On the day after Thanksgiving — Black Friday — all Americans have been asked to sign a pledge of loyalty to the United States. This is the central conceit of “The Oath,” a dark comedy/horror/political satire film starring Ike and Jon Barinholtz, and written and directed by Ike.

If you look at it the right way, a new business is like a seed: it needs a good, fertile place to grow.

The ambitious recipes I have gathered over the years serve as a reminder of the fact that sometimes simplicity is needed — and that your own tastes will change, not unlike everything else in the world.

You have to be willing to hand over your comfort to receive the blessings of a truly adventurous vacation. But sometimes, comfort — and food — can be the balm to an adventure-gone-wrong.

The annual Senior Center flash mob dance on Wednesday, May 30 on Short St drew participants from both the Senior Center and the Children’s Center.

“Star Wars” fans who have mused about whether or not working light sabers and blasters will ever be available for purchase on Amazon are in luck: Patrick Johnson, author of “The Physics of Star Wars,” will be at the Little Art Theatre on Sunday, May 27, to talk about his book.

Last Wednesday, May 9, Mills Lawn Elementary School held its annual Bike to School Day event, at which the late Tracy Logan was honored.

The Glen Helen Raptor Center is preparing to celebrate the coming of spring with a special open house event on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 2 p.m. — a baby shower, for all the baby raptors who will be raised and rehabilitated by the Raptor Center in the coming months.

Lauren “Chuck” Shows writes about a favorite children’s book — and what it means to belong to yourself.

With the McKinney and YSHS spring musical, “Disney’s High School Musical, On Stage!” running for its second and final weekend beginning this Friday, Way Back Wednesday takes a brief sojourn to the final quarter of the last century to remember spring musicals past.