Cover Story
The State Budget: Winners and Losers
If you happen to own a corporation, you have reason to celebrate: The Arizona Legislature handed you a big tax break this year. If, on the other hand, you’re a poor kid, there’s a pretty good chance lawmakers took away your day care, or your parents’ insurance, or the tiny bit of state assistance that…
Cliff Stearns Making America Safe by Harassing Sick Heroes
While we wait for Jon Stewart and company to relentlessly mock the Baja Arizona movement, he’s doing the sort of satirical work we expect from the Daily Show, destroying Florida congressman Cliff Stearns for proposing that 9/11 responders who are receiving money for their health care be checked against a terrorist watchlist: The Daily Show…
Listen to Smart People Talk About Medicinal Marijuana
Oh, and I’ll be there too, moderating the affair and trying to stay out of the way tonight: In an effort to inform community members about the legalities and realities of Arizona’s recently passed medical marijuana law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona’s Southern Chapter will host a community forum on Wednesday, April 27th…
Blue Bottle Coffee is Coming to Town
A friend who is quite the coffee nut says Blue Bottle Coffee from San Francisco is some of the best, and after reading up on the company, I believe him. The company’s story—small microroastery claws way to fame—exactly the sort of success story I hope to watch our own little microroastery Cafe Aqui pull off,…
Jefferson Park Neighbors Keep Up Fight
On March 18, the city of Tucson’s zoning administrator ruled in favor of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association’s “Request for Determination and Complaint of Violation” regarding the Michael Goodman mini-dorm developments that took over Feldman’s Historic Neighborhood two years ago, and began to extend into Jefferson Park last year. The ruling agreed with neighbors that…
Rep. Giffords on Her Way to Florida
From KHOU: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was seen publicly for the first time since a January shooting Wednesday when she boarded a NASA flight to Florida. She’s headed to Cape Canaveral to watch Endeavour’s final launch. Giffords’ husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, is commanding the mission. Giffords arrived with a group of people — including a…
A Weird Wine Dinner at OM Modern Asian Kitchen
OM Modern Asian Kitchen is doing something different for an upcoming wine dinner: You choose the wines, and the restaurant’s culinary team pairs your choices with surprise entrées. I don’t have to understand the motivation behind this role-reversal to appreciate its innovative nature, and it sounds sort of fun. My first thought was that such…
Protecting the Grand Canyon
Here’s a video from the Center for Biological Diversity that gets to the heart of why we should be concerned about uranium mining at the Grand Canyon. For more information on how to get involved in stopping these mining efforts, go here. Grand Canyon Uranium Mining PSA from James Q Martin Media on Vimeo.
Hey, Birther Clowns: Can You Please Now STFU?
The New York Times: In a statement to the news media Wednesday morning, Mr. Obama said he decided to release the document in an effort to end the “silliness” about his birth that threatened to distract from the serious issues facing the country. “Over the last two and a half years, I have watched with…
TUSD Board Forced To Cancel Meeting
A group of Mexican-American Studies supporters rushed into the TUSD Board’s meeting room and chained themselves to the dais before a planned public hearing, forcing the TUSD governing board to cancel tonight’s school board meeting to discuss the future of the controversial ethnic-studies program. The board’s small hearing room was jammed with backers of Mexican-American…
Jonathan Paton Endorses McClusky
This just in, from the McClusky for Mayor campaign: Tucson, AZ — Former State Senator and Congressional District 8 candidate Jonathan Paton has endorsed Shaun McClusky in his bid to become Mayor of Tucson. “The only way we’re going to get Tucson back on track is with a leader like Shaun,” said Mr. Paton. “Jonathan…
Saving Mexican American Studies
Below is a video of yesterday’s press conference, from Daniel Buckley, of the 11 ethnic-studies teachers currently suing Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal, the Arizona Board of Education and the Tucson Unified School District in an effort to save ethnic-studies classes, particularly the Mexican-American studies program. In attendance, watching the press conference off to…
Photographic Memories of Arcade History
Perhaps you didn’t waste large amounts of your youth playing video games in places like Wunderland, the long gone nickel arcade once on Tucson’s eastside, but for me, the Flickr photo pool “Growing Up In Arcades” was a fun look back at when another variation on Pac-Man was an exciting gaming development.
At Least We’re Not Mississippi
Take a minute and just think about this factoid from a poll by Public Policy Polling: While overall, 38% of Mississippi Republicans wish the South had won the Civil War. 41% of those same Republicans believe interracial marriage should be illegal. Sigh.
If You Can’t Find Something You Like at the Rialto Theatre, You Just Don’t Like Music
Have you checked out what’s going on at downtown’s historic Rialto Theatre over the next few weeks? It’s such a jam-packed schedule that it’s almost silly. Silly!
New “Fast & The Furious” Movie Was Written by a Five Year Old
Today Now! Interviews The 5-Year-Old Screenwriter Of “Fast Five” Seems about right, although I wonder what’s going on with that kid that he’s writing sex scenes between Jordana Brewster and Paul Walker (or whatever happens in those movies, I’ve only caught a few minutes of some of them when they’re showing on basic cable).
April 26th: They Might Be Giants Awareness Day
Although I am concerned about detracting from Giorgio Moroder’s birthday today, I’m not one to pass up the opportunity to post YouTube videos from the bands I loved in my youth, so here is the unofficial Tucson Weekly contribution to the entirely made up They Might Be Giants Awareness Day, which might celebrate the release…
Mark and Scott Kelly Talk About Space Program & Gabby Giffords
Katie Couric’s lengthy interview with NASA astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly as Mark Kelly prepares to pilot the Space Shuttle Endeavour later this week.
Friendster About to Delete Stuff You Forgot You Had
Just in case you were using long-outdated Friendster to store photographed memories of your 2002 family reunion, now’s the time to try to remember what email and password you used on that site ages ago: Before MySpace and Facebook, there was Friendster, a pioneering social networking website for consumers. First launched in 2002, Friendster attracted…
Good/Bad News: The Daily Show Is Coming to Town
I’m a fan of the Daily Show (who isn’t, really?), so the news that a crew from the show will be here is cool, but I can’t imagine the whole Baja Arizona movement is going to come off as sane or productive when the producers are through with it: Paul Eckerstrom, co-chair of Start Our…
Your Friends Who Love “The Godfather” Might Be Liars
Why anyone would pretend to have seen a movie I’m not sure – no one thinks better of you because of a movie related lie, I think that’s still exclusively book fib territory – but a British video rental service found that 80% of those surveyed had lied about a movie they claimed to have…
Thousands Race for Breast Cancer Survivors, Research
Written and Produced By Melanie Huonker Thousands laced up at Gene C. Reid Park for the 13th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Organizers estimated more than 11,000 people participated to honor survivors and those who have died. “It’s wonderful,” said Sara Richey. “It means dollars are being raised and people are being…
If You Enjoy Watching People Fall Off Big Wheels…
Enjoy this compilation of minor mishaps from this weekend’s Bring Your Own Big Wheel event in San Francisco. It will become immediately evident why they make participants sign a waiver.
UA Ice Hockey Now a Club Sport, Minus Golembiewski
From the University of Arizona: Collegiate ice hockey, a fixture at the University of Arizona for more than three decades, is getting a new look and new name. The students of the UA’s club ice hockey team are partnering with UA Campus Recreation to expand their program and align with other University club sports. Starting…
Arizona Education Network Releases Legislative Voting Report
This is my favorite time of the year, when the good, nonpartisan folks at the Arizona Education Network release their Legislative report card to let us know who voted against public education. This is always especially good to note during election season, when certain politicians tell us they support public education—yet they don’t put that…
NBC Cancels Terrible Show No One Was Watching
The Paul Reiser Show didn’t make it long – not really a surprise, since it was a bad photocopy of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and, well, not funny at all. Now, the show joins the ranks of one of the shortest series runs in television history. Not quite as quickly yanked off the air as 1969’s…
If You Want to See Fleet Foxes at the Rialto, Get Tickets Now
According to the Rialto’s Facebook feed, they have less than 50 tickets left for the Fleet Foxes show there on May 8th. Don’t be the jerk who complains on the night of show about how it sold out before you could get tickets. This is your warning. If you’d like to hear their new album…
Call Gov. Brewer! Ask Her To Veto SB 1593!
The Associated Press notes that many citizens are contacting Brewer to urge her to veto or sign bills: Gov. Jan Brewer is getting plenty of advice on what to do with the pile of 168 bills awaiting her signature or veto following the end of the legislative session. Brewer’s office reports she received thousands of…
Something Sweet Dessert Lounge Is Closing
In some of the worst dining news to come across this desk in awhile, Something Sweet Dessert Lounge announced this weekend that it will be closing at the end of the month. The dessert lounge — which opened in 2003 and went on to sweep the Best of Tucson® Best Desserts category from 2004 on…
If You Didn’t Already, Watch Last Week’s “Parks & Recreation”
While the show isn’t apparently high-minded enough to make Jordan Green’s Idiot Boksen column, every week that there’s a new episode of Parks & Recreation lately, it seems to just reinforce my belief that the show is the best comedy on television right now. If for no other reason than to see Aziz Ansari’s Tom…
The Atlantic Monthly Recommends Listening to Metal
I had no idea, but my obsession the last few years with listening to as much Black Sabbath as possible has helped me understand the world as it really is, according to a strange article in this month’s Atlantic, a bottomless grave of war and despair: Nu metal, the big metal noise of the ’90s…
UPDATED: Maroon 5 to [Not] Play Phoenix This September, In Case You Were Wondering
[UPDATE: Despite the fact that this date appeared on the band’s website for most of the day, according to Maroon 5’s publicist, the show never actually existed: “There is no date in AZ I was given the wrong info for our release and it was a mistake,” says the band’s publicist, Carleen Donovan of Press…
Thank You, Election Gods, For Marshall Home™
Mayoral candidate (for now) Marshall Home™ visited the Drinking Liberally function at the Shanty last night, and while there’s precisely zero chance that Home, who has apparently “trademarked” his name, will be Tucson’s next mayor, I appreciate that he seems to be around specifically for my amusement. “Arizona Roadrunner” (really with the pseudonyms?) reported on…
Padres Win in Sacramento
The Tucson Padres break a three-game losing streak on Sunday with a win in Sacramento. Tim Hagerty of the Padres fills us in: One day after falling behind in the first inning, it was the Tucson Padres who struck first, scoring three times in the first inning Sunday. The Padres beat Sacramento 7-5, ending a…
Christina-Taylor Green: ‘Angel in the Outfield’
ESPN’s E:60 looks at the life of Christina-Taylor Green:
Arizona Republic Publishes the Fullest Picture of Giffords’ Condition So Far
Jaimee Rose’s article in today’s Arizona Republic manages to be encouraging and realistic regarding Rep. Giffords’ progress after the January 8th shooting. As it seems, she has both come a long way and still has a long way to go: Many other things are different since Giffords’ brain was pierced by a bullet during the…
Ethnic Studies Resolution Hardly a Solution
It’s hard to say what’s going to happen at the Tucson Unified School District governing board meeting on Tuesday, April 26, regarding the future of TUSD’s ethnic-studies courses—particularly Mexican-American studies. There’s a 30-minute call to the audience at the meeting, which starts at 4 p.m. at 1010 E. 10th St. Here’s the agenda: April_26_agenda.pdf. If…
They Serve Food at Plush Now
Plush is a great place to dance, drink and get down in general—and now they serve food, too. It’s the smallest of menus: Several panini, a cheese plate, olives and other things that might go nicely with a drink or two. They also open earlier now, around 11 a.m., and serve coffee, according to the…
Rizzo Homers Again as T-Pads Lose Another Close Game
The scrappy Tucson Padres’ valiant attempt at a comeback last night fell short, but Anthony Rizzo knocked another ball out of the park. Rizzo is batting an astonishing .452 as of last night. Details from the Padres’ Tim Hagerty: The Tucson Padres scored three times with two outs in the ninth inning Friday, but fell…
Idiot Boksen – The Busy
When I was in 7th grade, I finished The Wishsong of Shannara, the third and final part of Terry Brooks’ Shannara series. It was my first real trek into the fantasy genre, and I’d loved every moment of it. I loved swords and magic and elven archers. I loved the maps. Then, I gave it…
Free Music (And Lots of It) Tonight
I’m not really capable of not being biased regarding Fort Lowell Records. Owner James Tritten is about the nicest guy on earth, his wife Tracy plays the sort of music that reminds me of the wistful mixtapes I made in the 90’s, and the Young Mothers are probably my favorite band in Arizona, so I…
Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s ‘Mugshot of the Day’ Program
This story about Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s new “Mugshot of the Day” program has been making the national media rounds. From NPR: The top picks so far aren’t unexpected: They’re the most disheveled, unusual looking people among those booked into the downtown Phoenix jail. Sheriff Joe is turning the prison system into a sideshow…
Tom Horne, Why Can’t I Have My Novelty Booze?
If it wasn’t enough that the powers that be decided we couldn’t have our Four Loko, now Tom Horne and 17 other state attorney generals have petitioned Pabst to take Blast, the flavored version of Colt 45 off the market. With an alcohol content of 12 percent in a 23.5-ounce container, and a recommendation to…
Another Reminder: Arizona Not the Only Crazy State
In the Knoxville News Sentinel, on Wednesday, April 20, the Tennessee Senate committee approved a bill that makes it illegal for teachers to discuss homosexuality in K-8 classrooms. Oh, but it’s OK to talk about heterosexuality: As introduced, the bill would have put into law a declaration that it is illegal to discuss any sexual…
In Arizona, Illegal Immigrants Pay Taxes, Too
In honor of Tax Day, the Immigration Policy Center posted a reminder that often gets ignored in the illegal immigration debate, especially those who accuse illegal immigrants of mooching off the system from public schools to hospitals. Using a methodology from the nonpartisan Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and information from the Pew…
Owning a Magic Unicorn: Less Awesome Than I Assumed
This is disappointing to me on several levels. Am I not really a winner when those windows pop up? Is owning an unicorn less than the wondrous experience I dream it to be?
Happy Earth Day
I don’t really understand Earth Day at all, but this classic clip from Da Ali G Show with Christine Todd Whitman makes the event seem fresh and relevant, at least:
Mark Kelly: Gabby Wants To Get Back To Work
Astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is going to be in the international spotlight when he pilots the space shuttle Endeavour, scheduled to launch next Friday. Kelly tells Katie Couric that Giffords wants to get back to Tucson and back to the job: A week from today, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is scheduled…
Scrabble: Cooking Edition
I can’t wait to put “quinoa” over a triple-word-score space on the new Scrabble: Cooking Edition. The twist is that players get bonus points for laying down food-related words and names of celebrity chefs. Allowing the use of chef’s names is a clear violation of the rule prohibiting the use of proper nouns, but who…
Dupnik Recall Effort Nears Apparent Collapse
The Utah man behind the effort to recall Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik is apparently withdrawing his petition after being accused of falsely using his brother’s identity and forging his brother’s signature on the application for recall. Kevin Elliott, brother of Dan Elliott—aka, Dan Baltes, the man who filed the petition—said he plans to file…
Fishtank Ensemble Play Tucson Saturday and You Should Go See Them
Formed in Oakland, California, Fishtank Ensemble are a band with influences and origins from around the world, playing music that probably could be described as “gypsy folk and jazz” but also has aspects of Japanese, flamenco and other ethnic sounds from everywhere. In the end, what anyone hearing their music notices is just how talented…
Thirsty Thursday: A Review
[Note from Dan Gibson: Alex Budish is a senior at the University of Arizona. Who better to check out the first Thirsty Thursday and review it from a drinking perspective, right?] What an awesome city we live in. There’s great people, amazing weather, the Tucson Padres, and, oh yeah, their $1 beers. On Thursday, the…
Vila Thai Cuisine Closes Today, Reopens in New Location Sunday
Vila Thai Cuisine will serve its last meal at 972 E. University Blvd. today, Friday, April 22, but it will reopen Sunday as V Fine Thai Dining in its new location on the corner of Stone Avenue and Congress Street. A recorded message on the restaurant’s telephone says Vila Thai Cuisine will be open today…
Easter Peeps Experiment: How Long Do Marshmallow Chicks Last in Tucson’s Sun?
Photo and experiment by Ryn Gargulinski Peeps at the start of experiment in Tucson tree. Easter season would not be complete without Peeps, the sickly sweet marshmallow treats that have been rotting kids’ teeth for more than 50 years. Although the sugary snacks have several claims to fame—such as their astounding array of colors that…
Picture This: Having Fun at the Pima County Fair
The Pima County Fair has the Jim Nintzel seal of approval. The Pima County Fair, back for another round, offers a healthy (or unhealthy) serving of food, fun and family fare. Animals, rides, games and more provide nearly endless amounts of entertainment. More photos after the break.
Padres Lose Another Close Game, Snap Two-Game Winning Streak
The Tucson Padres lost another close one tonight, although Anthony Rizzo, who is batting .436 on the season, smashed another home run in the ninth inning. Tim Hagerty of the Padres has the details: Anthony Rizzo’s fifth home run of the season in the ninth inning wasn’t enough for the Tucson Padres Thursday, falling to…
Picture This: Rides Galore at the Pima County Fair
It’s the Pima County Fair’s last weekend. That means you have just three more days to enjoy fair festivities such as going to the the freak show, eating pizza on a stick, watching 1990s pop sensations Boyz II Men in concert and riding the glorious Tucson Weekly ferris wheel. Of course there are plenty of…
Prescott Offers a Cool Getaway for Easter Weekend
MICHELLE WEISS Photos and Story by Michelle Weiss MICHELLE WEISS Prescott, Ariz. — Despite having a listed population of 40,000, Prescott maintains a small town charm that draws in the visitors, coupled with the scenic views that greet yearly visitors as they drive into town. MICHELLE WEISS Performers, musicians and art shows populate the sidewalk…
Meghan McCain Interviews Trump, Shows That She’s a Nitwit
There’s a great episode of The Simpsons where Mr. Burns decides to run for mayor and, as a campaign stunt, has dinner at the Simpsons’ house in front of TV cameras. The entire thing is, of course, completely choreographed by Mr. Burns, who has supplied the Simpson family with the questions they’re supposed to ask…
Funny Movie Reminds Me of Wildly Unfunny Event
More 30 Minutes or Less Videos There are a number of things I like very much about the trailer for 30 Minutes or Less: I like the cast, especially Aziz Ansari and Danny McBride, I liked Zombieland a lot, etc. However, the minute I saw that Jesse Eisenberg is playing a pizza delivery guy forced…
Only on the Internet: A Waffle House Foursquare Leaderboard
The internet seemingly exists to create largely useless but amusing websites, and I think the Mayors of the Waffle House site definitely fulfills both requirements. Two things I’ve learned: some guy named Miguel G. really likes Waffle Houses, and that it will only take three check-ins (and signing up for Foursquare, I guess) for me…
Polls Show Majority of Americans Support Gay Marriage
Poll analyzing wunderkind Nate Silver looks at the numbers for his New York Times blog: A poll from CNN this week is the latest to show a majority of Americans in favor of same-sex marriage, with 51 percent saying that marriages between gay and lesbian couples “should be recognized by the law as valid” and…
Asta: In It To Win It
After getting responses from his first TV (which you can watch above), Republican Ron Asta says he’s staying in the mayor’s race. Here’s the email from him: I’m continuing my campaign for Mayor because Tucson needs leadership and debate now. Tucson’s priorities need to be about jobs and developing an economy with a heartbeat, better…
If You Needed Another Reason to Hate ASU…
Can you imagine how terrible ASU will be when the budget cuts kick in? Will they even bother hiring teachers? Will the diplomas come with a coupon for a free Four Loko on the back? Why not just rename the campus “Girls Gone Wild University and Casino” and give up already? [HT: Up on the…
Beastie Boys’ New Video: Great or Greatest Ever?
Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise – Free Music Videos – Top Songs The triumphant return of the Beastie Boys? Call backs to the “Fight For Your Right To Party” video? A ridiculous number of guest stars? Danny McBride? I might be ruined on all music videos ever after “Make Some Noise”.
Russell Pearce: Still Hasn’t Provided Fiesta Bowl Receipts
I’m glad Channel 12 in Phoenix is staying on top of this story, partially because I think Russell Pearce has gotten somewhat of a free pass from the bigger media outlets up there for awhile. Senator Pearce, now that the legislature is out of session, maybe you can get around to finding the canceled checks…
Dear Tucson Padres, Please Bring the Goat Herding Monkey Guy to Town
I’m actually a pretty big baseball fan, so I’m likely to head out to Kino Stadium a few times this year, but even baseball haters would likely buy a ticket to see dog-riding monkeys herding goats, right? Introducing Team Ghost Riders led by Tim Lepard. Even better, I think the inspirational speeches are free: [Daily…
Barack Obama Praises Gabrielle Giffords for the Time 100
There’s a lot to grumble about with the Time 100 – Blake Lively was great in The Town, but I think Mohamed Bouazizi’s self martyrdom that kicked off the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring in general might have been slightly more globally influential – but still, the list is an interesting look at the…
RIP, Tim Hetherington
Diary (2010) from Tim Hetherington on Vimeo. Tim Hetherington, conflict photographer and Academy Award nominee for last year’s Restrepo, was killed while on assignment in Libya yesterday, along with Chris Hondros, a photographer with Getty Images. The New York Times photo blog, Lens, has an amazing retrospective of some of Hetherington’s work: To call Tim…
T Q&A
William Vélez, director of the UA Undergraduate Math Majors Advising Center, grew up in South Tucson, where his mother served as vice mayor of the small city. While growing up, he discovered math, and eventually earned a master’s degree and a doctorate. Now, he helps minority students see the value of studying math. The center…
The Skinny
Brewer uses her veto stamp … Voters will decide the fate of Clean Elections … Bus fares are on the rise … and more!
Mystifying Mystery
Now bounding across the stage at Arizona Theatre Company is The Mystery of Irma Vep—the two-man, quick-change, slapstick, camp horror romp by playwright Charles Ludlam. The 1984 play parodies classic horror films and Victorian penny dreadfuls, with werewolves, mummies and vampires all making appearances. For me, the production had only one mystery: How can a…
Joys of Simplicity
Friends, family and co-workers are always asking me for recommendations on where they should take out-of-town guests to dine. Most recently, a co-worker asked about a good Italian restaurant—and I was surprised to realize that I had few ideas for him. Well, Caffe Torino, at the corner of La Cañada Drive and Lambert Lane in…
Reconstituted Classics
So, what happens after “happily ever after”? Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods sets into motion a dozen characters who, through fate, effort and a little help from their friends, seem to attain happily-ever-after status. But then he dares to take us beyond the happy ending. The grand master of musical theater, Sondheim, now 81, has…
Noshing Around
Eat-a-Burger; Northside Eats: Rigo’s Restaurant; Garden for 47 Scott; Melt: A Sandwich Shop
Discourse Denied
In this week’s cover story, which you can read here, Jim Nintzel examines the newly passed-and-signed state budget. The budget is awful. It will harm our already shaky education system. It will eliminate child-care options for many lower-income parents. And it may very well put to a halt Arizona’s fledgling economic recovery by killing jobs…
The Zen of Tom Walbank
Tom Walbank, one of Tucson’s most potent and thrilling blues players, first became entranced with the blues when he saw the movie The Blues Brothers, a turn of events that he realizes sounds a little silly. “In these days of saturated media, when you can get Charley Patton albums at the drop of a hat,…
Danehy
A long, long time ago, MTV had a clever ad that it would run to explain and promote its unique programming. (In order for those younger than 30 to understand this, I should explain that MTV used to show music videos, all the time, nonstop. And for those younger than 20, there used to be…
Soundbites
In response to Jan. 8; The Modeens get with it; A label’s first birthday; The end of Sunday afternoon?; Movits! Movits!; Short takes; On the bandwagon
Black or White?
In the movie Black Swan, the prima ballerina played by Natalie Portman has no trouble dancing the part of the sweet Swan Queen, Odette. But she struggles to convey the menacing eroticism of her opposite number, the evil Odile. Jenna Johnson, star of Ballet Tucson, has no such difficulties. “Jenna is a lovely dancer, with…
Top Ten in Music
Toxic Ranch Records’ top sales for the week ending April 15, 2011
Riparian Revival?
I’ve always considered the Santa Cruz River to be a riparian imposter. A gaping travesty of sand, weeds, trash and sun-crazed lizards, it has water in it, briefly, only after one of our increasingly infrequent Southern Arizona rainstorms. What kind of a river is that? My perceptions of the Santa Cruz were based primarily on…
Nine Questions
Lindsey Muth is a writer, sloppy crafter, experimental chef, amazing wife and super-enthusiastic mom. She blogs at tidbitsparenting.blogspot.com. What was the first concert you ever saw? Huey Lewis. I was maybe 8 years old. There was a fight in the crowd. It was pretty rowdy and awesome. I’m still a fan to this day. My…
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books’ best-sellers for the week ending April 15, 2011
Live
The Interpol faithful turned out in droves for the post-punk band’s concert Sunday night. The lads from New York City displayed their dapper sartorial style and worked the crowd into a frenzy, earning the devoted shouts of, “We love you, Paul,” directed at singer-guitarist and frontman Paul Banks. Along for the ride was School of…
Not Rated for a Reason
Rainn Wilson is a fine presence on TV as Dwight in The Office, but his movie work has been primarily less than stellar. (Please … if you have a copy of The Rocker, throw it at the next rodent you see.) Wilson’s best movie work came in Juno, where he had but a few exchanges…
The Elective Question
The future of the Tucson Unified School District’s ethnic-studies programs could be determined at the next governing board meeting, on Tuesday, April 26. A proposal to offer the classes only as electives may be brought up for a vote. At the same meeting, TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone is expected to present a detailed report on…
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week ending April 17, 2011
Police Dispatch
Unrequited obsession; Baseball fan burglar?
For the Birds
Pleasant as a lazy spring day—and almost as exciting—Rio is the latest fish-out-of-water animated movie to aim for the center of a big, family-friendly bull’s-eye. The fish-out-of-water tale is probably best reflected by Finding Nemo, since that’s quite literally what it was, but displaced animals might be the most common launching pad for animated movies…
Weekly Wide Web
Local and online; The week on The Range; Comment of the week; Best of WWW; and more!
Media Watch
Fooks lands morning KFMA gig; Guarino takes over KVOA weather lead
Messina
On April 15, the U.S. House passed a 2012 budget resolution in a partisan vote. No Democrats supported passage of the bill. One side deemed the plan the “Path to Prosperity,” while the other called it a “Road to Ruin.” Right vs. left. Red vs. blue. One side frustrated with the other. Annabel Park felt…
Fitz and the Tantrums: Pickin’ Up the Pieces (Dangerbird)
With their 1970s throwback rock leaning heavily on R&B, soul and funk, Fitz and the Tantrums sound like the house band in a Quentin Tarantino film. There’s a strong retro feel as the band digs into deep grooves and flashes bright horns. Built around a steady bass and versatile organ-playing, it’s a guitar-free band—with the…
Mailbag
St. Peter and Joe Sweeney Have a Chat; Comments From Readers at TucsonWeekly.com
Government in Action
A Republican push to slash health-care programs as part of the recently adopted 2012 state budget is either “balanced” or “devastating,” depending upon who’s talking. Gov. Jan Brewer proposed the cuts and wrote: “This budget recognizes the need to comprehensively reform our state Medicaid (AHCCCS) program.” On the other hand, University Medical Center spokeswoman Katie…
No. 51
One of the leaders of the movement to turn Pima County into the country’s 51st state will be speaking and taking questions at the Monday, April 25, Saguaro Eastside Democrats meeting. Former Pima County Democratic Party Chairman Paul Eckerstrom is the co-chair of Start Our State, a movement to separate Pima County from the rest…
Guest Commentary
In July 2010, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to eliminate a program established in 1970 to provide affordable health insurance for retirees who were not yet eligible for Medicare. That decision resulted in 670 retirees losing coverage. The decision—recommended by the county administrator and adopted by the three Democrats on the board—was…
Bill Callahan: Apocalypse (Drag City)
Bill Callahan has always embraced simplicity. While his guitar-playing is average, and his voice rarely ventures beyond a low and comfortable baritone, his mastery over lyrics and delivery results in songs that often say little—but mean a lot. Apocalypse, while not a huge leap forward musically, contains songs perfectly crafted and steeped in metaphor. Bleak,…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: You seem like a smart guy, and your input regarding an ethnic phenomenon I’ve observed would be of interest. I live in a tiny, gated neighborhood that I would describe as solidly middle- to upper-middle-class. On each side of me live Vietnamese small-business owners whose kids attend prestigious universities; across the street is…
The Brothers Arellanes
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s border strategy is to push as much of the illicit traffic as possible out of towns and settled areas, and into the backcountry. Out of sight, out of mind. With the smugglers high up in the mountains and in remote canyons, she gains enough political cover to stand up and…
To the Streets
Even though Glenn Brown and the U.S. Navy didn’t agree on much, both concede that he proudly served his country. But a few years after parting ways (“I learned I didn’t like taking orders,” Brown admits), he found himself lost in a sea of booze and drugs. By 2003, he was on the streets. Now…
City Week
Schorr Family Award and Community Forum on Mental Illness; Battling Sexual Violence; Fifth Annual JusticePalooza; Strut Your Stuff
Now Showing at Home
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Blu-ray); The Incredibles (2-Disc Blu-ray+DVD); The King’s Speech (Blu-ray)
Jessica Lea Mayfield: Tell Me (Nonesuch)
It’s tempting to look down the list of song titles from 21-year-old Ohio singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield—”I’ll Be the One You Want Someday,” “Our Hearts Are Wrong,” “Trouble,” “Nervous Lonely Night,” “Run Myself Into the Ground”—and expect “woe is me.” But Tell Me is actually a record about dark impulses, about losing self-control and the…
Obligatory 4/20 Post Featuring Reggae Themed Animated Mice
From the BBC children’s program Rastamouse, the smash hit “Ice Popp”:
Call Gov. Brewer! Ask Her To Veto SB 1322!
Gov. Jan Brewer deserves thanks for vetoing several bills this week, including the loony birther bill and legislation that would have allowed guns on campus. It goes to show that Brewer is taking the public’s opinion into account on some of the stuff that coming out of the Legislature—and so we’re suggesting you call her…
Saturnalia: Wine and Music Tonight
If you enjoy cool music, wine and magic, head to The Hub tonight. Tucson’s monthly wine tasting and groove lounge, Saturnalia, is coming to The Hub in April. On Wednesday April 20 we’re at The Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery, from 8 pm till 12. Again the cost is $5 for the wine tasting, no…
Lady Gaga: Only Willing to Parody Herself, Apparently
[UPDATE: Turns out it’s Lady Gaga’s manager who lacks a sense of humor. Lady Gaga herself has approved the song in the wake of the insta-controversy.] Of course, Weird Al Yankovic was going to parody Lady Gaga, and turning “Born This Way” into “Perform This Way”, an extended joke about her wacky costumes seemed perfect.…
RIP, Gerald Smith of TV On The Radio
Terrible news from the AV Club: According to a notice posted on the band’s official site, TV On The Radio bassist Gerard Smith died this morning, only weeks after it was revealed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 34. Smith had been a part of the band since 2005, beginning with third…
Bright Orange Sheep, Leopard Acting Like a Meerkat and More: Rynski Radio
Update with playlist and download at bottom of the post Photo Ryn Gargulinski White sheep are too easy to steal. Orange sheep deter thieves—or at least that’s the hopes of one farmer who dyed his entire flock of 250 sheep a bright-orange hue. That story and more are up this week on Rynski’s Shattered Reality…
Dinner and a Movie: Hana Tokyo
A new Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi and hibachi dining has opened at 5435 S. Calle Santa Cruz, Suite 185, right next to the Harkins Theater. I haven’t had a chance to make it over to Tucson’s first Hana Tokyo location yet, but the pictures on its Facebook page are making me crave fish and…
