Cover Story
Seeking Justice
Perhaps the best image of Louis Taylor isn’t the one from the newspapers of his youth, or even the more recent ones of him surrounded by his attorneys in court wearing prison orange or dressed in Friday business casual at an April 3, 2013 press conference the day after his release from prison after spending…
Seriously, What Do We Have to Do to Bring Superchunk to Tucson Again?
As far as I can tell, Superchunk haven’t played Tucson since an incredible show at the DPC in 1994 with Polvo and the Weird Lovemakers. Sure, some of that time, the group was on hiatus, so there’s some excuse, but in 2013, as they get ready to release a new album (I Hate Music, the…
Critter of the Week: Dewey
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona presents Dewey, a 3-year-old, male, pit bull mix.Reference no.: 748129 Dewey is a 90-pound goofball who always has a giant smile and a wiggling back end. Found on Oracle with his tiny, identical daughter, Dewey and his pup were brought to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for a…
Tonight We Dine! The Surly Wench Kitchen’s Serving Up Chicken Mole Tacos
Listen Daily Star, we’ve gotta talk. We’re fine with you jinxing baseball teams (and we’re cool about chatting baseball with you on Twitter), but we’re drawing the line on this “food” thing you guys keep doing. It was funny when y’all were into Subway, and it was getting a little old when you were celebrating…
New Initative Would Scrap Tucson’s Pension Program
The Range mentioned last week that the upcoming city election could be a sleepy affair. But a new group has filed paperwork to run an initiative to phase out the city’s current pension program for most employees. The Committee for Sustainable Retirement has to collect roughly 12,720 valid signatures from Tucson voters by July 5…
More Roadblocks for Immigration Reform
The Range mentioned earlier today that the Senate’s immigration-reform package was facing a rocky road.It looks even rockier in the House, according to ABC News: Bipartisan meetings in the House of Representatives on a comprehensive immigration reform bill have failed, and the congressmen will meet for the last time today without reaching an agreement on…
Let’s Look Inside Mitch Hedberg’s Notebooks
Comedian Mitch Hedberg died too damn early, thanks to an overdose of both heroin and cocaine (stay clean, kids), leaving a tremendous comedic legacy behind, even with a relatively small body of work. However, his wife Lynn Shawcroft, a successful comedian in her own right, has curated MitchHedberg.net into a museum of Mitch’s greatness, complete…
Someone At the ‘Star’ Seems To Hate the Atlanta Braves
Or at least, they seem to love them some Pittsburgh Pirates: facebook.com “Yeah, take that, Julio Teheran!” I get that no one outside of Atlanta has cared for the Braves since they won a World Series in ’95, but why go out of your way to cosmically ruin the day of a 22-year-old pitcher? I…
Wilexico Is Born
Wilco invited Tucson’s own Calexico onstage to add some trumpet and accordion to Woody Guthrie’s “California Stars” at the Nelsonville Music Festival on June 1. You can see Calexico’s Jacob Valenzuela and Martin Wenk bring some trumpets to “I’m The Man Who Loves You” at JamBase.
Chicanos Por La Causa Recognizes Castillo and Elías on Thursday
Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) will recognize the community work of professor Guadalupe Castillo and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías on Thursday, June 6, at Sahuarita’s Desert Diamond Entertainment Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road. Reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Here’s more about “Celebrating 33…
Billy Bragg: “Cause I’m a Writer, Not a Decorator”
Some of us are lucky to have handymen in our lives who just happen to have drills in their car trunks for helping put up artwork and such. Some of us can never return the favor, except in poetry (which they better like, dammit) … which is why I love this new Billy Bragg song…
Roadblocks for Immigration Reform
Wonkblog’s Ezra Klein and Evan Soltas note that the Gang of Eight’s immigration-reform plan is facing trouble in the Senate: On Tuesday, Sen. Marco Rubio told Fox News that the bill didn’t have the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster in the Senate. In fact, right now, the immigration bill doesn’t even have…
Best Tweet of the Day
RT@paulbabeuazI posted a new photo to Facebook fb.me/2vlSbbsxU – DO U HAVE A SHIRT ON IN IT?— Captain Al Melvin (@Governor_Melvin) June 5, 2013 Oh, and in case you need a bit of background for that, think back to February 2012.
Rep. Barber Calls on Congress To Preserve OT Pay For Border Patrol
Emily Eaton of Cronkite News Service reports on the latest D.C. budget fight: WASHINGTON — Border Patrol agents may not face furlough days if leaders of the House Appropriations Committee approve a Department of Homeland Security plan that would cut agents’ overtime pay instead. Rep. Ron Barber, D-Tucson, wrote to the ranking members of the…
For the Person In Your Life Who Needs to Have Absolutely Everything: The Edible Anus
(Note: I am seriously this close to accidentally typing “chocolate covered anuses,” which would make this a substantially different product.) It’s amazing how much I think I’ve seen before the Internet tells me that, once again, I have no idea. Anyway, if you’re one of those people too, then we’ve got some sharing and learning…
New Study Shows Latinas Disproportionately Targeted for Sterilizations
A study by a University of Michigan professor shows that “Latinas in the U.S. have been disproportionately targeted for sterilizations in mental health and health institutions over time.” No doubt. Look, you probably didn’t have to even know there was a recent study done if you took a women’s studies class in college to believe…
Young Gay Couple Winning “Cutest Couple” High School Superlative Warms My Heart
Dylan Meehan and Brad Taylor Hats off to NYC’s Carmel High School, where two boys were recently voted as “cutest couple” of their senior class. The news went viral after a fellow classmate wrote about the yearbook status on her Tumblr, just five days ago. “Two of my best friends won Cutest Couple of our…
Medicaid Expansion and State Budget Bills on the Move
Sources say @andy_tobin has given up negotiating with @govbrewer on Medicaid expansion, will move it to vote on House floor.— Ben Giles (@ben_giles) June 4, 2013 Looks like the sleepy lull at the Arizona Legislature is coming to an end today. House Speaker Andy Tobin, who has been negotiating with Gov. Jan Brewer over her…
Confusing Decision Reached in PAC-12 Referee Bribing Allegations
You might remember the saga of Sean Miller’s March 15 technical foul against UCLA, which we’re inartfully calling “He Touched the Ball”-Gate. That late-game technical gave UCLA two free-throws, which ended up making the difference in UA’s 66-64 loss. We noted that the NCAA was going to look into the matter once reports surfaced that…
Daily Show: “John McCain Is Literally Palling Around With Terrorists”
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c John McCain’s Syrian Photo Op www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Indecision Political Humor The Daily Show on Facebook Jon Stewart review John McCain’s recent journey to Syria, where a few mischievous terrorists managed to photo-bomb Arizona’s senior senator.
Someone In Phoenix Is Selling A Fence That (Might Have) Belonged To Barry Goldwater
If you’ve ever wanted to own a disputable piece of semi-Presidential history, then I’ve got the deal for you! It appears that some gentleman (lady?) in the Phoenix metropolitan area has a fence that supposedly, used to surround the home of renowned Arizona senator and Presidential runner-up Barry Goldwater — and it’s for sale! Craigslist…
The Most Accurate Sentiment to Ever Appear on an Episode of “The Bachelorette”
For some reason, ABC’s ode to people saying “here for the right reasons” over and over, The Bachelorette, is running tweets along the bottom of the screen during episodes this season, but they might want to fire the person who decides which hashtagged comments make in on the air. [Dave Shumka]
It’s Hot Out There: Stay Hydrated!
As the temperature continues to get hotter, your energy may be melting away. When it’s 106 degrees outside, being hydrated can make or break your summer. The human body is made of 60 percent water, so it’s no secret that you should be drinking plenty. According to the The Institute of Medicine, the recommended water…
Crazily Enough, Someone Qualified Is Interested In Run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Earlier today, David Garcia announced on Facebook that he’s launched an exploratory committee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. And as crazy as it seems in Arizona, the ASU associate professor is kinda qualified for the job. With that, let’s wish Garcia luck and acknowledge he’ll probably lose, but hey, welcome to the fray. From…
Gov. Brewer Being Called a ‘Traitor’ by Tea Partiers While Liberals Notice Newfound Respect For Her
Gov. Jan Brewer, she who eats scorpions for breakfast, waggles her finger at sitting presidents for lunch and slaughters non-budget-related bills in preparation for her evening feast, has now been likened to the man who is most famous for betraying the Lord and Savior of millions of people worldwide. Yep, Janice has been compared to…
Hey Bigots, Cheerios Commercial is Not a Ploy to Make Everyone Open-Hearted
Have you seen the new ad from Cheerios (conveniently placed above), featuring an interracial family — complete with a white mother, black father and an incredibly cute daughter? The kid is beautiful and the commercial is adorable. Of course, since the kid is biracial, so leave it to the bigots to come out using big…
Dunkin Donuts is Coming Out With A Donut-Breaded Sandwich and I’m Horrified
If you woke up this morning to your bowl of Special K Red Berries thinking “man, I sure would love to eat something that would horrify my great-grandparents,” then it appears you’re not alone: it appears that, in an attempt to sooth the grumbling bellies of people like you (and other fans of Man V.…
Ingeniously, There’s A Kickstarter-Like Site for Porn
We tend to cover Kickstarter and other crowdsourcing sites a lot around here, and justifiably so considering the awesome things people tend to do with them (beer! art! film!)…but here’s a particular crowdfunding site I honestly didn’t expect to ever exist, for some reason: Offbeatr [NSFW, obviously], the crowdfunding site for pornographers seeking startup capital.…
‘Community Action Center’ Screening Provides Porn, Pizza and Social Activism
Community Action Center, a sociosexual 1970s porn-romance-liberation film, is being screened tonight at Fluxx. The film promises everyone’s favorite parts of porn: pizza delivery, metallic body paint, and, of course, a dungeon. But, this isn’t your average “pizza guy shows up and decides to hop on a sex swing” kind of film. It also examines…
Favorite Desert Color Works In Pots Too
Marylee, Potted Desert Gardener Desert Potted bougainvillea We see Bougainvillea all over our desert landscapes. With a larger number of patio homes, these large plants are often too unwieldy to support in the patio landscape. Desert Dwellers often ask about planting Bougainvillea in pots so they can enjoy them year round in the hotter climates.…
When in Miami-Dade, Be Cafeful Who You Stare at
Evidently clenching your fists and “dehumanizing” stares can get you tackled by police: New cell phone footage shows Miami-Dade Police officers aggressively pinning an unarmed teen to the ground while choking him. His alleged crime: giving the officers “dehumanizing stares” and “clenching his fists.” Fourteen-year-old Tremaine McMillan says he was feeding his puppy and playing…
“Cartilage Will Keep Us Together!” or “Here’s the Rest of The Speech, Calzona Fans”
What with the gas tanker exploding and everything else going on, it was almost a footnote, but Grey’s Anatomy fans have a chance to get some closure on that TED Talk Dr. Callie Torres agonized over throughout Season 9 Episode 19. It turns out that the UA has the real guy, John A. Szivek, PhD.,…
Tucson Poker Update: Locals Off To Good Start at WSOP
The 44th annual World Series of Poker began on Wednesday in Las Vegas, and already it’s lining up as a strong showing by poker players with local ties. And that’s even before the Weekly’s resident poker expert (ahem, that would be me) gets there later this week. The first four events (out of 62) have…
AZ Illustrated Politics: Rep. Ron Barber Talks Immigration, Guns & More. Plus: Panel Talks Medicaid, Immigration & El Rio
Congressman Ron Barber stopped by AZ Illustrated Politics last night to talk about his efforts to expand health-care options for veterans, his concern about sequester cuts, his concerns about immigration reform and his thoughts on background checks on gun sales. Then former Pima County Democratic Party chairman Jeff Rogers, former state lawmaker Frank Antenori and…
New PBS Ad Campaign Skewers Reality TV
Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of words ranting about the state of reality television, noting that the clownish, restaurant-owning fools at Amy’s Baking Company might get a television series of their very own with which they can be further derided and mocked. Today, I learned that PBS isn’t too pleased with the state of…
Let’s Watch A Homemade “Lightsaber” Effortlessly Burn Through Stuff
YouTuber and self-described “DIY Laser Guy” Drake Anthony (better known as Styropyro) has become relatively Internet famous for his videos featuring his love for lasers, chemistry and explosions — which is awesome. But today, we’re going to focus on one thing — his massive, self-made, 3 watt laser, capable of setting things on fire in…
Juanes Rocks AVA, Regains His Edge
Grammy award-winner Juanes performed at the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater Thursday night for the latest stop on his Loud and Unplugged Tour, playing a great mix of both new songs and deep cuts from earlier in his career. Opening for Juanes was a new, up-and-coming singer, Raquel Sofia. Sofia, comparable at times to La Mari, of…
So, You Guys Are Still Doing This?
azstarnet.com News you can use? I thought we talked about this, Arizona Daily Star. Don’t you remember the day you ignored a good, local story for the opportunity to plug Subway sandwiches? Sure, at least this time you’re not shuffling off information about good, local people for this marginally interesting press release, but did it…
God Bless You, Merry Prancers: the Majesty of Prancercising
There’s something beautiful when someone is so damn earnest about what they’re doing that they don’t recognize the hilarity of their actions — when they’re pouring their heart and soul into something, and it turns out to be heartwarming and amusing, even if it’s for all the wrong reasons. Such is the case with Prancercising,…
Today’s the Last Day To Submit Your Best of Tucson® Ballot!
Tucson, it’s May 31 — a date of significance for a number of reasons. Some of you got paid today. Many of you have rent due tomorrow. Oh, and apparently Big Ben began operating back in 1859. It’s a big day. But for us, today matters for one reason, and one alone: it is the…
Your Friday Morning Video Wake-Up: ‘Years,’ by Bartholomäus Traubeck
In what happens to be one of the coolest art projects I’ve seen in quite some time, “Years” takes a modified record player and a thin slice of a tree, and combines them to form something…well, amazing: YEARS from Bartholomäus Traubeck on Vimeo. Why yes, that old turntable IS playing the rings of a tree.…
So There Might Be An Amy’s Baking Company Reality Show, and I Hate Everything About This
(Note: Last week, when writing about the Jodi Arias Lifetime Original Movie Whoops! He Fell On the Knife Over and Over Again or whatever the hell it’s called, I used the phrase “this is fucking stupid.” I would like to apologize for using that sentence — not because it is offensive to those who have…
City Hall Brawl ’13: City Council Lineups Set
The official deadline for getting into this year’s Tucson City Council races passed yesterday with little fanfare, so we have the lineup for our City of Tucson elections this year. Ward 3 Democratic incumbent Karin Uhlich will have a rematch against Republican Ben Buehler-Garcia, who lost narrowly to her four years ago, and Ward 5…
Tucson Writer and Filmmaker Sets Out to Understand Why Female Bicyclists Don’t Get ‘Half the Road’
“Half The Road” trailer from kevin tokstad on Vimeo. As you might be familiar, Tucson’s something of a haven for cyclists (just ask frequent Range contributor Michael McKisson, proprietor of TucsonVelo.com. The Old Pueblo is a great place, year-round, for both regular riders to get around town and for cycling teams to train to their…
A White House Petition to Make It Easier for Blind People to Access Creative Works is Practically Impossible for Blind People to Sign
We’ve covered the White House’s Internet petition site, We the People, fairly extensively, practically promising to never touch the damn thing ever again — but this one is too good to pass up. A treaty created last week, asking the Obama administration to support the World Intellectual Property Organization treaty for the blind, which would…
‘Grumpy Cat’ Movie Deal Struck, Marking the Moment That Internet Culture Becomes Ouroboros
Memes, increasingly, make the Web go ’round, and nothing has struck the Internet’s weird, cat-obsessed imagination quite like Arizona’s own Grumpy Cat. Well, someone out there thought “saturating the Internet with a silly lookin’ cat’s head isn’t enough…this cat needs a movie!” Someone else agreed with that thought. Now, those two people might be in…
A New Booklet Allows For Easy Tree Identification in Arizona
The Arbor Day Foundation recently announced a new booklet to help “nature lovers and professional botanists alike” identify trees in Arizona and the Western Region. I know what you’re thinking: “Why would anyone want to learn how to identify trees?” Listen, tree identification is important, and no, Saguaros don’t count. For some, tree identification may…
Solid Prices, Low-Key
Earth’s Healing Pain Treatment & Wellness Center 2075 E. Benson Highway 373-5779 Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Pluses: Eighths topping out at $55; edibles; very laid back; next to Sheriff’s Department Minuses: Not upscale, if that’s your thing; next to Sheriff’s Department; no price breaks for quantities It’s a problem I wish I’d…
Top Ten in Books
1. Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics Edited by TC Tolbert and Tim Trace Peterson($27.95) 2. The Sin Eater and Other Stories Elizabeth Frankie Rollins ($14.95) 3. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared Jonas Jonasson ($15.99) 4. The Paris Wife: A Novel Paula McLain ($15) 5. A Short…
Live
As hip-hop enters its second generation of oldies-package tours, the artists on hand for the Kings of the Mic tour, like so many other old(er) rappers, generally bring together those from the most disparate ends of the community — for reasons endlessly debated and still unknown — like no other form of popular music. Who…
Danehy
Well, as one-time acclaimed Arizona prep distance runner Vince Furnier once sang, “School’s out … for summer.” But the Arizona Legislature, which hates public schools and which began its marathon session back in the first week of January, is still in session with no end in sight. They’re going for some kind of record, apparently…
Nine Questions
Neal Briant was born in Philadelphia but has called Tucson home since 1999. Raised in a black Baptist church where gospel and R&B was king, Briant says the deep, rhythmic bass lines and drum beats have stuck with him. Briant is percussionist and vocalist with 8 Minutes to Burn, percussionist with Top Dead Center, and…
Let’s Just Forget These Sequels Happened
I had hopes for The Hangover Part III, the conclusion to director Todd Phillips’ trilogy about a group of guys who get into a lot of R-rated trouble after ingesting bad stuff for their brains. In retrospect, I feel like a major idiot for having high hopes in regards to this one. The Hangover franchise,…
Top Ten in Music
1. Natalie Maines Mother 2. Alice Russell To Dust 3. Junip Junip 4. Lonely Wild The Sun as It Comes 5. Tom Jones Spirit in the Room 6. !!! Thr!!!er 7.Dawes Stories Don’t End 8. Iron and Wine Ghost on Ghost 9. Jake Bugg Jake Bugg 10. Kurt Vile Wakin on a Pretty Daze
A Summer Gem
Last summer, a small and quirky comedy snuck into theaters. It was a critical darling, but Safety Not Guaranteed made a pittance at the box office. One of the year’s best comedies – and featuring a breakout performance by Aubrey Plaza – it just couldn’t find an audience. That may also be the case this…
True TV
You Should Watch It The Venture Bros. Sunday, June 2 (Adult Swim) One-Hour Season Premiere: Even if you’re a knowledgeable Venture Bros. fan, you should check the series’ corner of AdultSwim.com. A major component of The Venture Bros.’ awesomeness lies in the show’s deep backstory and character inter-connectedness; Adult Swim’s helpful Official Relationship Action Map…
Ask a Mexican!
The Mexican fields questions about “Doyer Dogs” at Dodger Stadium … and a message to a thieving young fan.
Top Ten in Cinema
1. Cloud Atlas 2. Side Effects 3. Jack Reacher 4. The Last Stand 5. Stand Up Guys 6. Beautiful Creatures 7. Mama 8. Parker 9. Safe Haven 10. Texas Chainsaw 3D
Predictable Pub Fare
Thunder Canyon Brewery 220 E. Broadway Blvd. 396-3480thundercanyonbrewery.com Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily Pluses: Great beer selection; friendly service; food has great potential Minuses: Inconsistent service; lack of attention to food details Despite the seemingly endless streetcar construction, the downtown restaurant scene is booming, with several restaurants either recently opening or in the…
Sparkles and Snakes
Sparkles and Snakes There are at least two kinds of rare diamonds in the world—diamond gemstones and diamondback rattlers. And if you are intrigued by either of them, you’ll want to be at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum this Saturday. Diamonds of the Desert is a new exhibit designed to celebrate the museum’s 60th year. But…
Noshing Around
This week, we remind you of the summer restaurant hours changes … restaurant changes and closures … and a look back at Bacon Fest
Pedersen On Sports
Poker is my mistress. It’s what my ex-wife said long ago, maybe the only thing she said about me that I actually agreed with. And it still rings true to this day. My love affair with the game began in 2003, when I happened upon ESPN’s coverage of the World Series of Poker. That broadcast…
Love Their Way
The Psychedelic Furs with My Jerusalem 8 p.m., Thursday, June 6 Rialto Theatre318 E. Congress St. $26 advance, $29 day of; all ages 740-1000; rialtotheatre.com Tim Butler is still playing in his first band. More than 36 years ago, his older brother conscripted him into a fledgling rock group eventually called the Psychedelic Furs. “He…
Police Dispatch
Today, we learn that “criminal littering” may or may not be related to evacuating one’s bowels in public … and a drunk student loves him some poetry.
Soundbites
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals come to town … Starfucker and Insane Clown Posse bring the beauty and vulgarity, respectively … and so much more!
City Week
This Week: Crack wise at an old film … hang out with hummingbirds … raise funds for fire safety … and help give native writers a voice!
Gibson
Friday was the application deadline for the Tucson Unified School District superintendent position, soon to be vacated by John Pedicone on June 30. Looking through the online brochure for the job posted by PROACT Search, the company commissioned to conduct the national search, it doesn’t seem like a bad gig. A district with 82 schools…
Media Watch
Sally Shamrell comes back to Tucson … and Tucson continues its WWE ties with Jack Korpela’s move to KVOA’s sports desk.
Guest Commentary
There is good reason to be cynical about the idea of legislative decorum. Too often, it seems like a way for whomever it is who is holding the gavel to silence the folks who do not. But the truth is that there really is a general spirit of respect and cordiality, though this is often…
The Skinny
This week, Andy Tobin tries to stonewall Governor Brewer’s Medicaid initiative … Steve Smith tries to smite Juan Mendez … the Guv eats scorpions for breakfast and non-budget-related bills for dinner … and more!
Mixed Message
Two days after Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind board chairman Bernhardt Jones was replaced along with four other board members by Gov. Jan Brewer, Jones responded with a letter offering a few suggestions and opinions that’s only further angered some ASDB parents who worked to get rid of him. In April, parents, students…
Purling Hiss: Water on Mars (Drag City)
The thick fuzz, feedback and endlessly shredding guitar of Philadelphia’s Purling Hiss shine with just a bit of studio polish on the band’s Drag City debut. Not only does Purling Hiss play in-your-face, wrapped-around-your-head, funneled-into-your-ears and jammed-down-your-throat rock ‘n’ roll perfect for cranking loud enough to leave the rest of the world behind, but with…
T Q&A
Allison Cooper, vice president of marketing for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, is getting ready to unveil a new brand for Tucson tourism to the community on June 13. The name of the bureau will officially change to Visit Tucson with an entire new look to go with it. Check in at the…
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories (Columbia)
It’s been seven years since Daft Punk has released an album. There’s been a lot of drastic change in the world of dance music since the French duo released the phenomenal Human After All in 2005. That dreaded term “EDM” is all the rage at the moment; guys behind racks of gear are more commonplace…
Editor’s Note
Tuesday, May 21 was a rough day here at the Weekly’s headquarters in Tucson’s beautiful airport-adjacent area. Nothing unmanageable, but we were short two employees, the issue wasn’t exactly coming together on deadline day, I had somewhere I needed to be at 8 p.m. and my phone was buzzing every few minutes with an alert…
Redington Blues
The ground is alight, as sunshine sets a carpet of broken glass shimmering like diamonds. Souvenirs from years of neglect, these remnants of beer bottles and television screens and other miscellanea worthy of target practice are likely to endure here, at Redington Pass, long past our earthly demise. But more sinister residue also remains, from…
High Tide in Tucson
The Old Man and the Sea, as every high school student knows, is about the metaphorical struggle between a Cuban fisherman and the biggest fish he’s ever had a chance to hook. More important for our purposes here, the story takes place almost entirely in the cool blue waters of the sea. During these days…
Rodion G.A.: The Lost Tapes (Strut)
A genuine rarity and oddity, The Lost Tapes uncovers a musical microcosm most of us never even knew existed. Rodion Rosca was a Romanian producer and musician, working in Romania’s dark days of Communist authoritarian oppression in the 1970s and ’80s. The Lost Tapes collects 10 unreleased tracks that he and a couple of fellow…
Ode Jobs
Sublime Blue: Selected Early Odes by Pablo Neruda (in Spanish and English) Translated and introduced by William Pitt Root Wings Press $16; 120 pages The first ode I encountered as a student was British Romantic bard John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn.” It’s a lyrical poem that uses a piece of ancient Greek pottery…
Penthouse to the Outhouse: UA Baseball Team Doesn’t Make NCAA Tournament
ESPNU’s just-completed NCAA baseball selection show began with a clip of Arizona’s Brandon Dixon driving in the game-winning run in last year’s College World Series, and also included some words of wisdom from UA coach Andy Lopez. It ended with the Wildcats not getting a chance to defend that title. Arizona was not among the…
Lawmaker Threatened Over Medicaid Expansion
Emotions are running high at the Arizona Legislature now that the Medicaid expansion debate has become the House of Representatives’ problem. A caller left State Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R- Phoenix, a threatening voicemail and House security is investigating. She said she wants to know who the caller is and what inspired his seemingly inebriated…
