A new Italian eatery called Brio Tuscan Grille is set to open this summer at the Tucson Mall. It looks like it will serve pretty standard Italian fare, for the most part, although there appears to be a slightly more upscale feel to it than most mall food.

There's more information over here.

While my general axiom is to see everything Bill Murray is in, I might need to be convinced a bit before paying money to see this particular film of his:

Our spies tell us that it’s official: Bill Murray has agreed to star as FDR in an adaptation of the British radio play Hyde Park On the Hudson to be directed by Morning Glory's Roger Michell. The project, set up at Focus Features and the UK's Film4, recounts the quasi-incestuous love affair between the president and his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley, and takes place on the June 1939 weekend that the British King and Queen visited Roosevelt at his upstate New York cottage, in the first-ever visit to America by a member of the United Kingdom monarchy.

[Vulture]

Will our society rip Kory Shore's dreams from his young hands? Will America spread its wings and soar again? I know I won't sleep tonight considering these deep, meaningful questions.

[HT: Videogum]

I'm not sure what to say about Murs, playing tonight at Club Congress as part of "The Road to Paid Dues" tour. He's just an entertaining, clever, and creative rapper who consistently impresses on every track he's on and puts on a great live show. If you actually like hip hop at all, you probably should get your $15 in hand and head down to Congress tonight. You can watch the Top Chef finale later.

"I Used To Love Her (Again)":

"Risky Business", featuring Shock G and Humpty Hump:

If you’re the lucky winner, you get an official Tucson Padres cap, four free tickets to opening night on Friday, April 15, and a portrait of yourself with the new mascot. Best of all: He’ll show up at your home, office or a special event to be named later. (No weddings or bar mitzvahs.)

The Range has a real good feeling about the return of Triple-A baseball to the Old Pueblo. Padres GM Mike Feder, who brought the fun back to Hi Corbett Field when he took over the Tucson Toros back in ’89, has a great lineup of old favorites—Two-For-One Tuesday, Wiener Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday—and plenty of new of new promotions on deck at Kino Stadium. If you were a Toros fan back in the ’90s, you know what we’re talking about. If you’re not, trust in the new slogan: Back and better than ever!

Learn more here. And why not become a fan on Facebook?

A new tea emporium called Teavana opens Friday, April 1, at Park Place Mall. It willl apparently feature a retail space, a tea bar and so-called "master teaologists" to answer all of your tea questions.

From the press release:

TUCSON, Ariz. (March 30, 2011) — Chocolate. Nutty. Energizing. Diet. Chai. What do these words have in common? Tea! Tea lovers will rejoice as Park Place Mall welcomes an exciting addition to its retail mix with the much-anticipated grand opening of Teavana, Friday, April 1.

Teavana, translated as ‘Heaven of Tea,’ provides a unique retail experience — part tea bar, part tea emporium, offering fine loose-leaf tea and a variety of tea accessories. Each day, Master Teaologists introduce shoppers to the aromas and flavors of loose leaf tea, while sharing its history, health benefits and how to prepare and serve it. A truly unique look at everything that is tea.

“We are excited to add Teavana to the center court at park place. It complements our other retail choices for our customers and adds another reason to visit Park Place,” said Darcy Shippey, Senior Marketing Manager for Tucson and Park Place Malls.

In addition to brewing accessories, Teavana offers more than 100 varieties of tea, along with tea history from 14 countries. Teavana staff will strive to provide shoppers with the ultimate tea experience, while promoting its health benefits in an interactive and educational environment.”

The high-quality teas range in flavor from traditional estate teas to creative blends using teas, fruits, flowers and herbs, providing the best overall taste.

The Teavana grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m., Friday, April 1. Throughout the day, experienced and novice tea enthusiasts can enjoy complimentary tea samples and special purchase offers.

With a thundering purr and electric green eyes that beg “pick me,” Stoney is ready to pounce into your arms! Although it takes a while for Stoney to acclimate to her surroundings, she’ll be your inseparable sidekick once she knows she’s safe and loved. A little heartbroken to find herself homeless after her lifelong owners could no longer care for her, Stoney now needs a cat-free family to claim as her own. Stoney likes kids and respectful dogs but prefers to steer clear of fellow felines. We’re told that Stoney is a professional at using her litter box and has never laid a claw on the furniture. At ten years young, Stoney is still strong, healthy and spry. All she needs is a little time with the right people to realize how great second chances can be. Could you give this affectionate girl her heart’s desire? Stoney has been anxiously waiting to meet you since the beginning of November, so hurry over to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and ask to meet this very special Hidden Gem!

And here's a video of Stoney doing irresistibly cute kitty things.

Come meet the Stoney! She's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern AZ, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Their phone number is 327-6088.

They're smart enough to make people pick up the gun somewhere else and you can get a Pizza Hut gift certificate instead, but it does seem that things have changed quite a bit at Radio Shack since I used to go there to get cords for my stereo. In other news, the Arizona Senate is likely writing up an official commendation for the store manager and his bravery right now.

When driving down U.S. Highway 93 through Hamilton, there's no need to do a double-take when you see the sign hanging above the Radio Shack Super Store.

You read it right. Customers who buy Dish Network will be rewarded with a firearm.

"I think it really, really fits the Bitterroot Valley," said Steve Strand, who has owned Hamilton's Radio Shack for about seven years.

Strand, along with store manager Fabian Levy, wanted to generate more foot traffic at their location. So far, the gun giveaway has worked like a charm.

"It's been really successful," Levy said.

According to Strand, it has tripled his business since the promotion started last October. And, he said, easily hundreds of people have stopped in to see what the sign is all about. "Protect yourself with Dish Network. Sign up now, get free gun," the sign reads.

"We have people literally stop in to take pictures of the sign," Levy said.

Qualifying customers have the choice between a Hi Point 380 pistol or a 20-gauge shotgun.

The deal is only good for new Dish Network customers and they must buy a certain amount of equipment to qualify for the free gun.

[Billings Gazette]

A lesson for you cheapskates out there: it might be worth throwing in a dollar to the office lottery pool just so this doesn't happen to you:

He didn't think Lady Luck was on his side — and now he's out millions.

A hapless state information-technology worker who usually joined his office lottery pool took a pass last week — only to learn that seven positive-thinking pals nailed a whopping $319 million Mega Millions jackpot, said a deli owner who knows the winners.

"The word is that when they were going around the office asking who wanted in on the pool, one guy said no, that he wasn't feeling lucky," said Jill Cook, who with husband Tom owns Cook's Deli in Albany, where the winners are lunchtime regulars.
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"They asked him twice. They said, 'Are you sure?' and he said yeah, he was going to pass this time. I feel horrible for him," Jill said.

The number of players in the pool varied from week to week, she said, and the identity of the mystery loser — who could have won a $16 million after-tax share under the lottery's lump-sum option — was as elusive as those of the big winners, who sources say worked in IT for the state Homes and Community Renewal agency.

[Daily What]

FYI: It's not your fault if things that make you feel uncomfortable come up on the internet...it's not your fault.

[GQ]