Cover Story
True Critical Grit
The year 2010 offered too many film experiences bathed in the grayish tint of 3-D glasses, as Hollywood exploited the eager masses who desperately sought to re-live the visual splendors of their beloved Avatar. Many movies were retrofitted for 3-D after being filmed, inflating ticket prices and turning awful movies (Alice in Wonderland, The Last…
Today in Adorable (Yet Imaginary) Things
Pixar’s Up reimagined as a Spencer Tracy vehicle from the 1960’s. [AV Club]
Kings of Leon vs. Glee! Fight!
I’m no fan of Kings of Leon (I once titled a blog post “Why I Hate Kings Of Leon: Part XXVIII” and on other occasion wrote “Have you suffered a head injury and become a Kings Of Leon fan?”, among other nasty things I’ve said about the band online), so I’ve already picked my side…
Guys I’ve Never Heard of Get to Eat With Epic Meal Time
Not everyone gets to eat a deep-fried pastrami and bacon sandwich constructed by the Montreal kings of pork products. These Barely Political guys should be more respectful. Also, I’m in to the whole drinking booze from a jar idea. Totally working that into my daily life.
Take-Aways From Today’s Press Conference in Houston
Honored the family’s request to not provide updates until Giffords was transferred to TIRR. CEO Dan Walterman (sp?): Moved to TIRR today to begin the rehabilitation portion of her recovery. Giffords is resting comfortably in her new room. Assessment was done, care was excellent in Tucson. Dr. Kim: Daily improvements have been seen. Recovery has…
Lindy’s on Fourth Is Opening Another Location (With Update)
Things are certainly looking up for Lindys’ on Fourth. We blogged this morning about the restaurant’s upcoming return to the national television scene, and found out just moments ago that the restaurant is set to open a second location. The new place will be called Lindy’s at Redline Sports Grill. It’s going in at the…
Washington Post: Loughner Researched Possible Legal Punishments
Washington Post: In the weeks and days before the shooting rampage in Tucson, suspect Jared Lee Loughner surfed the Internet on his computer in what investigators believe was an effort to prepare for his alleged assassination attempt, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said. Loughner pulled up several Web sites about lethal injections and…
Drink Some Wine, Enjoy Some Tunes Tonight
If you’re looking for something to do tonight, it’s hard to imagine anything cooler happening this evening than Saturnalia, a new monthly wine tasting and DJ event. A description of the event from its Facebook page: Saturnalia is a new journey through space and wine. Our concept is to present to you a monthly $5…
RIP, Charlie Louvin
Bluegrass legend Charlie Louvin died this morning of pancreatic cancer. Bill Friskics-Warren has followed Louvin’s career revival since what Steve Earle’s guitarist Eric “Roscoe” Ambel dubbed “the roots rock scare” of the ’90s. Friskics-Warren wrote in the New York Times about Charlie’s connection to his late brother, Ira, who died in 1965: Mr. Louvin’s solo…
1450 AM Goes Comedy
When Alan Michaels signed off yet again from his morning duties at oldies format 1450 AM, he sounded like a man working very hard to maintain his composure while attempting to explain to an older demographic how they can listen to the COOL format, now banished to HD 2, piggybacking its signal on the heels…
Tucson Weekly TV: Etherton Gallery’s Latest Show
Owner Terry Etherton discusses his gallery’s latest show “Flesh Bone Spirit” and the timing of opening a show that discusses violence the day of the shootings.
Farley Report: Ready To Save Up For Your Colonoscopy?
We’ve been amiss in not covering the slowly unfolding session at the Arizona Legislature, but we’re hoping to get back on track by next week. In the meantime, here’s the latest dispatch from Rep. Steve Farley, a Democrat who represents midtown Tucson. Our favorite part is a quote from Sen. Sylvia Allen of Snowflake: “We’ve…
Stay Classy, Rep. Paul Broun, MD
While it’s unlikely the feel-good-Democrats-and-Republicans-hanging-out-together vibe of last night’s State of the Union is going to last for long, Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia’s Tenth District kept it real last night. He wasn’t going to be coerced into sitting next to someone like Dennis Kucinich. He’d rather watch the address from his office and livetweet…
Gabby and Gabe: The High School Years
Amita Gupta e-mailed me to share an article written for The Perspective, University High School’s student-operated newspaper, on the high school years of Gabrielle Giffords and the late Gabe Zimmerman. Gabe Zimmerman, as described by Dr. Hosmer, was “very gregarious, very funny, very witty.” Mr. Karlowicz also says that Zimmerman was a “kid with an…
Food Network to Film Show at Lindy’s on Fourth
It looks like Lindy’s on Fourth is going to be thrust into the national spotlight once again. This time it’s the Food Network’s show Meat and Potatoes, and you’re invited to the taping on Monday, Jan. 31: From Lindy’s on Fourth’s Facebook page: ok january 31st from 11am to 4pm the Food Network will be…
Coming Soon: Noble Hops Gastropub
The two brothers who own and operate both local Vero Amore pizza restaurants are opening a new restaurant in Oro Valley called Noble Hops Gastropub. If you’ve never heard of a gastropub, imagine your neighborhood bar, but a bit classier in both the atmosphere and food departments. The concept is massively popular in Europe and…
Tiffany and Debbie Gibson: Science Fiction Fun
1980s Pop queens Tiffany and Debbie Gibson star in the Syfy Channel original movie Mega Python vs. Gatoroid. When an animal activist and a park ranger face off, all hell breaks loose in the wild.
Rep. Giffords Upgraded From “Serious” to “Good”
From the New York Times: Doctors on Tuesday night upgraded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s medical condition from serious to good, and announced they planned to move her from an intensive care unit to a rehabilitation hospital as early as Wednesday morning. The upgrade in her condition was another sign of the “strong progress” Ms. Giffords has…
SOTU Day at GIffords’ Office
Before he was seated next to First Lady Michelle Obama at tonight’s State of the Union speech, Daniel Hernandez was at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office, where a group of 9/11 first responders delivered a signed flag to Congreswoman Gabrielle Giffords. They’d inscribed on the flag: “Congresswoman Giffords: When you return to Congress, it will be…
Cactus Drive-In Theater Update
The latest update from the Cactus Drive-In Theater Project’s Charles Spillar: Good news! We filed the paperwork for our nonprofit corporation last week. It is the Cactus Drive-in Theatre Foundation, Inc. Fundraising will be able to commence soon. The new website should be up within the next two weeks if not sooner. Things are beginning…
Bad Lady! Bad!
The Associated Press is reporting that a South Carolina woman was charged with animal cruelty after hanging a dog and burning its body because it chewed on her Bible: When questioned by police and animal control officers, Miriam Smith told them the female dog named “Diamond” was a “devil dog” and she feared it might…
Rush Limbaugh Not a Fan of Ribbons for Rep. Giffords
Apparently, the ribbons that some attendees of the State of the Union are planning to wear to honor Rep. Giffords and the others wounded or killed in the Tucson shooting will eventually lead to a “sing-a-long” according to Rush Limbaugh. Also, the color choice is seemingly an issue, and as best I can tell, you…
Ladies and Gentlemen, Oscar Nominee Banksy
This quote from Indiewire reinforces that Banksy is one of my favorite living human beings: “This is a big surprise,” he states of the nomination. “I don’t agree with the concept of award ceremonies, but I’m prepared to make an exception for the ones I’m nominated for. The last time there was a naked man…
A Quick Guide to What’s Happening in Egypt
Mother Jones has a rundown of what’s happening in Egypt today including real-time news sources, as thousands of people have taken to the streets to demand freedom. What’s happening? Inspired by the recent protests that led to the fall of the Tunisian government and the ousting of longtime Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali,…
French Guy Beatboxes Through Rap History
While it’s a little strange to hear a French inflected Chuck D impression, this guy is quite good at what he does. [Daily What/Mistehonk]
Pima Dems: Don’t Counter-Protest on Friday
From Jeff Rogers, Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party: The right to free speech and peaceful assembly are sacred and should be cherished. But in this difficult time as our community heals, we would like to encourage a spirit of togetherness. We would like to celebrate that which unites us rather than highlight that…
Chicago Takes Its Sports Possibly Too Seriously
John C. Stone was fired from his job at a Chevrolet dealership in a Chicago suburb for wearing a Packers tie: Stone said he wore the tie at Webb Chevrolet on Monday — one day after the Packers beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game at Soldier Field — because he’s been a…
Sports Illustrated’s Moving Profile of the Green Family
Not sure how I missed this before, but one of my favorite writers, Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski, put together an incredible heartwrenching article in the Jan. 24 issue of that magazine about the Green family: Christina had gone with neighbors to meet Giffords because she thought she might like to get into politics. That’s how…
What You’ve Always Suspected About Taco Bell is Mostly True
I’m thankful Gizmodo didn’t publish this story when I was in college and eating Taco Bell for nearly a meal a day: That’s the reason why an Alabama law firm is presenting a lawsuit for false advertising, claiming that what Taco Bell claims is “beef” in their commercials is just the aforementioned processed clustermass of…
Speeches Are Better With Charts
While the State of the Union address isn’t much more than an extended pep rally at times, it’s still a huge event on the political calendar, setting the tone for what the President wants to accomplish in the year ahead. The Obama White House has really upped the social media/internet presence of the presidency, possibly…
The Oscar Nominees Are Out
Things I personally found noteworthy from today’s Oscar nominations (although it’s ok, it’s only an award show, so why get all worked up about it, right?): 1. Inception, a movie I personally didn’t enjoy all that much, is nominated for Best Picture and Best Cinematography and a bunch of other awards, but Christopher Nolan doesn’t…
Boca Calls Off Lion Taco Offer
The owners of Boca have called off their offer to serve lion tacos because of threats. From Boca’s Facebook page: Due to concern for safety of our families, customers, vendors, and friends we will not be selling African Lion Tacos on Feb. 16th, 2011. We will continue to bring unique and creative menu items, but…
The Twitter Feed of the Day: @MayorEmanuel
Real Rahm Emanuel found out today that he might not be eligible to run for mayor of Chicago. Fake Rahm Emanuel on Twitter isn’t taking the news well:
New Restaurant Opens at Pima Air and Space Museum
A new restaurant where one can dine while watching military aircraft take to the air has opened at the Pima Air and Space Museum. Flight Grill is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. It features an outdoor patio that faces a runway where planes take off from Davis-Monthan Air Force base. On the…
Update: Tucson Tragedy Victims Fund Raises $15k; a Rundown of Donations
More than two weeks since the Tucson shooting at Safeway, the Tucson Tragedy Victims Fund has received $15,000 in donations. “It’s a good start. We’re expecting more to come in,” said Carole Gaxiola, director of Homicide Survivors, the organization that started the fund. While the Christina Taylor Green Memorial Fund has received more than 900…
Conservative Conference Not Quite Conservative Enough for Some
CNN: Republican South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is opting out of an appearance at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), making him the latest Republican to the criticize what some have seen as a pro-gay tilt to the prominent conference. “With leading conservatives organizations not participating this year, Senator DeMint will not be attending.…
Monday Night in Tucson Music
Music editor Stephen Seigel on the two big concerts in town tonight: First, Solar Culture has two indie rock acts, including one that’s a loud side project of a very quiet band: Solar Culture’s got one heck of a double bill this week in Peter Wolf Crier and Retribution Gospel Choir. The former is a…
The Battle of the Dupnik Rallies
In case you’re wondering, the “Support Sheriff Dupnik Rally” event page on Facebook is currently leading the “Protest against statements by Sheriff Dupnik” page in listed attendees, 24 to 19.
Loughner Pleads Not Guilty
From the Denver Post: The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Tucson pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he tried to kill Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and two of her aides. The plea by Jared Lee Loughner marked his second court appearance since he allegedly shot the congresswoman and 18 others at Giffords’…
New Music From Fort Lowell Records
After a successful first year as a indie record label (and largely the definition of success as far as music companies go is to still exist), Tucson’s Fort Lowell Records is rolling out their first release of 2011, from Los Angeles electro-pop act Death Kit. Although the official release date isn’t until February 22nd, Fort…
Voter Registration Numbers: Independents Overtake Democrats in AZ
The number of independent voters has now surpassed the number of registered Democrats in Arizona. The press release from Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett: While the number of voters registering with a party designated tas “other” has been on the rise in Arizona, this marks the first time in state history that the total…
Congratulations, Dan Savage!
While it’s not really in my nature to be happy when other people are successful, Dan Savage’s column appears in our paper and he also the editorial director of Seattle alt-weekly The Stranger, so he gets an exception to my grumpiness for the news that he might get a show on MTV. From Entertainment Weekly:…
Food Company Manages to Package Despair
The only thing missing: a DVD copy of a romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl. [reddit]
The Awl Says the Mean Thing I Was Sort of Thinking About Jack LaLanne
Alex Balk at the Awl: Here is what his typical day was like. He ate two meals a day and shunned snacks. Breakfast, following his morning workout, usually included several hard-boiled egg whites, a cup of broth, oatmeal with soy milk and seasonal fruit. For dinner he took his wife, Elaine, to restaurants that knew…
Mitt Romney Might Have Taken the Porn at the Marriott Away
The Marriott hotel chain, like most major hotel chains, has relied on in-room pornography as a revenue source for some time. However, the days of scrolling through the pay-per-view options to see what volume of Naughty Cheerleaders they have in your airport Courtyard are limited. From a statement Marriott made to USA Today’s hotel blog:…
Rothschild Files for Mayor’s Race
Attorney Jonathan Rothschild has officially filed to run for mayor of Tucson this year. We mentioned his plans in The Skinny a few weeks back. Here’s the release from Camp Rothschild: After many conversations listening to diverse segments of the community, native Tucsonan Jonathan Rothschild formally announced his candidacy for mayor, pledging to move Tucson…
Republican Jesse Kelly: “Unfinished Business” in Giffords’ Congressional District 8
A week before Congesswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot while doing her first Congress on Your Corner of her third term, we mentioned in The Skinny that we’d heard rumblings that Republican Jesse Kelly was preparing to announce his plans to challenge her to a rematch.Kasie Hunt of Politico catches up with the latest news about…
Post-Tragedy Funds Continue to Bring in Donations
Thousands of dollars in donations keep rolling in to local charities and memorial funds in the aftermath of the Jan. 8 Safeway shootings. Gabriel Zimmerman The Gabriel Zimmerman Scholarship Fund is approaching $20,000 in donations, almost doubling its total going into last weekend, said fund co-creator Jonathan Klein, a San Francisco attorney and, like Zimmerman,…
An E-mail From Giffords’ Parents
Here are portions of an e-mail written last week by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ parents, Gloria and Spencer, about their daughter’s recovery. It was sent to family and friends, and from there has been widely distributed. Our sister paper, The Green Valley News, was given permission by one of the recipients to publish parts of it.…
New State Party Chairs: Cherny for Dems & Morrissey for GOP
For all you political junkies looking for a fix this weekend: Andrei Cherny—who made an impressive debut with a professional albeit unsuccessful run for state treasurer last year—has been elected state chair of the Arizona Democratic Party today. He defeated Rodney Glassman, who gave up his Tucson City Council seat last year for a longshot…
Families of Famous Killers Reach Out to Loughner Family
The New York Times reports that family members of a couple of famous convicted killers are reaching out to the Loughner family and offering their support: TUCSON — Few visitors make their way past the cactus garden and into the dark ranch-style home where Randy and Amy Loughner have spent much time grieving alone. The…
Arizona makes Four of Bizarre and Unusual Destinations from Sun-Sentinel.com Feature
Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times Check out the full slideshow and click the image above. Florida’s Sun-Sentinel has a feature on some of the more bizarre destinations around the world. It results in a collection of 46 beautiful areas around the globe that should be on anyone’s bucket list. Included on their list are…
Keith Olbermann Leaves MSNBC
Lawrence O’Donnell takes Keith’s place and the somewhat insufferable Ed Schultz takes O’Donnell’s slot. According to the NY Times, Olbermann “came to an agreement with NBC’s corporate management late this week to settle his contract and step down.” UPDATE from Howard Kurtz at the Daily Beast: “A knowledgeable official said the move had nothing to…
Remembering Brian Terry
Rick McCallum Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Alan D. Bersin: “Leadership is a personal commitment; it is an attitude that separates excellence from mediocrity. (Brian Terry) embodied it to the fullest. All know the way, few actually walk it. Brian walked it from the beginning.” Hank Stephenson, a Tucson Weekly contributor who is currently working…
One Writer Tracks Down His Haters
Like anyone who has written in any public fashion on the internet, I’ve been the subject of a few hateful online comments in my day, so a CNN article where SI.com writer Jeff Pearlman tracked down a few people who seemed disproportionately angry about something he wrote was amusing to me, to say the least:…
Godspeed, Gabby
Jennifer Polixenni Brankin U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, the husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, waves as he boards the plane that carried Giffords to Houston’s TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital, where she is beginning the next phase of her recovery from a gunshot wound.
Thank You, Houston
Houston residents have planned a candlelight vigil for tonight to welcome Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and wish her well in her rehabilitation. That’s absolutely touching, Houston. Thank you very much.
This is What I Picture All Japanese Advertisements to Be Like
Those kids are really psyched for these Spongebob Happy Meal toys. Related, but poorly recorded:
Congresswoman Giffords Takes the Next Step to Recovery
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALLISON MULLALLY Rebecca Hudson, 19, left, and Amanda Normington, 19, attend the motorcade this morning that moved Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords from University Medical Center to a rehabilitation center in Texas. Community members and media lined the streets this morning as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was moved from University Medical Center to an awaiting flight…
This is Exactly the Look Miles Davis Should Have Given Kenny G.
From Kenny G’s Facebook wall: [HT: Eric Harvey/Ned Raggett]
The Idiot Boksen: Week 3
This week, I read The Hunger Games, an action novel by Suzanne Collins. At some point, The Hunger Games will be made into a movie, and I’m sure the experience of watching it won’t be as good as reading the book, but then I wondered about how Collins’ trilogy would work as a television series.…
Don “Diesel” Nelson: “Gabby’s a Friend of Ours”
Don “Diesel” Nelson, a chaplain and assistant director for the Sky Islands chapter of the VFW Post 9972, said his crew of motorcyclists volunteered to escort Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on her passage to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for a flight to Houston because “Gabby’s a friend of ours. She has ridden with us on a…
America’s Most Literate Cities Study is Kind of Dumb
Every year, Central Connecticut State University releases a study on which American cities are the most literate. The good news: Tucson moved up from last year’s ranking of 45 to 33rd place (right behind Philadelphia), which I guess means some smart people moved here or some dumb people left. My wife started a book club…
Gabby Gets a View of the Santa Catalinas
Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, got a look at the Santa Catalina Mountains from a deck at University Medical Center this week before she was transported to Houston for the next stage of her recovery.
Snapshot: At the Ready for Gabby
Jim Nintzel Motorcycles are parked outside of University Medical Center. A group of VFW motorcycle riders volunteered to escort the ambulance carrying Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base this morning, as she is transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Houston. The congresswoman rode with this group in May 2009, when they escorted the…
Hakuna Matata: Fur is Flying Over Boca’s Lion Tacos
I’ve been trying to ignore this whole melee … but the fur is certainly flying over on Boca’s Facebook page. Owner Brian Mazon said he wanted to put the eatery on the map by selling lion tacos next month, but I’m not quite sure if the publicity stunt is going to hurt or help the…
Beware the Chapayeka: Evil Cow Head Brings Woe to Tucson Home
When bad luck repeatedly slams you in the stomach, don’t helplessly double over and moan. Simply burn an evil cow head. Photo Ryn Gargulinski Chapayeka before its incineration At least that’s the bad-luck remedy that worked for me and my guy after we invited an evil cow head into my home. Actually, the cow head…
Friday Morning: Giffords on the Move
News from the office of Gabrielle Giffords: TUCSON —U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will be moved to TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Houston on Friday, Jan. 21. The congresswoman will leave University Medical Center at approximately 9:15 a.m. She will travel by ambulance to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for the flight to Houston. A group…
Tucson Boy Sells His Toys, Sends $2.85 in Profits to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
The Huffington Post reports on a 9-year-old Tucson boy who sold his toys at school so he could send money to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. “I received an e-mail from his teacher saying she just wanted to give me a heads-up that she caught him in class selling toys, so she took his backpack away later…
Spring Awakening “Share Your Secrets” Contest
In conjunction with Broadway in Tucson’s upcoming show Spring Awakening, the Tucson Weekly is holding a Spring Awakening “Share Your Secrets” contest. Register and anonymously submit your secrets in the form of photographs, letters, drawings, or any mixed media on the contest page. The submission period ends on Feb. 1. The grand prize includes two…
El Guero Canelo to Open Eastside Location
El Güero Canelo, the local joint famous for its Sonoran hot dogs and carne asada, is opening an eastside location. The new location—which will be similar to the other two locations, but with a drive-through —is going in at an old Los Betos at 5802 E. 22nd St., said Corina Miranda, an El Güero Canelo…
Did You Know Someone Left a Bomb at a MLK Parade in Spokane?
Short Form Blog has an interesting recap of a story that for some reason ended up buried beneath media types being disproportionately shocked over Ricky Gervais’ hosting the Golden Globes: Inside this backpack was a bomb. Not just any kind of bomb. An incredibly sophisticated bomb the likes of which law enforcement officials haven’t seen,…
I Didn’t Expect to See a Chuck Norris Themed Hockey Helmet Today
While Sports Illustrated’s website would like you to click through nineteen far less interesting helmets to get to Kari Lehtonen’s Chuck Norris themed goalie helmet, I’ll do you the favor of presenting it directly here. Enjoy. [HT: The Daily Bunch]
Wal-Mart to Go Healthier, Much to Dismay of “People of Wal-Mart” Blog
This might be tough in the long run for the website that’s partially made its trade on openly mocking the weight of Wal-Mart customers, although I guess this move won’t help those patrons’ fashion sense. From Bloomberg: The company said it will reformulate thousands of packaged food items by 2015, reducing the salt content by…
$200 to Watch the Super Bowl Outside the Stadium?
Super Bowl tickets are certainly tough to come by and really expensive, but would you consider sitting outside the stadium where the game is being played and watching it on a giant TV instead? The NFL will sell a $200 ticket to the game, but it comes with a catch. Fans will have to sit…
A Message from Maureen Roll
The following is a message from Maureen Roll, wife of John M. Roll, the chief federal judge in Arizona. Judge Roll was among those killed Jan. 8 when he went to visit his friend, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, at her Congress on Your Corner event at North Oracle and West Ina Road: By MAUREEN ROLL There…
Completely Nuts: Jan Brewer and AZ Lawmakers Look to Further Slash Services for the Mentally Ill
Paul Rubin and Amy Silverman of the Phoenix New Times examine cutbacks in services for the mentally ill in Arizona: And in Phoenix, Governor Jan Brewer ended the week by announcing she wants to cut $35.9 million in mental-health services, according to a coalition that includes the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Action Alliance, and…
Take-Aways From the 1/20 UMC Press Conference
Dr. Rhee: Continuing with therapy, speech therapy, etc. Dr. Lemole: Scrolling through an iPad, standing with help. Long road ahead, however. Dr. Lemole: Did some minor procedures this week. “Housekeeping” so she can graduate from UMC. Mark Kelly speaking now. Kelly: We’ll never understand what happened that Saturday. Kelly: Emotionally, this has been a challenge…
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Stands Up, Looks Out Window
ABC News is reporting that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords stood up with assistance late yesterday and looked out a window, yet another sign that she is slowly regaining motor skills after being shot in the head 12 days ago. Giffords is scheduled to be transferred to a Houston rehabilitation facility late this week.
UMC Press Conference This Morning at 10 AM
UMC: At the briefing, Congresswoman Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, will read from a prepared statement to provide details on her condition and the next steps in her treatment plan. Peter Rhee, MD, MPH, professor of surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and medical director of the University Medical Center Trauma Center, and…
The Heart Series Program
The following announcement and essay was submitted by Richy Feinberg. The Foundation for Cardiovascular Health, a 501(c)3 non profit Community Foundation, will be offering the “Heart Series Program.” It was created by Charles Katzenberg MD, a preventive cardiologist and Edna Silva RN. It is a comprehensive, medically-directed, evidence-based, 12-week program for the prevention and reversal…
‘A Life of Heroism’
In a wheelchair as she recovers from three gunshots to the leg, Mavanell “Mavy” Stoddard took the microphone at her husband’s funeral on Sunday, Jan. 16. Although her hand was trembling at different times, she made it clear she had an important message to share about her slain husband, Dorwan Stoddard, and what happened at…
Soundbites
Son of a legend (and his model girlfriend); From slowcore to serious rock; Short takes; On the bandwagon
Police Dispatch
Gluteus maximized; Unhappy on holladay
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books’ best-sellers for the week ending Jan. 14, 2011
Top Ten in Music
The 17th Street Guitar and World Music Store’s top sales for the week ending Jan. 14, 2011
Weekly Wide Web
Blame Game; The week on The Range; Comment of the week; Best of WWW; and more!
Bottomed Out
A self-indulgent film about a self-indulgent character, Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere introduces us to a movie star in turmoil. While his career gives off the appearance of a man who has it all together, in reality, his personal life has completely bottomed out. Coppola has directed four films; two of them have the same premise. Indeed,…
Nine Questions
Todd Recca
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week ending Jan. 16, 2011
Live
While Taj Mahal, Corey Harris and Alvin Youngblood Hart have mostly evolved out of their Delta-driven early careers, Guy Davis abides uniquely among prominent black musicians in the tradition of acoustic blues. He covers the guitar and harmonica forefathers, but creates original material that lays that pattern over the fabric of contemporary life. On Friday,…
Tucson in Prints
When asked how she got her start in the art world, Mary Lou Williams laughed warmly. “I was 6 years old,” she said, “and my mother won $30 at the roulette table, and used the money to buy me a canvas.” Born in Winslow, Ariz., Williams was an only child, so she did a lot…
Comic-Book Blunder
Before The Green Hornet, Seth Rogen was on one of the best rolls in Hollywood. Other than a couple of cameos in bad movies (Fanboys, You, Me and Dupree), all of his movie choices were, at the worst, decent. This isn’t to say The Green Hornet is altogether bad. It just isn’t very good. This…
City Week
Costa Rica in America; The power of flame; Reel hilarity; Kahlo meets O’Keeffe
Looking Back, Moving Forward
A week ago, the Tucson Weekly editorial staff had a brief meeting to discuss the cover of this week’s issue. The question we pondered: Do we go with another somber (yet hopeful) cover related to the Jan. 8 tragedy, or do we go with the fun, silly movie-issue cover that we planned long ago? Unanimously,…
School of Life
What a thrill it is for accomplished students, seeking to hone their skills, to have a one-on-one interaction with an artist considered the penultimate professional. In Terrence McNally’s wonderful and disturbing Master Class, the opportunity to study with opera singer Maria Callas can render a student vulnerable to humiliation—and doubts about one’s talents and training—all…
Danehy
As the days pass: • Some people agreed with what I wrote last week in the aftermath of the shootings, and some didn’t. I heard from both sides. I try—I really try—to see the other point of view, but if one is discussing human conduct and is forced to use absolutes to try to bolster…
Medieval Made Modern
The Lion in Winter, now playing in a winning production by the Winding Road Theater Ensemble, has all of the trappings of a rich Shakespearean drama. The pitch-perfect setting—in the wood-beamed sanctuary of Christ Presbyterian Church, with a large, medieval map of Europe as a backdrop—imparts an air of historic reverence. The gorgeous 12th-century costumes…
Now Showing at Home
Piranha (Blu-ray); Louis C.K.: Hilarious; The Social Network: Two-Disc Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray); Jack Goes Boating (Blu-ray)
Stop the Violence
It’s too soon, almost, to look at the bone gun at Etherton Gallery. “Stop the Violence—Gun” by Francois Robert is a larger-than-life photograph of a handgun, stark white against black. It’s a generic pistol, shot in silhouette, but it looks like the Glock that’s been endlessly in the news, the Glock that sprayed 31 shots…
Serraglio
Let’s get one thing out of the way: If you blame the Jan. 8 mass shooting in Tucson on the Tea Party, the Republican Party, talk radio, Fox News, Glock 9-millimeter pistols, extended magazines, the Second Amendment, inadequate gun control, insufficient mental-health-care funding, bad parenting, marijuana, irresponsible friends, detached teachers, lenient law enforcement, a scarcity…
Nature of Family
It’s hard to believe it has been more than five years since I reviewed Tucson-based poet Simmons Buntin’s wonderful debut collection, Riverfall. A lot happened in the intervening years in Buntin’s life. He embraced family life in a way few poets can manage—much less write about movingly—and his latest book, Bloom, published by Ireland’s Salmon…
Guest Commentary
Tucson these days seems on fire. Each day, I find myself unable to tell if I’m watching local news or national news. I switch on the box and see the faces of the community I know and sort of love emblazoned on the screen … the guy who sang the national anthem at the nationally…
Young Prisms: Friends for Now (Kanine)
The young San Francisco band Young Prisms sculpts clouds of guitar feedback, pummeling rhythms and nearly unintelligible vocals into a landscape of noise—alternately dark and heavy or light and bright—that sounds as if you’re eavesdropping on someone’s dreams. Just released, the quintet’s first full-length album follows a 2009 EP and several split singles. Living and…
Grieving and Healing
Barbara Sherman was among the hundreds of people who spent part of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday visiting the growing shrine that now covers the lawn in front of University Medical Center. Sherman said the sprawling assortment of flowers, candles, photographs, flags and handwritten notes carries a message of hope that “helps you understand…
Animus Divine: Sorrow (Pitball)
You can tell Tucson-based indie label PitBall is deadly serious about going for it in the national metal scene by signing excellent local talent like Animus Divine. Combining a classic death-metal attack with a Rage Against the Machine (clean) vocal influence, and then mixing it with a Southwestern white-trash hip-hop Juggalo aesthetic, this group totally…
Plate-Filling Goodness
I have been fortunate enough to eat at some of the finest restaurants around the world. I’ve eaten chicken livers at a Georgian restaurant in Tel Aviv. Foie gras in Barcelona. Gyro in Athens. Peking duck in, well, Peking (aka Beijing). Sonoran hot dogs in Tucson. I say all of that to establish my foodie…
Railroad Earth: Railroad Earth (One Haven)
Railroad Earth’s affinity for creative, high-energy acoustic improvisation is the group’s claim to fame. But on this album, they present nine different tunes as individually stylized song portraits, with none sounding anything like the others. This album also marks the beginning of RR’s experimentation with electric guitars in the studio. There are times when Andy…
Noshing Around
Open: Medusa Kabob House; High-end vegetables; Citrus season; VeganSource.net
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I’m not Mexican (nor am I from a Spanish-speaking country), but I get mad when the gabachos in my town say that all Mexican girls do is take drugs, get pregnant, drop out of school and end up on welfare. I know a lot of Mexican women who haven’t done any of these…
The Skinny
Mark Kelly talks about the days since Gabby Giffords was shot—and her fears that “someone will shoot me” … President Barack Obama gives the most stirring speech of his presidency here in Tucson … Idiot national pundits find us Tucsonans to be ill-mannered—and we just don’t care.
Media Watch
C-Span airs post-tragedy ‘John C. Scott show’; Radio wrestles with coverage of shootings; NPR’s erroneous death report not locals’ fault
Living It
Marianne Dissard met Howe Gelb when she was 19. She was headed to Los Angeles to find a film career, and her car was packed. Friends gathered to say goodbye at a club not far from Dissard’s family home in the Phoenix area. Gelb was there, heading out on what would be a two-month tour…
Dick Cheney Says Arizona Shooting Might Be Cause for Tighter Gun Regulations
I never saw this coming: Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a staunch gun advocate, says tighter weapons regulations might be “appropriate” to prevent another tragedy like the Arizona mass shootings that left six people dead and a congresswoman seriously wounded. Cheney, an avid hunter, said he is “willing to listen to ideas” on how to…
Ernie Menehune’s Recordings to Go Digital
Frank Luna, of Luna Recorded Archives, is now the owner of Ernie Menehune’s master recordings. Menehune, a Tucson Music Hall of Fame member, is best known for performing Polynesian music. (See “Polynesian Legend” here.) Luna says he was 8 years old when he first heard Menehune’s music. After Menehune moved to Tucson in 1974, Luna…
Drinking: Guilt-Free Edition
Drink up, lightweight. Like drinking? Hate gaining weight? RA Sushi up at La Encantada (2905 E. Skyline Drive) has several cocktails that can help. The “cosmo-teeny,” “thin-mint mojito” and “cucumber slenderita” clock in at less than 200 calories, because they’re made with low-calorie sweeteners and light liquors made by Asian wine-and-spirit company TY KU. Ra…
Tom Zoellner on Gabby Giffords: “She Would Absolutely Hate This Circus”
Author Tom Zoellner writes about Gabby Giffords: I know she would absolutely hate this circus. Anytime somebody assumes a public office, of course, they die to their own selves a little bit and make themselves into a human symbol, channeling the urges of the local interests that put them there. Gabrielle no longer inhabited Tucson;…
Rep. Anthony Weiner Is My Favorite Representative (Not Actually Representing Me)
I suppose I wouldn’t feel the same way if I didn’t agree with what he’s saying, but it’s nice to see someone speaking on the floor of the House that seems like he actually cares.
Confirmed: Giffords Going to Houston for Next Phase of Recovery
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office confirms plans to move her to Houston for rehabilitation later this week. We hope this doesn’t start a new round of claims by Giffords’ political foes that she really lives in Houston. If recent events have demonstrated anything, it’s that Giffords’ heart is invested in this community—and many members of this…
The Food Truck Diaries, Volume Four: A Humble Hot Dog Cart
Hotdogs Obregon offers roadside dining at its finest. Some of the finest Sonoran hot dogs in this town are served out of a humble cart in the parking lot of the Food City on the corner of Country Club Road and 22nd Street, and that’s not just my opinion. The tiny cart actually has sort…
