Tucson is a town of book lovers—as evidenced by the throngs that gather for the annual Festival of Books—and we're happy to do our part to introduce readers to local authors and their latest books. This week, it's an excerpt from Adrienne Celt's second novel, Invitation to a Bonfire, a story of a love triangle involving a famed Russian writer who is based loosely on Vladimir Nabokov. Danyelle Khmara has more about Celt and her book and you can meet Celt herself when she does a reading at Fourth Avenue's indie bookstore, Antigone Books, this Friday, June 8.
Khmara also looks into the Trump administration's reprehensible new policy of shattering immigrant families fleeing terror in Central America and seeking asylum in the United States. Are we really a nation where we strip terrified toddlers from their mother's arms?
Elsewhere in the book: Arts writer Margaret Regan looks at the gorgeous array of photography Tucsonans can see this summer at the Center for Creative Photography, Etherton Gallery and ArtsEye Gallery; MMJ columnist Nick Meyers visits a local marijuana nursery and learns about how weed extracts are made; intern Kathleen Kuntz looks at what's happening with the construction on I-10 between here and Phoenix; Chow writer Mark Whittaker learns about Tucson's new chocolate factory; music contributor Eric Swedlund finds out what Larry and his Flask has been up to during the band's hiatus; movie critic Bob Grimm doesn't find any thrills at Action Point; and, as usual, there's a whole bunch more in our pages.
Tucson Weekly is joining with its fellow Tucson Local Media publications in the hunt for Tucson's ugliest pet. If you've got an unsightly critter—all kinds are welcome, whether a dog, cat, hamster or platypus—we want to see it. The winner gets a $25 gift card for themselves and a $25 gift card for their pets. Submit pictures and bios to tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com.
And finally: We're down to the wire in our call for Best of Tucson™ nominees! You get to name your personal bests through June 17. We'll tally those votes to come up with five nominees in each category and start the second round of voting later in June. Vote online at TucsonWeekly.com/BOT.
See you at Etherton's opening reception on Saturday night!
— Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor
Hear Jim Nintzel talk about what's happening in Tucson entertainment on The Frank Show at 9:30 Wednesday mornings on KLPX, 96.1 FM.
