Kick-off river season in style with Salt River Tubing’s annual launch event. This western-themed shindig offers free cowboy boot koozies and bandanas to the first 500 tubers, live music from 98KUPD, line dancing and lots of giveaways, not to mention a leisurely float down the scenic Lower Salt River.

A line started forming outside of The Venue in Old Town Scottsdale as Cook, Quian and friends arrived.

New York • When he first started working with Imagine Dragons, music producer Alex da Kid was looking for some inspiration for the Broadway musical, “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

Seven-year-old Ahwatukee Foothills resident Ava Loew has a need for speed.

Step one of 74 to prepare for the 37th Annual Ahwatukee Easter Parade began the week after Christmas when parade boss Mike Schmitt asked the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee if they wanted once more to sponsor the parade.

Cathy Garcia’s T-shirts have been in high demand since the Grammys and Oscars where they were included in gift bags for celebrities.

Since then, the Glendale resident has stayed busy with orders for her T-shirt line, Cha-Cha ChiC, named after her Chihuahua, Cha Cha.

Jessica Starr was never one to take no as an answer.

“I just poured Gatorade all over my plants.”

In the eight years I’ve taken on the regular duty of reviewing movies, 2012 just might have been the best. It wasn’t easy compiling a top 30 list for a 12-month period of so many diverse, outstanding films. I found myself having to make some absolutely painful snubs, including “Flight,” “The Sessions,” “The Hobbit: An Expected Journey,” and a little cinematic masterpiece by the name of “21 Jump Street.” In the end though, I managed to narrow the list down to the 20 titles that best encompass 2012 in all its glory. If you’re still behind on the movies of yesteryear, consider this your ultimate movie guide to 2012.

For its 17th year in a row, the kindergarten and preschool classes at Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori have performed a Thanksgiving sing-a-long and skit for proud parents.

‘Silver Linings Playbook’

There are Christmas lights, and then there are ZooLights. There is just something about these things that everyone is buzzing about. And, according to the man in charge of the annual production, the show is revamped to be bigger than ever before.

More than 50 students, 12 school clubs, and other community members helped put together a new natural habitat garden at Desert Vista High School last weekend.

More than 50 students, 12 school clubs, and other community members helped put together a new natural habitat garden at Desert Vista High School last weekend.

More than 50 students, 12 school clubs, and other community members helped put together a new natural habitat garden at Desert Vista High School last weekend.

Vi Koka approached it like an everyday practice, whereas Kiyoko Hashimoto thought of it as a championship match.

As college students return to campus, they’ll be showered in the usual handouts of coupons, condoms and credit cards. But some schools are also giving students what a growing body of research reveals could make a huge difference in their college careers: ear plugs, sleep shades and napping lessons.

Phoenix Dance Cooperative’s Soul Shock Dance Company recently returned from Panama City Beach, Fla., with two national grand championship awards.

The atmosphere in the starting area of the Comrades Marathon was an almost overwhelming jumble of sensations. There were the feelings of excitement, anxiety and apprehension. There was the sound of rock music blaring from loudspeakers and people talking in many unintelligible languages. There was the movement of 18,000 runners shifting and fidgeting in their double-knotted running shoes. There was the smell of ointments and sunscreen.

When we left Matt LeBlanc last time on "Episodes," his life was a mess, and he dragged everyone else down with him.

When we left Matt LeBlanc last time on "Episodes," his life was a mess, and he dragged everyone else down with him.

Nintendo is relying on a famous plumber, zombies and a virtual theme park to build buzz for the Wii U.

Summer classes kicked off this week at Pecos Community Center, and although they may be popular for children, instructors at the center want the community to realize that there are a variety of offerings for adults as well.

Summer classes kicked off this week at Pecos Community Center, and although they may be popular for children, instructors at the center want the community to realize that there are a variety of offerings for adults as well.