An athlete well known to Arizona sports fans is coming back to the state, this time as a mixed martial arts fighter.

In a week when North Korea posted a homemade video showing the U.S. Capitol building being destroyed by a missile, what more logical response could Hollywood offer than a macho thriller about a Secret Service agent who takes on North Korean terrorists who attack the White House? The first of two similarly themed action dramas set for this year ("White House Down" arrives in June), "Olympus Has Fallen" will put to the test the question of whether American audiences are ready, 12 years after 9-11, to watch, strictly as disposable popcorn entertainment, a film in which the United States and some of its most prominent landmarks are devastated by foreign terrorists.

The Valley of the Sun YMCA has just completed a record year of participants in its winter sports program. This stellar year comes after the recent addition of the YMCA Adult Basketball League (YABL), and the expansion of youth sports programs late last year.

John Matthews knows all about having the Olympics taken away from him.

The next Henry Cejudo was told he needs to find a different route out of his tough neighborhood. There could never be another Rulon Gardner, but nonetheless a similar story can no longer be written.

The next Henry Cejudo was told he needs to find a different route out of his tough neighborhood. There could never be another Rulon Gardner, but nonetheless a similar story can no longer be written.

Phoenix Sister Cities, Phoenix Sister Cities Taipei and Chengdu committees, and the Phoenix Chinese Week Committee will celebrate Chinese Week 2013 and the Chinese New Year 4711, “The Year of the Snake” from Feb. 4 to 10, with cultural and educational events at a variety of Valley locations.

Arizona Sports 620 KTAR-AM has announced the launch of a new integrated program that will showcase Mixed Martial Arts on all of its platforms.

“Here Comes the Boom,” with Kevin James as a tubby high school science teacher who becomes a mixed martial-arts sensation, is every bit as ridiculous as it looks.

Where most film franchises undergo a downhill slope with every passing installment, the original “Bourne” trilogy was one of the rare series that only got better and better. “The Bourne Legacy” regrettably breaks this winning streak, being the least impressive of the series. That doesn’t mean the movie is a poor effort. This is indeed a very entertaining, well-made chapter of the “Bourne” story. After the fantastic “Bourne Ultimatum” though, it stepped a step down the ladder.

What at first was somewhat of an intense situation, what happened to Michele Arviso became more lighthearted by the time it was all over.

One Ahwatukee Foothills resident is poised to become the youngest black belt in the history of a local martial arts academy.

Desert Vista state wrestling champion Robert Sobarzo will continue his wrestling career at Grand Canyon University, according to coach David Gonzalez.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Don Fiore, 75, started practicing T’ai Chi as a way to relax away from his stressful real estate job.

Salt River Fields is offering fans a chance to purchase an exclusive season ticket package for its 2012-13 entertainment lineup, featuring more than 10 major events for $65.

Salt River Fields is offering fans a chance to purchase an exclusive season ticket package for its 2012-2013 entertainment lineup featuring more than 10 major events for only $65.

Belle Kurtz of Ahwatukee Foothills was recently selected to participate in the 2012 Miss Pre-Teen Phoenix/Tucson pageant competition that will take place on Sunday, April 1.

A little curiosity went a long way to Gina Carano's transformation from mixed-martial-arts fighter and "American Gladiator" competitor to action-film star in "Haywire."

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

The only “getting out” many of us will do in the next week will be a flurry of holiday errands: dropping off baked goods to friends and neighbors, standing in line at the post office, attending company parties and scrambling to find gifts for people we have yet to cross off our lists.

The only “getting out” many of us will do in the next week will be a flurry of holiday errands: dropping off baked goods to friends and neighbors, standing in line at the post office, attending company parties and scrambling to find gifts for people we have yet to cross off our lists.

Emily Thornton started as a Girl Scout when she was 5. Now, 13 years later, the Ahwatukee Foothills resident was honored for representing a key aspect of the organization - leadership.