When the school year ends a few weeks from now, millions of kids will head off to sleepaway camp for a summer filled with color wars, kayaking and bunk life. Most will have a great time, some will make friends for life, and many will look back on the experience fondly.

I am writing to discover if any of you will stand with practicing midwives of Arizona and the parents that use their services and oppose onerous restrictions on the practice of midwifery in Arizona.

Burgers and potato salad are traditional fare at Memorial Day picnics, but it's also fun to shake things up every now and again with an unexpected new flavor. And if the recipe for said dish is as easy as it is lip-smacking? So much the better for the cook, who would much rather be relaxing in the sunshine with guests than fretting over complicated details.

There have been highs and lows from the 2012-2013 athletic year.

In February, elementary physical education teachers challenged 5,000-plus fifth-graders in Mesa Public School District to make healthy food choices and get more exercise for 28 consecutive days as part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s Walk On! Challenge. Every fifth-grade student in the Mesa district had the opportunity to participate in the Walk On! Challenge, which was facilitated by the physical education teachers in each of the elementary schools in Mesa.

The Arizona Educational Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year program. This program recognizes 10 exceptionally skilled and dedicated Arizona public school teachers. One winning teacher will be sent to Washington D.C., to meet the president and will receive prize package including a $15,000 cash award, professional speech training, a full scholarship toward an advanced degree at Argosy University Phoenix and the chance to attend international Space Camp.

“Ann Kirkpatrick? Ron Barber? Raul Grijalva? Ed Pastor? Kyrsten Sinema? What do you think about the IRS harassment, Benghazi lies, and AP spying? He’s your President, not mine. You have been awfully quiet lately.”

Graduation is just days away. Then, they’ll be moving on to the next phases of their life.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Gilbert residents Rick and Leslie Roman used to give shares of Boston Celtics stock as gifts to friends and family. The pair was always interested in company stocks and thought they made great presents, and it ultimately led to the couple’s first business venture.

Using their talents for hilarious, family-friendly improvisational comedy, Jef and Shurlin Rawls of Mesa hope to lift spirits while lightening the load for a family in their neighborhood with an event they are calling a “FUN-draiser.”

America has always made a commitment to putting a good education within reach of anyone who is willing to work for it. The promise of a good education for everyone is part of what makes America great. As a person who works in the high tech industry, I am deeply committed and concerned about the success of all students.

When executives of corporations are caught aiding and abetting criminal behavior of their employees, the executives are prosecuted and the businesses are destroyed.

In this dugout is the three-time defending state champions of softball, with a significant portion of the 2012 title team playing prominent roles again. Red Mountain is a No. 6 seed oozing with confidence, has gotten lights-out pitching from junior ace Bre Macha, went through the winner's bracket for a second consecutive year and outscored its opponents 30-4 in this tournament, including a win over its next opponent.

If you love that mother in your home, get rid of those babes spread out on the coffee table. I’ve had it with them. They’re not good for either soul — male or female! Why do we contemplate airbrushed, digitally altered, Botox laden, breast-enhanced illusions?

Debbie Frazier wants her two children to grow up appreciating the outdoors. So she introduced them to hiking before they could walk.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board failed to approve Tuesday night future discussion about placing a budget override renewal on the November 2013 ballot.