SanTan Sun News; 3-21-15: Neighbors

Neighbors

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers on tap for Chandler

After finding success in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers has added a location in Chandler, in the space formerly occupied by Uncle Bear’s Grill and Bar.

Although new to this side of town, the restaurant’s reputation precedes itself. The concept is simple: Wash down thick, juicy hamburgers with a variety of beers on tap.

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers opened in late February and boasts extensive menus of both food and a variety of beers. Submitted photo

I stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and the large restaurant was nearly at capacity. I asked the server for a menu and a beer list and was surprised at how extensive they were.

The beer menu was cleverly arranged in lists of draughts, cans and bottles from lightest to darkest brew. Although I didn’t order beer for lunch, the beer menu included a huge variety of national and local beers such as Abita Purple Haze, Mudshark Desert Shark IPA, Four Peaks Oatmeal Stout, Foster’s Oil Can, Angry Orchard and Grand Canyon Pilsner, just to name a few. Incidentally, my favorite is Abita Purple Haze for its color and slightly fruity raspberry flavor. Plus, hey, you can’t go wrong with a beer named after a Jimi Hendrix tune.

It was time to dig in to the food menu. The generous list of starters includes grilled asparagus spears with olive oil, reggiano and grilled Roma tomatoes, grilled drummettes, parmesan truffle fries and “totchos”—the Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers’ version of nachos, but made with tater tots.

Ultimately, I decided on the buffalo chicken egg rolls ($7). These babies have a nifty kick to them and include juicy buffalo chicken tucked inside a crispy egg roll and served up with blue cheese dipping sauce. This appetizer was a spicy variation of a Southwestern eggroll and would

Golf tourney raises funds for New Horizons Youth Homes

BY CURT BLAKENEY

Not every child gets off to a smooth start in life. Some, unfortunately, are abandoned, abused or caught in a bad cycle of crime, drugs and emotional problems at a very young age. A Chandler-based nonprofit, New Horizon Youth Homes (NHYH), has offered troubled youths a second chance by providing shelter and counseling so they can become productive members of the community.

Programs like NHYH need funding and support from local residents, so the organization is engaging the Chandler community by hosting a fundraising event: the inaugural NHYH Fore! The Kids Golf Tournament. A shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 9, at the Ocotillo Golf Resort kicks off a day full of raffles, contests, prizes, awards, dinner and spirited competition for participants.

“As a local nonprofit, we are always looking for fun and exciting ways to expand our programming and provide for the needs of our young men and women,” says Michele Sosebee, administrative assistant for New Horizon Youth Homes.

Single players can join the tournament for $125, while four-player teams are $400. Each registration includes greens fees, range balls, a goody bag and a buffet awards dinner following the tournament. Others who wish

Spring holidays bring restaurant specials

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Valley restaurants are encouraging families to eschew cooking at home and enjoy the spring holidays at their eateries. Several restaurants in the SanTan Sun News area are offering special menus for Easter and Passover. Here are some of the highlights.

Chompie’s

Celebrate Passover, the Jewish high holiday, while enjoying some of Chompie’s favorite dishes between Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 11.

Arizona’s NY Deli will offer a Passover dinner from 5 p.m. to close, with dine-in and take-out options. The menu will also include holiday cakes, desserts and Passover bagels for all eight nights. A special Matzo Brie menu, as well as flourless holiday cakes and baked goods, are also available during Passover.

For more information, call (480) 398-3008 or visit

The Country Clipper Barbershop is a Chandler tradition

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Country Clipper Barbershop owner Maury Williamson has seen hairstyles come and go. But one thing that has remained constant is the stellar service his shop has provided for the last century. Williamson took ownership of the Country Clipper in 1994 after working there for seven years.

“It was hard to find barbers in Chandler back in those years because it was such a small town, but I’ve been here ever since,” Williamson says.

The Country Clipper has stayed put as well, remaining in the same shop since it was established in 1912. Williamson admits that he’s thought about relocating, but the Country Clipper’s history keeps him firmly planted in Downtown Chandler. “I always hesitate to grow too fast, but

this is something we’ve needed for a few years and I’ve held off,” says Williamson,

who has cut hair since the mid-1980s. “But if you look around us, we have all these new restaurants and bars and everything is starting to grow. I have to stay relevant with what’s around me and we’ve been doing it subtly.”

The Country Clipper—which has four full-time barbers and a handful of part-timers—stays relevant, but provides traditional services as well. He performs straight-razor shaves, haircuts and trims, while sharing great stories.

Among Williamson’s employees is Dave Calderon, who owned 13 barbershops in California before retiring in Arizona.

“My dad was a barber and my grandpa was a barber, so this shop reminds me of them,” he says.

be perfect for a couple or group of three to share. I’m also a sucker for sweet potatoes, so I ordered a side order of sweet tots ($5), which were outstanding. The order of sweet tots was so big, I brought it home and it took my kids two more days just to finish them all.

The fun gastropub menu boasts not one, but five distinct mac and cheese dishes and I couldn’t resist. The menu refers to the selections as “mmmac and cheese” and I decided on the staple mac and cheese ($8). It was served in a deep dish and I was surprised how big the serving was. Had I been with another guest, I still wouldn’t have shared it. It included a creamy blend of American, pepper jack and provolone cheeses poured over larger size noodles and topped with lightly toasted breadcrumbs. Other varieties include chili mmmac, hot and smoky

and Buddha’s delight. There is an art to making great mac and cheese and Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers has it down pat.

My server pointed out that I also had the option to build my own mac and cheese and guests are invited to include everything from bacon, jalapenos and chicken to peas, hot dogs and just about anything else that is present in the kitchen to their own customized mac and cheese dish.

There are so many burgers on the Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers menu that it will take several visits just to get through a small percentage of them. I was in the mood for spice, so I chose the Rocky Point burger ($12). The juicy burger is served on a substantial brioche bun and features pepper jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeno slices and sour cream. It was a fantastic burger and even with all the ingredients, it stood up well on the bun. Burgers are served with crinkle cut fries or house made chips

and I chose the fries which were done to perfection. There was a smattering of salt and pepper on the fries, which added to the overall taste, but I’m a ketchup girl, so that was the prevailing topping.

The menu also includes a good variety of sandwiches, grilled hot dogs and sandwiches and a selection of shakes, tableside s’mores and a brownie sundae. I was so full that I decided to wait until my next visit to try the scrumptious desserts.

The name of the restaurant might be Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, but the menu and selection of beer and food

to support the organization, but may not be able to attend the event, can sponsor the tourney at a variety of levels, including hole sponsorship and signage at the event.

More importantly, all tournament participants will be supporting programs that are dedicated to helping troubled youths not only in the Chandler community, but the entire Valley. Funds raised during the tournament will be applied directly to programs that provide counseling and aid youth in setting goals, learning independent living and decision-making skills, developing employment skills and building a strong work ethic.

“NHYH programs are designed to encourage and motivate our clients to discover and develop their individual talents and skills,” Sosebee says. “They are introduced to different ways to use these attributes to positively impact their local communities. We also foster the concept of self-empowerment through physical and mental health as a coping mechanism and critical building block for their fulfillment and success.”

is downright impressive. Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers is located at 1980 W. Germann Rd., Chandler. Visit www. coldbeers.com or call (480) 899-2007 for additional information.

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

substance abuse. The programs also teach young adults to effectively function within the community, focusing on independent living skills and psycho/ social rehabilitation.

In addition, NHYH added respite services in 2009—which provide outof-home counseling and wellness—and outpatient clinic services in 2010— programs that effectively expand its reach to more young women.

“We are family focused and culturally sensitive.” Granado says. “Our goal is to be the premier provider of behavioral health services by developing our young adults into healthy, active and productive members of our community.”

For those looking to soak up a bit of springtime weather, enjoy a friendly round of golf and support a great cause, visit www.nhyh.org.

The organization has a dynamic team in place, fueling its ability to expand and successfully meet its goals and objectives.

“Our executive director, Thomas Granado, inspires and challenges us all each and every day,” Sosebee says.

“He is a man of vision, compassion and action.”

“We have an amazing clinical team, led by Amee Vermeire, whose dedication and compassion is unequaled in the field,” she continues.

“Our program director, Jason Kindred, is paramount in bringing all our goals and visions to life with his hands-on approach to our kids and programs.”

The organization’s program began in 2001, with a residential group home in Chandler. Its original mission was to create a structured, therapeutic environment that empowered troubled individuals to build healthy relationships, develop life skills and attain personal growth.

NHYH’s scope has expanded across the Valley, operating five homes in Chandler, and another three in the West Valley, that provide services to more than 40 young men.

The program focuses on a young man’s individual personal growth during his stay at the home. The staff provides primarily therapeutic services, including wellness, general mental health and

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

www.chompies.com/news. Chompie’s is located at 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler.

Social Box Neighborhood Eatery

An assortment of tasty breakfast items will be served Easter Sunday, April 5, at Social Box Neighborhood Eatery. The special Easter menu includes ham and cheese omelets, biscuits and gravy, waffles, breakfast burritos and a fruit bowl.

Social Box is located at 1371 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 899-6735 or visit www.socialboxeateries.com.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa

A scrumptious selection of farm fresh foods will be offered during Ko’Sin Restaurant’s Easter Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 5.

The assortment includes artisan muffins and breads; scrambled eggs; honey-smoked bacon and pork patties; waffles and pancake station; gourmet omelet station; seasonal salads; chilipoached prawns with chipotle cocktail sauce; grilled chicken breast with goat cheese polenta or hand carved agave smoked ham; and sirloin of prime roast beef or pepper crusted leg of lamb.

The menu also includes assorted cakes, pies and cookies, as well as an exclusive sweet bread pudding. Complimentary champagne will be served.

Reservations are required by calling (602) 385-5726 for indoor and outdoor seating. Dinners are $80; $72 for seniors; $35 for children 5 to 12 years old and free for children 4 and younger.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa is located at 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler.

Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse

For a good old-fashioned Western experience, visit Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse and indulge in an Easter buffet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 5. The buffet is $21.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 4 to 12 years old.

The array of food includes rosemarycrusted pork loin with apricot au jus, mesquite grilled top sirloin, maple roasted turkey and honey baked ham; omelet station, banana French toast with stewed strawberries and southwestern hash browns; cocktail shrimp with Bloody Mary aioli, garden salad, fresh fruit and seasonal cheese platter and garlic roasted mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, bacon-infused macaroni and cheese, almond roasted green beans and candied carrots.

A dessert station, as well as coffee, tea and soda are included in the Easter buffet.

Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse is located at 5700 W. N. Loop Rd., Chandler. To make reservations call (480) 502-5600 or email reso@rawhide.com.

SanTan Brewing Company

Stop by SanTan Brewing Company from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 5, for an Easter brunch.

The buffet includes a smoked prime rib carving station; breakfast pastries; fresh fruit; scrambled eggs; multi-grain pancakes; bacon; tater tots; sausage links; cinnamon French toast; jalapeno brat hash; shrimp and grits; dinner rolls; chicken n’awlins; green chili pork; pork enchiladas; macaroni and cheese; poblano mashed potatoes and an assortment of desserts.

The buffet is $23 for adults and $15 for kids 6 to 12 years old.

SanTan Brewing Company is located at 8 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 917-8700 or visit www.santanbrewing.com.

San Marcos Resort

Enjoy an assortment of cold and hot items, as well as chef-attended stations and desserts during the San Marcos Resort Easter Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 5.

Chefs will serve up maple and ginger ale glazed pit ham with roasted peach marmalade; herb and garlic-crusted prime rib with au jus and creamed horseradish and an omelet station with a variety of fillings.

For those looking for hot dishes can try orange and fennel glazed natural Atlantic salmon; lemon thyme roasted chicken with oyster mushrooms and natural jus; eggs Benedict with shave ham, English muffins and fresh herb hollandaise sauce; crispy roasted fingerling potatoes with local olive oil and soft herbs; lemonscented sautéed vegetables of asparagus, baby zucchini and patty pans and handharvested wild rice pilaf.

The cold items include domestic and imported cheese display with dried fruits and nuts; fresh seasonal fruit salad with mint and agave nectar yogurt dressing; peel and eat shrimp with bloody Mary cocktail sauce and fresh citrus; smoked salmon with capers, egg, red onion and chef dressing; strawberry salad with organic field greens, candied local pecans and local feta cheese and an assortment of Danish, muffins and breakfast breads.

Finish off the meal with a build your own crepe station, mini cheesecakes and a layered carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

The buffet is $44.95 per person and $16.95 for children 3 and older.

San Marcos Resort is located at One N. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 857-4401.

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

The shop is festooned with a massive collection of memorabilia ranging from ball caps to military paraphernalia.

“We can’t forget these guys—they put their lives on the line for us every day,” Williamson says.

Sitting in a barber chair getting a haircut and old-fashioned shave was Stephen Evans, a Navy man visiting from San Diego.

“This is my first time here and I’m just visiting,” he says. “I came with a buddy of mine. This is probably the best straight razor cut I’ve ever had.”

Williamson thinks highly of his business and enjoys seeing clients grow up and bring their own kids.

“The clients make it all worthwhile,” he says. “It’s something new every day and they always have good stories and good jokes. I’m taking care of third and fourth generations of customers now. It’s always nice to see their kids grow up and they come back with their kids.”

Besides barbershop basics, Williamson takes friendship and camaraderie seriously. He repurposed a slogan from a Las Vegas commercial to describe the relationship between Country Clipper and its clients.

“Whatever happens in the barbershop, stays in the barbershop,” he says with a laugh.

Country Clipper not only embraces its customers, but its location. Each February it organizes the Chandler Classic Car and Hot Road show. This year’s beneficiaries were Dogs4Vets and the Scott Detherage Foundation.

Neighbors

The Country Clipper Barbershop owner Maury Williamson loves to offer his customers, like Jose Hernandez, an old-fashioned barbershop experience complete with lots of great stories.

STSN photo by Lynette Carrington

“I’m all about supporting Chandler and Chandler businesses,” Williamson says. “In 12 years we’ve raised over $200,000 for Chandler nonprofits.”

The Country Clipper is located at 52 S. San Marcos Pl., in downtown Chandler. For more information, including a list of specials, call (602) 769-9446.

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

Variety of quilts on display at Agave show

The Agave Quilt Show will host its sixth annual Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Oakwood Ballroom of the Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Quilts of all styles, which are stitched by one of the more than 250 guild members, will be displayed for the free, one-day, quilt show. While many of the quilts are machine sewn and quilted, others are exceptional examples of hand-piecing and hand-quilting.

Beautiful forms of appliqué, machine and needle-turn, artistic wall quilts and large traditionally pieced bed quilts will be among some of the pieces attendees can view. Crazy quilting, miniatures, yoyos, quilted totes, bags and purses will also be on display during the show.

A special fundraising raffle, the President’s Challenge, which is designed by President Faith Bragg has the theme of “Holidays and Celebrations.” The silent auction, or the raffle, will have more than 20 challenge wall quilts and one large art quilt on display. The three award-winning challenge quilts that were voted on by the membership will be included.

Founded 20 years ago, the Agave Guild has a boutique full of handmade items

with such items as aprons, small wall hangings, luggage tags, quilted purses, bags, totes, potholders and casserole carriers. The boutique also has reasonably priced handmade greeting cards, quilted placemats, Easter and Mother’s Day gifts. All boutique receipts will fund continuing member’s education and Agave’s community service projects.

The 2015 service project for Agave is making shoulder totes for women and children staying at various shelters and filling them with much needed personal care items, since women often arrive at the shelters with nothing. To donate any unused personal care items, such as hotel sized soap and shampoo, bring them to the show for drop off.

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Do I need allergy treatment?

BY DR. STUART H. AGREN

A lot of patients depend on overthe-counter or prescription medications to tide them through allergy season. Antihistamines work fairly well for some patients, but for others, allergy treatment (known as immunotherapy) can provide more thorough, lasting relief.

It’s important to consider both the severity and duration of your symptoms when considering allergy immunotherapy.

Severity

If you rank your symptoms as a five out of five on a “misery scale,” you are probably severe enough to merit allergy testing and treatment through a physician, particularly if your discomfort persists for much of the year.

Duration

Getting started with treatment

Allergy immunotherapy presents quite a few advantages over simply medicating allergies. First, immunotherapy addresses the underlying allergic disease, not just its symptoms. Also, medications may cause side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness. Allergy immunotherapy, on the other hand, is free of those side effects and uses an allergy serum derived from all-natural elements.

If your symptoms last for multiple months, that’s a red flag, too. For example, if you are close to a five on the misery scale in spring and fall and in moderate discomfort during other parts of the year, consider seeing a doctor. Allergy pills may be appropriate for short symptom bursts, but not necessarily for allergies that extend through more than four months of the year.

Allergy testing

To help your physician determine if immunotherapy is right for you, he or she may administer an allergy test. This can be done via a blood test or a skin test. A common type of skin testing is the skin scratch test, which involves a brief series of scratches or pin pricks on the back or arm. No allergy test is 100 percent accurate. I have some patients who have scored very low on the allergy test, but their symptoms clearly indicate allergy. For that reason, most doctors consider both the test results and the patient’s health history when deciding to move forward with treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the only treatment that has been proven to change the underlying allergy—not just its symptoms. It starts with an allergy serum that contains traces of common pollens mixed into a saline solution. As your body is exposed to these pollens, it develops an immunity to them, so it will stop overreacting every time it encounters them in nature.

Shot-free alternatives

For many years, immunotherapy was administered only through injections. Patients had to drive to the doctor’s office a couple times a week for shots. More options are now available. Most of my patients prefer sublingual (underthe-tongue) allergy drops because they are safer than shots and can be taken at home rather than at the doctor’s office. The drops absorb into the bloodstream through cells in the mouth.

Allergy drops are an especially good choice for kids. Because of their safety profile, they can be given to younger children than shots can.

Food allergy treatment

Until recently, patients with food allergies have had to simply avoid reaction-causing foods. Sublingual immunotherapy has changed that. Allergy drops have been shown to be safe and useful in desensitizing people to food allergies such as milk, eggs, wheat, rice, soy, etc.

Talk to your primary care physician if you think you may be a candidate for immunotherapy. Medications provide temporary relief, but immunotherapy can provide a lasting solution.

Dr. Stuart H. Agren opened the Family Allergy Clinic in the East Valley in 1985, specializing in sublingual immunotherapy (“under-the-tongue” allergy drops). He has helped more than 15,000 patients overcome food and pollen allergies and was recently chosen as a “Top Doc” in the allergy field by Phoenix Magazine. His offices can be reached at (480) 827-9945; visit www.FamilyAllergyClinic.com for more information.

Free know-how workshop offered at Tao Healing Center

From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21, participants will have the opportunity to experience how to have a healthy heart through breathing, stretching and mediation. The Tao Healing Center, 1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite D-7, will offer the free know-how workshop that will reduce or eliminate the need for medications. Tao Healing Center’s postures are safe and gentle for all ages and body

‘Eight’s

conditions. Those who attend are asked to wear comfortable exercise clothing to the workshop.

Call (480) 786-6000 to reserve a spot for the workshop. For more information, email taohealingcenter@gmail.com or visit www.taohealingcenters.org.

Check, Please! Arizona Festival’ set for Phoenix

Chandler businesses will take part in the “Eight’s Check, Please! Arizona Festival” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at CityScape in downtown Phoenix.

“Check, Please! Arizona” is one of the most popular locally produced programs on Eight, Arizona PBS. The station will again transform CityScape into a haven for food adventurists, a onestop exploration of Arizona’s independent restaurant collective that ranges from every day hamburger haunts to five-star gourmet establishments.

In its third year, the event is crowned with a gathering of Arizona’s James Beard Foundation award-winners, among them, Emmy Award-winning host of “Eight’s Check, Please! Arizona” Robert McGrath, as well as Christopher Gross, Chris Bianco and Nobuo Fukuda.

In addition, as Arizona’s culinary scene continues to advance in global sophistication, the 2015 version of the event will also showcase overlays by Arizona’s chef talent, including a second panel of top Valley chefs, in addition to a lineup of cooking demonstrations by local chefs on two stages, provided by SubZero/Wolf, and a tour of favorite wines by Chef Gross, including tastings and tips for food pairings.

The festival will also be adding several new restaurants to the lineup this year from “Check, Please! Arizona’s” five seasons on air, as well as featuring many returning favorites. Those include Switch Restaurant & Wine Bar; The Wild Thaiger; Salerno’s Restaurant & Pizzeria; Haus Murphy’s; Frasher’s Steakhouse & Lounge; Tarbell’s; The Salt Cellar; Flavors of Louisiana; Rancho Pinot; Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe; Durant’s; Cowboy Ciao; Cucina Tagliani; Tarbell’s; SanTan Brewing Company; Thee Pitts “Again”; Hob Nob; Phoenix City Grille; Red, White and Brew; Betty’s Nosh; MacAlpine’s Restaurant & Soda Fountain; Christo’s Restaurant; Maizie’s Cafe & Bistro; Four Peaks Brewing Company; Amy’s Baking Company; Tryst Cafe; Vogue Bistro and TEXAZ Grill.

Tickets are available at www.azpbs.org/ checkplease/festival. General admission in advance is $79; $89 at the door. Tickets include food, wine and beer sampling, as well as panel discussions, cooking demonstrations and guest lecturers. For more information on sponsorship and participation opportunities with “Eight’s Check, Please! Arizona Festival,” contact Chelsea Fox at R Entertainment Co., (480) 657-7333 ext 15 or email Chelsea@rentertainment.com.

$500,000

This Southwestern Spanish style beauty is located in prestigious Old Stone Ranch. It literally has it “all”: A resort style backyard that features a relaxing pebble tec pool (self-

Freeman Farms was in the top 50 of all master planned communities in America-2012. Known for “Family Living in a Rural setting” it’s well suited for growing families due to the amenities incl lakes, parks w/tot lots, bball courts, ramadas, w/plenty of open spaces & green belts. This fantastic home has an easy to maintain front yard, 3 car garage w/ RV gate. The backyard has plenty of grass & trees w/very large covered patio & fountain that will remain. Upon entering the home you’ll be greeted by a beautiful wrought iron rail staircase leading upstairs to a huge loft. There’s also both formal living and family areas w/bedroom & full bathroom downstairs. The Master Suite closet is enormous. The kitchen has all the right features including granite/ & SS appliances. Beautiful Shutters thru-out too!

Academy’s car show perfect for all

ages

Chandler Christian Academy’s second annual Car Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Desert Springs Church, 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler. The free event, which is geared toward the entire family, will feature classic, kit and custom cars.

Individuals interested in showing off their car can pick up a registration form or download one at www. chandlerchristianacademy.org. Registration for the event between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. the day of the event. Cost is $25 per car. All of the proceeds will benefit the Chandler Christian Academy, which has been in Chandler for more than 40 years.

St. Vincent de Paul Chandler thrift store to open

St. Vincent de Paul’s Chandler thrift store is holding a grand reopening event on Monday, March 23. The celebration will include special sales on select items, raffles, snacks and other activities.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Director of Retail Operations Ed Dubiel says the organization refreshed the store, which has been open for five years, with new merchandise and new paint on the interior and exterior of the building.

“We are inviting every person in the community to come see us and see all the great, new things we have to offer,” he says.

Store Manager Abelardo Gordoa III, says the staff’s priority has been to offer a better selection of items for display.

the store is just doing its part to help with that,” he says. “With this event, we are trying to ensure every single person that buys here will have an amazing shopping experience not just once, but every time they visit us.”

“There used to be a lot more business in this plaza, but now there are a lot of empty spots,” he says. “We are hoping this event will create a sort of word-of-mouth effect

on our customers, so we will have even more people coming in.”

Gordoa says the store’s atmosphere is inviting, which in turn, encourages return visitors.

“This is such a great organization and

St. Vincent de Paul, which was established in 1946, is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing its neighbors in need across northern and central Arizona. Some of the programs include services for the homeless, medical and dental care for the working poor and charity dining rooms. The store is located at 2051 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. For more information, call the manager at (480) 812-1156.

To donate items, or to volunteer at the store, call (602) 266-4673.

Attorney discusses disability law at meeting

Attorney Sarah Weimer discusses the Arizona Center for Disability Law from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Ed Robson Branch Library, Lecky Center, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes.

She will also discuss disability rights provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and how to file ADA

complaints.

Come and learn what your rights are as a person with hearing loss and what public accommodations you can expect.

If you, a family member or a friend is challenged by hearing loss, join others for education, sharing and refreshments at the Sun Lakes Hearing Loss Association

meeting. All are welcome. CART, real-time captioning, is provided and the meeting room is looped for hearing accessibility. For additional information, contact Liz Booth at halib72@gmail.com; Regina Milgroom at reggiefaith@gmail.com or Scott Sjolin at (602) 652-3000 and ask for the Ed Robson Branch.

Pit masters serve up barbecue, beer at festival

Arizona’s largest barbecue event is set to return to downtown Chandler from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 21. This year, the 2015 Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival will be bigger and better than ever with a newly expanded stage and more barbecue pit masters grilling up new flavors.

A variety of vendors like Bourbon Jacks, Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit BBQ, Porkopolis and Raging Cajun Smoking Barbecue will serve up tasty dishes.

Other food concession offerings include kettle corn, fry bread, pizza, funnel cake, gourmet pies, jalapeno poppers, fried pickles, shaved ice, corn dogs, ice cream and much more.

will be closed from Buffalo Street to Boston Street on Saturday, March 21.

General admission tickets are available online for $12 each at www.chandlerbbq. com. Tickets will be $15 each at the gate day of the event. Food and beverages are sold separately. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free.

Arizona’s largest barbecue event is set to return to downtown Chandler from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, March 21, featuring a variety of food for attendees to eat.

Submitted photo

Headlining this year’s entertainment will be Eli Young Band and supporting acts include local country performers Laura Walsh, Georgia Chrome, Adley Stump and Benson Band.

The sixth annual Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival will be held in downtown Chandler, spanning the entire east and west Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, as well as the connecting Arizona Avenue, which

SanTan Brewing Company will provide the drinks with their popular seasonal drinks—Mr. Pineapple Wheat Beer plus HopShock IPA and Devil’s Ale. Festival goers will also enjoy a brand new brew called LimeLeaf Cream Ale.

Other festival highlights include the March Madness lounge, Chester’s Harley Davidson pavilion, Ride Now off road zone, kid’s play land, eating competitions and more than 100 exhibitors.

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.

Women’s Exchange Group partners with The Victim Next Door Organization

This year the Women’s Exchange Group will be partnering with The Victim Next Door Organization as its community service to help women.

The Victim Next Door Organization helps women victims of violence, rape and other acts of harm toward women. When a woman is examined for evidence of a violent act by forensic units, her clothing is taken away as evidence. Many of these women are homeless or are not able to return to their home.

The Women’s Exchange is seeking new bras and panties for these women. They will also collect new articles of clothing such as T-shirts, knit shirts, sweatshirts and pants. All of the items must be new items with tags attached.

These women have been emotionally attacked, as well as physically attacked, and new clothing after showering can be an integral part of the healing process.

Women’s Exchange will also be putting together summer hygiene bags for these women.

The collection drive will run until the May meeting. The meeting funds collected will also go for the Clean Start hygiene bags.

The Women’s Exchange Group is open to all women in Sun Lakes, Ocotillo and Chandler. They meet on the fourth

Thursday of every month for food, fun and a speaker, as well as helping women in need. The group meets at the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room at 6:30 p.m.

The Thursday, March 26, meeting will feature Elise Albert of What Women Want Swimwear and Casual Clothes.

For more information, contact facilitator Sherrian Beagle at (480) 895-1538.

For more information about The Victim Next Door Organization, visit www. thevictimnextdoor.org.

Learn about edible plants during ‘Our Stories’

The next Our Stories guest speaker presentation will explore how wild desert plants can be used for medicinal purposes from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Rd. Jean Groen and Catherine Crowley will also describe meals can be created with these plants.

“Our Edible Desert” is a free, all ages presentation from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Rd. Author, teacher and master gardener Groen, and Crowley, also known as the Herb Lady, will share their expertise and give attendees the opportunity to touch and examine a collection of desert plants and enjoy a special sample of indigenous food.

Jean Groen and Catherine Crowley will be the guest speakers at the next Our Stories event at Sunset Library, Saturday, March 28. Submitted photos

Crowley will also share the history of the Three Sisters, a Native American agricultural tradition of planting corn, beans and squash together. Many of Arizona’s American Indians, such as the Akimel O’odham and the Tohono O’odham raised, and still grow, these plants. Crowley will also reveal the secrets of the sunflower, with its edible flower petals, flower buds, seeds and pared disc. In addition, she will discuss the concept of dry farming and how to grow versions of the Three Sisters in the garden.

Groen is the author of several books,

including “Plants of the Sonoran Desert,” and “Cat’s Claw to Cow’s Tongue and Other Lesser Known Plants of the Sonoran Desert,” all which will be for sale after the presentation.

The Our Stories series will continue on Saturday, April 18, with a presentation on Chandler’s historic movie theaters, followed on Saturday, May 9, with a closer look at the history of the railroad in Chandler and the Valley.

Our Stories is presented by the Chandler Museum, Chandler Historical Society and the Chandler Public Library. For more information, call (480) 782-2751 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/museum.

Chandler dentist celebrates 10 years in business

Dentist Dr. Rich Higgs of Chandler is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his business, Aquila Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Aquila opened its doors 10 years ago, on March 4, 2005, with a mission to provide the best care to Chandler residents.

To celebrate and give back to his existing patients, Aquila is having a fun referral raffle. Each time a patient refers a client who comes in for an appointment, that patient is entered into a drawing with many chances to win. There will be a drawing each month with the grand prize drawing held in December.

Aquila will be offering $25 cards given to every patient that refers someone.

“To Aquila’s employees and patients, it has been a wonderful decade of achievement,” Higgs says. “I thank you for your dedication and loyalty to Aquila. We’ve done amazing things together, but the best is yet to come.”

For more information call (480) 812-2800, visit www.aquiladental.com, www.facebook.

com/aquiladental, or https://twitter.com/ AquilaDental.

Aquila Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is located at 3175 S. Price Rd., Suite 140, Chandler.

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Mobile On-Site Mammography offered at Health Connect

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny’s Health Connect Expo from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 18, is offering a convenient way for busy women to care for themselves while caring for their families. For the first time, the Health Connect Expo is partnering with Mobile OnSite Mammography (MOM) to offer breast cancer screenings during the event.

The event will be held at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd.

The third Health Connect Expo is a free, multigenerational event, packed with information about wellness, interactive booths, healthy cooking tips, chair massages, child seat checks, fingerprinting, wellness screenings and raffle prizes.

“My Health Connect Expo has always encouraged a holistic approach to wellness, and that means keeping the entire family healthy,” says Tibshraeny. “Hopefully by making it convenient, and by offering activities for the entire family, women will take advantage of the time to care for themselves as well.”

The breast screening takes about 15

minutes, and will be conducted by a licensed and registered mammographer in the mobile office in the TRC parking lot. Medicare patients are welcome, and most major insurance carriers are accepted. The Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona will cover the cost for noninsured patients. Appointments are highly encouraged and are now being accepted at (480) 9673767 or (800) 285-0272.

Other activities offered at the Health Connect Expo include bounce house; teen obstacle course challenge; speaker presentations on aging and memory, orthopedics and finance; dance and karate demonstrations; nutrition and cooking tips; diabetes information; oral screenings and fluoride varnish for children and blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.

For complete details, visit www. chandleraz.gov/connect.

The Expo is part of the mayor’s ongoing Health Connect initiative to promote wellbeing in a three-pronged approach, including physical, mental and financial health.

2014 election results discussed at Sun Lakes Democratic Club

As the Elections Director for the Arizona Democratic Party, Sam Almy receives and analyzes election reports from all county recorders.

Almy will present a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room, 25601 Sun Lakes Blvd. during the Sun Lakes Democratic Club meeting. His presentation, “Lessons Learned,” is his detailed analysis of the 2014 election voting results in Maricopa County with special and specific emphasis of voting patterns in the local precincts of Legislative District 17.

In 2004, Almy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wooster College in Ohio. He has been involved in the Arizona Democratic Party since 2008 as canvass and field director for Pima County and field organizer for the Arizona Democratic Party in 2010. He became the elections director of the Arizona Democratic Party in 2012.

At all club meetings, nonperishable food items are collected for the Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. Collections take place in the west parking lot from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is also a collection box at the north entrance of the Sun Lakes Sunset Grill lobby.

In 2004, 1,880 pounds of food was collected, as well as $170.

In January, 178 pounds of food were collected, as well as $35.

Everyone is welcome at Sun Lakes Democratic Club meetings, which are always on the second Monday of each month. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Tom Amrhein at (480) 8951162.

The organization is planning a Spring Social from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Oasis Park in Sun Lakes. Enjoy the food and friendly socialization. There is no fee for participating in the event.

Scramble for eggs and prizes at Family Easter Celebration

Find the golden egg and win a bag full of goodies at Chandler’s annual Family Easter Celebration Saturday, April 4, at Snedigar Sportsplex, 4500 S. Basha Rd.

In addition to egg hunts using 8,000 plastic eggs, there will be information booths, displays, art and takehome crafts, interactive amusements, and performances. The event is free, with minimal charges for some interactive children’s activities and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Join others Saturday, April 4, for the annual Family Easter Celebration at Snedigar Sportsplex for a morning of fun.

Submitted photo

One of the Valley’s most enthusiastic Easter Egg Scrambles begins at 10:30 a.m. for kids up to 9 years of age. Egg hunts are held in four age groups, with a special “golden egg” included in each hunt and redeemable for a sports bag or backpack stuffed with Easter toys, candy, jump ropes, outdoor items and more.

“We love Chandler’s Family Easter Celebration,” says Erin Kuroiwa, a

participant last year. “My little guy loves the egg hunt, bounce houses and visiting with the Easter Bunny. We’ve made the event on of our family traditions.”

At 11:30 a.m. a drawing is held for Family Easter Basket consisting of a cooler filled with Easter goodies such as toys, games, candy, a sports ball, free golf at Golfland and gift card to Valle Luna Mexican Food & Cantina. Kids can show off their artistic side by participating in several age-appropriate coloring contests. Coloring contest forms can be picked up in advance at any Chandler community or recreation center and must be returned by Friday, March 27, for judging. Winners will be announced at the April 4 event.

For more information, call the city special event line at (480) 782-2735 or go to www.chandleraz.gov/special-events.

Lamps Plus to share design tips

A 60-minute “Refresh Your Rooms”-themed workshop is being hosted by Lamps Plus at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at Lamps Plus, 900 N. 54th St., Chandler.

Ask the Expert is focused on the 2015 design trends for the home. Design experts from Lamps Plus will also share design tips and offer easy, affordable ideas for transforming, updating and enhancing any room in the home.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own project photos and plans for a free one-on-one evaluation from a Lamps Plus design expert directly after the session.

The workshop, which is free, is led by an ALA certified speaker and home specialist.

Cheers, Arizona!

The Great Arizona Beer Festival brings the best brews to one location

BY CHRISTINA CALDWELL

There are plenty of great things about Arizona—great weather, great entertainment and great local businesses. It’s especially hard to beat our beloved state this time of year. But nothing is really greater than beer. Luckily, The Great Arizona Beer Festival combines all of the above.

Mark your calendars now, because come April 18, you’re going to be in hop heaven. This craft lover’s paradise will have 200 beers from 50 local, national and international breweries available. Local mainstays will include Four Peaks, Fate,

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 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,

Grand Canyon and San Tan, but nationallyrecognized brans like Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams and Widmer will also make an appearance for those who like to stay in their comfort zone. (But seriously, if you count yourself among those people, branch out! There are hundreds of delicious beers brewed right in our own backyard!)

Don’t expect just to sip your beers in silence, though. Entertainment from acoustic rocker Tommy Anderson and the blues dudes of Big Nick & The Gila Monsters will keep things peppy.

The festival will give you a chance it get

into Sloan Park, The Cubs’ training facility, after the Spring Training hubbub has died down.

Prepare to drink up for a good cause, too, because proceeds benefit Sun Sounds of Arizona, a local nonprofit radio reading service that provides 49,000 locals with print disabilities access to print media. Not that you need convincing, but consider helping your fellow man the icing on the cake.

The Great Arizona Beer Festival is 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Mesa. Tickets are $10 to $85. Visit www. azbeer.com for more information.

Christina Caldwell is an executive editor for the Times Media Group. She can be reached at ccaldwell@ ecollegetimes.com.

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE

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 & 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, dine-in 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 & 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 and Grill

135 W. Ocotillo Rd., Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673)

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

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE

The SanTan Sun News now has a regular “Where kids eat free” section.

Restaurant owners, please email us details such as days of the week 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 and website and a contact name for verification.

Readers, if you know of a location that has a kidseat-free program, email us with the restaurant name, a phone and / or email for confirmation and details.

Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun. com.

Chandler Car Show

Classic cars and

presented

and