Girls from Girl Scout Troop 1538 in Ahwatukee are getting their hands dirty while taking action and helping out in the Ahwatukee Community Garden Project’s Children’s Garden.

The summer is almost over and kids and parents alike are preparing for the start of school. Freshmen entering high school for the first time will be bombarded with the overwhelming newness of the campus and all that high school has to offer them.

With 8 million homeless pets entering U.S. shelters every year, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is helping to solve the problem with its “Primp Your Pit (bull)” spay/neuter promotion sponsored by PetSmart Charities. During August, AHS will spay/neuter pit bulls for a special rate of $20, including a free nail trim.

Tap water delivered to Phoenix customers again met or surpassed all federal and state drinking water standards, as detailed in the city’s new annual Water Quality Report.

Arizona lawmakers are hoping a newly enacted tweak in the state’s public records law leads to a new influx of companies willing to pay state universities to do research for them.

Arizona lawmakers are hoping a newly enacted tweak in the state’s public records law leads to a new influx of companies willing to pay state universities to do research for them.

Scientists say Arizona’s overcrowded forests are affecting the natural processes of a healthy ecosystem. Past studies have shown that much of Arizona’s ponderosa pine forests have hundreds of trees more per acre than existed prior to 1900.

Scientists say Arizona’s overcrowded forests are affecting the natural processes of a healthy ecosystem. Past studies have shown that much of Arizona’s ponderosa pine forests have hundreds of trees more per acre than existed prior to 1900.

Tina Lopez-Eacret is not fazed by the eight Chihuahuas following her through her Ahwatukee home, yipping and barking for their first meal of the day. In fact, she has an entire thought out process on how to feed the many dogs that she executes quite well, all while donning bright red heals.

As Earth Day approaches the Parish of St. Benedict is giving all Ahwatukee Foothills residents a chance to be a little more environmentally friendly with a free shredding and electronic recycling event on Saturday.

What has happened to our high schools? Where have the moral values that were instilled in the 1950s gone? When did teachers and coaches become “sexual predators?” Why is globalism and not Americanism being taught in our taxpayer-funded classrooms and gyms?

Chandler-Gilbert Community College was recently named as a finalist in the Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards, which recognizes innovation and excellence in climate leadership at signatory institutions of the American College and University presidents’ climate commitment.

Each spring wildlife from South Mountain are a little more visible around Ahwatukee Foothills, but experts warn that because of a mild winter and low rainfall residents may see even more in 2012.

Pet overpopulation is reaching epidemic proportions in America. Everyday thousands of hungry, homeless dogs and cats roam our streets and neighborhoods looking for food and shelter. Thankfully, this is an epidemic with an effective, humane solution.

When Sandy Cate would travel north along Route 93 past Hoover Dam into Dolan Springs and the White Hills areas in the mid 1970s and early 1980s, she would notice a Golden Eagle perched atop about every fourth power pole.

You know what they say about Arizona’s weather: It’s paradise, except for the three months when we languish mercilessly in the triple digits. Options for getting out and about do dwindle in the summertime, but we more than make up for it the rest of the year — when we pick peaches, race ostriches, dance at outdoor concerts, browse arts festivals, run foot races and navigate corn mazes.

You know what they say about Arizona’s weather: It’s paradise, except for the three months when we languish mercilessly in the triple digits. Options for getting out and about do dwindle in the summertime, but we more than make up for it the rest of the year — when we pick peaches, race ostriches, dance at outdoor concerts, browse arts festivals, run foot races and navigate corn mazes.

We have all read extensive coverage about the Fiesta Bowl, city of Phoenix's budget and food tax issues, and the city's procurement policies related to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport food concession contract awards.

When the National Geographic Channel's television series "Monster Fish" premieres its new season on July 8, the host of the show will have a new title added to his name.

If you're not a news junkie, some of this commentary may come as a surprise. For those of you who keep up with the words and travels of our President, it's just another day at the Office of the Double Standard.

In a penultimate scene in Kevin Costner's underrated 2003 western, "Open Range," there is a lull in the shooting between the cattle baron with his henchmen and the free-range cowboys with the townspeople. With a 17-year-old boy in between them, bleeding from a previously inflicted wound, Annette Bening's character goes into the middle of the street shouting, "Stop it. Stop it right now." It is an act of extraordinary courage given that the bullets have been flying with deadly accuracy, and one that contains a very certain element of self-sacrifice.

In a penultimate scene in Kevin Costner's underrated 2003 western, "Open Range," there is a lull in the shooting between the cattle baron with his henchmen and the free-range cowboys with the townspeople. With a 17-year-old boy in between them, bleeding from a previously inflicted wound, Annette Bening's character goes into the middle of the street shouting, "Stop it. Stop it right now." It is an act of extraordinary courage given that the bullets have been flying with deadly accuracy, and one that contains a very certain element of self-sacrifice.

The idea for an environmentally friendly cat litter came to Ahwatukee Foothills resident John King when he was going to buy some new tires.

For Tara Dale and Laurie Jake, teaching kids about science can be challenging, but they admit that it can also be very rewarding.