Learning about the difference between wants and needs, students within the Kyrene School District learned the basics of finance and saving in a program through Bank of America.

Dr. Neal Lester, author and professor of English at Arizona State University, was honored with an achievement award for the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of West Georgia 36th annual Alumni Association Awards Gala. A native of Jefferson, Ga., Lester graduated from the University of West Georgia in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree in English.

“ISBK” and “MLB” were two of the graffiti tags appearing frequently on block walls, trash dumpsters, and road signs in Ahwatukee during 2010, particularly inside the Elliot-Warner Loop.

Out on the grass between classroom buildings and the baseball field at Kyrene Centennial Middle School, a group of 7th graders were measuring indoor temperatures of their model homes for an urban heat island project last week.

Gun rights

Chances are, if we had a truly designer handbag in our closet, we probably wouldn’t part with it too easily. But if you’ve got one you’re over, My Sister’s Closet consignment shop is giving 20 reasons to give it up.

Students from the Tempe Union High School District cannot only earn their high school diploma while in school, but also an associate’s degree.

Spurred by the pleas of a widow of a Department of Public Safety officer, Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation Friday to ensure that survivors of fallen police officers and others have taxpayer-provided health insurance for as long as they need.

Kyrene School District officials recently received tax credit donation results for 2012, showing a nearly $35,000 decrease.

Selling any home can be challenging, depending on the market. But if you have an old home and want to appeal to buyers in their 20s and early 30s, you may need to take some extra steps.

It’s that time again. Between the flurry of the holidays and the energy of spring is tax season, the chance for people, including young people, across the country to organize their finances and prepare their returns.

City elections

Twenty years ago, accountant Sharon Lechter decided to devote her career to financial education and literacy after her oldest son graduated from high school and soon fell into credit card debt.

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.

Brian Brady has all the confidence in his son, Dalton, and the latter credited his father for developing him into one of the best wrestlers the state of Arizona has ever seen.

‘Twas not the winter of everyone’s discontent. At least not for all the basketball players, soccer studs and wrestlers who took their shots, saves and takedowns for glory’s sake and found some.

Kyrene School District staff and employees could once again see a salary freeze for the 2013-14 school year as district officials plan for the possibility of bond legislation failure that would give recovery in bond capacity.

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

H&R BLOCK was recognized at a statewide Catholic schools rally at the Arizona Capitol last week for the company’s partnering role in educating Arizona tax payers about the Private Education Tax Credit, which helps low-income students attend high-performing Catholic schools.

Everest College Phoenix announced that Thomas Waite from Tempe has been appointed as provost and chief academic officer. Waite is a veteran educator and administrator with 24 years in management and will serve the institution’s online, Phoenix and Mesa campuses in his new capacity.

You probably wouldn’t recognize Ahwatukee Foothills’ Rebecca Caswell as the gray-haired, shabby witch in Valley Youth Theater’s current production of “Rapunzel.” But it is her under that wig.

Forty nonprofit representatives recently discussed tax law amendments and education on fraud and embezzlement, which targeted private organizations in 2012, according to a BeachFleischman PC shareholder.

Lights! Camera! Action! Ahwatukee is going Hollywood!

The Kyrene School District is offering free financial classes for kids, teens and parents in a three-part series this month at Kyrene Middle School, 1050 E. Carver Road in Tempe..