After a reality TV stint that left the tabloids (and the men of Arkansas) screaming for more, heiress/party girl Paris Hilton teams up with her TV partner in crime Nicole Richie to head up this weekend's Reebok NBA Celebrity Shootout. The fourth annual game is only exhibition -- which is good, since Hilton and Richie are the coaches. The players -- a laundry list of famous faces -- include Bow Wow, former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, and David Arquette. Also in attendance: the Phoenix Suns, the Suns dancers and, naturally, the Gorilla. All proceeds go to Suns Nite Hoops, which benefits at-risk teens, and Cox Charities. Game time is 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at America West Arena. Doors open at 11 a.m. All seats are $7.50, general admission. Tickets are available through 480-784-4444, www.ticketmaster.com or the arena box office, 201 East Jefferson. For more information, call 602-452-5515. -- Quetta Carpenter
Duty and the Beasts
Help animals recover during open house
3/6-3/7
We're all wounded. Support animal friends in rehab at the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Open House, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7. Affirm an injured bobcat with a big group "Hi, Bob," and meet orphaned javelina that got the snuffle back in their shuffle under the care of volunteers. Admission is free.
To reach the Wildlife Center, take I-17 to Pinnacle Peak Road and head west, then turn right into the Juvenile Center and proceed north to event parking. A tram runs from the lot to the center. For more information, call 623-582-9806. -- Kim Toms
Cold War
Hockey tournament slams into Scottsdale
3/4-3/6
Once upon a time, hockey was a wholly owned subsidiary of our lovable neighbors to the north. In recent years, however, the Canadian national pastime has gone the expatriate route, setting up shop in American cities where the only ice is spawned in refrigerator freezers. Despite our desert location, the hockey gods evidently see something in us they like. First they gave us the Coyotes, then Wayne Gretzky himself. As if that weren't enough, now they've divined that tomorrow's toothless wonders hit the Valley for the 2004 National Collegiate Hockey Tournament, Thursday, March 4, through Saturday, March 6, at the ALLTEL Ice Den, 9375 East Bell in Scottsdale. The sweet 16 of Division III collegiate hockey come together in a weekend tournament hosted by and featuring the number two-ranked ASU Sun Devils. For details call 602-370-5670 or visit www.asuhockey.net/tournament. -- Craig Wallach