Free transit passes for youth available

The city of Tempe has begun issuing new passes to current and new participants of the Tempe Youth Free Transit Pass program. The new passes are valid July 1 through June 30, 2009.

The Tempe Youth Free Transit Pass program allows students ages 6 to 18 who live in Tempe to ride all Valley Metro bus routes (and the future METRO light rail line opening in December 2008) free. A parent or guardian must accompany the youth and bring the youth’s birth certificate when registering for the program.

Free passes are available at the Tempe Transit Store, College Avenue and Veterans Way in downtown Tempe 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For information, contact the Tempe Transit Store at 480-858-2350 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim. For bus routes and schedules call 602-253-5000 or visit www.valleymetro.org.

Summer fun for aspiring artists

Herberger College at Large & for Kids now is enrolling for its summer sessions. Part of ASU Herberger College of the Arts, Herberger College at Large & for Kids offers classes for aspiring artists—from serious high school arts students to adults and kids, preschool to teen. Participants express themselves through art, digital art, dance, music and theater.

            Herberger College at Large offers teens (ages 15 and up) and adults classes in art, digital art, dance and music, as well as private instruction in all areas.

Herberger College for Kids provides pre-school classes in art, dance and music, as well as summer camps for children 5-14. Children are grouped by age. Private instruction in all areas also is offered.

Summer registration continues through the first day of each of three sessions, as space allows. Remaining sessions start June 16 and July 7. To find out more, call Herberger College at Large at 480-727-0700, or visit herbergercollegeatlarge.asu.edu and herbergercollegeforkids.asu.edu.

Summer Camps held at the KRC

Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., offers several fun and educational programs beginning this month at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. Children who sign up for both morning and afternoon workshops may bring a non-perishable sack lunch, and supervision will be provided in between workshops. Programs include:

• Chemical Magic/Magical Microscope—Students will experiment with several projects including: making batteries, invisible ink pens, super powerful magnets, making glob, making and watching crystals grow, making a bracelet that changes color in the sun, and much more! The program takes place 9 a.m.-12 p.m. June 9-13, for ages 6 to 11.

• Pro-Soccer Robotics—Create your own Pro-Soccer Robot that has two wheels, a retrieving and kicking mechanism, and a wired controller to activate movement and ball control. It’s all yours to take home after making it. Students will also build other robots, and learn how to handle our little microcomputer. The program takes place 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 9-13, for ages 7 to 12.

• The Weasel Robot—Make and keep your very own robotic pet weasel. The weasel has two motors, a three-speed gearbox, and wow can it go fast! Students will learn about gears, sensors, electronic components, circuit boards, and much more. The program takes place 9 a.m.-12 p.m. June 16-20, for ages 7 to 12.

• The All-Terrain Tracker Workshop—Build and take home your own Tracker All-Terrain Vehicle. Students also will work in groups as they design a robot they can control. The program takes place 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 16-20, for ages 7 to 12.

Preregistration is required for all classes. All programs have a required supply fee of $36, along with a course fee of $109. You can register online at http://pkreconline.tempe.gov or in person at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. Call 480-350-5201 for additional information.