A class of fifth-grade students Friday opened up ping-pong balls with small science experiments inside after they returned from a trip to the “edge of space” inside the Earth’s atmosphere.

The football coaches evidently can’t wait until August for their first showdown of the year.

Homeowners associations are tasked with the unenviable responsibility of maintaining community standards. Personal property appearances, landscape maintenance and dog refuse in common areas fall within their purview; apparently so do banners advertising local businesses.

It’s hard to outgrow that wind-in-your-face freedom that bike riding brings. This weekend’s Great Arizona Bicycle Festival in downtown Mesa seeks to re-capture some of that childlike fun with two days of bike-centric activities along with food, games, and live music.

Feeling like you should do something for St. Patrick’s Day but missed Saturday’s downtown parade or don’t fancy a drive all the way to Fountain Hills for a spray of green water?

MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz” is the rare film adaptation that has officially become even more cherished than the timeless book that inspired it. Over the years, “The Wizard of Oz” has influenced numerous sequels, prequels, and reimaginings in just about every entertainment medium. Although there have certainly been some good additions to the “Oz” franchise, it’s unfortunate all of them must live in the shadow of an unbeatable classic. While nothing will ever top the Judy Garland version, the most we can ask from a modern “Oz” interpretation is that it remains true to L. Frank Baum’s universe while also sprinkling in something fresh. On that basis, director Sam Raimi sufficiently delivers in his vibrant and fun “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

Valentine’s Day hastens toward us and while most people wait until the last minute to purchase a token of affection for their heart’s true love, you can get ahead of the game by scheduling a singing telegram with the East Valley’s own Copperstar Repertory Company.

More than 40 blue, gold and white balloons floated to the sky above Desert Vista High School’s football stadium Saturday as family, friends and loved ones gathered to remember the life of Matthew Swift-Kraemer.

A New Year’s bash is one of the easier parties to throw. Everyone’s already in the merry-making mood, so it’s a simple matter of setting the stage.

Pinterest has changed the world of mothering.

The newly-created, unbalanced football divisions could necessitate a change in the number of playoff qualifiers for the 2013-2015 scheduling block.

The measure of success at Ahwatukee Foothills schools during the fall season seems to get higher with each passing school year.

Through Dec. 24

It’s not quite the Christmas season yet, but pilots and volunteers at United Fantasy Flight are hosting a fundraiser in Ahwatukee Foothills at the end of the month.

This letter is to thank the administrators, faculty and students at Desert Vista High School for their recent celebration of the lives of staff and alumni who died last summer. It was a real tribute to the leadership of Principal Dr. Anna Battle to take a few moments before the Ahwatukee Bowl to recognize the contribution each of the deceased made to the Desert Vista family.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Kimberly Curry recently started a club for kids called Big Hearts, Little Hands, hoping to instill a care for service in not just kids in the community, but also her own.

When Robin Miner heard about the potluck discussion of the book “50 Shades of Grey,” she knew Wild Boomer Women was for her.

If you’re throwing a baby shower for a relative or friend, creating a suitably festive atmosphere is part of the fun.

You may not aspire to the culinary theatrics performed by the wizards of modernist cuisine — transparent ravioli? edible balloons? — but your cooking probably still could benefit from a few lessons from their labs.

You may not aspire to the culinary theatrics performed by the wizards of modernist cuisine — transparent ravioli? edible balloons? — but your cooking probably still could benefit from a few lessons from their labs.