‘They told me the window for my recovery had closed.”

Q: What can I do to get better battery life from my smartphone? It doesn’t even get me through the afternoon on most days. — Ed

Design magazines and home decorating catalogs tend to feature sprawling backyards with big wooden decks and room for everything from decorative fountains to artificial ponds.

Construction crews are back in downtown Mesa to continue work on utility relocation through the end of September. There are new closures at MacDonald, Hibbert and Date. You can find all project updates and detailed construction information at valleymetro.org/centralmesa.

Three years ago, in the wake of a new Arizona law aimed at those in the country illegally, tens of thousands converged on the Capitol with a message: Today we march, tomorrow we vote.

Some extended warranties just won’t cut it

This weekend was warm enough that locals seemed to collectively change their wardrobes from light layers to tank tops, shorts and other summer staples. If you cringe at the thought of your right to bare arms, then it’s time to take the Tough Lotus Challenge.

The Gilbert Police Department release of a new mobile application is now available on both the iTunes and Android platforms. The Gilbert Police Department mobile app provides a one-stop resource to expand the lines of communication between the police department and the community.

I just bought a new car. I didn’t want to. I hate the process. But after months of my old van giving me signals it was time, I finally decided I had to cut its financial life support and move on. I spent hours comparing, emailing, researching, traveling, negotiating and complaining about how much I didn’t like doing any of it.

If you’re like me, you waited until the final days of the tax season to file your returns. And if you’re like me, you’re thinking there ought to be ways to keep your finances organized throughout the year to avoid the mad scramble as April 15 approaches.

Local entrepreneurs are in the final stages of getting their portable medical clinic repurposed from a steel shipping container sent to Kenya.

The silky petals of a fragrant pink shrub rose; the crunchy texture of a gravel path; a nook where grass rustles and a stream runs. What we smell, see, hear, touch and taste can make a garden walk a wonderful sensory experience.

Q: My son’s laptop was stolen from his college dorm during a party and he had the Find My Mac system setup on it, so he was able to track it to an apartment complex nearby. The problem is that the police said that they need more information to go on as they can’t just start knocking on all the apartment doors. What else can we do? — B

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty years ago, Dr. Gene Giggleman was a veterinarian who thought chiropractors were quacks. Since then, he says he's straightened out thousands of dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional snake, hamster, gerbil and guinea pig.

Donations of athletic shoes for kids are being accepted as the City of Mesa celebrates Global Youth Service Day. Residents are also encouraged to organize shoe drives or encourage local youth to participate in Global Youth Service Day by volunteering to lead and organize donation drives within their schools, clubs, churches, Boy Scout troops and neighborhoods.

So our State Legislature has decided once again to drop the ball on banning texting while driving. When will it get its act together? Everyday, Every minute on every street throughout this state and I am guessing every other, there is some moron who is texting while driving. For example a genius in Georgia was recently pulled over while “double- texting.” (evtnow.com/5cp)

Q: I would like to print from my Gmail account on my iPhone or iPad to my printer, but it doesn’t come up in Apple’s print option on either (device). Any suggestions? — Daryl

While visiting a second-grade classroom in Chandler some seven years ago, Barbara Blalock witnessed a 7-year-old girl hand in her right tennis shoe as collateral. She was borrowing a pencil from her teacher.

Those unwanted text messages for everything from special sales to dating services could soon be a thing of the past.

Coming soon to downtown Mesa: big changes to one of the city’s acclaimed all-ages attractions.

Coming soon to downtown Mesa: big changes to one of the city’s acclaimed all-ages attractions.