Desert Sun: April 2016

Lynn’s

From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop

Parents who have a child with an overjet, or what is commonly referred to by people as “buck teeth,” know some of the problems that may arise as a result. While they realize that their child may be at a higher risk for being teased or even have more difficulty biting into certain foods, they may not be aware that it actually puts their child at a higher risk for dental trauma.

Research in the “Journal of Dental Traumatology” reports that children who have an overjet are at a higher risk for experiencing dental trauma at some point. With the teeth protruding out more, it puts them in a vulnerable

Relaxing,

position that may lead to traumatic experiences that include chipped teeth or fractures, dislodged teeth, knocked-out teeth, and root fractures. The study also indicates that males are at a higher risk for the trauma than females are, and that those children who have an overjet that is greater than 6 mm have four times the risk of dental trauma.

Overjet can occur for a variety of reasons, including heredity, improper alignment, thumb sucking, overuse of pacifiers, and overcrowding of teeth. Left untreated, it can also impact speech, leading to impediments. As most children who have an overjet can attest, it is also an aesthetic issue that may attract unwanted attention to those who have it. The good news is that overjet can successfully be corrected by working with an orthodontist.

Today, there are several treatment options available to help correct an overjet, thus reducing

the risks of dental trauma and other related issues. Options range from braces and dental appliances to surgery for extreme overjet situations. The important issue for parents to remember is that it is a treatment that should not be ignored. Getting a proper treatment timeline may save the child years of problems and help them to avoid dental traumas. Parents who have a child with overjet will want to make an appointment with an orthodontist. During that visit, the severity of the condition can be assessed, and treatment options and timing can also be discussed. This is just one more step toward helping their child to avoid further injury, and move closer to having optimal oral health!

Nearby News monthly contest

President Steve T. Strickbine

Executive Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Associate Editors

Ken Abramczyk, Srianthi Perera

Graphic Design

Erica Odello, Jay Banbury, Paul Braun, Christy Byerly, Ruth Carlton, Amy Civer, Nicole La Cour,

Administration Courtney Oldham

Contributors

Jan D’Atri, Jill Hanks, Alyssa Hesketh, Jan Nicpon, Jill Pertler, Eric Smith

Contact the Nearby News at (480) 898-5610 • Fax: (480) 898-5606

Editor@NearbyNews.com

Distribution Area:

We will announce the winner in next month’s paper. If you see your name, please contact us by March 31, 2016. Good Luck!

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

Distribution Services Provided By (480) 898-6500

community spotlight

By Eric Smith

When Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching was looking for a new police chief after Tom Ryff announced his retirement last year, he didn’t want to make a unilateral decision. He wanted input from as many places as he could find.

“My top priority when he announced his retirement in summer 2015 was to talk to as many people as I could in the department, in the community, to get an idea of what they were looking for,” Ching said.

“Recognizing that we have what I believe to be a really good department but also recognizing that every good department needs to try to put themselves on a path of continuous improvement. I knew that was my base, but I wanted to hear from the community what they were thinking.” e biggest thing Ching remembers people asking for was a leader, someone who could lead the department into the future.

“What I heard was ‘get a leader,’” Ching said. “Get somebody who can carry on and understand the needs of this community.”

On Friday, March 25, after several months of receiving as much input as Ching could get, Sylvia Moir was

sworn in as the next chief of the Tempe Police Department.

Moir came to Tempe from the El Cerrito, California. Police Department where she was the chief. She also spent several years in the Sacramento Police Department before becoming the chief in El Cerrito.

Her first goal as chief, Moir said, was to begin taking input from those in the department about what they want to see done.

“I think the first thing that a smart person does when they come into an organization is they listen to the people,” she said. “My first goal is to listen internally to our officers, our professional staff about what we need to strengthen, what we need to start doing and what we need to stop doing.”

With all of her experience in a variety of roles, Moir wants to continue to strengthen the department and move it forward.

“What I bring is something that may be a little bit different,” she said. “I will be able to give some perspective to how we police and perhaps, I think, influence (with) this love that I have of policing and this excitement about Tempe and about law enforcement.”

neighborhood hearsay

The Chalk Art Festival is returning to Tempe Marketplace on April 30 for another year of festivities. Join local artists from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. as they cover the sidewalks with breathtaking murals. There will also be a KidsZone where little artists can create one-ofa-kind masterpieces of their own.

Stadium on April 23 for the annual event that benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation. This is a 4.2-mile run/ walk that has grown to more than 35,000 attendees. After the run, enjoy some live music, food and drinks and a carnival kid’s area.

Through June 30, Z’Tejas is raising money for a charity...with cornbread. Its famous baked goods will be available for $3 a loaf with Cornbread for a Cause, with the proceeds benefiting the military-based charity, Military Assistance Mission. Head to the Tempe location at 20 W. Sixth St. and dine in on some delicious cornbread for a good cause.

If you’re into indie films, then the ASU Spring Film Capstone Showcase might be of interest to you. Students of the ASU School of Film, Dance and Theatre will show off all of their hard work at the Galvin Playhouse on April 29 with their capstone films. They’ll range from comedies, documentaries, dramas and more.

Downtown Tempe’s NCounter is going national. The family-owned restaurant has been sold to Pacific Restaurant Partners, which includes Due North Holdings and Tokyo-based Hotland. Due North also franchises Blimpie’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Samurai Sam’s.

LEGOLAND is coming to Arizona Mills. On April 22, head to Arizona Mills at 10 a.m. to catch the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona debut. This LEGO-filled attraction includes two LEGO rides, a 4-D Cinema and plenty of activities like building areas, large-scale models and party rooms. Graphic design student Alecsander Posta will be the master model builder responsible for updating the LEGO models in the discovery center.

If you have $5 and an empty stomach, then the $5 Food Festival is for you! On April 23, the Valley’s top food trucks are coming together at Tempe Diablo Stadium to bring delicious fare at a flatprice of $5. You can have as much as you’d like. Don’t forget to check out the live music and performances.

After 12 years, Pat’s Run is still going strong. Grab all your friends and family and gather at the Sun Devil

May the fourth be with you—and your hair. Join Keep the Cut in Tempe on May 4 for a free haircut in honor of all things “Star Wars.” Come dressed in your best “Star Wars” costume, T-shirt or bring in your memorabilia and receive a free cut for the unofficial National Star Wars Day.

This Mother’s Day, get the girls together for the Gildan Esprit de She Tempe Duathlon and 5K on May 8 at Tempe Beach Park. There will be a complimentary mother-daughter breakfast before the race and a postrace “rendezvous” with a bubbly bar, live music and a beauty bar.

What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.

Google to test self-driving cars in Chandler

By Ken Abramczyk

Google has chosen Chandler for the first Arizona test of its much-touted self-driving cars.

Chandler is the fourth U.S. city testing the cars, joining Austin, Texas; Mountain View, California; and Kirkland, Washington.

Four test cars are already on Chandler’s streets to create a detailed map and to test desert conditions. Google is not offering test drives to the public just yet; these test drives over the next several weeks will be conducted by Google staffers.

“With Chandler’s reputation as a technological and innovative hub, that went a long way for Chandler being named a test city,” Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said. “It’s a good fit for us being a technology-oriented city and attracting technological companies and businesses.”

ese vehicles can detect objects as far as two football fields away. Software helps the vehicle navigate around objects or people, like when the car needs to stop for a pedestrian or another vehicle.

Google developed the self-driving car test program to improve motorists’ safety, according to Jennifer Haroon, head of Google’s business operations for self-driving cars.

“About 33,000 people die on the roads in the U.S., and 94 percent of all crashes involve human error,” Haroon said. “We think that’s where the self-driving car can make an impact.”

Some day, the selfdriving car could assist drivers who experience vision problems or who have medical conditions and just can’t drive anymore.

carts crossing the roads. e test period is “open-ended.”

Riding in the cars are test drivers trained to take over the vehicle at any time. If the car isn’t operating the way it should, they’ll take over the vehicle immediately.

Chandler Children’s Choir

seeks new members

Google already has logged 1.5 million miles in test drives in Austin, Mountain View and Kirkland. Chandler’s test drive program also includes South Phoenix, Haroon said.

Lexus Hybrid SUVs will be tested in Chandler, she said. Drivers will be working with engineers to check how the technology fares in extreme temperatures and dust storms. ey’ll even have to learn how to check for golf

More information on the program is available at google. com/selfdrivingcar. Residents who see the test drivers on the road can give feedback on how the vehicle is driving and whether they would like to use a self-driving car.

For now, Google does not have plans in place for the public to test drive the vehicles in Chandler.

Tibshraeny expects to schedule a community forum within the next 60 days to discuss the self-driving cars and test program.

Tibshraeny would love to test drive one of the vehicles himself, but for now, he’s honored that Chandler was chosen.

“It’s pretty good stuff,” Tibshraeny said. “It’s exciting for us to be on the cutting edge of technology.”

Chandler Children’s Choir is holding auditions from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 14, at the Arizona Music Academy, 1700 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe. Auditions are open to girls and boys ages 7 to 15. No experience is necessary.

In its eighth season, the nonprofit community choir serves more than 100 youth in the East Valley. e program includes three choirs, a full performance schedules each season, and a progressive touring program. e choir season runs August through May, with weekly rehearsals in Tempe.

Chandler Children’s Choir’s repertoire focuses on classical, folk and art song styles. Singers learn note reading skills, choral blend and vocal technique through invigorating instruction and creative programming. For more information: www. chandlerchildrenschoir.org or call (480) 699-9846.

Water returns to Tempe Town Lake

More than 880 million gallons of water are flowing into Tempe Town Lake, keeping the City of Tempe on track for an April 30 return of water activities.

It will take about two weeks to fill the lake completely. Water started flowing Tuesday, April 12.

Construction crews removed the last pieces of the former rubber dam system recently. e City of Tempe and PCL Construction performed the final tasks needed finish the dam, clear the construction site and ensure the lake infrastructure is in excellent shape.

e new dam is the nation’s largest hydraulically operated steel gate dam system and is a long-term solution to maintaining Tempe Town Lake. It’s expected to last more than 50 years.

e City of Tempe has water exchange credits from SRP that were gained by delivering water from Tempe Town Lake into the SRP canal system over the past two months. e city also has a reserve of water from its additional storage capacity

at Roosevelt Dam. ese credits are being used to refill Town Lake. Here’s how the water will travel:

• Water released from the Salt River Project (SRP) reservoir system is diverted into the SRP canal system at Granite Reef Dam on the Salt River.

• At Granite Reef Dam Tempe exchange water is diverted into the SRP Arizona Canal on the north side of the Salt River.

• At about 68th Street in Scottsdale, the Tempe exchange water is diverted from the SRP Arizona Canal to the SRP Crosscut Canal, where it flows south toward Tempe.

• At the terminus of the SRP Crosscut Canal in Tempe Papago Park (SRP Crosscut Canal forebay pond) Tempe exchange water is released into a smaller SRP lateral canal, SRP Lateral 2-4.6.

• Tempe exchange water is then diverted from SRP Lateral 2-4.6 into a Tempe storm drain.

• e Tempe exchange water exits the storm drain into Town Lake at a

storm water outfall near the railroad and light rail bridges, where over a two-week timeframe, Town Lake becomes full.

• Depending on the flow of water, Town Lake will reopen for water activities by April 30. For safety’s sake, it is still important to stay out of the lake until the lake is officially reopened. e incoming water will

be moving quickly.

e City of Tempe is planning a dedication of the new dam at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy. Construction, engineering and water experts will give informational talks on how Tempe Town Lake works at the free celebration. To find out more, email TownLake@tempe.gov

Lend a helping hand during National Volunteer Month

By Jan Nicpon

April is National Volunteer Month. It’s a time for nonprofit organizations to thank the people that help them do the work they need done, and it’s an opportunity to invite more people to become volunteers.

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For some organizations, such as Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), volunteers are vital for the success of their programs. TCAA needs volunteers to help stock and distribute food at the food pantry, help operate the homeless shelter, and deliver meals to homebound seniors and disabled persons. One such “super volunteer” is Shari Hamblin of Tempe.

After her retirement, Hamblin initially spent time completing a list of jobs in her home and yard that she had always wanted to get done. But, once those were finished, she decided to look for a way to volunteer.

“I enjoy meeting people,” Hamblin said. “I saw a news story looking for volunteers to drive/deliver meals for Tempe Community Action Agency.”

So, in 2006, Hamblin went to talk with the agency to learn more. A staff member took her along on a meal delivery route. “I enjoyed meeting these clients, mostly elderly, and I decided to volunteer,” she said.

Since then, Hamblin has delivered more than 1,000 nutritious meals to the homebound. She is scheduled to deliver meals to clients once a week, but she also delivers on other days if needed.

“We make sure they get a meal, that

they are OK, and we spend a little time talking to them,” Hamblin said. “We probably are the only person they see all day. I try to brighten their day some and I enjoy spending time with them, getting to know them and gaining new friends.”

Her advice to anyone considering volunteer work is to “think of something you really enjoy—like working with older people, children, animals or families in need. Or, perhaps you prefer something behind the scenes. If you do something you enjoy, you’ll find volunteering as a reward, not a job.”

TCAA always needs volunteers, especially during the summer months. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at TCAA, visit http:// tempeaction.org/volunteer.

Tempe police officers, students discuss stereotypes

Students from the Tempe Union High School District and officers from the Tempe Police Department came together in a unique way to talk about the fallout from recent high profile events in places like Baltimore, New York and Ferguson that have spotlighted interactions between police officers and youth and sparked national discussions on racism.

Tempe Union Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca invited the department to meet with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC). Student leaders from each of TUHSD’s seven high schools serve on the council. SSAC members ask questions, share ideas and discuss issues related to their school and the district, working collaboratively to provide solutions.

“Our schools serve 14,000 students who come from diverse backgrounds. We have great partnerships with law enforcement to help keep our schools and students safe. I wanted to bring our youth and police together to have an open dialogue about current events

which may impact their perceptions of one another,” Baca said.

Assistant Chief John Rush brought four members of his force to the SSAC meeting which was held at Mountain Pointe High School. e officers shared personal, sometimes emotional, stories about their childhoods and why they became police officers. Several made a direct connection between their experiences with law enforcement as children—good and bad—and their choice of careers. ey discussed their diverse backgrounds and were honest about what it’s like for them to do their jobs.

e students were able to ask questions and have discussions with individual officers. e students also opened up about their personal experiences with law enforcement. Rush said he hoped the students could see the officers are people too, with feelings, emotions and families they’re trying to come home to every night. Several students said they appreciated the police making

Tempe Police Mounted Unit ready to name newest colleague

By Alyssa Hesketh

Following a citywide contest, the Tempe Police Mounted Unit is preparing to select a name for its latest four-legged colleague.

e winner, which will be chosen on April 28, will receive a tour of the stables to meet the horse and be photographed with the 3-year-old animal, which was donated to the unit in January by Dream Horse AZ Ranch in Marana.

e contest allowed community members to submit their ideas for a name via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram between March 29 and April 13. en, the unit selected their three favorite names, and voting was opened up to the public to choose a winner.

In charge of the campaign was Naomi Galbraith, social media officer for the Tempe Police Department. Galbraith said that the horse does have a registered name, Naytes Bravestruck.

the effort to connect with young people and suggested they reach out to even more teenagers. e officers said engaging with the students was uplifting. ey were impressed by how thoughtful the students were surprised to learn how thankful and respectful the students were of police in general. e visit also made an impact on the students.

One teenager explained that as a young AfricanAmerican man, he may have been distrusting of the police in the past. However, he and other students now realize that, just as they don’t want to be stereotyped by officers because of their age or color of their skin, it isn’t fair for teenagers to judge every officer because of something negative that has happened in another community.

“We wanted to give him a good, proper name from the community,” Galbraith said.

“Many of the submissions were regarding Tempe’s history,” said Galbraith. Aside from those submissions, Galbraith said that some were very different from common names, but they did not ignore any submissions; all were welcome.

An officer’s analogy of a bad waiter

e horse weighs 1,000 pounds and stand 15.3 hands tall, and he is still growing. He is the youngest horse the mounted unit has worked with, and he joins six other police horses on the unit.

Horses are useful for officers because of their ability to navigate through crowds quickly, and provide officers with a better visual view among large groups of people.

e horse is being exposed to different locations and loud noises, and he is learning how to stand still, all part of his training. He will be taught

defensive tactics and how to conduct vehicles stops. His duties include patrolling downtown Tempe. Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue are the main areas in which the mounted unit officers patrol on horseback. e horses allow officers to spot any fights that may occur on weekends, a time when the area receives the highest number of visitors.

e unit’s newest horse is described as having an uncanny willingness to please, a fundamental trait that will prove to be beneficial for officers once he is ready to step out onto the streets of Tempe.

resonated with one student. She explained, “If you go to a restaurant and have a bad waiter, you don’t stop going out to eat. You forget about it and move on.” is student said her takeaway was that you can’t hold all officers accountable for the actions of an individual.

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East Valley Moms

Muggle Fun

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

e view of

Universal Studios

Hollywood is menacing from our 22nd-floor room of the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. We see the bright lights of the Simpson’s Krustyland, which stay illuminated all night. e Transformers ride, WaterWorld and Universal CityWalk are also easily spied.

But rising from the middle of the park is the intimidating, black Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is part of the forthcoming attraction e Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Although it officially debuted ursday, April 7, there were several points recently when the theme park opened the gates for various guests.

e Wizarding World of Harry Potter lives up to its advance press. Hogsmeade Village is straight out of a Christmas card, with its snowladen thatched cottages from which “icicles” hang. Muggles, as we average folks are called, can peruse the shops and the rides. It’s just an easy walk down the cobblestone streets.

Fudge, chocolate frogs, “candy floss” (the English term for cotton candy) and assorted jellybeans are found there. Really, anything you need to satisfy a sweet tooth is within reach. (And, believe me, we took advantage of the chocolate marshmallow fudge, which rivaled the treats from Michigan’s Mackinac Island.)

Just outside Honeydukes you’ll find some of the more anticipated treats— Butter Beer, Pumpkin Juice and Gilly Water.

I tried the lemon herb half chicken and it was the juiciest meat I have had in a long time. My niece was equally impressed with her fish and chips, while my English husband and my mother had to naturally try the Shepherd’s Pie. All four meals were great, but it totaled more than $80.

A nonalcoholic drink, Butter Beer tastes like a mixture of vanilla and butterscotch with a consistency of a root beer float. It’s a little sweet, but it’s a musttry for any Harry Potter fan.

Now, don’t let the verbiage on the attraction’s map fool you. It mentions that sampling of beer is available at the Hog’s Head Pub. ere’s no free sampling to be had, but there’s plenty of alcoholic drinks to purchase— domestic and imported beer, Wizard’s Brew, Dragon Scale, Fire Whiskey, wine, spirits and mixed drinks.

about 20 minutes playing with his stuffed animal. Presumably his wife, the woman took extra care in setting up their owls for a “photo shoot” with their cellphones.

Upon entering the attraction, we were greeted by the Hogwarts Express train and its loveable engineer outside of the Hogsmeade Station. Quickly, we were fully immersed in Diagon Alley, home to a slew of shops, including Zonko’s Joke Shop, where we scored Robot Lilliput, a tin wind-up robot. Diagon Alley also boasts confectionaries from Harry Potter’s world in a shop called Honeydukes.

Proceed through Diagon Alley and you’ll see a long line snaking through Hogsmeade. It’s a queue of Muggles yearning to try English meals like Shepherd’s Pie, bangers and mash (OK, sausage and mashed potatoes), fish and chips and a variety of desserts at ree Broomsticks.

Across the cobblestone pathway is one of the hot attractions. It’s the Owl Post in the center of Hogsmeade where fans can send letters with a Hogsmeade postmark and purchase stationery and stamps from the gift shop along with owl-related toys and gifts. An elderly, robe-wearing couple was so enamored with their owls that the man filmed himself for

Adjacent to Owl Post is the store Dervish and Banges, which offers such magical items as Sneakoscopes, Spectrespecs, Omnioculars and e Monster Book of Monsters. Muggles can give into their Quidditch needs by purchasing T-shirts, Quaffles, Golden Snitches and brooms including the Nimbus Two ousand and One and the Firebolt. Hogwarts school uniforms and clothing—including the $109 robes—are available here as well.

One of the highlights is Ollivanders, which has been selling fine wands “since 382 B.C.” Shopkeepers and

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is worth every bit of the hype ... continues on page 19

top 10 family events

April 20-May 20, 2016

1 Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend

Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore friendship and cultural similarities.

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sunday, May 15, at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix COST: Starts at $15

INFO: (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com

2 Harlem Globetrotters

Celebrating 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the Harlem Globetrotters bring their talents to Talking Stick Resort Arena.

WHEN: Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

WHERE: Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix COST: $30.91 to $152.45 INFO: www.talkingstickresortarena. com/events/detail/harlemglobetrotters-1

3 Larry Fitzgerald Double Play Celebrity Softball Game

The Arizona Cardinals star and his friends play a friendly game of softball to raise money for his First Down Fund. WHEN: Saturday, April 23, at 6 p.m. WHERE: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale COST: $20 to $500 INFO: http://bit.ly/1Rkq7NP

4 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants

The first 10,000 kids receive a D-backs youth T-ball set courtesy of MLB Play Ball.

WHEN: Sunday, May 15, at 1:10 p.m.

WHERE: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix

COST: $16 to $250

INFO: (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com

5 CinePark May Movie Series

Chandler’s newest family-friendly event will feature “Inside Out” on May 6, “Goosebumps” on May 13 and “Minions” on May 20.

WHEN: Fridays May 6, May 13 and May 20, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler COST: Free

INFO: (480) 782-2669, (480) 782-2727 or www.chandleraz.gov

6 Rumpelstiltskin

The classic tale is about the strange little fellow with the hard-toguess name and the miller’s daughter who must spin straw into gold. WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday, May 4 through May 29, various times WHERE: Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix COST: $7 to $10

INFO: (602) 262-2050 or www.azpuppets.org

7 Deb’s Dragons: Fear Factors for Families

Deb from Deb’s Dragons will scare, amaze and educate guests about “creepy” animals from snakes to tarantulas.

WHEN: Thursday, April 28, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

WHERE: Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale COST: $15 adults; $10 children INFO: http://butterflywonderland. com/event-calendar/

8 The Ultimate Collection: Iconic Baseball Cards from the Diamondbacks

See 42 highly prized sports trading cards in the world, including the legendary T206 Honus Wagner. WHEN: Through April 24, various times

WHERE: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix COST: $8

INFO: (602) 257-1222 or www.phxart.org

9 Underwater FantaSEA

Fourteen artists show off their works in the media of painting, sculpture, textile arts, prints, photographs and digital art. WHEN: Through May 29, various times WHERE: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Pl., Mesa COST: $8

INFO: (480) 644-4332 or www.ideamuseum.org

10 LEGOLAND Discovery Center

The indoor family attraction ideal for children ages 3 to 10 features two LEGO rides, 4-D cinema and a large soft-play area.

WHEN: Ongoing

WHERE: LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Arizona Mills, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 135, Tempe COST: $22; free for 2 and younger INFO: http://bit.ly/23g1lpo

Student Chronicles

Know a Tempe student who’s doing something remarkable? Send items for student chronicles to christina@timespublications.com.

Samuel Nichols of Tempe was named to the dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, during the fall 2015 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean’s list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 120 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet’s 250-acre park-like main campus is 50 miles south of Chicago. Additional sites are in Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Grand Rapids and Grand Ledge, Michigan; Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout metro Chicago and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year through study abroad opportunities,

internships and worldwide mission trips.

Corona del Sol remembers Ridge Vanderbur

By Jill Hanks, Tempe Union High School District

Norman Shu-Han Peng of Tempe, a member of the Class of 2016 at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts, has been named to the Cum Laude Society. is independentschool national honor society is the secondary-school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa. Each year, students with outstanding NMH academic records for their junior and senior years are elected to membership in the society.

Northfield Mount Hermon School is a coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12 and a postgraduate year. Founded in 1879, NMH engages the intellect, compassion and talents of its students, empowering them to act with humanity and purpose. NMH currently enrolls 655 students from 34 states and 46 countries.

spokeswoman ey came from as far away as Texas and Tucson to remember their classmate, their friend, their teammate, Ridge Vanderbur.

Corona del Sol High School 2015 graduates Devon Nelson, Trystin Nelson, Alex Cox, Russell Johns and Chris Baker returned to their alma mater for a special ceremony on March 15 to honor Vanderbur, a fun-loving teen with a passion for surfing and snowboarding, who dreamed of becoming a firefighter. He fought valiantly against bloodstream cancer, but on April 14, 2015, eight months after the diagnosis and less than two months before graduation, Vanderbur died of heart failure, a complication of the disease.

Vanderbur’s parents and sisters, Haily and Seana, both Corona graduates, were presented with his No. 8 volleyball jersey. A patch on the sleeve reads “RV 8.” e jersey, team photos, T-shirts from fundraising efforts for Vanderbur, and a plaque made from words teammates used to describe him, are now on display in the gym lobby.

Brynne Evans, former head volleyball coach and current Corona teacher, organized the event with support from Principal Brent Brown, Assistant Principal Dan Nero, current head coach Geoff Horewitch, Jeana Nelson, last year’s booster club president and volleyball parent, Vanderbur’s senior teammates and others.

Evans said last year was different from anything she had ever experienced before as a coach.

“It was a season about so much more than volleyball. Ridge’s fight against his illness brought the whole community together, especially our volleyball program and varsity team,” she said. “After Ridge lost his battle with cancer, our team was inspired to keep fighting for him each time we played.

“His varsity team bonded together in an unexplainable way. We knew that once the season ended, we

wanted to keep the memory of Ridge spreading throughout our volleyball program and the school.”

For years to come, visitors to Corona’s gym will get a sense of who Ridge was. e plaque will become an award that is given annually to a volleyball player who displays the characteristics Ridge did. Leftover fundraiser money will pay for the award for at least the next ten years.

“We are so happy that we were able to make this ceremony happen,” said Evans. “It brought up a mix of feelings that we had all felt in the past year, but in the end, was a way to show others the impact of Ridge and his fight.”

On the same facebook page Ridge’s family created for family and friends to follow his journey, they posted an update, sharing their gratitude for the remembrance ceremony, calling it “amazing.”

Ridge’s mother wrote, “I know it sounds odd but I worry about Ridge’s life ending and people not remembering him and who he was. ese things are very emotional to go to but they help tremendously with healing. THANK YOU to all who are helping keep his memory alive.”

slices of life

By Jill Pertler

Monday melancholy

Oh, the dreaded Monday. We all experience and endure it; although depending on your specific schedule, your Monday might fall on a ursday. Still, we understand the concept of Monday melancholy (or ursday melancholy, as the case may be).

I’ve never been one to shy away from Mondays. It’s as good a time as any to get things done and put things off. But I have to confess: lately they’ve been getting to me. I find myself feeling listless and unmotivated on the first day of the standard workweek.

You know what they say, when life gives you lemons...In this case, when life gives you a Monday, I say make it a three-day weekend. Unfortunately, that’s not typically possible. Like it or not, we’ve all got to deal with Mondays upward of 50—or maybe even more—times every year.

Science backs me up on this: Mondays are unavoidable. Research has proven that each morning when you wake up, there is a 14.2857 percent chance the day will be a Monday. You can’t argue with numbers because numbers don’t lie—and not just because they can’t talk.

I, for one, am not going to give 14.2857 percent of my days over to melancholy. ere are good things about Mondays. Sure there are. You just have to click your heels together and believe.

Monday marks the beginning of the workweek. Opportunities for accomplishing tasks and attaining goals spread out in the days ahead, waiting to be conquered. Monday is filled with possibilities.

Going to work on Monday gives you a nice break from weekend chores like scrubbing toilets or cleaning out the garage.

A Monday morning commute gives you a break from life, but not traffic. It can be a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future, but not send or receive text messages. You can rock out and sing loudly to the radio on your choice of station without your kids or spouse changing it on you, which can be irritating, even on a Saturday.

As you are making your commute, remember to smile. It’s Monday! If you do, you’ll be ahead of the majority. According to Internet lore, most people do not smile on Monday until 11:16 a.m. and that’s probably because by that time they are anticipating lunch.

Monday is a good day to put things off until tomorrow. You’ve got lots more time to complete the project with a Friday deadline, which seems a long way off on Monday. Procrastination and Mondays go together like wine and cheese.

While procrastinating on a Monday, you can take the chance to catch up on all the social media activity you missed over the weekend (during your

breaks and lunch, of course). You can view photos of all the exciting things your friends did while you were home cleaning the garage.

Monday rhymes with fun-day, which is a great time to test the pairing of wine and cheese alluded to earlier (after work, of course).

Sometimes the sun is shining on Monday. In fact, according to highly accurate Internet statistics, it is the least rainy day of week. at makes it a Monday sun-day, which beats out rainy days and Mondays any day of the week.

Finally, Monday’s a great day to count your blessings. When you do, I’m pretty sure you’ll decide Mondays aren’t so bad after all. Besides, at the end of the day, you’ve only got three more to go—until Friday.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

she’s crafty

By Erica Odello

While cruising Pinterest recently, I came across an Etsy listing for cute glass jars that had been turned into bugs and then placed around the yard. I thought it was a cute idea and definitely something I could create instead of purchase. You will need: Decorative jars, hook for hanging, 10-14 gauge wire, wire snips, flat and needle nose pliers, outdoor epoxy, washers

Finding a good, cute jar is the key to this project. In my head I was seeing something akin to an old perfume bottle. What I was finding were very modern vases that look more like the bottle in the classic TV series “I Dream of Jeannie.” e problem wasn’t insurmountable, just made me rethink my approach.

While any wire can be used, I ended up buying 50 feet of electrical wire from Home Depot because it was available in a number of colors and my kids preferred the red wire to anything silver or copper.

I started the project by unwinding about 8 feet of wire, folding it in half, and then fashioning wings with a series of loops and twists. Use the flat nose pliers to twist the ends together two to three times to secure the wings in place.

Using the loose ends, wrap them tightly around the bottle, joining them with two twists on the opposite side from the wings. Trim the pieces to equal lengths, then use the needle nose pliers to loop the ends back on themselves. ese form your first set of legs and feet.

e next step was to create the loop for hanging the bugs. Cut another 5 feet of wire, fold in half and then cut into two pieces. Use one of the handles on the pliers to fashion a loop in the middle of one of the pieces. Straighten the ends, then twist them together with the other piece of wire five to six times. Spread the loose ends at 45 degree angles from the twisted ends, then wrap them around the bottle and secure with the flat nose pliers. Trim the loose ends to be the same length, then use the needle nose pliers to twist the ends back on themselves creating feet at the end of each leg. e final step is to glue two washers on the end of the bottle as eyes for the bug. Once the epoxy has set, the bugs are ready to be displayed outside. I used a dollar store trellis for my bugs, but I will probably make more and use fishing line to hang them from the branches of a tree or from the eaves of my patio.

around the neighborhood

The spring Tempe Festival of the Arts ended with a damp day, but still managed to draw good crowds of art lovers to Mill Avenue. Vendors braved intermittent rain and wind to display the fruits of their labor and the passion that makes them true artisans. Photos by Tim Sealy

1. Bob Culbertson displays great dexterity and skill on his “Chapman Stick,” an instrument that is similar to two guitars in one. 2. Barry Ferich brought his eclectic collection of “found object” art pieces. 3. Both Kary McFadden and his fourlegged pal Wally were prepared to keep the weather from spoiling their fun. 4. Melody Ballard proudly showcases her hand-made glass art lamps. 5. Roozbeh Khodadadeh and Nargs Masoumi stop to chat with artist Michael Ezzell. 6. Vendors batten down the hatches as a burst of rain approaches. 7. Benjamin Babick on mandolin, Francisco Briseno on banjo, Thalia Arviso on bass and Bill Cox on flat top guitar played bluegrass jams for the crowd. 8. Dylan and Jordan Floyd made the best of a soggy situation. 9. Benjamin Babick played bluegrass mandolin with skill beyond his years. 10. Rani Bitla held very still for her face painting.

10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

wandkeepers help visitors choose the appropriate wand by measuring customers’ dominant hands. ese wands, which average $49, aren’t just showpieces. Point them at the different shops and attractions to activate a few tricks that we’ll leave to your imagination.

It may be simple, but I found the Frog Choir to be especially fun. A couple times a day, the Frog Choir—three “students” who sing and one beatboxing young man, all of whom are accompanied by croaking frogs—hits the stage. eir voices, as well as that of the choir director, were incredible, but the beat-boxing student stole the show.

But now it’s time for “the” ride. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey made the news when, shall we say, it made plenty of riders ill. My niece and husband fared just fine as they made their way through the familiar classrooms and corridors of

Hogwarts, courtesy of a 3-D movie.

e Muggles and students encounter plenty of characters, including the spooky Death Eaters. Harry, Hermione and Ron lead riders through the adventure, which includes the chance to get advice from Dumbledore.

at’s all we’ll say about that. You’ll have to experience this for yourself.

e Flight of the Hippogriff is Universal Studios Florida’s first outdoor, family-friendly coaster. It spirals and flies around the pumpkin patch and swoops past Hagrid’s Hut.

e Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just a shuttle bus away from the stunning, 24-story Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, which boasts a scrumptious prime rib and seafood buffet on the weekends.

But, as my 21-year-old niece, who describes herself as a “huge Harry Potter fan,” says, e Wizarding World of Harry Potter is “a dream come true.” at applies even to lukewarm Harry Potter fans.

But the Harry Potter love doesn’t end there. Check out the Warner Bros. Studio Tour where memorabilia from the

films sits on the second floor of a

tour, which costs $62 a person. But there’s even more fun. Studio Tour, Stage 48: Script to Screen gives guests the opportunity—for a charge—to “fly” on Harry Potter’s broomstick. It employs the same green screen technology used in the “Harry Potter” movie productions.

events calendar

April 20-May 20, 2016

TCA Gallery Presents “Merely Players”

Get an up close and personal look at theatrical costumes and the roles they play in bringing characters to life.

WHEN: Through Saturday, May 14, various times

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe

COST: Free

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Ha*Ash

The Louisiana-born sisters, who are based in Mexico, bring their Latino sounds to the Valley. Their last Valley gig was opening for Ricky Martin.

WHEN: Thursday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill

Ave., Tempe

COST: $25

INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com

Beer Olympics

Attendees can compete in more than 15 games from relay races and corn hole, to giant beer pong.

WHEN: Friday, April 22, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe

COST: $10 to $20

INFO: www.tempemarketplace.com/ events/special-events/

Lakeshore Music Presents the Bill Cunliffe Trio

Jazz pianist, composer and Grammy Award-winning arranger Bill Cunliffe has also been nominated for two Emmys.

WHEN: Saturday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $35

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

City of Tempe Presents Arizona Wind Symphony

Enjoy music under the stars with area high school musicians.

WHEN: Friday, April 29, at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe

COST: Free

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Chalk Art Festival

Watch as artists transform the Tempe Marketplace sidewalks into colorful works of art.

WHEN: Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: Free

INFO: www.tempemarketplace.com/ chalk

Tempe Comedy Concert Series: Andrew Norelli

Andrew Norelli has appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

WHEN: Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $10 to $25

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Lakeshore Music Presents Alfredo Rodriguez Trio

Born in Cuba, Alfredo Rodriguez has been studying music since he was 7 and entered the world of jazz and improvisation at 15.

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $35

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Carolyn Eynon Singers: American Classic Songbook with Big Band Enjoy the classic tunes from the American Classic Songbook.

WHEN: Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $10 to $18

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Hector Coris and Matt Newhard: Together (For No Good Reason) Two of Scottsdale Musical Theater Company’s popular leading men team up in an evening of laughs and song.

WHEN: Sunday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $20

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Nothing but Thieves

Violent Femmes

The Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” has been heard everywhere from punk clubs to Chase Field. Check out the band and see its impressive, fun live show.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe COST: $35 and $55

INFO: (480) 829-0607 or www.luckymanonline.com

See indie rockers Nothing but Thieves perform a free concert on the District Stage.

WHEN: Sunday, May 15, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: Free INFO: www.tempemarketplace.com/ concerts

Tempe Comedy Concert Series: Patrick Bojanowski

Real estate agent Patrick Bojanowski is Phoenix comedy’s best-kept secret. Special guest is “Laughs on Fox’s” Joleen Lunzer.

WHEN: Friday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe COST: $10 to $25

INFO: (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov

Pop Evil brings Michigan work ethic to Tempe

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Pop Evil singer Leigh Kakaty could be Michigan’s biggest fan.

He is vocally inspired by his fellow Michiganders Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Kid Rock and Eminem. Pop Evil carries the strong Midwestern work ethic, and the musicians are strong supporters of the auto industry.

So it made sense to partner with RAM Trucks and offer the single “Footprints” for the company’s commercials.

“Being a band from Michigan, the automotive industry is so important to us and obviously RAM is a big part of our lives,” said Kakaty, who performs a free show with Pop Evil at Tempe Marketplace on Saturday, April 16.

“Footprints” appears on Pop Evil’s latest album “Up,” a collection that reflects Kakaty’s newfound happiness.

“We decided to take a more positive approach and be more appreciative about where we’re at,” he said. “Rock, as a genre, can be very depressing. ere’s a lot of negativity—‘Rock ‘n’ roll is dead.’ ‘Nobody wants to listen to rock.’ ‘It’s all country and hip hop.’

“We get the opportunity to play rock music for a living. at’s a privilege and it’s an honor. It’s something we worked our tails off to be able to do. We look at it as a glass half full, rather than a glass half empty.”

Ironically, his happiness stemmed from the aftermath of his dad’s 2011 death.

“He was my best friend,” Kakaty said. “We all handle that in a different perspective. For me, it was really tough. I had a lot of built-up anger and anxiety.

“I was on tour living my dream instead of being home there with him. I could have been enjoying the last few years with him. e reality of it was, ‘What am I going to do? Sit at home and stare at my dad?’ He would have been so stoked to know that I’m over here pursuing something for my future. I know he would have been happy with that.”

He said he wanted to celebrate his father’s life and take a more positive approach on “Up.”

“What the album did for me was it rejuvenated my love for music,”

explained Kakaty, whose band was honored with Pop Evil Day in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of this lifestyle from one tour to the next tour, going from one single to the next single.

“Everything is a singles business. You’re only as big as your last song. For a rock band, you can’t tour without albums or singles. It’s not like it was 20 years ago when you have a big hit single and you’re playing arenas, or two hit singles and that’s your album cycle. We need four to five to stay in business.”

He’s not afraid of the work that he puts in with Pop Evil. He’s hoping to become a household name, but he also wants to prove that rock isn’t dead.

“Learning to play guitar is not Guitar Hero,” he quipped.

e four musicians he’s inspired by— Nugent, Seger, Kid Rock and Eminem— are helping keep the Michigan brand alive. Pop Evil is doing the same.

“ ose people really believed in their roots and Michigan pride,” Kakaty said. “Whether it’s sporting events or cars, we’re very grounded. It’s like Michigan is its own country. We have our own culture and I swear we speak Michiganese.

“Plus, we know it’s cold here. But we’re not going anywhere. You can keep punching us in the face but we’re going to get up, get a paycheck and take care of our families. We have that Michigan mentality and it’s definitely apparent when it comes down to our band.”

Pop Evil performs at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. e show is free. For more information, visit www.tempemarketplace.com.

Thursday, May 19th through Saturday, May 21st

Friday, June 10th and Friday, June 17th

Friday, Sept. 9th through Saturday, Sept. 10th

Bartlett Lake Marina Carefree, Arizona

8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

La Fonda Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

When it comes to its eatery La Fonda Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, the Pedraza family believes in a strong work ethic. Without it, it wouldn’t have been able to hit a milestone that many restaurants do not—its 49th anniversary.

Founded by Marc Pedraza’s paternal grandmother, Eloise Franklin, in 1967, La Fonda is a hidden gem. La Fonda serves up an extensive menu of Mexican dishes to please every palate at affordable prices.

“I would say our specialties are the red and green chile con carne,” Pedraza said. “We’ve been preparing that the same way since my grandma opened the restaurant. We’re also known for our salsa and chips. We prepare them when people come into the restaurant. We get a lot of compliments on the salsa.”

With that sort of endorsement, it wasn’t hard to get excited about the chips and salsa that were served to us by Pedraza’s sister Angela Cota. Warm, fresh nachos and salsa greeted me and my mother when we arrived at the restaurant, which means “small meeting place.” Our server catered to our every whim. Upon ordering

the cheese crisp ($5.95), our server recommended a few dishes as well as a sample of the fundido sauce—a spicy blend of cheese and jalapenos.

Pedraza said the fundido sauce is a relatively new favorite; it was added five years ago to complement red or green burros ($8.95). It contrasts the spiciness of the chile and the tanginess of the cheese on top.

I tried two carne asada tacos ($10.95). is wasn’t an average Mexican dish. First, the carne asada wasn’t dry, neither were the beans or rice. Instead, the juicy meat dripped from my soft shell, but there was a curiously sweet taste to the meat. Pedraza was proud to share that the meat is marinated in orange juice, which leaves it moist with just a hint of a fruity taste.

My mom tried the build-your-own combo, with a shredded beef taco, a cheese enchilada and a bean and cheese tostada ($12.95). is taco wasn’t dry, either, and held up nicely the next day. e cheese enchilada with red sauce was had just the right amount of kick for her, and there was so much food that she took home the bean and cheese tostada.

We were way too full to try dessert,

but the selection is outstanding: flan with vanilla custard drizzled with caramelized sugar ($4.25); fried ice cream with or without strawberries ($3.75 to $4.75); sopapillas ($3.25) or mini chocolate chimis ($4 to $5.25).

e food may be stellar at La Fonda, but Pedraza hopes customers feel part of a family while they’re at the restaurant.

“I take a lot of pride in my family and I hope others do, too,” he said. “Growing up, that was my first job when I was 14. My grandma was still alive then.”

It remains a family affair. Pedraza’s parents, Ray and Janet, work as kitchen manager and front of house, respectively. His sisters, the aforementioned Angela Cota and Christi Cox, work there as well.

“People can come in with family or friends and just enjoy themselves and enjoy a very casual Mexican meal,” Pedraza said. “We’re not trying to do anything fancy. We’re just trying to stay true to the roots of my grandmother.”

What’s Cooking?

By Jan D’Atri

English Trifle (Zuppa Inglese)

I call this dish my “made-for-TV dessert.”

I’m sharing one of my own family’s recipes that’s one of the simplest, most beautiful desserts you can present to the table. It is the sensational English trifle or “Zuppa Inglese,” a favorite in the D’Atri family for decades. What I really love about it is it looks like a “bowl of extravagance,” yet it’s literally a piece of cake to put together. From the top, our English trifle looks like a giant bowl of whipped cream finished off with fresh fruit. But from the sides you can see all the layers of cake, vanilla pudding and sliced strawberries, kiwi

and boysenberries. Sometimes what you don’t see is the best part—a subtle brushing of Grand Marnier over the cake layers.

By the way, how did the English Trifle get an Italian nickname?

e stories are as varied as the recipes you’ll find for this elegant dessert. But I’m sure it came about because when you dive your spoon into the layers, the consistency of the trifle is more like a sweet, rich soup or “zuppa.”

is is our “Sunday Brunch on the patio” time of year and the English Trifle is the perfect edible center piece.

English Trifle (Zuppa Inglese)

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 box of pudding and pie filling (do not use instant)

2-3 pints of ripe strawberries

1/4 cup granulated sugar

6-8 fresh ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced

2 pints of fresh blueberries or boysenberries

1 pint whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup Grand Marnier

Bake cake mix as directed and pour into three 8-inch pie tins. If you only have one pie pan, bake each for about 12-15 minutes or until done. Prepare vanilla pudding as directed, and set aside. Chop one pint of strawberries and combine with granulated sugar. Slice second pint of strawberries thin. Slice kiwi fruit. Place the first cake disc in a trifle or clear glass bowl. Brush on one third of the Grand Marnier. Around the edge of the trifle bowl, alternate slices of kiwi and strawberries, laying fruit flat against the bowl. With a spoon, spread strawberries and sugar combination over cake layer. Drop spoonfuls of one half of the pudding over strawberry mixture. Add second cake disc and brush with Grand Marnier. Line the edge of the bowl with fresh blueberries or boysenberries. Add third cake disc. Brush with liquor and spoon strawberry mixture and pudding over cake. Combine whipped cream, vanilla and powdered sugar, beating until stiff. Spread whipped cream over pudding and decorate with sliced fruit. For the final touch, spoon some whipped cream into a piping bag and create a mound in the middle of the cake and top with a fresh strawberry. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Spoon into clear dessert bowls or parfait glasses. Serves approximately 8.

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By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Turf and Sport owner opens Artificial Grass Superstore

In the early 2000s, Mike Alexander was looking to change careers. Little did he know that a visit to the home of his wife’s grandmother would offer an idea for that opportunity.

“We went to her house in Sun Lakes and she backed up to a golf course,” Alexander said. “Her grass looked incredible—better than the golf course. I went out with my son, who was 1, and realized it was synthetic.” at piqued his curiosity about synthetic turf.

quote, or even purchase the products to do the installation themselves.

“We’re a one-stop shop for all of your synthetic turf needs,” Alexander said. “We have everything you need here.”

e store has pallets of product as well as tools for rent, like power brooms.

“We have specialty tools that you would need that we rent out,” he said.

In 2004, Alexander bought the rights to a company that was new in the market. Four years ago, he switched to his own brand and Turf and Sport was born. At the beginning of this year, he opened his first local brick-and-mortar store, Artificial Grass Superstore, at 221 E. Willis Rd., Chandler. For more information, call (480) 726-2411 or visit http:// artificialgrasssuperstore.com/. He also has a store in Santa Ana, California.

“We’ve always had a warehouse in Chandler, but it was in an industrial park and it was tucked away,” Alexander said. “We weren’t really set up for people just to walk in. Now we have someone behind the counter. All the samples are on the wall. You can see us from Arizona Avenue, so we’re getting a lot of traffic through there.”

At the Artificial Grass Superstore, customers can stop by and request a

Now is the perfect time to install synthetic grass, Alexander added. He said when he drives through neighborhoods near his Gilbert home, about half of the yards have artificial grass.

“ at’s how popular it has become,” he said. “It’s a lot different now—even in the last two years. It looks so much better than a couple years ago and it performs a lot better. It doesn’t wear down when you walk on it. It stands back up.”

Alexander has completed some pretty impressive jobs. He and his team installed synthetic grass at the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island, California, between the hotel and the beach.

He’s also worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the wedding lawn at El Chorro Lodge in Paradise Valley, as well as model home complexes.

“We have a lot of cool, fun jobs that we’ve done.”