Life + Culture

Wreaths Across America Day Event

This Month, the Exchange Club of Chandler Will Place Remembrance Wreaths on Fallen Veterans’ Graves Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Lindsay Borg On Saturday morning, Dec. 13, members of the Exchange Club of Chandler and hundreds of volunteers will partner with the Valley of the Sun Cemetery and Mortuary, the Chandler Elks Lodge #2429, and the Phoenix Exchange Club to host the Wreaths Across America Day Event. Members of the organizations and the volunteers will lay thousands of...

Shopping

Gifts For Her

Need Gift Ideas? We've Got You Covered! Photography by Lindsay Borg Jewelry for everyone on your list at every price point can be found at  MyrandaFineJewelry.com T aylor Swift All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track by Damien Somville and Marine Benoit. $39;  Amazon.com Cala Gray Velvet Rollerball Perfumes from The Tom Kat Shoppe in Downtown Ocotillo. $38;  TheTomKatStudio.com Customize a hat at Copper Brim Hat Bar in Downtown Chandler $35-$399;   CopperBrimHatBar.com ...

Food + Beverage

Holiday Cheesecake

Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Janie Jones INGREDIENTS Graham cracker crust: 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbled 4 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons butter, melted Cheesecake filling: 38 ounces cream cheese at room temperature 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 large eggs at room temperature   DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix graham cracker crumbs together with sugar and melted butter until well...

Life + Culture

We asked … “What is Your Favorite Holiday Memory?”

Photography by Provided "Every family has that one holiday tradition that never seems to fade, no matter how much the kids might groan about it. For my family, it began with my elementary school music teacher, who had us perform a festive take on the classic children’s tune about the farmer and his dog named Bingo—you know, the one that begins, 'There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-O.' In the song, you spell out B-I-N-G-O, then drop one letter each verse and replace it with...

Arts + Culture

The Kringle Cause

Nonprofit Organization Keeps the Spirit of Christmas Alive All Year Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Lindsay Borg One Christmas season when Jeffrey Biggs was a child, his parents told him and his siblings not to expect any gifts that year due to financial reasons. When the family returned home from church that afternoon, there were several bags of gifts waiting for them on their doorstep. “I’ll never forget that feeling of surprise, gratitude, and love—knowing that someone out...

Fitness

4 Pillars of Ballroom Dancing

Are you ready to experience a world of joy, connection, and personal growth? Look no further than ballroom dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studios! Our dance community is built on the strong foundation of "The 4 Pillars of Ballroom Dancing" - Social, Mental, Physical, and Emotional benefits that will enrich your life in countless ways. Let's explore each of these pillars and how they contribute to a transformative dance experience:Social Benefits: Ballroom dancing is a wonderful way to connect...

Travel

Hooked!

Article by Joyce Selk I have to admit, I never dreamed of standing on the deck of a boat in Alaska with a rod in hand. My idea of “fishing” was watching Mark cast a line into the “lake” behind our home. But fishing in Alaska was on his bucket list and he has endured many beach vacations just for me. Dreading the trip a bit, I was able to entice four of our friends to join us so we wouldn’t be alone on the adventure. None of us had done an adventure like this before and the idea of organizing a...

Arts + Culture

Dancing Through the Decades

Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Chandler Celebrates an Impressive Milestone Article by Michelle Talsma | Photography by Courtesy Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Chandler Thirty-one years ago, a small ballroom studio opened its doors in Chandler with one simple promise: to enrich lives through the joy of dance. Today, Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Chandler remains a community staple, alive with music, laughter, and movement as it marks more than three decades of helping people find rhythm and...

Life + Culture

Local Teen, Global Impact

A Chandler High Schooler Turns Ideas Into Action for Literacy Article by Michelle Talsma | Photography by Provided At 15, Chandler high school sophomore Cathy (Yuxuan) Jiang is tackling an issue with worldwide consequences: illiteracy. This year, she was named a 2025 Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation, joining a group of young leaders from 90 countries who are working to expand access to education across the globe. “I was inspired to apply because I believe education is a...

Education

From the Battlefield to Bookshelves

Local Author Explores Survival, Friendship, and the Aftermath of War Article by Michelle Talsma | Photography by James Patrick Chandler resident Alan Ramias has lived many lives—soldier, journalist, corporate strategist, and now, published author. The Vietnam veteran is channeling decades of memory and observation into stories that reach beyond Arizona and into the shared experience of war, survival, and human resilience. His latest book, Miss Moon , released in 2025, offers three distinct...