AltWeeklies Wire
'Treeless Mountain' is an Exception to the Sentimental Rulenew

Korean-American director So Yong Kim's semi-autobiographical film has a premise especially ripe for mawkishness. But it evades schmaltz, in no small part because the Korean actresses themselves are so resolutely dry-eyed.
Willamette Week |
Aaron Mesh |
06-17-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: So Yong Kim, Treeless Mountain
Have San Francisco's Service Animal Laws Gone to the Dogs?new

In San Francisco, snakes, lizards, pit bulls, chickens, pigeons, and rodents have all been declared service animals, hauled onto public transportation, housed legally in city apartments, and, essentially, given the full run of the city.
SF Weekly |
Joe Eskenazi |
06-17-2009 |
Animal Issues
Matt Gone Hated His Ailing Body ... Then He Drew On Itnew
Gone says 98 percent of him is tattooed, the only exception being his palms and gums because it would be painful and difficult to tattoo both areas. So, is he just an attention whore? Decide for yourself, but realize that without his tattoos, Gone says his life would be lonely.
Willamette Week |
Katie Litvin |
06-17-2009 |
Culture
Texas Creates Task Force on Sexual Slavery as One Trafficking Case Wraps Upnew
Despite the fact that three out of four victims of sex trafficking in the United States are U.S. citizens, House Bill 4009, now awaiting Governor Rick Perry's signature, would be the first state-level legislation to assist domestic victims.
San Antonio Current |
Greg Harman |
06-17-2009 |
Crime & Justice
New Documentary Pays Tribute to Concert Posters Throughout the Decadesnew
Four years ago, as she was working a "cushy corporate television job," Merle Becker (former MTV staffer and founder of indie film company FreakFilms) stumbled across The Art of Modern Rock, a then newly published coffee-table book of rock posters. She says she was "blown away."
East Bay Express |
Catherine Plato |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Can Social Media Transform Politics ... and Reboot Texas Republicans?new
Twitter and other social-media tools certainly illuminate the humanity of politicians who make enthusiastic use of the newest technology. But is this kind of social networking politically effective? Does it give Twitter and Facebook followers anything more important than a sometimes-revealing glimpse into their favorite politicians' consciousnesses?
The Texas Observer |
Josh Berthume |
06-17-2009 |
Politics
The Battle Over Biofuelsnew

As plant-based fuels are increasingly criticized from both left and right, UC Berkeley's Chris Somerville is leading the effort to perfect them.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
06-17-2009 |
Environment
Dying to Build: Why Texas is the Deadliest State for Construction Workersnew

A construction worker dies in Texas every 2 1/2 days. The causes are far from mysterious: lax enforcement of labor and safety regulations, too many overtime hours without rest breaks and a lack of safety training and equipment.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
06-17-2009 |
Business & Labor
Jam Session: Turning Seasonal Fruit Into Spreadable Goodnessnew

You can savor local-berry flavor year round by making jam, which is ridiculously easy. Jam is a low-exertion project in that it's simply mashed fruit cooked with some sugar and pectin until thickened, then poured into jars. With recipe for Very Berry Alterna-Jam.
Baltimore City Paper |
Michelle Gienow |
06-16-2009 |
Food+Drink
Take the High Road with One of Orange County's Medical-Marijuana Delivery Servicesnew

We make deliveries with Racer X, a part-time driver for one of some two dozen cannabis clubs in Orange County that offer members door-to-door marijuana-delivery services.
Behind BadPhoenixCops.comnew
Meet the blogger who took on the Phoenix PD -- and the homicide detective who might be his best source.
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
06-16-2009 |
Tech
Scenes from the Health-Care Struggle in Missourinew
Missouri now ranks in the nation's bottom five states when it comes to parent eligibility for Medicaid, and lawmakers, advocates argue, should do more to help the state's most vulnerable citizens, especially during a period of high unemployment.
This Summer, Read What You Need When the Time is Rightnew

Summer's supposed to be about slowing down, finding some shade and getting lost in the plot of a really good book -- or a deliciously bad one.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Staff |
06-16-2009 |
Books
Tags: book guides, summer reading
Ice-Cream-Truck Drivers Peddle Treats and Cruise the Open Roadsnew

Ice cream trucks seem stuck in time; there's not so much room for ingenuity. Just put some Popsicles in a freezer, get a van with a speaker system and a loopable MIDI track, and chase children. That's as advanced as that system is going to be.
New Haven Advocate |
Brianna Snyder |
06-16-2009 |
Food+Drink
As a 24-Year-Old with Down Syndrome, Trevor Falk is a Hot Commoditynew
The population of disabled residents in private group homes in Texas has grown to about 14,000, and the industry generates about $896 million in revenue from state funds alone, according to the state's figures from 2008. It does so by targeted people like Falk.
Houston Press |
Paul Knight |
06-16-2009 |
Business & Labor