SanTanValley.com

Through a partnership formed between Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University, Arizona Technology Council Foundation and the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Arizona SciTech Festival is gearing up for its second annual event designed to excite and inform Arizonans of all ages about how science, technology and innovation affects their everyday lives and will expand their economic future. After a successful Festival kick-off conference that brought together over 375 partners in industry, education, research, entrepreneurship, community, arts and culture, now is the time for all Arizonans to submit their ideas for events for the 2013 festivities.

Smiling Dog Learning Center’s third season of classes and events kicks off Oct. 3 with Catherine Crowley’s class “Ground to Table:  How to Have a Bountiful Garden.”

Crowley, also known as The Herb Lady, offers seasonal transition tips, the basics of soil, sun and water and, most importantly, why you can grow just about everything edible in the desert if you understand the climate.

Ahoy mates! Looking to cool off outside but don’t want to wait until November? Then the short drive to Saguaro Lake and a cruise aboard The Desert Belle is just what you need. Located in the Tonto National Forest, the Saguaro Lake marina, where folks board the Desert Belle, is about 30 minutes from Queen Creek.

The two-level Desert Belle boat holds about 140 people and has upstairs open air seating for a real outdoor experience. It also has a downstairs air conditioned section with seating, tables the bar and snacks. Beer, wine, water and soft drinks are available for purchase, but there are NO credit card services available on the boat –cash or check only.

As the temperature slowly begins to drop, signifying a new season in the Grand Canyon State, Central Arizona College’s Visual Arts Gallery will welcome in a new wave of works featuring sculptures.

The public is invited to take in the unique stylings of Carefree, Ariz., sculptors Les and Jaye Lawrence during an opening reception sscheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m. Les, known more for his work with clay, and Jaye, known for sculptures featuring fragmented illusions, will have their work on display until Nov. 9.

Summer Survivors’ Day will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 22, when the Superstition Mountain Museum welcomes fall with the initial “Artists on the Patio” event.

There will be free admission to the museum for the whole family. The museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 10th annual American Heritage Fes­tival to be held Nov. 17-18 is the larg­est and most diverse educational living history event to take place in the Southwest. This unique educational event celebrates our American heritage all the way from the colonial era onwards through the American Revolution, mountain men, pioneers, the Civil War, Westward expansion and more, according to a press release.

Who says nothing in life is free? Not Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department! Beginning October 1 through November 11, park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night or more at a desert mountain County park will receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the County’s desert parks during that stay.

Unfortunately, the American Heroes Concert scheduled for Saturday, September 8 has been cancelled due to inclement weather. The Anthem at Merrill Ranch Community is deeply disappointed to have to cancel this important event meant to pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 and honor all the brave men and women in public safety who have served diligently to ensure our continued safety since that tragic day.  Anthem at Merrill Ranch would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those serving in the line of duty, at home and abroad, for their tireless efforts.