Behind the mask of Chandler High School’s mascot, Scruffy, Andrew Sanchez found his “voice.”

Taylor Hatch of Mesa is the latest early-bird prize winner in Mesa United Way’s Happiest Sweepstakes on Earth - two rounds of golf and a golf cart rental at Leisure World. Earlier winners include Monica Alcantar of Gilbert, a one-night stay for two plus continental breakfast at the Hilton Phoenix / Mesa; Jeffry Westerhaus of Glendale, four movie passes and a Carrabba’s gift card; and Dawn Dubry of Phoenix, a $100 Westcor mall gift card.

Mesa United Way is inviting residents to make a donation to its Community Chest and enter “The Happiest Sweepstakes on Earth!” to win a Disneyland vacation and other prizes.

From elaborately decorated trees to drive-through lighting displays to boat parades and train shows, a variety of holiday spectacles are being staged through the end of December and into early January around the country. Here are a few of them.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

Our military protects and defends us, but it’s a lesser known fact that they also entertain us. The United States Air Force Concert Band and the Singing Sergeants do just that with a free community performance October 25 at ASU Gammage.

Jack Skellington and many old favorites from “Halloween Town” have taken over “Ahwatukee Town” once again at the Powers home.

NEW YORK — Social media will be a big component of a new program announced by Disney Wednesday in which the company's parks in California and Florida will feature weekly surprise themes and events.

The students at Bethany Christian School in Tempe are gearing up for their biggest project yet: making over a thousand apple pies from scratch.

As a community organizer I have hosted debates and town halls for more than 30 candidates for elected office and I have not written an editorial about why an elected official should not be reelected, until now.

Babe Ruth and the Red Sox. King Tut’s tomb. James Dean’s Porsche.

LOS ANGELES - Disneyland remains the most popular Southern California theme-park attraction, drawing 16.1 million guests in 2011, according to the Themed Entertainment Association. But visitors to the Southland have several non-Disney options.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - By adding Cars Land, Disney California Adventure continues its evolution into Pixar Park. And that's a good thing.

So by now most of us in the Valley of the Sun are over being steamed — I’m talking about indoors — that point guard Steve Nash was traded by the Phoenix Suns to the locally hated Los Angeles Lakers for four high-up draft picks in the next three years.

Kids and teens around Arizona are gearing up for another fun week at summer camp.

ANAHEIM, Calif.— Disney is done with its do-over of Disney California Adventure.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Disneyland is not just for sugar-soaked kids. Consider, all you grown-up women out there, going for a gals’ day out.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The first phases of a reimagined Fantasyland at Florida's Walt Disney World, the new Cars Land at California's Disneyland based on the "Cars" movies, and Universal Studios Hollywood's new Transformers ride top the list of new attractions at theme parks across the country in 2012.

Hunter Rodriguez has been to the Holy Land.

Hunter Rodriguez has been to the Holy Land.