We have organized the following social events and excursions for ISB4 participants. Please plan to sign up at the time of registration.

Thursday Night Dinner
A dinner will be held Thursday evening at no additional cost to conference participants. At the time of registration, please plan to let us know if you'll be attending this event, and to select a menu preference. Options include roasted chicken breast (served with mixed greens with goat cheese and pine nuts) or grilled vegetables provençal (Japanese eggplant, green and yellow squash, and Roma tomatoes, served on a bed of polenta) (pure vegetarian). A kosher-style meal is also available. (If you require a true orthodox kosher meal, please contact us.)

Friday Night Reception
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Multilingual Matters, ISB4 will feature a Friday night party in the tranquil and exotic surroundings of the Phoenix Zoo's Arizona Trail, about three miles from the University. The event will feature full beverage service, light snacks, live entertainment, and great conversation with friends and colleagues. Buses will begin shuttling party-goers to the reception at 6:45 pm. There is no cost for this event. Please plan to reserve a seat on the bus at the time of registration.

Saturday Afternoon/Evening - Event Options
We have organized four excursion options for our guests on Saturday afternoon following the close of the conference. Because the Saturday afternoon events are scheduled concurrently, participants will be asked to select only one of the following options at the time of registration. For some options, space is limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early!

Desert Botanical Garden Within sight of the towering red rock formations of Phoenix's Papago Park lies the Desert Botanical Garden, home to the one of the world's largest and most diverse collection of desert plants. The Desert Discovery Trail winds past thousands of plants, including more than half the cactus, century plants, and aloe species in the world. Short trails branch off to interpret other aspects of desert life: the uses of plants by people, interactions among plants and animals, desert wildflowers, and landscaping and gardening in the desert. All the trails have interactive signs and guidebooks that identify and explain the plants and have been graded for wheelchair access. Meals are available at the outdoor Patio Cafe. For more information on the Desert Botanical Gardens, visit their website at http://www.dbg.org/. There is no cost for this event, but space is limited. Buses depart on Saturday immediately following the close of the conference. Travel time is about 10 minutes. If you are sensitive to the sun, please bring a hat and some sunscreen (or purchase them in the giftshop).

Superstition Mountains Hikes Enjoy the Arizona desert mountain air and unique desert terrain on one of two hikes mapped out by ASU Professor Elly van Gelderen, assisted by Amy Ruzycki-Shinabarger, Johanna Wood, and Lutfi Hussein. The hikes will be offered concurrently in the Superstition Mountains - one at Freemont Saddle (about 4.5 miles, 2.5 hours) and another at Black Mesa Loop (about 9 miles, 4 hours). Both provide wonderful views of the beautiful rock structure Weaver's Needle, each from a different perspective. To participate in a hike, you must sign up at the time of registration, and specify your choice of the moderate hike (4.5 miles) or the moderately difficult hike (9 miles). If you plan to participate, please be sure to read the detailed description by clicking HERE. A liability waiver will be required of all participants; to preview the waiver, click HERE. There is no cost for this event. Space is very limited. Buses depart Saturday immediately after the closing session, so come prepared! You'll be returned to the campus at the conclusion of the hike. Travel time is about 45 minutes.

Fort McDowell Casino Enjoy a night at the casino! Located in the Arizona desert on the Yavapai Indian Reservation, the Fort McDowell Casino is one of the first Native American casinos in the state of Arizona. It is home to the state's largest card room, and offers 24-hour table-side food service. In addition to various card games, Fort McDowell has 475 slot machines and a Bingo room that seats over 500 people. Enjoy a variety of buffets in the Fort's Red Rock Café, an entree in their new China Bistro, or a sandwich in the deli. Fort McDowell provides free, live entertainment in the lounge, and free beverage service for those who play in the casino. Buses will depart at 5:00 pm and will bring guests back to campus at 10:00 pm. There is no cost for the bus ride to and from the casino. (For guests who may wish to return early or stay late, the 30-minute taxi ride back to your ASU-area hotel should cost approximately $46 using Discount Cab, telephone 602/200-2000.)

Downtown Tempe If you prefer a quiet (or not-so-quiet) evening out on the town, you may wish to spend the afternoon and evening hours in downtown Tempe, adjacent to the ASU campus. Downtown Tempe features shopping, dining, cafes, nightlife, and the Tempe Town Lake. For more information, visit http://www.downtowntempe.com/.

Sunday Trip to the Grand Canyon
Start off your Sunday morning at 7:00 am by boarding a comfortable luxury bus to Arizona's breathtaking Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. On the way, we'll stop in Sedona for a view of the stunning red rock formations! After exploring the Canyon's South Rim, we'll board for our return and stop in beautiful Flagstaff for dinner along the way. Expect to return to Tempe by about 9:00 pm in the evening. The cost of the excursion is $28/person and includes park entrance fee. Please plan to book your trip when you register for the conference. Note that this event is an optional excursion, and takes place on Sunday, May 4, the day following the symposium. For more information on the trip and on Arizona's Grand Canyon, click HERE.

More Fun in the Sun?
Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, which borders the city of Phoenix, the state capital. For more information on things to do and places to see, visit http://www.arizona.com/ or http://www.arizonaguide.com/. Tempe-specific information is available at http://www.tempecvb.com/default.asp or http://www.tempe.gov. There is something for everybody to enjoy in and around Tempe!

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