Cover Story
Mixing Together
Local bartenders have banded together to improve both their profession and the things Tucsonans drink. In late September, Tucson became the newest U.S. city with an official chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (www.usbg.org). The organization provides bartenders and others in the bar-and-cocktail scene with a bevy of professional perks, ranging from get-togethers to…
La Cocina’s New Market Opens This Week
La Cocina, the nice little restaurant inside Old Town Artisans at 201. N. Court Ave., debuts its new marketplace this weekend. The new market is said to contain a nice selection of locally sourced goods, including fresh produce from local farmers. The grand opening takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday,…
Thanks for Nothing, Tucson Restaurants
Chicagoist.com Last year, I provided what I thought was a helpful suggestion: steal the one-night-only Halloween theme idea of Lula Cafe in Chicago. I suggested that it would be a fun event for both the staff and the customer, I provided a link to a news story about Lula’s previous incarnations, I did everything I…
Rat With a Whole Slice of Pizza in NY Subway
No, kids, that is not Master Splinter.
You Should See “The Last Waltz” This Weekend
I don’t know if The Last Waltz is really the best concert film of all time (Stop Making Sense, maybe?), but it’s definitely close, although it has the benefit of direction by Martin Scorsese, which generally helps. If you’re a fan of Americana at all, however, The Last Waltz is a must watch, not just…
Do You Like Bicycles … and Beer?
If so, you should be keeping tabs on the new Catalina Brewing Company. The place is a true microbrewery – it will initially operate out of a small shed in one of the owner’s backyards – and the guys teaming up to open it are awesome. The company is owned and operated by local cycling…
Meet the Opener: Sophie Hunger
We try to cover as many bands coming to town as possible, but often the spotlight falls on the headliner, the name at the top of the bill. However, anyone who has spent much time going to concerts realizes that the opening acts often turns out being the revelation of the night, an artist you…
New Food Trucks Hitting Tucson Streets
I mentioned last week that I’d be back with more on what’s going on in the local food truck scene, so I’m back. I’ll be working up a few Food Truck Diaries pieces in the coming weeks, but some of the new trucks that have been popping up are too good to wait that long…
The “Grand Theft Auto V” Trailer Is Out
I generally feel conflicted over ultra-violent, largely anti-social video games like the Grand Theft Auto series. I played Vice City until my thumbs hurt, and really enjoyed San Andreas for awhile until beating up virtual hookers for cash started wearing on me, and haven’t gone back to the series since, but the trailer for GTA…
Union Public House Is Open
After a year of construction, Union Public House is officially open at St. Philip’s Plaza. The restaurant held its first event on Halloween and officially opened to the public Tuesday. It occurs to me that many might be sick of me going on and on about how great this new restaurant will be, so I’ll…
A Climber’s Rope: A National Geographic Video
Here is a stunning video project on a National Geographic photographer covering the climbing culture at Yosemite National Park. The project is by Renan Ozturk. Simply an amazing and beautiful piece.
IRC: See You in Court
We haven’t seen any paperwork, but we hear the Independent Redistricting Commission is ready to file a complaint in state court that today’s vote to remove Colleen Mathis as chairwoman was illegal. It’s a gray legal area—the constitutional language that allows for removal of an IRC member reads as follows: After having been served written…
Dems: Republicans’ Behavior Unconstitutional
Just before Independent Redistricting Commission Chair Colleen Mathis was booted out, Democratic state Rep. Daniel Patterson held a press conference to disparage the special session as not only illegal, but against the will of the people. “The governor is serving tea-party extremists who don’t want competitive districts,” Patterson said. The decision is illegal, Patterson said,…
Arizona Republicans Boot Mathis From IRC
Twenty-one Republicans in the Arizona Senate have voted to remove Colleen Mathis as chair of the Independent Redistricting Commission. Mathis was afforded no opportunity to present a defense against the charges leveled against her by Secretary of State Ken Bennett, who was the acting governor because Gov. Jan Brewer was in New York to promote…
Marketing the Muppets on WWE Raw
So, this happened last night. At least, the cross marketing provided an opportunity for Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew to participate in an energy-drink-related bit with Sheamus. It’s like a dream come true for me. Part 2: [Vulture]
IRC Special Session: Impeachment of Mathis Imminent?
AZ Capitol Times tweets:
I, For One, Welcome Our New Giant Bird Overlords
The birds are getting bigger, and I suspect they’re probably going to be pissed about the spicy chicken sandwich I like to eat for lunch sometimes. Birds are getting bigger in central California, and that was a big surprise for Rae Goodman and her colleagues. Goodman uncovered the trend while working as a graduate student…
Definitely Time for Fall Planting
Did you see the forecast for this weekend? It is time to get some plants and flowers and dress your pots for the fall and winter. The nurseries are overflowing with beautiful plants and ready to help you create beauty in your yard. One word of caution – don’t mix too many colors in one…
Do They Have Financial Aid at Santa Claus School?
The LA Times wins a prize for a story about Santa Claus school in Midland, Michigan that manages to be delightful and reflective of how much life has changed over time. That makes it crucial for Santa to be prepared for anything, from the mom who wants to sit on his knee (gently dissuade her)…
IRC Update: Weak Support for Impeaching Dems
KPNX-TV’s Brahm Resnick tweets: More here and here. Updated tidbit: We hear from GOP source that the holdouts on the special session at this point are Sens. Frank Antenori and Michelle Reagan.
Impeachment Twist: Call for Special Session Hits Snag
It’s past 1 p.m., so it’s clear that the call for a special session to impeach Independent Redistricting Commission chairwoman Colleen Mathis has been delayed. Our source at the Capitol tells us there’s confusion among Republicans as to which way to go at this point. Gov. Jan Brewer—or, more specifically, her staff, since Brewer herself…
Bank of America Gives Up on Debit Card Fees (For Now)
When nearly every other financial institution realized they couldn’t get away with charging people for the privilege of accessing their own money, Bank of America held on, trying as hard as they could to get $60 a year from their customers. Well, it turns out that even banking giant B of A can’t simply impose…
Brewer Preparing To Call Special Session To Oust Colleen Mathis From Redistricting Commission
State lawmakers have been put on notice: Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to call a special session at 1 p.m. today for the purpose of impeaching Colleen Mathis from the Independent Redistricting Commission. Brewer has muscling Republicans in the Arizona Senate to support a push to impeach Mathis, who chairs the five-person panel charged with…
Judy Burns Memorial Thursday, Nov. 3
While this picture wasn’t able to make it in this week’s cover story on Judy Burns, it is a photo that some would say is quintessential Judy. Jessica Pacheco took this during the Tuesday, April 26 governing board meeting when students from UNIDOS took over the meeting in an effort to protect Mexican American Studies.…
Texting Is Giving People a New Way to Be Terrible
I didn’t even think of how manipulative I could be with people through text messages…yesterday, I was so naïve. Thankfully, today the Wall Street Journal has provided a helpful guide for the modern narcissist who wants to craftily navigate personal relationships in the most craven, miserable way possible via their cell phone. Justine Campbell, 23,…
Jan Brewer, Getting Better at the TV Thing
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Governor Brewer appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe this morning and while she didn’t have any particularly embarrassing debate-like gaffes, it would be nice to hear her actually answer the question of what to do about the undocumented immigrants who are in the country…
Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamics Is Open
The new store Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamics is open. It’s located at St. Philip’s Plaza and, as you have likely figured out, sells a large selection of fine olive oil and balsamic vinegar. What makes this store special, however, is how you get to sample the wares before you buy. Owner Tom Alfonso…
Chris Patyk Joins Those Leaving “The Mountain”
His morning show co-host Jennie Grabel was let go last week, and now Chris Patyk, who was also the program director for The Mountain, news station KNST and the somewhat accurately named Funny 1450, has been let go by Clear Channel as part of their nationwide plan to not have so many actual people on…
One Opponent of Dollar Coins That Didn’t Occur to Me
The armored car industry? They’re fans of the old school dollar bill: The armored-car industry also opposes the coin. “It’s primarily based on weight,” Larry Sabbath of the National Armored Car Association says. “If you think of all our trucks carrying around that weight, that’s obviously higher fuel costs for us, and more breakdown of…
Herman Cain, Presidental Candidate, Singer of Songs
While Herman Cain is having some issues with the “witch hunt” following him after past allegations of sexual harassment arose this weekend, there’s always time to break out a gospel number, isn’t there? So, at a National Press Club event, Mr. Cain delivered this rendition of the Dottie Rambo classic “He Looked Beyond My Faults”…
Gordon Ramsey: More Than Just a Chef, Also a Lover
Based on his American television persona, you’d probably assume that there isn’t a sensitive side to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, but you’d be wrong. Just like R. Kelly, he’s a man that doesn’t see nothin’ wrong with a little bump and grind, as evidenced by this exceptionally edited sex advice video. [HT: Eater]
The Only Halloween Song That Matters
Tracy Jordan – Werewolf Bar Mitzvah (RAC Mix) by RAC Ladies and gentlemen, for your Halloween dancing pleasure, Tracy Jordan’s “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”, remixed by RAC.
File This Under Bad Customer Service
When you’re a small restaurant, the last thing you need is bad publicity. Usually this comes from things like a bad review in a local newspaper, or a failed inspection at the hands of the county health department. Such an incident occurs and you circle the wagons to try and deal with it. But having…
Prepare Yourself for araabMUZIK
araabMUZIK (his use of capital letters, not mine) is coming to Club Congress on November 10th, and it’s a little difficult to encapsulate what it is exactly that he does. He’s a hip-hop producer making tracks for Cam’Ron and others, he has a Pitchfork endorsed instrumental album out, and he’s a maestro on the digital…
The Dream is Over: Kim Kardashian to File for Divorce
It’s hard to believe that it was only 72 days ago that Kim Kardashian and some guy who plays basketball, I think, got married. Also, it’s hard to believe that every time I flip through my online cable guide, it appears E! is running their wedding special, but it apparently wasn’t meant to last, as…
A Story of Redemption to Kick Off the Week
It’s Monday morning, so perhaps your perspective on the world might not be at its most positive right now, but the AP ran a two part story [1, 2] over the weekend about Bryon Widner, a former skinhead who turned his life around and chose to painfully remove his facial tattoos as part of the…
My Attempt to Become the Michael Phelps of the Pima County Fair Begins Now
It’ll be almost just like this, but more awesome. I’m a big fan of the Pima County Fair, not just because I enjoy carnival rides, incarnations of 70’s rock bands, hypnotists, and fried food items, but also for the competition side. I’m generally frightened by animals, so I skip out on the 4H style stuff,…
This Week’s Political Roundtable
Another edition of the Political Roundtable, available online for your convenient viewing, as the Weekly’s Jim Nintzel hosts a thirty minute discussion of what’s happening in Tucson and Arizona politics.
16th Annual Tucson Firefighter’s Chili Cook Off Photos (Can you tell I like Zombies?)
JOHN DE DIOS The 16th Annual Tucson Firefighter’s Chili Cook Off seemed to go off very well again this year. El Presidio was packed with revelers and chili fans of a very wide swath of age groups. Here’s a link to a break-dancing 5-year-old. I have maybe eight cups of chili. I have no idea…
Breakdancing 5-Year-Old Takes Center Stage at Chili Cook Off
JOHN DE DIOS Jericho Santoro, 5, breakdances in front of the late-hours crowd at the 16th Annual Tucson Firefighter’s Chili Cook-Off in Downtown Tucson. Headed out tonight to check out the 16th Annual Tucson Firefighter’s Chili Cook-Off in Downtown Tucson not really knowing what to expect. The chili was ok for the most part. The…
Idiot Boksen – Homeland and Why Showtime Is Not Great
With a Metacritic score of 91, Showtime’s Homeland is by far the critical darling of the fall television season. In fact, it ranks as one of the biggest critical hits since the advent of Metacritic, good enough for 8th place all-time, putting it ahead of Louie’s second season and Breaking Bad’s third season, in my…
What to Listen to This Week: Friday Edition
The second part of our weekly tribute to jams selected by our music writers, this time including tracks by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Mr. Gnome and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Carl HanniScreamin’ Jay Hawkins, “Whistling Past the Graveyard” Screamin Jay Hawkins OWNS this version of Tom Waits “Whistling Past The Graveyard,” even cutting…
If You Missed “Beavis & Butt-head” Last Night, It’s Right Here
In case you weren’t near a TV last night and also forgot to set some sort of recording device, MTV has graciously provided the internet with the ability to stream the premiere of the reanimated Beavis & Butt-head, complete with shots at LMFAO and Jersey Shore. Critics seem generally positive on the show’s return, with…
The World’s Worst Halloween Costumes
Wearing a t-shirt that reads, “Yes, this is my costume,” or painting whiskers on your face and wearing ears to transform yourself into an adorable kitty cat will not win you Best Costume awards according to a new Cracked article. Sorry, Dan Gibson…BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR YOU. Check out why being an unrecognizable…
Dragvision Premieres Tonight at La Cocina
While this weekend is going to be a crazy one for most people with all the Halloween stuff going on, make room on your calendar tonight for one of the most unique events happening in Tucson in a long time as Powhaus’ Productions debuts Dragvision. HAY GURRL HAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Hey all you cover girls, glamazons, drag…
Finally, Adorable Japanese Pop and Speed Metal Collide
I suppose it was a matter of time, but if you’re feeling a little aggro but still want to play with your Hello Kitty toys, perhaps you will enjoy Babymetal’s first single “Doki Doki Morning”. [HT: Blabbermouth]
Political Roundtable: Brewer’s Assault on IRC, Ads in the Mayor’s Race, AZ Presidential Politics & More!
Tonight on the Political Roundtable: We’ll be talking about Gov. Jan Brewer’s power play against the Independent Redistricting Commission, the latest in the race for mayor and Tucson City Council, the latest presidential poll in Arizona, Occupy Tucson, the future of Clean Elections & more! Tonight’s panel includes Arizona Public Media reporter Christopher Conover, Republican…
This Week in Tucson Bicycling
Check out a video of the new BMX park from the prospective of the riders. Hopefully you don’t get motion sickness easily. The University of Arizona spends $15,000 a year providing free valet bicycle parking to its students. In its second year it has taken off. Find out how many people are using the service.…
Glamour Shots From Last Night’s Margarita Competition
Last night’s 2011 World Margarita Competition got the Tucson Culinary Festival rolling in style. It was a packed house with all of the usual foodie elite in attendance. I was there, too. Margarita samples were consumed en masse as attendees cooed over gourmet food and drink brought in by Tucson Original restaurants. Kudos to the…
Creative Halloween Costumes that will Wow, Confuse or Gross Out the Crowd
Photo Ryn Gargulinski Roadkill makes for an easy, last-minute costume. Devils and witches and ghosts — ho-hum. Halloween costumes can be about as creative as the latest reality show. We can only watch spoiled housewives scream at each other so many times before we start to snooze. The same holds true for the bland and…
“Three Stooges” Movie: Bad Idea or Worst Idea?
This is actually happening, but thankfully, the producers of the new Three Stooges movie have given us five months to prepare for this (likely) cinematic tragedy: The comedy is not a biopic but instead is shot in three segments in the style of their film shorts from the ’30s and ’40s and places the trio…
Meet the Lawyer Who Fights for Everything Liberals Hate
No definitive word on whether he also hates kittens and babies, but if you’re a fan of progressive ideals, you might want to print a photo of Paul D. Clement out for your dartboard/voodoo doll. Note: the Tucson Weekly does not actually advocate the use of voodoo dolls: It would be hard for any lawyer…
What to Listen to This Week: Thursday Edition
Two sets of recommendations this week, with the second half to come tomorrow. Today, tracks by Spankrock, David Bowie, Henry Mancini, and Ryan Adams. Curtis McCrarySpank Rock, “Backyard Betty” Despite the fact that there’s a new Spank Rock album (“Everything Is Boring and Everyone Is a Fucking Liar” — Spank was having a bad day…
Critter of the Week [Cat Edition]
The classic example of a curious cat, Bess, a 9-year-old domestic long hair female, minds everyone else’s business for them. This sweet and sassy extra large bundle of joy loves snuggling, playing with toys and amusing her many admirers with spirited tumbles to solicit chin scratches. Please get to know this delightful kitty soon at…
RIP, TUSD Board Member Judy Burns
According to KOLD, TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone announced at a luncheon today that Judy Burns, a board member since 2000, died last night from a heart attack. Burns was 63. The late Chris Limberis wrote about Burns when she won the seat after several attempts to be elected: But low-key persistence has finally rewarded Burns,…
Note to Frank Antenori: Don’t Try Welfare Drug Tests Again
You might remember that Frank Antenori tried to get a law on the Arizona books to require random drug tests for welfare recipients earlier this year, and while the Senate loved the idea, the bill died in the House. Such a bill did become law in Florida, but it’s not going so well on the…
Brewer Takes Aim at Indepedent Redistricting Commission
Gov. Jan Brewer has put the Independent Redistricting Commission on notice: Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday turned up the heat on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, giving the five commissioners a Monday deadline to respond to allegations of “substantial neglect of duty and gross misconduct in office.” Failure to do so, she said, would lead…
The Best Rap Song You’ll Hear About Pizza This Week
There are a few ways to become famous in the hip-hop realm. You could develop a reputation regarding your street-wise toughness like 50 Cent and turn that street cred into iTunes sales. You could toil in your local scene, battling your peers, ascending the ladder of skill until the world can’t avoid your shine. Or…
Talking Comics: Batman Odyssey
It turns out Batman Odyssey is not the tale of Bruce Wayne embarking on a long journey home after war, written in epic verse. Still might be interesting, however.
Union Public House Will Hold Its First Event on Halloween
Union Public House, the new restaurant going in at St. Philip’s Plaza, is throwing its first event on Halloween. There’s a costume contest as well, with a $500 prize for the winner. More on all that over here. I’m not certain that this is the place’s grand opening, but it will be a great chance…
City Week
Cybersecurity for citizens; Smashing pumpkins; A child author; Independent movies
Editor’s Note
Last week, I sat down with Tucson Weekly staffers Jim Nintzel and Mari Herreras, and news freelancers Tim Vanderpool and Brian J. Pedersen, to discuss and firm up the various beats that we cover. Here is the informal list of beats assigned to each regular contributor to our Currents section: • Jim Nintzel, jnintzel@tucsonweekly.com: city…
TQ&A
Armando Miguélez, 30, is the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson’s latest artist in residence. His newest project, Common Thread, will premiere sometime next year; Miguélez invites any male with both ears pierced to be a part of it. A Tucson native, Miguélez spent his high school years in India, received a bachelor’s degree from Universidad…
Meals on Wheels
If you haven’t visited a Tucson-area food truck lately, you’re most likely in for a pleasant surprise. The little do-it-yourself operations have created an entire culinary subculture that’s producing utterly delicious eats in unlikely places. That said, it is not all good eating out there in food-truck land. The vast majority of trucks are well…
Danehy
Some things I learned (and/or daydreamed about) while watching the University of Arizona football game last Thursday night: • Regular-season college football games should be played on Saturdays. Period. They should be played on Saturday afternoons in most parts of the country, and on Saturday evenings in Texas, Louisiana and the Southwest during September and…
Transformation Begins
Amanda McKerrow has performed nearly every female part in the classic ballet Don Quixote, from the flower girl to the robust Mercedes. When she danced Kitri, the ballet’s female lead, her partner was Mikhail Baryshnikov. It was “transcendent” to dance with the famous dancer, says McKerrow. A former American Ballet Theatre star, McKerrow this weekend…
Tequila Time!
By time the Sixth Annual World Margarita Championship is over, gallons of tequila will have been poured; tons of ice will have been crushed; hundreds of limes and lemons will have been squeezed; numerous glasses will have been rimmed with salt; and many, many margaritas will have been delightfully consumed. Most importantly, new champions will…
Serraglio
In “La Migra,” one of the more-dynamic creations of Tucson artist Ignacio, who uses only his first name, a four-wheel-drive vehicle blasts through a mud bog with bundles of drugs flying out the back, and several law-enforcement vehicles in hot pursuit. In the real world, a brief news item describes a drug-trafficking apprehension in which…
A Peek Into 9/11
Few would deny that Sept. 11, 2001, is one of the most catastrophic attacks ever perpetrated in the United States. As we watched, two enormous buildings—symbols of power and prosperity, and full of working citizens—crumbled and disintegrated into a massive cloud of horrific proportions. Ten years later, we still try to reconstruct the particulars of…
Calories of Concern
n a nation that’s becoming increasingly poor and overweight, numerous Southern Arizona organizations are doing what they can to make sure that healthier food shows up on the plates of our hungriest neighbors. But it’s not as simple as handing those with food-insecurity issues a bag of vegetables, officials said. Those with the toughest health…
Mailbag
A doctor stands up for medical marijuana; The truth doesn’t make friends; A correction
Indoor/Outdoor
When Meredith Milstead goes outside to draw, she pretty much lets nature call the shots. She sketches out the hills, rocks, clouds and cacti she finds out there. Where people have built houses, she draws in the rooftops, and if telephone poles mar the desert’s beauty, she dutifully puts them in anyway, true to the…
Check It Out
The Pima County Public Library will soon be offering more than books and various other forms of media for the public to borrow: Four branches in Pima County will soon have a physical “seed library,” where anyone with a library card can take seeds and, after harvesting, return seeds for others to use. “It seemed…
Guest Commentary
The news didn’t garner big headlines, but the Department of Energy put out a press release on Oct. 5 saying that seven power-transmission lines were being fast-tracked in the name of creating jobs and strengthening the nation’s electrical grid. One of the seven is the controversial SunZia project. Also on Oct. 5, the Natural Resources…
The Small-Town Life
Robert Julyan’s debut novel is a fast-paced look at the kooky lengths that the inhabitants of one small New Mexico town will go to in order to avert the town’s seemingly inevitable death. Julyan—the author of a number of New Mexico-centered books, and the inhabitant of a small town like his fictional Sweeney—shows a great…
Fishy Growing
Maybe it’s due to the struggling economy, or a desire to remove processed foods from our diets. Maybe it has to do with the rising costs of fresh food and increasing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. Whatever the reason, home gardening and food production is increasing in popularity. From 2008 to 2009, the number…
Security and Spending
Back in March, Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain released a 10-point blueprint for beefing up border security. Predictable highlights included more fencing, the intensified prosecution of undocumented immigrants, and rushing another 5,000 Border Patrol agents to the line, on top of the roughly 10,000 already added since 2004. If the Kyl-McCain measure were…
Imminent Collapse
In many ways, great dialogue has become a lost art. There are still a few reliable practitioners of writing the spoken word—the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino are probably the modern standard-bearers, and Woody Allen can still pepper his scripts with funny asides that sound just like Woody Allen—but these days, great, memorable lines serve…
Techie Brews
Nowadays, consumers want their products to be more organic, locally grown, gluten-free and cage-free … but what about acid-free? That’s a new one. According to the owners, Tucson-based Tyler’s Coffee is making the first acid-free coffee in the world—and the company has quickly been making a name for itself. The coffee company was developed by,…
The Skinny
The GOP candidates take the airwaves as ballots drop in the mayor and council races … City Councilman Paul Cunningham denies he has cronies in the City Manager’s Office … State Sen. Frank Antenori says it may be too late to impeach members of the Redistricting Commission … and more!
Top Ten in Movies
1. Horrible Bosses Warner Bros. 2. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Disney 3. Bad Teacher Sony 4. Green Lantern Warner Bros. 5. The Tree of Life 20th Century Fox 6. Fast Five Universal 7. Transformers: Dark of the Moon DreamWorks 8. Zookeeper Sony 9. Monte Carlo 20th Century Fox 10. The Last Circus…
Soundbites
Halloween festivities; New local releases; Bluegrass and latin music at AVA; and more!
Grandma vs. the Coach
City Councilman Paul Cunningham grew up in Tucson politics. His father, George Cunningham, is a former state senator, UA administrator and budget adviser in Gov. Janet Napolitano’s administration. His grandmother, Lillian Fisher, was a Pima County Superior Court judge. “There’s some politics in the bloodline,” Cunningham says. But he hasn’t always been a loyal Democrat.…
Boo.
I’m starting to miss the Saw movies. I never really met a Saw movie I liked … but these Paranormal Activity movies are trying to scare us with falling frying pans and rumpling sheets. Come on! I drop frying pans whenever I attempt to fry an egg. There’s nothing scary about that sort of thing.…
Top Ten in Music
1. Various Artists Luz de Vida: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy (Fort Lowell) 2. Tom Waits Bad as Me (ANTI-) 3. Various Artists 3-Way Cuddle 7″ EP (Bloat) 4. Monster Pussy Tails of the City (Bloat) 5. The Book of Genesis Illustrated (book) R. Crumb (W.W. Norton) 6. Mr. Free…
Change vs. Stability
When Republican Tyler Vogt launched his campaign against City Councilwoman Shirley Scott, he let her know she was in for a world of hurt. “I offer you the opportunity to resign from this race with your dignity and your reputation intact,” Vogt wrote in an open letter to Scott. “If you choose to remain in…
Now Showing at Home
Jurassic Park: Ultimate Trilogy (Blu-ray); Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Blu-ray); Batman: Year One (Blu-ray)
Nine Questions
Tucson native Mitzi Cowell maintains the life of a singer-songwriter, bandleader, producer, philosopher and energy-worker. Her latest work is the EP Love’s So … and the single/video “Shine From the Valley,” dedicated to Tucson’s response to the Jan. 8 tragedy. Her band will be at the Boondocks Lounge on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31, sharing a…
Police Dispatch
Sense and instablity; Dirty booty
All Deserts Together
From one desert to another comes the North African group Tinariwen, which has for more than 30 years traveled the world, playing the traditional music of the nomadic Tuareg people in North Mali and Algeria. Although the group was born in strife, its members have consistently tried to remain positive and joyful, said bassist Eyadou…
Top Ten in Books
1. The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins, Scholastic ($8.99) 2. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption Laura Hillenbrand, Random House ($27) 3. Damned Chuck Palahniuk, Doubleday ($24.95) 4. Snuff: A Novel of Discworld Terry Pratchett, Harper ($25.99) 5. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus, Book 2 Rick Riordan, Disney-Hyperion…
Big Tree: This New Year (Self-Released)
On its second full-length album, this creative quintet shows off its obvious jazz influences, especially in the first three tracks, “This Fall,” “Augury” and “Seattle Bound,” which feature darting, unconventional melodies in a folk-pop setting. But the title track, which comes fourth, goes beyond pleasant. It combines spritely piano, Dan Pirello’s chilled-out guitar leads and…
Live
When Jonathan Holden of Rhythm and Roots introduced the Carnivaleros, he said, “This gig has been 10 years in the making.” And with that, Gary Mackender—the one constant in this good-time accordion-driven band—began to put the latest version through its paces. Some bands have trouble making it through 10 gigs, much less 10 years, but…
Weekly Wide Web
There’s probably some traditional-media rule that you’re not supposed to talk about the link-sharing site Reddit, but in a city where there are few definitive community websites, the portion of the site dedicated to the Old Pueblo (www.reddit.com/r/Tucson) is a great resource for information about the city, interesting events, and other stuff related to Tucson.…
Feedback!
Journalists are a contradictory lot. Many of us are all hard and leathery on the outside, our skin thickened by years and years of barbs and arrows from every direction—yet a lot of us are all soft and insecure on the inside. If you live with one of us, you know what I mean. So,…
Mr. Gnome: Madness in Miniature (El Marko)
Mr. Gnome is a Cleveland duo, and they make such an intense and glorious musical uproar that I wouldn’t believe a word about this “duo” business if I hadn’t seen them play with my own eyes. Their latest release, Madness in Miniature, shows them perfecting their loud-soft-loud dynamic. They burst out of the gates with…
Hindering Haboobs
Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix is dangerous enough, with long stretches of nothing to look at, high speeds that just don’t seem fast enough, and drivers seemingly on autopilot. Add in strong winds and blowing dust, and it can become deadly, as was proven twice on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak this summer. An…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: There’s something I am concerned about and bothered by. I was born and raised in Mexico, but I’ve been here for eight years. All the talk about Sept. 11 is too much, because every single year brings a rehash of the tragedy. I really think that remembering the event for two or five…
Solace in Nothing: Demons EP (Pitball)
Tucson hard-rock label PitBall Records released a couple of solid EPs in early 2011 by Southwest bands Animus Divine and American Gods, giving the local metal scene a boost and suggesting more good releases to come. PitBall’s latest beast is Solace in Nothing, a local quartet of masked marauders visually indebted to ’90s cartoon-faced, nü-metal…
Media Watch
Exit “Mega”, Enter “The Groove”; Anchor changes on TV
Art That Moves
The Wildcat Print Association is teaming up with Hotel Congress and several other downtown venues for the annual Nightmare on Congress Street celebration. Amidst the chaos of live music, drinks and dancing, guests will have an opportunity to purchase custom-designed shirts made during a live screen-printing event on Hotel Congress’ patio. The University of Arizona…
