Cover Story
A Tucson Checkup
For the past year, residents of Pima County—like all Americans—have been inundated with talk about our health-care system, its flaws, proposed reforms and its philosophical underpinnings. However, much less has been said about how healthy we are as a community. The absence of such conversations does not involve a lack of information. There are plenty…
Grijalva: “If You’re Serious About Fiscal Responsibility, Oppose Afghan Funds”
Congressman Raul Grijalva has joined with three colleagues—Reps. Michael Honda, John Conyers and Alan Grayson—to issue a challenge on funding for the war in Afghanistan: It is disingenuous to say the president’s request for more Afghan war funding is an “emergency” supplemental. The only “emergency” is this: In funding the longest war in history, we…
Update: May’s Counter Chicken and Waffles
If you’re like many local foodies, you’re wondering why May’s Counter Chicken and Waffles (2945 E. Speedway Blvd.) isn’t open yet, despite numerous reports that it would be by now. John Foster, who is opening the restaurant with Phoenix chef Aaron May, says he had to push back the opening after his furniture delivery was…
Businesses Shaft Local Charity That Sold Beer to Feed the Hungry
A number of bars and restaurants that agreed to sell a special beer to raise money for a local charity took the beer and never coughed up the money. The beer, Father Joe’s Penitential Ale, was brewed by Barrio Brewing Company to raise money for Caridad de Porres, which provides hundreds of thousands of meals…
Yet Another Arizona Boycott … Sort Of
This letter was recently sent to Gov. Brewer by the the League of Resident Theatres, which refers to itself as “the largest professional theatre association of its kind in the United States, with 76 member Theatres located in every major market in the U.S., including 29 states and the District of Columbia. LORT Theatres collectively…
Giffords to Feds: Don’t Sue Over SB 1070
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords tells Fox News’ Greta van Sustren that nobody should be boycotting Arizona and says she opposes a federal suit against SB 1070.
Get Your Theater-Loving Arse to ‘Mr. Marmalade’
The latest from Live Theatre Workshop’s Etcetera series, Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle, opens tomorrow night, Thursday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. theater. This show features the LTW’s best. First, it’s directed by Kristi Loera, LTW’s executive director, and the cast includes City High School student Lucille Petty (who…
Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Warhead Stout
The first taste of a beer that’s been aged for six months in a Kentucky bourbon barrel will be available this Friday. Jason Schneider, the general manager of Thunder Canyon Brewery, says the first of two kegs of bourbon-barrel-aged Warhead Stout will be tapped at 4 p.m., Friday, July 2. He said the specialty beer…
Buz Mills: $3 Million Man
Republican gubernatorial candidate Buz Mills has reported spending $3,193,369 on his gubernatorial campaign through June 28. That’s certainly a stimulus for the TV stations that are running his ads, but it’s not doing much for him, according to last week’s polls.
Republican Bob Bennett: GOP Needs Ideas, Not Slogans
Republican Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah, who was recently blocked from seeking a new term by by GOP conservatives, says the GOP needs ideas, not slogans: Bennett told a Republican group the party could even take back the Senate soon but will lose both houses just as fast if the GOP continues to rely on…
Utah: Doing Immigration Right?
The Salt Lake Tribune reported Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is working to create a Utah-specific guest-worker pilot program—so they don’t have to take the Arizona route and be made fun of on Comedy Central: “We’re talking about a comprehensive program that would allow highly educated workers from whatever country … people who may have…
Tucson’s Everyday People: Talking Trains With Tom McCollum
Tom McCollum, the director of the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, talks about the impact of the railroads onTucson and Southern Arizona. McCollum discusses fun, facts and history in this multimedia video and photo slideshow by UA School of Journalism student Takatoshi Kato.
McCain Latest Salvo Against Hayworth
The McCain campaign brings it all together with an ad that hammers J.D. Hayworth on the free-money informercial, man-horse marriage, the birther conspiracy and more. Bonus points for the space aliens and Planet of the Apes shout-out.
Declaration of Independents
Independents are the fastest-growing sector of registered voters in Arizona: 14,716 people registered as something other than Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Green since April 19—more than half of the 26,890 new voters. Here’s the bulletin from Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett: The state of Arizona added nearly 27,000 additional registered voters between April 19…
Obama Administration Tackles Immigration?
Just in time for the election: The Obama administration wants to tackle immigration reform. HuffPo reports: President Obama is slated to deliver a major address on immigration reform this week as his Department of Justice puts the final touches on a lawsuit challenging the legality of the immigration legislation passed by the state of Arizona.…
LD28: Downing Gives Up Clean Elections
Ted Downing, the former Democratic lawmaker who is running as a independent against Democratic Sen. Paula Aboud in midtown Tucson’s Legislative District 28, has decided to forgo Clean Elections, saying it’s stacked against him. Downing, who lost to Aboud in a Democratic primary for the Senate seat in 2006, avoided the Democratic primary this year…
The Honey Pot and Other Delights
Lindy’s on Fourth (431 N. Fourth Ave.) is up to something new and unruly every time we stop in. This time, it is the “Honey Pot,” the eatery’s burger of the month. It’s a burger patty stuffed in a bread bowl and covered with Doritos and cheese. We’re not sure if that makes it a…
Brewer on Border Briefing: “No Really Substantial Information”
Jeremy Duda of the Arizona Capitol Times brings us Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s reaction to a briefing from the federal government on border security: The National Guard deployment was less than Brewer expected after a June 3 meeting at the White House with Obama, when the president told the governor that Arizona would get the…
CD8: Citizens United Endorses Jesse Kelly
Conservative political group Citizens United has endorsed Republican Jesse Kelly, one of five Republicans in the race to unseat Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8: From the Kelly campaign: The momentum in the AZ 8 Republican primary continues to grow for Jesse Kelly. Citizens United Political Victory Fund has just endorsed Kelly in…
McCain vs. Hayworth: A Widening Gap
The latest Pollster chart, updated with last week’s Magellan Strategies poll.
Hayworth Fights Back Against McCain’s “Malicious Mailers”
Republican J.D. Hayworth fights back against the McCain’s campaign’s “overblown rhetoric” via YouTube. He raises some legit points, albeit to a limited audience. We’re still looking forward to the debate next month. More at Sonoran Alliance.
Pamela Gorman’s Loving Arms
Pamela Gorman has lots of guns. All the qualifications anyone needs to be a lawmaker these days? Hat tip to Hex and Talking Points Memo.
Meet Democrat Randy Parraz
U.S. Senate candidate Randy Parraz, who is one of four Democrats seeking Republican John McCain’s seat, makes an appearance at his Tucson campaign office Tuesday, June 28. Stop by and meet him between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. at 1801 E. Broadway Blvd. More details on the man and the event at his Web page.
Sweeney Survives Ballot Challenge
Perennial candidate Joe Sweeney has survived an effort to knock him off the ballot for the crowded Republican primary in CD7. Score another legal victory for the dean of Alexander Hamilton Evening Law School! In other CD7 news you might have missed: Christopher Flowers, who was running for the CD7 seat, dropped out of the…
Buz Mills: “Obama Dupes Brewer”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Buz Mills lays into Gov. Jan Brewer following today’s news about the national guard troops and other federal resources coming to the border. The press release: “The feds are sending Arizona a whopping 524 National Guard soldiers to patrol our border with Mexico. This is not enough and this is not acceptable.…
Giffords and Goddard: National Guard Troops and Other Resources Headed for Arizona
Nick Smith brings us a TWTV report from today’s press conference announcing that 524 National Guard troops and other resources are being sent to the Arizona border.
Martin Qualifies for Public Campaign Dollars
The Arizona Capitol Times reports that state Treasurer Dean Martin has qualified for $707,000 in Clean Elections funds. Last week’s Rasmussen poll noted that just 12 percent of GOP voters supported Martin, while 61 percent supported Gov. Jan Brewer and 16 percent supported Buz Mills, who has spent more than $2 million to build his…
Giffords’ First TV Ad
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords debuts her first ad of the 2010 election cycle: A testimonial from a veteran helped by her office.
McCain: Brewer Wrong on Drug-Smuggling Immigrants
U.S. Sen. John McCain tells David Gregory of Meet the Press that Gov. Jan Brewer is wrong when she says most illegal immigrants are drug mules, but that she’s right when she says the violence along the border has increased because of the drug cartels. He also says that kidnappings in Phoenix are out of…
Center for Biological Diversity vs. Rosemont Mine
The Center for Biological Diversity monkeywrenches Rosemont Copper: The Center for Biological Diversity today filed an Endangered Species Act listing petition seeking protection for two species of talus snails that are threatened by the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains, 30 miles southeast of Tucson. The proposed mine would be an open…
As If Having Drug Lords Pouring Across the Border Wasn’t Bad Enough…
With Gov. Jan Brewer making up stories about how the majority of illegal immigrants are here to sell drugs, behead innocent Arizonans and commit terrorist attacks, she might want to take note of this story in Talking Points Memo: Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), who we last encountered exposing Muslim intern spies on Capitol Hill and…
Goddard’s Vow
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard made a swing through Southern Arizona today. At an opening of a new Democratic field office on Tucson’s northwest side, he vowed: “If I’m elected governor, we’re going to keep Arizona off Comedy Central for four years.” It’s a nice promise, but given what the Legislature is likely to look…
Friday Roundtable: McCain vs. Hayworth, Brewer’s Surge & More
The week in review, courtesy of Arizona Illustrated’s Friday Roundtable.
Friday Roundtable: RTA Boss Gary Hayes
RTA boss Gary Hayes visits Arizona Illustrated’s Friday Roundtable to talk about efforts to take over Sun Tran from the City of Tucson and other transportation topics.
‘Living the Border’ Screening on Saturday
In May, The Range reported that filmmaker LuisCarlos Romero-Davis’ award-winning documentary 389 Miles: Living the Border, was banned by the Nogales (Sonora) City Film Council from the city film festival. Romero-Davis was searching for screening opportunities in Arizona. You can see the banned documentary this weekend, on Saturday, June 26, at 2 and 7 p.m.…
Beer Cocktails Are Delicious
What is a beer cocktail, you ask? Why, it’s a delicious mixture of beer and liquor that takes center stage at a tasting from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 26, at Maynards Market and Kitchen. For $15, you get to learn about and taste a number of, yes, beer-based cocktails. Again, they mix liquor…
Gov. Jan Brewer: Absurd Fearmongering
Gov. Jan Brewer has been under fire for saying this about illegal immigrants during the gubernatorial debate: The majority of them in my opinion and I think in the opinion of law enforcement is that they are not coming here to work. They are coming here and they’re bringing drugs. And they’re doing drop houses…
Washington Post: Kyl “Walks Back” White House Story
Rachel Weiner of the Washington Post reports that Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl is backing away from his earlier story meeting with President Barack Obama on immigration: Earlier this week, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) caused a stir when he was quoted saying that President Obama personally told him the administration will not support stricter border enforcement…
Giffords’ Astronaut Hubby on Colbert Report
The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c <td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'Fallback Position – Astronaut Pt. 3 www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ husband, NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, makes a cameo on The Colbert Report as Stephen goes to astronaut training. It…
Goddard and Giffords Meet the (Political) Troops
Arizona Democrats are opening up field offices in Oro Valley and Green Valley this weekend. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Attorney General Terry Goddard, who is seeking the governor’s office, will stop by the opening-day festivities tomorrow. Details from the press release: The Pima County Democratic Party is pleased to announce that the Northwest Field Office…
Glassman Will Attend Tucson Democratic Debate
Democrat Rodney Glassman will be attending a Tucson debate with his fellow contenders for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John McCain, says campaign spokesman Blake Morlock. The other three Democrats in the race—investigative reporter John Dougherty, former state lawmaker Cathy Eden and labor organizer Randy Parraz—have been planning debates without input from…
Artists: Don’t Boycott AZ
Stateside Presents concert promoter Charlie Levy pens an op-ed in the Arizona Republic urging artists to perform in Arizona rather than boycott the state: While I respect the intentions of the artists protesting what they find to be an unjust law, the practical effect of the boycott is resulting in exactly the opposite of their…
McCain vs. Hayworth: Debates Are On!
U.S. Sen. John McCain has announced that he’s ready for two debates against Republican challenger J.D. Hayworth next month. The debates are scheduled for July 16 on Phoenix TV station KTVK and July 17 Tucson station KUAT-TV, Channel 6. Arizona Illustrated host Bill Buckmaster says he’s “delighted” that KUAT will be hosting the Tucson debate.…
Soundbites Correction: Song-Poem Night at Bookmans Is Saturday
If you’re planning on attending Song-Poem Night at Bookmans, as mentioned in the initial version of this week’s Soundbites, you should alter your plans a bit. The event will take place tomorrow night, Saturday, June 26, not tonight, as it said at first in Soundbites. It’ll be at the Grant location starting at 6 p.m.—but…
This Weekend at The Loft: Best Worst Movie
Tonight at the Loft Cinema: Best Worst Movie, with director Michael Paul Stevenson on hand to talk about the film. And if that’s not enough to get you out of the house, Troll 2—the best worst movie that Best Worst Movie is all about—shows at 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Details here. The best film…
Arizona Guardian Poll: Dem Senate Race “Wide Open”
The Arizona Guardian rolled out a new polling series this week. Among the results: Arizona Democrats don’t know who they’re voting for U.S. Senate primary. Details of the poll are available to subscribers, but here’s the breakdown of the numbers: Rodney Glassman: 12 percent Cathy Eden: 6.5 percent John Dougherty: 3.4 percent Randy Parraz: 2…
Magellan Strategies: McCain 52%, Hayworth 29%
Magellan Strategies polls the Arizona Senate race between Republicans John McCain and J.D. Hayworth. The news is not good for Hayworth: Among likely Republican primary voters in Arizona, Senator John McCain leads former Congressman JD Hayworth by 23 points, 52% to 29%, 14% support “another candidate” and 5% are undecided. These numbers are based on…
Napolitano: Obama Planning Immigration Reform
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano tells NALEO that the Obama administration is working on immigration reform: “Make no mistake about it. President Obama and the administration are committed to comprehensive immigration reform,” Napolitano said to cheers and applause of participants at the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a…
Democratic Debates Confirmed—But How Many Will Glassman Attend?
U.S. Senate candidate John Dougherty confirms three debates have been set up for the Democrats running for U.S. Senate—but that he still hasn’t heard from Rodney Glassman. Blake Morlock, a spokesman for the Glassman campaign, told us earlier today that Glassman would be in the Phoenix debate. Our friends at KUAT-TV will host the Tucson…
Grijalva to Esquire: “This Growing Population Is Seen as a Threat”
Esquire talks to Congressman Raul Grijalva about SB 1070: ESQ: It seems like once a generation or so we have a spasm of anti-immigrant fervor in this country, and it’s been that way since the beginning. We’ve been going through such a period in the last half a dozen years or so. Why do you…
Grijalva Wants More Money for Ports of Entry
Congressman Raul Grijalva wants a lot more than what Obama is offering on the border: Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today strongly questioned President Obama’s decision not to fully fund the needs of federal Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) offices in his recent $399 million supplemental budget request for the Department of Homeland Security. The request,…
Democratic Debates On?
A debate for the Democrats running for U.S. Senate is coming together, with a tentative date of Friday, July 9, on a Phoenix TV station. Blake Morlock, a spokesman for Rodney Glassman’s campaign, says Glassman would join his fellow Democrats—John Dougherty, Cathy Eden and Randy Parraz—for the debate. Glassman had been earlier been reluctant to…
Interfaith Community Services Runs Food Drive
Interfaith Community Services, a volunteer-based nonprofit that provides food, emergency financial assistance, mobile meals, transportation, home repairs and more to Pima County residents, is wrapping up its Freedom From Hunger food drive from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 27, at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway Blvd. So far, more than two tons of…
Tucson’s Everyday People: Glass Blowing with Jason Marstall
Glass-blowing instructor Jason Marstall of Sonoran Glass Academy talks about his personal experience and history with blown glass. In this multimedia story by UA journalism student Jeff Kessler, Marstall talks explains how he got to Sonoran Glass Academy, and the activities and other offerings they have for Tucson.
A View of the Mawrth Vallis
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona The UA’s HiRISE team has posted new snapshots of Mars here.HiRISE team member Sharon Wilson tells us about the above photo: This observation is a candidate landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover—named Curiosity—to be launched in 2011. One of the main science objectives for MSL at this location is…
Goodbye to Bonnie
Arizona Daily Star columnist Bonnie Henry, who helped us remember Tucson-that-was, is stepping down after more than a quarter century. Details from the morning daily: Bonnie Henry, longtime Arizona Daily Star columnist and author of “Tucson Memories” and “Another Tucson,” is retiring after more than 25 years. A farewell event is planned for Saturday, June…
Democratic AG Race: Clean Elections Debate
The Democratic candidates for Arizona Attorney General got together for a Clean Elections debate last night. It was a little less contentious than the GOP bloodbath, which you can watch here. Casey Newton of the Arizona Republic reports: While the Democrats’ debate appeared polite by comparison, Rabago and Rotellini exchanged fire over their respective day…
UA Scientists: Reusable Grocery Bags Covered in Germs
On the “Ewww” beat: UA scientists tell us that those reusable grocery bags that we’re using to save the planet are covered in gross bacteria. From the press release: Reusable grocery bags can be a breeding ground for dangerous food-borne bacteria and pose a serious risk to public health, according to a joint food-safety research…
Migrants’ Worlds
Here’s yet another book detailing the lives of Mexicans who migrate to “el norte.” Considering SB 1070, more National Guard troops heading to the border, and immigration rhetoric ratcheting up emotion in political races all over the country, will the reading public go for yet another batch of immigrant stories? I honestly don’t know. But…
Unhealthy Horses
Domino kicks up dirt in a dusty corral on Tucson’s far eastside, with all the feistiness you’d expect in a healthy young thoroughbred. Although today, his eyes are bright, and his coat glistens in the late morning sun, Domino was in rotten shape when he arrived here at the Heart of Tucson horse sanctuary a…
Tokyo Police Club: Champ (Mom + Pop)
We need a great summer album to kick off 2010’s hot sprawl—and Champ is it. Tokyo Police Club even sings about letting their hair down while “gone to the coast … out on the beach” on “Gone,” a track that recalls the best of They Might Be Giants. On an indie-rock family tree, adorable singer/bassist…
Pot for Pain?
About 10 years ago, a near-fatal car accident left Jon Gettel in unbearable pain, especially during therapy, when the then-25-year-old was forced to learn how to walk again. The only thing that helped him get through the pain, he says, was marijuana. Gettel, director of the local chapter for the National Organization for the Reform…
The Dead Weather: Sea of Cowards (Third Man)
Released less than a year after the band’s raucous debut, Horehound, the Dead Weather’s Sea of Cowards is not exactly a rehash, but it is an extension of the former, with a few new wrinkles. Another high-octane dose of primal blues with fanged lyrics, Sea of Coward fails only when inspiration flags. The electronically throttled…
Tea for Three
Three of the five Republican candidates hoping to take on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appeared at a Tea Party debate last Monday, June 14, in Green Valley. Here’s a tape-delayed live blog of the event. Times are approximate. You’ll find an expanded version on The Range, at blog.tucsonweekly.com. 2:12 p.m.: Jesse Kelly introduces himself: He’s a…
Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma (Warp)
Listeners in search of conventional song structure immediately will be drawn to “… And the World Laughs With You,” which features the vocals of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. But that tune is not much different from the rest of the daringly avant-garde tracks on this highly anticipated third release from the electronic artist known to his…
Paying for the Great Outdoors
Men in blue-and-gray uniforms line up, facing another row of men clad in darker gear. Each man carries a weapon—like a vintage musket, with a long bayonet attached. The men hoist the eight-pound guns to their shoulders and brace themselves; there is a bang, and a cloud of smoke erupts into the air. The annual…
Now Showing at Home
Mystery Train; Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Complete Book 1 (Collector’s Edition); The Crazies
Danehy
When you’re on the downward slope of life, the deaths keep coming at you with numbing regularity. There are the celebrities, the distant relatives and the people you knew in school. In a cold calculus, one makes an instant judgment as to how, if at all, the deceased affected our lives. Of course, it hurts…
Nine Questions
Tracy Shedd
Time to Cut Loose
Listen, I like Bob Dylan as much as anyone. The guy’s the greatest songwriter who ever lived. Who else could toss off lines like, “He not busy being born is busy dying?” as if they were week-old fishwrap, then repeat the feat hundreds of times over? I love Leonard Cohen, too. Who else could make…
T Q&A
Eddie Pain
Pretty but Shallow
The downtown cuisine scene is in the midst of a nice little renaissance. Restaurants like On a Roll and Maynards Market and Kitchen have made seemingly successful debuts, and in the coming months, Tucson restaurant icons Kwang C. An and Janos Wilder will open much-anticipated downtown eateries. The same can be said for the downtown…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: Why do the Mexicans HATE American soccer and HATE Landon Donovan? Uncle Sam’s Army Brat Dear Gabacho: Because Mexicans hate Americans—DUH! Geez, this is the literary equivalent of taking a penalty kick with no goaltender—but I also want to plug Gringos at the Gate, an upcoming documentary answering this very question with game…
Noshing Around
Fire Closes Takamatsu; The Cupcake Shuffle; South Side PJ’s Subs; Heavy Metal and Wine; Bringfido.com
Mailbag
The Accomplishments of BASIS Students and Staff Deserve Recognition; When It Comes to UFOs, the Truth Is Out There; Really, We Swear, the Truth Is Out There!; The Coronado Plan Lacks Insight and Foresight
Downing
The horror off the Gulf Coast has unfolded in real time, week after dread-filled week, poison flowing out of the earth and into the seas, unstoppable, like subconscious dreck in a terrible dream. Watching helplessly, trying to avoid the images of dying birds and animals—and soon, perhaps, fishermen—the only relief is finding someone to blame.…
Weekly Wide Web
Don’t let the housing stats fool you: There’s a staggering number of buildings being constructed in Tucson. Well, virtual Tucson, anyway. The latest version of Google Earth lets the general public construct and upload 3-D renderings of buildings, to help enhance the interactive globe and map program. In case you’re unfamiliar, Google Earth is Google…
Top Ten in Books
Mostly Books best-sellers for the week
Guest Opinion: VOICES
After spending the holidays of 2008 stuffing my face with rich, delicious foods, I felt as bloated as a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. My love for food had led me to struggle with my weight, and that holiday season, I decided to change. One afternoon, I wandered into Borders looking for a few Christmas-clearance…
Media Watch
KMSB makes plans for morning-news program; advertorial show advancing at KGUN; meanwhile, over at KVOA …
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Musical Chemistry
Musical styles and genres coalesce when Tucson musicians Michael Lich and Robert Matheson perform together as the Ironwood Duo. The two have been playing together for five years and have become known for packing a plethora of musical styles into single compositions. “When I was a kid, I was listening to and playing classic rock…
The Skinny
Did Jesse Kelly’s team try to talk Brian Miller into dropping out of the Congressional District 8 race? … state Sen. Al Melvin turns down Democratic challenger Cheryl Cage’s call for debates … another lousy downtown deal … and more!
Top Ten in Music
The 17th St. Guitar and World Music Store top sales for the week
Real Filmmakers
There are lots of bad ideas for movies, but usually, films are bad not because of bad ideas, but because they follow formulas and rules, and are thus boring and predictable. But to take an idea that’s genuinely (instead of imitatively) awful all the way to completion, you need something like heart, blind egoism and…
Police Dispatch
Spilled cake: sign of the apocalypse; crackheads in a candy store
Going Rogue
Tom Cruise plays what amounts to a comic version of Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt in Knight and Day, a slick and shallow film that still manages to entertain. Cruise plays Roy Miller, a mysterious man who bumps into the beautiful June Havens (Cameron Diaz) at an airport. The two wind up on a plane together,…
Soundbites
R.I.P.; a pro-Mexico reminder; poems + music = awesome!; Fish Karma: one night only; metal and wine.
Two Characters Times Two
I’m still pondering an unanswered question after watching The Four of Us, the intimate and engrossing play now onstage at the Rogue Theatre. There are actually plenty of open questions kicking around in this play, but the one I found myself puzzling over as I left the theater involves the title: Who are “the four…
City Week
Science Saturdays; “Movie Spoof Spectacular, Part Deux: A 48-Hour Film Challenge Public Screening and Awards Extravaganza”; “Art, Music and Salsa Under the Stars”; Tucson Lindy Hop
Honoring a Native Son
Way back in 1992, a giant traveling show of Chicano art alighted at the Tucson Museum of Art. Organized by the Wight Art Gallery at UCLA, CARA: Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation gave a seal of approval to what had been a subversive art form. Until then, Chicano art had mostly flourished on walls in…
Live
Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III, Tärr, Glenn Weyent
Date Set, Award Won
Some notes and news: • Mark your calendars: The ceremony, concert and all-around good time for this year’s Tucson Area Music Awards, aka TAMMIES, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Rialto Theatre. That’s when we’ll announce all of this year’s big winners, which will be determined by you, our lovely and intelligent…
Dougherty on Illegal Immigration, Afghanistan, Gov’t Spending & Why Arizona Should Send an Investigative Reporter to Washington
Investigative reporter John Dougherty discusses his bid for the Democratic nomination for the seat now held by Republican John McCain in an appearance on KUAT-TV’s Arizona Illustrated.
Lesher Running Goddard’s Gubernatorial Campaign
Longtime Tucson political strategist Jan Lesher, who headed up Gov. Janet Napolitano’s Southern Arizona office and recently returned to Arizona after working under Napolitano at Homeland Security, is taking over Terry Goddard’s gubernatorial campaign. Goddard has been facing criticism over his mixed messages on SB 1070 and concern over what appears to be a lackluster…
Jungle Primary = Bad News for AZ Dems?
The Arizona Republic’s Rob Robb questions whether the type of jungle primary approved by California voters would be a good idea for Arizona Democrats: Assuming parties continue to matter, the top-two primary system would tilt the playing field strongly toward Republicans in Arizona. That’s because the voter turnout advantage for Republicans is even greater in…
McCain: Hayworth is a “Huckster”
McCain wastes no time in hammering Hayworth on the infomercial.
Rothenberg on Glassman: “Young Political Wannabe”
Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report delivers a scathing assessment of former Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman, who is running in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John McCain: Just a busy, successful young man? Maybe, but this looks more like somebody trying to put together the perfect…
Mall Food: Shane’s Rib Shack and Yogurt on Tap
One new restaurant has opened at the Tucson Mall, and another is slated to open in August, although the owner may have to rename it before it does. Shane’s Rib Shack—a national chain—opened its first Tucson store at the mall late last month, said Tucson Mall general manager Jeff Berger. The eatery serves ribs, chicken,…
