Neighbors

All aflutter

Chandler’s annual Butterfly and Dragonfly Bash at Veterans Oasis Park brought out children by the score on Sept. 18. They included 1 )Ava Skovgaard, 6, who watched a volunteer feed scorpions and then saw 2) Abigail Schrauth, 16, do the same; while crafts were on the mind of 3) Julian Chhoa, 5. 4) Cecillia Jaime-Sosa, 2, was fascinated with a damselfly on Pam Lee’s finger as 5) Juliette Lange, 5, worked on her art. 6) Elly Bustamante, 6, left, and Constantine Bustamante, 3, got a kick out of the special photo board while 7) Camryn Keegan, 2, worked on making a butterfly.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

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ICAN has big hopes for fundraiser gala

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

One year after COVID-19 brought down the curtain on big fall fundraisers, Chandler-based ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth is planning its dreamBIG fundraiser for Nov. 19.

With a theme this year titled “Come Together,” dreamBIG “is an extension of what is done every day at ICAN – working to make dreams come true youth in the East Valley,” the a spokeswoman said.

The goal of dreamBIG is raising enough funding to ensure ICAN’s programs remain free to the community

The evening includes a cocktail reception with an open bar followed by a formal dinner and event program. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on unique live auction experiences and will have the chance to support ICAN youth with a one-time gift.

As part of the festivities, ICAN will be announcing the 2021 Henry Salinas Society Heroes Award winners and will recognize this year’s Chris E. Hoeye Award nominees.

The Henry Salinas Society comprises individuals, businesses, and foundations that share ICAN’s vision that all Chandler youth have access to quality programs that promote their academic and personal success.

The award is named after Chris Hoeye, who grew the Big Two Toyota dealership into one of the region’s largest auto dealers. dreamBIG is presented by Big Two Toyota of Chandler.

Other sponsors include Fiesta Bowl Charities, Edward Jones, SRP, Caroline Hoeye, Kovach Enclosure Systems, Intel, BOK Financial, Traction Point, PEM Real Estate Group, AlphaGraphics, PRO EM, MFRG ICON, Arizona Bank and Trust, The Amy Jones Group-Keller Williams Integrity First Realty, O -Five LLC, Commit Agency, Alliant Private Client, Gallagher & Kennedy, Bourdo Family Foundation, Watermark Wealth, Globe Life Liberty National Division, Cetera Investors, and PNC Bank.

ICAN’s year-long mission partners are the Chandler Compadres and Chris & Caroline Hoeye.

The event will starty at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, 4949 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. Tickets are $250 for individuals or just $450 for couples. Tickets can be purchased at icanaz.org/dreambig or by contacting Katie Stringham at 480-8747579 for more information. ICAN is a free youth center in the East Valley celebrating 30 years o ering programs for youth, teens, families and the community.

Its nationally-recognized prevention programming teaches disadvantaged youth real-life skills including goal setting, positive decision making and how to avoid the risky behaviors that are prevalent in the community ICAN serves.

It boasts of evidence-supported programming that equips youth to achieve personal and academic success. ICAN was twice named “Outstanding Afterschool Program” by the Arizona Center for After School Excellence.

Information: 480-821-4207 or visit icanaz.org.

Chandler marks National Hispanic Heritage month

Gramps a champ

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The city Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division has launched Chandler Contigo – a month-long program of family and educational events and activities celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Here is a schedule of the events that will be held throughout the city.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, the 22nd Annual Chandler Mariachi and Folklorico Festival, presented by the Chandler Center for the Arts in partnership with C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona and Maestra Vanessa Ramirez, will be at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., featuring the music of Mariachi Tesoro de Tucson, Herencia Mexicana Arizona, and ranchera and mariachi soloist Sandra Guevara, along with folklorico dancers from Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ. Buy tickets: chandlercenter.org/events/ cca-calle-de-arizona-present-22nd-annual-mariachi-folklorico-festival.

Chandler Contigo also will host a variety of events at Chandler Museum,

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located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. Admission is free.

Those events include: 10 a.m. Oct. 4. Chandler Contigo Pre-School Storytime 2-4 p.m. Oct. 6. Chandler Contigo Art Day will feature an art exhibit with photos from local Latino families and communities. Artist Miguel Gadoy will give a presentation on his cultural inspiration and art form. 4 p.m. Oct. 7. Chandler Contigo Adventures of Sophia and Pepe will feature award-winning author Albert Quihuis as he hosts a reading from his storybook series, “The Adventures of Sophia and Pepe,” as well as a talk about heritage and the impact of cultural stories. 6-7 p.m. Oct. 7. Chandler Contigo: Treasure Map to Your Life and Legacy will feature Quihuis as he hosts an interactive presentation of his newly published Legacy Journal. Attendees will be able to follow the author while he shows them how to chart their own heritage and continue their heritages legacy (time is pending). 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Families are invited to Chandler Contigo Family Movie Night featuring “Coco,” a free viewing of a classic story about how a family is at the forefront of Latino culture (time is pending). 1 p.m. Oct. 9. Chandler Contigo Salsa Dancing Demo will feature a salsa dancing performance from local dance group, as well as craft/maker stations related to family and heritage. 3-7 p.m. Oct. 9. Chandler Contigo: Community Resource Fair at Compass Christian Church, The Grid, 824 W. Germann Road. Chandler Contigo, in partnership with Compass Church, will host a community resource fair for residents of all backgrounds to come out and enjoy entertainment, family-friendly activities and get connected to a wide variety of resources and services.

Information: chandleraz.gov/DiversityEvents or Cisco Luzania at 480-7824367.