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Now that summer is on its way, enjoy iced tea and cake in a beautiful social setting, at our informal talk and book signing 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 21 – free! A portion of book sales will benefit the library.   Join Sedona author Kris Neri at the library, located at 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd. in Cave Creek, as she discusses her latest book, “Revenge on Route 66,” a funny road trip mystery along the quirkiest spots on the Mother Road. It’s the latest in her Tracy Eaton mystery series, featuring the daughter of eccentric Hollywood stars. She also writes the Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty magical series, featuring a questionable psychic who teams up with a modern goddess/FBI agent.   Neri’s novels have been nominated for such prestigious awards as the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity Awards and they are three-time Lefty Award finalists. The most recent book in her magical series, “Magical Alienation” won the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award.   Kris teaches writing online for... More

  The Desert Foothills Library is a proud to offer “Every Child Ready to Read” early literacy workshop May 20 at 10:30 a.m. The workshop shares tips, activities and easy-to-use practices to develop language and other early literacy skills in children from birth to age five. During the workshop, parents will learn why early literacy skills are so important, learn how to help children develop the skills and leave with early literacy activities they can incorporate into their family’s daily routine.   The program is based on research about language, early literacy skills, and how children learn from birth to age five primarily through interactions with their parents and other important adults in their lives, as well as from their environments. Every Child Ready to Read gives parents and other caregivers simple but powerful ways to help children develop the language and other skills they need to learn to read.   Parents can give children a tremendous advantage in school and in... More

  Now that summer is on its way, enjoy iced tea and cake in a beautiful social setting, at our informal talk and book signing 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 21 – free! A portion of book sales will benefit the library.   Join Sedona author Kris Neri at the library, located at 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd. in Cave Creek, as she discusses her latest book, “Revenge on Route 66,” a funny road trip mystery along the quirkiest spots on the Mother Road. It’s the latest in her Tracy Eaton mystery series, featuring the daughter of eccentric Hollywood stars. She also writes the Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty magical series, featuring a questionable psychic who teams up with a modern goddess/FBI agent.   Neri’s novels have been nominated for such prestigious awards as the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity Awards and they are three-time Lefty Award finalists. The most recent book in her magical series, “Magical Alienation” won the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award.   Kris teaches writing online... More

  May 18, the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center will celebrate the grand opening of its new 5,000-square-foot facility at 6038 E. Hidden Valley Rd. in Cave Creek. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting planned for 10:30 a.m.   According to Executive Director Pam DiPietro, the new complex will allow the food bank to better serve the more than 9,000 individuals and families in the northern desert foothills. In order to pay for its new home, the food bank has launched a $500,000 capital funding campaign.   We all have been affected by the recession in recent years and the people in our community have felt the impact of this economy more than many,” says DiPietro. “We have an increased number of individuals who live in their cars or in the desert. We also have food bank clients from very affluent areas. The recession reached far and wide, sparing few in its path. Since 2008, our client base has increased by 486... More

  Don’t miss NVSO’s final concert of their inaugural season, “Spring Romance,” featuring solo violinist Diane Sullivan Saturday, May 18, beginning at 7 p.m. The performance will be held at North Canyon High School Center of Performing Arts, 1700 E. Union Hills Dr. in Phoenix.   Ms. Sullivan is a well-known member of the violin section of the Phoenix Symphony. She has also appeared as a fellowship member of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood under the direction of Seiji Ozawa and Leonard Bernstein. Ms. Sullivan performed for violinist Itzhak Perlman at a Phoenix reception held in his honor, and has appeared as soloist with the Flagstaff Symphony. She has studied violin with renowned artists Sydney Harth, Eugene Lombardi, Esther Glazer, Raphael Bronstein, Eudice Shapiro, Joseph Silverstein and Peter Winograd.   Ms. Sullivan will perform with the newly-formed North Valley Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Founding Music Director Kevin Kozacek. Sullivan will perform... More

  Are you or a family member thinking about retirement? If so, you are invited to attend a free, informative session, “Social Security: Your Questions Answered,” hosted by financial advisor, Noah S. Kendrick of Edward Jones in Carefree.   The event takes place Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spotted Donkey Cantina at el Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.   According to Kendrick, as individuals approach retirement, Social Security questions are common. Attendees will learn more about how Social Security fits into retirement, when to start taking benefits and the tax implications of benefits. A question and answer session is included.   Kendrick is currently on the board of directors for the Foothills Community Foundation and leads the charge for non-profit organization’s Partners in Education program. He has been recognized for his financial expertise in USA Today and was recently featured in... More

  New River Elementary School (48827 N. Black Canyon Hwy, New River) will welcome the class of 2026 for kindergarten registration at the school office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration forms are available in the office or can be downloaded online. Students need to be five years old by August 31, 2013.   Early registration is important as schools plan staffing needs for next school year, so stop by and ask for Darcy or Lisa before the school office closes Friday, May 31. If you have picked up paperwork to enroll your student, please drop it off at your earliest convenience.   Registrants should bring the following: original birth certificate or a certified copy; immunization records; proof of residence (utility bill, house payment receipt, rent receipt, escrow document or lease agreement); identification; and legal guardian or custody papers if applicable.   Families who live outside the district boundaries can enroll their child for a DVUSD school by filling out... More

  One of Boulder Creek High School’s biggest productions of the year will be their Choir Concert to be held on May 15 and 16 in the Boulder Creek auditorium at 7 p.m. The theme this year is Broadway and the singers will feature five well-known musicals, along with several “mini” acts.   The lineup of musical acts includes: Honor Choir: Phantom of the Opera; Show Choir: Legally Blonde; Bella Voce: Wicked; Men’s Chorus: Newsies; Women’s Choir: Shrek the Musical; Bel Canto: Hairspray.   Tickets will be $7 pre-sale and $10 at the door. This is Boulder Creek’s last choir concert for the year, so don’t miss it!  ... More

  Come hear the sounds of the Westmont College Choir from Santa Monica, California in an inspirational choral experience Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd. in Scottsdale.   The choir is comprised of 50 undergraduate musicians from across campus life. Directed by Michael Shasberger, the ensemble studies and performs a wide range of music from the classic repertoire of the past five centuries to spirituals, folk-song arrangements and music of other cultures. Their extensive touring has taken them to Scotland, England and the Pacific Northwest.   While many of the singers are pursuing music degrees, others study music in addition to working towards degrees in science or humanities. All share the joy of singing and their concerts are an inspiration to all who hear them.   Tickets are free. Donations will be accepted to help support the Westmont College Choir. This is the final concert of the 2012–2013 Pinnacle Concert... More

  For the health and safety of all patrons using ACC Community Center pools and to ensure deck cleanliness, the Anthem Community Council is taking additional steps to emulate common practice among community pools in the Valley by establishing two designated areas where food will be permitted beginning Saturday, May 4.   These designated food areas will be located adjacent to the west end of the water park and lap pools. All food, including snacks and drinks, will be required to be contained in these areas by all patrons. For added convenience, food concession vendors will be available in the area adjacent to the water park, and tables, chairs and umbrellas will be provided in both designated locations.   “Taking these additional steps is paramount for the continued health and safety of our guests,” says ACC Community Center Director Kevin Shaffer. “This will also help with problems we’ve encountered in past years with bees, ants and other insects that have swarmed the pool... More

  Join us at Back to Health Chiropractic for a free wellness orientation workshop. Dr. Brian Hester, wellness coach in health, fitness and nutrition, will discuss how to set up a realistic program of care for yourself and what you can do to take the first steps toward living a healthy lifestyle. Anyone who attends will receive a special gift certificate for one or more services at Back to Health Chiropractic.   The next workshops are Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. Both workshops are held at Back to Health Chiropractic, 42104 N. Venture Dr., Suite A102 in Anthem. This fun and informative program is free, but space is limited. Reservations required.   www.myanthemchiro.com 623-551-6677... More