AltWeeklies Wire
The Shelf Life of the Presidential Mindnew

Come January, whoever occupies the West Wing needs to read, and widely so, for there is no better way to come to grips with the forces transforming the Western landscape, natural and human.
The Texas Observer |
Char Miller |
10-22-2008 |
Books
Everest Hits a Peak with Help from a Very Famous Fannew
After just a few months together, Everest was invited to play a few gigs in conjunction with the Sundance Film Festival. During one of their sets, they were approached by Neil Young, which ultimately led to him releasing the band's debut, Ghost Notes, on his own Vapor Records imprint.
San Diego CityBeat |
Paul Saitowitz |
10-22-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
In N.C., Buncombe County Party Chairs Gear Up for Election Daynew
With North Carolina dubbed a "swing state" in the presidential race and many state and local offices also up for grabs, both parties -- and their leaders -- are facing one of the most closely watched elections in recent memory.
Mountain Xpress |
David Forbes |
10-22-2008 |
Politics
After Nearly Two Decades, Stereolab Still Crafts the Prettiest Punknew

Over the course of nine albums, Stereolab has culled from major reference points like '60s lounge-pop and '70s krautrock. For Chemical Chords, the band's latest album and first proper full-length since 2004, Tim Gane turned to Detroit.
San Diego CityBeat |
AnnaMaria Stephens |
10-22-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mike Leigh Does a 180 with 'Happy-Go-Lucky'new
Leigh's films are usually brutal and uncompromising, challenging and, ultimately, painfully easy to relate to -- but he goes in the opposite direction with Happy-Go-Lucky.
San Diego CityBeat |
Anders Wright |
10-22-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Charlottesville Sees Double-Digit Increase in Voter Registrationnew
Before the votes can be tallied, the voters must be tallied. Local registrars have been slowly shoveling themselves out from the flurry of paperwork they received around the October 6 voter registration deadline.
C-Ville Weekly |
John Robinson |
10-22-2008 |
Politics
Turning Houston Bluenew

If Democrats hope to once again win statewide elections in Texas, they first must takeover the state's biggest city. Toward that end, Dems are pouring lots of money into a coordinated campaign to sweep Harris County this year. And everything was seemingly going their way -- until Hurricane Ike hit.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
10-22-2008 |
Politics
The Biz-School Widow's Lamentnew

It's hard to become a full member of the club when you're branded an academic "other."
Boston Phoenix |
Sara Faith Alterman and Kara Baskin |
10-21-2008 |
Education
Right Wingers on Campusnew
At America's colleges, even the dangerously misguided have a right to be heard.
Boston Phoenix |
Kara Baskin |
10-21-2008 |
Education
Wiccans Go to Collegenew

Campus witches have no brooms, no bleeding goats. Just cookies. Sorry.
Boston Phoenix |
Sara Faith Alterman |
10-21-2008 |
Education
Contemplating a Charlotte Without Wachovia or Bank of Americanew
Why are we building a center city for the future on a banking industry model of stability that died in the 1980s?
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Tara Servatius |
10-21-2008 |
Economy
Eels Frontman Writes Inspirational Autobiographynew

From the deaths of his entire immediate family to his struggles and accomplishments in the music industry, Mark Oliver Everett, aka E of the rock band Eels, details it all in his autobiography Things the Grandchildren Should Know.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Anita Overcash |
10-21-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
'Max Payne' is Like 'The Constant Gardener' After a Frontal Lobotomynew

Rather than focusing on making a kick-ass action flick, director John Moore and novice scripter Beau Thorne dress up their simplistic revenge yarn with various twists and turns -- all of which are absurdly easy to predict.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Matt Brunson |
10-21-2008 |
Reviews
'The Secret Life of Bees' is Buzz-Worthynew
The Secret Life of Bees is the sort of Southern-spun, honey-soaked confection that, in the wrong hands, could have turned out dreadful.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Matt Brunson |
10-21-2008 |
Reviews
'W.' is for Wimpynew
Love him or hate him, there's no denying that George W. Bush is a remarkably controversial figure, so how is it possible that Stone has managed to make a movie that's about as incendiary as Kung Fu Panda?
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Matt Brunson |
10-21-2008 |
Reviews