Cover Story
Paper Marriage
Straight commitment in Pima County costs only $72—and along with that tacky marriage license, you get a heap o’ legal rights. Most straight couples don’t think much about those rights when they’re getting married, because, well, love does that to you. You don’t think about how when your spouse dies, you’ll be financially OK, because…
GOP AG Race: Thomas vs. Horne
Last night’s debate between Republican Attorney General candidates Andrew Thomas and Tom Horne is up at the Clean Elections Web site. Watch it here. Both candidates came out swinging. As the Arizona Republic reports: Horne called Thomas an out-of-control prosecutor who abused his powers. Thomas called Horne a confessed con artist with paltry law-enforcement experience.…
J.D.’s Gap
Pollster charts the surveys in the U.S. Senate race. McCain is certainly showing vulnerability, but there’s still a big gap for J.D. to close.
Today in Celebrity Vegetables: Dr. Andrew Weil to Start Garden With Hacienda del Sol
Officials at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort announced yesterday that they’re teaming up with one of the biggest names in natural health and well-being to start a new garden at the resort. The resort’s restaurant, the Grill at Hacienda del Sol, is already known for using fresh ingredients grown in gardens at the resort.…
Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate: Wide Open Race
Rasmussen brings us numbers on the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John McCain: Arizona Democrats won’t pick their Senate nominee for another two months, which is just as well since 46% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters in the state are undecided at this point. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone…
Republican AG Candidates Debate
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne—two Republicans vying to become Arizona’s next attorney general—will face off in a debate tonight, Tuesday, June 22, held by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. The debate is from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and will be aired on Horizon, a program…
Tucson’s Everyday People: Tucson’s Thriving Farmers’ Markets
UA School of Journalism students Michael Palazzolo, Chelsea Rarrick and Taylor Medeiros bring you a feature on Tucson’s bustling farmers’ markets all over Tucson, and the people who make them a success.
Dougherty: McCain Backs Drilling, Deregulation
Oil Spill from Dougherty for Senate on Vimeo. Democrat John Dougherty releases the first Web ad of his U.S. Senate campaign.
McCain Reacts to “Runaway General”
Sen. John McCain releases a joint statement with Sens. Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham on the comments by Gen. Stanley McChrystal and his staff, as reported in “The Runaway General,” the Rolling Stone article that has the Washington in an uproar today: “We have the highest respect for General McChrystal and honor his brave service…
CD8: A Tape-Delayed Liveblog of the Green Valley Debate
Three of the five Republican candidates who are running in the GOP primary for the chance to take on Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appeared in a Tea Party debate last Monday, June 14 in Green Valley. Here’s a tape-delayed liveblog of the event. Times are approximate. 2:12 p.m.: Jesse Kelly introduces himself: He’s a conservative…
Fire Closes Takamatsu; Owner Already Planning Repairs
The man in charge of Takamatsu restaurant at 5532 E. Speedway Blvd. says efforts are already underway to fix the damage caused by a fire that closed the restaurant early this morning. Peter Koga, who operates the local Takamatsu and other locations in Phoenix and Chandler, said he got a call at about 3 a.m.…
The Hot Rod Cafe
I expected a place called the Hot Rod Cafe to have an automotive theme. What I didn’t expect was how deep the gearhead lifestyle figures in the lives of the three generations of women who run the place. “Mom drives a Harley,” said Lucy McIntosh, who operates the new restaurant at 2831 N. Stone Ave.…
Rasmussen: McCain 47%, Hayworth 36%
The latest numbers from Rasmussen: Longtime Senator John McCain continues to lead Arizona’s Republican Primary by double digits but remains in the same narrow range of support he’s drawn since January. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters in the state Voters shows McCain picking up 47% support, while challenger…
Dem Boss Jeff Rogers on Proposed City Charter Changes
Pima County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Rogers gives his take on four proposed Tucson City Charter amendments. The Tucson City Council is considering asking voters to approve the changes on the November ballot. We’re still trying to make up our minds about most of it, but we’re sure we don’t like the idea of moving…
The Next Rasmussen Poll
If Rasmussen is doing business as usual, we’ll get some more poll results this week. What do you bet that Gov. Jan Brewer will be shown to be crushing Democrat Terry Goddard? We’d also wager that McCain holds a double-digit lead over Hayworth and that both of them beat the potential Democratic nominees. And what…
Rasmussen: Brewer Surges in GOP Primary
New numbers from Rasmussen show that Brewer is surging against her GOP opponents: Incumbent Jan Brewer now earns 61% support in Arizona’s Republican Primary race for governor, marking her second big monthly gain in a row. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters in Arizona finds businessman Buz Mills a far…
Rest Stops Reopening on AZ Highways
A bulletin from the Arizona Department of Transportation: To aid summer travel, the Arizona Department of Transportation will reopen five of the state’s highway rest areas by the end of July, helping to expand the opportunities for travelers to make rest stops along some of the busiest routes in Arizona. Another four rest areas will…
More State Budget Trouble
Another hole has been blown in the state’s budget. AP reports: A new court ruling says the Arizona Legislature’s raid of nearly $4.7 million from a special fund for injured workers was illegal. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Larry Grant says the money to be transferred into the state general fund was private money held…
More Problems for Democrats This Year: The Enthusiasm Gap
A new Gallup poll shows Republicans are much more enthusiastic about voting than Democrats. That’s more bad news for Democrats in swing districts, like Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8: An average of 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents have said they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year compared with past…
More From Mars
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona The UA Lunar and Planetary Lab has posted new photos from the HiRISE camera in orbit around Mars. See them here.HiRISE team member Nathan Bridges tells us about the above photo: This observation shows dark dunes and light polygonal terrain in Olympia Undae, also known as the North Polar Erg. Two sets…
Meet the Democratic Attorney General Candidates
The three Democratic candidates for Arizona Attorney General—Vince Rabago, David Lujan and Felecia Rotellini—will appear at tonight’s meeting Saguaro Eastside Democrats at 6:30 p.m. at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 Old Spanish Trail (northeast corner of Camino Seco).
Securing the Border: What Does It Mean?
Dennis Wagner of the Arizona Republic asks what is meant by securing the border: Is a border secure only when no one crosses illegally and when no contraband slips through? If some permeability is acceptable, what is the tolerable amount? Political leaders mostly dodge those questions, and for good reason: Anyone with a minimal knowledge…
Sen. Al Melvin: Too Busy for Debates
State Sen. Al Melvin (R-LD26) Republican state Senator Al Melvin declined a challenge by his Democratic contender, Cheryl Cage, to a series of one-on-one debates before the November general election, saying he can’t fit it into his schedule. “I told her I’m busy,” Melvin says. “I’m going door to door.” Cage, who lost the Legislative…
See You in Court: Center for Biological Diversity Sues BP
The latest bulletin from the Center for Biological Diversity: In the largest citizen enforcement action ever taken under the Clean Water Act, the Center for Biological Diversity today sued BP and Transocean Ltd., for illegally spewing more than 100 million gallons of oil and other toxic pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico. The suit was…
Nogales International: Cartels Threaten Off-Duty Police Officers
Jonathan Clark of the Nogales International reports: A Mexican drug cartel has threatened Nogales police officers, saying they will be targeted for retribution if they conduct off-duty drug busts. Nogales Police Chief Jeffrey Kirkham told the Nogales International on Friday that the threats stemmed from an incident approximately two weeks ago, when off-duty officers surprised…
Mini’s Cupcakes is Moving, Red Velvet Cupcakery Opening New Location
Mini’s Cupcakes, which opened late last year at La Encantada, is moving to a new spot at Casas Adobes Plaza, at Ina and Oracle roads. Jaynie Rossi, who owns Mini’s Cupcakes and custom-cake store Ambrosia of Tucson, said she will close the original Mini’s Cupcakes location on Wednesday, June 30. She expects the new store—which…
Update: New CiCi’s Pizza Locations
We’ve got an update about the new CiCi’s Pizza locations that we wrote about in this week’s Noshing Around. A company spokeswoman says the chain eatery is looking to open locations in Drexel Heights, at the Tucson Mall, somewhere along Tanque Verde Road and in South Tucson. The restaurant currently has one location at 2912…
Nothing Says ‘I Love You Dad’ Like Plasticized, Dissected Human Bodies
Admission to Bodies … The Exhibition, the exhibit of preserved and dissected human bodies currently on display in the Rialto Building at 300 E. Congress St., is free for dads this Saturday and Sunday. Find out more information about the exhibit here.
Even Hitler Thinks The Rio Nuevo Hotel Is A Bad Idea
We’ve all heard of the “Hitler reacts” videos on YouTube where new subtitles have been added a clip of the movie Downfall so that instead of getting angry at the Allied forces closing in around him, he’s ranting on mundane things like Susan Boyle failing to win Britain’s Got Talent, getting kicked off Yahoo Answers,…
More Vuvuzela!
Somewhere in another reality, there’s a Saturday Night Live sketch where Will Ferrell isn’t told “more cowbell,” but “more vuvuzela.” Enter Vuvuzela Time, the website that lets you browse the web with the sound of those droning plastic horns from the World Cup. Go to http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/ and type in a site (TucsonWeekly.com for example) for…
Clinton Predicts White House Will Sue Over SB 1070
CBS News brings us the video that has the SB 1070 crowd chattering today: According to President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, the Justice Department is currently in the process of deciding whether or not to file suit over Arizona’s controversial immigration law, which Mr. Obama has called “misguided” and potentially discriminatory. According to…
CD8: Ray Carroll Endorses Paton
Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll has announced that he’s in the corner of former state lawmaker Jonathan Paton in the five-way GOP primary in Congressional District 8. Earlier this week, former state lawmaker and CD8 candidate Randy Graf announced he was supporting Republican Jesse Kelly in the race. Get any sense that the Rosemont Mine…
Let’s Make a Downtown Deal
Dave Devine delivers a dispatch on the downtown deal of the day: The Tucson City Council has settled a year-long legal dispute by handing over $750,000 and at least $125,000 in subsidies to downtown developers Scott Stiteler and Don Martin. The city entered into a predevelopment agreement with a partnership that included Stiteler, Martin, developer…
CD8: Miller Shoots Down GOP Young Guns
Dan Shearer of the Green Valley News shares an intriguing tidbit about Congressional District 8 Republican Brian Miller: So he was invited in to talk to somebody from Young Guns. That’s a group that identifies potential movers in the GOP and helps them along in their bids for a House seat. Who wouldn’t want the…
Thursday Night at The Loft: The Other Network, Part II
The Range made it over to the Loft last night for part one of The Other Network, which featured great TV pilots that didn’t get the green light for network execs. Gotta say that Conan O’Brien’s Lookwell was a work of genius. And Conan’s story about how he and some Harvard buddies stole the Robin…
Save the Drive-In Theatre in Tucson!
Charlie Spillar, the sculptor who did yeoman’s work in preserving the statues at Magic Carpet Golf, is now trying to save the big screens at the shuttered De Anza Drive-In in hopes of launching a new drive-in theater elsewhere in town. He tells us: On Friday, June 18, a group of dedicated volunteers will be…
Over and Out?
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was among the 229 Democrats and five Republicans who voted last month to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, established during the Clinton administration, kept a ban on gay soldiers in place, but…
Cosmic Slop: Spit Don’t Make No Babies (Self-released)
Named for a classic album by Funkadelic, the local funk-rock band Cosmic Slop carefully straddles the fine line—so carefully delineated in This Is Spinal Tap—between clever and stupid. On its new CD, the band usually comes down on the clever side, its collective tongue firmly in cheek while paying homage to classic funk, cheesy-but-cool guitar-riffing…
The Third Country
The wide-open country east of Douglas might be home to the most drug-smuggling activity in the United States. It’s accessible along Geronimo Trail, a ribbon of dirt and rock that carries travelers into a starkly beautiful desert where shrubs tear at your flesh, and the only shade is under your hat. If you want to…
Limits to Lending
A small, handwritten sign posted inside of a business on South Sixth Avenue announces a coming change—at least to customers who are paying close attention. After stating that payday loans will no longer be available after the end of the month, it proclaims: “Beginning July 1, we will be offering ‘registration’ loans!!” Opponents of the…
Soundbites
AVA heats up; short takes
Kicking Ass
In anticipation of the remake of The Karate Kid, I went back and watched the original for comparison purposes. While the 1984 movie does have some goofy parts and terrible music, I was reminded why I liked it so much back then. The camaraderie between the student and his teacher was endearing, and that ending…
Blitzen Trapper: Destroyer of the Void (Sub Pop)
Blitzen Trapper is a fascinating band. After five albums, the Portland, Ore., group seems unlikely to reinvent the wheel—yet upon closer inspection, the band’s hybrid of folk-glam-pop is remarkably fresh and novel. Following the group’s career-high Furr, Destroyer of the Void is an immensely enjoyable effort. The lows are more inconsequential than poorly executed. “Below…
Absolutely Fabulous
Tucson may be enduring its infamous dry heat, but plan to get wet to start off Pride Week 2010. A pool party/concert, dubbed H20, will officially kick off a week of celebrations by and for Tucson’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The concert will include Tucson’s Namoli Brennet and Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter Eric Himan.…
The Creative Class
It’s Saturday night, but Gary Bjorklund isn’t in the mood for a party. For several years, his small but vibrant gallery has inhabited various spots inside a former Firestone tire store on the corner of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue. But tonight marks the end, says Bjorklund, even as patrons stream past as part of…
Drugs and Dishonesty
As a Harvard freshman, Andrew Weil—now a Vail resident and a nationally known new-age health guru, lecturer and best-selling author—led a double-life as a reporter and back-stabbing informant for school administrators hoping to fire two troublesome professors. Don Lattin tells this nifty story of revenge and blind ambition, among others, in his book The Harvard…
Extended Family
It’s the heart of the summer movie season, that time of the year when Hollywood tends to put away character development and honest emotions like winter clothes. Audiences seeking that kind of attachment have to rely on the indie films that find their way into theaters over the next few months, as well as imports…
Danehy
We are about to enter that Sports Dead Zone between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of the college football season (unless, of course, you’re a fan of the WNBA, in which case, over the next two months, you’ll be one of the 17 happiest people in America). So I thought I’d…
Weekly Wide Web
BP PR: DWBH. LA, AL, FL: FML. This seemingly random series of letters is actually the Internet’s shortest story on the BP oil spill. Meanwhile, one of the most-reported, but least-understood things about the story is just how much oil has leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. Anyone who has seen the pictures from space…
Authentic Standards
You can often judge the quality of Tucson’s Mexican restaurants by their location, but occasionally, there’s an exception to that rule—in this case, really tasty Mexican food on the northwest side of town. Despite the unassuming strip-mall exterior, Lupita’s Café, at Ina and Thornydale roads, is serving authentic soups, tasty tacos and delicious breakfasts. For…
Messina
The foreboding themes of the year 2012 and the potential end of the world seem to be in the minds of many. The apocalyptic film 2012 was released as a big blockbuster back in November. The History Channel frequently airs programs with ominous titles such as Armageddon and Life After People. Costco recently featured a…
Transitions and Migrations
Annie Bunker has been back in Arizona from Hawaii for weeks now, celebrating. First, there was the wedding of her older son, Cooper. Then came the high school graduation of her younger son, Wrenn. And this weekend is a concert honoring the 25th anniversary of Orts Theatre of Dance, the modern-dance company she co-founded way…
Noshing Around
CiCi’s Pizza Invasion; Festival Food; Father’s Day Wines; Organic-Vegetable Tasting; Jax Farm Project: The Blog; Open and Closed
Comments and SB 1070
When we started allowing comments on stories at TucsonWeekly.com last year, several readers expressed their displeasure, citing the unpleasantness that so often breaks out in comments sections on other newspaper websites. If you don’t know what I mean by “unpleasantness,” look no further than the morning daily’s website, where racism, name-calling and rudeness regularly reign.…
A Man and His Dog
It goes without saying that relationships are complicated. The best relationships still have their defects, while the worst may have moments of redemption. The production of A.R. Gurney’s Sylvia now on stage at Studio Connections illustrates this complexity in both its story and its execution: The show is far from perfect, but there is much…
Guest Opinion
Since the 1960s, fathers have often been portrayed in American popular culture as imbecilic buffoons, sex-crazed maniacs, or both. There have been exceptions, of course, but from Archie Bunker to Al Bundy to Peter Griffin, American fathers have usually been depicted poorly. Many of the fathers I’ve known, though, don’t match those caricatures in the…
Live
Thao and Mirah with the Most of All, Led to Sea
City Week
Tucson World RefugeeFEST; 50th Anniversary “Screaming” of Psycho; Cosy Sheridan, TR Ritchie and Shaun Cromwell in concert; Grace St. Paul’s Summer Film Series: Departures
The Skinny
The Congressional District 8 showdown … Graf gives Kelly the nod … Rodney Glassman: Debate-Ducker … and more!
Now Showing at Home
The Man With No Name Trilogy (Blu-ray); Caddyshack (Blu-ray); Youth in Revolt
Pride T Q&A
Linda Thomas
Police Dispatch
Pooper-scoopers are pricey; disturbing dental hygiene; one that didn’t get away
Mailbag
Both UA, Rincon Heights Have Best Interests at Heart; The Government Has the Technology to Seal the Border
Endless Rhythms
It’s impossible to fully master the complex richness of Latin rhythms, according to Greg Gonzalez, bass player for the Texas-based Latin dance band Grupo Fantasma. “Latin rhythms are endless, man,” Gonzalez said recently via phone from his home in Austin. “You can just become more knowledgeable about Latin rhythms; you can just become more informed;…
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books best-sellers for the week
Media Watch
If you can’t beat him, recruit him: Clear Channel hires Journal’s Lee; Flick settles with Gannett
Top Ten in Music
Zia Records top sales for the week
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I’m a civil rights lawyer. I sue the San Diego Minutemen. Whenever the Minutemen are accused of being racist, they always say something like, “I’m part-Hispanic,” or they’ll note that some of their fellow members are Mexican. This last claim is actually true. Some of the most zealous Minutemen are actually Mexican Americans.…
Friends Until the End
Some friendships are passing, ending rapidly or perhaps just fading away. However, other friendships prove to be lifelong bonds, with both sides showing love, support and compassion. This weekend, Live Theatre Workshop will present a play depicting a lifelong bond that stays strong, no matter the dilemmas placed before the two friends. It is called…
Nine Questions
Stefanie Gershon
Fishtank Ensemble: Woman in Sin (Self-released)
The third album by this amazing group from California is one of the best times to be found on disc so far this year. Don’t underestimate the unadulterated joy of the group, which uses violin, violin trumpet, accordion, musical saw, banjolele, doumbek, cajón and some mean slap bass. Originals such as “Coucou” and the title…
Arizona Sucks, Annotated
MadAtoms reviews Arizona’s history of sucking.
CD8’s Brian Miller: Don’t Build the Danged Fence
Republican Brian Miller, one of five Republicans seeking to oust Democratic incumbent Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8, tells us why he doesn’t believe spending billions of dollars on a wall will solve border problems. Pay attention at the 35-second mark.
Are Congressional Democrats Surging? Doubt It
Yesterday’s NPR poll was lousy news for Democrats in close races like Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. But today, the Dems are taking heart in an AP poll: The reeling economy remains people’s top concern, according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll conducted earlier this month, making public attitudes about it crucial for both parties’ hopes in November.…
Wednesday and Thursday at The Loft: The Other Network
Tonight and tomorrow at the Loft Cinema: The Other Network, a compilation of the best stuff you never got to see on the glass teat. Details here.
UPDATE: Huppenthal Slap Fest? Not Quite.
Earlier, we reported that Blog for Arizona’s David Safier broke a story about a student journalist who did a video interview with Republican Senator John Huppenthal here. Tonight, we found out that not only did the blogger Democratic Diva break the story, but she also printed a retraction tonight, saying that evidently, Huppenthal returned to…
Sen. Aboud Helps Independent Rival Reach Ballot
Green-turned-independent Dave Ewoldt has beaten Democrat-turned-independent Ted Downing’s effort to get him tossed off the November ballot. Both men are running without party affiliation against Democrat state Sen. Paula Aboud in midtown Tucson’s Legislative District 28. And Downing, who represented LD28 as a Democrat in the House of Representatives for two terms before losing a…
Skinny 2010: The Battle to Unseat Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
The marquee race in Southern Arizona promises to be Congressional District 8, where Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has to overcome an anti-incumbent mood to hang onto her seat in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats, but Independents make up nearly three out of every 10 voters. Five Republicans have lined up to challenge Giffords. Jonathan…
