Along with Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Iron Man 3” is one of the rare superhero threequels that doesn’t disappoint. While Jon Favreau remains an executive producer and co-star, he passes on the directorial duties to Shane Black of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Black maintains all the action, humor, and character development that made Faverau’s first two films so enjoyable, while also incorporating his own unique signature. His film continues to raise the stakes and pushes its characters to their critical limits. In addition, “Iron Man 3” makes some hilarious commentary on the media’s role in terrorism with several inspired twist. The result is the darkest of the “Iron Man” trilogy and, ironically, the funniest.

The Mountain Pointe duo of Natrell Curtis and Jalen Brown keep getting national attention.

According to the majority of the media and most of our elected officials we are not supposed to judge all Muslims by the acts of a few “crazies.” But the acts of a few American “crazies” are enough to judge all Americans who own guns.

Centennials are normally cause for celebration, a chance to applaud some thing or person standing the test of time. But not so for the income tax. Even the IRS is declining to mention that this year is the 100-year anniversary of the 16th Amendment of the Constitution, which authorized the tax.

Gov. Jan Brewer said Tuesday that enhanced security is being put in place for this weekend's Pat Tillman run in the wake of the bombings in Boston.

Mary Mitchell said she started playing bridge with her husband more than 50 years ago.

Army Pvt. Jesse A. Blas has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Up there with “Stoker” and “Like Someone in Love” as one of the best films to hit theaters this spring, “War Witch” is devastating, beautiful and truly not to be missed. An Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this gut-wrenching tale of a child soldier has been reeling in the accolades: Best Actress awards for young star Rachel Mwanza at both the Berlin and Tribeca film festivals, along with a whopping 10 honors (including Best Picture) at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.

Step one of 74 to prepare for the 37th Annual Ahwatukee Easter Parade began the week after Christmas when parade boss Mike Schmitt asked the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee if they wanted once more to sponsor the parade.

It is not out of the ordinary for Montessori students to self direct their learning and research. So, when upper elementary students, Sushil and Matthew, both age 11, decided to conduct a research on the topic of world wars, Sushil invited Sam Morris, a World War II veteran, to speak to his class about his involvement in that war. Morris also shared many stories about his experiences being a young soldier.

The waiting process was more grueling than putting in the work to get it done, but Alex Bambic finally got what he wanted.

America has almost 12 million illegal immigrants.

The U.S. Army’s Phoenix Battalion named Mountain Pointe junior basketball player Kaylah Lupoe Hoop Star of the Week during the season.

The Phoenix City Council awarded a domestic violence services contract to the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (AZCADV), effective March 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

Service clubs in Ahwatukee Foothills are busy year-round working on projects to help kids and families in the community but one project, honoring first responders, was big enough to bring all of them together.

City staff is recommending that the Phoenix City Council issue $200,000 in grants to the Arizona Coalition against Domestic Violence (AZCADV) to create a centralized screening process and to set up a mobile housing specialist to help victims identify permanent housing.

It's easy to understand why Hollywood loves doing business with author Nicholas Sparks. His books are huge best-sellers, and several of the films adapted from his novels - "Message in a Bottle," ''The Notebook," and "Dear John" - have achieved impressive box office grosses. The latest Sparks adaptation, "Safe Haven," will probably continue his winning streak, especially with its Valentine's Day opening pegged to lure female fans. A thriller element that has not been present in earlier Sparks movies is designed to draw reluctant male viewers to see the picture, but they won't respond with the same enthusiasm as his core audience of woozy romantics.

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s childrens book and popularized by Steven Spielberg’s feature film of the same name, “War Horse” follows the fate of a horse named Joey, who is sold into the British army and serves on both sides of the conflict during World War I.

I am a former Army officer, Tillman Scholar and combat veteran. I received my commission through the University of Arizona’s ROTC program. As a young lieutenant I believed that women should not serve in combat units for all of the same reasons we are used to hearing; physical ability, unit cohesion, rape, capture, etc. I actually wrote a paper on it once. However, as most of us know, actual experience vs. theory is what often changes one’s opinion.

I am a former Army officer, Tillman Scholar and combat veteran. I received my commission through the University of Arizona’s ROTC program. As a young lieutenant I believed that women should not serve in combat units for all of the same reasons we are used to hearing; physical ability, unit cohesion, rape, capture, etc. I actually wrote a paper on it once. However, as most of us know, actual experience vs. theory is what often changes one’s opinion.

Vintage dishware doesn’t have to gather dust in the china cabinet.

It is astonishing to me that a self-professed “retired consulting engineer” could not understand that Professor John Lott’s hypothesis of a 3-percent-per-1-percent relationship between gun ownership and crime rate reduction is a LOGARITHMIC function.

James Hasse, 67, of Ahwatukee peacefully passed away on Jan. 4 after a courageous battle with cancer. His fortitude and strength will forever be an inspiration to his family and friends.

Regarding “Keeping watch: Local school officials assure community of secure campuses in light of Conn. shooting,” Ahwatukee Foothills News, Dec. 21, 2012, page 1, we can be glad that exterior doors are being kept locked. Better yet would be for all classroom doors to be closed and automatically locked to anyone on the outside of the classroom at the beginning of each class.

iCoachBoomers and the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center announced that Glen Spencer will be a panelist for the expert-led workshop, Maximizing Entitlements, at "Boomers – Now What?” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at the VOSJCC on Scottsdale Road and Sweetwater in Scottsdale.