‘Women with Spirit’ gather

DESERT HILLS – Community women are invited to join Rev. Laura O’Neil at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings for a “Women with Spirit” gathering. The initial meeting will be July 11 at Starbucks, 4815 E. Carefree Hwy. in the Home Depot center, and will continue through the summer.

For information, call Desert Mission United Methodist Church, (480) 595‑1814, or visit www.desertmission.com. 

Decoupage photos

ANTHEM – Teens, ages 12‑18, can create decoupage art with favorite photos at 2 p.m., July 10, at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. Bring photos. All supplies provided. Registration needed. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Learn to use computers

ANTHEM – Learn to use a mouse and keyboard at 9:30 a.m., July 10, at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. Registration needed. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Software classes offered

ANTHEM – Software classes are available at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. At 1:30 on July 10  p.m., learn “Introduction to Microsoft Word.” The classes will show attendees how to create, edit, print and save documents.

“Basic Windows Overview” is at 9:30 a.m. on July 11. Learn the desktop, how to open and close windows, menu and task bars, and move around in windows. Knowledge of using mouse and keyboard needed for both classes.

At 1:30 p.m, July 11, take “Introduction to Publisher.” Learn to use the wizard to create a card, edit text, and add text boxes and clip art. Knowledge of Windows needed.Registration needed for all classes. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Meet author Jim Arnosky

ANTHEM – Award‑winning nature writer and illustrator Jim Arnosky presents a program of song, storytelling and art to teach children about the world of nature at 10 a.m. on July 11  in the Boulder Creek High School mini‑auditorium.

Arnosky wrote and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and illustrated 46 books by other authors. Seating is limited, provided on a first‑come/first‑served basis. The event is sponsored by North Valley Regional Library. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Kids ‘explore’ Ecuador

ANTHEM – Young Explorers, grades 4‑7, can “travel” to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, where Charles Darwin developed his theories of evolution, to explore its people, geography and unique wildlife through fun activities and games at 4 p.m on July 12 .

Register at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Eat and write about food

ANTHEM – North Valley Journaling Group meets 1 p.m., July 12, at Anthem Outlets Food Court, 4250 W. Anthem Way, to have lunch, and discuss and write about food and its place in our lives. Newcomers welcome. Registration needed. Sponsored by North Valley Regional Library. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Understanding digital cameras

ANTHEM – Learn how to use a digital camera to store, print, e‑mail and share pictures with imaging software. Brian Witkowski of Data Doctors explains the basics, buying tips, and how to transfer pictures to a computer. Register at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit www.mcldaz.org.

Make a bird feeder

ANTHEM – Kids, grades K‑3, can learn to make a milk carton bird feeder and do other fun activities, at 2 p.m. on July 14,  Registration at North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. For information, call (602) 652‑3000 or visit wwww.mcldaz.org.

District 6 Vice Chairperson to speak at Democratic Club

ANTHEM – The North Mari‑ copa Democratic Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m on July 12. at the library on the Boulder Creek High School campus on Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem. Kathleen O’Brien, Vice Chairperson of District 6 Democrats, will speak about ways to engage the electorate in the upcoming elections. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet fellow Democrats, discuss issues, and learn how to make a positive impact in our state and community.  Students are welcome. For more information, please contact Bill Engler at billengler@qwest.net.

Calling all autobiographers

NORTH SCOTTSDALE – Black Mountain Community Church (BMCC) in North Scottsdale is offering an eight‑week autobiography writing workshop series starting July 17. Weekly workshops will include sharing stories and writing, as well as new creative exercises to help trigger our memories led by Rev. Jayne Hubbard, teacher, therapist and pastor, using the book “Remembering Your Story,” written by Richard Morgan.

Workshops will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., beginning July 17 and ending Sept. 11. The series is free, but registration is required. For registration and other information, call Jayne Hubbard at (480) 837‑2587 or (480) 575‑1801. BMCC is located at 30600 N. Scottsdale Road.