Local research group takes over operation, looks to community for support

The UA astronomy community received another blow recently when a second request for funds to keep the Pioneer telescope operating was officially denied.

The National Science Foundation denied funding for the 12-meter, millimeter-wavelength radio telescope on Kitt Peak this week after funds were initially pulled in August by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory because of budget constraints.

The Tucson-based Research Corp., an organization committed to supporting scientific research, has kept the telescope in operation since the NRAO's decision.

Operation of the telescope requires between $800,000 and $1 million annually, said Steward Observatory director Peter Strittmatter.

Top-ranked Wildcats riding 37-game home winning streak

Mike Candrea has learned a thing or two during his 15-plus seasons as the head coach of the Arizona softball team.

Among other things, Candrea has come to realize that in the always-competitive Pacific 10 Conference - which has seen one of its eight teams claim 14 of the 19 College World Series titles - road wins can be hard to come by.

This reality of Pac-10 softball makes it critical for teams to take care of business at home, which the top-ranked Wildcats have a chance to do this weekend.

Some students think it's hilarious to stick a beer bottle in the toilet of their dormitory bathroom.

Others find it amusing to yank the fire alarm at midnight, or break ceiling panels in their residence halls.

Not all students behave this immaturely, of course. It's just a select group who thinks damaging dorms is acceptable.

As a policy, Residence Life places charges on the bursar's accounts of every single student who lives in damaged dorms, even if only a select few actually committed the pranks. Some students believe this policy is unfair and that they should not be penalized for the pranks or mistakes of their fellow residents.

Famous actors in 'One Night at McCool's' have completely sold out

"One Night at McCool's" is the epitome of stupidity captured on film. But maybe that's the point.

Basically, the "plot" centers around four guys who fall in love with one ditzy-but-photogenic woman, Jewel (Liv Tyler).

Tyler brings T & A to the movie, and we're not talking "Talent & Ability" here. Director Harold Zwart must have instructed her to one, not use any consonants (her voice is so breathy throughout the movie that it's barely possible to understand her) and two, not integrate any words more than one syllable long (unless giggling counts) into the script.