Lovin' Life After 50, Arizona, Metro Phoenix, Community Events

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Arizona, Metro Phoenix, Community Events

Arts and Entertainment

The Phoenix Symphony presents its season. Opening night is the Wagner Spectacular with Jane Eaglen 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at Symphony Hall. The Target World Music Festival runs Sept. 11-21 around the Valley. For concert venues and details, call 602-495-1999.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Mesa, presents award winning shows and musicals. The show, "Honky Tonk Angels" runs through Sept. 27. A buffet meal is optional; show only seats are also available. "Murder on the 19th Hole" runs through Sept. 27. "All Shook Up" is Oct. 2-Nov. 15. Call for more information and tickets at the box office, 480-325-6700.

Mesa Arts Center presents performances and artistic exhibits. Four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios comprise the venue located at 1 East Main St., Mesa. The Mesa Encore Theatre show "All About Men" is set for Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. On Sept. 27, 8 p.m., is a performance by Robert Wuhl. NBC's Last Comic Standing Live Tour is 8 p.m. Oct. 4. Kathleen Madigan will perform Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 480-644-6560.

ASU Gammage, Tempe Campus, presents performances. Next is "A Chorus Line" Sept. 2-7. "The Rat Pack, Live at the Sands," runs Oct. 14-19. Call Ticketmaster for tickets at 480-784-4444 or for groups, phone 480-965-6678. Visit the website at asugammage.com.

Shemer Art Center and Museum, 5005 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, presents art exhibits. The Beth Shook exhibit with clay and mixed media is Sept. 16-Oct. 15. For more information call 602-262-4727.

Black Theatre Troupe will perform a musical revue "The All Night Strut" Sept. 4-21. Venue is Playhouse on the Park, Viad Tower, 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Curtain times are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. "Gem of the Ocean" runs Oct. 16-Nov. 2. Call for information and tickets at 602-254-2151.

The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix announces its 80th year of performances. "Songs in the Desert" is set for the season with the next musical event at Faith Lutheran Church, 801 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. Call for information at 602-271-9396 or visit www.orpheus.org.

Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, presents exhibitions."Exploring Dreams" is an exhibit running through Sept. 28. "Now: Selections From the Ovitz Collection," runs through Sept. 28. Call for more details at 480-965-2787. Location is Tenth St. and Mill Ave.

National Comedy Theatre presents improvisational family-friendly comedy that is fun for all ages. Two interactive shows are held at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call for more details at 602-374-5638. Location is 1111 S. Longmore, Mesa.

Arizona Theatre Company, the State Theatre, presents performances. "Enchanted April" will run Oct. 9-26. Venue is Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix. Call for ticket information at 602-256-6995.

West Valley Art Museum, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, presents art exhibitions and programs. Art museum hours open are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Concerts will run Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2. Call for information at 623-972-0635.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) offers an exhibition calendar. "Branded and On Display" runs through Sept. 21. Opening Sept. 20 is "Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting," which runs through Feb. 1. Location is 7374 East Second St., Scottsdale. Call for details at 480-994-ARTS.

Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, hosts exhibits and art events. A Tradition Redefined features four exhibits focused on Asian art from the 19th, 20th and 21st century. "The Modern Spirit in Chinese Painting" will be on view in the Asian Art Gallery through Dec. 31. Call for information at 602-257-1222.

Heard Museum West, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, offers a calendar of events. The exhibit "Our Stories: American Indian Art and Culture in Arizona" is the ongoing exhibition. Call for details at 602-252-8848.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater presents puppet shows. Place is 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. "The Big Bug Circus" runs Sept. 24-Oct. 12. Call for details at 602-262-2050.

Benefits

No Benefits Events at this time
Classes and Workshops

Northtown Adult Retirement Community will offer an AARP Safe Driving course to those who wish to refresh driving skills. Graduates will be given a course completion certificate. No tests are given. Call for registration information at 602-992-8601. Location is 2202 E. Waltann Lane, Phoenix, near Greenway St. and the Carefree Highway.

The Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix, offers frequent classes and workshops. Monthly Ceili dance workshops are held the second Saturday at 1 p.m. These two-hour dance intensives are for beginning and advanced dancers. Next classes will be Sept. 13 and Oct. 11. Irish & Celtic Studies are also offered including banjo, bagpipes and fiddle. Music and Language classes will being Oct. 6. Call 602-258-0109 or 602-254-6094 for more information on all classes.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, offers art classes and workshops. Taking Better Pictures: Fall Basic Photography runs Thursdays Sept. 18-Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Propagating and Cultivating Herbs is Sept. 18 and 20; call for times. Groundcover & Vines is Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. Visit www.dbg.org for details on classes or call for more information at 480-941-1225.

Line Dancing With Judee is offered in the Sun Lakes Community, Phase I, Mirror Room, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd. Learn the basics Saturdays at noon. Classes are also offered Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at SunBird Resort Ballroom, 6250 S. SunBird Blvd. Call 480-802-0201 for details. Classes will start up Sept. 6 and run through the fall.

City of Chandler offers landscape and irrigation workshops during the fall. Southwest Landscaping runs Sept. 16-Oct. 28. Call 480-782-3580 to register and for information.

Arizona Museum for Youth offers classes and workshops plus hands-on activities for grandchildren. Call for information at 480-644-2468. Location is 35 N. Robson St., Mesa.

South Mountain Community College offers a fall semester guide. Locations include Tempe, Ahwatukee, Guadalupe and Phoenix. For a complete schedule call 602-243-8301.

AARP offers a Safe Driving Refresher course to all licensed drivers. This safe driving class is opened to all ages and covers rules of the road, freeway, city and rural driving plus parking lot safety and personal/auto security. No tests are given. Call 480-946-9625 for location information.

The Humane Society University will offer courses focusing on helping animals in disaster as well as helping people who care for them. Next is Emergency Animal Sheltering Sept. 17-18. Place is Arizona Chapter National Safety Council, 1606 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Register online at humanesociety.org/university or call 602-264-2394. For late registration, check out register@hsus.org.

Shadow Mountain Senior Center, 3546 E. Sweetwater, Phoenix, offers monthly courses. Crafts class is Mondays at 9:30 a.m.; board games is Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; healthy breakfast is Wednesdays 9-11 a.m.; art class is Wednesdays, 1 p.m. and movie is Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The AARP Safe Driving course will be offered Sept. 8-9 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. A Fall Prevention class is Sept. 18, 9 a.m., and runs through October. For details call 602-534-2303.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler, offers courses. Classes are also available online. Phone 480-732-7320 for information. Three campus locations are available in the east valley including Pecos Campus, Williams Campus and the Sun Lakes Center. Visit www.cgc.edu/register. Sun Lakes Center will expand courses this fall in computers, English, Psychology, Spanish and Business & Personal Computers. Call 480-857-5500.

Dance For the Health of It is a course offering three levels of exercise each Wednesday morning beginning at 9 a.m. Dance Outside the Line is another course available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Location is Paradise RV Resort, 10950 W. Union Hills Dr., Peoria. Call 623-556-5359 for details.

Paradise Valley Community Center, City of Phoenix, offers monthly classes. Screenwriting Kept Simple begins Sept. 11. Legal Rights class is Sept. 15. Call 602-534-2011. The Center is at 17402 N. 40th St., Phoenix.

Bucks & Bows Square Dance Club offers classes to beginning students. Place is Eldorado Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale. First class is free; call for details at 480-949-9406.

Clubs and Organizations

The Gilbert Optimist Club hosts events and meetings monthly. The nonprofit club is a youth focused volunteer club that also features speakers at meetings. Meetings are held the second and fourth Saturday at 8 a.m. monthly in Mesa. Call for location and details at 480-635-8819.

Arizona Buckeye Ohio Club meets monthly in Phoenix. Location is Home Town Buffet, 1501 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix. All Ohioans and friends are welcome and programs are planned. Next is Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. Call 480-802-0868 for details.

East Mesa Fraternal Order of Eagles 4508 meets to raise monies for charities and focus on local causes that benefit the community. Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 p.m. Call 480-518-7440 for location.

Sun Lakes Democratic Club will meet monthly in the Navajo Room of Sun Lakes Country Club. Location is 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd. A speaker is planned. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month and refreshments are served. Call for information at 480-895-1378. Next meeting date is 7 p.m. Sept. 8.

The All Arizona School Retirees Assn. (AASRA) is a nonprofit group representing retired school employees, including teachers, secretaries, principals, superintendents or anyone that receives a pension from the AZ State Retirement System. AASRA has 17 units in the state and four in Maricopa County. Visit www.aasra.org or call 602-262-5174.

The Sun City Rosie the Riveter Club welcomes women that worked or were employed in some form during WWII for the defense of the United States. Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday at Royal Cafe, 107th and Grand, 11:30 a.m. Call to join at 623-933-0741.

The East Valley Marines meets the second Tuesday monthly in Sun Lakes at 6:30 p.m. Location is Oakwood Country Club. This group sponsors numerous community programs and serves to support marines of all ages. Call for details at 480-838-3611.

The NARFE Chapter 1395 will meet monthly at Brothers Family Restaurant, 8466 W. Peoria Ave. Call 623-934-7431 for more details on the Sept. 17 lunch meeting at 11 a.m. Business meeting starts at noon. All current and retired Federal employees are invited.

Scottsdale Job Network helps others to make career transitions. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday monthly 9 a.m. at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Rd., Phoenix. Speakers are planned. Call 480-513-1491 for details.

Dances

Hillcrest Ballroom Dance Club of Sun City West holds dances Saturdays. A variety of bands provide fun live music. Refreshments are served. Location is Johnson Social Hall. Visit www.scwclubs.com or call 623-546-6845. Enjoy dancing on a hardwood floor. Next dance is Sept. 6 and dances will run through Sept. 27.

Bucks and Bows Square Dance Club offers dances the second and fourth Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Singles and couples are welcome and place is Eldorado Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale. Call for details at 480-949-9406.

Washington Adult Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way, Phoenix, hosts ballroom dances weekly on Fridays at 7 p.m. Call for additional details at 602-262-6971.

The Irish Cultural Center, 1106 North Central Ave., Phoenix, offers a monthly "Ceili," Irish social dancing second and third Fridays monthly at 7 p.m. Next dates are Sept. 12, 19 and Oct. 10. Learn on the spot. Call for details at 602-258-0109.

Las Palmas Grand will host Ballroom Dance Sept. 4-Oct. 2. All are welcome Thursdays at 7 p.m. Call 480-982-0577 for details. Location is 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa.

Health and Fitness

Phoenix Baptist Hospital, 2000 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, offers talks to focus on joint pain at the Center for Arthritis and Joint Replacement. Learn about joint pain and options for the knees and hips. Call to register for the next health program at 602-246-5301.

City of Hope will hold its 12th annual Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer Oct. 5. Walk to support research and treatment. Registration begins at 6 a.m.at Salt River Project, 1600 N. Priest Dr., Tempe. Call 800-779-5893 for details or visit www.walk4hope.org/phoenix.

The Salvation Army Chandler Corps will be scheduling appointments with optometrists participating in the Vision USA Program. If you do not have vision insurance, call 480-963-2041 for more information and other requirements.

Adam Diaz Senior Center, 4115 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, offers a fitness exercise program. Lunch is also served Monday-Friday. Call for information on upcoming programs at 602-262-1609.

Shadow Mountain Senior Center, 3546 E. Sweetwater, Phoenix, City of Phoenix, offers health programs. Walking group is Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. Dance class is Mondays, 1 p.m. Eat Well Be Well is first and third Tuesdays; call for times. Sit Down Exercise is Fridays at 10:30 a.m. A weight loss group meets Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Also mark your calendar for the Safe Driving Class set for Sept. 8 and 9. Call for information and registration at 602-534-2303.
Programs will run through Sept. 30.

East Valley Senior Services offers public health workshops and nutritional meals at three locations:
· Red Mountain Senior Center, 7550 E. Adobe St., 480-218-2221.
· Mesa Senior Center, 247 N. Macdonald St., 480-962-5612.
· Apache Junction Senior Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd., 480-474-5260.
Call the center closest for more information on other seminars. Health screenings are also frequently available.

City of Phoenix, Washington Adult Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way, Phoenix, offers monthly health and wellness programs. Tuesdays and Thursdays is the low impact aerobic class at 6 p.m. with a trained instructor. Wear aerobic shoes. Call 602-262-6971 for details.
Arizona Senior Olympics, 2705 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix, offers a walking group 8 a.m. the third Friday monthly. Call 602-534-3500.

Life Line Screening is offered at the Montecito, 17271 N. 87th Ave., Peoria. Next screening is Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 602-230-2633 to pre-register and for more information.

Health for a Lifetime is a City of Phoenix Human Services Dept., Senior Services Division program. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center will also present health information for older adults. Call for details on upcoming programs at 602-534-0540.

The Gompers Center offers a professionally staffed aquatic exercise program that can provide pain reduction and joint mobility. Aquatics exercises and AiChi classes are available. Call for information at 602-336-0061, ext. 130. Location is 6601 North 27th Ave., Phoenix.

Arizona Dept. of Health Services now offers the GetScreenedAZ.com site as your resource and reminder for colorectal cancer screenings. Find information about where to get screened, what types of screenings are available and other important facts. Visit www.getscreenedaz.com.

Scottsdale Healthcare sponsors monthly health programs. Civic Center Library, Gold room, Scottsdale, will host Eating Tips to Lower Cholesterol Sept. 11; Fight High Cholesterol with Exercise Sept. 18 and Cholesterol Lowering Medications Sept. 25. Ask the Expert programs are 1 p.m. Call for reservations at 480-421-0598.

Lectures and Talks

City of Scottsdale presents monthly talks. An Energy Solar Series, Urban Desert Community, runs Sept. 18. Time is 7 p.m. and place is Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd. Home Improvements and Green Remodeling is Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Call for details at 480-312-7080.

Perry Branch Library, Maricopa County Library District, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, offers monthly programs. The Independent Film Series runs Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The Common Threads Knitting and Crafts group meets Sept. 11 and 25 at 1 p.m. Pet Photography is Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. English Conversation class runs Mondays at 10 a.m. through Sept. 29. Call for details at 602-652-3000.

Maricopa County Library District Hollyhock Branch Library, 15844 N. Hollyhock, Surprise, offers monthly programs. How to Get Free Email is set for Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 1 p.m. Movie Event is "An Inconvenient Truth" Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. Call for more information on these programs at 602-652-3000. Programs run through Sept. 30.

Maricopa County Library District, Ed Robson Branch, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, offers talks. Friends of the Library will meet to talk Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. Second Wednesday book club is Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. The Big Read Movie "The Maltese Falcon" is Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. Computer lectures run through Sept. 30. Call 602-652-3000 for information on programs.

Scottsdale Job Network offers talks and programs for those seeking a job. Call 480-998-0246 for details. Location is Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Rd., Phoenix.

Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St., Phoenix, offers talks. Screenwriting Kept Simple starts Sept. 11 at 6:45 p.m. and runs through Oct. 30. Laughter Group will meet for a fun session Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. Call to register and for details at 602-534-2011.

Recreation and Outdoors

Way Out West Oktoberfest will be at Tempe Beach Park Oct. 3-5. Location is 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Dance the polka, eat German foods and check out the entertainment. Call 480-491-Fest.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park offers a desert tortoise habitat for viewing. Also enjoy horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The visitor center offers educational information and the park is open daily. Location is 6533 W. Phillips Rd., near Queen Creek. Call for details at 480-655-5554.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum presents monthly events. Location is Hwy. 60, milepost 223, 45 minutes east of Mesa. Call 520-689-2811 for details on upcoming events. Dragonfly Walk is Sept. 6 and Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. Learn Your Lizards Walk is Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. and Plants of the Bible Walk is Sept. 20, 7:30 a.m. Butterfly Walk is Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m. Bring binoculars for a dazzling close-up look.

Pecos Senior Center, 17010 S. 48th St., Phoenix (Ahwatukee) offers weekly and monthly recreation. Bridge meets Thursdays at 9 a.m.; bingo is Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and coffee social is daily at 9 a.m. Big Screen Movie with popcorn is Thursdays at 1 p.m. Birthday parties are celebrated the last Friday monthly. Call for more details at 602-534-5366.

Arizona State Parks presents monthly events. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, hosts How To Juice a Prickly Pear Sept. 1; call 520-689-2811 for details. The 4th Annual Slide Rock Apple Festival runs Sept. 20-21 at Slide Rock State Park; call 928-282-3034. Oracle State Park, Tucson, hosts an Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk Oct. 4. For details call 520-896-2425.

McConnell Singers Women's Community Choir, Phoenix College, will hold a golf outing fundraiser at 6:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Place is Palm Valley Golf Course, 2211 N.Litchfield Rd., Goodyear. Call 623-215-2124 for more information.

Reunions

The U.S. LST Association is looking for LSTers to have a reunion with shipmates from WWII to the present date. Call 1-800-228-5870 for details.

USS Columbus CA-74/CG-12/SSN-762 will hold a reunion Oct. 1-4. Contact Allen R. Hope, president, at 260-486-2221 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more details.

Sales and Expos

Heard Museum, North Scottsdale, offers the Choices and Change: American Indian Artists in the Southwest show ongoing. The exhibit and show contains sculpture, baskets, paintings and pottery. Call for details at 480-488-9817.

North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, will host Mary Anne's Toy Fest Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a .m. to 2 p.m. Parking is free. Call 602-267-9526 for more details.

Sun City Visitors Center presents the Health, Safety, Business and Fire Prevention Expo Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at Sundial Auditorium. Check out free health screens, prize drawings, goodies and food. Call 623-977-5000 for details.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, will host its plant sale Oct. 18-19. See a large variety of arid adapted plants in one location. Professional landscape designers and garden volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice. Call 480-941-1225.

Seminars and Discussion Groups

Maricopa County Library District Southeast Regional Library at 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, offers monthly seminar programs. Small Business Counseling with SCORE runs Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. Knit One, Read Too is Sept. 3 and 17 at 10 a.m. Nothing Like the Classics movie night is Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. Bead seminar is Sept. 25, 4:30 p.m. Computer programs will run through Sept. 30. Call for details at 602-652-3000.

Northwest Regional Library, Maricopa County District, Maricopa County District, at 16089 N. Bullard, Surprise, will offer monthly programs and book groups. Master Gardener Q&A session will run Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. Tea, Sympathy and a Good Book will meet Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. Mystery Roundtable will meet Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Independent Film meets Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Programs run through Sept. 30. Call for more information at 602-652-3000.

Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W, Wigwam Blvd., offers seminars and groups. Tea and the Classics will meet Sept. 10 at 1p.m. Basic Writing Tools for Memoirs and Short Stories will meet Sept. 6, 13 and 20, Saturdays at 9 a.m. Film Night is Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Programs run through Sept. 30. Call for details at 602-652-3000.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) offers monthly discussion programs. Mothers Who Write runs from Sept. 4-Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. Call 480-874-4641. The ARTiculations program with a talk on Pedro Meyer, Mexico's Digital Pioneer is set for Oct. 21 at 7 p.m Call for tickets at 480-994-2787.

Services and Volunteers

Beagles of Arizona Rescue Club is a group in the greater Phoenix area. The all-volunteer rescue group BARC helps homeless and needy beagles. Dogs are fostered in volunteer's homes until adoption. Adoptive homes are screened through an application and home visit process. For details on this group call 602-212-6700. BARC is now accepting applications for adoptive families.

Narconon Arrowhead offers free addiction counseling, assessments and referrals to rehabilitation centers. Call 1-800-468-6933.

Services

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control has teamed up with Helping Animals Live On (HALO) to save more lives. The Cat Adoption Center is now being leased to HALO. HALO's plan is to increase the capacity of the shelter system in Maricopa County. Cats and dogs will be offered for adoption. Locations are 2500 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix and 2630 W. 8th St., Mesa. Call for details and hours of services at 602-506-8515.

Community Information & Referral (CIR) provides free 24-hour helpline services. Trained specialists receive calls, assess problems and provide appropriate information and referral to one of more than 2,500 non-profit and government services. In Maricopa County, call 602-263-8856 or 1-800-352-3792.

Scottsdale Job Network offers programs to help in the job search process. Workshops will be offered at the SJN meetings held the first and third Tuesdays monthly at 9 a.m. Call 480-513-1491.

Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale has the designation of a Primary Stroke Center. For more information on strokes and stroke prevention visit the website www.americanheart.org or call 602-414-5353. Arrowhead Hospital is located at 18701 N. 67th Ave., Glendale.

Macular Degeneration Research, a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation, recently issued a booklet titled "Living with Macular Degeneration." MD can cause irreversible vision loss, and the booklet describes diagnosis and treatment and well as offering practical how-to advice. To obtain a copy, call MDR at 1-800-437-2423.

The Arizona Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program, AzTEDP, offers the CapTel program. CapTel is a special telephone with a four-line display that allows hard-of-hearing or deaf users to read what the other party is saying during a phone conversation. This is ideal for those with severe hearing loss. Those qualifying for this program include veterans, active federal employees, retired federal employees and members of recognized Native American tribes who are instructed to apply for the CapTel phone at www.captionedtelephone.com/availability/federal.phtml. Training on this phone is recommended and available throughout Arizona. Call 602-264-6876 for more information.

United Pet Care is a pet healthcare program designed to help pet owners reduce the cost of veterinary care. For more information, visit www.unitedpetcare.com or call 602-266-5303.

Phoenix Runway, a nonprofit organization, will offer free workshops and a job fair at the Art Institute of Phoenix Sept. 30-Oct. 3. Place is Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 W. Dunlap, Phoenix. The Fashion Group International sponsored job fair is Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. Call for details on all events at 602-331-7506.

Singles

The Valley Singles Club is a group of social singles who get together several times each month for a variety of activities such as camping, game nights, dancing, house parties, movies and happy hours. Meet new friends and enjoy fun events that are valleywide. Membership is open to all singles. Call for more information and a subscription to the newsletter at 480-837-9449. Visit online at www.valleysinglesclub.org

Jewish Singles Mingle meets for dinners, movies, Sunday brunches and other events. Activities are valleywide. Call 623-327-2077 for details.

The North Phoenix Singles Club is a group of men and women over age 50 who are widowed, divorced or never married. This is a social singles group whose purpose is to meet people and have fun. Meetings are held on the first, third and fourth Sundays of the month at 1 p.m. Location is Elks Lodge 335, 14424 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Activities include house parties, potlucks, social hours, trips, dances and bowling. For more information on the club and upcoming plans, call 602-601-0303.

Singles on Sunday is a discussion group that meets Sundays at 1 p.m. in Scottsdale. Call for the library location and more details at 480-949-0105 or visit www.singlesonsunday.com.

State Events

Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Pima County offers a rich mix of desert vegetation, grasslands and riparian woodlands with many birding opportunities. The season is year-round and hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Call for details at 520-647-7121.

The Grand Canyon Music Festival presents the 25th Silver Anniversary season with classical music performances Sept. 5-21. String band "Ethel" opens the festival Sept. 5-6. American Masterpieces runs Sept. 19-20 with Amy Burton performing "Three Irish Folk Songs." Visit www. grandcanyonmusicfest.org or call 800-997-8285.

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary offers events for all ages. The KidZoo Saturday programs run through Sept. 25 with songs, crafts and meeting animals up close. Bring the grandkids. Call 928-778-4242, ext. 18 for details on programs. Location is 1403 Heritage Park Rd., Prescott.

National Day of the Cowboy will feature western heritage events in Bisbee Sept. 13 from 2 to 6 p.m. Enjoy Western music, cowboy poetry, vendors, cowboy artists and chuck wagon chow. For tickets and details call 520-508-1490.

The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Fiesta De Septiembre Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location is both indoors and outside the Wickenburg Community Center, 160 N. Valentine St., heart of the historic district. Events will feature entertainment and refreshments. Enjoy a Viva Margarita contest and the annual Salsa Recipe contest. Call 800-942-5242 for more information.

Prescott presents autumn events. Phippen Museum of Western Art will showcase the exhibit "Wild Horses" Oct. 1-Nov. 2. The fine arts exhibition will explore the visual beauty of the horse in the role of a working partner, friend and inspiration to the modern cowboy. Hours open are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for details at 928-778-1385.

Arizona State Parks will offer monthly events. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, has trail rides available through Trail Horse Adventures. Ride hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and riders must be at least age 7. The park also offers hiking, fishing and camping. Call the park at 928-634-5283 for camping details. For trail rides, call 928-634-5276.

Support Groups

Emotions Anonymous offers a 12-step weekly support group for purpose of working toward recovery from emotional difficulties. Members are from all walks of life. Meetings are held in Mesa and Tempe. For more information, call 480-969-6813. Overcome emotional issues such as anger, depression, jealousy, guilt, worry and fears.

Catholic Outreach Center in Surprise offers support groups for chronic pain, anxiety & depression, low vision, caregivers and bereavement. Groups will be meeting monthly. Call for days and times at 602-532-2981.

Catholic Healthcare West offers various support groups that meet frequently including breast cancer, general cancer, Eat Well, Live Well for cancer; leukemia and lymphoma, better breathers, prostate, diabetes, stress reduction, ortho class, Reiki and ostomy. Locations are Chandler, Gilbert and Ahwatukee. Call for details on these groups at 480-728-3613 or 480-728-3256.

Banner Health offers grief support groups. The program will be available at Banner Baywood Medical Center, 6644 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa at 10 a.m. and runs through Oct. 29. Another drop-in program is available Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Trained grief recovery specialists will lead the programs. Call 480-503-9676 for details.

The American Liver Foundation offers support and education programs. A Banner Liver Education Conference is set for Sept. 10. Call the Arizona Chapter at 602-953-1800 for information.

Catholic Healthcare West offers the Diabetes Center at Chandler Regional Medical Center with free monthly meetings covering health and diabetes. Meetings are the first Tuesday monthly; upcoming are Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Call for more information and to register at 1-877-728-5414.

North Phoenix Visions of Hope Center, 15044 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, offers a monthly calendar of events and support for behavioral health disorders. Vocational and educational information is also available. Call for details on the peer support program at 602-404-1555. This community service agency offers a continental breakfast and nutritious lunches. Groups include computers, karakoe, recovery and taking control of your illness.

Us Too is a prostate cancer education and support group for men and spouses. Speakers are a part of the program and meetings are held the first Monday monthly at 7 p.m. Place is Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, one mile north of Bell Rd., east of 56th St. Call Chuck at 602-953-4000 for more details.

Emotions Anonymous offers a 12-step weekly support group for purpose of working toward recovery from emotional difficulties. Members are from all walks of life. Meetings are held in Glendale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. For more information, call 480-969-6813, east or 623-915-5795, Phoenix and west. Overcome emotional issues such as anger, depression, jealousy, guilt, worry and fears.

The DOVES Domestic Violence program provides services to victims of late life domestic violence and elder abuse of age 50 and over. Services include support groups, and emergency and transitional housing. Support groups meet in Sun City and Phoenix. Call the Senior Helpline 24/7 at 602-264-4357 for help and information. The program sponsor is Area Agency on Aging, Region One.

Celiac support of Greater Phoenix offers support and guidance for those newly diagnosed or already living gluten free. Meetings are held the first Wednesday at 7 p.m. Place is Paradise Valley Retirement Community, 11645 N. 25th Place, Phoenix, Call 623-587-8885.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers a support group calendar and and information resource center. Call the center at 1-800-955-4572 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., ET, for information. Call for meeting details at 602-788-8622, ext. 27. Meetings are held valleywide.

Valley Fever Survivor support offers a group in the Northwest Valley. Share current information and comfort those affected. This group reaches out to patients, friends and pet owners. Meetings are held at Chez Nous Center and Cafe, Sun City West, the third Thursday monthly. Call 623-584-0040.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center offers The Art of Moving exercise for Parkinson's 10 a.m. Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 at Freedom Inn, 15436 N. 64th St., Scottsdale. Call to register at 602-406-6903.

Tours and Travel

The historic McCullough-Price House in Chandler is a recently restored historic residence that now serves as the city's Visitors Center and art gallery. Location is 300 S. Chandler Village Dr. For tours and information on family programs, visit www.chandleraz.gov/history or call 480-782-2876.

Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W. Washington, downtown Phoenix, offers tours and exhibits. Tour times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; call for additional hours. Self-guided tours are also available with the Capitol Explorer guidebook. Visit exhibits on 4 floors. Call for details at 602-926-3620.

The Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix, offers monthly tours and events. Visit the website at www.azirish.com for details. The Irish Cultural Center is a division of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation and is owned and maintained by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Dept. Call for information at 602-258-0109.

Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West, Scottsdale, offers tours and exhibits. Check out the one hour Panorama tour offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The Night Lights on the Desert tour will run Thursday and Friday evenings through October at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Call for other tour details and directions at 480-860-2700.

The Arizona Office of Tourism offers the National Geographic Arizona Sonora Desert Region Geotourism MapGuide. The MapGuide promotes visitor experiences following principles of geotourism. One side of the guide is a map of the Arizona Sonora Desert region and it details selected places like scenic roads and national monuments. For more information visit www.arizonaguide.com.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 Hwy. 60, Superior, offers Monarch Tagging Field Trip Research Tours. Join as a volunteer to help search for monarch butterflies. A trip to Canelo Hills is set for Sept. 14. The Hereford trip runs Sept. 6. A tour to Blue River is Oct. 2-4. Call for tour details at 520-689-2723.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, hosts garden tours. Call for information at 480-941-3510. DBG will offer a tour journey to Mata Ortiz, Mexico: Birds and Pottery of Mata Ortiz and Casas Grandes Region Dec. 5-8. Call Nature Treks and Passages at 520-696-2002 for details.

The West Valley Genealogical Society will offer the sixth annual Washington DC Research tour beginning Dec. 2. Highlights will include private tours at the Library of Congress and National Archives. Call to get details and to reserve a space at 480-893-0469.

Volunteers

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center seeks volunteers to staff the Ronald McDonald Family Room to give families respite while their children undergo medical treatment at the hospital. Scheduling is flexible. Call for details at 602-264-2654.

The Arizona Humane Society can use volunteers. A wide variety of programs are offered to the community. For more information call 602-997-7585 or 602-997-7586.

The Nature Conservancy Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg is seeking volunteer visitor center hosts and trail docents. Call 928-684-2772 for more details.

Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, seeks volunteers. The historic museum offers free parking and training sessions. Volunteer a few hours a month or several hours per week. Become a tour guide. Find out about opportunities by calling 602-926-3731. Help is also needed through Oct. 30 to move a collection to the new Polly Rosenbaum building. Call 602-926-3620.

Friends For Life Animal Sanctuary is a volunteer based organization and seeks volunteer help. Commit a minimum of two hours per month. Location is 143 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert. Phone 480-497-8296 for upcoming dates. The Sanctuary also has a wish list of needs that include kitty litter, blankets, towels, toys and treats for dogs and cats, postal stamps, leashes and cat and dog food. Donations can be left after hours; call for information.

Friends of the Orpheum Theatre is looking for volunteers to fill positions as ushers and docents. Also help out at the Orpheum Gift Shoppe. Training will begin Sept. 20 and again Oct. 19. Call for more information at 602-257-4300.

Arizona Golden Retriever Connection seeks volunteers to help with rescue activities. Foster homes are also needed. Help is needed with transporting dogs, walking dogs, checking shelters and assisting with events and fundraising. Call for details at 602-870-0037.

The Green Peace Corps, a fledgling environmental and organic agricultural nonprofit, seeks part-time volunteers. Call 480-949-2725 for details.

Beatitudes Center DOAR, Developing Older Adult Resources, seeks a volunteer to help with administrative tasks. Place is Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Call for information on this and other programs at 602-274-5022.

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