Planners for this year’s Mesa Rocks, to be held March 9 in downtown, have created a VIP package with a meet ‘n’ greet scheduled with all the bands. The VIP package also includes prime seating, five beer tickets, dinner from Longhorn Steakhouse, Jamba Juice, and a chance to win a free night’s stay at The Phoenix Marriott Mesa.

At the Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s economic update luncheon Wednesday at the Hilton Phoenix/Chandler, City of Chandler Economic Development Director Christine Mackay followed a spirited state budget overview presentation by highlighting some of the incoming businesses and development opportunities for Arizona’s fourth most populous city.

Monti’s, the steakhouse operating out of the historic hacienda at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, is hosting a contest to name its new patio.

"Yentl" goes yenta in "The Guilt Trip," a creakily old-fashioned comedy that forgot to pack the laughs along with the nudging and kvetching. Possibly the first American film in decades in which characters drive cross-country courtesy of process shots out the back window, this mother-son yakfest blows a gasket and all four tires before it even hits the road.

Bit by bit, Mesa’s Fiesta District is being transformed.

The bugle is calling assembly for all Leathernecks, Deck Apes, Wingnuts, Dog Faces, Bubbleheads and Shallow Water Boys. No, this is not about throwing a costume party or casting a horror movie.

TASTE. Chandler’s Culinary Festival returns Oct. 6 with expanded local restaurant offerings and new evening hours.

A look at key Chandler facts and figures

Dutchman’s Hideout (6100 E. Mining Camp St., Apache Junction [480] 982-3181). Rustic wood-planked walls and brushed copper tabletops set the tone in this out-of-the-way place serving mesquite-grilled certified Angus prime rib of beef, steaks and seafood along with beer and wine. If you’re feeling more casual, the adjacent Mining Camp Restaurant offers all-you-can-eat family style dinners at long picnic tables. They’re seasonal, so call to make sure they’re open before you make the drive. $$$-$$$$

More than 300 Valley Youth Theatre supporters helped raise nearly $120,000 to fund education and outreach programs and six mainstage productions at The Most VYTal Event of the Season, the company’s 14th annual fundraiser.

NEW YORK (AP) — With new public stock offerings for guitar maker Fender and travel booking website Kayak on deck this week, there are signs demand is starting to grow for IPOs after a five-week freeze triggered by a steep decline in financial markets and exacerbated by Facebook's rocky May 18 debut.

Chandler 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

If dad loves good food and you love to shop and have fun, take a day off this Father’s Day and bring him to Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse for their “FREE Steak Dinner and a Show.” Dads can enjoy a free 9-ounce slow roasted USDA Prime Rib with Jack Daniel’s Au Jus and creamy fresh horseradish served with butter braised corn on the cob, Rawhide Cowboy beans, Texas toast and a tossed salad with choice of dressing. Dads can upgrade to a 12-ounce Prime Rib for $5.

There’s still time to get in on Arizona Restaurant Week, when scores of dining destinations roll out three-course menus for $30-$40 per person — a significant savings at high-end establishments.

As the polls closed and ballots were counted, Tempe’s mayoral race paused Tuesday night with a giant question mark. With the race too close to call, and mail-in and other ballots yet to be tallied, candidates Michael Monti and Mark Mitchell would have to wait to see who would replace Hugh Hallman and become the city’s next elected leader.

Tempe’s mayoral race ended Tuesday night with a giant question mark — a question that is ultimately unlikely to be answered until Friday.

Not long ago, you would have found sheep roaming across the street from the relatively struggling “Downtown Ocotillo” development, according to developer Spike Lawrence.

Mesa’s Stapley Junior High School is presenting a ‘not quite spring’ festival intended to showcase the school’s performing and fine arts departments, along with other school activities.

Jerry Burgess well remembers the time when he served as the batboy for the Houston Colt 45s, a new Major League Baseball expansion team that made Apache Junction its spring training home in a modest ballpark facing the Superstition Mountains a half century ago.

For two hours Monday night, Tempe residents gathered in the City Council chambers to hear five council and three mayoral candidates make their case to voters, who will head to the polls on March 13 for the primary election and May 15 for the general election.