Why does Bon Jovi crank out an unending string of relentlessly upbeat, unavoidably catchy songs in the style that made the Jersey boys famous 30 years ago and kept them there 'till now?

Recently, I took one of the most refreshing phone calls I’ve received in a while.

The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest organization on earth at 2,000 years. It changes very slowly. In theology it only changes at the far edges. It is built on a rock (some say built of road).

They come from all parts of the Valley — 475 men, women, teens and children — and spend countless hours in practice and performances during the month leading up to Easter. The goal: presenting to the community the story of the life and mission of Jesus Christ in music, drama and dance.

By now it's clear that nothing and no one can kill Bruce Willis, whose fifth film in the "Die Hard" franchise, the horribly titled "A Good Day to Die Hard," opened last week.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa announced that Conor Favre has been appointed executive chef. Favre is an expert culinary leader with more than 18 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa has named William “Mac” McNally director of restaurants and bars. His duties will include overseeing all operations in Ko’sin Restaurant, Hanyo Poolside Bar and Grill, The Link Café and the resort’s lobby bar, as well as management of the Sheraton Adventure comprehensive family activities program.

We’re battle worn. The past two years of campaigns were no less hostile than Hurricane Sandy. Election pundits tell us we’re a nation divided and stuck in this place. All the while, the critical mass of the big government crowd has taken control. We’ve been told this day would come, and it has.

In her Sept. 5 (Spiritual Side) column (“‘Coming out’ for marriage equality — a letter of thanks”) Diane Meehl proclaimed her support for legal and church marriages between persons other than one man and one woman. Meehl urged Christian churches to follow suit, saying “does the church want to continue to be associated with a divisive issue about which we likely will never achieve consensus?” There are many “divisive issues” — including the divinity of Christ and the message of salvation — on which the church must take an unwavering position on principle, not on the nose count of a supposed “consensus.”

Some characters are so despicable and manipulative that the audience should desire to see them receive the most dreadful comeuppance. Despite all of their shameful wrongdoings though, we can’t help but hope that these characters will triumph over the alleged good guys. Who isn’t gunning to see Walter White come out on top in the final season of “Breaking Bad?” Like White and various other antiheroes, the flawed protagonist in “Arbitrage” is a difficult character not to root for. This is primarily thanks to the smart screenplay by writer/director Nicholas Jarecki and a charismatic leading performance from Richard Gere.

For some reason I’m finding myself reading the Psalms more and more this past year. They both energize and refresh my soul. A shepherd boy named David wrote 150 of them (or at least that’s how many he got published).

It doesn’t take long to lose your religion at work, does it? You might be asked to bump up a grade to ensure a star athlete gets to play. Or sell at your company’s highest prices when you could steer your customer toward a better deal. Or gossip about a colleague, engage in an “innocent” email flirtation with that cutie in accounting, pad an expense report, or slander your competition to a prospect.

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has successfully established a reputation for serving destinations like Minot, N.D. or Cedar Rapids in Iowa.

The Summer Olympics begin in London at the end of July. I love watching athletes from all over the world gathered together in competition. The dedication and devotion it takes to get to the Olympics is astounding.

We have this running joke about our frugal practices in the early days of our marriage. I married a man who saved a percentage of every single dollar he’d ever received from childhood gifts, household chores, and grocery store paychecks. I wasn’t nearly as disciplined, but still, pretty cautious with spending. For 10 years in fact, we never even bought a headboard for our bed — we just let those mattresses sit on the floor in our master bedroom like college kids.

We have this running joke about our frugal practices in the early days of our marriage. I married a man who saved a percentage of every single dollar he’d ever received from childhood gifts, household chores, and grocery store paychecks. I wasn’t nearly as disciplined, but still, pretty cautious with spending. For 10 years in fact, we never even bought a headboard for our bed — we just let those mattresses sit on the floor in our master bedroom like college kids.

It’s 30 minutes to deadline for this article, and I have gotten so sidetracked that I will not be finished in time with what I hoped to write. You see, I got into a topic and started browsing through my Bible, looking for more examples.

It’s 30 minutes to deadline for this article, and I have gotten so sidetracked that I will not be finished in time with what I hoped to write. You see, I got into a topic and started browsing through my Bible, looking for more examples.

A Senate panel voted Monday to let employers with religious or moral objections refuse to include contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans for their workers.

No need to drive six hours up the freeway when you can find Sin City right in your own backyard. Featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, and many more, "Let's Go Las Vegas" looks to bring an intimate atmosphere to the Ahwatukee Recreation Center on Friday.

Erin Campbell believes in the power behind words of prayer. She has seen the effect it has had on her own life and will be sharing those experiences at Mountain Park Community Church in February.

Eight casinos on the Las Vegas Strip are planning a coordinated fireworks show as part of Sin City’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration.

I bet you've said it. I know I have. Might say it again before this column hits the presses. "Did you hear about...? " or "You're never going to believe this, but..." Gossip.