There have been times during his first year as an Arizona State football player that Mike Nixon felt like he had just struck out on three pitches, but he does not regret his career change.

A few days ago the Chandler Public Library had a summit meeting for baby boomers. I couldn’t make it because my upcoming visit to the urologist requires a great deal of time-consuming paperwork, but to judge from the advance press, the message was quite upbeat.

When Dirk Koetter announced he was bringing all but one of his Boise State coaches to Arizona State, questions arose within the ASU football community about the staff's youth and experience.

Child actor Chase Ellison gives a brave, haunting performance in Gregg Araki’s critically acclaimed child abuse saga "Mysterious Skin," but it could be years before the 11-year-old or his friends see the movie in its entirety.

RICH BOLAS TODAY STAFF The Willow Canyon High School football team and Chris Robinson have both come of age this season. In their third year at the varsity level, the Wildcats have finally enjoyed the success to go along with their hard work. Willow Canyon enters Northwest Region play with a 4-1 record after winning just five games in its previous two years of competition. Robinson has been a big part of that success. "Chris is one of those kids who came into the program at its inception and has laid the foundation for our football success," said Mike Hudnutt, second-year head coach. "I think Chris also realized that football could be his ticket to college athletics and he has stepped it up a notch this season." On offense, the 6-foot, 170-pound Robinson has been the big-play weapon for Willow Canyon. The senior has turned three of his seven catches into touchdowns and is averaging 28.7 yards per reception. On defense, Robinson has been the quarterback of the secondary from his free safety position. He also has shown a knack for finding the football, coming up with an interception and a fumble recovery. "I think a lot my success this year comes from just being more experienced," the 17-year-old Surprise resident said. "The other thing is I put in a lot of hard work this summer and I think that's made me faster as a player." That hard work paid immediate dividends in Willow Canyon's 27-24 double-overtime win on the road at La Joya in the season opener. Robinson caught a 52-yard touchdown pass, recovered a fumble when he broke up an option pitch from the quarterback, and capped the night with an interception in the end zone to stall a fourth-quarter La Joya drive. "I think the biggest thing for Chris is his understanding of the importance of the free safety as well as his knowledge of the game," Hudnutt said. "His knowledge of the game is at the point where I can move him from safety to corner during a game and he understands his responsibilities." Robinson's intellect carries over from the football field to the classroom, where he carries a 3.5 grade-point average. The son of Warren and Mary Robinson said it was a thrill to look into the stands and see the faces of his parents after scoring his first varsity touchdown against La Joya. "It was nice to see them out there," Robinson said. "It meant a lot to me." Robinson has continued to make big plays for the Wildcats, who carry a two-game win streak into the region opener at Boulder Creek this Friday. The senior caught a 48-yard strike from quarterback Trey Clarida for the lone touchdown of the game in a 10-3 win against Camelback two weeks ago. Against Ironwood Ridge, the Wildcats' lone defeat, Robinson caught a 57-yard touchdown pass as the team rallied from a 19-point deficit before falling 19-14. "It's hard to say whether Chris' strength as a player is on offense or defense," Hudnutt said. "Going into this season, it would have been easy to say offense. "He hasn't let down on offense this year, but his defense has really stepped up." Just like the fortunes of the Willow Canyon football team.

No one expects (or should expect, at least) “Les Miserables” to have the same vibrancy, the same urgency, as when the musical debuted on Broadway nearly 20 years ago. Or the first umpteen times the touring production swung through the continental United States, for that matter.

When Dirk Koetter announced he was bringing all but one of his Boise State coaches to Arizona State, questions arose within the ASU football community about the staff's youth and experience.

By day, Hanaa al-Khansa is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Minnesota, hoping to practice family and pediatric medicine.

Will physicians — particularly under a national health plan — provide aggressive treatment for the very old?

It had been nearly three years since Juli Inkster won a tournament, and she wasn’t getting any younger.

September 16, 2004

November 3, 2004

CHICAGO - Roger Clemens is the old stubbly face in a World Series filled with bubbly newcomers. He’s had more farewell seasons than the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox have World Series titles, more awards than every other player on both rosters combined.

Ask renowned artist Francoise Gilot her age, and she quickly answers she’s 81 going on 19.

It's no secret that electronic media has become the new standard for communication in the social and business worlds. Companies take advantage of the Internet, including social media sites, due in part to convenience and speed.

It's no secret that electronic media has become the new standard for communication in the social and business worlds. Companies take advantage of the Internet, including social media sites, due in part to convenience and speed.

It’s well known how I feel about Hillary. Wouldn’t ya’ know that a woman finally gets a shot at the White House and it turns out she’s a chameleon who’ll drag us further into Karl Marxist socialism.

Ashley Morengo has been branded a witch. Her parents, Tom and Karen, chuckle as a dirty, burlapped crowd pelts the Tempe girl with Styrofoam rocks. A scary-looking monk commands her to confess. “But I’m not a witch!” she protests, laughing and giggling.