Ideas to treat Dad right
Dad deserves as much attention as Mom on his special day. We present some nifty ideas to make his Father’s Day more memorable.
Some people go all out for Mother’s Day. So why does Father Day’s often mean heading to the store at the last minute and buying a tie? Dad deserves more than that – and we’ve got some nifty ideas to make his day a little more special.
Father’s Day is coming. On Sunday, June 16, in fact. Hopefully that isn’t news to you.
Some folks go all out for Mother’s Day. They take Mom to church (a lot of churches see a huge surge in attendance on Mother’s Day), maybe go out for brunch or, at the very least, buy flowers or a gift.
But for a lot of people, Father’s Day preparation means racing to the store at the last minute to buy a tie.
You’re not that person are you? Maybe you’ve already thought out how you’re going to celebrate your father this Sunday. But if you haven’t, here are suggestions of things you could buy or do with him.
Dad’s Root Beer
If your dad is fond of dad jokes, this might be just the gift for him. Tell him you bought him a case of root beer with his name on every bottle. He’ll appreciate the humor. Look for it at grocery stores, or go all out and take him to eat at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. They serve it.
Free root beer floats
If your dad likes burgers and root beer floats, take him to Matty G’s in Mesa for Father’s Day. Dads and granddads will receive a free root beer float with the purchase of any meal.
Details: Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits, 1958 E. Brown Road, Mesa. 480306-7406, www.facebook.com/mattygsmesa.
Bang a drum
So maybe your dad isn’t Clyde Stubblefield (the Funky Drummer; learn your James Brown band history) but he’s got rhythm. Take him to the Musical Instrument Museum for the Family Drumming Workshop.
It’s fun, it’s therapeutic, it’s a chance for you guys to hang out and you don’t even have to do a lot of talking. Your hands and the drums will do your talking for you as you learn the basics of African, Latin and pop-music hand drumming.
There are three sessions on Father’s Day. Make a reservation, because they can fill up. If you want to make a day of it, get tickets to see Arturo O’Farrill and the Latin Jazz Ensemble later so you and your dad can see how the professionals compare with your newly discovered talents.
Details: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Workshop is $12 per person. 480-4786047, mim.org.
Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight tours
Get a jump on Father’s Day with this event — it’s the night before. The Desert Botanical Garden takes on a different look at night, which means you’ll get a chance to see night-blooming flowers and animals that come out after dark. Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $14.95, $9.95 for ages 3-17. 480-941-1225, dbg.org.
Grilling accessories
Does your dad like to grill? Is he one of those guys who has several grills a smoker? (Yes, there is a difference.) If so, then you probably shouldn’t bother getting some sort of barbecue accessory unless he asks for it.
Instead, get him a gift card to his favorite barbecue supply store. It might look like he has every device and seasoning known to grillers, but if he’s that into it he’d probably find one more item to put his cooking right over the top.
J.Lo in concert
With a career spanning close to 30 years, Jennifer Lopez has broad appeal. Maybe your dad watched “In Living Color” back in the day and was fascinated by the Fly Girls. Maybe he was hooked by her portrayal of Selena. Maybe he’s just a big fan of pop music. Or, maybe your dad is such an Alex Rodriguez fan that he just wants pretend to be in ARod’s orbit. Lopez’s It’s My Party Tour (in celebration of her turning 50 next month) comes to Phoenix on Father’s Day.
Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, June 16. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $70.20 and up. 602-3797800, ticketmaster.com.
Get him a weather radio
If your dad isn’t one of those guys who can tell what the weather is going to be by the ache in his trick knee (how many times have you heard the story about how it got that way?), maybe he’d like a weather radio.
The National Weather Service broadcasts weather alerts, forecasts and other information throughout the day on dedicated stations.
Sure, you can get weather alerts on your phone these days, but maybe your dad is one of those old-school guys who only uses his phone to talk. Monsoon’s coming. You want him to be safe, right?
Find a selection of weather radios at electronics and big-box stores or online. Support local journalism.