AltWeeklies Wire
For Old-School Art Pickers, the Thrill Is Fading, and So’s the Payoffnew

Call them what you like (and some call them vultures), art pickers are a dying breed. Auction site eBay has seen to that. As has Craigslist. And other Internet auction houses. And PBS's Antiques Roadshow.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
12-08-2009 |
Art
Will Phoenix's Camelback Neighborhood Become a Scientology Recruitment Mecca?new
If one talks at length with the concerned citizens who live in Phoenix's tony Camelback Village neighborhood, it becomes apparent that these nice people are afraid that their neighborhood will become known not for its neatly xeriscaped lawns, but for turning out culty radicals.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
02-10-2009 |
Religion
Has Phoenix Finally Arrived?new
This newly hopeful vision of Phoenix is one that's pretty easy to support these days, because the fifth-largest city in the country has lately been looking like, well, the fifth-largest city in the country.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
09-30-2008 |
Culture
Robrt L. Pela Does Not Recyclenew
Seriously, if you come to my house and want to toss out your empty water bottle or your paper cup from Starbucks, you can put it right in with last night's leftover sashimi and the packing peanuts from my latest eBay purchase, because there's just one trashcan in my kitchen.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
04-22-2008 |
Environment
Tags: Recycling, environment
My Super Sweet Sixnew
Don't you wish your birthday party was hot like mine?
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
04-02-2007 |
Culture
Tags: lifestyles
Torturous Timesnew
Welcome to America, where our fearless leader's busy golfing and barely bothered by reports that the CIA's been hiding al-Qaeda prisoners in secret Eastern European jails formerly operated by the Soviet KGB.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
11-22-2005 |
Politics
Software Engineer Designs Furniture Out of the Boxnew
Pink-haired Jose Avila made thrifty furnishings from Federal Express shipping cartons, bringing himself fame and cease-and-desist orders from FedEx.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
09-13-2005 |
Art
Overkillnew
Critics are wetting themselves in praise of this documentary depicting the world of quadripilegic rugby. But it's easy to recognize the ways in which the film is manipulative and predictable.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
07-26-2005 |
Reviews
Never Been Funniernew
The framework of this indie masterpiece is an upcoming fan convention to be hosted by the Mesa Frozen Entree Enthusiasts Club, a collection of young losers who obsessively collect frozen TV dinners and hold meetings to discuss them.
Phoenix New Times |
Robrt L. Pela |
04-19-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews