Phoenix News Blog

​In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Feathered Bastard:
The Anarchists Own the Nazis, and the Nazis Cause a Car Wreck as They Amscray

Transgender Nativists? MySpace for T-Girls and the Curious Case of Lynne Stevens

Up on the Sun:
Arizona Apparently A Hotbed for Aspiring Yodelers

Wrestlemania XXVI Pre-Sale Party, Arizona State Fair's Demolition Derby and DOSE Over the Weekend

Chow Bella:
What's Cooking at First Fridays

Tasty Weekend Brunch at Fez

Valley Fever:
Congressman John Shadegg Uses Baby as Prop on House of Representatives Floor

Cop Accidentally Shoots Self in (Guess Where?) at Phoenix Police Academy

One employee of the Arizona Republic noted wryly in a Facebook status update that he was at home on a mandated, unpaid leave when news came of a second round of Gannett furloughs.

The new mandate requires most of Gannett's 41,000 employees -- including those at the state's largest newspaper and Channel 12 (KPNX-TV) -- to take an additional week of unpaid leave between April 1 and March of 2010. Employees who make $90,000 or more annually must take a two-week furlough.

"Revenue numbers continue their downward slide..." says Gannett CEO Craig Dubow in a memo obtained by Gannett Blog. The company was forced to choose once again between layoffs or more furloughs, Dubow writes.

Jan Brewer took her oath of office as governor of Arizona today, completing the transfer of power required after Janet Napolitano left the state to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Here's a shot of her accepting a Native American blessing on stage just prior to officially taking the reins.

Brewer gave a short speech following her swearing-in before a packed crowd on the State Capitol lawn, referencing the state's fiscal woes and saying she felt sort of like she just got to a party where all the guests are gone -- but someone is handing her the bill.

"Breaking Dawn" Midnight Release at Changing Hands Bookstore

Several fans showed up to get their hands on the latest Stephenie Meyer release on Friday August 1, 2008.

See more from the midnight release in our slideshow "Breaking Dawn Midnight Release Party at Changing Hands Bookstore"

Top 15 Rocker Faces of Lollapalooza

Didn't make it to Lollapalooza? No worries, we've got a slideshow of the top rock faces of the festival courtesy of our Village Voice Media family. Get those horns up and pay these punks the rock tribute they deserve.

Discount Assassin Premiere at Samurai Comics

Need someone bumped off? It'll cost ya'. How much? $3.

Check out the film yourself on Up on the Sun.

Miss Gay Arizona Party at Apollo's

With the pageant a week away, hopefuls for the 2008 Miss Gay Arizona Pageant dragged themselves to Apollo's to see past winners suit up and strut their stuff on August 3, 2008.

By Jonathan McNamara

Top Chef at Phoenix Public Market

The Summer heat didn't slow Downtown Phoenix Public Market down a bit this Saturday. While just across the street early morning people scrambled to get a seat at Matt's Big Breakfast, market shoppers selected fresh produce, traded crafts and oh yeah, got autographs from Top Chef cast members Richard Blais (season four) and Betty Fraser (season two).

Romantasy Cabaret at The Sets

Life is a cabaret old chum, and that means the audience was treated to music, dancing and even a few revealing acts at The Sets on Saturday July 26, 2008.

Native American Basketball Invitational at U.S. Airways Center

The NABI’s men and women's brackets battled it out to determine who would win it all and who would go home on July 26, 2008.

Also: Don't miss "Senator Files Ethics Complaint Over Gay Marriage Vote" posted Saturday by John Dickerson on Valley Fever.

By Ray Stern

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is too high.

Too high, that is, when it comes to the hysterical statistic quoted in his new public service announcement about drop houses.

Like much of the government propaganda about drugs, Thomas' PSA uses a questionable stat to grab our attention: "About 90 percent of illegal drugs come from south of the border."

Nobody doubts that plenty of illegal drugs are funneled through Mexico on the way to the United States. But Ramona Sanchez, spokeswoman for the local office of the DEA, says it's more like 60 percent or so.

By Jonathan McNamara

Sheriff Joe vs. Andrew Thomas at the "Duel in the Desert" Maricopa County Republican Party fund-raiser

Maricopa County Republicans raised cash thanks to an Arpaio and Thomas-themed auction followed by, what else, a staged gun fight.

Rock-A-Bella at Tio Leo's Mexican Grill and Cantina

Classic cars, swinging dance moves and pompadour haircuts brought the masses together at Rock-A-Bella on Saturday July 19, 2008.

World Series of Beer Pong at The Sets

More than 100 teams showed up to The Sets to compete in the World Series of Beer Pong tournament on July 19, 2008.

Muon Speakers play for Jerry's Video and Audio in Scottsdale

Designed by the same man responsible for the Sony Walkman and Apple I-Mac, this pair of "Muon" speakers from UK-based KEF offers incredible sound for a mere $140,000. But is the sound quality worth the price tag?

Unlimited Enthusiasm featuring Harry and the Potters at Modified Arts

Harry and the Potters, Math the Band and Uncle Monsterface brought their puppet show, library rock experience to modified for the kids in all of us on July 13, 2008.

Also, don't miss "Cops target Latino judge who drives funky old car"; a weekend post from Paul Rubin.

By Jonathan McNamara

You're stuffed full of grilled meats and your clothes still smell like fireworks, but alas, the weekend has drawn to a close. Before you head back to the grind stone, take a gander at these weekend activities. Did you hit them all or did you miss out?

Rev White and Boom at Phoenix International Raceway

Indepence Day weekend got started with a few explosions and an accidental fire or two courtesy of the Rev, White and Boom fireworks extravaganza at Phoenix International Raceway. See what goes on behind the scenes at a fireworks display like this in our slide show: Rev, White and Boom at Phoenix International Raceway.

First Friday

It's no surprise that a First Friday on Independence Day would have fireworks, but who would have suspected the Ghostbusters would be there too?

Little Pieces at Modified Arts

Musicians Little Pieces weren't about to let a lack of A/C stop them from putting on a raucous show at Modified Arts. With Sydney Sprague, Alaska and Me and The Guestroom, the band offered the sweet relief of music to help audience members beat the heat.

By Jonathan McNamara

What is the most over-the-top form of entertainment? This weekend, two forms of joyous audio/visual overload locked together in battle to find out.

U.S. Air Guitar Championship (Phoenix)

A gang of invisible guitar strumming maniacs hit The Brickhouse Theater in downtown Phoenix this weekend proving that you instrument doesn't have to be real for you to rock out.

It was the first time the competition has reared its sweat-soaked head in the Valley. It was a good thing they did for local "guitarist" Hardcore Henry. Thanks to his hot performance on Saturday night, he's packing his air guitar (talk about traveling light) and heading off to San Francisco for the U.S. championship.

Heaven and Hell Backyard Wrestling Presents: Red, White and Pain

It was when wrestler M18 was suplexed through a sheet of plywood that we stopped worrying about the wrestlers and simply enjoyed the violence.

Heaven and Hell Backyard Wrestling gathered a crowd of more than a hundred people to witness the pain as wrestlers Havoc, DOA, Sgt. Stomp, The voice and others jabbed, threw and kicked their opponents to the ring floor.

It wasn't all pain and suffering however as the fourth match of the night was between to bikini-clad warriors destined to rumble in a pool of apple sauce. Sweet!

By Jonathan McNamara

Go Skate Boarding Day

Hundred of Phoenix skaters wheeled their way to Cowtown Skateboards' North Phoenix warehouse for several hours of pulling tricks and catching air.

Kirkwood Dellinger EP Release at Yucca Tap Room

Local band Kirkwood Dellinger celebrated the release of their eight song EP Miniature Stallion with a few of their musical friends this weekend at Yucca Tap Room.

Also: Don't miss Music Editor Niki D'Andrea's Summer of Sound: Pop Show recap on Up on the Sun.

By Jonathan McNamara

Kirkwood Dellinger EP Release Party

Tempe band Kirkwood Dellinger will release their new EP this Saturday at Yucca Tap Room with the help of Dry River Yacht Club and The Necronauts. Stop on by for the no cover, 21 and up show.

For more information, see Kirkwood Dellinger on Myspace.

Golden Egg Quest

In celebration of Go Skateboarding Day (June 21), Cowtown Warehouse will be holding a Golden Egg Quest. Skaters will search the warehouse for golden eggs containing vouchers for gear and merch. Sweet.

For more information, check out Welcome to the Grindhouse by Jose Gonzalez.

By Jonathan McNamara

Father's Day Paint Ball at Ballers Arena

Maybe you showed Dad how much you care by taking him to brunch. For the players at Ballers Arena, ham and eggs weren't going to cut it. They showed Dad their love by shooting him in the face!

Ballers Arena, an indoor paint ball facility, let Dads play for free on Father's day giving them ample opportunities to stick it to junior for not mowing the lawn.

Zap! Vintage Video Games at the McCullough-Price historical house

Coin-operated fun was had by all this weekend courtesy of the Zap! Vintage Video Games exhibit at the McCullough-Price historical house.

On display were several arcade classics like Centipede right along side current generation games like Guitar Hero and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. If you missed your chance to check it out this weekend, you can try again any day between now and September 6.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester Tennessee

No dear reader, we haven't gone loco on you. We know Bonnaroo went down in Tennessee, but members of the Village Voice family were there recording it all for you.

Check out not one, but two galleries from the festival: Bonnaroo 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee with M.I.A., Jack White and Chris Rock and The Women of Bonnaroo 2008 in Manchester, TN

Niki's Weekend Word: Tramps & Thieves, *Sadisco, and down-low debauchery

Music Editor Niki D'Andrea has the low down on the musical events happening in town this weekend. Check her coverage from the Tramps & Thieves CD release party and Sadisco on Up on the Sun.

By Jonathan McNamara

First Friday

First Friday got a little freaky this weekend. Then again, what would you expect when conspiracy theorists and cyborgs with Thor helmets start mixing it up?

Summer of Sound

The Premiere, Cut Throat Logic, Zion-I and a few more members of the local hip hop elite took the stage at Chaser's for the second installment of the New Times Summer of Sound concert series.

Dick Cheese

Say what you will about this crooner, the man passed out bottles of bubbles during his performance to have the audience assist in creating an underwater atmosphere while he belted out the Sponge Bob Sqaure Pants theme tune. "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?"

Bloomin' Beerfest 2008

Liquid gold flowed by the hundreds of tiny tasting glasses at this swanky event that included readings from the novel Ulysses. Beer and literature: a refreshing combination.

By Jonathan McNamara

Either way you look at it, it was a delicious weekend. Then again, how could it not be when it was full of cup cakes, hot dogs and Eartha Kitt?

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Qualifying Round at Arizona Mills Mall

A dozen competitors bent on making it to the official Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition at Coney Island met on the field of battle at Arizona Mills Mall this weekend. Tim "Gravy" Brown won with an astounding 33 and a half hot dogs in just ten minutes.

Academics Party at Brand X Custom T-shirts

Brand X T-shirts on Mill hosted an "Academics Party" this weekend. Essentially an art show, the event also featured spinning DJs, free cup cakes and shirt-pressing, naturally.

Still a Sex Kitten: Eartha Kitt with Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, May 31

Find out why this weekend's performance pairing Eartha Kitt with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Ensemble convinced Music Editor Niki D'Andrea that Kitt can still pull off her sex kitten schtick.

Kokopelli winery was less about uncorking bottles of liquid delicious this weekend and more about fluffing your 'fro while listening to The Grateful Dead as it celebrated the '70s with the "Rock the Vine" '70s festival.

Yum! What a funk-tastic vintage.

The weekend went from funky to a little freaky at the Arizona Fetish Prom. Attendees turned out dressed to the nines in leather, lace and latex to celebrate their inner most fantasies in public. Highlights included fashion shows, a fetish-based play and the Fascinations "O" Face Booth.

The New Times Summer of Sound concert series kicked off this weekend in the form of a fist-in-the-air punk show. Harlequin Babies, Asses of Evil, Dephinger, and Glass Heroes took to the stage before turning the whole thing over to The Dickies.

By Jonathan McNamara

This weekend got underway with a gift for us all from 103.9 The Edge's Craven Moorehead.

The Skapunk show host parodied "Handlebars" by The Flobots brining us "Scottsdale Bars" by the Blobots. The song which is currently in rotation on 103.9 The Edge crams an unprecedented amount of stereotypical jokes about dating in Scottsdale into as is possible in its three minutes of play. Give the song a listen courtesy of Craven Moorehead and Up on the Sun.

SMoCA geared up for its next round exhibits this weekend with a summer reception. Attendees got a taste of what's coming up for the museum of contemporary art in addition to seeing some of the pieces in the permanent collection that have not been on display recently.

Attendees of the Arizona Skin Art Expo got inked people watching a particularly decorated crowd. Need some tattoo inspiration? Check out our slide show Arizona Skin Art Expo at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Dog lovers and gamblers united for one evening as Phoenix Greyhound Park hosted the Wienerschnitzel Wiener National Race and Festival. Tiny wiener dogs ran a track of 100 feet into the arms of their loving owners. The event also included a pageant for wiener fashion.

Traditional artists and taggers combined their artisitc powers to transform Building G at the 1700 Curry into a graffiti masterpiece for a public art show called Convergent. The tagged building's doors will be auctioned off to raise money to transform the self storage facility into an artistic community.

By Jonathan McNamara

Gustavo Arellano of Ask a Mexican signed autographs and fielded questions from Marcos Najera at Changing Hands Bookstore on Friday.
One of the questions that came up was whether or not The Mexican has ever been stumped. Arellano says it's impossible, read more to find out if Marcos Najera is up to the task.

The Brickhouse opened its doors to three ultra-manly rock acts on May 9. Hogjaw started the show with a wave of southern rock akin to Nashville Pussy.

Jack Ripper
Next up was 11-year-old Jack Ripper who defended his rock prodigy title with ease. Jackyl front man Jesse James Dupree ended the night with songs including "Lumberjack" in which he plays an actual chain saw.

By Jonathan McNamara

How many spider men does it take to drive comic fans crazy? Turns out it's just one, but even he couldn't stand up to the combined powers of the Image Comics creators, who packed into Atomic Comics for Free Comic Book Day in Mesa this weekend.

The seven artists -- who include such heralded comic greats as Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld -- signed autographs and even passed out bottles of water to their mile-long line of patient fans.

This weekend, there were also long lines at Indian School Park as pot enthusiasts showed up to support the legalization of the green stuff as part of the Global Marijuana March. Participants marched with signs, signed petitions and even toked up to get into that protesting mood.

It wasn't the nachos or over-priced cocktails that packed Dos Gringos on Saturday; it was four little men dressed as Kiss. Minikiss took the outside stage by storm. The foursome had their Kiss roles down, with Mini Gene spewing blood and Mini Ace launching various pyrotechnics from his guitar. The only thing that could have made their performance better would have been the ability to play their own instruments.

By Niki D'Andrea

“Mommy, I don’t want to march!”

The girl’s mother was protesting the prohibition of marijuana at Steele Indian School park. It was hot, it was dry, and her grade school-age daughter didn’t seem very happy about spending her Saturday walking around central Phoenix with a bunch of people carrying signs and screaming “Legalize it!” at passing cars.

A “bunch” is an understatement, actually -- several hundred pro-marijuana supporters gathered at Steele Indian School Park on Saturday for the Global Marijuana March. The march, which started at 4:20 p.m. (420 being head code for “time to smoke some marijuana”) was Phoenix’s contribution to a global event that saw several cities around the nation and world marching for marijuana law reform.

The march aims to educate people about the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis, protests the prohibition of marijuana, and encourages people to sign pro-pot petitions. The blog on the official MySpace page for the march read, in part, “If you believe you should have the right, as a responsible adult American, to choose a safer recreational alternative to alcohol or a safer medication than prescription drugs, please show up.”

The march was approved by local law enforcement as a peaceable assembly -- though not licensed by the city -- and supporters started gathering at the park as early as 3:30 p.m. Many people brought signs with such protests as “Legalize It,” “Save a jail cell for some real criminals,” “One acre of hemp = 20 gallons of oil,” and “The hippies were right.” Lots of people were wearing tie-dye, too, and there was plenty of marijuana smoking going on before the march, despite the fact that several people had their children in tow and at least three plain-clothed officers were present. Even though their badges and guns were clearly visible on their belts, people didn’t seem to care.

“There are too many people here for them to arrest everybody,” said one march participant, who says the global march every year in Santa Barbara sees dozens of people lighting up right on the capitol steps.

By Jonathan McNamara

In the wake of the Suns' loss there was one event this weekend that sports fans could totally rock out to. I'm talking about curling, the sport in which boulders are slid across ice (Get it? Rock out . . . boulder . . . never mind). The Desert Ice Bonspiel brought the primarily Canadian sport to the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale this weekend.

Click for a few more photos from the Desert Ice Bonspiel

Meanwhile in Chandler, Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman were replaced by avid Moulin Rouge! re-enactors. Several audience members got into the film via the fine art of lip-synching and theater makeup application as Chandler Cinemas presented Moulin Rouge! on Saturday night.

Click to see a few more photos from Chandler Cinemas presents Moulin Rouge

Norm McDonald of SNL fame made a guest appearance at Tempe Improv's Comedy Draft last night. On his joke agenda: the fact that if you're favorite drink is coke, Pepsi is probably your least favorite drink, not your second favorite drink.

By Jonathan McNamara

The Phoenix International Raceway was buzzing with activity this weekend as not one, not two, but three races delighted race fans and extreme noise enthusiasts. The Subway Fresh Fit 500 on Saturday drew a colossal crowd that was quick to slam over-priced beers while trying to talk to each other with ear plugs in.

Downtown got a little freaky this weekend thanks to the 12th Annual Phoenix Pride event. The event featured a parade on Saturday and a few celebrity music guests including Sheena Easton.

By: Jonathan McNamara

On Friday a band of Guadalupe residents including mayor Rebecca Jimenez protested Sheriff Arpaio's latest round of anti-immigration sweeps. For more on this story, see Stephen Lemons' story in Feathered Bastard. To see a slide show from the protest, click here.

You could have stayed at home and watched LA Ink this weekend, but hundreds of tattoo artists and thousands of enthusiasts got inked at the Arizona Tattoo Expo instead. I wonder if there were any Borneo tattoo artists kicking about.