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Hamilton athletes secure college football future BY SETH COX
When the dust finally settled for two of Chandler’s most sought-after prospects, one was staying home to help build Arizona State into a national power, and the other was taking his game to perhaps the most prestigious school on the west coast, Stanford. Santana Sterling, the former Hamilton Huskies standout linebacker, decided to stay local by selecting Arizona State over such illustrious Ivy League schools like as Cornell and Penn. “I just wanted to play at a good school,” Santana says. “I wanted to play in a fun defense, and I really liked the coaches.” Santana’s decision did not come without sacrifice, though, as he will be greyshirting, meaning he will not accept a scholarship for Arizona State until January 2015, but he’ll be a Sun Devil immediately. “Yeah, we talked about the greyshirt,” Santana says “I’ll get to start working out in the summer, and I’ll be at practice, but won’t be able to officially practice this year. I’ll be able to work out, get bigger, learn the system and the clock on my eligibility won’t start. It’s a year to develop and learn about the program which is good.” Hamilton Coach Steve Belles adds, “That was the offer they made Santana. He wanted to be a Sun Devil. They had felt they had filled the position, but they are making it a priority to get the local kids and made him the offer so that’s what he decided.” While he is off for the year, Santana
knows the coaches expect him to improve. “They want me to get bigger and faster, to get my weight up to 235-245 (he’s currently listed at 215 pounds), but also get faster.” The way ASU Coach Todd Graham and linebacker Coach Paul Randolph call the defense also played a role in Santana’s decisions to become a Sun Devil. “I like to blitz all the time,” Santana says. “They let the linebackers get downhill and make plays and I like that challenge.” On the transition to the college game, Belles doesn’t necessarily offer his athletes on-the-field advice, but more of life advice. “Ask yourself where you’ll be in 20 years,” he says. “You’re not going to be playing football. You’re going to either have a family or a job and hopefully you’ll do the best you can with the degree you get.” As for football, Santana will be looking to get time at the “SAM” linebacker position. The “SAM” linebackers are tasked with being the key to stopping the run game of the opposition. It’s something that the all-time tackles leader at Hamilton did for years on Friday nights, now he is taking that to Saturdays at Arizona State.
Casey Tucker goes to Stanford Casey Tucker’s route to Stanford was a bit different than the one Santana has taken to get to ASU. Casey, who was unavailable for comment, is scout.com’s No. 2 overall offensive tackle prospect, and the question wasn’t whether or not he would be playing
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football at a big school, but rather which of the dozens of elite college football programs he would decide to commit to. “I told him to do a pro and con list, and make that list without your parents there, because regardless of what your parents want you to do, it’s your life and your decision, make yourself happy, don’t make other people happy,” Belles says. Initially, Casey verbally committed to USC, but had a change of heart, and his final decision came down to Stanford and Arizona State. The decision to choose Stanford over Arizona State is one that Sun Devil fans may not like, but should understand. “There’s no question that Casey had to take some AP classes this year to just have a chance to get in,” Belles says. “He not only had to take those classes, but do well in them. He had to buckle down and do well. He really wanted that offer, and he earned it.” Stanford has produced numerous early round NFL draft picks in the past couple of years, and project in the 2014 NFL draft to have another offensive lineman taken early, as well as having perhaps the best offensive tackle prospect in the 2015 NFL draft in another local product Andrus Peat. There’s no doubt after talking with Belles that Casey’s biggest hurdle was getting accepted to Stanford. “He was really committed to getting that offer from Stanford, and now he’s committed there,” Belles says. “Casey’s a kid that really invests the time
into his academics, and he knows what’s in front of him.” Other Chandler high school commitments:
Basha High School Rajhan Meriwether-Lafayette University Dillon Udall-Adams State Ivan Sanchez-Benedictine College Christian Mederos-Benedictine College
Chandler High School J.R. Hunt-University of Arizona Dionte Sykes-San Diego State University Wesley Sutton-Northern Arizona University Cruz Flores-Northern Arizona University Zech Culbreath-Northern State (South Dakota) Logan Gunkel- Adams State Garrett Jacobson- Weber State Jordan Hoyt- UC Davis
Hamilton High School Juwan Jones-New Mexico Brooks Dunn-Montana State Northern Josiah Pola-Montana State Northern Bryce Holland-Army Qualen Cunningham-Texas A&M Trent Moore-Oregon State
Perry High School Chandon Herring-University of Arizona Lane Veach-Stanford University Seth Cox is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@ santansun.com.
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Youth
February 15 - 28, 2014
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Chandler Police Youth Academy accepting applications for classes BY TRACY HOUSE
Chandler youth who have an interest in how police work is conducted have an opportunity for an exciting experience during the upcoming spring break when the Chandler Police Department sponsors its Chandler Police Youth Academy. The academy is facilitated by school resource officers (SRO) from schools around the city. Sgt. Chris Kush, of the Chandler Police Department, explains that the academy is very close to the experience the adults receive in the Citizens Police Academy, but the classes are themed for the youth. “We do a lot of team building,” Kush says. “We’re trying to teach the kids responsibility, working together as a team just like any job that you have, most people can’t do everything by themselves. They have to rely on other people. So we do a lot of team building activities that we put in the youth academy.” Kush explains there are five officers, headed by Officer Steve Dieu from the Kyrene School District, who facilitate the academy that can accommodate 25 to 30 students. It’s an opportunity for youth to learn about the police department and be active and engaged during the first week of the Chandler Unified School District spring break. “A lot of times police officers are portrayed in a bad light-if we have to show up at their house, and making an
CHANDLER POLICE YOUTH ACADEMY: Participants experience various aspects of the police department in this hands-on academy. Submitted photo
arrest,” Kush says. “We can show them the human side of us and show them what we do. Some of these kids might not be interested in law enforcement, for some of them it might be a future career goal that they have.” Officers from the bicycle and SWAT teams, and other departments join in the academy to show students various aspects of the police department in the interactive academy. While the youth are not allowed to go on ride alongs like the adults, Kush explains they do get to take tours of the
various areas of the police department including the dispatch center and the jail—if no one is in there. “We try to get interactive to where they’re just not sitting there all day long,” Kush explains. Topics for discussion include drug awareness, positive decision making in school and general conflict resolution. “We try to give them some life skills, some different ways to cope with different things.” Each participant receives a T-shirt on the first day and on the last day, family
is invited to a ceremony to recognize the youth for their completion which includes a certificate. “Usually the kids have a great time. They really enjoy it.” Kush says. “It’s put on by the school resource officers. They know how to make it fun for the kids. The kids will have a great time if they come out and do it.” Registration is required for the academy which is free for kids ages 12 to 17 who live or attend school in Chandler. The academy runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, through Friday, March 14, at the Main Police Station, 250 E. Chicago St., Chandler. The academy includes lunch for each student, however parents must provide transportation. The Chandler Police Youth Academy is offered four times a year, twice in summer and once again during the fall intersession. For more information about the Chandler Police Youth Academy or to apply contact Community Resources at (480) 782-4521 or visit www.chandlerpd. com and go to the “Community Section” for the link to register online for the youth academy.
Wilderness Youth Experience In addition to the Chandler Police Youth Academy, the Chandler Police Department has been providing at-risk youth from Chandler with a camping adventure. The program was started SEE WILDERNESS YOUTH EXPERIENCE PAGE 28
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Youth
WILDERNESS YOUTH EXPERIENCE FROM PAGE 27
more than 10 years ago by Sgt. Chris Perez when he was a school resource officer. With donated equipment from REI, Perez started taking at-risk youth out backpacking. Students are hand-picked by SROs to attend this experience. Kush explains these youth may have started to go down the wrong path, having trouble at home or have experienced a recent death in the family. “We take them out camping and try to bring them up,” Kush says. “If they’re starting to go down the wrong path with the wrong crowd, stuff like that, we’ll offer for them to come out. We take them out camping for a week.” With recent funding to buy new equipment needed for camping, the kids meet at one of the Chandler schools to learn basic survival techniques and practice their wilderness skills. “We try to teach a lot of responsibility,” Kush says. “On the first day, Monday, they’re issued all their equipment and on Friday we have a big turn in. They’re responsible for all that stuff the entire weekend (while they’re camping).” Students are taught how to set up a tent, how to cook on the stove and other survival skills. The group heads to the Superstition Mountains and hikes five to six miles a day, sets up camp and then works with partners to live out in the wilderness. The adventure includes searching for treasure-candy-and getting the prize, with the help of the group
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Aspiring young authors sought for contest
WILDERNESS YOUTH EXPERIENCE: Youth get out in nature to learn life skills, as well as camping skills, in this interactive camp. Submitted photo
leaders. “We want all these kids to be successful,” Kush says. “We don’t want to give them the answers. We help them work for it.” The experience is specifically for junior high students, usually seventh graders, and gender specific. The spring camp is for boys. All participants in the Wilderness Youth Experience are invited by the SROs—this event is not open to the public. “Our main goal is the at-risk kids,
the kids that would never have the opportunity in life to go out camping, to experience nature,” Kush explains. The program is offered for free to participants or parents and is dependent on donations. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation contact Sgt. Chris Kush at (480) 782-4521. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
SanTan Sun-area children in kindergarten through third grade are invited to submit entries to the Arizona PBS KIDS Writers Contest, a competition designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen from each grade level in Arizona, and the firstplace winner in each grade level will be sent on to the national competition. Each winner’s story will be posted on the contest website at www.azpbs. org/contest; Arizona winners will be honored at a ceremony to be held April 25 at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix, during the El Día de los Niños event. To register, complete the online entry form at www.azpbs.org/contest and mail it to Eight Educational Outreach, PBS KIDS Writers Contest, 555 N. Central Ave., Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Submissions must be postmarked by March 21. Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations. For more information, including complete details and contest rules, visit www.azpbs.org/contest.
Youth
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EVJCC holds summer camp open house on Sunday, Feb. 16 An open house for Camp Gadol, a summer camp for students in kindergarten through ninth grade, will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. The open house will feature activities for kids, including a 3-dimensional game truck, tie-dyeing and LEGO building, as well as free slushies. Camp Gadol will be held in nine one-week sessions, with a week of pre-camp and a half week of postcamp. Children are placed into groups by age and travel on a bus for swim lessons twice per week and on several fieldtrips throughout the summer. The two oldest groups also enjoy two lock-ins during the summer as well as an away trip. Families who register at the open house can pay a discounted registration fee of $50. If registering for six weeks of camp, families can receive a discount of $75 off camp fees; if registering for nine weeks of camp, families can receive a discount of $100. Camp K’TonTon, for children ages 2 to 4, will be held in three threeweek sessions this summer at East Valley JCC, with a week of pre-camp and a half week of post-camp. Camp
K’TonTon children enjoy water play at the center, swim lessons if 3 years or older and potty-trained, arts and crafts, sports play, sing-alongs, Jewish stories and activities and more. To learn more, contact ECE Director Pam Morris at pam@evjcc.org or Youth Coordinator Brandon Welner at welnberb@evjcc.org, call (480) 8970588 or visit www.evjcc.org.
Jewish Girl Scout troop meets East Valley JCC’s Jewish Girl Scout troop meets regularly to develop friendships and a support network and to strengthen their connection to Israel and Judaism through numerous activities and projects. Recently, troop members joined with the JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Center to write letters to Israeli soldiers to show their support and respect, and are working on earning their philanthropy badges. They will also travel to the Desert Botanical Garden this spring. The next troop meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 18. For more information about East Valley JCC’s Jewish Girl Scout troop, contact troop leader Jennifer Hammerschmidt at info@evjcc.org.
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Authors, artists sought for contest Chandler youth ages 13 to 18 are invited to submit entries in the fifth annual Young Artists and Authors Showcase, hosted by ChandlerTullamore Sister Cities (CTSC). The showcase theme for 2014 is “Connect globally. Thrive locally.” Deadline for entries is Monday, March 3. Young Artist entries must be 2-dimensional and no larger than 24 by 36 inches, including matting. Acceptable media include watercolor, oils, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, 2-dimensional mixed media and computer-generated art. Young Authors can submit essays or poems that creatively express this year’s theme. Essays are not to exceed 500 words, and poetry is not to exceed 25 lines. All entries must be typed in English. Winners will be required to submit a digital copy. Judges will evaluate on theme interpretation,
composition and grammar. A reception celebrating Chandler’s young authors and artists will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler. One piece of artwork, one poem and one essay from the Chandler entries will be submitted to Sister Cities International, where the national finalists will be chosen. Grand prize winners at the national level will receive $1,000 from Sister Cities International. Entry guidelines and forms may be found at www.chandlerirish.org. Contact Barb Olivieri, CTSC Education Committee Chairwoman, at chandler_tullamore_education@ yahoo.com or at (480) 347-8293 for more information. To learn more about Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, visit www.chandlerirish.org.
Chandler Christian Academy relocating Chandler Christian Academy recently held an open house to announce its new location, starting with the 2014-15 school year, at Desert Springs Church, 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler, just south of Willis Road. The event included a welcoming prayer from Pastor Brad Davis, the cut of the ceremonial ribbon by CCA students, and dinner served by the Chandler Lions Club. CCA’s new campus will host its first Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, featuring classic and new cars, vendors and Honey Bear’s BBQ. Admission is free. Chandler Christian Academy serves students in pre-K through eighth grade. For more information, visit www.chandlerchristianacademy.org.
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February 15 - 28, 2014
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Chandler ballplayers among those receiving D-backs jerseys
SPELLING ‘SUCCESS’
Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation donates more than $500,000 to launch unique program Chandler National and Chandler Youth baseball players are among the 20,000 youth who will receive uniforms through the D-backs Give Back Jersey Program. The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will donate more than $500,000 to the unique program. The uniforms were unveiled by youngsters on stage at the Subway D-backs FanFest on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Chase Field. “We are extremely proud to make a donation like this which allows many youth baseball and softball leagues to allocate their resources to field improvements and other vital needs,” says D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. “In some cases, this donation is keeping leagues afloat and allowing more of the youth around the Valley the opportunity to play the game we all love and we have seen significantly higher league registration numbers since bringing this to our community. A program of this magnitude has the chance to have an impact on these youngsters and our franchise for many years to come.” More than 30 leagues are taking advantage of this opportunity, with some leagues registering more than
1,500 kids. There are more than 75 color combinations which include the traditional Sedona Red, white, black and gray as well as throwback colors purple and teal and unique options like camouflage and gold. Other leagues that will be receiving jerseys and caps are Ahwatukee, Alhambra, Arcadia, Cactus Little League, Cactus Youth Baseball, Casa Grande, Chandler American, Deer Valley, Desert Ridge, Diamondback Little League, Dynamite Cal Ripken, Gila River, Gilbert, Goodyear, High Desert, Holiday Park, Litchfield Park, McCormick, Old Scottsdale Youth Baseball, Queen Creek, Ramms, Salt River, Scottsdale Cal Ripken, Shaw Butte, South Scottsdale, Tempe Guadalupe, Tempe Rio, Tempe South and Wickenburg. Since originally bringing the concept to these leagues, enrollment has increased by more than 4,000 kids, raising the total over 20,000. In addition to receiving the jersey and cap, each player will receive a drawstring backpack, D-backs-branded necklace and bracelet and welcome kit with merchandise discounts for family members at the D-backs Team Shop.
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SPELLING STARS: Legacy Traditional School District Spelling Bee Coordinator Laurie Ocampo stands with third place winner Darrell Lee Mason, a seventh grader at LTS in Casa Grande; first place winner Emma Noel, a sixth grader at LTS in Avondale; and second place winner Ethan Vasquez, a second grader at Athlos Traditional Academy in Chandler. Emma now advances to the Region 5 Spelling Bee, Ethan to Region 6 and Darrell to the Pinal County competition. Legacy Traditional Schools is a tuition-free public charter school district serving nearly 8,000 students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade at eight campuses. To learn more, visit www.legacytraditional.org. Submitted photo
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Youth
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Kids: Win $15 gift card from Changing Hands Bookstore Students who either live in Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek or surrounding areas or who attend area schools can win $15 gift cards from Changing Hands Bookstore, thanks to a partnership between the bookseller and the SanTan Sun News. This ongoing, monthly promotion awards a $15 Changing Hands gift card to every youth whose article, story, poem, essay, editorial, book review, photo or illustration is chosen to be printed in the SanTan Sun Kids Opportunity section, while supplies last. The Kids Opportunity section is printed in the Youth Section of the first paper of the month, each month. The best news is
K.O.
that even though only one to three submissions are printed per month, all good submissions are held in a file to be printed in future issues. So if an entry doesn’t win this month, it could win next month—or even the month after that. To enter, visit SanTanSun. com, click on Youth and then on Student Writer Permission Slip to download a submissionpermission slip. Complete the form and have a parent sign it so the paper has permission to print the entry and the author or artist’s byline. Then, email the submission-permission slip and writing or artwork to news@ SanTanSun.com as a Word file, if writing, or JPEG, if art, or pasted into the email.
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YOUTH CHRONICLES Teagan Adamson of Ahwatukee and Jaleila Brumand of Chandler, both students at Arizona State University, are recipients of Fulbright Scholarships to study abroad. Stephanie Allen and Paul Rosendahl of Chandler are on the fall 2013 President’s List at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Students must earn a 3.7 to 4.0 grade point average to be listed. Kevin T. Carr of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. To qualify, fulltime undergraduate students must earn a 3.2 to 3.49 grade point average. Raji Ganesan of Chandler has been accepted to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2014 conference March 21 through March 23 at Arizona State University. Raji is majoring in computer science at ASU. Kelsey Ham, Jared Ruchensky, Sarah Wolnisty and Renee Yacoub of Chandler are on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. To qualify, fulltime students must earn a 3.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. Nicole Ashley Knox of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. Meera Kumar of Chandler is on the winter 2013 Dean’s List at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. To qualify, students must earn a term grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Tara Larsen of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Concordia University in Seward, Neb.
Alicia Magrini of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. To qualify, fulltime undergraduate students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.6 with no grade below a B in that semester. Alicia is a sophomore majoring in nursing. Student teams from BASIS Chandler, BASIS Ahwatukee and Chandler Preparatory Academy compete on Saturday, Feb. 15, to represent Arizona in the middle school National Finals of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Science Bowl. The winner of the regional competition earns an all-expensespaid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Office of Science’s National Science Bowl in late April, and the winner of the national competition will win prizes for the team members and their schools. Kenneth Jefferies of Chandler is a fall 2013 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky. Kenneth earned a Master of Science degree in safety, security and emergency management and was recognized at commencement ceremonies. Allyson Latsch of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston, S.C. Dean’s List recognition is given to those students whose grade point average is 3.2 or higher with no grade below C for the previous semester’s work. Allyson is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Robert Mathes of Chandler is on the fall 2013 Dean’s List and President’s List at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky. Robert is a senior majoring in fire protection administration.
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Apple Dumpling Café 3076 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Suite 101, Gilbert (480) 279-3879 www.appledumplingcafe.com Here’s the deal: Mondays are Family Value night, where kids eat free with each adult meal and two drinks purchased. On Family Fun night, kids receive free ice cream with a meal. After school coolness is from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, where kids buy one ice cream, and get one free Chompie’s 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 398-3008 www.chompies.com Here’s the deal: All day Tuesday, children 10 and younger receive one free item from the kids’ meal menu with adult meal purchase of $8 or more. Dine in only.
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WHERE KIDS EAT FREE
Chandler (480) 722-0644 www.dillysdeli.com Here’s the deal: On weekends, get one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased for $4.79 or more.
El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina 2950 E. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 802-5770 www.epchandler.com Here’s the deal: Wednesday kids 12 and younger eat free with paid adult. Fat Willy’s 4850 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler (480) 883-1356 www.fatwillysaz.com/Chandler Here’s the deal: From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, dine in and get a free kids’ meal with every adult entrée purchased. Little Leaguers menu only, 12 and younger.
(480) 705-0288 www.nabersaz.com Here’s the deal: Kids eat free every Monday and Tuesday, with the purchase of an adult meal and two beverages.
Chandler (480) 802-9070 www.thecovegrill.com Here’s the deal: Tuesday kids younger than 12 receive one free meal per adult entrée purchased.
Pittsburgh Willy’s 1509 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler (480) 857-2860 www.pittsburghwillys.com Here’s the deal: Every day except Sunday breakfast, kids younger than 10 eat free with each paying adult. Additional kids eat for 50 percent off; Wee Willy menu only.
The Sushi Room 2475 W. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler (480) 821-9000 www.sushiroomaz.com Here’s the deal: Sunday Funday means kids 12 and younger eat free, two kids per paying adult.
Planet Sub 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 245-6503 www.planetsub.com Here’s the deal: Monday kids eat free with paid adult.
Connect5 Family Centers Corp. 222 E. Warner Rd., Chandler (480) 699-2122 1495 S. Higley Rd., Gilbert (480) 361-8410 Here’s the deal: Mondays and Fridays free kids’ meals with an adult purchase for Munchie Monday Free Lunch and Freebie Friday Free Dinner.
Frio Mio Frozen Yogurt 4991 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler (480) 609-0007 Here’s the deal: Every day, kids wearing a sports or scouts uniform receive 50 percent off frozen yogurt and 50 cent all beef hot dogs.
Sidelines Grill 2980 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler (480) 792-6965 www.sidelinesaz.com Here’s the deal: Kids eat free from kids’ menu after 4 p.m. Thursdays with adult entree. Dine-in only. Cannot be combined with any other offers or specials.
Dilly’s Deli 2895 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5,
Nabers Music Bar and Eats 825 N. 54th St., Chandler
The Cove Grill 5070 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 400,
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Whiskey Rose Bar and Grill 135 W. Ocotillo Rd. Chandler (480) 895-ROSE (7673) www.whiskeyrosesaloon.com Here’s the deal: Kids eat free every day with the purchase of an adult entree and kids drink. Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill 7221 W. Ray Rd., Chandler (480) 893-7550 http://ztejas.com Here’s the deal: Kids eat free on Sunday nights starting at 3 p.m. off of the Z’Tejas KidZ menu.
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The SanTan Sun News now has a regular “Where kids eat free” section. Restaurant owners, please email us details such as days of the week kids can eat free at your establishment, and what conditions apply, such as purchase of an adult meal, certain hours, etc., Include your restaurant name, address, phone and website and a contact name for verification. Readers, if you know of a location that has a kids-eatfree program, email us with the restaurant name, a phone and / or email for confirmation and details. Email information to KidsEatFree@santansun.com.
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WHERE KIDS EAT FREE
Uncle Bear’s Grill and Bar 1980 W. Germann Rd., Chandler (480) 722-1555 www.unclebearsgrillandbar.com Here’s the deal: Wednesday kids eat free with each full price entrée purchased.
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February 15 - 28, 2014
Carebear Preschool At Fulton Ranch and Riggs G E T YO U R C H I L D R E A DY F O R K I N D E R G A R T E N !
NOW ACCEPTING 1-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN! Half-Day & Full-Day Programs for 1-5 year olds Space is limited!
Now Enrolling For Fall 2014-2015: • Classes to Meet all Schedules • Huge State-of-the-art Playground and Splash Pad at Fulton • Amazing Athletes and Music Class included at Riggs • Academic Work Stations • Music Movement Magination • Creative Play • Cutting Edge Curriculum Aligns With Arizona Common Core Standards • Scholastic Monthly Readers • Handwriting Without Tears • Phonics & Whole Language Instruction • Spanish • Interactive Promethean Board Activities • Character Education
W NO ERINGR IST MME G E R R SU ALL FO ND F 015 A 4/2 L 201 HOO SC EAR! Y
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Youth
February 15 - 28, 2014
CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Feb. 17: Presidents Day holiday; no school
Carlson Champions Looking ahead – Carlson’s PTO is accepting nominations for next year’s officers. Forms must be submitted by Tuesday, March 25. Elections are Thursday, March 27. Spring carnival – Silent auction donations are being sought for the schoolwide event in April. All parents are encouraged to secure some. Donation-request letters can be retrieved through the student’s Monday Morning Message or room parent. Race results – Carlson students who participated in its Running Club race included kindergarten girls: Taylor Drewry, first place, Gentry Watrous, second place, Audrey Still, fifth place, Sebrina Segovia, sixth place and Mallika Grewal; kindergarten boys: Cameron Wahlbrink, sixth place and Sean Camping, seventh; first-grade girls: Clara Evans, second place, Natalie Ridge, fifth place and Lexi Wiethoff, eighth place; second-grade girls: Madison Schotz, third place; second-grade boys: Jaxon Bailey, first place and Vaughn Campbell, seventh place; third-grade girls: Grace Stevenson, first place; third-grade boys: Connor Grimes, sixth place; fourthgrade girls: Libby Adams, third place, Ryleigh Bayola, fourth place, Rylee Watrous, fifth place and Paige Nelson, sixth place; fifth-grade girls: Madison Jack, third place, Alyssa McNutt, fourth
place and Kyla Christensen, seventh place; fifth-grade boys: Preston Felker, first place, Zach Frederick, sixth place and Riggs Ellsworth, seventh place; sixth-grade girls: Kate Robinson, third place; sixth-grade boys: Jonathan Downs, second place, Decai Barnes, fifth place, Cameron Schotz, seventh place and Silas Thomas, eighth place. Calendar Feb. 25: General PTO meeting, 1:30 p.m., Teachers’ Lounge Feb. 28: Character Assembly, 1:45 p.m., Multipurpose Room —Lora Robinson
Conley Coyotes Nice night – Highlights of Conley Elementary’s recent Science and Art Night included Wild Man Phil’s presentation, featuring numerous lizards, scorpions and tortoises; students’ amazing artwork and student science boards on display; and fantastic science experiments. —Paul Gaillard
CTA-Independence Hawks Running Club – More than 200 CTAIndependence students participated this season in Running Club. Thanks to CTA families for their support of this program. The season is wrapping up; practices will be held Feb. 18 and Feb. 20, with a race Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Snedigar, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Students can wear their race shirts to school on the day of the race. Save the date – The sixth-grade
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Mother-Son/Father-Daughter Dance will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Multipurpose Room. The event will feature drinks, desserts, a DJ and dancing. Show time – Thanks to those who auditioned for CTA’s 2014 Variety Show; mandatory dress rehearsals will be held from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24 and Feb. 26. Schoolwide performances will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, as well as an evening performance at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Open House – Chandler Unified School District elementary schools will host a Kindergarten Open House for new and prospective parents from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. CTA-Independence will introduce the CTA kindergarten team and present a very brief overview of CTA and CUSD policies. Making memories – Yearbooks are on sale. This year’s hardcover, full-color edition is $23. —Wendi Olson
Hull Heroes Save the date – Hull’s Celebration of Learning will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. Hull families can visit student classrooms, view Art Masterpiece projects and science fair displays and shop at the book fair. Families will also have the opportunity to start bidding on silent auction baskets; bidding concludes online at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. Teachers keep all of the money earned from the auction baskets.
Read-A-Thon – Hull PTO is excited to sponsor its first Read-A-Thon. Families can look for information to come home Monday, March 3, Read Across America Day. Box Tops – All Box Tops are due Thursday, March 6. This is the last contest of the year. Students from each grade level have the chance to win prizes, and the class that brings in the most Box Tops wins lunch. Yearbooks – Pre-order yearbooks by March 8 to save money. The full-color yearbook is just $19 with a pre-order, or $23 on orders turned in after March 8. Only a limited number of books will be ordered, so late orders may not be filled. Families can submit their Hull student and event photos to hullyearbook@yahoo.com to be included in the yearbook. —Kristen Boyd
Basha High Bears High honors – A team from Accelerated Middle School at Basha High (AMS) took first place at the regional Future City Competition held recently at the Phoenix Convention Center. The team, comprised of eighth graders Jon Gonsalves, Ryan Tran and Truman Idso, competed against nearly 100 other teams in the regional competition. AMS also earned the Sustainable Commerce Award and the Excellence in Use of Building Materials Award. More than 40,000 students from 1,350 middle schools are participating nationwide in 30 different regional competitions.
32,000 Square Foot, Air-Conditioned Facility with an Indoor Heated Pool
NEW VISTAS CENTER FOR EDUCATION Exceeding Expectations For 35 Years
We offer classes ages 6 months and up:
• Gymnastics • Tumbling • Trampoline • Martial Arts • Dance • Cheer • Ballet, Hip Hop, and Musical Theater • Adult Bootcamp • Swimming
SPRING BREAK CAMPS!
March 10-21 Check out our website for more information and registration
Great after school activities for kids of all ages! Independent gymnastics classes for 2 year olds offered!
Advanced academics for preschool through 6th grade. Now registering for fall 2014! $30 value. New enrollment only. Not valid with any other offer.
670 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler 480-963-2313 • www.newvistasaz.com
Please enter promo code SANTANSUN at time of registration. Expires 3-31-2014
480-820-3774
www.aspirekidsports.com 50 S. Hearthstone Way, Chandler 85226 — 1 Block W of Chandler Fashion Center
Youth
www.SanTanSun.com The Future City Competition program introduces sixth- through eighth-grade students to engineering concepts through practical STEM applications. Student teams are judged on how they design and build their vision of the urban world of tomorrow, with the theme of this year’s competition focusing on futuristic transportation. As the winners from the regional competition, the three students, their engineering mentor Mark Gonsalves and AMS teacher Amanda Cook will travel to Washington, D.C., Feb. 15 through Feb. 18 to compete against the winners of 29 other regions across the country for the national title and $7,500 for the winning team’s school STEM program, plus a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. —Carol Skocypec
Hamilton High Huskies
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Hamilton High sophomore Elliot Smith, a Chandler resident, stands with her high-altitude balloon Science
Fair project. The balloon, equipped with a mini-computer, camera and other upper-air instruments, traveled to 92,000 feet above the Earth. Local organization Arizona Near Space Research (ANSR) helped Smith launch and track the research balloon. Submitted photo
—Lynn Rennich
CTA-Goodman Gators Welcome kindies – Parents and 201415 kindergarten students are invited to attend a Kindergarten Open House from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Multipurpose Room. A presentation by Principal Maureen Sniff and kindergarten staff will highlight kindergarten information and will be followed by a tour of the school campus. Sock Hop – The 20th annual Sock Hop will be held during regular school hours Friday, Feb. 28; check with teachers for the schedule. Admission this year is a can of food or other nonperishable food item, which will be donated to United Food Bank. Parents are invited to attend and bring cameras. A Sock Hop/Ice Cream Social will also be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the same day in the Multipurpose Room; all students must be accompanied by an adult. Ice cream sundaes provided by Culver’s will be available for purchase for $1. Guests should dress in 1950s clothing for both events. Calendar Feb. 18: Family Food Night, 10:30 a.m.10 p.m., at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, 3476 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Feb. 25: Site Council meeting, 3:15 p.m.,
February 15 - 28, 2014
Media Center Feb. 27: Kindergarten Open House, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room Feb. 28: Sock Hop during school day; Sock Hop/Ice Cream Social at 6 p.m.7:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room —Kathie Butters
Knox Knights Due date – Order forms for Harkins Summer Movie Fun tickets are due Monday, Feb. 17. Knox earns a percentage of sales from every order. New Year – Knox families are invited to join the school’s celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. The evening features fun performances of Chinese songs, tongue twisters, holiday rhymes and drama, as well as the Dragon and Lion dance, Chinese martial arts and a traditional Chinese folk dance to celebrate Chinese culture. Save the date – Join Knox from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, for its Celebration of Science and Engineering Night. Highlights include a petting zoo, Squishy Circuits and liquid nitrogen ice cream, along with world yo-yo champion Tyler Severance. If interested in volunteering or presenting an interested science exhibit, email knoxelementarypto@gmail.com. Rock and roll – Classic rock radio station KSLX 100.7 FM is joining with Landing’s Credit Union to give away one iPad a month now through May to teachers who go above and beyond. At the end of May, one prize winner will
be chosen as KSLX Teacher of the Year, winning a $25,000 Master’s in Education scholarship to Grand Canyon University. Families can nominate their favorite Knox teacher by visiting www.kslx.com. Calendar Feb. 17: Harkins Summer Movie Fun order forms due Feb. 19: Chinese Lunar New Year celebration event Feb 20: Celebration of Science and Engineering Night and Science Fair March 3-7: Spring Book Fair March 4: PTO meeting —Jacqueline Bartrim
GO TEAM: Congrats to KGA’s VEX robotics team, which competed against 20 other junior high and high school students recently in the first ever competition for VEX robotics. Not only did Knox’s team make it to the final round, but they took home the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award. In a more recent scrimmage at ACP-Erie, they took third place and again won the Sportsmanship Award. Submitted photo
Spring Break Time Now Available! The spring Break Time magazine outlining all-ages recreation classes, youth camps and special events for March, April and May is now available and registration is open! For more information, call 480-782-2727 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/breaktime.
Mother/ Son Wild, Wild West Night February 28 $25 per couple / $34 for non-resident
Chandler Recreation Offers A Variety of Activities!
Registration for April 5 Hershey Track Meet is Open! $4 Resident / $6 Non-resident The annual Hershey Track Meet will be Saturday, April 5 at Chandler High School. The competition is open to boys and girls ages 7-14. Registration is due by Friday, March 7. For the application, visit www.chandleraz.gov/youth-sports or call 480-782-2704 for more information.
Come enjoy a night out with dinner, music, a cowboy craft and dancing. In addition, each couple will take home a keepsake photograph. Intended for mothers and their sons, but if mom is unavailable, dads or guardians are welcome to attend. Register at www.chandleraz.gov/registration or call 782-2641 for more details.
Spring Intersession Camps March 10 -14 & March 17-21 The City of Chandler Recreation Division offers a variety of youth intersession camps that are tailored to your child’s interests including nature, iPod animation, Lego’s, movie making and dance to name a few. Our camps are affordable, safe, active and above all else engaging. Morning, afternoon and full day options are available. Qualified staff will engage kids in sports, games, arts and crafts, skits and youth development activities. For more information please call 480-782-2727.
SRC Kids Clubhouse at Snedigar Recreation Center Fridays from 6-10:30 p.m. $14 Resident / $19 for Non-resident Are you looking for a fun, safe place for your child (3-12 years old) to play while you go out on a date, play in one of our adult sports leagues or just run a few errands? The SRC Kids Clubhouse is offering a low cost, high quality option for valley families. Call 480-782-2640 for more information
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Stay Connected Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @ChandlerRec, and on Facebook and YouTube at Chandler Recreation for the latest news. Check out the January/ February episode of “Come Out & Play, Chandler!” on YouTube. This episode features fitness opportunities within the Community Services Department. You can sign up for the Chandler Recreation monthly newsletter by texting ChandlerRec to 22828. For more information, call 480-782-2727.
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February 15 - 28, 2014
Youth
Children’s Museum celebrates Oral Health Month The Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation have joined forces again this February for Oral Health Month at the museum. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the two organizations have partnered to bring oral health education to museum visitors. All month long museum visitors will be able to participate in oral health-related programming including hands-on projects and an interactive program featuring Sarabelle Toothington, the Tooth Fairy. Visitors are also able to take home a “smile bag” provided by Delta Dental including toothbrushes and toothpaste in child and adult size plus dental floss. With tooth decay affecting children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to The Centers for Disease Control’s website, the partnership between the two organizations looks to combat this statistic head-on. All programs are free with paid museum admission of $11. Members and children younger than 1 are free. Oral health programming for the month includes:
Sarabelle Toothington, the Tooth Fairy Feb. 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 28 Shows at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The tooth fairy will visit the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, bringing her dramatic talents to children through storytelling, theatrical fun and singing. Sarabelle’s humor
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VETS VISIT THE CLASSROOM
and warmth is guaranteed to bring a smile to children’s faces. This vivacious tooth fairy will be dressed in her finest costume joyously created by Allyn Engman.
Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth! Sunday, Feb. 17 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children will have fun practicing proper tooth brushing techniques as they use a toothbrush to paint a pearly white tooth.
ASU College of Nursing and Health Thursdays, Feb. 21 and 28 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nursing students from the ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation present a fun and interactive oral health program for children. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, one of the top 10 Children’s Museum in the Country (Parents Magazine, 2011), is located in the historic Monroe School Building at 215 N. Seventh St. in downtown Phoenix. The museum opened to the public on June 14, 2008, and offers 48,000 square feet of hands-on, fun and educational activities for children ages birth to 10. The mission of the museum is to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit www. ChildrensMuseumOfPhoenix.org.
LEARNING ETIQUETTE: Representatives from Sun Lakes VFW Post 8053 and its Auxiliary recently visited 135 students at Bogle Junior High. Commander Neal Peer and Vice Commander Ken Marshall shared with students the appropriate etiquette for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. They also told students about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Old Security Guard who mans this special site. Pictured, Auxiliary President Betty Peer, right, and Vice President Christa Marshall, left, showed students how to properly fold the flag and the meaning of each of the folds. Students had prepared questions which were discussed. Submitted photo