Cover Story
Municipal Melee
There’s one thing that all of the candidates for mayor of Tucson in 2011 agree on: Tucson is on the wrong track. Democrat Jonathan Rothschild fears the city he grew up in is “slipping away.” Republican Rick Grinnell complains that voters “don’t trust this city government.” And Green Mary DeCamp says that city residents need…
Why Do the Police Hate Booty-Based Innovation?
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy I think the people who invented the “Booty Lounge”, a mobile strip club, should be commended for their entrepreneurial spirit, not having their bus towed and impounded. Why do you hate freedom, Detroit police? [The Awl]
Interesting Items From the Obama Re-Election Gift Shop
Thanks to Mother Jones for finding this delightful item, which sadly does not seem to be available online. I don’t understand it or why someone thought this would be a good idea, but I still want one.
Don’t Plan on Using Computers at the Library on Sunday
FYI: if you generally do your web-surfing at the library, you’re out of luck this Sunday. Library customers are advised that there will be no computers or WiFi service available at any Pima County Public Library branch locations on Sunday, Oct. 16, because of county-wide maintenance work. Library officials are aware that many customers rely…
Tucson Weekly on the Radio: Talking Halloween Costumes With Fook
Dan Gibson and Fook talk costumes on KFMA by TucsonWeekly From this morning’s KFMA morning show with Fook, I did extensive research to discuss this year’s hottest Halloween costumes for adults. Also, I provide one incredible tip to make you seem like a creative genius. Also, Fook makes a pubic hair joke.
Toby Keith Pays Tribute to Drinking, Product Placement
I’ve been telling people for awhile that Toby Keith is essentially the 21st century remake of Jimmy Buffett and it’s possible that this song proves that axiom. It’s a song about Solo cups! How hilarious is that? Plus, there are cameos by incredibly unfunny ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and the equally unfunny prop comic Carrot Top.…
Enhancing Your Home with Potted Gardens – Step 1
How do you start planning for your outdoor living spaces and enhance them so they are a joy? Marylee, The Contained Gardener Shady Front Door Corner – Winter Planting Start close and work your way out:• At the front door — Do you want to see color and interest when you or your guests first…
Some People Aren’t Worth Protecting From the Police
Just for the record, if anyone stabs anything into my scrotum, I might not call the cops either, mostly because I would be immediately planning my Kill Bill style revenge: In the month’s most wince-producing assault, a Kansas man was stabbed in the scrotum with a hypodermic needle, which broke off inside the 39-year-old victim’s…
James O’Keefe Heads to Occupy Wall Street, Is Treated Remarkably Well
James O’Keefe, of the somewhat scandalous ACORN tapes and the almost completely phony NPR hubbub, is back! And this time, he’s pretending to be a banker and walking into the Occup Wall Street fray. I suppose he was hoping to be attacked by the protesters or something, but instead someone offers him cake. Most of…
TucsonWeeklyTV.com – Talking (98 Pound Weakling) Comics
Eric seems happier this week as he and Arnie from Heroes and Villains discuss Luthor Strode, which is good. I was worried about him.
Consuming Sushi Can Help Prevent Breast Cancer
RA Sushi up at La Encantada is offering a special through the month of October to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which works to save lives through early detection of breast cancer by providing mammograms for those who need them. The special includes a glass of ONEHOPE California Chardonnay and a…
Library Pin-Up Calendar Features One of Our Own
Yes, January is very nice in the new Men of the Stacks 2012 pin-up calendar, but continue flipping through the pages and take an extra look at May. It’s Sol Gómez from the Valencia branch of the Pima County Library. January According to the Men of the Stacks website, the project started a couple of…
Do You Play Music? You Should Apply for the Great Cover-Up
The Great Cover-Up is one of my favorite Tucson events every year, for obvious reasons, I suppose. The money raised goes to a great cause (the Tucson Artists and Musicians Healthcare Alliance, an organization that’s more necessary all the time in this economy) and it’s just a lot of fun to see bands have fun…
Brushfire BBQ’s Eastside Location Is Open
It’s official: The new Brushfire BBQ location in the old Blockbuster Video store buidling near the corner of 22nd Street and Kolb Road is open. Did you know both Brushfire BBQ locations also serve beer now? Beer. Barbecue. Is this work day over yet? There’s a bit more on the new location over here.
The Electric Blankets Have a Video
Local band The Electric Blankets teamed up with local filmmaker Andrew Brown to make a video for their song “Little Boots”. Enjoy.
Let’s Listen to a Tucson Concert by The Clash
On May 28, 1983, The Clash played the TCC Exhibition Hall as part of a warm-up tour for their gig at the Steve Wozniak-funded US Festival near San Bernadino. Since someone was kind enough to upload a generally listenable bootleg of the show to YouTube (broken up into individual songs, for better or worse), you…
Does Al Melvin Actually Believe What He Wrote?
So, according to Al Melvin’s guest editorial in today’s Arizona Daily Star, the job market in Arizona is just getting better and better: Arizona is growing jobs faster than just about any state in the country. A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows only 20 states grew jobs in August. Arizona came in…
Finally, One of These #Occupy Things I Fully Support
While I have no idea what it would mean to “Occupy Blackstreet”, but if it means I’m on the side of Teddy Riley and Dave Hollister, I’m in. “Don’t Leave Me” is my jam.
Are You Going to The Party? Third Eye Blind Is.
A fundraising event called The Party is scheduled for Thursday Friday, Oct. 21, and some band called Third Eye Blind is headlining it. There will also be all sorts of food by Zinburger, North, Blanco Tacos and Tequila and other Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurants. Sounds like a good time. Tickets are $100, $50 of which…
A Brief Celebration of What’s Great About ‘Yo Gabba Gabba’
While I do generally try to avoid watching children’s television at all costs, when my daughter turns on Yo Gabba Gabba!, it’s a nice break from the manic randomness of Spongebob or the pure idiocy of the Wonder Pets. For some reason, DJ Lance Rock and his costumed posse showed up on Jimmy Fallon last…
Cupcakes Worth Coveting
This newish company called Cup Quequitos is totally tearing it up on the cupcake front. I will not belabor you with my thoughts on it, and am instead directing you straight to the website so you can drool all over your keyboard for a few minutes. It also appears Cup Quequitos is holding some sort…
Redistricting: How Southern AZ Looks in the New Legislative Map
After a week of getting hammered by a coordinated GOP attack following the release of a congressional map, the Independent Redistricting Commission approved its draft map of the state’s 30 legislative districts this afternoon in Tucson. “We have a draft legislative map,” said IRC chairwoman Colleen Mathis. “And there is no question that we’ll be…
Mike Stoops Out as Wildcat Football Coach
From SB Nation: According to multiple sources, Stoops is out as head coach. Athletic director Greg Byrne will likely confirm the announcement at the press conference. This does not come as much of a surprise to those who follow UA football. Stoops was on the hot seat entering this season and a 1-5 start (with…
Be Kind to Your Local Bartender
Things you should not do: 1. Spend $28 at a bar, and not leave a tip.2. Leave the note “You could stand to loose [sic] a few pounds” on the receipt. Your bartender might post the receipt on the internet. Her friends might track down a ton of personal information about you. Dan Savage might…
When Good Promotions Go Bad
You think the University of Arizona football team has had a bad season? It’s nothing compared to the marketing department at the Desert Diamond Casino. The casino looked to have scored a touchdown by teaming up with the Wildcats for the “Cats Win You Win” promotion. But since there’s an emphasis on the word win,…
Finally, the Ira Glass Sex Tape You Never Wanted
Compete with jovial instrumental music background. Sure, it’s a parody, but it’s certainly worth listening to these eleven minutes of delightful strangeness.
Guess Who’s Calling You?
In the 90s, the internet was still a new concept for people and chat rooms seemed like a good social networking idea… until everyone realized it was a way for old men to creep on underage girls. This newish millennium brought us Chatroulette (click at your own risk!), which once again…well, do I need to…
Should We Be Freaking Out About Disappearing Drinking Water?
The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu nearly ran out of drinkable water over the weekend, leading to an understandable panic in the region, with nearby nations rushing desalination equipment to help out. Kiribati, another island nation, is also facing its own drinking water panic. Plus, both nations are among countries that might just cease to…
Kanye West Visits Occupy Wall Street
So, this happened today. I suspect the converge of Kanye West and the #OccupyWallStreet movement will cause the internet to explode, so it was nice knowing you all if it comes to that. [@SallyPancakes]
While Juggalos Were Destroying Downtown, SNL Was Mocking Them
It was a strange night to be downtown on Saturday as Insane Clown Posse and their truckloads of Faygo terrorized the Rialto Theatre. I happened to be in the Hotel Congress lobby to see a stream of heavily intoxicated Juggalos with remnants of face-paint try to get past the club’s security, with one particularly upset…
Chili’s Gets All Political on Columbus Day
Who knew that Chili’s Facebook page would be the battleground over whether we should celebrate Columbus Day? And Kids Eat Free night. Simultaneously. Let’s just agree that their food is terrible and just get along.
Mark Kelly: Gabrielle Giffords to Vote for Jonathan Rothschild
This is probably surprising to no one, but according to a campaign press release, Gabrielle Giffords is planning to vote for Jonathan Rothchild in the forthcoming mayoral election: According to Commander Mark Kelly, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ husband who retired from the military this month, his wife is “looking forward” to voting for Democratic candidate for…
Gawker: Steve Jobs Did Some Bad Things Too
Check out this blog post from Gawker naysaying the mourning over Steve Jobs, stating the things they say “Everyone Is Too Polite To Say.” Maybe Gawker was a little soon to come up condescending, but it brings up some essential points that will probably be the focus of the Post-Jobs Apple debate in the months…
Netflix Finally Figures Out That They Screwed Up
After one of the biggest PR blunders since New Coke, Netflix won’t be splitting their brand in two, after all: Abandoning a break-up plan it announced last month, Netflix said Monday morning that it had decided to keep its DVD-by-mail and online streaming services together under one name and one Web site. The company admitted…
Hey, Let’s Ride a Vespa at a Skate Park!
Midway through this video I wondered if watching a guy on a Vespa semi-recklessly roll through a skate park was actually exciting or if the music and fancy camera work combined to trick my brain. Still, a Vespa! In a skate park! [HT: Doobybrain]
Stupid Christian Idea of the Month
I’m sure that every kid that’s given a copy of the New Testament instead of candy on October 31st is going to be totally psyched about attending your church. Wait, this isn’t Bizarro America where kids hate candy and love to be proselytized by total strangers and where black is white and people say “Goodbye”…
Political Roundtable: The Mayor’s Race! Rio Nuevo! Redistricting! Waterboarding! Immigration! All This and Much More!
On this week’s Political Roundtable: A lively discussion of the week in review with Republican strategist Jonathan Paton, Democratic strategist Rodd McLeod and AZPM reporter Christopher Conover.
Kozachik Blasts Rio Nuevo Board: “Clearly on the Flat End of a Learning Curve”
Ward 6 Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik blasts the Rio Nuevo Board: Based on recent comments and actions, the chair of the “reconstituted” Rio Nuevo Board is clearly on the flat end of a learning curve. At a recent tour that I led of the TCC, the intent of which was to point to facility…
At Least Tucson’s Not Topeka
This has to be one of the worst budget-cutting ideas I’ve ever heard. Wow. I honestly don’t even know what to say. The Topeka City Council will decide next week whether to essentially legalize domestic violence in the Kansas capital, in a budgetary game of chicken with Shawnee County, which encompasses Topeka. The fight started…
What to Listen to This Week: The Weekend Edition
Following up on yesterday’s recommendations, here are three songs that could provide fuel for your Friday. Carl HanniLed Zeppelin, “How Many More Times” It’s short, but very sweet: Led Zeppelin never sounded leaner or meaner than on this, their first tour. From Danish TV, 1968. Curtis McCraryThe McCrary, “Emerge” The McCrary – Emerge by Groove…
The Wrong Way to Respond to Dust Storm Questions
Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety in today’s Arizona Daily Star: “Dust storms don’t kill people; highways don’t kill people. Drivers kill people,” said Bart Graves, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety. “They panic and they do the wrong thing and something bad happens.” I was in one really terrible dust…
Cub Scouts and Operation Popcorn
Tiger Cubs of Pack 261 begin their meeting to discuss their fundraiser, Trails End Popcorn. This program benefits military troops overseas who receive the popcorn through donations to Boy Scouts of America. Photo by Samantha Sais Cub Scout Pack 261—which the staff of the Tucson Weekly will be getting to know, because they’ll be taking…
I Find the New Legos Confusing Also
From last night’s Community (which was sort of an off episode, I thought), here’s Omar the formerly incarcerated community college professor played by Michael K. Williams discussing one aspect of the outside world that confuses him.
Herman Cain on Occupy Wall Street
I suppose there’s room to be skeptical of anyone running for president who starts a set of ideas with the phrase “I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe…”, but in case you were wondering, suddenly popular Republican Herman Cain thinks people should stop blaming banks and just get themselves…
Political Roundtable Tonight: The Mayor’s Race, Rio Nuevo, Redistricting, Immigration Politics & More
Tonight on Arizona Illustrated’s Political Roundtable: We talk about the latest in the race for mayor, the Rio Nuevo Board’s $47 million lawsuit against the city of Tucson, the ongoing battle over Arizona’s new political boundaries, the politics of immigration and, if time allows, a bunch more. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 6…
In Case You Needed to See a Disco Dance Troupe of C-3PO’s
Regardless of how strange this clip from a French TV show is, it’s better than at least two of the three Star Wars prequels. [HT: Neatorama]
TucsonWeeklyTV.com – Lariats at Club Crawl
Remember Club Crawl last Saturday night? That sure was fun. In case you missed them (or just want to relive the memories), here’s local band Lariats playing Congress’ outdoor stage.
This Week in Tucson Bicycling
High Noon Fixed Gear Sprints from Jennifer Renaker on Vimeo. Tucson first fixed gear bike race was a wild success. Watch the video above and check out more photos from the races here. Students in the University Arizona Sports Management program are starting to assess how much money bicycling brings into Tucson. Check out the…
Coming Soon: Bisbee Breakfast Club
A new breakfast joint called Bisbee Breakfast Club is opening in early November in the old Pizza Hut building at 4131 W. Ina Road. I love places like this. The menu is long enough to be interesting, brief enough as to not overwhelm, and I’m a sucker for catchy names for meals like the Huckburger…
Let’s Watch Republicans Talk About How Much They Love Immigration
Sure, it was 1980 and the Republicans are George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, but still, it’s interesting, right? [HT: Mother Jones]
Introducing Tucson Weekly Dating
You might have noticed a new spot on our homepage, replicated above, mentioning the Tucson Weekly Date of the Hour. This exciting new development is part of our brand new dating service, in partnership with HowAboutWe. Sure, there are plenty of options out there for those trying to meet someone, from the creepy Christian-undertones of…
Lawyers Gang Up on Cali Dispensaries
California’s four U.S attorneys this week told more than a dozen marijuana dispensaries to shut down or face the long arm of the (federal) law, the Associated Press reported on its website. Federal law, it seems, “takes precedence over state law,” according to the attorneys, and they intend to put their collective (presumably SWAT-assisted) boot…
So Long, Mega; Hello, Groove?
After yesterday’s news that three Mega 106.3 employees were let go, people started speculating that a format change may be coming. According to a report at RadioInsight.com, it looks like that is indeed the case: The station logo at Mega1063.com has been replaced with an image hyping “Something New Is On The Way.” That appears…
Photos of Gabrielle Giffords at Mark Kelly’s Retirement Ceremony
Official White House Photo by David Lienemann Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ Facebook page has posted official White House photos of her at her husband, Captain Mark Kelly’s retirement ceremony in the Secretary of War Suite in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building earlier today. Three additional photos are below the cut. Official White House Photo by David…
What to Listen to This Week – Thursday Edition
In two parts again this week, enjoy music hand-selected by our writers, including songs by Rein Sanction, Joe Hill Louis, and The Damned. Jarret KeeneRein Sanction, “Every Color” Another great ’90s band, this one unjustly tagged “grunge.” On the surface, being signed to Sup Pop and playing really loud guitar suggested they were lumberjack metalheads…
Mmmmm … Juicy Food-News Rumors
Rumors in the world of food writing are about as reliable as lunaception, but it’s fun to talk about them from time to time anyway. The most recent rumor is that there is talk of bringing a location of Sam Fox’s restaurant True Food Kitchen to Tucson. I would like it if that would happen.…
Critter of the Week [Dog Edition]
[According to the Humane Society, Chili Dog has been adopted, but there are always dogs that would love to come home with you there.] Chili Dog is the best boy in the whole world. Perfectly house trained, great with kids and super playful with plush toys, Chili Dog is loads of fun for the entire…
The Pork and Beans Challenge Is This Weekend
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa is hosting a cooking competition this weekend where teams and individual cooks will go head-to-head to try to make the best pork-and-beans. From the press release: The event begins at 10:30 am. Watch BBQ teams and individuals compete for best in Pork and Beans while enjoying a game…
Redistricting: No Breaks for You
If you’re on Congressman Raul Grijalva’s constituency e-mail list chances are you received a message from him yesterday regarding the Independent Redistricting Commission making needed changes to the map before approving it Monday. The changes came after the Commission received word from hundreds of Southern Arizona residents not so pleased with the idea of going…
Nine Questions
Frank Sanzo manages the 17th Street Guitar and World Music Store. A Tucson resident since 1993, Frank has been involved in music promotion since the early 1970s. From booking early country-rock bands to running an entertainment bar, his track led to booking acts such as Rick Danko and Buddy Cage in the ’90s. He is…
Meet the Candidates
Profiles of Green Party candidate Mary DeCamp, Republican Rick Grinnell, and Democrat Jonathan Rothschild.
The Fucking Wrath: Valley of the Serpent’s Soul (Tee Pee)
Every now and then, a punk-metal crossover band arrives out of nowhere to sucker-punch your ears off and knock the breath right out of you—see The Bronx, Gallows, and Chambers. Now, entering the tail end of 2011, the quartet brandishing the year’s most-devastating, aurally abusive album is California’s The Fucking Wrath, with its sophomore release,…
Live
The Morning After Girls’ heady swirl of psychedelic garage-rock and blissful shoegaze—on display this past Monday night at Solar Culture—wasn’t so much about quiet-loud dynamics as it was about the more-visceral sensation of contraction and release. Folded in were elements of drone, delicate melody and quasi-Indian trance, which cleansed the palate between sonic hurricanes. Originally…
FIlm and Song
The work of Beverly Seckinger, a professor at the UA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television, has been screened in film festivals across the world. However, for this year’s Tucson Film and Music Festival (TFMF), she decided to do something a little different. Although she is best known for short films that highlight lesbian, gay,…
Blitzen Trapper: American Goldwing (Sub Pop)
Paring down some of the band’s more-unhinged tendencies, Blitzen Trapper look backward on American Goldwing, an album about growing up that sounds like the music that guided those formative years. Often writing distinctly about his past, his upbringing and those distinctly rural characters of a generation-ago America, Eric Earley has hit a rich vein lyrically,…
Male Bonding: Endless Now (Sub Pop)
Male Bonding debuted with last year’s great Nothing Hurts, a noisy record with a precise ear for melody that cut through the overall din. Economical guitar hooks roared with layers of distortion, and with sing-along verses bubbling in and out of intelligibility. When pop records feel that grimy, it’s a bit thrilling. But Nothing Hurts…
City Week
The School of Dance celebrates an anniversary; Play in a Day; Short films; Tucson rock photography
A Sticky Stigma
I want to talk to you about a dirty little secret. You might have heard about it; it was on the front page of the papers and was the lead story on virtually every evening newscast in Arizona for a while, and it’s been the topic of much barroom banter and water-cooler conversation. Here it…
Editor’s Note
I’d like to welcome two new contributing writers to the Tucson Weekly family. Laura C.J. Owen is our new freelance theater reviewer; she’s taking the spot vacated earlier this year by Nathan Christensen. Laura grew up in Tucson, and left to go to college. She earned her master’s degree in fine arts from the University…
TQ&A
Mike Walls is a retired firefighter and one of the people behind Toast to Technology 2, an effort to raise $40,000 to purchase computers and other technology for three schools: Sam Hughes and Fruchthendler elementary schools, and Dodge Middle School. The Toast to Technology is a $100-per-ticket event at a private home on Saturday, Oct.…
Danehy
Former President Bill Clinton warns that the Republicans are going to try to use voter-ID scare tactics and political skullduggery in future elections. He sees these moves as, at the very least, the first step in a slippery slope toward curtailing voter turnout among minorities and lower-income Americans (who generally tend to vote Democratic). The…
Ringing Endorsement
It’s always odd to go back to a place you visited as a child. Often, the space seems smaller than you remember, and the experience is diminished and disappointing. Occasionally, however, the opposite is true. When I was a little kid, I went to the Gaslight Theatre, because, ostensibly, its shows are primarily for children.…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I learned Spanish in school as a teen. Then, it seems, because I was young, everybody was an usted. I would like to practice speaking Spanish, but I am now an adult and don’t know who gets to be a tú. I’m scared of getting it wrong and unwittingly offending. Tú might be…
Gargulinski
Alabama now has the toughest immigration law in the nation. Leave it to a state some 1,200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border to show Arizona how it’s done. What’s next: saguaro-care tips from Wisconsin? Regardless from whence we get our cactus-care guidelines, we do know the Arizona judge’s decisions that quashed large sections of Arizona’s…
New Neighbors
At the far north end of the Historic Train Depot downtown, right near the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, a small ceramic figure is traveling by unusual means. He’s flying. With his arms stretched out, and his body horizontal, this modest superhero is sailing through the air, Superman-style. Unlike the comic-book hero, though, this guy isn’t…
Mailbag
Can neighborhoods help fight gun violence?; Ed Moore puts a grand on the line
Borders and Bridges
Journalist Peter Laufer spent the late 1980s watching the Berlin Wall come down. Now, more than 20 years later, he is fond of comparing that most famous of Cold War borders to the barriers—including an actual wall—that have risen along the U.S.-Mexico border since 2001. A few years ago, Laufer spent a week in California’s…
Top Ten in Movies
1. Bridesmaids Universal 2. Hanna Universal 4. X-Men: First Class 20th Century Fox 4. Thor Paramount 5. Everything Must Go Lionsgate 6. Hesher Lionsgate 7. Transformers: Dark of the Moon DreamWorks 8. Meek’s Cutoff Oscilloscope 9. Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop Magnolia 10. Set Up Lionsgate
Extended Stay
Jared Loughner is facing another four months of mental-health treatment at a prison hospital in Springfield, Mo., as part of an effort to make him competent to stand trial on charges related to the Jan. 8 shooting rampage. Loughner, 23—wearing a white T-shirt and khaki pants, and sporting short brown hair—sat shackled at the defense…
Sick Laughs
50/50, inspired by scriptwriter Will Reiser’s battle with cancer, faces all of the pitfalls of a Hallmark Channel disease-of-the-week movie, and it sometimes veers into that schmaltzy territory. Despite those moments that feel predictable and stereotypical, the film is more than rescued by its fine cast and Reiser’s sharp, funny and honest writing. Joseph Gordon-Levitt…
Unnerving Journey
By 1994, Formula 1 racing had become very safe. Twelve accidents claimed drivers’ lives in the 1960s; 12 more drivers were killed in the 1970s, but there had been no fatalities between 1986 and 1994. That’s almost miraculous, with top speeds in the 220 mph range. But separate accidents on the weekend of April 30,…
The Skinny
Is it time to change Arizona’s primary-election system? … Democrats have a big cash advantage over Republicans in the City Council races … Lots of Republicans want to replace retiring Pima County Supervisor Ann Day … and more!
Top Ten in Books
1. Raw Art Journaling Quinn McDonald, North Light ($24.99) 2. Every Thing on It Shel Silverstein, HarperCollins ($19.99) 3. Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time Rick Hanson, New Harbinger ($15.95) 4. Room Emma Donoghue, Back Bay ($14.99) 5. Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom Jennifer…
Now Showing at Home
The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway (Blu-ray); Mimic: The Director’s Cut (Blu-ray); My Life as a Dog (Blu-ray); Submarine (Blu-ray)
Media Watch
The future isn’t HD radio, apparently
Got Shrimp?
Fresh seafood in the desert may seem like an oxymoron, but at Restaurant Sinaloa, there are almost as many fresh-seafood choices as there are fish in the sea—especially if you’re of the Bubba Gump persuasion. There’s grilled shrimp, garlic shrimp, breaded shrimp, deviled shrimp, buttered shrimp, shrimp Veracruz style, spaghetti shrimp, shrimp rolled in bacon,…
Group Relations
Jefferson Park residents involved in the fight against mini-dorms finally have something to be happy about, after two months of mediation between the residents, the city of Tucson and developer Michael Goodman. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, lawyers representing the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association and Goodman were notified by Craig Gross, of the city’s Planning and…
Noshing Around
Cora’s Cafe moves; Holy popcorn; Casino steaks; and more!
Police Dispatch
Slang banger; Really fast food
Life Doesn’t Suck
You might not expect the term “punk” to accurately describe a horn-fueled, co-ed, eveningwear-clad cabaret band that combines the music of Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean with ska, Dixieland jazz, gospel, chamber pop, Irish revelry, swing and honky-tonk. But that’s exactly how Jack Terricloth, leader of the World/Inferno Friendship Society, chooses to categorize…
Weekly Wide Web
I’m a big fan of The Awl and its associated websites, female-focused The Hairpin and humor-blog Splitsider, so it would make sense that I would appreciate the newest related site, The Wirecutter. At a time when it seems like most websites try to jam in as many links, fancy moving things and ads as possible,…
Guest Commentary
I recently flew from my home in Southern Oregon to Denver, giving me the opportunity to reflect on the fate of Western landscapes. As we took off from the Medford airport, it was easy to see how the neat pear orchards and vineyards of my compact valley are increasingly hemmed in by subdivisions. We quickly…
Keeping Tabs
It must have been difficult to watch $1.2 million simply vanish. But David Schmidtz did just that in the spring of 2009, when a benefactor to his UA Freedom Center balked at a professor being hired with the donor’s money—and subsequently yanked the cash. Schmidtz is a longtime member of the UA Philosophy Department, and…
Soundbites
Tucson Film and Music Festival; A Saturday full of shows; and more!
Soggy Excuses
It’s been well-established that if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, it indeed does make a sound. Meanwhile, there’s a much more pressing nature question on the minds of homeowners in one of Southern Arizona’s largest master-planned communities—a question that could result in a nasty legal battle:…
Top Ten in Music
1. Various Artists Luz de Vida: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy (Fort Lowell) 2. Monster Pussy Tails of the City (Bloat) 3. The Morlocks Emerge (Area Pirata) 4. Run-On Sunshine Memory Game (Cat Cassettes) 5. Add Toner: A Cometbus Collection (book) Aaron Cometbus (Last Gasp) 6. Mr. Free and the…
TEDTalk: Building a Dinosaur from Chickens
So yeah, dinosaurs are super cool and how awesome would it be if they had ’em running around this place? JOHN DE DIOS Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Ariz., sits on a 40-acre campus owned by the University of Arizona.
RIP, Steve Jobs
Apple has announced that Steve Jobs died today, after a struggle with pancreatic cancer: We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest…
More Media Layoffs, This Time at Journal Broadcasting
John Schuster tells me he’s received word that at least three people were laid off today from KGMG, aka Mega 106.3, which is owned by Journal Broadcasting. Those let go include Ken Carr, Rosemary and Dino. We’ll bring you updates if and when we find out anything more.
Probably Surprising to No One, Sarah Palin’s Not Running for President
I don’t if anyone still thought Sarah Palin was going to expose herself to the scrutiny that running for president would involve (or the possibility of losing), but she announced to her supporters that she’s going to stick to pontification for now. The text of her letter is below the cut. After much prayer and…
A West World of Outreach, Biosphere 2 is a Zion for Science
JOHN DE DIOS Averaging 100,000 visitors per year, the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 provides an opportunity for science and the public to have a better dialogue. The sprawling 40-acre campus in Oracle, Ariz., first came into the UA’s management four and a half years ago after Columbia University abandoned the project after more than…
CLARIFICATION: Pima County Democrats Give Stegeman, Cuevas a Slap on the Hand
Last night, on Monday, Oct. 3, the Pima County Democratic Party’s board approved a resolution condemning the past labor contract votes of Tucson Unified School District governing board members and fellow Democrats, Mark Stegeman and Miguel Cuevas. Cuevas and Stegeman both voted to impose contract language on organized labor rather than entering mediation when negotiations…
