Thanks to the Ahwatukee Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL) active seniors at Mountain Park Senior Living now have one more activity to get their heart rates pumping — a new ping-pong table.
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chapter of the National Charity League (AFNCL) presented Michelle Major, director of fun for Mountain Park Senior Living Center, with a check for $500 on May 9. Traci Tartaglio, Lauri Branch, and Katie Branch of AFNCL were on hand to present the check to Major and a few residents.
The AFNCL is a mother/daughter organization for girls from seventh grade through high school graduation. This 300-plus member organization participates in volunteer work across the metro Phoenix area. AFNCL’s mission is to strengthen the bonds between mother and daughter through the spirit of volunteerism, and has enjoyed a thriving partnership with Mountain Park Senior Living Center.
Tartaglio participates in AFNCL along with her daughter Bailee. 
For more information, visit www.nationalcharityleague.org/nclahwatukee.

Selling your first home in a buyers’ market? You can get the best possible price if you know how to negotiate.

If the recent season finale of “Project Runway” left you jonesing for a fashion fix, look to Scottsdale on May 18.

Three years ago, a bunt, overthrow, or bobbled grounder led to a 1-0 win or loss.

Spring is in the air and the desert is entering its cycle of new life. However, for the Ahwatukee community, that could mean more than seasonal allergies.

Kaylah Lupoe is a bit shy, has a smile that can break an iceberg let alone the ice, and a nasty streak that disrupts the most cohesive of offenses.

The amount of emotion that poured out of Rachel Ressler nearly matched the sweat and dedication she put into her Desert Vista soccer career.

For Horizon Honors senior Stephanie Yamamoto, 17, Japanese taiko drumming is more than just rigorous exercise or a way to get in touch with her roots — it’s a spiritual art.

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.

If you had told me a month ago that my Oscar predictions would look anything like this, I probably would have advised you to go do a little more research. “Argo” poised for the Best Picture win sans a Best Director nod? Unthinkable. Emmanuelle Riva and Naomi Watts as viable Best Actress contenders against youthful powerhouses like Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain? You’re pulling my leg.

After “A Walk to Remember,” “The Notebook,” “The Last Song,” “The Lucky One,” and “Dear John,” Nicholas Sparks is obviously running a campaign to become president of sappiness. His novels have inspired a number of hokey adaptations chock-full of one-dimensional archetypes and scenes ripped off from other romances. This guy loves seeing people get caught in the rain more than Michael Bay marvels at the sight of explosions. The latest picture from the novelist turned producer, “Safe Haven,” is every bit as cheesy and mushy as one would expect. It’s about as original as a Lifetime movie designed to brazenly manipulate our emotions. Maybe I’m becoming easier to manipulate, but this melodramatic cornball kept me completely invested from beginning to end.

The Kyrene School District Governing Board focused on results of a recent district-wide Gallup Poll of its schools during its monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

It's easy to understand why Hollywood loves doing business with author Nicholas Sparks. His books are huge best-sellers, and several of the films adapted from his novels - "Message in a Bottle," ''The Notebook," and "Dear John" - have achieved impressive box office grosses. The latest Sparks adaptation, "Safe Haven," will probably continue his winning streak, especially with its Valentine's Day opening pegged to lure female fans. A thriller element that has not been present in earlier Sparks movies is designed to draw reluctant male viewers to see the picture, but they won't respond with the same enthusiasm as his core audience of woozy romantics.

After “A Walk to Remember,” “The Notebook,” “The Last Song,” “The Lucky One,” and “Dear John,” Nicholas Sparks is obviously running a campaign to become president of sappiness. His novels have inspired a number of hokey adaptations chock-full of one-dimensional archetypes and scenes ripped off from other romances. This guy loves seeing people get caught in the rain more than Michael Bay marvels at the sight of explosions. The latest picture from the novelist turned producer, “Safe Haven,” is every bit as cheesy and mushy as one would expect. It’s about as original as a Lifetime movie designed to brazenly manipulate our emotions. Maybe I’m becoming easier to manipulate, but this melodramatic cornball kept me completely invested from beginning to end.

Norma Mae White, 82, of Ahwatukee, formerly of Indiana, Pa., passed away on Jan. 29 at St. Andrew’s Village after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born Feb. 16, 1930 in New Bethlehem, Pa., she is predeceased by her husband, A. B. White III, her parents Ernest and Lorena Dinger, and her grandson, Benson Adam White.

Before I saw the play (“Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type”) I read the book. I was wondering how the cows, hen and duck were going to look. When I read the book, I didn’t think it was that funny. But when I saw the play, it wasn’t funny — it was hilarious!

Just turned 50, Tom Cruise is eligible for membership in the American Association of Retired Persons. Just split from third wife Katie Holmes, Cruise is the object of told-you-so cynics who simply knew that romance wouldn’t last. Just finished with his stab at something really different as a heavy-metal rock god in “Rock of Ages,” Cruise is coming off one of the lowest-grossing movies in his career.

The state Board of Regents on Monday suspended the ability of the Arizona Students’ Association to impose its $2-a-semester fee amid questions of how the money is being spent.