Residents of Laveen are ready for the South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway to be built.

Twice a year, two distinct cultural groups — foodies and penny pinchers — meet on common ground, or more accurately, at local restaurants.

Travelers accustomed to chain eateries like Chili’s and Paradise Bakery now have a chance to experience local offerings such as Cowboy Ciao, La Grande Orange and Barrio Cafe at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Sun Devil and Wildcat fans will get to show their school pride at Florencia Pizza Bistro in Ahwatukee tomorrow during the “Duel in the Desert” fundraiser.

This weekend was warm enough that locals seemed to collectively change their wardrobes from light layers to tank tops, shorts and other summer staples. If you cringe at the thought of your right to bare arms, then it’s time to take the Tough Lotus Challenge.

Popular downtown Gilbert Postino East WineCafe is set to welcome a new neighbor with some south of the border flair. Joyride Taco House is set to open June 3 on the north side of Postino’s Grainbelt building, and it will share some outdoor space with the wine bar.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Red, White and Beautiful event on Thursday, May 9 will feature a fashion show, vendors and a chance to be pampered, all from local Ahwatukee businesses.

Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation Monday making it easier for police to arrest those who remain on someone else's property.

Local chefs featured on the Eight, Arizona PBS show “Check, Please! Arizona” gather at the inaugural Check, Please! Arizona Festival, where fans and foodies can sample some of the Valley’s best restaurant fare and audition for upcoming episodes of the show. Cuisine from at least 36 of the independent restaurants – from five-star dining establishments to tucked-away cafes – previously featured on the show will be offered.  Among event highlights are cooking demonstrations, panel discussions and the chance to audition in front of cameras.

Before the weather gets any hotter, take your pooch out for a stroll at some of Ahwatukee’s dog-friendly restaurants.

They may be so commonplace they’re unappreciated, so simple they fail to activate the saliva glands at first sight, but in our book it’s hard to go wrong with chips and salsa.

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.

Hunger may seem like a problem only faced far away, but local churches say it’s a problem right here in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Eddie Castillo said that the South American culture has the empanada, the British have the pasty, and he and his business partner Mike Caliendo are giving Arizona the hand pie.

Weekends are made for moving a little slower, taking time to enjoy oneself and reconnect with whatever’s been put on the back burner during a hectic work week.

Most people know what it’s like to pull up a chair at a family reunion or holiday meal, but not many have tucked their toes under the table at a community harvest feast. Several local art and community organizations are hoping to change that with Saturday’s “Feast on the Street” in downtown Phoenix.

Mountain Pointe High School’s wind ensemble and percussion concert will also feature a silent auction to raise money for their Keep the Beat Going fundraiser this Thursday, April 11.

Victor Buono is the owner of Nicantoni’s New York Style Pizza, 1430 W. Warner Road, Gilbert

Recently, my family had distant relatives visit from Germany. Over the years there have been many visits between us visiting Germany and them visiting the USA. They are a wonderful family and we thoroughly enjoyed the time together. Upon waking up one morning, my 4-year-old had already asked to visit Germany.

To avoid “brain drain” during summer vacation, local schools in Ahwatukee Foothills are offering up educational programs for kids.

There’s a simple reason why Chandler’s SanTan Brewing Company decided to build a brand new brewing facility — and it’s one that appears to be a good sign for progress of this particular East Valley beverage business.

Have a long list of home improvement projects? Don’t know where to start?

Have a long list of home improvement projects? Don’t know where to start?

Dean Starbuck can spin pizza dough above his head for one minute and thirty seconds. He and his co-workers from local restaurant chain Barro’s Pizza are hoping to beat that record at this year’s International Pizza Expo and World Pizza Games in Las Vegas.

The most popular locally produced TV show on Eight, Arizona PBS, will soon take over CityScape in downtown Phoenix.