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April 21 - May 4, 2007 23
City to open “Playtopia”
at Tumbleweed
Chandler Chronicles
Chandler native Glenna McCollum, executive director of the
Chandler Education Foundation and director of nutrition at
SanTan Sun area parents
Central Arizona College, was named Outstanding Dietetic Technician
looking for something a little
Educator of the Year by the American Dietetic Association. She was
different for their tots will want
recognized for her “outstanding record of collaborative program
to check out Playtopia, which
development, professional networking, and promotion of the
Dietetic Technicians, Registered.”
celebrates its grand opening at
Tumbleweed Park on Saturday,
The Chandler Fire Department lost a “valued friend” recently
when the City’s fi rst honorary fi refi ghter, Jamie Blakeslee, passed
May 12 at 9 a.m. The free 2.5-acre
away at the age of 34. Blakeslee, who was born with Spina Bifi da, Glenna McCollum
playground features three areas was a frequent visitor at Chandler fi re stations. He will be fondly
for kids to explore and enjoy.
remembered by many, including Battalion Chief Richard McBlane, who became one of
Farm Land pays homage to
Blakeslee’s best friends.
Chandler’s agricultural roots and
The average price of a new home in Chandler was $460,185 during the fourth
quarter of 2006, compared to $305,000 in Maricopa County, and $237,300 in the U.S. as
Submitted photo
offers multiple slides, bridges,
PLAYLAND: A new play area for children will be open in
a whole. During the same period, the average price of a resale home was $289,000 in
May at Tumbleweed Park in S. Chandler, featuring an
climbing features and a mini-
Chandler, $257,000 in Maricopa County and $219,300 in the U.S. As of April 1, Chandler had
urban City Land and more. rock wall. City Land is Playtopia’s an estimated 246,185 residents and 92,690 housing units.
urban-theme landscape, offering
paved streets, street signs, city vehicles and lampposts, along with various climbing
and riding features. Critter Land has fossil digs, rock climbs, a giant Gila monster,
Send in Mother’s Day events
dinosaur eggs and tortoise shells for little scientists to explore. Playtopia also has a
swing section for all ages, benches and covered ramadas.
Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your Mother’s Day events in a special section. Is your
restaurant having a Mom’s Day brunch? Are you hosting a Mother’s Day craft activity for children or
Tumbleweed Park is located at McQueen and Germann roads. To learn more,
some other event honoring mothers? If so, email details to News@SanTanSun.com. Include a brief
call 480-782-2910 or access www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
description of the event, times/days/dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue/address,
publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verifi cation purposes.
We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or
Colleges’ AAA rating equals savings
“highest quality” setting. Information is due by noon on April 25 for
the May 5 issue. Submission does not guarantee placement.
Chandler and Gilbert taxpayers are reaping the benefi ts of Maricopa Community
Colleges’ “Triple-A” credit rating. The colleges recently sold $240 million in general
obligation bonds – part of a $951.4 million bond issue approved by voters in 2004 “SELL YOUR HOME FAST
– and will be paying 3.933001 percent instead of the anticipated six percent, saving
taxpayers $71 million over the life of the bonds.
AND FOR TOP DOLLAR”
“We’re delighted at being able to borrow this money at a rate of less than four
percent,” says Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Rufus Glasper. “The
bond market has voted with its wallet, and the taxpayers are the winners.”
The district was one of only two community college districts in the country
MIKE FOLEY
to receive the highest possible ratings from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services,
Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. Proceeds from the bond sale will be
(480) 216-7878
used to renovate existing buildings and construct new ones.
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