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As editors of a city lifestyle magazine with a travel section that covers locales far beyond our beloved Phoenix Valley, you can imagine that we get pitched A TON about new and exciting travel offers around the country. Of course, we can't fit everything into a 200 page monthly magazine that only allots five of those pages to regional travel. Sigh... 'tis the nature of publishing.

But it pains us too much to kill all of our darlings. So each month, we scrape a few travel tidbits off the cutting room floor and bring you Travel Bag Bites – bite-sized travel-related goodies (special offers, activities and deals) to snack on while planning your next great escape.

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1. Le Painted Grape at El Panzon y Frida – July 19
In an hour and a half, you’ll transform a plain-looking wine glass into a colorful and functional piece of art. July’s design is a bright and inviting sunflower that will bring a bit of happy to any kitchen. The art supplies and glass are provided. $30. 6-7:30 p.m. 7323 E. Shoeman Ln., Scottsdale, facebook.com/events.

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When the temperature rises, most chefs in the Valley will sprinkle their menus with summer-friendly dishes to help us ease our way into blistering days and sweltering nights. At EVO, Executive Chef Steven Fowler has swapped out a hearty porchetta dish for a lighter pork Milanese.

This recipe calls for a bone-in pork porterhouse (available at AJ’s or a specialty butcher), but you can also use pork chops or pork loin, Fowler says. And if you don’t have a deep fryer, you can pound out the pork and fry on the stove top in 3-4 tablespoons of canola oil. “It’s quick and easy,” Fowler says. “You can have this completed in less than 15 minutes.”

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1. Build It!: Frank Lloyd Wright at Chandler Public Library – June 21
Set the Legos aside for a day and discover what it would be like to be architect Frank Lloyd Wright with activities inspired by his career like city planning and structure building. There will also be an exhibit that showcases Wright’s time in Chandler and how he contributed to the community. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. Chandler Public Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, chandlerlibrary.libcal.com

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Mother’s day has come and gone. Now it’s time to celebrate your old man. (Side note: Does anyone other than your old man still call their father "old man?") This year, instead of swinging by CVS for a discounted keyboard necktie, how about treating Dear Old Dad to something fab made right here in the Valley? We've rounded up the best gifts, activities, deals and, of course, dining options for dear old dad.

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1. Off the Page with Wil Williams at Wasted Ink Zine Distro – June 13
Explore what you’re passionate about and how to translate that feeling into words on paper. Wil Williams, a local writer and Northern Arizona University alum, will be covering “persona pieces” and other introspective ways of composing. The workshop will be followed by an open mic available to anyone who would like to present their work. $5-10. Workshop, 7-8 p.m.; Open Mic, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Wasted Ink Zine Distro, 2222 N. 16th St., Phoenix, wizd-az.com/events.

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1. Beatmaking Workshop at Paradise Valley Community College – June 5
Do you have a beat stuck in your head, and aren’t sure how to get it out of there? Attend one of PVCC’s four beatmaking workshops this month, where instructors will coach you on how to create beats using apps, iPads and control surfaces. Whether you know your way around a soundboard or you occasionally clap along to a rhythm, all skill sets are welcomed. Free. Every Monday in June, 6:30-8:30 p.m. PVCC Fine Arts – CPA 115 Music Room, 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, pvccfinearts.com.

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1. First Friday at Phoenix Art Museum – June 2
The first Friday of every month is dedicated to the arts in the Valley, so it’s no surprise that the Phoenix Art Museum joins in the fun. The museum offers free general admission and discounted special exhibition admission. There will be live music all night while guests explore the Samurai, Yeohlee, Photography of the American Road and other exhibits. Free. 6 – 10 p.m. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, phxart.org.

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1. Phoenix Comicon – May 25-28
Calling all sci-fi fans, comic enthusiasts and bookworms – Phoenix Comicon is back. Spend the weekend browsing the tables set up in the exhibitor hall and meet actors and writers like Karen Gillan, Dick Van Dyke, Anthony Michael Hall and Bonnie Wright. Full event $75; T $20; F and Su $30; Sa $45. T, F, Sa 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix, phoenixcomicon.com.

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1. Practical Art Random Craft Night: Let’s Color! – May 17
This is the launch event for the weekly Practical Art Random Craft Night. Each week will feature different artistic mediums from paper crafts to jewelry making. To kick things off: coloring, natch. Some supplies are provided and all are welcome. Free. 6-8 p.m. Practical Art, 5070 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, practical-art.com/events.

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If your mom's Mother's Day wishlist falls somewhere in between handmade macaroni necklace and expensive handbag, consider baking her something sweet and pretty – handmade but still photoworthy = nailed it.

Country Velador, owner of Super Chunk Sweets & Treats in Old Town Scottsdale, has an easy yet elegant recipe for meringue teardrops that, when paired with a sentimental card, will bring a tear to Mom's eye, no prob.

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1. On the Trail of Nazi Art Thieves at the Valley of the Sun – April 26
David Lewis, co-founder of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe and founder of the Schorr Collection of Old Master and 19th Century European paintings, and Hannah Lewis, Holocaust survivor and Schorr Collection co-founder, will speak about their personal experiences restoring objects of art looted by the Nazis during WWII.