My Organs Weren’t Harvested on the Fourth of July
Last night, I watched the A Mountain fireworks show from the top level of the Tyndall Avenue Garage at the University of Arizona. The last time I attempted to view the fireworks was a couple of years ago from the midtown roof of my friend’s mother’s house. We drank beers and made fun of each…
When Snakes Get Too Much Moisture
We have received word that tonight’s Tucson Sidewinders game for tonight has been postponed, apparently because all that rain we got last night made Tucson Electric Park too damn soggy. It’ll be made up as a doubleheader tomorrow, Thursday. So, now you’ve been informed.
Your News Update
So, here’s where we are at on this fifth day of July, in the year 2006: — Ken Lay is dead from a heart attack, saving him from prison, but sentencing him to what could prove to be a very interesting afterlife. — The space shuttle Discovery is in space, and Gabrielle Giffords is trying…
Lives Lost Too Young
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Samuel Zawada and Valerie McGregor, who were killed in a car accident last week. Some of you may remember that Valerie was featured, along with twin sister Emily, in a 2003 cover story by Tom Danehy.
Cracks in the Foam
So now the news is that the space shuttle launch, scheduled for tomorrow after several delays, could be in jeopardy because of a big ol’ crack in the foam on the fuel tank. Of course, it was foam that fell off of the fuel tank that hit space shuttle Columbia in 2003, eventually dooming the…
Nervous Laughter During Penis Pump Trial
This is truly news of the weird as the defendant is a court judge on trial for indecent exposure and using a penis pump under his robe during jury trials. As a former juror, it’s probably more fun to sit on this jury than a boring DUI.
Diplomacy In Disguise
I always like to see a well-rounded politican: Junichiro Koizumi channels the King. Who would have thought that one day fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches would be a valuable tool for international relations?
Senator McCain Nixes Internet Freedom
From MoveOn.org: John McCain, was the deciding vote AGAINST Internet freedom during a key vote this week in the Senate Commerce Committee. The committee voted 11 to 11 on the Snowe/Dorgan proposal to preserve Net Neutrality—one vote shy of passage. John McCain voted to let companies like AT&T put tollbooths on the Internet and gain…
Why Editors Tend to Drink
Every so often, something makes it into the newspaper that, despite everyone’s best intentions, ends up being offensive and inappropriate. God knows we’ve done it here at the Weekly.
Wanna Be Depressed About Real Estate?
If you own a house, want to own a house or have ever been in a house, you may want to check out Zillow.com. It’s a simple site, really: You type in an address, and it will give you an estimated value, using recent sales and other data. While some of the values are a…
The Rise and Fall of Olivia’s Courtyard Cafe
I was so excited to see a new, independent café about five drive-time minutes away. Someone was clearly thinking outside the box by transforming a landscape business into a restaurant. The back grounds were gorgeous and conducive to small groups gathering for coffee and breakfast while the inside was equally cozy. At first, it was…
Live From Little Rock: The Transcript!
The good folks from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies have posted a transcript of Bill Clinton’s June 17 speech. It even includes the Q&A afterward. It’s long, yes, but it’s some good stuff. Trust me. I was there.
Pharmaceutical Mafia
Ever wonder why our health care is so expensive? It’s because we are subsidizing the pharmaceutical drug industry. At what point did we (present company excluded—I have no prescription drug coverage) become such a pill-popping society? Maybe when every major network started advertising pharmaceutical drugs: Ask your doctor about the purple pill … so s/he…
Wait, You *Can’t* Just Lock Someone Away Forever Without Trial?
Apparently, the terror-loving, treasonous leftists on the Supreme Court have ruled that those accused of being terrorist enemies of the state still count as humans. Sick. When will the world learn that if the president (God bless him) doesn’t have the right to conduct the war on terror free from any sort of oversight. then…
Muzzle Awards
Dan Kennedy, one-time media critic for the alt-weekly Boston Phoenix, offers his ninth annual round-up of those who undermine our freedom of speech and civil liberties. These days Dan does his media criticism—and occasional comments on baseball—from his blog Media Nation. The Muzzle Awards focus on the New England area, but there’s plenty of undermining…
Money Madness
TUSD will lose out on federal E-Rate funds for yet another year
To Cherish and Preserve
Robert Adams’ photographs remember the ancient American woods
Danehy
As the neocons rule, true conservatives roll in their graves
Mournful Transition
‘Clean’ is beautifully filmed and well-acted, but the plot needs, well, a plot
Traveling West
The touching tale in Lenore Carroll’s latest book overcomes occasionally sloppy structure
Downing
An ode to June rain in the drought-stricken desert
The Man of Steel
‘Superman’ fans, rejoice: You’ll like his triumphant return
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books best-sellers for the week
Guest Commentary
Bloggers may want to change the world–but there’s more to politics than typing on a keyboard
Now Showing at Home
“Cemetery Man,” “Strangers With Candy: The Complete Series,” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape: Special Collector’s Edition”
Depot Dining
Central has potential, but it needs to improve to be one of downtown’s best
Independence Day
A note from the editor.
Indie Watch
What’s happening in the world of independent film in Tucson.
Noshing Around
Kids Nutrition Cafe The Community Food Bank Kids Cafe program offers children from low-income families a free nutritious snack, along with lessons on manners, respect, the five senses, keeping healthy, how to read a nutrition label, the food pyramid, cooking terms, menu planning and food safety. The Kids Cafe program is offered at nine locations.…
Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Tone, Truth, Twang
You, too, can be a Wyatt–but you probably should like whiskey
It’s a Wrap!
A super-sized legislative session comes to an end
Intent and Approach
Zepparella pays tribute, while their alter ego performs original material
Gettin’ Sloppy
Cosmic Slop: They pile on the funk and do their own thing
Hot Topics
Discussions over a new forest plan start on friendly footing–but can it last?
Psychedelic Blend
Quintron and Miss Pussycat bring their custom-made instruments and puppets to town
Critics’ Choice Awards
Best Band or Artist: Calexico Runners up: Howe Gelb/Giant Sand; The Beta Sweat There’s a reason why Calexico’s star keeps rising–locally, nationally and internationally. They’re a versatile, multinational outfit that can seem to do no wrong, and they’ve done as much to shine a light on Tucson’s music scene as anyone. Whether he’s releasing solo…
Animal Enhancements
Despite recent controversies, the Reid Park Zoo gears up to expand
Soundbites
RETURN OF THE SPILL Is the universe expanding or contracting? Hell, I’m no Carl Sagan or anything, so I can’t answer that question. But I can tell you this: Our collective memory seems to be shortening. How else to explain the fact that Built to Spill have been granted indie-rock elder-statesmen status, even though they’ve…
Readers’ Choice Awards
THE BIG STUFF Band/Musician of the Year: The Wyatts Runners up: Cosmic Slop, Namoli Brennet Up and Coming Artist(s) of the Year: Cosmic Slop Runners up: Namoli Brennet, Amber Norgaard, Anna Warr Best New Release: The Sacred Spud, Kathleen Williamson Runners up: Chrysanthemum, Namoli Brennet; Fortune Favors the Bold, Ph8; String Theory,…
The Skinny
TROUBLE WITH CONCENTRATION Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Goldwater made national headlines last week after The Arizona Republic’s Spanish edition reported he wanted to put illegal immigrants in concentration camps so they can build a border wall for us. U.S. Sen. John McCain wasted no time in firing off a statement condemning Goldwater’s proposal: “I strongly…
Nine Questions
Michael Silvers
Making a Scene
Kathleen Williamson battles evil-doers with a ‘Sacred Spud’
The Range
A recap of last week’s news
Top Ten in Music
CD City top sales for the week
Bringing Music Forward
George Howard joins the Tucson Music Hall of Fame
Media Watch
Marries Donates Time to KUAT Cause
Rhythm & Views
Here Are Caught is a tour-only EP with two new songs from The Ebb and Flow’s forthcoming record, and two remixes of songs from the San Francisco band’s 2005 release, Time to Echolocate. If the two new songs are any indication, the new record is going to be a lot better than the last. How…
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Romi Carrell Wittman
Rhythm & Views
These kids today! Eric Graf, Mitchell Manger and Brandon Kreitler are barely out of high school, but their Ecclesia instrumental project is stunning in the maturity of its vision and musicianship. The trio has the rare knack of making electronic music sound organic and life-affirming; it’s an altogether youthful outlook, spiritual if not explicitly religious.…
Police Dispatch
Young And Free Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue, June 17, 1:58 a.m. According to a UA Police Department report, an allegedly drunken man who had been driving attributed his behavior to youth and freedom. An officer pulled over the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo driven by 19-year-old Matthew David Young, because the vehicle had no headlights on.…
Live
Beck, Rialto Theatre, Saturday, June 24
Pick of the Week
Independent Art
Retro Riot
Gaslight bugs out with Batman Gnatman in the theatre’s latest delightful farce
City Week
Our top picks of what to do and where to do it for the week.
Rhythm & Views
This youthful, post-hardcore outfit from ultra-conservative Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, screams out for ’80s punk recognition. Listening to this album, one might ask: What year is it, again? Sudden Movements shows the band moving from a scorching batch of songs dealing with the usual post-adolescent frustration of authority and oppression–and the evolving fears of transforming from…
