October 2 - 15, 2010
www.SanTanSun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities es s
Area homeowners remodel, reinvest
by Miriam Van Scott
Facing a volatile real estate market in which buying and selling property is increasingly perilous, SanTan Sun area homeowners are increasingly opting to renovate rather than relocate. Unable to trade up to a dream home, they’re transforming their existing houses into showplaces they can enjoy for years to come.
This surge in remodels is apparent in the recent boom in residential addition permits, which are required for major renovations like pools, added rooms or garage extensions. In August 2009, the City of Chandler issued fi ve permits for such projects; last month, that number had soared to 169. “For the fi rst part of last year, residential addition permit numbers were in single digits,” says Chandler Principal Planner David de la Torre. “But an upward trend started developing in September 2009 and has continued since. The number of permits issued has been hovering around 170 throughout 2010.”
Converting homes into castles STSN photo by Gordon Murray
OLD IS NEW AGAIN: The new DC Steakhouse will open the first week in October in the former Fat Cat and 98 South location on the southwest corner of San Marcos Place and Boston Street in historic downtown Chandler. Co-owner Lorie LaPlant puts the finishing touches on one of the many hand-painted murals to grace the new eatery. LaPlant and her husband, Dean, plan to serve steaks, seafood, wine and beer.
Discover farm food, family fun this fall
by Ann N. Videan, APR
While triple digits linger in the SanTan Sun area, autumn indeed is here, and that means an opportunity for families to delight in the Valley’s agrarian roots as crops are harvested and animals abound at area farms. At Superstition Farm and Mother Nature’s Farm, the whole family can learn about food long before it hits grocery store shelves, plus enjoy harvest-time activities like picking out Halloween pumpkins, petting farm animals, navigating hay bale mazes, taking hayrides and much more.
From farm to fork Submitted photo
DOWN ON THE FARM: Learn more about rural life this fall at Superstition Farm and Mother Nature’s Farm.
Superstition Farm shows guests how to appreciate food through farm tours and fun activities like a rescue-animal petting zoo, horse-riding lessons and hay rides.
See Farm food Page 10 TASTE
Housing expert Dr. Jay Butler says the remodeling craze is directly tied to today’s unpredictable housing market. With many homeowners feeling stuck in a house that’s underwater or would have to be sold at a substantial loss, enhancing the residence offers a much more positive option.
See Remodel Page 8
Local musician rocks dream job
by K. M. Lang
When Mike Eldred’s parents learned their guitar-playing son wanted to be a professional musician, they were happy to help.
“They were into it,” recalls the Southern Chandler resident and front man for the Mike Eldred Trio. “They said, ‘Do it. You can practice in the garage. We’ll support you any way we can, but have a back-up plan.’”
What Eldred and his parents couldn’t have known was that his “back-up” job would be the sort to make most musicians envious, proving that, at least in the music world, one can have one’s cake and eat it, too.
Take this month, for instance. Eldred’s band, which recently opened several shows for Jimmie Vaughan, will fl y to
See Musician Page 12
Neighbors Chef a GoGo
CCA Open House Jazz Saturdays
Page 45
Music & Academics Calendar of events Study habits Just4Kids
SanTan Family Fun Center spread
INSIDE
Business . . . . . . . . . 16-29 AZ Arts . . . . . . . . .30-33 Opinion . . . . . . . . .34-35 Things to do . . . . . . . . . 36 Neighbors . . . . . . . .45-53 Youth . . . . . . . . . . 54-65 Spirituality . . . . . . . 67-69 Directory . . . . . . . .70-72 Classifieds . . . . . . . .73-74 Where to eat . . . . . .75-79
Submitted photo
GUITAR MAN: Mike Eldred of the Mike Eldred Trio began playing the guitar at age 14.
FAMILY FUN
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