George and Sharon Rivaldo got married 50 years ago on Sept. 15, 1962 in Brookfield, Ill. They were married by Father Ahern at St. Barbara Parish. George and Sharon met when they were just 15 and 16 years old in high school at the Lyons Township in La Grange, Ill. They enjoyed riding his motor bike together. They were married after high school. By the time they were 23 and 24 years old they had three little girls in diapers.

Richard “Dick” Earl Downing, 88, passed away June 20. He was born Aug. 21, 1923 in Phoenix and has been an Ahwatukee resident since 1979. He grew up in Peoria and was a talented athlete and one of the best track stars in the state. Richard was a veteran of World War II and received a Bronze Star and five other medals for his bravery. Richard married his wife, Savella, in 1947 and opened his own business, Downing Glass Company, in 1963. He is now reunited with Savella and their oldest son, Richard Allen.

Hospice of the Valley has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Fiesta Bowl Charities to enhance the agency’s pediatric program. The grant is Hospice of the Valley’s first from the Fiesta Bowl.

Nicholas A. Aufiero of Ahwatukee Foothills graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., and earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design.

With little fanfare, “Little Orphan Annie” disappeared from the comic strips in June 2010 after an 86-year run, but Creative Stages Youth Theater is making sure she is not forgottten.

Health care and its cost remains a hot topic, but one discipline that could use more attention is hospice care. While more than 1.5 million people with a life-limiting illness get help from hospice and palliative care providers in the United States every single year, nearly 50 percent of the people who are appropriate for hospice care do not receive it.

ASU Gammage

ASU Gammage

Aaron Kissman of Ahwatukee Foothills was named to the dean's list at Savannah College of Art and Design for the spring quarter. Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the quarter receive recognition on the dean's list. Kissman is seeking a bachelor of fine arts degree in photography.

A local program that participates in informal modeling and fashion shows, as well as having its participants act as ambassadors to Chandler Fashion Center, is set to conduct auditions this weekend.

A local program that participates in informal modeling and fashion shows, as well as having its participants act as ambassadors to Chandler Fashion Center, is set to conduct auditions this weekend.

Layla and Savannah are young tortie sisters rescued from a foreclosed home last December. They are beautiful, affectionate, playful and love everyone. These sweet girls are in foster care waiting for their forever home. Both girls are spayed, tested negative for FELV/FIV, current on shots and microchipped.

Where: 15815 S. 46th St., Suite 116

A new after-school program at Kyrene elementary schools offers students the chance to visit the Phoenix Zoo every week. Just not in person.

Savannah is a lovely girl!