Searching for the perfect active adult community to enjoy during retirement creates all sorts of questions. Do you want to live somewhere else? If so, where? Do you want warmth and sunshine? Do you want to stay close to family? Do you want a condo or single-family home? With questions like these, doing your homework is important. As is starting early.

The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. announced that Martha C. Patrick and Wendi A. Sorensen have been selected as two of the “Top 25 Women Attorneys” in Arizona by Southwest Super Lawyers in 2013.

It’s such a strange feeling when you know something is done. Our son just turned 20 and his teen years are in the past. Our oldest daughter will graduate in May and her lifetime of home-schooling days will be over. My sister’s fiancé is retiring after more than 35 years with the Denver Fire Department. There is such finality in all these things. When they’re over, they’re over.

An attempt to open a medical marijuana dispensary at 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard has respectfully been withdrawn for now as the owner searches for a location in Ahwatukee Foothills that will be further away from homes and schools.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce thanked influential mentors, volunteers and businesses during its 14th Annual Chamber Day of Champions awards breakfast Friday morning.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce appointed Beth Amoroso, Jim Hunt, Kent Johnson, Larry North, Bruce Peterson, Liane Rouzaud and Janet Schwab to its 2013 Board of Directors.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce will host the 14th Annual Chamber Day of Champions Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 8 and honor local businesses, volunteers and educators who have made an impact on the community.

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.

It was shocking almost — this simple moment that changed me one day. They happen like that, don’t they? Epiphanies. They arrive at the strangest times.

Former Democratic state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been elected to represent a new Phoenix-area congressional district, emerging victorious after a bitterly fought race that featured millions of dollars in attack ads.

A desire to recycle, save money and add that personal, imaginative touch is what entices many crafty people to create what easily can be bought. This time of year, that includes crafting a lunch sack.

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.

Glynis Abapo knew just what she wanted her dream wedding cake to be: simple. Three or four tiers. A rich, white confection with white peonies and peony petals cascading down the middle.

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.

When the lazy days of summer give way to hectic fall schedules, there is nothing like dashing in from the cold and being enveloped by a home filled with delicious smells.

For artsy types, the Olympics are an opportunity — to make crafts.

There’s not a lot of room for Ed Henry to make a style statement. The Fox News Channel chief White House correspondent pretty much has to stay in the box that is your TV screen.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce thanks the many volunteers who assisted us in putting together this year’s Red, White and Boom Fireworks Celebration. These volunteers give up their family time for the good of the community and we are grateful for their help. Presented by Vision Community Management at the Ahwatukee Country Club, the chamber is proud to continue this 37-year Ahwatukee tradition.

Protecting her privacy helps Nicole Kidman be a better actress.

“It’s an unusual experience to be a comedian,” says Louie C.K., who is being feted at “The Comedy Awards” (9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Comedy Central).