Kid Pics for the week

among the animals
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: See Wednesday in Pic Hits.
Summer Days and Nights at Phoenix Zoo: The menagerie, 455 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park, hosts its final "Sunset Safari" adventure from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 28. The event features train rides, animal encounters and entertainment. Special admission is $4, $3 for members; kids 2 and under get in free. A "Summer Night Camp" sleepover for youngsters in grades six through nine is also scheduled on Friday; for prices and registration details, call 273-1341, extension 7332. For general information, call 273-7771.

join the club
"Thanks a Million Day": All nine branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix host various activities on the day in question--Friday, June 28--in commemoration of the organization's 50th anniversary. The main event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Club, 2242 West Missouri. Plans include a multicultural fair, game booths, music, dancing, arts and crafts and more. Admission to each event is by donation, with proceeds benefiting the individual branches. Call 249-1338 or 954-8182.

the lost frontier
"Hug-a-Tree": This presentation offers helpful hints about how to keep from getting lost--and your best options if you are. It starts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Palo Verde Branch Library, 4402 North 51st Avenue. Admission is free. For details call 262-6805.

"Orienteering": James Hutchinson of the Boy Scouts of America leads this program, which teaches those of all ages how to read Mother Nature's "map." The session, which concludes the City of Tempe's free Summer Outdoor Adventure Series, starts at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 2. Meet on the southwest side of the lake at Kiwanis Park, Mill Avenue and All-America Way. Call 350-5200; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.

road trip
"Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs" in Flagstaff: New Jersey artist Gary concocts giant dino sculpture out of old auto parts, and about 20 of his labors of love go on display Saturday, June 29, at the Museum of Northern Arizona, located three miles north of Flag on U.S. Highway 180. The outdoor installation continues through Sunday, November 3. Call 1-520-774-5213.

on the big screen
"Fun Flicks for Kicks": Borders Books & Music at Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback, Suite 200, hosts this free series, which continues with a screening of The Aristocats (G) at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 27. Each kid receives a gratis bag of popcorn. Call 957-6660.

Summer Family Film Series 1996: The City of Tempe-sponsored series continues at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, with a screening of Toy Story (G) on the southwest side of the lake at Kiwanis Park, Mill Avenue and All-America Way. For details call 350-5200; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.

Summer Movie Fun 1996: Harkins Theatres presents its annual youth-film fest, which continues this week with final screenings of Babe on Thursday, June 27; and Friday, June 28, at Westridge Mall 6 (75th Avenue and Thomas); Bell Towne Centre 8 (Seventh Street and Bell); Paradise Valley 7 (Tatum and Cactus); and Cornerstone 6 (Rural and University in Tempe). All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 plays Monday, July 1; and Tuesday, July 2, at Arcadia 8 (40th Street and Thomas), Bell Tower 8 (51st Avenue and Bell in Glendale), Camelview 5 (Goldwater Boulevard north of Camelback in Scottsdale) and Fiesta 5 (1520 South Longmore in Mesa). More showings of All Dogs are scheduled Wednesday, July 3, at Arcadia 8, Bell Tower 8, Fiesta 5 and Paradise Valley 7. All flicks start at 9:45 a.m. A series pass costs $5; without it, the price is $2 per film. The silver-screen fun continues through Friday, August 9; all movies are rated G or PG. Call 517-2700.

on the stage
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The troupe presents performances of Silly Bunny and Peter Rabbit, a musical variation on the Beatrix Potter tale, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, June 27; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, June 28; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30; and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at its theatre, 3302 North Seventh Street. The production continues through Sunday, July 14. Admission is $4.50; call 277-1275. GAPT presents Zoner's Water Cycle at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, in Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park; a "Garden Game Time" session precedes at 6. Admission is free with the regular garden fee of $6, $5 for seniors, $1 for children ages 5 to 12, gratis for younger kids and members; call 941-1225.

Little Red Snares the Wolf and Little Red and the Hoods: Valley Youth Theatre, located at Tower Plaza Shopping Center, 3883 East Thomas, presents these twin updates of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. The former won the Best Play of the Year award at London, England's Player-Playwrights competition. The latter is an audience-participation story filled with valuable lessons about how kids can protect themselves against stranger danger. Final performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 28; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Admission is $4.50. For reservations and details, call 267-3880.

Summer Sizzle: Several alums of Phoenix Theatre's Cookie Company are involved in this audience-participation production, written by the Valley's Gene Ganssle. The story involves a girl named Andy who learns the value of imagination after meeting three friendly space aliens who don't have access to television. The show is scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29, and each Saturday (except July 6), through July 27, in the amphitheatre at Quality Hotel and Resort, Second Avenue and Osborn. Admission is $5, $3 for children. For details call 248-0222.