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

Being from Cleveland, the smile of Chief Wahoo always catches me eye.

If you watch the trailer for “Renoir” – a new period drama from French filmmaker Gilles Bourdos – a variety of adjectives are bound to come to mind: conventional, humdrum, lackluster. Sure, they’re trying to sell the story of one of the all-time great painters in a mere two minutes, but nothing about it grabs your attention – let alone, compels you to sit through the actual film. Luckily, this is not exactly the case for the movie itself, which is exquisite to look at but unfortunately devoid of any real insight into Pierre-Auguste Renoir. You come wishing to learn about the artist and his work, but instead leave dwelling on the film’s more engaging supporting characters.

One arrived before Rudy Valee and the other a year before The Beatles, but together they made beautiful music in nurturing a piece of Ahwatukee that spanned the decades between the roaring ‘20s and this year’s cold winter rains.

Last week, Mayor Greg Stanton backed away from his campaign promise to the repeal of the food tax. Although I and many other Phoenicians are disappointed in his decision, I have appealed to the city manager and the other city councilmembers to help provide a plan that allows us to wean ourselves off the food tax revenue.

I have read so many good books lately I couldn’t decide which one to review. It was a toss up between “The Obituary Writer,” by Ann Hood and “The Secret Keeper,” by Kate Norton (I don’t know about you but any title that contains the word “secret” draws me like a magnet — maybe it was that early Nancy Drew conditioning).

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton would like to see more recycling in the city of Phoenix.

As you take out your trash this week, think about this: Phoenix families, businesses and industries generate enough solid waste to fill Chase Field to the top, 14 times each year. 14 times! And much of what we throw away is recyclable, reusable and valuable.

Part of a cultural exchange program that at one point included about 65 schools, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School in Ahwatukee Foothills is one of the few remaining host schools in the state.

Have you ever wanted to see some of your favorite “Saturday Night Live” performers on stage? Well, “SNL” fans can now rejoice because Chandler Center for the Arts is hosting three veterans: Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz and Chris Kattan, for a one-night comedy performance this Friday.

Have you ever wanted to see some of your favorite “Saturday Night Live” performers on stage? Well, “SNL” fans can now rejoice because Chandler Center for the Arts is hosting three veterans: Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz and Chris Kattan, for a one-night comedy performance this Friday.

When Jay Mesinger heard about a study seeking Golden Retrievers to help fight canine cancer, he immediately signed up 2-year-old Louie.

A unique partnership between a car dealership and area rescue groups is good news for animals looking for forever homes.

Mention the name Leonardo da Vinci and what comes to mind? The “Mona Lisa” or “The Last Supper” most likely. While it is for these works the Renaissance artist and inventor is best known, his portfolio of brilliance is much broader, as the Arizona Science Center portrays in its new exhibit “Da Vinci — The Genius.”

It has been performed by the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond, and appeared everywhere from the 2012 Olympic Games to “South Park.” No longer just a musical staple of Jewish weddings and bar mitzvahs, “Hava Nagila” has become a global phenomenon that has captivated the masses with its simple message of happiness and gratitude.

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.

Long before Hostess Brands’ plan to shut down made Twinkies the rage, Nancy Peppin found something special about the cream-filled snack cakes.

The margin of victory may not have mattered as much as the interaction in between plays.

Thanks to a range of factors — including medical advances, healthier eating habits and better fitness — Americans are living longer lives. Life expectancy in the U.S. recently hit a record 78.7 years, and the number of Americans living past age 90 has nearly tripled during the last 30 years. But while living well into our 90s is a dream for many of us, the possibility of outliving our savings serves as an eye-opener.

Aaron Windler was on one knee and shaking his head.

Even people without coffee tables enjoy coffee table books as gifts, especially if they’re thoughtfully chosen rather than hastily snatched from a store shelf at the last minute.

If it weren’t grounds for removal it wouldn’t be surprising if members of the Desert Vista scout team were able to hum a few bars of the Hamilton fight song.

Sharing her story of survival and regained faith, author and motivational speaker Immaculée Ilibagiza will be visiting St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Community on Monday.

Peppered with fun facts and cheeky asides, actor Roger Moore’s book looking back on the golden anniversary of James Bond on screen is a treat for 007 fans. He takes us on a lively spin around the milestones of cinema’s longest-running franchise in “Bond on Bond: Reflections on 50 years of James Bond Movies” (Lyons Press).

Not long ago, the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced that it plans to keep short-term interest rates near zero until late 2014. The Fed initially pushed rates to that level in 2008, in an effort to stimulate economic growth. Clearly, low interest rates have a wide-ranging impact — but what effect will they have on you, as an individual investor?