Claiming a pedigree that traces back to pharaonic Egypt, the game of bocce is most closely associated with Italy, where its practice among the ancient Romans is better documented. From its inception, the appeal of bocce has crossed the lines of class and geography. This has also ensured that there have always been very many variations of the basic game. Sure, there is an International Bocce Federation and an official rule book (the Collegium Cosmicum ad Buxeas), but the fundamental simplicity of bocce means that versions can be easily invented and modified to suit the skill level of the players, the number of players, the desired rapidity of play or complexity of score-keeping. Master a minimum of terminology, learn a few basic rules, and you’re ready to give it a try. 

What you need to play

A bocce kit consists of a set of eight same-sized balls (bocci), half of one color and the other half a different color. The two colors distinguish the balls for each of two teams  of one, two or four players per side. A smaller ball, the pallino (sometimes called a “jack”) serves as the game’s target.

What you need to play on

Bocce is played on a long, flat, rectangular alley with banked sides. Regulation bocce courts are approximately 18.3 meters by 2.4 meters (60 feet by 8 feet), but recreational courts vary greatly in size and are often not so large. The surface of the court also varies; it can be raked sand, gravel, dirt or cropped grass. The balls, which are rather heavy, should not be able to roll around freely after they are thrown.“Foul areas” can be designated at each end within which the players can walk up to toss the bocce. Formally constructed courts are nice, but not necessary; a backyard facsimile would be easy to improvise. 

How to play “open bocce” 

If you want to make your head spin, you can check out bocce.org/rules.html to read the instructions for playing and scoring an array of codified games. In most versions, a game (or round) consists of a series of giros, in which the players take turns throwing their bocci with the goal of getting their ball closest to the pallino. The player who does so, scores a certain number of points. A bocce that actually touches the pallino is called a baci (kiss) and is worth a bonus. The giros will continue until one team reaches a predetermined number of points and that finishes the round.

One of the simplest versions of the game, called “open bocce,” begins with one player tossing the pallino at least over halfway down the pitch. This player then throws his first ball trying to get as close to the pallino as possible. The player whose ball is closest to the target is said to be “inside” and does not get another throw until another player gets a ball closer to the pallino. The player who is “inside” after all balls are thrown is given a point for the “inside” ball and any other ball that is closer to the target than any ball of the opposite color. A new giro begins with another player tossing the pallino, and so on until one player/team gets 13 points. 

Greater complexity can be added by having the players call the intention of their throws beforehand. A punto is a attempt to land the bocce closer to the pallino than any other in the alley without hitting another ball; a raffa is a throw with the object of moving another bocce out of the way; and a volo is an upward toss intended to displace another bocce or the pallino. A different mix of strategies is required when applying the rule that only one team can score during a given giro. Are you getting it?

Before investing in your own bocce set (visit playaboule.com for good deals), you may want to try it out or watch others at play. Some Valley locations that feature bocce courts are listed here, and it’s likely that the list will get longer in the very near future as more Arizonans get acquainted with the world’s second most popular sport.

Where to play bocce

Arizona American Italian Club

Features four lighted practice courts

7509 N. 12th St., Phoenix 85020, 602-944-3090

Hours: For non-members: Every Wednesday from 7 p.m.

info@azaiclub.org

Baci Italian Bistro

Baci’s is a family restaurant; outdoor bocce court is available through lunch and/or dinner hours

8830 E. Germann Road, Mesa 85212, 480-988-1061 or 480-988-1302

Hours: Tues. through Fri. from 11 a.m.; Sun. through Tues. from 4 p.m.

baciitalianbistro.com

The Vig – Arcadia

Bocce lawn is by the patio

4041 North 40th St., Phoenix 85018, 602-553-7227

Hours: Mon. through Fri. 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

thevig.us/about/

Aunt Chilada’s 

Features a bocce field 60 feet long by 10 feet wide with a crushed oyster shell surface

7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Phoenix 85020, 602-944-1286

Hours: Mon. through Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

auntchiladas.com

The Wigwam Bar at the Wigwam Resort

Bocce concourse has two lighted, regulation-size, outdoor courts 

300 East Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park 85340, 623-935-3811

Hours: Sun. through Thurs. 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

wigwamarizona.com

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There is no more pleasant way to bond with others than through recreational dance. It’s a transient bond that only lasts as long as the song, but, for the duration, that bond is your entire world.

Salsa offers a combination of advantages when compared with other styles of social dance. You can get out on the dance floor with a minimum of technique and, if you’re a bit out of sync, it won’t attract attention. Salsa has a basic inventory of prescribed movements that leaves a lot of room for personal embellishment and self-expression. With salsa dancing varying levels of intimacy can be established with different partners, from the merely respectful to the mainly steamy. And, in the Phoenix metro area, there are lots of places to show off your moves. Best of all is the music; once you give yourself over to el ritmo salsero, you won’t be able to suppress the irresistible urge to dance!

Basic salsa steps are easy to learn and there are a number of ways to go about it: just try to imitate what others are doing out on the dance floor; study on-line tutorials; get to the dance club early for the “intro” lesson that’s often offered at venues featuring salsa nights; or pay for some formal training at a dance studio. While the last-named option clearly involves the most expense and time commitment, it is also probably the most efficient way to learn and gain genuine self-confidence. 

LPM’s insider informant, Henry “the dance guy” Carrejo (azvips@gmail.com) who has been an instructor in several Valley studios and a competition judge, answered some FAQs about what to expect in a salsa class. A common fear is that mostly women attend dance classes, so that a woman signing up alone might be hard pressed to ever dance with a male partner. Henry reports that the days of one man for every four women is long gone, in fact, it is not unusual for males to outnumber females in group classes. Television shows like Dancing with the Stars and all those movies in which the guy that can dance wins the day have had a profound and positive effect on the image of social dance. In any event, whether you enroll as a single or a couple, you won’t be allowed to dance with the same person all the time. Instructors typically insist that students rotate their partners in order to avoid the limitations of relating to only one other person’s style. Reading cues from different people and learning the idiosyncrasies of a variety of individual styles is part of the fun of couple dancing. 

Salsa is an highly energetic dance genre and students can expect to work up a sweat. Gym clothes are okay for the studio, but if a club dance follows, something approximating “business casual” might be more appropriate. Dressed up or down, you should avoid rubber-soled shoes. Leather-bottomed shoes with a heel are an aid to smooth turns and quick steps. Women should avoid too-high heels, which are unstable, and opt for two or two-and-a-half inch heels for sure-footedness. There aren’t any fashion police at salsa salons, so the bottom line is your personal comfort zone.

According to Henry, private lessons for singles or couples usually run in the neighborhood of $80 to $120 per lesson, a price that the competitive dancer would find more sustainable than the average recreational dancer. Group instruction is much more economical (and less pressure) and is widely available in formal studio or club settings. Below is a partial list of Valley locations with frequent, scheduled classes and quality instructors and/or dedicated salsa nights.

Dance studios 

(times given for salsa classes only)

Ambiant Dance

16597 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale 85260, 480-422-6840

When: Tuesdays, 8 p.m. group class

Cost: $10 per class, drop-in; discounted packages arranged

ambiantdance.com

Cannedy Dance Center

6222 N. 7th St., Phoenix 85014, 602-279-4875

When: Mondays, 8:30-9:30 p.m. (two classes: beginner and intermediate)

Cost: $12 per class; $20 for two classes in same month; $35 for four classes in a row; private lessons can also be arranged

info@centralphxsalsa.com

Mesa Stars Ballroom

2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa 85202, 602-690-6631

When: Tuesdays, 8:15-9:15 p.m.; Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. and 8:45-10:30 p.m.; private instruction available for singles or couples

Cost: varies by number of classes taken; call or check on-line for special packages

info@starsballroom.net

Sun Devil Fit Center at ASU-Tempe campus

 550 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe 85287, 480-965-9011

When: Mondays, 9-10:30 p.m. (upcoming session: March 18 through April 22)

Cost: $90 for six-week session ($80 for students; $85 for SDFC members)

fitness.asu.edu

Clubs/salons

Dave and Buster’s

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway (Tempe Marketplace), Tempe 85281 480-281-8456

When: Wednesdays, class from 7-8 p.m. (for beginners) followed by open dancing till midnight

Cost: no cover (21+ only); class is free

daveandbusters.com

Fat Cat Ballroom

3131 E. Thunderbird Rd. #33, Phoenix 85032, 602-324-7119

When: Sundays, 7-8 p.m. lesson, followed by open dancing till 10 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person (all ages)

fatcatballroomdance.com

Paragon Dance Center

931 E. Elliot Rd., Suite 101, Tempe 85284, 480-777-8877

When: Sundays, lessons from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced), followed by open dancing till 10:30 p.m.

Cost: $8 per person; $6 students with ID; ages 12 and under, free (includes lesson)

paragondance.net

Pepin’s Spanish Restaurant

7363 Scottsdale Mall (Old Town), Scottsdale 85281, 480-990-9026

When: Saturdays, 10-2 p.m., “oldest Latin night in Scottsdale”

Cost: $10 (21+ only)

pepinrestaurant.com

For a more complete listing, check out azsalsa.net/venues

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To call it the “fitness industry” is no misnomer; fitness professionals are continually challenged to come up with new product – new ways to get fit. Fitness junkies get bored with the same old-same old, while exercise resisters require the lure of the chic and unique. Belly dancing has had a fairly long run, but nowadays seems on the decline, whereas a pole dancing-derived aerobics class went “splat” almost before it started. LPM takes a look at some of 2012’s successful exercise innovations, and leaves it to you to predict their likely longevity.

Hot yoga

It would seem to defy common sense, but here in the Valley, where saunas are largely absent from your average fitness facility, hot yoga has been warmly embraced. Hot yoga is simply a 60- to 90-minute yoga class conducted in a room kept at a temperature between 95 and 100 degrees F, and sometimes a bit higher. Various class formats can be followed, although most usually a vinyasa (flowing) style is emphasized that consists of a predetermined sequence of poses, such Bikram or Moksha yoga. The result is, not surprisingly, a very warm body and profuse sweating. Devotees of hot yoga claim that the program leaves them highly energized, while others report numerous therapeutic benefits, such as relief from chronic muscle and joint soreness. You’ll have to give it a try to find out what wonders it will do for you. A long list of studios offering some form of hot yoga in the Greater Phoenix metro area can be found at healyoufirst.com/hotyogaclasses.html

Zumba sentao

Begun in 2001, Zumba Fitness^®  has been the 21^st century’s most successful exercise program, the one that incorporates dance moves and Latin rhythms. No “phenom” lasts forever, however, and no one knows that better than Zumba founder, Beto Perez, who is constantly finding new ways to make it fresh. There’s Aqua Zumba, Zumba Toning, Zumbatomic for kids, and Zumba Gold for the getting-on-in-years. The latest addition to the “party fitness” line-up, Zumba sentao, is translated as “Chair Zumba” – and what  could sound duller? But, the chairs aren’t for sitting; they are used as supports so that participants can perform strength- and stability-building exercises using their own body weight in order to activate muscle groups in a way not possible with “standing” routines. Zumba sentao is completely choreographed and high in cardio. You’ll never dance with a lampshade again!

Pound aerobics

If a pas de deux with a chair doesn’t strike your fancy, pound aerobics offers another way of integrating upper and lower body exercises. Participants grab a pair of sticks and those over-sized, inflatable body (or resistance) balls do double-duty as drums. The beating of balls and clacking of sticks are combined with calisthenics and dance moves; these classes are a guaranteed high-calorie burn. Interacting with others is also part of the fun. Instructors rave about the bonding power of group drumming and the psychic benefits this brand of stress relief bestows. 

Barefoot running

A few years back, the clownish “toe shoes” began to appear, a seeming affectation of the Birkenstock crowd – a proclamation of their wearers’ “naturalness.” Quite rapidly, however, serious runners started to take the shoes seriously, and, in 2012, “barefoot” running shoes became ubiquitous in fitness settings. Their rapid adoption begs the question – is there a “right” and a “wrong” way to run? 

Converts argue that it can be difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate the advantages of barefoot running, especially its superior biomechanical efficiency, because shoes have spoiled us, weakening the foot muscles as well as encouraging runners to maximize the landing force on the heel (heel striking), the primary source of running-related injuries. According to the Harvard University’s Skeletal Biology Lab website (barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu), it is true that barefoot runners land with a midfoot or forefoot strike, which allows them to run on hard surfaces with little discomfort. Shoe-less running would seem to lead to lower impact forces, but, advises the Lab’s director, Daniel Lieberman, “this hypothesis has yet to be tested and … there have been no direct studies on the efficacy of forefoot strike running or barefoot running on injury.”

The more obvious danger of barefoot running, however, is not repetitive stress injury, but the plethora of ouch-y objects and ick-y substances with which the unshod foot is likely to come into contact. “Minimal shoes” are the answer, designed to mimic the contour and flexibility of the foot’s actual sole while offering a modicum of protection. Numerous options are on the market, from the “foot glove” that resembles a more traditional lace-up trail shoe from above to the “five-finger” models that definitely make a statement. Unfortunately, the “minimal” stops at the price; you pay as much for no padding and no support as you would for a high quality running shoe.

One website describes barefoot runners as “a fundamentally different group of people … laid back and open-minded, … [who] prefer light-hearted runs.” One safe bet is that, if the trend gains momentum, this stereotype is bound to change.

Neon

Neon is one of those style trends that never seems to go away, but never really takes off either. But, in 2012, neon finally found its fashion home – in the gym. Perhaps in an environment in which most people are in motion most of the time, the glaring brightness of neon is less visually painful. Even the men, in the aggregate ever so slow to change their dress code, are sporting neon, especially in the footwear department. Orange, yellow and electric blue seem most popular with the boys, while girls favor lime green, coral and hot pink.

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Let’s talk about sexy, baby – as in sexually transmitted diseases!

And all of our sexual partners!

And getting tested!

The above discourse might be the least romantic conversation one can have with a new love – ever. But, however awkward it might be, this talk might also be one of the most important topics to discuss honestly as the relationship blooms.

Why? 

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed this year in the United States alone, making it the third most common cancer in women. The disease forms slowly, but has few symptoms in its early stages.  

The number one risk factor in developing cervical cancer – the human papilloma virus, or HPV. 

This virus, which can also cause genital warts, comes in more than 100 different strains of varying degrees of severity. About 40 of these strains can affect the genital area, potentially leading to cervical cancer. 

The bad news?

 Genital HPV infection is very common among sexually active people. It is so common, in fact, that some estimate that half of all men and three-quarters of all women have been infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.  

“Men can be carriers of the disease for years without a single symptom, until they eventually transmit it to their significant other,” said Dr. Rhianna Meadows, program director for Primary Care and Male Services at Planned Parenthood Arizona. 

The good news?

Most HPV infections will go away on their own without treatment within one to two years. 

“However, some will continue to ‘hide’ in the body for many years before they cause problems,” said Dr. Meadows. “This makes it nearly impossible to determine when patients became infected with the disease, how long they’ve had it and who gave it to them.”

The importance of Paps

In addition to STD screenings, which both men and women should regularly undertake, it is highly recommended that all women have a Pap test done to detect early changes in the cervix.

  A Pap test, which is not painful for the patient, is done by a medical provider inserting a metal or plastic speculum into the vagina, which is opened slowly to allow the clinician to visually examine the cervix (the opening to the uterus). The provider then uses a small brush and/or spatula to gently collect cells from the cervix. The cells are then sent to the laboratory to be tested for abnormalities.

The current recommendation for when to begin Pap testing is at the age of 21, regardless of when women first started having sexual intercourse. Pap testing can then be done every three years – some women may need them more frequently – depending on a health care provider’s recommendation. Women should continue to have a Pap test until they are 65 years of age or maybe later. 

HPV is just the tip of the STD iceberg

According to Dr. Meadows, in addition to HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Arizona are:

• Bacterial Vaginosis – the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age, occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. Symptoms including discharge, odor, itching and burning.  
• Chlamydia – the most common cause of female infertility and the most widely reported STI in the United States, this infection may not present immediate symptoms, save for possible discharge from the penis, but is 100 percent treatable if caught in time. The chlamydia rate for Hispanics is nearly three times the rate among non-Hispanic whites.
• Gonorrhea – able to grow in moist areas of the body including the reproductive tract, cervix, uterus, urethra, mouth, throat, eyes or even anus, the symptoms of this disease can often be confused with those of a common bladder infection, but can lead to both male and female infertility as well as high-risk pregnancy. In 2010, the national average of Hispanics with gonorrhea was 2.2 times the rate among whites and higher in men than in women. 
• Syphilis – this potentially fatal disease often first appears via sores on the body, then develops into a rash around the mouth, vagina or anus. Lack of treatment can eventually lead to late-stage symptoms including paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and dementia. In 2010, more than 16 percent of all cases of syphilis reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were by Hispanics, more than twice as often as for non-Hispanic whites.

“With so many of these diseases easily confused with common ailments, or symptom-free in early stages, the only defense is a good offense,” said Dr. Meadows. “In this case, the only good offense is open communication with one’s partner.”

Some questions to get started: 

• Have you ever been tested for any STDs? If so, which ones? 
• Are you involved with anyone else, or when was your last sexual activity?
• I believe in safe sex and condom use, do you?

“It is also worth offering to get tested together,” adds Dr. Meadows, who notes that if cost is an issue, there are four Planned Parenthood Centers in Arizona that are funded by Title X (Mesa, Maryvalle, Tucson and Yuma), which allow women and men without health insurance to receive reproductive health care at reduced rates, or in some cases free, depending on their family size and income at the time of their visit.

For more information, please visit ppaz.org 

Surest ways to avoid getting an STD

Preventive care is the first defense in reducing the risk of contracting an STD. The most effective ways to reduce one’s risk include:

• Practicing abstinence
• Having only one sexual partner who has no other intimate partners
• Having sexual contact that does not involve anal or vaginal intercourse
• Using condoms every time

Uninsured? Visit a Title X-funded Center

In addition to accepting AHCCCS, the Title X-funded Planned Parenthood Centers in Mesa, Maryvale, Tucson and Yuma provide a variety of services for the uninsured which may include:

• Reproductive life/family planning counseling
• Gynecological examinations and basic lab tests
• Breast and cervical cancer screenings
• Contraceptive counseling and supplies/methods
• Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases
• HIV testing and risk reduction counseling
• Pregnancy testing
• General health screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and anemia
• Community education and outreach
• Services to men, including, but not limited to, testing and treatment of some STDs, education on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, reproductive life counseling and exams.

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You can make a charitable donation by clicking a button on your computer, or by filling out a check – and it will probably feel good to do so. Yet, year after year, signing up for marathons and other sporting or quasi-sporting events has become a favorite way to give to good causes. Competitive events are America’s most popular kind of social gathering; and they bring together people of all classes, religions and ethnic groups. The sporting event provides a formal backdrop for what is essentially a celebratory ritual. Charitable giving is a social act; it is an affirmation of our commitment to our mutual welfare. What better way to experience the joy of giving than in the context of a celebration? It reminds us why we give – to strengthen our common bonds and feel a part of something larger than ourselves. Sure, you can just write a check, but a lot of things, especially giving, are more meaningful, and more fun, in a crowd.

P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is, for sure, Phoenix metro’s biggest charity bash. Sunday, January 20, 2013, tens of thousands will fill the re-vamped urban courses for the marathon, half marathon, cycling and wheelchair events. For those who’d prefer a less massive gathering with targeted local giving, there is no shortage of opportunities in the Valley. LPM offers a partial list of some of these upcoming charity/sports events – some suave, some fuerte. If profuse sweating is not your idea of a good time, you can get in on the excitement by volunteering to provide support services on the day of the event. 

McDowell Mountain Frenzy
Benefits McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Date: December 8 (Saturday)
Location:  McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills
Event type: Cross-country running in 5 distance categories: 50 mi., 50k, 25k, 10 mi. and 5 mi.
Time: Day-of-race registration is 6 a.m.; races start between 7 and 8:30 a.m. depending on the event

There is probably no other running event in the area that takes place in such stunning surroundings. The shorter races follow professionally designed competitive tracks. The three longer races (part of the Desert Runner Trail Series) incorporate other trails within the Park appropriate for highly experienced cross-country runners. All races are chip-timed. Color-coded signage will guide the participants along their chosen course, and water/snack stations will be available along all routes. Runners are advised to familiarize themselves with their course prior to race day. To get directions to the Park, maps/descriptions of the courses and on-line registration, visit: aravaiparunning.com/mcdowell-mountain-frenzy

Registration fees: $65 (50 mi.); $60 (50k); $55 (25k); $50 (10 mi.), $45 (5 mi.). Fees will increase by $10 for day-of-race registration; in addition, there is a $6 parking fee for each vehicle.

“Chip in for Humanity” Golf Classic
Benefits Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona
Date: December 14  (Friday)
Location: Troon Golf Club, 10320 East Dynamite Blvd., Scottsdale
Event type: Golf tournament
Time: 8:30 a.m.

What’s more Arizonan than golf? And few sports have such a long tradition of association with charitable giving. The beneficiary of the Golf Classic, HFHCAZ, builds and renovates affordable housing for families of low to moderate income, a group that certainly deserves our attention in the current economic climate. To learn how to register as a golfer or sponsor, visit: habitatcaz.org/news-events/index.php

Registration fees: $175, individual; $650, foursome

First Annual Brace It for Brayden Awareness 5k
Benefits the Brace It for Brayden Awareness campaign
Date: December 29, 2012 (Saturday)
Location: Encanto Park Clubhouse, 2605 N. 15^th Av., Phoenix
Event type: 5k run/walk
Time: 8 – 11 a.m.

This first-time, family-friendly event takes place at one of downtown Phoenix’ loveliest urban green spaces, and draws attention to fatalities/injuries resulting from inadequately fixed appliances and furniture. For more information about the campaign and on-line registration, visit: braceitforbrayden.org

Registration fees: $30, adults; $15, child (10 and under), $20, silent angels (non-participants)

The Color Run
Benefits Banner Health and Special Olympics Arizona
Date: January 26, 2013 (Saturday)
Location: Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
Event Type: 5k run/walk
Time: Multiple start times – 7:30, 8:10 and 8:45 a.m.

Each kilometer represents a “color zone” that participants pass through while they are bombarded with blasts of powdered color. By the end of the course, everyone looks like Jackson Pollock’s version of a rainbow. Pigments are non-toxic and easily removed by blown air. For a map giving route details and on-line registration (number of participants is limited), go to: thecolorrun.com/arizona

Registration fees: $50, individual; $45, per person in a 4+-person color team (fees will go up by $5 after 1/1/13)

AZ Bedrace for Charity
Benefits Bridging AZ Furniture Bank
Date: February 23, 2013 (Saturday)
Location: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
Event type: Bed race
Time: Registration at 10 a.m.; races at 11 a.m.

Five-persons teams compete in costumes, theme and speed contests. Each team builds and decorates their own “racebed,” which four “pushers” and one “rider” navigate down a 100-yard course. Proceeds go to the Furniture Bank, an organization that works through several social service agencies to provide furniture and household equipment to Arizona families in need – a truly unique competition for a unique charity. For more info, visit azbedrace.org

Registration fees: $15, individual (x5 = $75 per team) (fees will increase after 2/20/13) 

AFAA Zoo Walk for Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Benefits Arizona Food Allergy Alliance for Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Date: March 9, 2013 (Saturday)
Event type: 5k walk
Where: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
Time: 7 a.m. for registration; walk begins at 8 a.m.

Another inaugural charity event for the Valley. The AFAA raises funds to support local efforts to raise awareness and education, as well as to support research and advocacy. For more info and early registration, visit: arizonafoodallergy.org/zoo-walk.html

Registration fees: $9, adult; $6, children 3-18 (fees also apply to Zoo members) 

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Courtesy of Maricopa County Parks Department

The word “treadmill” is synonymous with “boring routine.” Walking, however, is often cited as the optimal form of exercise, bestowing the greatest cardiovascular benefit with the least risk in terms of injury or overexertion. Walking lowers the production of “bad” cholesterol and increases the production of “good” cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood, and helps with weight management. Even at a very leisurely pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour, a walker can burn 150 to 300 calories per hour (depending on body weight). An actual destination, some decent scenery and maybe a companion or two make walking a more appealing form of exercise. With the falling temperatures of November, LPM recommends that you take advantage of the over 200 miles of walking trails in the Phoenix Parks system. With so many trails to choose from, each excursion can provide a unique panorama, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the local environment. Moreover, different trails are tailored to people with varying fitness levels, including some recently designed “barrier-free” trails to accommodate disabled users.

South Mountain Park/Preserve

Main entrance: 10919 S. Central Av.; Pima Canyon entrance: 9904 S. 48^th St.

At 16,000 acres, this is the largest municipal park in the country. South Mountain began its career as a city park back in 1924 when Senator Carl Hayden spearheaded an effort to purchase the land from the federal government. Today, it boasts 51 miles of primary trails in open, undeveloped desert. It is also the site of the South Mountain Environmental Education Center (10409 S. Central Av., 602-262-7393). Trails are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Judith Tunnell Accessible Trail: Length: 1 mile; Elevation change: minimal

Level: easy and barrier-free with a prepared surface suitable for users of wheelchairs and other walking aids; bicycle and equestrian traffic also permitted; benches, water fountains and interpretive signs along trail

Ranger Trail: Length: 1.6 miles; Elevation change: 800 feet; Level: moderate

Holbert Trail: Length: 2.5 miles; Elevation change: 1,100 feet; Level: difficult

Papago Park

625 North Galvin Parkway, 602-495-5458

Well known for its exotic sandstone formations and as the home of the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. The Park also features an all-metal station exercise course that covers 1.7 miles and an extensive network of trails, open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

West Park Accessible Trail: Length: 1.2 miles; Elevation change: minimal

Level: easy, has an asphalt surface

West Park Loop Trail: Length: 4 miles; Elevation change: 50 feet

Level: easy, dirt

Camelback Mountain

Echo Canyon Trailhead: 5950 N. Echo Canyon

Perhaps the city’s most inviting hiking spot, the summit is 2,704 feet above sea level. At one time an Indian reservation, the mountain eventually became private property in the 20^th century. The base is dominated by residential development, but the “hump” and “head” above 1,200 feet have been spared due to a concerted preservation effort in the 1960s. Parking at the trailhead is extremely limited due to the popularity of the landmark. Hiking is only permitted from sunrise to sunset.

Echo Canyon Bobbie’s Rock Trail: Length: one half mile; Elevation change: less than 200 feet; Level: easy

Cholla Trail: Length: 1.6 miles one-way; Elevation change: 1,200 feet; Level: difficult

Reach 11 Recreation Area

Located between Cave Creek and Scottsdale Roads, the Park runs east-west for seven miles along the north side of the Central Arizona Project Canal. There is an 18-mile system of numbered, interconnecting trails that bisect the park. All trails are wide, flat and hard-surfaced. The Barrier-Free Nature Trail, accessed from the east side of Tatum Boulevard, is a pedestrian-only trail featuring interpretive signs, a pond and picnic area.

Deem Hills

51^st Av and Deem Hills Parkway, 602-262-7901

This recreation area of 1,000 acres is characterized by upland vegetation and black rock formations resulting from ancient lava flows. Due to the hilly topography, most of the 9.5 miles of trails include some elevation changes. Trails open sunrise to sunset.

Palisade Trail: Length: 1.53 miles; Elevation change: 325 feet; Level: moderate

Ridgeline Trail: Length: 1.45 miles; Elevation change: 350 feet; Level: difficult

Phoenix Mountains Recreation Area, 2701 E. Squaw Peak Drive and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, 2421 E. Northern Av.

These two recreation areas surround the base of the 2,600-foot-high Piestewa Peak, only recently annexed to Phoenix in 1959. The area offers trails less traveled and less developed than in the other parks. Trails open at 5 a.m. and you definitely don’t want to be on them after dark.

Dreamy Draw Nature Trail (#220): Length: 1.5 miles; Elevation change: 200 feet; Level: easy to moderate

L.V. Yates Trail (trailhead at 40^th St. south of Shea Blvd.): Length: 2.45 miles; Elevation change: 220 feet; Level: easy to moderate

Summit Trail (ascends to the highest point in Phoenix Mountain Park; no dogs): Length: 1.2 miles; Elevation change: 1,200 feet; Level: strenuous

Maps of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Areas are available at phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations. Trailheads, parking facilities, restrooms and ramadas for picnicking are clearly marked on them. The website also provides details on the character of every developed trail, as visitors must keep to prepared trails. Dogs are usually allowed, but must be kept on a leash; many trails are shared with cyclists and horseback riders. The partial listing of trails given here ought to convince you of the variety of pleasures so readily available in our city parks and how easy it is to turn an afternoon walk into a mini-adventure. 

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Arizona maple leaves show their color near Dane Ridge on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Photo by Jeannie Gilbertson, Courtesy of Coconino National Forest

Even if you’re not an outdoorsy type, you must occasionally feel that you ought to take advantage of Arizona’s scenic beauty.Why not give yourself and your family a break from the relentless sterility of the urban desert by sleeping in a tent and cooking over an open fire? Besides the opportunity to take in lungsful of fresh air and eyesful of greenery, a camping trip can be a very economical mini-vacation, especially for family groups. You can even convince your kids that chores, like hauling water and collecting trash, are actually forms of entertainment. This Time out is for those readers who have thought about camping as a weekend getaway, but aren’t sure what they’d be getting themselves into. Living without all the comforts of home does involve, as the scouts say, being prepared. LPM offers some recommendations for the relatively inexperienced camper to ensure that your weekend in the woods is stress-reducing rather than stress-inducing. 

Where to go?

Choosing an appropriate campsite is the decision that most profoundly affects the quality of your camping experience. Campgrounds on public lands (national and state parks/forests) cannot be surpassed for the vastness of the natural ambience they provide. Also, they are well-maintained, economical and offer many support services. One such service is the detailed, up-to-date information available online for all developed campgrounds. By visiting recreation.gov, you can enter the name of a town or recreational area and get a listing of all the campgrounds. Descriptions of the facilities, seasons the site is open, fees, vegetation and weather data, nearby attractions and how to get there are included. Reservations can be made on-line, although a few campgrounds operate on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost is usually between $15-$20 per day. 

The character of a “developed” campsite is fairly uniform in national parks and forests: most are accessed by paved roads and have graveled areas for parking your vehicle; most have lavatories (vault-type toilets), showers (cold water only) and water spigots; most have cleared areas for tents and RVs but no gas or electrical hook-ups; most have prepared fire-rings for campfires, but also metal grills and picnic tables.

In the fall, campgrounds start to close, especially those at higher elevations. Nearer the Valley are several open all year round. Novice campers might best enjoy small, tent-only campgrounds, at an easy driving distance from the metro area, with marked hiking trails nearby, as well as other sight-seeing opportunities. 

Two that fit this bill are:

Manazanita Campground, Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, part of the Oak Creek Canyon Recreation Area, has space for 18 tents. At five miles from Sedona, the site is close to Slide Rock State Park and the Palutki and Honanki archaeological sites, featuring cliff dwellings and rock art. [info/reservations: 1-877-444-6777; fs.usda.gov/coconino]

General Hitchcock Campground, South Catalina Ranger District, Coronado National Forest, 25 miles east of Tucson, is a heavily wooded campsite that accommodates 10 tents. The campground is convenient for visits to the Saguaro National Park, Colossal Cave and hiking the Green Mountain Trail. [info: fs.usda.gov/recarea/Coronado]

Dispersed, or “on-your-own” camping,” is an option for those who really crave solitude. You can camp almost anywhere on public lands. Nonetheless, there are areas, or corridors, that forest personnel recommend. On-your-owners eschew the modest amenities of developed campgrounds, but are still subject to park/forest regulations. Among them is a prohibition on building campfires, so that other means of cooking and illumination are needed. Go to the fs.usda,gov website and search for “dispersed camping guidelines.”

What to bring?

The rising sun shines through mist in the trees near the Mogollon Rim off Lake Mary Road. Photo by Brady Smith, Courtesy of Coconino National Forest

When it comes to provisions, sleeping and eating are the major camping concerns. If you are transporting your gear by car (and not schlepping it around in a giant backpack), there is no reason to purchase a lot of specialized equipment; you can probably supply most things on the accompanying packing list [see list below] from among your household possessions.

Tents and sleeping bags are the big ticket items that you may not already own. Short trips in areas with temperate weather conditions mean that you can purchase a perfectly serviceable leak-proof tent on the low end of the price scale. A new 4-person tent can be gotten in the $125-150 range and a 6-person tent in the low $200s. Modern tent designs are remarkably easy to assemble, and very compact when disassembled. If you own the “slumber party”-type sleeping bags, you’ll probably need to bring along extra blankets. Bags made from light, high-tech fabrics that are sufficient for sub-freezing temperatures are costly. Also, it is desirable to have some extra cushioning under the bag. 

Renting is an alternative to buying. At REI (a recreational equipment co-op with stores nation-wide) in Tempe, you can get a 4-person tent for a weekend trip (3 days/2 nights) for about $42 or a 6-person tent for about $62. A sleeping bag for the same period runs around $24. Prices cited here are for REI members; the non-member prices (20-30 percent higher per item) are hardly worth mentioning since a one-time fee of $20 gets you a lifetime membership at REI. Check out all the benefits of membership at rei.com/membership.html

Bring along foodstuffs that require minimal or no refrigeration and are simple to prepare. Many food items can just be wrapped in aluminum foil and put under a campfire to bake (albeit at lower temperatures than your home oven).Websites, such as dirtygourmet.com and tasteofhome.com/camping-recipes, among many others, are full of practical suggestions. 

Making your own fire is de rigueur for tent camping, but be sure to familiarize yourself with the protocols for safely doing so at smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.asp. 

Never leave food or trash outside overnight or when you’re absent from the campsite; lock everything in your car. 

Laundry facilities are unlikely to be available on-site, so bring enough clean clothes for the entire trip. Don’t go overboard, but do consider that it might be colder or wetter than anticipated. You can always find uses for extra flat, plastic tarps.

Camping essentials Checklist

- tent

- sleeping bags

- padding/extra blankets

- flashlights/extra batteries

- small shovel or spade

- combination hatchet/hammer tool

- bucket/water containers

- folding knife (hunting grade)

- rope

- basic first aid kit (if anti-venom for insect/snakebites included, please check expiration dates)

- cooler with dry ice

- drinking water

- cooking utensils (can opener)

- dining utensils (go green; use non-disposables)

- rags, sponges, soap

- toilet paper/sanitation products

- trash bags

- charcoal/safety matches

- cell phone (pre-enter info/emergency numbers for your campsite area)

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Arizona’s glorious and variegated landscapes have attracted hikers and campers from all over the world. Experienced outdoors-persons, however, might yearn for an excursion that intensifies the feeling of being one with nature, rather than a mere admirer. This Timeout column is for those who are ready to take outdoor adventuring to the next level – and that level might be skyward (via paragliding) or earthward (via canyoneering).

Canyoneering: what exactly is it?

Canyoneering is also called canyoning, cañonismo or kloofing, depending on what part of the world you’re in. As the name implies in any language, it’s an activity that involves climbing down the high walls of slot canyons, then traversing the canyon bottoms. The special appeal of canyoneering is that participants can experience the unique geographies of mountainous terrain unavailable to the ordinary back country traveler. 

Who is ready for canyoneering?

The behaviors of native people are evidence that canyoneering is possible relying merely on one’s physical agility and wits. The modern canyoneer, in contrast, employs an array of technologically sophisticated equipment that enables climbers to overcome the most formidable natural barriers, while enhancing the safety of the endeavor. Negotiating such rugged topography combines the rigors of wilderness backpacking and rock climbing (and even swimming in aquatic canyons) and involves serious teamwork and presence of mind (leave those beer coolers at home!). 

Enthusiasm and a desire to explore the unknown are essential, but not sufficient, to get you through a canyoneering expedition. This activity demands a high level of physical and psychological readiness. Taking preparatory classes is probably the best way to evaluate your readiness. 

The quantity and type of equipment required for a canyoneering expedition will depend on the difficulty of the route and the length of the excursion. Of the many advantages of going with a commercially-organized expedition is that they will provide the expensive hi-tech climbing gear (ropes, drills, and mechanical ascenders/descenders); they also supply camping gear and food. Besides, no reputable trip organizer will encourage an unprepared person to undertake a rigorous expedition. 

Map-reading and orienteering skills are important, but, because it takes years to acquire an intimate knowledge of a wilderness landscape, your best bet is to rely on an experienced guide. According to one expedition organizer, what you should expect in canyoneering is the unexpected.

Learn more about canyoneering:

The Scottsdale-based Arizona Climbing and Adventure School (ACAS), in business for 23 years, boasts highly qualified instructors/guides and a perfect safety record. Their emphasis in on training; both instruction and trips are limited to small groups.

The School offers trips and classes for all skill levels – easy, moderate, challenging and strenuous – in fall, winter and spring. A two-day trip costs $795 per person, a three-day trip, $995 per person and a four-day trip, $1,195 per person. Contact ACAS by phone at 480-363-2390, or through their website, climbingschool.com/canyoneering_adventure

If an extended expedition sounds too daunting, 360 Adventures sponsors two different one-day (7-12 hours) canyoneering experiences, one in a dry canyon, the other in an aquatic canyon. Tours start at $400 per person, with reduced group rates. For more information, call 1-888-722-0360 / 480-722-0360, or check out the website, 360-adventures.com/canyoneering/ 

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