This past weekend, the symphonic band from Chandler's Willis Junior High School, under the direction of John Studzinski, performed for the Arizona Music Education Convention at the Mesa Marriot Center. Only one junior high concert band is selected to perform during the three-day conference. The performance ended with a stand ovation from the audience. The Willis Jazz Band performed for this same convention in 2006, 2007 and 2010, but this was the first time the symphonic band had been invited.

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.

NEW YORK - Bruce Willis says being a film star hasn't brought him many perks. "It's really ... weird to be famous," the 52-year-old actor tells Vanity Fair magazine in its June issue, on newsstands May 8. "It gets you into restaurants easier than other people, but beyond that, personally, you could set fame on fire."

Critics often gripe about the blink-and-you've-missed-it frenzy of action sequences in today's Hollywood thrillers.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Willie Nelson is so prolific that sometimes even he forgets he has another record coming out. At a recent show here with Bob Dylan, Nelson performed a long list of hits, but not a single song from his long-awaited reggae album, "Countryman," which comes out Tuesday.

Congratulations goes out to the Willis Junior High School symphonic band and director John Studzinski for being selected to perform at this year's Arizona Music Educators Conference in February at the Phoenix-Mesa Marriot Conference Center. The group was selected through a CD audition and by having a received high ratings at state band festivals throughout the past several years. The students will perform for this annual conference attended by music educators and musicians from around the state. The Willis music department will give a free holiday concert 7 p.m. Dec. 20. For information, call (480) 883-5700.

Country legend Willie Nelson is on board for this year's Railroad Revival Tour, which will make a stop in Tempe.

LOS ANGELES - Surrounded by family, friends and fellow A-listers, Bruce Willis received a star on the Walk of Fame Monday as scores of fans looked on.

NEW YORK - Kansas City shortstop Angel Berroa beat New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui in the closest AL Rookie of the Year vote in 24 years. Florida pitcher Dontrelle Willis won the NL award.

Dontrelle Willis and Brian Roberts are not only All-Stars, they are a general manager’s dream.

CHICAGO -- The Sears Tower, one of the world's iconic skyscrapers and the tallest building in the U.S., was renamed the Willis Tower on Thursday in a downtown ceremony, marking a new chapter in the history of the giant edifice that has dominated the Chicago skyline for nearly four decades.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Once he decided to fire Willie Randolph, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya caught a flight to the West Coast, went to the team hotel and waited to deliver the news in person.

Two jazz bands will share the stage in a free concert featuring the Willis Junior High School jazz band and the Arizona State University concert jazz band 7:00 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.

BOSTON - Farm Aid, the long-running benefit concert, will be held this year in New England for the first time.

Bands from Arizona State University, Chandler High School and Willis Junior High School will perform a free concert 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Chandler Center for the Arts. The event will feature Michael Kocour as a soloist.

John Lichtenberger said his dog, Willy, has stolen his identity. When he introduces himself around town as Queen Creek’s neighborhood preservation manager, he usually tells people that they won’t remember his name, but they’ll remember his dog’s.

John Lichtenberger said his dog, Willy, has stolen his identity. When he introduces himself around town as Queen Creek’s neighborhood preservation manager, he usually tells people that they won’t remember his name, but they’ll remember his dog’s.