Ostrich Festival returns March 11 to Tumbleweed Park
BY COUNCILMAN TERRY ROE
Well, folks, get ready, it’s all happening again. The countdown to the 28th Chandler Chamber of Commerce Ostrich Festival has begun. The event, which regularly draws more than 100,000 visitors over the three-day extravaganza, is scheduled for March 11-13 at Tumbleweed Park.
Every year, the festival keeps getting bigger and better with new attractions, live entertainment, food vendors and the highly anticipated ostrich races. A week prior to the festival, the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its annual Mayor’s Fun Run and Ostrich Parade along Arizona Avenue in downtown Chandler.
The Ostrich Festival has been a Chandler tradition since 1988. It began as a community celebration of our ostrich-ranching heritage, when Chandler was a leading producer of ostrich feathers in the early 20th century. Slowly over time, it has grown to become a signature event for our city and one of the premier festivals in the Southwest.
This year, the celebration kicks off on March 5, with a 5K run along Arizona Avenue. Walkers and runners of all ages are welcome to participate. Registration is available online at www.4peaksracing.com or by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (480) 963-4571. Children younger than age 10 can participate for free. Participants 11 years and older receive a T-shirt with their registration.
After the Mayor’s Fun Run, at 10 a.m., visitors can enjoy the ostrich-themed parade. It is a colorful and lively procession of 100 entries that include floats, bands, dancers, classic cars and horses. It is a free, must-see event for anyone in the downtown that day. If that’s not fun enough for you and the family, the annual public safety open houses will take place right around the corner, with demonstrations from our Police and Fire, Health and Medical Departments.
The carnival itself begins at 2 p.m. Friday,
March 11. The three-day festival takes place at Tumbleweed Park with carnival rides, games, live music, camel and pony rides, a petting zoo and more. New this year are a free stingray encounter, wild science exhibit, motorcycle stunts, remote-controlled vehicle races and several thrill rides including “the Inversion,” “the Quasar” and “1001 Nachts.” Details about the rides and attractions can be found online at www.ostrichfestival.com.
The entertainment lineup promises to be appealing to a diverse audience. There will be nationally recognized country bands and famous Latin, salsa, jazz, rock and hiphop performers. Magicians, balloon artists, singers, dancers and fictional characters will perform on and off stage to keep the young ones entertained as well.
For the first time, tickets for the festival are available online at www.ostrichfestival. com. There is also an option to purchase Fast Passes to avoid lines for the rides and group packages for 10 people at a 15-percent discount. Regular tickets are $10 for adults; seniors 60 and older and children 12 and under are $7; and children 4 and younger are free. Parking is $5 per car and $3 per motorcycle. Through March 10, advance tickets will also be available for sale at Fry’s Food and Drug stores. For further information about the events, tickets and volunteer opportunities, call the Ostrich Festival hotline at (480) 588-8497.
A big “thank you” to the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors including SRP, Peoples Mortgage Company, Native Grill, Fry’s Food Stores, the SanTan Brewery, Thorobred Chevrolet as well as all the vendors, participants and volunteers who contribute to the success of this outstanding event.
City Councilman Terry Roe can be reached at terry.roe@chandleraz.gov. His term expires January 2019.
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Chandler SciTech Festival celebrates fifth anniversary
BY COUNCILMAN RICK HEUMANN
Chandler has long demonstrated successful leadership and partnership roles within the region that creates a positive culture for science and technology. The annual Chandler SciTech Festival continues that legacy, celebrating its fifth anniversary. Chandler’s event continues to be a part of the Arizona SciTech Festival statewide event and is being recognized as the signature event this year.
This two-day event is being held in downtown Chandler and focuses on the world of science, providing a fun, engaging experience for all who attend. This is a way to celebrate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and is a fun way to learn about the importance of STEM in everyday life situations.
Studying STEM is no longer boring like some may remember. Handson activities allow one to see how something works, instead of reading about it from a book. It provides a way to imagine, explore, make things happen and remember the how and why. Watching kids engage and get excited makes this all worth it!
Day one of the event highlighted the world of science as it relates to art and every day technology. The festivities began on Friday, Feb. 19, with the monthly Art Walk. It was a Night of Art and Science in downtown Chandler. Local artists will showcase their creations, while residents learn about the science and technology behind the tools and processes used. Residents can learn about the art of 3-D printing, wire sculpturing and woodworking.
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On Saturday, Feb. 20, the Chandler SciTech Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Chandler. There are more than 60 participants providing interactive demonstrations and educational opportunities for people of all ages. Residents can meet makers showcasing some of their products and learn about coding, forensic science, robotics, rocketry and atmospheric pressure. With the continued support of the Chandler Education Coalition, represented by local businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits and various City departments, we are able to continue to offer this free, family friendly event and provide experiences for everyone. Intel has graciously offered to sponsor this event for the third year, and I extend my sincere appreciation for its continued support. I am very proud of how this event continues to grow each year. It wouldn’t be successful without the dedication from all of the participants. I want to personally thank them for volunteering their time to provide this opportunity to our youth.
Bring your family and have fun enjoying the art of learning without even realizing it! For information on schedules, program details and event maps, visit our website at www. chandleraz.gov/science. For more information on statewide events, visit www.azscitech.com.
City Councilman Rick Heumann can be reached at rick.heumann@chandleraz. gov. His term expires January 2017.
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A world-class resource Community Commentaries
BY ERIC EHST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEIGHBORS WHO CARE
Recently I was in Gilbert at a meeting of East Valley senior service providers. As soon as I introduced myself as being from Neighbors Who Care another attendee spoke up, “My grandmother lives in Sun Lakes and you take such good care of her!” Then the moderator asked somewhat incredulously, “And you do all of this for free?” Before the meeting ended two other people came up to tell me that NWC cares for their relatives or friends and to compliment us on the outstanding job we do.
This was not an isolated incident or in any way unusual. Wherever I go, anywhere in the Valley, I invariably get one of two comments. I either hear about a loved one or acquaintance whose life has been touched, or even “saved,” by the volunteers
of Neighbors Who Care. Or I hear some version of, “I wish there was an organization like yours where my mother/grandmother/ friend lives.”
We are periodically visited by representatives from charitable foundations, city agencies and other service organizations.
The tours almost always last twice as long as scheduled so we can cover everything we do and are followed by comments such as: “I had no idea you did all of that,”
“Your volunteers are amazing” and the ever-popular, “I really wish there was an organization like yours where my mother lives.”
To the people of Sun Lakes and South Chandler, Neighbors Who Care is not a secret. What is not so generally known is the breadth of our services or the profound effect we have on the lives of those we
serve. We now have over 500 volunteers helping about 1,500 clients. Demand is increasing as we add about 30 new clients each month and as they continue to age. About 40 percent are now over 85, with 75 percent older than 75. Over two-thirds of them live alone, many with no local family to help out and without enough money pay for all of the care they need. That’s what makes us so vital. In their own words:
“Thank you for coming to my rescue!”
“I know we couldn’t have made it without your help.”
“Thank you for the wonderful support you provided to my grandfather.”
“I can never thank you enough.”
“Without your help and kindness, I’d be in a home.”
The editors of the SanTan Sun News are seeking residents of the Southeast Chandler community to contribute to our publication. We have been delivering the news of the area to 30,000 driveways for more than 17 years. As a writer for the SanTan Sun News you would be compensated for reporting on local stories in your community. Professional writing experience is required. If you might have an interest in joining our stable of talented community journalists, please send your resume and writing samples to Christina@SanTanSun.com.
Even as we work to meet the demand we’re finding new ways to improve. We now provide free meals when clients can’t afford them. We provide an extra layer of support to frail seniors discharged from hospitals and rehab centers. We are experimenting with new ways to keep our homebound clients socially connected and active. Our community is lucky. Neighbors Who Care is truly a world-class organization on the cutting edge of providing cost effective community-based solutions to the challenge of caring for our aging population. Our volunteers are among the best and most caring people in an increasingly hostile world. We’d love to have you join us. For more information, call (480) 895-7133 or visit www.NeighborsWhoCare.com.
