America’s sixteenth president is currently visiting the East Valley. Chandler Hamilton Library is featuring “Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times,” an exhibit on display through May 3 that celebrates the life and leadership of Lincoln. The exhibit was created by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Study on the potential effects of the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway extension — a project that would give the East Valley another artery to the Phoenix region’s west side — is now available to the public for review and comment.

The worn boxing gloves and yellowed punching bags tell only part of the story.

Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny delivered his 2013 state of the city address last week, touching mostly on the subjects of employment, neighborhood sustainability, outreach and transparency and better health.

“There ain’t nothin’ more powerful than the odor of mendacity!”

Mesa families at Eisenhower Elementary School learned Thursday what education may look like at the school next year if the district moves forward and creates a “creative and innovative” school on the campus.

If, like Erasmus, you’d buy books before buying food and clothes, you’ll go hog wild at the Chandler Public Library’s three-day Big Book Bonanza.

Residents who live in the area of Val Vista Drive from Riggs to Appleby Roads are invited to a neighborhood meeting to learn about and provide input about a project that will impact their neighborhoods. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Perry Library, 1965 E. Queen Creek Road in Gilbert.

Chandler City Hall and its administrative offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

No doubt about it: Mesa scored much more than prestige when city officials announced plans for the Barry and Peggy Goldwater Library and Archives to be built downtown.

Kids love Halloween — the costumes, the candy, the craziness and the fun — but when it falls on a weeknight, like it does this year, it can be a hassle for parents. Thanks to all the carnivals and trunk-or-treats going on around the East Valley this weekend, the whole family can enjoy themselves without having to worry about getting up the next morning for school.

Arizona has a new state librarian.

Children grab books and find a place to read in the kindergarten class at Tempe’s Bethany Christian School. It’s quiet reading time in the class.

Now that October has arrived and football season is well under way, it is time for Chandler Recreation school intersession camps to begin this week followed by a variety of all-ages community special events later in the month. From the annual Day of Play event and Rhythm Fest to Halloween festivities, this month offers an entertaining variety of outdoor activities to welcome fall.

Whether you want to explore a classy art festival or cheer at the ostrich, or even Chihuahua races, the East Valley has it! Let’s take advantage of our Arizona paradise and dance outdoors to live music, indulge during a cook-off, put on our boots for the rodeo and Old West Days, or run foot races.

Staff at all four of Chandler’s public libraries will undergo training Oct. 8 and the facilities will be closed. They will reopen Oct. 9 for regular hours. Patrons can still drop off materials at outside book deposits.

My friend, Sherryl posted this on Facebook. I thought I would share it.

Ironwood Library will host a free showing of the independent feature film, “The Future of Food,” about genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and how they are associated with the food we eat, on Saturday.

Chandler’s Downtown Library will be closed on Sept. 4 for scheduled maintenance. The city’s Sunset, Hamilton, and Basha libraries will be open that day for regular hours of operation.

The outlook for the U.S. economy brightened a little Thursday after new data pointed to improvement in hiring and greater exports, according to the Associated Press.

This year’s Gilbert mayoral election pits current mayor John Lewis against former mayor Steve Berman again, in a rematch of the 2009

Beginning Aug. 6, nine Phoenix Public Library locations will offer expanded hours of service. Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Want to get back in shape this fall? Chandler’s Tumbleweed Recreation Center can help.

Book lovers in Chandler can show support for the city’s libraries during a summer paperback sale that runs through July 31. All paperbacks are being sold at the price of two for $1, and other discarded books are four for $1. A special display of Christmas books in July will be featured.