There are several Veterans Day events and activities around the Phoenix area this week, many of which are free. Aside from that, you can see a moo moo, learn some history, see a special Christmas tree, hear about special women, celebrate National Gaming Day, bait a hook, eat fast and cheap, and be a super hero. Read more...

November offers some of the best fishing available at our urban lakes. Catfish and bluegill sunfish are already in the lakes, and the trout will be stocked during the second half of November. This week the Lower Salt River near Phoenix was being stocked with rainbow trout. Trout are also being stocked this week at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Fain and Lynx lakes in the Prescott area, Wet Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley, plus Parker Canyon and Patagonia lakes in southern Arizona. Next week trout will be stocked in Saguaro Lake near Phoenix, Francis Short Pond in Flagstaff, Oak Creek, the Verde River (between Cottonwood and Camp Verde), Cluff Pond and Roper Lake near Safford and in Rose Canyon on Mt. Lemon near Tucson. During the week of November 16th trout will also be stocked in Canyon Lake and Tempe Town Lake.

Fishing licenses for state waters or the urban program lakes for the 2009 season are now on sale for half price. The 2009 annual state fishing license is on sale for just $11.75 for residents and $35.13 for nonresidents. If you plan to catch trout, don't forget your trout stamp. The Urban Program Fishing License is on sale for $9.25 for both residents and nonresidents alike. What a great idea for those relatives who are visiting for the holidays!

The Welcome Back the Trout Celebration at Tempe Town Lake will take place on November 24, 2009 and includes a fishing clinic starting at 3 p.m. For the weekly fishing report, and to learn more about the great fishing opportunities in Phoenix and around the state visit Arizona Game and Fish online.

You Might Also Be Interested In....

• Where is Tempe Town Lake?
• Teach Your Kids to Fish
• Need Gear? Cabela's in Glendale Has It
• Need Gear? Bass pro Shops in Mesa Has It

Greenbuild 2009, is coming to the Phoenix Convention Center. A full line-up of professionals is slated to speak at more than 100 educational sessions and workshops to enhance your green building knowledge. Former Vice President Al Gore who will deliver the keynote. The conference opens on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 and concludes on Saturday, November 14, 2009. You may register for the conference online or, when the conference begins, at the door. If you are registered for the conference, you may, at no additional charge participate in the Green Building Job Fair. Not so much interested in the conference, but want to see the latest and greatest in green technology products? Register for the Exhibit Hall only, where 1,800 companies are expected to be displaying their innovations.

Even if you can't attend the conference or the Expo, you can still participate in three related Green Street events during those days. Read more...

Wrestlemania XXVI in Phoenix may be months away, but the partying begins on Friday night. That's right -- before tickets even go on sale. On Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. join the Wrestlemania pre-sale celebration at Westgate City Center in Glendale. This is the first of what I imagine will be several events between now and March 28, 2010 when the main event takes place at University of Phoenix Stadium. Chris Jericho and Kelly Kelly will be on hand at Westgate on Friday evening where you can buy tickets before they go on sale on Saturday morning. I understand there are some prizes at the Friday night event, too.

If you can't get tickets at the pre-sale, make sure all your computers and phones are prepped for trying to get through to Ticketmaster on Saturday morning. I expect they will sell out quickly!

I took this photo somewhere in the Greater Phoenix area. You'll find this tree in one of the cities and towns located within Maricopa County.

© Judy Hedding

Do you know where this picture was taken? Tell us by posting your "comment" below.

This week our focus on free things to do around the Phoenix area brings us heart-healthiness, walking with birds, floating your boat, attending a new farmers market, becoming environmentally friendly, open mic-ing, and riding a trolley. Read more...

There's one Christmas tree that you won't be able to cut down this year, even if you have a permit to go and find your own perfect Christmas tree. That's because that one perfect tree, an 85-ft blue spruce tree from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains, will be going to Washington D.C. this year. It will be the first time ever that Arizona will provide the Capitol Christmas Tree for the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Read more...

It is officially the last minute. Even if you didn't make any plans for the day, there are free community events in Scottsdale and Glendale where you can take the family for some fun. And, of course, there are places that have an admission charge that are also celebrating Halloween today, like the Phoenix Zoo, Mesa Golfland, and the NCT Comedy Improv Theater. The Haunted Houses will be open for business, and many pumpkin patch festivals with rides, activities and costume contests are still going on.

If you didn't have time to make a really cool costume for your little one until now, here are some costume ideas that won't cost you anything to put together. Happy Halloween 2009!

Let's start with the conclusion this time -- if you don't receive your flu-related products from a reliable source like a doctor or pharmacy that you know and trust, you might be purchasing phony products. These products most likely will not help to prevent the H1N1 flu. They are designed to lighten your wallet, and they may even harm you.

Arizona's Attorney General Terry Goddard is warning Arizonans to beware of products sold on the Internet or at toll free numbers that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus. Several products marketed online as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), one of two drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of the H1N1 flu, were tested and found to be fakes. Some of them may include a drug that is not approved for use in the U.S. and could potentially harm patients.

Warning letters have been sent by the FDA to more than 140 promoters of fake products. The products include phony prescription drugs, "sterilizers," fake food supplements, magic shampoos, face masks, a "silver spray" claiming to protect against the flu virus and a phony "photon" machine marketed with the false claim that it boosts the immune system.

Don't be tempted to hand your hard-earned money over to a scam artist. I recognize that we are all concerned about the flu, and the H1N1 shots have been scarce. Talk to your doctor, or visit Community Information & Referral to see where real H1N1 flu shots are being offered. If you already have purchased what you believe to be a fake flu prevention product, you can file a consumer fraud complaint.

This is the week that pumpkins get all the attention. Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? No matter -- after you've carved one, take the opportunity to create something special in the kitchen for a festive fall holiday weekend.

1. Keep It Basic: Pumpkin Pie from Tammy Coe Cakes
2. Fall Warmth: Pumpkin and Ginger Soup from the Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa
3. Easy: Pumpkin Bread Pudding from Eddie V's Restaurant at DC Ranch
4. Who Doesn't Love Cheesecake: Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake from C4 Coffee and Wine Bar
5. After the Kids Are Asleep: Fresh Pumpkin Martini from Quiessence on the Farm at South Mountain

I'm collecting even more holiday recipes this year, so check here for new additions.