Your Nine-Day Itinerary is Ahead

With busy metropolitan Phoenix to the south and Arizona’s high country to the north, the communities along the Phoenix Sonoran corridor enjoy clean air and a casual, active lifestyle.

Bookended by Lake Pleasant Regional Park on the west and the stunning Phoenix Sonoran Preserve on the east, few areas in the Valley of the Sun are home to such a diverse collection of manicured parks, local attractions, outdoor adventure and untouched desert landscape.

Seemingly unnoticeable to outsiders, the quiet suburban communities that call the north edge of Phoenix Sonoran Desert home are always buzzing with events and activities. Keep the bags unpacked! Your nine-day local Spring Break itinerary is ahead! Saturday, March 14

But first—coffee! The Anthem Community Council hosts Java & Jammin’ the second Saturday in March, May, October and December from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the terrace of the Anthem Civic Building. The free, family-friendly program features live music by Janelle Loes, coffee and treats. The Sonoran Desert Pet Resort and Anthem Pets are hosting a pet adoption event Your Nine-Day Itinerary is Ahead Experience a Sonoran adventure this Spring Break By Heather Maxwell Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can view all of the adoptable pets on the Anthem Pets website, anthempets.org.

The Plant Bar Spring Festival promises fun for all ages from noon until 8 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will include food, music and, of course, plants!

Wind down the night with dinner and a sunset at the Glossy Heifer Bar & Grill. Enjoy fresh, local-inspired American cuisine and live music by David Sheehy from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15

There’s always something to do at Lake Pleasant Regional Park! Open to the public 365 days a year, Pleasant Harbor Marina is a full-service marina and RV park and features Dillon’s Bayou, a floating restaurant redefining “lake food.” Rent a kayak or standup paddleboard (SUP) and explore the shoreline, then relax and take in the spectacular lake views while enjoying award-winning barbecue at Dillon’s Bayou. Stop by the Discovery Center at Lake Pleasant Regional Park from 2 to 3 p.m. for fun and educational arts and crafts— perfect for families! Learn about the history of petroglyphs in the region while you design and create your own. Visit maricopacountyparks.net for a full list of upcoming events and activities at the park. Monday, March 16

Grab your bike or take a hike! The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve is comprised of more than 9,600 acres of wild, mostly undeveloped desert in North Phoenix. Three trailhead locations—Desert Vista, Desert Hills and Apache Wash—offer 36 miles of trails, open to the public from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Trail maps are available at the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce office. Bring plenty of water and review the “Take a Hike. Do it Right” guidelines before enjoying the preserve. For more information, visit phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/ sonoran-preserve.

End the day with a bucket-list sunset hot air balloon ride. Explore the unmatched beauty of the Phoenix Sonoran corridor from above. A variety of operators offer both sunrise and sunset hot air balloon rides daily November through March, weather permitting. Tuesday, March 17

Head east to enjoy a guided hike of the Caroline Bartol Preserve on Saguaro Hill in Cave Creek with Desert Foothills Land Trust. Space is limited, so sign up in advance or learn more about DFLT’s other guided hikes at dflt.org/hikes-and-events. Daisy Mountain Veterans and Youth for Anthem Outlets Daisy Mountain

Troops invite the community to help make mats for homeless veterans from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Th is monthly service project is free and open to all ages. Visit youthfortroops.org for more information.

Don’t miss Trivia Tuesday at Amped Coff ee Co., 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Th is is a great event for all ages. Wednesday, March 18

Spend the day at the park or shopping. Most of the communities along the Phoenix Sonoran corridor off er a wide variety of amenities, trails and parks to residents and their guests.

Visitors to the Anthem Community Park can see the award-winning Anthem Veterans Memorial, an Arizona Historic Landmark, locally designed and built to honor the service and sacrifi ce of our country’s armed forces. Playgrounds, catch-and-release fi shing lakes, a skate park, a hockey rink, sport courts and the Daisy Mountain Railroad make this park a perfect destination on a spring day.

Th e Outlets at Anthem is always high on the itinerary. Th e pedestrian- and pet-friendly, open-air environment off ers more than 60 designer brand shops, dining and other attractions. Thursday, March 19

To the north, the Black Canyon Heritage Park provides visitors with a chance to experience nature and culture in a friendly, nurturing environment. Eff orts at the 30-acre park located in the heart of Black Canyon City focus on conservation and involve maintaining and improving the riparian habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Volunteers can provide information about local trails and dining.

Be a star! Sign up at Amped Coff ee Co. any time before 6 p.m. for Open Mic Night. Come ready to perform one to three songs as a solo act or a small band. Th e patio is always pet friendly, making this a great event for the entire family! Friday, March 20

Explore the 1800s pioneer style at Pioneer Living History Museum, Arizona’s most authentic Old West town. You will fi nd authentic buildings and historically accurate reproductions of an old 1800s town steeped in local history! Check out the Telephone Museum, too.

Join Daisy Mountain Veterans for bingo at 6:30 p.m. on the fi rst and third Fridays each month at the Anthem Community Center. Daisy Mountain Veterans Bingo supports veterans and their families. Saturday, March 21

Th e Anthem Gem & Mineral Show runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features 30 vendors, displaying a varied collection of hand-craft ed jewelry, gems, minerals, beads, lapidary work, geodes, fossils and meteorites. A specialized kids’ corner provides a fun and educational experience for all ages.

If Phoenix Bike Week is in your plans, check out Buddy Stubbs Anthem HarleyDavidson True Originals Tent Event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will enjoy free food and drinks, live music by Mojo Rats and a chance to save big on their preowned inventory.

Luke Air Force Base Open House & Air Show runs Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Th e free event will feature the U.S. Air Force Th underbirds and variety of other civilian and military aerial demonstrations. VIP tickets are available for purchase.

Saturdays at the Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon always off er excitement for the entire family. Th e authentic Western atmosphere includes live bull riding, mutton busting, bon fi res, live music, dancing and more! Sunday, March 22

A stop by the Anthem Farmers Market is the perfect way to end to a busy week. Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., local food producers set up at the Anthem Community Park to sell their organic and seasonal crops; grass-fed meats; fresh local eggs, cheeses and butters; freshly baked artisan breads; prepared foods and more.

Grab some lunch at Tru Burger Co. before heading home. Th e all-day Sunday happy hour menu offers perfect-size, budgetfriendly portions and the spacious patio is pet friendly.

Get out and keep local

Camping, hiking, biking, off -roading, bull riding, motorcycles, Jeeps, horse-back riding, balloon rides, water sports, art, history, dining, music and shopping. Adventure is waiting for you! Th is is just a small sample of the many local events, attractions and outdoor adventures in store.

Call or stop by the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce for information about upcoming events, maps and more. Keep the bags unpacked. Get out and keep local.

John & Robin McCombs Veteran Owned & Operated HEATING & COOLING INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Phoenix ... Summer is coming! Have your AC system checked before the summer heat hits the Valley of the Sun.  Fast response time so you won’t be inconvenienced  Full HVAC system evaluation  Free estimates on new systems  Perfect Comfort Club Maintenance Plans 602.789.3000 $ 25 OFF Any Repair 602-789-3000

ROC #300933 Bonded & Insured