AltWeeklies Wire
What Happens When the Person Who Gives Voice to Victims Becomes a Victim?new
As Connecticut's victim advocate, Michelle Cruz routinely handles cases involving threats of domestic violence. But the issue became intensely personal last September when she began getting vulgar, threatening, anonymous text messages on her cell phone.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
02-09-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Baristas Say the Fight for Better Conditions is Uphill but Necessarynew
In December, Starbucks employees blocked the drive-through window at the company's coffee shop at Rosedale Street and 8th Avenue for about 20 minutes, in protest of the rising cost of their healthcare insurance, low wages, and a litany of other issues.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Eric Griffey |
02-09-2010 |
Business & Labor
Stage Prodigy-Turned-Filmmaker Drake Doremus Brings 'Douchebag' to Sundancenew
Shoestring productions of personal stories such as that of Douchebag are exactly what Sundance co-founder Robert Redford was talking about at the previous day’s opening press conference, where he vowed the festival had returned to its roots of presenting groundbreaking new voices.
Allegations of Racism Spark a Power Struggle at the Mutual Musicians Foundationnew
In December, the Mutual Musicians Foundation's 100-odd members installed a new board of directors. Many were new to the cause. In the weeks leading up to the election, a local singer suggested that the old board had allowed the foundation's legacy to be "pimped."
The Pitch |
David Martin |
02-09-2010 |
Race & Class
Valley Smokers Buy, Steal, and Inhale JWH-018 to Get Highnew
The herb on the counter resembles sage mixed with crumbled marijuana, but it's fuzzier and fluffier, filled with tiny brown hairs and minuscule crystals. It smells like dry leaves and black licorice and it's being sold in head shops as an "herbal incense blend."
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
02-09-2010 |
Drugs
An Obsessive Patrol Cop Tried to Nail the Wrong Guy in the Baseline Killer Casenew
Phoenix police had arrested Mark Goudeau on September 6, 2006 (his 42nd birthday), on charges of sexually assaulting two sisters at a park near 31st Avenue and Baseline Road. The attacks on the sisters, one of whom was six months pregnant, had occurred one year earlier.
Phoenix New Times |
Paul Rubin |
02-09-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Fences Mended, Chamillionaire is Comfortable Being the Rapper Next Doornew
Chamillionaire is the rapper you can take home to mom and dad. His albums contain very little swearing, and he won't even curse when quoting other rappers. He recalls Snoop Dogg's famous "Bitches "Ain't Shit" line as: "B's ain't nothing but hos and tricks."
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
02-09-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Where Running a Light and Killing Someone Does Not Automatically Mean You're in Troublenew
Steve Morrison probably never knew what hit him that April afternoon in 2008. After the swimming-pool company owner eased off the brakes of his green Saturn and headed south down Hillcroft across Westpark, a Nissan Frontier driven by a 28-year-old Salvadoran immigrant slammed into him.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
02-09-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Lobster Loot: Chinese New Year and Weather Contribute to Record Pricesnew
Even as the specter of new and improved Marine Protected Areas threatens to impact their way of life, Santa Barbara-based lobstermen are enjoying one of their most economically successful seasons in memory.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ethan Stewart |
02-08-2010 |
Business & Labor
Look Closer at 'Environmentalism' and Economic Healthnew
Every January since 1969, speakers, writers and aged witnesses are asked to recall the offshore oil well blowouts. They’re always asked, "What was it like?” By now, shouldn’t the question be, “Is it still relevant?”
Santa Barbara Independent |
Robert Sollen |
02-08-2010 |
Environment
Secret History of Chicago Music: Shel Silversteinnew
Everybody knows Shel Silverstein as a cartoonist and author. But how many remember him as a musician? Born Sheldon Alan Silverstein in Chicago in 1930, as a young man he hawked hot dogs at both Chicago ballparks and began his music career with the 1959 album Hairy Jazz.
Chicago Reader |
Plastic Crimewave |
02-08-2010 |
Books
What Sort of Woman Reads 'Playboy'? Meet Peggy Wilkinsnew
Teen detective Nancy Drew, of all people, led Peggy Wilkins to Playboy. It was July 1978 in Michigan, and 13-year-old Peggy was a huge fan of the TV series. That summer the actress who played Nancy, Pamela Sue Martin, appeared on the cover of Playboy.
Chicago Reader |
Katie Buitrago |
02-08-2010 |
The War on Women
Trading Down: Mythology Inflected Romp Has Nothing on Harryhausen
Aside from some non-PG-rated emphasis on an abusive home life and a lot of underwhelming CGI, The Lightening Thief is a well-paced kids' action picture that flirts with Greek mythology to create its otherworldly spectacle.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
02-08-2010 |
Reviews
Half-Eaten Chocolates: A Sampler You Don't Want to Give
Valentine's Day is yet another date movie that's less than the sum of its parts. The sheer number of A-list actors involved spells trouble. Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, and Anne Hathaway provide cast padding for the likes of B-listers Taylor Swift, George Lopez, and Emma Roberts.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
02-08-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Garry Marshall, Valentine's Day
Can a Court Help Former GIs Find Justice at Home?new
From the man's physique and hair, Edward Lynch figured he might be military. Maybe from Fort Carson, the Army base down the road that lately seemed to be churning out a lot of veterans with screws loose. The papers were full of stories about Carson vets killing fellow soldiers.
