Page 24 By Lisa Weisenburger You don’t have to be an architect, designer or even a Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast to appreciate Taliesin West. We ventured out to the foot of the McDowell Mountains on an unusual rainy and misty Saturday morning. Visiting Taliesin West had long been on my to-do list and with all the kids home and no games or scheduled activities, this was the day to check it off the list. It can be tricky to find something for everyone with the age range of my kids, but the Insights Tour, which is offered at several times on most days, came pretty darn close. That being said, this historical site and the utopian community that was created here is better suited to the understanding of older kids. Little ones (say 5 and under) would be bored. We spent 1 1/2 hours with a knowledgeable guide and learned about Wright’s winter home, how and why he and his apprentices created this incredible landmark, and about the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture that still exists today. The Cabaret Theater and Music Pavilion were highlights for us, and visiting Wright’s living quarters and office made the whole experience feel especially personal. The Chinese sculpture markers gave the youngest member of our group Tallyho to Taliesin West something to look for, and the “cool” room gave cause for thought as to the possibility of living in the desert without air conditioning. Incomprehensible, especially if you’re 7. Taliesin West is fascinating. The only way to see this landmark is via guided tour, tickets to which you are encouraged to purchase online. There are student, military and senior discounts and occasionally there is a 50 percent discount for Arizona residents if you mention this at the time of booking. Taliesin West offers summer camps and classes for kids, too. Information about dates and tuition is available online at www.franklloydwright. org. Recently, a group of 10 buildings designed by Wright, including Taliesin West, were nominated to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage List. What you will need: • 52 Popsicle sticks • white school glue or heavy duty glue stick • outdoor paint • 2 long pieces of twine • 1 bag of birdseed The process: • Line up 12 popsicle sticks. Glue 2 sticks across them, towards the bottom of both sides. Turn it over. Do a second row of Popsicle sticks going in the opposite direction to strengthen the base. • Place two sticks on opposite sides of the base and apply glue. On the other sides that you didn’t place a stick, glue down 2 more Popsicle sticks, so that they are on top of the corners of the first two sticks. Continue alternating Popsicle sticks around the outside until you have 6 rows, gluing each stick down as you go. Let dry. • Let the kids paint their bird feeder, and set aside to dry. • Attach the twine around the underside of the bird feeder and secure with glue. • Thread the cord underneath the top round of Popsicle sticks on two sides and again, secure with glue on the opposite underside. • Pour in birdseed and enjoy! Birdfeeder found on Tonya Staab’s blog, Create-Celebrate-Explore: tonyastaab.com/2011/06/x-treme-bird-feeders.html BUILD IT FOR THE BIRDS On display now in the Pavilion at Taliesin West is a Lego sculpture containing more than 180,000 Lego bricks in 11 colors and 120 different shapes. The model measures 8 feet by 4 feet and is made entirely of standard Lego parts. Adam Reed Tucker is the architectural Lego artist who uses Legos to create models of famous structures. This latest Lego brick model of Taliesin West is his largest so far and will be on display until the end of April. a s u m merf u l l . . . a s u m merf u l l . . . F U N ! of F U N ! of Sign up TODAY! Sign up TODAY! Arts Camp Session I June 15 - 19 Session II July 20 - 24 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for students ages 7 - 16 Arts Camp Session I June 15 - 19 Session II July 20 - 24 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for students ages 7 - 16 Drama Camp July 6 - 10 9:00 am - 3:30 pm for students ages 9 - 16 Drama Camp July 6 - 10 9:00 am - 3:30 pm for students ages 9 - 16 Sportball Multi-Sport Camp June 8-12, 12:15 - 3:15 pm for students age 4 - 6th grade Sportball Multi-Sport Camp June 8-12, 12:15 - 3:15 pm for students age 4 - 6th grade String Quartet Camp June 22 - 26 for students ages 10 - 18 String Quartet Camp June 22 - 26 for students ages 10 - 18 Vacation Bible Camp June 8-12, 9:00 am - 12:15 pm for students age 4 - 6th grade Vacation Bible Camp June 8-12, 9:00 am - 12:15 pm for students age 4 - 6th grade Ages 5-18 Healthcare Science Workplace Safety GATEWAYCC.EDU/DISCOVER (602) 286-8672 Automotive Business Kids Camp Healthcare Science Workplace Safety

Page 25 By Lisa Weisenburger I love Arizona for so many reasons. I am a native and enjoy exploring many of the nooks and crannies of our great state and, yes, I almost always drag my kids into my wanderlust! With spring break and summer vacations approaching, keep Arizona in mind – especially for a day trip. At the top of my favorites list is a visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument. This national park is a short distance from Flagstaff, off Interstate 40. It’s perfect for a summer day trip from Phoenix. Woodrow Wilson named Walnut Canyon a national monument in 1915 to preserve the ancient cliff dwellings that fill the impressive formations along the canyon walls. Start your excursion at the Visitor Center. We picked up the Junior Ranger booklets from the friendly staff and set off on our adventure. The boys were initially motivated by the proverbial dangling carrot of the Junior Ranger Badge that awaited them when the exploration was finished, but quickly became entranced by the story of the dwellings and the ancient people that once inhabited them. There are two trails to hike: the less strenuous Rim Trail and the more difficult Island Trail. From the Rim Trail’s two overlooks we saw an ancient pueblo and pithouse and the land where the Sinaguan Trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument people grew their crops. This trail is only 0.7 miles and an easy self-guided experience. The Island Trail descends past 25 dwellings and offers a close up view of where the ancient people lived. The different animal habitats and plant life vary greatly between the sunny side and the shaded sides of the canyon. It’s fascinating. Be prepared, the Island Trail has a lot of steps, but plenty of places to rest along the way. Plus, it’s a decent thigh workout on the way back to the top! The one mile trail is designated as strenuous but it didn’t seem that bad. This past December, the National Parks Service kicked off a yearlong celebration to honor the 100-year anniversary of Walnut Canyon’s National Monument designation. There is a calendar full of special programs and tours for this centennial celebration. There is a $5 entrance fee good for up to seven days and kids under 16 are free. Don’t forget your camera and your binoculars. What you will need: • Mason jar or recycled jar with lid in the size of your choice • trinkets and treasures from your travels • card, tag or sticker • twine The process: Really, there are no directions. Fill the jar with your travel treasures. Write on the tag, card or sticker the destination you traveled to and the date. It’s fun to have your child write one sentence in their own handwriting and in their own words that describes their adventure. Tuck it in the jar or tie it on with twine. DAY TRIP MEMORY JAR HERE’S A BONUS FOR YOU: March is Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. Many of the area’s archaeologists are on hand to answer questions, lead walks and talks, and provide interesting activities for the kids. If you decide to turn your day trip into a weekend, you won’t be disappointed by the other national park in the area, Sunset Crater. PLAN YOUR SUMMER NOW & Keep your kids active! 4 SPORTS CAMP LOCATIONS MAY 26 - AUGUST 7 learn the skills to play basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, archery, volleyball & field sports all in one camp! 1 week sessions · Full & Half day · Extended Care · Ages 4½ -13 HUBBARDSPORTS.COM 602.971.4044