So, the town of Gilbert, that bastion of conservatism heavily populated with tea party extremists, is being attacked by that paradigm of conservative virtue, the Goldwater Institute, for daring to operate a gym that appeals to many. Talk about irony!

New Gilbert residents are encouraged to gather information about their new community at the New Resident Social on Jan. 19.

This casual 5K walk-run at Freestone Park celebrates the fourth anniversary of Gilbert’s Funktional Fitness. There are optional challenges along the course. All participants get a t-shirt and raffle ticket.

Mesa’s Carrington College will host complimentary health care services to mark “medical support week.” The celebration is part of Health Care Recognition Month. Students enrolled in programs such as dental hygiene, nursing, medical assisting and respiratory care will demonstrate basic health checks, and distribute free first aid kits 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the campus, 1001 W. Southern Ave., Ste. 130, Mesa.

Has anyone considered moving Gilbert Classical Academy to the district office where there is already a gym, fields and parking? Then moving all district employees to GCA’s current campus. I feel it would be more fiscally responsible and would not displace any children, only adults. Are we not about the children?

An ozone health watch has been issued for Tuesday by the Arizona Department of Environmental Services. Rising ozone levels may approach federal standards, prompting the health watch, according to a release.

Want to get a good night’s sleep? Join in a free seminar hosted by Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers to learn about “good sleep hygiene.”

To vote in Gilbert’s primary election, town residents must be registered to vote by Monday.

A 341-unit apartment complex in Gilbert’s Val Vista Lakes has sold for $28 million. Vista Montana, 3225 E. Baseline Road, was built in 1990 and was 90 percent occupied at the time of the sale.

Banner Baywood Medical Center will offer a free diabetes education seminar from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Copper Room of the hospital, 6644 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa.

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board will hold a public hearing on its 2012-2013 budget 7 p.m. June 19.

Numerous telescopes set up outside the Gilbert Rotary Observatory are used to view the transit of Venus across the Sun, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in Gilbert. The next chance to see Venus transit the Sun will be 105 years from now, in the year 2117.

Weather conditions, circumstances and time permitting, an area of Gilbert is scheduled for mosquito spraying midnight Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday.

Mountain Vista Medical Center, 1301 S. Crismon Road, Mesa, will host a Senior Advantage event — arthritis foundation exercise — at 10 a.m. on Thursdays this May.

Nearly 1,000 participants joined together Saturday at Mesa’s Red Mountain High School for the annual Relay for Life event to defeat cancer.

Pinal County Superintendent of Schools Orlenda Roberts has announced the appointment of Dr. Georgia Lappas-Krohn to the Apache Junction Unified School District governing board.

Jim Jobusch will assume the role of Interim Fire Chief for the Town of Gilbert after Fire Chief Collin DeWitt retires Thursday, May 2.

For Our City-Gilbert is looking for volunteers to help us complete various projects around the Town on Saturday, April 13.

Goodwill of Central Arizona will have a health care job fair noon to 3 p.m. March 14 at Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel.

With regard to Secretary Leon Panetta’s fear that reduced defense spending will “hollow out our military,” one must ask why there are currently over 196,000 American military troops stationed in 150-plus foreign countries. Does the money spent to deploy troops in this manner really help secure the shores of the United States of America?

I see that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has decided to reject the Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin because it is too expensive. The next part of Gov. Walker’s plan is for Wisconsin to tighten eligibility for Medicaid, lift a cap on childless adults and — get this — force people to buy insurance through a government-run marketplace known as an exchange. That’s wonderful, Scott. By the way, I couldn’t help noticing that your program is the same as Obamacare, so I’m not sure what the advantage would be. Maybe we could call it “Walkercare” instead of “Obamacare” and that would make Gov Walker feel better.

In an effort to reduce air pollution and sewage waste, Gilbert will work with REV Biodiesel to collect used cooking grease at fire stations now through Jan. 5.

East Valley residents are encouraged to “tie one on for safety” this holiday season. In support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Desert Car Care Centers, with a location in Chandler and two in Gilbert, is giving locals who sign a “pledge to drive sober” and tie a MADD ribbon on their vehicle a voucher for a complementary set of wiper blades, as well as a discounted 15-point safety evaluation; the evaluation is valued at $65.25, but the discount brings it to $9.

Comfort Dental will offer free dental care to those in need at two Mesa offices 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 24.