Consider visiting downtown Glendale with its Glendale Glitters programs on Friday and Saturday evenings (6pm to 10pm), Dec. 3-18.   It will be aglow with 1.5 million sparkling holiday lights, and Murphy Park will be filled with entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food and horse-drawn carriage rides. Each weekend has a special theme with all kinds of fun for all ages.

Another place to see lights is Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo.  This runs nightly through January 9, 2011 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.  Tickets cost $10.00 per person for Sunday through Thursday nights and $12.00 on Friday and Saturday.  There is a discount for Zoo members.  Kids age 2 and younger are free.  Fry’s has discounted tickets for sale.

One of our favorites is Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.  Stroll through the garden which is lit by lights and luminarias.  Stop at the many different spots to listen to musical performances.  There is place to get refreshments.  I do recommend that you purchase tickets in advance as some nights sell out.  You can purchase tickets on-line.  This event is mostly attended by adults.  However, if you have a child or teenager who enjoys sitting quietly and listening to music, they will enjoy it too.

Downtown Tempe is hosting the Fantasy of Lights in the Mill Avenue district.   From November 27 to December 10, you can enter their Window Wonderland contest for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a beautiful lights display at the Arizona Temple in Mesa.  This runs from 5:30pm to 10:00 pm daily and is free.   There is usually a half-hour outdoor concert at 7:00 pm.  The Temple is located at 525 E Main St in Mesa.

1.  Chandler Public Libraries - There is a main library downtown and three branches.  The libraries offer free computer access to the public as well as reading areas for current magazines and newspapers.  In addition to books, you can also check out movies on DVD, books on CDs, and music on CDs.  The libraries offer book discussion groups and other programming for children, teens, and adults.  Currently there is a program running that allows you to check free passes for location attractions such as the Phoenix Zoo and Art Museum.

2. Chandler Center for the Arts- The Arts Center has a small gallery that puts on various art shows through out the year.  The next show Is Merrill Mahaffey The Artist’s Perspective:  50 Years in the West and it runs from September 3 to October 30.    The Center also offers some free concerts – tickets are available in advance for some of these.  Upcoming concerts include Brad Richter on Friday August 27 at 7:30pm and  the US Air Force Academy Band on Wednesday, COtober 13 at 7:00pm.

3. Chandler Parks - Chandler has a number of  neighborhood and community parks.  Did you know that the Paseo Vista Recreation Area has a great archery range as well as a playground, walking trail, and disc (Frisbee) golf range.    Parks such as Desert Breeze have a small lake where fishing is allowed.  See AZ Dept. of Game & Fish licensing requirements for fishing.

4. Chandler Environmental Education Center- The Center is located at Veterans Oasis Park.  It offers programs for adults and children including Meet the Creature, Dragons and Butterflies, and Organic Gardening.

5. The Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and Native American Art - The Gallery is located in Basha’s headquarters at 22402 S. Basha Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248.  It is typically open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and admission is free.  However, they recommend that you verify it is open on the day you want to visit by calling  480-895-5230 and press option 2.    It has a collection of  over 3,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, wood-turned bowls, basketry, pottery, kachinas and jewelry.

6. Paseo Trail- This is a 6.5 mile trail that runs along the sides of the Consolidated Canal.  One side is paved for pedestrian use (running and walking) and the other side is a dirt surface that can be used for horseback riding or biking.

7. Spray Pads & Pools - Several of the parks offer free fun spray for kids to cool off and play in during the summer.   You need to check the Chandler Parks website to see when the spray pads will be running in the park you plan to visit.   Chandler pools offer low admittance fees and some include water slides and toddler play areas.

Watch this video, it’s pretty cool.

Living in Chandler is never a dull proposition. You’ll have numerous parks to play in, the largest of which is Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed has playtopia, called the best playground in Arizona by The New Times, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, the cities newest spot to run, lift weights, spin or visit with friends and the tennis center with 15 lighted courts. Or you can shop in downtown Chandler, the Chandler Fashion Center, Casa Paloma or the Fulton Ranch Towne Center. Wanting to run, walk or bike? Check out the Paseo Trail that runs right through Chandler or the soon to be completed Western Canal trail.

Wanting culture? Check out who’s playing at the Chandler Center for the Arts, what’s happening at the Chandler Museum, who’s racing atFirebird International Raceway or hang out at either the Wild Horse Pass Casino or Lone Butte Casino. Hey, it’s culture to somebody.

And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Learn more about living in Chandler.

Chandler Public Libraries

Chandler Public Library Locations:

Downtown branch – 22 S Delaware St

Basha branch – 5990 S Val Vista Dr

Sunset branch – 4930 W Ray Rd

Hamilton branch – 3700 S Arizona Ave

Chandler, AZ – The Official City of Chandler, AZ Government Twitter

Mesa, AZ – Official Web site of the City of Mesa, Arizona municipality

Tempe, AZ – Tempe Gov

Phoenix Public Transit – Phoenix Metro Bus

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Gammage Auditorium , ASU Tempe Campus - hosts a Broadway series as well as numerous other performances

Hale Theater , Gilbert - hosts children’s theater as well as family and adult plays.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater , Mesa – where you can eat dinner and see a show

Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe – hosts a variety of programs including the well know Childsplay productions, dance productions, and a variety of other plays and programs

Mesa Center for the Arts, Mesa – see Southwest Shakespeare Company, East Valley Children’s Theater, Ballet Etudes, Symphony of the Southwest, and more

Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler – hosts a free summer concert series and a variety of performances throughout the year

Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale – see the popular “Late Night Catechism” or any of the other great program

Phoenix Theater, Phoenix – hosts a season of popular plays

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Phoenix – presents great puppet shows geared mainly towards elementary age children.  They also offer a Puppet Slam program for adults.

Actors Theater, Phoenix – present a variety of plays mostly geared towards adult audiences

The houses are stucco one and two story homes. From 1300 square feet up to 4000. There might be one or two near 5000. Average size yards, most lots are from 5000 square feet up to 13,000.

To the north of these communties are three large office buildings. Some could walk to work or to Firehouse Subs, The Spicy Pickle and a japanese restaurant.

To the south is the fashion center and P.F. Chang’s, Olive Garden and other chain restaurants. Or you can take in a movie at Harkin’s Theatre.

These communities are serviced by Kyrene del Sureno, the local elementary school that’s right next to Harter Park with it’s ball field, sand volleyball, basketball and playground.