• RR Spring Tour - Vegas

Checkin in from Vegas tonight. We are 3 days into the tour, and have had great experiences thus far. Jamie and Casey form the Flipside in Pocatello were more than hospitable. -Jamie spun some crazy mixes of songs prior to show, like Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" Mixed with Smashing Pumpkins 1969, and Kiss "Detroit Rock City" and Paula Abdul's "Straight up". We had a chance to chat with Levi from KISU FM, and he had been playing the ReVoLtReVoLt "chordata" album earlier in the week. We all agreed that we need to make Pocatello a regular stop.

From there we traveled to Salt Lake City...arriving at Dawn and checking into a Motel 6. We all sacked out, and awoke to a drug bust in the parking lot outside our room. They had narcotics agents sporting assault rifles, and pulling panels off of the car in question. They politely asked us to go back inside for a few minutes until they were done. We complied. Later that day we went to the venue we were booked at, Brown Town, and found an emaciated cat howling in the alley. We fed it some kipper snacks, and headed back to the hotel to eat our dinner and charge the batteries.

We left Salt Lake around noon and headed south to Vegas. We had big beautiful jagged mountains to the left and the Great Salt Lake to the right. As the drive progressed, and we passed St. George, it felt like we were on another planet. The highway took us on a brief journey through Arizona canyons. We kept sayin we felt like we were on something because we couldn't focus on the road, and the patterns of the canyon walls were going in all different directions.

Cookbook Entry- Jasin made Ham/Pepperjack/Mustard sandwiches for lunch. He added a lake of Sriracha to my sandwich. I think I may have found my pain threshold.

We played the Double Down Saloon tonight with Brent Amaker and the Rodeo. The show went well, and we had a great turnout. Hotel now, and rest is in order. After all...it's only 5am.

We will be writing on a more regular basis now, and promise to post more pictures.
Hope all is well in Les Bois!

Best!
Chris
RR

Inside the cavernous registration hall are magazine racks loaded with alternative newsweeklies from around the country. I picked up a recent copy of Boise Weekly to share with my Austin hosts. Gotta say we look pretty damn good compared to the national competition. I think I'll go with the Boston Phoenix for best cover in the piles. Looked them up online and found a writer who loaded videos for 25 hip hop acts playing this year's SXSW. Cool.

The third and final installment of my SXSW mixtapes is all about hip hop. To get you in the mood for the festivities, I've put together three mixtapes of songs from artists playing official showcases during the music festival.

• "American: The Bill Hicks Story"

Radioactive Gavin's SXSW 2010 Mixtapes Vol. 3: Hip Hop Future Now

SXSW Hip Hop Future Now Mixtape tracklist-

Invincible "Viewer Discretion a cappella" (Live in Memphis, TN)
Slum Village & Dwele "Say How I Feel remix"
Bahamadia "Funky For You" (Jay Dee remix)
Afro Classics "Do Thangs"
Illa J & Debi Nova "Sounds Like Love"
La Melodia "Sounds of the City"
Madlib "Understanding (Comprehension)"
One Be Lo "Propaganda"
Zion I "In the Mornin (Caged Bird Part 2)"
Invincible "Sledgehammer!"
Blue Scholars "Second Chapter"
Flying Lotus "Massage Situation"
Antipop Consortium "Reflections"
Gonjasufi "Ancestors"
Madlib "American Dream & Future" (OJ Simpson remix)
Sage Francis "Conspiracy to Riot"
Tobacco & Aesop Rock "Dirt"
Solillaquists of Sound "Marvel"
4th Pyramid "Memories of a Dream"
Josh Martinez "All Rapped Out" (Live in Bozeman, MT)
Daedelus & Paperboy & Taz "Touchtone" (Thavius Beck remix)
Major Lazer "Hold the Line" (Mexicans with Guns remix)

According the Wall Street Journal, less than one month after the conclusion of the 2010 winter Olympics, London is already preparing for the summer Olympics in 2012. Part of the preparation means searching for sponsors

Our favorite local Olympic gold medalist, Kristin Armstrong, will be notably absent from the 2012 Olympics, as she has officially retired from the sport of competitive cycling. However, if anyone from her hometown fan base thinks they will no longer have an opportunity to support her, think again. This year, she's directing a team whose title sponsor is Peanut Butter & Co and, like London, is geared toward preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

Maybe London should talk to Armstrong about securing sponsorship, as I'm convinced she has a special knack for this sort of thing. Peanut Butter & Co.'s salty-sweet-crunchy peanut butter pretzels are completely addictive.

Click on this link to make sure your peanut butter order supports Armstrong's team. In fact, Armstrong herself claims pregnant women tend to crave the peanut butter pretzels. Wonder how she knows that?

"All of this financial decision making is occurring at the worst time for students," said Tom Briggs, a grad student in secondary education.

Briggs is a senator with the Associated Students of Idaho State University; eight members of the campus student government came to Boise today, including student body president Ross Knight and Sen. Max Pond. The students met with legislators before rallying on the steps.

"It's not my job to come up with a solution for this," Pond said. "It's their job."

[slideshow-1]

After the short rally, the students filed into the Senate Education Committee where they hoped to speak, though they were not on the agenda. Committee Vice Chairman Dean Mortimer welcomed them and thanked them for removing their hats during the hearing.

Briggs said the ISU student government had reached out to Boise State's student leaders, to no avail.

Boise State student body president Trevor Grigg, former head of the College Republicans is running for the Legislature (though he has not yet filed) in Boise's District 18, against Democratic Rep. Phylis King. At a hearing earlier this year, Grigg criticized the "wasteful and unnecessary" layers of administration at universities, but also warned lawmakers that cuts to higher ed translate to higher tuition, according to Idahoreporter.com.

We'll be back on the air on Thursday, March 25.

• So Cal

Rendezvoused with Tender Loving Empire buds Jared Mees & The Grown Children last night in Los Angeles and played the revered Spaceland. Former Idahoans Olin & The Moon played host for the evening. sweet guys sweet music. Correatown closed the night out. Rad convening of friends old and new in the midst of tour last night. love it. Day 14 down.... 66 to go. Had a blast.. great to see everyone last night! thanks again to our friends Bert and Emily for hosting over our 3 day So Cal encampment... stuffed french toast and fish tacos and and and.... they took great care of us. thank you thank you thank you

Trekked north today up thru the Nevada desert to Vegas bringing back memories of our No A/C Tour with Jared Mees back in 2007 during which we recorded A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer. even stopped out our favorite oasis that we broke down at during our long drive thru the scorching desert... overheating every 15miles. long crazy day that was. long crazy 48 hours that was.... this oasis was the craziest. and the crazies apparently remembered us. this is a magical place where time does not exist...

• Oasis

Just checked in to the "classy" Aruba Hotel in old town Las Vegas. playing nearby at the Beauty Bar tonight. rad place. been awhile since we've played here. big outdoor stage surrounded by buildings behind the bar. first night of Neon Reverb Festival... we're only here for tonight. sweet show with The Ruby Suns (new zealand) + Autumn Owls (ireland) + Strangers Family Band (orlando, fl) + Twin Brother (las vegas). stoked. VEGAS!! sun's setting excited for the bright lights of Vegas to come to life...

SXSW looms on the horizon... we'll be trucking to Tucson, AZ tomorrow... be in Austin by Tuesday. crazy.
(((())))
gilbert

According to the Obama release:
"Olson has been with the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho since 1997, where she was an assistant United States attorney until 2006, when she became senior litigation counsel. Olson was an adjunct professor of legal writing at the George Washington University School of Law from 1994 until 1997. Prior to that, she worked for the Civil Rights Division of the Criminal Section of the United States Department of Justice, where she was a trial attorney from 1992 until 1996, and deputy director of operations and assistant to the director on the National Church Arson Task Force from 1996 until 1997. Olson served as a law clerk for the Honorable Barbara J. Rothstein of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Olson earned her undergraduate degree at Drake University in 1986 and received her J.D. from the Stanford University School of Law in 1990."

Obama, having made several clunky appointments at the outset of his term, has slowed political appointments since about November 2009, according to this Washington Post graphic. About 35 of his U.S. attorney appointments have been confirmed, to date.

In Montana, Sen. Max Baucus's girlfriend was in the running for the U.S. Attorney slot there before she withdrew in December 2009.

Olson has given modest campaign contributions to Democrats, including Jerry Brady who ran for Idaho governor in 2006, and to state Sen. Kate Kelly of Boise's District 18, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's database.

Rep. Walt Minnick recommended Olson to the Obama administration after a panel reviewed several candidates for the job including former U.S. Attorney for Idaho Betty Richardson and Kelly.

All four of Idaho's federal representatives support the nomination and promised to help speed her confirmation in the U.S. Senate.

• Which one is Kelly and why is he so Reckless?

This year, the event takes place August 12-14 with a lineup that includes the usual suspects: a group of musicians so popular that Muzzie and Co. have taken to selling advance tickets—including a limited number of discounted passes available online—and they will go fast.

On Thursday, Aug. 12, catch the musical stylings of the Jeremiah James Gang; an acoustic show featuring Cody Canada, Slaid Cleaves and Hayes Carll; and Asleep at the Wheel.

On Friday, Aug. 13, entertainment is courtesy of the Frim Fram Four (fun!); the Annual Braun Brothers Reunion Singer/Songwriter Jam; the Braun Family and Friends; the Randy Rogers Band and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

The weekend wraps up on Saturday, Aug. 14 with Blind Driver; the Reunion Guitar Pull; Two Tons of Steel; Billy Joe Shaver; the crowd-pleasing Micky and the Motorcars and an act that has made the Braun name famous, Reckless Kelly.

Visit the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival site for information on tickets and lodging (if you plan on camping, reserve your space early).

Businesses up and down 'The Drag' have giant "Welcome SXSW" banners up in their front windows. The free-with-RSVP parties list is swelling and the schedule of official sanctioned live music is jam-packed. The interactive presentations and film festival start Friday, the music officially kicks off March 17.

To get you in the mood for the festivities, I'm putting together three mixtapes of songs from artists playing official showcases during the music festival.

• Harmony Korine's new film "Trash Humpers"

Radioactive Gavin's SXSW 2010 Mixtapes Vol. 2: Dance Party

SXSW Dance Party Mixtape tracklist-

DJ Jester the Filipino Fist “Secret Love Intro”
Yppah “Gumball Machine Weekend” (Mexicans with Guns remix)
Neon Indian “Laughing Gas”
Balkan Beat Box “Joro Boro remix”
Zion I “DJ DJ”
Lazer Sword “Gucci Sweatshirt remix”
Daedelus “Fair Weather Friends” (Death Set remix)
Antipop Consortium “Volcano”
Hudson Mohawke “Polkadot Blues”
Blue Scholars “New People”
Flying Lotus “1983″ (Daedelus remix)
Neon Indian “Terminally Chill”
Dam Funk “Let’s Take Off (Far Away)”
Madlib “Third Ear”
Nice Nice “Uh Oh” (Caural remix)
Yacht “I Love a Computer”
Truckasauras “Up, Up, Down, Down, L, R, L, R”
Oy “Snake” (Mexicans with Guns remix)

In case you haven't heard, the Idaho Legislature is looking to update the state's laws in regards to cyclists, with a package of bills by Sen. Elliot Werk. Unda' the Rotunda wrote about the package this week.

The status on the bills thus far is as follows:

The bill requiring all bicycles—that includes those fixed gear rides so popular around town—to have a working brake, has passed the full Sentate and awaits assignment to committee in the House. If it makes it through that, it'll be voted on by the House at large. The law would make brakeless bikes unlawful, and a penalty would be associated with not having a brake.

That being said, when the House sets a hearing for the brake bill, the public can testify. If you're unwilling to part with your fixie, Idaho hipsters, visit the Capitol building to testify.

The 3-feet to pass and the harassment against cyclists bills are currently scheduled for amendments on the 14th order of the Senate Calendar. Senator Werk tells citydesk that he's "working behind the scenes" to come to an agreement on the legislation. Expect an update in the next couple of days.

The last bill—which created $75 fines on infractions on drivers for biker harassment, and infractions on cyclists for recklessness—was killed by the Senate in a 7-27 vote, 1 excused. The money raised from these civil penalties would have benefited the Idaho Transportation Department's Safe Routes to School fund.

"That one got killed. It was a good bill, it used language that was standard throughout code," said Werk. "There's no use crying over spilled milk. There was some concern about the paperboy being charged $75 ... I personally think he should be charged $75 to remind him to be safe ..."

Students in California have been arrested protesting large cuts to higher education budgets there, with 150 students arrested in Oakland last week. On March 4, students across the country marched against fee hikes and budget cuts. Some were arrested at the University of Wisconsin as well.

At 3 p.m. Thursday, Idaho students will rally at the Statehouse in Boise and deliver a petition to lawmakers to curtail fee hikes at state colleges and universities. Some 40 students are coming from Pocatello and rally organizers expect students from Boise State, University of Idaho and Lewis and Clark State College.

Diana Painter, a senior in anthropology at Idaho State University, said Idaho legislators don't respect education, whether K-12, college or beyond.

“In Idaho it’s really sad because you can’t even really start with the premise that education is really important,” said Painter, one of the organizers of the rally.

On Feb. 25, more than 200 ISU students protested on campus, Painter said. The ISU student government has been lobbying the Legislature against massive cuts and endorses the rally tomorrow, according to Painter. It is not clear who is organizing students on the other campuses, if anyone.

“We are the future of the Idaho economy. To continue to tax students in this way is like eating your seed corn,” Painter declared. “Idaho needs a government who values public education. If this one doesn’t, we should elect one that does.”

The Legislature's budget committee slashed higher ed in Idaho by $32 million this week. Anticipating the cuts, each of Idaho's colleges has proposed significant fee increases in the coming year.

Painter said that Idahoans do not tend to protest much but that when they do, you know it's gotten bad.

Want to instill in your children the oh-so-American values of alcoholism, infidelity and ceaseless consumerism? Mattel has poured you a highball of easy parenting.

The company announced yesterday that they will be releasing two new Barbie and two new Ken dolls in July styled after popular characters on the AMC TV series Mad Men. The dolls—which include leading man ad exec Don Draper, his silver-haired colleague Roger Sterling, his stay at home wife Betty Draper and his buxom red headed office manager Joan Holloway—are a part of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, a higher-priced collectors series.

The four Barbies, each with a suggested retail price of $74.95, come decked out in Mad Men costume designer-approved 1960s garb with accessories like hats, pearls and overcoats. They do not, as faithful viewers might expect, come with mini cartons of Lucky Strikes or tiny bottles of bourbon.

And while this partnership might just seem like silly a marketing ploy, check out how yesterday’s New York Times gets all philosophical:

"'Mad Men represents so beautifully the universe that created Barbie,' said Robert Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, because the series is about the selling of the American consumer society. The personification of Betty Draper as Barbie is particularly resonant, Mr. Thompson said, because she represents 'the wife who lives in her dream house whose soul is eaten away.'"

OK, kiddos, who wants to play "get slammed on red wine while waiting for your cheating husband to slink through the door" Barbie?

Nope, this shrieking alarm is all about public safety.

Ada County will be testing its Foothills early warning sirens (the existence of a system of early warning sirens being a complete surprise to some of us). The sirens will be going off in brief bursts on Thursday, March 11, and Friday, March 12, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

Afore mentioned sirens are located in the Cottonwood, Hulls, Crane Creek and Stuart gulches and are designed to warn residents and hikers about flash floods.

If there were an actual flash flood, the sirens would sound for at least three minutes, at which point anyone in those areas should hightail it for higher ground.

This time though, remember, this is as test, this is only a test.

Death Sentence (hopefully the least likely)—If my last meal is because I am about to be executed, I think that I would like my mom's pheasant noodle soup. The stuff takes me back to a simpler time of hunting with my dad. I would think that would be desirable right before I get zapped.

Old Age—If I am to have a last meal before dying of old age I would want a huge plate of brown-sugar baked bacon and maple syrup. The plate would be my doctor's nightmare and my final middle finger to the world.

• You never know, it could happen...

Accident While Dick Cheney And I Are Quail Hunting—If I was to fall victim to a tragic hunting accident, I would like to have kippered snacks as a last meal. For those who are not familiar with this item, it's canned fish similar to sardines, but smells worse. It's a good outdoor food because it is high in protein almost never goes bad (no matter how long it rolls around the bottom of your backpack). Just don’t eat it indoor. It stinks for weeks and you can never get the smell out of your carpet. Trust me.

Because I Am About To Be Buried Alive Under A Restaurant — If I was going to die in an earthquake , then I would like to be in a good French Restaurant with great duck confit. That is duck that is cooked in its own fat with a ton of garlic and herbs. If you see it on a menu order it. It's usually worth it.

In all, a last meal is situational. I just need to know why it’s my last meal to accurately decide what I want to be served.

Randy King is the Executive Chef at Sysco Food Services of Idaho. He has served as the Executive Chef at several locations in Boise including Richard’s in Hyde Park, Crane Creek Country Club and the Doubletree Riverside Hotel. Randy is a member of the American Culinary Federation and has been awarded the elite status of Certified Executive Chef. He can typically be found behind a stove making a mess ... and something delicious to eat.

• Jeremiah Robert Wierenga

Boise Weekly spotted the condiment cab just off Capitol Boulevard yesterday. The Wienermobile will be visiting Treasure Valley Albertsons and a Cub Scout Pinewood Derby throughout this week. If you’re looking for a bite of nostalgic nosh or want to score a wiener whistle, here’s a rundown of the hot-dog rod’s schedule:

Wed. 3/10
9am-12pm, 5 Mile and Ustick
1-5pm, 5 Mile and Overland

Thurs. 3/11
9am-12pm, 10 Mile and Overland
1-5pm, Meridian Rd. and Cherry Lane

Fri. 3/12
9am-12pm, Eagle Rd. and State St.
1-5pm, Eagle Rd. and McMillan

Sat. 3/13
10am-12pm Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby (location unknown)

• Jeremiah Robert Wierenga

Now all I need is a bib, a bucket to carry a tune in, and a B.A. in Communications.

Larry sends me interesting things that he finds ranging from disagreeable Idaho politics to video game discoveries. It is no surprise to anyone that last year was a difficult year for Boise Weekly. We hunkered down and worked hard and made it through the year. But not without help from many people. We all took salary cuts, freelancers reduced their pay and we negotiated with vendors.

My friend Larry offered to help in a creative non-traditional way. He placed and paid for ads to support organizations that he wanted to help. If you recall seeing ads for Link TV and Smile Train in Boise Weekly last year, it is worthwhile to point out that these ads were paid for by my friend Larry. He is a trailblazer and I thank him for his commitment to freedom of speech and the independent press.

Larry is running another ad for Smile Train in our March 24 edition in celebration of his birthday. By supporting Smile Train when you see the ad, you'll be doing your piece to prove the value of supporting a worthy cause.

Thanks Larry. I truly appreciate your support of Boise Weekly. And Happy Birthday. I hope to meet you someday soon.

You can expect reports from inside live performances and outside talking to fans in line, from the back row at movie premieres and up front at outdoor movies on inflatable screens, from the bar at official awards parties and maybe even partying at unofficial open bars. You'll learn about a new one-of-a-kind brewery, what activists there are doing to help Haiti, and how to succeed in unorthodox stand-up comedy.

I'll be following Idaho musicians Finn Riggins and Rosalie Sorrels around the music festival, posting photos from the best taco trucks and BBQ joints in town, plus attending panels and highlighting big thinkers and their big ideas during the 10-day cultural Mecca. Future of Music Coalition folks will be in town, so you'll hear the latest on emerging business models for musicians as well.

To get you in the mood for the festivities, I'm putting together three mixtapes of songs from artists playing official showcases during the music festival (March 17-21). Let's get this party started!

• Califone "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers"

Radioactive Gavin's SXSW 2010 Mixtapes Vol. 1: The Music Festival

SXSW Music Festival Mixtape tracklist-

Ocote Soul Sounds “Divinorum”
The xx “Islands”
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings “How Long Do I Have to Wait For You”
Zion I “Radio”
Kimya Dawson “Loose Lips”
Broken Social Scene “Anthems For a 17-Year Old Girl”
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals “Left Behind”
Califone “Ape-like”
Finn Riggins “Hraka”
Dengue Fever “Mr. Orange”
Brownout “Ayer y Hoy”
Josh Martinez “Touch Your Body” (Live in Bozeman, MT)
Blue Scholars “Hello”
Pretty Lights “Double Love”
Breakestra “Gettin’ To It”
Grupo Fantasma “Rico Tumbao”
Brownout “Tell Her She’s Lovely”
Tobacco “Tape Eater”
Dosh “Public Domain Kind of Thing”
Daedelus “Back Doorbell”
Ernest Gonzales “Etchasketch Trees” (Yppah remix)
School of Seven Bells “Prince of Peace”
Oy “The Kitten”
The Texas Tornados “Una Mas Cerveza”

But for whatever reason, I did tune in to this year's Awards show. I sort of wanted to see if Avatar would do as well as I’d hoped (I shelled out hard-earned dollars to see it twice in the theater), but, alas, it was the military drama The Hurt Locker that cleaned up. (I haven’t seen it yet; expect my two cents on that film at a later date.)
One winner I had seen, however, was the film that collected the Best Documentary Feature award.

The Cove is about dolphins. The man (Ric O’Barry) who originally trained the dolphins that played Flipper in the 1960s TV show—and who essentially claims responsibility for the modern popularity of SeaWorld and other “dolphinariums”—now sees the error of his ways and has devoted his life to protecting the rights of the intelligent sea mammals.

• "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in SeaWorld anymore."

I don’t normally make time for the Oscars. This year my love for the blue giants of Pandora may have enticed my viewership, but watching a handful of activists’—whose cause is an absolute no brainer—walk away with a golden statue was what made my Academy Awards viewing party of one a worthwhile experience.

How annoying.

And yet, how consistent.

I’ve spent the winter in a bit of a panic, ever since DIRECTV decided that Comcast was charging too much for the Versus channel and removed it from their menu. For the past few years, Versus has provided my indoor entertainment in the form of outdoor sports, including everything from bull-riding to the all important Tour de France. Once upon a time, DIRECTV was the only satellite television service that offered Versus. So if you’re like me and want to spend three weeks in July mesmerized by Lance Armstrong and company (not to mention all the spring classic bicycle races and grand tours that lead up to the TdF), you pretty much had no choice: DIRECTV was your only option. Now, all of a sudden, DIRECTV is the only non-option for Versus. So if I want Versus, I now have to switch to Cableone, or DISH Network, or something else.

I'm thankful for the Internet and live streaming.

And this DIRECTV commercial is outrageous, considering how screwed they make me feel.

Organic farmers love it, the dairy industry hates it and the state agriculture department says it just wants to keep the public safe. The latter put together a raw milk program and brought it to the Legislature this year, but it ran into opposition from folks arguing the program was too strict.

The three sides of the milk debate recently met with politicians at the Idaho Capitol to try and iron out their differences.

The Boise Weekly showed up at the meeting, but was asked to leave. It was closed to the public and press, which is legal because it was not an official Legislative meeting.

“There was some resolution and compromise,” said Rep. Ken Andrus Wednesday morning. He recently expressed concerns about the Ag Department rule that some felt nearly made raw milk illegal.

“As I read [the rule], farmers had to have a permit to use it, even for personal use, even for one cow,” Andrus said.

Andrus said the private meeting was a negotiation process to make exceptions to the rule, allowing farmers (with an agreed number of lactating cows) to use raw milk for their personal use and for cow shares. But he said there was strong opposition.

“The dairy industry is concerned about their industry, and their profits,” he said.

Andrus declined to discuss specific details about the new agreement until he sees it in writing, hopefully by March 15.

We have been furiously trying to get an updated commercial completed to air on KBOI Channel 2. We reworked a concept that was developed for Boise Weekly back in 1998 by North by Northwest. I gathered the images, BW alum Tyler Bush put them all together, and Art Hodge helped us with music he composed. This is one of the final samples. Let me know what you think.