As the gun debate stirs and emotions rise higher and higher, we tend to leave ration and logic out of the subsequent efforts to address what is an important public issue. Emotionally charged solutions seldom fix anything. They simply make a lot of people feel like something positive is being done but they truly accomplish nothing. And marching out victims to use as props for your initiative is a shameless political ploy. Politicians are great at using emotional issues to push their pet plans. Most of the efforts currently in flight to answer the recent tragedies in Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut (all very liberal enclaves I might add) are labeled as “Gun Safety” and “Gun Violence” initiatives. Looking at those terms, who is not for Gun Safety? And who is not for ending Gun Violence?

Recently, my family had distant relatives visit from Germany. Over the years there have been many visits between us visiting Germany and them visiting the USA. They are a wonderful family and we thoroughly enjoyed the time together. Upon waking up one morning, my 4-year-old had already asked to visit Germany.

One of my favorite parts of scripture has always been the story of the last supper. Every spring as we move towards Holy Week, I’m always drawn back to that last night Jesus spent with his disciples around the table. But the reason I’m so fond of that part of the Gospels is because of the moment where Jesus begins to wash the feet of his friends.

The worn boxing gloves and yellowed punching bags tell only part of the story.

Gordon Michael Garlock, predeceased by his parents, Col. Carlton and Guelda Garlock of Marysville, Calif., passed away at home on Jan. 31 in Phoenix where he had lived for 23 years He is survived by eight brothers and sisters, 13 nephews and nieces, and 16 great-nephews and nieces and his uncle, Harold Allen, who lives in Hamburg, N.Y.

Sue Nicholson Foster passed away on Feb. 23, 2013. Born Nov. 9, 1929, Sue was a loving wife, devoted mother, wonderful grandmother, caring sister and precious friend. Graceful, elegant, and regal were words that described her always calming presence.

After five hours of heated and passionate public comment and discussion on Tuesday, the Phoenix City Council approved a change to the city’s human resources ordinance to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.

In her 14 years of teaching integrated pre-kindergarten at Kyrene de la Estrella, teacher Sally Tully has never received a gift quite like this.

PRESCOTT VALLEY – Bailey Janis’ young mind wouldn’t let him think anything else for the longest time.

Quick, what is the first thing that pops into your head when someone says Girl Scouts? It’s probably not Girls Scouts Baby Camp or Girl Scouting Behind Bars or Girl Scouting in Detention Centers.

Ryan Dempsey was 7 years old when he first started to draw. Three years, and more than 100 canvases later, he continues to use his talent to paint pictures for himself, for his family and friends, and for a good cause.

For years the Ahwatukee Foothills community has been connecting and collaborating to serve its neighborhoods. Now, eight advocacy teams have been formed and they’re gearing up for another successful year of serving.

Want to monitor the Legislature in your pajamas?

Jonathan M. Joseph of Grand Blanc, Mich., 25, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 at Hurley Medical Center. He is the son of former Ahwatukee Foothills News publisher Jason Joseph.

IF YOU GO

“Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.”

Joyce Allston

If you have school-age children, you know that the school years go by quickly, so it won’t be long before your kids are ready to head off to college. Will you be financially prepared to help them?

http://www.babyblues.com/blog/

Parents of school-aged kids may remember taking a physical fitness test that involved running the 50-yard dash and performing a zig-zag run (shuttle run) along with other tests such as the pull-up. Grandparents may remember throwing a softball, running or walking 600 yards, or doing the flexed arm hang. Over time youth physical fitness tests have changed. Now the national test, called FITNESSGRAM, produced by the Cooper Institute in Dallas and co-sponsored by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and the American Alliance for Health Physical Education and Recreation, includes test items that relate to health rather than sports-related test items included in earlier tests.

When a spouse passes away the remaining spouse can suddenly find themselves in a world they don’t understand.

With the cost of a college education escalating, it is important to research your options for helping your children reach their higher education goals.

Today is Grandparents Day.

In some families, the cousins are so close they might as well be siblings.