Chandler
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www.SanTanSun.com Dec. 20, 2008 - Jan. 9, 2009
Nonprofi t takes ‘stand’ on body image
by Natalie Morris discovered the Healthy Body Image Hike, Take a Stand has completed two fundraising
Chandler resident and Physician (HBI) curriculum and created a nonprofi t hikes with all proceeds going toward materials and
Assistant Mimi Ellis has a vision for organization called “Take a Hike, Take a training. In spring of 2009 the group plans to bring
reaching fourth-, fi fth- and sixth-graders Stand” to implement the program in local the author of the HBI curriculum to the Valley to train
with the message that “skinny” doesn’t schools. teachers, school nurses and others involved in the
always translate to healthy and that “the “It’s a phenomenal curriculum and program.
perfect body” doesn’t exist. only a few hundred schools across the Ellis’ vision for reaching students is beginning to
“It’s an area that I struggled with country are using it and I think it should become reality, with programs at Our Lady of Mount
personally, and in my work every day be millions,” shares Ellis. “The lessons are Carmel, several schools in the Deer Valley area, one
in women’s health I see that it’s still an
Mimi Ellis
very experiential so the kids really get it on school in Casa Grande, San Tan Learning Center and
issue,” she says. “Every day I see women a whole different level than someone just a charter school in Gilbert. But Ellis has much bigger
choosing looking good over their health. They’re telling them. One of the things they do is build what’s plans for the future.
intelligent women. They know better. What I get from called an ‘identity model’ where the kids fi nd 20 to 30 “Through education and activism, I want to see this
that is that there’s something in our culture that has us things about themselves that make them who they curriculum used in all of the schools in Arizona,” she
all acting as though the way we look is more important are, and they see that how they look is just one of those says. “And, I wouldn’t necessarily stop in Arizona. I’d
than our health, and we don’t always know that we’re things. At the same time they see that if you place all of really like to see it become nationwide.”
doing it. That’s just not the world I want my daughter your emphasis on one of those things, then everything For more information about Take a Hike,
to grow up in.” else is out of balance.” Take a Stand and the HBI program, visit
Inspired to make a difference in our society and The HBI program does not focus on weight loss or www.takeahiketakeastand.org or call 602-684-4682.
recognizing that body image issues are best tackled tell kids they have to be thin to be healthy. Health and
prior to junior high school, Ellis participated in wellness and feeling good about themselves are the
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer who lives in Cooper
Landmark Education’s Self Expression and Leadership goal.
Commons with her husband, two sons and their dog, Bella.
Contact her at Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
Program and began to formulate a plan. She soon Nearly a year-and-a-half after its launch, Take a
Start day with
Caring the Carebear way
delicious tradition
by Joan Westlake
When you dine at Brunchies in historic downtown
Chandler, you are enjoying more than big helpings
of delicious food and down-home service: you are
becoming part of history. For more than a century, the
Serrano family has been at the forefront of Chandler’s
business community, fi rst clothing residents of the
Southeast Valley and then feeding them.
Ernie Sr. and Eva Serrano, who opened the fi rst
Serranos restaurant in 1979, are chairman and
co-chair of the family’s enterprises and still very active
in the day-to-day business. In the early ‘80s, the family
opened Brunchies to serve a growing breakfast and
lunch crowd.
STSN photo
Stephanie Serrano, vice president of research and
BRUNCH BUNCH: Breakfast and lunch is served at Brunchies in
development for the family business and supervisor of
historic downtown Chandler, including on the glass-enclosed
Brunchies, says when the café fi rst opened, it offered
patio.
traditional breakfast fare and lunch items. However,
home fries favorites, but our Mexican food outsells all
she adds, because from its very beginning Brunchies
the others. Our Mexican skillets are huge and people
has attracted a large, loyal, local clientele, the family
order them all the time.”
responded to requests to add Mexican fare.
“We offer all the eggs and bacon and biscuits and
See Brunchies Page A+6
Group gathers donations
for overseas soldiers
The new Patriotic Project for Soldiers at the
Chandler Senior Center needs donations of food and
personal items to send to military men and women
serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The group also asks
for the names and addresses of members of the local
community who are currently serving overseas.
“Our senior volunteers really want to help all of our STSN photos
soldiers, but it would be very special to help out those
HELPING HAND: Carebear Preschool recently
with close ties to Chandler,” says Denise Demaray, held a charity Christmas party to raise funds for
manager of the Chandler Senior Center. “The Patriotic
3-year-old Trey Lane, who suffers from MSP VI,
an extremely rare and life-threatening genetic
Project for Soldiers was spearheaded by one of our
disorder. Between a silent auction, a visit from
patrons who is a veteran, John Curry, and many others
Santa and craft projects, about $5,000 was raised
Submitted photo
have stepped up to help out. Now we are asking the for Trey’s Treasures Trust Fund, which will be used
to cover Trey’s medical expenses and support
DONATE: Items for military care packages are being collected by
community to join us in supporting this worthwhile
research for a cure. To still make a donation, visit
Chandler Senior Center. project.”
www.OurTreysTreasures.blogspot.com.
See Soldiers Page A+6
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