Plan your “date night” around a cause

For some couples, planning a weekly “date night” is a way to keep the “you and me” intact when so much focus and time is directed to the all-consuming demands of family.

What if “date night” had an even larger purpose? What if your evening out involved support for local arts groups, innovative education programs or the struggling families of Japan?

Here are some opportunities and upcoming events to consider.

Champagne & Crepes

Jazz artist Lyn Jackson.

Arizona Museum for Youth is holding a “Champagne & Crepes” fundraiser from 6 to 9pm Saturday, March 26. Enjoy champagne and local microbrews, an assortment of sweet and savory crepes, entertainment by Phoenix jazz artist Lyn Jackson, beautiful artwork and hands-on activities from the “Once Upon a Time” exhibition and nostalgia in the new presentation of “Play Ball! The Cactus League Experience.” Ages 21 & up only. March 26. $75 per person with proceeds benefiting educational programs, exhibitions and general operating costs at the Museum. 35 N. Robson St., Mesa. 480-644-5564 or arizonamuseum foryouth.com.

Jazz It Up For Literacy

Jazz event on the 27th promotes literacy for children and adults.

In Arizona, four students in a standard class of 27 have reading
disabilities, such as dyslexia. If not properly diagnosed and treated, a learning disability can impact a child’s life forever. Whether helping a child overcome a disability or offering free literacy classes to adults, Arizona Literacy & Learning Center works to change lives.

A March 27 benefit concert, “Jazz It Up For Literacy,” will feature vocalist Dennis Rowland, trumpeter Jesse McGuire and Clark Krueger’s Extreme Decibel Big Band. The event takes place Sunday, March 27, at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Enjoy an elegant hors d’oeuvre reception and silent auction from 5:30 to 7pm, followed by the concert performance at 7:15. Admission is $50 for orchestra-loge-mezzanine seats and $40 for upper balcony seating. Learn more or purchase tickets.

Recovery Roll

Sushi at Stingray Sushi in Scottsdale.

Stingray Sushi in Old Town Scottsdale has added the Recovery Roll to its menu, all proceeds from which  benefit Red Cross support of the recovery efforts in Japan. The Recovery Roll consists of spicy tuna and avocado, topped with seared salmon and spicy sesame honey mustard sauce and scallions. It’s available now for $12. 4302 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. 480-941-4460 or stingraysushi.com.

Run, walk and meet Tim Hightower

Cardinals running back Tim Hightower.

Cardinals running back Tim Hightower will appear at the 7th Annual Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Arizona Pancakes and Pajamas Walk for Wishes® 5k Run, Walk and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk tomorrow morning. Hightower will meet and greet fans, take photos and sign autographs and his Foundation, the Tim Hightower Foundation, will “officially” start the race.

The Phoenix Fire Department will be on hand with a truck on display and there will be pancakes, games, music, prizes and more. Funds raised at this family/kid/dog-friendly event will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. The run begins at 8:30 and the walk at 8:40 a.m. Kiwanis Park in Tempe, 6111 S. All American Way, Tempe. wishaz.org.

Bring your kids – and dogs – to Make-a-Wish fundraiser

DOC BARKER, the Make-A-Wish Ambassador Dog, makes a new friend.

If you love dogs — and the idea of making wishes come true — spend part of your weekend at Rawhide with the Superstition Kennel Club.

The club is hosting the WAGS for WISHES® AKC All-Breed Agility Trials through Sunday at the western theme park, located at 5700 W. North Loop Rd. in Chandler.

This unique event, now in its fourth year in Arizona, attracts dog owners and lovers from all over the western U.S. to compete, partake in and enjoy a wide variety of dog-related competitions and events while raising funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Arizona, a nonprofit organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

All competitions are sanctioned through national organizations, and include Agility, Flyball and SplashDog (dock diving). In addition, there are many activities that any dog can try, such as taking a herding instinct test with the Arizona Herding Association, dock diving at SplashDogs, Therapy Dog Testing, racing through “Lure for the Cure” (sponsored by the National Canine Cancer Foundation), obtaining a Canine Good Citizen certification, meeting DOC-BARKER the Make-A-Wish Ambassador Dog, watching the Best Dog Trick contest, posing for pet photography, and more.

Trial hours are 7am to 7pm daily, with judging commencing at 9am.

One hundred percent of your entry fee after expenses are paid will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Arizona and may be considered tax-deductible. Learn more about WAGS for WISHES®.

Life without food no barrier to 10-year-old’s quest to help others

Nathaniel Ross. Photo courtesy of the Ross family.

Nathaniel Ross turns 10 on Tuesday. Most kids his age would be looking forward to pizza and birthday cake. But Nathaniel can’t eat.

He suffers from an autoimmune disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). The disease confuses his white blood cells into thinking food is a parasite. When he eats, his body attacks itself and he gets very sick. He must receive most of his nutrition from a special formula by way of a nasogastric tube, or NG tube.

To celebrate his birthday, Nathaniel told his family he wanted raise funds to support research on Eosinophilic Disorders.

From 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, Dec. 8, the Chick-fil-A at 1664 S. Stapley Dr. in Mesa, will donate 20 percent of sales to the Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease (the CURED Foundation) . In order for CURED to receive credit, you must print this flyer and bring it with you to the restaurant.

Nathaniel’s book, Adventures of Foodman, will be on sale for a $10 donation (cash or check). It’s about a super hero finding out that he has EoE. All proceeds will go to the CURED Foundation. (You can also purchase his book at curedfoundation.org.)

Nathaniel’s other birthday wish is to collect toys and music items for Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa. Nathaniel knows firsthand how something simple like a toy can be a big distraction, bringing joy during a stressful time.

Drop-off boxes will be available at the Dec. 8 event and also at several other locations.

JBS Dolls & Gifts at 116 N. Lindsay Rd. #3, in Mesa will accept donations Dec. 6-Jan. 31.

Music & Arts Center at 891 E. Baseline Rd. #101 in Gilbert will accept donations through Dec. 23. (Many items can be purchased here at a low price to go to the Music Therapy Department at the hospital.)

The UPS Store at 1230 E. Baseline Rd. #103 in Mesa also will accept donations through Dec. 23.

Follow Nathaniel’s journey on the Ross family’s blog, ourjourneywithee.blogspot.com.

 

Watch our interview with Nathan and members of his family.