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From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop
Recently took my family on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. This was our second cruise for our family and the first to the Bahamas and on a Disney cruise line. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We loved the food and the ship was very entertaining. One of the items that really kept my attention was the people watching. There is plenty of that available on a cruise. What I noticed most was that I was easily able to watch families interact with each other at different situations. It believe a cruise is the closest you could come to observing a family interact with each other without being too intrusive into their home. You can watch how they interact at the dinner table, how they discipline and how siblings treat each other. You can also view cultural differences with how husbands and wives interact and associate with their children. What I noted from my very unscientific and disorganized observations was that, like all of us on this earth, there is so much diversity in family life. I witnessed such diversity
Thomas Chamberlain
in which I was embarrassed for the parent and felt sorry for the child that was being ridiculed in public. I was caught smiling when I witnessed a young child beaming with joy as she and her father were playing in the water together. I was encouraged watching a child and mother work through an interactive mystery puzzle onboard the ship. There was kindness, joy and unfortunately, harshness and rudeness. One family in particular I enjoyed watching. I happened to know a bit about their family as the father is a well known leader in our church. I observed how he and 31 of his family members showed love and patience and found joy in each others company. What I noted from my observations with his family is that he and his wife had intentionally created a legacy with his children and his many grandchildren. You could tell they all looked to them as the patriarch and matriarch of their family. There was love and respect for each other as they enjoyed this short vacation together. I know that they don’t have a perfect family. I doubt anyone has. But from my obser-
vations of them and others, I know they were intentionally trying to create that. It has been said that happiness is homemade. It takes constant, careful effort by all. Are you intentional in creating a warm and positive environment in your home? Do you plan and act according to a plan or do you just react to momentary emotions and feelings at any given time? How do you build greater family unity and love within the walls of your home? These are questions we should ask ourselves or discuss with our spouses. Building a positive family legacy where children and grandchildren desire to be together is possible for anyone who makes it priority. This school year, I have a goal to choose to always show love to my children. Even when they disappoint me. I can teach with love and respect. I can discipline without belittling and berating. Take a moment to set some goals for this school year as a parent. If you would like to share them with me, I’d love to hear from you. Email me your ideas or your thoughts at info@smilestraight.com.
Academic support services provide Student Services Advisors, the
Fast-track options help students accelerate toward graduation and earn their degree sooner
On average, a student qualifies for approximately $8,200 in scholarships and grants for the academic year, which reduces tuition by about half*
Safety standards and services provide students with a second home on campus where they feel safe and
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Congratulations to this month’s lucky winner: JOANNE SWEENEY, who found the fake ad, “More Arms Mom.”
Enter by email ONLY: FAKEADCHANDLER@NEARBYNEWS.COM
We will announce the winner in next month’s paper. If you see your name, please contact us by Sept. 20, 2016. Good Luck!
6
Publisher Times Media Group
President Steve T. Strickbine
Editor in Chef Robbie Peterson
Executive Editor
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Associate Editor Srianthi Perera
Graphic Design
Veronica Martinez, Jay Banbury, Paul Braun, Christy Byerly, Ruth Carlton, Amy Civer
Administration Courtney Oldham
Contributors
Loni Bryantt, Kara Curtin, Kimberly Hosey, Carson Mlnarik, Srianthi Perera, Jake Pyatt, Madison Rutherford
Contact the Nearby News at 480-898-5610 • Fax: 480-898-5606 Editor@NearbyNews.com
Desert Breeze is published monthly and distributed to 10,000 residences and businesses within Chandler, 8,500 mailed directly to homes and 1,500 distributed on newsstands, and in several hundred high-traffic locations throughout the community. Distribution Area:
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Four athletes at Thorobred Wrestling Club have accepted scholarships to attend some of the highest-ranked colleges in the nation.
Bridger Barker, Brandon Konecny and Vincent Dolce have signed on to attend Air Force, while Quentin Hovis will go to Navy.
“The goal of our club is to help student-athletes get academics and athletics scholarships,” said Jack Cardinal, one of the club’s founders. “We really push academics.”
Thorobred Wrestling Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing youth, ages 4-14 years old, the chance to learn wrestling through competition. This program builds discipline, self-esteem, character and positive relationships. Wrestlers will compete in weekend tournaments
(additional fees) against kids in the same age and weight groups.
The club recently celebrated the first year anniversary of its Chandler facility at 6100 W. Gila Springs Pl., Suite 1.
Cardinal co-founded the club with Mike Douglas, David Douglas and Eric Larkin. Larkin and Cardinal served as wrestling coaches at Seton Academy.
Besides the founders, the coaches are Tracy Brown, Dan Wilhoit, Joe Valle, Kellen Fluckiger, Anthony Duenas, Mike Ramos, Jeremy Mendoza and John Mendoza.
The quartet of founders started the club to provide a competitive atmosphere in Arizona.
“Nationally, Arizona is just not a state that’s considered one of the tougher states in the country—not just for wrestling, but for a lot of sports,”
Cardinal said. “If you compare it to the Midwest—Michigan, Ohio—or even Pennsylvania or California, it’s weak. When you go to our high school tournaments for wrestling, there won’t be many college coaches.”
Another of the club’s success stories is Kaleb Larkin, the son of coach, Eric Larkin, who attends Legacy Traditional Academy. At the 2016 Western Regional in Pocatello, Idaho, Kaleb was a triple crown winner, and also received outstanding wrestler in the schoolboy division.
“This is a very hard task to win all three styles here and receive outstanding wrestler,” Cardinal said.
Thorobred Wrestling Club will kick off the new season on Sept. 26 during a preseason camp that leads up to a Las Vegas tournament around Halloween. For more information, visit thorobredwc.com/.
“The preseason camp is run three days a week,” Cardinal said. “We work with little kids as well as high school kids. The preseason camp helps kids get back on the mat, which is really good.”
By the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department
Daily news headlines around the nation shine a spotlight on the immense challenges public safety professionals are facing in their interactions with people impacted by mental health conditions and substance use.
Resolving these challenging encounters in positive and productive ways often requires police officers to have specialized training plus knowledge of and access to a variety of resources in the community.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Chandler Police Department will host a free public forum that they hope will better prepare officers for these complex situations and result in better outcomes for everyone involved.
“A Focus on Understanding & Hope” is a resource fair to help educate the public about the stigma surrounding
giveaways and light refreshments.
Numerous guest speakers will share their stories and expertise on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), physical and mental disabilities, suicide prevention, and substance use disorder, recovery, overdose prevention and more.
Some of the most anticipated presentations at “A Focus on Understanding & Hope” will be abridged crisis intervention training (CIT) courses that will be certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, also known as AZ POST.
mental illness and connect people to assistance options in the community. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., and it will feature more than 45 organizations sharing information and offer networking opportunities. There will also be prize
The athletic trainers took care of my injury and helped me to get better. They took me in as if I was one of their family members. The crew had no problem getting me back on the field with great care, helping me prevent re-injury.
Read his story or learn more about the program: supportdignityhealtheastvalley.org
Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan has made crisis intervention training a goal for all of the department’s officers.
“This event will give Chandler officers a valuable training opportunity,” LeVoy said. “It’s also open to public safety personnel from other jurisdictions, because these issues affect every community, and everyone will benefit if we can improve on how we handle these types of encounters.”
Some of the most effective lessons during crisis intervention training are delivered by people with mental health conditions who challenge the assumptions and stereotypes that permeate society. Some of the presentations on Sept. 24 will be through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the “In
... continues on page 9
“This event is for police officers, firefighters, military veterans, caregivers, anyone who is affected by mental health challenges and their family members,” said Chandler Police Commander David LeVoy. “It will be an educational event, but there will also be opportunities for participants to share their experiences with understanding professionals who can provide assistance and guidance.”
The parking lot of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler will transform into the streets of Greece from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. A taste of Greece “allows guests to experience all the magic and splendor of a vacation in Greece without ever leaving the Valley.”
To address the elephant in the room (or the parking lot as the case may be) you obviously have to ignore the glaring absence of ancient architecture, archipelagos, calderas, cliffs and the painstakingly blue water of the Aegean Sea. However, bringing the culture, cuisine and community of a coastal European country to a parking lot in the scorching desert sun is no easy feat. The least I can do is give them an A for effort.
Bocca specializes in pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches while Modern Margarita is serving up fresh salsas, dips, quesadillas and award-winning tacos.
This new dual dining experience is at 1 E. Boston St., Chandler.
Discussing a Greek celebration hardly seems complete without an enthusiastic, albeit trite Greek exclamation, so don’t forget to brush up on your best “Opa!” if you go.
The festival will take place at 2716 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler.
If what they say is true, two heads are better than one, and by heads I mean types of alcohol. In August, La Bocca and Modern Margarita moved into a joint 6,000-square foot space previously occupied by Coach & Willie’s in Chandler. Modern Margarita boasts nearly 60 tequilas and more than 10 margarita flavors like watermelon, mango and prickly pear. If you get sick of the tang of tequila, you can mosey on over to La Bocca to choose from more than 100 wines from around the world.
There may be too many cooks in the kitchen (the two restaurants are sharing one), but there’s certainly a lot of good grub coming out of it. La
Though the three-day event will include music, dancing, costumes, workshops and vendors, the pièce de résistance will obviously be the food. The culinary masterminds behind this whole operation are the church volunteers. They will be handpreparing traditional Greek dishes like dolmathes, gyros, pistachio, baklava and spanakopita.
The Casual Pint Craft Beer Market: Just the name of this restaurant and beer purveyor is immediately pacifying. Craft beer, or at least the people brewing it, drinking it or talking about it are rarely casual. It’s no secret that a large portion of conversations about craft beer are by snobby sommeliers who turn up their noses if someone doesn’t know about coppers and hopbacks. The relaxed, café-esque beer bar and restaurant supports the microbrewery movement without being pretentious. The Casual Pint, which opened in late August, offers light fare as well as pints, flights, growlers, kegs and a “craft your own six-pack” option.
It is located at 1095 W. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler.
What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.
By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
The Chandler Police Department held a community meeting on Sept. 1 at the Desert Breeze substation to discuss general crime statistics for Beat 3 and the Pepperwood neighborhood. Police Commander David LeVoy led the meeting and provided updates, offered safety tips, addressed concerns and answered questions from members of the community.
LeVoy recognized the community’s concerns regarding crimes that have occurred in the area along with the frequency of those crimes and openly provided statistics to those in attendance. Since June, approximately 2,500 calls for service in Beat 3 were received by the Chandler Police Department. Traffic stops, especially along Chandler Boulevard, and traffic enforcement ranked highest.
“We’ve had more than 600 traffic stops in that period of time,” he said. “We have officers heavily patrolling
the area including the Price Corridor to keep speed reasonable and avoid accidents.”
Data from the Chandler Police Department showed that medical emergencies, alarm responses, theft and shoplifting, welfare checks, domestic disturbances, fraud investigation, trespassing, hit and run accidents, vehicle lock outs, burglary, DUIs and assaults were also among the calls for service.
LeVoy, who recently created a precinctwide staffing model, has closely reviewed the types of calls for service, the number of calls and the average length of time it takes to handle those calls, so he can effectively put officers where they are needed most.
“We prioritize our resources and staff accordingly,” LeVoy said. Since the precinct’s graveyard shift officers have more proactive time while on duty, they are often out driving
around the neighborhood looking for people who are being suspicious in areas like parks or alleys.
The community also shared their concern regarding the recent fires that occurred in August. LeVoy acknowledged it was a patrol officer who suggested there may be a pattern to the five fires that ultimately sparked the ongoing investigation.
“We are currently reviewing the data,” he said. “While we do not have the cause of origin, we do not believe it to be arson at this time.”
LeVoy said there are a number of ways residents can help the police department keep the community safe.
“If you see suspicious activity, please let us know,” he said. “At the end of the day, you are the ones who know who belongs in your community and what seems out of place.”
LeVoy also suggested that residents program the Chandler Police
Department’s nonemergency line (480-782-4130) into their cell phones for quick access and to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
“Pay attention to what’s going on in your neighborhood,” he said. “It is because of (the due diligence of) our citizens that we have broken many cases.”
LeVoy stressed the importance of locking cars and homes and keeping garages closed to avoid a burglary.
Chandler Fire Department Public Information Officer and Battalion Chief Blas Minor also provided fire safety tips.
“If your home backs up to an alley or has dry brush or grass nearby, be sure to do some basic yard maintenance to avoid a fire,” he said.
Minor also reminded residents to store fuel in a secure location, properly extinguish cigarettes, clean chimneys and avoid overfilling trash bins.
“These are easy ways to be proactive around your home,” Minor said.
Intervention training ...continued from page 6
Our Own Voice” program. These will be powerful first-hand accounts about the struggles faced by real people, their options for treatment, and the possibility of a bright future.
“There is often a stigma attached to people with mental illness, and events like this one can help those of us in law enforcement learn to reduce our judgments about them and their family members,” LeVoy added. We can all work together to get people the help they need. That will make Chandler a healthier community.”
Day of ‘understanding and hope’ begins with 1.5-mile march
September is National Recovery Month and one local addiction treatment organization is inviting the community to join in a 1.5-mile march to help spread the message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can recover.
Valley Hope of Chandler is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable treatment and recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs. Valley Hope is inviting the public to participate in “Voices of Hope: Our Families, Our Community, Our Stories” beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at its center at 501 N. Washington St. The morning will begin with inspirational keynote speakers sharing their stories and encouraging people to become Champions of Hope. A Champion of Hope is someone who is willing to stand up against the stigma of addiction and stand beside those in recovery to offer support and compassion. Participants will then
march to the Center for the Arts, where the Chandler Police Department event, “A Focus on Understanding & Hope,” begins at 9 a.m.
Snacks and beverages will be provided, and all participants will receive a free T-shirt. For more information, call 480-899-3335 or visit valleyhope.org.
‘A Focus on Understanding and Hope’ Presentations
Addiction/ substance use
What does a substance abuse problem look like?
Hear a personal story of substance abuse and recovery from a local Arizonan, Justin Hermanski, who attended Hamilton High School in Chandler.
Finding HOPE amid addiction
An in-depth look into the opioid epidemic in Arizona, how it’s treated and how we recover.
Overdose prevention through Naloxone
This workshop will teach community members the skills to recognize an opioid overdose and respond effectively including the use of naloxone.
matters
How to help older adults understand medication misuse, plus tools to help individuals avoid misuse and abuse of prescription medications.
Health
Working with law enforcement Presenters will discuss the collaborative effort between law enforcement and the behavioral/ mental health community to redirect individuals in crisis, away from the criminal justice system and into behavioral health system.
In our own voice
People with personal experience with mental illness lead a brief, yet comprehensive and interactive presentation, about mental health. Presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
This short presentation will focus on the mental health awareness campaign working to end the stigma associated with mental health, mental illness and suicide.
An officer teaches crisis intervention communication skills for fellow law enforcement officers.
An officer shares his personal story of trauma experienced on the battlefield, and explains how that trauma was suppressed for many years until it was revealed when he faced an unimaginable situation with a suicidal subject.
Warning signs and symptoms of someone who may be contemplating suicide, and resources for taking intervening steps.
A psychologist from the West Valley Veterans Center will present on military-specific PTSD and trauma in relation to combat and military sexual trauma (MST). Readjustment issues common for veterans will be discussed, as well as resources for vets and their family and caregivers.
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By Kimberly Hosey
With the summer coming to a close (even Arizona’s extended summer is starting to simmer down) and water parks closing for the school year, you might have thought you were out of opportunities to treat your kids— and yourself—to a day of slides and water play. If you were pining for one last splash, you’re in luck: Salt River Fields, together with AZ Bounce Pro, is bringing back the popular Slide Across America event for three days Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25.
Slide Across America is the largest inflatable water park in the country. The three-day bash this month will feature more than 25 water slides, including the highlight of the event, the Dropkick Slide—a 42-foot-high slide that launches riders into the air at the end of the slide, for a dramatic (but safe) landing in a giant stunt bag. Other slides will include the 40-foot-high Hippo Slide, similar to the Dropkick but with more of a splashdown than a launch at the end;
and 36-foot-high Tidal Wave Slide, known for its steep incline.
These are the events I live for: My teen will actually be excited, we’ll spend a great end-of-summer day together—and it just plain looks fun.
Giant, towering, boldly colored (and boldly huge) slides? Yes, please!
Some of the larger rides, like the Dropkick Slide, are restricted to older guests, but there will be small inflatable slides specially for little ones
as well. This truly is a family-friendly event: No matter your family makeup, you’re likely to find something for everyone to love here.
If you tire of sliding, try the spin cycle ride—otherwise known to my family as “that spinning upsidedown space-age thing that looks like it should make you sick but doesn’t.”
Spin at your own risk, of course, but we’re certainly thinking of trying it.
Also available will be a 25-foot-
tall rock climbing wall, complete with climbing equipment, bungee trampolines, a zipline and more.
AZ Bounce Pro is providing the attractions, which it usually rents to events or individuals. Here, dozens of attractions will be available at once. It will be set up like a festival or carnival: No need to proceed through every slide or activity; just pick the ones you and your family like.
Smaller inflatable slides are ready for little guests, but there is something for everyone: Larger rides like the Dropkick Slide are geared toward teens and adults. Don’t worry, though; a sense of childlike fun is still encouraged. In fact, if you don’t have enough time to hit all the “grownup” slides with kids in tow, you might consider making a return trip for Adult Night.
“This cool event literally was a hit last year for kids—and to our surprise adults, too. So this year we’re highlighting a night specifically aimed at the kids at heart and, of course, still welcome the whole family,” said Dave Dunne, the general manager of Salt River Fields.
Popular Arizona vendors and food trucks will be offering food starting at $4, including cheeseburgers, barbecue, fry bread, pretzels and more; as well as cold beers.
Make sure everyone who wants to slide is prepared: Swimwear or swimming-compatible clothing is required to ride all slides, and no jeans or denim are allowed. And don’t forget sunblock—for yourself and the kiddos.
Access to Slide Across America is $25 for general admission ($20 if you buy tickets before Sept. 15). A family four-pack of tickets is $80 ($60 in advance). Kids 2 and younger are free, and parking is free. Tickets are required for any entrance to the park.
By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
Ann Pinkwasser always wanted to write a children’s book, but between raising a family and working full time, that plan was on hold.
Her dream was reignited seven years ago when her son and daughter-inlaw announced they were pursuing adoption. Inspired by her grandson and the desire to help children and families understand the adoption process, Pinkwasser released the selfpublished book, “ESP That’s Me!” in June.
Pinkwasser’s son and daughter-inlaw underwent a year-long journey before adopting their son, Evan. They hired an adoption attorney to help navigate and speed the legal process.
When the search of a birth mother finally led to promising hope, there was extensive paperwork, background checks and home inspections that occurred before the couple was considered.
“Adoption is not only very costly but so stressful for the couple,” said the 30-year Chandler resident who used her nickname, “Annie-Bug,” as her penname. “We didn’t know if they would be chosen.”
They were.
Evan met his forever family when he was born seven years ago. By law, Evan’s birth mother had 72 hours to sign the paperwork, giving consent to relinquish her child. It took almost three weeks until the adoption was finalized before Evan could go home with his parents to California.
Evan’s birth inspired Pinkwasser to write a book about adoption. The idea came to her before bed one night while she was vacationing with her husband in Croatia. On the flight home, she wrote the first draft of her book, using his initials ESP, to come up with the title.
Several years passed before Pinkwasser began to seriously think about publishing her book. When she retired after more than 20 years as a pediatric physical therapist from the Kyrene School District, her husband encouraged her to finally pursue her dream.
“I didn’t even know where to begin,”
she said. “Luckily I was able to find an editor and illustrator online who really helped me with the entire process.”
The book is a story of adoption told entirely from the unborn child’s point of view. By thinking very hard, ESP sends out a message to find forever parents who will come to the hospital and take him home to be part of a loving family.
The character recognizes the struggles of his birth mother, knowing that while she loves him, she can’t keep him.
The interactive book also provides simple questions on each page to engage the child in the story and to spark conversation about adoption. The book is also intended to involve the child in the adventure to find forever parents.
“This book is a wonderful vehicle to discuss adoption with children, especially those who have been adopted, and for adults who are curious about adoption,” Pinkwasser said. “It also is beneficial for anyone who has a friend or relative who was adopted.”
Pinkwasser and her husband are soon traveling to New Orleans to promote the book at the National Adoption Conference: Helping to Healing, which brings social workers, attorneys, agencies, government workers, and other professionals together to explore research and exchange best practices.
“ESP That’s Me!” is available on Amazon, and in paperback and Kindle versions.
Sept. 20-Oct. 20, 2016
New “Octonauts” episodes are premiering throughout the year on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, but check out the characters live here.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix
COST: $28.50 to $38.50
INFO: 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster. com or octonautsliveus.com
All local Girl Scouts, from Daisies to Ambassadors, can earn a patch at this event.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Kiwanis Park, 5500 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
COST: $31 for Girl Scouts; $41 for nonGirl Scouts
INFO: 602-452-7000 or girlscoutsaz.org
Kids can partake in interactive learning fun during family storytime, which is open to family members of all ages.
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Rd., Tempe
COST: Free
INFO: 480-350-5500, tempe.gov
The three-day event features more than 25 waterslides with the centerpiece being the 42-feet high Dropkick Slide. Adult night is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, with music, drinks and Slip N Slides.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 23, to Monday, Sept. 25, various times
WHERE: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $20 to $60 INFO: saltriverfields.com
The Brazilian Day Festival is a great opportunity for families to experience Brazilian bands, dancers, performers, DJs, martial arts, food and drinks.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale
COST: $15
INFO: 480-499-8587, braziliandayarizona.com
Experience the spirit and flavors of Greece at the outdoor party that includes traditional Greek food, products, music, kids’ zone and
costumed folk dancing.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 2716 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler COST: $3
INFO: 480-899-3330 or st-katherine.org
Fifty dragon boat racing teams from around the world are expected to participate in 40-foot-long rowing canoes.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Tempe Town Lake Marina, 550 E. Tempe Town Lake, Tempe COST: Free INFO: azdba.com
The annual party brings the fall fun with Hillbilly Bob’s pig races, spooky train rides, live entertainment, a celebrity 10acre maze, bonfires, pumpkin patch and hayrides.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 30, various times Thursday through Sundays.
WHERE: Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek COST: $15 tickets available at Fry’s Food Stores INFO: schnepffarms.com
Bring tots ages 2 to 5 to storytime in Butterfly Wonderland’s birthday room.
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale
COST: $17.95 to $19.95; children 2 and younger are free INFO: 480-800-3000 or butterflywonderland.com
10 Chandler Indian Art Market and Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program
The festival features Native American art from artists all over the Southwest.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the art market; Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. for scholarship program.
WHERE: Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
COST: Free for market; $5 to $10 for scholarship program
INFO: http://bit.ly/2c8zxx4
While some Arizonans readily welcome cooler temperatures, others are chomping at the bit to bask in some sweet heat as hatch green chiles come into season.
Admittedly, there’s nothing that tastes quite as Southwestern as a spicy dish infused with the delicious aroma and tantalizing taste of fresh hatch green chiles. In Arizona, the hatch green chile harvest has become a culinary celebration and the first batches are rolling in to Bashas’, Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods locations across Arizona.
“Hatch green chiles bring an unmatched roasted flavor and heat to enchiladas, chile rellenos, cheeseburgers, and other delectable dishes that are sure to kick your spicy appetite into full gear,” said Cisco Echeverria, director of sales and merchandising for Food City.
These bright, spicy chiles known for their signature flavor and mildto-hot heat levels, are available for purchase at every local Bashas’, Food City, and AJ’s Fine Foods. In season until the end of September, the chiles are harvested from New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley Chile Company and are available from the grocers either
by the pound or in 30-pound bulk bags.
“Despite the short window of seasonality, many people stock up during the season, freezing the Hatch Green Chiles for use all year-round,” Echeverria said.
But green chiles aren’t just about the flavor. They have numerous health benefits. For instance, one medium pepper has the same amount of vitamin C as six oranges. Also, the heat of the peppers triggers a thermodynamic burn in the body that speeds up an individual’s metabolism. And cold and flu season ramps up, chile-based teas and lozenges will prove to be a valuable tool in helping treat sore throats.
In addition, nearly all Food City locations, and select Bashas’ locations, are roasting hatch green chiles for customers at no charge. Shoppers should check with their neighborhood store for roasting dates and times. Stores are also offering homemade dishes such as cornbread and shredded beef with hatch green chiles for purchase.
For more information, visit bashas. com, myfoodcity.com or ajsfinefoods. com.
By Jill Pertler
We’re in the middle of a presidential election year (boy are we ever) and the nation is firmly focused on the next four years. What will they bring? Will things change, or stay the same?
My household is experiencing a similar situation, although our focus has nothing to do with campaign strategies, polls or votes. We are staring down the nose of four more years. Our last four.
It’s the number we have to go before our youngest son graduates from high school.
For us, it’s been a long time coming. When our son receives his diploma in four years (oh, please make it so) we will have spent 23 consecutive years in school. Or at least our kids will have. But any parent knows education is a family affair.
Our daughter first rode the kindergarten bus back in the last
millennium. The year was 1997. We had a Clinton in the White House. Our family didn’t possess even one cellphone, much less six. No one had heard of the Google because it was a year away from being invented. We watched “Titanic” and “Men in Black” on the big screen. The federal minimum wage increased from $4.75 per hour to $5.15. The first Harry Potter book was released leaving us all talking about Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Three years later, when our son started school, George Bush and Al Gore ended campaigns in a presidential election that left us chatting about chads. Global Positioning System, better known as GPS, became available for nonmilitary use and the first hybrid car hit the roads. The reality show, “Survivor,” hit the small screen. Movie theaters premiered the first “Scary Movie,” and our favorite stranded castaway of the year wasn’t Gilligan, but Tom Hanks (and his volleyball). A U.S. postage stamp cost 33 cents and a gallon of gas went for about $1.50. Fans were reading the fourth book in the Harry Potter series.
Child No. 3 (and son No. 2) entered kindergarten in 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California. By this time my husband and I were pros at following the bus to school the first day so we could get a photo of our child descending the vehicle’s steps. If we’d been hip, we would have used the newly invented camera phone, but we have never been that cutting edge. In 2003 I was still using a 35mm that required film. Imagine! Apple launched a new music store called iTunes and Skype was released to the public. Facebook was a year away from existence. Families throughout the country were intent on finding Nemo while Will Ferrell played a lovable elf in movie theaters. At a whopping 766 pages, the fifth Harry Potter book hit the shelves. Our little caboose rode the kindergarten bus in 2007. It was the same year a senator from Illinois named Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president. The first generation iPhone came equipped with a new feature—a touchscreen. The savviest among us posted our kindergarten videos on YouTube (created in 2004) and limited our
commentary to 140 characters or less on Twitter, which had been around for just a couple of years. The show “Mad Men” premiered and viewers watched the final episode of “The Sopranos.” The federal minimum wage increased for the first time in a decade, from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour and gas cost about $2.80 a gallon. The seventh book about Harry Potter was published, giving readers the satisfaction that Voldemort finally got his comeuppance and good guys occasionally do win in the end.
My family’s long-term relationship with public education will be complete in four more years. The world has changed in significant ways since we started this journey 19 years ago and there are more unfolding as we speak. The newest book in the Harry Potter series is available for diehard fans. And, perhaps even more noteworthy, in January a new president will enter the White House. It’s a pivotal period for the wizarding world and our nation. I hope things go well for both. As I do for my son’s next four years. High school is also a pivotal period and I hope his experience is not only magical but presidential.
By Erica Odello
Anyone who has flown in the last decade has flipped through Skymall. One of the most memorable products was the “Zombie of Montclaire Moors” sculpture, which appears to be clawing its way out of the owner’s yard. I’ve always loved the concept, but never wanted to spend more than $120 for the novelty. I have since realized I could make my own, and Halloween is going to be a little spookier this year.
You will need: a 25-pound box of rapid-set cement, two 1 foot x 3/8 inch rebar, bucket and stir, bucket, one set of dollar store cleaning gloves, full face monster mask (check thrift shops, I found mine for only $2.99), duct tape, length of bamboo broken into three pieces and outdoor paint.
Step 1
Use duct tape to cover the eye and nose holes of the monster mask. Make sure to put the tape on the outside of the mask or else an imprint of the shape of the tape will remain on your cast. Empty 2/3 of the concrete to your bucket and slowly add water until you’ve achieved a consistency similar to a milkshake. Have someone hold the mask open and pour the concrete into it filling every nook and cranny. Put two holes in the mask, one on either side of the face and thread the bamboo through the holes so the face is hanging down. Suspend the mask from the bamboo pole until the concrete solidifies. (If you lay the mask on the ground to solidify, it will
flatten and not retain a humane-like shape.)
Step 2
You will need a way to suspend the two gloves while you fill them with concrete. I happened to have two bulk-sized snack canisters which did the trick. A 5-gallon bucket would also work, or two piles of bricks or wood. Put holes through the tops of each glove, then use the remaining two pieces of bamboo to thread through the holes. Suspend the gloves by the bamboo.
Mix the rest of the concrete, again going for a milkshake-like consistency. Pour into each of the gloves until there’s only about 1 inch left at the top.
While the concrete is setting, use rocks to bend the fingers into clawlike positions. Take care not to bend the fingers at very extreme angles or the fingers could break when you’re removing the gloves.
When the concrete is just about to solidify, insert one piece of rebar into each glove, about halfway. They should stand up straight without any help.
Step 3
You can remove the castings from their molds as early as two hours after setting. I recommend waiting overnight, however. You can tell that the process is finished when
the concrete is no longer hot to the touch. Carefully strip the plastic away from the concrete mold. You may have to use a razor blade on some of the tighter areas of the fingers. If done carefully, the rubber mask can be removed without cutting and be reused for more castings.
When the concrete is set and cooled, it can be painted. I made two sets of monsters, one for me and one for my kids. They wanted their zombie to have a greenish pallor so I used a can of green spray paint on their monster. I left mine concrete gray because we know that dead flesh turns gray over time, or so say zombie movies. After
the spray paint, it was just a matter of decorating the heads and faces to look like zombies. I only used red, white and black outdoor acrylic paint and mixed it with water when I needed it
to spread like a bruise or a shadow. If you end up with a very easy to identify monster mask like I did (Frankenstein), the paint can do wonders for hiding clues that your zombie started out as a more famous character. A well-placed bruise, ripped flesh or streak of blood can cover a lot of stitches and bolts. NOTE: I broke a number of monster fingers when I was removing the gloves from the cast. I glued them back on and used red paint (blood) to hide the fractures and glue. I even left one finger off, painted the break black and put a dab of white in the middle to indicate where a bone would be.
The only thing left is to find a spot for your zombie to claw out of your yard. This will require some digging of two approximately 10-inch holes, but you want to make it look like the arms are emerging from the otherwise solid ground. For effect, you could leave some small piles of dirt in front of the hands. Clear out the top layer of rocks or dirt in the middle of the two hands and set 6 inches to 12 inches back for the head, then fill the earth back in around the edges. All that’s left now is to scare the neighbors with your very own yard zombie.
1. Officer Robin Atwood quizzed the students on the Mission Statement of the Chandler Police Department 2. Students walking into the Police Department. 3. Groups of 30 students rotated through different areas of the city. This was the first group to visit. 4. Students felt right at home in the main station. 5. Officer. Chip Sykes takes a photo with a student in the driver’s seat. 6. The patrol vehicle was a “hands on” exhibit. 7. The tour included visits to the main station holding facility. 8. Students had a question and answer session with crime prevention officers.
On Aug. 24 students from Santan Elementary School visited the Police Department as part of a municipal civics field trip. The third graders toured the Police Department main station. They also enjoyed presentations from Aquatics, Fire Health and Medical, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Photos by the Chandler Police Department. 6 7
By Alison Stanton
The Crystal Card Project proves it is possible to take something that many people throw away, transform it into a useful thing of beauty and sell it to raise money for a worthy cause.
Charlene Petragallo recently cofounded the Crystal Card Project with Bobbie Reed and Kathy Skrei.
The Sun Lakes residents are collecting new and used greeting cards, which they—along with the rest of the Crystal Card Project volunteers—are repurposing into new cards that they will then sell.
The money they raise will be donated to My Sister’s Place, a domestic violence shelter in Chandler.
Earlier this year, Petragallo said she, Reed and Skrei received a Crystal Award from the Sun Lakes community, an award that recognizes their commitment to volunteering.
“We thought we would piggyback off of the Crystal Award and start an on-going project,” Petragallo said.
Petragallo said they were inspired to start the Crystal Card Project after her neighbor, Diana Berry, told her about a similar project in Illinois.
“My friend started her project all by herself about 15 years ago,” Berry said.
“Since then she has raised over $100,000 for the Women’s Crisis Center in Elgin (Illinois). I have been buying and sending her cards all along. Charlene and I kept saying ‘We should do that,’” Berry said.
Petragallo said she was impressed by the amount of money that Berry’s friend raised by selling repurposed greeting cards.
“This was just amazing to me, and so I thought that if we took the power of a community like Sun Lakes and built awareness and pride in our project, every year we can write a huge check for My Sister’s Place,” Petragallo said.
Twice a month, Petragallo said, 12 to 15 women gather together to repurpose the donated cards. They cut off the front of the card and trim it down, then remove the inside message. They attach the pieces onto
accent paper and card stock.
“It is not limited to women only— anyone can come. The cards are turning out really pretty,” Petragallo said.
Petragallo said people can drop off their old cards at any of the clubhouses located in Sun Lakes. She hopes to have additional drop-off locations in Chandler.
“We want people to get used to the
idea of not tossing their cards but dropping them off,” she said. “We ask that people leave the inside message on the card and donate the whole card.”
The group is also looking for monetary donations to offset the cost of making the cards, as well as envelopes, card stock and other crafting supplies.
“Every dollar that people donate,
we can leverage into even more money for the crisis center,” she said.
Petragallo said that so far, the community has reacted positively to the Crystal Card Project.
“We have gotten a wonderful response from local card stores that have donated envelopes and the Intel Corporation has been very generous as well,” she said.
Berry said she really enjoys working with the other women on the Crystal Card Project.
“I have sort of gotten addicted to the process. It’s been fun to see if we can make the new card even prettier or more fun than the old one,” Berry said.
Petragallo said she hopes that everyone in the area will have a drawer full of birthday, sympathy and other greeting cards, all made by the members of the Crystal Card Project.
“We want people to be proud to give, and honored to receive a Crystal Card.”
For more information about the Crystal Card Project, or to make a donation or volunteer, contact Petragallo at 480-883-0782 or thecrystalcardproject@gmail.com.
Sept. 20-Oct. 20, 2016
Christie Huff & Band
Los Angeles-based country pop singer
Christie Huff hails from Mesa, and comes in support of her new album “Roll the Dice” on iTunes and Spotify.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: SoZo Coffeehouse, 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler
COST: Free
INFO: 480-726-7696, sozocoffee.org or christiehuffmusic.com
One Love Festival ft. Tony! Toni! Toné!, Ginuwine, Adina Howard, Purple Reign, Ishmael Soul and Shining Star
It probably “Feels Good” to see soul and R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné! with Ginuwine, famous for “Pony,” at the One Love Festival, also featuring tribute bands to Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 24, at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler COST: $40 to $110
INFO: 480-502-5600 or rawhide.com
Firefly
Winners of the Arizona Country Showdown, songwriters and Nashville recording artists, Firefly has shared the stage as opening acts for Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Martina McBride, David Archuleta and Donny
Osmond.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $18 to $24
INFO: 480-782-2683, chandlercenter. org or iheartfirefly.com
Sara Evans
Award-winning country singer Sara Evans is best known for her songs “No Place That Far,” “Perfect” and “Suds in the Bucket.”
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $48 to $99
INFO: 800-946-4452 or wingilariver. com
Steven Banas
Local singer/songwriter with indie rock influences, Steven Banas takes the stage at SoZo Coffeehouse singing songs he wrote in anticipation of his debut album “When This Journey Begins,” which comes out soon.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: SoZo Coffeehouse, 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler COST: Free INFO: 480-726-7696, sozocoffee.org or facebook.com/stevenbanasmusic
Get the Led Out—American Led Zeppelin
The tribute act Get the Led Out focuses on Led Zeppelin’s early years, touching on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert.
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $22 to $36
INFO: 480-782-2683 or chandlercenter.org
By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
Chandler residents have another delicious dining destination: Ahipoki Bowl.
The Hawaiian-inspired diced seafood concept arrived in Arizona this year. Ahipoki Bowl, which originated in California in 2015, has six locations including one in Scottsdale. Managing partners Jason Jantzen and Mike Zimmerman expanded the concept with the launch of a second Arizona location in Chandler at 820 N. 54th St. on July 21.
A healthy alternative
Today, more people are seeking fast, healthy meals. Ahipoki Bowl offers a variety of fresh seafood, signature sauces and toppings, perfect for those looking for low-calorie, high-protein options.
“We call this guilt-free eating,” said Jantzen. “It makes a great light lunch or dinner but it’s also extremely filling.”
When you arrive at Ahipoki Bowl, you’ll make your way up to the counter to place your order by first selecting a size: regular (two scoops) or large (three scoops).
From there, you’ll move on to choose your base of either white rice, brown rice, organic green salad or half and half. Then, you’ll pick between avocado, crab meat or onion as a side item before selecting your main dish: tuna, spicy tuna, salmon, albacore or yellowtail or fully cooked options like shrimp, octopus and scallops. Vegetarian meals are also available.
Next, you’ll pick from Ahipoki Bowl’s four unique sauces including house, house spicy, spicy creamy and
sweet citrus.
“The sauce really adds a lot of flavor,” Jantzen said. “Our most popular is the house sauce.”
Finally, you’ll choose from toppings like masago, ginger, wasabi, fresh cucumber, seaweed salad, roasted seaweed, jicama, crab meat, daikon sprouts, sesame seeds, crispy onions, green onions or chili flakes.
House-brewed teas such as Thai tea, made with cream and sugar, unsweetened matcha green tea and a tropical tea blend consisting of mango and passion fruit, complement the bowl.
Ahipoki Bowl utilizes only the highest quality ingredients and fresh seafood, which are prepared daily.
The restaurant prides itself on being fast and affordable for everyone from business professionals to busy families, by offering regular bowls for $8.95 and large bowls for $10.75. An extra scoop of protein is an additional $1.75.
Future plans
In the spring, a third Arizona Ahipoki Bowl location in Tempe near Rural and University is expected to open, with more locations on the horizon.
“We are looking at four or five more locations in Arizona based on the popularity of the concept,” Jantzen said. “Our success has exceeded well beyond our expectations.”
By Jan D’Atri
I just love this recipe. For so many reasons. Not the least of which is the name: hamburger pancakes.
I also love the stories behind the recipe. Hamburger pancakes were made popular during wartime when rationing was top of mind.
Here what one of my favorite vintage cookbooks, “Cooking On a Ration,” said about 1943:
“We have taken a sudden nosedive from happy-go-lucky splashing about with plenty of whipping cream, pounds
of butter and rib roasts to conserving our precious food supply, making it stretch,” it read. “Women have been whirled into dizzy readjustments and are showing dauntless spirit and resolve to turn out delectable food with whatever materials may be available.”
These were times of battle and belttightening. Fancy dishes like Entrecote a la Bourguignon were likely replaced by recipes simply titled, wartime stew and victory pie.
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church will be transformed into a mini Greek village when “A Taste of Greece” returns Friday, Sept. 30, to Sunday, Oct. 2.
“A Taste of Greece” offers a weekend celebration with traditional Greek foods, imports, music and costumed folk dancing.
All proceeds benefit St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church and related philanthropic activities and community charities. The church is a nonprofit organization.
Admission is $3; kids younger than 12 are free. A buy one get one free admission coupon is available at atasteofgreeceaz.com.
Parking is free at Seton High School, 1150 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler, from which a shuttle bus will take patrons. Handicap parking is available on the church grounds.
“We’re proud to carry on a tradition from a homeland rich with unique tastes and culture,” said spokesman Sam Kladis. “A Taste of Greece represents all that the Greek culture has to offer. You don’t have to be Greek to enjoy the Greek food festival. There’s something here for everyone. You can experience the flavors of Greece right in Chandler.”
Meatball pancakes (or hamburger pancakes) was one of those simple and dollar-stretching dishes that should have never left our recipe box.
I’ve received several emails over time from readers sharing their recipe for these unique and savory pancakes. They’re a favorite for busy moms as they come together quickly.instant!
They can be a main meal served with tomato sauce or as a finger food appetizer with catsup!
Here’s a recipe and story from Marty Grotlisch:
“It was World War II and I was just out of college,” Marty said. “I was on a radio show in Kansas City called The Happy Kitchen. As that was some 64 years ago, memories dim, but such fun it was! We always included at least one recipe. When my ‘true love returned from the Battle of the Bulge, we married and I left with a suitcase full of recipes.”
Well, Marty, I’m glad this one went
packing with you. After making your wartime meatball pancakes, it was a battle to the finish in our family for the last one on the plate!
Marty’s Meatball Pancakes
Ingredients:
3 egg yolks, beaten 1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1 tablespoon grated onion
3 stiffly beaten egg whites
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced parsley
Directions:
Mix together first eight ingredients and then fold in the beaten egg whites. Drop by spoonfuls onto hot greased griddle. When puffed and brown, turn and brown on other side. Serve warm with sauce or catsup.
For most, the highlight of the threeday festival is the food. Weeks prior to the event, several dozen church volunteers work to hand-prepare dishes such as Dolmathes (grapevine leaves stuffed with ground beef, seasoned rice and herbs), Spanakopita (thin filo dough filled with spinach and cheeses) and Pastichio (Greek lasagna, baked macaroni and ground beef covered in béchamel sauce).
Homemade pastries will be available like Baklava (filo dough filled with nuts and spices), Kourabiedes (a rich, shortbread-like cookies covered with powdered sugar) and Loukoumathes (pastry puffs sweetened with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon).
Greek music will fill the air, and performances by Greek Folk Dancers in authentic costumes promise to add to the atmosphere. For festival-goers who like to get involved there will be dance workshops. Shoppers will enjoy the “agora” marketplace offering arts and crafts, Greek imports, jewelry, CDs, books and icons.
Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct 1, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2.
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By Alison Stanton
Darrell
Peruch,
owner of A-Authentic Garage Door Service Co., understands how stressful it can be to discover that the garage door will not open.
This knowledge inspired him to offer emergency service to his customers, often within an hour.
“When we get a phone call from a customer who is saying, ‘Oh my gosh, my springs broke in my garage door and I need to get out.’ we can usually get there really fast,” he said. “I am sure to staff appropriately so we can get to customers that quickly most of the time.”
The company’s motto reflects this same commitment to the customers, Peruch said.
“Our tagline is ‘We will be there when you need us,’” he said.
Since A-Authentic Garage Door Service Co. opened in 1999, Peruch said they have strived to offer topnotch garage door service and replacement services.
“We repair or replace garage doors and openers. We can work with anybody who has a garage door, including light commercial customers,” Peruch said.
Although Peruch said there are not a lot of changes that take place in the garage door industry, he said they do stay abreast of the latest technology and products.
For example, the Wi-Fi garage door
openers are catching the eye and interest of customers, he said.
“They are MyQ compatible, and you can open and close your garage door with your iPhone,” he said.
Wi-Fi openers are ideal for people who routinely get to work and ask themselves “Did I close my garage door?”
“You can check from your phone if it is closed. This way, if it was left open it won’t be open all day, and people won’t come back home and find that everything in the garage is gone,” he said.
Peruch said he is proud of his company’s many repeat customers and numerous referrals.
Peruch also likes knowing that he and his staff are helping people, some of whom are dealing with an emergency situation.
“Our customers have a problem and they are stuck in their garages and can’t get out, so we get there and help them. Our customers are happy, we are happy, and then we move onto the next person,” Peruch said.
“Knowing that we are helping people is a very rewarding experience.”
A-Authentic Garage Door Service Co. is located at 22051 N. 23rd Ave., Phoenix. For more information, call 480-635-8114 or visit arizonagaragedoors.com. In Tucson, call 740-1050.
