Hale Centre Theatre - 50 West Page Avenue, Gilbert - Box Office: 480-497-1181
Gilbert Fine Arts Association - Main Office Number: 480-505-6205
Chandler Center for the Arts - 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler - Box Office: 480.782.2680
Mesa Amphitheater - Center & University - (480) 644-2178
Mesa Arts Center - 1 East Main Street - Box Office: 480-644-6500, Admin: 480-644-6501

Briar Patch Marketplace Coming to Gilbert
If you are new to the Valley, it’s possible that you have never experienced a shopping day at the Briar Patch Marketplace. However, if you have lived here for even a few years, you might already know that Briar Patch Marketplace is the largest traveling “arts and crafts” show in town.

Owner Jeannie Cueto and her dedicated family often bring together more than 100 vendors each spring and fall at various locations around the Valley. Spend the day strolling among this gathering of professional crafts, home-based entrepreneurs and regional artisans, nibbling on a bakery-style cinnamon bun or other handmade goodies. You’ll always find fun jewelry and trendy fashions, home accessories and quilts, holiday décor, antiques and collectibles, pottery, folk art and more. Proceeds from the Boutique will benefit the school’s athletic department.

One local Briar Patch Marketplace is scheduled for Dec. 8-9 at Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.briarpatchcrafts.com.


Celebrate New Year’s Eve
The Mayor’s annual New Year’s Eve Party is on!

To be held on Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-midnight at the McQueen Park Activity Center at 510 N. Horne St. in Gilbert, the party offers safe fun for families on New Year’s Eve.

For $2 per person or $5 per family, attendees will find activities for all ages, food and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase, family and teen music – including a performance by Corporate Affair, a countdown to 2008 beginning at 11 p.m., and a balloon drop to cap off the evening!

For more information, call Gilbert Community Services at 480-503-6200.


It’s Fun, Unique: The Saturday Boutique!
It’s that time of year again… time to find unique items for your home, yourself and your loved ones at the Farmhouse Village Saturday Boutique and Craft Show.

Located in the Farmhouse Village Shops at 397 S. Gilbert Road, between Elliot and Warner, all shows will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Parking is free, and there is no admission fee. Show dates are December 1, 8, 15 and 22 – a great place to find those last minute holiday gifts and decorations!

Attending the show is a great way to have fun, find unique gifts, relax under the shade trees, have a meal at the Gilbert House Restaurant and take home some fresh-baked goodies from the Brownie Connection.

For more information, contact Jean at sewcute@qwest.net.


Holiday Garden Railroad Open House
A total of 16 homes in the Valley are opening their outdoor garden train layouts for the public to enjoy during the holiday season.

Mesa neighbors Ed and Carole Dunshie are one of the families who will again open their backyard layout, “Trainquility Junction,” for others to enjoy through the holiday season.

This whimsical-themed railroad covers the entire perimeter of the Dunshies’ backyard, and includes such fun items as bridges, tunnels, waterfalls… along with dwarf cottages, carnivals, Sonoran villages, large fairy castles (fairies included!), “homies” and dozens of famous characters. Grab a pencil and printed list on-site, and see how many of these people you can locate.

The highlight of the Dunshies’ open house belongs to Saturday nights! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the gazebo at their home, listening to “naughty and nice” tales. Bring the whole family and your camera.

While you are there, enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and take a peek into the Dunshies’ family room to check out the elevated train around the top of the room.

The Dunshies are located at 3326 E. Fairfield St. in Mesa. Call 480-807-3575.

Another family sharing its passion for model railroading is Terry and Adrienne Haas. They have worked like elves for months to expand their “A&T Express.” Say “hi” to Adrienne when you arrive – she is the engineer for the front yard Christmas trains. Then, take a walk through the gate to see the large layout in the backyard! Trains run all along the mural painted fence, around and behind the pool, and now they nestle among three large citrus trees, as well. Terry has been a model train hobbyist for many years and will fill you in on all the changes he and Adrienne have been making, as well as their plans for what may come next. Terry also has lots of replica items from his favorite places in Ohio. The Haas home is located at 1861 E. Fountain St. in Mesa. Call 480-827-8604.

Maps showing the locations of all 16 layouts can be picked up at either of the above locations. Homes will be open Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.


Val Vista Lakes Lights for Christmas
If it is Christmas lights you are searching for, look no further than Val Vista Lakes for a variety of lighted activities. From the Annual Lighted Boat Parade and Luminary Night Hayride to the 500,000 Light Festival, there is something for everyone.

The activities are open to the public Fridays and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. and Sundays 7-9 p.m. through Dec. 30, and every weeknight beginning Dec. 18.

For more information, visit www.valvistalakes.org or call 480-926-9694.

Join the Gilbert Elks for Dinner and Dancing
The Gilbert Elks Lodge 2848 cordially invites everyone to its Christmas Dinner and Dance on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Brunswick Zone Family Center, 1160 S. Gilbert Road.

Dinner and dancing are from 6:30-10 p.m.; or, attend the dancing and entertainment only, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The outstanding Christmas dinner will be followed by entertainment and music, provided by Pacific Breeze. There will be a cash bar, and door prizes will be raffled throughout the evening.

For information on prices and reservations, call Arlene Kane at 602-677-3895


Events at the Gilbert Riparian Institute
The 110-acre Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is located at 2757 E. Guadalupe Road, east of Greenfield Road and next to the Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert. Here is a list of upcoming events at the Preserve:

• Dec 8, 8-9:45 a.m.: Junior Birdwatching, at the Library. Cost is $5, and the program is designed for kids ages 8 and older. Kids will join Ranger Scott Cleaves to observe and study the birds of the Preserve.

• Dec 8, 6:30-8 p.m.: Luminaria on the Lake. Attend this free event at the Preserve to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

• Dec. 9, 8 a.m.: Bird Walk. Experienced birder Kathe Anderson will lead attendees on a walk through the Preserve. Cost is $5; registration is required.

• Dec. 12, 4-5 p.m.: Dinosaur Dig. Kids ages 5 and older can learn about and unearth bones of the Earth’s most powerful reptiles. Cost is $5. To register, use code 42976.

To register for an event, call 480-503-6744 or contact Scott Anderson at sanderson@riparianinstitute.org. For more information, visit www.riparianinstitute.org.


Hunter Education Class
Basic Hunter Education classes will be held at the Poston Jr. High auditorium, 2433 E. Adobe in Mesa, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Jan. 8, 2008 through Feb. 7, 6:45-9 p.m. In addition, a four-hour required field day will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club on Usery Pass Road.

In-person registration will be held at 6:30-7 p.m. prior to the first class session. Total cost for the class is $9. Checks should be made out to MHEIA. Attendees should bring their Social Security number or AZ Hunter ID number to registration.

For more information, contact Mike at 480-834-1791. See the Arizona Game and Fish Hunter Education class schedule at www.azgfd.com.


Kidz Nite Out
The Freestone Recreation Center, 1141 E. Guadalupe Road, has scheduled its December Kidz Nite Out event on Dec. 15.

The program is offered once a month so that parents can have a evening out. Enjoy a movie or quiet dinner while your child or children participate in arts/crafts projects and sports and games, or climb the rock wall.

Kidz Nite runs from 5:30-9 p.m. for kids ages 5-12. Cost is $12. To register children ages 5-7, use code 43026; for kids ages 8-12, use code 43028.

Tennis shoes are required to climb the rock wall. No refunds or credits will be issued seven days or less prior to the Kidz Nite Out, and all participants must fill out rock wall waivers. For more information, call 480-503-6202.

Donate Old Cell Phones
The Arizona Crime Prevention Association (ACPA) was created in 1977 by crime prevention officers, civilians, volunteers and loss prevention individuals. Donating old cell phones to the ACPA will help provide funds to continue crime prevention training in Arizona.

Drop off your old cell phones at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce office, 119 N. Gilbert Road.


United Blood Services Seeks Platelet Donors
In the 1947 movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a guardian angel earned his wings by showing George Bailey how he had touched the lives of others. Now United Blood Services donors can become “Angels for Life” and earn their wings by donating platelets now through Dec. 31.

Platelet donors touch the lives of Arizona hospital patients by providing the clotting factor that controls bleeding for trauma, cancer and aplastic anemia patients. Platelet donors receive special thank-you gifts along the way toward earning their wings, including a pen, T-shirt and coffee mug. Donors who complete the program by giving platelets four times in this time frame earn recognition on an Angels for Life banner, and will be invited to attend United Blood Services’ Silent Heroes recognition event in April 2008.

Platelet donations are in greatest demand during the fourth quarter of the year, when the increase in the state’s population makes it difficult to meet patient blood needs. According to Audrey Gietzen, executive director for United Blood Services, every platelet donor provides a gift to patients without expecting anything in return.

“They give a boost to the recipient and to those who love them,” Gietzen said.

To make an appointment at the Mesa United Blood Services donor center, call 877-448-GIVE or visit www.UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org.