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March 1 – 14, 2014
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Neighbors Murphy’s Law celebrates everything Irish BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Gather ye lads and lasses, it’s almost time for that magical time of year when we all celebrate everything green on St. Patrick’s Day. Since 2008, Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House has been the Valley destination to celebrate the luck of the Irish. For St. Patrick’s Day 2014, Murphy’s Law will host the sixth annual Downtown Chandler St. Patrick’s Day Festival from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, March 15. The event is presented by Coors Light. More than just an Irish celebration, the event will raise funds for the Arizona Fire Service Pipe Band that provides memorial and funeral services for fallen officers and firefighters. Tickets are $10
Chandler organization, area families to benefit from run
Desert Palms pairs with Market on the Move
Neighbors PAGE 56
Spirituality PAGE 74
Where to Eat PAGES 82-86
Chandler couple followed their Jaguar Car dreams to Grand Canyon University Show comes to downtown Chandler March 8 BY TRACY HOUSE
A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler will be the site of the 36th annual Jaguar Club of Central Arizona’s Concours d’ Elegance on Saturday, March 8, where more than 50 Jaguar cars from 1940 to present will be on display from Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California. Jaguar North Scottsdale will have newer models at the event, however, they are strictly for show. SEE JAGUAR PAGE 52
SEE PUB PAGE 54
WORKING TOGETHER: Paul Koch and his wife, Jacque, serve as Grand Canyon University’s band director and dance coach, which provides many opportunities for the couple to work together during the school’s basketball games. Submitted photo BY MEGHAN MCCOY
PART OF THE CHANDLER COMMUNITY: Murphy’s Law welcomes everyone to come and celebrate their Irish in downtown Chandler. Submitted photo
A true love story blossomed as two passionate former Arizona State University students followed their dreams, eventually landing jobs at the same school, Grand Canyon University, and settling in Chandler. Paul Koch earned his bachelor of music degree from the University of North Texas and his master’s degree in percussion performance from Arizona State University. But his life changed while working with the drumline at McClintock High School.
“Instead of working at a restaurant or flipping burgers, I wanted to spend my time to further my career in teaching music,” Paul says. He was doing just that when he met his bride to be, Jacque. Jacque, who earned a geography degree from Arizona State University before obtaining a master’s degree in education, was also at McClintock High teaching the dance team. One day after rehearsal, Jacque stopped by Paul’s office to ask him SEE COUPLE PAGE 50
TEST YOUR SKILLS: Drivers are invited to test their driving skills at the Slalom Event at Hamilton High School, in conjunction with the Concours d’Elegance, sponsored by the Jaguar Club of Central Arizona, March 9. Submitted photo
Chandler girl needs bone marrow transplant ‘Be The Match’ to host registry at Totspot Preschool BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
In a lot of ways, Maddie Johnson is a typical 6-year-old girl. “She loves to sing and dance and be a little diva,” says her mother, Aimee-GriffithJohnson of Chandler. “At her birth, they knew something wasn’t quite right. After three weeks, they realized her bone marrow was not producing any red blood cells. After more testing they realized she had the condition called Diamond-Blackfan Anemia which is a bone marrow failure. She also has an immune deficiency as well, which is also another criterion for needing a bone
marrow transplant.” With a marrow transplant, there is the definite possibility that she could be cured, although she would always carry the faulty gene that causes her condition. For patients like Maddie, Be the Match is hosting a bone marrow donor registry drive for potential donors ages 18 to 44 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Totspot Preschool in Gilbert. Kaitlyn Fishman is the community engagement representative for Be The Match. “Since 1987, we’ve had over 60,000 marrow and cord blood transplants which
amounts to about 500 patients a month or 16 patients a day,” Fishman says. “Lots of people think that it hurts or that it involves a major surgery to donate your marrow, but that’s definitely not true anymore. Over 75 percent of the time is where the patient’s doctor will ask for the donor to do a peripheral blood stem cell donation and that’s very similar to donating platelets or plasma,” Fishman says. Marrow donations required outpatient surgical procedures less than 25 percent of the time. Generally, donors are back on their feet within two to seven days. SEE TRANSPLANT PAGE 55
THE CURE LOOKS LIKE YOU: Maddie Johnson is shown here on a recent Make-AWish trip to Walt Disney World, wearing a gown inspired by Princess Elsa from “Frozen.” She needs a bone marrow donor. Submitted photo
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COUPLE FROM PAGE 49
out to lunch, but he was not there. “Our first date was Sept. 1, 2000, at the Chili’s on the corner of Apache and Mill Avenue and it started from there,” Paul says. Jacque says they joke that they met at band camp. “I was finishing my undergrad and he was starting his master’s degree,” Jacque says. “It was a good thing for us.” As he finished his master’s degree, he spent six to 12 hours at a time practicing. “When I started thinking of her more than my passion, (I thought) maybe this is the one,” he says. Paul soon set aside time for practicing and Jacque. “I asked her to marry me,” he says. During the years, their careers and family grew as they had one son. “When I graduated, a high school got a hold of me and asked if I would come and coach with a dance team,” Jacque says. “It was a great experience. My first coaching position was his first instructor position.” Paul first taught at Hamilton High School and then transferred to Perry High School once it opened. “Our goal was both of us were going to be at Perry High School,” he says. “We wanted to be in the same spot, either in the West Valley or East Valley.” Unfortunately the plans did not pan out the way they hoped. Jacque was hired by Basha High School to work with the dance team. The couple was still happy because they were now teaching in the same school district.
Paul and Jacque Koch. Submitted photo
Paul and Jacque’s careers intermingle A position opened at Grand Canyon University five years later, one that Paul became excited about. The school was bringing back the instrumental music program. “I always wanted to teach college,” Paul explains. However, he wanted to gain experience at the high school level before he began teaching college. “When the position opened, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t selfish.” He took the position, instrumental professor of music and director of the Thundering Herd Pep Band. He also conducts the wind ensemble, Thunder Big Band, percussion studio and music
education classes at the university. Paul soon learned that the dance instructor at Grand Canyon University was possibly leaving, which provided the chance for the couple to teach at the same school. He says his wife says “I’m all in, let’s do it.” “Things were happening that we were supposed to do,” Jacque says. “It makes sense that we are both at Grand Canyon and do what we both love to do together.” Paul says they felt accepting positions at Grand Canyon University was the right direction. “We really felt like this was the direction that God wanted us to go,” Paul says. She took the dance coach position in September 2013, which she explains as a really big task due to the three rehearsals a week, as well as games. In addition to being the coach, she also works with the dance education program. Jacque says she started supervising the dance student teachers by evaluating them and supporting them out in the field. “I have six of them this semester,” she says of the student teachers. Jacque is also the sponsor for the National Honors Society for Professional Dance Art. Although she wears many hats, she says none of it feels like a job. The couple work together creating performances for Grand Canyon University basketball games. Paul does the music, while Jacque choreographs routines for the dance team. Paul says the university’s administration wanted the atmosphere to change at the basketball games. Paul selects music that will keep the crowd entertained with the
www.SanTanSun.com hopes of keeping them there until the end of the game. “The faster the tune is, the more energy it has,” Paul says. At the beginning of the game, Jacque says they decide on what songs will be used, as well as what chorography she has prepared with her dancers for each song. The challenging aspect for the couple is choosing a tempo the dancers can perform to. Jacque says she can be pretty straightforward with Paul when the song will not work. “We are both really respectful of each other,” she says. Paul says he and his wife constantly communicate about the songs’ tempo. The couple loves to work together. “Right now I’m loving the fact that it is something that my family does all together,” Jacque says. “Our job happens during the weekend and at night and it happens all the time.” Their 7-year-old son is the ball boy for the basketball team, therefore involving him as well. “It’s something we can all do together,” Jacque says of the basketball games. “All three of us are really in it.” The next basketball is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1, against Chicago State. Tickets are $5 for general public seating and $15 for a family four pack, which includes popcorn and drinks. Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@ santansun.com.
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attend. Contact Parker at (480) 284-5246 for more information or to attend the banquet. San Marcos Golf Resort is located at One San Marcos Pl., Chandler. Also of interest, Parker says, on Sunday, March 9, the club is sponsoring a slalom event or skill event, driving around traffic cones, beginning at 9 a.m. with the driving starting around 11:30 a.m. at Hamilton High School, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, in the southwest parking lot of the school, back by the baseball fields. This event is open to the public. Parker anticipates around 15 cars driving the obstacle course for best time. “You don’t have to have a Jaguar to compete in this. You can drive whatever you want,” Parker mentions. Registration is required in advance for the slalom event. The cost is $25 plus a $5 fee for liability insurance. Jaguar club members will be awarded trophies while other competitors are driving strictly for best time.
JAGUAR FROM PAGE 49
“This is the local club. We have it every year,” explains Phil Parker, president of the Jaguar Club of Central Arizona (JCCA). “We’ll headquarter at the San Marcos Golf Resort and the show will be at the Ramada of the A.J. Chandler Park.” Parker, who has been a Jaguar car enthusiast all of his life, lives in Chandler in Cooper Commons and has been president of the JCCA since 2012. Jaguar car enthusiasts come out for this show to earn points for national recognition. Parker explains the cars are judged by class and earn points for age and style of the car. “There’s more prestige in scoring for the older cars than the newer cars.” Classes include Classics, open and closed, Series E-Types, Early Large and Small Saloons, Preservation and many more. There is no charge to come out and
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36th ANNUAL CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE: More than 50 Jaguars will be on display for the public March 8 at the A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler. Submitted photo
view the cars which will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cars will be on display in the Ramada area of the park and along San Marcos Road up to Buffalo Street. Shops and restaurants in the area will be open for shopping and dining, Parker says. An awards banquet will be held at the San Marcos Golf Resort the evening of March 8. Reservations are required to
Parker explains money raised through the Concours entry fees and vendor contributions is donated to ICAN in Chandler to help disadvantaged children; the Northern Jaguar Project in Tucson, providing habitats for wildlife and jaguars in particular in Arizona and Northern Mexico; and McPherson College in Kansas, which has an accredited auto restoration program. The JCCA dates back to the mid-‘70s with the first Concours d’Elegance being hosted in April 1978 with 25 cars on display and the JCCA becoming incorporated in June 1979. For Jaguar enthusiasts interested in joining the JCCA or more information about the Concours d’Elegance or Slalom Event, visit www.jcna.com/clubs/main. php?club=sw02&Vref=sw02 or contact Phil Parker at (480) 284-5246. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
Writers group seeks serious members
Novocur Pain Management Clinics host chronic pain lunch and learn
The Serious Scribes, a Chandler critique writers group, is looking for mature writers who can meet two Fridays a month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Coffee Cove in Gilbert. The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 7. The group accepts all genres except porn. For more information, email mistilove@ aol.com.
“Finding Relief from Chronic Pain” is the subject of Novocur Pain Management Clinics’ March Lunch and Learn program at 12 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Tonto Verde Clubhouse, 18401 El Circulo Dr., Rio Verde. The discussion will focus on treatment options available to give patients fast relief.
Dr. Alex Bigham, Novocur Pain Management Clinics CEO, will welcome guests while they enjoy a complimentary lunch in the Acacia Ballroom at Tonto Verde Clubhouse. Following lunch, Dr. Neil Thakkar will give an overview of chronic pain issues and treatments. The doctors and staff will then answer questions
about specific chronic pain issues. Novocur can help with migraines, neck or back pain, sciatica, arthritis, failed back surgery syndrome, neuropathy or knee pain, Novocur can help. For more information or for reservations, call (480) 855-NOVO.
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March 1 – 14, 2014
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PUB FROM PAGE 49
for general admission to the festival and children younger than 12 accompanied by a paying adult are free until 5 p.m., after which time the event is limited to those 21 and older. VIP tickets are also available for $75 and include entrance to the festival and a 21-and-over Blue Moon VIP tent, three drink tickets, a St. Patrick’s Day Survival Pack, a $10 bounce back coupon to Murphy’s Law for March 16 and other coupons from festival vendors and local vendors. Owner Roger Baldwin, a former police officer of 10 years and also a security contractor in Iraq, proudly supports those who protect our community and country by honoring “Brass Pass” privileges with complimentary admission for active and retired military, fire and police showing proper identification. This fun community event offers something for everyone. “From corned beef to burgers to some amazing and rather unique desserts, this festival has it all,” Baldwin states. “The activities area will include a rock climbing wall, face and body painting, caricature artist, carnival games, trike races, corn hole competitions, photo booth, dog show and more.” Entertainment includes the AZ Fire Service Pipe Band performing throughout the day, DJ Q Ward, Chuck E. Baby and The AllStars, Kung Fu Grip, performers from the Bracken School of Irish Dance and a bikini contest hosted by Mike G. from HOT 97.5. Murphy’s Law gives back to the community with this annual festival and
FOOD, SPIRITS AND HOSPITALITY: Everyone will find something delicious and fun at Murphy’s Law. Submitted photo
many other charitable events throughout the year. It is a strong supporter of the Chandler community. “More than 90 percent of the vendors participating in this year’s event are local Chandler businesses, many in the downtown district,” Baldwin notes. “It’s great that so many great people and businesses are involved this year.”
made Guinness gravy). The shepherd’s pie (mashed potatoes, cheese, peas, meat and savory gravy topped with a flaky pastry) is well received, too. For something different, try the Guinness Stout Chili. “Murphy’s Law offers something to everyone. Whether it’s a football game, a place to go after work, a place to enjoy comfort food with great service, a venue to enjoy music or hang out on the weekends...Murphy’s is everyone’s place to call home,” Baldwin states. Murphy’s Law now offers breakfast each weekend starting at 9 a.m. Check out its corned beef hash, Murphy’s French toast or an Irish Benny (eggs Benedict with corned beef and eggs served on a house-made Irish Boxty,
Irish Fare and So Much More There’s no better place in town to nosh on your favorite Irish foods than at Murphy’s Law. Some of the most popular traditional Irish entrees continue to be corned beef and cabbage, and bangers and mash (grilled Irish sausages served atop mashed potatoes and slathered in house-
or potato pancake, and drizzled with hollandaise sauce). Sunday brunch features bottomless mimosas for $12 a person. Happy hour is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Thursday, featuring drink specials and $5 appetizers. “Our regular food menu has been expanded to include flatbread pizzas, many more Irish favorites and even a few light Italian dishes,” Baldwin states. Customers love the fish fry from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays. Murphy’s Law also has some big news. “Our new location in Oceanside, Calif., opened in February 2014 and has been warmly received and welcomed by the community in our newest home,” Baldwin says. The new location delivers the same outstanding service with delicious Irish and American food, a full line of spirits and craft beers as far as the eye can see. Murphy’s is now setting their eyes on their next venture to continue their growth. The luck of the Irish is definitely with Murphy’s Law. Come release your inner leprechaun at Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Ale House, located at 58 S. San Marcos Pl. in downtown Chandler. For more information or to purchase tickets for the Downtown Chandler St. Patrick’s Day Festival on March 15, visit www. MurphysLawAZ.com or call (480) 8121588. Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com
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Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com TRANSPLANT FROM PAGE 49
Patients are most likely to match someone who shares their ethnic background. This fact may be particularly important for Maddie, whose father, Darrell Johnson, is of Asian/ Pacific Islander descent. To find a suitable donor that shares her ethnic background and could be a potential match for her is critical. “We definitely need all ethnicities involved,” says Griffith-Johnson. The March 29 donor registry drive is being held in honor of Hadley Mercer who lives in Kentucky. She is 8 months old and, in December 2013, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life because of chromosomal abnormalities and lack of response to traditional chemotherapy. Maddie is just as ill. She has had more than 150 blood transfusions. Because of the constant transfusions, her little body has a dangerous build-up of iron in her blood and she has to constantly be on a pump. Her situation could potentially be fatal and the sooner she can find a marrow donor, the better. Totspot Preschool is located at 4844 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite A105 (west of Queen Creek Road). For additional information about the donor drive, call Kaitlyn Fishman at (602) 7174917 or for general information about Be The Match, visit www.bethematchfoundation.org. Every $100 raised helps add another member to the donor registry. You can contribute at www.bethematchfoundation.org/hadleyAZ. Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com
March 1 – 14, 2014
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BootCamp Boxing Center provides world-class training With the Sochi Olympics just wrapping up, many people try to imagine what it would be like to be able to compete with other athletes at the game. The first question that comes to mind is: What do world class athletes have in common? Most of the answers center on having the following characteristics: Speed, balance, power, endurance, agility and willingness to succeed. Then follows the second set of questions: What would it take to become an athlete at the level? What would it feel like to be that person? How and where to start? To answer those questions one would have to look closer to home for the answer with another question: What do two of these worldclass athletes have in common with Chandler? They work as trainers at BCB (BootCamp Boxing Center). Robert Rico Hoye is four-time world champion professional boxer— with the belts to prove it—who competes in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. A native of Monroe, Mich., Hoye was featured in the fourth season of the popular reality TV series “The
Contender.” Hoye made his professional debut in June 2001 with a third round win over Omar Pucci in Michigan. Within two years of turning professional, Hoye had amassed an unbeaten record of 12-0 and claimed his first title as the IBA Continental Light Heavyweight champion, beating Prince Badi Ajamu on points over 12 rounds. Over the next few years, Hoye gained more titles in the IBF and the WBC, light heavyweight titles. In late 2008, Hoye moved up to cruiserweight so he could compete in “The Contender.” Hoye advanced through the tournament making it to the final four and ending with a bronze medal on the reality TV series. “I serve as a vehicle to assist you in reaching your fitness goals and improving your overall health through BCB’s elite Boxing and Functional Conditioning training programs,” Hoye says. “Boxing helps improve your cardio, strength, confidence and also serves as a means of defense. Functional Conditioning has many benefits as well, such as building ‘inner strength,’ endurance, improving balance and range of motion. As a world-class athlete, I am utilizing experience and education to help improve the lives of
as many people as I can. The process begins with you!” David Quarles holds a world record for his performance in paintball competitions held worldwide, has traveled internationally and has endorsed paintball video games sold internationally. His secret? “Your core is the secret to you being functionally stronger and having more overall stamina,” Quarles says. “Core strength development is essential to all of us. As for athletes, having an exceptionally strong core can be the difference between being an average athlete and being an elite athlete.” The BCB owners—John Akers, Don and Janette Alexander—say they “are extremely pleased about being able to offer the services of trainers with these credentials.” “Their genuine interest in improving people’s fitness levels matched with their humble manner sets them apart from other trainers of this caliber.” The facility is located at 4939 W. Ray Rd., Suite 9, Chandler. For more information, call (480) 685-8393 or visit www.bootcampboxingcenters. com.
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Chandler organization, area families to benefit from run BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
March 8 marks the fourth annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer, which will feature a 10K run, a 5K run/walk and a quarter-mile cancer survivors’ walk to honor children who have beaten cancer, those who have lost their battle and those who are courageously still fighting the disease. Grand Canyon University Foundation is hosting the run that benefits the Chandlerbased Children’s Cancer Network and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Along with our partners we want to do all we can to heighten awareness of childhood cancer and raise money to fund research, patient care and programs that help local families battling this horrible disease,” says Sussely Morales, race director. Although the Children’s Cancer Network is based in Chandler, it helps families statewide, according to Patti Luttrell, who co-founded the organization with husband, Steve, and serves as its executive director. The nonprofit assists families who are battling childhood cancer with a variety of support services and resources. It provides financial assistance, promotes education, encourages healthy lifestyles, helps to build self-esteem and raises awareness of the issues and challenges facing children and families battling cancer. Luttrell and her family have been personally affected by cancer. “Far too many families in Arizona face the same nightmare that struck our family
when our son, Jeff, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 5,” Luttrell says. Jenny Luttrell was 16 when her little brother was diagnosed. When Jeff received his bone marrow transplant in Tucson, the little girl next to him died, leaving Jenny moved. That family did not have money to put gas in their car to return to the Valley. Jenny knew she wanted to make a difference and thus the Children’s Cancer Network was born. “We started very small and the first eight years grew the patient family service program,” Patti says. “In 2012 we started having much more direct contact with families and last year we opened our first resource center.” Prior to the opening of that Chandler center, the organization was based out of the Luttrells’ home. Jeff is now 25, attending college and is a seven-time cancer survivor. The nonprofit will host its signature annual fundraising event, “Inspirations” Children’s Cancer Network’s Annual Fashion Show, Auction and Luncheon, on March 15 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. To attend, visit www.childrenscancernetwork. org.
‘Jedi Jack’ Fighting the Dark Side Six-year-old Jack Welch of Chandler was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2011 and will serve as the honorary race starter for the Run to Fight
RUN TO FIGHT CHILDREN’S CANCER: The fourth annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer is March 8 at Grand Canyon University. The event will feature a 10K run, 5K run/walk and a quarter-mile cancer survivors’ walk. Submitted photo
Children’s Cancer, letting loose thousands of runners in the fight against pediatric cancers. “Jedi Jack,” as he is lovingly called, will be joined by many other cancer-fighting superhero kids donning capes to signify their fight against the disease. “He is still in treatment. The treatment for leukemia is very long,” says Beth Welch, Jack’s mother. Although he is technically in remission, his cancer treatments are not scheduled to end until January 2015. The first six months of treatment were incredibly intense, but now Jack is in a period of treatment called “maintenance,” which in boys, lasts about two year. The Welch family is hopeful that when the treatment is done, he will not remember much of it. “We’ve been participating in the race for the past two years,” Welch states. “This year the Children’s Cancer Network asked me
if Jack would like to be a race starter and I said, ‘I think he’d love that.’ His team is called ‘Jack Strikes Back’ and we just put in an order for new shirts with light sabers on them. We’re hoping he’ll carry his light saber and that he’ll start the race with that.” Jack’s father, Keith, is the battalion chief with the Chandler Fire Department and he will be running this year, while Beth, daughter, Natalie, other family members, friends and members of Jack’s Boy Scout troop and schoolmates will be doing the 5K walk. For more information about the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer or to register, visit www.runtofightcancer.com or call (602) 6396417 Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the San Tan Sun News. She can be reached at lynette@santansun.com
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Variety is truly ‘spice of life’ at this senior talent show on March 12-13 BY CLAIRE CLEVELAND
For 21 years, Chandler-area senior adults have shown that variety really is the spice of life. Led by director Arlene Strandberg, the Spice of Life Senior Variety Show gives local performers the chance to step onto the main stage and into the spotlight for two shows at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.—2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13. Singing and dancing are two of the talents that the Arizona seniors have to offer. This year, Carolan Quenneville will step out of that box and perform a humorous monologue she performed for the Gilbert Toastmasters International after her husband died. “This is not a one-foot-in-the-grave kind of talent show,” says Quenneville, who auditioned on the advice of a friend who said the event lacked humor. The show features more than 20 acts, including Mary Poindexter, a singer and 12-year variety show participant who can be seen on YouTube. She sang at church and then, after retirement, performed with a group at her retirement home. Those friends persuaded her to audition. Tucson TV personality Maddy Paschal as well as Ron Butler, who make up the Mood Swings, will hit the stage. The dynamic duo performs songs from the
The Sun Lakes Library will introduce a new era in listening enjoyment at 12 p.m., Monday, March 17. In recognizing that many individuals experience some, if not most, hearing loss as they age, the Friends of the Library have donated a unique state-of-theart sound system known as T-Coil. The ribbon cutting event will begin at 12 p.m. with guest speakers Maricopa County Library District Director Cindy Kolacynski and County Supervisor Denny Barney. The Friends of the Library of Sun Lakes is pleased to make this wonderful enhancement available to the community. The T-Coil works off of magnetic energy that is transmitted directly to hearing aids to provide listeners clear sound free of background noise. The system also consists
of 13 speakers located around the room, so those with a mild hearing impairment will also enjoy a “just right” level of sound. If the presenter is loud, the sound will be moderated; low volume presenters will find their voices amplified. Anne Hillerman, daughter of wellknown author Tony Hillerman, will be the first guest speaker to use the new system. She is a noted food critic in Albuquerque and a nonfiction writer. Anne will speak at 1 p.m. about writing fiction, as well as continuing the legacy of her father. Books will be available to purchase and have been signed. The library is located at 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. For information call (480) 353-1394.
Affordable hearing aids to be discussed at next HLAA meeting on March 13 Affordable hearing aids will be discussed on Thursday, March 13, during the Sun Lakes Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America’s program at the Ed Robson Branch Library, Lecky Center, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. Dr. Ingrid McBride of the Arizona State University Speech and Hearing Clinic, will discuss “Hearing Aids and Your Wallet: How to Make Hearing Aids Affordable for All.” McBride will present a different
Claire Cleveland is an intern for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.
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pricing and delivery model that can make hearing aids more affordable without sacrificing quality. This meeting provides an opportunity for learning and sharing for you or a friend or family member that is challenged by hearing loss. Refreshments will be provided. For information contact Regina Milgroom at reggiefaith@gmail.com or Liz Booth at halib72@gmail.com.
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Friends of the Sun Lakes Library will donate T-Coil on March 17
1950s through 1970s. Paschal was Ms. Senior Arizona in 2010 and runner-up Ms. Senior America and Butler opened shows in Las Vegas for more than 30 years. Paschal isn’t the only pageant queen. She’ll be joined by four Ms. Senior Arizona and a Ms. Senior New York. The variety show invites seniors to “…perform any talent to entertain a crowd,” according to the press release. This being said, many of the entertaining acts return year after year to perform for an audience of 1,400 and growing,” Strandberg says. “There is a great deal of variety (this year),” Strandberg explains The variety show is making a big move this year—to the Chandler Center for the Arts’ main stage. In years past, the shows were held in smaller stages at the arts center which accommodated only a fraction of the 800 seats in the main theater. The event would repeat for three or four nights due to demand. Tickets to this show are $6 at the door. “It should be more,” Quenneville says. “These are professional-type performers.”
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Neighbors
March 1 – 14, 2014
Do I need allergy treatment? BY DR. STUART AGREN A lot of patients depend on over-thecounter or prescription medications to tide them through allergy season. Antihistamines such as Claritin or Allegra work fairly well for some patients. Others need allergy treatment (known as immunotherapy) to achieve increased relief. It’s important to consider the severity and duration of your symptoms when considering allergy immunotherapy. Severity. If you rank your symptoms as a five out of five on a “misery scale,” you are probably severe enough to merit allergy testing and treatment through a physician, particularly if your discomfort persists for much of the year. Duration. If your symptoms last for multiple months, that’s a red flag, too. For example, if you are close to a five on the misery scale in spring and fall and in moderate discomfort during other parts of the year, consider seeing a doctor. Medications are appropriate for short symptom bursts, but not necessarily for allergies that extend through more than four months of the year. Allergy treatment starts with a skin test which usually involves a brief series of scratches or pin pricks on the back or arm. No allergy test is 100 percent accurate; I have some patients who have scored very low on the allergy test but their symptoms clearly indicate allergy. For that reason, most doctors consider both the test results and the patient’s health history when deciding to move forward with treatment. Immunotherapy is the only treatment that has been proven to change the underlying
allergy—not just its symptoms. It starts with an allergy serum that contains traces of common pollens mixed into a saline solution. As your body is exposed to these pollens, it learns to “make peace” with them and stop overreacting every time it encounters them in nature. For many years, immunotherapy was administered only through injections. Patients had to drive to the doctor’s office a couple times a week for shots. More options are available. Most of my patients prefer sublingual (under-the-tongue) allergy drops because they are safer than shots and can be taken at home. The drops absorb into the bloodstream through cells in the mouth. Allergy drops are an especially good choice for kids! Because of their safety profile, they can be given to younger children than shots can. And unlike shots, allergy drops have been shown to be safe and useful in desensitizing people to food allergies such as milk, eggs, wheat, rice, soy, etc. Talk to your primary care physician if you think you may be a candidate for immunotherapy. Medications provide temporary relief, but immunotherapy can provide a lasting solution. Rather than just treating symptoms, it can actually “teach” your body to stop developing those symptoms. Dr. Stuart H. Agren opened the Family Allergy Clinic in the East Valley in 1985. He has helped more than 15,000 patients overcome allergies and asthma. His offices can be reached at (480) 827-9945. Visit www.FamilyAllergyClinic.com for more information.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly meeting you would like listed in Neighborhood Networks, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com. Note: The SanTan Sun News now has a Spiritual Connections column in the Spirituality section for ongoing religious-related events. About Care Info: Marty Recht, (602) 315- Church of Gilbert Monthly volunteer training, 2056, Marty@AZMarty.com 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert by individual appointment. Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, A nonprofit serving Alzheimer’s Association ext. 201 homebound Chandler and Desert Southwest Chapter, Gilbert residents; provides Chandler American Legion James O. transportation, shopping 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of Schroeder Post 55 and errands, friendly visits, the month 7 p.m. third Tuesday of the reassurance phone calls, Support group for caregivers month minor home repairs. of people with dementia. Sun Lakes Country Club, Info: (480) 802-2331, www. Free; no preregistration Navajo Room aboutcare.org required. 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Chandler Regional Hospital, Lakes Absolute Business Builders: Morrison Building, Learning Info: Commander Byron Business Networking Resource Room Weston, (480) 802-6623 International 1875 W. Frye Rd., Chandler 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Wednesdays Info: Mindy, (602) 528-0545, American Society of Chompie’s ext. 201 Women Accountants, Mesa 3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler East Valley Chapter Info: Nikki Janulewicz, (480) Alzheimer’s Association 5:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of 570-1835, Nikki@azbestmove. Desert Southwest Chapter, the month com Gilbert Nonprofit organization 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. first and third holds monthly networking Action Networkers: Friday of the month and educational sessions for Business Networking Support group for caregivers women in accounting. International of people with dementia. Landmark Restaurant 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays Free; no preregistration 809 W. Main St., Mesa Chompies required. Info: Shelby, (602) 430-8834, 3841 W. Frye Rd., Chandler First United Methodist www.aswa-mev.org
WebXtra:
For a complete list of SanTan Sun area clubs, associations and networking groups, visit www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Neighbors” to read Neighborhood Networks.
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March 1 – 14, 2014
5K Kenneth’s Color Run For her Basha High School senior project, Brindlee Fullmer organized 5K Kenneth’s Color Run, a fundraiser for Forever Young Foundation, which raises money for children’s cancer. The event was held in the memory of her cousin, Kenneth Brown II, who died in 1999 after a lifelong battle with cancer. During the run, participants were blasted at every station with colored powder. For more information, visit brindleefullmer.wix.com/kennethscolorrun. STSN photos by Nick Bartlett
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