This morning, just as the Tucson Weekly was going to press, a local real estate blog reported that Saguaro Ranch owner Stephen Phinny has defaulted on the $50 million loan he received in 2006 from New Jersey-based Kennedy Funding for his high-end development in the Tortolita Mountains.

We confirmed the report, finding a "notice of substitution of trustee" that was filed with the Pima County recorder on Dec. 24. The notice appoints Katharine Burns Milliman, a Tucson attorney with Fennemore Craig, as successor trustee--an early step in foreclosure proceedings on the 1,035-acre development.

Life, however, goes on for neighbors who are suing Phinny regarding a public-easement dispute. That remains on the docket to go to court on Jan. 26.

According to an e-mail from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas--the folks leading the opposition to the Rosemont Mine--the mediation processes headed by Carie Fox and the Morris K. Udall Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution have been disbanded. Evidently, Fox believes there was little room for mediation, and the SSSR folks agree.

But there remains plenty of room for public involvement "in the analysis of the scoping comments."

In that vein, the SSSR folks co-authored a proposal to the Coronado National Forest (CNF) "suggesting an alternative framework for public involvement, which has been sent to Jeanine Derby of the CNF."

SSSR is holding a public meeting TODAY to discuss the proposal, as well as "strategies for working toward stopping the mine and to air concerns. All who have been involved in the effort to stop the proposed Rosemont Mine are invited."

The meeting is TODAY: Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., at Corona Fire Station #1, 99 Tallahassee St. (one street south of Sahuarita Road, just east of Houghton Road).

Any questions? E-mail Kim Beck, SSSR coordinator, at [email protected], or call her at 495-4339.

My little cousin Garrett sent this clip to me right before Christmas just to get me in the mood. But after watching it, I just kept thinking What Would The Specials Do?

How did this happen? How did the holidays come and go while I missed the passing of Eartha Kitt?

This week's Skinny gave the latest update on the legal issues for the Saguaro Ranch development in Marana (more to come in our Jan. 22 issue). But since we can't include art in Skinny, here's a picture of the sign posted at the entrance to Pima County property alerting hikers that they are about to go onto Saguaro Ranch property. Hikers we met while driving the loop said they weren't too happy when they first saw the sign, since they'd been coming up there for more than a decade and knew the history of the property - enough to know they were entering county land. They've also been reading the Weekly's latest coverage on the public access issues and dispute - enough to know they were also within their legal rights to walk the entire loop.

The latest Tucson restaurant victim of the economy is a big one: Terra Cotta.

Here's an e-mail we've received:

It is with mixed emotions that we write to you today to share the news that after a tremendous 22 years of serving our friends, neighbors and guests from near and far, Terra Cotta will close its doors on Saturday, January 31st.

Like so many other businesses, the current economic climate has taken its toll on us too and we can no longer continue on. On behalf of the Luria and Nordin families, we want to express our gratitude to you, our valued guests, who have afforded us the opportunity to pursue our passion these last 22 years. It has been an honor and privilege to open our doors each night and do our best in providing you with a unique Southwestern dining experience. We would be remiss if we didn't also acknowledge and thank the many talented staff that have worked with us over the years in creating and serving the wonderful cuisine that made Terra Cotta the success that it was. Lastly, we want to thank our many vendors (partners really, many of whom are local businesses too) and acknowledge our dedicated and talented peers in the industry--particularly those in the Tucson Originals.

While every story has an ending, this is not particularly the one our family would have chosen. However, in these last few weeks, we intend to focus on what has been and will ultimately be our defining legacy: the many

treasured relationships we have developed with you, our guests.

So, in these last few weeks, we hope that you will come in and dine at Terra Cotta to enjoy one last bowl of Jennifer's Tortilla Soup, the Garlic Custard, our signature Stuffed Prawns with Goat Cheese and of course one last piece of our famous Chocolate Mousse Pie.

We'll be open nightly starting at 4:00 PM now thru January 31st.

Warmly,

Michael and Maya, Don and Donna

(Full disclosure: Michael and Maya Luria are friends of mine.)

Flight of the Conchords returns for its second season on HBO on Jan. 18. To celebrate, HBO has a Conchords video lipsynching contest going down.

I understand Ryanhood pulled a splendid real Conchords performance for The Great Coverup at Congress recently. I'm sorry I missed it. But check out these lipsynch performances on the Conchord contest site.

Before you take down your Christmas tree or put away those driedels, I thought it important to send props out to Tooley's on Congress, the downtown coffee spot at Fifth and Congress streets. The good folks there hosted a special dinner for the first night of Channukah with brisket, latkes and big delicious salads.

The first night of the eight-day holiday is long-over, but I'd be remiss to not take a moment to thank them for putting this on and making the intimate cafe a welcome place to bring your menorahs, eat some good food and bring the kids, too. Our son found some girls playing driedel by the front window and pretty much took home all the chocolate gelt they brought to the cafe with. My husband and I talked and read the paper. It was a great way to celebrate the first night together--and be downtown at Tooley's. Thank you!

Hey, kids ... the new issue of the Weekly is online and ready to read! Please feel free to comment on its contents here.

Adam Borowitz, our Noshing Around writer, reports:

Cuvee World Bistro, at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., has closed as of Sunday, Jan. 4, according to a recorded message left on the restaurant's voicemail by owner Robert Bossardet. "I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire city of Tucson, to all of our guests, to all of our friends, to all of our supporters," Bossardet said in the message. "Unfortunately, the economy turned out to be stronger than us." Opened in 2003 by Mitch Levy, who owns and operates another Cuvée World Bistro in Basalt, Colo., the restaurant was purchased by Bossardet in late 2007.

Also recently closed: Coffee Point at 2721 E. Speedway Blvd., and the Happy Iguana (3030 S. Sixth Ave.)

This. Economy. Sucks.