Keystone Montessori • 1025 E. Liberty Lane

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Desert Vista High School band car wash at Sonic on April 20, they raised more than $750 to donate to the music program at Bay Head school in New Jersey that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who would like to make additional contributions can contact the band boosters at dvmb.fundraising@gmail.com.

Principal Shelley Conner said she’ll miss camaraderie the most at St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee.

Trumpeter/bandleader Doc Severinsen can still hit the notes, and it's not something he ever takes for granted. He always warms up.

I received a press release today on the Brothers in Arms Classic the Desert Vista football team is participating in the fall.

Phoenix Conservatory of Music received a three-year $120,000 grant to support its City Music Program from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The Phoenix Conservatory of Music’s City Music Program is a free college preparatory program for grades 4-12.

The Heady Hoop Tribe, an eclectic group of four women who aim to inspire others through the creative power of modern hoop dance, bring a sense of community to Phoenix.

Sonoran Science Academy

In recent national news, three major car crashes claimed the lives of 15 teenagers in Ohio, Illinois and Texas. Unfortunately, that is more of a common occurrence than we realize, and those are just the ones that made national news. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently reported that teenage driver fatalities were up in 2012 from previous years. Until now, the numbers were beginning to trend downwards and many attributed it to Graduated Drivers License (GDL) Laws that were being enacted around the country.

Most people know what it’s like to pull up a chair at a family reunion or holiday meal, but not many have tucked their toes under the table at a community harvest feast. Several local art and community organizations are hoping to change that with Saturday’s “Feast on the Street” in downtown Phoenix.

In our wi-fi world of planes, trains and automobiles, travel is taken for granted; in days gone by, it was considered a prerequisite for a well-rounded education. It not only broadened the mind, but also deepened one’s experience and knowledge of the world. That vintage wisdom holds true today, making events like the Gilbert Global Village Festival on Saturday a red-letter day.

An evening of snazzy clothes, cocktails, art, music and fine dining could be fun for you — but crucial for some of Arizona’s struggling men, women and children.

Ahwatukee Foothills kids and parents can rejoice as a variety of summer camps and activities continue to be offered this year by area churches.

Ahwatukee Music Maker Workshops has summer camps for all levels to get kids rocking, moving and mastering music.

This summer “Cinderella,” “High School Musical” and “Legally Blonde” will all be making their way to the main stage at Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre (ACT).

Students from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, Ireland, visited the Seton Catholic Preparatory campus and showcased traditional Irish sports and music. Seton Catholic Prep’s relationship with the Sacred Heart is through the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities program.

For an event usually drawing nearly 400 parents, education and business leaders, Desert Garden Montessori in Ahwatukee Foothills encourages residents to learn more about the school.

Auditions for the Arizona All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra earlier this month resulted in nearly 10 students from Horizon Community Learning Center placing for their respective sections.

As staff at the Mesa Arts Center began preparation for its second “Festival of Creativity,” MAC executive director Cindy Ornstein said the group was looking for something to pique their interests — a spark, of sorts.

Summit School of Ahwatukee • 4515 E. Muirwood Drive

Performing popular music through different eras and decades, all six choirs at Desert Vista High School will be hosting a concert Friday afternoon and evening.

When the (Kyrene School District Governing Board) decided to go to the 68-minute class schedule (3 to 2 vote), it was justified by statistics from an outside group the former superintendent brought in. Their claim was in order to compete with other districts, the students needed more academic time.

Change is hard, whether it be personal or professional. However, evolving is also a key element of progress. Last week at the Kyrene School District Governing Board meeting, we presented information about a year and a half study of our middle school program.

Part of a cultural exchange program that at one point included about 65 schools, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School in Ahwatukee Foothills is one of the few remaining host schools in the state.

Keystone Montessori School in Ahwatukee recently received an unexpected surprise: a large, musical donation was delivered to the school. Included in the donation was a pallet full of ukuleles.