May 2015 Events

U-Pick It, June 3-27, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 8am to noon, Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Ave. Glendale. Pick a variety of fresh produce and take it straight from the farm to your table. $1.75/lb. 602-999-3276 or http://www.tolmachoff-farms.com
A Year with Frog and Toad, May 8-24, Peoria Theater Works. A whimsical musical that follows the woodland adventures of a worrisome fussbudget Toad and a buoyantly cheerful Frog and their assorted colorful hopping, crawling and flying companions, through four, fun-filled seasons. This inventive show bubbles with melody and wit, and is enchanting for the whole family. 623-815-7930 or http://theaterworks.org
Summer Concert Series, June 4 to July 23. Each Thursday at 8pm Music fills the air in Downtown Glendale this summer with an eight-week concert series. Music lovers of all ages will be entertained by this community band with its renditions of marches, ballads and show tunes. These free concerts are the perfect night out for the entire family!
Mother’s Day Celebration, May 9, 10am to 4pm. A day of deals and meals in Historic Downtown Glendale. Mothers, and those who love them, are encouraged to start their day at the Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140, to pick up an event map and a special grab bag, for the first 250 moms.  Special deals, gift ideas, and activities. Among the highlights are make and take Mother’s Day cards.

Arizona Events April 2015

Eating Homegrown vs GMO Lecture, April 25, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM @ 11350 W. Garden Patch Community Garden, Coldwater Springs Blvd., Avondale. If you’re growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can choose to grow organically and have peace of mind knowing exactly what is in your food. What you may not know is why they taste better and how much you can gain from home gardening. Cost: Free. Contact: 623-333-4422

Avondale KidFest Waterpalooza, April 11, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM @ Festival Fields, 101 E. Lower Buckeye Rd., Avondale. Celebrating the Week of the Young Child. Bounce activities, entertainment, services and programing geared toward young children, food and lots of fun for the whole family. Cost: Free to attend. Contact: 623-333-2400

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Family Day, April 18, 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ Amphitheatre at City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Fundraising event to end cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. www.relayforlife.org Contact: 602-778-7633

Jazz at the Plaza, April 28, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM @ ASU Tempe Campus MU North Stage, 301 E Orange Mall, Tempe. Listen to jazz performers tell a story through music and connect through this universal language of humanity. In partnership with the Memorial Union. Cost: Free. Contact: 480-727-7030

ARIZONA EVENTS MARCH 2015

Peoria Cactus Dash Trail Run: March 15, 9am. Lake Pleasant gives runners the opportunity to run off road while enjoying spectacular views of the Lake. Please note that this is not stroll in the park!  The course will challenge runners with climbs and downhills to create a thrilling experience. Cost $20. Lake Pleasant Harbor Marina. Peoria, AZ. To register or for more details call 623-773-7137 or visit www.peoriaaz.gov/running

Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection: March 28, 8am-11am. Bring household hazardous waste for proper disposal. Free. Proof of residency in Avondale, Goodyear or Tolleson is required in the form of a utility bill.  Materials should be tightly sealed in their original containers, if possible. Items with glass should be wrapped to avoid breakage. Materials should be transported in a cardboard box in the vehicle trunk or truck bed. Coldwater Park, 10 N. Eliseo C. Felix Way, Avondale, AZ. For list of acceptable items see www.avondale.org/DocumentCenter/View/35812

One for WATER 4-Mile Race: March 21, 7am -11am. How many professionally timed races are championed by a larger-than-life running toilet and an out-of- control irrigation sprinkler? Join us in chasing down the leaks! Rio Vista Community Park, 8886 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, AZ. Cost $25. Contact 623-333-4422.  www.fixaleakweekaz.com

39th Annual Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunts: April 4, 8am-noon. Here’s your chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, so don’t forget your camera! Candy hunts, petting zoo, pony rides, train rides, make & take crafts, face painting, carnival games. Admission and parking free with canned food donation to benefit St. Mary’s/Westside Food Bank Alliance. Some activities require a nominal fee. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ. http://www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents

Arizona Events February 2015

Fools: Feb 6 – 28. Brelby Theatre Company. Leon has landed in an idyllic Russian hamlet, but he finds people sweeping dust back into their houses and milking upside down for more cream; the town has been cursed with Chronic Stupidity and Leon’s job is to break the curse. No one tells him that if he stays over 24 hours and fails to break the curse, he too becomes Stupid… Brelby Studio, 6835 N 58th Ave. Glendale, AZ. http://brelby.com

LEGO KidsFest: Feb 27 – March 1. University of Phoenix Stadium. All of the hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experience. An activity-filled event for all ages and builders of all skills. Features life-sized models, live demonstrations, build and race a custom car. Children and Seniors $19.50, Adults $22.50. 1 Cardinals Dr., Glendale, AZ http://www.LEGOKidsFest.com

Small World Miniature Doll House Show & Sale: Feb 28, 10am -5pm and March 1, 11am- 4pm – ASU West, exhibits from AZ residents, sale of furniture, accessories, dolls from artisans from throughout the U.S. & Canada, door prizes, make and take miniature projects, raffle for local charities. Children under 12 $2, Others $5, 480-488-7074 or http://www.phoenixminiatures.com

The Peoria Greekfest: Feb 6, 7, and 8, Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 11am-10 pm, Sun noon-8pm St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church. Children’s Rides & Games, Delicious Greek Food & Pastries, Authentic Dancers, Loukoumades Eating Contest, Art, Jewelry, and Clothing, Church Tours. Admission $3, 12 & under free, students & active military free. 7950 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Peoria, AZ. 623-486-8665 or www.peoriagreekfest.com

JANUARY 2015 EVENTS

Blood drive: Jan 9, noon – 4pm. The United Blood Services Bloodmobile will be at Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale, 10101 W. Papago Fwy, Avondale, AZ. All donors will receive a voucher to redeem online for a free General Admission Ticket to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Appointment can be scheduled online www.bloodhero.com (please use Sponsor code: LarryHMiller)

Sunday A’Fair: Jan 11, 18 & 25, noon–4pm at Scottsdale Civic Center Park. Free admission. Concerts by the Valley’s top musicians, arts-and-crafts market, and fun activities for children and families. Food from the grill and drinks available for purchase, docent-led sculpture tours in the park and free admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. 480-499-8587 or www.Scottsdaleperformingarts.org

The Dirt on Compost: Jan 15, 6pm–8:30pm, 11465 W. Civic Center Library, Avondale, AZ. Free, but registration necessary. Compost is the black gold essential to successful gardening with many herbs and vegetables. Discover how easy it is to produce your own magical soil amendment and save space in our landfills. eavila@avondale.org or call 623-333-4422.

Super Saturday: Jan 31, 9am–4pm, Friendship Park, 12325 W Mcdowell Rd, Avondale, AZ. Family-friendly football themed event. Kids Zone, sports and cheerleader clinics, food and expo area, plus a few surprise guests, including All-American NFL wide receiver Cameron Colvin whose life story is subject of the major motion film “When the Game Stands Tall,” which is still in theaters. Free. Entry fee for the flag football tournament.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

JANUARY IS…

CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION MONTH: If you are overdue for a Pap Test, schedule one this month, and remind a friend to get hers as well.

NATIONAL BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION MONTH: One of the best and simplest ways for a pregnant woman to keep her baby safe from infections is by washing her hands often. Tell a friend.

NATIONAL GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH: For most people, glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. It is controllable with modern treatment. See your eye doctor for a checkup.

HEALTHY WEIGHT WEEK Jan 19-25: Stop thinking about dieting. Start thinking about nutrition. Take care of yourself, and be well!

THYROID AWARENESS MONTH: It’s the ideal time to get a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test to verify that your thyroid gland is in good condition. Talk to your pharmacist and/or healthcare provider about thyroid and other hormone testing.

NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH: You can give the gift of life this month.