With a little bit of a lull during spring break, I had a chance to get some down time and poke around about several topics.

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.

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.

PRESCOTT VALLEY – Bailey Janis’ young mind wouldn’t let him think anything else for the longest time.

PRESCOTT VALLEY - All season the complaints were that two of the Division I sectionals were overloaded with power teams while the other two weren’t nearly as strong.

Q: Does it affect your iPhone’s battery life when you charge it every night? I have found a lot of conflicting answers on the web. — Madeline

At this time of the year everyone loves some leftovers.

You may be among the thousands of Arizona parents who bought pencils, notebooks, and backpacks last month to help your kids get ready for that first day of school. But with all the supply checklists, did you remember to check the grade for your child’s school?

“True Blood” fans can soon concoct their own blood-red beet bisque, crimson sweet tea and other Cajun delicacies inspired by the hit HBO vampire drama and compiled in a new cookbook.

The city of Phoenix is ready to listen.

The city of Phoenix is ready to listen.

Bank of America is partnering with the local nonprofit Back-to-School Clothing Drive to help Valley students prepare for the 2012-13 school year by collecting new or unopened school supplies at more than 100 banking centers in metropolitan Phoenix through Aug. 3.

It’s hard to believe that we are getting ready for another school year. Parents want their children to have a positive experience going to school this year. There are several things we can do as parents to make the transition a positive one.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive through July 19 to provide school supplies to community youth.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive July 1-19 to provide school supplies to community youth. Annually the program collects backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged youth who might not be able to obtain all the necessities for academic success. ICAN is partnering with the Chandler Compadres to provide each youth with a backpack.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive July 1-19 to provide school supplies to community youth. Annually the program collects backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged youth who might not be able to obtain all the necessities for academic success. ICAN is partnering with the Chandler Compadres to provide each youth with a backpack.

The number of homeless children in the Kyrene School District has stayed constant over the past three years, said one employee, but the number that is worrying is how many kids are now on free or reduced lunch.

The number of homeless children in the Kyrene School District has stayed constant over the past three years, said one employee, but the number that is worrying is how many kids are now on free or reduced lunch.

Q: I have a couple of VelociRaptor hard drives and have had nothing but problems with them. I am wondering would the Seagate Hybrid drives be a better alternative? - D

The bar has been raised for three Kyrene schools, two of which sit in Ahwatukee Foothills.

It all began with a resourceful volunteer using leftover donations to brighten a smile, but now the Kyrene Resource Center is finding a way to help more than 900 underprivileged kids have some extra support over the summer.

It all began with a resourceful volunteer using leftover donations to brighten a smile, but now the Kyrene Resource Center is finding a way to help more than 900 underprivileged kids have some extra support over the summer.

PRESCOTT VALLEY - As the tournament of champions came out of the tunnel at Tim's Toyota Center for the Division I and Division II state tournament, an unassuming diminutive guy wear a USA jacket walked to the side of Arizona's best wrestlers.

PRESCOTT VALLEY - Samson Imonode clearly found his place, and not just in reaching the Division I 152-pound semifinals. It is more about the wrestling program that is Horizon.