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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | DECEMBER 5, 2021
For more community news visit SanTanSun.com
A guide to the holiday events in Chandler BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER
During the holidays, Chandler lights up. A festive holiday spirit spills from shops, restaurants, theaters, parks and libraries, where halls are decked, trees are trimmed, and tables are set to celebrate the season. This year promises heaps of holiday things to do in Chandler. Every must-do holiday list includes a visit to the City’s iconic Tumbleweed Tree, a seat at Ballet Etude’s The Nutcracker, the purchase of the perfect locally made gift for that perfect someone from the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market or Visit Chandler’s Holiday Guide; a walk through the whimsical life-size sweets displays on view during Sugarland; and of course, a commemorative photo with the jolly man himself, at Santa’s House. Plus, when you’re out and about, remember to grab a toy for Chandler Fire Department’s annual Toy Drive and be sure to keep little elves busy with an array of holiday craft workshops throughout the month hosted by Chandler Public Library. Chandler for the Holidays celebrates all of winter’s holidays and provides the opportunity for holiday traditions for
Sugarland now through Jan. 2 brightens up downtown Chandler with an interactive holiday display. (Downtown Chandler Partnership)
you and yours. Advance tickets are necessary for some attractions and times and dates vary for select events. Dec 5, Ballet Etudes The Nutcracker A feast for the eyes and ears
with colorful costumes paired with Tchaikovsky’s original score, Ballet Etudes’ Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family. Through Jan. 2, Sugarland
A spectacular interactive display comprising a candy cane sleigh, a lifesize cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, giant gumdrops, cookies, colorful swizzle sticks, candy canes, selfie stations and a 5-foot fruit-roll-up slide — all perfect for holiday photos. Sugarland is located at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave. New this year is a life-size nutcracker, whimsical trees and beautifully lit reindeer dancing through the palm trees. Family favorites including the candy sleigh, fruit roll-up slide and life-size cup of hot chocolate complete with giant marshmallows will also return and may be experienced anytime of the day or night. Sugarland’s Canal of Lights also has a few sweet additions, including a candy cane arch and hanging candies that can now be experienced during the day. At night, the walkway over the Commonwealth Canal on Commonwealth Avenue features over 500 colorful lights choreographed to holiday music from 5-10 p.m. daily. “We’re thrilled to bring Sugarland back to Downtown Chandler for See
HOLIDAYS on page 41
Feline lovers will flock to annual cat show next weekend SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
After a pandemic-driven hiatus last year, scores of cats and their masters – well, at least owners – will be descending next weekend on the Mesa Convention Center for Arizona’s largest cat show. Presented by the Phoenix Cat Fanciers, the show runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 11 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Mesa Convention Center Building C, 263 N. Center St. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 seniors/ military, $8 children 3-12. People can find a $1-off coupon at phxfeline.com. In addition, All About Animals Rescue will offer cats for adoption and dozens of vendors selling cat-related products also will be on hand. The show is a popular gathering for professional exhibitors, vendors and cat-loving spectators – and for good reason. There are dozens of breeds from tiny cats to Maine Coons that can weigh in at over 25 pounds. A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout the hall. Each ring is presided over by a different judge who has spent years training for the role, one they often repeat at shows around the country and the world. Every cat is judged according to a written standard for its breed (with the exception of the Household Pet Class, for which
The entrants in the Best Christmas Costume contest at the Phoenix Cats Fanciers show don’t necessarily appreciate holiday merriment. (File photo)
there is no written standard). The standard is part blueprint because it describes the ideal specimen for the breed and part constitution because it can be revised by the members of the breed council. “A breed standard is precise enough to allow judges to evaluate cats accurately, and flexible enough to leave
room for differences in interpretation between judges of keen eye and good intention,” according to the national Cat Fanciers Association. A spectator guide is available to help visitors understand the different breeds’ distinctive characteristics. There were scores of categories and
sub-classes such as Blue Point Female Birman, Balinese-Javanese and seven varieties of Persian cats. For the most part, though, members largely own purebred felines. And some have raised dozens of litters of cats since the 1990s. Visitors also will be able to peruse yearbooks of prior years’ national and world champion cats. “One of the requirements of getting into the judging program is your commitment and knowledge of a minimum of one breed,” one judge explained. She said most breeds “are unique because of their specific things attributed” to standards set by a council of breeders “who work to define and improve their breeds.” “For example, the American Curl has ears that curl toward the back of their head,” she said. “The degree and amount of curl is defined as to what is desirable in that. Other attributes for the American Curl are the profile and the length of body.” Some competitions are more fun than serious: For example, there are Best Christmas Costume entrants that, like their more regal counterparts, will be gently lifted from their individual cage and placed on a small lab table, where a judge will hold it, pet it and eyeball it carefully. Some contestants aren’t all that thrilled to be wearing elf caps, red coats See
CATS on page 41
