East Valley Tribune - Life & Leisure

Phoenix Zoo to debut pair of Komodo dragons

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:05:27 -0700

The Valley’s most talked about new residents might just be the ultimate power couple. With razor-sharp, serrated teeth and enough brute force to knock a deer to the ground, there aren’t many duos as formidable as Ivan and Gaia, a pair of Komodo dragons debuting Wednesday at Phoenix Zoo.

5 to try: East Valley brew pubs

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:49:11 -0700

A PBS special earlier this year declared craft beer is the new wine. And never before have beer drinkers had so many choices of small-batch ales and lagers produced right here in the Valley at a growing number of brew pubs that also offer full menus of food. Here are five to check out:

'Wedding Singer' brings '80s back

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:31:46 -0700

Pull on your legwarmers. “The Wedding Singer” is bringing the 1980s back to Mesa and Phoenix. The musical crammed full of ’80s pop-culture and ’80s-esque songs is based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Nominated for five 2006 Tony Awards (including Best Musical and Best Musical Score), the traveling production stars ASU alumna and pro thespian April Monte in the role of Holly.

'The Box' offers sci-fi morality tale

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:54:59 -0700

Nerdvana blog: “The Box,” opening this week, achieves neither the highs nor lows of writer-director Richard Kelly's previous efforts. It is, however, a thought-provoking and respectable effort, that proves Kelly is a talent and “Darko” wasn’t entirely beginner’s luck.

Reality show about Jacksons premieres Dec. 13 on A&E

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:53:11 -0700

A reality show miniseries about the Jackson family will premiere Dec. 13 on A&E, the network says.

Judge OKs plea deal for 'Girls Gone Wild' founder

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:16:38 -0700

LOS ANGELES -- A judge sentenced "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis on Friday to 301 days already served and a year of probation for filing false income tax returns and bribing Nevada jail workers.

Lower energy costs with high style

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:27:40 -0700

When decorating our homes, we tend to consider things like beauty and comfort, the durability of pieces we might buy or the image they project. But how many of us stop to consider our energy bills?

First Taste: Bõl Italia

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:19:16 -0700

Spaghetti and meatballs? Sure. Rice and meatballs? Hmmm. The latter is one of the more eyebrow-raising options offered at Bõl Italia, a month-old Italian fast-casual restaurant on the southwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek roads in Chandler.

Google providing better view of personal data

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:55:37 -0700

Google is offering a new privacy control that will make it easier for people to see some of the information being collected about them.

No Doubt sues video game maker over 'Band Hero'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:27:27 -0700

LOS ANGELES — No Doubt on Wednesday sued video game maker Activision for putting words in band members' mouths.

Group urges CW stations not to air 'Gossip Girl'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:15:21 -0700

NEW YORK — On-air promos for a sexual threesome on an upcoming episode of "Gossip Girl" have spurred the Parents Television Council to ask affiliates of the CW network to pre-empt the show.

Festival celebrates Mesa's Old West history

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:32 -0700

Mesa may have a sleepy reputation these days, but it wasn't always so. "Mesa is an Old West town, founded in the 1870s. It's rich in pioneer history and territorial history, and some key people in Western history passed through here. This was a centerpoint," says George Notarpole, owner of downtown collectibles store History By George.

Rimes playing new Wild Horse Pass

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:33:10 -0700

She's not even 30 years old, but some would say Leann Rimes is already a bona fide country music icon. That's what happens when you burst onto the scene at age 13 with a captivating song (1996's "Blue") and vocals so rich they're compared to Patsy Cline's. The powerhouse singer-songwriter hasn't stopped since, winning two Grammy Awards and capturing the longest-standing song to be charted on the Billboard Hot 100 with the hit "How Do I Live."

Songwriting legend Wainwright in Scottsdale

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:41:48 -0700

If you've never seen the guy who master artist and performer Elton John calls "the greatest songwriter on the planet," now's your chance.

Mario Lopez to host Miss America pageant

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:47:42 -0700

Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host.

Gilbert grill celebrates with free cheeseburger

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:16:07 -0700

Joe’s Farm Grill celebrates its third anniversary Wednesday with its annual Free Cheeseburger Day. Jess Harter's blog | More freebies

Slideshow: When actors rock

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:55:03 -0700

Whether they're acting in front of a camera, or jamming on stage, these actors are the ultimate rock stars.

Tips for staging a home yourself

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:06:33 -0700

Staging is the buzzword these days! When selling a home, it is suggested the home be staged for a better or quicker sale. The idea behind staging is to make the home look uncluttered and as professionally decorated as possible so it appears fresh and inviting to potential buyers.

Messina right at home at Mesa Arts Center

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:36:15 -0700

Going to a Jo Dee Messina concert is a lot like popping in to the Nashville songstress' house. That's because Messina has re-created her home's "music room" on stage, right down to the Ethan Allen furniture.

Amazon.com extends Internet price war on books

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:32:06 -0700

The book price wars are no longer just for pre-orders. Amazon.com was offering hardcovers of John Grisham's "Ford County" and Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna" for just $9 on Tuesday, the official release date for both books. Hardcovers generally have a list price of $24 or higher.

MORE: John Grisham's short stories long on characters