Free Pass to Phoenix Museums and Zoo

A new program begins on April 1 at the Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe libraries. Patrons will be able to check out a free Culture Pass at the circulation desk. The patron will then be given a voucher good for admission for up to four people which will be good for seven days for the museum of their choice. At the end of seven days, the voucher will expire and another patron can check out that pass. There are a limited number of passes available at each library.

The museums that are participating are: Arizona Museum for Youth, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Arizona Science Center, Bead Museum, Cave Creek Museum, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden (starting June 1), Heard Museum, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Zoo, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Taliesin West.

More Information regarding The Culture Pass

Does Your Dog Need a License?

If you live in Maricopa County and your dog is at least three months old, it needs a license and it must be vaccinated against rabies. If you fail to license your dog, you can be fined and charged with a misdemeanor. When purchasing a license for your dog you must present a certificate of rabies vaccination. It costs less to license a dog which has been spayed or neutered.

• Altered Dog (Spayed/Neutered) = $16.00 (Note - "altered" is the county's term not mine)
• Unaltered Dog = $40.00
• Senior Citizen Household (Altered Dog/limited two dogs) = $6

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control offers programs with low cost for vaccinations and to assist with the care of your dog. For more information: http://www.pets.maricopa.gov/.

To apply online for a dog license - Maricopa Dog Licensing

What Would You Take to Antiques Road Show?

This is the item that I have always thought about taking to Antiques Roadshow. It belonged to Pat's grandmother and originally had electric candlesticks and the glass fruit in the boat also lit up. I've always been curious about it. I'll have to admit that it is not really my style however, I enjoy things with a family history. So, we'll continue to hold on to it and maybe someday our grandchildren will be curious about it too.

Antiques Roadshow Coming to Phoenix

Huge Used Book Sale

The 53rd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale is scheduled for February 14 and 15. This is one of the largest used book sales in the country. It is held at the Arizona State Fairground Exhibit Building located at 1826 W McDowell Rd in Phoenix. They accept donations of books prior to the sale.

For more information about the sale or for information regarding book donation - vnsabooksale.org.

VNSA = Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association

Home Tour in Historic Phoenix Neighborhood

The annual Willow Historic District home tour is scheduled for February 8 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. You can purchase tickets in advance or on the day of the event. This neighborhood tour features homes dating from the 1920's to the 1940'2 and includes examples of Tudor, Spanish, and Bungalow style homes.

For More Information - WillowHistoricDistrict.com

D'Arcy Ranch, Cottonwood, SunRise

Just north of the Chandler Fashion Center are three neighborhoods built in the 1990's. All three are within walking distance to the mall, employment and all kinds of restaurants.

The houses are stucco one and two story homes. From 1300 square feet up to 4000. There might be one or two near 5000. Average size yards, most lots are from 5000 square feet up to 13,000.

To the north of these communties are three large office buildings. Some could walk to work or to Firehouse Subs, The Spicy Pickle and a japanese restaurant.

To the south is the fashion center and P.F. Chang's, Olive Garden and other chain restaurants. Or you can take in a movie at Harkin's Theatre.

These communities are serviced by Kyrene del Sureno, the local elementary school that's right next to Harter Park with it's ball field, sand volleyball, basketball and playground.

Sky Harbor - America's Healthiest Airport

Health Magazine's December 2008 issue had an article about America's Healthiest Airports. They ranked Phoenix Sky Harbor as number one. The judges felt that there are a lot of healthy eating options available and the very clean bathrooms got high marks. Did you know that there are two parks for exercising pets within the airport?

Read the article to find out more - America's Healthiest Airports

By the way, there are a lot of comments following the article. Not everyone agrees with rating Sky Harbor number one.

Baseball Exhibit at Mesa Historical Museum

Do you love spring training baseball games? The Mesa Historical Museum has a new exhibit which commemorates 100 years of professional baseball in Arizona - Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience. The exhibit will include interactive children's games and never-before-seen memorabilia. Their website - playballexperience.com - includes a history of the Cactus League. It even allows you to share your favorite Arizona spring training memory.

The Mesa Historical Museum is located at 2345 N Horne St. Call 480-835-7358 for more information.

Recycling Your Christmas Tree

About.com has a great article with information on how you can recycle your Christmas tree. It provides information by city within the Phoenix metro area. Many cities will collect the trees and chop them up to use as mulch.

About.com - Christmas Tree Disposal in Phoenix

Metro Max Card - Discounts

If you will be traveling, shopping, dining, or visiting entertainment venues along the light rail path, you may want to print out a free Metro Max Card. It offers discounts at many locations along the route. You don't have to take the light rail to get the discounts.

To print your card and obtain a listing of offered discounts - Metro Max Card

Remember the grand opening of the light rail in Dec. 27 and you can ride free through Dec. 31. Click here for Metro Light-rail Grand Opening Information.

New License Plate Law

You may or may not have heard that Arizona has a new law regarding license plate frames that goes into effect on January 1. License plate frames cannot cover up the state name, "Arizona". We've removed the frames from both of our cars.

For more information:

AZ Republic Article - Law Targets License-plate Frames

Holiday Lights Map

AZ Central has a map which shows 98 different homes in the Phoenix area that have been decorated for the holidays in a spectacular fashion. Look for some near and enjoy some free holiday entertainment by doing a driving or walking tour.

Holiday Lights Map

Minature Christmas Village

We discovered a house in Chandler with a huge minature Christmas Village in their garage. They are open on Saturday and Sunday nights. They also have a food drive box in their drive way if you would like to make a contribution - it is completely voluntary. This is a lot of fun for adults and children to look at. The address is 720 N Los Feliz, Chandler. They gave us permission to post pictures and their address on our blog.

Holiday Lights at the Phoenix Zoo

Another fun holiday season evening is the Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo. This is particularly enjoyable with children. You can stroll through the zoo where the plants are decorated with hundreds of lights and there are numerous light sculptures to enjoy. Zoolights runs from November 27 to January 11. You can buy tickets on-line by visiting their site (click on previous Zoolights link).

Luminarias at the Botanical Garden

One of the things we enjoy doing during the holiday season is attending Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. You get to stroll through the park at night lit by many luminaries. At various spots throughout the park there will be small musical groups performing or sometimes solo artists. Stop and enjoy these groups for as long as you like before moving to the next. You can check the website to see which musical groups will be performing on each night. It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance as many nights do sell out. Discounts on tickets are available for Garden members.

Do You Live in a Flood Zone?

It may sound crazy but there are flood zones in Maricopa County even though we are in a desert. Most home insurance policies do not include flood insurance.

More information about flood insurance and link to Maricopa County 100 Year Flood Plain Map

There are some roadways that have washes instead of bridges. These washes may only be full of water a few hours a few days of the year when we get heavy rain and flash flooding. If you encounter a flooded wash, do not attempt to drive through it. The Flood Control District of Maricopa website indicates that many cars will float in 2 feet of water. Don't take chance, take another route or wait for the wash to be clear of water.

Fishing in Phoenix and the East Valley

Through a joint program with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and local parks divisions there are 16 lakes in the Valley that have been stocked with fish. If you are 14 or older, you will need a Class U license to fish in a lake that is part of the Urban Fishing Program. Licenses are available at Arizona Game and Fish departments and many fishing, hunting, and sporting goods stores. The 2008 Class U fishing license is on sale for half price in November and December.

Locations of Urban Fishing Lakes

AZ Republic article - Urban Anglers Can Reel in Fun Without Having to Leave Town

AZ Game & Fish Department

A Bargain on Electronics?

Circuit City has announced that it is closing all of its Phoenix area stores. Liquidation sales started on 11/5. Usually with these types of sales markdowns start out modest and work there way up as time passes. It is usually a how long can you wait situation. Do you buy the item you want now or do you wait to see if you can get a lower price and risk someone else buying it before you do? Some additional information is available below.

Circuit City Breaking News - includes press release and locations of stores that will be closing

AZ Republic Article - Circuit City to Begin Liquidation

A You Up for a Challenge?

You might want to consider the upcoming Urban Dare Race in Scottsdale on November 8. It begins at noon with check-in beginning at 11:00am at Scottsdale Civic Center Mall at Drinkwater Blvd and Second St. The cost is $90.00 per team.

What is an Urban Dare race? Teams consisting of two people race across a course that will require speed but also the ability to solve clues at various spots along the course. There may be some skill challenges involved too. It is recommended that you bring a digital camera and a cell phone. You may want to phone a friend for some assistance with questions. Also, some clues may require that you take a picture of yourself at specific locations.

Are you intrigued? Read the Urban Dare blog or the AZ Republic Article - Game on: Urban Dare Race Tests Wit, Athleticism.

Chandler GIS Day

GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. This is the type of system that is used by 9-1-1 to locate callers but it has other uses. Chandler is offering a seminar on the real-world applications of GIS technology. The Chandler City Scope indicates that "Residents will learn how the Police and Fire departments utilize GIS to respond to emergencies and track crime information; other City departments will demonstrate how they use GIS, and residents will learn how to view the City's GIS Data" The event is free and will be held on Wednesday, November 19 from 8:00am to noon at the Community Center rooms 109-110. The Community Center is at 125 E Commonwealth Ave. For more information call 480-782-2468 or click here.