An invitation from a friend eight years ago is all it took for Ahwatukee Foothills resident Teresa Akrish to get involved in the YMCA’s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (YOPAS).

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Richard A. Davenport has been selected for the 2013 Phoenix Award in the Retirement Planning Consultants and Services category of the Phoenix Award Program.

The Arizona Newspapers Foundation, Inc. (ANF) announced a scholarship available to Arizona college students majoring in journalism. This summer, ANF will award scholarships to students attending Arizona State University, University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University full-time. Students must have completed at least one term and have one term remaining before graduation.

The Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board unanimously approved the appointment of Steven R. Gonzales, Ed.D., as president of GateWay Community College, effective July 1.

On May 18 Everest College Phoenix celebrated the graduation of 141 students from its Phoenix campus. During the graduation ceremony, Calvin Coolidge Goode was recognized for his extraordinary leadership in Arizona and beyond as well as his dedication to the promotion of education and advancement of civil rights. He was presented with an Everest College Phoenix honorary degree, doctor of humane letters.

Michelle M. Lauer, attorney at business law firm Jaburg & Wilk, P.C., has been awarded Top Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona from the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education.

Chandler Regional received the Partner for Change award by Practice Greenhealth, an industry leader and nonprofit organization that recognizes health care facilities for going above and beyond in keeping and maintaining a “green” workplace.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Humana Communities Benefit program will award a one-time, $100,000 grant to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Maricopa County focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) honored their 10th annual Teal & Silver award recipients during a breakfast event at the college’s Williams Campus on May 7 at the Student Pavilion Center. Nine winners were recognized for their efforts and support of CGCC students, employees, programs, services and the college community.

Three students recently promoted from the eighth grade at St. John. Bosco Catholic School in Ahwatukee recently received scholarships for private high school tuition, each worth $8,000.


A $70,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services will enhance Hospice of the Valley’s care for patients who are military veterans.


Arizona-based Maracay Homes recently spent $4 million to design new floor plans based on consumer requests in a post recession economy. Those new floor plans — the New Arizona Living Collection — include secondary living rooms that can be used as playrooms, laundry rooms by master bedrooms and expanded outdoor spaces, said Maracay President and CEO Andy Warren.

Ahwatukee resident Victor A. Cogco-Hernandez won a scholarship to the soccer camp of his choice this summer thanks to Scion, the Toyota car brand.

Taylor Guthrie, a student from Chandler, was recently honored as one of the brightest young students in the nation at a statewide awards ceremony for academically advanced children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

My son Brett, the comeback athlete

A zoning officer has decided to take the issue of allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to open in Ahwatukee Foothills under advisement. A ruling must be made within 30 days.

When executives of corporations are caught aiding and abetting criminal behavior of their employees, the executives are prosecuted and the businesses are destroyed.

Recent Mountain Pointe High School graduate Zakaria Mahmoud was named as the East Valley Institute of Technology’s Student of the Year.

There were plenty of highlights at Monday’s 11th annual Champions Awards Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Interscholastic Association at University of Phoenix Stadium.

For the past two years, the Husband and Wife Law Team serious injury lawyers Mark and Alexis Breyer of Ahwatukee has been sponsoring their own Teacher Appreciation Program, awarding one lucky teacher each month $250 for use in their classroom or how they wish. Their latest winner is Mr. Vico Guerrero of Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School.