Democratic club to host speaker, elect officers

Herb Paine, candidate for Congress in the recent election, will address the North Maricopa Democratic Club this month. The group will also elect officers and plan for the upcoming year.

The club will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the library, located at the Boulder Creek High School campus, at 40410 Gavilan Peak Parkway, in Anthem.

For more information, please contact Bill Engler at billengler@qwest.net.

Public meeting to help find site for new fire station

Residents are invited to a public meeting on Jan. 11 to identify potential sites for a new Scottsdale station, Fire Station 613. Nearly 20 properties have been identified as options within the boundaries of Dynamite Boulevard, Hayden Road, Jomax Road and Scottsdale Road.

The meeting will be the first in a series of three public meetings to help establish a permanent home for Fire Station 613. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7670 E. Jomax Rd. For more information, please call (480) 312‑1816.

Portion of Tranquil Trail in Carefree to be closed for three days

Carefree announced earlier this week in a bulletin that Tranquil Trail will tentatively be closed from Cave Creek Road to Happy Hollow starting 8 a.m. from Jan. 11‑13. The closure may commence one day later and continue through Jan. 15, depending on conditions. Happy Hollow will be open to local traffic only. The closure is due to water line work. Anyone with questions or concerns should call the Town of Carefree, Right of Way Coordinator, Patrick Neal, at (602) 689‑8534.

Televised gala to benefit children

The 2007 Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala will kick off the 36th Annual Barrett‑Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 13. The event will raise funds to help treat, as well as prevent violence against children. Kathie Lee Gifford will present TV news man, Bill O’Reilly, with the Childhelp Positive Impact in Media Award, while Alfredo and Lisa Molina, of Molina Fine Jewelers, will receive this year’s Spirit of the Children Award.

The event will be held at the Westworld Event Facility, 16601 N. Pima Rd. in Scottsdale.

Bakery hosting dog‑friendly luncheon

The Bakery Café at el Pedregal is hosting a canine‑friendly luncheon, “Dine with your Dog,” at noon on Jan. 20. Dogs and owners alike will enjoy a three‑course meal and special farewell gift. 

While dogs feast on a gourmet lamb, beef and chicken stew, a variety of vegetables and carrot cake, their owners can indulge in a sandwich, soup and salad trio along with a dessert sampler that includes a cupcake, lemon tart and pecan triangle.

The cost for this event is $40. There will also be special appearances by the K‑9 Academy, Tatum Animal Hospital, and Foothills Animal Rescue. Seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by Jan. 10.

 Pancake breakfast to benefit child burn victims

The Carefree/Cave Creek Rotary Club is holding a pancake breakfast from 7‑11 a.m. on Jan. 21 to benefit the Arizona Children’s Burn Camp known as Camp Courage.

The fundraiser will be held at the Rural/Metro Fire Station, 37402 N. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. The minimum donation is $10 per person. For more information, call (480) 595‑7432.

Celebration of Fine Art’s ‘Art of Food’ event in Scottsdale this month

The Art of Food event will showcase restaurants from around the valley such as Abuelos, Cantina Laredo, Ippei Japanese Bistro, Flo’s Asian Kitchen and Un Bacio Ristorante with food samplings for guests at the Celebration of Fine Art. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 24 at Scottsdale Road at the Loop 101. Tickets are $8 each and are good for unlimited entry to the event. For more information, call (480) 443‑7695 or visit www.celebrateart.com.

Fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s Hospital to be held Jan. 28

The fourth annual Friends of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Wine Tasting will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Scottsdale.

The event includes music, wine tasting, food, and a silent auction. Among the items to be auctioned are a private plane ride to Sedona, a stay at the Vino Bella Resort in Napa Valley, an autographed Amare Stoudemire basketball, and more.

The fundraiser will be held at The Park at Market Street at DC Ranch, 20715 N. Pima Rd. Tickets are $55 per person and available at www.pchwinetasting.com or by phone at (602) 546‑2652. For more information, contact Leah Fischer, Sr. Special Events Coordinator in the Hospital’s Foundation, at lfischer@phoenixchildrens.com or (602) 546‑4483.

Sheriff’s Deputies holding benefit dinner/auction for accident victim’s children

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a dinner and live auction from 6‑9 p.m. on Feb. 8 to benefit the children of the late Rebecca Rodriguez Gallegos.

Gallegos, of Phoenix, was killed on Dec. 22 after she was struck by a motorist while on her way to buy Christmas gifts for her six children. She was walking along the sidewalk at Bell Road and 36th Street when she was hit by an unidentified driver, according to a flier posted by the sheriff’s office.

Her children range in age from two to 18 years old. Gallegos’ brother, Dep. Emiliano Lopez, has assumed financial responsibility for the children and the funeral costs for his late sister.

The benefit dinner and auction will be held at Harold’s Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at the door, at the sheriff’s District 4 substation, 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd.; at all Daisy Mountain Fire Department stations; and at the Anthem Community Center, 40101 N. Freedom Way in Anthem.

For more information, call the MCSO District 4 substation at (602) 876‑1742.