WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is designating five new national monuments, using executive authority to protect historic or ecologically significant sites — including one in Delaware sought by Vice President Joe Biden.

Cavemen — they're just like us! — or so "The Croods" seems to be saying with its familiar mix of generational clashes, coming-of-age milestones and generally relatable laughs.

One trip to Chandler Fashion Center, a call to Ticketmaster, two online transactions and several stops at East Valley mom-and-pop shops in the bag, and my Christmas shopping is complete.

The good, the bad, the kitschy. A “seasonal sweater” is one way to start a conversation at a holiday function.

Gift giving feels good, and can feel even better if you know your purchase is helping those less fortunate. Luckily, a number of home décor retailers partner with charitable organizations; many do so year-round, with additional initiatives during the holiday season.

Gift giving feels good, and can feel even better if you know your purchase is helping those less fortunate. Luckily, a number of home décor retailers partner with charitable organizations; many do so year round, with additional initiatives during the holiday season.

Nico Bayless’ two-yard rushing touchdown with under a minute to go in the game propelled No. 6 Apollo to a 24-20 win over No. 11 Horizon, Friday, in the first round of the Division II football playoffs.

Avian wildlife lovers will enjoy this free 60-minute bird walk at Veteran’s Oasis Park, sponsored by the Desert Rivers Audubon. Rehabilitated owls, falcons and hawks will be onsite with Liberty Wildlife. Binoculars will also be available to aide bird watching.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center hosts the third annual Enchanted Trail/Sendero Encantado from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

As we barrel down the two-lane road, historical markers tell us we are traveling along the original El Camino Real, the frontier wagon trail from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Dating to 1598, it is the oldest European-American trade route.

They are our neighbors. They live to the north of us in rural Arizona. Some are Native Americans, many still live in primitive conditions; other folks dwell in small communities, eking out livelihoods. Various are generational Arizonans, whose pioneer forefathers settled this state.

When Lindsey Hendricks sees a 10-year-old boy listening intently to the wind blowing through the trees or a cicada buzzing in the air, she can’t help but smile.

They are our neighbors. They live to the north of us in rural Arizona. Some are Native Americans, many still live in primitive conditions; other folks dwell in small communities, eking out livelihoods. Various are generational Arizonans, whose pioneer forefathers settled this state.

For those predicting that Carly Rae Jepsen might be headed to one-hit wonder-dom, take note: she’s got another song on the charts — “Good Time,” with Owl City — and her second album, “Kiss,” was released last week.

Its chief proponent insists it’s a realistic effort to force the federal government to surrender its title to close to 73 million acres of land in Arizona.

On this side of the aisle, weathered barn boards and a chipped farmhouse table are laden with patchwork toys, quilts and wooden pull toys. On the other, the latest innovation in holographic technology turns a kid's iPad case into a mini surfing movie.

Kids are often enthralled with the wild kingdom, so it’s fun to do their rooms with animal-themed decor.

Kids are often enthralled with the wild kingdom, so it's fun to do their rooms with animal-themed decor.

The grizzly remains of a cat in Ahwatukee Foothills were found by resident Theo Kurrus earlier this month and he took it upon himself to find out what happened.

Former Ahwatukee Foothills resident Shayla Van Hofwegen and her husband, Ferrari, discovered that through tragedy, a meaningful idea can be born.

Out there among the bursage and prickly pear, the boulders relay messages from another time, when hardy, sun-browned people took sustenance from the desert. You can see the story they left behind Friday on a twilight tour through hundreds of symbols carved in stone.

Take a self-paced tour of ten discovery stations along the main trail at Desert Botanical Garden, where you may see nighthawks, night-blooming flowers, toads, owls, snakes, scorpions and desert tortoises. Flashlights are not provided, so bring your own.

Owl Walk and Talk: Desert Rivers Audubon Owl Watch coordinator Stacey Burleigh takes participants on a tour of the burrowing owl habitat at Zanjero Park.