New Era, New Issue
Hey, everyone. A new era has dawned in America … and a new Weekly has dawned in Tucson! The Jan. 22 issue is online and ready for readers; feel free to comment on its contents here.
Inauguration Day: Wake Up Call
Fitzpatrick brothers Todd and Greg cleaning up Volunteering or handling volunteers can be a tricky proposition. When done correctly, it’s an amazing experience for both community organizers and volunteers. When done wrong, it’s nothing but frustration for everyone involved–in many ways, more frustrating than when you’re getting paid to do something. In the case of…
Good-bye Elvira’s
In disbelief last week, I read the story in the morning daily about the closing of El Cid and Elvira’s, restaurants in Nogales, Sonora, I went to as a child and during college excursions across the border. I was always fond of both, but it was Elvira’s that I loved because of what it always…
A Little Light Reading: Star/Citizen JOA Documents
In case anyone has some time on their hands: Here are the Star/Citizen joint operating agreement documents, in three easy-to-read PDFS. Enjoy!
JCVD at the Loft
I caught a matinee of JCVD at The Loft over the weekend. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself as an aging action-movie hero who is losing his roles to Steven Seagal and has a variety of legal problems, including a court battle over custody of his daughter. He ends up as a hostage in a bank…
Pre-Inauguration Update: Witness to Witnesses of History
The special edition Obama metro card. “I have a surprise for you.” These were the words my brother, Greg, said to me and my other brother, Todd, as we prepared to step into the overcast, 18-degree D.C. morning on Saturday. We were standing in the entryway of the house Greg shares with three other roommates.…
Can You Say ‘Respondiaron?’
What was Michael Bloomberg thinking? He should of said, “But first, for those comforted by someone speaking Spanish with a terrible accent, here ya go.” Early campaign strategy?
‘Citizen’ for Sale, Will Close in March if No Buyer
The Tucson Citizen is reporting that its days may be numbered: Gannett Company, Inc., announced Friday that it is putting the Tucson Citizen up for sale and that if no “viable” buyer is found, the paper will cease publication March 21. The paper has been in publication since 1870. The announcement was made by Robert…
Be Seeing You
Well, if Mari is going to mourn Ricardo, I’ll have to note the passing of Patrick McGoohan, who had numerous notable roles. The one that will always stick in my mind, though, is his turn as the indomitable Number 6, kidnapped away to the Village in the way-out series The Prisoner. McGoohan not only starred…
Soft Corinthian Leather
You’d only ever want to hear the words “soft Corinthian leather” from actor Ricardo Montalban. R.I.P.
When You’re In A Hole, Keep Digging
Daniel Scarpinato of the morning daily tells us that business leaders who visited the Capitol yesterday had one big request for state lawmakers: Cut the state property tax permanently. The tax, which was suspended for three years as part of a bad budget deal cut between Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican lawmakers, is set to…
¡Ask a Mexican!
What is the fascination with César Chávez?
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Inauguration Time
A note from the editor.
Nice Thing Happening
Harvey Brooks and friends create musical magic on 17th Street
Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
In Service of the Song
Guitar hero Eric Johnson says he’s starting to pick up the pace
Changing of the Guard
Local leaders dish up a Homeland Security wish list
Soundbites
STEPPING OUT FROM BEHIND THE SCENES I’ve long been fascinated by session musicians, those people whose names are never as familiar as the people whose albums they’ve played on, but whose résumés are far longer, and often, more impressive. While there’s still somewhat of a market for these studio masters–especially if they’re willing to play…
The Obama Issue: The Poetry
Southern Arizonans express themselves regarding the inauguration of the 44th president
Forgotten and Ignored
A new report on immigrant women behind bars paints a troubling picture
Nine Questions
Ultramaroon
The Obama Issue
Southern Arizonans express themselves regarding the inauguration of the 44th president
Live
Heather Hardy and Friends’ Tribute to Sam Taylor, Boondocks Lounge, Saturday, Jan. 10
Money and Marriage
Opponents claim a proposed northeast-side church is primarily a front for wedding business
Rhythm & Views
Kathleen Grace’s soprano playfully flirts with and swoops around the melodies on her third album, Mirror, an entirely satisfying, if brief, set of songs that will draw comparisons for Grace to the great Nancy Wilson. Both singers offer voices that are rich, warm and elegant, bridging jazz and pop with effortless, um, grace. A Los…
The Skinny
OH WOE IS SAGUARO RANCH Just as The Skinny was going to press, a local real estate blog reported that Saguaro Ranch owner Stephen Phinny has defaulted on the $50 million loan he received in 2006 from New Jersey-based Kennedy Funding for his high-end development in the Tortolita Mountains. The Skinny confirmed the report, finding…
Rhythm & Views
Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland, at 41, is one of the more veteran members of what I call the At Press Time Club, referring to the caveat which must accompany any article written about the unpredictable, frequently arrested and reluctantly rehabbed musician. (Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty grace the club’s United Kingdom chapter.)…
Media Watch
KOLD’s Acosta Moves to Business Side
Top Ten in Music
Toxic Ranch Records top sales for the week
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Shasta McManus
Rhythm & Views
It’s not every day a jazz album comes from the local scene–and a collection of stylish jazz vocals is especially rare. So it’s not a surprise to learn that Kate Becker is a recent Tucson transplant, and that she’s incorporated a set of sensibilities whose roots reflect experiences from her previous homes in Europe and…
Police Dispatch
Three Kings of Mischief East Sunrise Drive, Dec. 18, 1:29 a.m. A trio of high school students nearly ruined two trashcans, and possibly more, in an unconventional attempt to show their Christmas spirit, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report. The reporting deputy was dispatched to Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive,…
On Commitment
Thoughtful casting and fine writing lead Beowulf’s ‘Dinner With Friends’ to success
Pick of the Week
A Time to Reflect
Horse Play
Gaslight takes on Western melodrama–or something–with ‘The Ballad of Two-Gun McGraw’
War and Sex in the Forest
If you like dead Nazis and decent action sequences, you’ll like ‘Defiance’
Hot, Dry and Paved
Despite overly academic prose, ‘Natural Environments of Arizona’ effectively illustrates man’s impact on the land
Danehy
Tom has wishes, hopes and prayers for the new year
City Week
Our top picks of what to do and where to do it for the week.
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books best-sellers for the week
Messina
In Puerto Peñasco, government agencies and citizens fight to save an endangered porpoise
Titanic Success
DiCaprio and Winslet reunite in a fantastic film about a marriage violently falling apart
Noshing Around
Terra Cotta Closing Jan. 31 Terra Cotta, which opened in 1986, will serve its last meal on Saturday, Jan. 31, according to co-owner Michael Luria. “The economy has taken its toll on us, and as much as we’d like to, we just can’t continue on,” Luria said. Located at 3500 E. Sunrise Drive and employing…
Guest Commentary
Join in the celebration of change with events on MLK Day, Inauguration Day
Now Showing at Home
“Pineapple Express: Unrated Special Edition,” “Cinematic Titanic Episode 6: Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks,” and “Sukiyaki Western Django”
Eats and Entertainment
The enormous World Sports Grille is like the Super Bowl of sports bars–but the food could use some help
