“ISBK” and “MLB” were two of the graffiti tags appearing frequently on block walls, trash dumpsters, and road signs in Ahwatukee during 2010, particularly inside the Elliot-Warner Loop.

I recently heard something pointed out that had not occurred to me before last week. At Jesus’ baptism, God told Jesus He loved Him and was pleased with Him BEFORE any public ministry had occurred.

Recently, I took one of the most refreshing phone calls I’ve received in a while.

The first image you see in "The Place Beyond the Pines" is of Ryan Gosling's shirtless torso, ripped and tatted atop a skin-tight pair of leather pants.

City of Phoenix offices will be closed on Monday, April 1 in observance of the Cesar Chavez holiday.

A farmer would be horrified over the notion of an Arizona coyote being assigned to watch over his chicken coop. Arizonans should be worried that some public officials think they should be responsible for watching over themselves.

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.

Dear Mikey,

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.

I made sushi at home the other day for the first time ever. And it didn’t go that badly, surprisingly. I wouldn’t have thought so just 24 hours earlier.

City of Phoenix offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18 in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.

Stomp, on stage Wednesday and Thursday in Phoenix, has been making international headlines since it burst onto the music scene in the early ’90s. The renowned street performers continue to wow audiences, using everything from brooms and boots to trash cans and Zippo lighters to create a percussive experience like no other.

My pups and I walk lovely Sun Ray Park in our Ahwatukee neighborhood almost every day, sometimes even climbing Mt. Everest, which is what I have tagged the hill that is dauntingly tall within. Recently, there has been an extraordinary increase in doggie business left behind by irresponsible owners. Despite the many trash cans and doggie “gloves” generously available throughout the walkway and park, dog owners still leave doggie doo behind. I don’t get it.

The new chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission signaled Monday that the days of pushing solar and renewable energy over other sources are over.

City of Phoenix offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day.

The city of Phoenix offices will be closed beginning at noon on Monday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25.

The state Court of Appeals on Thursday rebuffed a request by Maricopa County to delay a medical marijuana dispensary.

Nearly every week someone asks me what they should do with their old electronic equipment and for many years I would tell them to smash it up, run it over with their truck or car, melt it down, or any of a dozen or so demises I have employed over the years but the bottom line was always, “then throw it in the garbage.” As an environmentally concerned citizen, I am officially appalled at my actions. I, of all people, should have known better, even in the early days, but I did not.

Nearly 1,000 underprivileged students are expected to benefit from Kyrene School District’s “Winter Wonderland” event next week.

With the election now over, candidates and residents with plastic or cardboard election signs are encouraged to recycle them at the following transfer station locations: 27th Avenue Transfer Station, 3060 S. 27th Ave.; North Gateway Transfer Station, 30205 N. Black Canyon Highway; and ReCommunity, 1919 E. University Drive.

The Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC) claims to be having an election for board members on Nov. 5. Board president Bette Laatsch claims this event to be a “contention.” Are we missing something? There is no mention regarding who is retiring from the board but there are three members leaving and three candidates nominated. A shoo-in, a ratification of their nominating committee’s choices, but hardly an election (which to most of us means a choice).

Ahwatukee Foothills couple Michael and Jenifer Corey don’t mess around when it comes to their annual haunted house.

Soaked in sweat and reeking of cigarettes, Southern-fried and smothered in cheese, “The Paperboy” is, quite literally, a hot mess.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center hosts the third annual Enchanted Trail/Sendero Encantado from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The outcome of next month’s race for the Arizona Corporation Commission will determine how much more solar and other renewable energy electric utility consumers will have to buy.