Two dining areas were set up in the spacious home, where tables were decorated in a black and white damask design, contrasted by red roses.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business is the proud host of Red, White and Beautiful and this year it is booming! Red, White and Beautiful is a unique girls’ night out of pampering and shopping just in time for Mother’s Day. Red, White and Beautiful began in June of 2010 as a fundraiser to support the community Red, White and Boom fireworks.

From raisins to onions to acetaminophen, the typical Ahwatukee home is filled with items that can be toxic to pets.

A previous Oscar winner for her 2007 documentary short, “Freeheld,” director Cynthia Wade is back in the race this month for her new film, “Mondays at Racine.”

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.

Now that all the fun of Christmas is over the Phoenix Fire Department is encouraging residents to get serious about fire safety by recycling dying Christmas trees.

Billy Crystal proved earlier this year that he’s still more than capable of hosting an Oscar telecast. The question that remains is whether or not the 64-year-old comedic legend still has what it takes to carry a feature-length film.

I love Christmas music — all kinds of Christmas music, traditional, piano, pop, rock — if it is spreading holiday cheer, I listen to it. Christmas music is played in our house from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year’s. It puts me in the mood to decorate the house, bake cookies and wrap presents. Yes, Christmas music puts a smile on my face.

There are so many beautiful Christmas lights everywhere this time of year. Martin Luther is credited with having been the first to put candles on an evergreen tree because he wanted to show his children how the lights reminded him of stars twinkling in the night sky.

Let your light shine.

With Hanukkah stretching over eight nights, there’s plenty to celebrate. And often plenty of leftovers.

These are a few of Chicky Winkleman’s favorite Hanukkah things: ironic, ugly sweaters adorned with Stars of David, his roommate’s Christmas tree and making latkes, alone in the afternoon.

Saturday, Nov. 24

I always get excited for the holiday season, it’s my favorite time of year. It inspires me to refresh my home with holiday sparkle. This magical transformation can be done easily, quickly and inexpensively.

It’s a busy time of year but Valley organizations are reminding residents not to forget about safety during the holidays.

Perhaps more than any other holiday, Thanksgiving is associated with big family gatherings. But that doesn’t mean you need a house full of in-laws, uncles and cousins to celebrate in a meaningful way.

Hey mom and dad: Halloween’s not really all that scary — except when it comes to traffic safety.

My parents were fairly normal, back in the ’60s. Like something out of “The Donna Reed Show,” they’d get together with their best friends and play bridge.

A beloved pet dressed in a Halloween costume, posed next to a lit jack-o’-lantern, sounds like a great photo opportunity — but it’s also a fire hazard.

Programs are for children kindergarten through eighth grades.