Single Scene Newsletter 11-27-03 Issue 86 Copyright Single Scene 2003 http://www.azsinglescene.com sing-@globalcrossing.net Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us! IN THIS ISSUE: * Holiday Shorts! News to make your holidays brighter! * Advice from Aunt Janet: Half-price dining at its best. * Dates ideas for December --------------------------------------- For help in adjusting to and even enjoying single life, visit our website at http://divorcerecovery101.com. ************************ **Holidays Shorts!** **De-stress your holidays. Now's the time to get a handle on your plans and expectations for the holiday season. Make a list of things you "have" to do and want to do (hopefully, the same list!). Think through a time and dollar budget for each. Revise and weed out to a list that's actually manageable, given your resources and priorities. Then stick to your plan. **What are you giving YOURSELF? Don't forget to do something nice for you. One survey found that Americans' favorite self-indulgences are taking time for themselves, sleeping late, going to the movies, buying clothes, and taking a long bath. **Not all parties are created equal. As a single it's easy to feel that we "should" attend every holiday party or event that we're invited to, but think again. Yes, your company party and your child's school pageant are probably important, but you don't need to be at the cookie bake or holiday happy hour of every organization you (or your family) belong to. Pick and choose. **Give a low-stress party yourself! This year's calendar provides a great opportunity for giving a holiday party with much-reduced stress. There's a weekend between Christmas and New Year, a time when generally there's not a lot going on after the pre-Christmas hubbub. Plus the house is already decorated, and you have all those Christmas cookies left over. Have an open house, where people can feel free to come and go, or invite single friends for an evening of desserts and board games. **It's not just the hang-over that makes you feel bad. Here's one more reason to avoid over-doing the alcohol. The Scripps Research Institute reports that heavy alcohol consumption stimulates the release of stress chemicals in the brain, while reducing the levels of chemicals that contribute to feelings of well-being. That's another reason that alcohol irrigates troubles, instead of drowning them. **Kids traveling -- with you or alone? If you're traveling with your children this holiday season, or they are traveling alone to visit the other parent or family members, be sure everyone has recent photos of the children. Even if they're just lost at the mall, carrying a photo of the child can aid security staff. **One easy -- and important -- community service you can do. 'Tis the season of giving, and of doing good for others. But maybe you're short of time or money this year. Here's a great community service that takes little time and no money: give blood. Blood banks are often low in the holiday season. Plus, for men, research suggests that giving blood can actually improve your health. ------------------------------------- YOU CAN HELP! Our singles' Internet information, maintained solely to help newly divorced and widowed people, which means we have little budget to promote our services. Newly singled people will find out about it and get help only if readers like you (word of mouth) tell them about the sites and newsletters. Next time you attend a support group, class, seminar, singles event etc. please do both us and them a favor by recommending and telling them about these sites, newsletters, and courses. Remind them these are all totally FREE. ----------------------------------------------- Advice from Aunt Janet: Half-price dining at its best. If dining out is your thing, here are two ways to save. The Entertainment Book is a great value with its two-for-one and half-price-for-one restaurant offerings, at everything from Burger King to the Camelback Inn. I got mine ($20) from my credit union, but you can also order one from entertainment.com. The New Times reports that for $60 a year, you can join Preferred Restaurants of Scottsdale & Phoenix, which gives you 58 two-for-one dinners at such up-scale eateries as Lon's at the Hermosa, and Windows on the Green. Info at phoenixfinedining.com. A word of caution, though. No matter where you're eating, coupons don't always make a good impression on a first date. ------------------------------------------------------ Get timely tips on how to handle the mysteries of dating by signing up for Harlan’s dating e-newsletter. Just send a blank e-mail to dating_agai-@topica.com. ------------------------------------------------------ DATE IDEAS for December Holiday light exhibits sponsored by many communities thru Dec., including --Glendale Glitters Holiday Light Display, downtown Glendale 58th & Glendale Avenues. Entertainment Friday & Sat. evenings. Free. --Holiday Lights, Heritage & Science Park, 115 N. 6th St., Phoenix. 602-262-5071. Free. Mon., Dec. 1: First Monday, Art Salon, Pulliam Auditorium, Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 6:30 pm reception, 7 pm lecture/discussion on art & artists. Free. 602-262-4636. Tues., Dec. 2: Movie Tuesdays movie discussion series, every Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m. Pulliam Auditorium, Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central, Phoenix. Free. 602-262-4636. Wed., Dec. 3: First Wednesday, Adults' Night Out, Arizona Science Center, 7th St. & Washington, Phoenix. 5-9 p.m. Includes a special program or lecture (7 p.m.). $5 adm., plus $2 for giant-screen film or planetarium. 602-716-2000. Thurs., Dec. 4: Weekly in Dec., Antique Walk, Thursday evenings, downtown Glendale. 623-435-0556. Fri., Dec. 5: Heritage & Science Park Block Party, 5-9 p.m., 115 N. 6th St., Phx. Free. Entertainment and historic homes tour. 602-262-5071. Sat., Dec. 6: "Toyland on Central" Electric Light Parade, 7 p.m., Central Ave. from Missouri Ave. to Thomas Rd. Free. Charge for bleacher section seating. 602-262-4627. Scottsdale Holiday Harmony: exhibits, refreshments & live entertainment Brown Ave. between First St. & First Ave., Scottsdale. Free. 480-312-2771. Sun, Dec. 7 (also 5th & 6th): 35th annual Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, downtown Tempe, 3 stages of live entertainment, arts and crafts, 50 food booths. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hundreds of thousands of people! Free. 480-967-4877. Mon., Dec. 8 (thru-out December): 12th Annual Zoolights, Phoenix Zoo. 6 pm. $7 adm. 602-277-4800. Tues., Dec. 9: Most Tuesdays, Salsa Dance lesson, Axis/Radius, 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. 8:30 p.m. $5. 480-970-1112. Wed., Dec. 10: Every Wed., 7-10 pm, coffee house with performers and a jam session, Encanto Park Clubhouse, Phoenix. 602-261-8993. Thurs., Dec. 11: Every Thurs., free wine tasting 5-7 p.m., free concert 7-8:30 p.m., Carefree Town Center amphitheater, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-3686. Fri., Dec. 12 (thru Jan. 3): Opening night for McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights. 6:30 p.m. tree lighting, entertainment. Open daily to 9 p.m. except Xmas eve & day, and NY day. Sat., Dec. 13: Snow Day, Tempe Beach Park, Mill Ave. & Rio Salado. 10 am to 2 pm. 20 tons of snow "fall," entertainment including storytelling and music. Free. Holiday Boat Parade also at the lake, entertainment. Free. 5-9 pm. Sun., Dec. 14 (also 13th): 27th Annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market, Steele Indian School Park (Central & Indian School, Phx.). 9 am to 5 pm. Arts, entertainment, demonstrations, Indian food (fry bread!). $7 adm. 602-262-6862. Mon, Dec. 15 (all of Dec., thru Jan. 4): Skate at the Lake, Arizona's only outdoor ice skating rink, Tempe Beach Park, Mill Ave. & Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. $10 includes skates; kids $8. For hours & info, 480-577-9679. Watching is free! Tues., Dec. 16: Busy time, busy season, but everybody has to eat, so make a lunch date. Recently The Business Journal named Sam's Cafe (Arizona Center & Biltmore Fashion Park) as best place for lunch. Wed., Dec 17: Or maybe you're up for a dinner date that makes a BIG impression. The Business Journal's choice for best food was T. Cook's, Royal Palms Hotel, 5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phx. 602-840-3610. (The atmosphere is very elegant too.) Thurs., Dec. 18: Tempe Historical Museum hosts a "cafe" 6:30-8:30 p.m. with the museum open to the public and a special lecture or performance at 7 p.m. 809 E. Southern, Tempe. Fri., Dec. 19: Shopping doesn't usually make a great date, unless you are on a "quest" -- searching for the perfect gift for ... mom, perhaps? If you're really shopping-avoidant, your date can help you find the one great gift you can buy for everyone on your list. (Chocolates, maybe.) Anyway, be sure the goal is clear at the start so your date knows what to expect. Sat., Dec. 20: Every Saturday, classic cars & motorcycles exhibited approx. 5-9 p.m. (or later) around McDonalds at the Scottsdale Pavilions, Pima & Indian Bend Roads in Scottsdale. Free. 480-991-6007. Sun., Dec. 21: Sundays, Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and Desert Railroad Park, 23280 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix. Free rides in mini-steam trains. 12-5 pm. Free (donations appreciated). 623-386-5737. Mon., Dec. 22: Want to avoid the holiday hubbub? Rent a movie! Recently the New Times' "Best of Phoenix" named Movies on Central (4700 N. Central; 602-274-0994) as the best place to rent a movie you've never heard of. You can get classics at your local library too. Tues., Dec. 23: Smart you, done with your holiday shopping. Then it's a great time to people-watch all those last minute shoppers, from the food court or sidewalk restaurant in any of the Valley malls. Downtown Glendale and Tempe are good options too. Wed., Dec. 24: Perfect night to drive around and see Christmas lights, then stop for dessert. The hotel and resort restaurants stay open. Thurs., Dec. 25: Got some time? Low traffic makes this a great day for bicycling city neighborhoods you've been wanting to see. Pack sack lunches, or a picnic. Fri., Dec. 26: Walk off those holiday calories! (Or start your New Year's fitness resolutions early.) If such exercise is new to you (or your date), start with a leisurely stroll along one of the Valley's canals. One good place to start is the new WaterWorks at Arizona Falls, 56th St. & Indian School Rd. On the Arizona Canal, it has a parking lot, restrooms, and a combination art work/waterfall/electric generating plant. Sat., Dec. 27: Hogs in Heat, all-you-can-eat barbecue & dance, Rock Springs Cafe, Black Canyon City (exit 242, I-17 n. of Phx.). 4 pm-? 623-374-5794. Sun., Dec. 28: Every Sunday, free admission day at the Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington, Phoenix, on southwest archeology and culture. 1-4:45 Sunday. 602-495-0901. Mon., Dec. 29: ASU Women's Basketball vs Washington, Wells Fargo Arena, Tempe. Tickets $5 & $8. Info 965-2381. Tues., Dec. 30: Got the day off? Take a hike! In town, try the 10.7 mile Christiansen Trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. West end has the best parking, at Mountain View Park, off 7th Ave. north of Dunlap in Phoenix. For out of the city but close by: westside, visit the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, 13025 N. White Tank Mt. Rd., Waddell. 623-935-6056. Eastside, visit the Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction; 480-482-4485. Wed., Dec. 31: Fiesta Bowl Parade, Central Ave., Phoenix. 11 a.m. 480-350-0990. Fiesta Bowl Block Party, downtown Tempe. National bands, musical entertainment, fireworks, carnival. 480-350-0900. APS Midnight Madness 5K Run & Walk, Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N. 25th Ave., Phoenix. 10 p.m. Family-oriented, alcohol-free event. Live entertainment. 480-345-5752 Thurs., Jan. 1: Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship, Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix. 9 a.m. 480-350-0900. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + IF YOU KNOW THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONAL SKILLS, meeting people can be fun and easy ! Improve your MEETING PEOPLE skills with the HOW TO MEET PEOPLE audiocassette by Janet Jacobsen, editor of Single Scene. You’ll learn **How to overcome your fears **Three sure-fire meeting methods **Where to find interesting people **Simple, fun techniques to improve your social life NOW. To order HOW TO MEET PEOPLE, send $9.95 (first class postage & handling included) to Interpersonal Enterprises Inc. Box 6243 Dept. E Scottsdale AZ 85261-6243. Satisfaction Guaranteed! -------------------------------------------------