Cover Story
More Than Mental Illness
The three people who regularly visted Rachel Kelty weren’t real. But while Kelty, a writer, artist and baker, continued sinking into a deep depression, they certainly felt real. “That went on for a long time,” Kelty said. “Finally, one day, they came into my room on a spaceship.” In a meeting room at the Our…
Finally, My Affections for “Shark Tank” and “Saved by the Bell” Collide
This isn’t particularly well put together, but the time someone dedicated to this project helps validate my love for ABC’s Shark Tank, so here you go. SPOILER ALERT FOR THE SHARKS: the Bayside crew decide that friendship is more important than success, so this might not be the best investment.
Jason Willis’ Catnip Video Is Headed to Sundance!
Hey, guys. Remember that item we posted right before Halloween featuring a few videos shot by Tucsonan Jason Willis? And remember that one video that was a brilliant parody of “classroom drug educational film(s)” featuring kitties strung out on catnip? You know, the one that was selected to screen at last month’s American Film Institute’s…
The Internet Map Shows Just How Insignificant Your Blog Really Is
In another case of something that you might spend hours poring over simply because you can, here’s a giant map of the internet that will show you exactly how significant your website is in relation to the rest of those on the web. See that speck up there in the upper left hand corner? That’s…
9Q+1: Ryan P. Christie
Ryan P. Christie, 34, grew up in Tucson and graduated from the UA in 2001 with a degree in creative writing. Christie currently works as a rock-climbing instructor/guide at Rocks and Ropes and as a rigging specialist with Rhino Staging. From 2003 to 2005, he was a music writer for aznightbuzz.com. He also played guitar…
Letterpress Is an iPhone Game You Might Enjoy
I’m beating TucsonVelo.com’s Mike McKisson right now. There are plenty of word/spelling games to pick from on the iPhone, Words With Friends likely the most popular, but for some reason, the novelty of online Scrabble (and Scrabbleish) games wore off on me awhile ago, mostly because I feel like I never ended up playing all…
Talking Comics: The Avengers #1
This week, Cynthia and Eric discuss Avengers #1 by Jonathan Hickman & Jerome Opeña! Bonus: If you’re watching this on 12/5, swing on down to Heroes and Villains between 3pm-7pm and get a FREE sketch from a rad local artist with every purchase of Avengers #1! Ross Demma 3pm-5pmJames Babcock 3pm-5pmRyan Huna Smith 5pm-7pmHannah Nance…
Jazz Legend Dave Brubeck is Dead at 91
Dave Brubeck, the legendary jazz pianist and composer most famous for “Take Five,” his an experiment in using unusual time signatures in jazz combos written by saxophonist Paul Desmond, has died at the age of 91. From the Chicago Tribune: Brubeck was one day short of his 92nd birthday. He died of heart failure, en…
Here’s the Christmas Video You’ll See Everywhere Today
Yes, every website in the known universe is going to post this rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey, the Roots, and Jimmy Fallon (who manages to be heavy-handed with the drum, somehow). However, it is awesome, there are cute kids involved, and this is one of the few truly…
The TUSD Vortex: Hicks Says he Won’t Vote for School Closures
When the Tucson Unified School District governing board meets on Thursday, Dec. 20 to make a final vote on school closures and consolidations, board member Michael Hicks said he plans to vote no on all school closures. At a meeting last night at Brichta Elementary, Hicks was asked to address the school closure issue and…
Wow! Old St. Nick Gets Around!
The man in red, Santa Claus, is back in town again on December 8. This time he will be having breakfast at Lowes Ventana Canyon (7000 N Resort Drive). From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Santa will be hosting a pancake breakfast, running activities and holding storytime for kids and kids-at-heart alike. Reservations are required,…
New Poll: Nearly Half of the Nation’s Republicans Believe Obama Stole Election & One in Four Americans Support Non-Existent Budget Plan
The greatest trick Panetta-Burns ever pulled was convincing the world their debt plan didn’t exist.— Matt O’Brien (@ObsoleteDogma) December 4, 2012 Public Policy Polling has moved from polling about campaigns to polling about how many people believe in crazy and non-existent stuff. PPP’s Tom Jensen dishes some highlights from the survey with a dash of…
Scientists Calculate Highest Possible Lego Brick Tower Height, Mega Bloks Rightfully Ignored
(Well, we can assume Mega Bloks were ignored in the study, solely because they’re just a less interesting alternative to Legos. Sorry, Mega Bloks.) According to tech site BoingBoing, the folks over at British radio show “More or Less” wrangled a scientist from Open University—which is actually a thing, despite the fact that the name…
Obama Invites MSNBC Hosts to White House Like Their Opinions Matter Or Something
So… in the last hour, I watched Rachel Maddow, Al Sharpton and Lawrence O’Donnell all walk into the West Wing. MSNBC love fest?— jennifer bendery (@jbendery) December 4, 2012 I was worried a bit by the economic and political ramifications of the whole “fiscal cliff” thing, but now that I know that the Justice League…
Buy Some Tapes, Save a Dog
Burger Records, the mostly-cassettes label that has released some of my favorite albums of the year, released a new compilation today in conjunction with its sister label, Wiener Records, that looks friggin’ awesome. The Wiener Dog Comp contains 71 unreleased tracks by 71 Burger-associated acts, spread over two cassettes. With songs by bands including Thee…
Tickets for ‘Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth’ Go On Sale Tomorrow
Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth, the boxing-related theatre event of the season is coming to Centennial Hall for its Arizona premiere—which is cool, but probably not as cool as the Daily Star made it in its separate story to announce that we’re getting it before Phoenix—and tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the…
College Students! Add Some Adorableness to Your Life!
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Note: These puppies may not be representative of your cuddling options. College can be a stressful time, especially when you have no sense of what a completely depressing hassle the post-academic working world happens to be, so the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Alpha Kappa Psi have teamed up to…
Where in the World is Jan Brewer? Apparently, Washington, D.C.—For Now
In case you hadn’t noticed, our fair governor Jan Brewer stepped out this weekend, informing Secretary of State Ken Bennett that she was going to be out of the state for the week, making him acting Governor as per the state constitution. However, Brewer hesitated to explain exactly where she had gone off to—and her…
Tim Heidecker Is Coming to Tucson, Is Probably Not the Editor of Rolling Stone
just got out of a great meeting with my wonderful staff of writers and art directors. so far I love my new job as EIC of #RollingStones !!!— timheidecker (@timheidecker) December 3, 2012 Tim Heidecker, of Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! fame as well as the new film The Comedy (opening…
The Gym Clique Might Be Tucson’s Most Peculiar/Entertaining Band
If you’re going to see Math the Band at Solar Culture tonight, it’ll likely be worth your time to show up at 8 p.m. for the opening act, The Gym Clique (get it?). Who knows how this will turn out, but the spectacle should be something on its own. From the event’s Facebook page: THE…
Facebook Fake-Out: Someone Created a Profile All About Dennis DeConcini’s Ties to Private Prisons
This probably isn’t actually Dennis DeConcini. The campaign to pressure former U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini to resign from the board of directors of Corrections Corporations of America looks like it’s heating up again. We first wrote about the campaign in March when local immigrant rights groups were challenging the lawyer-politician to get rid of his…
If You Want a Side of Bacon With Your Vegas Wedding, Denny’s Has You Covered
Apparently, a Las Vegas Denny’s has decided that there’s just a bit too much class and grandeur involved in quickie Vegas weddings, electing to create a place where people can get hitched with a minimal amount of fuss—and, potentially, eat a Grand Slam mid-ceremony. According to Reuters, this particular Denny’s is said to be among…
Fleetwood Mac Is Coming to Phoenix (If That’s Your Thing)
While Tom Danehy finds them inferior to the band Chicago, I would consider myself a Fleetwood Mac fan, even as the group has enjoyed a hipster resurgence in recent years. I am, however, somewhat conflicted about seeing the band (seemingly still minus Christine McVie, unfortunately) in Phoenix on May 30 at the US Airways Center.…
A Collection of Notable Titles From the List of AVN Nominees
I’m sure you’re saying to yourself, is it time for the Adult Video News nominations already? It sure is, as the 147 categories full of surely excited nominees were revealed yesterday, from Best Lubricant Manufacturer to Best Big Butt Release. While I haven’t seen any of the films nominated in the video categories to remark…
Stock Up on Breath-Mints: Wild Garlic Grill is Opening Soon.
So, we had the hint of this a while ago here and I do love me some garlic! Wild Garlic Grill is slated to open on Dec. 7, located at 2530 N. First Ave. Chef Steven Schultz’s concept seems to be one of “California Wine Country Cuisine,” with an open kitchen, patio seating and, well,…
The Weird Crap in My Inbox: “Just Say No to Latent Homosexual Crusades”
Yes, “Just Say No to Latent Homosexual Crusades” is the actual title of the ebook that was waiting for me in my inbox this morning. Written by David Huttner, the official written-by text reads “by David Huttner, pp George” — apparently, the author has written this book on behalf of a fellow (one can assume)…
Practice Your Penmanship; CD 2 Offices Are Collecting Cards for Tucson Troops
You may be too old to write letters to Santa and it’s far too early to have started the Christmas letters. So put your penmanship to good use to thank a soldier or veteran from around these parts. US Rep. Ron Barber’s offices in Tucson and Sierra Vista will be collecting holiday cards for troops…
A French Auto Journalist Takes a Motorcycle for a Long Ride Off a Short Pier
Poor guy. He rides a motorcycle for his publication’s YouTube page, snags a hard-case saddlebag on a pylon (forcing him and the bike to take a spill into a sailboat) then has to live through the indignity of having the the video posted on YouTube, for all the world to see. On the bright side,…
Drake Is Now Straight Outta Flavortown
Drake, since he’s both Canadian and a former child actor, has been questioned regarding his hip-hop authenticity since his first mixtape, but what’s more street than hanging with the King of Donkey Sauce, right? [Eater]
Today in Unlikely News: Jan Brewer, 2016 Presidential Contender
The Range still considers it too early to start talking about 2016, but we’re going to break our embargo to note this nugget in a HuffPo story today: Brewer has also been included in a list of Republicans who may be positioning themselves for a presidential run in 2016. Politico reported on Monday that she…
You Can Buy Tickets to Some Soccer Matches Now
Nathan Saxton Thierry Henry and David Beckham from last year’s Desert Diamond Cup It’s weird to think that I wondered if people would show up for two nights of professional soccer two years ago and now FC Tucson is putting on nearly a month’s worth of matches early next year, including an international friendly between…
Just a Reminder That Cats Will Eventually Take Over the World
If you’re feeling superior about your place in the food chain, stare at this for a little bit: Okay, now resume your meaningless activities, and next time you see a feline make sure to show your future master some respect.
This ‘Reading Rainbow’ Remix Hits You Right in the Childhood
I can’t stop listening to this Auto-Tuned remix of clips from LeVar Burton’s PBS show “Reading Rainbow,” produced by the folks from Symphony of Science. For reference, Symphony of Science is also behind this stellar (pun!) production of Carl Sagan clips, and a few other remixes of PBS classics, such as this wonderful remix of…
DMX Wishes You (WHAT?) a Merry Christmas (COME ON!)
Seemingly from the same video session that created a YouTube clip of rapper/yeller DMX finding Google confusing (still great, by the way), here is his rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” We can’t thank you enough, Power 105 in New York City, for this moment of pure joy.
Your Mostly-Context-Free Tucson-Related Tweet of the Day
@sophiekstewart treasure hunt motherfluffer. I think they made a build-a-bear at tucson mall. What’s your next one finna be?! #needstobeepic— Kevin Sylliaasen (@KevinSylliaasen) December 3, 2012 Thanks, @KevinSylliaasen. The Build-A-Bear people should give you a gift certificate or something for this bit of viral promotion.
Chrome Didn’t Like the ‘Daily Star’ Website Today
If you didn’t visit the Daily Star today, you may have done yourself a bit of a favor. Why? Well… This is where a web site manager might say “uh-oh.” It’s not often when a browser pops up with this type of message (at least, not if you stay away from the parts of the…
Comics Meet Science Fact: Neil deGrasse Tyson Helps Superman at the Planetarium
In an incredibly fun instance of worlds colliding, so to speak, rock star astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has joined the ranks of Batman, the Flash and Spider-Man in teaming up with Superman in the latest issue of “Action Comics.” In the issue, he helps the Man of Steel observe his home planet—just before its destruction.…
Free at The Loft Today: “The Graduate”
Today at Tucson’s best movie theater: a free screening of The Graduate. It’s part of the Loft’s Essential Cinema series. From the Loft’s website: “You’re trying to seduce me, Mrs. Robinson … Aren’t you?” Glamorous, funny, sexy (coo, coo ca-choo, indeed) and sad, The Graduate is an emotional touchstone for an entire generation, not to…
Political Roundtable: Brewer’s Rejection of Health-Insurance Exchanges, McCain vs. Rice, TUSD School Closures & More!
Tonight on Arizona Public Media’s Political Roundtable: Pima County Democratic Party chairman Jeff Rogers, National Republican Committeeman Bruce Ash, Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik and Democratic strategist Rodd McLeod examine Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to reject a state-run health-insurance exchange; the Democrats’ successful sweep of competitive congressional districts; Sen. John McCain’s campaign against U.S. Ambassador…
Everything You Love Is Going Away: Bazooka Gum Is Rebranding, Disposing of Bazooka Joe
First Twinkies, now this? From the New York Times: Now, in what the brand is calling a reimagined Bazooka, it has overhauled its logo and packaging. Gone is the red, white and blue color scheme and geometric design of the brand, replaced with more saturated hues like fuchsia and yellow, and with the splattered-paint look…
If You Think James Lipton is Interesting at All, You’ll Love “Inside Inside Inside”
This video, while just a promo for Lipton’s “Inside Inside”, his book detailing the inner workings of his interview show, “Inside the Actors Studio”, and published in 2007, is a look inside the home of James Lipton, the show’s host. The cool thing, to me, is that’s a short look full of gems from Lipton’s…
Comix Friday: The Modeens at Kitty Litter Records!
When last we left our heroes, they were confronted by the mysterious Xavier Donnelly III, of Kitty Litter Records—what’s next for The Modeens? Let’s find out!
When Does Nicki Minaj Sound EXACTLY Like Jay-Z?
When you slow her down, apparently. This is Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass,” her anthem to dudes who…look good, I guess. And this is Nicki Minaj, slow-jam style: This is the work of some fellow named Josh L., from Canada, apparently. You can find the rest of his work on Soundcloud here, but be forewarned, he…
Xander Harris – Snow Crash
20 years ago Neal Stephenson gave the world Snow Crash, my favorite cyberpunk novel. It’s hard not to fall in love with a book with a main character named Hiro Protagonist who has a business card that says “Last of the freelance hackers and greatest swordfighter in the world.” Not to mention Hiro is a…
Bad to the Bone: A Molar-Grinding Account of Being Uninsured in the Southwest and Undergoing Dental Surgery in Mexico
It began when Joshua Ellis could no longer spit. The blockage in his saliva gland resulted in swelling, the pain forcing him—a freelance web designer and writer—to visit a place that 50 million Americans who lack insurance coverage know too well: the emergency room. Finally, after hours of waiting, waves of guilt washing over him…
‘Cats That Look Like Pin-Up Girls’: Proof There Is A Tumblr For Everything
Recently, Buzzfeed presented their list of the best Tumblr’s of the year, including gems such as McKayla Is Not Impressed, Text From Dog, and the spectacular Texts From Hillary. But, for my money, the best non-Texts-From thing on their list is quite obviously Cats That Look Like Pin-Up Girls [NSFW, somewhat obviously] from Australia’s Hurly…
Zona 78 on River Road Is Getting a Remodel
The owner of Zona 78, the Italian eatery with locations at 78 W. River Road and 7301 E. Tanque Verde Road, says the River Road restaurant will undergo a remodel in January. Owner Kevin Fink was scant on the details as far as what the remodel will entail, saying only that the River Road location…
HBO’s Exercise in Millenial Navel-Gazing ‘Girls’ is Coming Back for a Second Season
I don’t get the love for HBO’s “Girls,” though I probably should. It’s produced by Judd Apatow; it’s from the brain of 26-year-old triple-threat Lena Dunham; and there are pretty girls being hipster-y out in Brooklyn. Theoretically, I should be singing its praises, if only for the fact that I can imagine my own life…
Michigan Teacher Suspended For Playing a Pro-Gay Rights Song in Front of Students
A South Lyon, Mich. music teacher was suspended last week for allowing a student in her class to play a rap song that promoted gay rights in her class. Last Wednesday, Susan Johnson gave one of her students permission to play Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Same Love,” a song supporting the expansion of gay rights.…
Who Says Ones and Zeroes Aren’t Soulful? How to Dress Well, Beacon, and an Increasingly Rare Appearance by …music video? Tomorrow Will Set You Straight.
I’ll admit that I’d never heard of How to Dress Well (aka Tom Krell) when his show tomorrow night at Solar Culture Gallery was announced. But after seeing lots of Facebook posts about how excited people were about the show — and about the fact that …music video? was getting the privilege of opening for…
This Week in Tucson Bicycling
It’s been one year since the Tucson bicycle community lost a bike shop owner and advocate. Read more about the man who was so important to so many. One of the nation’s leading bicycle advocates said during his time in Tucson that advocates need to get racers involved in advocacy. Find out why. The group…
Andre 3000 Is Back on T.I.’s New “Sorry”
Andre 3000, in my view, has been one of the world’s more underrated rappers since being cast in the shadow, to an extent, of his OutKast partner Big Boi. Even lately, it seems as if he’s better known for being in Gillette ads than for releasing one of the best albums of the 2000s in…
Now Open: Freekee T’s and Squeez
A custom T-shirt shop and smoothie stand called Freekee T’s and Squeez has opened at 5373 S. Calle Santa Cruz, in the shopping center that also holds the Harkins Theater. The strangeness of a hybrid business of this caliber is not lost on the owners, according to this online description: A custom Tshirt shop and…
Kermit the Frog and Some Kind of Lamp Sing ‘Bein’ Green’ on ‘The Voice’
The Muppets, for some reason, appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” last night. I couldn’t tell you why, though — any curiosity I had for the context of their appearance went out the window, replaced by astonishment from the outfit that CeeLo Green wore as he sat alongside Kermit the Frog as they sang “Bein’ Green.”…
Biosphere 2 Commissions New Observatory
John de Dios Steve DeLong, project manager for Biosphere 2’s Landscape Evolution Observatory, thanks his large team for their hard work with getting the project up and running. DeLong will leave Biosphere 2 and the University to take a job with the US Geological Survey in California.
Tucson’s Newest Food Truck Debuts Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 30)
Say what? You’re into sauteed mussels, shawarma sandwiches, salads and hot dogs like they make ’em up in Detroit? Well then, you’ll be wanting to make it down to the grand opening of Chef’s Kitchen and Catering, which happens tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 30, in the parking lot of Tucson Federal Credit Union on the corner…
Yogurtland Is Coming to Tucson
A new frozen yogurt joint called Yogurtland is setting up shop in a space in a shopping center at 2800 N. Campbell Ave. I’m a little spent on the whole frozen-yogurt thing, what with a zillion of the places opening up here and around the country in recent years. Yet I find myself intrigued by…
There’s a “Trapped in the Closet” Sing-Along at the Loft Friday Night
First, I’d like to give you a moment to cancel your plans for Friday night. It’s ok. The blog post can wait. Now that you’ve taken care of that, because you are clearly a person of discerning cultural taste, you’ll be at the Loft Cinema at 10 p.m. Friday night for the Trapped in the…
In Astounding Theatre News, Mike Tyson’s One Man Show is Coming to Tucson
Apparently, Mike Tyson’s one-man show, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” is coming to UA’s Centennial Hall. I am so legitimately excited about this right now that it is incredible. I mean, it’s Mike Tyson, who I believe could have been the greatest boxer of all time and still think could have beaten Ali in his prime,…
Coming Soon: Another Location of Einstein Bros. Bagels
Tucson’s fifth location of Einstein Bros. Bagels is coming soon to 4105 N. Oracle Road, which was most recently home to the very short-lived Overboard Seafood and Grill. The building was a Long John Silver’s prior to that. How much power-washing does it take to remove years worth of deep-fried fish smell from the structure…
Jon Stewart: McCain “Continuing His Seven-Year Quest To Negate Every Good Thing He’d Ever Done”
Last night, Daily Show host Jon Stewart skewered U.S. Sen. John McCain’s ongoing war with U.S. Ambassador the United Nations Susan Rice, which we covered in this week’s Skinny column.Over at Slate, Fred Kaplan notes: So far five GOP senators have objected to the idea of President Obama nominating Rice to be the next secretary…
I Don’t Know If You Want to See a “Butt Implant Gone Wrong” Video, But Here It Is
I feel like this video might even change noted-enthusiast Sir Mix-A-Lot’s opinion regarding butts, so consider yourself warned. Even after just a few of this YouTube clip’s 22 seconds, your life will be profoundly changed…and probably not for the better. [World Star Hip Hop]
Beer and Beards for Charity
This Saturday, December 1st, the guys at Dragoon Brewing Co. will be having the final voting for their “Beard-Off.” The three guys have been growing the best facial hair they can and each have selected a charity to support. The masses will vote for the best and the winner’s charity will receive a donation basted…
Live
She was an hour and a half late. Her DJ, Rampage, played an opening set that grimly foreshadowed an exercise in ’90s nostalgia. But once Lauryn Hill literally emerged from a cloud of smoke and stepped up to the microphone, and that voice echoed through the Rialto Theatre, all was forgiven. Ms. Hill played a…
Weekly Wide Web
What I learned during my first time as a Black Friday shopper is that, surprisingly, the process isn’t nearly as terrifying or harrowing as it is generally thought to be. I arrived in the epicenter of American capitalism—a suburban Walmart Supercenter—just before 8 p.m. on Grey Thursday, the newly minted bastard offspring of what is…
A Lack of Green
With banks appropriately gorged on your post-Thanksgiving shop-binge, and shop owners thankfully sated by the stacks of holiday cash you’re jamming down their throats, Black Friday yet again dawned bleak over Arizona’s medical-marijuana world. While patients rejoice in Colorado and Washington state, where access to cannabis is moving toward total, thankyouverymuch, things still pretty much…
Ask a Mexican!
The Mexican digs deep into his mailbag … and we get a small vocab lesson.
Celebrating and Strategizing
Join La Lucha Sigue as they promote humane practices in border issues Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1.
City Week
The art of Stephen Strom and Stu Jenks … the Native Eyes Film Showcase … a steampunk tea party … and the 25th Anniversary of World AIDS Day.
T Q&A
Victor Alvarado and his business partner, Danny Kirk, are at the tail end of a crowd-funding campaign on Propel Arizona to raise $35,000 to secure a space and start their project, the Outlet Cafe and Innovation Centre. Alvarado said the cafe and center will be a place that supports entrepreneurship in Tucson by providing work…
Holidays on Pointe
The Nutcracker may be candy-caned and snowflake-strewn, but it’s one of the most demanding dances around. Take the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Don’t be misled by her frothy tutu or glittering tiara. “The Sugar Plum pas de deux is the most difficult role in ballet,” declares Mary Beth Cabana, artistic director of Ballet…
Editor’s Note
In this space, I often say nice things about all of you who take the time to read this fine publication, bettering yourselves and the community in the process. But this week, dear readers, it’s time for a bit of a tongue-lashing. On Nov. 8, I informed y’all that we would be doing one last…
‘Humbug’ With Heart
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s that most &#%@$ time of the year. You know the one—when the newspaper arrives engorged with glossy ads to tempt you to venture out before dawn to shove and grab, and swipe your credit card until the magnetic stripe wears out. When stores’ regular merchandise is displaced by peculiar—and…
Danehy
Satirist Mort Sahl used to say that one of the drawbacks of J. Edgar Hoover’s decades-long tenure as head of the FBI was that he came to view United States presidents as transients merely passing through his life. Far be it for me to compare myself to J. Edgar Hoover (for one thing, I’ve only…
Dying for a Drink
In the lonely southwestern corner of Arizona, where bighorn sheep tiptoe around the dry, jagged-rock mountains and jet pilots pretend to bomb the Middle East, there is a kind of shabby oasis known as Tinajas Altas, the High Tanks. In Last Water on the Devil’s Highway, a new addition to the University of Arizona Press’…
Gargulinski
Pima County gets a big, fat slap on the back for finally being on the cutting edge of something. Too bad we are on the cutting edge of one of the most inane trends wafting across the globe. No more smoking on any Pima County property. This means you. This also means outdoors. Pima County…
Top Ten in Books
1. Flight Behavior: A Novel Barbara Kingsolver, Harper ($28.99) 2. A Guide to Southern Arizona’s Historic Farms and Ranches: Rustic Southwest Retreats Lili DeBarbieri, History ($19.99) 3. Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else Chrystia Freeland, Penguin ($27.95) 4. Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One…
Guest Commentary
Since March 2010, I’ve become intimately acquainted with many of the things that people in our society no longer want to live with: empty liquor bottles, deflated soccer balls, the guts of deer, aluminum siding. My team and I have picked up this stuff on roadsides from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. It’s…
Journey for the Ages
It’s that time of year when studios release their Oscar hopefuls, continuing the tradition of saving the best (or what they hope to convince us is the best) for last. So here’s Life of Pi, an adaptation of the seemingly unfilmable novel by Yann Martel about a 14-year-old boy spending more than 200 days at…
Soundbites
Sufjan Stevens’s Christmas Sing-Along comes to town … In Repair’s CD release show hits Plush Dec. 6 … and so much more!
Private Eyes
Given the multitudes of people crossing every day through America’s ports of entry, our border law-enforcement folks turn surprisingly shy when citizens try to photograph their work. Just ask Ray Askins, who blogs about environmental and human-rights abuses along the U.S.-Mexico border. As he was photographing the California port at Calexico on April 19, he…
Top Ten in Cinema
1. The Expendables 2 Lionsgate 2. Brave Disney/Pixar 3. Savages Universal 4. The Campaign Warner Bros. 5. The Watch 20th Century Fox 6. The Amazing Spider-Man Sony 7. Arthur Christmas Sony 8. Ruby Sparks Fox Searchlight 9. Safety Not Guaranteed Sony 10. 360 Magnolia
Top Ten in Music
1. Led Zeppelin Celebration Day (Atlantic) 2. The Expendables 2 (DVD) Lionsgate 3. Deftones Koi No Yokan (Reprise) 4. Rihanna Unapologetic (Def Jam) 5. Kendrick Lamar Good Kid: M.A.A.D. City (Aftermath) 6. Soundgarden King Animal (Universal Republic) 7. Lana Del Rey Paradise (Interscope) 8. Moonrise Kingdom (DVD) Universal 9. Gary Clark Jr. Blak and Blu…
Murky Matters
When Metro Water District managers fired electrician Donovan Hemway after he was nearly electrocuted, they stirred up already murky waters—and several government investigations of Metro Water are under way, as Hemway fights to get his job back. Speaking to the board of the water district—which serves about 50,000 people in the northwest, northeast and southwest…
Showing Off
As a director, Joe Wright largely thinks in terms of sweeping romances. His Pride and Prejudice played it close to the vest, while Atonement swung the pendulum entirely in the other direction, focusing more on his own craftsmanship and big thinking as a filmmaker. Anna Karenina is more like Atonement, although with such a beloved…
Rihanna: Unapologetic (Def Jam)
As I type these words, the Rihanna plane has just careened to a sudden landing, and her hostages have disembarked. It’s a fascinating and difficult moment to think through Rihanna and her celebrity. Unapologetic marks a significant shift in the crafting of her persona, finding her in full-fledged defiance mode after the last few tentative…
An Advertising Icon
When Santa needed to escape the North Pole’s cold and snow, Haddon Sundblom wintered in Tucson and became friends with the Westward Look resort’s owner, Robert M. Nason. Haddon Hubbard Sundblom established our image of Santa Claus in his famous series of Coca-Cola Christmas advertisements. He produced these paintings during our nation’s most troubled times,…
Now Showing at Home
The Dark Knight comes home … we celebrate 20 years of Tarantino … and Bob loves what may have been Led Zeppelin’s last stand.
Titus Andronicus: Local Business (XL)
New Jersey punkers Titus Andronicus step back from the epic sweep of The Monitor for a lean and fun third album. After that ambitious and surprisingly cohesive Civil War concept album, it’s refreshing to see the band wielding some irreverent humor to balance out weightier material. The only mission statement here is urgency. Album opener…
Media Watch
The Weekly names its new editor … Kayna Whitworth heads east … and Greg Gurule joins KGUN.
For the Masses
I am fortunate to have this very cool gig where I go out to eat, write about it, get paid—and repeat it. When people learn that I am a food-reviewer, I generally get the same reaction: “Wow, that is the coolest job ever!” Most times, I would have to agree. Here at the Weekly, we…
Namoli Brennet: Live (Flaming Dame)
“I left Arizona for Tulsa, Oklahoma, wound up in Tennessee,” Namoli Brennet sings on “Dust on the Radio,” one of the highlights of her new album, a document of playing on the road over the course of six months and 20,000 miles. It includes songs from some of the Tucson-based singer-songwriter’s nine previous albums as…
The Skinny
John McCain remains cranky this week … Democrats are hoping for a more moderate Legislature, but you know how that goes … fixing the problems with counting the votes … and so much more!
Noshing Around
Stella Java rolls down the road to Mercado San Agustin … wine lovers should check out CataVinos for their weekly tastings … the Tamal and Heritage Festival is Dec. 1 … Five Palms nudges closer to its opening … and Adam says farewell.
Nine Questions
Sara Mohr was born in North Dakota and has lived in Tucson since she was 4. She started playing piano at 5 and is a piano and music instructor for the School House of Rock. She is also the keyboardist and singer for the new project Sorry About the Garden. A bartender at Plush since…
Police Dispatch
‘Visions from God’ drive a man’s rampage … a woman threatens a deputy after skipping on out her cab fare.
Tucson Born
In decades past, much of the top-heavy music industry was oriented toward making money from album releases, and concert tours were vehicles to promote record sales. As the business has evolved, that dynamic has been flipped: Concerts often are primary sources of revenue, with albums serving as promotional tools for the performances. This suits Eddie…
Andrew W.K. is Disappointed About Not Heading to Bahrain, Strangely Serene
I don’t expect Andrew W.K. to be a jackass about things, considering that he seems to be very zen-like in his love of partying, but if I were in his shoes I’d probably more than a little pissed about having my cultural ambassadorship revoked. Apparently, Mr. W.K. is a better man than I. In an…
Pet Party Extraordinaire!
Join other animal-lovers for a very special night to benefit Tucson’s Hope Animal Shelter. A Celebration of Music, Art and HOPE happens from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at the Steinway Piano Gallery, 3001 East Skyline Drive at Campbell, in Gallery Row. The evening will feature a holiday piano performance by Mike…
TUSD Deseg Hearings: “Please Do What You Say You’re Going to Do”
During the Tucson Unified School District’s first desegregation forum on Monday, Nov. 26, at Tucson Magnet High School, there were three speakers, all women, who stood out to the Range: Tanya Alvarez, Kim Dominguez and TUSD governing board member Adelita Grijalva. Above and below are clips of their testimony to U.S. District Court-appointed desegregation special…
Growing Your Own Garden? Add Tilapia to the Mix
Written by Drew McCullough/Scicats When you eat salmon or carp or tilapia, you might imagine that the fish had once been swimming free in the wild. In recent years, however, more and more of the world’s seafood have grown up on a farm. In fact, seafood is the most common source of protein worldwide, and…
Talking Comics: My Little Pony
Heroes and Villains’ two best looking employees review the year’s most anticipated release: My Little Pony #1! Guaranteed ratings gold. Writer : Katie CookArtist : Andy PricePublisher : IDW Publishing
