Thursday, July 9, 2015
Although many metal bands came after Black Sabbath, it kind of seems like everyone knows they won't be able to do it better. That means you can either try to carve out your own metal niche—words like doom and sludge come to mind—or you can do what many metal fans do and go the cover band route.
Take, for instance, Brown Sabbath. The all-Latino cover band takes your favorite Black Sabbath songs and adds new flair with a horn section and bongos that turns the hard rocking classic jams into something much more funky and danceable.
Then, there's the dudes that will be hitting the Club Congress (311 E. Congress St.) stage on Saturday, July 11. Mac Sabbath is, you could say, a uniquely American take on Sabbath. Blending the worlds of McDonalds and the iconic metal band, you get a bunch of weird costumes straight out of a McDonaldland acid trip nightmare and punny songs like "Frying Pan" and "Pair-a-Buns." It's definitely going to be a spectacle, to say the very least.
You can check out this drive thru, super sized treatment of Black Sabbath on Saturday with doors at 7 p.m. and local act Sugar Stains opening up the show. It's a 21 and over event (sorry, no Satanic Happy Meals at this show). Tickets can be found online in advance for $15, along with more information, on the Club Congress website.
Besides, if you absolutely hate it (and I doubt you even could), you can simply pull through to Hotel Congress' next window, as it were, and dance all night to the Saturdaze resident DJs Bob Felix, JALPH, Andrew Shuta and Sid the Kid in the courtyard for free.
Tags: mac sabbath , club congress , sugar stains , tucson , live , music , concert , black sabbath , metal , cover band , mcdonalds , Video
Probably the best part about a contemporary art museum is its inherently inclusionary nature. You want to stack some shellacked pieces of compost in a clever way? Sure. You want to paint a big black dot on a white canvas? Go for it. You're considering transforming the museum into a dumpster pool? Deal.
Well, in keeping with that tenet, Tucson's Museum of Contemporary Art is getting a little gritty and a lot loud for a punk-imbued double feature on Saturday, July 11.
First up, Tucson-born artist and director Dean Dempsey will be presenting his new film (released October 2014) that blurs the lines between reality and the film's narrative. Candy Apple follows Bobby (Dempsey) and his relationship with his father ("Trash" a.k.a. Terry "Texas" Trash) and their many vice-filled, dark and yet somehow still funny misadventures following a move to the Big Apple.
Then, the real Trash with hit the MOCA stage to perform live with the seminal Tucson punk outfit known simply as Texas Trash and the Trainwrecks. As with the film itself, the event promises to blur the lines between art and reality in a way that's nearly indistinguishable. Plus, it's an interesting overall look at one of the Old Pueblo's most legendary real characters, so you won't want to miss it.
The screening and live show begin at MOCA (265 S. Church Ave.) at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5 for museum members and $10 for everyone else. Due to the film's (and possibly the concert's) subject matter, kids under 18 need a parent or guardian to attend.
Candy Apple Trailer 2015 from Dean Dempsey on Vimeo.
Editor's note: Terry "Texas" Trash is a finalists in Best of Tucson® this year. Which category? Vote to find out!
Tags: candy apple , moca , movie , screening , dean dempsey , texas trash and the trainwrecks , tucson , local , music , concert , live , Video
My knowledge of stock market terminology pretty much begins and ends with "bear market" and "bull market," but I only had to hear the term "dead cat bounce" once for it to stick in my metaphor-friendly ears. Here's the definition of the term: "A temporary recovery from a prolonged decline or bear market, followed by the continuation of the downtrend." It comes from the phrase—sensitive cat lovers, avert your eyes—"Even a dead cat will bounce if it falls from a great height."
K12 Inc.'s stock value has been following what looks like a classic dead cat bounce over the past year — a general decline punctuated by a few small upsurges. If that's what's going on, if it's heading toward oblivion, it couldn't happen to a more deserving for-profit, publicly traded education corporation, with the possible exception of the Apollo Education Group that runs the University of Phoenix, which has gone through a similarly deserved decline.
The similarities between the two for profits are revealing. Both make their money off taxpayers. K12 Inc. runs online charter schools in a number of states, including our Arizona Virtual Academy, so it gets state funding for every student it enrolls. University of Phoenix gets most of its money from student loans and grants from the Feds. Both need to continue growing to make a profit, so they use any means necessary to attract students. They depend on hard sell recruiting, where lying to students and their parents is an acceptable tactic. Both are far less concerned about the quality of education the students receive than the money they bring in. University of Phoenix is notorious for its poor instruction which is often valueless for the future employment the school promises. K12 Inc. schools tend to be among the lowest achieving schools in the state. Some of its schools have closed or are in danger of closing because they're below the states' required thresholds.
K12 Inc.'s stock may rise again, just like the University may, true to its namesake, rise like a Phoenix from the ashes. But the world of education would be better off if both continued on their downward trajectories and ended in oblivion, leaving wealthy stockholders with costly holes in their portfolios. No more students would fall victim to their shoddy economic and educational practices, and the wealthy backers of education privatization might realize that for profit education is as bad for their wallets as it is for the students it serves.
Tags: K12 Inc. , Apollo Education Group , University of Phoenix , Stock market
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
So exciting, right? We're giving away tickets Thursday at 1 p.m. Enter and be by your email to find out if you won.
About the event:
710 Fire and Ice Dab Party is presented by Counter Culture Events AZ. Medicated Area with Dab bar hosted by Desert Bloom Re-Leaf Center, Chewbies hosted by Firebrand Infusions, Live Local Music, Food, Full Bar and Raffles. Onsite MMJ Certification provided by Dr. Reeferalz.
The wait for a downtown grocery store is almost over because according to Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market co-owner Christi Cisek, the new store will be opening to the public on Monday, July 13. After passing the final inspection for the space on July 8, Cisek says the long road to opening the market was finally fully in the owners, which include her husband Paul, herself and Ron and Kelly Abbott of Rincon Market.
"Once it's finally in our control, and it is now, the opening will be very fast," Cisek says, citing bumps along the way such as loan and bank issues and the challenges involved in renovating the building. "We have a cot up here (on the second floor) where we can get some rest. We're working non-stop."
On Monday, you can stop into the market to catch the first glimpses of all of their hard work, amounting to the beautifully renovated historic building stocked with fresh, local and organic produce, a deli counter and cafe, a floral department and a bar with 15 local beer taps (and one extra with Pabst) and 8 wine taps. Should you buy too much to carry home, the market will also offer pedicab rides for customers who live within a mile radius.
Both Paul and Christi Cisek say their grocery items will be affordable, despite the upscale digs and convenient location, comparing the pricepoint to Safeway.
"I like to say we'll have everything from Kraft macaroni and cheese to caviar and everything in between," she says, adding that once they're legally allowed to, they will also be accepting food stamps.
"We're not looking to exclude anyone," Paul adds. "We really want this to be a place people in the neighborhood can go to."
In terms of vendors, everything from produce to honey and other goods will skew towards the local. Paul says simply that, "If it's local, we're buying it."
The market will also feature an 16-foot salad bar and a cafe that serves hot grilled sandwiches, cold sandwiches and the ability to heat up entrees or even fresh meat and fish from the in-house butcher case.
"People can pick a piece of fresh fish from the case and we'll grill it up for them to eat on the patio," Christi says.
While the meat case won't be ready on Monday, the Ciseks say they wanted to get the community in to see their store as soon as they could. Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market (11 S. Sixth Ave.) will soft open on Monday, July 13 beginning at 7 a.m. until midnight. After that, regular hours will be in place, which is daily from 7 a.m. until midnight. For more information, you can visit the market's website.
Tags: johnny gibson , downtown , market , tucson , grocery , local produce , organic , deli , cafe , sandwiches , open , paul cisek , christi cisek , Image
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has upheld most of the Arizona law that ended up banning the Mexican-American studies program. However, the ruling did say that portions of the statute violate the First Amendment, and that there are "genuine" issues regarding whether the enforcement of the law was "motivated at least in part by discriminatory intent."
The court ordered the latter to go to trial in the near future.
The law, enacted by the state Legislature in 2010, prohibits a school district or charter school from offering courses that: "1. Promote the overthrow of the U.S. government; 2. Promote resentment toward a race of class of people; 3. Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group; 4. Or advocate for ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals."
Part 3 was declared unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment, while the court said parts 2 and 4 "are not overbroad in violation of the First Amendment," and "are not vague in violation of the due process clause."
The case was originally filed in 2010 by ten Tucson Unified School District teachers and the director of TUSD's MAS program. The suit was later picked up by TUSD students, Maya Arce, Korina Lopez and Nicolas Dominguez (Lopez and Dominguez withdrew their appeal after they graduated high school, according to court documents).
Attorneys for both sides presented their arguments in January. At the time, I spoke with a member of the defense team, Anjana Malhotra, who said she felt they did well.
She said the court was concerned that the law was enforced regardless of the positive effects MAS has had on students. Several reports have proven that MAS accelerated student achievement and lowered drop-out rates.
Tags: mexican american studies , 9th circuit court of appeals , tucson unified school district
The Quaker nonprofit American Friends Service Committee is asking Gov. Doug Ducey to stop negotiations with the for-profit prison company that runs the state prison in Kingman—you know, where there was a riot last week.
After several days of craziness, nine prison staff and seven inmates were injured. The facility is so beat up, that roughly 1,000 people had to be moved out of the place. In response, Ducey called for an investigation into what happened, saying residents need to ensure stuff is in order within private and state-run prisons.
Mind you, this is the same prison where three inmates escaped and killed two people in 2010.
Still, in a few weeks, Ducey and Management and Training Corporation—which operates the prison in Kingman—and other prison gurus are going to discuss contracts to manage thousands of additional prison beds. The committee is calling on Ducey to suspend the talks, at least until the investigation into the riot clears up.
"None of these companies deserve another multi-million dollar 20-year contract," Caroline Isaacs, the committee's program director says in a statement. The group works to reduce the prison population and improve conditions for those who are incarcerated. "Problems like riots, assaults, and escapes are inherent in the business model of for-profit incarceration. These corporations’ first priority is to make money, and public safety comes second. The way to win contracts is to be the lowest bidder. Yet, these companies also need to make a profit. The result is cutting corners, usually on staff pay and training."
Isaacs says the sate's for-profit prisons have chronic issues with mismanagement and inexperienced staff. The only way to make sure the issues are addressed is to cancel the bidding process for new prison beds and do a full review of all contracts, she adds.
Tags: kingman , prison , arizona department of corections , doug ducey , amrican friends service committee
State Rep. Victoria Steele is full-on running for Congress, and she really wants to unseat U.S. Rep. Martha McSally in Congressional District 2.
Steele, a Democrat from Tucson, officially launched her campaign website earlier today and issued this statement:
I am excited to share with you that I'm running for Congress.Her priorities will include fostering jobs with livable wages, protecting Social Security and Medicare, making college affordable, reducing debt for students, and protecting women's rights. She is also a strong advocate against human trafficking.
I have been your strong voice in the Arizona State House of Representatives and now I want to fight for you in the United States Congress - District 2.
CD2 has been well served in the past by the transformational leadership of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Congressman Ron Barber. With your help, I will build on their legacies in the United State Congress.
I grew up believing that in the United States, if you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve a fighting chance at success. I’m running for Congress because today the deck is stacked in favor of those at the top – they’ve broken that promise of the American Dream. We need to return to that promise of opportunity for all Americans.
Tags: victoria steele , martha mcsally , congress , tucson
I was out of town when the TUSD board passed the proposed 2015-2016 budget at its June 23 meeting. The vote was the usual 3-2 split. I didn't see it covered in the Star, though maybe it was there and I missed it. But covered in the Star or no, it hasn't been posted here, so I thought I'd give everyone a chance to look at the budget and comment, pro, con or somewhere in between.
The budget won't be adopted until the July 14 meeting, so it's not written in stone. The TUSD web page with a summary of the budget, which I put below, has links leading to more details and an email address where people can make comments or recommendations.
The summary shows that the budget has been increased for classroom and classroom-related spending and decreased for administrative costs. It also states that employees are getting across-the-board raises.
• The budget earmarks 50.8 percent of funds to be spent in classrooms or tied to classrooms as defined by the Auditor General.As I've said before, I'm no expert on budgets. To my untrained eye, this looks pretty good, but I'm willing to stand corrected if I'm shown differently. The floor is open for comments.
• An additional 15.9 percent is earmarked for Student and Instructional Support.
• It cuts a total of 8percent from administration in the following areas:
• Executive administration, 9 percent• Curriculum and Instruction increased by 5 percent.
• Legal Services, 5 percent
• Human Resources, 6 percent
• Finance, 10 percent
• Operations, 8 percent
• Technology Services, 9 percent
• Leadership, 5 percent
• Student Services department, 7 percent
• The budget reduces the tax rate by an estimated 21 cents, saving taxpayers almost $5 million in 2016.
• It carries forward $14 million from the 2014-15 school year.
• The budget gives across-the-board pay raises to employees.
• The State required budget forms were created using the new ERP/Infinite Visions Accounting System.
Tags: TUSD , 2015-2-16 Budget
Tucson is ripe with stories. Important ones, happy ones, sad ones, funny ones and pissed off ones. With a population heavy with creative, humorous types, we are lucky to have skilled hands to take on every one of these tales. For the last 10 years, some of us here in Tucson have looked not to a person, but to a panda. A pissed off one.
Pissed OFF Panda, the brainchild of Tucson transplant Frank Powers, is a comic book character with a big chip on his shoulder. An outlet for his creator to speak on Tucson and life, the character's 13 years in existence have led into the development of a dedicated fan base, merchandise, Comic-Con appearances and now an upcoming, on-going comic series.
Powers says his character wasn’t so much a creation as it was a meeting of two like minds.
“He lets me vent about everything that I find mind-numbing and hate,” he says. “I didn’t just invent him though, I actually met Pissed OFF when I impulsively flew across the country because I was in love with a girl, wound up in San Diego and went to the San Diego Zoo. Their big thing is pandas so when I was in the gift shop, there was one doll that was sitting on the shelf and sticking out like a sore thumb. He looked mis-stitched and I said, 'Look at him! He looks Pissed OFF!'”
After coming to Tucson, Powers dug into the source material of the city, made up of eccentric characters and the strange, beloved places they inhabit. Pissed OFF’s world is one many of us were part of, the late hours and cups of coffee at the now closed Grill, formerly located at 100 E Congress St.
“I’d always wanted to make a book about Grill to capture all the insanity that the place offered," says Powers. "I have many creative projects, comics and characters and I realized I’d use all the projects as ingredients in one giant, Tucson-centric project. I merged my cartoon characters, life stories, Grill adventures, podcasting and everything into one succinct parody of Tucson. It’s all seen through the eyes of my angry little jerk of a cartoon character, Pissed OFF Panda- whose job is exactly what mine was- working the graveyard shift at Grill, which is alive and thrives in my cartoony-verse.”
Tags: Pissed OFF Panda , Frank Powers , Kickstarter , Comics , Comedy , Art , Tucson is Home of Funny People and Animals
