Merkaz Garage Sale
6:30 a.m. March 5-7
6229 N. 16th Drive
602-795-0471
    Featuring clothes, books, household goods, tools and more. Proceeds benefit Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr.

Volunteer Open House
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 6
White Dove Thrift Shoppe
5035 N. 7th Ave.
602-530-6968
    The thrift store, operated by not-for-profit Hospice of the Valley, will have an open house for people who want to learn more about volunteering at the store. Volunteer jobs include sales, merchandising display and organizing warehouse items. No specialized training required. Volunteers get a 25 percent discount on their purchases.

Improve Your
Personal Safety
6 p.m. Monday, March 8
SCF Tower
3030 N. 3rd St.,
14th Floor, East Wing
602-743-8069
    Valley of the Sun Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals offers a free program, “Violent Encounter Avoidance and Response,” presented by Lt. Jacqui MacConnell. Networking begins at 5:15 p.m. RSVP to ptainphx@q.com.

Central Phoenix Women
Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, March 12
Ritz-Carlton Phoenix
2401 East Camelback Road
602-263-3589
    Sharon Lechter, co-author of bestseller “Rich Dad” and founder of Pay Your Family First, will be the guest presenter. The lunch meeting sponsor is Kelly Zitlow of Suburban Mortgage, and favor partner is Saks Fifth Avenue. For invitations and information, visit www.centralphoenix women.org.

Phoenix Conservatory
of Music Open House
4-9 p.m. Friday, March 12
7801 N. Black Canyon Highway
602-353-9900
www.PCMrocks.org
    The Phoenix Conservatory of Music invites guests to tour the school while enjoying food, music, raffles and more. PCM students and faculty members will perform. Learn more about the school and its programs.

Parking Lot Sale
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 13-14
Sunnyslope History Museum
737 E. Hatcher Road
602-331-3150
    Great finds and super bargains abound at this annual event featuring furniture, household items, collectibles, and much more. Proceeds benefit the Sunnyslope Historical Society.

AAUW Dinner
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16
The Everett Luther Center
at the Beatitudes
1616 W.  Glendale Ave.
480-483-8267
    Hannah Stevens, Arizona author of  “The President’s Wife,” will discuss the role of first ladies throughout history. Guests welcome. Cost is $12. Enter through the gate at the east end of the Beatitudes, by the preschool.

Phoenix Writers Club
12-2 p.m. Saturday, March 20
Central Grille
8525 N. Central Ave.
    Mystery Novelist Betty Webb discuss her Lena Jones detective series, set in Arizona. She will speak about the creative writing process as well as her impetus for the mysteries she has penned. Luncheon cost is $15 for members and $20 for guests. Reservations must be made by March 17. E-mail neeliepubl@aol.com with Phoenix Writers’ Club in the subject line.

Babysitter Training
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 20
St. Joseph’s Hospital
and Medical Center,
Center for Education
and Development
3115 N. 3rd Ave., Suite 132
877-602-4111
    This class will help young people ages 11 and older prepare for their careers as babysitters. It focuses on how to properly care for infants and children. The training includes information about emergency decision-making, safety and accident prevention, working with parents, activity planning, CPR and first aid. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an American Safety and Health Institute Card and Certificate, as well as materials and an activity bag. Cost is $40 and pre-registration is required.

Heard Museum Council
Appraisal Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 20
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
602-251-0261
    Will you be the next art lover to find that the painting everybody in the family hated is actually worth $250,000, as one person learned at a recent Appraisal Day? Cost: $30 for the first item; $25 for the second item; $20 for the third and subsequent item(s) (Limit 10 items per person). Members receive $5 off per item. Visit www.heard.org/events/appraisalday.

Burns Book Signing
2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 21
Bards Books
3508 N 7th St., Suite 145
602-758-1491
    “Retirement: Sacred or Scared” by North Central author Nancy Lee Burns is about a woman who takes the plunge into retirement at the age of 55. She wants to live in happiness without major sacrifice. The book retails for $12 and also is available at Amazon.com.

Corrigan Book Signing
7 p.m. Thursday, March 25
Xavier College Preparatory
4710 N. 5th St.
602-565-5444
    Kelly Corrigan is a breast cancer survivor and a New York Times best-Selling author whose first book, “The Middle Place,” is heartfelt and relevant to this time. The cost of the event is $35 per person and includes a copy of her latest book, “Lift.” Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are available at http://sta.maestroweb.com.

Central High School
Class of ’65 Reunion
7-11 p.m. Saturday, April 10
Embassy Suites Phoenix Biltmore,
Santa Cruz Room
2630 E. Camelback Road
lcunningham12@cox.net
    Cost is $35 per person in advance $40 at the door. Send your check made out to Central High 1965 Reunion to Karen Davy Woods/Central High Reunion, PO Box 22153, Phoenix, AZ 85028. For more information, visit http://www.centralhighalumni.org/1965/1965_homepage.htm.

Benefits Central
Brophy Islander Auction      
5:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6
Brophy College Campus,
Harper Great Hall
4701 N. Central Ave.
602-820-8794
    The evening starts with a silent and live auction at 5:30 p.m., featuring trips, sports events packages, food and fun followed by dinner and dancing. Cost is $125 per person. Proceeds benefit the Brophy Financial Aid Fund.

Xavier Scholarship
Fashion Show Luncheon
10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 14
Sheraton Downtown
340 N. 3rd St.
http://xcp.maestroweb.com/
    The event, themed “Bloom” and starring the class of 2010, features a spring preview of clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue. A mixer begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by the fashion show and luncheon at noon. Tickets are $125 each.

Night of Gold Ball
6 p.m. Saturday, March 20
Sheraton Downtown
340 N. 3rd St.
623-434-6255
    This year’s black-and-white-themed gala, hosted by the John C. Lincoln Health Foundation Guild, features a silent auction and cocktails beginning at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Music by The Fabulous Pelicans, a dance band from San Diego. Tickets are $300 per person. Visit http:// www.JCL.com/ball.

HRC Arizona Gala Dinner
5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20
Phoenix Civic Plaza,
North Ballroom
100 N. 3rd St.
800-494-8497
    The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization. The theme of this year’s annual event is “Together.” Attendees will enjoy fine dining, a silent auction, awards and honorary guests. Individual tickets are $200. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Visit www.hrcazdinner.org.

29th Annual Jazz Cabaret
1:30-5 p.m. Sunday, March 21
Arizona Biltmore Resort
2400 E. Missouri Ave.
602-274-5022
    Featuring four top jazz artists—Francine, Margo, Mellody and Michael Reed. KJZZ Music Director and announcer Blaise Lantana will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Wine, food and desserts will be served. Art, jewelry, sports items, event tickets, dinners, theater, and great getaways will be featured in a silent and live auction. Tickets are $85 each. Proceeds benefit Duet, formerly Beatitudes Center DOAR. Go to www.duetaz.org and click on “Events” at the top of the page.

‘Share the Magic’
Luncheon & Fashion Show
12 p.m. Saturday, March 27
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak
7677 N. 16th St.
602-626-7819
    Arizona Beta Sigma Phis Against Domestic Abuse presents this 11th-annual luncheon and fashion show. Silent auction opens at 10:30 a.m. Fashions will be provided by The Dress Barn. Tickets are $45 with proceeds benefiting Valley domestic abuse shelters. Visit www.sharethemagicada.org.

The Board of Visitors
95th Annual Charity Ball
6 p.m. Saturday, April 10
Marriott’s Camelback Inn
5402 E. Lincoln Drive
602-235-9554
    The Board of Visitors will present 44 Flower Girls at this black-tie event. Tickets are $900 per couple. The organization distributes its ball proceeds to deserving Valley organizations with programs focused in the organization’s mission area of health care needs for women, children and the elderly. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by the Flower Girls presentation at 7 and dinner and dancing at 8.