Vol. 36, No. 37
We’re Off To See the Wizard…
By Jim Nintzel
Danehy
Tom Looks Back at the Best of Tucson®, Circa 1973
By Tom Danehy
Urban Renewal
Rebuilding cities and propelling the economy through university partnership
By Jeff Gardner
Cactus Conundrum
Marana negotiating Tortolita Preserve’s future development
By Kathleen B. Kunz
East Side Story
City Councilman Paul Cunningham faces challengers from the Republican and Green parties
It’s time for Tucson’s mayor and council to get a raise
Guest commentary
By Mark Kimble, Jerry Anderson, Michael Guymon, Rocque A. Perez and Mike Sitzman,
Our Best To You
The Skinny
Dollars vs. Cents
Police Dispatch
Brand-Loyal to a Fault
By Anna Mirocha
City Week
By Emily Dieckman
The Living End
You’ll be thrilled to death with Zombieland: Double Tap
By Bob Grimm
Reel Indie
Mad scientists on stage
How bassist Frankie Stein and guitarist/vocalist James Arr live and love like it’s Halloween every day.
By Jamie Verwys
Know Your Product
Stars Pick Their Top 5! This week: Summer Cannibals
XOXO
Mark your calendars
By Xavier Omar Otero
Master Work
Ballet Tucson dances a piece by revered choreographer Wheeldon in season opener
By Margaret Regan
Royal Treatment
Scoundrel & Scamp’s presents a stellar production of The Little Prince
By Chloe Loos, Taming of the Review
Star Turn
Silent Sky is ATC’s first production of a play by Lauren Gunderson—but it won’t be the last
By Sean Daniels
Quick Bites
The Sweet Spot
Heemee Bakery is a new coffee and pastry option downtown
By Mark Whittaker
Best Art Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
Best Visual Artist
Jessica Gonzales
Best Movie Theater
Roadhouse Cinemas
Best Film Festival
Loft Film Fest
Best Art Classes
Tipsy Picassos
Best Musical Instrument Store
Chicago Music Store
Best Author
J.A. Jance
Best Outdoor Art Installation
Collective Murals by Joe Pagac
Best Dance Studio
BreakOut Studios
Best Dance Company
Ballet Tucson
Best Theater Company
Gaslight Theatre Company
Best Gallery
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Downtown Dispensary
Best Annual Festival
4th Avenue Street Fair
Best Charity Event
Puttin’ on the Dog (HSSA)
Best Farmers’ Market
Rillito Park Heirloom Farmers Market
Best Place to Donate Your Time and/or Money
Pima Animal Care Center
Best Gym
Platinum Fitness
Best Bowling Alley
Lucky Strike Bowl
Best Yoga Studio
Yoga Oasis
Best Sex Toy Shop
Fascinations
Best Auto Repair
Jack Furrier Tire & Auto Care
Best Car Wash
Mister Car Wash
Best Animal Supply Store
Arizona Feeds Country Store
Best Computer Repair
SWS Electronics & Computers
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
Bark Avenue Dog Wash
Best Plant Nursery
Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery
Best Veterinary Clinic
Speedway Veterinary Hospital
Best Farmers Market Vendor
Yellow Brick Coffee
Best Alternative Health Center
Tucson Acupuncture Co-op
Best Photographer
Jade Beall
Best Place to Take a Phoenician
Mount Lemmon
Best Thrift Store
Casa De Los Niños Thrift Store
Best Place to Get a Massage
Peaceful Spirit Massage and Wellness Center
Best Smoke Shop
Moon Smoke Shop
Best Music School
UA Fred Fox School of Music
Best Summer Staycation
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
Best Handyman
Handyman Matters
Best Hotel
Arizona Inn
Best Gym To Visit in the Witching Hour
Tucson Racquet Club
Best Clothing
Creations Boutique
Best Resale Clothing
Buffalo Exchange
Best Home Furnishings
Sam Levitz
Best Vintage Shopping
How Sweet it Was Vintage
Best Hair Salon
Gadabout
Best Day Spa
Mynd Spa & Salon (Formerly Red Door Spa)
Best Florist
Inglis Florists
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Alvernon Optical
Best Local Clothing Designer
Laura Tanzer
Best Jewelry
Silver Sea Jewelry
Best Barber Shop
Gentleman Jack’s Barber Lounge
Best Tattoo Parlor
Sacred Art Tattoo Studio
Best Tattoo Artist
Lisa Cardenas
Best Place to Get Pierced
Straight to the Point
Best Dog Park
Morris K. Udall Regional Park
Best Public Garden
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Best Hike
Tumamoc Hill
Best Backpacking Trail
Sabino Canyon/Seven Falls Recreation Area
Best Campground
Patagonia State Park
Best Outdoor Recreation/Sporting Goods Store
Summit Hut
Best Park
Reid Park
Best Bike Shop
BICAS
Best Day Trip
Bisbee, Arizona
Best Golf Course
Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club
Best Bike Riding
The Loop
Best Place for a Children’s Party
Get Air
Best Way to Entertain Kids During the Summer
Children’s Museum
Best Restaurant With a Kids’ Menu
Little Anthony’s Diner
Best Fun for the Whole Family
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Best Toy Store
Mildred & Dildred
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
Little Bird Nesting Company
Best Children’s Entertainer
Mr. Nature
Best Public Pool/Splashpark
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Best Story Time
Pima County Public Library
Best Summer Camp
YMCA of Southern Arizona
Best Playground
Best Old West Experience
Trail Dust Town
Best Daycare
Tucson Jewish Community Center
Best TV Newscast
KGUN 9 On Your Side
Best Local Twitter Feed
@whatsuptucson
Best Local Weatherperson
Lisa Villegas (KOLD)
Best Radio Host
Cyndi & Chris (My 92.9)
Best Bookstore
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Best Radio Station for News
KUAZ/NPR/AZPM (89.1 FM)
Best Video Store
Casa Video
Best Comic Store
Heroes and Villains
Best Used Video Games Store
Game Trader of Tucson
Best Games Store
Tucson Games and Gadgets
Best Blog
Tucson Foodie
Best Radio Station for Music
KXCI (91.3 FM)
Best Local TV News Anchor
Dan Marries (KOLD)
Best Local Sportscaster
Paul Cicala (KVOA)
Best Instagram
Why I Love Where I Live
Best Barbecue
BrushFire BBQ
Best Place to Grab a Slice
Empire Pizza
Best Desserts
Nadines Bakery
Best Caterer
El Molinito
Best French Fries
Zinburger
Best Specialty Food Store
AJ’s Fine Foods
Best Fresh-Baked Bread: Barrio Bread
Best Burger
Lindy’s on 4th
Best Veggie Burger
Graze Premium Burgers
Best Place to Get a Sandwich
Bison Witches
Best Pizzeria
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Best Wings
Wings Over Broadway
Best Smoothies/Juice Bar
Xoom Juice
Best Food Truck
Geronimo’s Revenge
Best Coffee
Cartel Coffee Lab
Best Drive Thru
Eegee’s
Best Diner
Welcome Diner
Best Donuts
Amy’s Donuts
Best Cafe Hangout
Cafe Passe
Best Tea
The Scented Leaf
Best Sandwich (the actual sandwich)
Unforgettable
Best Place to Get a Salad
Choice Greens
Best Hot Dog
El Güero Canelo
Best Eggs Benedict
Five Points Market
Best Casual Dining
Seis Kitchen
Best Barbecue Club
Butt Club at Holy Smokin’ Butts
Best Ice Cream
The Screamery
Best Drink Variety
Coffee X Change
Best Delicatessen
Dickman’s Meat & Deli
Best Breakfast
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Best Brunch
Prep & Pastry
Best Chinese
Golden Dragon
Best Greek
Athens on 4th Avenue
Best French
Wild Garlic Grill
Best Seafood
Kingfisher
Best Japanese
Yoshimatsu
Best Indian
Saffron
Best Middle Eastern
Zayna Mediterranean
Best Contemporary/Fusion Restaurant
Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails
Best Steakhouse
Silver Saddle
Best Sushi
Sushi Garden
Best Thai
Bangkok Cafe
Best Vietnamese
Miss Saigon
Best Central Restaurant
Blue Willow
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Tumerico
Best Upscale Restaurant
Vivace
Best African
Zemam’s
Best Chef
Mateo Otero
Best Place to Eat Lunch Downtown
Street Taco & Beer
Best Downtown Restaurant
HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery
Best Northwest Restaurant
The Parish
Best Eastside Restaurant
Serial Grillers
Best Southside Restaurant
Mi Nidito
Best Foothills Restaurant
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
Best Westside Restaurant
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
Best Place to Eat Gluten Free
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
Best Korean
Takamatsu
Best Dining with a View
Hacienda del Sol
Best Restaurant to Dazzle Out of Town Visitors
Cafe Poca Cosa
Best Fourth Ave. Restaurant
The Drunken Chicken
Best New Restaurant
Tito & Pep
Best Place to Eat with Your Hands
Queen Sheba
Best Signature Dish
Carne Seca at El Charro
Best Italian
Caruso’s Italian Restaurant
Best Panaderia
El Triunfo Bakery
Best Carnicería
El Herradero Supermarket
Best Salsa
Guadalajara Grill
Best Tortillas
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
Best Burrito
Nico’s Mexican Food
Best Place to Buy a Piñata
Piñata Factory
Best Birria
St. Mary’s Mexican Food
Best Michelada
BK Tacos
Best Guacamole
Best Tamales
Tucson Tamale Company
Best Menudo
Tania’s 33
Best Torta
Street Taco
Best Margarita
Best Elote
Sonoran Delights
Best Empanadas
Le Cave’s
Best Tacos
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
Best Raspados
Oasis Fruit Cones
Best Mariachi Band
Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School
Best Dulceria
La Estrella
Best Nightclub
Club Congress
Best Neighborhood Bar
Che’s Lounge
Best Beer Selection
Tap & Bottle
Best Musical Act
Calexico
Best Cocktail Menu
Kon Tiki
Best Happy Hour
Casino del Sol
Best Country Western Bar
The Maverick
Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine
Revel
Best Comedian
Nancy Stanley
Best Sports Bar
Trident Grill
Best Liquor Store
Plaza Liquor and Fine Wines
Best Gay Bar
IBT’s
Best Comedy Night
Laffs Comedy Caffé
Best Bar Menu
Surly Wench
Best Jukebox
Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
Best Bartender
Barb Trujillo
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
Shooter’s Steakhouse & Saloon
Best DJ
Mother Tierra
Best Burlesque
Surly Wench First Fridays Burlesque
Best Dive Bar
Buffet Bar & Crock Pot
Best Drag Queen
Tempest DuJour
Best Brewery
Barrio Brewing Co.
Best Locally Brewed Beer
Barrio Blonde
Best Jazz
Pete Swan Trio
Best Folk
Leila Lopez
Best Venue for Live Music
The Rialto Theatre
Best Reggae
Neon Prophet
Best Cover Band
80s and Gentlemen
Best Punk
Taco Sauce
Best Rock
Miss Olivia and the Interlopers
Best Hip-Hop Act
Street Blues Family
Best Country Act
Drew Cooper
Best R&B
Little House of Funk
Best Shot
Mexican Candy Shot (The Hut)
Best Bloody Mary
Saint Charles Tavern
Best Old Fashioned
Owls Club
Best Pool Hall
Red Garter Bar & Grill
Best Wine Bar
Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar
Best Strip Club
Curves Cabaret
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