Where to eat Where to eat
Pizza Factory delivers
Pizza Factory delivers
Neighbors Page 43
Thoughts on Christmas
Thoughts on Christmas
Spirituality Pages 63, 64
Where to eat Pages 71-74
Dec. 18 - Jan. 7, 2011
41 Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com Hungry Monk responds to local tastes Hungry Monk responds to local tastes by Joan Westlake
It took years of planning for just the right restaurant for Jim and Carol Lolli, and when they opened Buffalo Wings & Rings in 2008, it was a brand chosen that had the quality of food and beverage they wanted. But, Lolli says while it was successful, it didn’t allow them to become the neighborhood pub of their dreams. “We found the concept was limiting, and we were sending a lot of money to Cincinnati and I wanted it to stay here in Chandler,” he asserts. In September of this year, the Hungry Monk was launched. Jim Lolli says they chose the name carefully.
“Monk is kind of a magical word in the craft beer community. Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Belgium and German monks were the best brewers of beer in the entire universe. And, of course, the ‘hungry’ screams of food.” While they have a stellar name in the craft beer community, they are also family- friendly, says Lolli. With three children of their own, the Lollis made certain the Hungry Monk has one of the best kid’s meal deal in the Valley. For $3.99, little ones can chow down on an entrée, beverage and ice cream.
The big kids are well cared for, too. Lolli says they’ve built their reputation as one of the top craft beer spots in the state with their expansive selections of dozens of beers. They are often one of the few pubs in the state to obtain limited brews such as a recent Firestone tapping.
Keeping with the Hungry Monk’s local leanings, a number of Arizona brews are served, and on Sundays you can imbibe a local pint for $3.
See Hungry Monk Page 42 Goodbye, 2010; hello, 2011 by Lynda Exley Google Images photo
A NEW YEAR: The Roman god Janus, after which January was named, befittingly represents the transition from Dec. 31, 2010 to Jan. 1, 2011.
According to historians, Jan. 1 was established as New Year’s Day in 46 BC by Roman ruler Julius Caesar. Romans dedicated the day to Janus, the Roman god of doors, gates, doors and beginnings. Janus, the namesake for the month of January, had two faces – one looking backward and the other looking forward. Some interesting ways people celebrate New Year’s day include the polar Bear Plunge, a quick dip in freezing cold water popular in Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and some states in the U.S.; football, such as in Britain which plays an extra round of football unless New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday,
Friday or Sunday; in Pasadena, CA, where the Tournament of Roses college football game and parade is played; or with a meal of pork, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, as is frequently done in Pennsylvania and Ohio near Pennsylvania “Dutch” areas. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, however, it’s almost unanimously celebrated with parties, fi reworks, champagne, ball drops, noise makers and other festivities. Here are a few ways the SanTan Sun community can usher in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Ballroom Jazz Extravaganza, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 with reservations due Dec. 24, Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, 1 N. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. Ring in the new year with live music by Laurie Fagen & Friends jazz quartet, dinner, coffee and dessert buffet, dancing and a champagne toast. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, an elegant dinner, dessert buffet champagne toast
See 2011 Page 44 STSN photo
TRULY LOCAL: Jim Lolli, left, is the “Proprietor & Head Beer Guy” of Hungry Monk in Chandler, here with manager Mike Willis.
Make time for holiday fun
Between shopping, cooking, cleaning and maybe putting in a few extra hours at work in anticipation of holiday vacation time, try to take a couple hours off to relax and enjoy some of these holiday events before the season ends.
Santa’s House, noon to 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 18. Little ones visit with Santa Claus and tell him their Christmas wishes. Free. 3 S. Arizona Ave. at Commonwealth,
Submitted photo
BRIGHT LIGHTS: Glowing animal displays illuminate the Phoenix Zoo during ZooLights through Jan. 9.
Chandler. Info: 480-782-2735,
www.chandleraz.gov.
The 4th annual Operation Holiday Open House, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 18. Arizona National Guard armory, 1335 N. 52nd St., Phoenix. This is a free event for all military families features activities, visits with Santa, face painters, the Phoenix Suns gorilla and a trackless train. Families choose gifts to give to each other at the event designed to help those struggling to provide Christmas gifts. The public, Operation Santa Claus and Schumacher European donated toys for this celebration. Military must show ID at door. Info:
www.operationhomefront.net/ arizona/
events.aspx?id=2048.
7th Annual Floatilla Boat parade, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 25 and 31. Neighbors along Southern Chandler’s Ocotillo Golf Resort’s golf course area light up their electric boats and parade around the waterway, with Santa joining the “fl oatilla” Dec. 19 and 25. The best time and area for non-golf course residents to watch the Christmas boat parade is between 6:15 and 7 p.m. at the tennis courts off Jacaranda Parkway in Southern Chandler. The Ocotillo Golf Resort is located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Dr. in Chandler.
See Holiday Page 50
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