It started off as a challenge to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. In our class we were discussing how we could make a difference in the world. There are so many “NO Bullying,” “No Name-Calling,” and “No Hate” programs. They are good, but we felt they were all negative messages. We wanted to do something positive. One of the ways we have found to make a difference is to do a project called “100 Random Acts of Kindness.” Random acts of kindness are random and kind things you do for others. For example, you can hold the door for an elderly person.

For the past two years, Desert Vista High School teacher Debra Benedict has seen her students grow in writing, leadership and in their understanding of the issues within education.

“Hi, Mike? I am so glad I got a hold of you. My computer is running so slowly that I turn it on, make coffee, take the dog for a walk, and bake a few dozen cookies then maybe; just maybe the website will be fully loaded. This computer is running terrible! Can you help?”

After eight years of treating orthodontic patients with lingual braces, Dr. Ken Danyluk brings patients in Ahwatukee a more inconspicuous option.

The last two sessions of spring football have led to two great rides during the regular seasons.

It’s been nearly 10 years since his science-fiction indie “Primer” left audiences spellbound, which makes the arrival of Shane Carruth’s “Upstream Color” an even more momentous occasion.

Life is full of ups and downs — and the financial markets are no different. As an investor, you’re no doubt happy to see the “ups” — but the “downs” can seem like a real downer. Isn’t there any way to help smooth out the volatility in your investment portfolio?

Figarro is a female short-haired black and white cat, about 10 years old. She is a sweet thing that loves giving “Eskimo kisses” and being super cute. When not doing that she also enjoys spending time with her human friends. Figarro seems to almost always be purring. She knows how to see the brighter side of life and is hoping for a forever home soon. She’d also like her new family to rename her with a more “girly girl” name.

A House panel voted Wednesday to void parts of local anti-discrimination ordinances designed to give protections to transgendered individuals.

Everyone has that one person they just can’t stand. Not for any particular reason other than “you just don’t.” That’s OK, we are human after all.

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.

Karma is a domestic short-haired buff and white large male kitty. He is approximately 6 years old. Karma’s personality is one of the strong, silent types. He very much enjoys sitting on a human’s lap or sitting next to someone for some love. Getting lovin’ is his favorite thing to do. He bows his head for rubs then “collapses” upside down for some belly rubs. Karma has tested negative for FELV/FIV. He is altered, microchipped, up to date on vaccinations and litter-box trained. He currently calls Friends for Life’s adoption center in downtown Gilbert home.

Two new reports on the cost of changing how construction activity is taxed could torpedo the sales tax simplification plan being pushed by Gov. Jan Brewer.

Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal responded to a letter I wrote to the AFN (“Huppenthal’s money plea off base,” Feb. 17) criticizing him for pleading with the Legislature for $35 million for a computer system for the Department of Education when I’ve never heard of him making a plea to them for money for something that would actually benefit students. In his guest commentary (“Barlam continues to hold long-time political grudge,” AFN, Feb. 27) he states that in the past I have criticized him for his support of charter schools, and then goes on to chastise me for working in one.

Much like recent arthouse films “Weekend” and “Keep The Lights On,” “North Sea Texas” is a realistic portrait of gay life and romance – not the frequent clichés one may find on TV’s “Modern Family” or “The New Normal.” Adapted from the novel “This is Everlasting” by Flemish writer André Sollie, the film follows a young teen growing up along the Belgian coast as he falls in love with a neighborhood boy. Unlike the star-crossed lovers at the heart of “Brokeback Mountain,” this story luckily has a more hopeful ending for its burgeoning protagonist.

Dear Mikey,

Remember how director Todd Phillips just half-heartedly remade “The Hangover” in “The Hangover Part II?” Remember how lethargic, lame, and tedious it felt having to sit through the same movie over again with fewer laughs? That’s the best way to describe “21 and Over.” The film marks the directorial debut of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the writing team behind the original “Hangover.” They’ve basically recycled their smash hit comedy beat for beat. Where “The Hangover Part II” at least had three laugh-out-loud moments though, there’s nothing even remotely funny in “21 and Over.” It’s a comedic dead zone from its opening scene all the way through.

It happened about two months ago.

The National Association Realtors and Remodeling Magazine released a report comparing remodeling cost versus value. Results depend upon various factors such as location, work quality, neighborhood home values, the timing of selling the house and the actual completion of the project.

A former board member and longtime volunteer, Jim Colletti returns to this year’s Sedona International Film Festival in an entirely new role: first-time filmmaker. Originally from New York, Colletti moved to the East Valley nearly 20 years ago – buying his first home in Chandler and opening a business in Gilbert before relocating to Mesa. He has been living in central Phoenix for about 2 years now, where he runs his graphic art/advertising agency Element Design along with his artist management/record label OEO Entertainment.

C.W. Griffin is such a hoot ... clueless about what PERCENT means (“Right equates gun-control efforts with demands for universal gun confiscation,” AFN, Feb. 3).

Firebird was rescued from on the expressway. How she got there no one knows, but thankfully she was rescued in time. She demands love and adores being pet by her humans. Firebird seems to acclimate to most situations as far as home environment. She’s tested FELV/FIV negative, is up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped. She’s been waiting for a home since December.

It’s all good in Ahwatukee! The supply of homes coming onto the market has not caught up with the demand for housing in our community. This is pushing up the price of homes. In ZIP codes 85044, 85045 and 85048, the median sales price in January was $216,750, up 19.8 percent from $181,000 in January of 2012. The average sales price in January was $255,614, up 17.4 percent from $217,718 in January of 2012 and up 6.6 percent from $239,813 last month. January 2013 was the highest level compared to January of 2012 and 2011.

On Wednesday pen will meet paper.

We are all familiar with the fact that chemicals, particularly pesticides and herbicides, have negative side effects. The United States and international government agencies have acknowledged that different pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems including hormonal disruption, skin, eye and lung irritation, birth defects, weight gain, nervous system toxicity and cancer. Many times, the negative effects of pesticides can take a long time to show, and by the time symptoms are clear, a lot of damage may have already been done.