Cover Story
2016: What a Bust!
2016 is nearly over and you’ll find plenty of lists of the so-called Top Stories of the Year. We, on the other hand, have spent the year reading the newspapers, browsing the online sites and watching the TV news to collect what can only be described as the Bottom Stories of the Year.
The Weekly List: 21 Things To Do In Tucson In The Next 10 Days
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo. Pick of the Week Embrace: It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since that tragic January morning when Gabby Giffords and 18 others were shot outside a Safeway in Casas Adobes. This year, Tucson’s January 8 Memorial Foundation is asking the community to come…
Grijalva Blasts GOP Plan To Use Fuzzy Math To Justify Federal Land Sales
While most of the focus on the Republican-controlled Congress’ new set of rules focused on the gutting of the Office of Congressional Ethics, there was another provision that could lead to the fleecing of taxpayers: A new way to value federal land if its sold off to states or local governments that would hide how…
Private School Vouchers Are Bad For Arizona. Discuss.
It’s almost a sure thing that the Republican-led AZ legislature will try to add more funding and more students to our two private school voucher systems this year. They try it every year, and they usually succeed. The only questions are, what will their additions look like, and will they make it to Gov. Ducey’s…
Looks Like the Office of Congressional Ethics Is Still in Business—For Now
With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017 ……..may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance!…
Sergio Mendoza Scores on Rolling Stone Year-End Best-Of!
Oye pendejos, homeboy Sergio Mendoza recently received mad props in Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Latin Albums of 2016 making the list not once—first for Orkesta Mendoza’s ¡Vamos A Guarachar! a vibrant album that captures a rich array of Latin styles—but twice, for Mexrrissey’s No Manchester, M.I.S.’s Camilo Lara and Sergio Mendoza’s genre-crossing Mariachi imbued tribute…
Has Arizona Reached Peak Charter?
I’ve been wondering lately, has the growth in the number of students in Arizona’s charter schools slowed significantly? This is just speculation, built on wisps and indications I’ve noticed over the past few years. But it may be that our charter schools have completed their rapid expansion and reached something like an equilibrium in their…
Know Your Product
>There is a dream state, where the ordinary is surpassed, like a road trip back through time, one where Billie Holliday, Janis Joplin, Gene Clark and France Gall all beam through an old car radio, and it serves as guide. That’s a place where Louise Le Hir might exist.
People Who Died: Prince by Curtis McCrary
Getting a text that casually mentioned Prince’s death was like getting a message that said, “oh btw God is dead and everything you’ve ever cared about is ruined TTYL” for the Rialto’s Curtis McCrary.
Up In Smoke
Bill Montgomery is at it again. This time the wayward Maricopa County attorney is going after Arizona’s medical marijuana program in the court of law.
Editor’s Note
Have something to say to President-elect Trump? Write it down and send it to us
People Who Died
We asked Tucsonans who contribute to music on local and international levels to write tributes to those who died in 2016.
Dust Devil
The first look, is the first hook. Listening to the voice, is my favorite choice. Hearing a heart and mind, can make you feel kind, Everyone takes a chance, when you invite them to the dance. So whether you’re in the North or South, Remember when you cast out, Your nets upon the waters, They…
People Who Died: Leonard Cohen by Howe Gelb
Leonard had a voice with the authority to soothe the journey of a treacherous landscape we insist on traversing, says Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb.
Dealing with the Devil
The Satanic Temple’s Michelle Shortt: “It’s a stance of the Satanic Temple that anybody who doesn’t conform—you know, if you’re a feminist, or an intelligent woman, if you celebrate your sexuality, if you’re gay, if you’re just different—somebody somewhere considers you a Satanist.”
People Who Died: Sharon Jones by Brittany Katter
Brittany Katter (of Katterwaul) had the self-pity slapped right out of her by Sharon Jones’ booming, exuberant and commanding voice.
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: How come you call yourself a Mexican? By definition, you’re a Chicano, not a Mexican.
People Who Died: Guy Clark by Gabriel Sullivan
Gabriel Sullivan of XIXA says he can picture Guy digging the words of “Randall Knife” into his graph paper with his trusted music chart pencils.
The Skinny
How you can help make the world a better place, at no cost to you!
People Who Died: Phife Dawg by DJQ
Puro love and peace for the OG Phife. Love, DJQ.
People Who Died: Leon Russell by Billy Sedlmayr
Leon Russell was one of those pioneering cats, says Billy Sedlmayr.
People Who Died: Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin by John Convertino
Calexico’s John Convertino says he feels like he’s living in a bad movie, like this can’t be really happening, but it is.
People Who Died: Paul Kantner by Rich Hopkins
Paul Kantner wasn’t The Jefferson Airplane’s cute one, the band’s best guitarist, and he didn’t write their hit songs. But he was their true leader, the glue and an innovative rhythm guitarist.
People Who Died: David Bowie by Kate Becker
“I bow to you Mr. Bowie, you were our generation’s prophet from outer space that helped us dare to explore life beyond boundaries.” — Kate Becker
People Who Died: David Bowie by Amelia Poe
Rest well, Star Man.
People Who Died: Glenn Frey by Larry Mac
When Glenn Frye and Jackson Browne co-wrote “Take It Easy” in the early ’70s, they probably had no idea that they would put Winslow, Arizona on the map.
Crooked Path
The strain of opening a brewery on top of working regular day jobs has started to take its toll on Ben Vernon, a co-owner of the month-old Crooked Tooth Brewing Company.
People Who Died: Alan Vega by Clif Taylor (AKA Chick Cashman)
Alan Vega had a beat poet’s voice and a Gene Vincent stance—so fucking rock ‘n’ roll!
Multi-Colored Modernism
Gorgeous orange, electric blue and fields of pink dance across large canvases, some of them six or more feet high.
People Who Died: Merle Haggard by Hank Topless
When Hank Topless thinks of Merle Haggard, he’s often transported back to the winter of 1970—riding the bus to school, 25 miles or so, across snowy Gila County to Payson.
Slightly Off Base
Fences is very much a well renowned and well-rewarded play. As a movie, well, it still feels like a play.
People Who Died: Alvaro ‘Acho’ Durazo by Mark Beef
Alvaro “Acho” Durazo was a larger-than-life character who knew how to wring the best from every moment, a musician who could not be defined by his many varied bands.
