Dr. Neal Lester, author and professor of English at Arizona State University, was honored with an achievement award for the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of West Georgia 36th annual Alumni Association Awards Gala. A native of Jefferson, Ga., Lester graduated from the University of West Georgia in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree in English.

Former Arizona State University President Dr. Lattie Coor is among the five distinguished award recipients scheduled to be honored at the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 55th Annual Black & White Ball and Business Awards on April 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 330 N. Third Street.

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.

Dear artists, friends, community members, and the city of Phoenix,

Gov. Jan Brewer announced the appointment of Edward “Pat” Madden to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Madden has been appointed for a five-year term, effective Jan. 21.

Arizona State University President Michael Crow will receive the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society’s highest award for his support of veterans through his leadership, actions and advocacy.

Dustin Hoffman’s directing bow at 75 finds a perfect match in the well-heeled subject of “Quartet,” a charming tale of aging musicians whose passion for life continues undiminished in a stately English manor filled with humor, caring and of course great music. This optimistic fairy tale about aging and the continuing possibilities it offers for emotional satisfaction should strike the fancy of older audiences who turned the British indie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” into a breakout hit released around the world. Leading a cast of real-life musical veterans, Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay put the stamp of quality on a lush-looking production, albeit one that adheres to genre rules with an iron grip.

We will remember 2012 as a year of change and extremely hard work by our board, staff and countless volunteers. As we wrap up the year, we thought we would take this opportunity to summarize what your Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has been up to since January of this year.

Retiring and learning to play golf didn’t really happen for the 2012 Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year, Martha Neese.

The community is invited to the Third Annual Palo Verde Award Gala on Saturday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler. The event will feature the presentation of the Palo Verde Award, honoring the 2012 Business Woman of the Year and recognizing a female chamber member’s personal achievements in business and community service.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has announced nominees for the 2012 Palo Verde Business Woman of the Year and the 10 women are well known in the community for not only their business but their service.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association announced that Kelly Damron was awarded the Hope Award for Service for her successful and longtime commitment to volunteering for the RESOLVE community. Damron accept the award at RESOLVE’s Night of Hope Gala on Oct. 2, at Guastavino’s in New York City. As the organization that supports and provides a voice for people diagnosed with infertility, RESOLVE established the Hope Awards to recognize professionals, companies, volunteers and media who have demonstrated innovation and compassion to benefit people struggling with infertility.

In today’s ever expanding world there are so many ways we can learn: formal education, online classes, college, trade school, vocational school, high school. Every single avenue helps us continue moving forward with a career, or helps us take the first steps in a new career. Sometimes, just one challenge may be a roadblock when trying to move forward. If that one obstacle is financial support, then the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce may be able to supply some relief. At the Palo Verde Award Gala on Nov. 3 the Women in Business Committee will be awarding two deserving recipients each $1,000 towards their pursuit of education.

Each year, the Women in Business committee of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce awards scholarships to either a high school senior who is heading off to college or a woman who is continuing her education. The applicant must live or work in Ahwatukee Foothills or attend a local Ahwatukee Foothills high school. The deadline for submission of applications to the chamber is Sept. 30. If you know of a deserving woman, let her know about this scholarship opportunity.

No fruit says fall like apples. Baked into pies, pureed into sauces, sauteed with meats and stews both savory and sweet, it is one of our most comforting and versatile fruits. But which apple to use for what?

Phoenix Dance Cooperative (PDC) and Soul Shock Dance Company were recently honored by the Federation of Dance Competitions (FDC) as one of 10 Pacific Region studios to earn the title of “Top Ten Studio.”

Phoenix Dance Cooperative (PDC) and Soul Shock Dance Company were recently honored by the Federation of Dance Competitions (FDC) as one of 10 Pacific Region studios to earn the title of “Top Ten Studio.”

I had the privilege of being one of the charter members of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commence Women In Business group when it was started back in 2000. We were looking for a way to provide programs and opportunities in leadership, development and education as well as networking with new business in our community and creating lasting friendships. As our women’s group grew, so did the opportunities.

Each year, the Women in Business Committee of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce awards scholarships to either a high school senior who is heading off to college or a woman who is continuing her education. The applicant must live or work in Ahwatukee Foothills or attend a local Ahwatukee Foothills high school.

As all-American desserts go, it’s hard to beat apple pie, especially for the Fourth of July.

NEW YORK — As the crowd counted down, Magic Johnson pulled a large silver lever jutting from a box labeled "ASPiRE." With that, his new cable network went live.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Fashion Show and Happy Hour on June 12 raised money for the Scholarship Fund. Each year at the Business Woman of the Year Gala, the organization awards scholarships to deserving women in the Ahwatukee Foothills area who are starting or continuing their college education.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Fashion Show and Happy Hour on June 12 raised money for the Scholarship Fund. Each year at the Business Woman of the Year Gala, the organization awards scholarships to deserving women in the Ahwatukee Foothills area who are starting or continuing their college education.

The Phoenix Convention Center is one of the 10 top convention centers in the nation, according to Business Review USA. Phoenix ranks No. 7, ahead of Anaheim, San Francisco and San Diego.