May 30 – Jun 5, 2019

May 30 - Jun 5, 2019 / Vol. 36 / No. 16

Cover Story

Is The Charter School Bandwagon Losing Momentum?

“The charter school movement is in trouble.” So begins an article in the Washington Post. I think that’s an exaggeration. Charter schools aren’t in trouble as such — their numbers are still on the rise — but they may be cresting. Their once-shiny reputation is tarnishing. Charter proponents’ mouths have made too many promises the schools can’t keep,…

XOXO: Where to Rock Monday, June 10

These Bay Area “kinda grunge, kinda punk” indie rockers “Dip” into town for a show at Club Congress. Culture Abuse bring their vision of the Bay Dream along with a taste of “Goo” for all who care to sample. Songsmith Tony Molina, Dare and Entry lend support. Details here. “Shaking bootys since 1993,” Funky Bonz…

Grow with Google headed to Joel D. Valdez Main Library

Grow with Google is a day-long FREE event on Monday, June 10 at Joel D. Valdez Main Library that will include workshops and one-on-one consultations for businesses, nonprofits, and job seekers. Google staff will be on-site at this special event aimed to boost economic growth and a skilled workforce in southern Arizona. You don’t want to…

XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, June 7 to 9

Friday, June 7 Gingerly alluding to trying circumstances—battling breast cancer and reflecting upon the degradation of political and social affairs—this acclaimed singer-songwriter’s latest self-titled release, her 10th studio album, is filled with an earthy open-heartedness and dreamy poetic imagery. Patty Griffin explores universal themes that bind us inextricably together. At the Rialto Theatre. With English…

Laughing Stock: Spaghetti ala Comedy; The O in Locals

Say Hello To My Little Friends! Tony’s New York Style Deli may not be the least likely place for a comedy show. More than half a dozen local comics live nearby. Roy Lee Reynolds, for instance, says he eats there all the time. He has in fact eaten the whole menu. And Reynolds has a…

Six Arizona Wildcats Picked in 2019 MLB Draft

Six members of the Arizona Wildcats baseball team were among the 1,217 names called during this year’s MLB Draft, which wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon. Among those selected were junior infielders Cameron Cannon (43rd pick, Boston Red Sox) and Nick Quintana (47th pick, Detroit Tigers). Outfielder Matt Fraizer was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the…

Five Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Thursday, June 6

Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Dissent. You most often hear the word “dissent” in a legal context, but all it really means is to hold an opinion at variance with those previously, commonly or officially held (not to be confused with “descent,” which means the action of moving downward, dropping or falling. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader…

XOXO: Where to Rock Thursday, June 6

“Enough corporate noise in the ears of the youth.” Reggae-influenced world beat artist Nattali Rize adds, “Time to spread the Truth.” In line with her philosophy, she uses her unwavering voice in the global struggle toward the realization of full freedom, truth and justice over the systemic exploitation of the people and our planet. “Generations…

The First Glimmerings of Charter School Accountability In Arizona

Arizona’s Department of Education may begin taking a more active role in charter school accountability, thanks to some terrific investigative reporting from the Arizona Republic, which woke people up to the potential for corruption and profiteering in the charter sector, and a Department of Education headed by Superintendent Kathy Hoffman who cares about such things. Two…

Pima County DOT Expects $26 Million for 118 Miles of Road Repair

In anticipation of the Pima County Board of Supervisors’ final budget adoption next Tuesday, June 18, the county’s Department of Transportation has released a list of roads it intends to repair in the next fiscal year. The department has $26 million to work with: $15 million from the county’s share of Arizona’s Highway User Revenue…

XOXO: Where To Rock Wednesday, June 5

On Water, these Chicago DIY trash-poppers assert that “Love is everyday magic.” Dehd spread the Fire Of Love at Club Congress. The delicately bathed in retro-ness indie rock of Weekend Lovershelps to warm the gathering. Details here. Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents violinist Michelle Abraham and pianist Peter Takács performing sonatas in an all-Beethoven…

Remembering Local Musician Randy Clamons

Known for continuing the tradition of Grateful Dead and Hippie music in Tucson, local guitarist and singer Randy Clamons passed away today after suffering a stroke on the morning of Sunday, June 2.  Clamons was a regular performer at many Tucson establishments, including The Hut, where his jam band the Top Dead Center performed their…

Postino WineCafé Opening Midtown Location

Prepare your palate for Tucson’s newest restaurant concept, Postino WineCafe, set to open its doors early next year in midtown. Located on the southeast corner of West Grant Road and North Tucson Boulevard, Postino will partner with longtime Tucsonans to introduce the first-ever Southern Arizona location. “Postino has always been focused on serving our surrounding…

Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Tuesday, June 4

BrainSTEM: Sound On! The Pima County Public Library’s summer reading program “A Universe of Stories” is designed to get kids reading all summer long (and adults too—treat yourselves, book-loving adults!). This show at the Miller-Golf Links location is part of the program, but it’s focused on teaching kids about STEM. You’ll see an illustration of…

Ballet Tucson Announces 2019-2020 Season

Ballet Tucson recently announced its 2019-2020 season, which includes a steampunk version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a celebration of Dave Brubeck and brand new ballets by local artists. For the Fall Season Opening Night Gala at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre on Thursday, October 31, Ballet Tucson’s Artistic Director Mary Beth Cabana selected a triple bill…

The Joshua Tree House Comes to Saguaro National Park

If you know and love the culture created by the design team Sara and Rich Combs of The Joshua Tree House, you’ll be excited to hear that they are creating a five suite inn on 40 acres on the western side of Saguaro National Park, slated to open for bookings later this summer. Left abandoned…

Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Monday, June 3

Elements of Film. Throughout June, the Tucson Jewish Community Center is hosting Jerry Gill of Duke University to explore the elements of filmmaking. The classes will follow the outline of Lee Bobker’s book Elements of Film: Story, Image, Sound, Editing and Acting. The weekly classes include film discussions and watching movies. 1 to 3 p.m.…

XOXO: Where to Rock Monday, June 3

At the epicenter of the Echo Park garage band revival, these psychedelic rockers prismatic palette encompasses the lysergic delirium of the 1960s photoshopped with the pure-pop bliss that sprouted from the Paisley Underground during the ’80s. Mystic Braves venture into The Great Unknown at 191 Toole.* Tucson’s own brujeria-powered girl group/garage rockers Taco Sauce jumpstart…

Arizona’s Education Budget Increase: Too Little And Ten Years Too Late

If you look at the numbers in next year’s state budget, you might think education made out pretty well. There’s all this new money: $136 million in additional assistance for schools; $130 million for teacher raises; $20 million to hire counselors or security officers; $30 million for results based funding. You might also think I made out pretty well if…

Views from Tucson, Issue 2 Captures the City with Lo-fi Nostalgia

Smartphones may take sharp pictures, but there’s nothing quite like analog film. Kikie Wilkins, local film photographer, uses his film cameras loaded with new and expired film to capture ordinary and candid moments in Tucson. His new zine, Views from Tucson, Issue 2 is out now. View this post on Instagram ‪View of a young…

20 Great Things to Do in Tucson This Weekend: May 31 to June 2

Friday: Summer Night Market 2019. On the last Friday of every month throughout the summer, the MSA Annex turns into a family-friendly open-air nighttime market. There will food trucks, live music, local crafts and “bountiful libations.” All of this adds up to an awesome event away from the summer sun. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday,…

XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, May 31 to June 2

Friday, May 31 That’s just “The Way We Ball.” On Life (King LIfe Family Records, 2018) Houston rapper Lil’ Flip asserts, “I Live by the Old Rules.” At 191 Toole. Bone The Mack and Neb Luv shore up the lineup. This Canadian bluesman has been hailed as a “blues evangelist,” He says: “I do feel…

Dick Tomey Headlines Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Class

Former Arizona football coach Dick Tomey is among six inductees to the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission’s Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Tomey, who passed away from lung cancer on May 10, joins Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, Arizona Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall, boxer Michael Carbajal, Phoenix Suns star Tom Chambers and Northern Arizona…

Police Dispatch

A man was interrupted in the middle of a bold attempt to get the full-bath experience (complete with bubbles!)

Know Your Product: Mystic Braves

Mystic Braves have moved away from summery, psychedelic garage rock into more fine-tuned psych pop, but they still leave room on their albums to occasionally blow out speakers and guitars in whirling kaleidoscopes.

Editor’s Note

Calendar editor Emily Dieckman brings you this week’s cover story, which examines what it’s like to fall in love with a narcissist—and how hard it can be to escape that relationship and the symptoms of PTSD that sometimes continue for years afterwards.

Concentrate Conclusion

Patients and industry professionals alike let out a collective sigh of relief as the Arizona Supreme Court officially ruled cannabis concentrates legal Tuesday, May 28.

Chow Line

The Beyond Tucson Foundation, a local nonprofit focused on improving public health, is hosting a symposium Friday, May 31 to discuss the question: Are school lunches healthy?

Danehy

Tom loves science so much he’s ready to coin a few new measurements

Tucson Salvage

I first noticed Adam on Miracle Mile walking a monster bike like it was a pet giraffe. The bike is that, a marvel of home-welded mechanical ingenuity, unlike anything I have ever seen.


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