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.

The Norwegian directing team of Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg, whose biopic of World War II resistance fighter Max Manus was a huge hit on home turf, have turned to another native hero for "Kon-Tiki." One of the most-vaunted escapades of the 20th century, Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 Peru-to-Polynesia expedition by raft gets glossy big-screen treatment in this efficiently told action-adventure. Delivering visual drama and understated character study, sometimes in disappointingly formulaic fashion, the feature has its incisive moments but falls short as both epic and intimate portrait.

Monday was the deadline for another column, and so right now I should be polishing up 500 words or so about why women do more housekeeping than men and bundling it off to the Ahwatukee Foothills News.

Does your outfit blend into the woodwork?

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.

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.

Selling season is upon us — does your home have its best foot forward? Or, do you still need to be convinced that now is finally the time to place your home on the market?

Angel Nails in Phoenix

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.

There still is plenty of time to register for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s full schedule of winter/spring 2012-13 classes and sports programs. In addition to its popular general interest classes, the department also is offering an expanded selection of youth sports programs and leagues. The department’s sports leagues and clinics are designed as a low-cost way to introduce kids to organized sports in a fun environment in which everyone plays. Sports leagues and clinics are available throughout the city. Registration is available online from the Classes and Programs link at phoenix.gov/parks.

Traditional potato latkes are a widely loved staple of the yearly Hanukkah feast. And what’s not to love about hamburger-sized hash browns topped with sour cream?

With Hanukkah stretching over eight nights, there’s plenty to celebrate. And often plenty of leftovers.

When I hear the words “Holiday Spirit” I get a flood of great memories and an eagerness to continue traditions of giving. I can remember, when I was younger, the day after Thanksgiving we would start decorating for the upcoming Christmas holiday. I loved hanging the lights outside with my dad, drinking hot cocoa, watching holiday movies, trimming the tree with family and friends, shopping for that perfect present to bestow on someone.

During lunch recess at Kyrene de la Colina in Ahwatukee this week, elementary school students roamed the playgrounds with orange pinky fingers or string tied to their shoes.

Did you know that every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you think breast cancer affects women only? Think again. Men are not exempt from breast cancer. Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. Although there are numerous reasons why women predominantly experience estrogen dominance (use of birth control, menopause and pregnancy), both men and women are increasingly affected by estrogen dominance.

Dear Mr. Walberg: I enjoyed your recent column about cover letters, and it helped me a lot, but I still have a question. How do you end a cover letter effectively? Should I write, “I am looking forward to hearing from you” or just sign off? A couple of companies I want to contact say “no phone calls” in their postings, so I can’t say that I will phone them for an appointment. — R.S.

The news is packed with headlines aghast at the recent report that Americans waste 40 percent of their food. Many are springing into action to connect food banks and shelters with restaurants, or find creative ways to compost or biofuel the leftovers. I’ve also seen reminders to “eat what you purchased.” Consumers are feeling guilty and to blame.

With nods to nostalgia, exotic motifs and tailored contemporary looks, the fall season in decor has lots to inspire home decorators.

London • There was no mystery as to which team Varun Pemmaraju was supporting: His American flag was tied around his neck, the Stars and Stripes floating like a cape behind him.

Have you ever dreamed of living is Europe? Waking up every morning to the delightful European breakfast of the fresh crusty rolls, soft boiled eggs, a variety of cheese and sausage, sounds great doesn’t it? Well, I had that experience with my husband; I was “The American in Warsaw.” We had an opportunity to live in Warsaw, Poland, for my husband’s job; this was before we had children, so we took the chance and moved. My husband had worked and lived overseas previously and was excited to join his European colleagues once again. I was thrilled with the ability to tour around Poland as well as other European countries. We experienced many things, visited many places and gained a lifetime of memories all within 1 1/2 years.

NEW YORK (AP) — With new public stock offerings for guitar maker Fender and travel booking website Kayak on deck this week, there are signs demand is starting to grow for IPOs after a five-week freeze triggered by a steep decline in financial markets and exacerbated by Facebook's rocky May 18 debut.

Enjoy live dancing, music, games, contests, and lots and lots of pierogi, golabki, kielbasa, and Polish beer at the 9th annual Arizona Polish Festival.

Learning a new language as complex as Japanese, American Sign Language, or even Pirate can be as easy as connecting to the Internet, thanks to the Phoenix Public Library.

When wrestling practice ends at Mountain Pointe, there are days when the work is just getting stated for the Gaughan boys.