Of all the ironies to emerge from our current "country at war" mindset, perhaps the greatest involves the startling number of would-be patriots who have emerged from the woodwork to embrace all things military. Safe to say that, once CNN tunes out from the latest conflict to end all conflicts, the rest of us will as well -- yet long after we do, the soldiers will remain. And while the intricacies and very value of war can and will be argued for as long as we live and breathe, the fact remains that those who have participated in this country's many conflicts are owed a debt that can never be repaid. As such, it wouldn't hurt to take a day to say "thank you."Pay your respects when the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force presents a Veterans Day Fly-In, Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, at Falcon Field Airport, 2017 North Greenfield in Mesa. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a number of classic warplanes -- including the B-17, B-25, SNJ and C-45 -- will be on display at the CAF's new 30,000-square-foot Aviation Museum. A host of memorabilia, plus tours of the museum and the B-17 Sentimental Journey, round out a day of remembrance and aviation magic.
Tickets are $5 for adults; children 12 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For details call 480-924-1940.- Craig Wallach
Word Play
Fri 11/7
ASU West often is a victim of the redheaded stepchild syndrome. Living in ASU Main's shadow for many years, ASU West is finally developing into a campus poised to rival its bigger sister in both academic offerings and culture. West's Department of Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance, one of its most unique accomplishments, regularly produces some fascinating performances. On Friday, November 7, the culmination of the campus' weeklong "Verbal Art Festival" takes place at 7:30 p.m. with a "Verbal Art" performance by Amy X, other visiting artists, and IAP students and faculty. The campus is located at 4701 West Thunderbird. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students. Call 602-543-ARTS for details. - Maidi Terry
Space Exploration
Mon 11/10
From 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, November 10, ASU's Tempe campus will inaugurate the latest addition to its student galleries. Gallery 100, located in the "A" wing of the Engineering Center, opposite the ASU Bookstore, will feature the work of graduating seniors in the School of Art. It also will take up the honor of housing Katherine Herberger's former piano, which was a staple in the old Memorial Union art gallery. Formal exhibitions are not scheduled to begin until spring, so this is a great opportunity to see the space in its developmental phase. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information, call 480-965-9631 or visit http://art.asu.edu. - Maidi Terry
Secretary of State Secrets
Thu 11/6
Madeleine Korbel Albright is no hack. Not only does she still hold the title of the highest-ranking woman in U.S. government, she is an accomplished author as well. Her résumé includes a doctoral degree from Columbia University, positions at the National Security Council, a stint as chief legislative assistant to Senator Edmund Muskie, and fluency in French and Czech. In case you're still not convinced, her memoir, Madam Secretary, just released by Miramax Books, is full of insights on her childhood in Czechoslovakia and her incredible career in government. Albright will read from her new book at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 South McClintock in Tempe, at 3 p.m. Thursday, November 6. Call 480-730-0205 or see www.changinghands.com. - Maidi Terry
Scoot of the Zoom
Ride the fad -- in formation
Sun 11/9
Admit it. When you see those über-hipsters cruising down the street on their Vespas -- their coordinating helmets glittering in the sun -- you wish you were one of them. Well, it's time to come out of the scooter closet: Either ride yours proudly or leer covetously at others' at a mass ride sponsored by Venom Scooters. There is no charity sob story, it's not about the kids -- it's just joyous scooterphiles converging in an enormous, motorized glob of cool. If you want to ride, meet by the television antenna at the top of South Mountain at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, November 9. The ride begins at 11 a.m. and twists down the mountain to reZurrection Gallery, 401 West University in Tempe, where the riders and scooters will mix ever so stylishly with the vintage furniture. If you don't have a scooter, you're invited to welcome the riders at reZurrection and ogle their bitchin' rides. Call 480-377-9080 for more information.- Quetta Carpenter
Chief Encounter
ASU West goes native
Sat 11/8
Thanks to Arizona State University, for the past 17 years city dwellers have been exposed to traditional Native American powwows every spring. Now, joining in that tradition, ASU West, located at 4701 West Thunderbird, hosts its first powwow on Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the central lawn. The schedule includes Aztec, Yaqui and Zuni Eagle dancers; gourd dancing; and, at noon and 6 p.m., two grand entries in which participating dancers enter the arena in order of tribal position. Native American arts, crafts and food also will be available.
The event is free, on-campus parking is $2, and people are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs in order to have a place to park their rump. Call 602-543-8130 or see www.west.asu.edu/naso for more information.- Maidi Terry
Best-Blessed
11/8-11/9
Brides-to-be, start your marriage with lots of good karma in the bank. Purchase your wedding dress from this weekend's "Brides Against Breast Cancer" Charity Gown Sale. Not only will you get a fabulous gown at a fraction of its original price, but you'll help terminally ill cancer victims leave lasting memories for their loved ones. Choose from thousands of gowns donated by brides, bridal shops and designers, and shower a family with much-needed joy. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, at the Pointe Hilton Resort at Tapatio Cliffs, 11111 North Seventh Street. Dresses start at $99. For more information, including how to donate a gown, see www.makingmemories.org or call 503-252-3955. - Kim Toms