Eater has the info for the third season of Food Network's Great Food Truck Race, but this year, there's a TWIST! Instead of casting people who actually have food trucks, experience, and some sense of how to sell food on the run, they're taking foodies and culinary types who have mobile dining aspirations. I have to admit, this does sound like a lot of fun, although anyone entering should really consider if they want to stay friends with their teammates, because these reality shows seem to take a toll on the fragile bond of human relationships. On the other hand, you could win a food truck! If anyone enters, let me know. It would be great to see some Tucsonans in the mix.

The flyer is below the cut:

I like funny things and 80's one hit wonders, so this commercial from New Zealand is right up my alley. If someone sold something to the tune of Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You," I'd be powerless to resist. Maybe I shouldn't admit that. Oops.

[Buzzfeed]

I've already discussed my deep, nearly unbearable excitement for May 19th's Freestyle Explosion show, so I'll spare you an extended essay on why you should go, but I did want to share this delightful take on the national anthem by Stacey Q, who is scheduled to perform that one song you know live as part of the star-studded concert. What a magical, drum-machine enhanced, tribute to our country.

• Photo by Karilyn Roach

Construction on the 3.9-mile streetcar starts this week. Motorists and bicyclists alike are in for traffic headaches. Check the construction update and learn which roads are off limits.

We are going to start covering more pedestrian issues on Tucson Velo. Find out why.

Next week is Bike to Work Week and several businesses are offering up perks for those who bike to work. Check out the list and map to find out how to get the most out of your commute.

A new sub shop on Campbell gets built without bike parking, but one advocate tries to change that. Find out how he is going about the change.

After the tyrannical reign of Senate President Russell Pearce ended, many people thought the new Senate President, Sen. Steve Pierce, would be a breath of civility in the Arizona Senate.

Turns out he's about as petty as the last guy the people ousted.

In an email exchange with a Republican voter from Tucson who was concerned about the direction of the state, Pierce, R-Prescott, suggested that instead of bringing up her concerns, the voter should "Get a life."

But that's not all. Following an impromptu debate with Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, at the annual Arizona Small Business Association legislative update lunch recently, Pierce called Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, a "piece of shit" and it appears he's holding one of Farley's bills, which has bipartisan support.

From Inside Tucson Business:

Farley, seizing his opportunity, hopped up on stage with the two Republicans provoking a debate with the senators on subjects including the benefits of prison labor and funding for the University of Arizona.

After about 10 minutes, Pierce excused himself from the stage, saying he had an appointment to keep in Phoenix. On the way out, within earshot of a reporter, Pierce said to his traveling entourage, “That Farley is a piece of s—- for getting up on the stage like that.”

Afterward, Farley mentioned that he was worried for the safety of one of his bills, 2713, which "Would allow for a subtraction of long-term care insurance premiums and amounts deposited into a long-term care savings account from Arizona gross income." Whatever that means.

The bill had passed both the House and Senate Appropriations committees unanimously (not easy for a Democratic bill), and was awaiting a hearing in the Senate Rules Committee, which Pierce chairs.

The bill was scheduled for a vote the Monday following the lunch, but after it was abruptly pulled from the calendar, we caught up with Pierce and asked why.

"There were problems with the bill," he said without elaborating. When asked if the "problems" had anything to do with the lunch debate the week before, Pierce said only, "We're working on it. We'll probably get it worked out."

The bill eventually was heard and approved by the Senate Rules Committee, but has yet to reach the Senate Floor for a vote.

Hmmmm, wonder who is in charge of that?

We got the "get a life" email after the jump.

No one cares, please just go away. You don't even have to resign, just stop showing up and ride out the term. There's nothing you can say on Tuesday that's going to make anyone think any better of you at this point. Just make it stop.

Democracy is a wonderful thing, especially when combined with delicious tamales, so why not take a moment and vote on Tucson Tamale Company's Facebook page for the newest addition to their menu. The creator of the winning dish wins two dozen free tamales to make things more exciting. My vote was for the paella tamale, partially because I know the guy who submitted that idea, but partially because I don't think the world needs another vegan tamale (sorry, vegans). Voting ends tomorrow, so hurry over.

I really should just quit blogging now. This parody (?) of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "1st of tha Month" featuring a cast of pugs is the pinnacle of what online media can offer. I don't understand what's happening or why, but it's five minutes of pure magic. Enjoy.

Eric Swedlund inteviews the members of Megafaun, who will be among the acts at this weekend's Festival en el Barrio:

Megafaun began after the breakup of DeYarmond Edison, formed in Eau Claire, Wis., and including Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Chris Porterfield. Porterfield's first album as Field Report will be released later this year.

Westerlund and brothers Brad (bass, guitar) and Phil (keyboards, banjo) Cook share songwriting and singing duties, and over the course of three albums and an EP, they have shown they're adaptable to everything from spare folk to psychedelic freakouts, turning sometimes to horns and even classic 1960s pop. Comparisons to the Grateful Dead and contemporaries like Akron/Family might get close to describing the band's sound, but any singular comparison will fall short.

"We're just interested in so many different styles of music. ... It's just part of who we are. I don't think we can change that," Westerlund says. "Having that background of music education in general, and having the jazz influence has enabled us to go that many more places in our arrangements. But I think more than anything, it's a state of mind for us. We love improvisation. That's the greatest thing we've taken from listening to a lot of jazz and absorbing a lot of jazz."

You're really not gonna want to stay home this Saturday when you can be having fun in the heart of the city, are you? Get your tickets here.

Despite my general dislike for Converse shoes (VANS 4EVER), the newest installment in their "3 Artists, 1 Song" series is a ridiculously hooky track featuring Kimbra (the female voice on "Somebody I Used to Know"), Mark Foster of Foster the People, and A-Trak (former world DJ champion and half of Duck Sauce of "Barbara Streisand" fame). You can download the track for free, or just watch the Lucha Libre themed video above. Thankfully, after two listens, I haven't felt more compelled to buy a pair of Converse shoes, although your results may vary.