Cover Story
Local Heroes 2014
This is our 11th Local Heroes issue, started as a way for us to celebrate what’s good in Tucson and tell everyone to take a break from criticizing us for being, well, so negative all the time. Perhaps in this day and age, dear reader, it’s no longer about us taking a moment to redeem…
Get Your Free Condoms on New Year’s Eve!
Cynde Cerf, director of communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood Arizona, sends along an op-ed reminding those who are going to get busy during the holiday season to remember to use protection. Planned Parenthood will be supplying free condoms on New Year’s Eve for patrons at Hotel Congress, The Shanty and Pastiche. The holidays are…
The Highest Rated Beer in the State is a Tucson Brew
Phoenix, Flagstaff, and even Lake Havasu certainly have their share of great local breweries, but according to BeerAdvocate, our state’s hoppy pride and joy comes from Tucson. Cool Material pulled stats from the well-known beer rating site and the results are in: Arizona’s highest rated beer is the Dragoon IPA. The local brew got an…
After 3 Months in Sanctuary, Father of 5 Won’t Be Deported, Will Join Family for Christmas
A few hours ago, after 90 days living in sanctuary at a Tucson church, Francisco Perez Cordova walked out of there relieved to know his deportation order had been gutted. Francisco is the father of five U.S. citizen children and has no criminal background, making him eligible for President Obama’s deferred action for parents program.…
It’s Your Last Chance to Get a Cup of Scott & Co.’s Rum and Sherry Egg Nog
You might be at the point right now where you’ve had about as much Christmas stuff as you can possibly stand. Well, you’ll want to make room for one more dose of holly jolly when you hear about Scott & Co.’s egg nog cocktail. Blending traditional nog components like milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and a…
Gay, Bisexual Men May Be Able to Start Donating Blood; ACLU Still Isn’t Happy
For the past 31 years, gay and bisexual men have been banned from donating blood. Today, the Food and Drug Administration said they wouldn’t oppose replacing the rule with a new policy that would make it OK for gay and bisexual men to donate IF they haven’t had sex in the past year. Hmmm…What if…
“The Interview” to Screen at The Loft on Christmas Day
It turns out James Franco and Seth Rogen’s controversial film “The Interview” will be coming out after all, despite threats from a hacker group claiming “9/11-style attacks” on theatres that screen the film. Joining other art house movie theatres is Tucson’s own Loft Cinema. The movie will premiere on Christmas and continue in a regular…
The Switch Serves Up Free Laughs Before Christmas at Club Congress
It’s time to get your last Switch-sponsored laughs in before 2015 comes. The bi-monthly comedy event, hosted by Jacob Breckenridge and Henry Barajas, is taking over the Club Congress stage tonight. “Honestly, 2014 has been one of the best years in the history of Tucson comedy,” Barajas says. “The Switch is not your traditional show.…
Arizona is Changing the Drugs Used in Executions
After it took convicted murderer Joseph Wood nearly two hours and a lot of doses of lethal injection drugs to die over the summer, those who witnessed the execution were so traumatized—according to their testimonials, the guy kept gasping for air, choking, etc.—the state had to mandate an independent investigation into how people are being…
2014: Voter Turnout “Signaled a New Stage of Disintegration”
Walter Dean Burnham and Thomas Ferguson examine the 2014 turnout and conclude that it was about as bad as it gets in the modern age: The real story is much uglier: 2014 was fundamentally a democratic debacle. It likely heralds a new stage in the disintegration of the American political order. Though Republicans jubilate now,…
Try Out Special Dragoon Brews on the T’was the Night Before Christmas Pub Crawl
It’s time to put on your most embarrassingly festive seasonal garb and hit the streets of downtown for a beer lover’s pub crawl sponsored by Dragoon Brewing Co. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, you can join other merry drinkers on a trek around the city for beer. The planned stops and brews…
DREAMers Can Start Getting Licenses Today
Young immigrants under Obama’s DACA program started showing up at DMVs around Arizona today. I went to a couple of them in Tucson – one in the northwest side of town and the other in the southeast – hoping to see big groups of Dreamers waiting for the written or driving test, maybe walking out…
Arpaio Has Until Today to Explain Why His Lawsuit Against Obama Should Get the Green Light
Did it surprise anyone that Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio filed a lawsuit against Obama over the president’s November immigration executive action? I doubt it. Last month, Obama relieved as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants, who are parents to U.S. citizen or legal resident children and have no criminal record, among other requirements, from deportation…
Sneek Peek: Zona Politics: McSally’s Congressional Win, DREAMers Win in Court and the Ultimate Fighting Championships Come to AZ
Zona Politics Eps.10 from Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel on Vimeo. On this week’s “Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel”: Attorney Jeff Rogers and former state lawmaker Jonathan Paton talk about what Martha McSally’s win will mean for Southern Arizona, unpack this week’s Supreme Court rulings blocking the a state law limiting medication abortion and granting…
TEP Wants to Install More Solar Panels With This New Program
Tucson Electric Power has gotten the green light to install rooftop solar panels at customers’ homes without installation or maintenance costs. In exchange, people would pay a fixed monthly fee for the next 25 years. For instance, if energy prices go up, no worries, if you get panels you’ll still pay the same amount every…
Obama Scolds Sony Pictures for Canceling The Interview Screenings
It’s not a question of whether President Barack Obama was anxiously waiting to watch the new Seth Rogen and James Franco film, The Interview, or not. He’s just disappointed Sony Pictures decided to pull the action/comedy over threats coming from North Korea. They let Kim Jong-un win without putting up a fight. In his end of…
Black Lives Matter Gathering Happening Tomorrow Afternoon
The Tucson Urban League’s IMA Town Hall is asking locals to come participate at a Black Lives Matter stand tomorrow afternoon while the Downtown Parade of Lights is happening. They hope to show solidarity for the police killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. and Eric Garner in Staten Island, N.Y. Do I still need…
Market on the Move Returns to Tucson with 60 Pounds of Produce for $10
The 3000 Club is bringing back Market on the Move now that temperatures have reached produce-friendly levels. On Saturday, Dec. 20 you can head to MOM headquarters and grab up to 60 pounds of produce for just a $10 (cash only) donation. This week’s event, which is rain or shine, will feature fresh Roma tomatoes,…
Jeff Flake: Obama “Was Right To Begin the Process of Normalizing Relations with Cuba”
Many congressional Republicans were quick to condemn the Obama administration’s move to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba and push to end the half-century of economic sanctions imposed on the tiny communist island. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, for example, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that Obama’s announcement “giving the Castro regime diplomatic legitimacy and access…
Check Out Saint Maybe at Che’s on Saturday, But Also Check Out the Event’s Poster First
While many local music lovers will likely be at The Great Cover-Up this Saturday, it’s certainly not the only option for live music that night. In fact, Courtney Robbins is playing a solo set at The Flycatcher too or you can head over to Che’s Lounge for a free set courtesy of Saint Maybe. The…
The Introduction Of Police Officers Into TUSD Schools Needs To Be Thoughtful and Careful
At the same time high profile killings of unarmed black men by police officers are making national news and bringing thousands of people into the streets to protest, TUSD is introducing police officers into some of its schools. When you combine people’s justifiable concerns that too many police are arrest- and trigger-happy with the introduction…
Ron Barber: “It Has Been An Absolute Joy and Incredible Honor To Serve This Community”
Jim Nintzel Ron Barber’s priority: Catching up on family time with his wife, Nancy. Sitting in his home a few hours after a Maricopa County judge declared the results of a recount that determined he wouldn’t be returning to Congress next year, Ron Barber reflected on his two-plus years representing Southern Arizona. “I want to…
Media Watch
Peterson’s successful reign to conclude as GM at KXCI In its more than 30 years of operation, community radio station KXCI 91.3 FM endured its shared of almost legendary internal spats. The concept of having a community funded, community driven radio station had the unexpected impact of leading to numerous community voices with very different…
A Quiet Listen
When the needle comes to the end of the record and the turntable falls silent, what remains is the room, with its own sounds and ambience. On his latest album, Naïm Amor set out to capture that feeling of focused listening, the feeling of being absolutely present and connected with music, sounds and your surroundings.…
Ask a Mexican
SPECIAL NAVIDAD GIFT GUIDE EDITION! Gentle cabrones: Behold my annual Mexican Christmas guide, where I recommend the best Mexi-themed libros for you to give to your loved ones this Navidad instead of yet another tamale to unwrap. Buy them at your local bookstore, or order online, but do buy! Lowriting: “Shots, Rides & Stories from…
Rhythm & Views
This engagingly weird album from Dimitri Manos might seem at first to be mostly sonic exploration, a lo-fi collage of sounds to keep his hands from sitting idle. But alongside the oddball detours and experimental loops, this home recording also brings incredible songcraft. The American Monoxide project proves (yet again) that with time on his…
Danehy
IT’S A WEEK until Christmas and you’re scrambling to find a gift for that special friend/loved one/relative/parole officer. Now that it’s below 80 degrees, I’m in the holiday spirit, so I’m offering this gift guide for the last-minute shopper. For your consideration: • The Jameis Winston Action Figure: Flip the switch and it will break…
Nine Questions
Tony Ford The old Mountain Oyster Club hasn’t been the same since Tony Ford and his wife, Vanessa Ford, opened Maker House last year. The collaborative workspace for artists joined other downtown DIYer spaces, such as CoLab and Xerocraft Hackerspace. There are classes at the old 283 N. Stone Ave. mansion, as well as food…
Nine on the Line
Ramiro Scavo Ramiro Scavo, chef/owener of Pasco Kitchen & Lounge, 820 E. University Blvd., began working in restaurants in 1994 as a 14-year-old busboy, and has worked in them ever since. Scavo was living in Phoenix with his wife (then girlfriend) and visiting her family in Tucson on a monthly basis. He fell in love…
All about the cannabinoids
Much has been made recently about a specific variety of cannabis known as Charlottes Web. There was a young epileptic girl in Colorado named Charlotte Figi who benefited from oil high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produced from the minimally psychoactive cannabis strain. There are other cannabinoids that have health benefits as…
Yes, We Still Love You Courtney Robbins
This City Week writer got accused recently of writing only things she likes and isn’t thinking about the greater good of normal Tucsonans. You’re right, but I actually think of this as giving you some advice and expanding your boundaries. If you haven’t seen Tucson musician Courtney Robbins perform then you evidently have some narrow…
Keep Truckin’
In a town that boasts nearly 900 food trucks and carts, standing out is essential for a new food truck. While some go for fusion finger foods and bright, in-your-face marketing strategies, Truck 54 is pursuing another path. Carrying on the mission of Café 54, Truck 54 is staffed, in part, by individuals with various…
Dave Fitzsimmons’ “An Arroyo Café Christmas”
Yes, he works for the other paper, but really doesn’t Dave Fitzsimmons belong to everyone in Tucson? You don’t have to answer that question. He does. It’s the holidays, and our city’s political drawing jester returns with a crew of other jesterly folk on Saturday, Dec.20, 2 p.m. at the Rialto Theater. The performance of…
Krampus Rumpus
The newest gallery on the scene, Microgallery Mandibula, 35 E. Toole Ave., is bringing Krampus to the Sonoran Desert with its first KRAMPUS RUMPUS: Art-Ornament Sale and Fest on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. Guest curated by Tucson artist Mykl Wells, artists have joined forces with Philadelphia art collectives Krampuslauft Philadelphia and…
It’s Christmas in Tucson, so of Course There’s a Santa Crawl
Who wouldn’t like to dress up like Santa and take over Main Gate in the UA area all in a the name of charity? Yes, you’d be nuts not to go Friday, Dec. 19 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. to benefit Ben’s Bells. There are only three rules for the event: 1. You MUST…
Noshing Around
CHRISTMAS EVE DINING OPTIONS Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, is almost as huge as Christmas in a lot of cultures. This is never more true than with Catholic Italian-Americans. We love a good feast for any reason, but Christmas Eve brings “The Feast of The Seven Fishes.” In today’s day and age we are all…
Merry-Achi Christmas
Mariachi Sol de México de Jóse Hernàndez performs Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. “To believe in mariachi means having a passion for life itself,” says Jóse Hernàndez, musician, composer and educator. The expression of México’s authentic musical heritage lives on through the voice of Sol de…
The Del Bac is Back
Due to a distribution SNAFU, Whiskey Del Bac accidentally found its way onto a few liquor store shelves and sold out almost immediately, as it was previously only available to try in restaurants and bars due to its limited production. Since then, the whiskey has become kind of elusive, but Stephen Paul and his crew…
Return to the Sun
Each year, in the darkest days of December, ZUZI! Dance Company stages a Solstice concert. Solstice, this Sunday, is the first day of winter, the shortest day and longest night of the year. But Solstice also signals that the days will soon begin to grow longer. The concert celebrates that shift, with the troupe’s modern…
Editor’s Note
For the past 11 years we’ve done the Local Heroes during the holiday season and it’s always been one of my favorite issues. We’ve joked that it was a way to redeem ourselves and the perception that journalism is all about the negative. Well, we do follow the drama, no doubt, and we receive our…
When Ordinary is Extraordinary
French-Canadian artist Yechel Gagnon makes landscapes that have all the delicacy of Asian art. Mountains reach for the sky in “Captant nuages et vents” (Capturing Clouds and Winds). The work is so spare it’s almost abstract: simple brown lines trace out the ridgeline and amber shadows suggest the mountain’s heft. You could be forgiven for…
Fare Market Values
The cost of the city of Tucson’s transit system have continued to climb in recent years. In the 2011 fiscal year, the city paid about $34.7 million out of its general fund to subsidize the transit system. In the current fiscal year, that number is closer to $42.7 million—an increase of about $8 million. There…
Walk on the Wild Side
In what proves to be her best role since scoring an Oscar for “Walk the Line,” Reese Witherspoon astonishes in “Wild,” director Jean-Marc Vallee’s follow up to last year’s “Dallas Buyer’s Club.” Witherspoon plays author Cheryl Strayed, who took it upon herself to do a solo trek on the Pacific Crest Trail after some tragedies…
Police dispatch
These Boots Are Made for Dodging Traffic Foothills Area Oct. 25, 7:11 p.m. A woman was found on the roadside screaming nonsensically, propelling herself into traffic and “talking about god” as if she were on some sort of crazy drug—but the only substance found on her person was marijuana, according to Pima County Sheriff’s Department…
Cinema Showdown
SEE IT BEFORE IT’S GONE, GIRL If you have yet to get on that “Gone Girl” train, never fear. The David Fincher flick will be showing at the Screening Room beginning Friday, Dec. 19. Did Ben Affleck kill his wife? Is he just a liar? Is the media wrongfully ripping his life to pieces and…
The Skinny
U.S. Torture Chambers Sen. John McCain condemns the U.S. interrogation methods in the wake of 9/11 Many Republicans criticized last week’s release of an in-depth investigation into the CIA’s treatment of detainees in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. The report contained a lot of grim details that…
One for the Fans
The last Hobbit film means an end to Jackson’s Tolkeinalia and it’s just that—over
This Week in Craft Beer
What’s In Your Growler? Most serious beer lovers will agree that beer is the same whether it comes from a bottle, can or keg, but it’s hard to deny that there’s something special about fresh-from-the-tap beer. Served properly through clean lines, kegged beer is often a brewer’s best chance for showcasing a beer’s personality through…
Soundbites
OUT OF MY MIND Last week a friend and I were having a conversation about our respective specific tastes in different music. After a few hours of chatting about this—because what else is a music critic gonna be doing on a day off?—it all of a sudden came to me: Much of pop music of…
