Sun Cities
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Scottsdale
East Valley
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Las Vegas
Arts and Entertainment
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Rd., presents the spine-tingling "Wait Until Dark" Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through July 5. Tickets are $20-$22 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. For information and reservations, call 480-483-1664.
Hale Center Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, presents "April Ann," an original comedy written by Ruth and Nathan Hale, founders of the Hale Theatres, through July 3. Tickets are $17-$19 and may be reserved at 480-497-1181.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, hosts free concerts Sundays, 7:30-9 p.m., through July 5. Bring a blanket or chair and hear a variety of local bands. Bring the grandkids and let them enjoy train rides, $2, and carousel rides, $1. Food is available for purchase. Call 480-312-2312 for schedule of bands.
The Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, exhibits "Outsiders Within: Contemporary Work from Regional Latino and Native America Artists" April 25-July 3. On April 30, 7-8:30 p.m. the public is invited to a free, informal discussion and idea exchange with artist Ryan Huna Smith from the exhibit. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday. Admission is free. Walk-in docent-let tours are available 12-1 p.m. on Tuesdays. For additional information, call 480-350-5679.
Benefits
Classes and Workshops
AARP Driver Safety Program for Seniors teaches new, safe driving techniques necessitated by changes that occur in drivers' vision, hearing and reaction time due to aging. Go to aarp.org/states/az/local_resources or call 888-AARP-NOW to find a class near you.
Clubs and Organizations
National Assn. of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1234 holds meetings each second Tuesday, noon at Legion Post 44, 7345 E. Second St., Scottsdale. Speakers are planned for each meeting. For more information phone 480-947-5828.
Dances
Hillcrest Ballroom Dance Club of Sun City West holds dances Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. for members and guests at H. Johnson Social Hall, 19803 North R.H. Johnson Blvd. Couples and singles welcome. Admission is $4-$6. Visit www.scwclubs.com or call 623-546-6845.
Health and Fitness
Give blood at any United Blood Services donor center or blood drive from June 1 to August 31, and you will be entered to win a Saturn Aura. Donation locations are:
· Chandler Donor Center, 1989 W. Elliot Rd., #33.
· Mesa - East Valley Donor Center, 1337 S. Gilbert Rd., #101.
· Scottsdale Donor Centers, 1405 N. Hayden Rd., and 15170 N. Hayden Rd., #6.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-488-GIVE or visit UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org.
Give blood at any United Blood Services donor center or blood drive from June 1 to August 31, and you will be entered to win a Saturn Aura. Donation locations are:
· Glendale Donor Center, 18583 N. 59th Ave., #113.
· Goodyear - West Valley Donor Center, 14270 W. Indian School Rd., #C-8.
· Phoenix Donor Centers, 5757 N. Black Conyon Hwy., and 3227 E. Bell Rd., #D-270.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-488-GIVE or visit UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org.
Lectures and Talks
Recreation and Outdoors
Bird walks, guided by expert birders, take place Mondays, 7 a.m. at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Everyone, including first-time birders, is welcome. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes, and bring binoculars if available. The walks are free with admission. Call 480-941-1225 for more information.
Independence Day celebrations in the Valley: · Chandler's 4th of July, 4 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., live music, free kids carnival, classic cars, vendors, water games, admission free, parking $5, Tumbleweed Park, SW corner of McQueen & Germann Rds., 480-236-9123.
· Fabulous Phoenix 4th, 6-10 p.m., kids; rides, activities, local entertainment food and drink vendors, Steele Indian School Park, Third St. and Indian School Rd., 602-277-1500.
· July 4-fourth of Zoo-ly, 6-9 p.m., races, contests, other activities, watch Tempe Fireworks from private Zoo area, Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy., $40-$45, tickets limited, www.phoenixzoo.org.
· Maricopa Great American BBQ 4th of July, 6 p.m., fireworks, pie eating contest, BBQ, beer garden, dunk tank, water slides, Pacana Park, 19000 S. Porter Rd., free, 520-568-9098.
· Red, White & Boom at Rawhide5:30 p.m., fireworks, food, performances, face painting, live music, Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop rd., Chandler, www.rawhide.com or www.ahwatukeechamber.com.
· Scottsdale's July 4th Family Barbecue, 5-7:30 p.m., contests, races, music, arts and crafts, free hot dogs, Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E Osborn Rd., free, 480-312-2771.
· Tempe Town Lake Festival, open 4 p.m., fireworks, 9 p.m., performances, rides, rock climbing walls, face painters, relay races, food court, advance tickets at Frye's/$6, gate/$8, children under 12/free, www.tempe4th.com.
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, conducts flashlight tours of the Garden Thursdays and Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. in June, July and August. The tours provide an opportunity to see, hear and feel the desert night with its nighthawks, snakes, insects and night-blooming flowers. Tickets are $15/adults, $13.50/seniors, $7.50/students, $5/children, free/children under age three. Advance registration is not required. For more information, call 480-941-1225 or visit dbg.org.
Fabulous Phoenix Fourth takes place at Steele Indian School Park, Third St. and Indian School Rd. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with two stages of entertainment, kids activities, classic car exhibit, refreshment vendors and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 602-262-6862.
Arizona Diamondbacks play at Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Tickets range from $5 to $240 and may be purchased at 602-514-8400, the Chase Field Ticket Office or online at arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com.
Free community Independence Day celebration will be held July 3, 7-9 p.m. at Maryvale Baseball Stadium, 3600 N. 51st Ave. The event is an annual community party with children's activities, information booths and fireworks. For more information, call 602-262-5051.
The Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, holds a free open-house on the third Tuesday each month this summer, 5-7:30 p.m. The event provides free nature-based activities for people of all ages which will change every month. Activities may include crafts, hikes, movies, stories, music and science labs. There is no registration; just drop by and have fun. For more information, call 480-782-2890.
Reunions
No Reunions Events at this time
Sales and Expos
Seminars and Discussion Groups
Services and Volunteers
No Services and Volunteers Events at this time
Services
FCA of Central Arizona, formerly the Valley Memorial Society, is a non-commercial, non-profit consumer information service for arranging simple funeral or memorial services at reasonable prices. Membership costs a one-time registration fee of $40 and an annual $15 renewal fee. For more information, call 480-929-9659.
Need information about transportation, housing, home care, long-term care or Meals On Wheels? Call the professionally staffed 24-hour Senior HELPLINE at 602-264-HELP (4357).
City of Phoenix has a list of very helpful and recreational websites at phoenix.gov/CITZASST/srwebidx.html. The list includes a product review site, links for crochet, travel, golf, crossword puzzles, social security, health and more.
Singles
State Events
Pine/Strawberry Arts and Crafts Fair takes place July 3-4, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and July 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Pine Community Center off Hwy. 87. The event will have more than 80 booths of arts and crafts, a quilting raffle and food including Navajo tacos and a pancake breakfast, 8-10 a.m. The Strawberry-Pine Museum, a playground for kids, galleries, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. For questions, call Debra at 928-476-3897.
Support Groups
Tours and Travel
National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 62 years old for a one-time processing fee of $10. The pass admits the pass-holder and up to four adults in a vehicle access to most U.S. national parks, forests, refuges, monuments and recreation areas free of charge. The pass must be purchased in person at a federal area where entrance fees are charged, or at a regional office of the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Proof of age is required. For more information, call the National Park Service at 1-888-ASK-USGS.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, offers these tours:
· 90-minute Insights tour, daily, every hour 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $32/adults, $29/seniors, students, military, $20/youth 6-12.
· One-hour Panorama tour, daily, 10:15 a.m., 12:15 and 2:15 p.m., $27/adults, $23/seniors, students, military, $10/youth 6-12.
· 90-minute Creative Architecture for Juniors, daily 10:30 a.m., $10/children 4-12, $12/students 13 plus, $18/adults, adults must be accompanied by a child or student.
· Three-hour Behind the Scenes, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9:15 a.m., $60, reservations recommended.
Call for details at 480-860-2700 ext. 494 or visit www.franklloydwright.org/t_west.html.
Volunteers
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Phoenix, offers volunteer opportunities; call 602-261-6870. To donate household items, phone 602-266-HOPE.
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, seeks volunteer guides. Phone for information at 480-481-8197.
Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, seeks volunteers. Volunteer a few hours a month or several hours per week. Become a tour guide. Find out about opportunities by calling 602-926-3731.
The Mesa Fire Department and Mesa Community College Connector Program is now accepting applications for volunteers to perform a variety of non-emergency duties including, but not limited to: fire crew support, crisis support, motorist assists, social service referrals and transports. Applications are being taken through May 15. No experience is necessary, and all training and equipment is provided. Interested candidates can visit the website at www.mesaaz.gov/volunteer/connector or call 480-644-5042.
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.
Volunteers are needed for the Maricopa County Superior Court Guardianship Review Program. Volunteers spend approximately one hour per week to review court files of vulnerable adults; a visit is made to the protected person's residence to evaluate the ward's care and placement. Volunteers must pass a background check. For application and information, please contact Diane Rudnick, 602-372-9429.
The Green Peace Corps, a non-profit organization for the environment and sustainable agriculture, seeks volunteers. For more information, visit www.GreenPeaceCorps.org, e-mail agraorganic@yahoo.com or call 480-949-2725.
The Nature Conservancy Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg is seeking volunteer visitor center greeters, hosts and trail docents. Have fun and enjoy nature. Help is also needed in other areas. Call 928-684-2772 for more details.
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.
Event Sponsors
