For Sales
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry has released a proposed budget for next year. In light of increasing property values, he proposes cutting back the primary property tax rate, but his more audacious idea is providing even more property tax relief–as long as the Board of Supervisors agree to a new half-cent sales tax, which can be…
Arizona: The Young and the Brain Damaged
Arizona ranks No. 1 when it comes to young people suffering brain damage. In a recent survey, our state ranked first out of the 12 states surveyed. Dr. Andreas Theodorou, UA professor and chief of pediatric critical care with the UA Department of Pediatrics, says that Arizona has 105 young people per 100,000 who are…
“We Face Formidable Challenges”–Just in the Primary
In a surprise decision, Sen. John McCain has announced he’ll seek the presidency. McCain’s announcement comes one day after a new Cronkite-8 Poll by ASU Prof. Bruce Merrill shows that McCain has slipped from 44 percent to 32 percent among Arizona Republicans. Not exactly good news in your ostenstible home state, but these are early…
Accelerated
It looks like the state’s photo-radar program is taking shape, according to the Associated Press. Note this detail at the end: While one potential vendor reportedly wants Arizona to switch to having vehicle owners instead of drivers held legally responsible for citations, Woodward said DPS is not considering that measure. “At this point we would…
Back to Reality: Tucson’s Uninsured Health Fair – April 25
On Wednesday, April 25, El Rio Community Health Center is hosting a health fair, and the 100,000 Tucsonans who are uninsured are invited to attend. The event is held at the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center at 101 W. Irvington Road., at Sixth Avenue, and runs from 2 to 6 p.m. The health fair is free…
Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy
I have to agree with Supreme Commander JB on this one–waiting hours in line for an In-n-Out burger and fries is absolute lunacy. Then again, I had my fix last week, while passing through Phoenix on my way to the Flagstaff bureau. Funny thing is, as I was sitting in my car with newshound Cricket,…
Tucsonans Have Lost Their Collective Freakin’ Mind
So Garrett and I just drove by In-n-Out (which is fairly close to the Southcentral Bureau), and I am alarmed to report that THE LINES HAVE GOTTEN LONGER. The drive-through line snakes around the parking lot, past the main El Con entrance and down Randolph Way to the intersection with Broadway Boulevard. The line of…
In-n-Out Craziness
Well, the In-n-Out opened today, and Tucson seems to be very excited about it. When I was there (about noon), there were more than 100 cars in the drive-through, and people standing in line more than 100 feet out the door. In-n-Out had employees in red aprons stationed throughout the lines to keep things in…
In-n-Out Opens April 24
This press release just arrived in my inbox: In-n-Out Burger opens in Tucson IRVINE, CA — In 1948, Harry Snyder developed In-N-Out Burger, California’s first “drive-thru” hamburger stand. Today, hamburgers are still made-to-order, shakes are still made with real ice cream and In-N-Out associates are still treated like family. Starting April 24, 2007, In-N-Out hamburgers,…
The Museum Scoop
The parents were in town this weekend, and we visited the International Wildlife Museum. It turns out the museum currently has a whole section dedicated to an exhibit called “Scat: The Inside Story.” I know that everyone, upon reading this, will want to drop what they’re doing and immediately zoom out to the International Wildlife…
Vermont Says: Impeach Bush and Cheney
Finally, one state that has balls as well as maple syrup. Vermont has the courage to endorse impeachment. I’m been endorsing impeachment for years, but nobody listened. Clinton gets impeached for a blow job. Somehow, the two stooges have gone on their merry way destroying U.S. allegiance and credibility, creating enemies where there were none,…
Feedback Required
From French candidates vie for undecided vote: But much of the enthusiasm has worn off, partly because voters are confused and dissatisfied with the choice on offer. Many complain the campaign has been hijacked by politicians’ opportunistic attempts to boost poll numbers any way they can. Candidates have neglected no niche audience, however small. The…
Some Late-Breaking Events
Here are a few events that were received too late for inclusion in our print issue. Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary 915 E. Fourth St. Environmental Sustainability on the Highways. A presentation and discussion includes topics such as the economic and environmental consequences of our dependence on petroleum oil…
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Travis Huxman
Rhythm & Views
Truly one of today’s best singer/songwriters, Grant-Lee Phillips pushed further into acoustic-music territory with his last album of original material, 2004’s Virginia Creeper. Now he’s rediscovered the big beat thanks to drummer Bill Rieflin. Fans of Phillips’ old band Grant Lee Buffalo will welcome the return of rock drumming, while the artist’s more recent fans…
Danehy
Hey, Independents: If you want to vote in a party primary, then you need to belong to a party!
Pick of the Week
Everyone Has a Voice
Rhythm & Views
Tony Furtado may not actually live in Tucson, but he’s pretty much an honorary citizen; the cover of his 10th album, 13, has him standing by Daniel Martin Diaz’s artistic rendering of that number by the stage at Club Congress, and the record was produced by Craig Schumacher at Wavelab. 13 was released on local…
O’Sullivan
A modest proposal for some new days of the week
City Week
Our top picks of what to do and where to do it for the week.
Top Ten in Music
Toxic Ranch Records top sales for the week
Guest Commentary
Money spent painting over graffiti would be better spent reaching out to the alienated
Remake This!
You’ve seen everything in ‘Disturbia’ before, but it’s all worth seeing again
Dance Animals
Tucson Regional fully stages the ballet classic ‘Peter and the Wolf’
¡Ask a Mexican!
If Charlie Daniels is the best hero anti-immigrant wackjobs can find, then America deserves to become Aztl´n.
Appetite Lost
This sad ‘Aqua Teen’ fan was bored by the force’s big-screen debut
Top Ten in Books
Antigone best-sellers for the week
Music and Democracy
A note from the editor.
Now Showing at Home
“The Pride of the Yankees: 65th Anniversary Edition,” “Stranger Than Fiction,” “Casino Royale,” and “Harsh Times”
The Amazing Journey
The mess that is The Who’s ‘Tommy’ is performed well by Arizona Repertory
Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
On the Margins
Edwina M. Scott’s photos of homeless Tucson women may startle you
The Corridor of Killing
A rash of bloody violence is taking lives on both sides of the border
Kids’ Stuff
Dan Zanes brings music for children–including drinking songs?–to the Rialto
Japanese Treats
The legendary Benihana chain brings its fun, if slightly unpolished, dining experience to Tucson
Opportunity on the Line
Is there an open window for real immigration reform?
Soundbites
THE CRAWL IS ON! I won’t waste too much space telling you that the Weekly’s Spring Club CrawlTM is this weekend–Saturday, April 21, to be exact–because you’ve no doubt already checked out the handy guide in this issue, which contains all the info you could possibly need to know about the event. For example, you…
Noshing Around
Chocolate Wellness for Baby Boomers Former Choc-Alot owner and avid chocoholic Nadia Larsen will host a wellness party at Choc-Alot Gourmet Chocolatier. Part of Larsen’s presentation will focus on the health science relating to chocolate, specifically theobromine, the chemical stimulant found in cacao. Free chocolate-covered popcorn will be available, and a discount on chocolate shots…
Environmental Actions
As Earth Day approaches, community and political leaders ponder the planet’s future
A New Life
Grand Champeen finally gets their live-performance success on the record
A Magical Read
UA Professor Elif Shafak’s controversial novel is political, ironic and incredibly smart
Clueless?
Accusations fly that a state rep is out of the loop on a sex-offender bill
Club Crawl: Spring ’07
Some people out there think it’s cool to criticize Club CrawlTM. While some criticisms have merit–there’s no such thing as a perfect event–many of the criticisms are simple, irrational whines. This is not a surprising fact; after all, the twice-a-year music festival has become a Tucson institution over the last decade, and certain people get…
Your Underground Neighbors
Some Dunbar/Spring residents are discovering they have a grave problem
Club Crawl Venue Directory
Wristbands available at CD City, Hippie Gypsy and the Rialto box office Bud Light Music Stage 8 p.m.: The Distortionists 9 p.m.: Great American Tragedy 10 p.m.: Dropsphere 11 p.m.: The Jons Midnight: Tongue Dried Sun CD City Stage 8 p.m.: Mozart’s Sister 9 p.m.: Hipster Daddy-O 10 p.m.: Sand Rubies 11 p.m.: The Wyatts…
The Skinny
MARCH MADNESS You’ve got to appreciate the determination of Derechos Humanos, the local immigrant-rights organization that came out against the federal STRIVE Act last week. Not so much their stance, mind you, but their determination. The leaders of Derechos Humanos, such as Pima County Legal Defender Isabel Garcia, are complaining that the STRIVE Act–the latest…
Club Crawl Venue Details
Bud Light Music Stage 8 p.m.: The Distortionists 9 p.m.: Great American Tragedy 10 p.m.: Dropsphere 11 p.m.: The Jons Midnight: Tongue Dried Sun Things get rolling at this outdoor stage at 8 p.m. with The Distortionists, a new band made up of seasoned veterans from local bands of yore such as Marshmallow Overcoat, Grimblewedge…
The Range
A recap of last week’s news
Nine Questions
Lance Laber
Media Watch
Punching and Counter-Punching in Talk Radio’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Live
Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 at Club Congress; Pop Gestapo, Rock N Roll Adventure Kids, the Cuntifiers at Vaudeville Cabaret; Saturday, April 14
Police Dispatch
I’ll Buy You Anything … Valencia and Mission Roads, March 25, 8 p.m. Women in a convenience store accused a man who was buying porn of making them feel uncomfortable, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report. A deputy responding to the Circle K at 4605 W. Valencia Road found 38-year-old Orlando Figueroa in…
Rhythm & Views
The Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul reissue series continues unabated with Twinight’s Lunar Rotation, which collects a hefty 40 tracks on two CDs, all released between 1967 and 1972 on Chicago’s prolific Twinight (originally Twilight) label. An incredible level of archival energy went into unearthing and securing these tracks, detailed in a gorgeous 32-page booklet full…
