SanTan Sun News; 12-20-14; Neighbors

Neighbors

‘Foxy grandma’ stays sharp with dancing

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Betty Rust suffers from arthritis in her hip, but the 85-year-old East Mesa resident has found that ballroom dancing in Chandler is the best medicine.

“When I step on that dance floor, nothing hurts,” says Rust. There is much more to ballroom dancing than glitzy outfits, intricate dance steps and physical coordination. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that seniors who participate regularly in ballroom dancing experienced a 76 percent risk reduction in dementia. This statistic represented the highest reduction of the disease in any of the leisure activities during the course of the 20-year project.

Rust is thrilled with that revelation and contends that dancing keeps her mind sharp.

“You have to learn all of the routines and the steps, then you have to remember all of it,” Rust states.

Rust has been a student and competitor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Chandler for 10 years.

“When I was 17 and in California, several people I worked with decided to have a group class in ballroom, so we went and took a group class,” Rust recalls.

“My husband was a cowboy and he thought dancing was an excuse to hold a woman close. So while he was drinking with his buddies at the dances, I’d go dance with his friends.”

NFL Hall of Famers gather for charity golf tourney

BY CURT BLAKENEY

Several National Football League Hall of Famers will gather for the Legends of the Game Golf Classic at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass on Wednesday, Jan. 28, to raise awareness for the Prostate On-Site Project (POP).

A long list of football greats—including Dick Butkus, Randall McDaniel, Andre Reed and Curley Culp—will each captain a team of four amateur golfers in a five-man scramble competition to support POP’s mission of raising awareness about prostate cancer and increasing the percentage of men undergoing life-saving annual examinations.

“I am very excited about the Super Bowl coming to Arizona this year,” says Marla Zimmerman, CEO of Prostate On-Site Projects and All Sports Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.

“The Legends of the Game Golf Classic will help our nonprofit foundation with the ability to provide more free and low cost prostate cancer screenings to men throughout Arizona. This event will be able to educate more men on the importance of early detection of prostate cancer.”

Zimmerman’s father, former NFL player Gene Felker, founded the POP in 1998 after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Felker died in 2013 from corticobasal degeneration (CBD), a rare neurodegenerative disease, but his vision is still being carried out by his daughter and the volunteers and supporters of POP.

“Marla Zimmerman and her late father, Gene Felker, along with Mike Haynes have done an amazing job bringing Hall of Fame members and NFL alumni together to bring attention to the importance of testing and early detection,” McDaniel says. “No doubt, their efforts are saving lives. I’m happy to be a small part of that mission.”

Approximately 31,800 men will die from

Ring in the New Year in downtown Chandler

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Desert Dixie and DJ Soloman will help downtown Chandler families ring in the New Year with seven hours of continuous entertainment.

The two acts will perform during the 2015 Chandler Downtown Countdown, which runs from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 1 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, on Arizona Place between Boston and Buffalo streets. A custom ball will drop starting at 11:59 p.m., followed by a 3-minute fireworks display at midnight.

Tickets range from $20 to $100. Young children will be admitted for free; see www. chandlerdowntowncountdown.com

for more information. The $100 VIP tickets include unlimited food and drinks, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and a special lounge with high-top tables, private bathrooms, heaters, comfortable seating and fireworks.

Novoa Denham Events worked with the Downtown Chandler Community Foundation to put on the inaugural event. Rafael Novoa, co-owner of Novoa Denham Events, says free reentry into the event will be allowed.

“We are kind of expecting for the families to come out between 6 and 10,” Novoa says.

prostate cancer in 2015, including 550 men right here in Arizona—that’s one father, son or brother every 17 minutes across the United States. Sadly, early detection could save all of these lives, with a staggering 100 percent five-year survival rate for patients whose case is detected while the cancer is confined to the prostate. Men whose cancer is not discovered until later stages see only a 34 percent five-year survival rate.

Unfortunately, with a cancer that often advances without causing symptoms until late in the game, these statistics will only change when more men adhere to the recommended annual digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test starting at age 40. Men with a family history of prostate cancer or who are African American have an even higher likelihood of developing the disease and should

New Year’s

Eve celebrations offer food, music and

BY

It may be hard to believe, but 2014 is soon coming to a close. To help celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, many area restaurants are featuring special menus. The following is just a sampling of some of the local events being held on New Year’s Eve:

After a brief hiatus, popular Yoli’s Café reopens

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Owning a thriving business can be a good thing, but with Yoli’s Café, improvements and upgrades to support an increasing number of diners proved to be a nightmare.

“Over the past couple years, we’ve had a huge increase in business and even over the summer, business didn’t fall off that much,” states Rick Scott, who owns and runs Yoli’s Café with his, wife, Yolanda “Yoli” Fernandez.

The couple decided to install new burners and three additional feet of griddle space in the kitchen, so Yoli’s could serve customers quicker.

Yoli’s closed for planned improvements on Oct. 7 and they should have taken more than a week. The ordeal lasted 60 days.

“Nov. 1 was supposed to be our fouryear anniversary but we were closed,” Scott explains. “The base of our flattop griddle was stolen—probably for scrap metal.”

They thought the griddle base was concealed behind the restaurant to prepare for cleaning. But they were wrong. Coupled with the theft were contractor delays.

“I’m a humble and proud person and it’s hard for me to ask for help,” Scott says. “A lot of our friends pushed us to put it out there to do a GoFundMe.”

The couple opened a fundraising account and explained their plight. Soon thereafter, the original contractor quit and Scott and Fernandez had to start from scratch. Scott promised to take care of his eight employees by paying them during the closure.

“They are fantastic, we love them and think of them like family,” Scott says. “They have families of their own and we want to take care of them, too.”

The GoFundMe campaign raised $4,200 to help cover the cost of the stolen grill and paychecks for the employees. New Chandler business improvMania also held a fundraiser to assist the restaurant during its closure.

Adding to the funds, Scott tapped into his retirement fund. Instead of soliciting additional donations, he just wants people to visit and rediscover the restaurant.

“I really think I’d like to have people come in and enjoy our food,” he explains.

“I’m so thankful that the campaign served its purpose and helped us over the bump.”

Third-generation Chandler resident and contractor Woody Farnsworth stepped in and helped Yoli’s Café after he heard what had happened at the restaurant.

“Woody caught wind of what was happening,” Scott explains. “He got a hold of me and came down and saw what was going on.”

Farnsworth stepped in to help get the project back on track and finished. “He was

like an angel.”

Yoli’s customer Jay Monday owns The Cooling and Plumbing Company and he also heard about the unfortunate turn of events at the café and was eager to help.

“We did the plumbing, air conditioning and gas piping and knocked out all three for them in one shot,” says Monday. “It’s such a good restaurant and they are good people.”

He adds that he particularly loves Yoli’s chorizo and its signature Monte Cristo sandwich with turkey, ham and havarti cheese served on Hawaiian French toast with spicy marmalade.

Staff member Sherrie Sekol started with Yoli’s when it opened four years ago.

“I left for a while and came back two years ago and I love it here,” Sekol states.

The Yoli’s closure was tough for everyone, but she’s glad to be back.

“Everybody is coming back and it’s great to see all our old customers,” Sekol says.

She’s excited to see most of the previous customers coming back and new ones discovering the restaurant. The restaurant reopened on Dec. 1 for breakfast and lunch. “Everything is working fantastically,” Scott says of the griddle expansions and burners.

Yoli’s Cafe is located at 241 S. Oregon St. Regular hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Call (480) 726-9654 or visit ww.yoliscafe.com for additional information.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.

be even more vigilant, starting their annual exams at age 37.

POP is ramping up its efforts by bringing the exams to men, providing on-site exams at the workplace and presenting employees and participating employers with a multitude of benefits. Men will have easy, convenient, low-cost access to prostate exams, while employers will reduce downtime and lower health insurance claims and fees. POP’s approach has proven to be effective, with many of their patients admitting that they would have likely skipped their examination if they hadn’t had access to the on-site clinic.

“As my dad would have said, ‘Get tough, get checked, get going,’” Zimmerman says.

NFL greats and area golf amateurs are putting their support behind this important project by participating in the golf tournament. Participants will enjoy breakfast and registration at 8:30 a.m., begin the tournament at 10:30 a.m., and attend an awards dinner ceremony later that evening. All participants will receive a special tournament gift package and have the opportunity to win a variety of contests and prizes.

For more information about the tournament and POP’s programs, visit www.prostatecheckup.org or call (480) 964-3013.

Curt Blakeney is the associate editor of the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at curt@santansun.com.

Lisa Bianco, the owner of the Chandler Fred Astaire location, agrees with Rust that dancing is good for her health.

“As I’ve read in different journals and things that have come out in the last few years, your brain is forced to fire in all areas,” Bianco explains.

“With ballroom dancing you work all your muscle groups, your emotional side as you feel each dance as its own expression, and then the movements of the entire body. So your brain is firing on all levels.”

Rust adds that dancing keeps her blood flowing.

“It is exercise but it is fun exercise,” she explains.

At regional ballroom dance competitions, Rust often performs 20 different dances such as rumba, cha-cha, Latin and swing. A 6-year ballroom dancer, Rust exhibits excellent technique and routinely takes top honors in dancing competitions involving other Fred Astaire locations in Arizona.

Rust’s dance instructor is Sean Emad and the duo dances together in a way that makes it seem like they’ve known each other forever. As a fan of the show “Dancing with the Stars,” Rust was inspired by a celebrity on the recent season’s show.

“Tommy Chong was doing the Argentine tango and he did a little step that we loved, so Sean and I put that into our routine,” Rust explains.

Emad has been working with Rust for 10 years. As he pondered Rust’s area of dancing expertise, he states, “She definitely gets a little attitude going with the Latin dancing. They all call her the ‘foxy grandma.’”

He says he learns just as much from her as she does from him.

“She just has so much insight into dancing because she has been doing this for so long,” Emad says. “She’s been there through the changes and has seen the evolution of some of the dances. It’s a blast dancing with her.”

Holidays are a special time for the staff at the Chandler Fred Astaire studio. Rust knits socks and hats for the employees, whom she considers her extended family. Her goal, however, is to make dancing at the studio part of her ongoing routine.

“My doctor tells me that if I ever stop dancing, I’ll be in a wheelchair,” Rust says. “Thankfully, I love dancing and don’t plan to ever give it up. At my age, it’s really easy to forget things, but the ballroom dancing keeps my memory fit because of how many patterns I have to learn. It’s a wonderful mental exercise.”

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?

Another Black Friday is fast approaching and many of us are wondering where can we come up with that little bit of extra cash to make this season of joy and giving one to be remembered. One way is to use the services of experts in the fields of Jewelry, Art, Collectables and other assets to see WHAT’S IT WORTH? The expertise provided by these professional appraisers to evaluate these types of assets can then offer you an option to sell these valuables at a fair price to provide additional funds to purchase the gifts and items to make the Holiday Season a special one.

The jewelry, art, collectables in the safe deposit box or hidden in the drawer of a cabinet that has been sitting there for years can be evaluated and then sold. Resulting in cash to spend immediately. Really no better way to raise money, it offers an alternative to using credit cards that will cause aggravation in January when the bills come.

Remember that there are experts who have years of experience researching assets and buying these unusual valuables. The process of evaluation and buying will create the extra cash for the Holiday Season. Please keep in mind that there is an option to convert your “stuff” to cash. May this Holiday Season be one with much Health and Joy.

— David Goldstein Owner, Biltmore Loan and Jewelry

Holiday spirit displayed at Rawhide’s Snowy Christmas

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is welcoming holiday visitors with thousands of holiday lights and snow for the second year. Youngsters can drop off their letters to Santa at Rawhide’s “Delivery to the SW Pole” mailbox. All the kiddos who send a letter will hear back from Ol’ St. Nick. The Photo Emporium will also provide the youngsters with the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa.

The town is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, through Tuesday, Dec. 23; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 27; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28; and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Sweet Sally’s

Sweet Sally’s, Rawhide’s candy store, provides the opportunity to pick up a couple pounds of homemade fudge or old-fashioned treats for those stocking stuffers. Through Tuesday, Dec. 30, customers who buy a pound of fudge will receive a half pound free.

Rawhide Mercantile

A western lifestyle upscale boutique

featuring regional, community and western artists can be found within Rawhide Mercantile. Visitors will find exquisite furnishings, handmade jewelry and brands that are hard to find elsewhere. Rawhide Mercantile carries a full line of boots, apparel, jewelry, accessories, gifts and home decor from traditional to trendy.

Take advantage of the last-chance holiday sale featuring 50 percent off select items through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Rawhide General Store

Stop by the Rawhide General Store for such specials as a last-chance holiday sale with 50 percent off select items through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Make reservations for Rawhide Steakhouse Reservations, which can be made by calling (480) 502-5600 or by emailing reso@rawhide.com, are highly recommended during the holiday season at Rawhide Steakhouse.

Stay active this winter with ongoing aquatics programs

Chandler Parks and Recreation Department’s Aquatics programs continue. Log onto www.chandleraz. gov/registration and or call (480) 7823463 for more information.

Free swim lesson evaluations for youngsters

Individuals are invited during public swim hours to visit the Chandler Parks and Recreation Aquatics facilities for a free swim evaluation from one of the qualified personnel.

Basic guidelines are listed with ages under course descriptions to help place a child in the appropriate class level, except Seahorse, Otters and Surfer classes. The descriptions are available to assist in educating customers on the variety of classes that aquatics program have the capability of offering. A child may be less or more advanced than the suggested ages. Some of the classes may not be offered during each session or at each location.

The child will likely remain in the same level for at least two sessions.

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course

The 43-hour American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course trains instructor candidates to teach water

safety, which includes the basic rescue course, six levels of the Progressive Learn to Swim Program and Parent and Child Aquatics.

The course also includes five hours of the F.I.T. course and eight hours of instructor candidate practical teaching time.

Prerequisites include demonstrating proficiency in the following strokes; front crawl freestyle, back crawl backstroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and butterfly; maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water floating or sculling and tread water for one-minute. Participants must be 16 years of age by the last day of the class.

“If they want to leave and drop off their kids and come back they can. They can go out and eat at a restaurant and come back and enjoy the show.”

A 20-year veteran of the Arizona dance scene, DJ Soloman, also known as Matt Brough, will warm up the audience before the country band Desert Dixie hits the stage.

“Everyone said they are a great band for what we are trying to do,” Novoa says.

The country radio station KNIX will be onsite. In addition to the entertainment, there will be a full interactive kid zone with inflatable games. Partiers can create gooey s’mores in a designated area.

A wine bar, food trucks and regular vendors will also fill downtown Chandler during the event.

Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@santansun.com.

Neighbors

Murphy’s Law Irish Pub & Ale House

Say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015 at Murphy’s Law enjoying New Year’s Eve performances by DJ Smassh, dancing, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and festive party favors. The kitchen will stay open until 2 a.m. Revelers should reserve their seats for $25, which can go toward New Year’s Eve’s meals. For reservations, call (480) 812-1588. Murphy’s Law is located at 58 S. San Marcos Pl. in downtown Chandler.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass & Spa

Conclude 2014 in style at Kai, inside the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass & Spa. Guests will enjoy a culinary journey through special fiveor nine-course tasting menus, which include highlights such as seared duck terrine with sunchoke puree and apple fritter, seared foie gras with warm puff pastry, or oxtail and three sister stew with potato gnocchi and shaved truffles, as well as a selection of desserts. Reservations for the five- and nine-course menus will be accepted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The holiday menus are priced from $140 to $225 and wine pairings are available at an additional cost. Ko’Sin restaurant will also be offering a New Year’s Eve dinner, featuring a choice between four entrées. Highlights of the meal include smoked squash soup with Mesquite syrup and crispy duck prosciutto, roasted beet salad with gorgonzola and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. Guests may choose from: petite filet mignon and poached lobster tail with truffle potato puree; arctic char with braised greens; Colorado rack of lamb with

goat cheese gratin; or Muscovy duck with parmesan risotto and Brussels sprouts. The four-course dinner is offered at $80 for adults, $72 for seniors and $40 for children 12 and younger. Vegetarian, vegan and children’s choices are available on request. Reservations will be accepted from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

At 9 p.m., guests can enjoy a champagne toast and a special performance by Aaron White of the Grammy award-winning group, Blue Stone Project. Kai maintains a smart business casual dress code, which prohibits hats, T-shirts, and shorts for both men and women, including open-toed sandals for men. Denim is not preferred. Guests must elect which New Year’s Eve tasting menu they will enjoy at the time they make their reservations; call (602)

385-5726 for more information. The resort is located at 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler.

Nabers

Revelers can toast in the New Year by enjoying the music of the Crown Kings, who perform from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. VIP seating on the dance floor is available for $60; this amount includes dinner. Bar seating, along with dinner, is $45 and dining room seating with dinner is $40. On New Year’s Day, Nabers is offering 50 percent off on breakfast until 2 p.m., and $3 Bloody Marys, mimosas and domestic drafts. Nabers is located at 825 N. 54th St., in Chandler. For reservations, call (480) 705-0288.

Neighbors

MWC Bistro

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an international theme at MWC Bistro. From 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., people can enjoy tasting four wines and a four-course tasting menu from around the world. DJ Skully will play dance tunes and welcome in 2015 with a bubbly beverage at midnight. The cost is $65, plus tax and gratuity. MWC Bistro is located at 1422 W. Warner Rd., Suite A-100, in Gilbert. For more info, visit www.mwcbistro.com. For reservations, call (480) 497-1422.

Rock Lobster

Sushi fans can ring in the New Year at Rock Lobster. The restaurant is offering a four-course tasting menu for two for $39.99 that includes two glasses of champagne, complimentary edamame and a choice of miso soup or house salad. Apps include a choice of gyoza, eggroll, crab puffs, vegetable tempura or fried ika, followed by the second course of coconut shrimp, Korean barbecue beef, a chef’s choice sashimi combo, citrus yellowtail sashimi or salmon with ponzu onion sashimi. Diners can also select any two sushi rolls. A Teppan menu starts at $49.99 for two, starting with edamame and a choice of any sushi roll along, followed by two Teppan entries, soup, salad, steamed or fried rice, and choice of New York strip, chicken breast, calamari steak, shrimp, or soy-glazed tofu—washed down with two glasses of champagne. For more information, visit www.rocklobsterrocks. com.

Quiessence at The Farm

Diners will discover tastes of Arizona with a special chef-tasting menu at Quiessence at The Farm in Phoenix. Chef Dustin Christofolo has created a custom menu of skillfully crafted farm-to-table fare that will help to ring in the New Year. Seatings for an early four-course dinner are at 5 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and cost $95 with an additional wine pairing option for $55. A second seating is available at 8 p.m., 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. with five courses for $115, with optional wine pairings for an additional $65. Taxes and gratuity are extra on both options. Quiessence’s private table is also available for one reservation on New Year’s Eve. The table can seat up to six guests and features a five-course exclusive chef tasting for $150, with optional wine pairings for an additional $65; Tax and gratuity additional. Quiessence at The Farm is located at 6106 S. 32nd St. in Phoenix. For reservations, call (602) 2760601 or visit www.qatthefarm.com.

Paula Poundstone at Mesa Arts Center

For those who prefer laughing their way into the New Year, comedian Paula Poundstone will perform live at Mesa Arts Center. The event, which starts at 8 p.m., offers a New Year’s Eve dinner package that includes choices like braised pot roast, manchego chicken, wild rice pilaf, seasonal greens and specialty cookies for dessert. Ticket

prices range from $35 to $45, and the VIP dinner package is $90. Mesa Arts Center is located at One E. Main St. in Mesa. For more information, visit www. mesaartscenter.com and enter “Paula Poundstone” in the search window.

Sierra Bonita Grill

Foodies can ring in 2015 with a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner and New Year’s Day brunch at Sierra Bonita Grill in Phoenix. The dinner includes Southwestern-inspired specialties like the lemon butter poached lobster tail served with green chile mushroom risotto, cherry tomatoes and baby arugula, topped with mango salsa. The New Year’s Day brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features the popular Verde Vaqueros selection, which includes green chile beer biscuits served with Schrieners southwest smoked sausage gravy along with scrambled eggs and smoked bacon. For reservations, call (602) 264-0700 or visit www.sierrabonitagrill.com. Sierra Bonita Grill is located at 6933 N. Seventh St. in Phoenix.

Los Sombreros

Both Los Sombreros locations in Scottsdale are offering a three-course meal to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The first course dishes out a choice of shrimp and papaya salad with honey lime dressing or cream of chayote soup. The second course features a pork chop with manchamanteles salsa or chicken breast with tinga poblana. The final course

rounds out the meal with Bailey’s flan or Kahlua crème brulee. The cost is $39.95 and includes a glass of sparkling wine. The meal is served from 4 p.m. to close at the 2534 N. Scottsdale Rd. location; call (480) 994-1799 for reservations. Los Sombreros in North Scottsdale will be serving diners from 11 a.m. to close at 14795 N. Northsight Blvd. For reservations at this location, call (480) 991-1799.

The Herb Box

To celebrate New Year’s Day, patrons can head to The Herb Box in Scottsdale with two locations. The Herb Box at DC Ranch dishes out breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., while The Herb Box at Southbridge serves breakfast between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dishes include red velvet pancakes with mascarpone crème, Grand Marnier syrup, and applewood smoked bacon; smoked salmon hash with crisp fingerlings, scallions, crisp pancetta, fried capers, aioli and soft egg; or chilaquiles verde with egg, crisp corn tortilla, cotija cheese, pulled pork and tomatillo verde. Both locations will also serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. until close. The Herb Box at Southbridge is located at 7134 E. Stetson Dr. For information, call (480) 289-6160. The Herb Box at DC Ranch is located at 20707 N. Pima Rd. For information, call (480) 289-6180.

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

Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Law, A.R.S. 43-1088, you may be able to designate a donation to Chandler/Gilbert Arc and receive a tax credit. [The working poor tax credit is in addition to the education tax credits… you can take advantage of both tax credits in the same year.]

Chandler/Gilbert Arc has been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the East Valley since 1975, and provides community living, employment and day treatment and training opportunities daily.

For tax year 2014, contributions up to $400 may earn dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Arizona Income Tax return. Taxpayers filing as single or unmarried head of household have a maximum credit amount of $200; married taxpayers filling jointly have a $400 maximum credit.

Check to see if your employer will match your donation! http://doublethedonation.com/cgarc If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity; please make your check payable to:

For your convenience, you make your donation on our website: www.cgarc.org

We also accept Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Please contact Barbara or Toni at (480) 892-9422

Neighbors

Chompie’s announces holiday hours and menus

Chompie’s, Arizona’s NY Deli, announced its 2014 holiday hours and menus. On Christmas Day, in addition to its regular menu, Chompie’s is offering a special five-course holiday dinner for $18.99 per person.

The holiday dinner is served from 11 a.m. to close and includes:

• Choice of starter: Chicken soup, mushroom barley or dinner salad

• Choice of entrée: White meat turkey breast with homemade stuffing and cranberry relish, brisket of beef with homemade gravy and chicken schnitzel

• Choice of two sides: Creamy mashed potatoes, potato pancake with applesauce, candied yams, roasted winter vegetables or green beans with roasted red peppers.

Then there are the festive baked items—gingerbread and fresh-baked Challah knot rolls with butter and Lovey’s festive desert, homemade apple and cherry cheese strudel.

Chompie’s also has two family-style holiday meals to go. Both serve 12 people.

“The Basic” Holiday Meal is $129.95 and includes one whole extra large, 18to 20-pound, oven-roasted turkey with savory turkey gravy; homemade stuffing made with Chompie’s fresh baked Challah bread; cranberry relish; fresh baked

Challah knot rolls and Chompie’s bakedfrom-scratch pumpkin and apple pies.

“The Traditional” holiday meal to go is $169.95 and includes everything in “The Basic” plus homemade mashed potatoes, candied yams and green beans almandine.

Pre-order family style holiday to go meal packages with 72-hour advance notice by contacting the closest Chompie’s. Other complete meal options and a la carte items are available. See the full holiday catering and dine-in menu by visiting, www.chompies.com.

In addition to offering fresh madefrom-scratch holiday goodies, Chompie’s is offering a $10 bonus gift card with every $50 gift card purchased through Wednesday, Dec. 31. The promotional gift card is valid for use beginning Thursday, Jan. 1.

Chompie’s holiday hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24; from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 25; from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 31, and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.

Chompie’s NY style delicatessen restaurant, bagel factory, bakery and caterer, has served the Valley since 1979 with mouthwatering breakfast all day, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Chompie’s is located in the Chandler Village Center, 3481 W. Frye Rd.

Eli Young Band headlining barbecue and beer fest

The sixth annual Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival is returning to downtown Chandler on Saturday, March 21.

Headlining this year’s entertainment will be the Eli Young Band, who is best known for its double platinum single “Crazy Girl,” for which it earned the American Country Music Award in 2011 for Song of the Year. Other popular hits include “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Drunk Last Night.”

“I’m thrilled to have Eli Young Band as our headlining act for this year’s festival,” says Landon Evans, event coordinator. “The entertainment bill continues to grow each year and I couldn’t be happier with our amazing country lineup for 2015.”

Winner of Outstanding Event of the Year in 2012 and 2013, at the APS AzTEC Awards, the Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival will feature an expanded stage, more barbecue pit masters and the new competitive eating zone.

With more than 60 pit masters from across the nation set to please the masses with their mouth-watering pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken, this year’s event will serve up a heaping helping of delicious grub. To wash down the barbecue, enjoy more than 200 kegs of SanTan Brewing Company’s craft beer,

including Mr. Pineapple Wheat Beer, LimeLeaf Cream Ale, HopShock IPA, Devil’s Ale and more.

On Saturday, March 21, doors open at 12 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. The festival will span the entire Dr. A.J. Chandler Park east and west, as well as connecting Arizona Avenue, which will be closed from Buffalo Street to Boston Street in downtown Chandler.

Presale general admission tickets are available for $12 online at www. chandlerbbq.com and will be $15 at the gate day of the event. Food and beverages are sold separately. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free. Be sure to like the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bbqbeermusic and follow it on Twitter at @BBQBEERFESTIVAL for entertainment announcements, a chance to win free tickets and more event details as they roll out.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Boot Campaign, a 501(c) (3) dedicated to providing assistance to wounded military and their families with job placement and securing mortgage free homes, post traumatic stress disorder counseling, adaptive clothing and much more. For more information, visit www. bootcampaign.com.

Neighbors

Baby Boomers invited to audition for variety show

Chandler area senior adults age 50 and older, who can sing, dance or perform any talent to entertain a crowd, are invited to audition next month for the 22nd annual Spice of Life Senior Variety Show. The show will be held in March at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. Auditions will be held between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Monday, Jan. 12, at the Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston St. Anyone interested in auditioning should contact Eliza Haws at (480) 782-2741 for more information.

The annual show is an opportunity for local performers to step onto the main stage and into the spotlight for two shows at the Chandler Center for the Arts, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19. The public is invited to attend and general admission tickets are $6 at the door.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS

Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly meeting you would like listed in Neighborhood Networks, email complete details to News@ SanTanSun.com. Note: The SanTan Sun News now has a Spiritual Connections column in the Spirituality section for ongoing religiousrelated events.

About Care

Monthly volunteer training, by individual appointment. A nonprofit serving homebound Chandler and Gilbert residents; provides transportation, shopping and errands, friendly visits, reassurance phone calls, minor home repairs. Info: (480) 802-2331, www. aboutcare.org

Absolute Business Builders: Business Networking International

8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Wednesdays

Chompie’s

3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Info: Nikki Janulewicz, (480) 5701835, Nikki@azbestmove.com

Action Networkers: Business Networking International

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays

Chompie’s

3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Info: Marty Recht, (602) 3152056, Marty@AZMarty.com

Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, Chandler 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month Support group for caregivers of people with dementia. Free; no preregistration required.

Chandler Regional Hospital, Morrison Building, Learning Resource Room

1875 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, ext. 201

Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, Gilbert 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. first and third Friday of the month Support group for caregivers of people with dementia. Free; no preregistration required. First United Methodist Church of Gilbert

331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, ext. 201

American Legion James O. Schroeder Post 55

7 p.m. third Tuesday of the month

Sun Lakes Country Club, Navajo Room

25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes Info: Commander Byron Weston, (480) 802-6623

American Society of Women Accountants, Mesa East Valley Chapter

5:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month Nonprofit organization holds monthly networking and educational sessions for women in accounting.

Landmark Restaurant

809 W. Main St., Mesa Info: Shelby, (602) 430-8834, www.aswa-mev.org

Arizona Business Connection Networking Group

7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays Networking/referral group holds weekly breakfast meetings with member presentations

Sheriff’s Posse and Fire Department guest speakers

The Sun Lakes Sheriff’s Posse and Sun Lakes Fire Department will speak during the Sun Lakes Chapter of HLAA from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Ed Robson Branch Library Lecky Center.

Topics like strategies that hearingimpaired individuals can use to be safe in their homes will be discussed, as well as hearing smoke alarms, making a 9-1-1 call or responding to a security alarm alert. For additional information, contact Liz Booth at halib72@gmail.com, Regina Milgroom at reggiefaith@gmail.com and Scott Sjolin at the Ed Robson Branch, (602) 652-3000.

and marketing training sessions. Guests are free. Call in advance.

Dobson Ranch Golf Course Restaurant

2155 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa Info: Danny, (602) 363-0147, Danny.Balanon@RealLiving.com

Arizona Special Education Network, Chandler area

Provides disability-related education, advocacy and resources to help parents navigate the complex special education system. Info: (602) 531-0230

Breast Cancer Support Group

2 p.m.-4 p.m. second Monday of each month Free, no preregistration required Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers

685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler Info: Kelly, (480) 340-4013, www. ironwoodcrc.com

Business Referral Exchange Worldwide (BREW)

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. first and third Thursday of the month

Industry-specific referral and networking group

Dobson Ranch Inn

1666 S. Country Club Dr., Mesa Info: Jeremy McClymonds, (480) 444-2228, www.BREWus.com

Build Your Own Business: Chandler

8 a.m. first and third Thursdays of the month East Valley networking and referral organization, meets in Ahwatukee at a private location; address will be provided upon contact.

Info: Lisa, lisa@lisamatusak.com, facebook.com/BYOBAZ

Caregiver Support GroupChandler

10 a.m.-12 p.m., third Saturday of each moth Support group for caregivers of people with cancer. Free, no preregistration required. Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers

685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler Info: Kelly, (480) 340-4013, www. ironwoodcrc.com

For a complete list of SanTan Sun area clubs, associations and networking groups, visit www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Neighbors” to read Neighborhood Networks.

‘Last-Minute Gift Making’

Kids and adults were invited to the Hamilton Library to make last-minute gifts for that special someone. There were multiple stations, including candy cane reindeer, picture frames and a photo booth, mini book pins, egg carton dreidels, Shrinky-Dink key chains, bookmarks, Santa puppets, as well as gift bags and holiday cards. STSN photos by Tim Sealy