Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
October 5 – 18, 2013
49
Neighbors Breast cancer hits home for Chandler woman
Organizations join forces to provide makeover magic
Help others, celebrate Halloween at CCC
Neighbors PAGE 51
Spirituality PAGE 59
Pesto’s proves that an upscale restaurant is exactly what Chandler needs
SEE CANCER PAGE 51
PAGES 74
Local writer raised to live for adventure BY ANA ANGUIANO
When Chandler resident Ann Kronwald isn’t running a business with her husband or chasing after her grandchildren, she writes. Kronwald was recently published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade” with her beautiful story about finding adventure and happiness in her upbringing in a single-parent home. “Whenever someone asks me to characterize my life—especially my younger years—I always say ‘adventure,’” Kronwald says. “It was way too boring to do something twice and I know I got that from mom. She was a true adventurer and we did a lot of that growing up.” Her piece titled “Adventures in Staying” is a bit of a detour from her everyday writing. Kronwald enjoys studying the different Hebrew names of God and
BY VALERI SPIWAK
Faustine Gabriel learned about breast cancer at the age of 14, when a volunteer representative from the Phoenix Susan G. Komen Foundation visited her junior high class. Realizing the seriousness of breast cancer, Gabriel, a Chandler resident, immediately took the material home and discussed it with her mother, who knew almost nothing about the disease. Within a week Gabriel’s mother found a lump during a self-breast exam and, after meeting with a doctor, was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I’m Chinese,” Gabriel says. “In my culture, we actually don’t talk about cancer. It’s seen as a taboo topic so growing up I never knew what cancer was.” Gabriel’s mother is a breast cancer survivor. Cancer is still an unmentionable topic in her culture, but Gabriel has dedicated her life to spreading breast cancer awareness in her community as a Komen Foundation outreach ambassador. “If people don’t know about breast cancer, we don’t know how to find the cure for it, we don’t know how to test ourselves to see if something is wrong with us or not,” Gabriel says. “I educate my community. I’m not afraid to be a voice in my community to tell people about the tests and what breast cancer is and everything. I’ve been a volunteer since 2009 as a community ambassador.” Heather Roberts, interim executive
Where to Eat
WINE AND DINE: There is something on the menu to excite everyone’s taste buds at Pesto’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar. Photo courtesy of Scott Farence, www.f2pix.com BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
There’s much more to Pesto’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar than first meets the eye. The family-owned and -operated wine bar and restaurant started out as a pizza place at its Chandler location 19 years ago. It has since blossomed into an upscale wine bar with a very impressive menu and a vast list of quality wines. One thing that is so striking about Pesto’s is the ambiance and décor. A group of exotic saltwater fish greets customers after they enter the door and set the stage for the cool and comfortable atmosphere. “Don Carstens is the designer who did Pesto’s,” explains owner Frank Taurisano. “He also designed Ocean Club, Maestro’s
SEE WRITER PAGE 55
and City Hall.” Indeed, the upscale and refined décor is just a taste of what Pesto’s has in store for their valued customers. Pesto’s is equal parts wine bar and restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu has been carefully orchestrated by Executive Chef Chad Bolar, who previously helmed Christopher’s at The Biltmore. “Every week we come out with a new menu. It’s to die for. He’s really talented and we’re lucky to have him,” notes Taurisano of Bolar. Some of the most popular entrees on the menu include ziti and grilled chicken, the linguini with white clam sauce and the Italian burger that includes ricotta, SEE PESTO’S PAGE 54
LOCAL WRITER: Ann Kronwald kicks up her feet when she gets to work. Photo courtesy of Ann Kronwald
N O N - S U R G I C A L T R E AT M E N T O F VA R I C O S E A N D S P I D E R V E I N S
Love your legs... Again! Stunning Results • Non-surgical laser procedure • Minimal recovery time • Done in the office by a Physician • Over 10,000 patients treated • Covered by most insurance and Medicare
Dr. Paul Sos, M.D. Dr. John Opie, M.D. Dr. Kenneth Seifert, M.D
Free
Pair of Graduated Compression Stockings
On the first new patient consult. With coupon only. Limited time. Expires 10-31-2013
Free Screenings Available!
$100 OFF Cosmetic Visual Sclerotherapy With coupon only. Limited time. Expires 10-31-2013
480-899-8930 • 485 S. Dobson Rd., Ste. 103, Chandler • www.optimaveincare.com • 3 Locations: Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale