Anthem dog sits on store shelves

VALLEY – The smiling face of Sandy, the four‑year‑old yellow lab from Anthem that won Milk‑Bone's “Treat Your Dog Like a Star” contest in November in the large dog category, now graces the cover of Milk‑Bone large dog treat boxes that recently hit store shelves.

Approximately 25,000 online votes helped declare Sandy and three dogs in other size categories as winners. The boxes should fill market shelves for several months and will be replaced by the next round of  winners in the treat maker's “Make You and Your Dog Famous” search which ends June 21.

Volunteers needed to help seniors

DESERT FOOTHILLS – The Foothills Caring Corps, an organization dedicated to helping homebound and disabled neighbors with transportation needs, friendly visits, and handyman services, is experiencing a shortage of volunteers due to its seasonal helpers leaving for the summer. Attend the next volunteer orientation and help the fill the gap by donating one or two hours a week to the group.

Orientation is scheduled for April 20 and May 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 35500 N. Cave Creek Rd., Carefree. For more information or to register, call (480) 488‑1105.

Ecological damage addressed

SCOTTSDALE – Land preservation and human‑induced ecological damage are the topics at the April 19 meeting of the Sierra Club's Saguaro Group at 7 p.m. in the Harris Bank downstairs Community Room, 34525 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Topics will be “Plans for the Agua Fria National Monument,” including  proposals for developing and preserving the five new National Monuments in Arizona (Agua Fria, Vermillion Cliffs, Grand Canyon‑Parashant, Sonoran Desert  and Ironwood Forest) and “Population Pressures in Madagascar.” For information, call Louis Lantz at (480) 488‑4581.

Daily lunch offered at senior center

NEW RIVER – Seniors living in the New River area can enjoy lunch amongst friends while making new ones each weekday at the New River Senior Center. The center serves warm lunches, paid for by donation, to regular visitors and friends who drop by to eat, socialize, play games or hear special presentations from guest speakers.

The New River Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 48606 N. 17th Ave. For more information, call (623) 465 0367.

Rotary golf tourney funds posse

ANTHEM – Rotary Club of Anthem's Second Annual Golf Tourney is at noon,  May 6, at the Anthem Country Club Persimmon Course. Proceeds  benefit  Maricopa County Sheriff's Anthem Posse. First designated hole‑in‑one wins a Z06 Corvette Coupe courtesy of Schippel Consulting. Qwest is title sponsor.

Cost is $125 per golfer with a discount for club members. A no‑host cocktail party and awards ceremony follows. For information, call Bob at (623) 551‑5600, or register at www.AnthemRotary.org.

Find inner peace

CAVE C REEK – Inner Peace meditation class with Western Buddhist Nun Kelsang Chandra from Clear Light Buddhist Center in Phoenix, is offered at 11a.m., April 15, at Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd. Cost is $10. For information, call (602) 243‑5220, or visit www.meditationinarizona.org.

Cowboy up some benefits

CAREFREE – Carefree Kiwanis Club is having its annual “Western Night” fundraiser to benefit area children, April 22, from 5:30‑10 p.m., at Los Cedros Arabian Horse Farm, 8700 E. Black Mountain Road (off Pima, 1 mile south of Cave Creek Road).

Western Night is the club's largest event of the year, and includes silent and live auctions,  gourmet food from Tonto Grill and Cartwrights, music and an Arabian horse show presented by Los Cedros. Funds raised are distributed to a variety of local children's organizations.

Tickets  are available through Kiwanis members or by calling (480) 488‑8400.

Easter egg hunt

NORTH VALLEY –  Area  children are invited to Atonement Lutheran Church and School for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 15 at  9 a.m. Snacks will be served. The church is located on the 101 Eastbound access road at 4001 W. Beardsley. Call Chris Imes, director of Christian education, for more information at (623) 582‑8785.

Easter invitation

NORTHWEST VALLEY –  The community is invited to Northwest Valley Baptist Church Easter Services on April 16 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  Sunday school for all ages meets at 9:35 a.m. At 7 p.m., a special Lord's table service is planned, and Spanish ministry will meet during the same time. Child care is provided for all services. The church is located at 4030 W. Yorkshire Drive, Glendale. For information call the church at (623) 581‑3115.

Easter expansion

ANTHEM – Pioneer United Methodist Fellowship is expanding to two locations beginning on Easter Sunday, April 16. 

Worship continues at the Anthem Business Park  facility, 42211 N.  41st Drive, Suite 157, each Sunday at 8:15 a.m., and a second worship service and children's Sunday school will commence at 10 a.m. in the Sunset Ridge Elementary School Multipurpose Room in Tramonto, 35707 N. 33rd  Lane.

Holy Week worship schedule is: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, April 13 and 14, at 7 p.m. The community is invited to attend either location. Activities for children are planned during worship, and a continental breakfast will be served following each worship celebration. Family activities and an Easter egg hunt will be at the Tramonto location. Fellowship study groups and community events will continue at the Anthem facility. For information call (623) 551‑0999 or visit www.pioneerumc.com.