New Administration, New Issue
The new Weekly–the Obama Issue, largely penned by you, the readers–is online and ready for your perusal. Feel free to comment on its contents here.
Check Out Bike Lawyer Blog
I’ve blogged about Erik Ryberg’s Tucson Bike Lawyer blog, which is a good resource for true local bicycling enthusiasts who care about everything from local transportation policies to safety issues facing local bicyclists. But I want to call attention to a trip Erik took recently to Mexico City. If you follow his Mexico City entries,…
Oh Woe Is Saguaro Ranch
This morning, just as the Tucson Weekly was going to press, a local real estate blog reported that Saguaro Ranch owner Stephen Phinny has defaulted on the $50 million loan he received in 2006 from New Jersey-based Kennedy Funding for his high-end development in the Tortolita Mountains. We confirmed the report, finding a “notice of…
Rosemont Mine Battle Continues
According to an e-mail from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas–the folks leading the opposition to the Rosemont Mine–the mediation processes headed by Carie Fox and the Morris K. Udall Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution have been disbanded. Evidently, Fox believes there was little room for mediation, and the SSSR folks agree. But there remains plenty…
Ska What?
My little cousin Garrett sent this clip to me right before Christmas just to get me in the mood. But after watching it, I just kept thinking What Would The Specials Do?
Bye … I Mean Puuuuurrrr, Ms. Kitt
How did this happen? How did the holidays come and go while I missed the passing of Eartha Kitt?
Saguaro Ranch Saga Continues
This week’s Skinny gave the latest update on the legal issues for the Saguaro Ranch development in Marana (more to come in our Jan. 22 issue). But since we can’t include art in Skinny, here’s a picture of the sign posted at the entrance to Pima County property alerting hikers that they are about to…
Terra Cotta Is Closing
The latest Tucson restaurant victim of the economy is a big one: Terra Cotta. Here’s an e-mail we’ve received: It is with mixed emotions that we write to you today to share the news that after a tremendous 22 years of serving our friends, neighbors and guests from near and far, Terra Cotta will close…
Conchords Return
Flight of the Conchords returns for its second season on HBO on Jan. 18. To celebrate, HBO has a Conchords video lipsynching contest going down. I understand Ryanhood pulled a splendid real Conchords performance for The Great Coverup at Congress recently. I’m sorry I missed it. But check out these lipsynch performances on the Conchord contest site.
A Belated Thanks to Tooley’s
Before you take down your Christmas tree or put away those driedels, I thought it important to send props out to Tooley’s on Congress, the downtown coffee spot at Fifth and Congress streets. The good folks there hosted a special dinner for the first night of Channukah with brisket, latkes and big delicious salads. The…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Practicing a form of what linguists call a cryptolect.
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
On Business
A note from the editor.
Horror Hits
The Mission Creeps get deep beneath their spooky imagery
Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
Nine Questions
Jeff Dunham
As the Traffic Turns
A proposal to change the way left turns are made on Grant Road has one neighborhood worried
Soundbites
GREAT BANDS, FANTASTIC CAUSE In the same tradition as the Club Crawl™ events, Calexico’s KXCI FM 91.3 benefits, Club Congress’ Labor Day birthday celebrations and The Great Cover-Up, another annual Tucson music event gets delivered this week. Organized by Chris Holiman (River Roses, 35 Summers, Downtown Saints), The Wooden Ball gathers a slew of local…
Bike Adventure
Two Arizonans are riding from Phoenix to Panama to raise money for a good cause
Live
Haitian Workers’ Hurricane Relief Benefit, Club Congress, Friday, Jan. 2
Security Shift
Experts predict what changes President-elect Obama’s administration will bring to the border
R.I.P., John and Steve
The Tucson music community mourns the death of two under-the-radar greats
Las Chicas Bravas
In the small, struggling Mexican town of Fronteras, a group of women has big goals
Rhythm & Views
Black Light Burns is equally inspired by heavy-handed hard rock, primordial punk, ’80s goth and melodic radio pop. Initial proof was found in the 2007 debut CD, Cruel Melody, and this sophomore release reiterates the premise with 10 thoughtful covers. For good measure, the band throws in a handful of experimental originals that range from…
The Skinny
SCRAMBLEWATCH ’09: WARD FIVE JIVE We’d like to thank City Councilman Steve Leal for the nicest gift we got during the recent holiday season: By deciding to retire rather than seek a sixth term, Leal gave us a City Council race to cover this year. At least we hope there will be a race. After…
Rhythm & Views
Without the benefit of a hit (their PBS documentary is entitled No Hit Wonder), this seemingly ageless folk duo has often been compared to Simon and Garfunkel. Still, who would have thought they’d have the interest or inclination to put a show together featuring almost 20 of Paul Simon’s prized pieces? Fortunately, Aztec Two-Step’s Rex…
Media Watch
Lee Report Paints an Uncertain Future
Rhythm & Views
First-time listeners of The Killers’ latest release, Day and Age, may think they mistakenly downloaded the band’s 2007 rarities/remix album Sawdust. While on terminal hold with iTunes’ customer service, as cheesy ’80s saxophones, Caribbean steel drums and a thumping disco bass waft in the background, it may dawn on them that this is, in fact,…
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Wolfe Bowart
Top Ten in Music
Zia Records top sales for the week
Police Dispatch
Livin’ on the Edge West Ina Road, Dec. 14, 10:14 p.m. An oddly named loiterer with an equally odd method of soliciting money was a nuisance at a northwest-side convenience store, a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report said. According to the report, a deputy at the end of his shift stopped at the Circle K…
Drama and Disillusion
Both ‘Hedwig’ and ‘Tell Me on a Sunday’ are compelling and tragic
Pick of the Week
Audiences Prefer Blondes?
Library of Forms
Tim Mosman shows his fluid, shifting works at Conrad Wilde
City Week
Our top picks of what to do and where to do it for the week.
Top Ten in Books
Mostly Books best-sellers for the week
Danehy
What’s up with all of the Catholic Holy Day changes?
Morality Tale
‘Trouble the Water’ stuns with its story of people struggling to survive in Katrina-stricken New Orleans
Movement and Migration
This amazing coffee-table book may change the way you look at border issues
O’Sullivan
Ah, the joys of the life of the artist-phlebotomist
The Jolly Racist
Clint Eastwood gets sloppy in the unrealistic, not-so-subtle ‘Gran Torino’
Central Sushi
Asian food has come to downtown in an impressive–if overpriced–way with On a Roll
Guest Commentary
Tucson’s streetcar project shows city officials are looking out for themselves, not their constituents
Now Showing at Home
“Swing Vote,” “Hellbound: Hellraiser II,” and “Hancock: Unrated Special Edition”
Noshing Around
Cuvée Is Closed Cuvée World Bistro, at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., has closed as of Sunday, Jan. 4, according to a recorded message left on the restaurant’s voicemail by owner Robert Bossardet. “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire city of Tucson, to all of our guests, to all of our friends,…
