5 3 2014stsn p49 58 neighbors

Neighbors

Chandler

firefighters featured in steamy novel

BY TRACY HOUSE

Local author Shelley Watters has penned her first book and the pages are heating up in this romance novel featuring the Chandler Fire Department.

“Burn Me” paints firefighters as not only heroes, but people who make mistakes and fall in love, but in the end put their lives on the line every day to help others. The romance heats up between Katrina Hale and Greyson Neal on the pages of “Burn Me” as the two struggle with their feelings.

Silk delivers fresh Asian cuisine

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Silk True Asian opened its doors in Chandler just a few weeks ago and it has been an incredible experience for the owners.

A native of northeast Thailand, Watchuree Gerding has realized a lifelong dream of opening her own restaurant and the Chandler community has gained an affordable and lovely new restaurant that focuses on the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam and China. Partnering in the restaurant is Charlie Allen, who was also the owner of Firebird Raceway. Gerding came to the United States from Thailand and settled in San Diego in 2000 and pursued a master’s degree in computer science. Soon she shifted gears. While she was in school, she waitressed in San Diego and gained a lot of experience in Thai restaurants. “I know what I like

Cancer survivors deliver

BY BETH LUCAS

When Mickey Poling was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew her life would never be the same. It hit hard. A surprise: Breast cancer doesn’t run in the family.

A double mastectomy.

“I was so blessed because I have an amazing circle of friends and family,” says Poling of Chandler.

“A lot of people think that once you’re done with chemo or radiation, now things can go back to normal. You find your new normal. We may look like we feel really well on the outside, but on the inside we feel like crap. Sometimes I think people, family members, forget

because they so want to get everything back to normal.”

And then she found a group of cancer survivors who understood.

My Hope Bag was founded in the wake of Sarah Ellery’s battle with breast cancer. What the Gilbert mother and grandmother didn’t know, is that her fight would also change thousands of other lives for the better.

“I’m very fortunate that I have a very dear, loving family,” says Ellery, who will be officially in remission five years in December.

“My husband and my daughter were in with me when the doctor told me the news. I couldn’t even look at my

and I really enjoy working with people,” Gerding states. “I like to serve customers and I love to see them happy.”

Her experience serving diverse ethnic groups in San Diego spurred her interest in the restaurant industry and she moved to Arizona.

“I moved to Arizona, changed my career and I went to study the hospitality industry at Scottsdale Community College,” Gerding notes.

Although her parents were not too pleased, it was the right choice for her. After working with her ex-husband in his Thai restaurant in Scottsdale and gaining additional insight into the restaurant industry, Gerding combined her passion, experience and schooling in opening Silk True Asian.

“I didn’t expect that we would get so

BY ALISON STANTON

While most moms love homemade cards from the kids and the chance to sleep in, they probably wouldn’t say no to a nice meal at a local restaurant. In honor of the holiday, many area eateries are running Mother’s Day specials featuring delicious entrees, tasty beverages and more. Here is a sampling of what local establishments have planned for Sunday, May 11:

Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House

At Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House, moms can get a free entrée with a $20 purchase. In addition, moms can enjoy a Champagne Split for $2; limit one entrée and one drink per mom. For reservations, call (480) 584-0542. Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House is located at 58 S. San Marcos Pl. in downtown Chandler.

daughter, I knew we would fall apart.”

Doctors gave her the best of care, but Ellery and daughter Beckie Black saw something was missing: A network of the kind of support that doctors don’t provide. Support like a hug from another woman, who has been through the same surgeries, radiation, chemo and wide range of emotions. Support like referrals to specialty bras and creams, or how to deal with day-to-day needs like reaching a back itch when you can’t lift your arm.

“We never knew what to do for her when she was going through it,” says Black, “We didn’t know where the resources were, didn’t know anybody

Watters, who lives in Chandler with her husband, Ron, and two children, started work on the book as part of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, the November challenge for writers to put down 50,000 words in 30 days.

“I’m very excited,” Watters says of “Burn Me” her debut romance. “Romance is where I’m really focused.”

In July 2013 she pitched the story to Swoon Romance in 140 characters on Twitter for a contest it was sponsoring. “Summarizing an 80,000-word book into a 140 characters which is like two sentences is really hard.”

Watters researched the technical aspects of fi refi ghting with the help of a few Boston fi refi ghters. “I made a lot of friends, putting it out there through Twitter. They all happened to be back East. There’s quite a few in Boston and they helped me out with research.” Especially keeping it believable. “I really wanted to make it realistic as possible but still keep it interesting.”

Set in Chandler, “Burn Me” incorporates the area into the story. “Chandler is where I live and we’ve gone to a lot of their (fi re departments) open houses, and we go and see all the fi re trucks when we go to the grocery store.”

Watters jokes she’s not a stalker of the fi re department but is sure some of the fi refi ghters will recognize her now that the book is out.

“Burn Me” is on the hotter side of the romance novel genre Watters explains. “It’s not like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ in

terms of people getting tied up...On the heat scale, it’s on the explicit side. When there’s a sex scene, it’s a full blown sex scene. It’s tasteful.”

“It’s defi nitely got a lot of heat in it,” she continues. “I am not afraid to say things as they are...It’s pretty graphic.”

Watters incorporated the personalities and interactions of the fi refi ghters she met and included language, violence and murder in the plot. “If you’re really sensitive about stuff, you probably don’t want to read it.”

While the setting is Chandler it is still a work of fi ction and Watters decided to keep the area anonymous only referring to certain landmarks, such as Chandler Boulevard. She visited several

of the fi re stations in the area and used what she wanted from each in her book.

“There’s a fi re pole in Station 3 in my book, but there are no fi re poles in any of those stations. Fire poles are sexy, so I’m using it—artistic license,” she says with a chuckle.

Chandler Fire Department has no comment about the book because it is a work of fi ction.

“Since there is no connection to the Chandler Fire Department with this book we felt it would be unfair for us to comment on the project obviously because it doesn’t involve the Chandler Fire Department,” says Tom Dwiggins, battalion chief, community relations division.

As a stay-at-home mom, Watters writes whenever she gets the chance. She’s already at work on a second book, although she explains both books stand alone. “It is coming along very well. I’m really surprised because I normally write with an outline but this time I didn’t. I wanted to let the characters talk for themselves and I’m really surprised where they’re taking it.”

“Burn Me” is out as an ebook available at Goodreads, www.goodreads. com/book/show/20526279-burnme?from_search=true. For more information on Watters visit her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ Shelley_Watters or her blog, www. shelleywatters.com/

Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

Luxe offers ‘Day of Beauty’

Show mom just how special she is this Mother’s Day with a gift of pampering and relaxation. The A. Tom Wood Team has joined with Luxe Salon and Spa to treat mothers to a “Day of Beauty.”

One lucky winner will receive a gift certificate for a shampoo/ style, Shellac manicure, spa pedicure, custom massage (60 minutes) and makeup application with top professionals from each of the salon/ spa’s departments.

To enter, visit the A. Tom Wood Team website at www.atomwoodteam. com and click the “Click Here to Enter” box to submit your first name, last name and email address. Submit your first and last names and email address.

The winner will be notified via email on May 9; Luxe will contact the winner by phone once the prize is claimed to schedule the appointments, as the gift certificate must be redeemed by the winner within 60 days of notification. There are no substitutions or cash redemptions to the prize. For more information, call Luxe at (480) 2091959.

hours!

Bernard’s at Ocotillo

A Grand Brunch Buffet awaits hungry diners in the ballroom, and a breakfast buffet, Chef’s Select Breakfast Menu and Chef’s Select Lunch Menu are available inside Bernard’s Restaurant. Reservations are required, and the times, prices and menus will be posted in early May on the website. For information, visit www. ocotillogolf.com, or call (480) 917-6660. The resort is located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Dr., Chandler.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa

Celebrate Mom’s special day at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa with a fabulous four-course brunch. Ko’Sin restaurant offers guests an exclusive prefixe Mother’s Day four brunch featuring Native American and Arizona comfort food, and a special menu for kids. Guests will enjoy a variety of dishes, including a soup of 60-day white corn, sweet crayfish tails and micro cilantro and pickled ramps and baby greens salad with aged sheep’s milk cheese and agave Dijon dressing. The main course includes entrées like the frittata with wild boar bacon and aged gruyere cheese, or serrano hamwrapped prawns with angel hair pasta and sundried tomato cream. Desserts include dark Godiva chocolate cake, summer strawberry tart or Mexican vanilla bean cream brulee. The brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11, and costs $65 per adult, $60 for seniors, $25 for children 5 to 12 years old and free for children 4

and younger. Every mother who attends receives a complimentary long-stemmed rose. Reservations are required; call Rosina Dee at (602) 385-5726. The resort is located at 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler.

El Palacio of Chandler

On Mother’s Day, every mother will receive a free carnation, while supplies last. Treat mom to a fajita dinner from Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 11, for $8.99, and on those same days, house margaritas are $4 and sangrias are $5. El Palacio of Chandler is located at 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Call (480) 802-5770 for more information.

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 11, Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is featuring a Mother’s Day Buffet. Diners can choose from a huge selection of western options, including a carving station of prime rib, maple and sage roasted turkey, and apricot glazed pork loin. Other selections include an omelet station, snow crab legs with drawn butter, and a dessert station. The cost is $34.95 per person plus tax, children younger than 12 are $12.99 plus tax. The Rawhide Steakhouse menu is not being offered on Mother’s Day. Admission to Rawhide is free, parking is $5. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by emailing reso@rawhide.com or calling (480) 502-5600. Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is located at 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler.

SIZZLING MOTHER’S DAY: Moms can enjoy delicious fajitas at a special price on Mother’s Day at El Palacio of Chandler. Submitted photo

The Farm at South Mountain Say “thanks” to mom for all those yummy meals with a Mother’s Day Brunch held in The Canopy in the Grove at The Farm at South Mountain. The popular brunch features a wide variety of dishes including famous pecan French toast, sweet potato salad, braised beef short ribs and homemade pastries—plus a

special treat for mom. Seating times are 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 11. Cost is $49.95 per adult, $16.95 for kids ages 8 to 12, $8 for kids 2 to 7 and free for kids younger 2. Highchairs are not available. For reservations, call (602) 243-9081 or visit www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com/

mothers-day-brunch-2014/. The Farm at South Mountain is located at 6106 S. 32nd St., Phoenix.

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill

Diners can remember their special day with mom with a complimentary photograph and Mother’s Day frame, courtesy of Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill. On Sunday, May 11, the restaurant will have photographers on hand to capture the special day. Z’Tejas is also treating moms to a free dessert—chef’s choice. There are five locations in the Valley, including one in Chandler. For more information, visit www.ztejas.com

Fired Pie

On Mother’s Day the fast-casual eatery is offering all moms a free meal with the purchase of another entrée. For more information, visit http://www. firedpie.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firedpie.

Bistro 1528 at Encanterra Country Club

A Mother’s Day brunch featuring a plethora of delicious selections is taking place at Bistro 1528 at Encanterra Country Club in San Tan Valley. Diners can select from a gourmet fresh fruit display, a chef-attended “Omelette and Eggs Your Way Station,” carved agave glazed pork loin, prickly pear chutney carved prime rib, a gourmet dessert station and much more. Encanterra is a gated community, but the restaurant is open to the public. Reservations are required for the meal,

Neighbors

which costs $39.95 for members, $45 for nonmembers, and $9.95 for kids ages 6 to 12. In addition, moms will receive a voucher, good until Sept. 30, for 20 percent off on spa treatments at Encanterra’s Alvea Spa. Bistro 1528 is located at 36460 N. Encanterra Dr., San Tan Valley. Call (480) 677-8060 for reservations.

Isabel’s Amor

Moms will receive a free rose during lunch and dinner on Mother’s Day at Isabel’s Amor in Gilbert. The restaurant is located at 1490 E. Williams Field Rd. in Gilbert. Call (480) 290-7060 for more information.

Organ Stop Pizza

Hungry diners can enjoy a relaxing lunch and music on the Mighty Wurlitzer at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa. This is the first year the restaurant has opened its doors to the public for a luncheon event on Mother’s Day. The Mother’s Day Musical Lunch, which is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 11, features an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet plus salad and cake for $7.75 per adult. Kids 3 to 9 are $6.25. Tickets are available online at www.organstoppizza. com or they can be picked up in the restaurant gift shop. Organ Stop Pizza is located at 1149 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. For more information, call (480) 8135700.

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

much support from the community,” states Gerding. “Everybody around here tells me they are so excited that they have found an Asian restaurant where they can come and have a drink and that it is so affordable.”

The interior of Silk True Asian evokes the feeling of modern, breezy Asian bistro similar to what you might find in San Diego. Silk is located in the former Blue Burger space and the complete remodel is a beautiful and refreshing change.

The menu at Silk is a combination of Asian influences and both the lunch and dinner menus boast a solid variety of choices. “Our food is priced like Pei Wei, but you can sit down in a nice environment and have wine and beer, too,” Gerding explains.

Appetizers include Bangkok dumplings, crispy crazy crab rolls, Thai chicken satay and shrimp summer rolls. Soups include the tom yum hot and sour soup and tom kha coconut soup. All lunch entrees include the salad bar and prices range from $8.25 to $12.99, depending on the type of meat included in the dish. Portion sizes are very generous and diners often have enough to take home for another meal or snack.

“We have different kinds of curry dishes ($10.99 to $15.99). We have red, yellow, green and Panang,” states Gerding. “We can also make them with different levels of spice depending on what somebody likes.” The spicy basil noodles (Bangkokstyle drunken noodles), pepper steak and healthy fresh ginger entrees can be created with chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, a seafood mix or tofu or vegetables ($10.99 to $15.99).

“I have a good chef that takes care of

our kitchen. Patsy Dang used to be a chef of a big Thai restaurant in Texas and she moved out here. She helps us to bring Thai food that we eat every day in that country here to Chandler,” Gerding finishes. Silk True Asian is located at 4995 S. Alma School Rd. (at Chandler Heights Road). Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner and closed on Sundays. Call (480) 343-8730 for additional information. Patio dining is also available.

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

who had ever been through cancer. We spent a lot of time Googling it, meeting all of these people, to figure out how to comfort her.

“We want to take the burden of others, by researching the right people and having them all together in our network, so a woman can find everything she needs without having to spend tons of time on the phone.”

In 2011 they launched My Hope Bag, and began providing free pink bags filled with supportive resources for breast cancer patients, delivered by survivors themselves. They include items to support women during treatment, like a blanket for a cold treatment room, a water bottle, candy to suck on, a heart to squeeze, magazines to read and a notebook of survivors and services providers.

In August, the group will host its third annual expo for patients, connecting cancer patients to a variety of vendors who specialize in supporting their needs. It also holds regular potlucks and volunteer bagging sessions to bond.

“Aug. 26 will be my three years cancerfree,” Poling says. “I will be with friends and family celebrating life.

“I am so blessed because I have an amazing circle of friends and family. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings, even though your family may not totally understand. Just be able to say, ‘I am having a bad day.’ It was totally stepping out of my comfort zone to join this group. But it’s the best thing I ever did. As

Neighbors

AUGUST EXPO: A free Aug. 23 Breast Cancer Research Expo at the Tempe Mission Palms aims to connect breast cancer patients and survivors with a growing network of support. Learn more at www.myhopebag.org. Submitted photo

ugly as breast cancer is, there is just some amazing beauty in it, in the friendships made along the way.”

The group is growing throughout Arizona, and has begun to send the free My Hope Bags nationwide. Volunteers, including more survivors, are sought to help with the August expo and to deliver the bags.

For Michelle Knag of Mesa, the last 10 years have been a long road since she was first diagnosed with cancer. Back then, the early stage cancer led to her

“The visits from Sarah and her husband, who visited with my husband, were tremendous,” she says. “Many people have a lot of friends, but nobody with breast cancer. It was just a comfort knowing I was going to be talking to someone who has been through it.

“I think generally women tend to think we can do it all. But this is something that you can’t.”

Joan Tomich of Gilbert had simple advice for anyone who’s been diagnosed, and their family members: Just listen. And be supportive, empathetic.

“It’s very important to me to be called a ‘survivor,’” she says. “To me, those words are just magical.”

Knag adds, “I think sometimes just having an open ear and listening to our stories and what we’re going through helps a lot of people who don’t know what to say to a cancer patient. Don’t ever give up.”

first lumpectomy. This time, she’s been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. For her, the most important support are the women who understand her life.

“You try to take things day by day,” she says. “And rely on the people who love you and support you.

“It means a lot to me that someone cares. That you’re not alone.”

Michelle Konst of Gilbert often meets with women who have had a mastectomy because she has been through the traumatic surgery.

My Hope Bag is still seeking vendors for the Aug. 23 expo on a first-come, first-serve basis. The expo also features experts including medical professionals who can take questions from patients and family members. The free event at Tempe Mission Palms will provide complimentary valet parking, and lunch is also available for women who stay all day for the free services and experts.

To order a bag, learn more about the expo, or get involved as a volunteer, visit www.myhopebag.org.

Beth Lucas is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

Gorey receives Volunteer of the Year award

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

After working in the show business for more than 40 years, Tommy Gorey decided to pursue his true passion, which earned him an award last month.

Gorey was named the Chandler Police Department’s Volunteer of the Year during the annual Awards Volunteer Appreciation Banquet celebrating Chandler’s Volunteers in Policing Program on Wednesday, April 2.

“I didn’t expect it,” says Gorey, 64, of the honor. “There are people (who have been) in the program longer, people I happen to have great respect for.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a volunteer with outstanding performance over a one-year period who has achieved the CPD’s goals and objectives through projects, programs or situations requiring exceptional dedication. More than 690 members of the Chandler community have volunteered their time to the CPD.

Show business career

Before his stint as a volunteer, Gorey he lived in New York where he was in show business for 45 years. He was working in lighting for Radio City Music Hall when he met his wife, Karen, who was a Rockette from 1969 to 1978.

the required GED. At 63 years old, he obtained his GED and began volunteering in December 2010.

All of the volunteers get their assignments through Melanie Slate, the CPD volunteer coordinator.

“She’s the go-to person,” Gorey says. Slate says Gorey is well liked by staff and citizens.

“He gives a lot of time to the department and he always goes above and beyond his normal duties,” she says. “He offers assistance whenever is needed and he truly exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated volunteer.”

He is closing in on almost 3,000 hours of volunteering since joining the program. Gorey says he accumulated the majority of those hours when he was volunteering six days a week doing fleet work, transporting cars to various substations.

Now he volunteers once a week for 16 hours. Although the majority of the hours are spent doing motor assist, he spends four hours a week working on finger printing.

In 1988, Gorey’s career took him to the White House where he worked on the lighting for Ronald Reagan’s final Christmas shoot. He was also employed as the head electrician for “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee” in 1996 and spent time doing lighting for Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

City. He is a fourth generation stage hand.”

“I am very proud of my past,” he says. “My dad was in the business. It was something that was passed on and I took a liking to it. My son also works at Radio

The show business career seemed unreal, according to Gorey. He recalls a conversation with Bob Hope.

“Here is Bob Hope standing on stage...‘You know Tommy my eyes are bad, what can you to do tone it down,’” Gorey says.

Volunteering

Although he had an incredible career in show business, he always wanted to become a cop. In 1970, he worked as an auxiliary officer in New York, where the interest took hold.

“I have the upmost respect for police officers,” Gorey says.

After he moved to Arizona, he recalls being in a Walmart parking lot on Germann and Gilbert roads when he spotted a volunteer police car.

“My wife said to me, ‘Oh boy,’” Gorey says. “And I said, yes that is for me.”

The volunteer stopped and spoke to Gorey, which only affirmed that becoming a volunteer police officer was something he wanted to pursue. He filled out the paperwork for the volunteer position and took a polygraph test. The only problem? He didn’t have

As a motor assist, Gorey says one of his jobs is to help individuals who are locked out of their car.

One lock out still holds a special meaning for the volunteer.

Gorey received a call at the end of his shift to go to Tumbleweed Park to help a woman and her grandkids get into the car.

“The lady starts to cry,” recalls Gorey, who calls himself an “emotional person.” He thought to himself, “There is no way I can’t get this lady in.”

After unsuccessful attempts of using various tools to get the door open, the woman shared that she had an old key, which brought hope to the situation. The two worked together and the door opened.

“That made my day,” Gorey says. He says now that he is retired; he will continue to volunteer to keep busy.

“I don’t want to sit home all the time because I would lose my mind,” Gorey says.

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

Neighbors

Tips to keep vehicles safe Market ‘moves’ into South Chandler

A Gilbert family, including three children, died recently when a tire blew out on the vehicle they were riding in, causing it to collide with an ongoing semi on Interstate 10 on their way home from Tucson. While it’s not known at this point what was wrong with the tire, accidents like this are too common and many can be avoided by just taking some simple preventative measures.

It’s estimated that as many as 80 percent of vehicles on the roads have potentially dangerous issues in light of recent large scale vehicle recalls by big manufactures, such as GM and Toyota.

A shocking 11.8 percent, or 30 million, of the 253 million registered vehicles in the United States fall under some sort of recall for potentially dangerous if not fatal issues.

According to the Chicago Tribune, with the latest 4.8 million vehicle recall by General Motors, the automotive industry is on pace in 2014 to surpass the historic high of 30 million vehicles recalled in 2014. This is exacerbated by the fact that millions of vehicle owners have no idea that their vehicle is part of a recall, according to www.Edmunds.com

Other issues with vehicles on the road include: 76.9 percent of vehicles are in need of some sort of service; 22 percent have low or incorrect engine oil; 20 percent of vehicles have an issue with the engine cooling systems; 18 percent of vehicles need brake service

and 80 percent of cars are driving on underinflated tires.

“Vehicle owners need to be proactive in maintaining the safety of their vehicle. It doesn’t just take care of itself,” Steve Yacovone, owner of Sun Valley Imports, recognized for excellence as a MotorAge Magazine Top Shop in 2014, says.

Yacovone offers tips for drivers to ensure highway safety.

Check to see if your vehicle is on a recall list by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety website to search by year, make and model of the vehicle.

Check the vehicle’s tire pressure once a week to make sure the tire pressure is the same pressure that is written on the label inside the car door, not the pressure written on the tires.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plan.

“Preventative maintenance is the cheapest kind of service you can do for your vehicle,” Yacovone says. “Catching an issue before it escalates into a full-blown problem costs far less than repairing it after it’s broken.”

Check the vehicle’s oil level once a week when the vehicle is cold, before starting it up. Add the proper oil as recommended by the manufacturer.

The last safety tip is to keep the vehicle clean and clear out the trunk. Believe it or not a clean vehicle is a safer vehicle because washing removes obstructions to viewing. Extra weight in

the vehicle can also be a hazard when driving. Cloudy headlights can decrease the vehicle’s visibility during rain, dust storms and other inclement weather.

Contact Sun Valley Imports for more information at (480) 949-2813 or go to www.sunvalleyimports.com.

Sun Valley Imports located at 950 N. Stadem Dr., Tempe, is an independently owned auto repair shop specializing in the service and repair of European imports including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Mini, Porshe, Smart, Rover and VW. Established in 1993 by Yacovone and Jurgen Ankert in Tempe, they provide top quality service at the lowest possible price to people who are looking for a trustworthy, economical alternative to the dealership.

Market on the Move will offer its fresh, affordable produce in a farmers market atmosphere from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, in the parking lot of Desert Palms Church, 4265 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler.

Market on the Move aims to reach out to the community by providing good quality, affordable produce. A $10 donation is good for up to 60 pounds of produce for six to eight varieties normally available.

The Market on the Move is held on the second Saturday of every month from December through May.

Health Connect Expo

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny invited the community to join him in a healthier lifestyle by attending last month’s Health Connect Expo at Tumbleweed Recreation Center. It was packed with information about wellness, as well as entertaining and interactive activities including dance demonstrations, ping pong, bike safety demos, car seat safety and healthy cooking tips. This was the second annual expo, and it is part of the mayor’s ongoing Health Connect initiative to promote overall well-being for Chandler residents in a three-pronged approach, including physical, mental and financial health. STSN photos by Nick Bartlett