You wouldn’t think $3.50 cupcakes would catch on in a recession, but Sprinkles Cupcakes did just that. Opened in 2008 at Scottsdale and Camelback roads, the sweet shop is celebrating its fifth anniversary by giving away something fans of its cupcakes can’t even get in Arizona: Sprinkles brand ice cream.

Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” hasn’t just motivated viewers to indulge in the sweet treat. The TV show has inspired Mesa culinary instructor Amee Hoge to host a similar cupcake challenge of her own but with a twist — it’s just for kids.

Feeling like you should do something for St. Patrick’s Day but missed Saturday’s downtown parade or don’t fancy a drive all the way to Fountain Hills for a spray of green water?

On a normal day, thirsty revelers easily drain two kegs of Guinness at Boston's Black Rose tavern. Come St. Patrick's Day — an official holiday in Bean Town — and they'll plow thorough 55 kegs.

It’s not like we need an excuse to polish off a cupcake, but we’ll take Jan. 10’s imaginary “Gilchrist Inauguration Day” as reason enough.

One of the most gratifying aspects of watching “This Is 40,” the new film from comedy mogul Judd Apatow, is seeing this sort of “Apatowian universe” that he’s created coalesce before our eyes.

NEW CANAAN, Conn. (AP) - The gang's all here: the football fan, the chef, the teacher and the skier. And there's the Nutcracker prince from E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic Christmas story, who inspired them all.

Siobhan Silks

When I told my mother — a fiend for candied ginger — that I was testing a batch of these muffins, she said she wished she could fly right over and dig in. She’s not the only one.

The Twinkies shelves are quickly emptying across Arizona after Hostess announced it was going out of business.

When I told my mother — a fiend for candied ginger — that I was testing a batch of these muffins, she said she wished she could fly right over and dig in. She’s not the only one.

At 10 months old, Cupcake still has kitten energy to spare. The folks at AZ RESCUE say she LOVES to play, whether it’s chasing a tossed ball or toy mouse or capturing a wand toy. But this sweetie is just as enthusiastic about cuddling up to a human and enjoying lap warming, brushing, petting, ear rubs, chin scratches and head massages. They say if you pick her up, she’ll snuggle up as close as possible – and may even drape herself around the back of your neck.

One of the most enduring of Halloween icons, candy corn is now over 130 years old.

When I told my mother - a fiend for candied ginger - that I was testing a batch of these muffins, she said she wished she could fly right over and dig in. She's not the only one.

The Mesa High football team’s run to the Class 5A Division I state championship game in 2009 is still the standard among recent Cinderella stories.

Now that October has arrived and football season is well under way, it is time for Chandler Recreation school intersession camps to begin this week followed by a variety of all-ages community special events later in the month. From the annual Day of Play event and Rhythm Fest to Halloween festivities, this month offers an entertaining variety of outdoor activities to welcome fall.

Caketini (2270 E. Williams Field Road, No. 114, Gilbert [480] 786-3500). Scottsdale has its Sprinkles, Gilbert has Caketini — a cute shop run by a family that’s been baking for generations. Sweet lovers will find gourmet cakes, truffles and massive, prettily decorated cupcakes. $

Fall is arriving, and residents of the Valley are starting to enjoy the outdoors again. Mesa Arts and Crafts Festival, starting up in October, is a good way to enjoy the weather, take a stroll, indulge in tasty treats, listen to live music and shop for art, jewelry and crafts.