Sedona AZ

Enjoy this special re-enactment of Arizona’s first governor, George W.P. Hunt from 1912. Don Shields bears a striking likeness to the first governor as well as a voice and mannerisms reminiscent of the man. Utilizing extensive research (including interviews with Hunt family members), Shields presents stories of those first few years, the struggle to statehood, and the growth of the Baby State. After the show, he will enter into a dialogue with the audience.

Don Shields has 34 years of teaching English, drama and speech behind him in his preparation of this 45 minute presentation.

Shields has shared the stage with Arizona government dignitaries and spoke at the AZ Best Fest in Prescott last September. Marshall Trimble, the Arizona State Historian wrote, “Don, I declare you are the reincarnation of ol’ George W.P. Keep up the good work.”

The show is appropriate for all ages. Free.

The Sedona Heritage Museum is located at 735 Jordan Rd in Jordan Historical Park in Uptown. It is open daily from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Museum Gift Shop specializes in Arizona Centennial items, gifts made by local artists and craftspeople, and movies made in Sedona. For more information about this presentation or the Museum, call 928-282-7038.

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Sedona AZ

An accomplished songwriter, Chuck’s songs have been recorded by John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Suzy Bogguss. Country fans know him best for writing, “Cadillac Cowboy”, recorded by the late Chris LeDoux, and “Jaded Lover”, recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker. While fans love his recordings, they adore Chuck’s live performance. The first time he made an audience laugh, he was “hooked”. A nimble guitarist, critics say his sense of rhythm is more like a fine classical, or jazz, soloist, his songwriting musically sophisticated yet full of uncluttered space. The Chuck Pyle Finger-Style approach to guitar has distinguished him as a true original, earning him invitations to teach at such prestigious events as The Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and The Swannanoa Gathering. His music has made him a favorite of Bill & Melinda Gates who have had him play at their home in Seattle. Since writing the theme-song for a PBS series called Spirit of Colorado, he’s attained local fame, and even sings for the opening session of the Colorado State Legislature.

Chuck Pyle came from Iowa in 1965 when, “Boulder was mostly gravel streets”, and resides on the front range of Colorado. He does 100 dates a year all across the country, playing festivals and theaters, coffeehouses and house concerts. His 11th CD, THE SPACES IN BETWEEN is twelve all-new songs, each with finger-style guitar out front of a crackerjack rhythm section. The embellishments are elegant, with everything from fiddle to uilleann pipes, grand piano to ukulele; each song’s a hummable melody guaranteed to make you tap your inner feet. In the middle of the night, Chuck began writing down the words to the CD’s opening song, called Dream Song, and the more awake he became, the better it sounded. Picking Out My Outfit is about Man’s need to look casual, Copper John is about the favorite nymph of fly-fisherman and Wide Open is about Wyoming’s bigness. The rest of the songs are classic Chuck Pyle truth-telling; one man’s outlook seen from a life-in-motion as he continues to gather traction and gravity.

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Flagstaff AZ (February 21, 2012) –  Throughout the month of March, the Flagstaff Area Monuments has planned several activities in honor of “Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month.”

“Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month” was created by the State Historical Preservation Office and the Governor’s Ad Hoc Archaeology Advisory Group (now the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission) to inform the public about archeology in the state of Arizona.

In the Flagstaff Area Monuments alone, over 3000 archaeological sites have been recorded to date.  Some of the artifacts found in the monuments are over a thousand years old.  Through a combination of archaeological information and the oral traditions of present-day tribes, we are able to help visitors learn more about how the Ancestral Puebloan people lived and how their descendants continue many of the traditions and life-ways today.

The following are activities planned for the month of March:

• Walnut Canyon Discovery Hike – March 13, 10am.  Hike with a park archaeologist at Walnut Canyon National Monument.  Space is limited; reservations are required.  For more information and to sign up please call the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center at (928) 526-3367.  Regular entrance fees apply.

• Wupatki Discovery Hike – March 14, 10am.  Hike with a park archaeologist at Wupatki National Monument.  Space is limited; reservations are required.  For more information and to sign up please call the Wupatki Visitor Center at (928) 679-2365.  Regular entrance fees apply.

• Wupatki Archeology Day Camp – March 24, 10am and 1:30pm.  Spend time with archaeologists and learn about archeology through fun, hands-on activities designed for children ages 8-12.  Space is limited; reservations are required.  For more information and to sign up please call the Wupatki Visitor Center at (928) 679-2365.  Regular entrance fees apply.

The staff at the Flagstaff Area National Monuments would like to encourage monument friends and neighbors to take advantage of the activities honoring Archaeology Month.

Walnut Canyon National Monument is located 7.5 miles east of downtown Flagstaff via I-40 and can be reached at (928)526-3367 and on the web at www.nps.gov/waca.

Wupatki National Monument is 37 miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89, and can be reached at (928)679-2365 and www.nps.gov/wupa.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is located 12 miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89 and can be reached at (928)526-0502 and www.nps.gov/sucr.

All three monuments are open daily, except December 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The entrance fee is $5.00/person for visitors 16 and over.  America the Beautiful Passes are honored and sold.

For additional information on other Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month activities around the state, check the Arizona State Parks website at www.azstateparks.com/shpo/index.html

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Sedona AZ

Theses temporary closures will allow Forest Service personnel and the Coconino Rural Environment Corps (CREC) crew to provide: necessary parking area resurfacing; trail improvements; installing water diversion structures, reducing soil erosion and to enhance areas for continued public enjoyment.

For public and employee safety, please avoid construction areas during these closure periods. For more information concerning this project, please contact the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 203-7500.

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Cottonwood AZ

Anderson had arrived home early this morning and began arguing with her again. At one point he threw what she believed was a bag of bullets at her, striking her forehead. He continued his attack by throwing her in a shower stall and placing her in a choke hold. Anderson then went to the bedroom and returned holding a handgun while threatening the victim’s life. Deputies also learned Anderson was methamphetamine user.

Eventually, a family member of the victim arrived and she was able to leave with her son who had witnessed much of Anderson’s assault. Just prior to leaving, the family member saw Anderson break out a bedroom window with his fist. While interviewing the victim, assisting deputies located Anderson driving away from his Cornville neighborhood and he was detained. A search of the car revealed a handgun and shotgun in the trunk, along with meth scales and “snort tubes” containing meth residue inside the vehicle passenger compartment. Deputies also located drug paraphernalia inside the home.

A Drug Recognition Expert from the Department of Public Safety assisted by conducting tests on Anderson and determined he was under the influcence of stimulants and narcotic pain relievers.

Anderson was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Aggravated Assault, Threatening per Domestic Violence, Criminal Damage, Possess Dangerous Drug, Possess Deadly Weapon in Commission of a Felony, and DUI. He remains in-custody on a $20,000 bond.

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Sedona AZ (February 21, 2012) – Over the next few weeks, you may encounter a volunteer in the stacks carefully examining books and other library materials and setting aside certain items on her book cart. That’s Nina Strauss, who comes all the way from Vermont for almost three months every year to weed the library’s collection. “Weeding” is library lingo for systematically evaluating a library’s collection and culling items from it in order to make room for new materials.

Some librarians regard weeding as a tedious job fraught with pitfalls and therefore make it a low priority. As retired librarian and columnist Will Manley wrote, “Next to emptying the outdoor book drop on cold and snowy days, weeding is the most undesirable job in the library. It is also one of the most important. Collections that go unweeded tend to be cluttered, unattractive, and unreliable informational resources.” Lucky for us, Nina truly enjoys weeding—she works full days, six days a week, during her annual stay in Sedona—and the result is a noticeably improved collection, with less crowded shelves and fewer outdated, damaged, duplicated, and otherwise unacceptable items.

Libraries weed their collections for several reasons. First, libraries of all sizes have a fixed amount of space and yet are continually acquiring new materials. Without performing regular weeding, libraries would soon run out of room. Moreover, weeding ensures that a library’s collection remains timely and relevant to the community. Obsolete information, especially in rapidly changing subject areas such as computers and health care, benefits no one. Finally, through the weeding process, libraries can identify items that have been “loved to death,” in Nina’s words—for instance, books that are falling apart because they have been handled so many times.

Both library staff and volunteers are involved in the weeding process. A staff member generates reports that show how often items have been checked out, and Nina collects low-circulating materials. Librarians then review these materials to determine whether certain items should remain in the collection even though they are not among the most popular—books of local interest or classic works, for example. The remaining items are removed from the catalog and then sold in the library’s book sale. Interestingly, Nina’s weeding experience for the library goes back thirty years, to the days before library records were computerized. Instead of using printed reports, she calculated the number of check-outs for each item by looking at its date-due slip. At that time, the library’s collection was much smaller, and items being considered for weeding were displayed on a “last-chance shelf,” giving patrons an opportunity to check out a favorite book and rescue it from the book sale.

Popularity is not the only criteria used in weeding. An item in poor condition (water damaged, underlined, yellowed, and so forth) is a candidate for removal. Formats that are no longer supported and have a declining audience, such as books on cassette and VHS tapes, are weeded more heavily than newer formats. Materials containing outdated information are discarded and replaced with newer editions. And duplicate copies of books that are no longer in high demand are eliminated.

Weeding has a history of controversy in some communities because disposing of books can seem antithetical to a library’s mission of providing information resources. That’s why the library profession has developed objective weeding criteria and continues to study and discuss the ethical issues that can arise.

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Verde Valley AZ (February 21, 2012) – The Arizona Chapter hopes to raise over $500,000 through Bike MS: Ride the Vortex – Sedona Verde Valley to support research and local programs for more than 8,000 Arizonans living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Registration is only $50 through February 29, a savings of $25. Fees pay for the full weekend and include: five full meals, full support on the route, frequent complimentary rest stops, and more. There is also a minimum fundraising requirement of $250 which helps the Arizona Chapter continue its mission of finding a cure for MS and providing Arizonans affected by MS the programs and services they need to live quality and fulfilled lives.

The new route will take participants through Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Clarkdale and Sedona, exploring a few wineries in Verde Valley along the way. Another new feature to the ride this year will be an expo on Friday and Saturday night of the event at the campsite located at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds in Cottonwood. The expo will feature local businesses, artists and vendors showcasing their talents, products and services.

The ride will begin and end at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds on both days and cyclists can choose from multiple route options. On day one, cyclists have their choice of a 45-mile route, a 65-mile route, or 100-mile route; while on day two, a 30-mile route or 50-mile route will be available.

The region, known for its beautiful landscapes and mountains, consists of route options that can prove to be challenging. With this in mind, the Arizona Chapter is advising all participants to take advantage of the local training program and range of support on the route during the ride as well. Known as one of the best supported bike rides in the state, Bike MS will be fully supported with rest stops, medical personnel and support vehicles to help along the route.

Participants will also have the option of joining a team or creating a new team. This provides a great way to meet other cyclists, network, build morale and gain support. Any group of four or more people can form a team by visiting www.bikeMSarizona.org or by calling 1-800-344-4867. Bike MS: Ride the Vortex – Sedona Verde Valley also accommodates single riders.

For the last four years, the National MS Society has hosted Bike MS in Florence and had some success, but its biggest success came in earlier years when it was known as the MS150 Best Damn Bike Tour. The recent changes come after many participants urged for a change in scenery during the 2011 campaign.

“A change was necessary,” said Blaine King, Bike MS Manager for the Arizona Chapter. “Events often go through cycles and the ride in Florence had run its course. Our participants asked for a cycling event that was both challenging and scenic, so we’re going to do our best to deliver.”

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50-state network of chapters. We fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. We are people who want to do something about MS now. Join the movement at nationalmssociety.org.

Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at http://aza.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

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Verde Valley AZ

Modern records of climate extend less than one hundred years into the past, and while this might seem like a long time, it is not long enough to assess the unusualness of droughts such as those of the 1950s and the recent drought. Tree rings can be used to extend records of drought, precipitation, and streamflow hundreds of years into the past, providing a more complete picture of hydrologic and climatic variability.

Woodhouse will explain how tree rings are used to reconstruct past climate and discuss some of the streamflow and precipitation reconstructions that have been developed for watersheds in Arizona. She will show how the reconstructions document droughts (and wet periods) over past centuries, and she will compare 20th and 21st century events with those of the past. Lastly, she will discuss some of the ways the information about past hydrologic variability is being used to inform future water resource management.

For more info about the Mar. 10 meeting, call 445-4218 or visit www.cwagAZ.org.

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Sedona AZ

Margarita was one of eleven mothers who were surprised with a “Makeover for Moms” day of pampering and cost-free shopping at Allie Ollie Boutique on Jan. 21. This special day was made possible by a host of local volunteers and businesses supporting Camp Soaring Eagle’s Winter Oncology Retreat for families of children with serious illnesses.

Twice a year, the Briar Patch Inn, located in Oak Creek Canyon, donates its entire property and staff to host Camp Soaring Eagle’s families, giving them the opportunity to enjoy a true camp experience in a medically safe setting.

Dozens of local businesses and individuals volunteered to create one fun-filled weekend of magic shows, fishing trips, arts and crafts, and stories by the fire.

This was the first retreat to include the Allie Ollie Boutique “Makeovers for Moms” day.

“I didn’t want the Moms to have to worry about anything for just one day,” said Allie Olson, Owner/Buyer of three Allie Ollie Boutiques in Sedona, Flagstaff and Prescott. “I just wanted them to pick an outfit they love and treat themselves.”

Aveda Red 115 Salon of Flagstaff started the “Makeovers for Moms” day off by setting up a full salon at the camp. The ladies were all treated to hair cuts, manicures and massages.

A Pink Jeep bus arrived later that afternoon and transported the ladies to Allie Ollie Boutique. There, they were greeted with champagne, donated by locals Kyle and Alicia French.

A team of Allie Ollie stylists helped the mothers select complete new outfits for an adults-only dinner at the camp that evening.

Most of the women arrived wearing sweatpants and camp t-shirts, and left with goodie bags filled with new hair flowers, sparkly accessories, fashionable shirts, skirts and jackets.

Annette Odom, whose 14-year-old daughter, Hope, is undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, walked into Allie Ollie Boutique and remarked, “I feel like I woke up this morning in a fantasy land, and I haven’t left yet!”

“Everyone thinks of the kids, of course,” she continued, “But no one thinks of the Moms. This is just…beautiful.”

Joann Olson of Briar Patch Inn welcomed the ladies to a candlelit dinner with their husbands that evening. “As each mother arrived at the lodge, dressed in her Allie Ollie attire, we had great fun and laughter over all the glitz and glitter, admiring each little detail, whether a skirt, blouse, jacket, necklace, bracelet or ring. When I admired one mother’s new jacket, she said, ‘I love it, and told them it was enough, but then they insisted on giving me this wonderful skirt and blouse, and jewelry.’”

Allie Ollie Boutique plans to host future events like the “Makeovers for Moms” day, in cooperation with Camp Soaring Eagle’s ongoing programs.

“Creating this experience was equally rewarding for us, as it was for these ladies. I can’t wait to do it again!” says Olson.

Allie Ollie Boutique is now offering an exclusive new collection inspired by the mothers of Camp Soaring Eagle at all three Allie Ollie Boutiques in Sedona, Prescott and Flagstaff. The “Fiercely Brave” collection highlights the latest trends of fierce animal prints. $5 from the purchase of each item in this collection will be donated to Camp Soaring Eagle through April 30, 2012.

Allie Ollie is located in the Oak Creek Factory Outlet Stores in the Village of Oak Creek at 6640 State Route 179, in the Prescott Gateway Mall, and in the Flagstaff Mall. You can also purchase items from the “Fiercely Brave” Collection online at www.AllieOllie.com or call (928) 284-1592 for more information.

To donate to Camp Soaring Eagles’ programs, support the businesses mentioned here that support them, or go online to www.campsoaringeagle.org.

For more information on Briar Patch Inn Bed & Breakfast, visit www.briarpatchinn.com or call (928) 282-2342.

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Jerome AZ

Interdisciplinary artist and teacher Tom Ogburn creates and displays his work for the first time at The Old Jerome High School. From traditional to digital media, Ogburn creates work chronicling the lives of individuals, the land and personal experiences in many media. Abstract, landscape & non-objective paintings through digital imaging, short films and even sound sculpture may be found on display or as installations. Classes and workshops in drawing, painting and digital arts are also offered. Stop by and meet Tom in Building A – Room 202.

Also new to the Jerome Art Scene, Cecily Fazekas opens her studio “the art of sensuality “, at Old Jerome High School, Building A, Room 306. Her art is “A dancing display of eroticism, personal pain and pleasure…..experience it.”

An exciting featured artist show entitled “Rock, Paper, Fire” opens March 3rd and runs through May 2 at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 502 Main St in Jerome. The show features new works by Coop members Sarah Harms and V. Norton. Sarah will be unveiling a new line of jewelry, small sculptures and wall art, using steel, rocks, and wool. Norton will have new works in ceramics and an exhibit of handmade books. The opening reception will be during Jerome’s Art Walk, Saturday March 3rd, from 5 to 8 pm with refreshments and a chance to meet the artists in person.

The Merchants’ Gathering in Jerome comes alive on Saturday night.with great Art, Music & Refreshments. Check out Duane Ewing’s latest ceramic sculptures, especially the piece titled “East Meets Southwest.” Duane will be playing jazz tunes on saxophone, flute and clarinet. Copies of the new CD “At the Crossroads” by local group Joe Neri and Blues Dawg, (with Duane on tenor saxophone) will be available for purchase at the gallery. Casa Latina has a colorful selection of Mayan beaded jewelry. Spice up your life with a variety of specialty-wrapped soaps including our refreshing Grapefruit Salt Scrub bar. In honor of Arizona’s 100th birthday, Rick Foreman has created a new incense fragrance called “Centennial Arizona” which he will feature along with his exclusive line of “Arizona Brand Incense.” Stop by The Merchants’ Gathering, between the Visitors’ Center and Spook Hall, 300 Hull Street, in Jerome from 5pm to 8pm. Will you be there?….Se como no!

Cody DeLong Studio will feature new ceramic works by artist Duane Ewing this month. Duane will also play saxophone during Art Walk. As always Cody will have several new paintings on display as well including “Rugged Shoreline” a scene from nearby Blue Ridge Reservoir. Stop in for live music and refreshments. Cody DeLong Studio 300 Hull Ave. 928-300-4576 www.codydelong.com

Jerome Bead Creations will feature Suzy Mound’s original copper and silver jewelry. Suzann Trout will display her jewelry composed of many shades of turquoise and green to welcome Spring. Stop by The Old Jerome High School to say hello to this talented duo.

Laughing Raven Gallery is proud to present Jerome artist Brice Wood as the featured window artist this month. He is showing work from his “Wonderments” series which showcases illuminated, puppet-theater like 3-D pieces and an exploration of the cross as symbol. Brice’s work will hang through March 14th. New to the gallery, Lindy Gruger Hanson joins Laughing Raven for the March event. Lindy creates color rich acrylic paintings informed by potent symbolism and a love for the natural world. Lindy is a recent arrival from Bend, Oregon who now lives and works in Prescott.

Pura Vida Gallery will feature new work by Jerome ceramic artist Richard Johnson. Richard will debut a new palette of glazes during the Jerome Art Walk on March 3rd.

Jerome’s Jewelry features a fabulous selection of custom jewelry created by the Father and Son team Rick and Ricky Hernandez. Unique custom creations in 14k Gold and Sterling Silver. Drusy, Tanzanite, Arizona Peridot and Fire Agate are among the colorful collection along with brilliant rainbow colors of Australian Opal. Jerome’s Jewelry the hot spot to shop. Jerome’s Jewelry, 114 Jerome Ave.

Gallery 527 continues Marian Ward’s show titled Contemporary Copper Jewelry, subtitled, “Not your mother’s jewelry”. The scorpion bracelet is gone but some new creatures have arrived on cuffs along with textured copper earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The gallery artists have all created new work for March, including Shane McDermott’s photographic vision of the world around him and infused on metal, Ardis Harsche’s encaustic cave paintings and new wooden boxes by Peter Wade. For more information on Jerome Art Walk, call Donna at 649-2277 or visit www.jeromeartwalk.com.

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