Pulitzer Prize winner Neil Simon can easily be listed among the funniest and most influential stage and screenwriters of the twentieth century. The humor in Simon's works is not only crisp, witty, and original, it's also, (gasp, pause, gasp again), really funny ÷ like, laugh out loud funny. Simon also manages to do what many writers of the stage are unable to do. He connects with a wide and even hip audience ÷ fans are not just show-tune singing drama geeks with music-note shaped pins on their velvet berets. [Read article]

Dashboard Confessional
A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar
(Vagrant)

Sounds Like: Theme music to adolescent drama

Also see: Bright Eyes

Chris Carrabba, the vocalist/brainchild/writer for Dashboard Confessional, could be an evil genius.

Somehow, the man has found a way of extracting teenage angst, insecurities and heartbreak from America's youth. He then transforms these emotions into ambitious pop songs. Although this may seem like nothing new on the musical front, Carrabba has a way of presenting pubescent emotional insanity with such detailed clarity and insight, it makes you wonder how this guy ever made it out his teens. [Read article]

You could be a Dropkick Murphys fan. That is, at least according to Dropkick bassist Ken Casey.

Casey noted that although the Boston punk band stands for hard-working, blue-collar ethics, they welcome any type of fan they can get.

"I think there's people everywhere that are hard working individuals that identify with what we're trying to do," Casey said.

"And that's not to say you have to be some hard-nosed blue collar guy to like our music. There's plenty of suburban mallrats, spoiled rich kids that might think our songs are catchy and that's all right too. Nobody's excluded. Granted yeah, I think it's a little more · when people kind of get what we're all about ÷ it's a little more gratifying. But whatever ÷ anybody who wants to come through the door is welcome." [Read article]

I despise dentists. And I'm sure I'm not alone with this attitude. Whenever I go in to get a cleaning, there seems to be the same disapproving look of shame on the "doctor's" face. "You haven't been flossing, have you?"

That's why it's good that "The Secret Lives of Dentists" isn't about the practice of dentistry. And I'll have to question putting the word in the title, since 90 percent of America has already decided they won't see this one. [Read article]

I don't remember much about "Jeepers Creepers 2. "I don't remember the names of any characters, or if there were any memorable actors involved. I better write this review quickly, because even the plot is getting a bit hazy. All I remember is that I had a pretty fun time.

And that means mission accomplished for writer and director Victor Salva, who also wrote and directed the first installment in this "epic" saga. [Read article]

Oy Vey Caf� makes the Student Union Memorial Center seem like chopped liver.

That's right, Union Shmunion. The completed SUMC ÷ admittedly an impressive and exciting addition to this campus ÷ cannot, even in its full glory, compare to the hidden treasure that is Oy Vey Caf�.

The caf�, located in the Hillel building, accepts CatCards and offers students ÷ and no, this isn't an oxymoron ÷ a tasty and healthy alternative to the hustle and bustle of the corporate dining playground we call our student union. Skip the Big Mac or On Deck sandwich and try a nice-sized dish at Oy Vey Caf�. Your wallet won't suffer with everything on the menu under $6. [Read article]

Yikes! Toy Store
2930 E. Broadway Blvd.
320-5669

Forget Barbie. Forget Nintendo's Limited Edition whatever. Yikes! isn't that kind of toy store. Instead of the usual Toys"R"Us electronic talking killer doll stuff, Yikes! stocks the kind of toys that have held their appeal for generations. Here you'll find squishy eyeballs, things that make farting noises, windup mechanical animals and Slinkys. There are model planes, sun printing kits and books about poop for people into more interactive play. Best of all, Yikes! caters to grownups who just like toys, so you don't have to feel guilty about messing around with the rubber cockroaches in front of other adults. Chances are, the people next to you are just waiting for the right opportunity to start playing the little toy kazoos on the next shelf. So much fun, you'll feel like a kid... in a toy store. [Read article]

Have you ever been looking at a vase or bowl and thought to yourself; "I wonder how they shape the glass like that?"

On Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7, you'll get your chance.

To kick off the 2003-4 school year, The Glass Studio at Sonoran Art Foundation has invited students and glass art enthusiasts to watch glass art in the making.

"We're having two days where we have advanced student glassblowers come and blow glass for our open house." said David Morden, administrator of The Glass Studio, "We are also having a gallery where we sell the glass pieces blown by the students." [Read article]

For 25 years, Jeffery Schwartz was a criminal defense attorney in Tucson. Now, in a sudden departure from litigation, Schwartz has begun his career as an artist by hosting his first exhibit at Hotel Congress.

"(Schwartz) just decided that being a lawyer just wasn't what he wanted to do anymore, so he woke up one day and decided to be an artist," said David Zeigler-Voll, a graphic designer and promoter for Schwartz. [Read article]

If you've ever had to force a smile after someone's told you that you look just like their favorite muppet, you'll side with me immediately. If you've ever mistaken a stranger for Tori Spelling, and told them, then you may become defensive, but I don't care ÷ you are hopelessly insensitive and I am here to help you tap into that keen place within yourself where you should know better. Just what am I talking about? I'm talking about telling people they look like ugly celebrities; that's what I'm talking about. It's hurtful, it's mean, and it has to stop ÷ please. [Read article]

"Under the Banner of Heaven"

Jon Krakauer

America is a nation at war with religious zealots that want to harm us. But America has their own terrorists, born and raised into one of the fastest growing religions in the world. "Under the Banner of Heaven" is Jon Krakauer's newest book that examines religious fanaticism at its most violent ÷ within our borders.

On July 24, 1984, two brothers murdered their sister-in-law and infant niece. The reasoning: they received instructions to do so in a revelation from God. Krakauer turns a single tragedy into an international epidemic. He investigates the brothers' Mormon fundamentalist motivations and in doing so, recounts the birth of the Mormon religion itself. [Read article]

FoodPicks
Char's Thai Restaurant
5039 E. 5th street
795-1715

Escape campus and the mania of short white mini-skirts and head for Thailand. Char's Thai Palace is a curry oasis for this Burritoville. Family owned and operated, this restaurant has been serving college students for fifteen years. If you are not familiar with Thai cuisine, some crowd pleasers are the Chicken Satee, Pad Prig Sod, and Thai Curry. The atmosphere at Char's is comfortable and relaxed, unlike some of the pretentious cafes downtown. The inside is adorned with Buddha bellies, tables feature travelbrochure-like photographs of Bangkok and Thai beaches. And there is even a mural depicting their religious icons in the Arizona desert, which is something to chew on. So give your knives and forks a rest and pick up the chopsticks for a real Thai dining experience. [Read article]