Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page E2

E2 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012 THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Looking for fun ways to spend today and Sunday? Go to Facebook.comazcthingstodo. Get a jump on planning next weekend with 12 News' Explore Arizona segment, 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. explore insider The man who killed Christmas SCENIC DRIVE: PRESCOTT TO JEROME For the sheer variety of activities available, it's hard to beat the drive from Prescott to Jerome. Are you into Western art? Got that.

Interested in history? Yep. Picnicking? Camping? Shopping? Dining? Check, check, check and check. And, in fewer than 35 scenic miles, Arizona 89A takes you from scrubby prairies up to mountains topped by pines and aspens. Fill your day with visits to museums that focus on Western art and Native American culture, then have dinner at a brew pub. Read more about this drive in Sunday's Cars section.

hired a skydiver, a novelty in those days, to dress as Santa Claus, jump out of an airplane at the edge of town, and then ride in a car leading the Christmas parade. Good idea, huh? Unfortunately, when the hour was at hand, the parachutist had had a snoot-full. He was as drunk as a skunk. Being a quick thinker, McPhee found a mannequin, dressed it in a Santa suit and a parachute and told the pilot to drop it out of the plane. Good idea, huh? Mesans were gripped by excitement.

The streets were The parachute did not open. The Santa mannequin dropped like a ton of bricks. When McPhee returned from the drop site, the streets were nearly empty. There were more marchers in the parade than there were spectators. Children were heard crying in their homes.

McPhee left town for a few days, and, for many years afterward, he was known as the man who killed Christmas. Happy holidays, you people. Reach Thompson at lay. thomps onarizonarepub lie or 602-444-8612. OK, this is my favorite Arizona Christmas story.

I know I've told it before, but it's been a few years. If you have already heard it, bear with me and try to enjoy it again. If this is your first time hearing it, please don't move back home. This is Arizona. You'll get used to it.

In 1930, a man named John McPhee was the editor of the Mesa Journal-Tribune. As a businessman, he was worried about the success of the town's annual pre-Christmas parade, which was meant to kick off the holiday shopping season. So he devised a plan. He ARIZONA 101 crowded. People stood on store roofs to get a good view.

Children were hoisted on their parents' shoulders. The plane appeared and circled a few times. The Santa dummy was shoved out. Can you guess what happened next? Yep. thingstodo.azcentral.com mm i trpwtm im mmmw i iiiii mm HOLIDAYS AT THE HEARD Holidays at the Heard is a tradition that includes performances and artist demonstrations that introduce visitors to traditional and contemporary American Indian music, dance and art.

Cultural performances are at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily and will include Yellowhouse Indian Dancers, Derrick Suwaima and the Hopi Dance Group. Booksignings will be 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, and demonstrations of basket-weaving, pottery, moccasin-making and flute-making will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Included in general museum admission. Details: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26-31.

Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Phoenix. 602-252-8840, heard.org. CHRISTMAS COAT DRIVE ICHEER and Vineyard Community Charities present this event, where gently used or new jackets, coats and gloves and new socks will be collected in all sizes to help keep kids and adults warm this winter. Celebrate the season of giving with holiday music and the debut performance of the iCHEER cheerleaders.

The event will be at the fountain park in front of AMC theaters. Details: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. Westgate City Center, 6770 N.

Sunrise Boulevard, Glen-dale. Free. 602-576-5717, MOVIE MADNESS Bring snacks, blankets and pillows, relax and watch "The Living Desert" on San Tan's huge projection screen. It's a kid-friendly Disney production that teaches about the intricacies of desert life. Meet in the visitor center.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek.

$6 per vehicle. 480-655-5554, maricopa.govparks. HERE ALSO FIND US Television 12 News at 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays Mobiletablet Download the azcentral. com news app.

Desktop explorearizona. azcentral.com Social facebook.comazcentral Twitter: Oexploreaz Gene Wilder (left) and Cleavon Little co-star In the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy "Blazing Saddles." It's being shown at the Phoenix Art Museum, warner bros. pictures 'BLAZING SADDLES' Mel Brooks' timeless Western parody and send-up of 70s race relations is screened as part of the Phoenix Art Museum's exhibit "West Select: A New Western Classic." Enjoy the edgy humor as Sheriff Black Bart and the Waco Kid attempt to save the racist townsfolk of Rock Ridge from the evil machinations of Hedley Lamarr and his flatulent band of rustlers, led by Slim Pickens. Details: 1 p.m Sunday, Dec. 23.

Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. free for museum members. 602-257-1222, phxart.org. A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WITH JOHN DOAN Step back in time and experience what Christmas might have been like a century ago.

The Higley Center for the Performing Arts and AMAZ Radio present the live version of the Emmy-nominated PBS television special, which explores how Victorians invented many of the Christmas traditions we remember and a few we may have forgotten. Instruments include the 20-string harp guitar, classical banjo and ukelin. Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22.

Old Town Center for the Arts, 633 N. Fifth Cottonwood. $15-20. 928-634-0940, oldtowncenter.org. Also 6 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 23. Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. 480-279-7194, higleyarts.org.

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