secondleading state for drowning?” he asked rhetorically. “How does that happen? I have to turn that and make sure there is a change possibility.
“I have heard people say, ‘Only worry about the things you can change.’ I think, in my position, we can change the world. If you only worry about the things you can change, and you say you can change the world, that’s a lot of things to worry about.”
One thing that Madden does not worry about is maintaining the legacy of the Y. He’s excited about the opportunity to be a part of a change agent organization.
“It’s a 16-branch organization,” he said. “It’s a pretty big Y—one of the largest in the United States.
“My position is the president and
“ at’s our area of expertise,” Madden said. “We are the largest provider of child care in the nation.
“I read that 1- to 2-year-old males are most likely to drown and most likely it’ll happen in the backyard. Swim lessons are a big part of how we move forward and change that direction. e Y is uniquely situated to be a part of that discussion.”
But the Y doesn’t just focus on youngsters. Dubbed the nation’s leading exercise program for active older adults, SilverSneakers is a big part of the Y, as are other wellness programs.
“We can’t be everything to everybody,” he said. “We offer child care, programs for older adults, wellness programs, swim lessons. ose are programs that help families.”
Tutor House hosts SAT/ACT summer boot camp
Tutor House Tutoring Services will hold two separate Summer Boot Camps to provide assistance and coaching for students preparing to take the SAT on June 4 and ACT on June 11.
e SAT and ACT Boot Camps will be delivered over the course of four days in a small group setting. Lessons will cover math strategies, reading techniques, English/writing skills and science analysis.
Boot Camp participants will learn the test format, understand test content, study question types, and practice strategies and techniques for SAT and ACT subjects.
e SAT Boot Camp is offered from May 31 to June 3 for students taking the June 4 exam. e ACT Boot Camp is offered from June 6 to June 9 for students taking the June 11 exam. Class for each boot camp is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.
Boot camps will be held at Tutor House Tutoring Services, 1256 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite F, Chandler. To register, go to the Tutor House 2016 calendar at www. TutorHouseAZ.com. Register by May 14 to receive a $25 discount.
For more information, contact Tutor House at (480) 857-1222 or email Tutoring@TutorHouseAZ.com.
During the demonstration, two cars were involved in a head-on collision with a pair of students in each car.
neighborhood hearsay
The last thing you are thinking about is kids going back to school. After all, we haven’t even hit Memorial Day and the last day of school. When it comes to gathering volunteers or seeking donations to help others, you can never start too early. Chandler’s Diversity Office, For Our City-Chandler and a volunteer committee is preparing for Operation Back to School, a oneday event where kids received a new backpack filled with school supplies. Haircuts, uniforms, socks and shoes are among the freebies students can receive during the event. More than 3,000 attended last year and more are expected at this year’s event Saturday, July 23, at Chandler High School.
Dearborn Heights, Michigan, because “he’d rather live in a place that was full of real, genuine people,” and another indicated he was moving to Elkhart, Indiana. Anyway, you get the drift. The latest one to make its rounds is Eminem moving to Chandler (along with other several other locations in other states), because, after all, he was also “tired of the L.A. lifestyle” and he, too, wanted to live in that place “full of real, genuine people.” (He lives in Michigan.) Well, these stories are all nonsense. Don’t believe it. He’s not coming to film a sequel to “8 Mile” and name it, oh, I don’t know, “Chandler Heights Boulevard.” It ain’t happening. One local publication did some digging and found that many of these stories originated from dailynews11.com, which issued a disclaimer indicated the material was satire.
To ensure the event is a success, the organizations need help from the business community and volunteers, and are asking for corporate sponsorships ($500 to $20,000), online financial contributions, donated school supplies, shoes, socks and underwear from a designated wish list and volunteers to assist with inventory and stuffing backpacks with supplies. To view a complete list of sponsorship opportunities, school supplies needed or volunteer opportunities, visit www.backtoschoolchandler.org.
The website has a list of drop box locations and information on how to donate online. Drop box locations for backpacks and school supplies will be open until Wednesday, July 13.
Windy City natives can enjoy another slice of home with the recent opening of 55 Chicago. The owners of The Perch opened their new endeavor next door to their popular downtown gastropub. The restaurant is named after its address and serves up plenty of Chicago-style fare, including deepdish pizza (of course), Italian beef and Chicago dogs, along with burgers, panini and lasagna. For information, visit http:// bit.ly/1T58Fj0.
Apparently there are stories working their way onto Facebook of celebrities and musicians moving from California to some suburb or small town. One post quoted Adam Levine about loving
Finally, did you know that Frank Lloyd Wright and Dr. A.J. Chander were friends? They communicated through letters as Wright had several projects planned here. Most were never completed, including the San Marcos on the Desert and Broadacre City. Chandler Museum Administrator Jody Crago will cover these projects and examine Wright’s design efforts from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21, at the Downtown Chandler Library, 22. S. Delaware St. Visit www. chandlermuseum.org for information.
What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.
Aviator searches for clues in disappearance of Amelia Earhart
By Natalie Savarino
An expedition in search of clues regarding Amelia Earhart’s disappearance was nothing less than extraordinary to Karl Kern, founder of Chandler-based KRN Aviation Services.
But he’s not ready to give up yet; he has high hopes for his team’s 2017 expedition.
“It’s a treasure hunt to me,” Kern said. “It’s a never-ending quest.”
Kern began his journey in 2010, spending three weeks on the island of Nikumaroro, where he cleared and excavated land to try to uncover details about Earhart’s disappearance 78 years ago. It is believed that she vanished after landing on Nikumaroro.
“If you were a nonscientist you could buy your way onto the trip, so I bought my way on and went,” Kern said. e expedition consisted of Kern, e International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery’s Executive Director Richard Gillespie and Senior Archaeologist omas King. Kern said the trip lasted about a month.
Many items were found that may have belonged to Earhart.
“ e island was deserted when we got there,” Kern said. “It had no one on it for many years.”
Kern said around 1940 a group settled on the island and found the remains of an individual. “ ey found part of a woman’s shoe, an empty sextant box, and 13 bones, including the skull. All that stuff was put together and sent to Fiji for an analysis.” Kern said at first scientists determined it was a Polynesian, but it was later on confirmed by a second scientist that it was a European woman.
e island is only 3 miles long by 1-mile wide, Kern said. “It’s very easy for something to disappear and never be seen out there.”
e aircraft recovery group is trying to find where the skeleton was found, Kern said. “I think we may actually be on the wrong side of the island looking for it.”
At KRN Aviation Services, Kern buys bulk inventories of aircraft parts only for general aviation and BizJet. He seeks
out companies that are either changing their fleet, bankrupt from the courts or downsizing.
“We have one of the largest stocks in the world of aircraft parts, which are both new and used,” Kern said.
He has worked in aviation for 47 years. He began by flying helicopters in Vietnam and later worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
KRN Aviation Services was founded 37 years ago.
Kern will return to Nikumaroro next year for a second expedition.
“You know, you’re always hoping to find something significant to a project that you’re doing,” Kern said. “Once you get to this island, it’s one of the most isolated places on Earth.”
Kern said the feeling of emptiness
while being on the island was unmatched by anything he has ever experienced.
“When you sit there and think about being so isolated from the entire world and being all alone, it’s a pretty unique experience,” Kern said.
Karl Kern, founder of KRN Aviation Services, will revisit the island of Nikumaroro in 2017.
City of Chandler Insider
Water is Lori McCallum’s passion
Lori McCallum’s 23 years with the City of Chandler have taken her from temporary employee to manager of the city’s water quality program. “I always worked in water,” McCallum said.
She recalls being interested in a job in the private sector as a chemist, but the company she was going to work for went out of business. She had been registered as a temp to get the job, however, and that move put her on the city’s radar.
“ ere’s a lot of people who come here (the City of Chandler), and they stay because it’s a great place to work,” McCallum said.
McCallum has a background in laboratory chemistry and has college degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering from ASU.
She manages a team of 16 employees and seven programs for the city, overseeing lab services, water and wastewater sampling, water and wastewater compliance reporting,
the industrial pretreatment program, the oil and grease program, backflow prevention and customer service calls. McCallum said the thing she likes most about her job is the dedication city employees have to provide clean and safe drinking water.
Her day typically starts with addressing any issues that came up over the previous night, if she doesn’t have a meeting to attend. She’ll review reports and produce memos, review and sign permits. She also handles the department’s $6 million budget.
She regularly confers with colleagues from other local communities about regulations that are coming up or water concerns, such as algae levels and how other cities deal with those.
Her days are busy, so her downtime is spent with more relaxing activities, such as reading and working on jigsaw puzzles. She also has six rescue pets at home and volunteers for the Arizona Animal Welfare League, a
no-kill animal shelter that does pet adoptions. In fact, you’ll find her at Chandler Fashion Center once a week volunteering for the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
McCallum is married with two daughters. She’s also vegan. “It’s hard when I travel. At home it’s pretty easy because I can cook,” she said.
Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers Medical Sta
Besides providing clean, safe drinking water to Chandler residents, Water Quality Program Manager Lori McCallum is passionate about the Arizona Animal Welfare League. The organization is always looking for volunteers. For more information, visit www.aawl.org.
The quality of our water is directly linked to the quality of our lives City of Chandler Insider
When you turn on the faucet in your home to get a glass of water, the last thing you should worry about is if it’s safe to drink. Safe drinking water is something that one can easily take for granted, and for the families in Flint, Michigan, it’s a nightmare that has turned into a reality. Chandler residents have no reason to be concerned about their drinking water. Did you know that the city’s water supply comes from three different sources? Here they are:
• Surface water from the Salt River, Verde River, Central Arizona Project and Salt River Project wells. is water is treated and disinfected at the Chandler Surface Water Treatment Plant;
• 28 active wells that supply groundwater from aquifers. is water is disinfected with chlorine prior to entering the distribution system;
• Colorado River water that is treated and disinfected at the SanTan Vista Water Treatment Plant that is jointly owned by the town of Gilbert and the city of Chandler, and is located in Gilbert. e city of Chandler is committed to providing the highest-quality drinking water and service to its
residents and customers. Water samples are routinely taken from Chandler’s numerous wells, reservoirs, sampling stations and homes located throughout the City. ousands of tests are performed each year by its trained staff of technicians, specialists, inspectors and chemists. is highly specialized team works together to continuously monitor the quality of Chandler’s water supply.
e team of 16 is led by Water Quality Program Manager Lori McCallum, who shared that her staff is dedicated to providing clean, safe water to residents. For us, “this is not a job. It’s a mission,” McCallum said. e city is proud that it meets all national drinking water standards.
From June to September, the city will test for lead and copper at selected customer’s taps. e last tap sampling of lead and copper was in the summer of 2013, with the concentrations of both well below regulatory limits. Federal regulations require all cities test for lead and copper at least once every three years.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and
components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Chandler is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in household plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.
If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested by a commercial laboratory. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791, or at www. epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Water is a must for survival, but especially important in our warm climate. Clean, safe drinking water for our residents and families is expected and will be always be a priority.
Be in the know:
10 tips for homeowners to maintain water quality
Clean faucets and aerators regularly.
Clean and disinfect sinks and drains regularly.
3. Keep drains clear and unclogged.
4. Use cold water for drinking and preparing food.
5. Replace old plumbing and install certified “lead-free” fixtures.
6. Flush cold water taps after household plumbing work or when the water hasn’t been used for several days.
7. Drain and flush your hot water heater annually.
8. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the water heater, filters, treatment devices, softeners and any other products attached to the water system.
9. Do not connect hoses or other devices intended for nondrinking purposes to household drinking water faucets.
10. Keep hazardous chemicals and unsanitary materials away from drinking water faucets.
Websites that provide information about your drinking water include:
• City of Chandler: www. chandleraz.gov/waterquality
• American Water Works Association: www.awwa.org
• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality: www. azdeq.gov
• Arizona Department of Health Services: www.azdhs.gov
• Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
• Maricopa County Environmental Services Department: www. maricopa.gov/envsvc
• Tap Into Quality: www. tapintoquality.com
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.water.epa.gov/ drink/index.cfm
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
Students shine in Young Artists and Authors Showcase
e Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities organization has revealed the winners of its Young Artists and Authors Showcase which carried the theme, “Peace through People.”
e first place essay winner, Samantha Kamath, expressed the theme perfectly, according to Ellen Harrington, president of ChandlerTullamore Sister Cities.
“Growing up in the 21st century means that I’ve seen violence and strife everywhere in the world and the news,” wrote Samantha, a student at Hamilton High School.
“Every generation has their formative experiences, but mine seems to be in a particularly volatile period. I don’t want to live in a violent world unable to overcome its weaknesses, nor do I want to pass it down. Peace isn’t just a utopian goal; it’s a necessity for the future. Seeing everything that’s wrong only makes me want to do right.”
Other Young Authors essay winners are:
• Second place: Shardul Kuthapalli, “Peace through People”
• ird place: Valeria Valdes Cosilion, “Peace on Earth”
• Honorable mentions: Sanjana Kumar, “A Hopeful World” and Kiera Blawn, “ e Flames of Peace.”
• International first place winner for
essay is Emily McKeagney, Sacred Heart, Tullamore, “Peace through People.”
e Young Authors poetry winners are:
• First place: Brianna Beswick, “Joining Forces,” Hamilton High School
• Second place: Isabella Guler, “Mastering Peace as One”
• ird place: Kevin Garcia, “Peace through People”
• Honorable mention: Jadzia Hart, “White Bird”
Young Artists winners are:
• First place: Astha Chourasia, Hamilton High School, “Teardrop”
• Second place: Grace Aksamit, “Inches”
• ird place: Jenna Glew, “One Purpose: Peace”
• Honorable mentions: Matthew Wichman, “When We All Come Together;” Priyanka Konan and Anagha Peshpande for “World Peace;” Christine Walsh, “Many Colors, One Spectrum;” Michelle Beglin, “Come Together;” and Bartia Cooper, “Shadows.”
e first place entry for photography is Amo Makhubele of Hamilton High School, for “E Pluribus Unum.”
Each year, the Young Artists and Authors Showcase encourages youth
from around the globe to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, film and photography.
Sister Cities International aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time, Harrington said.
is year’s theme commemorated the 60th anniversary of Sister Cities International by celebrating the six decades of citizen diplomacy and looking ahead to new relationships fostered by sister cities.
“ e Young Artists and Authors Showcase is one of the events sponsored by SCI, and is an amazing opportunity to expose our students—at young and impressionable ages—to Sister Cities,” Harrington said.
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded Sister Cities International in 1956, he said, “If we are going to take advantage of the assumption that all people want peace, then the problem is for people to get together and to leap governments— if necessary to evade governments—to work out not one method but thousands of methods by which people can gradually learn a little bit more of each other.”
basis. is exhibit was shipped from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sister Cities, and will be transported to Tempe Sister Cities for May. CTSC has been honored to receive the international showcase for the third year because of its grand prize winners.
Artists and authors were encouraged to draw inspiration from Eisenhower’s words and present their vision of how people-to-people exchanges and citizen diplomacy build peace in their communities.
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, at the request of Sister Cities International, hosted the 2015 International Showcase.
e CTSC 2015 International Essay Winner, Beihbinn Cullen from Tullamore, was part of the traveling exhibit for a year-long tour hosted by local sister city programs on a monthly
Chandler’s Young Artists & Authors Showcase, held at Vision Gallery in April, and the reception for the students held at DCCP’s ird Friday Artwalk, was made possible in large part due to a grant from Chandler’s Special Events Committee and the Chandler Cultural Foundation.
“We especially thank the City of Chandler’s Diversity Office and their Creative Expressions program; Vision Gallery, our host venue for this and past years’ Showcases; Downtown Chandler Community Partnership for enthusiastically welcoming our students and families; our author judges Lisa Ballesteros (essay) and Linda Ems (poetry), and artists judges Laurie Fagen and Bonnie Lou Coleman; Chandler teachers who continue to encourage their students to stretch their imaginations; and, our Chandler students who produce simply amazing artworks, poetry and essays, truly Young Authors and Artists,” Harrington said.
e winning 2016 essays, poems and artworks can be viewed at www. chandlerirish.org.
Astha Chourasia of Hamilton High School won first place for “Teardrop.”
The first place winner for photography is Amo Makhubele of Hamilton High School for “E Pluribus Unum.”
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
First place essay winner ‘World Disagreement’
By Samantha Kamath
When I was 5, my definition of peace was a day in my household without any quarrels between my older brother and me—a lost cause. As I grew older, peace meant appeasing others for the sake of avoiding a fight. Now, I’m not entirely sure I ever understood what peace entailed. Was it addressing your problems to find a peaceful solution or not expressing any troubles at all? Peace has always been a goal of the international community— achieving it, keeping it and spreading it. It is a goal that has yet to be attained. In order to achieve it, we must be able to define peace as a global community.
Conflict and disagreement are seen as exact opposites of peace, but it’s time to rethink this outlook. With so many different people and perspectives in our world, it’s impossible to ever reach a point with no conflict at all. Peace must become a method, an ongoing effort, toward creating a better future—not a destination. e question becomes how to act through peace, not how to create it. We must learn to find our common ground as one human race, but also bring with us our disagreements and voice them. We must learn that acting as a unified group doesn’t mean forfeiting our differences, but rather utilizing open discussion and constructive disagreement to advance our society as a whole. We must learn that creating peace through people can only come when we learn to accept our differences, rather than denying they exist. Peace should be about embracing conflict instead of rejecting it, and it can only come by collaborating as a diverse, yet cooperative, global community.
My own life has been full of disagreement. As a first-generation American, it sometimes feels as though my life is split in two. I was raised in a Western society
Joining Forces
By Brianna Beswick, first place, poetry
As the wind blows
And the rain pours, Some trees may fall
And people too
As the bombs boom
And the guns fire Blood is splattered And lives are lost
For what?
For some land, Some money, Some power?
When do lives
And peoples’ homes
Become enough to end is ongoing war
Now,
Now is the time
To join forces. Now is the time
To put aside our wants, our desires
And help each other out
and embody its beliefs. But my immigrant parents have also instilled in me a strong cultural identity that often disagrees with my other half. Although I sometimes feel like a double agent, my culture and heritage gives me a unique perspective of the world around me. And it isn’t only me. People come from all walks of life, all cultures, and all points of views. ese differences should be embraced. ese differences are valuable. ese differences are the keystone to peace. If we communicate with the intention of listening instead of responding, we can create a society where people focus on a way to peacefully solve their disputes.
When I was 5, my definition of peace wasn’t nearly as complex as it is now. But I learned something important— that conflicts would always arise no matter our attempts to prevent them. I learned the only way to have peace was to solve our conflicts when they did rise. Maybe my household wasn’t the traditional definition of peaceful, but it taught me about differences. It taught me about disagreement and conflict. And after all, what are older brothers for?
First place essay winner Samantha Kamath expressed the theme perfectly, according to Ellen Harrington, president of Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities.
East Valley Moms
Brought to you by:
NearbyNews
Arizona Zipline Adventures
View lofty heights at new venue in Oracle
Story and photos by Kimberly Hosey
Above the 30-foot tower—where, in less than two hours, we would step off a ledge to fly 1,500 feet over a canyon—vultures circled.
It’s a testament to my and my son’s humor, not to mention our affinity for birds, that we considered this a good sign.
After my son became a teenager, he was bitten by the thrill-seeker bug. Because he’s still a bit cautious—and because I don’t want to toss my kid out of any airplanes just yet—we’d been looking for an adrenaline rush that was, and felt, safe.
We found that safe rush at Peppersauce Station on the backside of Mount Lemmon in Oracle, at the new Arizona Zipline Adventures.
Arizona Zipline Adventures, the first eco-zipline tour in Arizona, opened Jan. 30 this year, and boasts the longest zip line in the state: that final flight we’d be braving from the vulturebesieged tower.
First, we built up our courage.
After arriving at AZA we signed waivers, stowed our belongings in free lockers, and learned the ropes—literally. Our guide led us through the techniques of fitting helmets and harnesses and provided a primer on our harnesses, carabiners, trolleys and ropes. She covered how to brake (pull your rope perpendicular to the zip line, and watch for the guide’s cues) and proper landing posture (push everything away from your face), and more; ensuring we were all reasonably comfortable before setting out.
hold onto the trolleys.
Our first line was pretty short, but still: We were stepping off a ledge to zoom over a canyon, our feet dangling in empty air. It looked pretty intimidating.
e guides have it covered. ey do pretty much everything but sit in the harness: hooking trolleys to lines, checking harnesses and making sure riders feel safe and comfortable. All you have to do is step out into empty space. Easy, right?
Only riders weighing between 50 and 250 pounds are permitted, and kids 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. AZA accommodates the visually impaired, using vocal rather than hand signals. Participants must be able to hike for short distances and
After coaching and coaxing, our first rider flew along the line to the other side of the small canyon, to cheers from our group. My son watched, ascertained that the rider was still alive at the end of the line, and decided that he would probably be OK.
If you’re looking for a good way to teach your kids to pay attention to instructions, this is it. As the guide
prepared my son for his first ride, he listened with more focus than I’ve ever seen outside of a video game marathon. I guess having your life on the (albeit extremely safe) line will demand attention. Still, the predominant emotion on his face was excitement. He was stoked. She finished the instructions, counted him down, and he was over the side. I quelled my mother-freakout instincts long enough to snap a few photos, then stopped to revel in his joy. He landed safely at the other side and hung for a few moments as he dismounts with the help of a ladder. is was followed, of course, by a second round of joy for him as he got to watch his ungainly mother make the same trip. As I crashed into place (they have backup brakes, but it’s a rough landing if you don’t pull hard when instructed), he giggled and bragged about how his landing was so much smoother.
at’s fine. I got the thrill of exhilaration from my own ride, cool wind in my hair and desert rushing below my feet—and maximum coolparent points besides. I’ll take it.
After a short ride and walk to the next station we zipped over the canyon a few more times on slightly longer lines, hiking short distances in between. e area’s high-desert beauty is enough to recommend a trip: We saw a snake, deer in the distance on the mountainside and sweeping views of mountains covered in blooming
ocotillos.
Finally, it was time to take our fifth and final trip. We’d built up some courage, not to mention rudimentary zip lining skills (I was a bit better at braking by now). Still, the climb to the launch point felt much higher than 30 feet. e vultures were gone, but that was probably just because of the shrieking of the preceding groups. e line is the only tandem flight on the tour, so it’s usually a bit of a race. ey counted us down. We launched.
I crashed into the station moments before my son, so I was unhooked and had my camera out just in time to catch an enthusiastic thumbs-up. He was already bragging before they even let him off the line.
“I’m telling all my friends about this! I can’t wait to do this again. When can we come back?”
If you have adventure seekers in your family, and want to generate this kind of enthusiasm from a teen (with his mom, no less), you may want to try these thrll rides from Arizona Ziplines Adventures. Cost is $79 for general admission and $69 for 15 and under, military and seniors over 65.
Once adventurers take the leap, they are rewarded by an exhilarating flight over canyons filled with scrub and cactus at the new Arizona Zipline Adventures in Oracle.
David Hosey gives a thumbs-up at the end of his zipline adventure.
top 10 family events
May 20-June 20, 2016
1 CinePark May Movie Series
The city presents the movie “Minions” to conclude its three-week series of films. Bring a blanket and chairs to relax and enjoy the movie with the entire family.
WHEN: Friday, May 20, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler COST: Free, food and beverage available for purchase
INFO: (480) 782-2665 or www.chandleraz.gov
2 Astronomy Nights
The public is invited to explore the universe in Mesa Community College’s state-of-the-art planetarium. The May 6 theme is “Our Solar System.”
WHEN: First Friday of each month, every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
WHERE: Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa
COST: Call for charge
INFO: (480) 461-7000 or http://bit.ly/1KyRRuT
3 Rumpelstiltskin
The classic tale about the strange little fellow with the hard-toguess name and the miller’s daughter who must spin straw into gold.
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday, May 4 through May 29, various times WHERE: Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix COST: $7 to $10 INFO: (602) 262-2050 or www.azpuppets.org
4 Underwater FantaSEA
Fourteen artists show off their works in the media of painting, sculpture, textile arts, prints, photographs and digital art.
WHEN: Through May 29, various times WHERE: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Pl., Mesa
COST: $8
INFO: (480) 644-4332 or www.ideamuseum.org
5 Summer Kickoff Celebration
Children and families are invited to the Summer Kickoff Celebration, where they can enjoy a night of games, prizes and the chance to meet Cha! Cha. The celebration also features fun raffles and prizes, treats, complimentary goodie bags, and a special discounted meal for kids.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 15, from 5 p.m. to close WHERE: Rainforest Café, 5000 S.
Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 573, Tempe
COST: Charge for meals INFO: (480) 752-9100 or www.rainforestcafe.com
6 Pete, or the Return of Peter Pan
In a new twist on Peter Pan, Wendy jumps into a world of pirates, fairies, ninjas and pterodactyls and finds out what it means to believe.
WHEN: Through Sunday, May 22, various times
WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe.
COST: $12 to $26
INFO: (480) 350-2822
7 Y.E.T.I presents Still Life with Iris
Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc. (YETI), a teen theater production ensemble, begins its second season with Steven Dietz’s critically acclaimed adventure fantasy drama “Still Life with Iris.”
WHEN: Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 12, various times
WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
COST: Call for ticket information INFO: (480) 350-2822
8 Disney’s The Little Mermaid
See the hit animated movie come to life.
WHEN: Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 26, various times
WHERE: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix
COST: Call or visit website for ticket information
INFO: (602) 253-8188, ext. 307, or www.vyt.com
9 Mighty Mud Mania
The 41st annual event includes mud obstacle courses for different age groups, starting from toddlers through adults.
WHEN: Saturday, June 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale COST: Various prices INFO: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/ mighty-mud-mania
10 Dog Days of Summer
Bring your pup to Chase Field and watch the D-backs try to beat the Miami Marlins.
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, at 1:10 p.m.
WHERE: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix
COST: Tickets start at $10 INFO: www.azdiamondbacks.com
slices of life
By Jill Pertler
Writers research, procrastinate and look for happy endings
e combination of a blank page and a column deadline should be motivating. Should be.
However, I’ve heard this duo can provoke a person to employ any number of creative time-wasters, hardly any of which include putting actual words on paper. But I wouldn’t know firsthand. I’m only imagining, because that’s what writers do best. Well, that and write, I suppose, but I’m getting sidetracked and wouldn’t want to do that. It would be a waste of time.
Here’s the rub: writing isn’t just writing. It involves research and procrastination and often some overlap between where one ends and the other begins.
When faced with a deadline, a writer might find herself scrolling on social media, clicking on link after link sifting through a considerable amount of whatevers and whatnots engaging in activity loosely referred to as “research.” e serious investigative inquiry required by a serious columnist (much like myself) is critical to the writing process and, like a deadline, is nearly impossible to avoid.
In my professional experience, I’ve found a certain amount of research—
otherwise known as uncontrolled scrolling—is inevitable, albeit not always required.
e result of this research most often falls into one of three categories: significant, insignificant and beyond insignificant. One is useful; the other two may be, depending on the writer’s talent, creativity, proximity to deadline and overall desperation. Furthermore, separating the wheat from the chafe requires diligence, concentration, perseverance and the ability to click on link after link while waiting patiently for the slowest of pages to load.
Today I conducted considerable research, all in the name of getting it right for you, dear reader. Your appreciation is noted and appreciated. Back at you. To serve you better, I muddled through the significant, insignificant and beyond, but I’m not one to judge. I’ll leave that up to you. Said research included:
An enticing invitation to “Click here to see jaw-dropping historic photos of amazing people!” (Most I didn’t recognize.) ere was Goldie Hawn eating a hamburger and Clint Eastwood skateboarding—both in
1964 but not together. e takeaway? Maybe 1964 was a pretty big year— significant even. Or maybe not.
Cleaning hacks, home improvement hacks, gardening hacks, life hacks, cooking hacks, fishing hacks, decorating hacks and laundry hacks.
e internet is full of hacks, and one can basically conclude that anything containing a hack is anything but. In a word: I love hacks.
e same can be said of animal rescue stories. I watched a few (OK, maybe half a dozen) but one about a pup named Xena the Warrior Princess and a boy with autism tugged at the heartstrings. I hate animal cruelty, but enjoy happy endings. Xena the Warrior Princess has a very happy ending.
Research can take you in a number of directions. An hour before deadline, person might find herself inexplicably Googling descriptions of movies she’s never watched to see if she might want to sometime—even though she hardly ever watches movies and tends to fall asleep on the couch when she does. Still, research is research; I
remind myself it’s all for a good cause and sometimes you have to take one for the team.
I’m not a total chump and do harbor a sliver of discernment. I didn’t click on every link I encountered. at wouldn’t be prudent or professional (or discerning). I avoided an article outlining the history of the cell phone because I’ve lived out that journey in person. Perhaps I’ll write about it someday. Also took a pass on an image of what Xena the Warrior Princess looks like now. ere was no need. I am not and wasn’t ever aware of what Xena the Warrior Princess (in the human form) looked like then, so I wouldn’t even know the difference. Not that I’d need to. I’ve already seen the puppy story and in my world Xena will forever walk on four legs. Like I said, I love happy endings.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
By Erica Odello
Make a Father’s Day picture frame
Have you ever seen an item in a store that looked amazing, but the price point was just too high? is project is borne out of a similar experience. While I was out shopping for Father’s Day gifts, a raw wood picture frame caught my eye. After recovering from sticker shock, I looked at the frame and realized that I could do it myself for a fraction of the price. You will need: 4-inch by 6-inch acrylic box picture frame, scrap wood, wood glue, hot glue gun and frame hangers. Optional: popsicle sticks
Step 1
Whether you have a scrap wood pile in your yard or you’re picking something from a home improvement store’s discount bin, you’ll want to choose wood that is between 1/2- to 1-inch thick. ere needs to be enough room for 2 or more inches of overhang on each side of the acrylic picture frame. If you don’t have a saw, home improvement stores will cut the wood for free. (Note: Leftover pallet slats are great for this project.)
Step 2
Spread a thin line of wood glue across the longer side of one of the pieces. Match a second piece of wood to the glued side and press together from front to back, pushing the excess glue away from the face-up side. If it still oozes through, use your finger to wipe away. Keep the wood pieces stacked and set aside until they dry.
Step 3
Once the wood glue has dried, apply the frame hanger to the back of the frame, then flip right-side up. Take the paper backing out of the acrylic frame and center within the glued-together wood. Use hot glue to affix the paper backing to the wood. If you opted out of the acrylic picture frame, affix the photo directly to the wood with hot glue, then line with popsicle sticks.
Variations: If the raw-wood look seems just too bland, there are a number of options: Wood stain comes in many different shades and colors, or a simple sealant will add a more golden hue to the wood. Have your kids paint designs or words on the wood with acrylic paint, or they could glue different objects to the frame such as screws and washers, sea shells, twine, Lego pieces, or whatever would please the gift recipient.
around the neighborhood
The Great Southwest Cajun Fest in downtown Chandler gave folks a chance to sample true Cajun cooking and music on a perfect spring day. The festival showcased the heart and soul of New Orleans paired with Arizona fusion and flavor. Kids and adults were treated to games and attractions. Live music ranged from jazz and blues to contemporary swing revival bands. The food was the main attraction, and there was plenty of it. Vendors featured Cajun-style offerings and brews. A portion of proceeds supported the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, a nonprofit corporation to advance the development of downtown Chandler as a regional destination for shopping, dining, living, culture and the arts. Photos by Tim Sealy 1. Aria Farris looks down from the top of the rock climbing wall. 2. Richard Jackson smiles as he serves Louisiana-style barbecue . 3. Dominic Hollyer and Ewan Swek watch competitors at one of the carnival games. 4. Axel sips cool water on a warm spring afternoon. 5. Mary Duet, Austin Gheen, Parker Reeves, Abby and Lisa Gheen smile inside a photo booth. 6. Daniel and Carlos Sevilla serve up gumbo. 7. Andrea Gallegos and Tony Farag look forward to lobster mac-and-cheese and cold lemonade. 8. Ayona Farris descends effortlessly from the rock-climbing wall. 9. Katie Patterson and Makena Cordero find a shady spot to rest. 10. Hungry festival-goers line up for fried alligator and hush puppies.
10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Nine schools designated A+ Schools of Excellence
By Laurie Struna
For the second year in a row, Mesa Public Schools has nine schools among Arizona’s best K-12 public schools. Brinton, Las Sendas, Taft and Whitman elementary Schools, and Summit Academy, Shepherd and Smith junior high schools and Mountain View and Westwood high schools received the A+ School of Excellence award from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF).
To earn an A+ award, schools must show high achievement or significant improvement. Top schools identify and meet the needs of their students. Schools hold their title for three and a half years. Mesa has 23 A+ Schools of Excellence.
“Schools that earn the A+ designation go above and beyond expectations when it comes to the needs of students, staff and the entire community,” said Bobbie O’Boyle, AEF executive director. “ ey demonstrate overall excellence through a written application and rigorous site visit by a team of school leaders from across Arizona.”
e road to excellence e application process is lengthy and encompasses a detailed description of daily instruction and activities. Pat Estes, principal at Brinton Elementary School, said her school submitted a 58-page final document, which was reviewed by AEF and found to be of high quality, allowing Brinton to move on to a site visit.
“Reflecting on the writing and submitting of the A+ application, the Brinton community has been reminded of how we are rewarded every day by what we do for our students,” Estes said. “We come to school and work exceptionally hard to meet the challenges of educating our students. A sense of optimism and joy is important when you deal with children’s futures, and this award is a wonderful validation of what we do.”
For two days, a panel of three judges from AEF observed all classrooms and spoke with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administration, staff members and
volunteers. e visit helps AEF get to know each school and confirm the application’s accuracy. is information is reviewed and AEF determines if a school is deemed excellent.
Validating schools’ programs
Since its inception six years ago, Summit Academy has provided exceptional choices for students through the International Baccalaureate and AVID programs. Students performed well on academic assessments, and they have an engaged community. Mark Andrews, principal, explained community support is evident in their enrollment.
rating, outstanding PTO turn-outs and extra-curricular events, and the A+ recognition validates everyone’s collective efforts.”
“Summit’s student population is nearly 50 percent open-enrollment, which means half of our students come from outside of our neighborhood boundaries to be a part of our school,” Andrews said. “Parents want their children at Summit Academy because we have a high parent approval
Since 1983, AEF has honored A+ Schools of Excellence to recognize the best Arizona public schools. Each of this year’s 40 award-winning schools receives $500 and an A+ School of Excellence banner. e staff and faculty at winning schools are eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University/Phoenix.
Mark Andrews, principal at Summit Academy, engages in conversation with students.
events calendar
May 20-June 20, 2016
Chandler Farmers Market
Find more than 35 local vendors who sell produce, microgreens, tamales, hot sauces, cooking sauces, pastries, sweets, relishes, honey, cheese, tea, crafts, and much more.
WHEN: Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., through the end of May
WHERE: Dr. AJ Chandler Park East, 3 S. Arizona Pl., Chandler
Browse many different types of art available from talented artists. It’s not only a great opportunity to check out art, but patrons can visit establishments in downtown Chandler. All artists must go through a jury process to be accepted in the Art Walk. Only fine art and fine craft submissions will be considered.
WHEN: Third Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Chandler
COST: Free admission
INFO: www.downtownchandler.org/artwalk
$5 Food Festival
Food trucks and mobile food carts serve a large selection of globallyinspired dishes, all for $5 each (plus tax). Face painting and balloon twisting will be available, along with live music. Most vendors will accept only cash, so bring plenty of it to the event.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler
COST: $5, $10 early access passes, $25 VIP INFO: www.fivedollarfoodfest.com
Yen-Li
Chen Ballet School
Giselle, a peasant girl, dies of a broken heart when she discovers her youthful lover, Loys, is in reality Count Albrecht, and not free to marry her. Albrecht repents, visits her grave and she protects him until the dawn sees him safe once more.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m.,
and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $10 to $40
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Julieta Venegas
Her first studio album, “AQUI,” produced such hits as “Como Se” “De Mis Pasos” and “Adamus Huyendo.” Venegas has since racked up a Grammy and four Latin Grammy awards.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $33 to $54
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
TEDx Chandler Public Library: Creating the Experience
Arizona speakers will discuss arts, culture and “creating the experience.” Limited to 100 attendees.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 25, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Public Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler COST: Free, registration is required. INFO: (480) 782-2800 or www.TEDxChandlerPublicLibrary.com
Mariachi Vargas
Known as the “World’s Best Mariachi,” the band entertains audiences around the world. Leader Jose “Pepe” Martinez recently wrote the music for the world’s first mariachi opera.
WHEN: Friday, June 3, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and
Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $43 to $99
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
Ziggy Marley
The five-time Grammy winner and son of Bob Marley will release his self-titled album May 20, his first release in two years following the critically acclaimed “Fly Rasta,” which garnered the 2015 Grammy for Best Reggae Album
WHEN: Saturday, June 4, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $42 to $99
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
The songwriting couple presents the “We Live for Love” tour with Benatar singing hits like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker” and “Love is a Battlefield.”
WHEN: Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $52 to $112
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
War
You won’t miss a beat with the sounds of the audience-friendly rhythms of this American funk band’s hits, including “Low Rider,” “The Cisco Kid” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
WHEN: Saturday, June 11, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $30 to $69
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
Los Lonely Boys
The band took the music industry by storm with its debut hit “Heaven” in 2004, and bring audiences to their feet with rootsy soul and bluesy rock ‘n’ roll.
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
COST: $28 to $38
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Trivia Night with Hipstorian Marshall Shore
Join the Chandler Museum and The Ostrich for trivia as attendees of teams of four and six will test their knowledge and learn about the sordid stories of criminals, arson and kidnappings that are a part of the city’s history from one of Arizona’s best known historians. The Ostrich is located in the basement of Crust.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: The Ostrich, 10 N. Marcos Pl., Chandler
COST: Free; reservations required for teams of four to six to participate.
INFO: Reserve at (480) 917-4903 or http://bit.ly/1TjftTT
Los Lonely Boys
Los Lonely Boys bring ‘life and love’ to Chandler
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
God, life and love are three things by which Los Lonely Boys live. e three musicians—Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza—find it tough sometimes, but they rely on the love of God to get them through the bumps in life.
eir mother died a year ago, and previously they almost lost Henry.
eir 2014 album, “Revelation,” touched on Henry, who suffered serious injuries in a fall from the stage during a February 2013 Los Angeles performance. It necessitated a lengthy and ongoing recovery period.
“ at was a big change for us,” Jojo acknowledged. “ e whole experience was a wake-up call for us. It made us rethink every aspect of our lives and our careers, and it reminded us of what’s really important to us.”
e new music that Los Lonely Boys is writing is inspired by their mother’s death. But as usual, they put a positive spin on it.
“ ere is always some sort of struggle or something that tries to stop you from what we feel is God’s work,” Jojo said.
“When Henry got hurt, it was a tough time for us, but we found a way through. We lost our mother last year and we’re still working through that now. We’re coming up on a year here in June. But when you’re doing something you love, that helps you deal with the blows that life gives you.” He acknowledged that that can be hard sometimes.
“It hurts to be without those you love,” Jojo said. “ e mourning never really ends. We’ve lost multiple family members. It hurts and it’s something that stays with you forever. You only have one mom and one dad.”
e band has been writing occasionally, but there isn’t a new album in the works. Los Lonely Boys is still pushing “Revelation,” for which it worked with alt-country icon Radney Foster, in-demand pop tunesmiths Matthew Gerrard and David Quiñones, Black-Eyed Peas collaborators George Pajon Jr. and Keith Harris, and Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli.
“ ose guys are something else,” Jojo
said about Ozomatli, with whom they played at the Comerica eatre some years back. “ ey’re a great live band.
“Raul Pacheco is more than a guitar player. As far as the band goes, he plays a lot of guitar parts. But we’ve written a few tunes together.”
Like Los Lonely Boys and Ozomatli, the music brings fans and the band together. Music does not divide people.
“We’re all about having a good time, but we also make an effort to write about things that really matter,” he said. “A lot of people write songs about superficial things, like how you look, what kind of car you drive and how much money you have, but we’re not interested in that. We want to create music that’s about the love, the energy and the spirit that we all carry as people.
“We’re very thankful that God blessed our family with a drummer, a guitar player and a bass player, and that the three of us get to make music together. ere’s been a few bumps in the road here and there, but that happens in any family and in any band. e main thing is that we stick together, and that we’re trying to pass on that feeling of brotherhood, of familia, in the music that we make.”
Los Lonely Boys perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Tickets are $28 to $38. Visit www.chandlercenter.org for more information.
Los Lonely Boys perform Sunday, June 12, at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
By Judi King
Asian restaurant creates sauces, curries from family recipes
Diners are singing their praises about Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar, the new go-to Asian restaurant in Chandler. Although it has only been open since December, the restaurant already has a loyal fan base, along with a steady stream of new customers who are enticed by the rave reviews.
Owner Sherry Chen said that she strives to maintain the highest quality possible by purchasing her food from one of the top local vendors.
“Less than 10% of the restaurants in the Valley buy the finest quality produce and meats, like Angus choice beef, because it costs 40 to 60% more,” she said. “I pay more for the best because you can taste that quality in our food.”
also working full time.” From there she managed several chains before opening Singing Pandas.
Chen said that Singing Pandas is a true family restaurant. She uses her relatives’ recipes to create her authentic dishes, and makes all of the sauces, rice and curries each day. Her mother does all the prepping, her brother is a chef in the kitchen, her cousin is a server and her nephew is the announcer at the lounge show.
e extensive menu features 34 dinner entrees ($6.95 to $12.95).
is Chinese rice noodles pan-fried with egg, shrimp, chicken, barbecue pork, green and red peppers and scallion, with a touch of yellow curry ($10.95). e portion of pot stickers (six for $5.95) are so large that were are enough left over for the next day.
ere are 20 lunch specials ranging in price from $5.95 to $7.95. Eleven appetizers ($2 to $7.95) and eight soups ($5.95 to $8.95) round out the menu.
Chen bought the building, which was an antiquated, shuttered Mexican food restaurant, then completely renovated it by putting in new walls, ceilings, flooring, kitchen fixtures, high-end tables and booths, wallpaper flown in from China, and—a stage. Her idea was to create a place with great food and free entertainment.
the restaurant for those who prefer a quieter dining experience, and the bar and lounge for those who enjoy entertainment as they eat. A recent Saturday night featured singerimpersonator Mike Russell.
Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar has raised the bar in Chandler for a great dining experience for the whole family.
Opening Singing Pandas is the American dream for Chen, who moved to Arizona from Guangzhou, China, in 1998.
“I enrolled at Phoenix College to learn to speak English,” she said. “It was very difficult because I was
VOICE LESSONS
Chen said that some of the favorite entrees include orange chicken, ($9.95), Hong Kongstyle pork chops sautéed with onion in orange sauce ($10.95), kung pao chicken ($8.95) and Mongolian beef ($10.95).
e orange chicken is crunchy, tangy and meaty, piled high on a large platter served with fresh broccoli and a side of fried rice. e Singapore rice noodles
Singing Pandas has two areas—
Hong Kong-style pork chops is a favorite dish at Singing Pandas.
Mike Russell and Sherry Chen entertain at Singing Pandas.
What’s Cooking?
By Jan D’Atri
Greek Manestra
(Orzo Pasta Gravy)
I made up a batch of one of my favorite comfort foods this week and almost forgot how scrumptious it is. There’s only one word to describe this dish: “Opa!”—that beautiful Greek word meaning to celebrate with exuberance, and that only just begins to express my excitement for this yummy favorite. You may not have heard of Greek Manestra, but the ingredients and flavors are pure comfort food in all languages. It starts with braised and slowcooked short ribs that create a fantastic red sauce, and you’ll eventually let orzo pasta soak up all its goodness.
Greek Manestra (Orzo Pasta Gravy)
1/8 cup olive oil
2 packages short ribs, bone in (approximately 8-10 pieces or 3 to 3 1/2 pounds)
Salt and pepper
2 bunches mint, stems removed, chopped fine
1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped fine
6 small (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/4 whole cinnamon stick (approximately 1 inch long)
4 whole cloves
1 1-pound package orzo pasta
1 lemon, squeezed
1/2 cube butter, browned
Chicken broth for thinning mixture (optional)
Dutch oven method
Generously sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of short ribs. In a hot skillet with olive oil, brown ribs. When browned, add mint and onion and cook until onions are tender. Add tomato sauce, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer until meat is tender, about 3 hours. When done, remove meat and cut up or shred into bite-sized pieces. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and cloves. Add orzo to sauce, stirring often to avoid sticking. Cook for about 25 minutes.
For this dish, I thank popular Valley musicians and recording artists Thano and Demitri Sahnas, known in Arizona as The Sahnas Brothers and Turning Point.
Mom Kathy Sahnas had a hidden treasure that had been passed down from generation to generation that is so simple and welcoming, I couldn’t wait to try it, and I’m so happy I pulled the recipe out again this week.
Thanks, Sahnas Family. You’ve set the bar really high for great flavor and family tradition. Opa, indeed!
Add lemon juice. Return meat to pot. In a small saucepan, cook butter until browned. Stir butter into orzo and meat mixture and serve. Serve with a salad and Feta cheese as a side. Makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.
Jan’s note: If mixture becomes too thick, add chicken broth a little at a time.
Slow cooker method
In a skillet brown the seasoned short ribs in olive oil. Add onions and mint, cooking until onions are tender.
Transfer ribs and onions to slow cooker. Cover meat with tomato sauce, cloves and cinnamon. Cook on high for about 6 hours or until ribs are tender.
Remove meat. Cut or shred into bite-sized pieces.
Add orzo to the sauce. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the meat back to the cooked orzo. Add the melted butter and lemon.
Stir and serve.
ADOPTIONS
LOVE, OPPORTUNITY AND ARTISTRY AWAIT
Happily married actors hoping to adopt and fill the role of 1st time parents! Exp Pd.
Readers of your email, Facebook and Twitter updates are tired of being visually assaulted by your typing. When you emphasize everything, nothing is emphasized. We know that you know that you don’t know proper grammar. This “trick” isn’t hiding anything.
Take the Pledge: I pledge to have mercy on the reading public. I will no longer add unnecessary emphasis to every word I type. I will give the caps lock key a much-needed break!
