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40 Essential Arizona Books
This list is not meant to be the definitive list of essential Arizona reading; it’s merely a stroll through the vast literary landscape of books about Arizona.
Laughing Stock: Faith and the Funny
Modern Woman Tells All We are trying not to refer to Carol Leifer as a Michaelangela of comedy, but there it is. She started her standup career in college in the 1970s, when that was not at all the done thing. Most recently, she’s been a writer for our favorite TV shows: Seinfeld, Curb Your…
“Rock the Bald” Head-Shaving Event to Defeat Pediatric Cancer
St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private pediatric cancer research funder, is hosting a family-fun head-shaving event this Friday, March 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mountain View High School. Head-shaving events have been one of the many ways the foundation raises funds and awareness for childhood cancer treatment since 1999. Recent data tells us that,…
McSally Reveals She Was Sexually Assaulted While Serving in the Military
U.S. Sen. Martha McSally revealed today that she was a victim of sexual assault while in the military. A transcript of McSally’s comments at the Senate Armed Services Committee: Thank you Chairman Tillis. I too want to thank Senator Gillibrand for her advocacy for women in uniform and her passion for stopping the crime of…
Instructional Spending Made Simple
It’s coming up on state budget time, and the big national money-in-education story is, Arizona is one of twelve states spending less per student now than they did before the 2008 recession— and we know Arizona was hardly generous with its schools before that. But that story makes it sound like the legislature needs to put…
Claytoon of the Day: All Day Suckers
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Five Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Wednesday, March 6
Infusion Release at 1912 Brewing. Infusions are back, baby. 1912 Brewing Co. is designating every Wednesday as their special infusion day. You get to try yourself a sweet, sour or hoppy infusion. 1912 says they love doing new, wacky infusions, so you really never know what you’re going to get, but it’ll be delicious local…
XOXO: Where to Rock Wednesday, March 6
Day One: Tucson Hip Hop Festival 2019 features a zine workshop and open mic with Ojala Systems at La Pilita. Details here. If music is food for the soul, then this band is a Thanksgiving feast. Pioneering the sound best summed up as “maximum rock ‘n’ soul,” The Bellrays administer a mighty dose of Black…
The Groove 106.3 FM Takes To The Air
In case you haven’t adjusted your radio presets in a while, Tucson has a “new” Old School & R&B radio station. Late in February, Bustos Media, the new owners of KTGV 106.3 FM The Groove announced the re-launch of the radio station. This new addition brings the number of Bustos Media owned and operated stations…
GIVEAWAY: Magic Mike XXL Tribute Show
This is your chance to see and dance with some of the classiest male entertainers from Las Vegas, New York, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and more! These chiseled, hard-bodied entertainers have been seen in movies, on VH1, E-Entertainment, MTV, Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Abercrombie & Fitch Ads, Reality TV Shows and HBO, and they are coming…
“Woofstock” Dog Festival at Reid Park this Weekend
For dog-lovers, dog-likers and all things dog-related, the first annual Woofstock dog festival and “adopt-a-thon” takes place at the Reid Park Bandshell amphitheater this Sunday, March 10. The event features low-cost vaccinations and microchipping, adoptions, food trucks, costume contests (both for dogs and humans) and a whole lineup of doggy demonstrations and performances throughout the day. Hosted…
Claytoon of the Day: A Toon For The Deranged
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Eight Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Tuesday, March 5
How to Grow a Healthy Vegetable Garden. Yes, going out to eat is always a good time. But so is growing your own food right out of the ground! Vegetable growing in Tucson can be different (and difficult), but Southwest Victory Gardens at the Flowing Wells Library is here to help you out. This class…
XOXO: Where to Rock Tuesday, March 5
The big-hearted songs on this Philadelphia singer-songwriter’s seventh full-length release, Bottle It In, is a vessel teeming with sentiment. “It’s like that moment on the airplane,” Kurt Vile says, “when you’re on your way somewhere and you have that burst of panic. When you’re terrified of dying. That’s when you want people to know you…
GIVEAWAY: Who Wants to Watch College Baseball? Arizona vs. Charleston
The University of Arizona baseball team hosts a three-game home series this weekend against College of Charleston, and you can watch the action for free! CoC, who enter the weekend set with a 9-3 record, have won series against a ranked University of Connecticut squad, while also beating former national champion Coastal Carolina, 8-5. First…
“Tucson Cine Mexico” Film Fest Announces 2019 Lineup
Tucson Cine Mexico, a partnership between the UA’s Hanson Film/TV Institute and Cinema Tropical, has exhibited emerging and independent Mexican cinema to Tucsonans since 2004. Since forming, Tucson Cine Mexico has attracted more than 20,000 festival-goers and hosted more than 40 filmmakers. Its 16th anniversary lineup was just released. The festival lasts from March 27…
Adoptable Pet: Odin Needs a Home
“Hi I’m Odin! I am a one eyed cat up for adoption at HSSA’s PAWSH store at Park Place mall. I love to be pet and I am very friendly. I hope to meet you soon!” -Odin, three-year-old female Visit Odin at PAWSH at Park Place Mall or call an adoption counselor to learn more…
Claytoon of the Day: Black Prop
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Three Great Things to Do In Tucson Today: Monday, March 4
Hell Night. Watch Linda Blair and her college pals spend the night in a haunted house finding themselves, losing sleep and their heads! Get spooked with this this classic Hollywood slash horror film. The Loft Cinema. 3233 E Speedway Blvd. 8 p.m. Admission is $4. Details here. Mahjong Monday. Learn how to play a simplified…
XOXO: Where to Rock Monday March 4
An eclectic potpourri is in store at Club Congress when Brooklyn art punkers Gustaf, the New York-via-Madrid seductive and sinister R&B of Pecas, the soul and R&B drenched indie pop of June West and the velvety snarl of indie rockers Weekend Lovers well over the stage. Details here.
After Snowfall, Wildflowers Bloom: Round Two!
Headlines of early wildflower blooms across Arizona inspired professional photographers and the average Tucsonan alike to head outside and enjoy nature’s paint canvas. Parks Catalina and Picacho Peak showed off colors of violet and gold with swaths of poppies and lupines. The equally magical Friday snow, however, caused the flowers to close their petals for…
And the Winners For Civic Engagement Are . . . Schools That Submitted Applications
I suppose it’s possible that Mesa Public Schools have the finest civic engagement programs in the state, and that’s why its schools make up 17 of the 31 schools recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for their “Dedication to High Quality Civic Engagement.” Maybe Mesa schools are that good. Or maybe their schools’ most…
Claytoon of the Day: Summit Fail
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UA Astronomers Join $242 Million NASA Mission
Astronomers at NASA have embarked on a new space mission to study the evolution of our universe and the commonality of ingredients for life on other planets. Two astronomers from the University of Arizona will participate in the mission. The mission, called the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer,…
Feeling Fortunate? The Wheelmobile Rolls into Town this Weekend
Have you always wanted to be on the Wheel of Fortune? This weekend you might just have the chance! The Wheel of Fortune Wheelmobile rolls on into Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater on Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, from noon to 4 p.m. Tucsonans will have the chance to fill out an application,…
Claytoon of the Day: Whose Liar Is It Anyway?
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Stayin’ Alive: Rialto Theatre Hosts Disco Inferno Ahead of Upcoming Makeover
In keeping with its tradition of decade-themed annual galas, the Rialto Theatre will transform into a disco inferno for its seventh annual fundraising gala
Bottle Rocket: Kurt Vile
Kurt Vile says the desert has a mystical vibe.
Know Your Product: The Bellrays
The punk and soul in the Bellrays’ music work like a chemical reaction: two independent and proficient pieces on their own which explode on contact, creating something wholly different, powerful and volatile.
Medical Marijuana: Strong Stuff
A bill to settle Arizona’s cannabis concentrate commotion has passed through its first committee hearing.
Editor’s Note: Get Lit
If you ever doubt whether Tucsonans really love books, just take a stroll down the UA Mall this weekend.
Danehy: Tom Remembers What Real National Emergencies Are
On the afternoon of sept. 11, 2001, a friend of mine called me and asked if I could fill in for him. He was scheduled to umpire a middle-school softball game at Marana Middle School.
Fired Up: Trident Pizza Pub
I’m sure you’re scanning this and wondering why would anyone want to open another pizza joint in a city wrought with pizza joints.
Police Dispatch
Jealousy of a laptop’s allure triggered quite the fight for a young cohabiting couple, ultimately causing them to rethink their upcoming nuptials.
Quick Bites
Places to grab a bite to eat this week
Lift off: Mark Kelly Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate in Tucson
Although he’s never held public office before, Mark Kelly touts his experience as an astronaut and his life with former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as proof that he’s worthy to replace Martha McSally in the U.S. Senate.
Guest Commentary: Arizona’s Nonprofits Face a Dire Future
Recent changes in federal tax laws designed to save taxpayers money are costing Arizona nonprofit organizations money
Law Enfarcement
Earlier this month, Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy announced that he and Supervisor Ally Miller have withdrawn their participation in the county’s Community Law Enforcement Partnership Commission.
City Week
All the best events around Tucson this week
Unbroken Angel: Luis Alberto Urrea
Luis Alberto Urrea moved to Tucson in 1994 at the summoning of Chuck Bowden, the revered border journalist who haunted the meridian between cartel and datura bloom.
XOXO
Where to rock in Tucson this week
Painting Arizona
Pioneer Arizona painter Smith made at least 14 paintings of the dramatic landscape that Chief Cochise had fought so hard to keep.
Fire and Fury: How To Train Your Dragon
The tale of Toothless the freaking adorable animated dragon comes to a close (maybe) with How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World, the third chapter in what producers are calling a trilogy.
Reel Indie
All the best spots to see local movies this week
