Free workshops focus on desert landscaping

Desert landscaping

Avondale's Water Resources Department is offering free workshops on desert landscaping and low-water-use gardening.

Classes include:

• Color your world, Thursday.

• Landscape design, Sept. 11.

• Vegetable gardening in the low desert, Sept. 25.

• Introduction to desert landscaping, Sept. 30.

• Pruning basics, Oct. 2.

• Landscaping for small spaces, Oct. 23.

• Question-and-answer session, Oct. 30.

All classes meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive.

Registration: 623-333-4422 or eavila@avondale.org.

PIR and veterans

Phoenix International Raceway, Kevin Harvick Inc. and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are partnering to offer a discounted-ticket program and events to help celebrate Veterans Day weekend, which coincides with PIR's Nov. 6-9 NASCAR weekend.

The Avondale racetrack will celebrate veterans during pre-race festivities just before the Nov. 7 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Lucas Oil 150, with defending series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. driving a VFW-themed truck for Kevin Harvick Inc.

Veterans also will be honored before the Checker Auto Parts 500, the semifinal race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

For $95, ticket purchasers receive one grandstand ticket to the Lucas Oil 150, admission to Corporate Village, which includes food and beverages, and a Craftsman Truck Series pre-race pit pass. Ticket-package holders also will be treated to a question-and-answer session with KHI Nationwide Series driver Cale Gale.

Information: www.phoenixraceway.com or 866-408-7223.