New Flagstaff community market holiday store downtown

Flagstaff Community Markets opened a new holiday store - just in time for buying gifts for your foodie family friends this holiday season.
The store - located in the Old Town Shops (corner of Birch & Leroux downtown) features an eclectic variety of independent artists, specialty food producers, and regional growers. It has such items as regionally produced honey, jams, pasta, salsas, hot sauce, soaps, tamales, jewelry, children's clothing, yarns, pottery and more- all hand crafted by many of your favorite vendors from the Flagstaff Community Market.
The Community Market Store will be open 7 days a week 9:30 am to 9:00 pm through January 1, 2011.

Buy locally made unique gifts at Santa's Stocking Bazaar event (December 4, 2010)

Here's a fun way to finish up your gift buying and support local artisans: Santa's Stocking Bazaar. The event is Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 9a-3p at the Thorpe Park Community & Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.).

Free winter skating event for all who donate winter jackets or clothing (Dec 11, 2010)

Enjoy an afternoon of free skating while helping others in the community.
The Jay Lively Activity Center (1650 N. Turquoise Dr.) is having a free winter skating event for everyone who donates a winter jacket or clothing item from 1-5pm on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Other folks can join in the fun for $8 per person (for admission and skate rental).

Free event: Flagstaff holiday party (December 17, 2010)

Enjoy a free holiday party for the whole family at the Cogdill Recreation Center.
The event takes place Friday, December 17, 2010 from 4-6pm at 301 S. Paseo Del Flag.
There will be cookies, games and more.

Free event: Meet Santa and more at 2010 Flagstaff Winter Wonderland (December 3, 2010)

On Friday, December 3, 2010 Flagstaff Recreation Services kicks off the holiday season with their annual Winter Wonderland event.
The park will be lit at 6pm. Afterward, children can visit with Santa Claus, make a craft project and ride the holiday train to the library for special readings of the Polar Express.
The event is free and runs from 6-8pm at Wheeler Park (212 W. Aspen Ave.).

Poll: Favorite Flagstaff restaurants to take the kids

What's you favorite Flagstaff restaurant (locally owned or regional chain - not like McDonalds, etc) to visit with your kids? One they ask to go to and you also enjoy - for both food and atmosphere?
Take this poll:

Free event: Make holiday cards to brighten seniors holidays (Nov 22 & Dec 14, 2010)

Get together with other families for some free holiday fun.
Go to the Cogdill Recreation Center (301 S. Paseo Del Flag) to make holiday cards for residents of Loyalton.
This is a fun free crafts that all ages can do together. You can make cards on November 22 and December 14, both days at 4pm.

Ice skating lessons set to kick off from 2010-2011 season in Flagstaff

Learn how to ice skate this winter at Flagstaff's Jay Lively Activity Center.
Lessons are held on Wednesday evenings in 40 minute sessions for four weeks. The cost is $35 per session for Snowshoe Hares, Pandas, Penguins and Hockey lessons and $45 for adult lessons.
Helmets are recommended for all skaters 6 and under.
Find a complete schedule of class dates and times as well as registration info at the city's website.

Gingerbread house workshop for kids (December 4, 2010)

Here's a fun family activity for the holidays - making gingerbread houses.
You can get crafty and make some edible food fun for $5 per child on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Thorpe Park Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.).
Gingerbread house workshops will be at 10:30am and 1pm.

Ice skating benefit for Flagstaff families in need (November 19, 2010)

Help other Flagstaff families in need this Thanksgiving and have some family fun of your own while you're at it.
On Friday, November 19, 2010 just bring two non-perishable food items to the Jay Lively Activity City and receive a free root beer float to enjoy while you skate the night away.
The even runs from 5-8pm and is open to all ages. You can also skate (including rental) for $8 per person.
The Jay Lively Activity Center is located at 1650 N. Turquoise Dr.

Get into The Arboretum free on Sunday (October 31, 2010)

Get into The Arboretum at Flagstaff for FREE this Sunday, the last day of the 2010 season. Every person that brings a nonperishable food item gets in free, adults and children!
This season is the end of the beloved raptor show at The Arb, so be sure to see that for the last time too this weekend. They'll be starting a brand new wildlife program next season. More info at thearb.org.

Welcome

Welcome to the new guide for Flagstaff moms, dads, granparents and other caregivers for having fun with kids of all ages!

Flagstaff libraries offer educational and fun free events for families. There are several free storytimes per week at both the main and east branch.
Main Library300 W. Aspen Ave
928-779-7671
Baby Laptime
Now through October 28th, 2010
Thursdays at 10:15am
Enjoy songs, stories, fingerplays, knee bounces, rhymes and more with your infant.
Toddler Tales
Now through October 28th, 2010
Tuesdays at 10:15 am or Thursdays at 11:00 am
Your toddler will delight in this special time for stories, songs, games and more.
Preschool Express
Now through October 28th, 2010
Tuesdays at 11:00 am or Wednesdays at 10:30 am
Surprises galore are in store when we get together for stories, songs, and games.
Family Evening Storytime
Year-round
Wednesdays at 6:30pm All Ages
Stories and songs for the whole family!
Saturday Story Stop
Now through Dec. 11th, 2010
Saturdays at 10:30am All Ages
You’ll get to know all sorts of different faces as library staff and community members present a fun-filled morning of storytime stuff.

East Flagstaff Community Library3000 N. 4th St.
928-774-8434
Baby Laptime
Now through November 10th, 2010
Wednesday at 9:15 am
Enjoy songs, stories, fingerplays, knee bounces, rhymes and more with your infant.
Toddler Tales
Now through November 10th, 2010
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Your toddler will delight in this special time for stories, songs, games and more.
Preschool Express
Now through November 8th, 2010
Mondays at 10:00 am
Surprises galore are in store when we get together for stories, songs, and games.
Family Evening Storytime
Year-round Tuesdays, 6:30pm ALL AGES
Stories and songs for the whole family!