In this issue: fighting cancer, folk music, belly dancing, health festival, cyber safety, animal welfare, children's theatre, book signings and the economic outlook.

This column includes announcements of seminars, workshops, community events, fundraisers and other programs for which there is an admission charge, a donation expected or you are otherwise expected to spend money, such as shopping events. Advance registration is required at some these events, so you might see them listed here weeks before they are scheduled to occur.

If you are looking for programs or activities where there is no charge for admission, you can check my weekly "Free Things To Do" column (it comes out every Monday), or check the monthly calendar of recurring annual events.

Events are presented here in date order.

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Two weeks ago I mentioned in my weekly newsletter that a federal judge had ordered Arizona to stop tree cutting and forest thinning in the national forests to protect endangered owls (Source: Associated Press, January 7, 2012). I asked for comments. Here are excerpts of the replies I received.

"I am sure the judge has an alternative for toilet paper and kleenex which comes from the trees being protected."

"The thinning of old growth and brush is necessary to preventing catastrophes, such as the wildfires that destroyed many beautiful homes in California and other states. I am glad I do not live in an area that is heavily forested, and where people such as the ruling judge have control of the environment..."

"I think the judges and corporations involved in such rulings should be held personally liable for damages caused to homeowners by such inappropriate rulings that prevent them from protecting their home from imminent danger of wildfires."

"This is another example of what's wrong, now, with America - political correctness running amuck! If the owl is not smart enough to adapt to new environmental parameters (ala Dinosaurs) then they should perish. The "greenies" have gone far enough!"

"That Federal Court ruling on the protection of the Owl is typical of how the courts and EPA do everything in their power to bring our country down and keep it from progressing fairly. They need to "butt out" and leave us alone."

Any other comments? Please add them in the comments section, below.

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This week you can visit a solar powered house, have Fluffy neutered, get photography tips, make a movie, deal with Alzheimer's, provide the right food, see a movie, recycle, examine the night sky, plan your estate, have fun with math, learn to act, be healthy, walk with chi, be a smart patient, celebrate Chinese New Year, give your kid the boot and learn about IRAs.

This column includes activities and programs in the Greater Phoenix area that have free admission. If you are looking for fundraisers, seminars, workshops, and other community programs that have an admission charge, or where donations are expected, I have a separate column for those. I call them "Phoenix Area Programs & Events - Fee or Donation" and you can find those listings in my blog. They tend to cover a wider range of dates than a week, because advance registration is often required. For a long list of programs and festivals that are annual events in Greater Phoenix check the calendar.

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In this issue: painting rocks, movie music, book signing and a polar plunge.

This column includes announcements of seminars, workshops, community events, fundraisers and other programs for which there is an admission charge, a donation expected or you are otherwise expected to spend money, such as shopping events. Advance registration is required at some these events, so you might see them listed here weeks before they are scheduled to occur.

If you are looking for programs or activities where there is no charge for admission, you can check my weekly "Free Things To Do" column (it comes out every Monday), or check the monthly calendar of recurring annual events.

Events are presented here in date order.

Read More...