Page 14 December 2 0 14 Keeping the kids engaged By Christina Surrano Ah, kindergarten! For most students today, that’s where the academic journey truly begins. Christ Lutheran School kindergarten student, Austin Bean, along with parents, Janet and Mike are so excited about his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Liane Brinkman, that they nominated her for the Arcadia News Teachers We Love award. “Kindergarten really is the foundation for liking school and if every child had a Ms. Brinkman for their kindergarten teacher, then we would see a positive change in our kids’ view of school,” said Janet. When asked what made teaching her career choice, Brinkman chuckled and said that before college, teaching was absolutely not a consideration. Her parents were both Lutheran schoolteachers and she laughingly admitted that like most young adults, she wanted to be nothing like her parents. It was only after a college advisor encouraged her to aide in a second-grade classroom that she not only chose to pursue teaching, but truly fell in love with it. Brinkman has been teaching for 13 years total, taking time off to be at home with her two children who are now in grades three and seven. She makes a special effort to get to know a student’s individual background and history, believing it to be tremendously useful in determining how best to help them on their educational journey. “Kids can tell when you are sincere or not, and these kids really do jive with her. She understands them, appreciates them, and wants them to do their very best,” Janet attested. The Bean family appreciates the creative and gentle ways in which Ms. Brinkman is able to keep the kindergarteners engaged, like using sign language to signal to the class to be quiet, go to the restroom, etc. She uses a “rock jar” in which students work together as a class to earn a reward, adding or removing rocks based on behavior. This way, the students help each other to make good choices. According to Janet, Austin said, “I do not ever want to have to take a rock out of that jar!” When asked what she has learned about herself through teaching, Brinkman laughed and said, “All things are possible.” Brinkman has taught other grades from kindergarten to junior high. Sometimes taking on a new grade level was intimidating, especially kindergarten. CLS students are reading and writing seven to eight full sentences by the end of the year. She said that her faith gives her the confidence to take on new challenges, “If God calls me to do it, then he is going to equip me to do it too. I have learned never to say never.” Her hope for each student is that by the end of the year, they leave with a sense of confidence that they are readers and writers, that they see their progress, are proud of their accomplishments and know that they are capable of anything. She also hopes to see them grow in their own faith. Brinkman says that she feels blessed to work with the entire CLS community, administrators, parents, students and the other teachers. “Every one of the teachers here would be as deserving of this award,” said Brinkman. Teachers chosen for the Arcadia News Teachers We Love Award receive an Arcadia News tote and T-shirt, a $125.00 gift certificate from Salon Sandoval, a gift certificate for dinner for two at The Henry and an invitation to an end of the year luncheon for the year’s winners at The Henry. To nominate your teacher fill out the form on page 18 or on arcadianews.com. CLS kindergarten teacher Ms. Brinkman has taught kids like Austin for over 13 years. Teacher of the Month Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community NMLS# 179446 / BK0902429 / NOVA NMLS 3087 Senior Loan Officer 602.791.5861 www.asktomross.com TOm ROSS

Page 15 December 2 0 14 Behind the Business By Katie Mayer Photo by NTK Photography When Phoenix resident Anita Calihan’s brother-in-law passed away a little over a year ago, one restaurant placed his favorite salad on its menu in his name. The salad is the “Calihan Cobb” and the restaurant is Keegan’s Grill. In a sea of trendy Arcadia eateries offering kale salads, gourmet olive platters, locally-sourced this and organic that, Keegan’s still serves up made-from- scratch hot barbecue ribs, rich soups and other comfort food in a cozy atmosphere. “It’s a busy world we live in and people don’t always have the time to make some of the food they’ve grown up eating,” said Keegan’s co-founder, Paul Burdick. “One of the things we try to do is keep it consistent. We don’t tinker with things too much.” And the philosophy is working. On November 7, the local restaurant attracted more than 500 adults and children to its 25th anniversary celebration at its original location near 32nd Street and Camelback Road. Even the Budweiser Clydesdales, their uniformed delivery team and iconic Dalmatian came out to the event to celebrate. Guests sipped craft beer brewed locally for Keegan’s 25th anniversary, mingled with friends and enjoyed the horses. The restaurant also created commemorative T-shirts and held a contest offering a 25 percent discount for one year to 25 winners. “Our granddaughter and grandson thought the horses were so neat,” Calihan said. Keegan’s co-founder, Don Weissmueller said the Clydesdales have been to his restaurants several times through the years and that they are always a hit with the crowd. “Fortunately we have a good relationship with Budweiser. When they are in town for larger events, we can tag on for that,” Weissmueller said. Keegan’s first opened its doors in November 1989 after Weissmueller and his business partner Paul Burdick left NOW OPEN: Learning Pawsibilities 4019 N 32nd St learningpaws.com Allstate Insurance, Julie Jakubek 4650 E Thomas Rd allstate.com Big Four Restaurants restaurant group to establish a place of their own. Having years of experience in the industry, the two founders had a clear vision for their restaurant and knew where it should be located – they were just short on name ideas. So Weissmueller’s wife opened up a baby book and the name “Keegan’s” was born. Today the restaurant has a total of three locations, which are in Chandler and Ahwatukee, in addition to Phoenix. With the original location in Camelback Corridor, where new restaurants open their doors one day and disappear the next, thriving for 25 years isn’t easy. In fact, succeeding for 25 years as an independent restaurant anywhere isn’t easy, according to experts. David Scott Peters, founder of local restaurant training and coaching company therestaurantexpert.com, said competing in Arizona’s marketplace is tough and that independent restaurants face many challenges. “The Phoenix marketplace, in general, is the chain restaurant capital of the world,” Peters said. “The reason chain restaurants have lines of people is that they are consistent and they give their guests the same product and service every day.” Independent restaurants that remain successful for decades provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience, excellent customer service and great food, Peters said. They also control costs and pay close attention to their profitability. According to a 2005 study published in The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, more than a quarter of all restaurants fail within their first year and small independent operations are most at risk. Keegan’s, like everyone, faced hard times during the recent economic decline, but the founders said they weathered the storm and are now up 5 percent from last year. The company has always worked to remain an affordable dining option, Burdick said. “People eat differently today than they did in 1989,” Weissmueller said. “We’ve tried to adapt. People are eating healthier today than they ever were before.” Examples of how Keegan’s adapts include offering small plates, remodeling their restaurant and providing healthier options. However, the restaurant still offers its staples and daily specials and is careful about ensuring their customers can count on longtime favorites. “You need to focus on your core values and what your core concept is, because otherwise you estrange the group that really got you to the table,” Burdick said. And at Keegan’s that group is loyal. Like the ’80s and ’90s sitcom Cheers, at Keegan’s “everybody knows your name.” Their customers also know each other’s names. Even the general manager of the original location, Ramsey Clark, has worked at Keegan’s for 25 years and has become well acquainted with many customers. “There has been a lot of friendships between customers develop at the different locations through the years,” Weissmueller said. And both Weissmueller and Burdick plan to keep it that way. “We don’t have any intentions of going anywhere,” Burdick said. “We hope to be a fixture in the neighborhood for the next 20 years.” Weissmueller added, “We are certainly very thankful for the community’s support.” h Ha Gury 5001 E. Flower | Phoenix, AZ 85018 | $450,000 YourArcadiaRealtor.com | 602.463.3359 Just Listed Keegan’s Grill recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses.