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.

Sunny has a bubbly, bright, outgoing personality. She seems to love everyone she meets and enjoys romping with other dogs, too. She walks around with a big smile on her pretty face, which regularly makes folks stop to interact with her. Sunny is happy to say hello and show off her belly because she loves belly rubs. Sunny loves to walk and has excellent leash manners. She’s a loving gal who enjoys toys, other dogs, and hanging out with her humans.

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.

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.

Thank you for sticking around when the going got tough.

During Arizona’s hot summer months hiking is still possible, but experts agree that early morning is the time to be on the trails.
“At night the sun has baked on the asphalt all day long and as the sun goes down the asphalt releases that heat,” said Elizabeth Smith, park ranger at South Mountain Park. “Even though the sun is down and you may not have direct sun on you, it’s still hot out. In the morning it’s 80 degrees. I would suggest looking at what the temperature is throughout the day before you make your plans.”


Olive is an exceptionally polite and sweet 2-year-old Pit-Bull mix who gets along with everyone. She is great with other dogs, has the patience and love for children and the energy for long walks and hikes, however, cats are not her favorite thing in the world. Olive is the epitome of a lap dog and is always trying to be right beside you and in the middle of all the action. She is also exceptionally smart, already knowing sit and fetch and having a basic understanding of potty training. Olive is spayed, microchipped and up to date on all vaccinations.

On May 18 Everest College Phoenix celebrated the graduation of 141 students from its Phoenix campus. During the graduation ceremony, Calvin Coolidge Goode was recognized for his extraordinary leadership in Arizona and beyond as well as his dedication to the promotion of education and advancement of civil rights. He was presented with an Everest College Phoenix honorary degree, doctor of humane letters.

Tis the season where neck ties, golf balls, and mid-priced polo shirts begin to fly off the shelves. That’s right, Father’s Day is just around the corner. And besides the annual tradition of the final round of the U.S. Open being played, that Sunday in June is our opportunity to remember, appreciate, and show a little love to the men in our lives who went above and beyond the call of duty as fathers.

Chandler Regional received the Partner for Change award by Practice Greenhealth, an industry leader and nonprofit organization that recognizes health care facilities for going above and beyond in keeping and maintaining a “green” workplace.

Pogo is a male “Beagle blend,” about 6 years old. He’s a sweet and loving little guy. Friends for Life rescued Pogo from the Yuma Humane Society where he was turned in several times as a stray. The last time he was turned in, however, his family never came to claim him. His outlook for finding a home was not good. Pogo was adopted from Friends for Life a few months ago, however, the family determined they didn’t have enough time for a dog. He’s hoping this time around for a family that will be dedicated to keeping him safe, sound, and loved. Pogo enjoys a good cuddle, going for walks when it’s cool, and just look at that face!

Going to need hospital care?

Many health complaints, inability to lose weight and underlying causes of disease, can be attributed to poor digestive health. The digestive system is responsible for breaking down the food we eat into tiny particles that can be used for energy, maintenance and repair. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated.
 

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.


The Infinity Wrestling Academy, run by Chuck Barbee, will host two camps this summer at Desert Vista.
The first is June 6-8 and is a Level II takedown camp for ages 10 to 13, and younger kids with experience with a suitable partner.
The second is July 25-27, and is a leg riding camp for ages 8 to 13 with at least one year of wrestling experience.
The cost is $60 if pre-registered and $80 after the deadlines.
For more information, go to Coach Barbee at cbbarbee@gmail.com or go to www.infinitywrestling.com.

A zoning administrator for the city of Phoenix has denied a zoning variance for a medical marijuana dispensary to go into a location in Ahwatukee Foothills.

The ever increasing list of fad diets welcomes our newest member: Raspberry ketones. HCG, you are barely hanging on by a thread.
Raspberry ketones are a natural phenolic compound that are responsible for the heavenly aroma of red raspberries. They (allegedly) increased both the expression and secretion of adiponectin. Higher adiponectin equals lower levels of body fat. What has brought them out into the public conscience recently is the recent endorsement of them by the one and only Dr. Oz. These are usually taken in pill form, twice per day at a cost of roughly $50-70 per month. 
A website that sells this product quotes Wikipedia: (according to Wikipedia, “prevent high-fat-diet-induced elevations in body weight.”) What it leaves out is the following statement: However, no effects on body weight were observed with doses up to 200 times greater than the estimated intake in humans. Although products containing this compound are marketed for weight loss, there is no clinical evidence for this effect in humans.
This is an unbelievably hard to resist product. First, although these ketones have been known for more than 40 years, they are exciting and new in the world of weight loss. Not only that, but most products that sell them put delicious looking raspberries on their packaging, making it look enticing. Combine that with Dr. Oz’s blessing and you may have trouble even finding this product on the shelves.
The website also has this required statement: “Caution: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18 and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if the inner seal is damaged or broken. Store in a cool, dry place. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.”
What about eating actual raspberries? Or better yet, eat all different kinds of berries everyday. Are they expensive? Maybe a little pricey, especially when out of season, but they can be purchased frozen all year. Raspberries are high in fiber and the whole raspberries are an antioxidant powerhouse and worth much more per ounce than a pill could ever be worth and without the “warnings” on the label.


While driving on Ray Road recently I saw a bumper sticker reading: “People who think guns kill people must think that pencils misspell words.”


Katlyn Youngblood, a sophomore early childhood education major from Ahwatukee Foothills, was among approximately 1,500 Bob Jones University students who were named to the spring 2013 dean’s list. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, S.C. 
To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a 3.0 GPA.


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.

Gayle Dorothy Hadden (nee Buff), 67, of Ahwatukee and formerly of Wayne, N.J., passed away peacefully at home on May 27, surrounded by her family. Gayle worked for J.P. Morgan Chase for many years.
She grew up in Lyndhurst, N.J., and had lived in Wayne since 1968 before moving to Phoenix 20 years ago. Gayle was a 4-H leader, a Remax Realtor, a member of the Pompton Falls Fire Co. 3 Women’s Auxiliary in Wayne, a nursery school assistant, and a member of the Junior Women’s Club and PTA.
Gayle’s interests included sewing, knitting, golf, cruising in her convertible, great music, laughing much and having a great time. She loved traveling and loved life.
Gayle is survived by her husband, John J., of Ahwatukee; her children, Kimberly Hadden Massie, Robin Hadden, Christopher Hadden, all of Arizona, John Hadden of Hardwick, N.J.; eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Harold and Alan Buff.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, N.J., on Sunday, June 2 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Humanity's home planet hardly merits the name-check in "After Earth," M. Night Shyamalan's sci-fi survival tale whose shipwreck action could (with the exception of a scene where our hero scrawls a crude map over Lascaux-like cave paintings) take place on any old life-supporting globe in the cosmos. The disappointingly generic film, which strands a father and son (Will and Jaden Smith) on Earth a thousand years after a planet-wide evacuation, will leave genre audiences pining for the more Terra-centric conceits of "Oblivion," not to mention countless other future-set films that find novelty in making familiar surroundings threatening. Will Smith's presence, not just as co-star but as originator of the story, seems likely to carry box office receipts beyond the benchmark of Shyamalan's previous picture, the wretched "The Last Airbender," but those hoping for a franchise should navigate elsewhere.

Question: My mom has been feeling lost ever since my dad passed. I think she misses taking care of him. How can I help her feel more involved?