Dominique Fenstermacher hasn’t had it easy since coming over to the Mountain Pointe football program.

Culminating the first year of using a tool to evaluate its teaching staff, the Kyrene School District presented results that showed more than 800 teachers were rated as “highly effective.”

Old Navy in the Ahwatukee Foothills Towne Center will be closing at the end of this month to relocate to the new Phoenix Premium Outlets on the Gila River Indian Community.

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) set to begin open enrollment in October, many businesses are rushing to prepare for the changes it will bring. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Hot Topics and Lunch event about the ACA this Thursday, June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport, 427 N. 44th St.

Compared to other basic cooking techniques, grilling is hard: the temperatures are high, timing is crucial and slight differences in the thickness or wetness of the food can dramatically affect how quickly it cooks.

Sometimes it’s best to start out small and work up to something bigger.

As a coach it is always nice to have the backing of your athletic director.

Here it comes again — that deep longing to go home. I usually get homesickness in faster rolling waves as the weather heats up in the desert, and I’m really looking forward to our trip to Wisconsin this summer.

At long last, summer is almost here — which may mean it’s time to put together your traveling plans. Still, while you and your family may enjoy going on a summertime trip, there’s one part of your life that should not go on vacation — your investment portfolio.

There’s no denying that Richard Donner set the bar for the “Superman” franchise with his 1978 film. The icy landscapes of Planet Krypton, John Williams’ vigorous musical score, Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance, every aspect of Donner’s movie remains definitive. Since then, most interpretations of Superman have either drawn inspiration from or paid homage to the original classic. One has to give director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan credit for taking “Man of Steel” in the complete opposite direction. Where Donner’s “Superman” was light, funny, and colorful, “Man of Steel” is dark, serious, and brooding. The film presents a vision of Superman that’s new and bold with a satisfying payoff.

An invitation from a friend eight years ago is all it took for Ahwatukee Foothills resident Teresa Akrish to get involved in the YMCA’s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (YOPAS).

And so it begins. After six years since the last substantive debates over immigration reform, the Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, the title of the legislation borne out of the months-long work of the bipartisan Gang of Eight, which includes Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake.

Dear Mikey: I just turned 25 years old and I got myself in a situation where I had to file bankruptcy a week before my birthday. This is not at all where I expected myself to be when I turned 25. I thought I would have my career launched already (just got laid off), have my bachelor’s degree by now (still have 21 more credits to go), be married by now (girlfriend and I just broke up a month ago), having kids (not even close), and a house (can barely afford the rent in my apartment).

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Richard A. Davenport has been selected for the 2013 Phoenix Award in the Retirement Planning Consultants and Services category of the Phoenix Award Program.

Editor’s Note: Phoenix police remind all residents to leave nothing in your car when it is parked outside. If something must be left in the car make sure it is in the trunk or out of sight. Never leave your car doors unlocked even while leaving the car momentarily. Police have seen a string of these quick crimes of opportunity and say they are preventable.

On Aug. 27, you will once again have the opportunity to exercise your given right to vote — this time in the Phoenix City Council District 6 election.

Drawing a small but receptive crowd to its east parking lot on Friday evening, the Ahwatukee Recreation Center hosted a flag retirement ceremony that reminded attendees about what the flag truly means.

The Desert Vista Band Boosters wants to thank the following businesses for their sponsorship support for the 2012-13 school year: Sonic, Deep Blue Water Technologies, Pods, Excel Screen Printing, Bella Vista Dental Care, Kathy Camamo Realty, Mr. Chao’s Asian Bistro, Tide Dry Cleaners, Kettle Korn & More, Langhofer/Winter State Farm, Doehrman Company, Inc. (DCI), Mousegraphics, Joe’s Real BBQ, Brewer’s Air Conditioning, Progressive Landscaping, Lifetime Eye Care, Wendy’s, Dunkin Donuts, V’s Barber Shop, Guitar Studio Room, Foothills Pet Resort, Schwab, Dance Meets Fitness with Carrie, Florencia’s, Breyer Law Offices, East Valley Neurofeedback & Peak Performance Center.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Cub Scout Pack of Wolf Den 2, Pack 178 has donated and planted a Chinese oak tree as their way to earn a Conservation patch. They have been using Pecos Park this year as a meeting place and the boys wanted to give back by planting this tree. The Bears are second-graders. The scout leaders are Chris Grosjean and Brenda Covarrubias.

Volleyball was Kyle Pitman’s secondary sport, but it was hard to tell with his effort and influence on the court.

The Arizona Newspapers Foundation, Inc. (ANF) announced a scholarship available to Arizona college students majoring in journalism. This summer, ANF will award scholarships to students attending Arizona State University, University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University full-time. Students must have completed at least one term and have one term remaining before graduation.

A Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson said the reasons people get stuck on local mountains is failing to stay on the hiking path and not being prepared.

Enjoy great food, live music and fireworks at the 38th celebration of Red, White and Boom! Hosted by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce and presented by Vision Community Management, the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Festival is professionally produced by HDE Agency and will be at the Ahwatukee Country Club, 12432 S. 48th St. from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3.

Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, we all want the best for our kids. Part of that is making sure they have the reading skills to succeed in school and in life.