In our wi-fi world of planes, trains and automobiles, travel is taken for granted; in days gone by, it was considered a prerequisite for a well-rounded education. It not only broadened the mind, but also deepened one’s experience and knowledge of the world. That vintage wisdom holds true today, making events like the Gilbert Global Village Festival on Saturday a red-letter day.

Walter Salles' "On the Road" was made with noble intentions, finely-crafted filmmaking and handsome casting, but, alas, it does not burn, burn, burn.

Everest University Online and Everest College Phoenix recently presented the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department with a donation of $5,000 for its Phoenix Afterschool Program. The Phoenix Afterschool Program is an affordable after-school recreation and enrichment program in many locations throughout the city.

The way Arizona PIRG sees it, Dora the Explorer can be hazardous to children.

Unmotivated? Poor grades? Lazy?

Despite the proven talents of first-time feature director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Laboratory”), writers Peter Baynham (“Arthur Christmas”) and “SNL” vet Robert Smigel, and a voice cast headed by Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, the collaboration falls flat virtually from the get-go, serving up half-hearted sight gags that have a habit of landing with an ominous thud.

From elementary to college students, many use backpacks to help carry everything from books to food and more throughout the school day, but could those backpacks be putting our children’s bodies in harm’s way? Backpacks can actually be especially taxing on the back, neck and shoulders if worn incorrectly.

You may be among the thousands of Arizona parents who bought pencils, notebooks, and backpacks last month to help your kids get ready for that first day of school. But with all the supply checklists, did you remember to check the grade for your child’s school?

Tom Patterson, you are a brave man speaking out against the education establishment (“Ariz. schools need consumer-driven change, not more funding,” AFN, Aug. 29).

The average Ahwatukee Foothills family can live a life as individual as they please — some spend their time at sports, some love to travel. Some families are small and some are large. Some entertain friends non-stop, others prefer quiet nights to themselves. Individuality is the American way.

The average Ahwatukee Foothills family can live a life as individual as they please — some spend their time at sports, some love to travel. Some families are small and some are large. Some entertain friends non-stop, others prefer quiet nights to themselves. Individuality is the American way.

Q: I’m looking to buy a laptop for school. Can you give me suggestions on the best laptops under $600? — Brian

As the thousands of Sophias and Isabellas and Jacobs and Masons born this past year will learn when they go to pick up their backpacks off the soccer field or sort their duffels in college dorms, their names aren’t as unique as they are.

First American Title and The Exchange Club of Tempe are hosting its second ‘Stuff the Bus’ Back to School Drive benefiting the Kyrene Foundation.

Suns alumnus Mark West will host his 22nd annual South Mountain Education and Basketball Camp at The Salvation Army Phoenix Kroc Center, 1375 E. Broadway Roak, beginning Monday, July 23.

McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Valley and northern Arizona will host “backpack Saturday” 8 a.m. July 28, giving away 20,000 backpacks and helping thousands of children prepare for school.

The atmosphere in the starting area of the Comrades Marathon was an almost overwhelming jumble of sensations. There were the feelings of excitement, anxiety and apprehension. There was the sound of rock music blaring from loudspeakers and people talking in many unintelligible languages. There was the movement of 18,000 runners shifting and fidgeting in their double-knotted running shoes. There was the smell of ointments and sunscreen.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive through July 19 to provide school supplies to community youth.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive July 1-19 to provide school supplies to community youth. Annually the program collects backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged youth who might not be able to obtain all the necessities for academic success. ICAN is partnering with the Chandler Compadres to provide each youth with a backpack.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive July 1-19 to provide school supplies to community youth. Annually the program collects backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged youth who might not be able to obtain all the necessities for academic success. ICAN is partnering with the Chandler Compadres to provide each youth with a backpack.

The number of homeless children in the Kyrene School District has stayed constant over the past three years, said one employee, but the number that is worrying is how many kids are now on free or reduced lunch.

The number of homeless children in the Kyrene School District has stayed constant over the past three years, said one employee, but the number that is worrying is how many kids are now on free or reduced lunch.