As staff at the Mesa Arts Center began preparation for its second “Festival of Creativity,” MAC executive director Cindy Ornstein said the group was looking for something to pique their interests — a spark, of sorts.

Starting Wednesday, the Arizona Science Center hosts a seven-day snow extravaganza with 30 tons of real snow. Daily themes include a pajama day, gingerbread and candy day, LEGO building day, snowman build and fruitcake launching day, ugly sweater day, train day and a New Year’s Celebration with a “Dancing in the Depot” party.

The act of giving clearly doesn’t go out of style.

The way Arizona PIRG sees it, Dora the Explorer can be hazardous to children.

The way Arizona PIRG sees it, Dora the Explorer can be hazardous to children.

Members of the Senior Advocacy Group of Ahwatukee (SAGA) would like to extend our gratitude to the Ahwatukee Foothills community for making our Inaugural Symposium on Nov. 3 a tremendous success. Over 175 seniors, caregivers, industry experts, vendors and volunteers attended SAGA Symposium 2012, a first-time educational forum on important local resources hosted by the Pecos Community Center.

Higley Unified School District will offer a variety of youth and middle school classes later this month. Classes are scheduled at the end of the school day and include cheer, aviation, LEGO building, athletics, filmmaking and more. Register in person at the district’s Community Education Office, 3333 E. Vest Ave. Bldg. A, Gilbert or check online at husd.org.

Need a fun, free way to engage your kids?

You won’t get five feet into the Arizona Science Center before your children engage in some serious “oohs and ahhs.” And if you do make it past the front door, their excitement will grow to, well, dinosaur size.

From funnel cakes and fun house mirrors to chainsaw carving challenges and the crashing, colliding cars of the Figure 8 Races, we love the Arizona State Fair.

It’s just the beginning of October, but for some it’s not too soon to think about what the kiddies will want for the holidays.

At Chandler’s Gangplank, adults can “be dangerous,” testing out ideas and launching start-up businesses, all with the support of like-minded individuals.

At Chandler’s Gangplank, adults can “be dangerous,” testing out ideas and launching start-up businesses, all with the support of like-minded individuals.

Starting a business in a down economy is probably not at the top of any budding entrepreneur’s to-do list.