SanTan
January 2013
FAMILY FUN 5 SanTan Family Fun Arrives! Pick it up the first Saturday of each month in the center spread of the SanTan Sun News to plan your month.
5, 6 Welcome Winter Visitors Weekend, tours each day at 11 a.m., concerts at 1 p.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, 45 minutes east of Mesa on US-60 near Milepost 223. Show your out-of-state license with pride and get a special 2-for-1 admission discount on a weekend featuring guided tours and afternoon concerts both days featuring Minnesota humorist Mark Fogelson and Arizona singer-songwriter Eric Laubach. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $9 adults, $4.50 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger. Annual memberships start at $45 per couple or $60 for a family. All ages. 520-689-2811, ag.arizona.edu/bta, facebook.com/ boycethompsonarboretum.
5-6, 9-12 “Cinderella” Puppet Show, 10 a.m. Wed.-Friday; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sat. Great Arizona Puppet Theater. A beautiful girl, a wicked step-family, a fairy godmother, a handsome prince and transparent footwear all add up to true love, lots of laughs and happily ever after in this popular version of the famous fairytale. Recommended for preschoolgrade four. $6 ages 2-15, $9 adults. 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org.
6 Gourd Art Class, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, 45 minutes east of Mesa on US-60 near Milepost 223. Learn to make original gourd art with paints, etching and woodburning tools and coaching from expert gourd artists. $30-39. Registration includes gourd, instruction, use of tools and paints. Ages 10 and older, enrolled along with a parent or adult chaperone. 520-689-2811, ag.arizona.edu/bta, facebook.com/boycethompsonarboretum.
6, 19 Plants of the Bible Walk, 1:30 p.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, 45 minutes east of Mesa on US-60 near Milepost 223. Queen Valley Bible scholar Leda Fide leads a walking
9, 16, 23, 30 Baby Time, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
tour to see figs, palms, pomegranates and pines. Stroll through Arboretum gardens. $9 adults, $4.50 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger. 520-689-2811, ag.arizona.edu/bta, facebook.com/ boycethompsonarboretum.
Perry Branch Library. Introduce baby to books, songs and fingerplays. Ages newborn-20 months. Free. 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd. at Perry High School, Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
7, 21 Walking Tour, 11 a.m. daily. Boyce
10, 17, 24, 31 Pre-K Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m. Perry
Thompson Arboretum State Park, 45 minutes east of Mesa on US-60 near Milepost 223. Learn about botany and natural history during a relaxing guided walking tour of the Arboretum. All ages. $9 adults, $4.50 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger. 520-689-2811, ag.arizona.edu/bta, facebook.com/ boycethompsonarboretum.
Branch Library. Preschoolers have fun with flannel board rhymes, dancing, songs, shakers, bubbles, parachute play and age-appropriate books. Ages 3-5 with a parent. Free. 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd. at Perry High School, Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
7, 14, 28 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Basha
Branch Library. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays for the whole family. All ages. 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd. at Perry High School, Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
Library. Families enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, flannel board stories and puppets. Free. 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler. 480-782-2850, chandlerlibrary.org.
8 Magic Treehouse Book Club, 4-4:45 p.m. Southeast Regional Library. Read the selected book “Christmas in Camelot” before the club meets and come ready to talk about the book and make a fun craft. Preregistration required online. Ages 7-9. 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
8, 15, 22, 29 Wiggle Worms, 10:30-11 a.m. or 11:15-11:45 a.m. Perry Branch Library. Tots have fun with flannel board rhymes, songs, shakers, bubbles, parachute play and age-appropriate books. Ages 18 months-3½ years with a parent. Free. 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd. at Perry High School, Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
8, 22 Knit Happens, 2:30-3:45 p.m. Perry Branch Library. Teens earn community service hours while knitting or crocheting and continue the tradition of fun, food and friendship. All levels welcome. The current service project is lap-sized blankets for Project Linus. Free. 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd. at Perry High School, Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
10, 17, 24, 31 Family Storytime, 6-6:30 p.m. Perry
11 Glass Class, 7-9 p.m. As You Wish. Learn glass fusing techniques while making a glass clock. $15 plus glass base of your choice. Ages 10 and older. Locations: Crossroads Towne Center in Chandler, 480-899-1231; Ahwatukee, 480-753-9500; Tempe Marketplace, 480-557-9100; asyouwishpottery.com.
12 Free Symphony Concert, 2 p.m. Chandler Center for the Arts Hal Bogle Theater. Chamber Music Series performance by the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. All ages. Donations accepted. 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-899-3447, ChandlerSymphony.net.
Geocaching, 9-11 a.m. Veterans Oasis Park. Learn how to use a GPS unit to engage in the sport of geocaching from a pro. Geocaches are hidden worldwide, and now the park has some of its own. GPS units are provided. Sun protection, closed-toe footwear and drinking water are recommended. Preregistration is required. Ages 6 and older. Cost $9-$13. 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2890, chandleraz.gov/ veterans-oasis.
Paws to Read, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Southeast Regional Library. Paws to Read pairs Delta-registered therapy animals and their handlers with young readers,
which increases reading levels and word recognition, and gives kids a higher desire to read and write. Registration is on a first-come, first-served-basis on program day. Free. 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
13 Cinderella’s Ball & Puppet Show, 2 p.m. Great Arizona Puppet Theater. Dress up like a prince or princess for this special event. After the performance of "Cinderella" puppet show, stay for games, activities, face painting and more fun. $10 per person includes both the show and the Ball. Reservations and advance payment required. 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org.
13, 20, 27 Sunday A’Fair Concert, noon-4 p.m. Scottsdale Civic Center Park. Bring blankets, lawn chairs or picnic baskets and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of musical entertainment with friends and family. Each Sunday A’Fair features two bands along with a fine arts and crafts market, fun activities for kids and free admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Grilled foods, crepes from Nosh and cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase. Free guided tours of the Museum are offered at 1:30 p.m. and of the sculptures in the park at 3 p.m. Band schedule includes: Jan. 13, Marty & The Party Band, noon-1:30 p.m.; Tesoro, 2-4 p.m.; Jan. 20, Peace and Community Day, RastaFarmers, noon1:30 p.m.; Jan Sandwich Band, 2-4 p.m.; Jan. 27, Silver Thread Trio, noon – 1:30 p.m.; The Big Fellahs, 2-4 p.m. 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-499-TKTS (8587), ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.
14 LEGO Kit Club, 4 p.m. Basha Library. The library supplies a variety of skill level kits for kids to put together during this hour of fun. Ages 5-12. Free. 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler. 480-782-2850, chandlerlibrary.org.
15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Toddler Time, 10:15-11 a.m. Queen Creek Branch Library. Books, songs, finger plays and a special friend are featured at every event. Wednesday is a repeat of Tuesday's story time. Ages 18 months-4 years. Free. 21802 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
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15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Storytime with Miss Karrie, 11:1511:45 a.m. Queen Creek Branch Library. Stories, songs, rhymes, games, videos, finger plays and crafts. Wednesday story time is a duplicate of Tuesday story time. Ages 3-6 years. Free. 21802 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
16 Wacky Wednesday, As You Wish. Free studio time all day. Pottery not included, not valid with any other offer or coupon. Locations: Crossroads Towne Center in Chandler, 480-899-1231; Ahwatukee, 480-753-9500; Tempe Marketplace, 480-557-9100; asyouwishpottery.com.
17 Sonoran Sunset Series Concert, 6-7 p.m. Environmental Education Center. Live, lakeside entertainment suitable for the entire family, featuring the music of singer songwriter Courteney Castillo. Participants may bring blankets, chairs and food. Dress warmly during cooler months. Program may be moved indoors or canceled due to inclement weather. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase, and a local food truck prepares meals. Free admission. 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2889, chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.
Continuing Adventures with Paper for Kids, 4-5 p.m. Southeast Regional Library. Learn how to transform paper into homemade paper toys. Registration needed. Ages 8-12. 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.
18 Desert Discovery: Burrowing Owls, 10-11 a.m. Veteran’s Oasis Park. Visit a known Burrowing Owl Habitat. Wear good shoes for walking on the trails and bring a water bottle. There will be stories, games, finger plays or crafts all about owls. Fee is per child, with 1 unpaid adult permitted. Preregistration is required. Ages 3-4 years with parent. $11-$14. 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. 480-782-2890, chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.
See Calendar, Page 4