When I first came to the Valley I remember Eddie Basha’s famous commercial motto, “From our family to yours.”

Who'll stop the reign?

In a small thrift shop on a quiet stretch of Arizona Avenue, a group of women sift through piles of clothes and household goods, looking for anything that might catch the eye of someone who has happened upon hard times or someone who is looking for a great deal.

This time of year, we’ll take nearly any excuse to get out and enjoy the weather. Fortunately, Chandler’s got a good one in its Feb. 23 Classic Car and Hot Rod Show.

Winter Range: Cowboy Action Shooting National Championship: Cowboy reenactors and marksmen from across the country and around the world gather for this seven-day event, which includes cowboy action shooting competitions and mounted shooting events.

Ryan Dempsey was 7 years old when he first started to draw. Three years, and more than 100 canvases later, he continues to use his talent to paint pictures for himself, for his family and friends, and for a good cause.

At this time of year, when the fervor of holiday shopping reaches a frenzy, local stores that benefit local nonprofits and our neighbors in need seem to be an especially logical choice. While it has been a tough year for many businesses, they still rally to raise money for those that need our help. It takes the whole “shop local” theme a step further to support a good cause. I know things are tough today for a lot of folks, and even $5 to $10 to any of our nonprofits does go a long way.

A bauble here or a bell there isn’t going to cut it for a holiday “ugly sweater” party.

Wrapping up our community’s Centennial Anniversary year, this is a good time to reflect on the many positive things Chandler experienced in 2012. We kicked off our 100th anniversary in February and held a number of great events in May to honor the founding of this great city. It was heartening to see thousands of residents turn out for the events, but also to volunteer at the many activities that we held.

It’s not Rockefeller Center, but CityScape Phoenix, with its Christmas tree, twinkly lights and real outdoor ice rink, is about as close as we can come to a festive urban holiday tableau.

Here are 10 tips to keep your holiday shopping season a little more jolly and a lot less jarring on the wallet.

If you think you’re intense about holiday decorating, wait until you see this year’s Christmas Idea House. It’s like elves on steroids attacked the place — a 7,100-square-foot Italian-inspired home in Mesa’s Las Sendas that’s been decked out with thousands of decorations, gifts and gourmet treats.

A few off-hand thoughts from a man who had too much pumpkin pie …

Through Dec. 24

Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hit king best known from the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” days and banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on baseball including the Reds when he managed them, was scheduled to sign autographs for $70 a pop for a sports memorabilia shop at the Paradise Valley mall on Saturday.

For 12 years Ahwatukee Foothills resident Cynthia Laymon and her friend, Mary Chavez, have been making the holidays a little brighter for charities across the Valley by donating beautifully decorated Christmas trees they can reuse year after year.

Registration is under way for the annual Leisure World Charity Golf Tournament benefitting Mesa United Way, to be held Saturday, Nov. 10 at the community’s two golf courses.

Ever since I was little, I’ve loved classic cars, especially Chevrolets.

Don Benjamin never thought he would start a charity effort during his retirement, or ever for that matter.

It’s that time of year again.

When my neighbor suggested we go one afternoon to the store at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, I imagined a makeshift space filled with crocheted afghans and God’s eyes made of yarn and popsicle sticks.

AAA Arizona has named four East Valley auto repair facilities as being some of the best shops in the state. The shops were among 27 facilities in Arizona that are part of the AAA Approved Auto Repair network. Three Mesa shops made AAA’s list: Apache Sands Service Center, Invision Auto Body and Thompson’s Auto Repair and Towing. They were joined by ADS Auto Repair of Chandler.

Moms are on the front lines of doling out allowances and shaping their children’s money habits.

Urban Legend’s Pizzaworks serves more than a great slice of pizza. The Gilbert restaurant also serves the local community by creating the town’s newest hangout and simultaneously funding a youth center.