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.

The walls are white, the chairs are plastic, and the smiles are few. As you head down a hallway, cell blocks to the left and a gated recreation area at right, hearing bursts of laughter and lively chatter coming from a small room in front of you is slightly jarring, especially seeing as the boisterous classroom is inside Estrella Women’s Jail in central Phoenix.

In recent years, there have been some really good Oscar hosts like Hugh Jackman, some acceptable hosts like John Stewart, some disappointing hosts like Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin, and some flat-out horrendous hosts like James Franco & Anne Hathaway. Despite the best efforts of some, none have come close to capturing the same wit, timing, and showmanship of reoccurring hosts like Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, or Billy Crystal. At the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony however, Seth MacFarlane of “Ted” and “Family Guy” emerged as the single most entertaining first-time Oscar host of the 21st century.

In recent years, there have been some really good Oscar hosts like Hugh Jackman, some acceptable hosts like John Stewart, some disappointing hosts like Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, and some flat-out horrendous hosts like James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Despite the best efforts of some, none have come close to capturing the same wit, timing, and showmanship of reoccurring hosts like Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, or Billy Crystal. At the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony however, Seth MacFarlane of “Ted” and “Family Guy” emerged as the single most entertaining first-time Oscar host of the 21st century.

A variety of health, fitness and wellness vendors will set up shop at Ironwood Library tomorrow for a community wellness fair in Ahwatukee.

Phoenix has Stand Up Live Comedy Theater. Jester’Z is in Scottsdale. And Mesa’s home to the National Comedy Theater.

Join colon hydrotherapist Dee Munsterman from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13 for an afternoon of information, inspiration and laughter in the yoga studio at Wellspring Holistic Health, 430 W. Warner Road, Suite 104, in south Tempe.

Ahwatukee Preschool once again hosted its annual breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8. The children were dressed in beautiful holiday clothing eating muffins and fruit anxiously waiting for Santa. Around 8:45 a.m., the sound of jingle bells rang as Santa entered the Family Life Center at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee, to the delight of the children.

Duke is absolutely wonderful and still learning that humans can be a good thing. He is still nervous around quick movements. Love and patience from the wonderful volunteers will help him overcome this. Even though Duke has not had the best start at life he still has a smile on his face that is very contagious. Spend any amount of time with this mellow fellow and you too will be sporting a smile on your face. You can tell that Duke is just happy to be alive and would love nothing more than a person to be a companion to. Long walks or sitting just watching the world go by would make this boy happy as long as he is with you.

The community is invited to the Third Annual Palo Verde Award Gala on Saturday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler. The event will feature the presentation of the Palo Verde Award, honoring the 2012 Business Woman of the Year and recognizing a female chamber member’s personal achievements in business and community service.

Four years ago, Martin McDonagh made one of the most impressive feature film directorial debuts with one of my favorite movies, “In Bruges.” Starting off on such a high note, McDonagh easily could have succumbed to the sophomore slump in his follow-up film. I’m gleeful to proclaim, however, that “Seven Psychopaths” is anything but a letdown. For the second time in a row, McDonagh has put together an incredibly violent and hilarious dark comedy without a single lackluster moment. If McDonagh’s future projects are anywhere near as strong as these two features and his Oscar-winning short film, “Six Shooter,” it’s safe to say he’ll go down as one of the most engaging filmmakers of our time.

What makes the Emmys such an exciting award show to watch is, unlike the Oscars, the winners are not prematurely set in stone. Almost anything can happen on the big night, sometimes resulting in the greatest underdogs triumphing in victory. I’ll do my best to predict what will win on Emmy Sunday. Even if I’m wrong though, at least I can undeniably say which shows should win in each category.

Are kids drawn to dirt? Are boys drawn to jumping in mud puddles? Do kids love to walk and play in the sand? The answer is an absolute YES. Some kids LOVE it more than others and they don’t mind getting dirty.

On an average afternoon, school kids freshly released for the day can still be seen in multi-purpose rooms, computer labs, music rooms, and playgrounds.

Just because Sarah Robles competes in a sport dominated by men, it doesn’t mean she wants to look like one.

With trials, suffering and hardships, a community’s strength can be refined.

After a courageous year-long battle with cancer, Timothy Lupton-Stegall was peacefully called home to be with God on July 19. He leaves behind his loving family: Abby (mother), Bill (father), Steve (step father), Tiffany and Kayla (sisters), Robby (brother), and Alice (grandmother).

Although the Tempe Improv may have had its last laugh after closing its doors on Friday, ComedySchools.com is going to continue generating the laughter at another venue.

When her father’s health was deteriorating after being diagnosed with cancer, Ahwatukee Foothills resident Doreen Myles found comfort from the staff at Hospice of the Valley, and from her new yorkie puppy, Riley. Now that her father has passed away, Myles is giving back to Hospice of the Valley by volunteering her time and her dog’s sweet spirit visiting other patients in hospice care.

When her father’s health was deteriorating after being diagnosed with cancer, Ahwatukee Foothills resident Doreen Myles found comfort from the staff at Hospice of the Valley, and from her new yorkie puppy, Riley. Now that her father has passed away, Myles is giving back to Hospice of the Valley by volunteering her time and her dog’s sweet spirit visiting other patients in hospice care.

Tomorrow there will be a local fundraiser for Camp Soaring Eagle, a charitable organization based in Sedona that gives kids with serious illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, and cancer a chance to go spend time in a fun, medically safe environment.

Tomorrow there will be a local fundraiser for Camp Soaring Eagle, a charitable organization based in Sedona that gives kids with serious illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, and cancer a chance to go spend time in a fun, medically safe environment.

Laughter, tears, lumps in the throat: They’re par for the course on an emotional day devoted to honoring moms.

It only seems natural to sit home and rest after undergoing an intensive surgery to help treat breast cancer.

It is a Tuesday afternoon and Samantha Spinelle sits crossed-legged on the cool, concrete floor of her office. A small, tan dog named Finn is folded into her arms. She strokes her hand over an angular body that is comprised of little more than skin stretched taut over bones. The warm cocoon of her embrace and soft caress is pure torture. In his world humans are not good. If only he could crawl back under her desk and make himself one with the hot-pink dog bed where he was safe just moments ago. Eyes fixed at some point beyond the gray wall, he is frozen, save for the slight, involuntary shudder that comes with each touch.