When I meet with clients who have a dispute with another individual or company, oftentimes my clients tell me to file a lawsuit believing that this is the only way for them to get what they are after: typically money and vindication that their position is correct. I always counsel my clients that litigation can be expensive and that there may be — though not always — a less expensive way to achieve their objective in a far quicker manner. Some of the less expensive ways of achieving the desired objective include mediation and arbitration.

Ziggy is one of the most polite and happy boys you will ever meet. Unfortunately, he has not had the best start to life, it appears that this precious little boy has been injured (probably hit by a car) and was never given the proper care. Ziggy has only one eye that he can see out of and his little legs are out of whack, but fortunately he is in no pain. Just kinda walks funny. But you would never know it by the way Ziggy moves and shakes. He runs with the rest of the pack in his foster home and has no problem making his way around the house and backyard. His true joy in life is snuggling with his human or other canines in his foster family. He is always wagging his little stub of a tail and has a smile that is contagious and never leaves his face. Ziggy has been the prefect house guest in his foster home and has quickly become a favorite to all that meet him. He is so calm and easy going that he will fit into any home that promises to give him the love and affection that he so deserves. His perfect home would be one with someone around most of the time and another canine friend or two. Your days will be filled with joy and smiles with Ziggy by your side.


As some of you may know I have been covering the Jodi Arias murder trial as a legal expert for FOX 10 and other national TV stations. I’ve probably done over 65 TV appearances as a legal expert on the case. This case has turned out to be the biggest case of 2013 and maybe as big as the O.J. Simpson case.

In three weeks Ahwatukee Kiwanis was able to pull the community together and provide Christmas gifts to 47 boys in six group foster homes across the Valley in 2012. 

Perkins is an 8-year-old Beagle who was lost and taken in by the Arizona Beagle Rescue last summer. He is much taller than a typical Beagle and will play ball with you, but prefers tug-of-war. He likes walks as well, but pulls quite a bit because he gets so excited to go out, but he settles down after walking a bit. Car rides are one of Perkins’ favorite things.

At 14, Tyler Cohen had never been out of the country or traveled without his Long Island family when he found himself in Costa Rica on a monthlong service trip for teens.

Cactus Cats rescue has kittens galore! Come see our great selection of kittens and cats this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also now seven days a week in store at Petco, 5011 E. Ray Road. All kitties are fixed, tested, and have shots. Add a little furry love to your life. When you adopt we can save more!

The Ahwatukee Community Network (ACN) is bringing passionate people together again, this time on the topic of children in foster care.

Q: What type of business services or products do you provide?

The 2013 legislative session began with a unanimous vote in the House and the Senate to appropriate emergency funding for additional Child Protective Services staff. With that vote, lawmakers affirmed child safety as a top priority.

Pippa can be a bit shy when she meets new people but with a little bit of time, this little gal opens up to show her peppy, loving and cuddly personality. She has flourished into a sweet, bubbly dog. She loves to play ball with her foster brother and go on walks. One of her favorite activities is playing with toys. Pippa loves to pull all the toys out of the toy box and hide various ones around the house. She’s looking for a home with another young, active, dog that she can play with. Another canine friend also gives Pippa confidence and makes for a great snuggle buddy. Pippa has become quite the ball chaser in foster care as well. She’s looking forward to continuing to hone her ball skills in her new home. Pippa is looking for a patient home that will understand that she is initially shy with new folks, but that with patience she comes around. Daily walks, plenty of snuggle time and lots of toys are all on this little girl’s wish list.

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

There are so many reasons for the Legislature to approve Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid that it is hard for me to believe that any elected official would put ideology before the good of their constituents and the state of Arizona.

Connecting to Serve and the Ahwatukee Community Network would like to extend our gratitude to our panelists and the victims of domestic violence who attended our special forum on this serious issue April 16 at Mountain Park Senior Living.

Pet rescue groups across the Valley are coming together with a three-year initiative to solve the problem of pet homelessness by fixing, adopting and saving Valley pets.

Kramer needs to find his forever home soon because his foster parents are leaving Arizona. Kramer is a 4-year-old male Beagle who is easy-going, calm, affectionate, doesn’t bark much, house-trained, and gets along well with other dogs.

Homeowners associations are tasked with the unenviable responsibility of maintaining community standards. Personal property appearances, landscape maintenance and dog refuse in common areas fall within their purview; apparently so do banners advertising local businesses.

Bandit is a male terrier mix about 30 pounds and 3 years old. He was rescued from the Yuma Humane Society along with four other dogs he lived with. Their owner died and the remaining family was unable to care for them. When Bandit came to Friends for Life Animal Rescue his fur was in horrible shape. His adoptive family should keep in mind that to keep him adorable looking he’ll need to be regularly groomed. It is believed Bandit is housetrained since he was living in a home, but this has not yet been confirmed as he resides at the shelter vs. in a foster home.

Seniors at Mountain Park Senior Living in Ahwatukee are taking up a new activity once a week: singing and dancing.

Most people know what it’s like to pull up a chair at a family reunion or holiday meal, but not many have tucked their toes under the table at a community harvest feast. Several local art and community organizations are hoping to change that with Saturday’s “Feast on the Street” in downtown Phoenix.

Critics have dubbed Dwight Yoakam a music sponge for transcending the country genre and absorbing different musical styles, making his brand of hip, honky-tonk music accepted among rock audiences. His latest album -- his first original recording in seven years -- is a testament to that.

Children will listen to other children in a way they don’t to adults, says Bobb Cooper — and he’s hoping an awful lot of them get to do just that over the next two weeks.

It’s that time of year again! Friends for Life Animal Rescue is accepting donations for its annual yard sale that will be happening April 5-7 at the shelter, 143 W. Vaughn Ave. in downtown Gilbert.

It’s time to let the dogs out this weekend for the Seventh Annual Ahwatukee Dog Show at Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Road.