Visual arts

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

What started as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson became Hispanic Heritage Month under President Ronald Reagan. The month-long celebration, from Sept. 15...

Free Arts event is a chance for families to help at-risk youth

As folks from around the Valley gather at various arts and culture venues to enjoy tonight's Phoenix First Fridays events, Harder Development and Free...

A charter school for kids who love the arts

“The arts draw them in; the academics keeps them here,” says Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics (ACAA) principal Chris Lalley. Though the students of...

Family activities at Shemer Art Center

Shemer Art Center and Museum, located in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, is welcoming community members to a special day of art-making that features...

August art classes

Looking for boredom busters to help your kids through those final few weeks before the new school year begins? Consider art classes to get...

Summer Sunday at the Heard Museum

The Heard Museum in Phoenix is offering free admission this Sunday, July 29, as part of its Summer Sunday program -- which features guided...

Exploring art at your local library

Next time you hit the library to gather those summer reading program prizes or check out a new stack of books, allow a little...

Exhibit features extreme pets

Did you know that about 62% of households in the United States have some kind of pet? Or that goldfish were kept as pets...

Visiting Mesa: Planes, pets and pioneers

When our son Christopher was just a toddler, we made our first trip to Falcon Field in Mesa — where he loved seeing exhibits...

Inspiring young artists

We assume to often that great works of art are made by experts or adults, but several Valley art exhibits featuring works by children...

Summer fun at Valley libraries

Play a game of word association with someone born during the 20th century, and they'll likely respond with "books" when you mention the word "library."...

Beat the heat at free museums

Right about now, parents all over the Valley are beginning to count the days until another school year gets underway. And kids are feeling...

Exhibit explores family matters

Families, like works of art, come in endless varieties. An exhibition that explores and celebrates the multiple meanings of family runs June 23 to Aug. 25...

Cactus meets creativity

Lynn Trimble shares honorees and highlights from the 2012 Arizona Governor's Arts Awards, held March 27 at the Herberger Theater Center -- where folks enjoyed everything from whoopie pies to luggage art. Ain't art grand?

Art for peace

The United Nations is calling artists ages five to 17 to submit work on the theme of nuclear disarmament. Lynn Trimble shares details and a link to the online gallery featuring works already submitted -- plus news of a peace posters contest run by Lions Clubs International.

Once upon a makeover

Anticipating renovations to the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Lynn Trimble shares "before" pictures taken in January -- eager to share "after" photos once work is completed.

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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