Trail building expert: Phoenix ‘becoming premier winter hiking destination in the US’
In January 2013, the city of Phoenix shut down one of its busiest hiking spots because it was too popular.
Themed races drive running participation to record highs
The sun was rising on April 16, 2005, but Perry Edinger and a team of about a dozen men and women had been awake for hours — all night, in fact. Among the final touches they were putting on the inaugural Pat’s Run was a last-minute trip to the T-shirt printer to pick up an additional 500 shirts, just in case there was a walk-up crowd.
Immigrants help hometowns with Mexico’s ‘Three for One’ program
Fernando Gil wanted to maximize the impact of the money he was sending home to relatives in San Antonio de las Minas so he decided to take advantage of Mexico’s “Tres por Uno” program.
Brunson-Lee students making significant achievements, despite economic, educational challenges
Rachael DeFraesart’s Room 122 is full of all the fourth grade trappings: Posters that diagram long multiplication and illustrate phonics, define vocabulary words and offer inspiration.
Health concerns, increasing costs and competitiveness engender evolution in Arizona youth sports
Children not that far removed from learning to walk are bouncing and shooting basketballs through Hula Hoops instead of a rim at Beginners Edge Sports Training.
Soccer’s success in Arizona validated by international events, youth soccer expansion
The announcement that the Copa America Centenario would bring international soccer matches to the Valley next summer was cheered by local officials who believe the powerhouse tournament will foster the development of the sport in Arizona.
Performance-tracking technology makes its way into youth sports
When Dave Dengerink arrived at Texas Rush Soccer Club in Spring, Texas, as the youth soccer academy’s director of coaching and player development three years ago, he knew the kids possessed intangibles and skills few across the country owned.
Arizona charter schools turn 20 with higher test scores
Nestled between a taco shop, a gas station and a church lies the Gilbert campus of Leading Edge Academy. A former Albertsons grocery store on the strip mall is what the small public school calls home.
Nearly 40 percent of homeless youth across the country identify as LGBTQ, experts say
For a while, Aiden Grae lived in park next to Washington High School, his homelessness prompted by an argument with his grandmother over his sexual orientation and gender identity.
Arizona homeless disenchanted by politics, face barriers to vote
Hidden behind the government district in downtown Phoenix sits a cluster of homeless shelters, food banks and clinics.
Will the ‘Seahawks effect’ catch on for home buyers in Arizona?
A shortage of homes on the market and multiple-offer situations have fueled buyers to create strategies to get ahead of the competition. One game plan ¬– the "Seahawks Strategy" – has worked for some Seattle homebuyers, and experts say the method could catch on in Arizona.
