• PK Weis

Kelly, who will scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee at 8 a.m. Tucson time, will be talking about the need for more background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines, according to an email he sent to supporters of his new political action committee, Americans for Responsible Solutions.

"The next few months will be challenging and filled with many ups-and-downs, but Gabby and I know that if we stick together, we can overcome anything—even an ideological fringe that has consistently used big money and influence to obstruct progress," Kelly said in the email.

Also scheduled to testify: The NRA's Wayne LaPierre. You can read his prepared testimony here, but here's a key takeaway on the NRA's perspective:

Semi-automatic firearms have been around for over 100 years. They are among the most popular guns made for hunting, target shooting and self-defense. Despite this fact, Congress banned the manufacture and sale of hundreds of semi-automatic firearms and magazines from 1994 to 2004. Independent studies, including a study from the Clinton Justice Department, proved that ban had no impact on lowering crime.

And when it comes to the issue of background checks, let’s be honest—background checks will never be “universal”—because criminals will never submit to them.

This week's print edition of the Tucson Weekly, on newsstands tomorrow, examines how Tucsonans are lobbying Congress on new gun regulations and the challenges of instituting universal background checks.

One of the many reasons I would really love to win the lottery right now is so I can be a Sugar Mama for the local production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. If I had $1,000 to spare, I'd gladly hand it over to the Bastard Theatre's Christopher Johnson. If I did, here's what I'd receive:

... permission to attend a closed music rehearsal with the cast and full band, an 11x17 print of an original illustration created for the 'Origin Of Love' montage and a guaranteed seat for you or a loved-one of your choice in the exclusive Car-Wash Chair (optional, depending on your own personal space issues / feelings about sweaty fishnet lap dances) during the night you attend the show. Additionally, The Bastard (Theatre) Artistic Director Christopher Johnson will cook and serve dinner to you and your chosen guests inside your home while in full drag. Whether or not you invite him to eat is up to you. He won't wear a hair net, and needs a cigarette break every forty-five minutes.

I don't know if Johnson is a good cook. I know from personal experience he's a hell of an actor, and my kid thinks he's nice. And my kid doesn't like everyone. But I'm ready to let Tucson know that I want the Car-Wash Chair option. Fishnet lap dances do not scare me. Bring them on.

My reality is I'm a broke writer, but a broke writer who is happy to see the return of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Johnson first produced the show in 2009 when he was artistic director of Etcetera at Live Theatre Workshop. To bring the show back, Johnson founded the Bastard Theatre, with 10 performances at the Screening Room next month beginning on Feb. 14. This isn't just theater—this is a Valentine's Day love letter to Tucson. Take Johnson up on his offer, especially if you missed the last production.

Barring an unexpected change in state law, three seats on the Tucson City Council are up for grabs this year.

Newly minted Democrat Steve Kozachik, who jumped from the Republican Party earlier this month, filed last week to run for the midtown Ward 6 seat.

“There are a lot really important things that are underway,” says Kozachik, who wants to continue his work on water-policy issues, budget challenges, downtown redevelopment, the future of the Broadway widening and firearms regulation. “This isn’t just about filling potholes.”

Democrat Richard Fimbres, who is completing his first term in south-central Ward 5, filed to run in early January. And in north-central Ward 3, Karin Uhlich filed her paperwork on Jan. 18.

“We’re at a real crossroads in Tucson in terms of moving toward a better pattern for growth,” says Uhlich, who wants to continue working on water policy, the issues related to infill development and improvements to the transit system.

So far, none of the Democrats has drawn a Republican opponent.

Kozachik made a few waves last week when he floated the idea that the city could save some money if it just skipped the election this year, given that the state passed a law last year that said that all city elections must occur in the fall of even-numbered years to coincide with presidential and gubernatorial elections.

“One way we could save about $2 million this year has to do with the state and their consolidated elections bill—the one that places all elections in even numbered years,” Kozachik wrote in his newsletter. “They have to go back and fix the language this session since we are due to have an election this fall. There are options they can consider, some of which include having us run for one- or three-year terms this fall, or skipping this year’s election altogether and synchronizing us in a 2014 election. If left to me, I’d certainly opt for that. I believe people are just suffering election-cycle fatigue.”

Kozachik walked back that proposal yesterday, telling The Range that he didn’t want to skip this year’s election and was just trying to make the point that the Legislature had passed a law that left no direction to the cities about how to structure the elections this year. He says that he fully expects to run for office this year.

The city of Tucson is fighting the new law in court, arguing that the city’s charter authority allows it to schedule elections when it wants.

Saturday night, the Stone Avenue Standard apartment complex, at 1800 N. Stone Ave., was the location of one of the largest parties in recent memory, with reports of nearly 1,500 people in attendance, overwhelming security and ending when someone pulled a handgun and fired shots into the air.

Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone on the scene to check out the party in person. But thankfully, the folks at Blacked Out Media were there, recording it all—the girls making out, the guys slamming beer cans against their heads, the handles of booze flowing like water and the hurricane-like aftermath.

If you get a chance, take a look at the description, which reads:

"No alcohol was used in this video, only props"

Uh huh. Handles of "props" purchased at what looked to be an area Sam's Club warehouse.

Wait, hold on:

Police helicopters? Check. 1,500+ people? Check. Insane amounts of alcohol? Check. youtube.com/watch?v=MKnWQx…
— BLACKED OUT MEDIA (@BlackedOutMedia) January 29, 2013

Nice job, guys.

Critics of Pima County government often point to the bond program when they’re knocking the Board of Supervisors or Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

They say the county allows voters the opportunity to borrow too much and shifts the money around in order to reward friends and punish enemies.

Former state lawmaker Terri Proud was one of the loudest critics of Pima County’s bond program, accusing Huckelberry of having “repeatedly taken bond money and spent it on projects other than what voters intended.”

Proud first tried to run legislation that would have allowed the small towns in Pima County to veto bond projects, but eventually settled on passing a bill calling for an audit of the Pima County bond program.

That audit came out today and Huckelberry is calling it a “complete validation of the integrity and importance of the bond program.”

“We hold as sacred voter trust and believe strongly that voters must have assurance that they will get what they paid for,” Huckelberry said in a prepared statement. “We are pleased that this independent review has unequivocally found Pima County to be accountable and transparent in its management of these programs.”

The audit notes that using bonds that were approved by voters in 1997, 2004 and 2006, the county had completed 477 of 513 projects (or 93 percent) on time or ahead of deadline. Any changes were approved by the Board of Supervisors, “without any indication in the board’s records that changes were made to reward or punish an entity, party, or official who stood to benefit from or be affected by the project.

UPDATED: The Range reached out to Proud, who did not seek reelection last year, for a comment. She tells us via Facebook that she has no quarrel with the audit's conclusions.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Huckelberry and his staff for their cooperation during this audit," Proud says. "I am pleased it turned out well. It's my hope that this audit will restore some confidence back into the taxpayers in Pima County knowing that the bond monies are being taken care of appropriately."

We’ll have more after we’re dug deeper into the audit, but if you want to look it over, it’s here: bd-auditor.general.bond.audit.report.pdf

There are fun times coming on Saturday, Feb. 2, when nanobrewery Ten-55 will be having their grand opening. I’m told that the beer will be plentiful with food and music to accompany it.

The event starts at noon till “late”. What “late” might be, I think, is dependent on the masses that come to enjoy this new addition to the local brewing scene. I think the four beers offered by owners John Vyborny and Chris Squires, will continue to enhance the beer choices here in the Old Pueblo.

Visit their website at www.1055brewing.com.

Sometimes, in the midst of a conversation that jumps from one topic (beer festivals) to another (pro wrestling) to another (birthday parties), one is bound to be struck with an altogether brilliant idea—an idea that must be acted upon immediately.

In this instance, Tucson Weekly editor Dan Gibson made the bold call, upon learning that there were no stand-alone Carvel Ice Cream locations in Tucson, to demand Fudgie the Whale cakes so he can relive the memories of enjoying ice cream cake with his closest friends and family.

• carvelatmoorpark.com
• The cake that haunts Dan Gibson's dreams.

This is his letter, and the response that followed.

Looks like last night was the last hurrah of the bar at 3710 N. Oracle Rd.

Woody’s, a staple in the LGBT community for some time, have decided to unexpectedly close its doors. No need to worry though. Word on the street is they are keeping the name and starting a Restaurant/Bar in the Downtown area.

In the meantime, the folks at Woody’s say to stop in the meantime to IBT's on 4th Ave, and keep an eye on Woody's Facebook page for further news.

After having one of the best seasons a Wildcat player has ever produced on the football field, Ka'Deem Carey seems to be on a roll of less-than-stellar decisions in the offseason, getting kicked out of Thursday night's basketball game against UCLA, confronting staff and campus police in the process:

He and his cousin, Hakeem Adams-Johnson, were “double seated and sitting on the backs of the chairs.” Frank Duarte, a UA Athletics event staff member, initially asked Adams-Johnson and Carey to leave, according to the report.

Duarte asked them to move on “four occasions.” After Carey ignored him, a University of Arizona Police Department officer asked Carey to move and he complied.

Carey told the officer they were sitting in that area because “they couldn’t find their seats.”

When the officer asked both of them for their tickets, Carey responded, “Get the fuck out of my face.” He then asked, “Do you know who I am? I’m an All-American.”

The officer asked Carey and Adams-Johnson to accompany him outside. They agreed, but Carey approached the officer, asking what the problem was. He said that the pair did not actually have tickets, but were having problems getting them, according to the report.

Carey then “got close” to the officer, who told Carey to “back off.” When Carey did not comply, the officer spoke in “a louder voice” and Carey took several steps back, according to the report.

Because only someone affiliated with ASU would threaten to destroy something that's already broken.

From azcentral.com:

Carlos J. Balsas, 41, of Tempe, told a security guard who searched his backpack just after 10 a.m. Saturday at the Liberty Bell Center that, “I have explosives in there.” He then fled, and security notified U.S. Park Rangers.

Rangers arrested and handcuffed Balsas after a brief struggle, and he was uncooperative, according to police.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Philadelphia Police bomb squad shut down the scene to pedestrian and vehicle traffic during the investigation, but tests on the backpack came back negative for explosives.

And look at that! He's just wasting everyone's time.

Now, let's be clear: Girls Gone Wild University and Casino hasn't employed Balsas since May 2011, according to an ASU spokesperson, meaning that he's been free of their alluring-yet-toxic influence for more than a year and a half. But who knows: maybe the inability to mold the minds of the kinds of students who become sugar babies drove him mad! Or not. Hopefully, he gets the help he needs.

Considering the time he may potentially get (Balsas is charged with counts of making terroristic threats, bomb threats, possessing an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment and "related charges" according to various news outlets,) he should have plenty of time to do so.