After months of waiting The Lakes Golf Course has closed its doors, but the future of the course still remains unknown.

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) has announced Childsplay is one of the first participants in a non-traditional residency program, awarding the company $150,000.

Mountain Pointe senior linebacker David Jakpor signed with the South Dakota School of Mines this week.

Rick McConnell didn’t intend to spend the last 28 years coaching boys basketball at Dobson.

Although it’s not much, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” really deserves credit where credit’s due. Its 2009 predecessor was one of the dumbest action movies of the past 10 years. In this sequel, director Jon M. Chu of those “Step Up” movies makes an attempt to incorporate some humor, creative action sequences, and impressive visuals. That doesn’t mean “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is a good movie, but at least it’s an improvement. The film could have gone down the route of the “Transformers” series, which only got worse with every entry.

DreamWorks Animation has always strived to tell stories that can appeal to all ages. Its latest animated comedy, “The Croods,” will surely be enjoyed by anybody who is under 10. Unlike “Shrek” and “Kung-Fu Panda” though, it lacks the wit and innovation for older audiences. Compared to most Saturday morning cartoons, the film won’t passionately annoy parents who get dragged to the theater. But in an era where more and more adults are attending animated features without accompanying children, “The Croods” feels like a step backwards for DreamWorks.

Anthony Tartaglio, 87, passed away in Phoenix on March 15. Tony was born Nov. 3, 1925 in Canton, Ohio, to Michael and Antoinette Tartaglio.

Cavemen — they're just like us! — or so "The Croods" seems to be saying with its familiar mix of generational clashes, coming-of-age milestones and generally relatable laughs.

DreamWorks Animation has always strived to tell stories that can appeal to all ages. Their latest animated comedy, “The Croods,” will surely be enjoyed by anybody who is younger than 10. Unlike “Shrek” and “Kung-Fu Panda” though, it lacks the wit and innovation for older audiences. Compared to most Saturday morning cartoons, the film won’t passionately annoy parents that get dragged to the theater. But in an era where more and more adults are attending animated features without accompanying children, “The Croods” feels like a step backwards for DreamWorks.

Patti Austin Sings Ella and the Duke: Accompanied by the Phoenix Symphony, the world-reknown jazz musician sings the music of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald including favorites like “Cottontail,” “I Got It Bad” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”

You know him as Luke Duke from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” but what you may not know about Tom Wopat, one of the two lead actors from the classic 1980s TV show, is that aside from his history of driving around the General Lee and foiling Boss Hogg’s latest scheme, he and his former co-star John Schneider are also accomplished musicians.

If you had told me a month ago that my Oscar predictions would look anything like this, I probably would have advised you to go do a little more research. “Argo” poised for the Best Picture win sans a Best Director nod? Unthinkable. Emmanuelle Riva and Naomi Watts as viable Best Actress contenders against youthful powerhouses like Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain? You’re pulling my leg.

Foothills Golf Club

A new wine bar and bistro at the Club West golf course in Ahwatukee Foothills is hoping to offer Club West residents a new neighborhood hangout targeted specifically to them.

Two kids, two pets, two jobs, too much.

Duke is absolutely wonderful and still learning that humans can be a good thing. He is still nervous around quick movements. Love and patience from the wonderful volunteers will help him overcome this. Even though Duke has not had the best start at life he still has a smile on his face that is very contagious. Spend any amount of time with this mellow fellow and you too will be sporting a smile on your face. You can tell that Duke is just happy to be alive and would love nothing more than a person to be a companion to. Long walks or sitting just watching the world go by would make this boy happy as long as he is with you.

Edward Rutherford has been writing historical sagas for more than 20 years but I just discovered him this summer with “New York, the Novel (2009).” After a passionate reading, I wanted heartily to recommend but hesitated — would most readers consider it “old news?” However, when Hurricane Sandy recently ravaged the East Coast, I felt compelled to do the review as it certainly wrote another chapter in the history of this amazing American city from 1664 to the year 2009.

Trey Roggenstein and Maddie Nichols of Desert Vista represent the future of swimming in Ahwatukee Foothills while Mountain Pointe’s Ben Fitch and Clara Jenck, once in the same position of their Thunder counterparts, finished their terrific careers.

By all accounts, Clara Jenck and Ben Fitch performed beautifully.