Instead of asking for gifts, St. John Bosco sixth-graders Lauren A. and Shea S. combined their recent 12th birthday parties into a fundraiser for a family in need. The Perres are local residents facing heart wrenching medical issues and staggering medical costs. Within two months of one another, Mrs. Perre was diagnosed with a form of Lou Gehrig’s disease and her 16-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Lauren and Shea invited the entire sixth-grade population of St. John Bosco, as well as many other friends, to party at Desert Foothills Park on April 26. In lieu of birthday gifts, Shea, Lauren and their friends dug into their piggy banks and donated money to help the Perres. In the end, Lauren, She and their friends collected approximately $1,700. The Perres were overwhelmed at the compassion and generosity of both the girls and the community.

Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills is giving kids and adults a sneak peek into the life of a sea creature with no brain and no heart — jellyfish.

Having observed the failure of our education system by dumbing-down our children for the past 50 years, concern has to be expressed about the “new” Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI).

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.

Jackie Robinson was the ideal class act to break the barrier and become the first black player in Major League Baseball.

Robert Redford does his most compelling work in some time as both actor and director in "The Company You Keep," a tense yet admirably restrained thriller about a fugitive forced out of hiding after 30 years to prove his innocence. Adapted with clarity and intelligence by Lem Dobbs from Neil Gordon's novel, and lent distinguishing heft by its roster of screen veterans, this gripping drama provides an absorbing reflection on the courage and cost of dissent.

Over three days more than 50 dogs made their way in and out of a house in north Phoenix as Ahwatukee Foothills resident Brad Jaffe filmed his complete at-home dog teaching system.

Local animal shelters have enough camps to keep any animal lover engaged and learning this summer.

As part of their curriculum, Keystone Montessori students in the adolescent program are encouraged to interact with society and make improvements within their community.

Zombies are terrible characters. That’s not to say there haven’t been plenty of good movies featuring zombies like “28 Days Later,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Zombieland,” and the George A. Romero classics. In those films, however, it was the human characters and their pursuit to endure the zombie apocalypse that kept the audience invested. Unlike vampires or werewolves, zombies have never been blessed with interesting back-stories, individuality, or moral dilemmas. Last summer’s “Chernobyl Diaries” left me asking why couldn’t there be a movie about a mutant/zombie who’s intelligent with character traits and motivation. Jonathan Levine, who previously made the wonderful “50/50,” responds to my question in “Warm Bodies.”

Zombies are terrible characters. That’s not to say there haven’t been plenty of good movies featuring zombies like “28 Days Later,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Zombieland,” and the George A. Romero classics.

Tempe police arrested an Ahwatukee Foothills man on Tuesday accused of operating a “compassion club,” dispensing medical marijuana illegally.

Desert Vista High School will host the nationwide program, Rachel’s Challenge, on Monday, Jan. 28. Already a presence in Kyrene School District middle schools, the program is based on the life of Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine tragedy of 1999, and it is important for students to hear her message of kindness and compassion.

Catholic students to rally at Capitol Jan. 30

More than 40 blue, gold and white balloons floated to the sky above Desert Vista High School’s football stadium Saturday as family, friends and loved ones gathered to remember the life of Matthew Swift-Kraemer.

Of course only law enforcement and military should be allowed the possession of assault rifles. And, of course, alcohol should never be served to drivers. Never. And, illegal drugs should be kept away from everyone. Period. Anything that kills should be hidden from the mentally ill, the angry, the bullies, the too-young-to-know-any-better.

This holiday season, please consider extending your compassion and generosity to poor people and exhausted animals in India by becoming an Animal Rahat sponsor (“Rahat” means “relief” in Hindi).

Nearly 1,200 students at Kyrene Middle School in Tempe gathered last week, challenged to start a “chain reaction” of kindness to others.

Humane Society cat adoption special pricing

Eric Lauer approached every game without abandonment.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association announced that Kelly Damron was awarded the Hope Award for Service for her successful and longtime commitment to volunteering for the RESOLVE community. Damron accept the award at RESOLVE’s Night of Hope Gala on Oct. 2, at Guastavino’s in New York City. As the organization that supports and provides a voice for people diagnosed with infertility, RESOLVE established the Hope Awards to recognize professionals, companies, volunteers and media who have demonstrated innovation and compassion to benefit people struggling with infertility.

Kyrene del Milenio Elementary School’s multi-purpose room was filled with clapping, cheering and excited students Wednesday morning as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters introduced a new anti-bullying program.

It’s amazing how many times I’ve encountered Jesus at the airport.

If you were to go into a bookstore to find “Marcelo in the Real World,” by Francisco X. Stork, it would be shelved in the young adult section and while it is an excellent choice for young readers (receiving 15 awards since its publication in 2009), it is also a story that will touch adult hearts and keep them turning pages to see how a 17 year old deals with a moral crisis that deeply affects the adults in his world.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the United States has to bolster ties with Mexico — including recognizing the benefits of migrant labor — or get used to the idea of China setting the international agenda on its own terms.