Cover Story
Quality vs. Quantity
For at least a century, water policy in Tucson could be summed up in two words: Get more. Accordingly, for decades, Tucson Water over-pumped our aquifer while spending millions on a reclaimed-water system to use treated sewage for non-drinking purposes. For the last 20 years, the municipal utility has also embarked on the costly delivery…
All I Got From DirecTV Was a Huge Bill and Terrible Service
They’re smart enough to make people pick up the gun somewhere else and you can get a Pizza Hut gift certificate instead, but it does seem that things have changed quite a bit at Radio Shack since I used to go there to get cords for my stereo. In other news, the Arizona Senate is…
Could Be Worse Department: All Your Co-Workers Might Have Won the Lottery
A lesson for you cheapskates out there: it might be worth throwing in a dollar to the office lottery pool just so this doesn’t happen to you: He didn’t think Lady Luck was on his side — and now he’s out millions. A hapless state information-technology worker who usually joined his office lottery pool took…
Helpful Internet Advice From the Mid-90’s
FYI: It’s not your fault if things that make you feel uncomfortable come up on the internet…it’s not your fault. [GQ]
America’s Average Weight Just Went Up Because of This Ad
Considering I was an active supporter of Epic Meal Time (until they sold out on Leno), I probably can’t criticize Denny’s for going for the “Bacon Strips, Bacon Strips, Bacon Strips, Bacon Strips” theory of restaurant management, and yes, a bacon sampler sounds delicious, but this ad is weird. I do not want to hear…
Dear Loft: Please Let Me See These Muppet Films
I am a big fan of the Loft Cinema and both the new and revival movies they bring to town (I’m particularly excited about Rubber, coming April 29th), but that doesn’t mean that I’m not occasionally envious of the projected offerings at other indie cinemas. In this case, it’s the Muppets to the Max series…
Local Students, Musicians Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Don’t miss this concert for a cause. For Derek Hackman—a University of Arizona junior and vocalist/guitarist of the Phoenix band Ezer (Eh-Zer)—music has become an avenue to raising awareness about a plague that often times goes unnoticed. Supported by three other Arizona bands and AbolitionMedia, Hackman has put together a local concert, taking place Saturday,…
So, This is What Mercury Looks Like
From NASA: Early this morning, at 5:20 am EDT, MESSENGER captured this historic image of Mercury. This image is the first ever obtained from a spacecraft in orbit about the Solar System’s innermost planet. Over the subsequent six hours, MESSENGER acquired an additional 363 images before downlinking some of the data to Earth. The MESSENGER…
Russell Pearce One Beneficiary of the Fiesta Bowl’s Largesse
The New York Times article blowing the lid off the seemingly massive corruption at the Fiesta Bowl, leading to nearly everyone in leadership either quitting or getting fired today, is fascinating enough, but one interesting aspect who was also named in the report: The report highlighted several trips to Chicago, Boston and elsewhere that the…
Your “Related to Nothing 90’s Japanese Dance Show” Video of the Day
While I know it’s not true, in my mind, I’m picturing that this video is from a magical Japanese night club where they’re still wearing Cross Colours gear, dancing to tracks from 1991’s De La Soul is Dead and dance moves like David Silver had are still cool. For me, that might be heaven.
No “Mad Men” Until 2012, Maybe, If At All
It’s bad enough that 2011 will be a Mad Men-less year, but if “Let’s re-run Goodfellas again tonight” cable network AMC and Matthew Weiner can’t get a deal together soonish, someone else is going to create season five of Mad Men, which seems like a terrible idea. Oddly enough, based on how the New York…
Soul Food: The Onyx Room Is Open
The Onyx Room holds its grand opening this Friday, April 1, but the new restaurant and nightclub’s Facebook page says a limited menu is already available. As I’ve noted before, John Bryant Jr., head cook down at the Onyx Room, strikes a nice tone when describing the Southern cuisine he’s bringing to the Old Pueblo.…
Free Internet Stuff of the Day
Amazon.com unveiled their Cloud Drive today allowing anyone to upload 5 GB worth of media that can be accessed from any computer you can get on the web or Android phones. Extra storage is always nice in this digital age, and for me, it’s a great place to drop off music files that I have…
Your Tuesday Evening Live Music Recommendation
I’m not a huge fan of revivalist roots reggae, so I wasn’t personally too excited for the Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad show (plus, their name makes my head hurt) at Plush tonight, but somehow I missed that Los Angeles’ Orgone was opening, which is very exciting news. Orgone has been around since 2002 or…
Dr. Peter Rhee: “Fix Gun Background Checks”
Samantha Sais Dr. Peter Rhee, the trauma surgeon who heads the UMC team that saved Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and other victims of the Jan. 8 rampage, has joined a national push for better background checks on gun purchases. He spoke out today with others in downtown Tucson today and argues in the Huffington Post: After…
A Good Reason for Mid-Week Drinking
Just a reminder that the first-ever Southern Arizona Cocktail Competition goes down at Hotel Congress tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29. If you have yet to delve into the world of modern-day mixology, this event is a good place to start. Some of the city’s finest mixologists will be in attendance, and only drinks made from original…
Phoenix New Times: Angry Letter Writer and GOP Education Policy Advisor Anthony Hill Has Serious Domestic Abuse Issues
Paul Rubin of the Phoenix New Times digs up a disturbing tidbit about Anthony Hill, the substitute teacher whose letter about how Hispanics kids all want to be gang members and hate America was read aloud (with zero vetting) by Sen. Lori Klein, who cited it as an example of conditions within the school system:…
Ron Asta Wonders: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Republican Ron Asta wants to know if you think he should stay in the race for Tucson mayor. Asta, who has been hammered in the morning daily for apologizing for shoplifting a steak but not addressing a traffic accident that left an 18-year-old woman dead, has cut an ad that will air this Thursday during…
Happy Birthday, Tucson Weekly Production Staffer Andrew Ling
My co-worker Andrew Ling asked for two things for his birthday via text (his messages are in green, mine in white), so I tried to be accommodating.
Win Tickets to See Delicate Steve with Akron/Family
New Jersey’s Delicate Steve is a one man show in recorded form, but it’s a little difficult to tell with all that’s going on each of his instrumental tracks. He’s bringing a full band to open for Akron/Family at Club Congress on April 5th and we’re giving away 2 tickets to see him for free.…
The Next Frontier in Skateboarding?
Skaters bring their dogs to skateparks all the time, but more often than not, they just run around the park and get in the way when you’re trying to skate. I’m not saying that bringing dogs along for a session is a bad thing, I just feel like they haven’t been utilized to their fullest…
Nice to Know What AT&T Does With My Money
AT&T needs a few things from the FCC – approval of their merger with T-Mobile, permission to screw with how traffic flows through the internet tubes – so what’s the only way to woo a government entity? Cupcakes! IN this covetous town, the delicacies of the Georgetown Cupcake shop stand alone as symbols of wish…
Set Your DVR: Pro Bowling Drama Next Week
I might be one of ten people in town who regularly watches professional bowling on television (strangely, I don’t actually bowl all that often), so I was excited to see that next week’s installment of the Dick Weber PBA Playoffs would include some actual drama. In this scene, Australian two-handed bowling sensation Jason Belmonte is…
Secrets of the Non-Tucson Basic Cable Bartenders (Volume One)
It’s been nice outside lately, although we all know that won’t last for long before the oppressive inferno-like heat kicks in. If you’re having some sort of spring outdoor event soon, here’s a drink you might consider serving courtesy of noted cocktail expert Sandra Lee involving kiwis and melon liqueur. Keep an eye out for…
Picture This: Scenes From the D’Backs-Dodgers Game Benefitting Tucson Together Fund
Dallas Green throws out the first pitch at Friday’s spring training game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the L.A. Dodgers. Dallas’ sister, 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, was killed in the Jan. 8 assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords that left six dead and 13 wounded, including Giffords, who is recovering at a Houston hospital. Christina had…
Would Someone (Intentionally) Amusing Please Run for Office Here?
Ian Murphy, the guy who pranked Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, is running for the New York congressional seat vacated by Craigslist cruiser Chris Lee. I don’t know if I’m optimistic for his chances as a Green Party candidate to take the seat, but at very least, the guy has enough of a sense of humor…
The Future of TUSD’s Ethnic Studies?
David Safier at Blog for Arizona suspects the fix is in to turn Mexican-American Studies into an elective course: Last week, TUSD school board president Mark Stegeman wrote an op ed in the Star recommending the Mexican American Studies courses be removed from the core curriculum and be turned into electives. Now, I hear Superintendent…
Medical Marijuana Rules Released
The Arizona Department of Health Services released the final draft of the medical marijuana rules today. According to the final draft, those who qualify for a medical marijuana patient card can begin registering for cards on April 14 online. ADHS will only accept online applications, no walk-ins. Before submitting an online application, the patient has…
Watch Angry Birds in the Theater Instead of Just Playing It There
Seems inevitable, really. I’m a little surprised Nicolas Cage hasn’t been attached to Angry Birds: Holiday Edition: The Film Experience in IMAX 3-D already.
Picture This: Calexico and Friends
Photograph by Josh Morgan Joey Burns of Calexico performs at the second annual Festival en el Barrio Viejo The second annual Festival en el Barrio Viejo ended with a bang with a performance from Calexico. A plethora of local and national musicians joined in on the performance, including iconic local artist Salvador Duran and the…
Festival en el Barrio Viejo Update: Now With More Basketball!
An update on the Festival en el Barrio Viejo tomorrow from Curtis at the Rialto: The second annual Festival en el Barrio Viejo is tomorrow afternoon! Here are a few key bits of info we thought you should know before you venture into the Barrio. • UA BASKETBALL FANS: Don’t worry about missing the game!…
Solar Rock on Sunday
The fifth annual solar-powered concert and green fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 27. The event features live music by Michael P., The Wayback Machine, Spirit Familia and The Opposables. Speakers, games, kids’ activities, food, a freecycle.org “free-meet” and exhibits round out the fair. Kids can paint their own canvas…
An App for the Black Out Drinker
The “Last Night Never Happened” app is $1.99 on the iTunes App Store, but the peace of mind that comes from instantly deleting all the stupid crap you posted last night on various social media platforms while intoxicated is priceless. It doesn’t actually deleted the real-life debauchery you were posting about, but at least some…
“Parks and Rec” Animated GIFs? Sure!
Thankfully, NBC decided to renew Parks and Recreation last week, but it’s always been a little touch and go for the show, since people don’t generally watch it. Still, I think it’s one of the best shows on TV, consistently funny with a stellar cast, so here’s an animated GIF of Andy Dwyer (played by…
A Support Group for People Who Like Their Radiohead Less Weird
TucsonWeekly.com BobZ commented on our review of Radiohead’s new album King of Limbs, remarking that the album is: Boring…pretentious….Did I mention BORING. ? Well, BobZ, you’re not alone.
The Blue Man Group (Minus Tobias Funke) Are Coming to Town
While it’s a little bit challenging for me to get the jokes from Arrested Development out of my head when I think of the Blue Man Group (which is not a support group for depressed men, in case you were wondering), the actual concept behind the world-traveling performance art/musical group is kind of fascinating. The…
Tucson Weekly TV – Kevin J. Thornton at the Tucson Fringe Festival
Comedian/actor/musician Kevin J. Thornton previews his play “I Love You (We’re Fucked)”, which can be seen this weekend as part of the Tucson Fringe Festival. Thornton’s show can be seen at The Screening Room tonight at 6:30 pm, tomorrow at 8:30 pm and at Beowulf Alley Theatre Sunday at 5 pm. Tickets are $10.
Sierra Club: Save the State Parks!
Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club sends out her weekly update of environmental legislation, along with a plea for you to call your state lawmakers to save the state parks: Hello all! It appears that the Arizona Legislature has finished its work in committees and now will be addressing legislation primarily on the Floor. This…
Strange Music Friday: Chris Kent Sings Michael Jackson
I’m not entirely sure how to classify the music of Chris Kent from Nashville, but his semi-operatic style might be the best tribute to the music of Michael Jackson ever. [Dangerous Minds]
Gus Johnson Calls Great Moments in History
It really was a waste to have excitable sports announcer Gus Johnson calling the Butler/Wisconsin game last night and leaving the semi-comatose Verne Lundquist on the Arizona/Duke game. Not that the result was close in Anaheim, but at least Gus would have seemed involved. In fact, it’s sort of a mistake to have Gus Johnson…
Break Out the Popcorn: Tucson Cactus Drive-In Update Brings Best News Yet
The destruction of the longstanding DeAnza Drive-In last April left yet another hole in the Tucson landscape, a hole frequently filled by new car lots, used car lots and Taco Bell. Photo Ryn Gargulinski DeAnza Drive-In was dismantled in April 2010 but the screen was saved to create a renewed Cactus Drive-In. But fear not,…
93-77
Has any Wildcat team ever played a better second half? They could do no wrong. And just so you know: They’ll have Saturday’s game on jumbo-screens at the Festival el el Barrio Viejo, so now you really don’t have any excuse not to come!
Somewhat Interesting Facts About LinkedIn, A Site Which Exists
I have no idea what to do with LinkedIn. I have an account there. I think I posted that I work here. Otherwise, I really don’t get it, but for what its worth, The Week looks at the significant number of people on LinkedIn, some of whom must be getting something out of it: 100…
We Reviewed the Strokes Record, Now You Can Listen to It
Read Sean Bottai’s review of the new Strokes album Angles while listening to the album streaming on their website. It’s a multimedia experience. The Strokes doubled down on rock’s eroticism, channeling everything from Beatlemania to ’70s-era Cheap Trick to the retro-fantasia of Pacific Northwestern garage like the Kingsmen and the Sonics; then they added a…
Play Ball: Dodgers Vs. D’Backs For Tucson Together
If you don’t already have tickets for tomorrow’s Diamondbacks/Dodgers game, you’re out of the luck. The game is sold out and fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid lines. Details from the press release after the jump: Friday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks is sold out, with in excess of…
Tucson Weekly TV: Fish Karma on His Rock Opera
Tucson’s own Fish Karma discusses his new rock opera, “Halloween in America” hitting the stage this weekend as part of the Tucson Fringe Festival. Shows at The Screening Room tonight at 6:30 PM, Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:30 PM, and at Beowulf Alley Theatre Sunday at 11:45 AM.
If You Want To See the Oscar Winning Version of “The King’s Speech”, Hurry
It seems a little strange to take what’s supposed to be the best movie of 2010 and change it, but I’m not one of the magical movie making Weinstein brothers, so what do I know? The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that THE KING’S SPEECH PG-13, the family-friendly version of its Academy Award-winning historical drama…
This Saturday: Festival en el Barrio Viejo
If you were there last year, you know what it’s all about: A new festival, right in the heart of Barrio Viejo, with Calexico and a whole bunch of special guests, including Robin Hitchcock and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. Gene Armstrong sums it up this week: If you were among the couple thousand lucky souls to…
Flake’s Immigration Capitulation
Congressman Jeff Flake has surrendered to the nativists in his party in his quest for a U.S. Senate seat: For years, Rep. Jeff Flake was one of the most reliable Republican champions for comprehensive immigration reform. Not anymore. As his campaign for Arizona’s 2012 GOP Senate nomination revs up, Flake is explicitly rejecting his past…
Artistic Range: Stone Dragon Studio
Courtesy of Maxine and Steve Murray, Stone Dragon Studio Chris Broduer, Echo “Echo,” by Chris Broduer, is part of In This Moment, continuing at Stone Dragon Studio, 1122 N. Stone Ave., through April 2.
Play What We Had in the 80’s Instead of Angry Birds
Some website called Pica-Pic has assembled a playable collection of largely circa-80’s era Game and Watch handheld gaming systems which I remember being obsessed with, but seem like they should be from the Stone Age considering the quality of games you can get on your phone these days. Still, if you had the Donkey Kong…
Hey CEOs, What About Education?
The Arizona Education Network has put together a letter campaign to ask the 60 Arizona CEOs who pressured state legislators to say no to crazy anti-immigration laws to use that same power to convince lawmakers to say yes to education: When 60 CEOs asked legislators to back down on pushing through more bills targeting immigrants,…
UA Student Elections: Giffords Hero Intern Daniel Hernandez and His Opponent Both Disqualified
Josh Morgan The Arizona Daily Wildcat reports this bit of odd news about the ASUA presidential ambitions of Daniel Hernandez, the intern who saved Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ life in the minutes after the Jan. 8 shooting rampage: The outcome of the ASUA presidential election now rests in the hands of the student government’s Supreme Court.…
Turns Out Selling Medicinal Marijuana Is Profitable, But a Pain
I like infographics, mostly because it’s easier for me to remember information when it’s presented with pretty pictures, so this illustration discussing the medicinal marijuana industry was a welcome one. One fact from the report the infographic comes from: Don’t Hold Out for Free Checking. That first buyer may come easily, but don’t assume the…
The Onion: “Actual Expert Too Boring For TV”
The Onion Reports: “Actual Expert Too Boring For TV” Canton was brought in for a test interview based on a recent op-ed in the Boston Globe, in which he argued that increased reliance on nuclear power is “inevitable.” When asked to address nuclear power’s potentially disastrous consequences, however, Canton launched into a well-reasoned lecture that…
T Q&A
Jeffrey Scott Brown is a Tucsonan who could use your vote right now. The local HIV/AIDS activist and community volunteer is a Man of the Year finalist in a poll sponsored by Phoenix-based LGBT magazine ‘N Touch. Brown tested HIV-positive in 1991 and came home from Los Angeles in the mid-’90s. After taking some time…
Mailbag
Che’s Lounge Owner Clarifies ‘Brewing Concerns’; Correction
Naïm Amor: Dansons (Self-Released)
Naïm Amor’s signature French-and-English mix of jazz, pop and rock shifts toward the tropical on his latest album, a 12-song set that conjures a long afternoon of breezy tranquility. Dansons is a relaxed record, with nimble guitar work, unhurried beats and flourishes of strings, piano, accordion and oboe. Amor sings in French about half the…
Not Square and Dull
When Trey McIntyre was a kid in Wichita, Kan., in the 1970s, he thought ballet was “square and dull.” So one day, he sneaked out of dance class and started making up moves of his own in the parking lot. His wise teacher, Carol Iwasaki, saw him and invited him back in, saying, “Why don’t…
Guest Commentary
Planned Parenthood Arizona serves more than 100,000 families every year; maybe your family is one of them. Tucson is home to the Margaret Sanger Health Center, namesake of Planned Parenthood’s founder. A century ago, Margaret Sanger was a New York City nurse who witnessed the horrors of women dying prematurely after having too many children,…
The Strokes: Angles (RCA/Rough Trade)
The Strokes doubled down on rock’s eroticism, channeling everything from Beatlemania to ’70s-era Cheap Trick to the retro-fantasia of Pacific Northwestern garage like the Kingsmen and the Sonics; then they added a dash of Travolta’s Danny Zuko tight-jeaned ass-shakin’ for good measure. In the early ’00s, they were post-Sopranos (but pre-Jersey-Shore) Italian stallions, and also…
Blooming Indoors
Spring is here, but the wildflowers are not. Biologists have warned Tucsonans that our bone-dry winter will yield few desert blooms. By contrast, last year’s torrential winter rains triggered a landmark blossoming. At Catalina State Park, golden poppies and lavender-blue lupines turned the western slopes of the mountains into proverbial carpets of color. This year,…
Track Termination?
A measure trotting through the Arizona State Legislature would end most live dog racing at Tucson Greyhound Park. Funny thing is, track officials actually asked for the legislation to be introduced. That’s according to Rep. Vic Williams, the District 26 Republican sponsor of HB 2536. His measure has already passed through the House, and is…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I often pick up the Weekly Alibi in Albuquerque to read your babosadas. Now, let me get this straight: You appear to be a bright guy who claims to have the Mexican people all figured out. To you, we are all 5-foot-6 with a medium complexion, and we all pray to Moctezuma to…
Iranian Heroine
Dear Laura,” wrote an Albuquerque reader quoted at the beginning of this new novel, “there MUST be a sequel to Veil of Roses. … I’m 86; please hurry.” And Laura did. When last we saw Laura Fitzgerald’s heroine Tamila Soroush—in Fitzgerald’s 2007 debut novel, Veil of Roses—she was on the edge of having to return…
The Skinny
Senate Republicans pass the worst budget in Arizona history … Immigration bills go down as some Republicans find the stones to oppose Russell Pearce … A sensible plan to stave off health-care cuts is ignored … and a million more gallons of crazy from your Arizona Legislature!
Top Ten in Books
Mostly Books best-sellers for the week ending March 18, 2011
Police Dispatch
Criminal Bartering; Inapropriate Choking
Quite a Pill
What if there existed a wonder drug that could heighten your awareness of absolutely everything, unlock each memory you’ve ever had, and multiply your IQ exponentially? If such a drug did exist, Charlie Sheen would almost certainly snort it all up and leave nothing for the rest of us—but the notion that such a drug…
Weekly Wide Web
When Facts Collide With Nonsense; The week on The Range; Comment of the week; Best of WWW; and more!
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week ending March 20, 2011
The Beanbag Question
Many critical details surrounding the killing of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry on Dec. 14 remain unknown, as the active murder investigation proceeds. But an important fact has been established: The agents working in Peck Canyon that night first fired at the bandits with beanbag rounds. Why direct nonlethal fire at dangerous men armed with…
Geek Out!
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost continue to fly their geek flags high with Paul, an alien comedy that is essentially a love letter to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad), Paul isn’t a laugh riot, but it has enough laughs to keep it moving forward—and it has a big, sloppy, sentimental…
Now Showing at Home
Hereafter (Blu-ray); The Fighter (Blu-ray); Tangled (Blu-ray+DVD)
Switch From Sonoran
The sign in front still reads Brundog’s/Cocina de Gabby—but once inside, it’s obvious that this little joint is now simply La Cocina de Gabby. Late last year, Tom and Marty Brunner—the folks who owned and operated the well-loved Brundog’s, and before that, Capriccio’s—partnered with Gabrielle and Francisco Martinez. The idea was to feature both Cajun…
Noshing Around
Burgers and Custard: Culver’s; A New Cocktail Competition; Prickly Pear Beer!; Grazefest; Noshing Notes
Classroom Battle
When filmmakers Ari Luis Palos and Eren Isabel McGinnis started working on their documentary Precious Knowledge almost three years ago, they hoped the film would have an upbeat ending. Instead, the ethnic-studies controversy depicted in the film remains unresolved—and seems to be getting even more contentious. “I’ve always thought the kids were going to win,”…
Making It Special
The New York City avant-garde jazz trio Zevious is barnstorming the country, bringing spiky, assertive electric jazz to listeners who are hungry for adventurous music. “It’s interesting to find that niche in New York, where we often play to 200 people who have such a wide range of choices when they go out. But we…
Media Watch
The bad news for daily print keeps coming; ESPN radio gets FM exposure; Tim Richards back with ‘Johnjay and Rich’
Soundbites
Filling in nicely; Music festival invades Barrio Viejo again; Latin music of Cuban and Jewish origins; Short takes; On the bandwagon
Top Ten in Music
The 17th Street Guitar and World Music Store’s top sales for the week ending March 17, 2011
Not So Diverse
Last year, I was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies—the trade group for 120 or so newspapers across the United States and Canada that kinda sorta have similarities to the Tucson Weekly. My gig on the board? I am the chairman of the Diversity Committee. (Yes, it’s kinda funny…
Nine Questions
Stu Jenks is a photographer, writer and musician. Born in Virginia, he has lived in the Sonoran Desert for more than 25 years. Dementia Blues, a photo-memoir book about his dying mother, was released earlier this month. Get more info at www.stujenks.com. What was the first concert you ever saw? My first acoustic was the…
First on the Fringe
Dozens of “fringe festivals” around the world are known for pushing the artistic envelope with mostly unknown performers. Well, Tucson has had no such fringe festival—until now. You may have seen Yassi Jahanmir trolling the city streets in her white 1968 Cadillac convertible, selling Tucson Fringe Festival tickets out of the trunk. “You never know…
Danehy
This column is about the Phoenix Suns, so if you’re one of those people who focus on granola or worry about Japanese radiation drifting over Tucson, you can look elsewhere for a kindred spirit. However, I will weigh in: granola, good; radiation, bad. I went to a Suns game to check on Channing Frye, one…
Live
Those of us who slithered our way through the goth scene many years ago understand that Peter Murphy was, arguably, the backbone of the movement. Whether he was fronting the groundbreaking band Bauhaus in the late 1970s and early 1980s or going solo, his easily distinguished resonant vocal tone simultaneously comforted you and made you…
City Week
92nd Annual Baile de las Flores; Charity game: Arizona Diamondbacks versus Los Angeles Dodgers; Tucson’s Synergistic Water Festival; Grazefest at farmers’ markets
Messina
With the sound of women’s voices singing in the background, the camera pans across a scene of beautiful mountains. A man speaks softly: “Very sacred to us are these mountains, the rivers, the trees, the wind, the clouds. We are one with the land.” This is a striking moment in Apache 8, a new documentary…
Wire: Red Barked Tree (Pink Flag)
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, the British band Wire joined artists such as Gang of Four, Public Image Ltd., The Fall and Joy Division to redefine post-punk music. They brought art-school sensibilities to pop songcraft, taking the anger of punk and adding a cool sheen of dark, sexy intellectualism. The first three Wire…
GOP Poised to Pass Flat-Tax Plan That Raises Your Taxes & Increases Your Paperwork
The idea of a flat tax is so attractive to Arizona Republicans these days that they’re willing to raise on nearly nine out of 10 Arizona households in order to put one in place. Here’s the JLBC’s breakdown of the impact HB 2636, the flat-tax proposal that will be under consideration in the Senate Finance…
Tucson Weekly TV: What is the Tucson Fringe Festival?
Yassi Jahanmir and Sara Habib from the Tucson Fringe Festival discuss how the event came to be and why Tucsonans should experience the edges of modern theatre. Check out our City Week preview of the festival, and check back tomorrow morning on The Range for videos from the artists describing the work they’ll be presenting.
The Boston Review Looks at “Rogue State” Arizona
I’m starting to get less depressed when out-of-state publications criticize Arizona’s politics, more because I’m getting used to it than anything, but this featured essay in the Boston Review is remarkably fair, if incredibly tough: A sense of solidarity led the Tea Party Patriots to Phoenix for their American Policy Summit in February. It’s “our…
Pop Culture Influenced Poster of the Week
Maxim Dalton makes great posters and for the Quentin vs. Coen Show in New York City he created a series of (unfortunately) imaginary action figures for Tarantino’s 1994 classic Pulp Fiction:
Glendale Elementary School District: Our Schools Are Not Full of Would-Be Gangstas Who Hate America
The Glendale Elementary School District has looked into whether they had a class full of Hispanic students who would “rather be gang members and gangsters” and “hate America and are determined to reclaim this area for Mexico,” as alleged in a letter sent to Senate President Russell Pearce and read aloud on the Senate floor…
The Wildflower Festival
Crafted, a shop that sells handmade crafts, recently opened in December of 2010 in the historic Charles O. Brown house at 40 W. Broadway. On Sunday, March 27, Crafted will be having an event at the historic house in hopes of raising money to benefit the community programs of Arts Marketplace, and the renovation of…
Taco Bell Customer Shoots at Employee and Police, Chickens Loose in High School and More: Rynski Radio on Party934
Update with playlist and download at bottom of post. One man was so enraged about Taco Bell’s increase of the Beefy Crunch Burrito price that he shot an air gun at an employee, fired an assault rifle at police, and then barricaded himself in hotel room. Photo Ryn Gargulinski Chickens are more at home in…
