SanTan Sun; 2-7-15: STFF

The joys of baking with kids

By Alison Stanton

According to the Home Baking Association, February is Bake for Family Fun Month. As the association notes on its website, this is the ideal time for parents to share the joy of baking with their children.

Sharing family values in the kitchen

As far as Chandler mom Josephine Morris and her 4-year-old daughter Samantha are concerned, every month should be devoted to family baking time. As Josephine recalls, from the time Samantha could sit on the kitchen counter, they have enjoyed preparing various dishes together.

Because her family is vegan, Josephine says it was important for her to teach Samantha from an early age about what they are eating and why they have decided not to eat anything that comes from animals.

The mother-daughter duo regularly spends time in the kitchen, baking vegan desserts and more.

“Samantha and I love baking cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies, and occasionally we make a cobbler, apple pie, breakfast bars, or other things,” Josephine says.

She handles tools like the oven and mixer.

Samantha loves to help select recipes, measure, pour, stir, and mix the ingredients.

with me but she is also fortunate to have two sets of grandmothers who like to be in the kitchen with her too.”

In addition to creating pleasant kitchen memories for her daughter, Amy also wants Kyleigh to learn the basics of baking and cooking at a young age, so that she can feel confident about herself and her abilities when she gets older.

Josephine says that a family friend sent Samantha her a baking set for kids when she turned 2, so she enjoys using her own measuring cups, spoons, spatula, whisk and other utensils.

“Food is a big part of everybody’s life every single day. In my opinion, it is an easy place to start giving your kids a sense of freedom, choice, and a sense of accomplishment,” Josephine says.

Rekindling childhood memories

When Amy Gantz’s daughter Kyleigh was about 6 years old, she started to help her mom in the kitchen. By the time she was 8, Kyleigh was able to follow recipes and measure most of the ingredients by herself.

For Amy, baking and spending time in the kitchen with Kyleigh is a great way to recall her own happy memories of baking with her own mom.

“When I think back on my childhood I can remember my mom cooking and baking with me, and because of that I wanted to give those happy thoughts and feelings to my daughter,” Amy says.

She especially enjoys watching Kyleigh and her mom baking holiday goodies together.

“Kyleigh not only cooks and bakes

“It also teaches her about life and how important it is to follow the rules or directions in order to achieve a successful outcome,” Amy says.

Since the two of them have a sweet tooth, they especially like baking cookies and cakes.

“The look on her face when her cookies turn out perfectly is priceless. And her dad loves when they do too, because he gets to enjoy in her rewards.”

Teaching about cultures and traditions

At Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Chandler, Youth Director Faygie Lew says they regularly teach Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes to groups of young kids. For example, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, the center will host a Perfectly Persian Pastries class for children in grades one through six. During the class, kids will learn to cook and bake a variety of delicious treats like

hamantaschen and baklava, and will also create their own cookbooks filled with recipes.

Lew says the Kids in the Kitchen classes have become increasingly popular with kids.

“In our classes, we focus not only on cooking but also on the holidays or traditional Jewish foods,” Lew says.

“So in addition to learning about the science of cooking and awesome skills, the kids are also learning about holidays, the laws of kosher and more.”

Lew says it’s great fun to watch the kids’ expressions as their baked creations are taken out of the oven.

“It’s just a really cool skill for them to learn to use, and when they see that what they have made comes out really good, it just makes them so happy.”

The cost for the class is $12 per child. For more information or to register, call Lew at (480) 855-4333 or email youth@chabadcenter.com. Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., in Chandler.

Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.

Resources

Websites:

• www.homebaking.org/familyfun • www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/bakingwith-kids.html

Books:

• “Baking with Kids: Make Breads, Muffins, Cookies, Pies, Pizza Dough, and More!,” by Leah Brooks

• “Kids’ Baking: 60 Delicious Recipes For Children To Make,” by Sarah Lewis

• “Williams-Sonoma Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet Treats,” by Carolyn Beth Weil

7

It’s a Mystery!, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn the secrets of writing a short mystery story from a real mystery writer, SanTan Sun News publisher emeritus Laurie Fagen. Students will learn the basics of writing and character development. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. Registration required. (480) 782-2695, www.visiongallery.org

Chandler National Little League Tryouts, 8:30 a.m. Ages 8 through 12 can try out for the league during staggered times throughout the day. Snedigar Sports Complex, 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. (480) 782-2640, www.chandlernational.com.

8 Child and Babysitting Safety, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Confident babysitting comes from CPR knowledge. This course will provide the knowledge and skills to care for infants and schoolage children. Learn and practice these skills to respond to emergencies and illnesses with first aid, rescue breathing, CPR (two-year certification) and other appropriate care, along with babysitting basics. Bring a nonperishable sack lunch. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $13, plus $45 instructor fee and $45 supply fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov.

9, 23

Girls Who Code, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Want to change the world through code? Girls in sixth- through eighth-grade students will learn how to build an app and design a video game in this 40-hour program taught by Intel volunteers. Registration required. Downtown Library, Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

Tumbleweed Tumbling Tots, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This indoor play area is designed for children 5 and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

10, 17, 24

Minecraft Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children ages 6 to 11 gather at the library to play Minecraft. Free. Sunset Library, Quiet Lab, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

11, 18, 25

STEAM, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through interactive and exciting activities. Ages 6 to 11. Sunset Library, Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free, but registration required. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

12

Discovering Outer Space, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An introduction to astronomy, led by an amateur astrophysicist. The group will take a walk through Veterans Oasis Park and explore the vast solar system. The class will conclude with a telescope viewing of the night sky.

Environmental Education Center, Coyote Room 101, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/ecc.

13

Tunnels, Tikes and Tunes, 9 a.m.11 a.m. Crawl and play in the maze of tunnels. This play area is intended for children 5 years of age and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. There will be tunnels and music for all the kids to enjoy. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.

Daddy-Daughter Dance, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Allows dads to become more involved in the school experience. The dance will feature a photo booth. Jacobson Elementary School, 1515 N.W. Jacaranda Pkwy., Chandler. Call for charge. (480) 883-4100.

14

Kids Clubhouse Valentine’s Date Night, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your kids in while you and your sweetheart make plans of your own. Children must be potty trained. Snedigar Recreation Center, Classroom 515, 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. $19-$26. Registration required. (480) 782-2640, www.chandleraz.gov.

15

Makutu’s Island, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon at Makutu’s Island. Makutu’s Island, 6919 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. $10. (480) 344-3740, www.makutusisland.com

17

Toddlertime, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Explore your child’s creativity and imagination through playing with balls, balloons, parachutes and more to create fun games and activities. This class is a combination of fun fitness games, activities, stories, crafts and movement. Instructor is Kathi Thompson. $8 to $11, plus $30 instructor fee. For children 2 to 5 years old. Community Center, Room 111, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $10-$14. (480) 782-2746, www.chandleraz.gov.

18

Crochet with Plarn, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It can take several years for plastic bags to break down in nature but this unique class offers a way to recycle plastic bags, keeping them out of landfills and oceans. Students will create an eco-friendly project with strips of plastic bags, a.k.a. Plarn. Participants enrolling in this class should have some knowledge of crocheting and bring their own plastic bags. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $8 to $11. Registration required. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/ecc.

19

Sonoran Sunset Series, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Now in its sixth season, the Sonoran Sunset Series features free, live lakeside entertainment suitable for the entire family. Guests may bring blankets, chairs and food. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/ecc.

20, 27

Teen Ultimate Frisbee League, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This new league is open to individuals and teams aged 8 to 11 of all levels. Team shirts are provided in registration fees. Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $20 to $26, registration required. (480) 782-2746, www.chandleraz.gov.

21

E.P.I.C. Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. E.P.I.C. stands for explore, play, imagine and create. This outdoor celebration is for makers; anyone interested in making, creating and inventing. E.P.I.C. joins with City of Chandler’s Science Spectacular to create an event centered around STEM—science, technology, engineering and math. Inventors, from garage tinkerers to entrepreneurial businesses, will share, display and sell their work. Expect to enjoy displays, demos, food, beer, live music and many other attractions. Downtown Chandler, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 855-3539, www.chandlerepicfest.com

22

Arizona Antique Market Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the final day of the weekend market where period pieces and antiques from the 1700s through the 1900s will be available for purchase. This includes the deco, retro, modernism, early American and European movements. Arizona Antique Market, 860 N. 54th St., Chandler. Free. (602) 717-7337, www.azantiqueshow.com

23

Family Yoga, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. While spending time together, children and parents can experience the benefits of yoga. This class blends fun and fitness with music, games and basic yoga postures. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel. Environmental Education Center, Painted Desert Room 112, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $8 to $11, $30 instructor fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/ecc.

24

Peanut Butter & Jam, 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Sing, clap, play instruments and move to favorite children’s songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Ants Go Marching.” Your 2- to 3-year-old will enjoy learning favorite classics with you in this fun-filled class with lots of movement for active toddlers. Instructor Lynne Hartke. Community Center, Room 110, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $21 to $29, $3 supply fee. (480) 782-2746, www.chandleraz.gov/breaktime.

25

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration, 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Bring preschoolers to celebrate the birthday of Theodore Geisel, author of the beloved Dr. Seuss books. Basha Library Programming Room, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

26

Teen Create-Space, 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Compete in this obstacle course with a cool robotic ball. Challenges will be made and prizes will be awarded. Teens ages 12-18 are welcomed. Basha Library, Programming Room, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

27

Wild Wild West Night, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mothers and sons (ages 3 to 13) are invited to a wild, cowboy-themed night of dinner, crafts, music and dancing. Each couple will take home a keepsake photograph. Intended for mothers and their sons, but if mom is unavailable, dads or guardians are welcome to attend. Parents are required to register for the event. Snedigar Sportsplex, 4500 S. Basha Rd., Chandler. $25 couple, $10 additional child. (480) 682-2641, www.chandleraz.gov.

28

Spring Seed Swap, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Spring planting season is here! Get a head start on planting by coming to share seeds and exchange gardening tips with local gardeners. All participants are welcome, whether they bring seeds or not. See the Sunset information desk to reserve a space. Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

Dr. Seuss on the Loose at the Hamilton Library, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy a morning of Dr. Seuss-themed activities, games, crafts and stories at the Hamilton Library. Take picture with The Cat in the Hat or Thing 1 and Thing 2. Get your face painted, enjoy your favorite stories and much more. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.

Police explorers celebrate 30 years

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Perry High School graduate Abigail Fraser admittedly didn’t have an interest in a law enforcement career. But after joining the Chandler Police Department Explorer Post, things changed.

“I joined because I am really into community service,” Fraser says. “We do a lot of that, a lot of community service. That’s the big kick that I get out of it. Because of this, though, I’m exploring a career in law enforcement.”

Fraser is a freshman at ASU who is pursuing a career in computer science, perhaps as a cybercrime specialist. She is one of about 60 young adults involved in the program, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The explorers are between the ages of 14 and 20 and provide support to any division that asks for their assistance.

The explorers also serve the community by taking part in events like bicycle rodeos, the Chandler Ostrich Festival and the Old Fashioned Fourth of July event.

“The Chandler explorers program started in January 1985, so 2015 is our 30th year of having a continually operating program,” says Officer John Somerville, director of explorer post as part of the crime prevention unit.

“It’s one of the longest-running explorer posts in the state. I have about 60 kids who show up fairly regularly. The average post in the state is the low to mid 20s.”

Somerville explains that although there are several law enforcement-minded young adults in the program, there are others who join just for the camaraderie and community service. He tries to stress, as well, that civilians can work for the police department, in positions like dispatcher.

“The last four to five years, I’ve tried to modify the program a bit,” he says. “We have so many specialties, including

civilian positons. I’ve tried to include those opportunities in the programs we do. I have some of our dispatchers as associate advisers. The explorers see a truly viable career opportunities.

“When I started as an officer almost 20 years ago, the highest-ranking person in our dispatch center was a police lieutenant. Now we have a civilian manager who has come up through the ranks as a dispatcher. There are more opportunities for civilian employees than we’ve ever had in the past.”

The Chandler Police Department Explorer Post’s fundraiser is its Chandler Tactical Competition, which brings more than 50 agencies from several states to the city in mid-January. Next year’s event is Jan. 16 through Jan. 18.

The 2014 event, which boasted more than 1,000 participants, distributed 172 trophies and saw the Boulder/Henderson Police Explorer Post win the spirit award. The Chandler explorers do not participate in the competition, instead opting to help in the running of the event.

“The competition is the primary fundraiser,” says Somerville, a veteran of the Chandler explorer post himself. “We’re not able to spend time doing car washes; instead we focus on the community service work that we do. In 2014, we did 6,000 hours of community service, which was part of a total of 14,000 hours of total participation of the explorers.”

The 14,000 hours include meetings on Mondays where the kids learn about the different facets of law enforcement. For information about joining, call www.chandlerpdexplorers.com/join.php. The charge to participate is $40 for the first year, and $20 thereafter.

Fraser says she has enjoyed her three years in the explorers.

“A big thing with the explorers, honestly, is the camaraderie and friendship,” she says. “The officers are professionals and the chief of police is willing to talk to me—‘How’s your day going?’

‘How’s school going?’ It’s a great way to meet people and form special relationships. I have friends for a lifetime.”

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun.com.

See science in a new way with Science Spectacular

Science is on display in a way you haven’t experienced it before at the Chandler Science Spectacular. From cartoons to lava lamps and fingerprints to flight simulation, this festival connects everyday life to science through interactive, hands-on exhibits. The two-day event is in downtown Chandler and runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 (A Night of Art & Science) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 (Science Saturday). This year, the Science Saturday event is joined by the E.P.I.C. Fest (Explore. Play. Imagine. Create.), showcasing the Maker culture. Makersare hobbyists, tinkerers, engineers, programmers and people using new and unique technologies, as well as traditional forms of DIY.

More than 70 exhibits are on display; below are just a few examples:

 Science Fiction makers are TV Dinner: Center for Science and the Imagination at ASU. Classic Warner Bros. cartoon shorts about space exploration followed by a conversation with experts in space exploration and animation.

 Flight Simulator: Garmin. Feel the power of flight with Garmin’s flight simulator.

 Crime Scene and Fingerprinting: City of Chandler Police Department. Solve the mystery at this interactive mock crime scene, or learn how to read fingerprints when they are left as clues.

 Rocket Launch: Orbital Sciences. See how Orbital puts rockets into space with this hands on rocket-launching demo.

 Breaking Boards and Science: Sport Science of Martial Arts. Who knew how fun applied physics can be? Feel the explosive power of changing acceleration or changing mass when you attempt to break plastic boards.

347 Grill

Ak-Chin 16000 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa (520) 233-2426, www.ultrastarakchin.com

Children ages 6 and under eat free with paid adult during Sunday brunch.

Tuesdays are family nights, where all kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. Ice cream scoops are $1 in the Cones Café.

Apple Dumpling Café

3076 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 279-3879, www.appledumplingcafe.com

Mondays are family value night, where kids eat free with each adult meal purchase of $6.95 or more. On family fun night, kids receive free ice cream with a meal. Ice cream happy hour is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, where kids buy one ice cream or dessert and get one free.

Chompie’s

3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 398-3008, www.chompies.com

Children 10 and younger receive one free item from the kids’ meal menu with an

The SanTan Sun News now has a regular “Where kids eat free” section. Restaurant owners, email us details, such as days of the week when kids can eat free at your establishment and what conditions apply, such as purchase of an adult meal (certain hours, etc.). Include your restaurant name, address, phone number, website and a contact name for verification. Readers, if you know of a location that has a kids-eat-free program, email us with the restaurant name and a phone number and/or email for confirmation and details. Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun.com.

adult meal purchase of $8 or more on Tuesdays. Dine-in only.

Connect5 Family Centers Corp.

222 E. Warner Rd., Chandler (480) 699-2122

Receive a free kids’ meal with an adult purchase for Munchie Monday, free lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Freebie Friday Free Dinner from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Copper Still Moonshine Grill

2531 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 656-1476, www.CopperStillMoonshineGrill.com

Kids ages 10 and younger eat for free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Dilly’s Deli

2895 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5, Chandler (480) 722-0645, www.dillysdeli.com

Get one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased at $6 or more on weekends.

El Palacio Restaurant and Cantina 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 802-5770, www.epfamilyrestaurants.com

Kids 12 and younger eat free when adult meals are purchased on Wednesdays.

Fat Willy’s

4850 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler (480) 883-1356, www.fatwillysaz.com/Chandler

From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, dinein and get a free kids’ meal with every adult entrée purchased. Kids can select from the Little Leaguers menu only and must be 12 and younger.

Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta

590 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 35, Chandler (480) 812-8433, www.floridinos.net

Kids eat free from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Receive one free kids meal per $8 adult purchase when customers dine-in only.

Nabers Music Bar and Eats 825 N. 54th St., Chandler (480) 705-0288, www.nabersaz.com

Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal and two beverages. Dine-in only.

NYPD Pizza

2580 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (480) 722-0898, www.aznypdpizza.com

Kids eat for free on Wednesday and Sunday after 4 p.m. with the purchase of a small or medium pizza. Dine-in only.

Pittsburgh Willy’s

48 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler (480) 821-3197

Everyday, except Sunday breakfast, one child aged 10 and under eats free with each paying adult, while additional kids eat for 50 percent off, when they order from the Wee Willy menu only.

Planet Sub

1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 245-6503, www.planetsub.com

Kids eat free with a paying adult on Mondays.

Sidelines Grill

2980 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler (480) 792-6965, www.sidelinesaz.com

Kids eat free from the kids’ menu after 4 p.m. on Thursdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Dine-in only.

Someburros Great Mexican Food

3461 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 726-8226

2597 S. Market St., Gilbert (480) 497-8226

1335 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert (480) 755-8226

www.someburros.com

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of a combo or specialty meal. Dine-in only.

The Cove Grill 5070 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 400, Chandler (480) 802-9070, www.thecovegrill.com

Kids younger than 12 receive one free meal per adult entrée purchased on Tuesdays. Dine-in only.

Whiskey Rose Bar & Grill 135 W. Ocotillo Rd., Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673)

Kids eat free on Tuesdays and Sundays with purchase of an adult entree.