30 Dec. 15 - Jan. 18, 2008
Opinion
www.SanTanSun.com
Publisher’s
Community
Note
Commentary
Traditions
Teaching kids to give rather
than get during holidays
Old traditions, new traditions, bad traditions, good
traditions. All part of the annual holiday season that
seems to creep up on us earlier and earlier each year. Of
by Suzi Milovanovic, owner, you are giving them an opportunity to
course, it doesn’t help that more and more retail stores
EastValleyParent.com better understand themselves and their
start decorating for Christmas and playing holiday songs
The holiday season in the Valley has world.
before Halloween, but that’s another column …
entered into the final stretch: Lights Emphasize or create family traditions.
There is something about the human race that
twinkle from meticulously adorned Routines and rituals are comforting to
enjoys, seeks out and yes, craves certain ritualistic traditions. Perhaps it’s enjoys seeks out
homes, schools will soon break for most children and help to create lasting
an annual custom passed down from generation to generation. Maybe
their annual winter recess and many memories.
it’s something that you hold dear from your childhood, and you want to parents and children are redefining the There is a host of resources out there
continue it with your family. Many times new traditions get started just meaning of “holiday spirit” by shifting for families looking to give back to the
because of the times we live in. priorities from “getting” to “giving.” community.
I used to be great at sending out Christmas cards on time to all my
In this time of economic instability, KidsCare.org is already being
family and friends. Then the crazy year it didn’t get done ‘til the first week
savvy parents are focusing more on implemented in some schools in the
of January, I declared it my “new tradition” to do cards when it was much
“giving” and serving this holiday season, Valley (Santan, for one). Kids Care Clubs
quieter, and when my note might not be stuck with dozens of others.
leaving “getting” on the back burner. provides young people with hands-on
However, that “tradition” has often morphed into Happy Valentine’s Day
Here are a few back-to-basic ideas on volunteer opportunities to help others
greetings, and even Happy July 4th greetings – and sometimes not at all. I’m
how to redefine the holidays in your in their local and global communities.
continually amazed at those uber-efficient people who manage to get their
family: IdeaList.org (Action Without
cards to me on Dec. 1.
Then there’s the house decorating tradition. Many go at it the weekend
Diffuse the hype. Start with a Borders) currently has a database of
right after Thanksgiving, and by the end of four days, the outside – and
discussion about the origins of the 71,554 organizations. Its mission is
presumably the inside as well – of their houses are ablaze with lights. There
holiday. What you discuss will obviously to connect people, organizations and
are those of us who have to figure out when to schedule those decorating
depend on your own background resources to help build a world where
hours into our already busy lives; and I’m sure there are still a few out there
and religious attitude. Find an age- all people can live free and dignified
who do the Christmas Eve decorating of the tree to fulfill the surprise of
appropriate book and read it together. lives.
Santa’s arrival.
Encourage your kids to think “out- The SanTan Sun has published many
What about opening presents? Some are hard and fast Christmas-
side the festively wrapped box” and articles on businesses and organizations
morning openers, while others gather on Christmas Eve for the unwrapping.
find simple ways to give back to those participating in holiday volunteer and
I don’t know whether it was a custom my parents started, or more likely less fortunate. It may be as easy as donation efforts in this issue. If you
a relenting to their four children’s cajoling, but we managed to convince cleaning out the toy box and participat- missed any, you can check out archived
them that we should open one present on Christmas Eve, with the rest on ing in food drives. issues online at www.SanTanSun.com.
Christmas morning.
Stick to your budget! This encourages EastValleyParent.com has a section
A difficult tradition that often causes family rifts is “where” to spend
parents and children to save money, dedicated to “Families Giving Back,”
Christmas day. With more blended families, new families and spread-out
and serves as a reminder that the true which connects you to additional
families, this often becomes a source of angst during the holidays. “BC”
value of a gift does not depend on the volunteer and nonprofit organizations
(before child) we used to spend one day with my parents, and one day with
cost. specifically in the East Valley.
my husband’s father. But “AC” (after child), we wanted to start our own
Consider homemade cards and Bottom line, stop redoing your to-do
traditions, in our own house. By the way, the one-present-on-Christmas Eve
gifts for family and friends. Contrary list and enjoy the holidays for all that
tradition has continued, to our son’s delight.
We even spent a couple of holidays helping prepare and deliver boxes of
to past beliefs, this is not “cheesy,” but they have to offer, most importantly
food for the needy, which was an eye-opener to us as well as to our young
rather creative and personal. This also being together and celebrating all that
son. It also gives a lot more meaning to the holiday spirit.
reinforces what you’ve taught them you have.
However, gone are the traditional cinnamon rolls on Christmas morn
about positive, responsible gift giving.
(an early morning baker I’m not, unless it’s out of a package) and spending
Involve the children in holiday
Suzi Milovanovic is the owner of
all day in the kitchen with a browning turkey is not my idea of fun and
baking, cooking and decorating.
EastValleyParent.com, an online parenting
resource for families of the East Valley. She
relaxation. With the proliferation of other much more qualified cooks out
Volunteer … together. Volunteering
can be reached for comment via email at suzi@
there, ready to prepare the entire feast for you, finding space in the refrig
is a way for parents and kids to feel
eastvalleyparent.com.
and heating it up the next day are doable for me … and then we have
useful and fulfilled. By giving your
leftovers, too. children an opportunity to contribute,
Whether it’s Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy
Kwanzaa or whatever you and your family celebrate at this time of year,
the tradition of well wishing to our family, friends and colleagues is one
that most everyone shares. And so we wish the best of the season to all
Red and Blue Santas
our readers, our advertisers and all those who work with us. Let’s hope the
reduce holiday gloom
economy picks up in 2008 and that we might see peace in the world next
year as well.
by Councilmember Matt Orlando It was one of those moments that
Season’s greetings to you all!
Jason White, a seasoned veteran of validated the hours of hard work Jason
the Chandler Fire Department, had puts in each year in coordinating
Laurie Fagen, Editor/Publisher
witnessed a lot of tragedy, pain and Chandler’s Adopt-A-Family program.
Geoff Hancock, Advertising/Production
suffering in his 10-year City career Jason leads a team of fellow firefighters
of fighting fires and responding to in identifying families in need,
Our Apologies – In the News Update e-letter story on the Winter
medical emergencies. But the response interviewing them and collecting and
Fest at Riggs Landing, the ages of Gina Roberts’ children were
he received from the little girl when distributing items to make their holiday
asked what she wanted for Christmas a special one.
incorrect, according to friends of theirs. Michael was 6 and Carleigh
floored him. Living is stark conditions A firefighter from each of Chandler’s
was 4.
and spending her nights sleeping on 10 stations takes the lead in finding a
the floor, the girl told the fire captain family to adopt. The Chandler Unified
Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo
that all she wanted was a pillow. School District and local United Way
opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments?
help find the families, but often times,
We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com.
See Community Commentary Page 31
Deadlines for the January 19, 2008 issue:DEADLINES:
PUBLISHER WRITERS
Laurie Fagen Lynda Exley, Editor
The Deadline for Editorial and
ADVERTISING:
Advertising for the
Susan Henderson, Managing Editor
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
FEBRUARY 16, 2002
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION
Jennifer Hesse
Geoff Hancock
issue is
K.M. Lang
MAILING ADDRESS: For News Tips, Classified Ads, FRIDAY, FEBRUEDITORIAL:
Sharon McCarson
ARY 8, 2002
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Natalie Morris
PO Box 23
Editorial Articles, or Letters,
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Darlene Keberle
Sharon Schnakenburg
Chandler, AZ 85244-0023
email is preferred.
WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY
Joan Westlake
NEWS EMAIL ADDRESS:
35,000 Total Circulation
Susan Kovacs, n-ergizing
TELEPHONE:
News@SanTanSun.com
480-732-0250 ADS EMAIL ADDRESS: 28,000+ Driveways
GRAPHIC ARTS/PRODUCTION
CONTRIBUTORS
Ads@SanTanSun.com
Shawn Patrick, ZigZag Designs
Fifty square mile coverage area from Price/101
Karen Hicks, Jolynn Humphrey, Suzanne Incorvaia,
FAX LINE: WEBSITE ADDRESS: to Greenfield and from Frye to Hunt Highway.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Cindy Sanders, Julie Figueroa, Dominica Peterson,
480-883-8714 www.SanTanSun.com
Jennifer Baker Andrea Huelsenbeck, Stephanie Emery, Maureen
©2007 SanTan Sun News
Jane Meyer Andera, Margaret Tierney, Cat Beard
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72