AltWeeklies Wire
Q&A: Jay Farrar on Kerouac, 'Big Sur'new
Son Volt frontman Jay Farrar has been reading Jack Kerouac since he was a teenager. But writing the music and lyrics for the soundtrack to One Fast Move or I'm Gone, a documentary about Kerouac's semi-autobiographical novel Big Sur, provided plenty of firsts for the songwriter.
Seattle Weekly |
Chris Kornelis |
12-07-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'The Maid': From Chile, One of the Year’s Best Moviesnew
Not many films, or actresses, would let the central female role of a movie be underestimated for so long. Blank-faced, bone-tired, and implacable, Catalina Saavedra delivers a wonderful, slow-brewing performance as Raquel, a 41-year-old Chilean maid who's served one family her entire working life.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
12-07-2009 |
Reviews
Can a Mild-mannered Bakery Clerk Solve Grocery Workers' Labor Strife?new
Kim Cordova's termination, and the filing of a slander lawsuit against her and two other union members, convinced her to make a play for the top job at one of the largest unions in Colorado. She'll be the first woman to head Local 7.
Westword |
Melanie Asmar |
12-07-2009 |
Business & Labor
It's Tough Being an Immigrant, Unless You're Richnew
The Dallas Morning News recently reported that City Hall is looking to create a regional center under a federal program that offers green cards and a shot at permanent residency to immigrants willing to invest $500,000 or $1 million in the city.
Dallas Observer |
Patrick Williams |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
An Army Sergeant's Case May Help Explain the Surge in Non-combat Deathsnew
In Sgt. John M. Russell's chaotic Army world the morning of May 11, the enemy was closing in. The big Texan had talked of conspiracies, woken up from constant nightmares, and broken down in tears, wishing someone would put a bullet in his head.
Seattle Weekly |
Rick Anderson |
12-07-2009 |
War
Young Undocumented Immigrants Face Dead End After High Schoolnew
An estimated 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high school each year, only to enter a purgatory in which they feel they can neither return to Mexico nor become productive, law-abiding citizens. Attorney Laurel Herndon calls them “blameless."
Boulder Weekly |
Jefferson Dodge |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
The Ancient Origins of Pet Ratsnew
Only becoming popular as pets over the last century, rats have actually lived with humans for thousands of years. While historically rats were viewed as disease-ridden, it was black rats that were involved in spreading bubonic plague; modern pet rats normally pose no health risk to their owners.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Teisha Rowland |
12-07-2009 |
History
Asian Students Under Assault in Philadelphia Schoolsnew
Community organizers say 30 or more Asian students were attacked Thursday, Dec. 3 at South Philadelphia High School. In September, Philadelphia Weekly's George Miller wrote this cover story about how Asian students are regularly targeted in Philadelphia schools.
Philadelphia Weekly |
G.W. Miller III |
12-07-2009 |
Children & Families
Vancouver Police Move Toward Installing Video Surveillance in Jailnew
After initially resisting the plan, the Vancouver Police Department is moving ahead with the installation of a video surveillance system in its jail.
The Georgia Straight |
Carlito Pablo |
12-07-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Can Alexi Giannoulias Shake Off His Problems to Win Obama's Old Senate Seat?new
Victory in the race for state treasurer transformed Alexi Giannoulias into a promising young progressive with big prospects—until the media began reporting that his family's bank had given a series of loans to figures involved in organized crime or political corruption.
Chicago Reader |
Mick Dumke |
12-07-2009 |
Politics
Robert De Niro Settles Down in a Travelogue Family Dramanew
Everybody's Fine is sort of like a square version of the more lauded recent Jack Nicholson vehicle About Schmidt, and its squareness is the main reason I prefer it.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
12-07-2009 |
Reviews
Bill Callahan Balances Uncertainties on His New Albumnew
With an eye for such tragic ironies as Cain's ignoble fate, Callahan has written toward various shades of darkness and light, from pitch black to only slightly dim.
The Memphis Flyer |
Stephen Deusner |
12-07-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Duffel-bag Classnew
Memphis city residency requirements sound good in theory, but for some, it can lead to an economic nightmare. Here's one man's story.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Davis |
12-07-2009 |
Housing & Development
Up in the Air: A Big-hearted Film about Corporate Downsizingnew
Ryan Bingham spends nearly his entire year traveling, hopping from company to company in his position as a "career-transition counselor," and he likes it that way.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-07-2009 |
Reviews
Brothers Brings the War Homenew
Director Jim Sheridan's adaptation has a contemplative steadiness far more common in European films than American ones.
The Portland Mercury |
Alison Hallett |
12-07-2009 |
Reviews
