Page 20 March 2014 A is a small private room historically used in pubs for people who do not want to be seen in the pub. “There are people who think my father- in-law and I are a little crazy,” Burch said. And the pub is just the beginning. Every year, the Burch family, along with neighbor Dina Musselmann, obtain a permit from the City of Phoenix to block off their cul- de-sac. Then, they reserve food trucks, book a well-known local band, rent bounce houses, portable toilets and buy kegs of beer to hold one of the largest and most elaborate private Saint Patrick’s Day parties in town. The event is always held the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day and often draws anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people throughout the day, all friends and family of the neighbors. “It has grown so much that this year, I was considering not doing it,” Burch said. “Still it has never gotten out of hand, and it’s always very family-friendly.” It is, however, expensive, despite the fact that Burch places donation jars around the event for attendees to help contribute. “When I meet people I don’t know and they hear where I live, they say ‘That’s the Saint Patrick’s Day neighborhood,’” Burch said. “Everybody always laughs because they think I’m Irish and I’m not Irish at all.” Although Burch is not of Irish decent, his wife is, and grew up with her father celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. In fact, Emily Burch grew up in the same house the pair lives in today, and        inside the home a number of years ago. “Over the years, my father- in-law prints off more and more stuff, and it now takes        photos inside the carport,” Burch said. But all of the work isn’t just for one day. Burch usually leaves the pub setup in place for a couple weeks after Saint Patrick’s Day each year. “There are times when I come home from work and I can see the lights on in there,” Burch said “Then I see we have neighbors sitting in the pub.” Many Ways to Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day has always been an important national holiday for Arcadia resident and attorney Myles Hassett, who grew up in Ireland’s second largest city, called Cork. “It was a national day in Ireland and a Catholic holiday…a holy day of obligation,” Hassett said. “We would have a parade in our town, which would feature Irish music and dancing.” Hassett added, “Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated differently in the United States…it’s more of a party, which is a good thing because people get to celebrate their Irishness.” Today, Hassett and his wife Carolyn along with their 6-year-old son Barry enjoy celebrating the holiday together. They attend the Irish Cultural Center’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, feast on Carolyn’s southwest inspired whiskey barbecue sauce corned beef and cabbage, and sometimes even bake or order traditional Irish Soda Bread. Some years, Hassett’s mother visits from Ireland and enjoys the holiday with the family. “It’s just generally about having a good time and celebrating your Irishness,” Hassett said. But more than that, Hassett said it’s also a day to connect with his Irish friends near and far. “I like to call my family in Ireland and it’s a day when you want to reach out to your Irish friends and wish them a happy Saint Patrick’s Day.” This year, Hassett and his wife plan            colleagues and staff at The Hassett Law Firm, as well as his friends. “Anybody who’s got a bit of green in them is welcome,” Hassett said. “The thing about St. Patrick’s Day traditions is that many families will have their own – kind        way to celebrate your Irishness.” A magic magnifying glass A fun children’s art project turned into a yearly Saint Patrick’s Day tradition for Arcadia mom Tara Kratzner-Bills. While running her ARTcadia Studio mommy-and-me art classes, Kratzner-Bills created a fun activity where she and the children glued pipe cleaners formed into a circle onto the ends of tongue depressors to create pretend magnifying glasses. The children then went out in the yard and used their magic magnifying glasses               creatures, the children did discover chocolate gold coins and nuggets. “They were jumping up and down screaming, ‘We found the gold!’” Kratzner- Bills said. Today, Kratzner-Bills and her husband Eric Bills and children Julien, 5, and Adrien, 2, continue the fun tradition each year. This year, Kratzner-Bills and her Arcadia Mom’s Club will enjoy the tradition during their scheduled playgroup. To ensure she has all the supplies for the project, Kratzner-Bills stocks up on gold chocolate coins during Hanukkah and keeps them in the freezer, so that they don’t melt when they are placed outside on the lawn. “I think it’s the anticipation of the magic that they like,” Kratzner-Bills said. “It’s pretty exciting stuff and it makes it really fun for them.” Emily Burch, Ruby McHale and Charlotte Burch. (Top) Green beer and (bottom) an Irish hat display are both part of the Burch pub. 3703 East Indian School Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.957.9910 salonsandoval.com A WONDER OF NATURE FOR YOUR DRY HAIR New dry remedy™ oil – 99.9% naturally derived* Let organic buriti oil from the Tree of Life bring new life to your hair – with daily moisturizing oil . It instantly moisturizes hair by 41%.** Use it with the improved dry remedy™ system for more moisture, softness and shine – and a new aroma with organic berga- mot, lavender and ginger lily. Try it for yourself. * From plants, non-petroleum minerals or water. Learn more at aveda.com. ** After one application of daily moisturizing oil in a clinical test. Saint Patrick Continued from page 18

Page 21 March 2014 By Matt Covert Starting on February 15 the Shemer Art Center will be displaying micro-dwellings designed by local architects, students and designers. The annual Shemer Art Center MicroDwell event showcases the design-build features of small modular structures, their varied uses, alternative construction techniques and cost effectiveness. MicroDwell 2014               environment by conscientious material selection, use of salvage materials, and minimization of waste, explains the Shemer Art Center website. Builders can participate in the showcase as long as their design is under 600 square feet. The event is “a builders’ showcase where there is no right answer,” said event organizer Patrick McCue. McCue is trying to show people that by living in smaller spaces we can improve our environment. “The point of the movement is to create a smaller carbon footprint,” he said. In describing his own design McCue said, “everything is small. All of it can be considered green.” Participant Mary McCormick has designed several micro-dwellings and is submitting a design that is a mobile play structure. “It is a family play structure on wheels. It can roll around your pool patio or around your lawn,” McCormick said. McCormick was inspired to create micro- dwellings after reading the book Last Child in the Woods. The book taught McCormick that “our kids just don’t get outside enough and play enough,” she said. As a result, she began designing family play structures. The design is big enough for adults and kids to play together so families can spend more time together. “I’ve built six so far and people love them. Families love them,” she said, “they transform neighborhoods. It becomes the neighborhood hub and they are all outside enjoying the play structure.” She hopes her structures will help people,              engaging our kids outside,” she said. Her structure is made from lumber and has a corrugated metal roof. The structure contains no plastics, only metal and wood. McCormick hopes that her play structures will eventually help neighborhoods. “I want to go on Shark Tank and I want to win and change the way families play together all around the world. All the store- bought things don’t engage parents,” she said. Students from Sunnyslope High School and Arizona State University are also submitting designs in addition to other members of the community. Big ideas, smaller spaces A structure submitted to the Shemer MicroDwell in 2012 by Mary McCormick. stop in for 15% OFF * with this ad for the whole month of March! *One coupon per household. Discount valid for this location only. 7027 E. 5th Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-3330 Brought to you by... Maybe YOUR home is the next... Contact editor@arcadianews.com The inside of Mary McCormick’s structure.