You support them with every paycheck, but how well do you really know them? Public lands, we mean. This Saturday, September 20, is National Public Lands Day; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., take the kids to meet your other legacy -- the United States' wide-open spaces -- at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. Discover everything you need to know to be a public land baron: Learn basic orienteering and desert survival, take a guided hike to see petroglyphs, and meet the Sheriff's Search and Rescue K-9s, plus critters like possums, skunks, prairie dogs, eagles and owls. Browse dozens of informational displays and buy custom maps to create your own outdoor adventure while youngsters hear children's authors read their works. Or go early and spend some quality time planting seeds and mending trails from 7 to 10 a.m.
Follow Central Avenue south to South Mountain Park, 10409 South Central. For more information, call 602-495-5458. -Kim Toms
John's Jaunt
Run to help the children
Sat 9/20
Do it for their health. Benefiting Phoenix Children's Hospital, the 10th Annual John's Run for Kids happens Saturday, September 20, at APSM/JIT, 2140 West Pinnacle Peak Road. A five-mile run and three-mile race walk begin at 6:30 a.m.; a family fun walk follows at 6:45. Register at www.arizonaroadracers.com/johnsrun.htm. - Jill Koch
Field Days
ASU women's soccer kicks off
9/19-9/21
A group of goal-oriented young women gets down to business this weekend. The ASU women's soccer team takes on San Francisco at 7 p.m. Friday, September 19, and Kentucky at 11 a.m. Sunday, September 21. Both games take place at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium, at Sixth Street and Rural in Tempe. See http://thesundevils.ocsn.com. - Jill Koch