Tucson Weekly: Special Issues

Stayin' Alive

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Annie Holub) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Patronize these local businesses to help keep Tucson's independent spirit going by Annie Holub Every year in this Gift Guide, we profile independent, locally owned stores that carry great gifts for the holiday season. We've found all sorts of original stores owned by hard-working, creative locals, selling all sorts of unique items. This year, as I drove around town looking for a fresh batch of stores, I noticed something troubling: Many of the stores I've profiled in years past have closed. Some of them have been replaced by new and equally exciting locally owned…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Great Reads

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Jarret Keene) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Consider placing some great indie books underneath the tree by Jarret Keene Face it: The economy for regular people isn't any better, even if Wall Street is booming. Unemployment is still too high, which means many people are struggling—so why not buy your friends and loved ones books for the holidays? After all, books are cheap, and if things get desperate, they make great kindling once the power gets turned off! Here's an indie-book/potential kindling guide to help you with your holiday shopping. Lynn Breedlove's One Freak Show (Manic D, $14.95) offers…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Gimme Gadgets

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Saxon Burns) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Our resident tech and games expert shares his holiday wish list by Saxon Burns I've been such a good boy this year! I got into grad school; I rescued a dog from the shelter; and I didn't gloat over Kanye West's meltdown too much. So why be disingenuous? I could write about the video games and gadgets that you and your loved ones will covet this holiday season, but I don't know most of you. And I don't read minds. Thus, in the time-honored American tradition of radical individualism, I've decided to bring the…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Growing With Love

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Adam Borowitz) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The men behind the successful new Sleeping Frog Farms want to bring organic produce to the masses by Adam Borowitz Anorthwest-side farm is making a big name for itself—in only its first year of business. Sleeping Frog Farms snuck up on Tucson, quietly breaking ground last fall in an old horse pasture at 1801 W. Overton Road. Since then, the organic outfit's vegetables have sold out at farmers' markets and the Food Conspiracy Co-op, when they're not gracing plates at some of the finest restaurants in town. "I use them because they're terrific, and their produce is great," said Janos…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Pause, Stop, Relax

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Erica Nannini) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Live like royalty by enjoying a spot of tea by Erica Nannini Marie Antoinette and her French posse were known to take breaks from oppressing peasants for afternoon tea. The leisurely ritual fell somewhere in between lunch and dinner, and was accompanied by tiny sandwiches and frivolity. Antoinette and most of the aristocracy wound up getting their heads chopped off, but Tamara Read, owner and founder of the Chantilly Tea Room, insists that afternoon tea usually leads to good things. "Afternoon tea really binds people," says Read, who opened the Chantilly Tea…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Native Flavor

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Jacqueline Kuder) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Local heritage foods are making a well-deserved—and delicious—comeback by Jacqueline Kuder Before writing about the heritage and traditional foods of Southern Arizona, I decided to first try my hand at making some of these foods—to savor the flavors and experience the smells firsthand. I already have some knowledge from my experiences as a foodie, food writer and chef in Tucson restaurants, where I was fortunate to work under many different chefs who utilized and understood the importance of these ingredients. I started out my journey by heading down to the Native…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Culinary Tourism

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Rita Connelly) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Arizona's Salsa Trail is something to treasure by Rita Connelly Call it locavore culinary tourism at its finest. The Salsa Trail is a route that meanders through parts of Cochise, Greenlee and (primarily) Graham counties. Along that route, food-lovers will find friendly folks, a beautiful countryside, a wealth of Arizona history and Mexican food that rivals any found in the Old Pueblo. The route is the brainchild of Bill Civish, the chairman of the Graham County Visitor and Tourism Council. Civish always believed that the area had some of the…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Frozen Favorites

mailbag@tucsonweekly.com (Amanda Portillo) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The self-serve yogurt trend has come to Tucson, thanks to BTO by Amanda Portillo Hey, frozen-yogurt fans: Imagine what frozen-yogurt heaven would look like. It's a place where that first chilly spoonful makes you shut your eyes and sigh. Perhaps you serve yourself and get to choose from a variety of low-calorie flavors. However, there's no judging in yogurt heaven: If you want a mix of chocolate and mango yogurt, or maybe espresso and peanut butter, have it. Better yet—combine all four. Add some toppings; there's an abundance of fruit, sweet treats and sauces.…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]