Jaime Lyons, volunteer administrator with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has received the ATHENA Young Professional Award. The honor recognizes her contributions as a young professional in her daily work, as well as her inspirational role as founder of the Veteran Career Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps military veterans returning home prepare for the transition into the workforce.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Deborah Ostreicher, deputy aviation director for public relations, is the recipient of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 ATHENA Public Sector Award. The ATHENA Awards recognize women in the public and private sectors for their professional accomplishments, strong commitment to the community, and mentorship of women.

Kelly Athena was named 2012 Queen Diva of the Year by Chat, Chew, and Chocolate’s Ahwatukee chapter. The annual event took place on Sept. 26 at the Foothills Golf Club. The highlighted charity for the event was Treasures 4 Teachers, founded by Ahwatukee Foothills resident Barbara Blalock. Singer Alice Tatum performed.

“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” comes to life on stage out of the pages of Roald Dahl’s novel. Theater Works’ Kids Alive program presents this musical adaptation of the book and film, which opens May 31 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts and features a cast of 40 children.

The colorful costumes, wigs and high-energy songs are on full display in the hit Broadway musical, “Hairspray.” But beneath the surface, the popular show is more than just a light, fluffy, fun musical that won nine Tony Awards. “Hairspray,” which opens Friday at Theater Works’ in the YOUth Works season, revolves around the social injustices of the 1960s.

Jay Espano lived in Thailand and used those experiences for Theater Works’ production of “The King and I.”

With cuts in programs at schools, Theater Works is hoping students and their families will embrace a new academy geared toward the performing arts. Theater Works launched YWA, Youth Works Academy, which will provide classes for children ages 3 and up in disciplines of dance, drama, music, puppetry, script writing and more.

When they lost the rights to the hit “Chicago,” Theater Works had to go back to the drawing board quickly and find a new musical. But instead of picking a similar show, artistic director Robyn Allen chose the rarely produced Anthony Newly musical “Stop the World — I Want to Get Off,” which opens March 25 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. 

Mayor Lyn Truitt said Tuesday that creating an entertainment district in Surprise will put it on par with Scottsdale and Sedona as a tourist destination. During his State of the City address at the Colonnade, a senior-living community, Truitt spoke of how the city has progressed since his time in office and the vision he and other city leaders have moving forward.

Mayor Lyn Truitt said Tuesday that creating an entertainment district in Surprise will put it on par with Scottsdale and Sedona as a tourist destination. During his State of the City address at the Colonnade, a senior-living community, Truitt spoke of how the city has progressed since his time in office and the vision he and other city leaders have moving forward.

Surprise Mayor Lyn Truitt's State of the City address, Feb. 8, 2011:

"Today marks the first time the Surprise State of the City address is being delivered in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, right here at the Rosskamp - Sun Health, Colonnade. That says a lot about how much our community has progressed.

Here: Julian Michaels CD release event

Singer/songwriter Julian Michaels will perform new original songs and frequently requested tunes during his CD release event, Embracing LOVE, set for 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at The Grace Inn, 10831 S. 51st St.

Help Athena's Home Novelties build a bra chain and raise money for breast cancer awareness. The national campaign, called Athena's Cup, aims to collect and hook together 169,000 donated bras, which would break the current bra-chain Guinness world record. Athena's Cup will collect a $5 donation with each bra in an effort to raise half a million dollars. Donors are encouraged to write the names of a loved one or other meaningful inscriptions on the bras prior to sending them in. Gently worn bras will be donated to battered women shelters following the campaign, which will run through October.

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