Cover Story
Digging for Dollars
It’s a beautiful morning in downtown Nogales. Border Patrol agent Kevin Hecht is preparing to lead a National Geographic film crew into the blackness of a cross-border drug tunnel, so narrow that he has to remove his gun belt to navigate it. But first, he wants to make sure no traffic passes on the road…
Huge Advance in Pseudo-Mexican Food Technology
Apparently it’s still in the testing stage, but Taco Bell has unveiled a taco in several markets (including Toledo, Ohio) where the shell is essentially one giant Dorito chip. You’re crazy for this one, Taco Bell!
It’s Time to End the Obama Birth Certificate Controversy
Once Bill O’Reilly has called for the end of arguments about President Obama’s birth certificate, I think that effectively wraps that story up, doesn’t it?
Possibly Shady Arizona Legislature Bill of the Day
Maybe this isn’t a big deal, but as a parent, I’m not entirely thrilled that the police can record my children without my consent, as long as it’s part of an investigation of some sort, thanks to SB 1244 which ran through the Legislature without much trouble and was signed by Jan Brewer yesterday. At…
ASPCA $100K Challenge
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has announced that 95 shelters in the U.S. have been selected to compete in the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge. Two of the shelters are in Arizona, and one of those two is right here in Tucson; the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Contenders in the…
Easter Dining at Tucson Originals Restaurants
Tucson Originals, a group that includes some of this city’s finest local and independently operated restaurants, has posted this year’s list of Easter specials. Everything from slipper lobster at Bushi—one of the newest members of Tucson Originals—to buffets, brunches and just regular old grub can be found over here. Reservations are, as you might have…
Forget Royal Wedding Details, What About the Sex Club?
A story in today’s Slate about Prince William’s college and an ancestor who was a member of the BBWCC – Beggar’s Benison and Wig Club College, is so much better than the typical royal wedding coverage about William, Kate, her dress and fra-la-la-la. The BBWCC was an all-boys sex club that historians think no longer…
Council Votes To Hike Bus Fares
The Tucson City Council voted 6-1 last night to hike normal bus fares from $1.25 to $1.50 and approved a more modest increase in economy fares for low-income riders, who make up about about half of the Sun Tran’s users. The economy fare will increase from 40 cents to 50 cents and a monthly pass…
The Sound Strike Would Prefer You Keep Your Opinions to Yourself
I thought I was being generous when I let the Arizona music boycott organization The Sound Strike know that one of the artists on their roster, Steve Earle, was seemingly breaking ranks by coming to Tucson, but whoever is running things over there didn’t seem to think so, blocking me from their page. Turns out,…
Want to See the Tucson Padres for Free Next Week?
The Tucson Padres, opening their season on Friday, have an interesting deal happening on Facebook in an effort to build buzz for AAA baseball’s return to town: If they reach 2,000 “likes” on their Facebook page before Friday (they’re at 1,875 right now), all of their Facebook fans can come to one of the games…
Writer’s Block: Gary Isaacson
Tubac, Ariz. author Gary Isaacson’s e-book, Crude Customs, won two awards in the 2010 eLit Awards. He received a bronze award in both the mystery/suspense/thriller category as well as the humor category. Book Summary: Crude Customs is a funny, sexy thriller based on the uneasy oil-based relationship between the United States and the current Venezuelan…
47 Scott Adds a Chef’s Garden
47 Scott has done amazing things in its first year in business, drawing in crowds with its modern comfort food, adding the adjoined and very hip Scott and Co., expanding its patio areas and, most recently, getting a nice little nod from the Los Angeles Times. And now the restaurant is kicking it up another…
Tot Served Sippy Cup Full of Booze at Applebee’s and More: Rynski Radio on Party934
Update with playlist and download at bottom of post Illustration Ryn Gargulinski An Applebee’s restaurant in Michigan took serving liquor to a minor to an all-new level when a 15-month-old boy was given a sippy cup full of booze. The boy’s parents noticed something was asunder when their son Dominic Dill-Reese took several sips out…
‘Cute Roulette’
When you’re in need of a cute animal video fix of cats massaging dogs or dogs playing with deer, rather than do a random YouTube search you’re guaranteed cuteness at Cute Roulette. Up for some interspecies snack time?
Colbert Continues To Expose Kyl’s Many Deep, Dark Secrets
The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Jon Kyl Tweets Not Intended to Be Factual Statements www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive Colbert squeezes more laughs from Sen. Jon Kyl’s wildly inaccurate attack on Planned Parenthood. Given how little most people know about politicians, this has the…
Tucson Padres Lose in Extra Innings
The Tucson Padres, our new Triple-A baseball team, lost another extra-innings game last night, after the club ran out of relievers and had to bring in designated hitter Bobby Kielty to pitch. The dispatch from the Padres’ Tim Hagerty: The Tucson Padres lost in extra innings for the second straight night Tuesday, falling to the…
Teacher Day at UA
On Saturday, April 30, educational non-profit Tucson Values Teachers will be holding “Teacher Day at UA” across the UA campus. “Teacher Day” takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. The event includes an educational expo, Tucson business expo, performances, music, vendors and food. The UA poetry center will…
Bartlett: Ryan Roadmap “Gives Wealthy a Free Pass”
Bruce Bartlett, who worked in both the Reagan and Bush I administrations, picks apart Congressman Paul Ryan’s Roadmap: One would think that a comprehensive budget proposal designed primarily for the purpose of reducing budget deficits and the national debt would put at least some of the burden on the revenue side of the equation. First,…
Helpful, Wildly Profane Relationship Advice From the Onion
While I enjoy the Fox News parody material that makes up most of the Onion News Network program on IFC, if morning chat shows were more like Today Now!, I might actually tune in, even though the male host frightens me. How To Get A Guy To Notice You While You’re Having Sex With Him
Let’s Learn About Food Trucks!
If you’ve grown weary of my endless prattle regarding the magnificence of food trucks, you can go down to Dinnerware Artspace at 119 E. Toole Ave. at 7 p.m. tonight and hear other people prattle on about the magnificence of food trucks. The short version is this: Other cities are doing big things with food…
What College Football Looks Like in North Korea
From the geniuses that brought you Alex Trebek providing play-by-play, here’s a speculative look at college football on North Korean government television:
The LA Times Recommends Five Non-Sonoran Tucson Restaurants
Nice to see something positive about Arizona in out-of-state media, especially when it’s the LA Times acknowledging that we have some great restaurants here outside of the realm of Mexican food, writing up May’s Counter, the brunch at Ventana Canyon, Vero Amore, Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails and this description of 47 Scott: Also new to…
Expect Empty Seats at Tonight’s TUSD Governing Board Meeting
Jeff Biggers reports today on AlterNet that a TUSD governing board meeting is expected to be unusually quiet and sparse this evening because a group of TUSD students have decided to boycott the meeting. The students interviewed are part of UNIDOS, a coalition that includes students from Tucson high schools, alumni and activists who have…
Mess With Texas: A Budget Disaster
Back in the day before Sen. Al Melvin blacklisted me for asking too many pesky questions about the impacts of his votes, he used to talk about how, if Arizona were just more like Texas, we wouldn’t have budget problems because our economy would be booming and tax revenues would soar. It appears that the…
Saturn Flyby
5.6k Saturn Cassini Photographic Animation from stephen v2 on Vimeo. A gorgeous look at what it would be like to approach Saturn, using actual images from the Cassini spacecraft: What would it look like to approach Saturn in a spaceship? One doesn’t have to just imagine — the Cassini spacecraft did just this in 2004,…
Zimmerman Family Fights To Ban High-Capacity Magazines
Talking Points Memo reports: Efforts to ban high-capacity gun magazines, like the one allegedly used by accused Tuscon shooter Jared Loughner, are gaining some momentum. On Tuesday morning, Kelly O’Brien – the fiancée of congressional staffer Gabe Zimmerman, who was killed in the Tuscon rampage – joined legislators for a press conference to endorse House…
NASA Boss: Having Gabby at Endeavour Launch “Represents the Triumph of Good Over Evil”
From The Hill: Having Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) at the launch of her husband’s space shuttle flight is symbolic of the “triumph of good over evil,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said on Monday. “It will be incredibly special to have Gabby at launch because, to me, it represents the triumph of good over evil,” Bolden…
Just Remember This When GOP Lawmakers Boast About Being Pro-Life, From Conception to Natural Death
The Associated Press reports that another Arizonan died after state lawmakers cut off transplant funding last year: A leukemia patient’s death probably could have been avoided if Arizona hadn’t suspended Medicaid coverage for some transplants for six months, a transplant doctor says. Dr. Jeffrey Schriber said 31-year-old James Johnson of Phoenix likely could have obtained…
Bummer of the Day: DigiTour Cancels on Club Crawl
I was psyched to see the Gregory Brothers as part of the DigiTour collection of YouTube stars as part of Club Crawl Saturday night, but unfortunately due to some unfortunate logistics, they won’t be able to make it. Still, there are plenty of bands to see all night long, so while the night might be…
Stephen Colbert’s Series of Jon Kyl Tweets Possibly Best Thing Ever
If Stephen Colbert didn’t mine quite enough material from Jon Kyl’s loose attachment to truth last night, he’s definitely going for the gusto on his Twitter feed right now. I feel like I’m learning so much about outgoing Senator Kyl that’s it’s hard to continue to have much respect for him, although since Kyl was…
In Case You Feel Like a Funky Purple Roadtrip
Prince is playing a 21 night residency at the Forum in Inglewood, California, which is news on its own, since who knows what the Purple One is going to do with his career at any given point anymore, but making the deal even better: most of the tickets are only $25, including service fees. The…
Colbert: “You Can’t Call Kyl Out For Being Wrong When He Never Intended To Be Right”
The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Pap Smears at Walgreens www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive Colbert finds U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl’s explanation that his wildly false claim about Planned Parenthood “was not intended to be a factual statement” to be “an amazingly liberating defense.” Plus,…
Screwball Play: Padres Lose in 13th Inning After Ump Declares That Catcher Stopped Ball With His Mask
Tim Hagerty of the Tucson Padres sends us a dispatch about the bizarre play in the bottom of the 13th inning that cost our new Triple-A ballclub Monday’s game in Salt Lake: The Tucson Padres lost Monday’s game 7-6 on a detached equipment call. With runners at first and third in the bottom of the…
Tonight’s Arizona International Film Festival Schedule
Two films tonight at the Screening Room: 7:00pmThe Screening RoomTHE GIFT OF THE MAGI (Japan, 13m)NIGHT OF FISH (Japan, 55m) More at the film festival’s website.
Finally, Christianity Stands Up to Justin Bieber
I’m going to throw this out there: the world has about a million problems worth being concerned about before getting upset about Justin Bieber’s haircut, but Tempe’s own King James only preacher Steven Anderson apparently disagrees. [HT: Christian Nightmares]
The Arizona Legislature’s “Bill We Don’t Really Need of the Week”
From the House’s Third Read calendar for today, as reported by Random Musings: SB1326, barring HOAs from restricting the display of the “Gadsden” flag (the one that says “Don’t tread on me”) that has been commandeered by tea party types. Question for legal types: what about flags that incorporate part of allowed flags, but also…
Giffords’ Road to Recovery
Newsweek’s Peter J. Boyer has an in-depth look at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ recovery. An excerpt: Because of the near-mystical way in which the brain heals itself, it is impossible for doctors to predict precisely what the new normal ultimately will be for a given patient. Even so, Kim, the neurosurgeon, remains optimistic. This is partly…
Oh Phoenix, Your Love for Green Lawns is Adorable
From the New York Times, since there’s apparently nothing else important happening in the state: There used to be two kinds of homeowners in this scorching city, those with dazzling green lawns irrigated by sprinklers and those with more natural backyard expanses of rocks, cactuses and desert flora, which required no watering at all. Many…
Tucson Rallies Around Craig Schumacher’s Fight With Cancer
Craig Schumacher, owner and operator of Wavelab Studios and certainly one of the most important people in Tucson music is having a tough time, physically and economically lately. Thankfully, people have already contributed over $10,000, but it sounds like that might not be enough. From the webpage set up to collect donations: You may or…
Pearce: “SB 1070 Is Constitutionally Sound”
State Sen. Russell Pearce reacts to the news that the Ninth Circuit has upheld federal Judge Susan Bolton’s decision to block enforcement of most of SB 1070, the immigration law passed last year by the Arizona Legislature: No one who follows the judiciary should be surprised by today’s ruling of a federal appeals court to…
This Poster Is My Version of the Cat Hanging In There
When times get a little tough here at the Tucson Weekly office, all I have to do know is look up at this poster above my desk and realize like those pigeons, I was made to fly.
Detroit Applebee’s Needs to Work on Their Carding Policy
I get it, kids in restaurants are generally a pain, probably especially for the waiters, but slipping a toddler a margarita isn’t exactly the best way to handle it. Police are investigating after a toddler was mistakenly given an alcoholic beverage at an Applebee’s. It happened Friday around 4:30p.m. at the restaurant on 14 Mile…
Best of Tucson: Have You Voted Yet?
In case you hadn’t seen the ad on our website’s front page, the mention in the print issue, or maybe just awoke from a long nap, the Best of Tucson ballot is online and waiting for your valuable input. Voting ends on June 1st, but why wait? Your favorite Tucson establishments deserve your support, and…
Tucson Padres Wrap First Series Against Sky Sox
The Tucson Padres ended up splitting their first-ever series, winning two and losing to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The Padres are off to Salt Lake City this week before they make their Tucson debut on Friday, April 15. Details on Friday’s game, which is the start of an eight-game homestand, here. Tim Hagerty of…
Antenori: Majority of Mid-City Tucson Residents Don’t Pay Taxes “Or Receive Some Gov’t Subsidy”
Patrick McNamara of Inside Tucson Business looks in at relations between Republican lawmakers and Republican Councilman Steve Kozachik, who is sticking up for Tucson residents in the face of proposed state laws that would cripple the cities: The councilman said he has asked Pima County GOP chairman Brian Miller to facilitate a meeting between local…
Arizona Week: Focus on Education
Mike Chihak invited me to talk about education on Friday’s Arizona Week. The episode is an instructive look at how the latest budget cuts are going to result in larger class sizes, fewer books and less staff support. I learned something new myself: This new idea of “blended” education that somehow involves spending a few…
The Legislative Session, So Far
Since I was down at the studio for Arizona Week anyway, Christoper Conover was kind enough to invite me to join him for a quick talk about the Legislature on Friday’s Arizona Illustrated. [Arizona Public Media]
Kyl Walks Back Wildly False Claim About Planned Parenthood
ThinkProgress catches U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl telling a whopper about Planned Parenthood on the Senate floor today: This morning, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) took to the Senate floor and insisted that any bill must cut Planned Parenthood’s funding. In the process, he made a blatantly false claim about the type of services the organization provides:…
Speaking of the Legislature
Sen. Al Melvin, set your TiVo! I make a return to KUAT’s Friday line-up for one night only: I talk about the legislative session with Christopher Conover on Arizona Illustrated at 6:30 p.m. and join Mike Chihak on Arizona Week to focus on the impact of the GOP’s education cuts at 8:30 p.m. It’s on…
Snookie & McCain
Now that USA Today will start paying bonuses based on page views, we can expect more stories like these: There was a time when Arizona Sen. John McCain was stuck in the dark ages when it came to computer technology. During his 2008 presidential campaign, the GOP nominee said he didn’t use e-mail. Snooki from…
Nothing to See Here, Just Some Otters Hugging
Friday afternoons are made for adorable animal photos, am I right? [Porlaputa]
Congressman Grijalva: “I Do Not Believe in a Budget Filled With Ideological Cuts to Programs That Have Nothing To Do With the National Deficit”
Congressman Raul Grijalva says he’s ready to compromise to prevent a government shutdown, but House Republicans aren’t: A lot of people are calling my office asking what’s happening with the government shutdown. We’re in this situation because House Republicans have insisted that any budget for the rest of this fiscal year include amendments that block…
A Massive Upgrade to Cupcake Technology
Orange County, California’s Meringue Bake Shop has combined ice cream treat, the Push Pop, and somewhat played out baking trend, cupcakes, into one magical treat called Pushcakes. I’m not exactly sure how this particular innovation is “better” or “useful”, but it’s different and sometimes that’s good enough. [Cakespy]
This Weekend’s Arizona International Film Festival Schedule
Friday, April 8 5:30pmCrossroads FestivalFILMMAKERS OF TOMORROWStudent films from The Art Institute of Tucson,Pima Community College and the University of Arizona 7:00pmThe Screening Room JOURNEY FROM ZANSKAR (USA, 90m) 7:30pmCrossroads Festival GUN HILL ROAD (USA, 100m) 9:00pmThe Screening Room EDGY SHORTSGATO ENCERRADO (Spain, 12m)OPEN 24 HOURS (USA,BROKEN (Australia, 7m)MOUTH BABIES (USA,WORM (United Kingdom, 11m)THE ABSENCE…
Delete Your Lil Wayne MP3s, Young Cons Are Here
While it might be argued that a great deal of rap is conservative in nature (accumulation of wealth is good, the triumph of the individual without the government’s assistance), the Young Cons are here straight outta Hanover to set the rap game straight with their celebration of Ayn Rand and what they’ve heard Reagan was…
Will Glenn Beck Turn on his John Birch Buddies?
A bold prediction from Philadelphia blogger Joel Mathis: My prediction is this: Within two years, Glenn Beck remakes himself as a David Brock/Arianna Huffington lefty ‘disillusioned’ with the right. He’ll be so good at it that liberals will … like him. Beck’s left himself plenty of escape hatches along the way, with the “rodeo clown…
House Speaker’s Budget Claim: Mostly False
Arizona Fact Check looks at House Speaker Kirk Adams’ claim that: “Today we can say—for the first time in a decade—that Arizona’s budget is structurally balanced without relying on any gimmicks, accounting tricks or borrowing.” The verdict: Mostly false, because the budget is riddled with gimmicks and accounting tricks. Bottom line: Adams is inaccurate when…
Sierra Club: “A Bad Budget for Our State Parks and for Arizona Overall”
Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club sends her weekly bulletin recounting the week at the Arizona Legislature: Hello all! As expected, the Governor signed the budget that includes the fund sweeps from parks and ensures more park closures, layoffs of parks personnel, and more. This is a bad budget for our state parks and for…
The Anti-Justice League of Birthers Forming in New York City
Great, Arizona is advising megalomaniacs on how to amp up the crazy now? In other news, I’m deleting Celebrity Apprentice from my DVR queue: Donald Trump is investing more in the conspiracy theories about President Obama’s birth certificate as he explores his own bid for the presidency. In his latest embrace of the birther strategy,…
A Recreation of Our Trivia Performance Last Night
It was almost exactly like this for us, performance-wise, but thanks to the seemingly overwhelmed staff of Bumsted’s and the Geeks Who Drink people for a fun night. Our happy…it tastes just like sad.
Jon Stewart Reacts to Glenn Beck’s Announcement
The Daily Show – Daily Show: 4/7/11 in :60 SecondsTags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook Maybe it’s a little strange, but when Glenn Beck announced he will end his daily television show this week, I was mostly excited to see what Jon Stewart would say. You can watch…
Barefoot Trend Goes Footloose Across the World, Not Best Idea in Tucson
Photo Ryn Gargulinski Bare feet work on the beach, but not in Tucson. Being barefoot is the new hot trend and, quite frankly, it really stinks. Not because being barefoot is a horrible thing. On the contrary: Barefoot is by far the coolest way to be while romping across your carpet, lawn or the dog…
Tucson Padres Win Season Opener with 18 Runs
Everth Cabrera went 4 for 7 in the Tucson Padres first-ever game. The Tucson Padres won their season opener against Colorado Springs on Thursday night, 18-14. Here’s a summary from Tim Hagerty of the Padres: The Tucson Padres’ offense exploded for 18 runs and 21 hits to secure an 18-14 win in the first game…
Continue Fighting for Your Right to Party
Elijiah Wood, Danny McBride and Seth Rogan as the Beastie Boys? Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Jack Black as another set of Beastie Boys from the future? Tons of other famous people? Sure, why not just try to take it all in with this trailer for “Fight For Your Right – Revisited”.
Tonight’s Arizona International Film Festival Schedule
Tonight, the Arizona International Film Festival is at two locations, including a screening of John Wayne’s McClintock, filmed at Old Tucson. 6:00pmThe Screening Room LEAP BEFORE YOU LOOK (Mexico/USA, 22m) Leap Before You Look – Trailer Hi Res from Stephane Goldsand on Vimeo. WAY OF THE MORRIS (United Kingdom, 64m) WAY OF THE MORRIS: Official…
Tonight! Face Off on Nerdish TV Trivia Against Dan and Jimmy!
Clearly, Arrested Development is the greatest TV comedy of all time, so it’s about time that there was a trivia contest to celebrate the three seasons of the landmark show. Tonight at Bumsted’s, you can compete against Tucson Weekly editor Jimmy Boegle and web producer, yours truly, to see if you have the same deep,…
Want VIP Passes to Club Crawl? Get Out Your Phone!
Club Crawl (April 16! Mark your calendar!) is a lot of fun just as a sort of important person who buys regular tickets, but this time, you’ll want to kick it up a notch and be a very important person (the kids call them VIPs) because the benefits are ridiculous. Want a special stage with…
Air Traffic Control: Not a Job With Naptimes
Next time your plane has been circling the airport for longer than seems necessary, it’s possible the air traffic controller on duty has his blankie and cot out and is taking a little snooze: Another air traffic controller was found asleep on the job, but unlike the incident at a Washington, D.C., airport last month…
What the World Doesn’t Need: Really Expensive Hot Dogs
Introducing the world record holder for the most expensive hot dog at $69 a shot. At some point, the food industry will get over throwing truffles on ordinary food to make it wildly more expensive, right? [Daily What]
Marshall Home Is Actually Running for Mayor, Apparently
Marshall Home’s actual mayoral candidacy has been the topic of some discussion here at the Weekly. Is he actually eligible, since he was registered to vote outside the city limits until immediately prior to his candidacy? Is he really a “multi-billionaire”? Is it worth going down to the various courthouses to read the stacks of…
Bill Buckmaster Is on the Move
Bill Buckmaster, who left his longtime anchor gig at KUAT-TV’s Arizona Illustrated to launch a new radio show at the beginning of 2011, is moving to a new station. The details: First, let me thank you for your support of my work over the years and especially over the past four months. I am delighted…
Jonathan Rothschild, You Have Some Explaining to Do
From Josh Brodesky’s column in the Star this morning: We drove (uneventfully and separately) to nearby Barrio Brewing Co. and sat down on the patio. Rothschild skipped the local suds and ordered a Budweiser. “I’m a Budweiser man,” he said to the surprised waitress. While I’m not the biggest fan of Barrio’s beers, if you’re…
Ragbag of Jollification: Adult Swim in Tucson
Josh Morgan Adult Swim swept into Tucson tonight on its Ragbag of Jollification tour. The evening was full of obscure, carnival-themed games, a “hairiest man” in Tucson competition and a bunch of free swag. The evening concluded with super mega heavy guitar riffs from metal band High on Fire. Check out the slideshow of photographs…
Now Open for Dinner: Bobo’s Restaurant
Connoisseurs of the morning meal know that Bobo’s Restaurant at 2938 E. Grant Road serves some of the best breakfasts in town. They’re also some of the bigger breakfasts you’ll come across, and the lunch menu, available daily until 2 p.m., is not exactly in the lightweight category, either. And now the restaurant — which…
Building Big
History may be repeating itself in the historic West University Neighborhood. Almost 25 years ago, a proposed high-density student-housing project, slated to be located just west of the UA campus, caused controversy. A somewhat similar situation is now occurring near Fourth Avenue. Back in 1987, UT Commons, a high-rise complex for more than 1,500 students…
All D.I.Y.
Fans of punk, alternative, pop and alt-country music will have the opportunity to see more than 60 bands within 72 hours, at three venues within a half-mile of each other, at the inaugural Way Out West Fest. The unifying factor among the acts is that they are all independent of the corporate music machine, says…
Soundbites
Celebrate the season optimist-ically; One night, two great shows for two great causes; Hunx vs. The Christian Outsiders; On the bandwagon
Luscious and Sensuous
Mexican artist Ana Thiel lives in San Miguel de Allende, a beautiful colonial town full of well-heeled expatriates, but her mixed-media glass art reflects the gritty reality of Mexican life. Thiel scavenges in trash heaps and in old buildings, rescuing rusted metal, splintery wood, machine parts and pieces of old furniture. She combines these woebegone…
Up in the Air
Presuming the spring weather remains beautiful, Tucson’s jugglers will have only gravity to battle this weekend at the third annual Tucson Juggling Festival. The three-day event will start noon, Friday, April 8, and will continue through Sunday, April 10, concluding with a variety show showcasing some of Tucson’s best jugglers, acrobats, contortionists and hula-hoop troupes.…
Top Ten in Music
Zia Records’ top sales for the week ending April 3, 2011
Glass Everywhere!
Glass-art galore has been in galleries and museums around Tucson for months, but this weekend, the Tucson Glass Festival, ¡Viva el Vidrio!, really fires up. Patrons can visit four separate studios to see artists work, and a bunch of receptions fete artists whose art is already glittering in the galleries. A $10 pass gets you…
City Week
The Invisible Theatre presents: Painting the Town Red; Pete Fine CD-release and recital; Don Giovanni; “Yuri’s Night”
Nine Questions
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Prescott, Matt Faulk is a drummer and songwriter who has lived in Tucson for 20 years. He is a member of the Tucson prog/instrumental group Stareater, which is playing on Tuesday, April 12, at Plush, with Maserati and Kenseth Thibideau. What was the first concert you ever saw? The…
The Return of BOT
The voting for Best of Tucson® 25 is officially underway! If you’re reading this in the dead-tree version, you can check out the rules and regulations, as well as the complete list of categories, on Page 46. If you’re reading this online, hop over to the TucsonWeekly.com homepage, where you can find all of the…
T Q&A
Tucson artist and writer Kaitlin Meadows has worked for 20 years as a hospice nurse, helping patients tie up loose ends before the end of their lives. She discovered through her work that art helps patients—as well as caregivers—to feel and heal better. Almost two months ago, she started Kaitlin’s Creative Cottage, located in the…
Live
For better or worse, Kronos Quartet remains on the cutting edge, introducing a wide range of new music from the realms of classical, jazz and rock—plus various world cultures—to the chamber-music stage. It was for the better when the quartet performed for almost 1,200 people on Sunday night. The concert began with “Aheym (Homeward)” by…
Danehy
Dear Fiesta Bowl people: It has come to my attention that you’re in need of a new CEO for your little football-game thingie. I know what you’re thinking: Being a columnist for an alternative weekly has got to be a full-time job, but I actually have some spare time each week. I’m thinking maybe 40…
Love Hurts
When we take our seats in the theater, and the house lights dim, we want it all: connection, thought, laughter, disquiet, disturbance and a sense of having been moved. It’s a tall order, and we don’t always get everything we hope for. But if you have faith in the possibilities that are promised by a…
Exene Cervenka: The Excitement of Maybe (Bloodshot)
It’s no longer a shock to anyone to hear Exene Cervenka, beatnik-punk royalty and veteran singer for X, performing Americana-tinged music, in-cluding here, on her second album for Bloodshot Records. She’s been flirting with folk and other forms of roots music since the mid-1980s. But those sly, peppery Memphis-style horns punctuating “Already in Love” and…
Messina
With the growing number of farmers’ markets, community gardens and restaurants using local food, it’s easy to see we are getting back to our roots. Increasingly wary about mass production, more consumers are looking to local communities and backyards for quality food. Glance at many backyards here, and you’ll see … dirt. We generally don’t…
Dark Humor
Francisco Goya was a favored court artist in late-18th-century Spain, painting portraits of the royal family and courtiers. But that privileged position didn’t stop him from skewering the foibles of the day in his personal work. (Even some of his oils of the royals were less than flattering.) In 1799, he published Los Caprichos (The…
Elbow: Build a Rocket Boys! (Fiction)
Hailing from the town of Bury, located on Manchester, England’s northwest side, Elbow have just released the follow-up to their 2008 Mercury Prize-winning album, The Seldom Seen Kid. The worthy successor, Build a Rocket Boys!, is largely autobiographical from vocalist and superb poet Guy Garvey’s point of view; the themes this time around address the…
Mailbag
Danehy’s Arguments Against No More Deaths Feature Numerous Red Herrings
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Belong (Slumberland)
Imagine if angst hadn’t blanketed the alternative music of the late 1980s and 1990s—and a bright earnestness had been the core impulse instead. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart exist at the heart of that alternate reality, playing music that’s polite and joyful, all the while employing the wall of distortion that served their…
Guest Commentary
Many bills recently introduced in the Arizona Legislature which try to exempt the state from federal law violate one of the most basic principles of the American Constitution: The federal government and federal law are supreme over the states. The various anti-federal bills being concocted by the Russell Pearce Republicans are breathtaking in their disregard…
Shifts in Story
Coincidence happens … sometimes, right there in the crack between your fiction and your fact. You read about Susan Cummins Miller’s fictional geologist/sleuth Frankie MacFarlane feeling an earth tremor, and referring to the 7.4 magnitude Mexican earthquake that unleashed boulders in Tucson-area mountains in 1887—and then you catch the Arizona Daily Star making the same…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I’m a blanquita, and I’ve recently begun dating a CALIENTE mexicano. I adore this man. The first time we were intimate, I noticed his necklace (which I had always assumed to be a rosary) was a name necklace … a WOMAN’S-name necklace. He says that his mami gave it to him just before…
Men Only
When women go to the Tucson Country Club, they can enter every building at the members-only golf club—except for the one everyone calls the men’s grill. Some say that’s gender-based discrimination. In early March, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne dropped a 2-year-old gender-discrimination complaint against the club. But in a March 14 letter, Loretta and…
Top Ten in Books
Mostly Books’ best-sellers for the week ending April 1, 2011
The Skinny
Jeff Flake breaks a million. … Asta la vista? … Remembering Gabe Zimmerman. … So long, Sweeney … and more!
Fright Time
I dread anything from director James Wan. This is the guy who gave us the original Saw, one of the most overrated horror films of the last two decades, which led to many terrible sequels. Because of something Wan and his writing pal Leigh Whannell thought up, I’ve had to endure one lousy Saw film…
Media Watch
KVOA names news director, continues search for station manager
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week ending April 3, 2011
Game Over
Republican leaders have pushed one message about the state budget they passed last week: The numbers balance. Senate President Russell Pearce boasted that the budget, which reduces state spending by about $1.1 billion, “used no gimmicks, no new rollovers and no borrowing.” “For years, the Legislature has played games with the Arizona budget,” Pearce said…
Role Model
On Halloween 2003, Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark in the water off Kauai. The 13-year-old lost her left arm at the shoulder and 60 percent of her blood in the attack. Less than two years later, Hamilton won a national surfing competition despite missing her arm. This is, without question, a very inspiring…
Police Dispatch
Some enchanted evening; a chip and a parrot on the shoulder
Now Showing at Home
NOW SHOWING AT HOME Black Swan (Blu-ray) 20TH CENTURY FOX MOVIE A- SPECIAL FEATURES B BLU-RAY GEEK FACTOR 7.25 (OUT OF 10) Oscar winner Natalie Portman nails it as Nina, a ballerina in the middle of her career who gets the role of a lifetime—but at great psychological costs. Darren Aronofsky uses Swan Lake as…
Weekly Wide Web
Please Stop the Autoplay Ads; The week on The Range; Comment of the week; Best of WWW; and more!
Island Eats
Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue is one of those restaurants that I was really excited to check out. Why? Well, Mama’s is locally owned, and those local owners are trying something different—there aren’t a whole lot of Hawaiian-barbecue joints in this dusty little burg. Fortunately, the barbecue there didn’t disappoint: The pork, the chicken, the beef and…
Guns Everywhere!
A Republican-supported gun bill making its way through the Arizona Legislature has Democrats up in arms. Senate Bill 1201, otherwise known as the firearms omnibus bill, would make it legal to carry firearms into government and public buildings. The bill passed the Senate by a 21-8 vote last month, before moving on to the House,…
Noshing Around
New: Flankenstein’s A pastor from Los Angeles and a Tucson local are selling some mean barbecue sandwiches out of a bright-green truck parked just west of Grant Road and Alvernon Way. Flankenstein’s is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays, and if you like tender brisket sandwiches, you’ll want to make it your new…
Low on Swimmers? Check Your AGD
sciencedaily.com When it comes to male fertility, it turns out that size does matter. The dimension in question is not penis or testicle size, but a measurement known as anogenital distance, or AGD.Turns out if you’re a guy low on swimmers, you know, saddled with the guilt of a low sperm count, you don’t have…
Tonight’s Arizona International Film Festival Schedule
Wednesday, April 66:00pmThe Screening Room SHORT DOCS A COMIC AUTHOR X-RAY (Spain, 20m) IRMA (USA, 12m) LITTLE MOM (USA, 16m)KING DONG (Canada/United Kingdom, 22m)8:00pmThe Screening Room ARIZONA SHORTS DINER WAITRESS: Portrait of an American Icon (USA, 5m)REPLACEMENT (USA, 12m)MAN TRAP (USA, 12m) AND THE DOGS TRIED TO DANCE TOO (USA, 16m)STORY TIME FABLES (USA, 15m)ESMERALDA…
