Page 58 December 2 0 1 4 Writer takes time in France to tour culinary destinations By Amanda Goossen On December 18, the Arcadia News Book Club will have the honor of an evening with author, Ann Mah. At 6:30 p.m. the book club will gather at the Saguaro Library to discuss Mastering the Art of French Eating. We will talk with Mah for 30 minutes via Skype and enjoy refreshments as well as a $5 raffle for books and gift certificates to local restaurants. If you’d like to join us, email amanda@arcadianews.com. Recently, Arcadia News had the chance to talk with Mah about her book. Mastering the Art of French Eating is rich with history, intricate food knowledge and abundant detail. As Mah embarked on her dream journey, she not only experienced a taste of France’s cheese and wine, she indulged in the culture and learned about her own strength and character. AN: What were you the most excited about when you got the news that you’d be moving to France? AM: I have always been fascinated by the connection between food, and place, and history in France. I was excited to discover, firsthand, this sense of continuity, the way a recipe grows from the land, takes root, and is cooked and eaten in that same spot for hundreds of years. AN: A journalist by trade, did you always expect to write a book? AM: I always dreamed of writing a book – a dream so precious, I was almost afraid to voice it! After working in book publishing for many years, I understood the difficulty and enormity of the task. AN: What is the most memorable meal you had while embarking on your culinary tour? AM: Some of my fondest memories are from my trip to Brittany, a region I loved as much for its buttery buckwheat galettes, as the warm welcome I received there. Being invited into people’s homes, cooking homemade crêpes, listening to their childhood stories – these were experiences that touched me very deeply. AN: Who was the most entertaining character you came across through your travels? AM: If food can be considered a character, I’d say andouillette, or tripe sausage, from a city called Troyes. It has a very pungent odor and is very divisive – even French people either really love it or really hate it. It’s not for the faint of heart! AN: Just as Julia Child did, you turned your time in France into a culinary experience. How do you feel BOOK OF THE MONTH Mastering the Art of French Eating BY ANN MAH Ann Mah 30th Street & Indian School Road • 602.957.8402 Lindstrom Family Auto Wash Your Neighborhood Car Wash Visit us at LindstromAutoWash.com for the “Deal of the Month!” Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon. Expires 12/31/14. Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon. Expires 12/31/14. Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon. Expires 12/31/14.trulia 15% OFF Any Detail Package $3 OFF “The Works” Car Wash $2 OFF Regular Car Wash Not valid with any other offers. Lindstrom Family Auto Wash Not valid with any other offers. Lindstrom Family Auto Wash Not valid with any other offers. Lindstrom Family Auto Wash PROFESSIONAL DETAIL SERVICES Engine Cleaning • Dress (top only) • Express Shampoo • Express Wax • Leather Cleaning Conditioner • Complete Interior • Exterior Over Spray Removal ARCADIA NEWS ARCADIA NEWS ARCADIA NEWS about being compared to or mentioned alongside with Julia? AM : I think those of us who love Julia are touched by her story for different reasons, whether you’re a late bloomer, kitchen unconfident, or professionally unsatisfied. For me, I was – and am – inspired by the graceful manner with which she faced the challenges of life as a trailing spouse. I look at the loving teamwork of her marriage with Paul Child – unwavering despite personal and professional disappointments, and untimely overseas relocations – the success that bloomed from hard work and sheer will, despite the upheavals of diplomatic life. And I feel hopeful. AN: What is your all-time favorite meal to cook? AM: I love making slow-braised dishes like boeuf bourguignon or blanquette de veau – something that you can look forward to all day. AN: You are setting the holiday table. Who from the past or present would you invite to dinner and why? AM: Aside from Julia Child? I would love to see Nancy Mitford and Oscar Wilde wield a battle of wits with one another. AN: Your three favorite things about France? AM: Along with the connection between cuisine, place and culture that I mentioned above, I’d say, appreciation of beauty. And local pride. I was touched by the warm welcome I received in the provinces, not to mention the enthusiasm for introducing me to local history and products. AN: The one food you cannot live without? AM: Cheese.

Page 59 December 2 0 1 4 ARCADIA SPORTS Arcadia’s football team spends afternoon with SARRC By Nicholas Smith Photo by NTK Photography On Saturday, October 25, the Arcadia High School football team missed tackles, got blocked to the ground, and had multiple touchdowns and field goals scored against them. That might not be the type of performance a football team usually hopes for, but for the Titans, it may have been the high point of the season. That Saturday marked the school’s very first Football Camp for Kids and Teens with Autism. Taking place from 10 a.m. to noon, the day was a chance for children with autism and their families to come live the life of a football star. The school partnered with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) for the event. “It’s such a success,” said Jeri Kendle, former President of SARRC. “Seeing everyone cheering for our kids with autism has really been such a wonderful thing.” The event took place on the school practice fields and was hosted by head coach Lenny Abt, his coaching staff, and the entire football team. The players were placed at different stations, where kids were given the opportunity to learn and act out a certain skill. They kicked field goals, ran drills, blocked players, ran for touchdowns through a defense and got to play quarterback in the red zone. “One of the things we do with our community works program is to create awareness in our community,” said Kendle. “We also want to give our kids with autism different opportunities to experience things that they may not have had an opportunity to experience in their home schools.” Parents and siblings cheered on the sideline as the kids starred on the field. Jesse Inzunza came with his 16-year-old son Ricardo, and knew exactly what event his son would love the most. “He plays soccer, so he’s going to like kicking the ball,” he said. “He’s very excited to come out, enjoy, play and just be together with the rest of the kids.” The players got in on the fun as well. They fell to the ground as the children rushed by them for touchdowns and cheered as passes were hurled into the end zone. At the field goal station, a group of players stood under the goal post. When a ball wasn’t kicked high enough and rolled toward them, they would wait for it to bounce, knock it through the uprights with their hands, and then loudly cheer for the kicker. When one boy knocked a ball through the posts as if he was a real kicker on the team, the players ran toward him to high five and pat him on the back. “For those high school students to be able to really see what autism is – and to dispel any of the myths of what autism is about – is such a great thing,” said Kendle. “We want those kids to be able to take what they learn about autism and take it to school with them on Monday, and as they move on with their lives.” Both Coach Abt and Kendle said they hope the camp becomes an annual event. PLAY COMPETITIVE. PLAY LOCAL. PLAY BALL. (But fi rst, don’t forget to register.) REGISTER for the 2015 Spring BASEBALL and SOFTBALL Season – Boys & Girls Ages 4-14 PRE-REGISTER ONLINE Prior to Attending One of the Two WALK-IN DATES at Camelback Christian Church Saturday, DECEMBER 6TH – 8am to 11am | Saturday, JANUARY 10TH – 8am to 11am Team Practices Begin Early February – Spring Season Runs Early March Through End of May Pre-register at ArcadiaLittleLeague.com