The hit Broadway musical, “Avenue Q,” is considered an adult version and parody of the popular television series “Sesame Street.” Many of the characters and puppets are spoofs of the children’s TV show and utilize adult situations, themes and language.

As the youngest Gavin broke into the clear almost the whole soccer loving family perked up from the sidelines to see what Hannah would do with the ball at her feet.

Sheila Coonen from Connecting to Serve and Andi Pettyjohn decided to help foster youth this holiday season. Many churches and the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee helped with collection boxes to aid in their efforts. With help from the Camelback Kiwanis Club, Friendship Village, Pecos Senior Center and other Ahwatukee Foothills residents the result was 47 troubled boys, ages 8 to 17, receiving a Christmas celebration.

Now that all the fun of Christmas is over the Phoenix Fire Department is encouraging residents to get serious about fire safety by recycling dying Christmas trees.

The city of Phoenix offices will be closed beginning at noon on Monday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25.

I love Christmas music — all kinds of Christmas music, traditional, piano, pop, rock — if it is spreading holiday cheer, I listen to it. Christmas music is played in our house from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year’s. It puts me in the mood to decorate the house, bake cookies and wrap presents. Yes, Christmas music puts a smile on my face.

In Germany, “Weihnachtsgottesdienst” or “Christmas Worship” is generally celebrated in an evening service on Christmas Eve. Traditional German carols are sung, the story of Jesus’ birth is told, and the pastor tells of how the Christ child’s birth opens the door to “Peace on Earth, Good will to all.”

Christmas is approaching and while we are all getting our homes ready for guests, and shopping for presents, let’s not forget about those that are not able to do so this year.

When I hear the words “Holiday Spirit” I get a flood of great memories and an eagerness to continue traditions of giving. I can remember, when I was younger, the day after Thanksgiving we would start decorating for the upcoming Christmas holiday. I loved hanging the lights outside with my dad, drinking hot cocoa, watching holiday movies, trimming the tree with family and friends, shopping for that perfect present to bestow on someone.

The advent calendar, which eases anxiety by counting down those pesky 24 days until Christmas Eve, is as much a holiday tradition for my family as the tree.

Despite the proven talents of first-time feature director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Laboratory”), writers Peter Baynham (“Arthur Christmas”) and “SNL” vet Robert Smigel, and a voice cast headed by Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, the collaboration falls flat virtually from the get-go, serving up half-hearted sight gags that have a habit of landing with an ominous thud.

The wonderful thing about discovering an author you enjoy who writes a series is the anticipation of the next book ... just knowing that as you turn the last page there is another good book on the horizon. And if you discover them after the series has been around a while, you can eagerly go from one book to the next with the characters you have come to love.

Hunter Rodriguez has been to the Holy Land.

Hunter Rodriguez has been to the Holy Land.

When “Rules of Civility” appeared on several “Notable Books of 2011” lists, I thought I’d check it out. It turned out to be, if not the best, perhaps the most enjoyable read for me that year. I hesitate to say “best” because that is quite a superlative comment for a book to live up to, which may leave other readers disappointed, but I can at least say how I felt while reading it.

When “Rules of Civility” appeared on several “Notable Books of 2011” lists, I thought I’d check it out. It turned out to be, if not the best, perhaps the most enjoyable read for me that year. I hesitate to say “best” because that is quite a superlative comment for a book to live up to, which may leave other readers disappointed, but I can at least say how I felt while reading it.

Every profession has its own lexicon of esoteric language, mine included. When it comes to the language of religion, there is a decided lack of agreement on what some of the language means.

Every profession has its own lexicon of esoteric language, mine included. When it comes to the language of religion, there is a decided lack of agreement on what some of the language means.

How does it happen every year? You go from being OK with just sending out Christmas cards and baking goodies for your loved ones, to buying a gift for what seems like everyone you know.

I admit to being something of a sucker for a good metaphor. So there is symmetry to my year ending in a ten-day battle with a kidney stone. I recalled a December 31st "Bloom County" comic strip with Binkley and Opus toasting, "here's to a real kidney stone of a year."

I admit to being something of a sucker for a good metaphor. So there is symmetry to my year ending in a ten-day battle with a kidney stone. I recalled a December 31st "Bloom County" comic strip with Binkley and Opus toasting, "here's to a real kidney stone of a year."

Santa Claus himself couldn't have given Orlando Chee and his family a better Christmas.

City of Phoenix offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year's.

When Christmas falls on a Sunday, like it does this year, families and churches must decide if it's more important to attend a formal worship or spend that time together at home.