As Mark and Carrie Schnepf watch new houses go up all around their farm, they can't help but wonder what it would be like to follow their former farming neighbors and cash in on skyrocketing land values.

But Carrie said they don't want to sell.

"We'll be a little country oasis right here in the middle of the city," Carrie said. "It's a legacy we want to keep for not only the town, but for our children and future generations."

As Arizona's home-school community mushroomed during the past decade, Nancy Manos knew there was no way families could keep up with the number of activities, classes and events that could help them teach their kids. So she made a way.

Manos' Happily Educating ouR Own e-mail newsletter reaches more than 900 families five days a week, most in the East Valley. Anything related to home schooling is fair game for the free e-mail, including items for sale, announcements of activities and meetings. The HERO Web site lists more long-term items as well as a business directory of HERO-reader recommended businesses.