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.

• Police took a report of a single vehicle car accident around 8 a.m. on April 9 near the 2500 block of East Thunderhill Place. A 16-year-old driver lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a large saguaro cactus, demolishing the cactus. There were no injuries but the driver was cited for failure to control speed to avoid collision. The saguaro was on the side of the road and was valued at more than $6,000. The driver’s car, a 2008 Ford Mustang, was totaled.
• At 9 p.m. on April 9 near the 9600 block of South 46th Street an adult female was arrested, accused of knowingly striking her mother.
• Police responded to a call of an abandoned motorcycle on April 10 at 5:30 a.m. in the desert near Pecos and 40th Street. The 2011 Honda Sport motorcycle was stolen and abandoned.
• On April 12 at 8:45 p.m. police took a report of an identity theft in the 4600 block of East Lavender Lane. The victim claimed someone had gotten a hold of their Social Security number and information and used their credit cards. At 9:40 p.m. on April 12 police responded to a shoplifting call near the 4600 block of East Chandler Boulevard. An adult female was arrested. Police were called back to the area at 10:52 p.m. for a shoplifter in custody. When police made contact with the suspect they found he was also in possession of dangerous drugs. He was arrested.
• At 11:20 p.m. on April 12 police responded to a hit and run accident. A man is accused of driving eastbound in the westbound lanes on Ray Road near the 3100 block of East Ray Road. His car side swiped by another car. The person in that vehicle followed the driver who went to a home in the Equestrian Estates area. Police responded to the home and arrested the man for suspicion of driving impaired.
• At 12:45 p.m. on April 13 police got a call of a theft in the 5100 block of East Guadalupe Road. The victim said a person had taken furniture they had for sale without paying. Two suspects were identified. Between 1 and 2 p.m. police responded to a call of a theft from a residence near the 13800 block of South 44th Street on April 13. A suspect accused of stealing jewelry from the home has been identified.
• Around 4:30 p.m. on April 13 police responded to a burglary from vehicle near the 5000 block of East Ray Road. A house key and a package of cigarettes were taken.
• Police responded to a shoplifting incident at 8:30 p.m. on April 13 near the 4000 block of East Chandler Boulevard. The suspects exited the store without paying for two bottles of vodka. The suspects were not located.
• Police responded to a call of a runaway 16-year-old around 8:30 p.m. on April 14. The teen lived near the 5100 block of East La Puente Drive.
• Police responded to a domestic violence incident around 11:10 p.m. on April 14 near the 3400 block of East Chandler Boulevard. The incident was between an adult brother and sister. There were no arrests, but an order of protection will be issued.
• Police arrested an 18-year-old man for impaired driving around 2:47 a.m. on April 14 near the 1400 block of East Chandler Boulevard. Police received a report of a vehicle broken into on April 6 at the Pima Mountain Trailhead, 9400 South 48th Street. A 2012 Chevy Malibu was broken into and a wedding ring, purse, wallet and various tools were taken. Police estimate a loss of $1,600. Another vehicle was broken into at the same location on April 17 around 1 p.m. A diaper bag was taken from that vehicle.

Chances are, if we had a truly designer handbag in our closet, we probably wouldn’t part with it too easily. But if you’ve got one you’re over, My Sister’s Closet consignment shop is giving 20 reasons to give it up.

Week of March 25 through April 1

The media loosely throws around the word “sociopath.” Many people don’t understand what being a sociopath means. But, if recent studies are correct, 1 in 25 people are considered to be sociopathic. That tells us that most of us will meet several sociopaths in our lifetime. The goal is meet them, work with them, pray with them, but do not get into a relationship with them. Attempting to have a relationship with an emotionally unavailable person will ultimately be psychologically destructive.

Defending champ and five-time Major winner Yani Tseng is among the players committed to the 2013 RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, set to tee off March 12-17 at Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.

February is the month we glorify “love” and “The Fault In Our Stars,” by John Green, is a glorious love story. A love story not just between a boy and a girl, but with life itself. You’ll find this book in the Young Adult section, but don’t let that keep you from reading it; its message is universal to all ages because it is about living each day to the fullest, as if your days were limited.

Now that the holidays have passed along with your desire to keep the multitude of resolutions you made New Year’s Day, you may be wondering what you can do to fill the void left by Old Saint Nick and the football season. How about upgrading your computers? If your only remaining New Year’s resolution is to upgrade, there may be some things you need to consider before running out to Sam’s Club and getting one off the shelf.

Valley Christian High School students have been spending the last few months collecting items to give back to the community.

Don’t tell anyone, but I am old enough to remember things like cooking before microwaves, and being excited about really, really slow video games. I remember people smoking on planes and a time before the term “designated driver.”

Recruiting promises are wide ranging and some of them are actually true.

You might’ve noticed that Valley mayors want to get in the education reform game. After the defeat of the one-cent sales tax, combined with half of the budget overrides going down, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Mesa’s Scott Smith appeared at a press conference to announce a group of mayors had formed to promote education reform and to find more funding for education.

Recently, my wife and I attended a wonderful conference in the Midwest and we had the chance to see so many special friends, many of which traveled from Europe and Asia.

Have you ever said “thank you” through clenched teeth? The gift in that nicely wrapped box was so not what you wanted: comfy clothes instead of designer duds, or a kitchen gadget instead of a shiny piece of jewelry.

Rarely does Norris Vaughan sit idly by.

The holiday season is upon us. Over the next few weeks, schedules will be filled with shopping, holiday parties, relatives, plenty of food and spirits and obligations. Socializing during the holidays can be stressful and challenging for some people, especially if your friends and family are not as health-conscious as you. The abundance of holiday treats and homemade goodies can be hard to resist. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to avoid holiday weight gain.

It’s a busy time of year but Valley organizations are reminding residents not to forget about safety during the holidays.

The Phoenix Police Department will host a toy drive and free VIN etching Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ahwatukee Target, 4750 E. Ray Road.

For puppies and kittens, size really does matter.

East Valley residents began their annual collection of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts on Oct. 4 with a goal of collecting 15,000 gift-filled boxes this year.

Not everyone finds their passion at a young age but that’s exactly what happened for Julie LaChance, owner of Another Bead Please in Ahwatukee Foothills.

There’s nothing wrong with showing a bit of skin. Especially if it’s steamy.

The selection of a jersey number can come from a variety of avenues such as simply being assigned to the athlete or choosing the same numeral as their favorite player.

Summer is officially here and you know what that means? Lots of traveling. The airplanes are full of families traveling to visit grandparents, family reunions, vacations, etc. Fun for everyone, right?

Five hospitals sit within an easy drive of my Indianapolis home. It’s comforting to know, considering that my wife will deliver our second child in late August.