• Note: This photo does not include the sight of my hideous hands.

We gave away most of our tickets for the remainder of the Tucson Padres' season/existence, but there are still six sets of four here at the Tucson Weekly office that I'd like to get in the hands of people who enjoy such things.

So, here's what we have left:

Wednesday, August 21
Saturday, August 24
Sunday, August 25
Monday, August 26
Tuesday, August 27
Wednesday, August 28

If you'd like these tickets, email us at [email protected] and say which game you'd like to go to (don't say any of them, because you probably don't mean it). On Monday, I'll email the lucky winners. You'll need to come pick up the tickets during normal business hours at 3280 E. Hemisphere Loop in the glamorous Airport Heights district, so keep that in mind.

Good luck!

Tune in for a chance-of-page episode of AZ Illustrated Politics tonight: We talk with Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías about what's happening with the city of Tucson and Pima County. The show airs at 6:30 p.m. on PBS 6.

You'll be able to pick up a glass of Heroes 19, a collaborative-effort brown ale created to raise money for the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crews, a few places in Tucson now-to-soonish (Barrio, Gentle Ben's, Tap & Bottle, Thunder Canyon), but if you want to start your drinking/donating today, Barrio is hosting a tap and toast today (Friday) at 5. Enjoy.

As it stands today, if I made a list of my favorite active musical acts, the French band Phoenix (who performed at AVA earlier this year) and R. Kelly (who hasn't played Tucson to my knowledge, but was involved in a bit of drama involving a cruise cancellation here) would like both be on it. So, following a Coachella collaboration, hearing R. Kelly drop a verse on the new remix (although calling it a remix is a stretch...it almost sounds like R. Kelly added his contribution via cassette tape) of Phoenix's "Trying to Be Cool" is the perfect way for me to close out the week.

(art by Chris Weston)

If you've never seen John Carpenter's 1981 post-apocalyptic, sci-fi masterpiece Escape From New York, or if it's been awhile, here's five reasons why you need to hustle over to The Loft Cinema this weekend.

1. The plot is simple. The year is 1997, and Manhattan has been turned into a maximum security prison. There's a wall around the island, and all the bridges are laced with bombs. There's no getting out of the Big Apple. The President of the United States, on his way to a peace summit, is taken hostage by the prisoners when Air Force One goes down near the World Trade Center. Snake Plissken, an eye-patched soldier of fortune recently sentenced to NYC, must go in and rescue him before the summit is over.

2. The cast is incredible. Veteran British actor Donald Pleasence, best known for playing the Van Helsing-like Dr. Loomis in Carpenter's groundbreaking Halloween, plays the president. Kurt Russell is Snake Plissken (more on this in reason #3). Soul singer, funk machine, and Blaxploitation star Issac Hayes is great fun as the villain, The Duke of New York. Spaghetti Western veteran Lee Van Cleef is rock-solid as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk, the man who sends Plissken inside with his mission. Rounding out the cast are Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau and Oscar-winner Ernest Borgnine.

3. John Carpenter helped Kurt Russell shed his Disney image. Originally the studio wanted Charles Bronson or Tommy Lee Jones for the lead, but Carpenter balked. Carpenter had cast Russell as Elvis Presley a few years previous in the TV-movie biopic Elvis, a role that landed Russell an Emmy nomination. Carpenter wanted to work with him again, and Russell wanted to shake his Disney-movie past. I'd say he succeeded. You wouldn't think the lead in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes could pull off the eye-patch wearin', no time for talkin' and Uzi totin' Plissken, but it cemented Russell's career as a bankable star. Maybe there's hope for Zac Efron yet.

4. The score. Since his debut film Dark Star, Carpenter had been composing his own scores. His trademark pulsating, monotone synthesizer drones are used to great effect in this. It brilliantly captures the urban decay and moral rot of the city and re-enforces the feeling of isolation and dread. The score ranks among one of Carpenter's best.

5. Escape from New York was highly influential... in Italy. Carpenter's film was a smash success overseas, and it opened the floodgates to a sea of imitators. Escape from New York was essentially remade over and over again as 1990: The Bronx Warriors, 2019: After the Fall of New York and Escape from The Bronx. They're each a pale slice of extra-cheese pizza compared to the original, but they're also pretty fun on their own merit.

Escape from New York is part of The Loft's Late Night Cult Classic series, and it's playing tonight and tomorrow at 10 p.m. More information can be found on their website.

In the wake of a scandalous story earlier this week in the Arizona Republic, Congressman Ron Barber calls for an investigation into why the Department of Homeland Security paid a staggering $600,000 per home for housing for Border Patrol agents in Ajo.

The press release from Barber's office:

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber has asked the Department of Homeland Security to explain why it paid $15 million to build 21 houses and buy 20 mobile homes in Ajo for Border Patrol and Customs officers — in a community where comparable homes cost far less.

“This type of spending is irresponsible as our nation faces significant budget deficits and the men and women in the Border Patrol face cuts in overtime that are essential to their mission,” Barber said today. “I have demanded immediate answers from the Department of Homeland Security on how and why these outrageous expenses were approved.”

Barber, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, wrote to Thomas Winkowski, acting commissioner for U.S. Customers and Border Protection, asking him to explain why and how these decisions were made.

The Arizona Republic reported that DHS paid about $600,000 apiece to build 21 homes in Ajo where comparable homes sell for between $70,000 and $100,000. The Republic reported that DHS spent a total of $15 million for the 21 homes and 20 double-wide mobile homes — all meant to provide attractive housing to Border Patrol agents and Customs officers assigned to work in far western Pima County.

In his letter to Winkowski, Barber noted that, “It is important that our Border Patrol agents and Customs officers have safe and adequate housing. This ensures that those who protect our borders and facilitate the movement of goods and people into the United States can have stable and secure homes for their families.”

But Barber added, “It is imperative that we scrutinize expenditures and protect against wasteful spending. The federal government must be responsible stewards of taxpayer money.”

Barber asked Winkowski to report back promptly with answers on how many homes were built or purchased and the total price, the market value of the homes and justification for the purchases if the properties were purchased at above-market rates.

The letter from Barber's office:

Representatives Ron Barber and Raul Grijalva sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack yesterday urging the Forest Service to not release a final Environmental Impact Statement on the Rosemont Mine project without addressing several shortcoming.

You can read the letter here.

Joint statement issued from offices of Grijalva and Barber:

Tucson, Ariz. — Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva and Ron Barber today sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging the Forest Service, which is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), not to release a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Rosemont Mine project near Tucson without addressing several known shortcomings in the version available for public comment. The public comment period closes today, leading to widespread concerns that the draft will not substantially change before it is finalized.

Grijalva and Barber write in the letter, which is reviewable at http://1.usa.gov/16SHSMm, that the Forest Service “has no obligation to rush through an environmental assessment,” especially because the draft “is missing essential elements [such as] analysis of endangered species impacts, consultation with Native American communities regarding impacts to historical and cultural sites, Clean Water Act permits, and responses to [earlier] public comments.”

Authorities at the Coronado National Forest, where some waste from the proposed mine may be dumped, seem tempted to fast track analysis of other federal agencies’ comments in order to issue a record of decision by Sept. 27, the letter says. New rules on approving such documents go into effect the following day — rules that Forest Service officials may be trying to avoid at the Rosemont site.

As today’s letter says, “The Forest Service has no obligation to rush through an environmental assessment. The agency’s duty, first and foremost, is to assess the proposed mine’s impacts on Arizona’s natural resources, water supplies, and public health. Such a review should take the time that is appropriate to ensure full input from the public and stakeholders. The impacts of this study will be permanent and demand full and careful review.”

Grijalva is the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. Barber sits on the House Committee on Small Business.

Like many NBA teams with no shot at being successful anytime soon, the Phoenix Suns have taken it upon itself to do whatever it can to get lined up for one of the expected plethora of top prospects available in the 2014 draft.

For most of the league's also-rans, this just means dumping any players with talent in order to put together a roster so pathetic it's almost guaranteed to result in a bottom-of-the-standings record and the corresponding high draft spot.

But it appears the Suns are taking it one step further and implementing the look-bad, play-bad approach.

With that being said, I bring you the 2013-14 Phoenix Suns uniform lineup, which (of course) was unveiled before a packed crowd of people at Scottsdale Fashion Square who happened to be getting Cinnabon or Sbarro and stumpled upon the event:

• Arizona Republic

Yes, those are sleeves on the alternate orange jersey. And yes, there are fancy-schmancy suns bursts on the shorts:

Not even delving into the fact the 'SUNS' part makes me think of Snus smokeless tobacco — I smell a sponsorship deal!!!!! — the jerseys overall look way too much like the early 90s uniforms popularized by Charles Barkley, which themselves were hideous.

Ultimately, though, the new unis will still probably sell a shit ton's worth, which is really the only reason the Suns keep changing them (this is the fourth change since 1968, by the way). And for anyone who's on the fence about making a new purchase, you can read this flowery article from the Arizona Republic that basically reads like a press release as far as describing the unis' "nine speed rays coming off the numbers symbolize the nine former players in the team’s Ring of Honor" and other such blah, blah, blah.

The streetwear brand and proud Tucsonans over at The Underestimated City have pulled up stakes and closed down their downtown shop at 115 E. Broadway Boulevard.

TUC (see what they did there?) actually announced the closure via their social media avenues on July 16, with this post from Israel Zavala, owner at TUC:

As this may come as a big surprise to everyone it was a huge surprise to us as well. Do to uncontrollable circumstances with our lease and hard times with the down town construction. We are force to close our doors after almost 3years. Sunday July 28th will mark the last days we have our doors open to the public. The sale starts this Saturday at noon and will go on while supply's last. I want to thank everyone that has supported and shown us love. Couldn't thank you enough. Closing down something I've put my blood sweat and tears into is one of the hardest things I've had to do. So again THANK YOU all for everything -iz-

But in speaking with Zavala, we learned that TUC may be down, but they're not out just yet. Their final sale resulted in all of their stock flying off of the shelves. The demand for their products, however, still seems to be there — and they seem to be hinting at something forthcoming, noting in an exchange on Facebook posted last week that they'll be selling new shirts within the next few weeks, "before the season starts" —  referring to University of Arizona football, we presume.

Adding to the idea that TUC is still alive is the note that, in conversation, Zavala didn't sound too beat-up about the closure of the downtown space, though he did mention that downtown's current state didn't help them too much. "Once the new restaurants opened up, they took almost all of the parking away — we were still making money, it just wasn't thriving as well down there" he said, noting the ever-present streetcar construction as a factor as well.

Apparently, the plan going forward is just to regroup and figure out TUC's next move. "We're putting little hints here and there, man — we're not revealing what we're doing...we're not completely out for good though. People have their own assumptions that we're out of business, so we'll let them make it."

Whether this means that The Underestimated City is going to open up in a new location or if they'll be moving away from a permanent brick-and-mortar concept entirely remains to be seen, however.

• Blake Collins

The newly-planted grass is just beginning to sprout in Maker House's courtyard. Inside, the Salon has a gleaming new floor and 8 lights shine from every pillar. There's the beginnings of a bar in the Cafe and copper ceiling tiles have been installed. It's clear that Maker House is moving right along on their renovation of the Bates Mansion, set to open September 14th.

Even the historic Salvador Corona mural in the Corona Room is starting to look like its true self again since Charlie Barton from DeGrazia Gallery began restorations. The rare mural suffered water damage and alteration by one of the tenants that rented the Bates Mansion in the early 2000's. Out-of-place palm trees disappear bit by bit as Barton painstakingly removes excess paint with a cotton swab. The longer you spend with the mural, the more you notice the intricate details. Vanessa Ford, Executive Director of Maker House, points out wher tiny gold leaf was added in certain places, like a collage. Glitter will not be allowed in the Corona Room until renovations are finished - which presents an interesting challenge to the All Souls Procession, who has plans for 23 events at Maker House in October.

The concrete floor in the Corona Room has been has become a beautiful yellow-creme masterpiece under the care of local business Rogos Finishing Touch. The owner's father actually did the tile work in the front entryway of the Bates Mansion 30 years ago. Leave it to Tucson to come full circle.

Not only has construction progressed, but 100 instructors are registered to teach and 25 more have submitted applications. “Tucsonans have so much to teach each other,” says Ford. Who wouldn't want to take classes like non-alcoholic brewing (think ginger-beer), DIY jewelry from guitar strings, and precision chainsaw cutting? One instructor, considered a Polish national treasure, has signed on to teach Wycinanki (Vee-chee-non-kee) - a Polish form of paper-cutting art.

And it gets better. During their first meeting, instructors - who had never met before and without provocation - began collaborating to devise classes that involved cross-over of disciplines. “They had amazing ideas and they're just the first 20 to sit down together in the same room,” said Ford.

More resident experts have joined the Maker House team. Anna Perreira of Yellow Brick Coffee is the official Resident Roaster, and as such her beans will be he primary roasts served at Maker House. “She makes you excited about coffee!” says Ford. Movie buffs can chat with Resident Classic Film Expert Joe Morella, who used to write for Variety Magazine. Those interested in developing their green thumb can learn about hydroponics and vertical food production from Cisco Currey. And the Resident Physicist, Dr. W. Thomas Hintz, has so many great ideas for classes that he'll have to teach constantly to get through them all.

Even upstairs business Archaeology Southwest is getting in on the DIY fun with workshops that teach ancient skills, like flint carving.

Ford insists there's more to do at Maker House than take classes. “You don't have to take a class to enjoy the space or utilize creative thinking,” says Ford. “It's just one of the things we offer.” Members can hang out in the lounge, order drinks from the Cafe, and form a club with people they meet in the Corona Room. The point of Maker House is to join a community.

KXCI will be doing a concert series every month beginning in October, and Maker House will be the hub for a maker-esque fair in November. They will also sponsor a cell-phone film festival. Because, why not. The Zombie Walk will teach costume workshops and show participants the correct way to act like a zombie.

There's almost too much to do at Maker House. Ford admits she is moving to a closer location so she can spend even more time there.

Basic membership is $10/month, which includes access to the space and $10 off each class you take. If you sign up through the crowd-funding campaign, you can get discounts off of memberships as well as merchandise and other perks like tickets to their launch party. The campaign ends on the 21st, and only 10% of the funds so far have come from Tucson, with the rest coming from national donors. Ford is surprised at Tucson's low initial support. “These are Tucson instructors with expertise they want to share with other Tucsonans,” says Ford. “And they're incredible at what they do.”

One of Maker House's newly revealed ideas, co-working, opens up the space to those interested in joining the collaborative community on a more professional basis. Drop-in and full office spaces are available, and must be applied for since Maker House intends to provide the best possible connections in their limited space. Perks include on-site council for legal service, marketing and research, and graphic design.

Until they open, follow them on facebook and check out their RocketHub campaign at http://www.rockethub.com/projects/29842-maker-house-an-artisan-driven-makerspace.