There once was a time when having a tattoo would make a person an outsider. Now in this day and age, it seems like everyone and their mother has a tattoo somewhere on their body.

After a number of parents vocally stressed at Thursday’s Gilbert Town Council meeting that they think the proposed construction of a mental health facility in Gilbert is too close to a nearby elementary school, the Town of Gilbert is hosting a follow-up meeting later this month to specifically address the topic with local residents.

Runners in the East Valley are a tight community. If any two enthusiasts don’t know each other, there’s a good chance they know someone who knows someone who they’ve crossed a finish line with.

Warm weather and the first buds of spring have been slow to arrive in much of the country. But even if your garden has yet to grow, you can add beauty, fragrance and a sense of springtime to your home by decorating with lush plants and potted trees.

Desert Rivers Audubon, which hosts monthly nature programs for families in Gilbert and Chandler, will give outdoors enthusiasts a primer on using smart phones to connect with nature.

The importance of air travel to her community – and the state – is not lost on Lori Quan.

Dwayne Stowell was just a high school senior when his life was instantly changed.

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

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Most folks know Memphis for its barbecue and Philly for its cheesesteaks, but how about Nashville and its hot chicken?

It’s currently reminiscent of the ruins of the Colosseum in Rome. But when the Chicago Cubs’ new spring training stadium and surrounding amenities are complete, there’s little doubt it will be among Mesa’s main attractions.

‘If it sounds too good to be true’... you know the story

Bryan and Kelley Bijonowski’s Gilbert business has seen a lot in nine years.

This time, Oil Conglomerates and Petroleum Rich Nations, I’ve got your number. You know, the big two-foot tall ones in front of gas stations. You’ve tried to sneak up nasty price hikes on us before, literally by nickeling and diming. Well, I’m here to warn you, I’ve got you figured out. Yessiree. I am no longer going to be Mr. Nice Self-Serve Customer.

With the opening of the state legislative session, school safety soon took center stage.

I remember when I first came to Mesa in 2001, everything was booming. You couldn’t find a parking space at Wal-Mart and all the check-out lights were on and the lines were 10 shopping carts long. I just came back from my Monthly trip to Wal-Mart and was struck by how deserted and down-sized it has become. My Fry’s Supermarket had hordes and hordes of winter visitors, shopping carts full to the brim with top-of-the-line liquor and huge roasts. We “locals” dreaded going shopping. Now we go and there are just 2-3 lanes open because no one is buying anything. Full to the brim shopping carts are as extinct as the dinosaurs.

Rachel Cesta spent part of this week turning in charter school applications for her children.

After a number of scheduled performances — including by the Territorial Brass Band and state historian Marshall Trimble — Mesa’s recently re-elected mayor and city council members were designated to be sworn in Tuesday night at Mesa Arts Centers’ Virginia G. Piper Theater during a celebration hosted by local radio newsman Ned Foster.

Gov. Jan Brewer said she won’t support any new laws to limit who can carry a gun, even in the wake of the killing of students and teachers in Connecticut.

I’m typing this very quietly. I don’t want my car to know I’m talking to you about it.

Gilbert residents Jeff and Tanya Kline are quickly making their transition into the East Valley dry cleaning industry. The husband-and-wife business duo recently opened its third Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise store in just a few short months.

The Barter Group, looking to help one of its members, has made barter available to pay a debt.

Bargain-hungry Americans will need to go on a post-Christmas spending binge to salvage this holiday shopping season.

So the brightly and oh, yes, neatly wrapped gifts are starting to accumulate under your tree, are they?

Ask Santa for new tech stuff and, most importantly, ask for a techno-wizard elf to keep your stuff running.