We're told by two sources that Democrat Marcia Ortega, who was making her political debut with a campaign against Ward 1 Councilwoman Regina Romero, will be dropping out of the race. We've contacted Ortega to find out her plans and will let you know when we hear back from her.

"Kalashnikov," 2008, from "Stop the Violence" by Francois Robert, is part of Flesh, Bone, Spirit, continuing at Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave., through March 26.

-A lot of very bad bills gained committee approval this week. A very brief list:

SB1467 (barring educational institutions from enacting or enforcing a policy that bars possession of concealed weapons on campus);

SB1216 (imposing a copayment on obstetric services for AHCCCS patients; illegal under federal law, and the committee knows that, but seven Republicans voted for it anyway);

SCR1032 (a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to require 60% of the voters in an election to support a tax hike for said hike to pass);

SB1390 (placing geographic restrictions on abortion services - a doctor performing an abortion must have clinical privileges at a hospital that offers ob/gyn services and is within 30 miles of the location of the abortion services. Would all but eliminate the availability of abortions in rural Arizona);

SB1548 (tying school funding in Arizona to the establishment of a nuclear waste dump here)

SB1433 (creating a "nullification" commission to oversee state legislative nullification of federal laws and regulations that state legislators don't like)

HB2077 (mandating the federal agencies report to a county's sheriff and pay a fee before engaging in activities in that county; also ordering that all money collected as a result of fines, fees, or penalties collected by the federal agency be transferred to the state's General Fund)

HB2675 (as introduced, would have defined "unlawful use of food stamps" as use of a food stamp care after the unlawful transfer of a food stamp card and would have mandated that the cards be bright orange and state in large black print "Government Food Stamp Card." The version that passed committee didn't contain the part about the design of the cards.)

HB2313 (saying that the state can seize federal property under eminent domain)

Lots more, including a preview of next week, here.

Press release from Congressman Raul Grijalva:

In video statements today, Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Raúl M. Grijalva and Keith Ellison voiced their support for the workers of Wisconsin and decried the ideological attempts of conservatives to cut jobs and benefits for working families.

The statements come as Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker, seeks to slash the benefits and collective bargaining rights of workers in Wisconsin. The co-chairs voiced their solidarity with the people of Wisconsin and their belief in the fundamental right of workers to bargain for a fair pay and benefits.

The co-chairs see the cuts as part of a larger Republican “No Jobs Agenda” to destroy jobs and cut benefits, making working families pay while handing over billions in subsidies to corporate interests.

“We understand we have issues to deal with in terms of the budget,” Grijalva says in his video statement, “but they should not be on the backs of working people. We should not rob them of their fundamental right to bargain collectively and be able to make their lives in the workplace and their homes better.”

“We are enormously proud of you,” Ellison says to the working people of Wisconsin and the country. “There’s nothing wrong with collective bargaining, with workers bargaining with management to come up with a fair pay and good, safe working conditions.”

The Roots occupy a strange place in music right now. They spent the 90's trying to make it as a critical favorite, the last decade dealing with label issues and personnel changes, and now have a regular gig as Jimmy Fallon's house band, the reputation as one of the best live bands in the world, guest spots on dozens of albums, and a tuba player. It's a strange career arc, by all means. Filmmakers Cam Be and Jeff Baraka tried to capture in nine minutes what makes the group so noteworthy, and although I'm still a little bitter that The Roots canceled a scheduled show at the Rialto nearly a decade ago at the last minute, the result is definitely worth watching.

The Legendary: A Film About The Roots from Cam Be on Vimeo.

[Hypebeast/Daily What]

Tough break, Georgians. Sure, we both can buy booze at restaurants on Sundays, but of all the things wrong with Arizona, at least we can still buy a six pack on the Christian Sabbath and drink our sorrows away.

Creative Loafing Atlanta:

This was supposed to be the year that state lawmakers would finally do something about Sunday sales.

They'd been handed a common-sense proposal — one that allows cities and counties to vote on whether booze could be purchased on the Sabbath in stores — that offered political cover. Poll after poll showed strong support for the measure. Gov. Sonny Perdue — who for years had vowed to veto bills involving Sunday alcohol sales — had left office. Nathan Deal, Perdue's successor, said he wouldn't nix the measure if passed. Hell, he even dropped the golden quote "I don't drink — I simply believe in democracy."

Still, lawmakers found a way to muck it up. Via the AJC:

The chances of a Sunday sales bill passing this year took a major hit on Thursday when Senate Republican leaders said the measure lacks the support necessary among the majority caucus.

"It's a decision the Republican caucus made to not move forward with it," Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, the Republican caucus chairman, said.

For the past several days, Senate Republicans have been wringing their hands over the measure that just a few weeks ago seemed destined for passage. Social conservatives apparently started applying pressure, causing lawmakers to get antsy.

Obviously, after the year so far here in Tucson, we're all aware of the amazing work being done at UMC's Trauma Center. Still, running a first class medical unit isn't cheap, so an new organization has been founded to help keep care there at the highest level. As one of their first fundraising activities, they've partnered with the California Pizza Kitchen at the Tucson Mall on Monday. Bring in a copy of the PDF below, and 20 percent of your bill goes to the Trauma Center. Easy as that. Eat some fancy pizza and feel like a good citizen in the process. Everyone wins.

Here!

Blog for Arizona found the listing for openings for "Turnaround Principals" via an ad on an email from Education Week:

Turnaround Principal Search

Imagine leading a high school for which you were able to hire a dedicated staff, meet the challenge to design and implement an innovative and transformative model of instruction, and have resources to provide aggressive professional development and financial rewards for success! Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona is offering such an opportunity to a highly motivated and experienced secondary principal.

Ideally, the right candidate will be able to begin immediately. If the right candidate is currently under contract elsewhere, the contract offered would begin on July 1, 2011. However, compensation will be provided for the principal to be available evenings and weekends to conduct interviews for the hiring of the right staff for this "turn around" school.

Please contact Nancy Woll, Chief Human Resources Officer at 520-225-6009 or [email protected] for additional information.

If you want to be a part of a progressive and innovative 21st Century school district, have the skills and personal characteristics described above, and enjoy challenging work, please apply here!

I think this is the wrong way to go, so leave it to blogger (and parent of a TUSD educated child!) Dan Gibson to fix your employment issues, Dr. Pedicone!

The clear solution? REALITY SHOW! Get some teachers with misguided ambition and have them complete mildly demeaning challenges on live television to determine who gets to run things at Rincon (or second prize...Palo Verde). Put it on Channel 12 and you've wounded two birds with one stone. All I ask: executive producer co-credit.

Congratulations to Janos Wilder, one of twenty semifinalists for the highly prestigious Outstanding Chef award presented by the James Beard foundation, last year won by Tom Colicchio of Craft and Top Chef fame. Janos has been a semifinalist for the award before, and won the foundation's award for top chef in the southwest in 2000.

Another nominee with a distinct Tucson connection is Sam Fox, who is up for Outstanding Restaurateur for his company Fox Restaurant Concepts, which has eight Tucson outlets.

Update: Also worth noting that City Week listings guru/"calendar girl"/oldest living female rock critic Linda Ray's cousin once removed, Erik Anderson of Sea Change restaurant in Minneapolis is a semifinalist for Best Midwest Chef. Congratulations to Erik (and his extended family).

[James Beard Foundation]

Tonight's the Grand Finale for the Tucson Sculpture Festival at Solar Culture, an event that seems rather unforgettable between the acrobatic yoga, live music, circus acts and whatever else they have planned. We went to the Sculpture Resource Center this week to see some of the work that's been exhibited as part of the Festival for Tucson Weekly TV.