Levi Salem passed away on Tuesday, June 4 at the age of 93. He is survived by his daughter, Robin Stinnett, two grandchildren, Scott Salem and Kelly Stinnett, and one great granddaughter, Sophia Grace Salem.

We need to have STANDING ROOM ONLY at the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway Study Meeting on June 18 at the Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Club House Drive, from 4 to 7 p.m. The time is NOW to voice our deep concerns about the highly negative impacts this proposed freeway will have on our village.
Here is a direct quote from the ADOT Fact Sheet: “Traffic volumes for the proposed freeway are expected to be in the range of 137,000 to 142,000 vehicles per day by 2030, which is comparable to current use on Loop 101 and existing segments of Loop 202. The analysis of travel patterns shows the demand for the freeway consists of mostly regional traffic, not traffic moving through metro Phoenix.”


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.

One of the ways the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce assists local businesses is with a membership drive taking place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 at The Grace Inn, 10831 S. 51st St. It is the chamber’s chance to introduce businesses to their main benefits and have a little fun.


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

Mountain Pointe senior Hannah DeMarr has been spinning and twirling gracefully as a ballerina since she was 3 years old.

Two old friends paid me a visit last week. The first slipped in without a word, freezing my mind for an instant, like the shock of ice cream gulped down too eagerly on a hot day. As we visited for a while, I noticed the familiar voice is edged with a steely insistence, somehow sharpened rather than blunted by a hunger for news of trouble, and the scent of brewing chaos. By God’s grace and through His perfect timing, there, just in nick of time, was another beloved friend knocking on the door of my heart, gently enfolding me in loving arms. This beloved voice speaks quietly, yet perfectly clearly, sharing a different story, at once both old and fresh. The voice carries words brimming with abundant life, like a lush oasis in an otherwise barren and hostile desert. Such is the power of moments of fear to paralyze our senses, and to leave us feeling isolated and lost. Such is the power of the unparalleled peace found through our faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord, in the comforting words of Scripture.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the city of Phoenix will hold the regularly scheduled City Council Election for voters in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 to elect a council member. There is no election for council member in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 this year because the terms of the council members are staggered. The Council Election is open to Phoenix residents who are registered voters and reside within Districts 2, 4, 6 or 8 at least 29 days prior to the election.

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

The Horizon Honors golf team finished second at the Division III state tournament last weekend.

A zoning adjustment hearing to discuss allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to go into a location at 48th Street and Warner Road was postponed due to an application error.

The Horizon Honors golf team finished second at the Division III state tournament this weekend.

The Horizon Honors golf team is headed to Division III state golf event this weekend as it hopes to better last year’s eighth-place finish.

The people of "Peeples" make a better impression than most collections of oddballs in the weary mold of comedies centered on meeting the prospective in-laws.

Just about all the actors in “The Big Wedding” are severely typecast. Diane Keaton is a high-strung, divorced mother like in “Something’s Gotta Give,” Robert De Niro is the father of somebody getting married like in “Meet the Fockers,” Amanda Seyfried is a blushing bride like in “Mamma Mia,” Robin Williams is an eccentric minister like in “License to Wed,” Topher Grace is a deadpan, quick-witted nice guy like in “That ‘70s Show,” and Katherine Heigl is a needy single woman like in every movie she does. Even though the actors are in their comfort zones, not a single person feels natural in “The Big Wedding.” That’s probably because the film doesn’t understand its own characters or their motivations. Nobody behind the camera has any idea what they’re doing, resulting in one of the most awkward romantic comedies of recent memory.

The Desert Visa softball team was having an easy time with Mesa on Monday after a 12-run first inning on the way to a 20-0 five-inning win.

There's a siege mentality about Michael Bay's movies, as though viewers are the enemy holed up in a bunker and he's the guy ordering heavy-metal music around-the-clock to wear down our morale and force us to surrender.

Just about all the actors in “The Big Wedding” are severely typecast. Diane Keaton is a high-strung, divorced mother like in “Something’s Gotta Give,” Robert De Niro is the father of somebody getting married like in “Meet the Fockers,” Amanda Seyfried is a blushing bride like in “Mamma Mia,” Robin Williams is an eccentric minister like in “License to Wed,” Topher Grace is a deadpan, quick-witted nice guy like in “That ‘70s Show,” and Katherine Heigl is a needy single woman like in every movie she does. Even though the actors are in their comfort zones, not a single person feels natural in “The Big Wedding.” That’s probably because the film doesn’t understand its own characters or their motivations. Nobody behind the camera has any idea what they’re doing, resulting in one of the most awkward romantic comedies of recent memory.

"Oblivion” is another movie that seems better suited for a video game than a motion picture. Watching the characters engage in endless shoot outs and explore vast, abandoned terrains, all you want to do is get your hands on a controller. Since a movie is unequipped with game play, though, you’re forced to sit back and merely observe the story. Then again, most modern video games have more three-dimensional characters and smarter plots than “Oblivion.” This science fiction mystery from director Joseph Kosinski isn’t completely without some good ideas, elevating it above “Transformers” schlock. It’s just unfortunate those ideas never meld into anything that intriguing.