NOVEMBER 2023 10 East Valley Veterans Day Parade in downtown Mesa. WED. 11/1 – SUN. 11/5 North American Fall Classic Times vary, at Legacy Park, 6321 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa. The California Police Athletic Federation, a nonprofit committed to promoting sport and physical fitness among first responders, introduces the North American Fall Classic. The event features Olympic-style games (think dodgeball, rowing, track and field) for first responders. First event is $90. Additional events are $15. cpaf.org FRIDAY 11/3 Runways for Rescues 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. Desert Ridge is teaming up with Rolling Rack Boutique to host Runway for Rescues, a fun event for four-legged friends. This show allows pups to trot down the runway in the latest doggie fashion while their humans enjoy the show with an outdoor pop-up bar. All donations will benefit Friends for Life Animal Rescue. shopdesertridge.com A Midsummer Night’s Dream 7:30 p.m. at Arcosanti, 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer. Shakespeare’s well-known comedy about two pairs of star-crossed lovers is being presented among Arizona’s spectacular desert scenery at this evening’s event. A Greek-themed dinner, including spanakopita and baklava, is available for purchase. Tickets start at $35. arcosanti.org FRIDAY 11/3 – SATURDAY 11/4 Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic Friday, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Mesa, 100 N. Center St. This event is a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned competition with pitmasters from across the country, including a one-meat challenge and a four-meat master series competition. Teams will compete for a $10,000 prize, and you can sample all the dishes for $20. There will also be an art exhibit, live music and cooking demos. downtownmesa.com SATURDAY 11/4 Shakespeare in Love 7:30 p.m. at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is approaching, but he’s in desperate need of inspiration – which comes in the form of feisty, beautiful Viola. Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms, helping him to write his greatest romantic masterpiece. Tickets are $35 for adults, $18 for kids. fhtaz.org SATURDAY 11/4 – SUNDAY 11/5 Festival of the Arts 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Litchfield Park, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd. This festival features more than 250 fine artists and artisans from around the country, plus various eateries and a wine garden showcasing Arizona wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Grab a glass of vino, check out some art and listen to live music during the 53rd annual event. Admission is free. Beer and wine packages start at $15. vermillionpromotions.com SUNDAY 11/5 AZ Asian Cultural Festival 11 a.m. at the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Dr. Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of Asia with a day of tradition, food, music, and performances. This festival brings together different parts of Asia under one roof. Sample authentic cuisine, check out the vendor village or try your hand at a cultural activity. Admission is free. azacf.com FRIDAY 11/10 – SUNDAY 11/12 Fountain Festival of Fine Arts 10 a.m. at 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. One of the largest festivals in the southwest is back, with hundreds of art exhibit booths in every medium – including food. Along with the art, there will be various eateries available to purchase from, plus live music to complete the day. This event is free. experiencefountainhills.org SATURDAY 11/11 East Valley Veteran’s Parade 11 a.m. in downtown Mesa on Center St. The annual East Valley Veterans Parade’s theme for 2023 is “Vietnam Valor,” a recognition of the 50 years that have passed since the conclusion of the war in Vietnam. The parade will be held in its traditional format on Veterans Day. More than 100 parade entries and aerial demonstrations of vintage aircraft are planned. evvp.org THURSDAY 11/16 Fall Breakfast 9 a.m. at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr. notMYkid, a nonprofit that ensures “every kid thrives by inspiring positive life choices,” and Meadows Behavioral Health will host an educational breakfast with a presentation led by Dr. Bruce D. Perry. Guests can network with community leaders, advocates and youth mental health resources from across the state. Tickets start at $100. notmykid.org SATURDAY 11/18 El Tour de Tucson 7 a.m. starting at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson. El Tour de Tucson is a fundraising ride that captivates nearly 7,500 cyclists of all ages. Participants ride either the 102-, 62- or 32-mile rides. A Fun Ride with shorter distances is also available. Cyclists can attend the post-ride party with music, food vendors, activities, and an award ceremony. Registration starts at $15 for the fun ride and $40-$175 for the longer rides. eltourdetucson.org SUNDAY 11/26 Nightfall Guided Tour 5 p.m. at Taliesin West, 12345 N. Taliesin Dr., Scottsdale. If you love a good sunset, this event is for you. Guests will spend 60 minutes with a knowledgeable guide while exploring outdoor spaces at Taliesin West’s Historic Core, discussing living in harmony with the natural environment and learning more about the history of the World Heritage Site. Tickets are $49 for adults and $24 for kids. franklloydwright.org OUT OF THE AREA, BUT WORTH THE DRIVE

11 NOVEMBER 2023 By Amy Carney Future Titan Night has been a longstanding tradition for Arcadia High to strengthen its learning community within the neighborhood and the Scottsdale Unified School District. Students from Hopi, Tavan, Echo Canyon and Ingleside gathered for the annual Arcadia get-together on September 15. “Offering events like a Future Titan Night is a great opportunity to invite all of our school communities to come to support our Titans, but also have fun and mingle with other families before a football game,” Nicki Ess, President of the Arcadia PTO, said. She also stated that this year’s event was highly successful, with over 500 people attending throughout the evening’s festivities. The Arcadia Dads Club, PTO, and various Booster Clubs sponsored the gathering. Future Titan Night allows elementary and middle school students to see what lies ahead in high school by participating with the Titan cheerleaders and football players. “This year, the band boosters brought together members of the Arcadia complex school bands to play at the football game. The Arcadia Dads Club also hosted a great tailgate BBQ dinner and inflatables before the game,” Ess said. Each school mascot was also in attendance, while Arcadia’s student government offered face painting for the younger kids. “Future Titan Night is an event our entire community can participate in, as we are all Titans,” Tavan PTO member Carrie Diekmann said. “As the world around us becomes even busier, there’s never been a more critical time for us to be a part of a community that supports our children’s young minds. This will pay dividends far beyond our neighborhood.” Diekmann also stated that since Tavan shares a fence with Arcadia, they work with the high school campus more frequently. “Our PE department has a Super Bowl football event in November and a March Madness basketball event where our fifth-grade students participate in a sporting competition on Arcadia’s fields. Tavan’s entire student body is invited, and the kids look forward to it every year,” she said. The Arcadia PTO, Dad’s Club, and Booster Clubs are currently planning additional Future Titan Night events for the community to come together and celebrate other sports this school year. “I hope we continue participating in events like Future Titan Night to build positive relationships between Arcadia, Echo, Hopi, Ingleside, and Tavan and create a sense of belonging to a larger whole,” Diekmann said. Arcadia High hosts its annual community builder event Some of Arcadia’s Junior Titans with Tavan’s Wonder the Wildcat at Future Titan Night. PHOTO: CARRIE DIEKMANN PLAY LOCAL. PLAY BALL. REGISTER online for the 2020 Spring BASEBALL and SOFTBALL Season – Boys & Girls Ages 4-14 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND REGISTER TODAY www.ArcadiaLittleLeague.com Mandatory player evaluations for upper divisions will be held Saturday, January 18, and Saturday, January 25 at Ingleside Middle School Practices Begin February 1 – Spring Season Runs Early March through End of May Take advantage of EARLY BIRD PRICING through December 31, 2019 Re gister at www. ArcadiaLittleLeague.com PLAY LOCAL. PLAY BALL. REGISTER online for the 2020 Spring BASEBALL and SOFTBALL Season – Boys & Girls Ages 4-14 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND REGISTER TODAY www.ArcadiaLittleLeague.com Mandatory player evaluations for upper divisions will be held Saturday, January 18, and Saturday, January 25 at Ingleside Middle School Practices Begin February 1 – Spring Season Runs Early March through End of May Take advantage of EARLY BIRD PRICING through December 31, 2019 Re gister at www. ArcadiaLittleLeague.com REGISTRATION NOW OPEN • BASEBALL SOFTBALL TEE-BALL • Boys & Girls Ages 4-12 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND REGISTER TODAY www.arcadialittleleague.com Registration closes on Feb 3. SCHOOLS WITHIN OUR BOUNDARY INCLUDE Archway Veritas, Biltmore Preparatory Academy, Desert View Learning Center, Echo Canyon, Hopi, Ingleside, Phoenix Country Day, Tavan Placement evaluations are mandatory for upper Baseball and Softball divisions. Practice will begin in February. Season runs from early March until May.