1 18 14stsn p45 56 neighbors

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Neighbors

www.SanTanSun.com

January 18 - 31, 2014

45

Neighbors ‘Jeep Girls’ share their story, bring awareness

Don’t know your jewelry? Know your jeweler

VUU services include MLK, choir

Neighbors PAGE 46

Spirituality PAGE 63

Where to Eat PAGES 71-74

Becoming an Outdoors Woman ‘tremendous’ experience for participants BY TRACY HOUSE

JEEP FACTORY: Ashley and Brittany Hill, the Jeep Girls, traveled to the Jeep Wrangler Factory in Toledo, OH, during their American Legend Tour. Submitted photo BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Two Chandler sisters dubbed “The Jeep Girls” share their lifestyles with likeminded people by giving back to others as they tour the country bringing awareness of American culture. “Life is a constant treasure hunt and we are able to learn about our culture through the people, landscape and industry,” says Ashley Hill, who makes up the Jeep Girls with sister Brittany Hill. The two are relative newcomers to Arizona, having moved here from Illinois when Brittany, now 25, was just out of high school. “It was quite a culture shock,” Brittany explains. She says when they moved to Chandler, they learned that life can be sunny and colorful. Arizona offers a LAS VEGAS: Brittany and Ashley Hill stopped very laid-back atmosphere, in Las Vegas during their American Legend Tour. Submitted photo Brittany says.

Before the ‘Jeep Girls’ The love of Jeeps resonated at a very young age for the Hill sisters. The duo has a family video where they are in a Power Wheel flame red Jeep Wrangler. “In this video Brittany is 3 or 4 and I am 1,” Ashley says. “In this video our parents taught us the word ‘Jeep.’” The girls purchased matching flame red Jeep Cherokees as teens and, in 2005, they went on a nationwide search to find a Jeep Wrangler, which they found in Chicago. SEE JEEP

GIRLS

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Ask Alexandra Heath if she’d attend another Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) skills clinic again and the answer is a definite “Yes.” Heath, who lives in Chandler, took part in the outdoor skills clinic in Prescott in September. After hearing a friend talk about it, she decided to give it a try. “It was tremendous, we had a great time.” A life-long hiker and camper, Heath says being with 100 people who have the same likes and interests was just too much fun. Geared toward any skill level from novice to experienced, Heath says, “My goal was to get my hunters safety test because I was going hunting with my husband for the first time and they conveniently offered it.” She says she preferred taking the hunters safety class with 100 women her age than a 12 year old at the rifle range.

RAPPELLING: Desirae Yourgules, right, and Theresa Pinto practice rappelling down a nearly 100-foot mountain at Papago Park in Tempe. Yourgules says the experience was “amazing” and would definitely do it again. Submitted photo

“It sounded like a whole lot of fun and they have so many different classes, all of which I’m interested in.” A lot like summer camp, but for ladies only, the objective of the program is to provide women with an opportunity to learn basic outdoor skills in a fun, nonthreatening manner. Taught by experienced volunteers, the BOW camps are offered seasonally, on Jan. 24-26 at SEE OUTDOORS PAGE 49

Chili cook-off to benefit Clothes Cabin BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Clothes Cabin is celebrating the end of “chili” nights with a benefit that’s sure to warm the senses. The first “No More Chili Nights” chili cook-off at 6 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1, at PRS Property Management, 4129 W. Milky Way, Chandler, will showcase dishes prepared by area firefighters. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds support the operations of Clothes Cabin. Entertainment, food, beverages, desserts and silent auction will also be featured in the airplane hangar. For tickets, call 480-2854111 or visit the Clothes Cabin, 1100 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 9, Chandler. Its website is clothescabin.org. “Firemen are known for their chili,” says Clothes Cabin President Caryn Shoemaker. “I think this is going to be a great chance to have a little spirit of competition.” Judges Kevin Hartke, a Chandler city councilman, and Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce president, will offer prizes for People’s Choice Award and Best Comfort Food Chili.

SUPPORTIVE: Clothes Cabin at 1100 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 9, Chandler, offers several services to those who are less fortunate. Submitted photo

“The people who go there will not know who cooked what. They’ll get to sample all four,” Shoemaker says.

Modest beginnings Clothes Cabin was founded in 2001 as One Small Step by a group of women that collected socks for eight years to give to clothing banks, schools and homeless shelters. Shoemaker explains that the loose-knit organization, which SEE CHILI PAGE 49


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