AltWeeklies Wire
Roy Orbison and His Nashville Recordings, 20 Years After His Deathnew
With the 20th anniversary of Orbison's death on Dec. 6, and with the recent release of a career-defining box set, Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll, it's an apt time to reflect on how several of pop music's most timeless and artful songs unexpectedly emerged from a small Nashville recording studio on 17th Avenue.
Nashville Scene |
Michael McCall |
12-05-2008 |
Reviews
Boy Killer Mitchell Johnson Speaksnew
On March 24, 1998, the 13-year-old Johnson helped murder four of his classmates and a teacher. Now, his account is public.
Arkansas Times |
David Koon |
12-05-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Seven False Starts About the Death of David Foster Wallacenew

By now you may have heard. The most influential and innovative fiction stylist of his generation, the smartest, funniest, strangest, most endearing and (let's just say it) the greatest writer under 50 in America, killed himself at his Claremont home on Sept. 12.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Cornel Bonca |
12-05-2008 |
Books
Malcolm Gladwell Examines the Secret of Success in 'Outliers'new
Gladwell uses birthdays, tight-knit communities and circumstance to show why some make it and others don't.
Montreal Mirror |
Juliet Waters |
12-05-2008 |
Nonfiction
Obama, the NRA and Gun Hysterianew

Post-election sales of weapons have increased nationally, with gun-rightsers stockpiling firearms and ammo against what they believe to be the coming surge of gun-control legislation enacted by Obama. Gun sales were up 15 percent this October compared to October 2007, according to a trade association.
Eugene Weekly |
Rick Levin |
12-05-2008 |
Politics
How the Facts Came to Hate Americanew

Journalism's emphasis on objectivity and balance fabricated a controversy in climate science that didn't exist. Have reporters learned anything?
Boulder Weekly |
Dylan Otto Krider |
12-04-2008 |
Media
Why Do We Like Cinematic Christmas Criminals?new

A therapist and a movie critic wonder what makes bad guys so appealing at good times in this round-up of strange Xmas films.
North Bay Bohemian |
David Templeton |
12-04-2008 |
Movies
Black Gold: West Coast Trufflesnew

With European truffles on the decline, a new breed of truffle hunters and growers comes to the fore on the West Coast.
North Bay Bohemian |
Alastair Bland |
12-04-2008 |
Food+Drink
Wu-Tang's Raekwon Discusses Reuniting and Reconnecting with Fansnew
The individual members of Wu-Tang are involved in so many projects, some of them might not even be aware of each other's work. For instance, Raekwon said he wasn't aware of the latest album billed to Wu-Tang: Soundtracks From the Shaolin Temple, which was released Oct. 7, even though he appears on it.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Conservationists Hope Stimulus Efforts Get Directed Toward National Landsnew
The National Parks Conservation Association is trying to steer economic-stimulus efforts toward the parks, through back-to-work and service programs.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
12-04-2008 |
Environment
Post-Election Competition Heats Up the Video Game Worldnew
In the gaming world, the election very much continues, as the annual holiday onslaught of games competing for your hearts, votes and dollars is heating up to a level that might make even a CNN hologram -- and Wolf Blitzer, too -- burst into flames.
Orlando Weekly |
Aaron R. Conklin |
12-04-2008 |
Video Games
Jon Wilkman Talks About His PBS Doc 'Chicano Rock'
PBS documentary traces the music of the Mexican-Americans who ride up and down Whittier Blvd.
Ron Paul Supporters Look to Shake Up Nevada GOP from the Insidenew
Most Republicans across the state seem to think that the GOP, rather than getting caught in the compromised waters of centrism, of keeping up against the Democrats, needs to tack right and return to limited government.
Las Vegas Weekly |
T.R. Witcher |
12-04-2008 |
Politics
What's Next for the Obama Movement?new

The grassroots Obama network reaches around the globe. Here in Nevada, the volunteers who made thousands of campaign phone calls and pounded on doors are still meeting, still pumping each other up, still determined to make the world a better place.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Stacy J. Willis |
12-04-2008 |
Politics
Presidents & Near-Presidents I Have Knownnew
With Barack Obama's Jan. 20 presidential inauguration practically upon us, my thoughts have turned to the very complex subject of American presidents. As I contemplated the subject, I had an odd revelation. It happens that I have spent a not inconsiderable amount of time around presidents, vice presidents and presidential candidates.
Random Lengths News |
Lionel Rolfe |
12-04-2008 |
Commentary