Cover Story
Congressional Dreaming
Sure, he was indicted on charges of extortion, wire fraud and money-laundering tied to a land-swap scheme—but Rick Renzi must have done something right. In Arizona’s mostly rural Congressional District 1, it isn’t unusual to hear folks say good things about the former Republican congressman. Corruption charges? Those hardly ever come up. According to former…
Let’s Watch a New Fish Karma Video
It’s not exactly subtle, but here’s the first single from Fish Karma’s forthcoming album on Alternative Tentacles, Lethal Fairy Tales, “American”.
Poll: Carmona Tied With Flake in U.S. Senate Race
Democrat Richard Carmona is tied with likely GOP nominee Jeff Flake in this year’s U.S. Senate race, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey. The PPP survey, commissioned by the League of Conservation Voters, shows that both candidates have the support of 38 percent of voters. The survey also shows that Mitt Romney is…
Carroll vs. Collins: Televised Debate
In advance of our cover story on the race between Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll and his GOP challenger, Sean Collins: Last night’s televised debate between the candidates on Arizona Public Media’s Arizona Illustrated.
It’s World Middle Finger Day
I don’t understand why World Middle Finger Day is a thing, other than to codify our collective rage, but 1,216 people on Facebook can’t be wrong, so apparently today is the day to put your “middle finger in the air, if you don’t really care” as the intro to Kanye West’s “So Appalled” says. Go…
County Supes Candidate Ally Miller Doesn’t Understand Revenue Bonds
At a debate last week between the four Republican candidates who want to replace Ann Day on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Tea Party patriot Ally Miller slipped up big-time when talking about the county’s road-bond program. As you can see in the video above, captured by ace videographer Dino Kadich: Miller, a self-proclaimed…
Poll: Barber Holds Big Lead Over McSally in General Election, Bigger Lead Over Heinz in Primary
Jessica Schultz, the spokeswoman for Congressman Ron Barber’s reelection campaign, shares a polling memo from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research that shows Barber is leading likely GOP nominee Martha McSally by 13 percentage points and Democratic primary challenger Matt Heinz by more than 60 percentage points. To: Interested PartiesFrom: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research On June 12th,…
Talking Comics: X-O Manowar
Unfortunately for me, X-O Manowar is not a combination tale about spicy fish sauce and a New York heavy metal band, but instead some sort of dumb Bronze Age super-hero. Still, Eric and Arnie make the comic sound pretty good.
Today in Strange First Sentences of News Stories
From the Oregonian, a story that turns out far better than one might expect: A man who was intoxicated and masturbating to pornography when he drove a stolen car through the crime scene tape surrounding the homicide of a teen-age boy last year will not have to register as a sex offender. In case you…
A Tough Day for Bars: Colors Closes
While there might not have been much cross-over in their clientele, Colors Food and Spirits and the Cactus Moon are only a few miles from each other off Craycroft and now they’re both closed. On the Colors Facebook page, there’s no word from the owners or anyone else from the establishment, but several of the…
Check Out Border Fact Check for Border Truth
Next time you find yourself arguing over border politics in the lunchroom with that coworker who swears they saw a headless body near Gates Pass, turn to the Washington Office on Latin America’s Border Fact Check. WOLA’s border project monitors border issues and the impact of security policies on undocumented immigrants. What that translates into…
McCain Still “Proud of Sarah Palin”
There was been a dust-up in the GOP universe after Dick Cheney, the former vice-president in the Bush administration, told ABC’s This Week on Sunday’s that John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential nominee was a mistake. Cheney said: I like Governor Palin. I’ve met her. I know her. … Attractive candidate. But…
More Local Breweries In Store for Tucson?
How many brewing operations do we have so far here in Tucson? There’s Gentle Ben’s, Barrio Brewing Co. Thunder Canyon Brewery, Nimbus and the two newcomers: Borderlands Brewing Co. and Dragoon Brewing Co. There’s also the small outfit Catalina Brewing Co. up in Catalina, a couple of locations of the chain BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse…
The Cactus Moon Is Apparently Closed
The Cactus Moon in Williams Center has been in business a long time, but it looks like the nightclub’s reign at Broadway and Craycroft has come to an end, as the management announced to the staff on Saturday night they wouldn’t open the doors again. While no official word has appeared on the club’s website,…
A Note For the Guy Who Left a Voicemail About Our “Piece of Shit Website”
I readily admit our website isn’t perfect, which is why we’re always working on improving the functionality and design, moving things around and trying new things ahead of a forthcoming full redesign. But still, the search can be kind of wonky, some of the pages get a little ragged at the bottom, and there’s always…
Daggwood Cafe Has a New Look and New Owners
The new owner of the Daggwood Café at 736 E. Fort Lowell Road says the longtime Tucson restaurant has a new look and menu. Owner Coral Hendon says she took the reins of the business about five months ago, revamping both the interior and the food served there. Being that it is the Daggwood, the…
Perhaps This Hokey Commercial Will Convince You to Shop Downtown
With the streetcar construction downtown, it’s understandable that merchants affected by the inconvenience and those associated with them would try anything to get people to still come down and spend money. However, I don’t know if this particular ad, hosted by Tucson 12 (not to be confused with The Tucson 12, which is something else…
Tomorrow: Freedom Summer Rally Outside TUSD Back to School Assembly
While Tucson Unified School District employees sit inside the Tucson Convention Center arena tomorrow for the Back to School Assembly on Tuesday, July 31, supporters of the dismantled Mexican-American studies program are expected to make a lot of noise outside at a press conference and rally beginning at 8:30 a.m. The rally that morning, and…
This Korean Music Video With Nearly Nine Million Views Is Amazing
There’s nothing I can add to this video that wouldn’t be better said by the description appended to it on YouTube, so here goes: The album’s weighty title song ‘Gangnam Style’ is composed solely by PSY himself from lyrics to choreography. The song is characterized by its strongly addictive beats and lyrics, and is thus…
Someone’s Day Is Worse Than Yours
I’m going to speculate that every time someone places a lit firework between their buttocks, alcohol is involved (or a new Jackass movie), but it’s good to know the police in Adelaide are looking into it. Also, to add insult to likely significant injury, the man is going to be fined for using fireworks outside…
The Loft Is Showing a Really Weird Movie Tonight
A few things I learned today about The Devil’s Rain, made in 1975 and showing at the Loft tonight at 8 pm as part of their Mondo Mondays series (only $3 and apparently there’s some sort of $1 snack bucket available!): 1. The film stars William Shatner (between the Star Trek series and the movies),…
Former Giffords Chief of Staff Now Working at Homeland Security
Pia Carusone, who became well known as Gabby Giffords’ chief of staff after Tucson’s 2011 shooting rampage left Giffords incapacitated, has landed a job with the Department of Homeland Security. From the Homeland Security blog: DHS announced that Pia Carusone, former Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, has been appointed as the new Assistant…
Let’s Listen to the New Slightly Stoopid Song
Slightly Stoopid’s new album Top of the World will be coming out August 14, but to promote the record and to allow fans to get a preview of the new material, the San Diego band is offering a free download for “Don’t Stop” from the new album for anyone willing to visit their website and…
Someone Interviewed Reclusive Tucson Genius Lisa Frank
Here at the Weekly World Offices, we have a constant reminder of the glory days of Lisa Frank here in town: the street our building is on turns into Lisa Frank Drive on the other side of Valencia, although sadly, my window doesn’t provide a view of the unicorns and dolphins painted on the side…
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink Opens This Wednesday
Nearly a year’s worth of work on the new downtown pizza place Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink wraps up this week as the restaurant prepares for its opening this Wednesday. The restaurant is located in the old Reilly Funeral Home at 101 E. Pennington St. and co-owned by Tyler Fenton, who we spoke with shortly…
The Star Knows You Can Find Their “Print Exclusives” Online, Right?
I’m a little mystified by the idea of “print exclusives” in general, mostly because I don’t think anyone is likely to run out of the house to buy a copy of the Sunday paper just because of a list online, but I guess that’s the strategy the Arizona Daily Star is running with, so whatever.…
Political Roundtable: Sales Tax Prop, Jungle Primary, Education Funding & a Visit from Mayor Rothschild
On Arizona Illustrated’s Political Roundtable this week: Tucson Mayor Jonthan Rothschild stops by to talk about the proposed road bonds, annexation, and downtown. Then Pima County Democratic Party chairman Jeff Rogers, Pima County Republican Party chairwoman Carolyn Cox and former state lawmaker Pete Hershberger talk about the week in politics. We tackle the proposed statewide…
ASU Is Such a Terrible University, They Think “Twilight” Was Good
While most of the non-teenage girl universe has acknowledged that the Twilight books are not particularly well-written, some literary experts from Arizona’s middle-of-the-state institute of higherish learning, Girls Gone Wild University and Casino, are taking a bold stance in a new book, that Stephenie Meyer’s series of books are…good? So what has drawn so many…
You Should Download the New Isaiah Toothtaker Album
Local rapper/tattoo shop owner/TAMMIES nominee Isaiah Toothtaker is a busy guy, releasing new music every few weeks it seems, but I suppose that’s how the hip-hop world works these days. Today, he dropped Sea Punk Funk, an eight track collaboration with producer Sixtoo for free via Bandcamp. I have literally no idea how to classify…
The Idea of a Hedwig Sequel Gives Me a Reason to Continue Living
The very strange musical Hedwig & the Angry Inch is one of my favorite things ever, so even the announcement of a first draft of a sequel is just about the most exciting news I’ve heard in awhile. Sure, it’ll probably be another decade or so before I actually see it live (and based on…
It Shall Be Known as Lulu’s Shake Shoppe
Just a bit of follow-up regarding Kade Mislinski’s new shake shop, which we told you about earlier this week. From the HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery Facebook page: We’re proud to announce the October Opening of Lulu’s Shake Shoppe between HUB & Playground on the south side of our building. Thick hand-crafted Milkshakes, tater-tots, fries…
Freedom Summer 2012 Concert: B-Side Players at the Rialto
The video above is the new single from the B-Side Players, which begs the question, what exactly is a spliff and why is life like that? Maybe I’ll leave that answer to our Medical Marijuana columnist Mr. Smith. However, while philosophizing on the B-Side Players, you should also ready yourself for their show at the…
Would You Like To Drink Good Beer and Learn About Mead?
If drinking delicious beer and learning about making mead sounds like your idea of a good time you might consider carving out a little time for an event next Saturday. Local chef and mead-maker Jerry Morgan is teaming up with the guys down at Borderlands Brewing Co. for a demonstration on mead at 12:30 p.m.,…
Get Your Bug On at Ventana Canyon
The scorpions got here first and the nonprofit Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute in Tucson wants to make sure they are here to stay, with their many invertebrate friends, so it hosts an annual summer conference here for bug scientists and educators. This year, the 20th annual Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference is at Loews…
Oh, Gatti: CD1 Candidate Denies Ridiculous Anti-National Guard Remark
The day I interviewed Republican Patrick Gatti for this week’s cover story on the CD1 congressional race, who knew the interesting remark he shared with me would make news on the Arizona Republic’s AZ/DC Blog. The blog post kindly describes the Show Low retiree’s campaign as low-key, although I mentioned he said he’s only raised…
This Week in Tucson Bicycling
A local-youth cyclist was invited to race in a prestigious international bike race and was picking up speed as the race progressed. See how he fared. Check out the photo of police violating the same bicycle laws they write tickets for. The Tucson Velo photo contest in in full swing. Check out the most recent…
Your Six Year Old Kid Isn’t So Smart
After all, it appears that some birds are just as good at puzzles than the under-seven crowd. I blame Dora the Explorer. I’m not sure why that show is to blame, but I’m pretty sure it is: Researchers pitted birds against boys and girls using tests inspired by the Aesop’s fable in which a thirsty…
Visiting the Not-So-Secret Garden
While living in Tucson for the past three years I would say I have not taken full advantage of what the city has to offer. I had heard about Tucson’s Botanical Garden from a friend and thought I would take a trip and explore it myself. I would suggest going early in the morning and…
Pledging This Year? Hire an Assistant to Help You Get In.
Of the several clubs and organizations college students can involve themselves in, going Greek is definitely one of the top contenders. At the University of Arizona, for example, 13 percent of the student body is involved in Greek Life. Finding the right sorority or fraternity to rush for is important because not only are you…
You Should Go Party With Batucaxe on Saturday
There’s no doubt that the folks at Batucaxe know how to throw a party, so their Monsoon Mania Summer Dance Jam sounds like a sure thing as far as fun and entertainment go this Saturday night. Tickets are $10, but basically that money allows the group to do all the great stuff they do all…
Let’s Watch Bears Hunt for Salmon
I have no idea why this live stream of bears hunting for sockeye salmon in Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska is so enthralling, but I really could watch these bears hanging out in the water all day. I might actually. Cancel my one o’clock, imaginary person who handles my schedule!
Today From the “Only in Arizona” Files
John Enright has dropped out of the race for Pinal County Supervisor, which isn’t terribly fascinating news, but the reason he removed himself from contention is a bit odd: A Pinal County supervisor candidate has withdrawn from the race in the wake of voter-fraud allegations involving a former companion who, records show, has continued to…
Freedom Summer: Art, Food and Performance at Raices Taller
Courtesy of Raul Gonzalez Tucson Freedom Summer, in collaboration with Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery and Workshop presents HUITZILOPOCHLI “the will to act, on Saturday, July 28, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 218 E. 6th St. The fundraising event brings together performers and artists, and includes the work of Tucson artists David Tineo, Tanya…
Milwaukee Born
Everyone’s a bitch tonight / I must admit that I’ve been feeling like I want to die.” To rock out honestly requires perhaps a bit of dreariness to go along with tantalizingly jangly guitar rock. But for Jaill singer, songwriter and guitarist Vinnie Kircher, the lyrics of impending doom that show up on the band’s…
Scorned Embrace: Enclosures (Expat)
Here is a Tucson band that should do the trick of clearing out any sinus problems or airplane-pressure-clogged ear issues from which you might be suffering. Indeed, this lacerating quintet brings hardcore punk and extreme metal in equal measures, especially on incineratingly thrashed-up and breakdown-buttressed “Vapor and Ash,” and on the cruising-and-bruising guitars and clean…
Soundbites
Vote for your favorite bands already!; Go see the Giantest of Sands; Tucson concerts get all Facebook-y; Hoobastank hits town; and more!
Guest Commentary
Arizona’s flammable ponderosa pine forests stretch from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon above the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains in the east. Most of that land—glory country for recreationists, as well as the watershed for the Grand Canyon, the Phoenix area and many nearby towns—lies within four national forests. As most Westerners…
Honky-Tonk Surf Rock
The deceptively simple musical recipe of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based duo Boom Chick includes only guitar, drums and voice. But guitarist-singer Frank Hoier and drummer-singer Moselle Spiller use those basic ingredients to produce an engagingly primal sound based on early rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country and surf music. Hoier says he and Spiller both appreciate the authentic…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I know I might sound like a gabacho borracho, but I’m really just a gringo trying to make progress toward getting work legally in Mexico—a side of the immigration debate we rarely hear about. Most gringos who move to Mexico are students, or they are retired people who move to gated seaside communities—or…
Top Ten in Music
1. M.O.T.O. Turn Your Head and Cough (Lady Kinky Karrot) 2. Fish Karma Halloween in America (Alternative Tentacles) 3. Henry and Glenn Forever and Ever (book) Igloo Tornado (Microcosm) 4. See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody (book) Bob Mould (Little, Brown) 5. Off! Off! (Vice) 6. The Best of G.G. Allin…
Distinguishing Between Dems
Even the most-informed voters in Tucson’s new Legislative District 9 would be hard-pressed to find substantial policy differences between the three Democratic candidates running for two open seats in the state House. Mohur Sidhwa, Dustin Cox and Victoria Steele all agree, for instance, that Arizona needs to close its tax loopholes, fund education better and…
The Skinny
More details about the mysterious nonprofit that’s making bogus claims about county government … Republican candidate Ally Miller won’t talk to us anymore … Upcoming debates for county candidates … and more!
Media Watch
The slow sinking of Lee Enterprises continues; Rob O’Dell flees northward; AZPM does some stuff
Nine Questions
Blaine Jordan is a recent Tucson transplant from Cincinnati. In her free time, she tends bar at the Auld Dubliner on Sunday nights and throws epic parties as part of MEOWmeow Productions with co-producer Jared McKinley. Mel Mason, What was the first concert you ever saw? I saw *NSYNC in 1999 when I was 12.…
Marist Tempest
Even in its wounded state—corners tumbling, clay walls draped in fluttering tarps—the historic Marist College exudes a dignity sometimes lacking in the human wrangling over its fate. The latest dust-up centers on whether taxpayer dollars, in the form of federal grants, should be used to restore the once-elegant downtown building owned by the Roman Catholic…
Stamp of Disapproval
Mauritius is a tiny little island off the coast of Africa which was colonized by the British during their England-take-all phase. It’s only real importance, except for having hosted the dodo bird’s extinction, has been to the people living there. Mauritius—the play by Theresa Rebeck, now onstage at Live Theatre Workshop—is a slim little piece,…
Editor’s Note
I despise people who do not treat service-industry employees well. Due to a family matter, I have recently been spending some time in lovely Reno, Nev. (and it really is lovely; the Reno 911! folks can bite me). I am staying at a hotel-casino. I won’t name the particular hotel at which I am staying,…
Police Dispatch
You can’t stay here, lady; Lesson learned: don’t lose your cell phone
In the Himalayan Foothills
Reading this new novel by linguist-anthropologist Anoop Chandola feels a little like working your way through a New Delhi street—you squeeze past person after person in saris, dhotis, dull Western trousers or turbans. They all have stories you might like to follow up on, and they’re all subject to what the Bhagavad Gita notes as…
Live
On a balmy Tucson night, fans and thrill-seekers came out for a show featuring four bands that, to a degree, have all been lumped in with the most-recent indie model: the psychedelic band. First up was the recently revived Resonars, who continued their second wind with another strong set. They were playing this kind of…
Weekly Wide Web
On its surface, Kickstarter is a fantastic idea that can’t really lose: People post their ideas for projects, and the crowd-sourcing universe decides whether the proposed indie video game, alt-country album, high-tech watch or whatever is worth funding. Only the ideas that generate enough enthusiasm to make the stated goal get funded. Kickstarter collects a…
Top Ten in Books
1. The Buddha in the Attic Julie Otsuka, Anchor ($13.95) 2. Mockingjay Suzanne Collins, Scholastic ($17.99) 3. Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, HarperCollins ($6.99) 4. The Last Werewolf Glen Duncan, Vintage ($14.95) 5. Gold: A Novel Chris Cleave, Simon and Schuster ($27) 6. The Prisoner of Heaven: A Novel Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Harper ($25.99) 7.…
Danehy
America has been dumbing down for the past few decades in what has been an intellectual death of a thousand cuts. From exponential grade-inflation at Harvard to the fact that even one person in this country would watch Jersey Shore, it has been a long, steady slide into mediocrity. It is with great regret that…
Advice for Coping
Editor’s note: Tucson Weekly contributor David Mendez wrote this story for the Colorado Springs Independent during that city’s recent devastating wildfire. Since Southern Arizonans are all too familiar with wildfire dangers, we decided to publish it here, too. During tragedies like wildfires, how do parents help their children cope with the fact that the world…
A Somber Gotham
Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman trilogy comes to a satisfying, if occasionally clunky, conclusion with The Dark Knight Rises. It is the least-satisfying of the three films, but that’s only because it doesn’t quite attain the masterpiece stature of his Batman Begins or The Dark Knight. All things considered, it’s still a damn good ride. Eight…
Top Ten in Movies
1. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Sony 2. 21 Jump Street Sony 3. Get the Gringo 20th Century Fox 4. Casa de Mi Padre Lionsgate 5. Lockout Sony 6. American Reunion Universal 7. Wrath of the Titans Warner Bros. 8. The Three Stooges 20th Century Fox 9. The Hunter Magnolia 10. Friends With Kids Lionsgate
Messina
Every Sunday afternoon, Janet Bain and her dance partner take the floor at Karyn Garvin’s training center on 29th Street. The dance floor is spacious, and chairs are set up along the side for spectators. A portable CD player supplies music, and air conditioning keeps the place cool. It’s just another dance practice—except that Janet’s…
Party for the Lions!
The Reid Park Zoo’s once-tiny African lion cubs are not so tiny anymore: Their first birthday is right around the corner. The cubs were born on July 28, 2011. There are two males, Ayotunde and Abuto, and one female, Azizi. Their parents, Shombay and Kaya, were fit for reproducing at the ages of 3 and…
A Breathtaking Effort
Does a place like The Bathtub really exist? There are certainly dirt-poor areas in the bayou near New Orleans, but do they celebrate a holiday every day? Do its residents all get along and get together for nightly feasts? The odds are, no, places like The Bathtub don’t exist. That’s why we need someone to…
Circular Logic
Well, that sucks in all kinds of ways. By “that,” I mean state Department of Health Services Director Will Humble’s decision not to add depression, migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder to the list of ailments that qualify patients for MMJ cards. Humble said “no” on July 19 in a post on his…
City Week
A pool party (not for cats); Hot time science fun in the city; Movies and swimming; Kids and jazz
Now Showing at Home
Singin’ in the Rain (Blu-ray) ; Get the Gringo (Blu-ray) ; Casa de Mi Padre (Blu-ray)
The Walkmen: Heaven (Fat Possum)
The Walkmen open their new album with a quietly picked acoustic guitar and the song “We Can’t Be Beat.” It’s a bold move, boasting while simultaneously going a bit against their established style. But even with their mellowest album, the Walkmen have cemented their place on the A-list of American rock music. Heaven, produced by…
TQ&A
Michael Campbell came to Tucson in 1982 to work as a lighting designer for the UA, but it’s his work over the past 28 years with Coldwell Banker that has led him to his position as board president of the Hearth Foundation. The nonprofit provides low-income housing for homeless women and children. As it approaches…
Missing Something
In a town known for its outstanding Mexican food—from high-end dining rooms to tiny taquerias—you’d better be ready to step up to the plate if you open a Mexican restaurant. The food needs to be great. Sadly, that’s not happening at Big Juan’s, a relatively new fast-food joint. (This review covers only the original Big…
Justin Valdez: Deuce-Seven Off Suit (Los Muertos)
Last Call Brawlers guitarist Justin Valdez goes solo, indulging in revved-up Tex-Mex, boisterous country punk and humorous lyrics that occasionally verge on the inappropriate. Depending on your point of view, these might include culturally specific tunes such as “Ya-Ta-Hey,” “Yaqui Sieras,” “Custer’s Last (One Night) Stand” and “Bean Dip for Two.” The best cuts are…
Noshing Around
Get yourself some tea; Are the drinks served in red Solo cups?; Mac and cheese galore; Vodka-fest 2012
Mailbag
Tucson, support no-kill shelters; Thanks to the Weekly for following the Connie and Shaba story; Yay for Toby Keith themed restaurants!
