Homeowners associations are tasked with the unenviable responsibility of maintaining community standards. Personal property appearances, landscape maintenance and dog refuse in common areas fall within their purview; apparently so do banners advertising local businesses.

You may have noticed some unusual “construction” in downtown Chandler.

As the new year begins, bringing new colors into our homes can help refresh and recalibrate our spirits. This spring, blues may be just the tonic we need.

The Ahwatukee Prickly Piecers have been working to complete an “opportunity quilt” to raise money for their guild chapter to pay rent for the church where they meet, to pay for the charges to their sew-in’s for charity, to buy fabric, batting, thread, webbing, and more. It will also pay for workshops with teachers to learn sewing techniques that can be used in charity work.

Kids are often enthralled with the wild kingdom, so it’s fun to do their rooms with animal-themed decor.

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

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Deb Fedasiuk is launching her first jewelry line next month, a project 10 years in the making.

For many college kids, the dorms are home for all four years, and they’re happy campers. But for many others, the opportunity to move off-campus, into an apartment or house, is a welcome lifestyle change.

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

The “holiday season” may fall in December, but between graduations, weddings, Father’s Day and the like, you’re hardly off the hook for gift giving this time of year. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered, with a variety of ideas that all involve clever covers for recycled cans, bottles or jars.

You’ve probably seen Native American pottery, textiles, dolls or jewelry. But you may have never seen this: photographs from contemporary Navajo photographers capturing unvarnished moments of American Indian life.

In home decor, there’s something about the start of spring. When life’s renewing itself outdoors, we feel the urge to revive our interiors too.

In home decor, there’s something about the start of spring. When life’s renewing itself outdoors, we feel the urge to revive our interiors too.

After her father passed away, Tamara Becerra took an interest in preserving family heirlooms that had been passed down over many generations. Though the collectibles have always been a memory of her father and a trip down memory lane, Becerra concedes she’s never really understood the complete back story of where a Colonial Era-style blanket and several Dutch chargers in her possession originated.

The holiday season brings a flurry of preparatory activity in the home to give it that extra pizzazz for this special time of year: clutter gets cleaned up, the holiday decorations are set out, centerpieces and tablecloths are changed, garland swags and wreaths are hung. 

The holiday season brings a flurry of preparatory activity in the home to give it that extra pizzazz for this special time of year: clutter gets cleaned up, the holiday decorations are set out, centerpieces and tablecloths are changed, garland swags and wreaths are hung. 

“Prints From Wood: The Art of the Woodcut,” is the title of the West Valley Art Museum’s next exhibition at the Peoria City Hall Gallery.

For 24 years, viewers of the Fox network’s television show, “America’s Most Wanted,” stayed glued to the couch to see if they would recognize any of the fugitives on their television screen.

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market may have reached the half-century mark, but the state’s largest Indian market continues to combine innovative new artists and activities with the timeless traditions of the Southwest.

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market may have reached the half-century mark, but the state’s largest Indian market continues to combine innovative new artists and activities with the timeless traditions of the Southwest.

More than 50 Navajo weavers are expected to gather to show and sell their textiles on Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Gathering of Weavers: Navajo Weavers Marketplace at the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. The event takes place in the Heard Museum's Central Courtyard from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book signings (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), live music, lectures (noon, 1 and 2 p.m.) and demonstrations (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are all part of this annual event.

Most of what we consume can be recycled, but not by the city of Phoenix. With a little bit of planning and research it's possible to find cleaner ways to dispose of hazardous items, even here in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Most of what we consume can be recycled, but not by the city of Phoenix. With a little bit of planning and research it's possible to find cleaner ways to dispose of hazardous items, even here in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is seeking artists working in all media to exhibit at the 41st annual Scottsdale Arts Festival set for March 11 to 13, 2011.

Performers wanted for Nov. 20 Block Party