Glass is born in fire, when sand is heated, then cools to a hard finish reminiscent, in some ways, of ice. That dichotomy is the inspiration for an event taking place Sept. 14 at Mesa Arts Center.

HONOLULU — Walk along the shops in Waikiki and it isn't hard to come across vendors selling knickknacks of a fake Hawaii — no, the Aloha State doesn't have wild monkeys or parrots. Lei aren't plastic and don't cost 99 cents — they're supposed to be made of real flowers.

HONOLULU  — Coconut bras aren't Hawaiian. Neither are grass skirts. Tiki bars? They're from California. Yet they're all among the most recognizable symbols of a Hawaiian vacation.

There’ll be plenty of fire, but no brimstone at this season kick-off event at Mesa Arts Center, where fire spinners and glass blowers light up the night. Live music, food booths, ice carvings and a hula hoop zone for the kids offer plenty to see and do at this free community event.

When Gilbert Unified School District decided to test the idea of allowing students to bring their own technology to school, Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School principal Geane Flournoy said she just had to volunteer her campus.

On an average afternoon, school kids freshly released for the day can still be seen in multi-purpose rooms, computer labs, music rooms, and playgrounds.

Pilar Packard never forgot the steps she learned as a youngster in the Philippines.

It’s as close as you can get to Hawaii without a six- or seven-hour plane ride.

Sharpen those hula dancing skills, grab the sunblock and grass skirts, and come out to Tempe Beach Park on March 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Arizona Aloha Festival. Admission is free.

Even in the midst of packing the cooler, loading the car and preparing gallons of potato salad for holiday-weekend festivities, who could forget the fireworks — the very best part of the Fourth of July? Here’s your guide to the major Independence Day celebrations, with fireworks, going on in and near the East Valley.

At first glance, Natalie Hinau might seem like any other high school senior. Good grades. A winning smile. Carefree attitude and a quick wit. But look a little deeper, at the adversity she has faced and the trials she has overcome to get where she is, and you begin to realize why Hinau is so extraordinary.

At first glance, Natalie Hinau might seem like any other high school senior. Good grades. A winning smile. Carefree attitude and a quick wit. But look a little deeper, at the adversity she has faced and the trials she has overcome to get where she is, and you begin to realize why Hinau is so extraordinary.

The Physical Activity Pyramid provides a model for describing the different types of physical activities that children can perform to meet national physical activity guidelines. The national guidelines for youth recommend 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Long periods of inactivity are discouraged.

Women in the Senior Miss Arizona Pageant are hoping to show seniors everywhere that they can do whatever they want to do, no matter what their age.

Women in the Senior Miss Arizona Pageant are hoping to show seniors everywhere that they can do whatever they want to do, no matter what their age.

Get $5 off your next tube rental when you turn in a full trash bag at the end of your float down the Lower Salt River at this annual litter pick-up featuring water balloon and hula hoop contests, a beach ball bonanza and live radio broadcasts from tube and shuttle headquarters.

Challenges filled the half-day of school Friday at Campo Verde as students engaged in some friendly competition, met new friends and bonded with their pack.

The big day is almost here! Saturday is the third annual Chandler Day of Play at Tumbleweed Park from 9 a.m. to noon.This free, all-ages community special event commemorates Chandler’s status as a “Playful City USA” for the third consecutive year.

The Chandler Center for the Arts is receiving a $6.7 million face-lift over the next year, renovations that will temporarily displace some of its larger attractions.