Editor’s note: This is part one of a continuing summer series on the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway.

It’s been eight months since I had the great opportunity to join the Ahwatukee Foothills News. Since that time we have not made radical changes to the paper or wild editorial changes to the product. What I wanted to do was listen to our readers and take note of any changes that would aid this great community.

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the women of Mesa Arizona Hermosa Vista Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My Sisters’ Place recently received 60 beautiful handbags filled with an assortment of makeup, jewelry, lotion, perfume and notes filled with love and encouragement for the women in our shelter.

Joss Bates was dropped off at his Ahwatukee home last weekend to find 114 notes hanging around his front yard, displaying quotes, words of comfort, love and encouragement written on them from friends and family.

A federal judge on Tuesday slapped down the latest efforts by the state to block the Tohono O'odham from building a casino on the edge of Glendale.

“ISBK” and “MLB” were two of the graffiti tags appearing frequently on block walls, trash dumpsters, and road signs in Ahwatukee during 2010, particularly inside the Elliot-Warner Loop.

Trumpeter/bandleader Doc Severinsen can still hit the notes, and it's not something he ever takes for granted. He always warms up.

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

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business is the proud host of Red, White and Beautiful and this year it is booming! Red, White and Beautiful is a unique girls’ night out of pampering and shopping just in time for Mother’s Day. Red, White and Beautiful began in June of 2010 as a fundraiser to support the community Red, White and Boom fireworks.

The Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) emphasizes the difference between traditional religious practices in the past and how newer Christian clubs, like CRU Downtown, an Arizona State University religious organization, have changed the mentality of worship.

Nearing his 30-year mark of practice in the East Valley, with 20 of those years in Ahwatukee, Dr. Pete Pinto remembers the moment he knew he wanted to help others with natural and holistic health care.

The 3-year-old resource center in Tempe serving Ahwatukee families is in need of food donations for April.

Debra Gutierrez knows first-hand how lasting friendships can be made while being a Girl Scout.

Hosted for the second year at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, the American Legion invites the community to the state finals for an oratorical speech contest on the Constitution tomorrow.

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) announced it will open a corporate college to focus on customized technical training for local employers.

A DNR, or a “Do Not Resuscitate” form, is a legal order signifying that a patient does not want to be resuscitated if he or she is to suffer cardiac or respiratory arrest. It tells emergency personnel that the patient does not want CPR, endotracheal intubation, defibrillation, cardiac life support drugs or related medical procedures. This does NOT withhold medical interventions necessary to provide comfort or to alleviate pain. You may recognize this order by its bright orange color, often found attached to the refrigerator in someone’s home. Typically, these orders are in effect for persons whom are terminally ill and prefer to avoid painful or invasive procedures at the latter stages of their life. It is important to have the DNR form easily locatable, as emergency personnel must see the form in order to honor it. DNR bracelets are also an option. These forms are available through various medical organizations or you can print your own. Contact me if you would like an electronic copy of the printable version or if you have any further questions about DNR forms.

Saying the money can be better used, members of a House panel voted Thursday to let cities and counties put their legal notices online instead of in newspapers.

“I just poured Gatorade all over my plants.”

WASHINGTON — Side by side, leading Democratic and Republican senators pledged Monday to propel far-reaching immigration legislation through the Senate by summer providing a possible path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people now in the U.S. illegally.

Gov. Jan Brewer said Monday she needs to be convinced that the bipartisan plan of U.S. senators for immigration reform will have real teeth.

Los Angeles   •   Dogs and cats can’t brush, spit, gargle or floss on their own. So owners who want to avoid bad pet breath will need to lend a hand.

One of the most noted charter schools in the country hopes to open its first Mesa campus later this year.

Like the rest of the country, Ahwatukee Foothills karate studio owner David Hays was shocked and saddened by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last month.

Q: My mom has been on a significant decline in physical and mental health for the last year and a half. Our family knows it’s time to look at our options and get her more care. It doesn’t look like we can care for her properly at home. We haven’t brought this up to mom yet. I can’t help but feel worried and guilty. How can we make this easy on her?

As school bells rang in the start of spring classes on Monday, Ahwatukee Foothills students trickled into campus from a two-week break over the holidays.