090713 stff p35 46 by Times Media Group

SanTan FAMILY FUN

Volunteering provides teens with tangible and intangible benefits

By Alison Stanton

What’s inside

Every other Tuesday, friends Aundrea DeGravina and Shea Van Slyke head to Longfellow Elementary School in Mesa to spend about an hour and a half with a group of sixth grade girls. Aundrea and Shea, who are seniors at Hamilton High School in Chandler, founded the club, which they call Longfellow Ladies. The two spend time with the younger girls doing fun activities like cupcake decorating, painting, tea parties and a mini-yoga class, while also helping them to build character, confidence and self-esteem.

“This project is very involved, as it is us two planning the logistics; however, we feel that this project is rewarding, and seeing these girls blossom into their tween years is a feeling that can’t be described,” says Aundrea, 17.

also a senior at Hamilton High School, spends time each month volunteering at the India Association of Phoenix, and during basketball season he can be found at the YMCA coaching third and fourth grade competitive basketball.

During the past two summers, Siddharth has put in more than 90 hours working in the Volunteen program at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers, where he worked at the front desk and guided hospital visitors and patients to their desired locations.

Alejandra a feeling of productivity that she really cherishes.

“Volunteering encourages selflessness and cooperation,” she says.

“Learning to work with others in order to achieve a goal of helping someone else—like a scared freshmen, a tired athlete running against cancer, or a lowincome family struggling to put food on the table—can teach you a lot about the kind of person you want to be. There's no way of measuring the true benefits of volunteering, both for yourself, and for everyone around you.”

Aundrea and Shea are two of many teens in the Chandler area who regularly devote time to volunteering. In addition to going to school, doing their homework and hanging out with friends and family, teenagers are finding out that helping others is an extremely rewarding experience that helps them to grow as people.

During her high school career Aundrea has volunteered for many different organizations, including her church, the Salvation Army, and Chandler Flower Girls, which is a part of the Chandler Service Club.

“Through the Flower Girls organization, I was able to participate in events like Operation Back to School for the CUSD,” she says, adding that she thoroughly enjoyed handing out backpacks and clothing items to children.

“I even had the opportunity to take a child school shopping at Target. We were given $150, a list of needed supplies, and buddy to shop with. It was fun to take these kids shopping while helping them at the same time.”

Shea, 17, who has also volunteered with the Chandler Flower Girls project, regularly donates her time working at the Broadway Corridor Community Center, where she helps with child care, planning a community party, and helping in the center’s store.

In addition to having the opportunity to give back to her community, Shea says that volunteering also helps her to learn and expand her horizons.

“The world is so much bigger than my own, and volunteering has broadened my perspective. I'd encourage people to get involved in volunteering, because when you invest the time, it is always worth it."

Siddharth Mehta, 16, also has a very full volunteer plate. Siddharth, who is

“The best part of volunteering is of course the satisfaction, but I think the exposure that volunteering gives an individual is really underrated,” Siddharth says, adding that for him, volunteering is something he truly enjoys, and is not merely an activity to add to his college resume.

“Working with the elderly, children, people of different ethnicities, and people in need has definitely enhanced my communication skills. Now I am no longer afraid to talk to anyone, and volunteering at a variety of places has taught me how to deal with all kinds of people.”

Mindy Elias, branch executive of the Boys & Girls Club Compadre Branch in Chandler, says she also enjoys seeing how the dozen or so teenagers who take part in the club’s Leaders in Training program each summer grow as people.

LEARNING BY VOLUNTEER-

ING: Shea Van Slyke says that volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to give back. She especially enjoys meeting the people she is helping, and the way that donating her time can broaden her perspective on life. Submitted photo

Stacey Cunningham, a guidance counselor at Basha High School and sponsor of the Leo Club, the school’s servicebased club for students, regularly works with students who volunteer their time to do community service projects like food drives. She sees first-hand how volunteering and helping others increases the students’ awareness of the needs of the community.

“It also helps students to appreciate what they have and to develop compassion for others who are less fortunate,” she says.

Alejandra Charcas, 17, is vice president of the Leo Club. The high school senior spends an average of 13 hours a month volunteering, including teaching a religious education class at her church, tutoring underclassmen, and working at her school’s freshmen orientation, which she says she especially enjoys.

“On the day of orientation, we receive a group of freshmen and we take them around the school, show them where their classes will be, where the buildings and bathrooms are, and answer their questions about high school,” she says.

Spending time volunteering gives

“They definitely mature a lot from the beginning of the summer to the end,” she says.

“They often make comments like ‘I didn’t realize how much work you guys do here,’ or ‘I couldn’t believe how exhausted I was at the end of the day.’ The teenagers are learning responsibility and that is something they will keep with them throughout their entire lives.”

Like Shea, Siddharth and Alejandra, Aundrea says she definitely enjoys the time she spends volunteering.

“We were all put on this Earth, and we should leave it better than when we entered it—that is my motto,” she says.

“Seeing the smiling faces is why I volunteer, the great feeling of giving back to the community is something that you cannot describe with words—it is only a feeling you can get through volunteering.”

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

Resources

Books:

• “Giving Back: Discover Your Values and Put Them Into Action Through Volunteering and Donating,” by Steven P. Ketchpel Ph.D.

• “Catch the Spirit: Teen Volunteers Tell How They Made a Difference,” by Susan K. Perry, (Author)

• “Volunteering: The Ultimate Teen Guide (It Happened to Me),” by Kathlyn Gay

Websites:

• helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_ benefits_volunteering.htm

• clubzona.org/character-leadership-development/

• http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/ volunteering.html

HAPPY TO HELP: Aundrea

DeGravina has volunteered for numerous organizations over the past few years, including helping out at church festivals, packing food boxes for Feed My Starving Children, and handing out backpacks and clothing for Operation Back to School for the CUSD. She says she feels strongly that everybody should do what they can to make the Earth a better place. Submitted photo

Family Spot Play on the Go, 10:30 a.m. - noon. Story time and hands-on activities for parents and children. Take-home activities will also be provided. Walk in, no registration.

Conference Room B at Maricopa County Library District’s Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, www.mcldaz.org.

Taylor Morrison—Adora Trails Community Clubhouse Celebration, 11a.m.-2 p.m. at Adora Trails Clubhouse, 7465 S. Adora Blvd., Gilbert. Join Taylor Morrison to celebrate the newly expanded community clubhouse at its planned community of Adora Trails. Bring the whole family and enjoy cold sandwiches, swimming, face painting, balloon artists for the kids and giveaways. Don’t forget to tour its 10 model homes. Free to the public. 480-988-9098, adoratrails.com.

Grandparents Day Crafts and Fun, 1-5 p.m. Make a special gift for grandparents at Hamilton Library. Celebrate all afternoon with crafts, snacks and activities to show how special grandparents are. Two special movies ages 4 and older. Registration required. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org

8, 15, 22, 29

ArtVille at Arizona Museum for Youth, noon-4 p.m. More than just a play space, ArtVille is an aesthetic, engaging environment designed with the unique requirements of those younger than 5. Young crawlers to curious toddlers will keep busy in a town built to cultivate awareness of color, line, shape and texture. Largerthan-life crayons, paintbrushes and glitter glue can be found at every corner emphasizing the town philosophy of artistic exploration. Included in the Arizona Museum for Youth admission fee. ArtVille is especially for children birth through 4 years. Older children may visit but only as helpers. Museum for Youth, 35 N. Robson, Mesa. 480-6442467, arizonamuseumforyouth.com

9, 16, 23

Camp-Read-A-Lot, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Readers in grades K-3 are invited for Camp-Read-A-Lot where they will be paired with a teen reading buddy for 45 minutes each week. This is not tutoring, just enjoy books with a new buddy. Registration is required. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2800.

9, 23

Study Club, 4-5 p.m. Grades 5-12. Looking for a quiet spot to get some homework done? Need a place to study for a test or work on a group project? Maybe you could use some help getting started on a research paper? Come check out the Study Club! We’ll have a quiet space, some computers to work on, and a librarian on hand to help you with research. We’ll also show you a few tools you can use to help make your work a little easier. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 30

Wiggle Worms, 10:30-11 a.m. Ageappropriate stories and activities for little wigglers. Ages 18 months to 3 1/2 years. If you are bringing older siblings, they must also be registered. Caregivers must stay in the room and sit with their children the whole time. If it is not a story time kind of day for your child, it is OK to leave and try again another day. Doors close promptly at 10:30 a.m. Registration needed. Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

10, 24

Knit Happens, 2:30-3:45 p.m. Teens looking to earn hours for community service. Continue the tradition of fun, food and friendship—all skill levels welcome. Current service project is lap-sized blankets for Project Linus! Newsstand Room, Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

All-Ages Story Time, 10:30-11 a.m.

Tuesday, 10:30-11 a.m. and 11:15-11:45 a.m. Wednesday and 10:30-11 a.m. Thursday. Intended for toddlers through age 5. Meet in The Dig, for a fun story time, including stories, finger plays and songs. Learn letters, sounds and have fun with music and movement activities! Please note that for safety and comfort, sessions are limited to 60 people, including caregivers. Free tickets are required and distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis. Tickets will be available in the youth services area 20 minutes before story time begins. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with children during story time. Families only; no tickets will be issued to day care or preschool groups. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

Tumbleweed Tots, 9-11 a.m. This indoor play area is designed for children ages 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. Fee included in all TRC family passes. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler.

10, 17, 24

Infant Lap-Sit, 11:15-11:45 a.m. Southeast Regional Library. Ages 0-18 months with one parent or caregiver. Infant Lap-sit is a special story time designed to encourage development of language and motor skills by incorporating stories with simple songs, rhymes, movement activities and finger plays. No registration needed, however, attendance is limited to 20 per session. To provide quality one-on-one bonding time, siblings may not attend with the infant and parent. Tickets will be distributed at 11:10 a.m. near The Dig. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Story Book Art, 3-4 p.m. Children ages 9-12 years can explore the beautiful, unique, and often humorous artwork of children’s illustrators. Practice concepts, styles and principles of art in our Story Book Art hour. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Messy Creations: Shake, Drop & Roll, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Children will learn to paint using a variety of methods and materials from your pantry. Create a masterpiece that is sure to capture the sparkle of imagination and surprise the senses. For children ages 2-5, adult must accompany child. Maximum of 12 children, minimum of five. Cost for members is $5, nonmembers $12. Arizona Museum for Youth, 35 N. Robson St., Mesa. 480-644-3689 or 480-644-3690.

11, 25

Behind the Scenes Tour with Curator, 2-2:30 p.m. Join Curator of Collections, Holly Young, for a “behind the scenes” tour of the museum. This tour is open to walk-in visitors with paid museum admission. Learn about the artifacts that are not on display in the museum and see

how museums care for their collections. This is a first come, first serve tour. Space is limited. Sign up at the front desk to reserve a spot. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-495-0901, pueblogrande.com.

The Truth About, 6-7 p.m. Youth ages 12-17 years are invited to learn about different topics like applying for college and financial aid, how to open and manage a checking account, resume writing, workplace etiquette and more. Registration is required, deadline is day of program. Cost is $3 for residents, $5 for nonresidents. Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler.

11, 18, 25

Baby Time, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Babies accompanied by a caregiver have fun sharing books, lap-sit songs and rhymes, puppets, music and shakers, and the parachute. Learn tips to build a foundation for reading. Playtime follows program. No registration needed but please arrive on time. Ages 0-20 months. Older siblings may not attend due to safety issues. Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Kids Club, powered by National Geographic Kids, 10-11a.m. Join them in the Gap wing near the Food Court now through mid-November! It's fun to watch what animals do at the zoo. Some may roar, spit or burp and others may find some water to squirt. Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480- 812-8488.

Plant Tour of Pueblo Grande, 10-11 a.m. Discover some of the edible and medical plants of the southwest on an abbreviated walk along the trail at Pueblo Grande. What desert plant has “gone to the moon?” A knowledgeable guide will identify plant as well as many other useful desert flora and some of the traditional crops. This program is free with paid museum admission. Space is limited. Sign up at the front desk to reserve a spot. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-495-0901, pueblogrande.com.

12, 19, 26

Pre-K Story Time, 10:30-11 a.m.

Children develop a love of literature and learn preschool skills through age-appropriate books, learning letter sounds, flan-

nel board rhymes, songs and music, shakers, bubbles, scarf dancing, and parachute play. Learn tips for early literacy skills. No registration needed, but program will be limited to the first 25 children who arrive. Doors close promptly at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 1/2 to 5 years. Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Family Story Time, 6 p.m. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays for the whole family. Meeting room at Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, 602.652.3000, mcldaz.org.

Independent Kinder-Prep, 11:1511:45 a.m. Children, ages 4 and 5, will join library staff for this event. No registration needed, however, for safety and comfort, attendance is limited to 25 per session. Tickets will be distributed at 10:55 a.m. near The Dig. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Dive-in Movie Night, “seating” 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a poolside movie at Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, 5901 S. Hillcrest Dr., Chandler. Bring an inner tube and watch “Iron Man 2,” rated PG-13. Admission is 25 cents.

Paper Bag Basket Class, 10:3011:30 a.m. Children ages 8-12 years. Make a basket from a paper grocery bag! Have fun learning how to recycle a plain brown grocery bag into a cute and useable basket. Take home your finished basket and instructions to make it again. Registration needed, attendance for this event will be limited to 15. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Paws to Read, 10:30-11:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-noon. Paws to Read pairs Delta-registered therapy animals and their handlers with young readers. The animals listen and don't tease, laugh or judge the children. Plus, the animals love to be read to! Registration is limited to 16 children for a 15-minute time slot with a therapy animal. Time slot and animal selection are on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the program. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

See Calendar, Page 4

Bookhype, 3:30-5 p.m. The Teens’ Top Ten is an ongoing project in which publishers of young adult books provide pre-published copies and recently published copies of titles to teen book discussion groups in libraries. In exchange, teen readers evaluate books from more than 30 participating publishers. Bookhype is a happy group of avid readers and reviewers. Ages 1218. In the Meeting Room, Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

C-Town Suitcase Club, 10-11 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers are invited to travel through time and explore everyday objects at the Chandler Museum, at the historic McCulloughPrice House, 300 S. Chandler Village Dr., Chandler. The event is free. 480-7822717, chandlermuseum.org.

18 Q & A Seminar for Parents of Teen Athletes, 7-8:30 p.m.

Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists, Drs. James Lindner and Craig Weinstein, offer a free Q & A Seminar for parents of teen athletes at Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists, 3487 S. Mercy Rd., Chandler, to provide parents of teen athletes information on identification, prevention and healing of common injuries. This will include concussions, strains and sprains and identification of other injuries which may not be present until after the game

is over. Seminar format, space is limited. RSVP required. 480-222-5601.

Family Fun Night at the TRC, 5:30-7 p.m. Enjoy a recreational activity and entertainment at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. This week’s event is On the Farm. Free for TRC members, youth resident $2, nonresident $3, teen resident $3, nonresident $5. 480-782-2908.

LEGO Club, 6-7 p.m. at Hamilton Library. Youth ages 6-12 are invited to come meet new friends and have fun building with Legos. No registration required. Legos are provided. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

Sonoran Desert Series, 6-7 p.m. Free, live lakeside entertainment at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Visit the Environmental Education Center for this free entertainment series for the whole family. chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.

20 Full Moon Hike, 7:30 p.m. Discover the beauty of the Sonoran Desert at night, as hiking under the light from the full moon on a pristine 2.2-mile stroll along the Stargazer Trail. Listen for the sounds of wildlife and explore the nightlife atmosphere. The pace of the hike will be relatively mild or slow to help enjoy the surroundings. Flashlights are welcomed. SanTan Mountain Regional

Park, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek. 480-655-555, santanpark@mail.maricopa.gov.

21 Getting Ready for Oktoberfest, 2-4 p.m. Oktoberfest is coming soon! SERL is offering fun for the whole family to help you get in the mood for the upcoming celebration. Enjoy displays, stories for the little ones, and games and chance to practice the polka. Assembly Room. Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

Dogs & Cats of a Different Color with Barbara Burton, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Students ages 6 to 14 years will design and screen print the ultimate pet portrait at this free workshop offered by Vision Kidz at the Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. Parents can register a child for up to three free workshops. 480-782-2695.

Paws to Read, 10:30-noon. Children ages 5 and older are invited to read their favorite book to the special registered therapy dog. Perry Branch Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert. 602-6523000. mcldaz.org.

TRC Basketball Clinic, 1-4 p.m.

One-day basketball clinics hosted by Tumbleweed Recreation Center for youth ages 12-17. Clinic will focus on shooting, ball handling, offensive and defensive skills. Pre-registration required. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2900.

Teen Movie Night at TRC, 7-9 p.m. Teens can catch up with friends for a movie at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. This is a drop-in program; no registration is needed. Movie Night is included in the TRC Youth and Teen Day Pass. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2900.

Hurray Parade, Children’s Storytime 10:30 a.m. Grandma is coming to visit, and bringing along a parade of guesses. In this interactive storytime, kids can guess where the story is going! Storytime includes a craft. Barnes and Noble, Chandler Fashion Mall.3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 2054, Chandler. 480-792-1312

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. The Pueblo Grande Museum will be participating in the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! event. Guests with the Smithsonian Magazine Day Live! ticket will receive free admission for two. Visitors will also be treated to a special book signing presentation with “Rock Art of the Grand Canyon Region” author Steven Freers at 10 a.m. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-4950901, pueblogrande.com. For more information about Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live!, smithsonianmag.com/museumday.

Dragonfly & Butterfly Bash! 8 a.m.11 a.m. Join a guided walk and experience hands-on crafts and presentations at the Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Celebrate dragonflies, damselflies and Monarch butterflies on a guided tour of the wetland habitats of Veterans Oasis Park during the late summer. Walks are approximately 20 minutes in duration with the last departure at 11 a.m. Free event, no registration required.

Clay Rattles with Sandra Luehrsen, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Students ages 6-14 years will create sculptural coil pots in clay and after adorning them, will fill then with beads to create a magical sound at this free workshop offered by Vision Kidz at the Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. Parents can register a child for up to three free workshops. 480-782-2695.

The Teen Scene, 3-5 p.m. Teens only meet, hang out with friends, play games, grab a spot to study, use a laptop or just munch some snacks in the Monsoon Room, Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

Story Time, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fun for the whole family at Basha Library. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays with books, flannel board stories and puppets in the Programming room, Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

Is Tongue Piercing Safe For Me?

BY DR. DAVID RUSH, DDS, AND DR. KYLE RUSH, DMD. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Health and beauty are two concepts that have worked for and against each other throughout human history. Often, indicators of good health are considered beautiful, like clear skin and a trim waistline.

On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for a given culture to think up beauty ideals that are unhealthy and sometimes downright harmful.

The Chinese used to bind girls feet, leaving them deformed. Victorian women wore corsets, showing off a thin waist while cutting off circulation. And who can forget Queen Victoria’s infamous husband, Prince Albert with his scandalous body piercing.

Prince Albert may have embraced body piercing, however, he certainly didn’t start the trend. It is nothing new to civilization. Native tribes around the world have practiced various forms of body piercing in religious and ceremonial circumstances. The ancient Roman soldiers would sometimes have their nipples spiked. Belly button piercing can be traced back to the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The Mayan peoples of Central America would pierce their tongues in ceremonial rites to communicate with their ancestors. Today, body piercing is becoming an increasingly common fashion statement. However, despite its prevalence, body piercing, especially tongue piercing, poses a multitude of very serious risks that need to be considered.

and a slew of other serious complications. Cracked and chipped teeth require fillings, crowns, root canals and other invasive and costly restorative procedures.

Serious complications arising from tongue piercing are rare, but with more people getting their tongues pierced combined with the lack of regulation in the industry, these instances are increasing. Major complications include cardiac endocarditis, Ludwig’s angina, trigeminal neuralgia, keloid scarring and the spread of diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, and Herpes Simplex virus.

There are a number of serious complications that may arise from a tongue piercing, but let’s start with the more common and most obvious. Immediately following having your tongue pierced you may experience some tenderness and swelling. Following the instructions given to you by your body piercer to clean and care for the piercing may not prevent the most common problem, a localized infection due to insufficient home care. An infection will be accompanied by soreness, redness, and some mild swelling but can be treated by brushing and flossing frequently, eating soft foods, and rinsing often with a disinfecting mouthwash (if you use Listerine, make sure it’s diluted to 1/4 strength).

The most prevalent side effects of tongue piercing that affect dental health are gum damage/recession on and chipped/cracked teeth. A recent study featured by the American Academy of Periodontology, shows after two years, 50% of patients with tongue piercing experienced gum recession and after four years, 47% of patients had chipped molars and premolars. Gum damage and recession are heavily associated with periodontal disease which dramatically increases your risk for heart attacks, endocarditis, diabetes, pneumonia, stroke, diabetes-associated kidney problems,

The tongue is an especially dangerous place to get a piercing because it is full of blood vessels. It’s also close to many important nerves of the head, as well as your respiratory path. Since the mouth is naturally full of bacteria it makes new tongue piercings an easy port for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. For those with congenial heart defects (diagnosed or not), that means an increased risk of endocarditis, and infection of the heart which can be fatal. Alternatively, the infection could remain local, infecting the floor of the mouth in what is called Ludwig’s angina, which causes the tongue and throat to swell and block the airway. If the piercing is placed incorrectly it has been sown to irritate a nerve connection to the trigeminal nerve, one of the biggest in your head. This causes excruciating pain, medically referred to as trigeminal neuralgia. This condition is also called suicide disease because of the extraordinary amount of pain it causes. Finally, if a completely sterile procedure is not followed (including disposable needles, gloves, antiseptics, and autoclave-sterilized instruments), infectious diseases like HIV, Herpes Simplex, Epstein-Barr virus and Hepatitis (B, C, D, and G) can be spread. To avoid these complications, educate yourself! Learn the risks and consult with your doctor and dentist on how to avoid them and make your procedure as safe as possible. Research a reputable piercing salon and learn their procedures for sterilization. Make sure they follow sterile procedures protocol and use sterilized jewelry. Only non-reactive metals like surgical-grade stainless steel, 14-karat gold, platinum or titanium should be used. Or you could follow the American Dental Association’s advice and mine: Avoid tongue piercing altogether.

Dr. Rush excels in the areas of general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, dental reconstruction, laser gum treatments, and safe amalgam filling removal. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Rush has also actively been continuing his education and recently even earned two new degrees: Doctor of Integrative Biologic Medicine (IBDM) and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD). These degrees support his belief in the importance of overall body health, and he is pleased to be able to offer his patients new naturopathic options if they wish. Dr. Rush is a member of the Central Arizona Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, The Academy of General Dentistry, and The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dentistrytheway

GRIDIRON UPDATE KICKS OFF WITH THIS ISSUE

The Sept. 7 issue of the SanTan Sun News marks the introduction of the monthly fall Gridiron Update. Check back the top of each month for a rundown of the scores, top plays and quotes from coaches—and maybe even players. This month, we offer an introduction to area high schools' football programs. By Seth Cox

Basha Bears

Head Coach Bernie Busken

Record: 7-4

first round of playoffs)

Coming off a bitter first-round playoff loss in 2012, the Basha Bears have their sights set on one goal—a state title.

“We are excited for the 2013 season,” says Bernie Busken, head coach. “Our players have killed it in the weight room since last December and are looking great physically.”

With the backfield combination of quarterback Zach Werlinger and running back Rajhan Meriwether, that goal may not be as farfetched as some may think.

Werlinger completed nearly 64% of his

Chandler Wolves

Head Coach Shaun Aguano 2012 Record: 7-4

(Lost in first round of playoffs)

Chandler High School

350 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 85225

chandlerwolvesfootball.com

Playing in the shadow of a perennial contender has been the burden the Chandler Wolves have had to carry during the last decade.

This season will not be any different, save for one thing—this may be the most talented Wolves team in the last 10 years.

Head Coach Shaun Aguano and his Wolves come into the season with five returning starters on offense; spearheaded by UCLA commit Dionte Sykes at wide receiver and ASU commit Bryce Perkins at quarterback.

The offensive firepower doesn’t stop with

passes and threw for 2,689 yards and 30 touchdowns. Meriwether, despite problems with fumbles, was able to run for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Busken says he’s excited about the offensive line. “Offensively, we have three O-line starters back starting with three-year starter Ivan Sanchez (6-foot-3, 275 lbs.), Brett Nicholsen (6-foot-3, 280 lbs.) and Garrett Rodrigo (6-foot-1, 240 lbs.).”

If Basha is going to make a run toward the state title though, they will need to lean

those two. Wide receiver Mitch McCulley and do-it-all offensive weapon Elijah Sykes round out a talented group of skill players.

Aguano cautions that they’ll still be a ball-control team.

“Our expectations are to play ball control,” Aguano says. “We have good athletes, but a young quarterback, so we want to keep it simple early and expect the offense to grow as the year goes along.”

The dilemma offensively will be twofold: Who mans the running back position and can they protect Perkins long enough for him to

on a physical and fast defense that will rely on a heavy rotation of different players at all levels of their defense. Busken listed 26 players who he expects to contribute in 2013, and says, “We feel our depth on defense will really help and we hope to play them all.”

Busken mentions, “The best thing we have going right now is our great attitude and coming together as a team. We will continue to improve each day and we hope this process gets us where we want to be by the end of the season.”

get the ball into his playmakers’ hands?

The Wolves come into the season with question marks defensively, despite a good returning class led by outside linebacker J.R. Hunt. They are playing under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Thurmond Moore.

Aguano says Moore’s style is a change. “He plays a more aggressive style than in the past, but I’m excited to see it on the field finally.”

With how good the Wolves offense can be, the defense will have to be up to the task of getting them back on the field and doing so by getting stops and not giving up touchdowns.

LEGO team incorporates fun and science

The RoboCreepers seek sponsors

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

The RoboCreepers—10 friends from Chandler, all of whom love science and LEGO—are seeking sponsors to help them enhance their STEM knowledge.

The RoboCreepers are participating in the FIRST LEGO League, an international competition organized by FIRST for elementary and middle school students.

“Everyone supports sports, but science, math and technology are also pretty important. So we’re trying to drum up support for kids that are going for a different sport,” says coach Corey Niles.

Niles figures the season will cost between $1,500 and $2,000. For more information, visit one of three sites—csnorky.wix.com/robocreepers, USFIRST.org or azfll.com.

“We had to buy a new robot,” he says. “We had to build a practice table. We had team shirts made for the kids and the parents to wear at competitions.”

For the program, each September, a new challenge is announced that focuses on a different real-world topic related to the sciences. This year’s theme is “Nature’s Fury.”

“Everything is centered around natural weather disasters,” he says. “The program wants kids to compete, but they want them to be very helpful with each other, and helpful with the other teams.”

The team is comprised of Connor Niles, Natalie Gonzales, DeeLan Kareem, Bianca Rivera, Logan Thomas, Christine Cao and Kendal Hollinger, all of whom attend Conley Elementary School; Marc

Limbeck of Andersen Elementary School; Xander Ballew of Bright Beginnings; and Porter O’Doherty of Arizona College Prep—Oakland Campus.

Each competition has four parts: Core Values Session, Robot Design Executive Summary, the research project and then the students must use the robots they designed and built to complete a set of tasks. There are 10 regional tournaments.

The RoboCreepers are hoping to participate in a Dec. 7 tournament at Hamilton High School.

The kids are dedicated to the project, having started practicing in June.

“I keep track of the amount of time each kid is over for team practices, or doing tutorials with the robot for programming,” Niles says. “They’re up to about 300 hours all combined in terms of getting together for practice. They’re putting a lot of effort into this. Hopefully they’ll continue to have fun with it.”

To increase their knowledge, the RoboCreepers visited the Arizona Division of Emergency Management’s command center. There they learned the basics of weather disaster events and those that are prevalent in Arizona.

The group is planning to visit the Chandler Fire Department as well as its tactical rescue team. Niles has also been in contact with Central Arizona Mountain Search and Rescue.

“One of the core values of the league is that kids have fun,” Niles says. “So learning and having fun is what we’re trying to accomplish here. So far, so good.”

LEARNING THROUGH FIELD TRIPS: The kids visited the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. Shown here are, left to right, back row, is Will Schulz, assistant director of recovery, and Christine Cao; front row is Bianca Rivera, DeeLan Kareem, Kendal Hollinger, Natalie Gonzales, Logan Thomas, Connor Niles and Xander Ballew. Submitted photo

LEGO TEAM: Coach Corey Niles, at back, looks at a Lego creation with some of his team—Marc Limbeck, DeeLan Kareem, Connor Niles, Christine Cao and Xander Ballew. Submitted photo

Just4Kids

Chandler Recreation Offers A Variety of Fall Activities!

This month’s Just4Kids Page is sponsored by:

The City of Chandler Recreation Division

Chandler

Teen

Council and Green Teens

Chandler Teen Programs are seeking Chandler teens interested in exciting opportunities to get involved with the community through service, leadership development and unique educational experiences. The Community Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center and Environmental Education Center are accepting application for the Teen Council and Green Teen Programs. For more information please email chandlerteens@chandleraz.gov.

Sonoran Sunset Series: Thursday, September 19, 6 - 7 p.m.

Visit the Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park (4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd.) for this free lakeside entertainment by Exit 40 Band, suitable for all ages. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and food. Snacks and beverages will be available for a small fee. Call 480-782-2890 for more information.

Stay Connected!

Register for Fall Classes!

The fall Break Time magazine outlining all-ages recreation classes, youth camps and special events for September, October and November is available at libraries and city offices as well as aquatic and recreation centers and online at www.chandleraz.gov/breaktime. Registration is open! For more information, call 480-782-2727.

September Parent & Toddler Activities: Tumble Tots is now five days a week!

Tumble Tots will run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center (745 E. Germann Rd). This fun, safe and clean area provides a variety of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a $2 fee ($3 nonresident) per child. Fee included in all TRC family passes. Call 480-782-2900 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed for more information.

Dive-In Movie:

Friday, September 13, 7 p.m.

The Dive-In movie at Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center (5901 S. Hillcrest Dr.) on September 13 will feature Iron Man 2 (PG-13). Tony Stark has declared himself Iron Man and instilled world peace…or so he thinks. Seating begins at 7 p.m., movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Bring an inner tube and the entire family to enjoy the adventure poolside. Float along or watch from the sidelines for only $0.25 per person.

Family Night on the Farm at the TRC: Wednesday, September 18, 5:30 -7 p.m.

Join in the fun at Family Night at Tumbleweed Recreation Center (745 E. Germann Rd). There is a different activity each week. The fee is $2 ($3 for non-residents ages 1-12) and $3 ($5 for non-residents ages 13-17). Call 480-782-2900 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed for more information.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @ChandlerRec, and on Facebook and YouTube at Chandler Recreation for the latest news. Check out the July / August issue of “Come Out & Play, Chandler!” on YouTube. This episode features the Chandler Libraries. You can sign up for the Chandler Recreation monthly newsletter at www.chandleraz.gov/listserv.html. For more information, call 480-782-2727.

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