Desert Breeze: December 2015

Around

Being thankful

From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop

With the holidays upon us I wanted to take a moment and publicly give thanks. I have been particularly blessed this year. My son and I walked away from a terrible triple roll-over accident earlier in the year, and so I am thankful for my health and my life as well as the life of my son. In relation to that, I am thankful for my wife of 23 (almost 24) years and my other three children. Tamara is the driving force for me to continually improve myself. I married a woman with whom I am constantly running to catch up to. Tamara and the kids are always there for me and support me in every way as a father and husband. I couldn’t ask for a more devoted family. I

Thomas Chamberlain

am also so thankful for my extended family... my wonderful team! I am so grateful for their support, their positive attitude and how we find synergy when we work together each day. My amazing staff makes the days so fun and enjoyable. I am grateful that we each keep focused on continually reaching and achieving our goals. I know my staff and my family joins me when I say we are grateful for our patients in the community. We love the people of Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert and we couldn’t think of a better place to serve such wonderful people. Truly, you, our patients are the reason we exist and we know that very well. Because of that, we are constantly striving for excellence in order to make your experience the best it can be.

Lastly, I am grateful for the One Being who made all this possible. I believe our freedoms in

this country are heaven sent and all that we have comes from that God who gave us life and liberty. May you all be blessed at that season of year and throughout 2016

Two Chandler Locations: 3800 W. Ray Road (Ray & McClintock)

1055 W. Queen Creek Rd. (Queen Creek and Alma School)

Dental Implants

Permanent solution to tooth loss

People who have lost teeth might often feel too self-conscious to smile or talk in public. Additionally, early tooth loss can change eating habits and facial appearance and lead to secondary health problems.

Although you have a number of options for the replacement of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as dental implants. In many cases, dental implants are the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functioning of the teeth and supporting structures; dental implants provide a simple remedy with proven results.

Dental implants are stronger and more durable than bridges and dentures. Implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss and are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth.

They are proven to preserve the jaw bone, gums and the adjacent natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that their teeth appear natural and that their facial contours will be preserved. We offer state-of-the-art technologies and Dr. Shah is constantly implementing the latest techniques to provide you with the best care available. Patients who come to us can smile with confidence. For a consultation, please call Dr. Shah at 480.814.9500. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Board Certified, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Nearby News monthly contest

Please include your name and phone number in your email. We will contact our winner by January 20, 2016. Good Luck! Congratulations to this month’s lucky winner: AMY TERABERRY, who found the fake ad, “Save

Last Month’s Fake Ad

President Steve T. Strickbine

Executive Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Associate Editors

Ken Abramczyk, Kenneth LaFave

Graphic Design

Erica Odello, Paul Braun, Amy Civer, Nicole La Cour

Administration Courtney Oldham

Contributors

Jacqueline Bradford, Sydney Cariel, Jan D’Atri, Kimberly Hosey, Jill Pertler, Tim J. Randall, Laurie Struna

Contact the Nearby News at (480) 348-0343 • Fax: (480) 348-2109 Editor@NearbyNews.com

For more information visit our website at www.NearbyNews.com

The 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:

Information provided by the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department

New development and improvements coming to downtown

Chandler’s Entertainment District is getting a new first-class, one-of-a-kind entertainment project.

Construction is slated to begin soon.

e 60,000-square-foot mixed-used development named “ e Row” will be located on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. It will include cinema that offers food and drinks, as well as space for retail/restaurants.

Because e Row will be located in an area used for parking, the City is making additional parking available once construction begins and the area is fenced off. e temporary lots will be located:

• between Oregon and Dakota streets, south of Chandler Boulevard

• at the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Buffalo Street, south of the Jack in the Boxl

• As a reminder, free public parking also is available in three parking garages along Arizona Avenue.

• e City’s parking garage located across the street from City Hall is available 24 hours a day. e parking garages located directly behind the Ports America and First Credit Union buildings are available after 5 p.m. during the week and all day on weekends.

Free parking while you enjoy downtown Chandler definitely is a great amenity. And if you haven’t visited downtown Chandler lately, come on down and take a closer look as things have changed. Within the last year, there have been several businesses added to the mix.

Peixoto Coffee, located at 11 W. Boston St., offers delicious coffee from its family farm in Brazil in a warm and chic coffee lounge. Crust Pizza is adjacent to the San Marcos Hotel and is known for its pizza and garlic knots. Located directly below Crust

Chandler is e Ostrich, a speakeasy, craft cocktail bar and lounge. Inspired by the rich history dating back to the City’s founding days of 1912, it’s now open after nearly a year of renovations.

Alta Steelyard Lofts is the newest apartment community in the downtown with an urban, upscale vibe. Located at the corner of Washington Street and Frye Road, the 301-unit complex incorporates the City’s history and industrial feel in its décor.

ere also are several water and infrastructure improvements taking place through May. ese improvements are needed to replace aging infrastructure and to accommodate future downtown growth.

Stay tuned for new businesses coming soon: e Brickyard Downtown, an upscale and contemporary restaurant and bar, located at 85 W. Boston; Chicago 55, nestled next to e Perch, will feature specialty craft beverages and food; and Ice Cream Sammies, featuring homemade ice cream and homemade cookies to make one delicious ice cream “sammie.”

To stay connected with all the excitement happening in the downtown, visit chandleraz.gov/ downtown. e updated website features the latest parking info, links to fun things to do, current projects as well as how to do business in Chandler.

Marathon fun for runners;

By Jacqueline Bradford

More than 20,000 participants will run, sprint, walk and dance throughout Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix during the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

Series Saturday, Jan. 16, and Sunday, Jan. 17.

Officials with the race said the 5K, 10K and half marathon will begin and end around Tempe. Meanwhile, the full marathon begins in Phoenix and cuts through Scottsdale before ending in downtown Tempe,

Before the races begin, runners and guests can peruse the Phoenix Convention Center during an expo designed to promote health and fitness.

“Race weekend will kick off with the free health and fitness expo where participants pick up their T-shirts

and goodie bags, along with over 80 exhibits and vendors with the latest and greatest in nutrition and athletic apparel,” Cruz said.

Those toys aren’t just noisy— they’re dangerous

By Dr. Jennifer Hensley, family

and youth

resource specialist

at the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing

As holiday season gears up more people are shopping for toys.

December will be spent walking up and down toy aisles trying to find just the right gift for the little one on your list. When shopping for the perfect gift, you may look at age appropriateness, price and other warning labels. But how often do you consider the noise level of the toys?

Topping the noisy toy list:

Bruin R/C Racer—103 dB near the ear, 74 dB at arm’s length

Disney: Sofia the First, Time to Shine

Sing-Along Boombox—102 dB near the ear, 76 dB at arm’s length

Leap Frog: My Talking LapPup—100 dB near the ear, 74 dB at arm’s length

Blue Sky: e Peanuts Movie, Happy Dance Snoopy—96 dB near the ear, 78 dB at arm’s length

Barbie: Rock ‘N’ Royals Rock Star Guitar—94 dB near the ear, 75 dB at arm’s length

“People come from all over to experience the tremendous location that is the Valley of the Sun,” said Dan Cruz, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon spokesman. “ is is a great way to bring the communities together and promote the area.”

e marathon will feature live performances and cheerleaders throughout the races to encourage runners. At the finish line, runners will be greeted with a headlining performer.

“ e Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon makes running fun,” Cruz said. “ e people who don’t necessarily look at themselves as competitive runners are able to have a great experience. It has changed the game of the sport of running overnight.”

According to Cruz, runners can partake in free clinics, and conversations with past Olympians and other experts in the sport of running.

Charity is a big part of the mission of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, an eligible race for St. Jude’s Heroes, a program that allows individuals to fundraise directly for St. Jude Christian’s Research Hospital.

Cruz said more than $320 million has been raised since the beginning of the series by working with thousands of local, national and international charities, including St. Jude.

“We have a tremendous history of working with and providing a tremendous venue for charities to raise money,” Cruz added. “All they have to do is show up with the runners.”

You won’t often find the decibel reading on a toy’s warning label, but the noise level can be detrimental to a child’s hearing.

Listen up— it’s important

Did you know that noise is the No. 1 cause of hearing loss? By first grade, less than 1 percent of children have hearing loss but by the time they are teenagers, 20 percent of children will have some level of hearing loss. Some toys with sound or noise components could be the cause for this loss. How can you tell how much is too much when it comes to noise levels?

Star Wars: e Force Awakens: Chewbacca Electronic Mask—92 dB near the ear, 79 dB at arm’s length

When shopping for your precious little ones, remember these precautionary measures: Does the toy have volume control? If there is no way to turn down the volume, the child will be exposed to whatever decibel level that naturally comes with the toy.

Is there an on/off switch for the volume? An on/off switch is a great capability for the child to still be able to enjoy the toy without the risk of damage to their hearing.

According to the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association, 85 decibels (dB) is the maximum volume a child should be exposed to for no more than eight hours. Decibels are a unit of measurement to gauge volume, and decibel volume is measured in several industries, including construction and engineering, to ensure hearing safety. Sounds more than 100 dB can damage hearing in less than 15 minutes of exposure.

“ e distance at which the decibels are measured can be misleading, because chances are, children aren’t using these toys at arm’s length,” said Michele Michaels, hard of hearing specialist at the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. How do you know which toys are safe and which should be left off your shopping list?

Does the toy seem loud to you? If the noise level seems loud to you, it probably will be just as loud or louder to the little one playing with it.

As toy shopping season rounds the corner, take a few extra precautions to make sure your child is getting a toy they love, but is also safe. Once the toys are in their hands, you also can monitor their usage when they are playing with the toys as well as watching TV and listening to loud music. Keep solid time and volume limits to ensure the kids aren’t exposed to too much noise. Noise-reducing headphones are also a great gift to accompany any sound-bearing device.

Enjoy the holidays with your family members by making sure their hearing is protected.

For more information, please visit www.acdhh.org.

Nortey working to reveal ‘true’ Africa

By Kaity Klonowski

As a child living under the rule of a militant dictator in Ghana, Esther Nortey slowly became passionate about Africa.

Born in 1978, Nortey attended a school for visual arts at one of the most prestigious boarding schools in Ghana before leaving for the United States.

“I left the shores of Ghana when I was 21 years old and, even though I had previously traveled to Europe, I was unprepared for my experience in the United States.” Nortey said.

She said she felt like an endangered species while in the United States.

“I was suddenly from a ‘continent’ full of hungry children running around naked, living in huts and dying of weird, uncontrolled diseases. I was one of those people who needed a savior!” she said.

Nortey will share her experiences with “Africa: A Misunderstood Continent” at the Sunset Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. e presentation will focus on the often-overlooked aspects of Africa,

such as the people, the culture and the economic contributions of Africa to the world.

“We welcome adults and teens to this presentation, but teens especially might be interested in some of this information.” Said Sunset Librarian Lindsay Atwood.

Nortey seeks to break the stereotypes that many people place upon the continent of Africa. She said wants people to know that Africa is a vast continent, and not one country.

“Most people I’ve met only know ‘Africa’ through the eyes of the media or ads for nonprofit organizations; well, so here I am—on a mission to share with the world, what the media would never dare to show you,” Nortey said.

Nortey’s presentation will reveal Africa for what it truly is and will discuss its people, their varied colors and cultures, the country’s infrastructure, and its economic contributions.

e Sunset Library is located at 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 782-2800.

‘Bad

guys doing good’

Stormtrooper group looks forward to ‘The Force Awakens’

Dressing up as a Stormtrooper as part of the 501st Legion is more than just play to Chandler resident Michael Betsko. It’s an opportunity to coax a smile out of the most cynical people.

Members of the local Dune Sea Garrison and its parent organization, 501st Legion, put their costumes to good use taking part in charity events like the MS Walk and visits to children’s hospitals.

“I’ve been to Phoenix Children’s Hospital twice,” Betsko said. “I’ve done Comicon, obviously, Make-aWish Foundation, some fundraising events. Just yesterday, I was at an event—Clara’s Run—for a young girl who passed away last year.”

e garrison, which has been around for 12-plus years, is especially popular now with the Friday, Dec. 18, release of “Star Wars: e Force Awakens,” the seventh episode in the film series. e latest chapter is cloaked in mystery, save for a few trailers.

Prospective members of the garrison or legion must be 18 and own a high-quality costume, many of which cost more than $1,000 and about 50 hours of manpower to create. For information about the group, visit www.501st.com or www. duneseagarrison.com.

“I’ve been with them just about a year,” Betsko said with a smile that was evident even over the phone. “I love it. It’s fantastic. You can’t get any better than working with the kids. e smiles on the kids’ faces make it all worth it.

“Plus, you get to wear the armor, which is really exciting—right—for any lifelong fan.”

He said it took a while for his wife to wrap her head around the concept, but she eventually grasped it.

“My kids, they’re not fazed by seeing dad in a Stormtrooper costume anymore,” he added. “ ey got used to it when they saw a roomful of them getting geared up.”

His young children have even gotten into the game. During a recent

“Star Wars Reads” program at the Hamilton Library, one son donned authentic Jango Fett gear while the other one was Kylo Ren.

“I bought that [Jango Fett] from another garrison member,” he said.

As for “ e Force Awakens,” the 40-year-old Betsko is actually looking forward to next year’s film, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” a story that’s set between Episode ree (“Revenge of the Sith”) and Episode Four (“A New Hope”).

Betsko is thrilled that his children are into “Star Wars,” a movie he saw as a “young guy.”

“My parents showed it to me,” he said. “When I was in college, I picked it back up. A lot of us got together and geeked out watching a lot of it. at’s when video games were really big. at became a bit of a driver. It was a common core for us.”

Workshop for Adults Ages 50 to 70

LEARN HOW TO:

• Know if you have enough money to retire

• Establish a plan to minimize your tax risk

• Protect your portfolio against stock market loss during retirement

• Use the 3 basic types of retirement accounts to maximize cash flow in retirement

• Develop strategies to maximize your social security income that include insulating it from potential taxes

• Avoid the three pitfalls of retirement distribution

• Understand if your portfolio is truly “diversified”

• Plan for incapacity due to illness or injury

• Reduce, or eliminate unwanted expenses or delays with estate planning

REGISTRATION FEE:

Workshop sizes are limited so register today! Advance registration is required. REGISTRATION FORM

-Mark Twain

THREE EASY WAYS TO REGISTER

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so”

1 Online Reservations: www.myretirementclass.com

2 Complete the registration form and mail with your check made payable to Adult Education Programs

Mailing Address: Adult Education Programs 14300 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 122 Scottsdale, AZ 85260

3 Call 480.448.6271 with questions or to register.

online please visit:

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP

You will find this workshop relevant if you are developing a retirement plan, nearing retirement, or recently retired. Regardless of your stage in the process, you’ll learn updated strategies that will help you build and preserve wealth in volatile times. Above all, this workshop is designed to help you assess your current financial position, then lay out a personalized roadmap that helps you achieve your retirement goals.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP MATTERS

Many of the retirement strategies utilized by your parents have grown outdated and may no longer have application to those looking to retire today. This workshop compares and contrasts the old retirement paradigms of yesteryear and the new paradigms of today as you prepare to retire

YOUR INSTRUCTORS

in the 21st century. You’ll discover how to insulate yourself from the risk of rising taxes, protect your Social Security from taxation, and avoid common pitfalls as you distribute your assets in retirement. Perhaps most importantly, this workshop will teach you how to develop a personalized strategy as you confront the challenges of retiring in a rapidly changing world.

BALANCED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

There’s a difference between taking your financial cues from media outlets and learning the basics of retirement planning from a trusted, reliable, unbiased source. This workshop is designed to give you an exhaustive and comprehensive view of financial education while uncovering the many new pitfalls that threaten to derail many retirees in the 21st century.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

RETIRING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

• The old retirement paradigm vs. the new paradigm

• How to create a clear vision for retirement

• Creating a retirement road map

• Keys to transitioning to retirement

TAX RATE RISK

• Why experts say tax rates could double

MAXIMIZING SOCIAL SECURITY

• The causes of Social Security taxation

• The Social Security thresholds you need to be aware of

• The real cost of Social Security taxation

• Strategies to eliminate Social Security taxation

• Social Security maximization strategies

Your instructors are Garry Madaline & John Kieber. Investment Advisory Services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. United Retirement Advisors Group, Inc. is not affiliated with Brookstone Capital Management. This event is not sponsored nor endorsed by ASU, Maricopa Community Colleges, the Social Security Administration or any other Government Agency.

PROVIDED IN THIS COURSE

UNBIASED APPROACH

Instead of focusing on a specific strategy or topic, this course takes a more comprehensive view of your retirement. This broad-based approach lays a foundation for proactive planning in an updated, 21st century context. Because of the educational nature of the workshop, no specific financial products are presented or discussed.

AN INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM SETTING

This course is taught by a nationwide network of instructors. These instructors are financial professionals from your community who bring to their workshops years of experience and knowledge from their careers in personal finance. They often supplement their presentation with real life stories and experiences to help personalize the principles and strategies taught in their workshops. This personal and interactive approach to the material helps make the educational process both practical and informative.

THE CHANGING WORLD OF RETIREMENT PLANNING™ WORKBOOKS

• How rising taxes may affect your retirement cash flow

• The “Catch 22” of 401k’s and IRA’s

• How lost deductions may affect your taxes in retirement

RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTION PLANNING

• The three basic retirement accounts

• How to accumulate dollars in the right types of accounts for retirement

• What’s better for you: taxdeferred or tax-advantaged accounts?

RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTION PITFALLS

• How the new rules on “Rate of Withdrawal” affect you

• How to ensure you won’t run out of money in retirement

• How to liquidate your retirement assets in the right order

• How to protect against “sequence of returns” risk

PROTECTING AGAINST MARKET LOSS

• The impact of dramatic market loss in retirement

• Is “buy and hold” appropriate in retirement?

two-volume set of workbooks.

As part of this course, you will receive a two volume set of workbooks that provides examples and illustrations designed to reinforce the concepts taught in the workshop. These workbooks help you follow along during the presentation and give you a step-by-step process to help implement the knowledge you obtain during the course.

OPTIONAL ONE-ON-ONE STRATEGY SESSION

If you have questions on how the principles you learned in this workshop apply specifically to your financial situation, you may arrange for a private strategy session with your instructor after the conclusion of the course. The strategy session is complimentary for all attendees but is not required.

• How to define a “true” taxadvantaged investment

• When should you convert to a Roth?

• How IRA’s and 401k’s cause Social Security taxation

• Strategies to reduce or eliminate taxes in retirement

ESTATE PLANNING

• Planning for incapacity

• Reducing estate taxes

• A will vs. a trust

• Types of trusts

• How to avoid probate

• Asset gifting

• Transferring property at death

• How to protect against the two types of investment risk

• How to protect your assets from stock market volatility

• Why “asset allocation” alone may not be enough

• How to truly diversify your retirement portfolio

LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING

• How a long-term care event may affect your retirement

• Medicaid spend-down rules

• Community spouse rules

• The 4 common alternatives to pay for long-term care

• Recent innovations in long-term care planning

For additional workshop dates, locations, more information, or to register online please visit: www.myretirementclass.com

Library offering Winter Reading Program for all ages

Kids, teens and adults can all “Chill Out with a Good Book” by participating in the Chandler Public Library’s Winter Reading Program. Participants through age 17 will receive a bingo card listing early literacy activities, and those who complete the card will earn a prize. e adult program also offers a bingo card and, after reading five

books, a slip may be turned in for a prize raffle.

“We wanted to offer an opportunity for the whole family to be involved in reading activities over the winter break from school,” said Rosanna Johnson, marketing assistant for the library. “Some school breaks are two or three weeks long, and it is

... continues on page 14

Share seeds with the library’s swap

By Kaity Klonowski

Beginning gardeners and those with a green thumb are invited to the Sunset Library’s sixth biannual seed swap from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25.

e seed swap is a free event during which local gardeners can share the abundance of seeds they have from the past season.

“We encourage people of all ages to come and swap seeds, or even just come get some seeds if they don’t have anything to share. It is not necessary to bring seeds in order to come,” said Lindsay Atwood, Sunset librarian.

e event usually hosts six to 10 community vendors, ranging from the Valley Permaculture Association, to the FIGG garden, to the Environmental Education Center. ese vendors educate attendees and answer any questions participants may have about growing their new seeds.

Additional tables are also set up for community members to share their seeds.

“People can display what they’ve got to share and talk to other gardeners. We have master gardeners and novice gardeners alike,” Atwood said.

e seed swap is open for anyone who wishes to attend. According to Atwood, it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Arizona gardening.

“It is a great place to talk to some experts to get some gardening advice, especially for Arizona transplants, who previously gardened in much more garden-friendly climates.” Atwood said.

Another seed swap will take place this spring, according to Atwood.

“In the Spring, you can expect to see lots of herbs, peas, sunflowers, tomatoes and cucumbers,” she said.

e Sunset Library is located at 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 782-2800.

neighborhood hearsay

In July of 2014, I ate the only pizza that ever made me say, “Who decided to put that on a pizza?” I was in the village of Saas-Fee in the Swiss Alps, where a typical summer day calls for a light jacket and a brisk walking pace to keep the cold at bay. It was noon and breakfast was a distant memory. As I walked the quaint streets in search of cowbells (yes, cowbells—they are all over the Alps), I noticed a little pizza place for the first time. Perfect! A glance at the menu showed a variety of toppings, listed in German. Sausages and other meats predominated, but one item stood out “Thunfisch.” Hmm. Tuna fish. On pizza. I’ll try it! This is where a true gourmet would say something like, “The unexpected texture of tuna with the tang of tomato blah blah.” But I am only a gourmand, and all I can say is this: Tuna is a good thing, pizza is a good thing, but tuna pizza is about as appetizing as curry ice cream—and please, if such a thing exists, I don’t want to know about it.

little Sally between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1? Send ’em to camp! Circus camp! Balancing! Juggling! Clowning around on stilts! And other things that take exclamation points! The Zoppe Circus Camp is a place where kids aged 8 to 13 can get a taste of what it’s like to be a circus professional. There’s even a little training on the low-wire. It happens at the Chandler Center for the Arts from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., daily. Cost is $99 per Timmy or Sally. Go to www. chandlercenter.org for more info.

Thursdays are underrated. We credit Wednesday for being “hump day,” and everyone gives thanks when Friday comes. What about poor Thursday? Three Chandler restaurants celebrate the forgotten day-of-the-week with Thursday specials: Fibber Magees, 1989 W. Elliot Rd. Wings and tenders are half-price, shooters are $4 each and all Captain Morgan drinks are $2 off. Make mine a Morgan Monster. Murphy’s Law, 58 S. San Marcos Pl. Thursday is Ladies Night at the Irish pub, with $3 Pinnacle cocktails and $4 Pinnacle martinis for the fairer sex (is it still OK to say that?), from 8 p.m. to closing. El Palacio, 2950 E. Germann Rd. Margaritas are $4, sangria is $5 and Mexican pints are a mere $3 on Thursdays. And don’t forget the $2 street tacos.

Sweaters Saguaros

Which brings us to a place that does know what to put on a pizza: Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria, coming to Chandler in February. Get a load of these, from the Bella Gusto menu: The Dr. Seuss, with quail egg, garlic oil, mortadella and grana padano cheese. The Triple P, featuring backfat bacon, goat cheese, figs, roasted mushrooms, arugula and pickled red onion. The Veggie Panzanella, a combination of roasted mushrooms, sun-dried tomato jam, squash blossoms, artichokes and red onion. Of course, you can also order pepperoni or plain ol’ cheese. Tuna is straight out. Bella Gusto will be located in a strip mall at 1964 N. Alma School Rd. For more menu items and additional info, go to www.bellagustoaz. com.

Post-Christmas letdown is a real drag for parents. After the rush of opening $2,576-worth of presents—or $34-worth if you shop like I do— the kids in your family fall into ennui, which is another way of saying “bored.” What to do with little Timmy and

Kid chefs wanted for healthy cooking contest

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is looking for the next great kid chef who can create a delicious and healthy side dish. Finalists will sample their dishes at the Feb. 6 Phoenix Suns home game. e contest is geared toward motivating Arizona kids to incorporate healthy options into their daily food choices.

For the sixth year, the company is looking for original, great-tasting and kid-inspired side dish recipes for the Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge.

Children ages 9 to 12 living anywhere in Arizona are encouraged to submit their healthy and tasty side dish creations for a chance to win a new bike. Finalists will also have an opportunity to prepare and share their masterpiece at a Phoenix Suns home game.

“One of the best ways to nurture healthy eating choices in kids is to encourage them to help prepare food using nutrition-rich ingredients,” said Myrna Collins, health promotion executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of

Arizona. “Over the course of the last five years we have been in awe of the creative and nutritious side dishes that kid chefs in Arizona have developed. We’re looking forward to seeing the creativity of our contestants this year.” Contestants can submit recipes anytime between Jan. 1 and Jan. 27. Recipes must be:

• An original recipe for a hot or cold side dish

• Include at least one fruit and/or vegetable

• Be able to be cooked within 20 minutes (not including prep time).

e top five recipes will be selected based on nutritional value, taste and originality. After the cooking demonstrations at Talking Stick Resort Arena, recipe details will be posted online at www.walkonaz.com for a public vote. Voting will be open from Feb. 6 to Feb. 17. Visit www.walkonaz.com for complete contest details and to submit a recipe. All entries must be submitted no later than Wednesday, Jan. 27.

important for kids to keep up their reading skills.”

A new twist in this year’s program, which runs through Jan. 9, is that participants can also rate the books they have read for the program.

“Seeing what our patrons like to read is always helpful when we’re making recommendations to other readers,” she added.

In addition to the Winter Reading Program, the library will be offering holiday-themed storytimes along with craft and musical programs. e Chandler Museum is also offering “Explore Your Roots: Genealogy for Kids” at all four of the City’s libraries. For more information, call (480) 7822800 or visit www.chandlerlibrary. org.

Creative Personal Narrative Necklaces program offered at Basha Library

e nation’s population has increased during the past 20 years, but aging is no longer viewed as dreadful. Instead, it is something to celebrate; it marks a time for personal growth and well-being.

Research finds that people involved in community and cultural programs will have a more positive aging experience by building personal skills and contributing to their communities. rough a grant from Lifetime Arts Inc. for Creative Aging in America’s Libraries, the Basha Library is offering “Stories Told in Bits and Pieces: Creating Personal Narrative Necklaces.”

e eight-lesson program will explore personal narrative by creating a unique necklace from discarded and found objects.

Classes are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Feb. 29 and March 7. e culminating event is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. March 14. e classes will be offered at Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler.

For more information regarding this program and other library services and resources, call (480) 782-2800 or visit www.chandlerlibrary.org.

Local master teacher artist Shari Keith will teach the course and will guide the participants in different jewelry-making techniques that will be used in combination to create a finished work.

All materials, tools and instruction will be provided to the participants and no previous jewelry-making experience is necessary. Participants will have the option of bringing small items from home to include in their necklaces. At the end, the participants will wear their finished necklaces to a special gathering.

Keith calls herself “ e Junk Lady” because she regularly sorts through bulk trash pickups, roadside litter, thrift stores and yard sales. Her creations have been featured at the Chandler Vision Gallery. She is also a roster artist for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Founded in 2008, Lifetime Arts is a nonprofit organization that serves organizations and individuals nationally by promoting the creation, expansion and sustainability of professionally conducted arts programs for older adults. Lifetime Arts provides training for artists and senior-service providers; they also maintain the Creative Aging Teaching Artists Roster, a free, searchable database available to libraries and senior-services, arts and community organizations interested in expanding their programming to reach older adults. For more information, go to lifetimearts.org.

Serving residents of Chandler and the East Valley since 1954, Chandler Public Library has a commitment to being the reading, learning and cultural center of the community. As the information leaders, we provide a variety of resources in many formats, so library users of all ages can explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout their lives. Chandler Public Library is part of the City of Chandler Cultural Affairs Division. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

“We

Rogelio Navarro Elegant Pet Grooming

East Valley Moms

Brought to you by:

NearbyNews

CitySkate brings winter wonderland to Phoenix

By Kimberly Hosey

I’m almost a lifelong Arizonan, but my family is originally from Buffalo, New York. One Christmas we made a trip back there, and one of the highlights was ice skating...outside! We slipped and slid on real live ice as we watched the sun set. It was pretty exotic.

Well, Arizonans looking for that postcard ice-skating experience, transplants looking for a taste of ice in the desert, parents introducing their kids to the ice and just about anyone else can find it from now until Jan. 11 at CitySkate, Phoenix’s largest real outdoor ice rink, at CityScape, 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix. e event, in its sixth year, is

presented by APS. Organizers expect 200,000 guests to take a spin on the ice during the seven-week run—but they were seeing triple the amount of visitors early this month compared to the same time last year. e word has gotten out. Expect to wait in line.

After getting a wristband to skate (the price includes skate rental, plus unlimited skating for the day and session purchased), we made our way through bystanders and skaters to a bench to lace up. CitySkate has lockers for shoes and belongings.

My son hit the ice—well, inched out onto it, mostly—and glided around to an equal mix of Christmas songs and pop hits. (Never before have

I transitioned so seamlessly from singing carols to doing the whip and the nae nae.)

Light shows began bathing the ice in alternating shades of red, green, purple and blue at 7 p.m., but even before that we were treated to plenty of Christmas wonder, sightseeing and, yes, parental photo ops as my son skated beneath a 36-foot Christmas tree festooned in bulbs and lights and topped with a star. When he wanted a break, he sat briefly on the wraparound bench at the foot of the tree, gazing up into the

gold and blue lights above. Santa stops by the rink every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for photos from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Bystanders can have fun too: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Patriots Park receives a light snowfall during light show hours.

CitySkate offers ice skates as small as 11 youth (including double blades), and the smaller skates often run out quickly. If you want to make sure to nab some skates, or avoid the long line and wait time, try

Dates remember :

Dates remember :

Open House

Dates to remember

Dates to remember

Open House

Entrance Exam

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, Entrance Exam

... continues on page 18

Entrance Exam

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

Entrance Exam

Saturday, Jan.

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Entrance Exam

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

$50 Testing Fee, No Reservations required

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

Make Up Entrance Exam

Make-Up Entrance Exam

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, 7:30 a.m.

$50 Testing Fee, Reservations requested Call 602-277-3772 x3112 for reservations

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

By Erica Odello

Make your own rain chain

You will need the following: Chain, forks and spoons (20-30 depending on the length of your chain), wire, hook, HSS or TiN drill bit that is one to two sizes larger than the width of your chain, electric drill, wood (for help in drilling), pliers, needlenose pliers.

El Niño is coming, in case you somehow missed the constant news reports about it. If weather forecasters are right, this means a wet winter for Arizona, which seems like a good excuse to make a rain chain to me. Better yet, a rain chain is just an excuse to make a neat sculpture for my yard.

Step 1: Select the best material

Choosing the easiest material to work with proved to be the biggest challenge of this project. I purchased spoons and forks at a variety of places including Goodwill, 99 Cents Only Store and Ross. By far the easiest pieces to drill were from 99 Cents Only Store because they use cheap, very soft metal. In retrospect, cheap cutlery with thin handles are the way to go. In selecting a chain, it was important to me to choose a weldless type so I could easily separate links which I intended to use to attach the cutlery to the chain. S-hooks may also be used for this, but I didn’t feel that the added expense was worth it.

Step 2: Preparing the cutlery

Bend the bowls of the forks and spoons at 90-degree angles. To drill a hole in each handle, place the bent cutlery on a piece of wood with the angled part hanging off the end. is secures the piece against spinning and allows you to use both hands on the drill. Drill a hole in each handle, as close to the top as possible. It’s also fun to use needlenose pliers to bend the tines of the forks into fun shapes.

Step 3: Assembly

This custom USB drive will provide you with informative videos, fertility treatment options, pregnancy success rates, and other valuable information to help you get started on your journey to achieve your dream of having a baby. The Fertility Treatment Center has been a leader in reproductive medicine for over 25 years. Go to fertilitytreatmentcenter.com/key to receive the “Key to Getting Pregnant”, free of charge.

Fertility Treatment Center...Turning Patients into Parents.

H Randall Craig, MD

Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

In the ASU Research Park 2155 E. Conference Drive, Suite 115, Tempe, AZ 85284 480.831.2445 www.fertilitytreatmentcenter.com

NEW PRIMARY CARE OFFICE

Same day appointments!

Attach the hook to one end of the chain and hang from the area you intend the rain chain to reside. Remove any extra chain by separating a link, the chain should hang just above ground level. Separate individual links from the excess chain and open each end, these will be what you use to hang the forks and spoons.

Start at the bottom, hang two pieces, one on each side of the chain, and pinch both ends of the link to secure. Cut 18 inches to 24 inches of wire (I used brass floral wire) and wrap around the cutlery and chain, just above the bend, to keep the pieces securely attached to the chain.

Continue this process, working up to the top of the chain. e end result should be a semi-rigid art piece that allows water to flow and drip down its various protrusions.

Board Certified Family Physician

• Adult, Well Child, and Geriatric Care

• Acute Care and Chronic Illnesses

• Well Woman and Gynecological Care

High deductible? No insurance? Call us about our special cash pay prices! Online Appointment Scheduling!

visiting earlier on weekdays. It was a bit of an undertaking for us—we parked in the garage on Washington Street and First (patronizing any CityScape business should get your ticket validated), and by the time we reached the rink, the line snaked around the sidewalk. But we used a real live, outdoor ice rink. In Arizona! I think it was worth it.

Getting tickets

Tickets are available online or at the ticket booth. Pricing and times for CitySkate are as follows:

Day session: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily.

Night session: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 pm Saturday and Sunday. Kids and adults: $12 (day session), $15 (night and weekend session). Military, kids 4-8, seniors: $8 Children 3 and younger: Free College students (with valid student ID): $12

Other opportunities

If you can’t make it to CitySkate, there are several venues throughout the Valley offering ice skating experiences, from seasonal holiday wonderlands to year-round skating locations.

Public skating times vary at many locations, so call ahead or check the website for hours before visiting.

Seasonal

Holiday Ice Skating at the Wigwam rough Jan. 2

300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park (623) 935-3811

http://wigwamarizona.com

$5 10 and younger, $8 11 and older

Desert Ice Skating Rink rough Jan. 3

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale (480) 585-4848

www.scottsdaleprincess.com/ Seasonal-Events/Christmas-at-thePrincess $15, skate rental $5.

Westgate Winter Wonderland rough Dec. 24

Westgate Entertainment District

6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale

www.westgateaz.com/events/specialevents

Free

All year

AZ Ice Gilbert

2305 E. Knox Rd., Gilbert (480) 503-7080

http://azice.com/gilbert

$8.50 ages 13 and older, $7.50 ages 12 and under; skate rental $3.50.

Special from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, stop by to skate to holiday tunes, drink hot cocoa and visit Santa. Bring your camera for a photo with the big guy.

AZ Ice Peoria

15829 N 83rd Ave., Peoria (623) 334-1200

http://azice.com/peoria/

$8.50 ages 13 and older, $7.50 ages 12 and under; skate rental $3.50.

AZ Ice Arcadia

3853 E omas Rd., Phoenix (602) 957-9966

http://azice.com/arcadia

$5.50 ages 13 and older, $4.50 ages 12 and under, skate rental $2.50

Ice Den Chandler

7225 W. Harrison St., Chandler (480) 598-9400

www.coyotesicechandler.com

$5 ages 5 and under (includes rental skates, or $3 with own skates), $6 ages 6-15 and seniors 55 and older, $8 ages 16 and older, skate rental $4.

Specials: Friday Night Fever, $5 all ages (includes skates), Family Night Saturday, $8 all ages (includes skates), Holiday Skate on select days, $10.

Ice Den Scottsdale

9375 E Bell Rd., Scottsdale (480) 585-RINK (7465) www.coyotesice.com

$5 ages 5 and under (includes rental skates, or $3 with own skates), $6 ages 6-15 and seniors 55 and older, $8 ages 16 and older, skate rental $4. Specials: Family Night Saturday, $8 all ages (includes skates), Holiday Skate on select days, $10.

A second act for the classroom

By Laurie Struna

As Red Mountain High School’s welding teacher, Dan Hurst isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Hurst had a successful career in the welding industry. Instead of retiring and roaming the putting greens, he joined the ranks of professionals who choose to teach as a second or third career, bringing their knowledge, skills and experiences to the classroom. As the career and technical education (CTE) and welding teacher at Red Mountain, Hurst teaches a new generation of students the art of welding.

A passion for aviation

started fueled his desire to teach in public education. His first goal was to have a program for high school students to explore the trade. It was at Red Mountain High School where he found his audience.

Born in Dayton Ohio, home of the Wright brothers and aviation, Hurst remembers watching aircraft fly over his family’s home. He was amazed at the simplicity of flight. He learned to weld at an early age and recollected, “I didn’t want to do anything other than build things.”

After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force so he could be around aircraft and learn more about flight. During this time, he excelled at his craft, and his passion continued to grow. In 1982 he moved to Phoenix and worked for StandardAero as an aircraft repairman at Phoenix Sky Harbor. Later he worked as a technical representative for a local welding supplier, where he taught its employees how to weld and to use the latest equipment. Eventually he started teaching at Mesa Community College.

“I knew teaching someone to do what I loved to do all of my life was the path I wanted to follow,” Hurst shared. “I started teaching advanced welding at Mesa Community College, and that is when I realized I wanted to teach full time.”

Transitioning careers

Hurst’s yearning to leave the industry a better place than when he

“Dan came to us having gone through an accelerated teaching program, and immediately distinguished himself as an exemplary educator,” said David Marks, Red Mountain High School’s assistant principal. “Because of his years in the industry and his work at Mesa Community College, he was well-versed in instructing. He is what I would deem a natural educator.”

In one year, he took a program that needed updating and turned it into an elective destination for students. Officials retrofitted the welding area with new equipment and support systems for program expansion. He formed a welding team that wins awards and garners state and national recognitions. Students earn welding certifications in unprecedented levels for Red Mountain, find placement in apprenticeships and postsecondary welding programs.

“ e welding program has been a rewarding experience,” Hurst acknowledged. “I am amazed at the abilities these kids have. I have done what I set out to do and I love it!”

Welding is a program of study available through the career and technical education department at Dobson, Mesa, Mountain View, Red Mountain, Skyline and Westwood high schools. For more information, please visit www.mpsaz.org/cte.

slices of life

By Jill Pertler

A ‘Star Wars’ saga

(Whispered) I’m not a huge fan of “Star Wars.” I don’t even own a lightsaber.

My husband is unaccepting and in denial regarding my total lack of any sense of the Force. He’s been trying to get me to turn to the dark side since 1983, when he tricked me into seeing the third movie (which was actually the sixth, we just didn’t know it at the time). He said we were going to see “Flashdance,” or maybe it was “Terms of Endearment,” I can’t remember. I do remember not seeing either. Instead, we went to “Return of the Jedi.” In a year with films like “Risky

It’s that special time of year and we’re a nation in anticipation. My family is experiencing the same star-laden excitement as the rest of the country and I’m not talking about deciding who gets to place the topper on the tree. e newest “Star Wars’ premiere is coming Dec. 18 to a theater near you! e whole “Star Wars” pop culture phenomenon started 38 years ago, in 1977, with the original movie. Because of its success the one movie quickly became a trilogy, with shows released in 1980 and 1983. e second set of three movies spanned from 1999 to 2005 and gave us the prequel to the first three episodes. So, the first episode wasn’t the first, it was the fourth, even though it was released first. e second was the fifth and the third the sixth. e fourth was the first and so on. You don’t have to be a Jedi Master to follow the logic. At our house the excitement is as palpable as Senator Palpatine’s evil aura. My guys—all fans of the Force— debate intricacies that I’ve yet to understand, much less ponder. ey are making plans to see the film at midnight the first day it is released. I am making plans to sleep. Sorry, I know how incredibly anti-Wookiee that sounds.

Business,” “ e Big Chill” and “Staying Alive,” my husband, who was not my husband or even my boyfriend at the time, picked a movie that featured a Muppet in an attempt to impress me. While epic, here’s the “Star Wars” saga in a nutshell: Boy meets girl. Anakin Skywalker and Padme were 9 and 13 when they first met. ey grew up, fell in love and got married. Anakin was busy becoming a Jedi, otherwise known as “one of the good guys,” but the dark side proved tempting. Padme got pregnant, delivered twins and died during childbirth. is further pushed Anakin into the abyss (literally), from which he emerged as Darth Vader— one of the greatest villains of all time. Jump forward a couple of decades. e twins, Luke and Leia, are all grown up, but they don’t know they are brother and sister because they were separated at birth. Leia is a princess. Luke’s Jedi skills are emerging. “ e Force is strong in this one.” Darth Vader attempts to entice Luke over to the dark side. “I am your father.” Luke goes to Jedi school with a Muppet. Meanwhile battles and wars break out and planets get blown up, but

Leia’s funky hair always stays in place. Luke fights his dad a couple of times in awesome action scenes featuring lightsabers as the weapons of choice for chopping off right hands. Darth dies, but not before making peace with Luke. Leia falls in love with Han Solo and in a little known tidbit of trivia, Chewbacca marries and has a son named Lumpawarrump. I’m not making that up. I found the info on Wookiepedia, and I’m not making that up, either.

e world’s abuzz with “Star Wars” hype. And, despite not being much of a fan, I’ll probably go see the movie. Not at midnight, but I’ll go. With my husband—because he is a super fan and we sort of have a longstanding history with this “Star Wars” stuff. For us, it all started a long time ago, in a movie theater far, far away, when we were just starry-eyed teenagers not much older than Padme was when she met Anakin. Sigh.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

around the neighborhood

Kartwheels for Kids hosted a Breakfast with Santa and donation drive event, which featured appearances by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson, ASU men’s gymnastics team and food trucks. Kartwheels for Kids raises money to award children with scholarships to attend gymnastics programs in Arizona that they might not otherwise consider possible. Photos by Tim Sealy

1. Savanna Blevins spots the ground from mid-air. 2. Courtney and Ziggy Benzinger enjoy a breakfast treat while raising money. 3. Santa Claus balances on a low beam. 4. Haley Fichiera is about to launch off the mini-trampoline into a high-flying move.

5. Ryan Dietzman practices a reverse move on the bar with guidance from Daniel Bronnenberg and Zavier McDonald. 6. Kartwheels for Kids’ event coordinator Deanna Oldenburg was very happy with the donations that came through. 7. Baylor Hudson gets a little help from Haley Fishier, Savanna Blevins and Abygail MacKinney. 8. Abygail MacKinney gives Santa some gymnastics tips. 9. A spry Santa dances to Christmas tunes with some of the kids. 10. The donation pile grew throughout the event. 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

top 10 family events

Dec. 20, 2015 - Jan. 20, 2016

1 Swimming with Santa

The young and young at heart are invited to ride the waves with Santa, have storytime with Mrs. Claus and enjoy complimentary milk and cookies.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 26, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Kiwanis Recreation Center, 6111 S. All America Way, Tempe COST: $7 to $9

INFO: (480) 350-5201 or www.tempe.gov/SWS

2 Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus Since 1842

A 500-seat tent will house a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old World Italian tradition.

WHEN: Through Sunday, Jan. 3, various times

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $15 to $40

INFO: www.chandlercenter.org or www.zoppe.net

3 All Aboard Trains

Come and discover the awesome world of trains.

WHEN: Through Sunday, Jan. 24, various times

WHERE: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Pl., Mesa COST: $8 INFO: (480) 644-2468 or www.ideamuseum.org

4 ZooLights

This holiday event features 3-D light displays, Music in Motion shows, an ice sculptor and, for an additional fee, carousel and camel rides.

WHEN: Nightly, through Sunday, Jan. 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix

COST: $18 members, $16 general. Children 2 years and younger free. INFO: www.phoenixzoo.org or (602) 286-3800.

5 Sea Life Aquarium

The aquarium in Arizona Mills transports visitors into the ocean world, providing close encounters with a vast array of creatures like seahorses, sharks, rays, tropical fish and more.

WHEN: Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Sea Life Aquarium, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 145, Tempe COST: $10 to $15.50 INFO: (877) 526-3960

6 LEGO Monthly Mini Model Build

Registration is suggested for this monthly event that will feature a polar bear. A VIP card is required.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 5, and Wednesday, Jan. 6, various times

WHERE: LEGO Store, Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler

COST: Free

INFO: (480) 899-0228 or www.lego.com

7 Whole Food Kids Club

Join the group for stories, songs and a tasty food craft with Tempe’s local Whole Foods Market.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Whole Foods Market, 5120 S. Rural Rd., Tempe COST: Email for cost INFO: sp.tem.marketing@wholefoods. com or www.tempe.gov

8 Family Storytime

Join the group for a 30-minute High Five Program when stories and activities are developmentally appropriate for all ages.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sunset Library’s Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler COST: Call for cost INFO: (480) 782-2800 or www.chandlerlibrary.org

9 Game On!

Relax with fellow teens for two hours of afterschool gaming fun.

WHEN: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Rd., Tempe COST: Free

INFO: (480) 350-5500 or www.tempe.gov

10 Dinosaurs in Motion

See 14 fully interactive, anatomically inspired, recycled lifesize metal dinosaur sculptures.

WHEN: Through Sunday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix COST: $5 to $9

INFO: (602) 716-2000 or www.azscience.org

on the town

By Judi King

Pieology Pizzeria

Pieology Pizzeria provides the solution to the age-old problem of wanting to have pizza your own way, but not wanting to pay a dollar or two extra for each topping you add. At Pieology, the pizza is one price, regardless of the chosen toppings. And, unlimited toppings are free. Problem solved.

Established in California five years ago, Pieology Pizzeria is the original build-your-own pizza eatery. Now, with more than 70 franchises in 12 states, it has been named the Fastest Growing Chain by Technomic, and is on track to have 110 restaurants open in 2015. e 75th Pieology opened its doors in October in the Chandler Gateway Shopping Center.

cheese choices, seven kinds of meat and 16 fresh vegetables, spices and herbs. For the same price, diners can choose from a Pieology special, such as “Mad to Meat You” or “Alfredo’s Alfredo.”

Co-owner Kris Olson said his restaurant stresses experience and quality.

“We are the original,” Olson said. “We encourage comparisons with similar BYO pizza chains, and expect to be voted the favorite, hands down.”

e creation of an 11 1/2-inch thincrust pizza ($7.95) begins by selecting one of three varieties of house-made crusts, including gluten-free for $2 more. en, you continue along the line choosing from six signature sauces, six

With so many options, you can design your pizza to resemble one of your standard favorites, or create something truly unique. I chose the latter. Not being able to narrow it down, I divided it and piled it on. I chose the house-made crust with fiery Buffalo sauce on one side and herb butter olive oil on the other. For my toppings, I selected Canadian bacon and meatballs to cover one-half, the other was loaded with vegetables—onions, mushrooms, artichokes, peppers spinach and corn. Parmesan, feta, mozzarella and double gorgonzola cheeses. Basil and cilantro also topped the entire pie.

After a last-minute decision to add olives, my pizza was popped in the stone fire oven and cooked to perfection in less than 5 minutes. en still another choice: Pieology offers four exclusive “after-bake” sauces to dribble on your baked pizza at no additional charge. I opted for the house red, which was a very tasty choice. My pizza creation,

with its crisp crust, gooey cheeses and an amazing array of tastes in every bite, was fabulous.

Along with its pizza, Pieology also offers its classic and Caesar salads ($7.95). Or, customers can create their own masterpiece for $9.95 by selecting any of the organic field— greens, romaine hearts or spinach—and then a variety of garden-fresh vegetables, natural chicken and maybe even dried cranberries or candied walnuts.

Pieology’s success can be attributed to the vision of its founder, Carl Chang. Chang’s idea to turn one of America’s favorite food into an interactive and affordable experience is based on the company’s mission statement: to make a positive experience, one pie at a time. He said he believes that in the pursuit of the perfect pizza, family, friends and community come together.

Pieology Pizzeria is a welcome addition to the Chandler restaurant scene. It

not only provides an amazing, inexpensive offering of customized pizzas and salads in a fun urban-chic atmosphere, it gives back to the community. Pieology sponsors night fundraisers which donate 20 percent—Pie-Centage Nights—to local groups such as schools, Little League, student government and churches.

By Jan D’Atri

One Pot Pasta Dinner What’s Cooking?

It’s a One Pot Wonder and it’s just become one of my all-time favorite meals.

One Pot Wonders. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for these days? Especially if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to simplify your life!

So let’s start the New Year right with a yummy and satisfying throw-it-allin-a-pot kind of meal. It’s the sort of dinner that our great-grandmothers prepared because there was such limited space on the stovetop back then. is recipe is a delicious pasta dish that satisfies the craving for a hearty Italian meal without a lot of the prep work. When I got the email about this one-pot dish, the subject line simply read, “A good recipe.” It was from Sharon Levinson with C-Cap, the nonprofit Careers through Culinary Arts Program in Arizona that teaches youth about the value of home cooking. It awards millions of dollars each

year to underserved high school students. Sharon’s email was right to the point:

“Jan I’m sure you get hundreds of recipes from readers and blogs. I just wanted to share this with you as I couldn’t believe how simple and how delicious this was.”

Need she say more? Grab a big pot and some pasta; gather the family for a good dose of comfort food, lift your glass of Chianti Classico and leave the stress behind.

You’ve just been handed some real pot luck just in time for a brand new year!

Jan’s Note:

I still prefer the taste of sautéed onions over raw, so I opted to sauté the onions and garlic first and then I added them to the rest of the ingredients in the pot. You can also add a pinch of fresh oregano along with the basil if you have it on hand.

One Pot Wonder Pasta Dinner

1 (1-pound box, or 16 oz) spaghetti or thin linguine

12 oz (1 pint) cherry or grape tomatoes

1 large sweet onion, cut in half and then sliced thin

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 large sprigs basil, chopped (about 1/4 cup)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling

4 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Step No. 1

In a large stock pot, place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper

flakes, basil, olive oil, chicken broth, salt and pepper.

Step No. 2

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and turn mixture frequently until pasta is al dente and liquid has almost evaporated. Pasta should be done in 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of your pasta.

Step No. 3

If desired, when plated drizzle a little extra virgin olive over pasta and garnished with fresh grated parmesan cheese and basil leaf.

Serves 4-6 entrée-size portions.

Gin Blossoms return home for free show

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Gin Blossoms guitarist Jesse Valenzuela said he hasn’t been writing songs very much lately.

He’s been busy touring with his band, best known for the songs “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You.” Valenzuela has also been taking care of his 16-year-old son who lives with him.

Even though he hasn’t put pen to paper frequently, Valenzuela laughed when asked what’s planned for 2016.

“I have my own record that will come out,” Valenzuela said. “It was sort of a soft release this year with just a digital download. But we’re rereleasing it in January.

“I have to record a Gin Blossoms record. Do a little tour with my band and come to Phoenix. I have a songwriters’ conference in January in Florida. en I have another record coming out with Danny Wilde of e Rembrandts.

“Look at me: I haven’t been writing very much so how did this all happen?” Valenzuela said with a chuckle while doing dishes in his Los Angeles home.

An Arizona hometown favorite, Gin Blossoms will return to the Grand Canyon state to play a free show at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa on Saturday, Dec. 19.

“We’ll play the hits; we’ll play a few new things,” he said. “It really depends on the length of the show.”

On July 4, Gin Blossoms played

Fort McDowell Casino with Fastball.

Valenzuela said it’s a joy play in his home state, where his parents still live.

Gin Blossoms are enjoying a revival of sorts thanks to satellite radio like the ‘90s channels like “‘90s on 9” and “Lithium.” “Hey Jealousy” sounds as fresh as the day it was released.

“I think it’s because we didn’t subscribe to any trends,” Valenzuela said. “We were frequently lumped in with the ‘alternative rock format. I couldn’t see any similarities between us and anything called ‘alternative.’ We’re more jangly pop rock than alternative rock.”

Gin Blossoms are going to continue that vibe on their new album. ey are slated to hit the studio in 2016.

“We’re supposed to have 10 new songs for a record,” said Valenzuela, an active golfer who loves Red Mountain Country Club in Northeast Mesa. “I’m going to go with double overdrive. I’m off for the next couple months, so I’m going to kick it hard and get 18 or 20 so we can pare down for the next record. I gotta be honest with you, I actually work a lot everyday writing songs.”

Gin Blossoms perform at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Harrah’s AkChin Casino’s UltraStar Amphitheater, 15406 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa. Tickets are free. For more information, call (480) 802-5000 or visit www. caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/shows.

events calendar

Dec. 20, 2015 - Jan. 20, 2016

eBook/Smartphone Assistance

Have an e-reader device, tablet or smartphone that you have questions about? Come to this hour-long dropin session to have your questions answered.

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 21, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: Free INFO: (480) 782-2828

Decadence: Arizona’s Biggest New Year’s Eve Celebration

Relentless Beats and Global Dance bring Pretty Lights, Borgore and more to this 18-and-older show.

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

WHERE: Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler

COST: Starts at $26 INFO: www.rawhide.com

Stories Told in Bits and Pieces: Creating Personal Narrative Necklaces

Join master teacher Shari Keith in a series of free jewelry-making workshops for those 50 and older.

WHEN: Occasional Mondays from Jan. 4 through March 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler COST: Call for cost INFO: (480) 782-2800

Donny Osmond

Celebrating his fifth decade in music, Donny Osmond embarks on his first solo concert tour in four years with The Soundtrack of My Life Tour.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $65 to $135

INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com

Black Violin

Virtuoso violinists Wil B. and Kev Marcus meld highbrow and pop culture through a fusion of classical, jazz, hip hop and R&B.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

COST: $24 to $38

INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org

The Temptations 2016

The Temptations constantly enlist new fans as they continue to deliver their Motown sound that made them famous.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $35 to $99

INFO: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com

The action is set in a lumber camp, where the muscular lumberjacks juggle and chop vegetables at high speed for the family stew.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: $28 to $44

INFO: (480) 782-2680 or www.chandlercenter.org

Texas Tenors love Christmas, Arizona

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

e Texas Tenors are all about Christmas.

e classical crossover trio is in Branson, Missouri, in the middle of its holiday run and the three singers—JC Fisher, Marcus Collins and John Hagen—never tired of it.

“We’ve been performing Christmas [songs] since Nov. 2,” Collins said with a laugh. “Halloween ended and we started Christmas. I would sing Christmas all year long if we could.”

e Texas Tenors’ show, “Deep in the Heart of Christmas,” is coming to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 19.

“We sing everything from ‘O Night Divine,’ to ‘Joy to the World’ to ‘Mary Did You Know’ and an original nonChristmas song.”

e crowd favorites may be included as well—“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars and “Last Christmas” by Wham!

“We have a bunch of fun Christmas songs,” he said. “We put eight new songs in the show. ere are some new things for the Christmas season. We’ll be performing ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ ‘Silver Bells,’ ‘Let It Snow’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ All of those are new this year.

“We have a lot of fun with ‘Last Christmas.’ ere’s a lot of audience interaction.”

e performance is sold out.

However, they are returning to the Valley for four concerts in Sun City West Feb. 1 through Feb. 2. For information about their shows, visit http://thetexastenors.com/.

It’s like e Texas Tenors to keep busy, according to Collins, whose mother lives in Scottsdale while his grandmother resides in Apache Junction. Next year is packed with concerts, recording sessions and appearances.

“We are recording our next big album,” Collins said about the 2017 release. “We’re working on original

music and finding just the right covers for that album. It’s going to be more of an Americana record.

“We’re working on our next PBS special, which we’re going to record in the Phoenix area. We have a special partnership with KAET [Arizona PBS] and we worked with them on the first special. It won three Emmys. e collaboration was successful and we want to continue with them in 2016.

“It’s going to be much different from the first one, which was at Grand Canyon University.”

e year 2016 also calls for the follow-up to e Texas Tenors’ first children’s book, “Ruckus on the Ranch,” for which they wrote an original tune.

“We have a lot of plans for 2016,” Collins said. “We really won’t see the results of it until 2017, really. e new album and the special will be

out in 2017. We’re working hard on everything in 2016. We’re hard at work on what we’ll be presenting to everyone in 2017.”

Collins said he feels blessed to have all of this work—even his two lines in the tearjerker film “P.S. I Love You.”

“I just got a residual check in the mail,” he said. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I get a little check once every couple months—$8 or $15. I get paid because somewhere in the world it’s playing on pay TV.”

business spotlight

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Spa owners continue family tradition with Madison Avenue

Sean Larusso couldn’t see himself as a salon and spa owner 25 years ago. Now, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“My grandfather was a barber in New York; my father a salon owner for 40 years,” said Larusso, who owns the four locations of Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa in the Valley with his wife, Deborah.

“I’m an accountant by trade. I worked in Manhattan for almost three years for a big accounting firm. I came out here in the early ‘90s for a long weekend and fell in love with it.”

He packed up and moved crosscountry and subsequently was employed by a local firm. Deborah worked as a stylist for a nearby salon.

Larusso said he believed that he and Deborah had the formula for success. So in April 1998, the couple opened Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa. Twelve of the original employees still work for the company.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to build something that people consider to be a career,” he said. “ ey’re here for an extended period of time.

at has been something that’s been extremely rewarding for us.”

Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa’s signature treatment from its spa is the three-and-a-half-hour Retreat Package. e $196 package includes a one-hour Swedish massage, a European facial, and a spa pedicure and manicure. It is being offered for $135 this holiday season.

Normally, the prices for the services are Swedish massage ($51 to $73); European facial ($66 to $80); spa pedicure ($46 to $53) and spa manicure ($26 to $32).

“It gives us the opportunity to touch base with all the different areas within the spa,” said Larusso, who added the prices are based on the technicians’ experience.

“ at has been our staple package since day one when we opened

almost 18 years ago. It’s been our No. 1 seller in terms of packages. I don’t think we’ve ever priced it that low. It’s aggressively priced with the hopes of selling a tremendous amount of them.” e Larussos pride themselves on considering their employees as family.

“What we enjoy is seeing people elevate their careers,” he said. “We’ve been doing this long enough. We’ve hired people anywhere from 16 to 60 years old.

“We’ve seen them purchase their first car. ey’ve gotten married, had their first child, bought their first house, had their second child and their child—those are things honestly are more rewarding than anything. Having had that impact on people is really what has glued us together to be the company we are today. We couldn’t do it without the amazing group of people who are around us.”

Chandler Fashion Center 3111 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler 85226 (480) 899-8905

Foothills Vista Commons 4910 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix 85048 (480) 759-3308

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ALPINE

POOL SERVICES

NO MORE POOL PROBLEMS

Complete Pool Service & Repair

Experienced, Insured & Professional

Owner is a degreed Hydrologist

Green pool clean-up

Equipment/Plumbing Repairs

Weekly service – 1st month 1/2 Off

Call Christiaan for details:

480-694-1518 AZ Oasis Pools

YOUR AD HERE

How can your customers know how to find you if you don’t advertise?

Don’t lose any more calls, place a classified ad today.

Contact Tracey Wilson to reserve your ad today.

480-348-0343 x100

tracey@timespublications.com

REAL ESTATE

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

Complete

Clean-ups, hauling,

and

sprinkler repair, tree care, painting, handyman, etc.

English Speaking Reliable Free Estimates

Visa/MC Accepted

480-200-9598

SPACE AVAILABLE

How can your customers know how to find you if you don’t advertise? Don’t lose any more calls, place a classified ad today. Don’t worry, we’ll make space for you. Know what happens when you don’t advertise? Nothing.

Contact Tracey Wilson to reserve your space today.

480-348-0343 x100 tracey@timespublications.com

TRAVEL

ENOS KING-LEWIS II, AGENT Guide, Producer Fun Trips! Prosperity - Wellness www.Enos4Prosperity.com 800-824-1450 (Call 24/7) enos4homes@hotmail.com

WANTED TO BUY

CA$H PAID! WE BUY DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Unopened/Unexpired CALL NOW!! 480-269-3289