NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competitions: NFL Properties sponsors preliminary contests, open to boys and girls ages 8 to 15, at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 5, at Chandler High School, 350 North Arizona Avenue (call 786-2323); and at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 6, at Paseo Racquet Center, 63rd Avenue and Thunderbird in Glendale (call 930-2833). The top finishers move on to the sectionals on Sunday, November 3, with a chance to qualify for the Arizona Cardinals Team Championship round, scheduled for halftime of the Cards' home game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, December 15.
up in the air
Arizona Model Aviators Show: Kids of all ages are welcome to attend this show and sale of radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters and other mechanized models, as well as related accessories. It starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, October 6, at Mesa Centennial Hall, 201 North Center. Admission is $2. For details call 396-9693 or 644-2242.
Discover Aviation Day: Mesa's Falcon Field, 4800 Falcon Drive, hosts this free event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 5. Kids ages 7 to 17 get free airplane rides. Other highlights include fly-bys, displays of vintage aircraft, aerobatics, and half-price admission to the nearby Champlin Fighter Museum, 4636 East Fighter Aces Drive. For details call 644-4233.
howdy redo
Cowtown Reopening: The northwest Valley movie set and faux western town, featuring shoot-outs, gold panning, a general store, Miss Kitty's Saloon and more, is back for another go-round. The reopening celebration is slated for 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, October 4. The facility is located near the intersection of 99th Avenue and the Carefree Highway. Admission is $3, free for kids age 10 and under. Call 230-9000.
arts and minds
John Pierce: The professional storyteller presents a program titled "Multicultural Animal Folktales" and targeted at kids ages 3 to 10. Showtime is 11 a.m. Sunday, October 6, at Tempe's Changing Hands Bookstore, 414 South Mill, Suite 109. Admission is free. For details call 966-0203.
Saturday Performing Arts Series: The City of Tempe sponsors the series, which introduces youngsters to the fine arts. It opens with a program at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 5, in Edna Vihel Activity Building, 3340 South Rural. Admission is $2 for children age 2 and up; one adult is admitted free with each kid. For details call 350-5160; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
at the museum
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting: The traveling exhibit "Happy Birthday, Smokey," celebrating the history and future of 52-year-old fire-prevention spokesbruin Smokey Bear and providing illumination about fire and firefighting, continues through Saturday, November 30, at the museum, 6101 East Van Buren. For details call 275-3473.
on the stage
Charlotte's Web: Childsplay has opened its 20th season with Joseph Robinette's adaptation of the E.B. White classic about a couple of unlikely, but true, friends: the magical title spider and the naive pig named Wilbur. Final performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 4; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5; and 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, October 6, in Stage West at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. Tickets are $12.25, $9.25 for students and seniors. Call 252-8497 or 350-8101.
Curiouser and Curiouser: See Thursday in Pic Hits.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The troupe presents Hotel Saguaro at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 5, in Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park; admission is free with the regular garden fee of $6, $5 for seniors, $1 for children ages 5 to 12 (call 941-1225). GAPT presents The Three Wishes at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Borders Books & Music at Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback, Suite 200; admission is free (957-6660).
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown: Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre presents the Halloween-themed work, starring the Peanuts gang and--Linus hopes--the Great Pumpkin. Opening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 4; 2 p.m. Saturday, October 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, October 6, at Stagebrush Theatre, 7020 East Second Street in Scottsdale. The production continues through Sunday, October 20. Tickets are $5. For reservations and details, call 990-7646.
