You might have been peeking in the lower level of the TransAmerica Building, wondering what was in store for the small cafe space. Well, the wait is finally over because Pie Bird is soft opening today at 7 a.m. to serve up pastries and espresso drinks for those curious customers.

Of course, that includes pies of all sorts such as hand pies, slices, and full pies by special order in a variety of flavors. Baker and co-owner William Moyer says some of his favorite recipes are custard-based, including honey pie, shaker lemon pie, and key lime pie. As a trained baker from the Culinary Institute of America and the former food stylist and recipe tester for Saveur, Moyer is focused on both the aesthetic and flavor of his baked goods, which will include a range of savory quiche options as well.

However, that's not all that's in store for Pie Bird. Co-owners Moyer and Maren Bell collaborated on a full lunch menu, in addition to a daily rotating selection of Moyer's signature pastry recipes, that will launch on Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

Moyer and Bell say that they are excited to offer fresh, new options to the downtown lunch crowd too with a full lunch menu and grab and go salads. Bell, who ran a lunch catering business before Pie Bird, uses recipes from her own and her grandmother's arsenal, as well as taking suggestions from Moyer. Bell describes her menu as, simply, "comfort food."

"It'll be like something you'd have at your grandma's house," she says, adding, "but with a modern twist."

Sourcing fruit and nuts from Sedona, locally sourced honey pork and bacon from Niman Ranch, coffee from Cafe Aqui, and chocolate from Guittard, the duo behind Pie Bird look to incorporate local and artisanal ingredients into that simple cuisine.

The décor, which was designed by Bell's aunt who owns Grey House Antiques, tries to mirror the homey cooking. Bell describes it as a "farmhouse feel" and, while small touches are still being put in place at the restaurant, that vibe definitely comes through.

You can stop into Pie Bird tomorrow to try a pastry and get one of their classic espresso drinks, or you can hold out until Feb. 3 to try the full breakfast and lunch menus too. Here's what you can expect for lunch:

Salads

Greek Salad- Mixed green and romaine blend, red onion, cherry tomatoes, fancy olives, cucumbers, and feta cheese served with our house made Greek dressing and a feta crisp on the side

Citrus Salad- Arugula and mixed green blend, fennel, orange slices, dried apricots, avocado, shaved parmesan, and chopped pistachios served with our house made balsamic dressing

click to enlarge

Turkey Taco Salad- Romaine lettuce, seasoned roasted turkey, avocado, cherry tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, green onion topped with house made tortilla strips and cowboy ranch dressing

Cobb Salad- Romaine and mixed green blend, roasted turkey, blue cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes hard boiled egg, Niman Ranch bacon, green onion served with house made balsamic dressing

Caesar Salad- Romaine lettuce, roasted turkey, shaved parmesan, torn croutons and house made Caesar dressing

Quiche

Mixed Veggie- Roasted red pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, cheddar jack blend, in our house made crust, served with simple green salad and your choice of dressing

Ham and Swiss- Ham and Swiss cheese, in our house made crust, served with simple green salad and your choice of dressing

Sandwiches

Club Sandwich- Toasted sourdough, roasted turkey breast, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, Niman Ranch bacon, avocado, mayo and mustard

Pressed Caprese Sandwich- Tomato, basil, mozzarella cheese, house made pesto, served on pressed Cibatta roll

Tuna Salad Sandwich- House made tuna salad served on your choice of bread, with lettuce and tomato

Veggie Sandwich- Roasted zucchini, red peppers and onion, with goat cheese on a Cibatta roll brushed with our house made balsamic

BLTA- Niman Ranch bacon, mixed greens, tomatoes, and avocado served on a garlic aioli on croissant

Pressed Ham and Brie Sandwich- Ham, apples, and Brie cheese pressed to perfection on a Cibatta roll

Pie Bird is located in the TransAmerica Building at 177 N. Church Avenue. It's open now on weekdays from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

No, it's not the "soft bigotry of low expectations" to acknowledge that students' socioeconomic status is a factor in their educational achievement. It's a fact, and refusing to acknowledge it leads to labeling teachers and schools in low income areas "failures," which in turn leads to a host of educational "solutions" that don't acknowledge the actual problems.

So I'm encouraged that the University of Missouri is looking at a teacher evaluation model that factors in the student population. 

Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a plan to evaluate teachers fairly using a “proportional” system. Cory Koedel, an associate professor of economics and public policy in the MU College of Arts and Science and the Truman School of Public Affairs, says that proportionality would level the playing field among teachers who work with students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

“One of the biggest criticisms of proposed teacher evaluations is that teachers in less wealthy districts with fewer resources will be unfairly evaluated in relation to teachers with access to more resources,” Koedel said. “By leveling the playing field among all teachers, we can mitigate this issue.”

A proportional system will benefit teachers and students in schools in both low and high income areas, according to the researchers.

“Based on evidence from past research in economics, we know that if teachers who teach in disadvantaged districts know that they have little chance of being recognized for their good work, they will be less motivated,” Koedel said. “Also, teachers at wealthier schools may also be less motivated if they know that they have a good chance of receiving positive reviews based only on where they work. Giving all teachers an equal opportunity to be recognized as effective or ineffective would increase effort throughout the workforce, which would be a win for students in K-12 schools.”

It's lovely to believe that schools and teachers can be miracle workers. Sometimes it's true. But while our expectations should be high, we need to be realistic in evaluating teachers and schools, and realize that some of the most important factors that go into improving students' educations exist in the world outside the school.

Rapper and producer KRS-One is performing tonight at the Rialto Theatre (doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are between $18 and $20).

If you haven't heard his music (you should check it out), then you might remember him as one of the artists mentioned in the notice of noncompliance former superintendent of public instruction John Huppenthal sent to Tucson Unified School District earlier this month, on his last day as schools chief—on the notice, he said some of TUSD's culturally relevant courses were in violation of the law that banned the Mexican American studies program, A.R.S. 15-112. With that, the state once again threatened to cut TUSD's funding if they didn't fix whatever the state thinks is wrong (the way teachers have been implementing content in the classrooms, according to Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas) by March 4.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I visited one of the classes at Cholla High Magnet School that Huppenthal pointed out was in violation of the state law—U.S. history from the Mexican American perspective, taught by Corey Jones. Huppenthal didn't like that class and said the use of Rage Against the Machine's "Take the Power Back" was one of the reasons why.

This guy, who shall we mention was caught posting rather racially hateful blogs and comments under the pseudonyms Falcon9 and Thucydides (he called people in government assistance programs "lazy pigs") last year, also pointed fingers at two other Cholla classes (as well as a few at Tucson High and Pueblo High), among them Andrew Walanski's culturally relevant English from an African American perspective class for using An Introduction to Hip Hop Presented by Master Teacher, KRS-One.

There is a rumor going around, according to a TUSD official, that KRS-One plans to visit that class tomorrow. 

I guess we'll find out soon.

We mentioned a few weeks back that we were hoping that someone would step to challenge Mayor Jonathan Rothschild this year—and our casting call may have been answered.

Chuck Williams has filed paperwork to run against Rothschild in August’s Democratic primary. Williams attended Rincon High School before reaching for the stars in Hollywood as an actor, director and producer. You can check out his IMDB page or his "fan page" for the details of his career, but he’s been in two of The Range's favorite movies: “Bubba Ho-Tep” and “John Dies at the End.” You will presumably find out more about his positions on the issues at his campaign website.

We’ve reached out the Williams to learn more about his political plans. Details to follow.

A talented and remarkably good-looking crew turned up at The Shanty on Sunday, Jan. 25, to celebrate Tuckmas, aka the 91st birthday of Dick Tuck, the legendary political prankster who used to drive President Richard Nixon nuts.

Among those in attendance: Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell and her hubby, Mike Hein, the director of Pima County’s Office of Emergency Management; Tucson Sentinel editor and publisher Dylan Smith and his wife, Sentinel editor Maria Coxon-Smith; author Greg McNamee; Tucson City Councilman Paul Cunningham and his newlywed wife, Alisa; KUAT-FM classical music guru James Reel and his wife, Yvonne Merrill; Arizona Daily Star reporter Tony Davis; and many others.

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild was also in attendance to read a proclamation honoring Tuck for his many contributions to politics, including his skirmishes with Tricky Dick and his stint as National Lampoon’s political editor, where he inspired modern satirists such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Among the cavalcade of evidence supporting the declaration of “Dick Tuck Day”: “Whereas, upon losing the primary for a seat in the California state Senate, Mr. Tuck uttered the words: ‘The voters have spoken … the bastards.”

Before blowing out his candles, Tuck thanked his guests for coming out for the party and noted that he was wearing long pants for the occasion, which was unusual for him, as he can normally been seen making his circuit about town clad in shorts, colorful socks, a dress shirt and bowtie.

He recalled that when he was a young boy, his mother took him to Steinfeld’s downtown department store to buy a pair of shorts, only to be informed by the clerk that Arizona residents didn’t wear shorts.

“My mother then carved her a new ass,” Tuck said. “I wish I could remember exactly what she said, but I was only 6 or 7. At any rate, I notice that Arizona golfers and most other people wear shorts, thanks to my mother.”

He also expressed his gratitude to Shanty owner Bill Nugent, who was tending bar Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve been to lots of parts of the world and sampled their bars and this is one of the nicest places I’ve ever been,” Tuck said, “He runs a good joint and I hope you all come back here often.”

Hip Hop legend C-Rayz Walz just released a new music video for his 2003 track "Dead Buffalos" and some familiar sights are prominently featured in the video. Filmed around Tucson, the video for the song off of Walz's "Ravipops" album features local artist Rock Martinez's murals and Zoe boutique on Fourth Avenue.

Working as producer, director, and editor, Walz made the video as an extension of Sun Cycle Industries, his record label.  The Bronx native plans on making more videos in his part-time home Tucson for Sun Cycle Films in the future.

The song itself is a biting commentary on the treatment of native peoples and the video uses a few different visuals to express that. According to Sun Cycle Industries manager Anna Schindler, Walz connected with the subject matter personally.

"Walz is African American, which consists of mixed ancestry. The song and video are meant to tell the story of oppressed and indigenous people everywhere," she says. "The same story could be told for African Americans and slavery in this country."

Here's C-Rayz Walz's "Dead Buffalos" video:

Breakfast is great, pizza is great, and free is great. So Fired Pie thought to combine the three for a one-day-only, three-hour event. On Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m., you can get your free breakfast pizza. All you have to do is follow the fast casual pizza chain on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and prove that you did by showing the cashier your phone.

The month-old pizza joint, located at 350 E. Congress Street #150, is serving up free 7" pizzas topped with scrambled eggs and your choice of sauce, cheese, meat, and veggies. Fired Pie will also be serving drip coffee, espresso drinks, and croissants for the morning crowd.

Stop everything. Calexico just announced their next album, Edge of the Sun, is due out in just a few months.

From their website:

Today we are very excited to announce the details of our new record Edge of the Sun, which will be released on April 14. After writing in Mexico City, we returned to Tucson to record at Wavelab Studios where Joey, John, Calexico’s own Sergio Mendoza and Craig Schumacher produced the album. This is the most collaborative work in the band’s history, with guest musicians ranging from Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) and Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) to Gaby Moreno and members of the Greek instrumental group Takim. 

Still no word on the next time you'll get to see them play in Tucson, but their website promises US tour dates will be announced soon. Until then, you can listen to the new song “Cumbia de Donde,” featuring Carla Morrison on SoundCloud. 

The work of internationally and locally famous Mexican artist Cristina Cárdenas has been showcased at the YWCA's Frances McClelland Community Center since the beginning of the month. 

If you haven't checked it out already, plan to go tomorrow between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for the opening reception because Cárdenas will be there hanging out.

There will be music by the local band Tumbao. They play Cuban son, salsa and Latin jazz. 

The pieces at the YW will exhibit the past about 15 years of Cárdenas' work. The painter/sculptor/print maker/activist follows the traditions of other Latin American artists - like muralist Diego Rivera—of using her pieces to protest social and political issues affecting Latinos, women from all over and others. 

The show runs through Feb. 19.

Clint Eastwood's latest creation, American Sniper, has gotten tons of attention. Critics and audiences either give it high praise or think it's a lying piece of garbage that pisses on the definition of "hero." 

Well, our very own U.S. Sen. John McCain is a fan of the Oscar-nominated flick and is defending it left and right.

From a McCain press release:

“I congratulate Clint Eastwood and the entire cast and crew of American Sniper for an outstanding cinematic achievement honoring the life of a genuine American hero, Chris Kyle. This film depicts with subtlety and compassion those brave few who serve our nation in uniform, their experiences in the horror of war, the burdens they often bear upon returning home, and the untold sacrifices of their families. It is deeply regrettable that obsessive critics of U.S. foreign policy have sought to disparage this film and denigrate the memory of a noble American warrior. Fortunately, their pettiness has not stopped millions of Americans from seeing American Sniper, and hopefully in the process, gaining a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifice of America’s military service members and their families."

I recently watched it, but never read the late Chris Kyle's autobiography or knew much of him prior to seeing the movie trailer. That being said, I thought it was a good film. Not the most accurate, not the most educated in portraying Iraqis—but rather accurate in depiction of the darkness of war.

Have you seen it? What did you think?