During Arizona’s hot summer months hiking is still possible, but experts agree that early morning is the time to be on the trails.
“At night the sun has baked on the asphalt all day long and as the sun goes down the asphalt releases that heat,” said Elizabeth Smith, park ranger at South Mountain Park. “Even though the sun is down and you may not have direct sun on you, it’s still hot out. In the morning it’s 80 degrees. I would suggest looking at what the temperature is throughout the day before you make your plans.”


Tis the season where neck ties, golf balls, and mid-priced polo shirts begin to fly off the shelves. That’s right, Father’s Day is just around the corner. And besides the annual tradition of the final round of the U.S. Open being played, that Sunday in June is our opportunity to remember, appreciate, and show a little love to the men in our lives who went above and beyond the call of duty as fathers.

Active members of Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC) in our Village of Ahwatukee and outlying residential areas aim to stop the South Mountain Freeway from being built on Pecos Road. Preventing the destruction of our community and South Mountain is the main goal of PARC, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

Editor’s note: This is part three of a continuing summer series on the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway.

In what’s been an otherwise tremendous year for movies, 2012 still brought us quite a few stinkers nevertheless. One general question film critics are asked is how they feel when ripping a movie apart. It may sound mean-spirited and arrogant to criticize a movie that a lot of people invested their time and money into. Anybody that has endured the 10 movies listed below however can understand that such criticisms are justified.

Saturday, Nov. 24

CARLTON, Ore. — Driving southwest from Portland an hour or so through the suburbs, you hit the heart of Oregon’s wine country rather suddenly. Here the mountainous Coast Range slopes to the Willamette Valley floor, which is smothered with vineyards that produce some of the best pinot noir on earth.

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.

‘Those Harry Potter fanatics actually want a made-up game to become an Olympic sport!”

‘Those Harry Potter fanatics actually want a made-up game to become an Olympic sport!”

"I'm really digging it," says Ronnie Underwood, a buff, tattooed motorcycle enthusiast, auto racer and former football player who also happens to be a ballet dancer.

‘The Dictator” is a comedy with an absolutely splendid setup. Sacha Baron Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, the dictator of a fictional country known as Wadiya. Aladeen abuses his authority to have people executed, even if they merely bump into him while walking down the stairs. He has additionally slept with virtually every major celebrity, from Megan Fox in a hilarious cameo to Arnold Schwarzenegger. When he ventures to New York though, Aladeen is betrayed by his subjects and replaced with an identical double, also portrayed by Cohen. His top advisor, played by Ben Kingsley, plans on using the double to finally bring democracy to Wadiya. Meanwhile, Aladeen is cast onto the streets of New York, stripped of all power. Imagine “Trading Places,” only with Saddam Hussein.

‘The Dictator” is a comedy with an absolutely splendid setup. Sacha Baron Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, the dictator of a fictional country known as Wadiya. Aladeen abuses his authority to have people executed, even if they merely bump into him while walking down the stairs. He has additionally slept with virtually every major celebrity, from Megan Fox in a hilarious cameo to Arnold Schwarzenegger. When he ventures to New York though, Aladeen is betrayed by his subjects and replaced with an identical double, also portrayed by Cohen. His top advisor, played by Ben Kingsley, plans on using the double to finally bring democracy to Wadiya. Meanwhile, Aladeen is cast onto the streets of New York, stripped of all power. Imagine “Trading Places,” only with Saddam Hussein.

The biggest fights of the just completed legislative session did not take place over money or even guns.

The biggest fights of the just completed legislative session did not take place over money or even guns.

During the second week of May the Christian Youth Theater (CYT) will premiere “Alice,” a musical with a pop/rock opera twist based off “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” by Lewis Carroll.

With temperatures expected to reach the 100-degree mark soon, the Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (AAWL & SPCA) is reminding pet owners not to leave animals in their cars and offering other ways to keep them safe.

With temperatures expected to reach the 100-degree mark soon, the Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (AAWL & SPCA) is reminding pet owners not to leave animals in their cars and offering other ways to keep them safe.

Filmmaker Charlie Minn returns to the East Valley today to premier his documentary movie about Mexican drug cartel-related violence. His latest venture examines the the deep-rooted culture of murder in the city of Juarez, Mexico.

Filmmaker Charlie Minn returns to the East Valley today to premier his documentary movie about Mexican drug cartel-related violence. His latest venture examines the the deep-rooted culture of murder in the city of Juarez, Mexico.

Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. Follows are a few tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this summer.

Now that phones with video cameras are widespread, anyone can take video of most anything at any time, including police activity.

Now that phones with video cameras are widespread, anyone can take video of most anything at any time, including police activity.

It took Don Kennedy three paragraphs to get to Hitler in his condemnation of President Obama's asking for a grant of authority as part of his top secret clandestine behind-the-scenes State of The Union Address before a joint session of Congress ("Don't allow history to repeat itself: Socialism can lead to dictatorship," AFN, Feb. 1). Compare with Cheney and his hand puppet right-out-there-in-the-open-for-everyone-to-see pedaling bogus reasons for starting a war at the cost of spilled American blood and treasure. Post hoc ergo propter hoc - more powerful than compound interest!

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House: