Cover Stories
Succulent Celebration
Like the potato of Northern Europe or the yam of Western Africa, the agave plant fits a crucial culinary and cultural niche in the Sonoran Desert.
The Unknown Grave of Ed Abbey
I had little to do with the dying and most of that little I did not understand at the time. Anyway, it’s all drifted into legend now.
Laughing Stock: If Richard Pryor Could See Him Now
Things we know about Tim Allen: He’s a guy’s guy and a devoted family man; Disney Studios loves him; he’s a perennial candidate for People’s Choice Awards, and he’s insane enough to love touring his standup show the best. If we had written two best-selling books, were set to voice Buzz Light Year for the…
The Weekly List: 23 Things To Do In Tucson This Week
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo. Music and Shows Beach Boys Tribute. The Beach Boys used to wonder, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older?” But now their loyal fanbase can’t help but sometimes wonder, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they were younger?” Enter Surf’s Up, one of the world’s…
Some Schools Announce Reopening as Lawmakers Debate Proposal on Education Funding
Although a number of local school districts announced they would reopen tomorrow, because lawmakers have yet to vote on a budget that increases education funding, districts reversed their decisions Wednesday afternoon. As many schools across the state continue into their second week of teacher walkouts, leadership with Arizona Education United put out a video on…
‘Educators Support Fund’ Is Helping Out Tucson Area Educators
The local Educators Support Fund is accepting donations to help Tucson area educators who have taken a financial hit during the walkout. “We opened Tuesday at noon,” said Cheryl Cage, one of five people who created the fund. “As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, we’ve already collected over $6,000.” The site allows educators to submit requests…
UA’s ‘Freedom School’ Isn’t Free Of Costs Or Hiring Restrictions
Two articles put UA’s Freedom School back in the news, directly and indirectly. First story: At a time when Ducey’s proposed budget is squeezing blood from every funding turnip it can find, the governor managed to find a million dollars to give to the Koch-backed libertarian outpost at University of Arizona. It includes $100,000 to develop…
Marcia Needs a Home
Hello there! I’m Marcia! I am a 4-year-old girl who is searching for the purr-fect home! I am a friendly girl who enjoys when people talk to me! I love chin scratches and will thank you with purrs. In the past I have done well with other cats and older kids. Come to HSSA Main…
School Closures Continue Into a Second Week of Walkouts
Five children straggled into the cafeteria at Thornydale Elementary to get some breakfast at 7 a.m. on Monday morning. They were greeted by two cafeteria workers and a mom with the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization. Outside, a maintenance worker ran a leaf blower. Other than that, the school was silent. Three days into the teacher walkouts,…
Ahead of Its Time: How PuraEarth is Redefining the Cannabis Experience
Thanks to the legalization of marijuana across various states, perception isn’t the only thing that’s changing. New state of the art technology allows for optimal control, allowing Master Growers to produce cannabis with specific medical benefits and effects. Want to have deep conversations with friends? Run a 5k? Give a presentation to the board? Enjoy…
The Teachers Are Right. Their Strike Makes Sense. I Know Because Ducey Said So.
Three encouraging takeaways for me from Thursday’s walkout. A Sea Of Red: 50,000 to 75,000 teachers and supporters filled the streets of Phoenix and gathered in front of the state Capitol. Thousands of others lined the streets in Tucson and, I imagine, other cities as well. A terrific show of unity. Good #RedforEd Ink: The…
Claytoon of the Day: A Cosby Sweater
Find more Claytoonz here.
In the Flesh: David Byrne at Centennial Hall
Attempting to make sense of a paradoxical world, on Sunday, April 15, David Byrne presented American Utopia, the ex-Talking Head’s first solo album in 14 years, to a sold-out audience at UA Centennial Hall. As the house lights dimmed, a single beam of light shone upon a folding card table. There Byrne sat, clad in…
The Weekly List: 24 Things To Do In Tucson This Week
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo. Theater and Performance Our Town. The Oro Valley Theatre Company is opening up their very first season with a bang—but maybe not exactly the kind of bang you’d expect. Our Town, written by Thornton Wilder, won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1938. It’s performed…
High Rise on the Horizon
A high rise apartment building on Fourth Avenue is closer to sealing the deal after the Tucson City Council unanimously approved the development.
Know Your Product
Since the early 2000s, Golden BooTs have blasted their indie/country vibes into the Tucson heat.
Moldy Malaise
Something’s rotten in the state of Arizona—and it’s the weed. Well, some of it.
To Hounds!
In the springtime a YOUNG man’s fancy might turn to love, as Tennyson wrote, but galleries more often turn to nature.
Brush with Fame
Final Portrait is easily Stanley Tucci’s best directorial effort since 1996, hinting that he might yet have another big one in him.
Reel Indie
What to watch this week in Tucson’s indie outlets.
Cumbia Confab
Situated in the midst of the Agave Heritage Festival, El Tambó is a smaller, independent festival with enough fanfare to rival its subsumer.
Police Dispatch
A north-side homeowner arrived in his driveway to find a dent in his car, along with a strangely presented note.
Police Dispatch
Nobody was arrested after a University of Arizona cop had to deal with both a loud frat-house party and a frat boy.
Danehy
You and I have spent a whole lot of our time these past 18 month just barely coexisting.
XOXO…
All the music love this week.
Editor’s Note
I started reading Chuck Bowden’s Tucson Citizen stories when I was doing my first job in the newspaper biz back in the late ’70s.
Read All About It
The many fans of Antigone Books can put their fears to rest. The store will not be taken over by a chain.
Eve of a Strike
Teachers wearing red, waving Red for Ed signs and smiling at honking cars are out in front of their schools every morning.
Stir It Up
It was the kind of day when I just wanted to hide from the harshness of what living in the Sonoran Desert can entail.
Trigger Warning
The national student-led movement to end gun violence is no longer only about school shootings.
