Catholic Charities Community Services’ DIGNITY House was recently named Homeless Service Provider of the Year by Phoenix Neighborhood Services. DIGNITY House received the award for its outstanding efforts assisting women with intensive residential recovery to help them live an independent life. The award was presented last month during the city’s National Community Development Week celebration.

Sydney and Eryn Schmisseur found the sport of synchronized swimming somewhat serendipitously.

Three years ago, in the wake of a new Arizona law aimed at those in the country illegally, tens of thousands converged on the Capitol with a message: Today we march, tomorrow we vote.

Washington • Sen. Jeff Flake’s vote against expanded background checks on gun sales earlier this month caused his approval ratings to drop, making him one of the “most unpopular” U.S. senators, a new poll says.

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.

Erin Andrews-Sharer, a graduate of Desert Vista High School and a sophomore at The College of Wooster, received the Elias Compton Freshman Prize and the Lyman C. Knight, Sr., Prize in mathematics and physical education at Wooster’s 43rd Annual Recognition Banquet.

Army Pvt. Jesse A. Blas has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Whenever Esi Impraim’s mother made jollof — a rich, tomato-laced dish of meats, rice and sometimes seafood — the time it took to bubble away on the stove was always excruciating.

It may not be as mainstream a form of expression these days as, say, Instagram, but poetry, that old-fashioned art of arranging language to create an emotional response through meaning, sound and rhythm, is alive and well.

Anthony Tartaglio, 87, passed away in Phoenix on March 15. Tony was born Nov. 3, 1925 in Canton, Ohio, to Michael and Antoinette Tartaglio.

The Valley of the Sun YMCA has just completed a record year of participants in its winter sports program. This stellar year comes after the recent addition of the YMCA Adult Basketball League (YABL), and the expansion of youth sports programs late last year.

Born on Jan. 21, 1930 in Pemberville, Ohio, and passed away on Feb. 25 in Tempe, Beryl was a resident of Toledo, Ohio, for more than 60 years and a snowbird in Ahwatukee for the past 15 years.

Erin Andrews-Sharer, a graduate of Desert Vista High School, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the College of Wooster. Andrews-Sharer, a sophomore from Wheaton, achieved a GAP of 3.65 or above.

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) announced it will open a corporate college to focus on customized technical training for local employers.

Athletes will do just about anything to play at the professional level.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This special observance started as a one-day event in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, to raise public awareness about the importance of oral health. By 1949, the American Dental Association (ADA) held its first national Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8. The local festivities included school essay and poster contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, presentations, and various activities to stimulate children’s interests about dental health. Soon the special day affair became a week-long event in 1955, and in 1981 became a month-long observation known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

My view of president Obama’s vision and leadership abilities have continued to decline as his time in office has increased. Here is a man who has had an historic opportunity … nearly of Mount Rushmore proportions … to lead the country to a better place, yet his second inaugural speech confirmed his parochial vision and the likelihood that his legacy will be one of great orator and adept politician … and not that much more.

If people vote with their feet, then at least a few people last year saw Arizona as a land of opportunity.

It wasn’t hard to choose last year’s Tribune Player of the Year, as Saguaro running back D.J. Foster broke several state records, ran for 508 yards and 10 touchdowns in one game and led the Sabercats to the Division III state title.

It would be impossible to expect Avery Brunson and Chris Davis to replace the talent that left their respective programs, but they can help cushion the blow.

There is part of me that would not want to be in Kenny Lacy’s shoes right now.

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

Legalshield & 1st Place Tutoring

I am one of those computer gypsies who wanders the country from end-to-end, working on contract projects that last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.

The ball will be in the air a lot.