November 16 – December 6, 2013 www.SanTanSun.com
Voters say ‘Yes’ to CUSD override Southwest Ornaments shares the beauty of the desert BY TRACY HOUSE
In what can be considered a close decision, voters in the Chandler Unified School District cast their ballots to pass the requested override that will generate funds for the school district. The grassroots effort was led by Jim Bishop, “Yes for Chandler Students” chairman, and his team of teachers, parents and district personnel. With the passage of the override, Bishop says, “Now is when the really hard work begins. Now it’s up to CUSD.” He explains that the voting public has entrusted the district with this to be responsible with the money; to keep supporting existing programs that have been successful and the three things that were promised. Those include an increase in security measures, maintaining class sizes, and recruiting and maintaining outstanding and exceptional educators. Funds generated by the override will be part of the CUSD 2014-15 budget, but Bishop explains, that the tax will be part of 2014 property taxes. “We have to stay focused,” Bishop says of what is next for the committee. “I would like our committee to be a voice that supports education.” He mentions encouraging parents and community members to get involved in education by volunteering and attending school functions. “CUSD is a bedrock of the community and it belongs to all of us, so therefore take
BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Jim Bishop. Submitted photo
part in it.” Dr. Camille Casteel, CUSD superintendent, says the override means, “We’ll get our head above the water a bit. We are going to enhance the safety in our schools. We’ll be able to work toward achieving that. The school board has a plan for us to be one of the best school districts in the nation and being able to continue to develop a variety of programs to meet the needs of our children, to continue to develop our options and choices for parents. These funds will allow us to do that.” Casteel says this spring the district will begin safety enhancements throughout the schools, including hiring of additional security personnel SEE CUSD
OVERRIDE PAGE 6
For nearly two decades, Southwest Ornaments has been selling its handpainted southwestern design ornaments online and across the United States. Remarkably, the husband and wife duo of Brenda and Rick Schodt creates the gems of Southwest Ornaments and owns and operates the business from their home in Chandler. “After many years of giving my handpainted ornaments as gifts at Christmas time, I founded my first company called Delicate Designs in May of 1997. In July of 2007, I renamed and restructured my company which is now the Southwest Ornaments you see today,” explains Brenda Schodt. She attended ASU (where she also met future husband, Rick, who was a business major) after arriving in Arizona from her hometown in Janesville, WI. A gifted artist, she earned a degree in fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design. Her love of the desert was instant. Brenda continues to capture the desert landscape and its beautiful moments on her hand-crafted glass ornaments. While Brenda takes care of the creative end of the business, Rick handles much of the administrative work and shipping. Some interesting custom work has come their way via some of their larger clients. “We’re in Grand Canyon, Mount
THE ARTIST AT WORK: Brenda Schodt hand paints glass ornaments for her company, Southwest Ornaments. Submitted photo
Rushmore, Queen Mary and ‘Standing on the Corner’ in Winslow. We’re getting a lot more requests which is nice because that’s where we’re looking to expand the business,” Rick explains. “We’re in over 300 stores across Arizona, New Mexico and California primarily. We also do a national ornament and we’re in the Willie Nelson Museum in Nashville. Again, we’re looking to expand those opportunities, as well,” Rick says. “We are full time and we are busy. We ship every single day of the year. What we’ve found is that people collect ornaments everywhere SEE SOUTHWEST ORNAMENTS PAGE 4
Tree-lighting ceremony and parade set for Dec. 7
TRP golfers win silver in Special Olympics golf tourney
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
BY TRACY HOUSE
The holiday season will officially begin in Chandler when Mayor Jay Tibshraeny flips the switch to turn on the tumbleweed Christmas tree between 8 and 8:15 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7, at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. The 57th annual event will be accompanied by the 24th Parade of Lights in downtown Chandler. Festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. The free family event features activities and entertainment to encourage the community to come out before the tree-lighting ceremony and parade. Two stages will host local entertainment and the Hot 97.5 Street
Matthew Yamashiro has been golfing for 10 years and has been playing consistently for the last six years. “I like to play golf,” Matthew says. “I know how to hit the ball.” Matthew, a member of Special Olympics Chandler and the Therapeutic Recreation Program through the city of Chandler, began playing golf when he was younger. But his father, Carl Yamashiro, explains it wasn’t until they became aware of Special Olympics five years ago that Matthew began playing regularly. Matthew, 22, graduated from Hamilton High School in 2010 and has been working at Albertsons food store
SEE CEREMONY PAGE 5
TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY: The 57th annual Tumbleweed Tree-Lighting Ceremony will take place in downtown Chandler on Sat., Dec. 7. Submitted photo FOR A COOLER ARIZONA
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on Alma School Road as a courtesy clerk for two years. “It’s close to my house. I can walk there or my dad can drive me there sometimes.” With his golf game, he likes to hit the ball hard, he says. He mentions he’s good at putting also. Matthew practices Thursdays at Bear Creek Golf Course on Riggs Road. Through Special Olympics there are 30 teams in a unified league. In this case, he is partnered with Carl, a team that began playing together with Special Olympics five years ago. “He hits pretty good,” says Matthew of Carl. Carl explains that he and Matthew played last year at Wigwam Golf Resort
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Every day is Earth Day in Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 UltraStar celebrates first anniversary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17 ‘Dunk Your Kicks,’ support pediatric cancer patients . . . . . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 28 Cooper battles cancer, prepares for Ironman . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . .Page 43 Messina heads to Rawhide Nov. 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 55
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SEE GOLF PAGE 6
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