AltWeeklies Wire
Why the Two Biggest U.S. Tobacco Companies Are Fighting Each Othernew
There's a tobacco war raging in Salem, Ore. that has less to do with the reasons for past battles -- raising taxes or reducing consumption -- than it does with control of a rare industry bright spot: smokeless tobacco.
Willamette Week |
Nigel Jaquiss |
05-13-2009 |
Business & Labor
How an Oregon Guru Raked in Millions as a New Age Psychicnew
Eric Pepin is a balding, heavyset 42-year-old from Beaverton, Ore. who claims he can heal the sick, control the weather, travel between dimensions and communicate with God. He teaches his secrets on CDs and DVDs that sell for up to $299 each on his website. And people buy them.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
05-13-2009 |
Culture
Tags: Eric Pepin, New Age
Texas Whooping Cranes Are a Symbol of Hope and Possibility and an Economic Boonnew
The Aransas whooping cranes, the only wild, migrating flock in the world, numbered 266 this spring. That's not a lot, but considering how close the birds came to extinction—there were only 21 left in 1941—the number amounts to a small miracle.
The Texas Observer |
Jesse Sublett |
05-13-2009 |
Animal Issues
Tags: Aransas whooping cranes, Texas
For John Gibler, the Conquest of Mexico Never Ended and Neither Did the Revoltsnew
Part journalistic travelogue, part political manifesto, Mexico Unconquered recounts some of the more bewildering revolts and upheavals that have roiled Southern Mexico from the turn of the 20th century through contemporary times.
The Texas Observer |
Liliana Valenzuela |
05-13-2009 |
Nonfiction
Looking for Work in South Texasnew
Economists now say the Rio Grande Valley may ride out the economic crisis more comfortably than the rest of the U.S. Despite such optimism, the region is still plagued by the same structural problems that have long depressed its economy.
The Texas Observer |
Kevin Sieff |
05-13-2009 |
Economy
A Jazz Keyboardist Finds New Inspiration in a Dour 19th-Century Composernew
Although he didn't really have the chops to be a classical pianist, Michael Coleman found a way to bring his new love interest to the public. Last summer, he formed a new jazz combo called Schumann's Humanns, whose first assignment was to reinterpret Schumann's Kinderszenen in a jazz template.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
05-13-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Rudo y Cursi': Confusion in the Southnew
Rudo y Cursi is not a typical comic buddy flick about the misadventures of two rancheros from the sticks. As conceived by writer-director Carlos Cuaron, the brothers' picaresque story is a sharp social satire of contemporary Mexico, held together by the slapstick glue of their country-boy antics.
East Bay Express |
Kelly Vance |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
Skateboarding Down the San Francisco Baynew
John Eppard is going to skateboard the length of the San Francisco Bay — from Richmond all the way to San Jose — again. And if the persistent punk rocker happens to lose a leg or other appendage in the process, he can find comfort in the fact that the three-day trek is a fund-raiser in part for a nonprofit for athletes with prosthetic limbs.
East Bay Express |
Cassie Harwood |
05-13-2009 |
Sports
Dems Rule. Next: Excuses for Not Doing Jack.
Democrats are more powerful than ever. How will they justify doing nothing?
Maui Time |
Ted Rall |
05-12-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: Barack Obama, Democratic Party
A Very Well-Behaved Record of Fearless Womennew
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich provides a window through which to view the social injustices faced by three of history's famous women. Just don't be surprised if their struggles look a lot like our own.
Jackson Free Press |
Brandi Herrera Pfrehm |
05-11-2009 |
Nonfiction
Ready or Not for Babynew
Babies have a habit of appearing at the least opportune moment, like when a verdict is due on a big story. And no two pregnancies (or births) are ever the same.
Jackson Free Press |
Dawn Dugle |
05-11-2009 |
Culture
Pregnant with Possibilitiesnew
Columnist Lori Gregory reports from her 11 millionth month of pregnancy.
Jackson Free Press |
Lori Gregory |
05-11-2009 |
Comedy
Once Again, Everyone Takes Dan Brown Way Too Seriously
Dan Brown gets a bad rap for his unique brand of beach-reading literature, but maybe he just should have been born 60 years earlier. If his work was going to be turned into cinema, it really should have been for 1930s serials.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Scott Renshaw |
05-11-2009 |
Reviews
The $100 Billion Curenew
There are constant cries that the sky is falling, such as the state going bankrupt due to an $8 billion budget deficit, or that the City of Angels will go bankrupt without an increase in parking meter rates by three quarters. The penchant for panic is almost reflexive, but panic doesn’t elicit great decisions.
Random Lengths News |
James Preston Allen |
05-11-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: corporate taxes, recession
Lesbian Minister Rises from the Shadowsnew
When members of Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. nominated Rev. Sunshine Daye to be a Community Grand Marshal for its 2009 celebration, approving the nomination was easy for its board of directors.
Random Lengths News |
Zamna Avila |
05-11-2009 |
LGBT
