As a coach it is always nice to have the backing of your athletic director.

There’s no denying that Richard Donner set the bar for the “Superman” franchise with his 1978 film. The icy landscapes of Planet Krypton, John Williams’ vigorous musical score, Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance, every aspect of Donner’s movie remains definitive. Since then, most interpretations of Superman have either drawn inspiration from or paid homage to the original classic. One has to give director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan credit for taking “Man of Steel” in the complete opposite direction. Where Donner’s “Superman” was light, funny, and colorful, “Man of Steel” is dark, serious, and brooding. The film presents a vision of Superman that’s new and bold with a satisfying payoff.

Volleyball was Kyle Pitman’s secondary sport, but it was hard to tell with his effort and influence on the court.

Enjoy great food, live music and fireworks at the 38th celebration of Red, White and Boom! Hosted by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce and presented by Vision Community Management, the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Festival is professionally produced by HDE Agency and will be at the Ahwatukee Country Club, 12432 S. 48th St. from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3.

Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, we all want the best for our kids. Part of that is making sure they have the reading skills to succeed in school and in life.

With the monsoon season officially beginning tomorrow, June 15, Arizonans should be aware of the possible dangers the monsoon can bring both on the road and at home. Thunderstorms, flash floods, heavy rain

Olive is an exceptionally polite and sweet 2-year-old Pit-Bull mix who gets along with everyone. She is great with other dogs, has the patience and love for children and the energy for long walks and hikes, however, cats are not her favorite thing in the world. Olive is the epitome of a lap dog and is always trying to be right beside you and in the middle of all the action. She is also exceptionally smart, already knowing sit and fetch and having a basic understanding of potty training. Olive is spayed, microchipped and up to date on all vaccinations.

I received a postcard in the mail several weeks ago announcing a public hearing on May 21 to provide an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Study on the proposed South Mountain Freeway. None of my neighbors received the same postcard when I talked to them. Why were some of the public left out of the mailing? They may not have been informed of this public hearing, but I have comments to make.

Jaycob Brugman hasn’t even played his first game with the Oakland A’s organization and he is already counting down the days until the season ends.

Whether you had parents that were distant or parents that were overbearing, we all likely dreamed about running away from home while growing up. These unrealistic fantasies likely involved hitting the road with one or two good friends and building a safe haven somewhere in the wildness. Naturally, we all quickly woke up from this daydream, realizing that we’d never make it on our own. “The Kings of Summer” exists in an offbeat world fueled by our youthful daydreams. The end product is funny and quirky, but also wise and nostalgic with something meaningful to say about coming of age.

Forget the tie. Think bespoke booze for Father’s Day, specifically a beverage tailor-made to suit the hobbies father knows best.

Ahwatukee resident Matthew Hawkins, 14, son of Scott and Cara Hawkins, earned great accomplishments in the sport of trampoline and tumbling. He took first place in Level 10 Double Mini and Tumble Track at the Trampoline and Tumbling Region 2 Championships in Las Vegas on May 12. Hawkins was selected for the All-Star team and will represent our region at the National Championships to take place in Kansas City over the weekend of July 4.

Mohammed Saleem bet one brother instead of chasing another.

Levi Salem passed away on Tuesday, June 4 at the age of 93. He is survived by his daughter, Robin Stinnett, two grandchildren, Scott Salem and Kelly Stinnett, and one great granddaughter, Sophia Grace Salem.

SEATTLE (AP) — When the United States first released its roster for a stretch of three World Cup qualifying matches in less than two weeks, Brad Evans’ name was absent.

St. Mary’s has ruled the Division I girls basketball scene as local teams can attest.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce is offering the community a unique chance to discover Cuba through a fully-inclusive “cultural connections” program.

Five years ago Ahwatukee Foothills resident Joe Busone made headlines when his firing from a corporately-owned restaurant caused many of his employees to walk out with him. Those employees inspired him to open a restaurant of his own, and over the weekend of June 1 the business celebrated four years of doing what the staff loves.

What a crazy three days for area athletes.

My Gym Ahwatukee • 4142 E. Chandler Blvd.

Freeway-improvement projects in the Phoenix area will require closures this weekend (June 7-10), according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternate routes while the following freeway restrictions are in place this weekend:

The South Mountain Freeway is a unique freeway in the Phoenix Valley because it is the only freeway that connects with Interstate 10 in two locations; one on the west side at about 59th Avenue, and the other south at the Pecos Road/Loop 202 intersection. This by-pass would give all I-10 truckers, drivers, military and hazardous waste transporters the opportunity and access to avoid Metropolitan Phoenix.

Active members of Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC) in our Village of Ahwatukee and outlying residential areas aim to stop the South Mountain Freeway from being built on Pecos Road. Preventing the destruction of our community and South Mountain is the main goal of PARC, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.