Find the hidden picture and you could win a prize!
Last Month’s Winner: Andrew Csontos
Each month we will hide a different picture in one of our ads. Locate the hidden picture and email us with your guess to be entered into a drawing for:
A Restaurant Gift Certificate
Enter by email ONLY: ChandlerHideAndSeek@nearbynews.com Please include your name and phone number in your email. We will call our winner by Feb. 15. Good Luck!
President Steve T. Strickbine
Executive Editor
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Contact the Nearby News at 480-348-0343 • Fax: 480-348-2109 Editor@NearbyNews.com For more information visit our website at www.NearbyNews.com
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Chamberlain Orthodontics - Partners in Education 2015
Ithink we all agree that our children are our most valuable resource. They bring us joy and we all hope that they will have more opportunity than we had, no matter our circumstance. However, with education cuts and more administrative costs to run education programs it seems that in many ways, our children have less of an opportunity in school. Many schools have less arts education and other programs than they had a decade or two ago. We at Chamberlain Orthodontics are hoping to provide a small but significant solution to this problem, at least in our area and in our circle of influence.
I would like to introduce a new way
we have thought to give back to the schools in our community. We call it the “Partners in Education” program. In short, our office will give $100 for each child that begins full orthodontic treatment in 2015 to the school that child attends . This allows us to give directly back to our community and the schools that so positively influence our children.
I am personally so excited to begin this program and see the potential for good unfold in our schools and community. If you have any questions or would like us to reach out to a school to tell them about our Partners in Education program, please don’t hesitate to call us at 480.899.9423.
Cover Photo: Tim Sealy
Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
The Tumbleweed News has made every effort to authenticate the
necessarily The Tumbleweed News.
• Microdermabrasion • Non-Surgical Face Lift • Wrinkle Reduction • Adult & Teen Facials • Chemical Peels • Waxing
• Tui Na • Pregnancy Massage • Neuromuscular (Injury Cases) • Hot Stone & More!
community spotlight
Chandler Celebrating 15th Celebration of Unity
With the New Year comes Chandler’s annual tradition of celebrating the community’s diversity in a variety of ways.
Alpin Hong
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Chandler Center for the Arts
This year’s Celebration of Unity includes a performance by pianist Alpin Hong at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Alpin’s show is a creative force unmatched in its youthful vivacity and boundless energy. He connects with people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds with his uniquely humorous and visionary approach. Rooted in extensive classical training and a love of skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts and video games, Alpin brings audiences young and old to their feet with his combination of stunning technique and emotional range. Tickets can be purchased at www.chandlercenter.org or by calling (480) 782-2680.
ious cultures, food vendors will provide a flavorful variety of ethnic dishes for festival goers, including Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Hawaiian, Mexican, Native American and Italian.
Sponsors and organizations that promote cultural diversity will have demonstrations and information booths. Entertainment will feature ethnic song and dance performances throughout the day. Performances will range from Greek dance to Mexican folk music. In addition, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny will welcome up to 200 people from various countries participating in a naturalization ceremony organized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of Homeland Security.
African Children’s Choir
2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, Chandler Center for the Arts
Chandler Multicultural Festival
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Downtown Library Plaza
This year’s largest event is the 20th annual Multicultural Festival presented by the City’s Diversity Office with the support of the Friends of the Chandler Public Library. There will also be a series of special events and activities including a naturalization ceremony involving up to 200 new U.S. citizens and recognition of area school children involved in Chandler’s Creative Expression Competition. Valley residents of all ages are invited to enjoy a day of dance, music, art, ethnic foods and more. The event is free and includes entertainers, artisans and an interactive area for children where they can experience a rock wall, bounce activity, coloring, and arts and crafts.
Along with crafts that represent var-
Composed of African children ages 7 to 10, the African Children’s Choir melts audiences with their charming smiles and delightful African tunes, accompanied by ethnic instrumentation. Tickets can be purchased at www.chandlercenter.org or by calling (480) 782-2680.
“Then They Came For Us…”
February, Chandler Downtown Library
This groundbreaking exhibit explores three distinct events: the Holocaust, the treatment of black people in Eastern Europe, and the domestic struggle for civil rights. The exhibit will examine the three events simultaneously across a timeline from the early 1910s to the early 1950s, exploring the surprising similarities as well as differences between them. The exhibit will be on display inside Chandler’s Main Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St. For more information about Chandler’s Celebration of Unity, visit www. chandleraz.gov/unity.
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• Individual, Couples, Parenting and Family Counseling
• Medication Evaluations with Open Appointments for Children
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Debut Downtown
By Curt Blakeney
Downtown Chandler has plenty of restaurants and bars…and amalgamations of both. This year, downtown Chandler will get its first restaurant/ bar/movie theater combo with the planned opening of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Arizona franchise rights holder Paschich Alamo Holdings LLC., is bringing the eight-screen theater, bar and restaurant to Chandler, the first Alamo Drafthouse in Arizona.
The new establishment will be located in the planned mixed-use development from Vintage Partners dubbed “The Row,” an entertainment project on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard.
fect site for its first Arizona venue and found that Chandler was the perfect spot.
“It hit all 10 key performance indicators (KPIs) on demographics that we focus on,” Paschich said. “I just love the feel of the town and this location.”
The cinema-eatery concept is not entirely new to the Valley—there are similar facilities like the Studio Movie Grill in Scottsdale— but this is the first of its kind in Chandler. Alamo Drafthouse will feature eight screens of first-run movies, classic movies, independent films and special events, with seating for 825 moviegoers. The theater is expected to open later this year.
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Chandler will be managed by partner Craig Paschich, who has been with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas for nine years and served as president for the past three. Paschich and his wife, Kim, are relocating their family to Chandler to be involved in all aspects of the business.
“I have been spending about seven to 10 days a month in Arizona throughout this process, and once we start construction, I will spend even more time there,” Paschich said. “We have two young kids who will finish school in early June, so we’ll move to Arizona sometime after that.”
“Our goal is to open for the new ‘Star Wars,’ which is Dec. 18,” Paschich said. “We know this is an aggressive target, but we like a challenge.”
Alamo Drafthouse has been heralded for its high exhibition standards, earning accolades like “Best Theater Ever” (Time Magazine) and “the coolest theater in the world” (Wired).
The Austin-based chain made news recently when it decided to pick up the controversial film “The Interview,” which had a tough time finding a home after a cyber-terror attack directed at Sony Pictures Entertainment, the movie’s distributor.
“First-run movies are our bread and butter, but we also do a lot of alter-
He mentioned that his company had been looking “for months” for the per-
... continues on page 8
Patrons can expect an immersive and unique movie experience at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema when it opens in Chandler in late 2015.
Craig and Kim Paschich are relocating to Chandler from Austin to open the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
Chandler Public Library Helps with New Year’s Resolutions
By Chandler Public Library
It’s a new year and many of us have made our resolutions to get healthier, save money or learn a new skill. While we are good at making resolutions, we are often not as good at keeping them.
The Chandler Public Library has many resources to help you stick to your promise and make 2015 a great year.
“Many people still think that libraries only offer books, but in addition to the latest bestsellers, we offer so much more,” said Rosanna Johnson, the libraries’ marketing assistant.
“We have digital, color magazines, online courses, genealogical resources, and much, much more. Plus, it’s all free with your valid library card.”
Here are just a few suggestions from the library:
Learn a new language: In addition to Spanish, French and Italian, you can learn Armenian, Haitian Creole, Scottish Gaelic or Urdu, as well as many other languages. Studies show that learning a foreign language boosts brain power, develops a person’s ability to multitask, and improves memory, while in seniors it helps stall the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. With your valid library card and an Internet-ready device or computer, Mango Languages will prepare you to communicate successfully and interact cross-culturally with its userfriendly apps and program.
Master new skills: Take free online classes through Gale Courses. Topics range from computer technology, personal development and self-improvement, and digital photography to natural health and wellness. Sessions start monthly and last for six weeks.
Instructors lead each course in an interactive learning environment. Challenge yourself to learn something new this year.
Discover new technology: Stop by one of our 3-D Printer demonstrations and learn about the different printers and materials that are taking the technological world by storm.
Enjoy some culture: Did you know that library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass for free admission for two people at participating arts and cultural institutions, such as the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden and the Heard Museum, to name a few? Passes are available on a firstcome, first-served basis at each library location. Patrons can see what’s available in the library catalog.
Develop a new hobby: Whether you like to cook, do home projects or exercise, keep up with the latest information with magazines from Zinio. Choose from more than 380 magazines available for simultaneous viewing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no limits to how many magazines you can view and can access anywhere via a Web browser or one of the many Zinio apps available for desktop, mobile device or tablet. Popular titles include American Girl, Better Homes & Gardens, Bon Appetite, Brides, Conde Nast Traveler, FamilyFun, Fitness, The New Yorker, Parents, The Week Magazine, Vanity Fair and many more!
The Chandler Public Library staff is available to assist you with these helpful resources, plus many more. For more information, visit its website at www.chandlerlibrary.org or call (480) 782-2800.
Along with core items such as pizza and burgers, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will have at least 30 beers on tap.
native programming,” Paschich said. “We will hire a local creative programming manager to make sure we bring interesting events to the theater that the locals want to see and enjoy.”
Of course, it will ultimately be judged by the caliber of food. The menu at Alamo Drafthouse Chandler, according to Paschich, will be comprised of 60 percent core items that all Alamos have: pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and desserts. The other 40 percent will be at the discretion of local management. Roughly 90 percent of Alamo’s food is made from scratch daily.
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will also be popular with craft beer lovers.
“We will have at least 30 beers on draft and all of them will be craft beers,” Paschich said. “And most of those will be local. We pride ourselves on having the best and most unique beer menu in town.”
Patrons 18 and younger must be with a parent or legal guardian. Paschich said adult moviegoers can expect an enjoyable experience unlike movie theaters located at malls.
“With our age policy, no texting and no talking policy, we focus on bringing back adults and parents to enjoy the wonders of movies,” Paschich said.
For more information, visit www. drafthouse.com/phoenix/chandler.
St. Mary-Basha Open House Part of Catholic School Week
St. Mary-Basha Catholic School invites all who are interested in Catholic education to an open house on Sunday, Jan. 25. Tour the school with staff members and learn all about what St. Mary-Basha has to offer students.
Registration packets and information for the 2015-16 school year will be available in the school office through Feb. 7. Find out about the admissions process including required documents, fees, tuition costs and waiting-list procedures.
Visitors on the guided tour may look inside classrooms, the gardens, library, science and computer labs and newly remodeled indoor cafeteria. Learn about all the various afterschool programs and activities such as Cub Scouts, Little Flowers, chess club and athletics program.
Those interested can obtain scholarship information and learn how to apply for tuition assistance. More than 40 percent of students at St. MaryBasha receive financial assistance
through several of Arizona’s State Tuition Organizations.
The public and alumni are also invited to join St. Mary-Basha for Mass with Bishop Thomas Olmsted at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, in the church, officially celebrating its 70th year as a school.
St. Mary-Basha Catholic School was founded in 1944 by Father Joseph N. Patterson, who was serving as pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the intention of providing solid Catholic education opportunities to many families who wanted a faith-based education. St. Mary’s Catholic Church was responsible for the spiritual needs of Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Goodyear (now Ocotillo). In 1964, through the generosity of Ed Basha Sr., a new school was built on 14.5 acres at 200 W. Galveston St. where it serves more than 500 students. For more information, call (480) 963-4951 or visit www.stmarybashacatholic.org.
Alamo Brewhouse ...continued from page 6
neighborhood hearsay
Chandler ranks No. 8 in a list of Arizona’s best communities for renters, according to NerdWallet. Thirty-seven percent of Chandler residents rent their homes, allocating 22 percent of their paychecks toward rent, below the recommended number of 30 percent. Arizona has a rental vacancy rate of about 3 percent higher than the national average of 7.3 percent, based on 2013 census figures.
Fox Restaurant Concepts has sold its nine Sauce pizzerias in the Valley and Tucson, including a Chandler location, to a group led by Scott Kilpatrick, an original founder of Ra Sushi.
Seven athletes and one team will be honored during the 11th annual Chandler Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Special recognition will also be given to youth baseball coach Tony Valdez and long-time Hamilton High statistician Greg Iseman. The inductees are Alaina Bergsma Coble, volleyball; Melissa Buhl, mountain bike racing; Breanna Leslie, track; Dominique Lamb
Marshall, volleyball; Carl Mickelson, swimming; Dr. Wayne Nickel, water ski racing; and Eric Richardson, Chandler High School track head coach. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Prospective naturopath students as well as community members interested in learning about the lifestyle or professional career can find out what they need at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine’s Discovery Day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at 2140 E. Broadway Road in Tempe. This free event will feature the first public tours of the newest addition to the SCNM Campus—a 48,000-square-foot, multi-purpose, LEED Platinum wellness center, featuring an integrative pain clinic, high-tech classrooms, a fully outfitted teaching kitchen, a new natural medicinary, an expanded library, yoga and workout studios, and the newest outpost of Nourish Restaurant.
Local rockers The Maine will kick off their tour on Friday, April 3, at the Marquee in Tempe. The band announced the name of its new album
is titled “American Candy” and the openers for its tour are Real Friends, Knuckle Puck and The Technicolors. Info: www.luckymanonline.com.
Arizona children with culinary skills can submit recipes for a chance to win a new bike. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge is open to kids ages 9 to 12 and requires them to submit a healthy side dish. The recipes are for hot or cold dishes with at least one fruit or veggie, and can be cooked within 20 minutes. The five finalists then showcase their concoctions during an event at US Airways Center on Feb. 6, with the winner receiving a new bike. Submissions are due by Jan. 21 and more information is available by visiting www. walkonaz.com.
While some municipalities are cutting jobs, the Chandler Police Department is taking applications to fill positions within the department. The police are hiring police
cadets and lateral police officers to fill openings in those positions. Applications are accepted until Jan. 16 or until the department receives 1,060 applications, although additional recruitments will occur in 2015. Visit www.chandlerpd.com for more information.
In restaurant closings, Pizza Five85 at Interstate 10 and Ray Road in Chandler was shuttered. Its other Arizona location in Scottsdale has closed as well.
What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.
Help Rio Salado College
Choose a New Mascot
Most colleges have a mascot, including nine of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. Rio Salado has been an exception—but that’s about to change.
The college is calling on students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public to take part in the Rio Salado College Mascot Contest, through Jan. 31, by submitting mascot ideas that reflect the college’s culture, brand and history—and will fit in with the motley crew of Maricopa Community Colleges mascots. The selected winner will receive a $100 gift card. Why the effort?
“Our research indicates that mascots can have great value,” said Deborah Spotts, Rio Salado College coordinator of public programs and co-chairwoman of the college’s mascot committee.
“Mascots can help create college spirit and help us increase awareness
about what we’re trying to achieve as a community college. It’s also a fun and creative way for us to engage with the communities we serve.”
Participants can submit suggestions for a name, idea or design concept to the Rio Salado College Mascot Contest committee until midnight, Jan. 31. Entries must be submitted by email to mascot@riosalado.edu. Multiple submissions are allowed, but each idea must be submitted individually.
The committee and a panel of final judges will select the winning entry this spring and announce the winner during its collegewide meeting (date TBD). Once chosen, the mascot will be used for college publications, advertisements, website and other collateral material.
For complete entry criteria and other details, visit www.riosalado.edu/ mascot.
Going Back to Basics with Franklin at Alma
Principal Kelly Chats About Her School’s Traditional Approach
By Heidi Hurst
Nestled in a quiet Dobson Ranch neighborhood is Franklin at Alma elementary school, a backto-basics, individualized and accelerated program. Described as a “private-school atmosphere with the benefits of Arizona’s largest school district,” Franklin at Alma is popular with parents looking for an alternative approach to education. Learn more from Emily Kelly, principal at Franklin at Alma.
Q: What is Franklin at Alma’s back-to-basics program?
Kelly: We follow a master schedule that has learning time planned right down to the minute. It includes the basics like math, language arts and writing as the primary focus, but students are also able to experience a full curriculum including arts and PE.
Q: What is a common misconception about the program?
Kelly: That the students do not participate in science or social studies. Actually, our students spend more time in these areas because we schedule time for them. Students conduct experiments and keep science logs. They also research and write reports on states, countries and famous Americans.
Q: How does Franklin at Alma’s program help students move on to the next level?
Kelly: There is not a lot of cooperative learning. Students must focus and listen. The pacing is faster, so students have to manage their time. Personal responsibility is taught through daily homework assignments, and in our intermediate grades, students keep binders with their notes from math and language concepts. These are excellent habits to have when they enter junior high and work with six different teachers and six separate assignments.
Q: Parent participation is key at Franklin at Alma. How are parents involved?
Kelly: When parents enroll students at Franklin at Alma, they automatically become a member of our Franklin Parent Organization. It’s common to have parents help in kindergarten classrooms or make copies for teachers. There is a close partnership and trust that is created when parents enroll their children at Franklin.
Q: Franklin teachers are trained in the Spalding language-arts method. Why is this important?
Kelly: The Spalding method is one of the most important components in what makes the Franklin program successful. The consistency of Spalding in each grade allows students to become fluent readers. Spalding teaches handwriting because children who form their letters correctly are more likely to recognize them when reading text.
Q: How do Franklin at Alma students show progress?
Kelly: Franklin at Alma has excellent AIMS scores that show progress. Our students make at least one year of academic growth or more during the year. We have an “A” rating from the Arizona State Department of Education.
Q: Where can community members learn more about Franklin at Alma?
Kelly: Visit and see if our program would benefit your child. Busing is available within school boundaries. Explore our website, www.mpsaz.org/ franklin/alma. If you have questions, please call us at (480) 472-3905 for further information.
Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor Rufus Glasper is surrounded by nine of the Maricopa Community Colleges mascots.
Sweet News: The Girl Scout
Cookie Dessert Challenge is Back
By Alison Bailin Batz
The Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is bringing back its awardwinning Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge. For the second year in a row, chefs from some of the state’s most popular restaurants—including several in the Southeast Valley—will use their culinary prowess to reimagine one of the beloved flavors of Girl Scouts’ cookies—Do-Do-Si-Dos, Samoas Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils and a new flavor, Rah Rah Raisins— into a custom dessert menu item.
Each restaurant has agreed to feature its dessert on its menu through Feb. 28, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the transformation of the local council’s Camp Sombrero into a Leadership Center for Girls and Women.
Among the participating restaurants in the area, and their creative desserts are:
Restaurant: Blue Wasabi in Gilbert
Chef/Dessert Designer: Christian Palomares
Dessert: Tempura Thin Mint Ice Cream
Restaurant: CHoP in Chandler
Chef/Dessert Designer: Grant Gates
Dessert: Tagalong Shortbread
Restaurant: Grimaldi’s in Gilbert and Chandler
Chef/Dessert Designer: Cory Lattuca
Desserts: Chocolate Thin Mint
Cheesecake and Samoa Cheesecake
Restaurant: Melting Pot in Ahwatukee
Chef/Dessert Designer: Jon Boggs
Dessert: Melting Pot Dark Chocolate Mojito Fondue
Restaurant: Over Easy in Gilbert and Mesa
Chef/Dessert Designer: Aaron May
Dessert: Chocolate Do-Si-Dos Muffins
Camp Sombrero is a 14.5-acre site that has been owned and used by Girl
Scouts for the past 51 years.
“It’s time to better utilize this beautiful property and transform it into an urban program center, with camp appeal, to provide leadership training for girls and women, give girls their first camping experience close to home and serve the surrounding community groups, partner organizations and schools,” said Susan de Queljoe of the local council.
In addition to benefiting from the dessert challenge, a portion of the council proceeds from all local 2015 Girl Scout cookie sales will benefit the Camp Sombrero project. The transformation of Camp Sombrero is one of the local council’s objectives as part of its overarching Campaign for Girls in Arizona.
“Our comprehensive campaign goal is to raise $15 million in philanthropic support. This will enable us to significantly expand and enhance the Girl Scout experience for more girls,” de Queljoe said.
For more information about the challenge, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org/ dessertchallenge.
Book Bonanza Supports Projects
The annual Friends of the Chandler Public Library Book Bonanza will be held Friday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 18, at all four Chandler library locations during regular operating hours.
Funds from used book sales and other benefits hosted by the friends organization go directly to support library programs such as summer reading programming, adult literacy, Battle of the Books, job center, Read to Succeed and High Five.
Proceeds from used book sales benefit the Friends of the Chandler Public Library, a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting and supporting the Chandler Public Library.
The Friends of Chandler Public Library began more than 30 years ago when a group of city residents recognized that libraries needed additional support. They formed a nonprofit organization called the Friends of the Chandler Public Library to help provide donations of time and money to best serve the community through the library.
East Valley Moms
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NearbyNews
Cerreta Candy Company
A Sweet Treat for the Whole Family
By Kimberly Hosey
Really, all you have to do is walk through the doors of the Cerreta Candy Company in downtown Glendale, and inhale. My son, David, and I made the trip up from the Southeast Valley, and that alone was almost worth the drive. The sweet, fresh aroma surrounded us as soon as we stepped inside. Happily, we had also come for a VIP tour. And, of course, chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
The Cerreta Candy Company has been an area staple for decades, opening its first factory in Phoenix in 1968. The company was invited by Glendale to move to its current location in 1988 to help revitalize the downtown area, and attracts hundreds
of thousands of visitors each year with its tasty, informative, family-friendly public tours.
The factory offers free tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, where guests witness the whole process of making Cerreta’s candies, from melting down giant blocks of chocolate to cream-making, filling, coating, slicing, and wrapping the confections.
One of the fastest machines is able to twirl wrappers around candies at the rate of a 1,000 pieces per minute.
The tour wound around the production floor as our guide took us through a bit of history. The oldest machine, used since 1929, heats up to
500 degrees. The white chocolate conveyor line, which is a working replica of the line used in the “I Love Lucy” episode in which Lucy and Ethel get jobs in the candy factory. (The conveyor wasn’t running, preventing my son and me from engaging in a mouth-stuffing, candygrubbing fiasco.)
We learned some botany as we examined cacao beans and learned how the beans are roasted, de-shelled and ground as they begin the process of becoming the smooth, rich chocolate used by Ceretta’s. The company uses an exclusively blended robust chocolate produced by the family-owned Guittard Chocolate Company in San Francisco and shipped in solid bars.
the bars are 10 pounds each, and are shipped in 15,000-pound pallets. Ceretta receives about six such shipments each year to prepare for Easter, and two to three leading up to Valentine’s Day.
My son was even invited to do a little weight lifting: one bar of chocolate. Doesn’t sound too hard, except
I have a feeling we could take a few more tours and not tire of discovering new information (or trying out samples as we go: white chocolate-
... continues on page 17
David Hosey poses next to Cerreta’s giant chocolate football and caramel corn Easter bunny.
Cerreta’s wrapping machine can wrap candies at a rate of 1,000 per minute.
around the neighborhood
Join vendors from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays from October to May at the Chandler Farmers Market on the east side of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. It features fresh produce, tamales, relishes, body products and more. This year it hosts a variety of activities including a free community book exchange, live music and First Thursday Craft Markets. For more information, visit www.chandlerfarmersmarket.com. Photos by Kimberly Carrillo 1. Pam and Michael Jones were impressed looking at organic soap. 2. Vendors selling both healthy food and fun products were in abundance. 3. Chris Bozan sang to the crowd. 4. Jackie and William Knox and Leverne McAntyre were excited for their purchase at Bunt Appetite. 5. Michael, Pam, and Liz Jones and Amber Walter enjoyed the weather and friendly vendors. 6. Moki and Bandit waited patiently for their owners. 7. Bob and Barbara Carr asked plenty of questions about the tea they wanted to purchase. 8. Judy Egge with Relish This handed out many samples. 9. A lot of customers shopped the market for the fresh fruits and veggies. 10. Relish This offered a wide variety of relishes and sauces. 11. Abelardo Ulate purchased one of the relishes he sampled. 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11
By Melissa Hurst
Eight Tips to Save on Valentine’s Day
You want to express your love, but you don’t want to hurt your wallet by doing so. Never fear! You can be frugally minded and still have an enjoyable Valentine’s Day. Check out the tips below for ways to save.
Cards
1
If your kids are handing out cards at school, look at buying packs of smaller cards rather than individual cards that will cost more. You may also want to check the dollar stores for discount cards. There are also many free printable Valentine’s Day cards that you can make yourself.
2 If you are mailing cards, send postcards, which have less postage than cards with envelopes. You can also send free eCards to long-distance loved ones (try www.BlueMountain.com for one example).
Flowers
3
Roses tend to go up in price (up to double) around Valentine’s Day. Seasonal flowers will be much less expensive. You can also mix up the colors, sizes and types of flowers to create a unique bouquet that costs less.
4
Check larger retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club and Walmart for flowers. They buy flowers in bulk, and pass the savings onto the costumer.
5 Potted plants are also a less expensive option that will last longer than a week or two. You save money and your loved one continues to enjoy your present.
Dinner
6
The easiest way to save is to dine at home or have a picnic, but if you feel like going out there are a few things you can do to save. Look for deals on local restaurants on www. groupon.com, www.LivingSocial. com or www.restaurants.com.
7
Move the date. Celebrating after the 14th can save you a headache from the crowd and any higher rates that may be charged. If you want to celebrate on that day, try going for lunch rather than dinner.
8 Skip the wine. Alcohol is expensive and can increase your chances of spending more. If you want to celebrate with a bottle, pick one up at the store and enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. You’ll easily save at least 50 percent on the bottle.
Happy Saving!
Melissa Hurst, a Valley-based deal-hunting savings pro, is also a mom of three. She understands the importance of budgeting and shares her savings tips in her column. Visit www.SavingCentsWithSense.net, where she shares her passion for bargain-hunting and strategies for stretching a budget.
Cutie Patooties!
Is your kid a “cutie patootie”? Of course he is, so submit your baby, toddler or kid photos to the The Nearby News’ East Valley Moms section for a chance to win a restaurant gift certificate. Send high-resolution digital photos to editor@nearbynews. com. Be sure to include your name, your child’s name and age and your phone number. (Don’t worry, phone numbers will not be published.) It wasn’t easy but the winner is...
7-month-old Iris Hespenheide. She and her family, including mom, Kristin Kender, enjoyed a beautiful January day in Harter Park. For this picture, the family will have a meal on us!
Building a brighter future
We know all children learn differently , so we offer options that help them discover and build on their potential and passions , including:
• Preschool through adult education
• Homeschool enrichment classes
• Franklin Traditional Schools
• Spanish immersion program
• Montessori schools
• International Baccalaureate
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs
• Online learning options
Mesa Public Schools—the best place to learn.
When you want to put the most trusted name in home cleaning to work for
top 10 family events
Jan. 15-Feb. 15, 2015
1 Monster Jam
Witness the world’s best monster trucks battle it out in the ultimate event of speed, racing and destruction.
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix
COST: $20 to $125
INFO: (800) 745-3000 or www.monsterjam.com
2 Daddy-Daughter
Valentine’s Day Dance
Fathers and their little girls, ages 4 through 10, will create memories at the City’s dance. If dad is unavailable, moms or guardians are welcome.
WHEN: Fri., Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Community Center (Feb. 6), 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler; Snedigar Recreation Center (Feb. 7), 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. COST: $25 per couple for residents; $34 per couple for nonresidents. $10 for additional daughter, residents; $14 for additional daughter, nonresidents. Registration required. INFO: (480) 782-2641 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
3 Family Night at the TRC
Brand new family fitness center offering group classes for both children and adults in Yoga, Zumba, Sports and Adult Core Fit. Over 30 classes to choose from each week! We also offer fun and original birthday parties: Zumba Glow, Yoga Spa, Sports, Yoga Journey and many more options to choose from!
Enjoy a different recreational activity and entertainment the first and third Wednesdays of the month. On Jan. 21, make cupcake creations, then on Feb. 1, make your “heart happy.”
WHEN: Wed., Jan. 21, and Wed., Feb. 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler COST: $2 to $5 INFO: (480) 782-2900 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
4 Community Night in the Courtyard
Make Valentine’s Day arts and crafts. WHEN: Thurs., Feb. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler COST: Free INFO: (480) 782-2730 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
5 Sweets ‘n’ Treats
In this class, aspiring chefs, ages 4 to 7, will use their creative hands to make holiday desserts and crafts.
WHEN: Mon., Feb. 2, through Thurs., Feb. 12, from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler COST: $23 to $32
INFO: (480) 782-2900 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
6 Super Bowl Pre-Party
Children in grades seven through 12 are invited to wear their favorite jerseys or team memorabilia to win the best-dressed contest. There will also be team-inspired party favors and refreshments.
WHEN: Fri., Jan. 30, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler COST: Call for charge
INFO: (480) 782-2746 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
7 Valentine Matchbox for Teens
Learn to turn a simple matchbox into a sweet Valentine.
WHEN: Fri., Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Tumbleweed Recreation Center Art Studio, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler COST: $8 to $11, plus $10 supply fee INFO: (480) 782-2900 or www.chandleraz.gov/registration
8 Biking at Chandler Bike Park
Free, nonsupervised 25,000-square-foot facility is for use by BMX bike riders only. WHEN: Daily from 8 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. October through April; 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. May through September WHERE: Chandler Bike Park at Espee Park, 450 E. Knox Rd., Chandler COST: Free INFO: (480) 782-2727 or www.chandleraz.gov/parks
9 Therapeutic Recreation’s Sweetheart Dance
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with dance for children with special needs.
WHEN: Sat., Feb. 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler COST: $5 residents; $7 nonresidents. Registration required INFO: www.chandler.gov/therapeutic
10 C-Town Suitcase Club
Explore everyday objects every third Tuesday of the month. Designed for 3- to 5-year-old children and their caregivers.
WHEN: Tuesdays Jan. 20 and Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Chandler Museum, 300 Chandler Village Dr. South, Chandler COST: Free
INFO: (480) 782-2717 or www.chandleraz.gov/museum
Feb. 13th: Couples Yoga, Champagne & Strawberries
By Erica Larson Odello
Oranges, Oranges Everywhere
The warm winter we’ve had, thus far, has sent my orange tree into a tizzy and I’ve already got more ripe oranges than I know what to do with. Or do I? Looks like it’s time to see what I can do with four oranges and some craft supplies.
Orange Peel Flowers
Ingredients:
Whole oranges, various sizes Knife, Cutting board
Orange Peel Flower Potpourri
Ingredients:
Glass bowl
Orange peel flowers and orange leaves
Whole cloves
3 to 4 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise
Leftover Orange Room Scent
Ingredients:
Pint Mason jar
Orange peel, rind and one sliced orange, all left over from the orange peel flower project
2 tsp whole cloves
3-4 cinnamon sticks
Orange Peel Flower Wreath
covered marshmallows, French mint truffles and caramels never really get old). I was taking notes and I still was left trying to keep track of it all, from enrobing cream centers in molten chocolate, to the elaborate moldmaking process for candies like the French mint truffles and the larger novelty chocolate items; to the whimsical, upwardly spiraling track, almost a mile long, that keeps chocolates at exactly 48 degrees for 36 minutes, where workers release the chocolates by hand.
Hold an orange in one hand and stick the tip of your knife into the top of the fruit next to the stem. Carefully bring the blade of the knife around to start a spiral cut of the peel, which you will continue the entire circumference of the orange. You want the entire peel to stay intact. Once it is removed, gently spread it out, rind up, on the cutting board. Using your knife, gently remove as much of the rind as possible without cutting the peel. You want the peel to be bendable. Choose one end of the peel and cut the end off at a right angle to the rest of the peel. Starting with the cut end, tightly curl the orange peel, trying to keep it as even as possible as the side that wants to be the bottom will end up being the top. When the peel reaches the halfway point, the remaining peel will form the outer petals. Use the curl at the end of the peel to form the base of your flower. Set on a plate and either let stand indoors or out in the sun for at least 24 hours so it will dry in its new shape.
Orange leaves have a nice scent of their own and make a great addition to potpourri. Arrange all of your ingredients in a bowl and set out to enjoy. The scent will last for a week or two and is still nice to look at months later.
2 tbsp allspice
2 star anise pods
Candle warmer
Starting with the orange slices and working your way down to the smallest spices, place everything in the Mason jar and cover with two cups of water. Place on the candle warmer and enjoy!
The neat thing about orange peel flowers and orange leaves is that they keep their color and shape once they’ve dried. But if you’re too impatient (like me!) to wait for them to dry, you can use a length of floral wire inserted horizontally through the base of the flower to hold it in place and add it to the wreath.
You know Science Channel’s “How It’s Made?” Cerreta’s tour is like that, only much tastier.
At the end, we opted to make chocolate “pizzas,” which is probably most kids’ favorite part of the trip. Each pizza maker receives a pizza box partially filled with melted milk chocolate (the
dough) and toppings like white chocolate mints, peanut butter chips, chocolate candies, and more to stand in for pepperoni, sausage and whatever your imagination can conjure. To top it all off, each chef receives a bottle of “cheese”—melted white chocolate. My son made a masterpiece consisting of just about every topping he could fit on his pizza. We sealed up our pizzas, browsed the tantalizing retail section and ogled the giant chocolate football, chocolate cactus, Rice Krispies Easter bunny and more before leaving. We wanted to get another good whiff, after all. Just like a kid (OK, two kids, counting me) in a candy shop.
Cerreta Candy Company
5345 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale 85301 (623) 930-9000 www.cerreta.com
David Hosey shows off his glorious chocolate concoction.
events calendar
Jan. 15-Feb. 15, 2015
Alpin Hong
The New York Times called Alpin Hong “a pianistic firebrand” in a review of his standing-room-only debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.
WHEN: Fri., Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $22 to $34
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
A Classical to Pop Musical Revue
Marty Wilson celebrates the two different genres.
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $6 to $12
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Chandler Multicultural Festival
Chandler’s 20th annual festival is a free event that highlights the culture of the community through music, dance, art, storytelling, a children’s area and more.
The African Children’s Choir is composed of African children, ages 7 to 10, many of whom have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine or disease.
WHEN: Sun., Jan. 18, at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $28 to $42
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Workin’ Hard: James Brown Tribute
The group pays tribute to the late musician, dubbed the hardest-working man in show business.
WHEN: Sun., Jan. 18, at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $10
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
“Legends from the Sky” Film Premiere
A Native American veteran, burdened by survivor’s guilt after a disastrous military tour, is forced to search for his missing grandfather after his ancestral
land is mysteriously taken over by an unknown federal organization.
WHEN: Thurs., Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $10 to $15
INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
Detoxify Your Home
Residents can discover simple steps they can take to detoxify their home from ecologist Diann Peart.
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Sunset Library, Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler COST: Free INFO: (480) 782-2800 or www.chandlerlibrary.org
Travis Tritt
Enjoy an up-close and personal evening of music with two-time Grammywinning and three-time CMA-winning country artist Travis Tritt.
WHEN: Sun. Jan. 25, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $42 to $58
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Desert Dance Theatre’s “Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman”
“Sister Moses” is the story of a woman’s determination to free her people from slavery through the Underground Railroad.
WHEN: Thurs, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
COST: $8 to $15
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Chandler Symphony Orchestra
The CSO celebrates the Year of the Sheep with a free concert.
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: Free; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Super Bowl FanFest
Participate in a fun run, meet actress Debby Ryan, eat snacks from food trucks, and golf with NFL Hall of Fame players at Rawhide.
WHEN: Thurs., Jan. 29, through Sat., Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
WHERE: Rawhide Western Town and
Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler
COST: Call for ticket price INFO: www.fanfestaz.com or www.rawhide.com
Wine, Chocolate and Social Painting
Tap your inner Van Gogh. Have a drink, put on a smock and relax as artist Emily Costello takes participants step by step through the brush strokes of a landscape, still life or skyline.
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $75, includes canvas and supplies, complimentary samplings and professional instruction.
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Creative Writing Workshop
Learn about writing fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s and flash fiction books.
WHEN: Wednesdays, Feb. 4 to Feb. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Recreation Center Downtown, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler
The legendary group has entertained with dozens of country hits and garnered a host of industry awards and fan accolades.
WHEN: Fri., Feb. 6, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $30 to $80 INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com
The Midtown Men
Four stars from the original cast of “Jersey Boys” bring to life their favorite hits from the 1960s.
WHEN: Sat., Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $48 to $62 INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Of Legends and Lovers: Doc and Kate
This is a story of the West’s most fa-
mous dentist-turned-killer and his life with Mary Katherine Haroney Cummings.
WHEN: Sun., Feb. 8, at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $22 and $26
INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know?
Michael Feldman brings his own brand of humor and comic aside as he enlightens the audience with “All the News that Isn’t.” Come down and talk to Feldman on air and play a quiz.
WHEN: Fri., Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $35, general admission INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana: The Soul of Flamenco
One of the premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana celebrates its 30th anniversary season at the CCA. WHEN: Sat. Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $26 to $38 INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Chinese New Year Show
The Eastern Art Academy will host the 2015 Chinese New Year show to celebrate the Year of the Ram. WHEN: Sun., Feb. 14, at 4 p.m. WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $15 and $25 INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org
Joseph Badal Author Visit
Joseph Badal, a suspense thriller novelist and notable financier from New Mexico, will present his lecture “Life Imitating Art: When Thrillers Predict the Future.”
WHEN: Thurs., Feb. 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sunset Library, Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler COST: Free INFO: (480) 782-2800 or www.chandlerlibrary.org
What’s Cooking?
By Jan D’Atri
It’s healthful, light and refreshing— just the type of recipe we’re all looking for this time of year.
Ceviche, a citrus-based marinated seafood appetizer or light meal, is perfectly prepared with this version, the right blend of smooth flavors with a big kick of cayenne and roasted jalapenos.
I got this recipe from Michael Garcia, executive chef of Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Chandler. He often makes this Garcia family favorite for his kitchen staff and I was lucky enough to be there the day he was stirring up a fresh bowl full.
“My grandmother, Nana Lena, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, made this as a neutral recipe, meaning it’s designed to add as much or as little heat as you want, and it’s still wonderful,” Garcia said.
He added that his Nana Lena knew seafood, and she taught him to blend it into perfection with this dish!
As a young boy, Garcia would ride his bicycle almost every day to his Nana’s house and watch her prepare traditional Mexican dishes.
“Nana would say, ‘Michael, are you hungry?’ Are you kidding? I was always hungry!” Garcia recalled. “I’d stand there in the kitchen and watch her make my favorite things like homemade corn and flour tortillas and ceviche!”
Thankfully, this recipe has no chance of being forgotten. Garcia has begun a new tradition with his four sons. They make Nana Lena’s ceviche every Sunday—especially during football season.
“We prep it together and the first bowl is ready by the beginning of the second game,” he said.
It’s so good, chef, mine won’t last through the first commercial of the first game! Gracias, Nana Lena!
Chef Michael Garcia’s Ceviche
(Party or large family size)
2 lbs. (about 70-90) small uncooked shrimp
1 (28 oz.) can baby clams with juice
3/4 cup lime juice (approx. 3-4 large limes)
4 medium jalapenos, roasted and diced fine
3 cups cucumbers, peeled and diced
1 cup red onion, diced
2 cups fresh tomato, seeded and diced
2 cups celery, diced
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less if you desire less heat)
2 cups ketchup
5 cups Clamato juice
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped fine avocado for garnish
2 cups jack cheese, shredded (optional)
Roast jalapeno peppers. If using a gas cooktop, place the jalapeno
on the town
By Curt Blakeney
Burger 21
Gourmet burgers are all the rage. So much so, I’m not even sure how fastfood establishments continue to survive by dishing out cardboard patties they try to pass off as burgers.
Restaurants in the fast-casual segment have been joining the “better burger” craze, and they’re popping up all over the Valley. The new kid on the block is Burger 21, a Tampa-based concept restaurant founded by the culinary team behind the Melting Pot, so you know cheese is going to be prominent.
Burger 21 in Chandler opened last November in the Whole Foods-anchored Raintree Ranch Center on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Ray Road.
pepper directly over the flame using tongs. Turn peppers until skin bubbles up and blackens, about 1 to 2 minutes. For oven broiler method, place peppers in a shallow sheet pan. Broil on high heat until bubbling and blackening occurs.
Follow same method for grilling indoors or outdoors.
When blackened, remove skin and dice. Add to remainder of ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate ceviche for at least four to five hours to allow seafood to marinate.
Ceviche is done when shrimp is pink. Just before serving, top with slices or a few pieces of chopped avocado for garnish. Serve with saltine crackers or tortilla chips and top with jack cheese, if desired, to reduce heat from peppers.
Jan’s Note: If you prefer a less spicy ceviche, start with a little less jalapeno peppers, chili and cayenne. Add as needed to your desired taste.
A sauce bar adjacent to the beverage area features a variety of dipping sauces for fries or to customize your burger.
burger topped with freshly grilled onions, Swiss cheese and a relish-infused Ragin’ Cajun aïoli, then grilled between two slices of Texas toast to give it that gooey deliciousness.
The menu adds a little variety with specialty nonbeef burgers like chicken Marsala, chicken parmesan, spicy Thai shrimp and black bean. There are even glutenfree options.
If you’re really hungry, The OMG! is a double-stacked burger topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, applewood-smoked bacon and cheese served on a toasted brioche bun.
Now, I must confess: I’m a gourmet burger fan. Once a week, I get a hankering for a juicy burger. So I let my burger appetite build up, and then stopped into Burger 21 on a Thursday night.
The décor is modern, with a clean design and layout. The concept is pretty straightforward. Walk in, order, take a table number and find a seat. A large milkshake bar is the centerpiece of the restaurant, adding a certain soda fountain charm, but also carefully concealing the kitchen behind it.
I ordered the Tex-Mex Haystack ($7.99), a 6-ounce Angus beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, Gouda, guacamole, onion strings and chipotlejalapeño sauce served on a toasted brioche bun. The burger is dry seasoned and griddle cooked mediumwell with a slight pink center. It’s juicy, tasty and passes the “solo test”—break off a piece and eat it without all the extras.
Burger 21 has a featured sandwich every month. In January, it’s the Patty Melt ($5.99): certified Angus beef
Most burgers are reasonable priced at less than $8, though the OMG! weighs in at $10.50.
You can also choose between sliders, hot dogs, chicken tenders, salads and two types of fries, regular and sweet potato.
And if you’re going to indulge in a burger, go the whole nine yards and accompany it with a handdipped milkshake. One of the more popular shakes is the Bananas Foster: vanilla ice cream, banana fruit puree, and Ghirardelli caramel sauce topped with whipped cream and a caramelized banana. It’s priced at $4.99, but worth every penny.
“At Burger 21, we want families to have a positive experience and enjoy a quality burger and milkshake.” said local proprietor Dan Lenhauser, who also owns the Burger 21 in Scottsdale. “I fell in love with the burgers the first time I tried them.”
And if you enjoy a better burger, you’ll also fall in love with Burger 21. This may become your go-to eatery for a casual burger, fries and a shake.
business spotlight
By Alison Stanton
Elite Auto Repair Offers Top-
Notch Service for Cars, Customers
As owner of Elite Auto Repair in Tempe, David Schultz strives to offer the best possible service to each vehicle that comes in for repair—as well as the people who are behind the wheel.
Schultz learned the importance of taking care of his customers firsthand while he was growing up. His dad owned mechanics shops in California as well as Prescott, and Schultz recalled putting in many hours working at the family business.
“When I was in high school I worked for him pulling weeds, changing tires and pumping gas—since it was a gas station as well as a mechanics shop. I was around the industry a lot,” he said. Despite his upbringing and exposure to running a family-owned mechanics shop, Schultz said he initially had no intention of following in his father’s footsteps.
“When I was close to graduating from high school, I swore I’d never be in the industry,” he said, laughing. “I earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and got a job in the corporate world.”
In 1997, Schultz decided to get back into the auto repair industry that he knew so well. He started a collision repair business called Elite Collision Center, and in 2000 he purchased the property in Tempe where his business is located.
“We offer well-rounded vehicle service and can work on both domestic and imported cars including European cars and medium duty trucks,” Schultz said. His team of mechanics can handle a variety of issues ranging from general maintenance service to more in-depth repairs.
business spotlight
By Alison Stanton
Formal Dresses and Personalized Service Glitter at Sparkle
Stylish and sparkly prom dresses. Colorful Quinceanera gowns. Beautiful baptism dresses for babies.
These are just a few of the many types of formal dresses available at Sparkle at SanTan Village.
“We are a destination dress shop, and we offer all types of women’s formal wear, as well as jewelry and accessories,” said co-owner Dev Gupta, who opened Sparkle about five years ago with his wife, Suprit. “Everything from newborns to women ages 60-plus.”
which they opened last June.
Unlike some other dress shops that might carry a limited selection of sizes and styles, Gupta said he and his wife pride themselves on offering a variety of sizes.
At one time, the couple had three locations throughout the Valley, including stores in Fiesta Mall and Arizona Mills. Now, Gupta said, they are focusing on the SanTan Village shop,
“What sets us apart is that we have higher-end mechanics who are really well trained and can do much more than brakes or basic maintenance.”
For his mechanics to do their job as thoroughly as possible, Schultz said he buys computer-aided equipment that assists in fixing and maintaining vehicles, most of which have around seven or eight computers on board.
“While we have the ability to work on anything in the back of the shop, the front of the shop is also a lot different than other repair places,” Schultz said.
“For example, we have a fleet of five 2012 Nissans that we offer as free loaner cars, and when a customer needs transportation someplace, our full-time porters can drive them back home or to work.”
stress is available to help. Store employees are also happy to offer advice on which dress is best.
“Sparkle is a family-owned store, and there is always a family member there who can offer that one-on-one experience,” Gupta said. “Everyone who comes in our store will get someone who knows the products and understands the business and wants to help.”
Schultz said he also gets positive feedback from his customers about Elite Auto Repair’s comfortable, clean and inviting waiting room.
“We tend to be a bit overstaffed in the front, but it’s necessary to provide a lot of customer service,” Schultz said.
“We really do everything we can for our customers, especially in today’s environment where big-box retailers and chains are the norm.”
“From a size standpoint, one of the things that separates us is that we can get plus-size dresses and other sizes, and all of the styles in whatever color,” Gupta said. It usually takes roughly 10 days to receive a special order at Sparkle, as opposed to upwards of two months at major dress stores.
If a woman loves a particular dress that is a bit too long or needs other alterations, Gupta said an on-site seam-
In addition to teenage girls who are looking for the perfect prom or Quinceanera dress, he said they also work with brides-to-be and their attendants.
“A lot of bridal customers come to us, including the maids of honor and the mother of the bride. We really get the full spectrum,” he said.
Gupta said he and his wife are passionate about helping their customers get the best deals.
“The economy has changed, and we understand that it’s not feasible for the average person to spend a couple hundred of dollars on a prom dress,” he said. “We offer dresses with very low price points, and can help teenage
girls find a dress for $60 to $70.
“We also contribute to charities that help disadvantaged kids who can’t afford the prom.”
One of the most enjoyable parts of owning Sparkle, Gupta said, is working with repeat customers and getting to know them and their families.
“Customers come in who are generations apart, and it’s very interesting to see the same faces coming back to see us.”
Sparkle is located at 2218 E. Williams Field Rd., Suite 235, in Gilbert. For more information, call (480) 8202257.
Elite Auto Repair in Tempe offers services from oil changes to transmission rebuilds.
At family-owned Sparkle, customers can order dresses of any color and size.
At Sparkle, females of all ages can find the perfect dress for proms, weddings and other special events.
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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
LANDSCAPING SERVICES
AZ HOME & LANDSCAPE SERVICES
Complete lawn and home maintenance including yard clean ups and hauling, sprinkler repair, dethatching, tree trimming and installation, etc. English Speaking, Reliable, Dobson Ranch Resident.
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Experienced loving pet sitters
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