The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states.

In a time of upheaval, when everything for Axel Muller was changing, he grasped onto the one thing that he could always rely on — his athleticism.


At 14, Tyler Cohen had never been out of the country or traveled without his Long Island family when he found himself in Costa Rica on a monthlong service trip for teens.

The Chandler Children’s Choir is presenting its spring concert, “Dancing Around the World,” a collection of songs representing different nationalities and cultures in different languages.

Ahwatukee resident Michael Feyrer subscribes to the philosophy that his life is like a pair of shoes — to be worn out in service.

Growing up in Nigeria Victor Jakpor said he didn’t notice the poverty of his village.

Whenever Esi Impraim’s mother made jollof — a rich, tomato-laced dish of meats, rice and sometimes seafood — the time it took to bubble away on the stove was always excruciating.

Kallie is 11 years young! She would love to live in a house where she can sit on her human’s lap or next to them while watching TV. During the day, all Kallie needs is a pillow to rest her head on and wait for you to return home from work. She is a very quiet Beagle girl and will melt your heart. She gets along well with other dogs and children.

Heartland Payment Systems

Ahwatukee Music Maker Workshops has summer camps for all levels to get kids rocking, moving and mastering music.

There was a time when America was a far off place for Fred Mann.

Up there with “Stoker” and “Like Someone in Love” as one of the best films to hit theaters this spring, “War Witch” is devastating, beautiful and truly not to be missed. An Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this gut-wrenching tale of a child soldier has been reeling in the accolades: Best Actress awards for young star Rachel Mwanza at both the Berlin and Tribeca film festivals, along with a whopping 10 honors (including Best Picture) at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.

LOS ANGELES — A grave 12-year-old African girl, abducted from her village by vicious armed rebels and forced to wage war as a child soldier, guides the viewer through the horrors of Canadian director Kim Nguyen's engrossing Oscar-nominated drama "War Witch." Managing to be neither sentimental nor sensationalistic, the film tells its story from the heart, and from the simple, straightforward viewpoint of young heroine Komona, warmly played by the talented Rachel Mwanza in her screen debut.

A new Grevy’s zebra is on display to the public along the Africa Trail at the Phoenix Zoo. Born on Jan. 19 to Masika and Punda, the newest addition to the zoo’s herd of Grevy’s zebras weighed in at an even 100 pounds.

Ambassador Academy • 3820 E. Ray Road

Christopher Donahue, son of Susan and James Donahue of Ahwatukee and an Arizona State University and Desert Vista High School graduate, is currently serving as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Swaziland, Africa. When he found out that his assignment was to be in this small country located in South Eastern Africa, he was thrilled and a little intimidated. Peace Corp volunteers have no real idea about the type of living conditions or hurdles they will be facing.

I was struck by something while watching the recent swearing in ceremony in Washington. I caught a glimpse of Bill Clinton (just Bill, no Hillary in sight — although I am sure she was with him somewhere) sitting two or three rows back from where the action was happening.

Direct from Senegal, “The African Performers,” an African Dance and Drum Troupe, recently visited Keystone Montessori School in the Foothills. The four-person dance and music ensemble not only performed for the school, but also engaged the staff and student volunteers to join in the dancing and fun.

For years the Ahwatukee Foothills community has been connecting and collaborating to serve its neighborhoods. Now, eight advocacy teams have been formed and they’re gearing up for another successful year of serving.

As a dark veil began to sweep over Europe in 1939 — the pale hint of what would come from Nazi rule — a stockbroker from England took a course of action that would save the lives of nearly 700 children.

As we start 2013, let’s reflect on the beginning of our nation and the moral and religious beliefs of the Pilgrim settlers of 1620. The Pilgrims were Puritans, a group of English Protestants who had become unhappy with the corruption in the Church of England and the English laws which controlled the practice of religion. At that time (1620), other religions weren’t represented. There were no Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews, or Muslims. Only Christians who wanted freedom of religion. Not freedom from religion, but freedom of religion.

It’s been a busy year for nonprofit agency, Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment). In the last 12 months the organization has shipped donated medical supplies and equipment to 15 different countries.

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.

Here are The Associated Press’ reviews of selected holiday albums: