Publication shows different sides of Native American experience

Nancy Cooper is in love. In the poem "Language Lesson," she describes a love that can't be put into words and a lover whose body excites her, melts into hers and offers comfort and protection. Theirs is a love that teaches her about her language and her humanity.

Nancy Cooper also happens to be Native American.

Her poems and that of many other Native American artists, poets and writers are showcased in the latest publication of Red Ink Magazine, the focus of which is "love and erotica." [Read article]

Marriner documents non-conformists

Mike Marriner is surfing the waves of life. Born and raised in Laguna Beach, this Pepperdine grad knew there was more out there than was being offered. So, he founded a movement called "Roadtrip Nation" and embarked across the country to interview tons of people in all professions. Years after that summer, he still remains true to the project's grassroots. He is picky about sponsorship. He is putting other students on the road. He gave me a hug. Friday, after talking with him on campus, it felt like he had met more than 200 amazing, successful and happy people. There is a reverence to him. This is the kid everyone wants to play with, but he also has an important message, and he is getting that message out one tank of gas after another. [Read article]

In life, the journey is what counts. The same holds

true for road trips, well sort of ...

In what is now little more than wild and overgrown desert, a town of nearly 3,000 people once flourished.

In the early part of the 20th century, the towns of Sasco and Silverbell near present day Marana and Red Rock flourished as burgeoning mining camps.

I thought it might be fun to go and check out two of the West's famous "ghost towns" that dot the Arizona desert. So, I gassed up the car and took enough water to sustain me on the 40-mile car ride from downtown Tucson up I-10 and the subsequent walk to the sites of the once-populous towns. [Read article]

Despite snide remarks about the gubernatorial choices and driving styles of our neighbors to the west, it is practically a University of Arizona pastime to head for the coast on weekends and holidays. Until the "Big One" (earthquake) hits and Yuma becomes the long-awaited beachfront property, San Diego is a popular choice for road-tripping Arizonans. An oft-overlooked aspect of the road trip, however, is the journey itself. [Read article]

With all these new sexual molestation charges coming up against the King of Pop, let's face it, you're probably next. You've got a friend in Idaho. This trusty state will never rat you out. You could make a go for it tonight, under the veil of the dark sky and that luminous bitch, the moon. The cops may chase, but they'll never catch you. You destroyed your hard drive. And those filthy Polaroids? Well, some things just seem sacred in this world. That fake mustache was a stroke (no pun intended) of genius. You'll ride night and day. Never make eye contact. Pay in cash. Fuck your Dungeons and Dragons addiction! This is life or death, man! You know what they do to people like you in the big house? Soon you'll cross county lines and hit Rexburg. Ahh, Rexburg. We all know there is no better place to peak out of your living room blinds than Rexburg. Good luck and remember, Oprah's on an hour earlier because of the time change. [Read article]

Great singing makes musical numbers shine

"Guys and Dolls" is a theatergoer's dream come true. You've got your music, your dancing, an engaging storyline, vibrant costumes, majestic sets - in other words, it's a spectacle, one that will have you tapping your toes and humming along long after the final curtain has gone down.

The Arizona Repertory Theatre is putting on "Guys and Dolls," based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon, through Dec. 7. The Theatre spared no effort in presenting this musical with Broadway-quality panache. From a live orchestra playing the music of Frank Loesser, to beautiful backdrops and sets capturing the style and heart of 1930s New York City, to knock-your-socks-off performances by the cast, this musical is made to wow. And, it does! [Read article]

If you've ever had the urge to disrupt a public scene by doing something totally off-the-wall and unexpected, then you'll enjoy "Public Locations," the new exhibition at the Lionel Rombach Gallery that features the works of Lilly McElroy.

The exhibition, which serves as McElroy's honors thesis, is an exploration of the alienation and claustrophobia felt within contemporary society in public spaces and venues. [Read article]

For those of you interested in seeing something a lot less mainstream than the tried-and-true "Guys and Dolls," there's "Resa Fantastiskt Mystisk." Don't worry. You don't have to be able to say it in order to go see it.

The title is Swedish for "the mysterious journey" and the play promises to provide just such a journey for the audience as they follow main character Phillip (played by Brandon Leyton) through an inner struggle. [Read article]

Murderers, drug dealers, child molesters and the occasional politician all wind up in prison.

Some stay for months, others for years and a few for life.

And then there are the men and women who come in for a few hours every day and get to go home - they aren't incarcerated, they are correctional officers.

Documentary filmmaker and UA media arts professor Michael Mulcahy explored the process of becoming one of these correctional officers in his new documentary, "Correction." [Read article]

Today

Spanish Conversation Group - Bashas' Coffee Shop, 3275 N. Swan Road. Practice and improve conversational Spanish in an informal atmosphere. Today, 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Free. 405-7946.

Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance Class - The DanceLoft upstairs at Heart-Five, 61 E. Congress St. Use a variety of techniques to explore your own dancing style. For age 15 and over. Today, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. $10. 250-4664. [Read article]

Everyone is buzzing about Paris Hilton's sex tape.

Who will buy it? How did it get out? Does she do anal?

Hilton, who doesn't seem to have a real reason to exist, is the heiress of the Hilton enterprise. She is famous for being famous. She is sort of hot, but it's kind of an anorexic hot. Although it's Hilton who is bringing in the headlines for the sex video, people should really be talking about Rick Solomon, Hilton's former boyfriend. He directs, produces, edits, shoots and costars in the video that's circulating on the Internet and among the media. [Read article]

Zona 78 offers diners the luxury of chic bistro ambience without the pretentiousness that so often comes with it.

At 78 W. River Road, this "Area 78," or Zona 78, is a great candidate for getting out of a dining rut. The trendy bistro is open till 1 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and till 11 p.m. every other night of the week. It specializes in wood-fired foods, so it has a wide selection of pizzas. But one shouldn't confuse the place for strictly a pizza joint - though if you do, you may enjoy your food more. [Read article]