Calendar (7/1)

Wednesday, July 1

Ahwatukee Chat, Chew & Chocolate monthly coffee: 9 a.m. Start your morning off with friends, fun and inspiration. Free - no need to register, just show up to sip and chat. All are welcome. Liz, liz@chatchewandchocolate.com, or (602) 881-8401 or www.chatchewandchocolate.com.

Thursday, July 2

62nd Annual West Coast Science Fantasy Conference (FiestaCon): today to Sunday, Tempe Mission Palms, 60 East Fifth St., Tempe. Hours: today, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emphasis will be on science fiction and fantasy art and literature, as well as science, costuming, television, movies, and gaming. Artists, authors, scientists and others will participate with discussion panels, presentations, readings, autograph sessions and more. www.fiestacon.org.

Downtown Chandler Farmers Market: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Dr. A. J. Chandler Park, just south of Chandler Boulevard, west side of Arizona Avenue. Features fresh, local produce, jams, honey, salsas, artisan breads, frozen salmon, hummus and crafts vendors.

Friday, July 3

Ahwatukee Star Spangled Festival and Bicycle Parade: 6 p.m., Ahwatukee Community Center, 4700 E. Warner Road. Bring blankets and chairs for an evening of affordable family fun. Enjoy midway rides, water slides, food, beer, sno-cones and more. Schedule: 6 p.m., bicycle parade around the Ahwatukee Park and start of festival; 6:45 p.m., awards ceremony for parade participants; 7 p.m., entertainment by the band, Mario, followed by the band A Boy Named Sioux at 8:15 p.m.; fireworks at the Ahwatukee Country Club at about 9 p.m.; and A Boy Named Sioux returns to the stage at 9:45 p.m. Free admission, but tickets ($1 each or $20 for a wristband) are needed for activities and food. Lisa, (480) 893-3431 or lrobinson@ahwatukeehoa.com.

Saturday, July 4

Mountain Park Ranch children's parade, celebration: 8 a.m., starts at Foothills Baptist Church, 15450 S. 21st St., and will follow Thunderhill east to the park near Ray Road. The Phoenix Fire Department will be on hand to lead the kids down Thunderhill. A family celebration will follow the parade at Thunderhill Park and include a DJ, superslide and other family activities. (480) 704-5000.

21st Annual Fiesta of Independence Naturalization Ceremony: 10 a.m., South Mountain Community College Gymnasium, 7050 S. 24th St. The gym will become an official courtroom with a presiding judge. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and South Mountain Community College will welcome more than 200 Valley residents as new U.S. citizens at the annual ceremony.

Chandler's 4th of July 7-UP Fireworks Spectacular: 4 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. Features live music (Neon Factor & Full Impace), free kids' carnival, bike parade, classic cars, food and beverage vendors, 35-foot water slide, rock-climbing wall, dunk tank and assorted water games and interactive amusements for kids. The Cactus Bike Push, Pull, Peddle Bike Parade will be held at 6 p.m., with each registrant receiving a free gift. The participant with the bike that is decorated best will win a Harro children's bike. Participants can register for the free parade between June 18 and July 3 at any Cactus Bike location or at the park on July 4 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For bike parade details, contact Cactus Bike at (480) 782-5483 (Ocotillo location) or (480) 940-7433 (Ahwatukee Foothills location). Free admission to the park; $5 on-site parking. (480) 236-9123.

58th annual CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival: 4 p.m., fireworks at dusk, Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Celebrate with live local entertainment, a splash zone, kids activities and games, rock climbing walls and face painters. The 40-minute fireworks spectacular, presented by ProTix, will be launched from the Mill Avenue bridge and choreographed to patriotic and classical music. Net proceeds will benefit the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. Information, tickets: www.tempe4th.com. 

Freedom Festival and Fireworks Show: 4 to 9:45 p.m., Rotary Community Park, Lake Havasu City. Recreating the family-friendly picnic, the event will feature music, contests and games (three-legged races, watermelon eating contests, egg tosses and more) - all for free. Guets may enjoy 50 cent hot dogs and pizza, 25 cent sodas and sno-cones, free water and other choices from local restaurants. The band Fifth Element will take the stage from 4:30 to 6 p.m., followed by local favorite Chuck E. Bumps from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. www.golakehavasu.com.

Old Fashioned 4th of July Spectacular: Rockin' R Ranch, 6136 E. Baseline Road, Mesa. Opens at 5:30 p.m. with shops, saloon, Medicine Man show and wagon rides. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m., patriotic show by the Rockin' R  Wranglers at 7:30 p.m. in an air conditioned theater, followed by fireworks. Free watermelon and gold panning. $30 for adults, $20 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids 2 and under. Reservations: (480) 832-1539. www.rockinr.net.

Annual Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth: 6 p.m., Steele Indian School Park, Third Street and Indian School Road. Entertainment on three stages will begin at 6 p.m. and the fireworks display will take to the sky at 9:20 p.m. The event will also feature a giant misting area, a water spray zone, classic car exhibit, free kids inflatable rides and food and beverage vendors. Guests using METRO light rail may buy pre-validated July 4th all-day passes online for $2.50 until June 27 or pick up this special pass in person at Central Station and the Tempe Transportation Center through July 3 (www.metrolightrail.org). www.phoenix.gov/parks or 602-534-FEST (3378).

Sunday, July 5

Ahwatukee First Sundays - Laurie's Laughoholic Club: 2 to 3 p.m. first Sundays, Fire Station 43, Community Room, 4110 E. Chandler Blvd. Laughter is a positive way to deal with life's challenges. The use of is a genuine solution to stress and health-related issues. Wear comfortable clothes, step out of your comfort zone, re-connect with your inner child and laugh for the health of it. It's free, it's fun and everyone is welcome. Affiliated with www.worldlaughtertour.com. Laurie, (480) 540-4776 or laurie52@cox.net.

Tuesday, July 7

Bilingual Story Time: 10 a.m. first Tuesday, Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 4929 E. Chandler Blvd. (480) 785-8697.

Wednesday, July 8

Arizona's Economy: Past, Present and Future: noon to 1 p.m., Carnegie Center, 1101 W. Washington St. Dr. Timothy Hogan examines our state's recent economic history, the boom of the 1990s that ended with the "dot.com" collapse and the 2000-01 recession, followed by the housing/financial sector-driven boom/crash that pushed first Arizona and then the national economy into the severe recession that we are still in the midst of today. Free and open to the public. Bring your lunch - light refreshments served. Free parking. (602) 926-3368 or sweber@lib.az.us.

Thursday, July 9

Best Buddies bike challenge fundraiser: 6 to 11 p.m., CK's Tavern and Grill, 4142 E. Chandler Blvd. Chandler residents Bryan, Shauna, Tom and Karen Lambke are preparing to participate in their fifth Best Buddies Bike Challenge on Sept. 12 at the Hearst Castle in California, and the fundraiser will help them raise the required $3,500 to enter. The band Shirleys Temple will entertain, and a variety of items will be raffled. Bryan has Down Syndrome, and he and his father, Tom, have written books about it and how it has affected their lives. Questions, donations: Tom, (480) 993-8529 or tjel4@aol.com. A direct link for the bike ride donation is www.tinyurl.com/Lambke. Both Bryan and Tom have also been selected to give an oral presentation at this year's Down Syndrome World Congress in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 21. On their first trip to Ireland in 2003, Bryan won a gold medal in bowling at the International Special Olympics. He was also inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Monday, July 13

The Heart Link Network Women's networking group: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 27. The group is dedicated to touching lives in dramatic and positive ways as it nurtures, supports, respects and unities women in all areas of their lives. Details: www.85044.theheartlinknetwork.com or call Johnnie Rider at (480) 275-2121.

Thursday, July 16

"East Valley's - Be There" network event: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Grace Inn, 10831 S. 51st St. This monthly professional networking event is for business owners, enterpreneurs, VPs, C-level executives and investors in a mix and mingle business casual atmosphere. Business professionals from surrounding cities and companies with a vested business interest within Arizona are also invited. This month a charity Back-to-School Supply Drive will be held to to provide underprivileged children with needed school supplies. The selected charity is the Ahwatukee Foothills Rotary Club. Attendees are asked to bring a school supply to donate. www.evbtvpweb.com.

Thursday, July 23

Martinis and Massage night: 5 to 8:30 p.m., That Italian Place, 3941 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 107. Hosted by That Italian Place and A-Peeling Faces SkinCare & Massage Therapy every fourth Thursday. Receive complimentary chair massages from A-Peeling Faces as well as half off martinis and appetizer specials. The full dinner menu is also available. RSVP: (480) 759-4459.

Saturday, July 25

Get to Know Your Chamber: 8 a.m., 10235 S. 51st St., Suite 185. See what the Chamber has to offer and how it can help keep money in your pockets. The Original Burito Company will be offering breakfast buritos. Bring your business cards. RSVP to Jackie@ahwatukeechamber.com.

Tuesday, July 28

Ahwatukee Republican Women: 7 p.m., Fire Station Community Room, 4110 E. Chandler Blvd. RVSP to Mary Baumbach at (602) 206-1189 or ARWomen@aol.com.

Wednesday, July 29

"Battle of the Bone" wing-eating contest: 6:30 to 7 p.m., Native New Yorker, 5030 E. Ray Road. Contestants will attempt to outdo each other by eating the restaurant's famed chicken wings. The contest is taking place every Wednesday at a different Native New Yorker location, and the winners from each location will go on to compete in the championship on Oct. 2 at the Tempe location. The winner will receive a $10,000 Harley from Chandler Harley Davidson and the runner up will receive 2010 Diamondback season tickets in the lower level, valued at over $4,000. www.battleofthebone2009.com or www.nativenewyorker.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

Downtown Chandler Art Walk: 5 to 9 p.m., in Historic Downtown Chandler along the sidewalks in front of the stores. The juried event is open to all artists in the Valley who would like to exhibit, free of charge. To receive an application to exhibit or for more information, call (480) 855-3539.   

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Foothills Women's Club meeting: 7 p.m., Club West Golf Course Clubhouse, 16400 S. 14th Ave. Local women are invited. The club meets one Wednesday evening of the month September through May. Kari, karijolindner1@cox.net or www.foothillswomensclub.org.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Third Annual Corks and Chords: An Evening of Wine and Music to end MS: 6 to 9 p.m., Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Features wine tasting, food, music, silent and live auctions. Individual tickets are $75; corporate sponsorships available. Proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Brandee, (480) 968-2488, ext. 218 or http://aza.nationalmssociety.org.