Ambrosia Vibe from Orgasmatronics, Inc. on Vimeo.

Looking for a new way to explore your sexuality? The Ambrosia Vibe, a strap-on dildo that activates when touched, might be the key to unlock your sexual treasure box in that dusty basement of yours. Orgasmatronics and ddenn creative are trying to raise $32,000 to produce and sell this futuristic strap-on.

The Ambrosia Vibe was developed by a former quantum physicist who is known by his pseudonym Dr. X. Treme. Dr. X’s resume includes a PhD in applied physics from Yale, a math/physics double degree from Berkeley, developing several technologies from concept to application in the quantum electronics field, and managing science research projects for the federal government.

When stimulated, the Ambrosia transmits a signal and delivers a corresponding vibration to the wearer. By allowing the wearer to experience sensation directly as they use the device, the Ambrosia opens the door to new sexual possibilities previously unachievable.

Sexual explorers 18 years and older can buy their very own Vibe for only $145. Other incentives include t-shirts, a leather harness and a weekend sex toy hack workshop. Go here for more information, and you can email your thanks here. 

It's pretty NSFW beyond this point, so save this post for later or quit your boring job.

"Sock-puppet-gate." You read it here first (at least I think you did, since I just made it up). It's getting increasing attention around the state, and it's starting to go national. This morning, it's the lead story on Talking Points Memo.

Not getting nearly enough coverage, however, is the sock puppet aspect of the comments. Huppenthal is emphasizing his right to free expression. But he's not mentioning that he's playing the guy behind the curtain shouting about "Hupp the Great and Powerful," while he's pretending someone else is singing his praises.

The folks at Tohono Chul Park are gearing up for Bloom Night 2014. Mother Nature determines when the flowers will bloom, between now and July 20. Hours are 6 p.m. to midnight. Tohono Chul is located at 7366 North Paseo Del Norte. For current updates, visit www.tohonochulpark.org. Call 742-6455 for more info. Event description below. 

Bloom Night 2014 will be the most spectacular botanical event of the summer. Witness the simultaneous nighttime bloom of dozens of dazzling white, hand-sized Peniocereus greggii, the Queen of the Night. During this year’s Bloom Night we’re keeping the best parts of Bloom Nights past and adding a few new things, too. The Garden Bistro will be open and offering a special Bloom Night celebratory summer supper. What could be better than a delectable gourmet dinner under the stars on the patio of the Garden Bistro, followed by a leisurely nighttime stroll through our gardens, taking in the sight and scent of the cereus? As always you’ll be able to purchase sweet and cool ice cream and refreshing bottled water on our grounds. For those who have never witnessed the magic of these amazing Cinderella plants, Bloom Night happens sometime between May 25th and July 20th. Tohono Chul's trails are lined with hundreds of luminarias directing guests to the plants in bloom; don’t forget a flashlight and appropriate shoes for walking our desert. Flowers start opening around sunset and are fully opened and very fragrant by about 9 p.m. Admission is free to members and children under 12 and $5 for the general public.

In February, 1541, Gonzalo Pizarro left the South American city of Quito in search of El Dorado, a fabled city of gold, with an expedition consisting of 220 Spanish soldiers, 4,000 native porters, 200 horses, over 2,000 swine, 2,000 war hounds, and countless llamas. The arduous trek over the Andes cost Pizarro nearly all of the porters, who either deserted or died, the swine, llamas and hounds. By Christmas day, 1541, on the bank of the Coca River, the remaining Spaniards were eating gruel made from boiling saddle leather.

In the end, Pizarro didn’t find El Dorado. But a splinter group of his army, led by one-eyed Francisco Orellana, did discover something more marvelous and enduring than gold: a river 4,500 miles long, that supplies one-fifth of all the freshwater that spills into the Earth’s oceans, and which in some places is fifty miles wide. Orellana’s band called this river the Amazon after an extraordinary encounter on their improbable eight month voyage down the river.

Good news for the Tucson food truck enthusiasts. The Tucson Fat Noodle food truck will debut in the coming weeks, according to the Facebook page. Co-owner Richard Gonzales and Click Magnet Internet Marketing have teamed up to bring this comfort/street fusion food that specializes in ramen noodles and burgers.

A comfort food so simple kids of all ages will smile, at the same time so complex it boggles the mind of the most scrupulous gourmet. The Fat Noodle Ramen! Made with the best of the best organic locally sourced ingredients (down to the water), technique that spans time and culture and an obsession with every last little detail! The Fat Noddle Truck! Local, organic, “kodawari” ramen and other amazing noodles and snacks from near and far!

The food truck partners told us that there will be a soft opening at Mr. Head's Bar and Gallery in mid-July. 

John Huppenthal fessed up to the Arizona Republic.

Late Tuesday, June 17, Huppenthal issued a statement exclusively to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about the reasons he commented on blog posts under the names "Falcon9" and "Thucydides" instead of his own. He also apologized, saying in the statement, "I sincerely regret if my comments have offended anyone."

No surprise here, including his politician's non-apology apology: "I sincerely regret if my comments have offended anyone." In typically clueless fashion, Huppenthal's statement is more of a defense of his actions than an apology, citing the anonymity of the Federalist Papers (which I mentioned in a post a few days ago) to justify his use of "Thucydides" and "Falcon9" to express his ideas in public. Yes, the Federalist Papers were anonymous, and yes, writing anonymously is fine. But Huppenthal went beyond mere anonymity and used the posts to defend and promote himself, frequently writing about himself in the third person. That's deception, pure and simple. It's so despised on the web, it's got its own name: sock puppetry.

The statement Huppenthal sent to the Republic didn't refer to his serial editing of Wikipedia in 2006, or at least it wasn't mentioned in the excerpts in the article. Also not mentioned was Huppenthal's own defense of his Wikipedia editing, saying it was "honest" because it wasn't anonymous.

Wikipedia has an option for posting anonymously. I chose not to do that. That's the honest man's trademark. He leaves his signature.

The man who's in charge of superintending our children's education needs to be a decent role model for children, not to mention the adults who voted for him, and issue a true apology for his ongoing deceptive practices.

Next month in Nashville, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia will meet for its annual convention and at the very end of the information and frivolity, the annual AAN Awards will be given out. These things aren't easy to win...there are a bunch of papers out there doing really great work, so while I sit here seething that we didn't do better, it's quite an accomplishment to be a finalist at all.

So, congratulations to Jim Nintzel, who's among the four finalists for political column of the year in the circulation under 50,000 category, for his always informative and entertaining Skinny.

Best of luck, Jim. You're our only hope.

Some of us get to paint for a living, and others get to live vicariously through working painters on Facebook. Joe Pagac, 2014 Best Local Visual Artist contender, is gearing up for the upcoming Yacht Rock Party at La Cocina on Thursday, June 26.

Pagac was kind enough to share his creative process, and show you exactly what you need to concoct your own wicked, awesome dolphin mural. All you need to do is bump some smooth island jams, pour a fruity tropical drink (like, all tequila) and find a reference to draw from. 

If you follow those simple steps: the dolphins and the babes will come like in that Kevin Costner masterpiece, Field of Dreams.


Click here to RSVP for next Thursday's Yacht Rock bash.

June is the evidently the first annual Immigrant Heritage Month, and in honor of occasion Congressman Raul Grijalva wants personal stories of immigrants who live and work in the third congressional district. Residents of the 3rd district should email their stories to [email protected] with "My Story" in the subject line. The stories can be submitted in an essay or video format—their own story, or that of family or friends.

The winner will be announced in July and featured on the congressman's website and through social media.

From the congressman's office:

“Immigrants are the foundation of our great nation. Throughout our history, immigrants have come to America seeking new opportunities, safety, brighter futures, and better lives,” said Grijalva. “And in exchange for these opportunities, they’ve contributed so much. Immigrants are our neighbors. They teach our children, cure and care for our sick, run our local businesses, and serve our communities in so many ways. In their efforts to give back to the country that took them in, all of them have made a mark and left a legacy.”

“We now give these well-deserving people a chance to tell their stories; to share with us tales about their bravery, pain, hope, sadness, faith, and the fear and doubts that ran through their minds when they left a place they lived in, so that they might find a home. I’m proud to help tell these stories.”

This new initiative is being spearheaded by the group Welcome.Us, which plans to partner with businesses, media outlets, civic organizations, athletes, faith leaders and political leaders to gather and share inspirational stories of American immigrants.

The Humane Society of  Southern Arizona presents Harley, a 1-year-old, male, Boxer/Great Dane mix
Reference no.: 753068 




When life gave Harley lemons, he made gallons of lemonade! This positive pup came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in April 2013, after he was shoved out the door and abandoned by his family. From the moment he arrived at the HSSA, it became clear that something was bothering this otherwise happy, healthy youngster. A trip to a veterinary specialist revealed that Harley needed surgery on both of his elbows. He got the expert care he needed and is now thriving. Harley has spent a year in foster care and has been a terrific guest! Harley shares a home with other dogs and has impeccable manners. This perfectly-balanced companion knows how to have a blast during playtime, but is also completely content to nap away the day. If you would like to make this outgoing gentleman your best friend, please call the Humane Society at (520) 327-6088 and ask to arrange a meet and greet with this very special staff and volunteer favorite. What are you waiting for? Harley’s bags are packed and he’s ready to go!