Get into the season at Chandler Holiday Expo

Since Halloween kicked off the holiday cycle, it’s time to prepare for the food, music, shopping and festive atmosphere of the next two months.

To help usher in the season, the Tumbleweed Recreation Center will host its first Holiday Expo on Dec. 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the weekly Family Night activity, which will be “Bounce, Bikes & Boogie.”

The Holiday Expo is free and will feature a variety of local businesses showcasing information and samples and selling holiday goods, gifts, decorations, and health and wellness products and services.

The TRC’s own “Frosty” mascot will be available for photos with children for a small fee to benefit the Mayor’s Youth Commission community outreach programs. Family Night activities run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; admission is $2 per child ($3 for nonresidents) and $3 for teens ($4 for nonresidents), while parents and TRC pass holders are free.

Local businesses interested in being considered for a vendor table can download the application at www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed (under the “News & Notes/Tumbleweed Talker” section) or e-mail breaktime@chandleraz.gov.

The vendor fee is $25 for an information booth and $50 for a sales booth (with an early-bird discount of $20 and $35, respectively, if submitted by Tuesday). All applications are due by Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. For more information, call (480) 782-2900.

Winter registration under way

Saturday was the start of the resident winter registration period. So if you haven’t read through the new Break Time magazine and picked out your classes yet, you still have time before nonresident registration starts Friday. Break Time is available at many city facilities, libraries and recreation centers and Chandler Fry’s stores. For more information, call (480) 782-2727 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/registration.

Parade of Lights nears

The Parade of Lights and 53rd annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting are only a few weeks away on Dec. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Historic Downtown Chandler. However, if you want to enter a float in the parade, the applications are due this Friday by 5 p.m. You can download the form at www.chandleraz.gov/special-events.

New Boys & Girls Club opens

Congratulations to the staff and members of the Chandler Boys & Girls Club Compadre Branch as they prepare to move into their new facility Monday morning. Channel 3 is scheduled to do a live segment as boys and girls get their first experience with all of the new amenities at the new club.

There will be a public grand opening Nov. 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with tours, a ribbon cutting and a dedication by Mayor Boyd Dunn. For more information, visit http://compadre.clubzona.org.

EEC fishing clinic

The Environmental Education Center, located at the northeast corner of Chandler Heights and

Lindsay roads, will host a free urban fishing clinic and safety event with the Chandler Heights Police Substation on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Participants who register at the Arizona Game & Fish Department booth may fish without a license during the event. The EEC staff will have crafts, videos and educational activities for children. Information: www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis or (480) 782-2890.

Museum events

The Chandler Museum Division is also busy this winter with several historical events on the horizon. To commemorate Veterans Day, a new interpretive kiosk recognizing World War II veterans will be dedicated Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park as part of the “History in Your Own Backyard” program.

Tumbleweed Ranch Day is Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and features free historic home tours, garden walks and family activities such as candle dipping. The museum’s staff is hosting conceptual design public meetings for the new Chandler Museum on the following days: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Desert Breeze Police substation (251 N. Desert Breeze Blvd.); Saturday, 10 a.m. at Snedigar Sportsplex (4500 S. Basha Road); and Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at the Chandler Senior Center (202 E. Boston St.). For more information, visit www.chandlermuseum.org or call (480) 782-2717.

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Liam O’Mahony is an information specialist with Chandler’s Community Services Department. His recreation column is published Sundays in the Chandler Tribune. He can be reached at liam.o’mahony@chandleraz.gov.