In the same vein of “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and “Catcher in the Rye,” Rudolfo Anaya’s “Bless Me, Ultima” has evolved into one of the most widely beloved and challenged books of all time. In some high schools this best-selling Chicano novel is considered a mandatory reading. Other schools have banished the book for its use of profanity, references to witchcraft, and religious themes. For anyone with an open mind, “Bless Me, Ultima” is certainly an enriching read-through about acceptance, family, faith, culture, and independence. The charm of Anaya’s novel sadly doesn’t shine through this adaptation by Carl Franklin, which gets bogged down by wooden performance and insipid direction.

Jamie Jimenez, a 19-year-old illegal immigrant, dropped out of high school three credits short of a diploma, blaming slacking off and stomach problems.

As the state’s fastest-growing demographic group, Hispanics also are the fastest-growing market for Arizona businesses.

Jamie Jimenez, a 19-year-old illegal immigrant, dropped out of high school three credits short of a diploma, blaming slacking off and stomach problems.

The organizers of a cultural festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day are looking for volunteers to help staff the Chandler event. The volunteers will help set up, tear down, staff the ticket booth and help vendors.

Mesa Counts on College, an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced this week three projects that will receive money to increased post-secondary completion among Mesa’s youth. The selected proposals, which total $19,000 in funding, were submitted by Chicanos Por La Causa, the Mesa Community Action Network and Randy Payne of the Dobson High School’s counseling staff.

The Mesa Library and Chicanos Por La Causa are offering a series of free computer classes to small business owners starting April 4. The classes will cover basic digital literacy along with Microsoft Word and Excel. Also, participants will learn how to use social media like Facebook and Twitter to market themselves.

February is designated as “Black History Month” and celebrates a population of individuals that share a unique and important heritage. History has not always been kind to African Americans and, as with other minority groups, has left out important contributions by its members.

"Hey, San Tan Brewery, you can come over to my house and brew all you want!"

Fifteen nonprofit organizations will share $500,000 from the Walmart Foundation Arizona State Giving Program and its Associate Choice Program. 

It's a busy time of year for the Phoenix Police Department, not only bumping up security around popular retail shops during holiday shopping, but also finding time to bring Christmas to children across the South Mountain Precinct.

Xico, a Chandler multidisciplinary arts organization, has volunteer opportunities available for artists. You might teach an adult or teen art class, create and organize community art projects, or help with the installation of exhibits. No matter the job, you're sure to broaden your skill sets as an artist.

WASHINGTON – Migrant laborers in this country will be able to get information on workers compensation, wage-and-hour laws and other U.S. labor protections “no matter how you got here,” under an agreement signed Monday.

Sometimes you find art in surprising places.

Sometimes you find art in surprising places.

Guest commentary by Jose de la Isla

"Thousands in the media are poring through Sarah Palin's emails with a fine-tooth comb, yet the same ones didn't bother to do the same with the health care bill. And they think Palin's the one that has her priorities wrong?"

PHOENIX – An understanding of the U.S. education system can increase parent involvement, but it’s not the only factor. Economic pressures, basic parenting skills and parents’ relationships with their children must also be addressed, according to Julie Rosen, executive director of the parent-support group Parenting Arizona.

You may know Cheech Marin simply as the other half of Chong. Or, perhaps, as the shotgun-wielding priest in 2010’s “Machete.” Since the 1960s, he’s been a comedian, actor, director, writer, musician and art collector.

Glendale has received $6.1 million in stimulus funds which will be used to rehabilitate the community, the city announced this week. The money will go toward the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a one-time, federally-funded program designed to mitigate the impact of foreclosed properties on the surrounding community.

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