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

Public Pools Open May 23
Gilbert’s 2008 aquatics season is scheduled to open May 23 at the five public pools: Gilbert pool, Mesquite Aquatic Center, Greenfield pool, and the new Williams Field and Perry pools.

The public pools are a great place to cool off during the hot summer, and are packed with programs for youths and families to enjoy. Public swimming sessions, swim lessons, youth swim and dive teams, and junior lifeguard programs are offered.

Registration for youth swim and dive teams began in April; swim lesson registration begins May 13. For more information, visit www.ci.gilbert.az.us/parks/aquatics.cfm or call 480-503-6200.


Gilbert Leadership Recruiting for New Class
Gilbert Leadership is seeking candidates for Class XVII of the program, which will commence in August.

Gilbert Leadership is a program of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce designed to help develop the town’s current and future leaders. It brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience to develop their leadership potential. Class members learn a great deal about their personal growth and leadership style and also gain an unparalleled amount of information about the Town of Gilbert and its community.

Leadership class members will participate in ten issue days that occur once a month from August 2008-June 2009. Issue days include topics such as social services, government, education and economic development. The class will also choose and complete one service project to benefit and leave a lasting impact on the community.

Those interested are encouraged to attend an information breakfast on May 2 at the Gilbert Municipal Center, Room 300 at 50 E. Civic Center Dr. The deadline for applications is May 30 at 5 p.m.

Applications can be found online at www.gilbertleadership.com. For more information, call the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 480-892-0056.


Knitters and Crocheters Needed!
The group Peace by Piece is looking for people interested in knitting or crocheting items donated to wherever there is a need, usually to children in hospitals, child crisis centers, teen pregnancy centers, rest homes, homeless shelters, police and fire departments, etc.

Peace by Piece meets on the third Tuesday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gateway Fellowship Church (northwest corner of Recker and Elliot Roads). Quilting kits are already made up and fabric is available for those who wish to sew; knitters and crocheters should bring their own yarn and needles, and quilters should bring their own sewing machines if possible. Two machines are at the church, but they are not always available. Attendees also can bring a lunch.

For more information, call 480-892-1011.


Spring Concert in the Park Series Kicks Off
The Town of Gilbert Community Services Department proudly presents the 2008 Spring Concert in the Park Series.
Scheduled concerts include:

• May 1: Top Cats, 7-9 p.m. The Top Cats are a versatile and energetic trio playing a full range of blues and blues-based music. One of the most sought-after bands in the Valley, Top Cats have been playing together for several years in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.
• June 5: That Kool Band, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Great harmonies, flashy guitar work, a “kool” keyboard player, danceable fun and an incredible selection of pop music’s greatest hits are what set this band apart from others. Come out for an incredible selection of favorite hits from the 1950s to the ’80s, performed just the way you remember them.

As always, these concerts are free. They take place at the Freestone Park amphitheater, located near the lake in Freestone Park at 1015 E. Juniper Road in Gilbert. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come enjoy an evening under the stars.

The series is sponsored by the Gilbert Republic. For more information, call 480-503-6200.


Summer Art Academy Keeps Kids Cool
Since Faye Koerselman began the Summer Art Academy 17 years ago, she and other teachers have taught hundreds of kids in a fun and educational setting.

This year’s Academy promises more of the same. Taking place June 2-26, the Academy offers morning and afternoon classes for grades one through 12, running in one- and two-week sessions Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Class topics include sculpture, clay, jewelry, cartooning, painting and drawing, and are taught by Gilbert School certified art teachers. Cost is $55 per class.

The Summer Art Academy classes are held at New Hope Community Church, 1380 E. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert.

For more information, call 480-892-1581, e-mail Rich40@cox.net or visit www.members.cox.net/Rich40.


Gilbert Elks Has New Meeting Location
Gilbert Elks Lodge 2848 has a new meeting location effective immediately, at 425 W. Guadalupe Road in Suite 118.

The Gilbert Elks will continue to meet on the first and third Thursday of each month, with a social hour preceding the 7 p.m. lodge meeting. Members are encouraged to drop by and visit any day after 5 p.m.

Initiation of new members was scheduled for April 17. Don Eyermann is the new exalted ruler for Gilbert Elks 2848.

“We are in dire need of chairs, tables and other items, and we are definitely accepting donations to help accommodate members and their guests at our new site,” said Thom Petteruti, former exalted ruler. “Donations will also help us get up to speed in hosting small events,” he added.


Arizona Golf Resort Hosts Clinics for Kids
Arizona Golf Resort, 425 S. Power Road, is hosting its FUNdamental Golf Program on May 10 at 5 p.m.

This program has been developed by the Southwest Section of the PGA to emphasize and encourage proper golf behavior.

In addition, Arizona Golf Resort will be holding weekly Junior Golf Clinics during the month of June. Juniors between the ages of 6 and 17 and all skill levels are invited to attend. Lunch will be included in the fees, as well a tee gift.

The staff of PGA and LPGA instructors is excited to reintroduce junior golf to Arizona Golf Resort. Juniors who complete the FUNdamental program and one of the Arizona Golf Resort clinics will be entitled to free green fees when accompanied by a paid adult after 11 a.m., or free green fees and adults pay just $15 after 3 p.m. Juniors play free one hour prior to sunset. These offers are good June 1 through August 31.

To sign up for the FUNdamental Golf Program, visit www.southwest.pga.com; click on Junior Golf and then FUNdamental Golf.

To sign up for the Arizona Golf Resort Junior Golf Clinic, call 480-832-1661 or stop in to fill out an application form.


Host an International Exchange Student
Is anyone intrigued by the lure of faraway places? Swiss Alps, Egyptian pyramids, Norwegian fjords, Japanese temples, Brazilian jungles and Italian gondoliers all conjure up fascinating images.

North Gilbert families now have the chance to do more than just dream. By hosting an international exchange student, they can experience and learn first-hand about the world while giving a bright, young student the opportunity to learn personally what life in America is really like.

“Nothing in my life so far has been more important to me than my stay in America,” said Win-Kun Hui of Hong Kong, an Education, Travel & Culture (ETC) student from 2007. “I made so many friends and learned so much. In fact, I decided to come back and go to community college here.”

Right now, ETC is seeking homes for 13 young students. Students are both boys and girls, ages 15 to 18, and stay for either one semester or the whole school year. They represent 15 countries; are well prepared and highly screened; and bring their own insurance and spending money. Host families are expected to provide food, a bed (although the students can share a bedroom) and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Host families can be with or without children, senior citizens or single parents – all are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity.

Although students do not begin arriving until late July or August, it is imperative that host families are found in the spring. For one reason, competition for slots at Gilbert schools is fierce, with most only accepting a few foreign students at a time. In addition, it is very unsettling for the students and their families abroad to not know whether they will be placed with a U.S. family.

“I remember when I was waiting for news on a family. I would wait by the phone every night,” Hui said. “I wondered, ‘What’s wrong with me? Why doesn’t anybody want me?’ Finally, the agency called. I was so excited, but I only had a few days to prepare!”

Hosting an exchange student can broaden any family’s horizons and make a big difference in the life of a young person who is courageous enough to leave family and friends for ten months to live with an unknown family in a strange land.

For more information, contact Natalie at ETC at 480-722-1530, Casaflora@aol.com, or visit www.edutrav.org.