Two old friends paid me a visit last week. The first slipped in without a word, freezing my mind for an instant, like the shock of ice cream gulped down too eagerly on a hot day. As we visited for a while, I noticed the familiar voice is edged with a steely insistence, somehow sharpened rather than blunted by a hunger for news of trouble, and the scent of brewing chaos. By God’s grace and through His perfect timing, there, just in nick of time, was another beloved friend knocking on the door of my heart, gently enfolding me in loving arms. This beloved voice speaks quietly, yet perfectly clearly, sharing a different story, at once both old and fresh. The voice carries words brimming with abundant life, like a lush oasis in an otherwise barren and hostile desert. Such is the power of moments of fear to paralyze our senses, and to leave us feeling isolated and lost. Such is the power of the unparalleled peace found through our faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord, in the comforting words of Scripture.

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Desert Vista High School band car wash at Sonic on April 20, they raised more than $750 to donate to the music program at Bay Head school in New Jersey that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who would like to make additional contributions can contact the band boosters at dvmb.fundraising@gmail.com.

The new Ahwatukee Auto Spa, at 4601 E. Chandler Blvd., is open for business and is hoping to become a one-stop shop for Ahwatukee Foothills residents for drinks, snacks, gas and a car wash.

A member of the Desert Vista wrestling family is hurting and the program is doing what it can to help.

Armando Adrian-López doesn’t farm anymore, but he still looks to the natural world for inspiration and materials, using corn husks, dried flowers and found objects to create fantastical winged and horned creatures.

About once a month my daughter and I have a very sweet daddy/daughter ritual that we have followed for the last six years. Typically on a lazy weekend afternoon, we drive over to the Ahwatukee Foothills Car Wash off Ray Road and when we get the car washed we grab a delicious, all natural fruit Popsicle. I tend to go with the piña colada flavor, especially in the hot Arizona summers when I like to imagine being in a tropical environment. My daughter tends to go with good-old natural strawberry and the little seeds are actually in the Popsicle. My daughter reminds me of this fact every time we go and I respond with enthusiasm and amazement as though this is new information.

Gift giving in February is fraught with danger for any guy. Don’t give chocolate if she’s on a diet, but if you don’t give chocolate you might be implying that you think she’s fat. Jewelry has to be precisely the right style for your beloved, without her telling you what she wants. The card can’t be funny; it has to be romantic, but it can’t be schmaltzy.

A mix of singers from Mountain Pointe High School’s choir department will be serving and singing to parents, fellow students and guests at this Saturday’s “That’s Amore” dinner show.

Legend Cleaners

(480) 460-2400

MP swim to host fundraiser tomorrow

On behalf of all fitness professionals, registered dietitians, nutritionists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and anyone else in the world who tries day in and day out to motivate, encourage, cajole, threaten, scare, and beg us to get healthy and fit, this one’s for you.

Led by strong purchases of cars and trucks, Arizonans appear to be confident enough in the economy to post a small gain last month in retail sales over the same time a year earlier.

While both those who support and despise Senate Bill 1070 dance in the streets proclaiming victory after the June 25 U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision on Arizona’s anti-immigration law, the revelers need to remember that there’s a whole lot of very serious felony crime occurring every day in Arizona and the vast majority of it never gets solved and has nothing to do with illegal immigration.

The kids and teens of Faith Christian Center in Phoenix have attended an annual summer camp for more than a decade.

You can’t really blame local TV weather forecasters for playing up the Arizona monsoon.

With little chance of rain for the next few weeks, Ahwatukee Foothills residents can safely take advantage of a local car wash that will benefit a nonprofit organization and help a local mom raise some funds for the New York City Marathon.

There’s nothing like a massage to tell someone you appreciate their hard work. Especially when it’s accompanied with flowers and free meals.

Randall Presley, the first developer in Ahwatukee Foothills, passed away of complications arising from pneumonia in Newport Beach, Calif., on April 12. Presley will be remembered as a smart developer and a gentleman.