Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation Thursday to allow foster children to be placed in homes with youngsters who are not immunized.

Take note. This is an excellent question, and it may be the relief you and your family have been looking for.

In the wake of last week’s tragedy in Boston, what are the images that stayed with you? The pillowing smoke? Blood on the streets? Shell-shocked victims in wheelchairs? Our hearts have been broken again. And since the footage is shown over and over, we’re traumatized each time, just like when the twin towers burned on 9/11.

Area preschools and child care centers are seeing slightly better days after a rough few years of continued cuts in funding for child care tuition assistance, and some families may see funding next year.

The Salute to Senior Service program, sponsored by Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network, honors the contributions of adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours a month of volunteer service to their favorite causes.

The Salute to Senior Service program, sponsored by Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network, honors the contributions of adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours a month of volunteer service to their favorite causes.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix has named Dr. Dean Coonrod, MD, as chair of the executive committee of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the downtown Phoenix medical college.

Everyone could use a little help keeping those New Year’s resolutions to slim down. But if it means the government limiting junk food, the response is an overwhelming, “No.”

iCoachBoomers and the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center announced that Glen Spencer will be a panelist for the expert-led workshop, Maximizing Entitlements, at "Boomers – Now What?” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at the VOSJCC on Scottsdale Road and Sweetwater in Scottsdale.

The is the season to connect with friends and family. Sometimes when visiting an aging loved one, we may be confronted with a slow decline in health and one of life’s most difficult decisions for a family to make is are they OK to continue to live alone? The aging person usually insists that they are fine to live alone. If you have not had to address this issue most likely you will or know someone who does. As we age and live longer, financial, legal, health care and long-term care issues affect families not just individuals.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School has left many parents hugging their children a little closer but one Ahwatukee Foothills children’s psychologist said it’s getting back to the regular routine that will be most beneficial for kids.

More than 175 seniors and their caregivers attended SAGA Symposium 2012, an educational forum at the Pecos Community Center on Nov. 3.

Saturday, Nov. 24

Members of the Senior Advocacy Group of Ahwatukee (SAGA) would like to extend our gratitude to the Ahwatukee Foothills community for making our Inaugural Symposium on Nov. 3 a tremendous success. Over 175 seniors, caregivers, industry experts, vendors and volunteers attended SAGA Symposium 2012, a first-time educational forum on important local resources hosted by the Pecos Community Center.

The Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council (AZNPC) has joined the White House and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners by committing to Joining Forces, the national health care initiative to raise awareness of health issues affecting America’s military, veterans, and their families.

Hospice of the Valley and the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries are hosting a no-cost community presentation next month.

All of the knowledge and resources from local experts with years of experience caring for seniors will be available during the inaugural Senior Advocacy Group of Ahwatukee’s Symposium at the Pecos Community Center.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has announced nominees for the 2012 Palo Verde Business Woman of the Year and the 10 women are well known in the community for not only their business but their service.

Saturday, Sept. 29

_{When Ahwatukee Foothills resident Gregg Powell’s mother was diagnosed with dementia he was thrown into a world he says he didn’t even know existed.}

Ahwatukee Foothills resident and photographer Everardo Keeme was chosen to do a photo shoot for the Arizona Young Breast Cancer Survivor Support Initiative recently through a cooperative agreement between John C. Lincoln Health Network and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This initiative will change how Arizona supports young women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. This initiative will also increase awareness among the medical community and the general public. Keeme’s photos will be featured on a website that has been created as a result of this funding. The Arizona Breast Cancer Resource guide (azbreastcancer.org) has been developed to help women diagnosed with breast cancer, their families, caregivers, and medical professionals more easily access those resources available to help navigate the journey through breast cancer. This website will help ease the burden of searching for competent assistance and services that are needed most during this frightening and uncertain time. More information can be found on the website, azbreastcancer.org, or by email, azbreastcancer@JCL.com.

The new mobile app released by Chandler Regional Medical Center offers support and resources for new parents with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Norb Weninger’s 72-year-old wife, Elsie, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for nine years before she passed away from the illness last week. Weninger took care of his wife, but had to learn along the way.

Hospice of the Valley is seeking volunteers to assist patients and support their families. The agency is holding a two-session volunteer orientation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 and Sept. 15 at the agency’s Central Phoenix office, 1510 E. Flower St. in Phoenix. The class will be conducted in Spanish for participants in Hospice of the Valley’s Hispanic volunteer program.

Parents and children will once again begin their daily commutes to and from school, as more than 1 million kids will soon head back or have already started back to school. Therefore, to keep kids safer during this busy time of year, AAA would like to offer some helpful reminders for both parents and children.