The audio slideshows are a fun watch for anyone who enjoys taking a walk onto any outdoorsy landscape.

(Photographs by John deDios)

"Auto Pilot" is among the pieces on display in David F. Brown: Paintings and Drawings from March 5 through March 30 at Temple Gallery, 330 S. Scott Ave. The exhibit is on display from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and before Arizona Theatre Company Performances.

'

A few weeks back, we shared state Sen. Jack Harper's rambling comments about why gays shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military.

Now Arizona Republic columnist E.J. Montini writes about legislation under consideration by the Arizona Legislature that would put married couples ahead of single people when it comes to adoption:

Recently, a single heterosexual woman (she pointed this out in her e-mail) sent a note to a group of legislators expressing her opposition to HB2148. She believes it is a bad idea to make it more difficult for people like her to adopt, adding that while single individuals often step forward to serve as foster parents, this bill would tell them “they are not good enough to keep (the children) permanently.”

In response she got an e-mail from Sen. Harper that read:

“I am sorry that the legislation is clumsy, but it accomplishes the goal that we are trying to achieve. It's hard to single out gay and lesbian couple [sic] with proper wording in statute.”

H/T: Farley Report

Dear Corey: Not only does it suck that you OD'd at 38; it sucks that in your obit in a stupid entertainment rag, License to Drive is the first movie they list. Yes, yes, Lost Boys is a classic from those bucolic Reagan years, but those sons of bitches forgot Lucas. I never forgot Lucas. Even when you became a drug addict and got listed under that troubled-actor category, I never forgot Lucas.

The GOP budget plan is working its way through the appropriations committees at the Legislature.

Howie has the details:

Legislative panels approved more than $1 billion in spending cuts, nearly $500 million in raids on special funds and some other budget maneuvers on Tuesday in their bid to balance the budget.

The votes in the House and Senate Appropriations committees, largely along party lines, came over the objections of various interests whose pet programs will get less funding or who are finding themselves with new financial obligations. Those calls went largely unheeded.

The latest dispatch from Rep. Steve Farley sums up many of the budget proposals that are making their way through the Legislature this week:

Allow me to apologize on behalf of Republican leadership. While last week was officially declared as "Budget Week", they never actually came up with any budget proposals.

So this week is, once again, "Budget Week"!

We actually do have a budget proposal on the table today. The Republicans would again have a lot of apologizing to do, if they were actually sorry for what they are about to do to the state of Arizona.

It's a bloodbath that will last for generations.

This budget was worked out behind closed doors with input from Republican members only, and

Tucson Weekly TV catches up with muralist Joe Pagac, the artist behind the rock ’n’ murals popping up on the side of the Rialto Theatre and Bookmans.

Sugar Booger is among the dogs that the folks at Cold Wet Noses are trying to find a home for.

Here's what Sugar Booger has to say at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Hi my name is Sugar Booger. I am about 8 months old and a pretty mellow gal though I wouldn't mind another dog to play with. I like to flop over on my back belly up a lot and I am quite sweet though I need someone to show me the ropes and be a good pack leader so that I will grow up to be a good girl. I need to see the world and all that it has to offer. I am a little pit/aussie mix and am very beautiful I am told. I like to snuggle a lot and I walk quite nicely on a leash. I currently live with 13 other dogs and I was a bit overwhelmed at first but now I am fine with it all. I am spayed, microchipped and I know how to use a doggy door. Come see me!

California State Sen. Roy Ashburn joined a long GOP tradition today of finally admitting he's gay to a Bakersfield radio host. I particularly enjoyed his excuse for his anti-gay voting record--his constituents. I can guarantee Ashburn that there are gay people in his district in Kern County, but I understand from a SF Weekly blog here that it's not the friendliest places--75 percent of the county voted in favor of Prop 8. No wonder he stayed in the closet.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Reporting from Sacramento - A Republican state senator from conservative Bakersfield said Monday that he is homosexual, days after a report that he had been at a gay nightclub in Sacramento before being arrested on drunk driving charges while behind the wheel of his state car last week.

Sen. Roy Ashburn returned to work after being on leave since his arrest early Wednesday not far from the Capitol. The incident had touched off speculation about Ashburn's sexual orientation because a Sacramento television station said it occurred after he left a gay club. And Ashburn drew fire from activists for voting against gay-rights legislation.

The senator, who avoided reporters in the Senate chamber Monday afternoon, broke his silence in an interview on Bakersfield radio station KERN-AM (1180) in the morning, saying the episode had led to "restless nights" and "soul searching."

Ashburn told radio host Inga Barks that he owed his constituents an explanation. She responded, "Do you want me to ask you ... the question, or do you want to just tell people?"

"I am gay," Ashburn answered. "Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long. But I am gay. But it is something that is personal and . . . I felt with my heart that being gay didn't affect — wouldn't affect — how I did my job.

Our friends at Lulubell Toy Bodega sent out an e-mail last night asking for help locating about $5,000 in merchandise stolen from the 439 N. Sixth Ave. store and gallery.

Here's their request for help, which includes finding the 3-foot tall fiberglass guy posted above:

We are a very small, locally owned business with 2 owners and no staff. Last night someone through a rock through our window and grabbed all they could before the police arrived. We suffered about $5,000 in loss, which for a business our size is a huge blow.

One of the most identifiable items taken was a 3 foot tall fiberglass statue, one of maybe 25 in the world. You can't hide or sell this big guy very easily, so I am hoping by getting the word out, someone will speak up. Approx. 50 items total were taken. Any tips can called in to Tucson Police Department, or sent to this email address or phone number below.

The items taken are very niche, and will be terribly hard for anyone to sell & get their value, so the best thing in this situation would be for us to recover what was taken.

Have information that can help? Call (520) 622-5858 (LULU) or send an e-mail to [email protected].