Truckin’ through Tempe

I found myself “truckin’ through Tempe” today while searching for a new installation of public art along Mill Avenue. Six utility boxes between Rio Salado Parkway and 7th Street have been painted by artists whose designs also grace new library cards for Tempe Public Library patrons.

I spied the “Sonoran Afternoon” utility box painted by Bud Heiss on Feb. 4 first, because it’s on the same corner as the Shoe Mill — my favorite haunt when new shoes beckon, and a splendid place to fondle handbags I can scarcely afford.

While making my way up Mill Avenue to check out other utility boxes, I stopped to chat with a woman named Susan who was playing her violin along the street — but was soon distracted by a painted truck whizzing past so quickly I couldn’t catch a photo.

I turned my attention to exploring other shops in the area — including a charming hole-in-the-wall bookstore called Old Town Books that reminded me of taking my babies to Changing Hands Bookstore back when it occupied a similar space along that very strip.

While there, I spied a book about Helen Keller — reminding me that “The Miracle Worker” opens later this month at Scottsdale Community College. I’ve no young children to buy such books for anymore, but snapped a picture that’ll help me rekindle memories of reading to my children when they were small.

I also lingered over artwork and furnishings with a vintage/retro vibe at Loft a Go Go, a shop I’ve been eager to explore since spotting it one evening on a hurried walk from parking structure to Stray Cat Theatre. Its diverse offerings include all sorts of goodies plastered with the likenesses of Elvis, Audrey and Marilyn.

I spotted a few more painted utility boxes in my travels, and one of the unpainted variety that made me appreciate the others even more. Colton Brock’s “Mill District” work is located near the light rail stop most convenient for folks eager to explore the Mill Avenue District.

Dawn DeVries Good’s “Be the Good,” painted on Feb. 6, sits at the corner of 6th Street and Mill Avenue. I’m saving others for another trip once my bum knee is on the mend. They include Lucretia Torva’s “Tempe Shine,” Oliverio Balcells’ “Tempe Roots” and Linda Parker’s “Day Dreaming at Tempe Town Lake.”

I was about to head home when I spotted the painted truck again — parked and perfectly primed for an impromptu photo session. As I suspected, it was covered with assorted paintings, each bearing the name and city/state of its creator. There was just a single catch — it was a beer truck. While I snapped photos, a driver for Crescent Crown Distributing did his delivery thing. To the restaurants, not the nearby dorms.

Then, after a successful dig for more parking meter change, I made one final stop — to a brick building called Hackett House that was once Tempe Bakery. Hackett House is home to the Tempe Sister Cities program, so folks who hit their gift shop or cooking classes can help a worthy cultural cause in the process.

I spotted all sorts of rabbits, chicks and other fare with a whimsical Easter vibe. Even a trio of ceramic “see, hear and speak no evil” bunnies. Also Raggedy Ann dolls, tiny tea sets in charming picnic baskets, richly textured scarves, accessories for wine lovers and glass flowers to hold birthday candles. Even plenty of bobbles and bling for those thinking ahead to Mother’s Day.

I’ve been truckin’ through Tempe for a good twenty years now. First pushing a stroller. Now strolling with camera in hand. It never gets old — thanks to book stores, beer trucks, bunnies and beyond.

— Lynn

Coming up: Sunday at Seton, Conversations with local artists, Poetry meets drumroll, A prophet tale

Need a puppet fix?

Enjoy Big Bug Circus at Great Arizona Puppet Theater in May

It’s Theater Works meets Puppet Works in Peoria as Pinocchio takes to the stage. The company’s Youth Works presents “Pinocchio” March 9-25 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, and children can enjoy a Pinocchio-theme puppet show every Saturday this month at either 10:30am or noon.

East Valley Children’s Theatre presents a series of puppet shows in coming months — each held on a Saturday at 11am at the EVCT rehearsal studio in Mesa. They’ll perform “Bird Brains” March 31, “Hoppy Hearts” April 28 and “Summer Smiles” May 26.  Their next theater production — “The Story of Hansel and Gretel” featuring book by Vera Morris, and music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur — runs June 14-24.

Puppetry is always plentiful at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater in Phoenix, which is featured in the “American Puppet Theaters 2012 Calendar” along with 11 other groups including Puppeteers of America, the Owl Glass Puppet Center, Melchior Marionettes, Puppetry Arts Institute and more.

The Three Little Pigs in Party Mode at Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Great Arizona Puppet Theater presents several works during March and April — including “Jack and the Beanstalk” (March 7-18), “Jack Rabbit & The Easter Basket” (March 21-April 8) and “The Metamorphisis of Karaghiozis” (May 2-6). The latter features “hilarious traditional Greek shadow puppets by guest artist Leonidas Kassapides.

The third Saturday in April is the “National Day of Puppetry” so GAPT plans a day full of puppet shows, activities and celebration on April 21. For grown-ups, GAPT offers several adult “puppet slams” each year featuring content too “edgy and quirky” for folks under 18.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater performs “Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise” on April 28 at Higley Center for the Performing Arts. It’s one of more than ten desert theme shows they offer. Others include “Canyon Condor,” “Oh, Coyote!,” “Hotel Saguaro” and “Zoner & The Drip.”

Other GAPT shows suitable for younger audiences include “Big Bug Circus” (May 9-27), “Little Red Riding Hood” (May 30-June 17), “The Three Wishes” (June 20-July 1), “Goldilocks” (June 5-15), ” Old Macdonald” (Jul 18-Aug 5) and “The Princess, the Unicorn, and the Smelly Foot Troll” (Aug 8-26).

Characters from Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise at Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Princess Harriet is having a “Unicorn Party” Aug 26, and young puppet lovers are invited to dress as a princess or troll to enjoy an afternoon of “themed activities, character appearances, and tasty cake.” You can also arrange to use “Peter’s Party Room” at GAPT when your child’s own birthday rolls around.

Upcoming fare at GAPT also includes “Baby Bear Goes to School” (Aug 29-Sept 16), “Hansel and Gretel” (Sept 19-Oct 7) and “Little Bunny’s Halloween” (Oct 10-28). While you’re there, check out their nifty gift shop complete with tabletop puppet theaters, finger puppets, marionettes, hand puppets and my personal favorite — Peepers!

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn how you can support GAPT by attending “Community Night Out With The Suns” on April 7

Coming up: Transformation tales

What a doll!

Tucked away inside of Heritage Square in Phoenix, just steps from the entrance to the better known Arizona Science Center, is a museum packed with vintage dolls and toys. Think Betty Boop, Raggedy Ann and plenty more. Big dolls and small dolls. Boy dolls and girl dolls. Dolls in dollhouses, dolls in baby carriages — even dolls in a classroom complete with blackboard and dunce chair.

A couple of moms were walking through with their children, from preschool through early middle school age, when I arrived. Both moms and children were excitedly pointing things out to one another. The giant dollhouse with panels to each side that swing open into additional rooms. The intricate lace dresses with accessories like parasols, hats and gloves. And unexpected items like toy train sets.

Once I’d finished touring the museum, I had nearly as much fun poking around the gift shop — where I spotted items for folks of all ages. I spied several gifts I wish I’d known about when my daughters were dancing in “The Nutracker,” including a trinket box that looks a lot like Mother Ginger and a minature grandfather clock with adorable mouse. Also lots of things perfect for grandmothers, small artists and others.

My favorite finds included “Cinderella” and other miniature books, several sets of nesting dolls, a couple of Star Wars items, coloring books free of pop culture influence, finger puppets and lots of accessories with vintage images of dolls, children, pets and more. I came home with several items for my college-age daughters, and a little something for my mother-in-law too.

Originally the museum was “The Stevens House,” built in 1901. But today each room houses dolls along shelves, inside display cases and in other settings. My favorites sit near a fireplace and small wooden rocking horse, which looks like a smaller verion of the one my mother built from scratch for my son Christopher. Also the school room, where a tall display case houses “Gepetto’s Workshop” and blackboard drawings include a music scale.

The home’s hallway is filled with photos in what look like antique frames. Inside one frame there’s a charming list titled “Rules of Teachers 1872.” Rule #3 notes that “Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.” Rule #6 states that “Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.”

Apparently teachers were permitted to read the Bible or “other good books” after putting in a ten hour work day, and those who performed “without fault for five years” received an extra 25 cents pay per week. Job duties included whittling writing instruments, cleaning chimneys and bringing two items to school each day — a bucket of water and a scuttel of coal.

The Arizona Doll and Toy Museum is also close to the Rosson House Museum and the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, so you can enjoy several museums during a single outing. If you go before the holidays, take time to explore the museum gift shops for last-minute goodies (all my purchases at the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum were tax free). You’ll be finishing off your list while supporting the ongoing gift of arts and culture to all our families.

— Lynn

Note: Always check museum hours, location/parking details and admission costs before heading out. I paid just $3 for admission to the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum.

Coming up: What’s your sign?

Photos: Lynn Trimble

“Black Friday” meets arts & culture

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts gift shop has lots of unique items

If you’ve always shopped in traditional ways – rising early the day after Thanksgiving to get the best deals, frothing at the mouth each time a sale ad crosses your path or hitting big box retailers to snag items in extremely short supply – think about trying something different this year.

Dozens of Valley museums and performing arts venues have gift shops full of unique, affordably priced items. Think toys and games, clothing and jewelry, music and artworks – and more. Shopping in museum and art venue gift shops is more relaxing by far than tackling all those stores at the local mall. You can find a list of museums through the Central Arizona Museum Association (call ahead to see which ones have gift shops and when they are open).

I’ve been gathering gifts here and there all year each time I head to performing arts venues in my neck of the woods – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Mesa Arts Center and Tempe Center for the Arts. In years past, I’ve also shopped at holiday boutiques presented by art groups like Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix has all kinds of books you don't see elsewhere

In some cases, you can shop without leaving home. Arizona Theatre Company is offering a “buy four, get two free” deal on tickets this Friday – and all it takes is a call or visit to their box office. For those unsure about what to get in the gift department, places like the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix offer gift cards.

Hoodlums Music and Movies in Tempe hopes shoppers will head their way for “Indie Black Friday” (part of a nationwide “Record Store Day”) on Nov. 25, and support this year’s “Small Business Saturday” on Nov. 26. Hoodlums is part of Local First Arizona, which has designated Nov. 25-Dec. 4 “Buy Local Week 2011.”

Folks who visit the Local First Arizona website can search businesses by category – and there’s a special category for “Entertainment & Arts.” Check out the number of listings they’ve got in these art-related categories – theater (24), music (52), dance (8), art museums and galleries (40), artists and sculptors (73) and arts venues (65). They’ve got other entertainment/art categories too.

Remember places like the Arizona Museum for Youth, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Arizona Science Center when looking for children’s gifts that foster creativity and spark the imagination. Each has a gift shop full of items that blend learning with fun.

The Musical Instrument Museum gift shop has fun offerings for adults and children

If you start now, you’ll have several weeks to visit the museums and performing arts venues of your choosing. You’ll become better acquainted with the riches of your city while assuring that your gifts for friends and family members are unique rather than run of the mill.

— Lynn

Note: For additional gift-giving ideas, check out the December 2011 issue of Raising Arizona Kids magazine – which features a “Local First” gift guide for families. Click here for information on finding the current issue or ordering holiday gift subscriptions.

Coming up: Family fun with holiday concerts

Shopping takes center stage

Mosaic art by Evelyn Gholson from the TCA gift shop

In a drive-through, mail order world, it’s nice sometimes to take a detour back to the days of lovely customer service and goods with close-to-home origins. My latest pair of earrings came from the gift shop at Tempe Center for the Arts, where amazing volunteers speak with genuine enthusiasm of the local artists whose works they sell and support.

After attending a recent Arizoni Awards ceremony at TCA, where bright fushia, teal and crimson feathers took center stage for a musical number from “Seussical, Jr.,” I was thrilled to find more subdued art ala feathers among the gift shop’s selection of hair bobbles — something I notice more than most now that my locks are getting rather long.

Whimsical fare from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts museum store

The week before, I’d visited the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts gift shop with my son Christopher, who was searching for fun care package items to send to sister Lizabeth in New York City. I wish I had known about their retro-vibe totes back when Lizabeth still spent most of her time hauling around pointe shoes and other ballet paraphernalia.

Diverse offerings from the Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center gift shop

I left with all sorts of buttons featuring fun images and sayings, something I’m also a sucker for at the Phoenix Art Museum. Never mind that they have artsy kitchen utensils, kids’ crafts, accessories and such. I’m a sucker for a bin full of buttons — and the classier black flower crafted of zippers that I always pine for when I’m there.

Jewelry, baskets and more from the Heard Museum shop in Phoenix

I hit the Heard Museum gift shops in Phoenix and Scottsdale while on the prowl last year for unique holiday ornaments. Their “when pigs fly” folk art offerings were a big hit at last year’s holiday shindig with my magazine family. I also picked up a tiny silver charm that helped ease Jennifer’s nerves one day as a particularly tough test was looming at ASU.

Musical instruments, books and more from the MIM museum shop

I rarely leave the gift shop at the Musical Instrument Museum empty handed since I’m ever so fond of their world music offerings. They’ve got fun instruments like thumb pianos, a diverse selection of books for kids and adults, and sterling silver jewely that makes my heart skip a beat.

Jewelry from MADE art boutique located along Roosevelt Row in Phoenix

We’ve also enjoyed our time at gift shops for the Phoenix Zoo, the Rio Salado Audubon Society, the Desert Botanical Garden and other places where art meets nature. Plus smaller venues offering funkier fare — like the art galleries and shops along Roosevelt Row in Phoenix. Also library gift shops run by lovely volunteers and “Local First AZ” businesses with an arts twist.

Kitchen utensils and tools from the Phoenix Art Museum gift shop

As you’re shopping in coming months for special gifts for family, friends and teachers, remember the museums, performing arts venues and other places with gift shops that make it fun, easy and affordable to couple shopping with supporting Arizona arts and culture.

— Lynn

Note: Find Tempe Center for the Arts at www.tempe.gov/tca, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.com, the Phoenix Art Museum at www.phxart.org, the Heard Museum at www.heard.org and the Musical Instrument Museum at www.themim.org. Find Roosevelt Row at www.rooseveltrow.org and Local First AZ at www.localfirstaz.com.

Coming up: Dance meets father/daughter time, Performing arts meets pajamas

A labor of love

Last week, after driving my college-age son Christopher to an appointment, I told him I was off to run errands. Bank. Drugstore. Grocery store. All the fun stuff.

I certainly meant well, but simply couldn’t resist the lure of the Scottsdale Civic Center as I drove past. There’s a library, a museum of contemporary art, winding park paths, a museum store, a performing arts center and restaurants galore.

If you can read this, thank a teacher -- and a librarian

I still had the Wickenberg Public Library, recently closed due to budget cuts, on the brain. I wanted to visit my own local libary, and pause a while to reflect by the giant quill and inkwell sculptures near the entrance.

View from a balcony that overlooks the corresponding ink well for this giant golden quill

The whole area — part of Scottsdale’s “Old Town” — is full of places for peaceful reflection. Think park benches, colorful gardens and calming water features.

Old Town Scottsdale is a no-GPS-required zone that's perfect for pedestrians

This was a favorite haunt when Christopher was first learning to take pictures

Plenty of tables and benches make this a great place to enjoy picnic meals or relaxed conversation

While walking through the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (within easy walking distance of the library), I heard the cheerful voices of children — and soon followed the sound to a small theater where students from a nearby elementary school were about to enjoy a film about dance.

It was just steps away from the large open space where both my daughters have performed with fellow Dance Theater West summer campers.

There’s also a small art exhibit space nearby, the “young@art” gallery, which currently features an exhibit titled “Imagining Dance” — with sculpture, paintings, video of dance performance and more.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents dance on stage and on exhibit

Imagining Dance exhibit at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

I picked up a brochure for the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts to discover diverse dance offerings coming soon — including the legendary Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

Naturally I hit the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts gift shop on the way out (there’s another gift shop just across the sidewalk at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art).

Know any dancers looking for a unique dance bag?

The best museum stores offer serious and humorous fare

It’s a fun place to find teacher gifts, unique items for children and all sorts of arts-related fare — and I love shopping where I can support local arts and culture.

But my fondest memories of Scottsdale Civic Center involve adventures with my young children — reading in the children’s section of the library, taking pictures together of flowers and public art, watching performances by artists we admire.

My son was apparently very eager to explore it even before his late August birth 21 years ago. I felt the first pangs of labor while having dinner with my husband at a joint that’s since been replaced with an Indian restaurant — and walked for some time around the grounds hoping to speed up the process.

This balcony once housed the restaurant where I felt my first labor pangs

While the walking may have helped, it wasn’t a quick fix. I didn’t head to the hospital until later that night after my water broke and the cramping grew hard to ignore.

I’d chosen a small stuffed animal — “Big Bird” of Sesame Street — for my focal point during labor (the thing that supposedly takes your mind off the pain if you stare at it hard enough).

With Jennifer, our second child, I used a giant clock. The moving hands were more distracting than the stillness of a stuffed animal.

With Lizabeth, our last, it was the row of tiny buttons on James’ shirt (by then I was too busy to think ahead in the childbirth department).

But it occurred to me as I passed the giant LOVE sculpture at the Scottsdale Civic Center, that I should have used a replica of this work (I hadn’t yet discovered them for sale at the SMOCA gift shop).

This iconic sculpture sits on a lawn at Scottsdale Civic Center

As my children continue their journey through adulthood, I suspect these detours to the places we’ve so often enjoyed together will happen more and more often.

Labors of love stay with us forever.

— Lynn

Note: The art teacher I met that day, from Zuni Hills Elementary School, recently got in touch with me — so I look forward to learning more about their art program.

Coming up: The fine art of friendship, Got graffiti?, Broadway tales, Copper rush, Three necessary things

Art adventures: Arizona Museum for Youth

We’ve enjoyed several art exhibits recently at the Arizona Museum for Youth — featuring everything from Cactus League baseball to Japanese animation art.

Most recently, I headed out to explore “NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration,” which is on exhibit at the Arizona Museum for Youth through Jan 23, 2011.

The traveling Smithsonian exhibit features works from NASA and the National Air and Space Museum collections — some illustrative, others abstract.

Featured artists include Annie Leibowitz, Nam June, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, William Wegman and others. The exhibit’s 72 works span nearly five decades of creative enterprise.

In most cases, the Arizona Museum for Youth asks that these works not be photographed, so you’ll see just a few NASA-related photos below. Most of my photos are meant to capture the spirit of the museum’s ongoing offerings.

Turn right after entering the museum to explore this colorful play area

Several toddlers, preschoolers and parents were enjoying Artville during a recent afternoon

Artville is a cheery place full of hands-on activities and places to explore

Artville helps kids view both art and education as fun adventures

I left the gift shop with Beads of Courage bracelets for my daughters

Turn left after entering the museum and you'll enjoy the ArtZone

The museum is full of places to draw, read, play and explore

You'll encounter everything from aliens to astronauts crafted of beads

The museum also features the Beads of Courage program at Cardon Children's Medical Center

Watch the museum's calendar for kid-friendly art workshops and classes

Who doesn't love to play dress-up and dream of exploring outer space?

These two boxes hold magnetic images kids can use to create storyboards

The NASA exhibit has something fun for folks of all ages

You know firsthand, if you’ve explored the magnificent Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., that large museums housing huge collections can be overwhelming for young children.

The Arizona Museum for Youth, though plenty spacious, has all sorts of nooks and crannies that make it especially warm and inviting for families and children — and allows children the freedom to drive their own imaginations and busy bodies.

Museum exhibits foster the sort of open-ended play linked in so many studies to problem-solving, creativity, social skills and more. At the Arizona Museum for Youth, it’s your child’s own muse that matters most.

— Lynn

Note: The NASA exhibit is free with paid general admission to the Arizona Museum for Youth. Take a pen and notepad when you go because you’ll see lots of activities and projects you’ll want to remember and try once you get home. Click here to learn more about Beads of Courage.

Coming up: Lynn heads up the road to explore the diverse offerings of the Arizona Museum of Natural History

Photos: Lynn Trimble

Walk a mile in my shoes

Yesterday was a half-day for my youngest daughter, Lizabeth, who attends a school for the arts in downtown Phoenix, so I decided to hit the area a bit early with my son, Christopher, and his nifty camera.

We've long enjoyed this sculpture located near Phoenix Theatre

I ended up covering only a mile or so in distance, yet I managed to explore all sorts of art offerings. As we approached the Phoenix Art Museum, we saw a sculpture that’s been located for some time near Phoenix Theatre.

This sculpture joined the Phoenix Art Museum collection on Dec 12

It’s quite different from the sculpture that recently took up residence on the lawn outside the Phoenix Art Museum. You can see it up close as you enter the museum or find it by looking through a peek-a-boo window of sorts along a wall that faces Central Ave.

Kids will love playing 'peek-a-boo' with this giant red dinosaur

Walk just across the street and you’ll discover a charming performing arts venue — the “Playhouse on the Park” located in the towering Viad Corporate Center. It’s used by several community groups for an interesting assortment of theater productions and other performance fare.

The Viad tower is home to Playhouse on the Park

Hop on the metro or stoll just a few blocks north and you’re at the Heard Museum — where I always seem to find both plenty of diverse exhibits and oodles of interesting events. Think hoop dancing contests, Indian markets, student art shows, films and more.

I've always enjoyed the architecture of the Heard Museum

This weekend it’s the “NU (Native + You)” event, taking place on “Free 3rd Friday Evening,” Dec 17 — from 6-9pm. The spacious grounds of the Heard Museum will be “filled with light from luminaria and candles” and guests can enjoy both music and traditional Apache storytelling (by Ken Duncan).

One of many sculptures you'll find in and around the Heard Museum courtyard

Cash bar. $5 taco bar. Classical guitar music. Vocal performance by the Xavier College Preparatory Honor Choir. There’s plenty to enjoy — just check the Heard Museum website for the fine print on what happens at which times. And, says the Heard, feel free to bring the kiddos.

Heard Museum grounds are especially lovely when bathed in luminaria and candlelight

There’s free admission to the museum and Berlin Gallery, and the gift shop will be open for those still doing their holiday shopping. Think rugs, jewelry, folk art, baskets, children’s books, holiday ornaments and more. Or shop for yourself –the good folks at the museum store won’t blow your cover.

This time of year, the Heard Museum gift shop features Christmas trees with ornaments crafted by American Indian artists

The Valley has several cities where walking just a mile or so will take you all kinds of exciting places. Watch for future art adventures as I head east, and west, in search of more places you can enjoy music, dance, theater and art.

— Lynn

Note: Stay tuned for more photos of our adventures at the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum in Phoenix (the Heard Museum also has a Scottsdale site). If your child loves dinosaurs, check out the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa.

Coming up: New Year’s celebrations — some for families, some for grown-ups — but all with an arts twist, The fine art of dinosaurs, Growing up with Childsplay, “New Kid” comes to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Walk a mile — Mesa style

Photos: Lynn Trimble

Red dinosaur meets white elephant

If your holiday office parties are bland and boorish, you’re not fortunate enough to work with the folks of Raising Arizona Kids magazine — who held their annual holiday party today at their offices near Scottsdale and Shea.

With salads and pasta from Macaroni Grill, there was no pot luck fare to worry about lugging along. But I was rather intimidated by the “white elephant” gift exchange, knowing that this bunch would never stoop to exchanging truly tacky gifts.

Worry about what to take nearly kept me from going. Knowing it’s a very fit crew, I figured something fattening might be the biggest elephant in the room. Or maybe industrial strength hair goop, since they’re all so perfectly coifed (including the office mascot, a pampered pooch who treated me to a “toe bath”).

I was heading to the party after dropping my daughter off at school figuring I’d hit the Phoenix Art Museum gift shop for a mouse-shaped cheese grater, which seems a nice balance of “white elephant” and understated elegance.

Because the museum is closed on Mondays, I wasn’t able to explore all those fun kitchen utensils that double as modern art.

But I did get to see the museum’s newest work, a giant dinosaur — shiny and red — inside a red cage. This work of contemporary Chinese sculptor Sui Jianguo is displayed on a lawn adjacent to the museum’s Central Ave. entrance.

Happily, the Heard Museum was also on my way to the shindig. There’s nothing “white elephant” about the museum’s gift shop offerings, but I knew I could find something whimsical and affordable for my discriminating magazine friends.

Naturally, I chose a turquoise flying pig ornament — an homage to the incredible magic it takes to put together a monthly print magazine and daily e-zine of such high quality. I got another, this one purple, for magazine publisher, editor and founder Karen Barr — knowing she’d appreciate the “when pigs fly” motif.

Forgive me if I’ve mixed up the colors here. I readily admit to being under the influence of Karen’s sangria, Debbie’s chocolate chip scones and Mala’s red velvet cupcakes (way to rock the icing in Hanukkah colors).

The woman who helped me at the gift shop was truly delightful, taking time to help me find just the right objet d’art (the flying pigs are works of Navajo folk art, and just one example of the museum’s many unique holiday ornaments). I expect to do a lot more shopping there.

But what of the “white elephant” gift exchange? Well, there wasn’t a dud in the bunch — except, perhaps, a little something involving toilets that I think I’ll leave for a braver writer to tackle. It was the humorous hit of the day.

Other gifts exhanged included photo frames (since we’ll all so adoring of our children). Jewelry (which I resisted stealing from Mala only to have Mary do the deed). Wine (for those, perhaps, who are celebrating children preparing to leave for college). And more.

Watch for a future post featuring fun “white elephant” gift ideas inspired by the world of art. And remember my little cheese grater friend at the Phoenix Art Museum — he’s mighty cute and still looking for a good home.

— Lynn

Note: To learn more about the magazine family that can make even pigs fly, visit the “About Us” section of our website. And remember that Raising Arizona Kids magazine subscriptions make great holiday gifts for new or experienced parents.

Coming up: Squishy tiles and children’s smiles