Instead of asking for gifts, St. John Bosco sixth-graders Lauren A. and Shea S. combined their recent 12th birthday parties into a fundraiser for a family in need. The Perres are local residents facing heart wrenching medical issues and staggering medical costs. Within two months of one another, Mrs. Perre was diagnosed with a form of Lou Gehrig’s disease and her 16-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Lauren and Shea invited the entire sixth-grade population of St. John Bosco, as well as many other friends, to party at Desert Foothills Park on April 26. In lieu of birthday gifts, Shea, Lauren and their friends dug into their piggy banks and donated money to help the Perres. In the end, Lauren, She and their friends collected approximately $1,700. The Perres were overwhelmed at the compassion and generosity of both the girls and the community.

Moving forward in reviewing the district’s policy on sex education in its high schools, the Tempe Union High School District is looking for parents and residents to participate in a committee for instruction.

Anyone who saw “Scream 4” likely remembers the scene where Hayden Panettiere lists off every horror remake to come out in the past decade, from “Halloween” to “Friday the 13th.” So many of these remakes failed due to a lack of passion on the filmmaker’s behalf. Making a good movie was only their second priority, right after cashing in on an exhausted franchise’s good name. The new “Evil Dead” movie is the rare exception. It’s obvious that director/screenwriter Fede Alvarez has great admiration for Sam Raimi’s beloved cult classic. Along with co-writers Diablo Cody and Rodo Sayagues, Alvarez produces the best contemporary “Evil Dead” movie possible.

"Blood-drenched" barely begins to describe Fede Alvarez's remake of "Evil Dead," a gore-for-broke affair that strips the flesh off Sam Raimi's cult-beloved comic-horror franchise and exposes the demons at its core. The presence of Raimi, original collaborator Rob Tapert, and star Bruce Campbell as producers should give the faithful permission to attend what would otherwise smell like a shameless exploitation of the 1981 film, but the high production values and nonstop action offered here should also please younger genre fans who've never bothered to rent it.

Arizona State University President Michael Crow will receive the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society’s highest award for his support of veterans through his leadership, actions and advocacy.

Lou and Ginny Kole of Ahwatukee Foothills are celebrating 60 years of marriage. They were married on Dec. 20, 1952 at Trinity Methodist Church in Chicago, Ill. They were high school and college sweethearts. They have lived in the Ahwatukee Foothills area for more than 10 years. They have three adult children and five grandchildren, and will celebrate with them.

Arizona’s Husband and Wife Law Team, serious injury attorneys, Mark and Alexis Breyer of Ahwatukee Foothills, have selected the next winner of their teacher appreciation program. October’s award went to a Chandler teacher at Galveston Elementary school, Mary Lou Hernandez.

Seeking gift ideas for that music lover this holiday season, check out the following box set reviews from The Associated Press:

The Tempe Union High School District’s 2013 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists were recognized at an awards reception on Oct. 29 at Desert Vista High School. Families, friends and principals were joined by Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca and governing board members Michelle Helm, Zita Johnson, DeeAnne McClenahan, David Schapira and Mary Lou Taylor. Dr. David Garcia, ASU associate professor, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation, was the guest speaker.

Effective Aug. 2, 2013, Arizona State University will join more than 800 universities nationwide in becoming 100 percent tobacco free.

Nearly 250 East Valley students met last week at Mesa’s ASU Polytechnic campus to learn what it’s like to be a teacher.

ASU Polytechnic officially opened Citrus Dining Pavilion and Century Residential Hall on Sept. 18, the first new dorm on the east Mesa campus.

If you hang a portrait in your home, it is as if the person in that portrait is living with you. The art can have a personal connection with its viewers through the eyes of the person in the painting.

Kids are often enthralled with the wild kingdom, so it’s fun to do their rooms with animal-themed decor.

Teachers from the Ahwatukee Foothills area were honored at the 2012 Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Awards on Monday.

This spring the Tempe Diablos are recognizing teachers and staff from the Kyrene School District, Tempe Elementary School District and Tempe Union High School District for innovation, inspiration and achievement. Teachers and staff are nominated for a variety of awards by students, families, peers, and principals. Winners receive a plaque and a cash award. A gala awards presentation will take place on March 26 at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave. in Tempe. The public is encouraged to attend. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the program set to begin at 7:20 p.m.

Arizona State University’s graduate programs have been recognized by the U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 Best Graduate Schools, released Tuesday.

Their father was a travelin’ man who made stops all over the world, and now twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson are following in his footsteps.

From Joel Adamson of Phoenix, to George Zuverink of Tempe — the last player listed in the Baseball Encycolopedia — more than 400 former major league alumni make Arizona their home. This includes the 120 or so who live in the East Valley alone, according to information from the Arizona Major League Alumni Association.

From Joel Adamson of Phoenix, to George Zuverink of Tempe — the last player listed in the Baseball Encycolopedia — more than 400 former major league alumni make Arizona their home. This includes the 120 or so who live in the East Valley alone, according to information from the Arizona Major League Alumni Association.