Students and staff at Kyrene Altadeña Middle School are hosting a fundraiser dinner for their beloved choir teacher this week.

Life is peachy-keen at Schnepf Farms where this annual festival fills the orchards with smiling children and families in search of $2 a pound fresh, ripe peaches, family friendly entertainment and hot-off-the-griddle peach pancakes, served from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The festival begins May 18 and runs through Memorial Day and includes hay rides, peach pit spitting contests, live music May 18 and 19, roller coaster and other fair-type rides, as well as a “Peachy Sampling Tent,” where you can purchase a panorama of peach-related products. Other food options, including burgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwhices, salads and kettle corn are also available.

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 Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will ban open fires in city mountain and desert preserves effective Monday, May 13. In consultation with the Phoenix Fire Department, smoking and charcoal fires are included in the ban due to the extreme fire danger that the combination of low humidity, increasing temperatures and frequent high winds creates each spring. Additional information on the ban is available online at phoenix.gov/parks.

Another Italian eatery is preparing to open in the recently closed Anzio Landing restaurant space in Mesa.

Finding good Mexican grub in this town is no problem; we could celebrate Cinco de Mayo once a week if pressed. But if you’re looking to do justice to this weekend’s other big almost-holiday, the Kentucky Derby, that’s a little more of a head scratcher. Here are three ways to indulge in the Southern spirit of the Run for the Roses, no big fancy hats required.

The go-to beverage of Cinco de Mayo is now available in dessert form. Margarita cupcakes are the latest offering from Scottsdale cupcake shop Sprinkles. The tangy little number with key lime-tequila cake capped by key lime frosting and sprinkled with salt is available May 3-5 at the bakery, 4501 N. Scottsdale Road.

After a community-wide fundraiser, the staff at CK’s Tavern and Grill in Ahwatukee were able give a check for $8,500 to one of their own.

A knack for moving things forward may be the most important skill Anne Gill brought with her to the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce when she became president and chief executive officer of the chamber in November 2011.

Food trucks have been popular for some time now in the Valley, but on April 13 a new class of diner will get to partake of the trend.

Pressure cookers never really did much for me. They seemed fussy — and scary! All those stories about explosions...

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While the recently opened Speakeasy Saloon and Grill may be a great place to get a fresh steak or enjoy a live country band, owner Jon Harris said to him it'��s all about family.

Hardboiled and dyed, plastic and filled with coins, or chocolate and oozing white and yellow fondant, eggs are a hot commodity this time of year.

Harmony Korine seems to want it both ways, all day, with "Spring Breakers," his super-stylized descent into a sunbaked hell where bikini-clad, gun-toting college babes serve as our guides.

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?

On its 20th anniversary of being in business, the owners of Zipps Sports Grill are bringing their fresh family friendly restaurant to a new 10th Valley location in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Rolling out a sleeping bag, pitching a tent and cooking food over a campfire. If anything to do with camping makes you anxious, Arizona State Parks is here to help.

Jackson Dupps lived up to his nickname of “Action Jackson” last week as he chased his older brother, threw toy balls around his living room, connected about 12 Expo markers together and used them as a walking stick, and shot out a few coy smiles as he contentedly played during Wednesday’s stormy weather.

Part fundraiser, part celebration, Bleachers Sports Grill, 15410 E. Mountain Parkway Plaza, is offering discounts to attendees visiting a fundraiser for a local Ahwatukee Foothills boy with kidney cancer beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Public Works Department will host a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event for Phoenix customers from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 21, Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, at Desert West Park, 6602 W. Encanto Blvd.