2015-05 5enses

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An exclusive interview w/FILMER KEWANYAMA about the

JOURNEYS IN SPIRIT 2016 art show P.16

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ALAN DEAN FOSTER pits pixels against paint P.10

MAY 2016 | VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 | 5ENSESMAG.COM

5enses May MMXVI Volume IV, Issue V

Mara Kack

Copyright © 2016 5enses Inc. Publisher & Editor: Nicholas DeMarino Copy Editor: Susan Smart Contact us at 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com & 928-613-2076 Visit 5ensesMag.Com & ISSUU for more

In which:

4 19 5 21 6 7 10 + 11 5/6 14 8/9 16 6 18 22 counsels fresh film fanatics about cinematic councils and boot camps

Chad Castigliano

spies an unusual feathered transient who’s rarely spotted around Prescott

wanders and wonders out in the woods and wishes you a happy Mother’s Day

Peregrine Book Co. staff

gets the green light to grow a veggie that’s only been stateside for a century

Alan Dean Foster

& your host:

PRESENTS

Kendra Kouture

Drag Time

Friday, May 13, 7 & 9 pm Saturday, May 14, 7 & 9 pm

$15 @DragTime.BPT.Me, $20 @door

Stage Too is located @ 208 N. Marina St. @ the corner of Willis & Marina streets

Coco St. James

Dee Jae Galaxy

Luna Love St. James

COVER IMAGE: A hair wreath and postcards with human hair from Debra Matthews’ collection. Photos by Chad Castigliano/Chronicker Photography.

turns heads and pages with surreal stories about storied subjects

Kathleen Yetman

4AM

Helen Stephenson

chains together some sentiments about a compositively fine flower

Rich Schooler

PRODUCTIONS

contemplates old adages about art and trades a brush for a mouse

James Dungeon

Flip Photo

discusses hair, art, and hair art with the hair lady, Debra Matthews

Ty Fitzmorris

A visually stimulating puzzle by the Highlands Center for Natural History

Left Brain/Right Brain

breathes in some fresh spring air and revels in nature’s seasonal reveals

Robert Blood

Discover events around Greater Prescott via a pop-sci metaphor

Word Herd

talks about American Indian art with Filmer Kewanyama and Patti Ortiz

Paolo Chlebecek

whimsical wordplay & imaginative etymology by Brian Lemcke

Oddly Enough

looks past the Windows dressing and considers operating outside the system

Smart, S mart, quirky comics about the strange-but-true by Russell Miller

Adorn Your Lifestyle Buy | Sell | Trade •

UNIQUE APPAREL & EXOTIC GOODS

928-776-8695

133 N. Cortez, Historic Downtown Prescott

21

ea es rs i n busin

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OPEN DAILY 10AM-5PM •

brating Cele

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@ Snap Snap

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • CONTENTS • 3

Summer 2016

Plant of the Month

Fleabane Daisy Fleabane Daisy. Photo and image by Mara Kack.

8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Age gRouPs: 6 - 7 yrs., 8 - 9 yrs., & 10 -12 yrs.

PRice: $150 members; $175 non-members

For more information or to register, call 778.4242 or visit HeritageParkZoo.org PRe-RegistRAtion is RequiRed

six summeR Zoo cAmPs sessions to cHoose FRom: Week 1: June 6 - 10 • Week 2: June 13 -17 • Week 3: June 20 - 24 Week 4: June 27 - July 1 • Week 5: July 11 - 15 • Week 6: July 18 -22 1403 Heritage Park Rd.; Prescott, AZ 86301 • www.HeritageParkZoo.org Phone: 928.778.4242 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by the community.

T

By Mara Kack he small, herbaceous sprouts of fuzzy leaves of the Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron flagellaris) endure the winter by lying patiently beneath frost and snow. As the ground warms with longer days, these small sprouts seemingly multiply as additional new leaves break through the winter earth. Each plant develops long leafy runners; these specialized stems spread across the surface of the soil, depositing new individuals along the way, amassing them into a matted community that softens the soil with green.

Next come flower stalks that shoot skyward and are topped with purplish pink buds that bob like pompoms at the slightest breeze. The buds open into a vividly white daisy with a vibrant yellow center. These intricate flowers develop from each plant transforming the soft green mat into a lovely display.

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4 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

leabane Daisy is in the sunflower or “composite” family, and like their relatives each daisy-like flower is actually a conglomerates of two types of very tiny flowers.

What appears as one daisy is actually an inflorescence that is composed of the disc corollas (collectively making up the yellow center) and ray florets (making up the “petals”).

Each Daisy has hundreds of yellow disc corollas and 40 to 125 narrow white ray florets.

In this arrangement, the ray florets act as guides for insects to the central disc corollas, where pollination and seed development occur.

The relatively broad disc corolla also provides a wonderful landing platform for a multitude of pollinators.

Butterflies can rest and warm their wings, and cumbersome beetles can easily travel from flower to flower.

Both receive rewards of sweet nectar. But look closely. Tiny, predacious Crab Spiders are camouflaged among the white ray florets; they hide ready to pounce on a passing insect.

The delicate white bursts of Fleabane Daisies can be found across Prescott from late April through September, ranging from 3,0009,500 feet. After pollination, each disc corolla develops a wispy tail from the seed (similar to a dandelion) turning the vibrant white flower back into a delicate pompom that again bobs in the soft breeze, this time dispersing puffs of seeds, which will drift off to new places on the wind. ***** Mara Kack, education director at the Highlands Center for Natural History, grew up in Prescott surrounded by its natural wonder and now teaches through science and nature to inspire new wonder in current and future generations.

Visit the Highlands Center for Natural History at 1375 Walker Road, 928776-9550, or HighlandsCenter.Org.

Bird of the Month

Blue-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal. Photo by Ed Wright.

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By Richard Schooler Blue-winged Teal was recently reported at Watson Woods in Prescott. And that’s news to celebrate.

The Blue-winged Teal is reported

by Carl Tomoff in his “Birds of Prescott, Arizona” (2009) to be a rarely observed transient in the Prescott region. Breeding within the State of Arizona has been confirmed in southern Apache County and possible in southern Navajo County according to the “Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas” (Corman and Wise-Gervais, 2005). Breeding has not been reported or suspected in the Prescott region.

The male Blue-winged Teal is unmistakable with a bold white crescent in front of the eye and a white flank patch just in front of the tail. In flight, in addition to the white crescent on the head, a blue wing patch is evident on the wings, giving the bird its name. Unfortunately, the wing patch is not generally visible while the bird is on the water or sitting on land unless the bird is observed stretching its wings.

The female Blue-winged Teal is much more subtle. It doesn’t display the white facial crescent or flank patch. She does have a dark line through the eye and a faint small white patch on the lores behind the bill.

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oth sexes have brownish underparts. In the fall, the plumage of both adults, regardless of sex, appear similar. The adult males gain their distinctive breeding plumage by mid-November to December.

The male Blue-winged Teal’s call is described as a peeping whistle or keck-keck-keck. The female’s call is a faint quack.

Primary breeding range for the Blue-winged Teal is the northern tier of states in the U.S. from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest south to the northern Rocky Mountains and extending into the southern portion of Canada from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast and into the northern portions of the Prairie Provinces. Blue-winged Teal winter from Texas to the Carolinas in the U.S. and south into Mexico and Central and South America. ***** Rich Schooler has been birding for over thirty years. He has a master’s degree in geology and spent approximately 35 years working in the geotechnical and environmental consulting business. He became seriously interested in birding after moving to Arizona in 1982.

Rich is a member of the Prescott Audubon Society board and chairman of the field trip committee.

Visit Prescott Audubon Society at PrescottAudubon.Org. Contact them at Contact@PrescottAudubon.Org.

Bringing Wild Birds To Your Backyard! www.jaysbirdbarn.com

1046 Willow Creek Rd, Suite 105 Prescott

(928) 443-5900

Highlands Center for Natural History’s

pilF Photo

Who starts with stripes, ends with spots, and is black and orange all over?

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • FEATURE • 5

JACY’S AUCTION Reuse, recycle, re-make-money Antiques • Household • Estates • Buy • Sell • Consign • Transport

928-443-0911

By Brian Lemcke

Highlands Center for Natural History’s

Flip otohP

A lady beetle!

L

ady beetles (commonly called ladybugs) are not bugs at all; they’re beetles characterized by their hard outer wings and soft membranous underwings.

Lady beetles are popular because they tolerate close examination when captured, don’t sting or bite, and generally display pretty, vibrant colors. They begin their predatory life during their larval stage (see reverse) and consume smaller insects, particularly aphids. After a couple of weeks, they transform during a pupa phase and emerge as adult beetles.

Photos by Mara Kack.

6 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Peregrine Book Co.

Staff picks Catered by Reva Sherrard “A Man Lies Dreaming”

By Lavie Tidhar At first, the brutality of this insane novel hits you like repeated kicks to the gut. While you’re gasping on the floor, the black, black, sly humour, and unsparing compassion take over. There’s a twist, and it’s not what you think it is.

Questions of identity which will shock you lie at the heart of this brilliant noir, at once an eye-widening homage to classic pulp and Raymond Chandler, and a real achievement in its own right — an enfant terrible addition to post-Holocaust literature. — Reva “Kafka on the Shore”

By Haruki Murakami Intertwining threads take the reader through a magnificent journey filled with rich characters such as Nakata, a feeble minded elderly man who can talk to cats. Haruki Murakami is an incredibly gifted world builder, and this book is no exception; his deftly created characters have stayed with me like good friends on a bizarre journey. — David “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”

By Ransom Riggs Rarely is a book so aptly summarized by the word “peculiar.” Ransom Riggs originally intended to publish this book as a collection of enigmatic photographs; thankfully, he opted instead to weave a whimsical tale between the images, using their

mystery to enhance the already Burton-esque tone of the novel. — Sean “Dog Songs”

By Mary Oliver I opened Oliver’s book expecting many eloquently written poems and intricate illustrations. Additionally, however, “Dog Songs” offers so much inspiration and joy, similar to the beloved canines themselves. Dogs teach humans to wander freely, smell deeply, and live boundlessly. As Sammy suggests, “life is about the wonderful things that may happen if you break the ropes that are holding you.” — Emma “Girl In A Band”

By Kim Gordon Kim Gordon, founding member of Sonic Youth, writes about her life before, during, and after Sonic Youth in her memoir, “Girl In A Band.” Although Gordon seems to be quite private about her personal life, she manages to remain fierce and honest on every page. An enjoyable read even if you only know a few Sonic Youth songs. Gordon’s memoir is brave and full of emotion. — Lacey

***** Visit Peregrine Book Company at PeregrineBookCompany.Com and 219A N. Cortez St., Prescott, 928-445-9000.

Vegetable of the Month

Broccoli Broccoli. Photo by Kathleen Yetman.

B

By Kathleen Yetman roccoli is a cultivar of the species Brassica oleracea, or wild cabbage, whose flowering head is consumed in many food cultures across the world. Wild cabbage originated along the coast of the Mediterranean and was domesticated at least 2,000 years ago.

This domesticated cabbage was bred over time to create several different cultivars including cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and Brussels sprouts.

Broccoli was first popularized in Italy before spreading to dinner tables in France, England, and eventually the United States. It wasn’t commercially grown in the U.S. until the 1920s. Like other brassicas, broccoli thrives in cooler weather. In the greater Prescott area, it’s planted in early winter for harvest in late April through early July, depending on temperatures. It’s also often planted in late summer to harvest in early fall.

Broccoli is susceptible to cabbageworms and infestations of aphids, making it a more challenging crop for the beginning gardener.

T

here are three common varieties of broccoli: Calabrese, Sprouting, and Romanesco. Calabrese is the variety most commonly found in grocery stores, with large crowns and thick stalks.

Sprouting broccoli has more but smaller crowns and thinner stalks.

And Romanesco is a beautiful variety of broccoli with yellow-green cone-shaped florets.

Broccoli is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, K, and B6, as well as folate, potassium and manganese. It’s also a good source of iron, zinc, and calcium. Broccoli stores well in the refrigerator and can often keep for a couple of weeks there. It is delicious on its own — steamed, roasted, fried, baked, or sautéed. It’s a versatile vegetable that is great in stir-fries, soups, pasta dishes, and more.

For a new twist, try it as a pesto in place of basil.

Prescott’s finest submarines since before downtown traffic 418 W. Goodwin St., 778-3743 M-F 10:30-2:30, Weekends closed

***** Kathleen Yetman is the managing director of the Prescott Farmers Market and a native of Prescott.

Find out more about the Prescott Farmers Market at PrescottFarmers Market.Org.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • FEATURE • 7

Left Brain: May’s mind-full events Events

Donough is the sole survivor. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000)

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“Interstellar Media” • 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Andrew Odell talk. A monthly Prescott Astronomy Club meeting. (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Building 74 Lecture Hall 107, 3700 Willow Creek Road, PrescottAstronomyClub.Org)

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Dead Horse Ranch State Park bird walk • 7 a.m. Thursday, May 5: Guided bird walk at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, in Cottonwood, with Ryan Crouse. Via Jay's Bird Barn.

(Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 928-4435900, RSVP) “The Mighty Colorado” • 5 p.m. Thursday, May 5: Historian Jim Turner traces the Green and Colorado rivers from their origins through their journey to the sea, featuring stunning photographs of scenic wonders. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

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“Breakfast with Animals: Bears” • Saturday, May 7: It's breakfast time with bears. (Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, 928-778-4242)

“Free Comic Book Day!” • 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7: Celebrate a worldwide holiday here in Prescott and enjoy a free comic book printed especially for the event.

Costume contest with prizes later in the day.

(Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928445-9000) “Arizona Kicks on Route 66” •1 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Historian Marshall Shore discusses the “Mother Road,” built in 1926, which ran from Chicago to L.A., and its impact on the state of Arizona. (Phippen Museum, 4701 Arizona 89, 928-778-1385, $5-$7)

“The Fire Line” •5 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Fernanda Santos discusses her book, about the 20 Granite Mountain Hotshots who set out to battle the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 20, 2013. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000) “Starry Nights” • 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7: See Jupiter, Beehive Cluster, Sombrero Galaxy, Whirlpool Galaxy, Bode's Galaxy, Crab Nebula, and double stars.

(Vista Park, 1684 Sarafina Drive, Prescott AstronomyClub.Org)

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Audubon bird walk • 8 a.m. Saturday, May 9: Monthly Prescott Audubon Society bird walk. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550)

“Pinaleno Mountains, Aravaipa” • 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10: Arjun Heimsath, Arizona State University professor and geologist, discusses the cool geomorphology of the Pinaleno Mountains. A monthly Central Arizona Geology Club meeting. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) “Death Cafe” • 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12: People gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death with the objective “to increase awareness of death with a view to help people make the most of their (finite) lives.” Hosted by Dani LaVoire.

(Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928445-9000)

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“Triple Threat Author Tour” • 2 p.m. Monday, May 16: Authors Susan Lanning, S. Resler Nelson, and Patricia Batta talk about their books and writing processes.

(Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

“Getting Your Work Out There” • 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Learn about selfpublishing, traditional publishing, and more.

A Writing Workshop Series event. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-7771500, RSVP)

“Eat Your Science” • 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14: Award winning and New York Times bestselling author and TV host Alton Brown presents songs, multimedia, talk-show antics, and bigger and better potentially dangerous food demonstrations. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, $42-$100) PHOTO: Alton Brown.

Promotional image.

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Watson Woods bird walk • 7 a.m. Friday, May 13: Local, guided bird walk at Watson Woods with Bonnie Pranter.

(Jay’s Bird Barn, No. 113, 1046 Willow Creek Road, 928-443-5900, RSVP)

Audubon bird walk • 8 a.m. Saturday, May 14: Monthly Prescott Audubon Society bird walk. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550)

“Spring Crops” • 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14: Learn about planting potatoes, corn, beats, and other spring crops. An Arizona History Adventure.

(Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928-445-2133) “Low-water-use Landscapes” • 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14: “Low-water-use Landscapes” presentation. A monthly Citizens Water Advocacy Group meeting. This is the last CWAG meeting until Aug. 6. (Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, 882 Sunset Ave., 928-445-4218, RSVP) “A Boot in the Door: Pioneer Women Archaeologists” • 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14: Nancy Parezo lecture about pioneer women archaeologists.

A Second Saturday Lecture Series event.

(Smoki Museum, 147 N. Arizona Ave., 928445-1230, $6-$7) “My Lost Brothers” • 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14: Brendan McDonough reads from his first-person account of the disastrous 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire, which took the lives of 19 hotshots. Mc-

8 • EVENTS • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Williamson Valley Trail bird walk • 7 a.m. Thursday, May 19: Local, guided bird walk at Williamson Valley Trail with Ryan Crouse. (Jay’s Bird Barn, No. 113, 1046 Willow Creek Road, 928-443-5900, RSVP) “The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017” • 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19: Prof. Fulton Wright discusses how and where to see the upcoming total solar eclipse that's on Aug. 21, 2017. A Third Thursday Star Talk via the Prescott Astronomy Club. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

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“Selected Poetry” • 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 20: Discuss selected poetry by Mary Oliver. A monthly Natural History Book Club meeting. (Prescott College Natural History Institute, 312 Grove Ave., 928-350-2280)

“Family F.U.N. Night” • 5 p.m. Friday, May 20: Celebrate the coming summer through scavenger hunts, s'mores, and fireside stories, crafts, explorations, live animals, puppet shows, and more. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550) “Evening Forest Walk” • 7 p.m. Friday, May 20: Bring the whole family for an evening adventure exploring the forest as it transitions from day to night.

(Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550)

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“Face Your Fear of Sssnakes!”

• 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21: Join Dr. Cecil Schwalbe, renowned and beloved herpetologist from Tucson, on a guided adventure to help you face your fear of snakes. Snakes!

(Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, RSVP) “A Day in the Life ...”

• 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21: Celebrate the birthday of Fort Whipple. (Fort Whipple Museum, No. 11, 500 N. Arizona 89, 928445-3122) “Zoo by Moonlight” • Saturday, May 21: See the zoo after hours, by moonlight. (Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, 928778-4242)

“The Graduating Class” • Saturday, May 21: Live painting and Native street art for show opening. (Smoki Museum, 147 N. Arizona Ave., 928-445-1230)

26 “Beautiful Birds of Belize” • 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26: Eric Moore, avid birdwatcher and owner of Jay's Bird Barn, presents photos and info regarding the wildlife and habitat of Belize and Guatemala from his recent trip. A Prescott Audubon Society Lecture Series event.

This is the last PAS meeting until Sept. 22. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) PHOTO: Eric Moore. File photo.

“Collaborative Writing” • 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25: Chris and Leslie Hoy discuss the relationship between editor and writer during this panel discussion.

Via the Professional Writers of Prescott.

(Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Civic Circle, PrescottWriters.Com)

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“Saturday” • 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28: Writer and producer Jeb Rosebrook discusses the 50th anniversary of his novel “Saturday,” as well as his other novels and career. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000) “Night at the ZooVies” • Saturday, May 28: See a movie at the zoo.

TBA. (Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, 928-778-4242)

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“Creating with Nature: Papermaking” • 1 p.m. Sunday, May 22: Join Juanita HullCarlson for a workshop on the history and science of papermaking. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, $18-$20)

“The U2 Incident” • 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 23: Historian Bill Weiss revisits the Cold War era using recently declassified documents. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) Kendall Camp bird walk • 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 25: Local, guided bird walk at Kendall Camp with Bonnie Pranter. (Jay’s Bird Barn, No. 113, 1046 Willow Creek Road, 928-443-5900, RSVP)

Prescott Area Boardgamers • 5 p.m. Wednesdays, May 11 & 25: Play European-style board games. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) Prescott Farmers Market • 7:30 a.m. Saturdays: Enjoy local organic produce and goods from local farmers.

(Yavapai College Parking Lot D, 1100 E. Sheldon St., PrescottFarmersMarket.Org) Naturalist city & field walks • 8 a.m. Saturdays: Naturalist field walks at city trails and the Highlands Center. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550)

May’s art-full events :niarB thgiR Events

Multi-day

Poetry Discussion Group • 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Monthly poetry discussion. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

“Boeing, Boeing” • 7:30 p.m. May 5-7 & 12-14; 2 p.m. May 8, 14, & 15: Mark Camoletti’s farce about a man who’s engaged to three flight attendants. Directed by Bruce Lanning. (Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286, $18-$22)

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Cinco de Mayo celebration • 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Third annual event benefiting the Prescott-Caborca Sister City Committee of the Prescott Sister City Association. (Park Plaza, 402 W. Goodwin St., $5-$15) Wayne Federman • 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7: The Mile High Comedy Theater presents comedian, actor, and improviser Wayne Federman. (The Elks Theater, 117 E. Gurley St., 928-777-1370, $18-$30)

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“Jewelry Collage” • Noon Saturday, May 14: Jewelry collage class with Mary Schulte. (That New Gallery, Gateway Mall near Dillard’s, 3250 Gateway Blvd., 928-445-0788, $50, RSVP) Open mic poetry • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25: Poet Dan Seaman emcees monthly open mic poetry.

(Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000)

“Beginning Watercolor I” • 1 p.m. Saturday, May 28: Beginning Watercolor I class with Karen Bush. (That New Gallery, Gateway Mall near Dillard’s, 3250 Gateway Blvd., 928-445-0788, $50, RSVP) Contra Dance • 7 p.m. lesson, 7:30 p.m. dance Saturday, May 28: Contra dancing. Via Folk Happens.

Calls by Archie Maclellan, music by Wild Thyme. (First Congregation Church, 216 E. Gurley St., 928-925-5210, $4-$8)

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“Card Crafting with Watercolor” • 1 p.m. Sunday, May 29: Card crafting with watercolor with Karen Bush. (That New Gallery, Gateway Mall near Dillard’s, 3250 Gateway Blvd., 928-445-0788, $55, RSVP)

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Drag Time • 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. May 13 & 15: Drag show featuring Coco St. James, Dee Jae Galaxy, Kendra Kouture, and Luna Love St. James.

(Stage Too, North Cortez Street alley between Willis and Sheldon streets, DragTime.BPT. Me, $15-$20) Prescott Highland Games • 9 a.m. May 14 & 15: Twelfth annual highland games at “Loch Watson” with athletic, dance, and bagpipe competitions, live entertainment, sheep herding demonstrations, and more. (Watson Lake Park, 3101 N. AZ 89, PrescottAreaCelticSociety.Com) “Spring Garden Show” • 10 a.m. May 27 & 28: High Desert Artists fine art and craft show. (Earthworks Landscaping, 2531 N. Arizona 89, Chino Valley) “Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale” • May 28-30: 42nd annual show featuring a large group of Western artists from all across the nation, as well as two Quick Draw challenges, and more. (Yavapai County Courthouse Square, PhippenArtMuseum.Org) Yoga classes • Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays: Yoga classes including Ayurveda, over-50, mindful, and dynamic flow yoga. (Flying Nest Movement Arts, 322 W. Gurley St., 928-4323068, prices vary) Social dance classes • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Sundays: Learn the Argentine tango, West Coast swing, tribal belly dance, and more.

(Flying Nest Movement Arts, 322 W. Gurley St., 928-432-3068, prices vary) Performance dance/movement arts classes • Wednesdays & Thursdays: Learn contemporary dance. (Flying Nest Movement Arts, 322 W. Gurley St., 928-432-3068, prices vary)

“Prints & Paint” • May 14-June 26: New art by Betsy Dally and Maria Lynam. (The Raven Café, 142 N. Cortez St., 928-717-0009) IMAGE: Art by Betsy Dally. Courtesy image.

“Love Notes From the Universe” • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 6-8 & May 13-15: Fine art installation by Susanne Korte featuring paper subtractions by blade, acrylic and mixed media paintings, screen prints, and more. Singer/guitarist Rosemary Tracy, booze, and food 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 6 and 3-5 p.m. crystal bowl healing 3-5 p.m. Sunday, May 8. (Beyond Words Gallery, 204 N. McCormick St., IndigoSkins@Gmail.Com) IMAGE: Art by Susanne Korte. Courtesy image.

Art Ketcher & Miller • From May 1: New fiber arts by Juliane Ketcher and metal arts by Ron Miller, guest artists. (That New Gallery, Gateway Mall near Dillard’s, 3250 Gateway Blvd., 928-4450788) “Four Seasons” • From May 2: Take a visual journey through the diverse scenes and activities that characterize a year. (Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286) Dillon & Henderson • From May 13: imaginative sculpture by Edie Dillon and macro photographs by James Henderson. (Yavapai College Prescott Art Gallery, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2031) “Everything is Going to Be OK” & “Student Photography Invitational” • Through May 14: Montana Marie Sheppard’s BFA exhibition and photography by Aurora Berger and Will Flemer. (Prescott College Art Gallery at Sam Hill Warehouse, 232 N. Granite St., 928-350-2341) “BE Dazzled” • Through May 14: Gorgeous glass and riveting mixed media from Annette Olson and Cindi Shaffer. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) McDermott & Sorenson • Through May 15: New art by nature and travel photographer Michael McDermott and impressionistic, abstract designs with vibrant colors by Nicole Sorenson. (The Raven Café, 142 N. Cortez St., 928-717-0009) “Function & Form Meets Urban Landscape” • From May 15: Organic metal sculpture and urban-themed mixed media and pastels by Jody Skjei and Julie Trainer. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223)

“Immanence of the Ordinary” • From May 16: New sculpture by Edie Dillon and photography by James Henderson.

(Yavapai College Prescott Art Gallery, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2031) “Eclectic Works in Various Media” • Through May 17: Annual show featuring eclectic works in various media — in the tradition of Carraccii circa 17th century Bologna. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) AZ Plein Air Painters • Through May 18: Group show featuring art by the members of the AZ Plein Air Painters. (Mountain Artists Guild & Gallery, 228 Alarcon St., 928-445-2510) “Journeys in Spirit 2016” • From May 19: Annual Southwest American Indian traditional and contemporary art show bringing together the art of the Acoma, Apache, Choctow, Dine’, Hopi, Yavapai, and Zuni, featuring sacred colors, symbolic imagery, and materials from the earth. Via ‘Tis and the Smoki Museum. Artist demonstrations and dance May 28-30. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) SWAA • From May 20: Group show featuring art by the members of the Southwest Artists Association. (Mountain Artists Guild & Gallery, 228 Alarcon St., 928-445-2510) “Eclectic Works in Various Media” • Through May 24: Annual show featuring eclectic works in various media. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) “Metal Sculpture” • Through May 25: Metal sculpture and assemblage by Tom Williams. (Arts Prescott Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-7717) “Visions of the Southwest” • From May 27: Mixed Media Jewelry by Ryanne Sebern. (Arts Prescott Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-7717)

9

... in the screen grab of the beholder Is it art or is it just digital?

I

By Alan Dean Foster was recently visited by an old friend who is a notable collector of, among other things, art. In the course of looking at my stuff (as George Carlin would have said), I pointed out a nicely framed print of the cover to a recent novel.

“It’s all digital,” I told him. He studied it for a moment.

“I don’t consider digital ‘art’ to be art,” he replied. And we moved on.

So — is it? Are compositions rendered entirely in a computer, in a manipulated succession of 1s and 0s, art? Is merely declaring such a composition “art” enough to define it as such? Or are such works nothing more than digital jigsaw puzzles, the bringing together of shards of software the end result of which resembles art, but actually is not? I am of the opinion that it is.

I

have yet to meet someone doing quality digital art who does not possess a certain degree of what we would call traditional artistic skills: the ability to draw, to combine paint or to work stone or wood or metal in at least some fashion. Certainly there are differences of talent, but the same differences exist

Alan Dean Foster’s

Perceivings

within the realm of traditional art. Take metal as medium. At the high end we have sculptors who create wondrous apparitions in bronze. In the middle there are those who produce abstractions out of lumps and twists of metal. And near the bottom (these are all my personal opinions, obviously) we have those who put together sculptures out of found materials.

It’s all art, they say. But whereas the artistic skills of the fine bronze sculptor are obvious, what distinguishes the “art” of someone utilizing found objects save the ability to use a welder? For that matter, what makes someone who sticks a bunch of old Cadillacs in the ground in Texas or moves a big rock over a ditch in Los Angeles an “artist”?

Is it the execution of a skill or simply the blessings on high from one or more art critics?

For the artist who uses a welding torch (and these days, maybe some strong glue) and found materials, those are his tools.

Why are they considered valid by the art establishment when software is not? How is taking a bunch of scrap yard junk and twisting and turning and melting and welding it into a portrait of a striding horse considered art, but using Poser and Bryce and Daz and other software programs to generate an image of a horse in a mountain valley not?

A

reproduction of a mallard, complete down to intimations of feathers and the correct colors, while someone using a chainsaw in Idaho might reveal a standing bear from a pine log in a matter of hours.

Both are considered art. The only difference is the time involved and the kinds of tools employed.

Some folks might prefer the precisely-rendered duck while others find their aesthetic sensibilities gravitating to the roughly-hewn bear.

And what are we to make of the first compositions being produced by 3-D printers?

An ancient Egyptian artist might as well argue that if it’s not painted on papyrus, it’s not really art, and this new-fangled canvas material denigrates any result. I define art by how I respond to a creation, be it a bas-relief carved on the head of a pin or a new skyscraper. The Chrysler Building in Manhattan is frequently considered to be as valid an artistic statement as an architectural one. If the design for a new building is rendered in virtual reality by a computer instead of being sketched out on a drafting board, does that invalidate its aesthetic value?

I

have a couple of professional artist friends whose work I wanted to buy, but they couldn’t sell me the original because, as one put it plainly, “There is no original. It was all done on a wabag tablet.” Both men moved from using paint and canvas to computer and tablet because it was so much easier to make changes and correct mistakes. This is exactly why writing programs for computers have been embraced by most authors (though I know at least one who still refuses to do so and does all his writing on old typewriters). Does utilizing a writing program cheapen their writing? Of course not, because in the end its the words that matter. Just as with any art, it is the results that matter, and not the tools that are used.

If I have to put something on the wall I’ll take a glossy still from a beautifully rendered video game over a Warhol soup can any day. But that’s just my taste, I suppose. That’s what “art” is all about, but to call one invalid just because it uses different tools and processes to achieve a result is simply … wrong.

rtists have always reached for new tools. A decoy carver may take months to make an exact

10 • COLUMN • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Images public domain. Illustration

***** Alan Dean Foster is author of more than 120 books, visitor to more than 100 countries, and still frustrated by the human species. Follow him at AlanDean by 5enses. Foster.Com.

The Hair Lady Debra Matthews shares her love of human hair art

By James Dungeon “There are lots of misconceptions about the whole thing,” said Debra Matthews, “and that’s understandable.”

Matthews, who retired to Prescott in 2001, sat by a coffee shop window contemplating a collectible loosely categorized as folk art.

Matthews smiled and looked up, striking blue eyes between immaculate blonde curls.

“It’s an unusual collectible and most people don’t really get into it,” she said, turning around an oval frame. “I do, though.”

It’s a memorial scene. There’s a hill with a gravestone encircled by a lilting tree between primitive crosses. The engraving is minuscule, but it’s easy to discern souvenir and fille. The intials “L.C.” run across its base, and a trio of flowers rests at its foot.

“It’s French, and it says, ‘Remember my daughter,’” Matthews said. “Everything there — the tree, the gravestones, the plot — is done in hair.”

Real hair. Real human hair.

You’ve probably got some questions. Debra Matthews, whose business card reads “Historic Presentations/Human Hair Art Specialist,” probably has the answers.

Waste not ...

Grandma’s hair was long.

“I was little, but I remember it was down past her knees,” Matthews said, recalling family sojourns. “She taught us to re-use everything — we never threw anything out — and she told us how people used to make jewelry out of hair.”

Growing up in Trenton, Michigan, Matthews took an early interest in antiquities, something nurtured by trips to the Henry Ford Museum.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 >>>

PHOTO: French hair art from Debra Matthews’ personal collection.

Photo by Chad Castigliano of Chronicker Photography for 5enses.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • FEATURE • 11

IF YOU GO …

... FROM PAGE 11 She bought her first hair art piece as a teenager.

“The very first item I ever bought was a broach with a lock of hair, which cost a month’s worth of babysitting money,” Matthews said. “From there, I started looking and finding all these things that were new to me.”

Hair art comes in many forms. It can be as simple as a lock kept in a broach or as elaborate as pictures or jewelry. Perhaps the most high profile pieces are hair wreaths, which often include individual flowers made from the hair of relatives added near the end of their lives or posthumously in memoriam.

“A lot of people think all hair art involved mourning,” Matthews said. “Well, in some cases it did, but not all of the time.”

It was also part of coming of age and courtship.

In the case of the former, the women of a household often put their heads — err, the hair on their heads — together and made a chain for a young man receiving his first pocket watch at age 14. In the case of the latter, it was offered to love interests as proof of commitment. In that arena, there’s an oft-told story about Abraham Lincoln’s wife’s father, a widower, who mailed a woman a lock of his hair.

“He was proposing marriage and wanted to show that he was serious,” Matthews said. “Something like that really cemented your feelings. It was serious; you didn’t just send anyone your hair.”

As Matthews discovered by collecting and researching, each piece of hair art can tell many stories including details about when and how it was made.

WHAT: 43rd annual Folk Arts Fair:

Village of Traditions WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

& Sunday, June 4 & 5 WHERE: Sharlot Hall Museum,

415 W. Gurley St., Prescott, 928-445-3122 WORTH: $8 for adults, $3 for

museum members, free for

children 17 or younger WEB: Sharlot.Org Lock picking Though examples of hair art can be traced back to the 1100s, its zenith in popularity was the latter half of the 19th century in Scandinavian countries, England, the rest of Eurpe, and America.

Stateside, this straddled the Civil War. In many cases, soldiers left a lock of their hair for loved ones in case they didn’t make it back. Pins and lockets are common in this vein. Across the pond, the Victorian Era was hair art’s high-water mark, and it owed much of its popularity to the period’s namesake.

“The Queen of England, a particularly sentimental woman, combined her hair with her husband’s as a celebration of their marriage, which helped popularize the craft,” Matthews said, referring to the 1840 marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. (The queen was buried in 1901 with a lock of another man’s hair, but that’s a different story.)

Hair art fell out of fashion shortly following World War I. “Women starting bobbing their hair and skirts started getting shorter,” Matthews explained. “You had to be modern — you know, a ‘Thoroughly Modern Milly.’”

That’s a far cry from a causal connection, though.

“There’s no clear reason why it falls out of fashion,” Matthews said. “People seemed to think it was too sentimental or unsanitary.”

Still, during, it’s heyday in the 19th century, hair art was the height of fashion and you could order away for custom items from catalogs. (Ads for human-hair watch chains appeared in Sears catalogs as late as the early 1900s.)

“There were also people, called ‘jobbers’ who traveled around to larger cities,” Matthews said.

“They’d advertise they were going to be there from such-and-such-a-date to such-and-such-a-date, and to ‘bring me your hair,’ which they would, ‘craft into a device.’”

There were even schools that taught the skill, and, as such, there were newspaper ads for said schools.

The institutions catered to children, presumably as a way for them to use those dexterous fingers for additional income and job training.

And, as it turns out, hair art wasn’t so cheap.

12 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Buy a thread Despite the variety of intents and designs, hair art often represented a specific subset of people economically and culturally.

“Quite frankly, a lot of these items were from rich white folks,” Matthews said. “In a lot of other cultures, human hair is considered taboo and there’s a lot of superstitions about it.”

Hair art is, inevitably, personal. Even in the case of wearable hair art, most people kept items close to their person. The exception is watch chains, which saw heavy use, and usually have the most ware, Matthews said.

Although some pieces are dated, Matthews often has little to go on for context.

“When you buy these, especially from antique shops or estates, you don’t know much about them,” Matthews said. “Unless there’s providence, you’ve just got the item.”

Mysteries abound. To whit, one woman’s broach in her collection has two men’s names with dates.

“Now, that could’ve been from a father and a husband,” Matthews said. “It could’ve been worn by a wife or a daughter. It’s difficult to say.”

When dates are close together and there’s only one source of hair, it’s often from a child.

“Infant mortality was really high then, especially because there was no vaccine for yellow fever,” Matthews explained.

On a lighter note, there are also quirky dated postcards, many of them in German or French, that have illustrations incorporating human hair. There’s scant information on their production, however. Given the women’s clothing and hair styles, these were probably made until the 1920s.

Generally, hair art was passed down through families.

“If the family member knew the person, they usu-

ally wouldn’t dispose of it,” Matthews said. “Eventually, it gets to a point in the ancestry when whoever gets it didn’t know the person and wanted to get rid of it.”

She has a hair wreath that illustrates the progression perfectly. Neat rows of tightly constructed flowers from one generation yield looser constructions row after row.

“Toward the end of the wreath, there are just tufts of hair and a picture with a black satin mourning ribbon,” Matthews said. “You can see that within one generation it fell out of favor and then the person didn’t know how to do the art anymore. Another scenario is that there were no more jobbers and someone just had to wing it. It’s difficult to say what happened.”

Hair today ...

In the course of collecting hair art, questioning the methodology of its creation is inexorable. And, as you may’ve already noticed, there’s a suspicious lack of information on that topic here.

You can ask Debra Matthews yourself at Sharlot Hall Museum’s 43rd annual Folk Arts Festival. If you’re reading this in print, that’s next month: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. If you’re reading this online, that’s equally true, but might be less relevant depending on the date.

Matthews has both academic and practical knowledge in this arena.

“About fives years ago, I started using my own hair and also did a pair of earrings with my hair and my boyfriend’s,” Matthews said. “It’s one of the reasons I let my hair grow like this.”

She’s referring to her banana locks, a hair style popular during the Civil War era.

“It’s actually really to easy to do. I just put it up in sponge rollers at night and put mousse in it in the morning,” Matthews said. “A lot of people know me because of my hair. It’s become my trademark.”

You’ve probably seen her around town, actually. The California transplant (she lived there and worked for GTE for thirty years) sports the anachronistically stylish hairdo on a daily basis.

Matthews has been volunteering at Sharlot Hall Museum for about a decade and been working in the archives for about four years. While she’s found no evidence of jobbers plying their hair art trade in Prescott, there’s at least one backing page in a Sharlot Hall scrapbook that includes a newspaper mail-away advert for hair art jewelry.

She loves bringing in her personal collection for the annual folk arts fair. Patrons’ reactions may surprise you.

“The men are fascinated and ask questions about the artistry,” Matthews said. “It’s mostly been women who are put off by it.”

She fields all kinds of questions from how and why hair art is made to how she assembles, stores, and maintains her collection. It’s the proverbially inquisitive children, though, who ask her favorite

questions. One piece, in particular, is always a big hit with them.

“I’ve got a ring that’s probably my oldest piece that I bring and I have a big magnifying glass for them to look at the writing and the date,” Matthews said. “It says —” Wait, did you really think we’d spoil the surprise? ***** Debra Matthews is sharing her knowledge and collection of hair art at the 43rd annual Folk Arts Fair 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5 at Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St. $3 members, $8 general, free for 17 or under. Find out more at Sharlot.Org. James Dungeon is a figment of his own imagination.

And he likes cats. Contact him at JamesDungeonCats @Gmail.Com.

LEFT TO RIGHT: An image from “Self Instructor: Art of Hair Work,”

by Mark Campbell, 1867, Public domain; hair art and watch chains; hair art postcards; Debra Matthews. All hair art from Debra Matthews’ personal collection.

All photos by Chad Castigliano of Chronicker Photography for 5enses.

13

News From the Wilds Skyward

M

By Ty Fitzmorris ay is the great turning of spring to summer in the Mogollon Highlands of Arizona. Winter is firmly past, and the seasonal creeks usually run with the very last percolating snowmelt, while extraordinary flowers abound. But May is also the beginning of the dry season, as regional climate patterns shift, and the winter storms that had been flung off of large storm systems over the Pacific are replaced by northering warm, wet air masses from the Sea of Cortez. Eventually, these air masses will mature into the titanic cumulonimbus and torrential rains of our summer monsoon, but they are fueled by heat, which will not build sufficiently until late June.

We are lucky enough to have not one, but two distinct flowering seasons per year— our first great flowering happens this month, while the other is after the mid-summer monsoon rains. Interestingly, many of our flowering plant species are unique to one or the other period.

This bimodal flowering season is matched by peaks in activity in our animal species, as well. Insect activity follows flowering very closely, as insects either pollinate flowers or disperse the seeds that result from that pollination. The peak in bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian activity follows shortly after insects, as insects constitute much of their diets.

Because of this, the diversity of species and behaviors that can be seen by the observant naturalist this month is nearly bewildering. More new groups of insects emerge day by day — look especially for the first damselflies of the season, flying near water like little, graceful dragonflies, blue and iridescent red. New butterflies continue to appear, including Sisters, Great Purple Hairstreaks, metalmarks, snouts, checkerspots, skippers, and buckeyes.

W

hile this last year’s El Niño weather pattern has largely failed to fulfill predictions for

• May 5: Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower. The peak of this moderate shower is after midnight with meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Aquarius. The dark skies of the new Moon makes for ideal viewing conditions, which can reveal up to 30 meteors per hour.

Seven Common Merganser chicks and their mother take a break from fishing to inspect otter scat on Oak Creek. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris. increased precipitation, it continues to destabilize climate worldwide, including that of the Mogollon Highlands where it will likely alter our usual May phenology. The warm band of surface water along the equator in the Pacific Ocean has caused an area of very stable air to lock up the equatorial zone, displacing storm systems to the north and south. When northerly storm systems come near to the equator, they splinter small moist air masses off of this stable zone, sending them occasionally in our direction.

This has caused an unusual storm profile for our spring storms — warm high-pressure systems from the south that build through the morning, bringing rain and dispersing somewhat by evening. These systems fit our monsoon weather pattern more than our winter storm pattern, in which low pressure systems roll through over the course of several days from the west, though some of these storms are hybrids of the two types. The lucky consequence of this climatic disturbance is that the Mogollon Highlands have received nearly 60 percent of our average precipitation for 2016 so far, which will drive a moderate spring bloom, and will provide enough water to keep fuel moistures high and possibly take the edge off of the upcoming fire season.

14 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

A

s temperatures rise and relative humidity falls through this month, the risk of wildfire increases dramatically, which is exacerbated by woody plant die-offs from pest outbreaks. Fire has long been an integral part of the landscapes of western North America, and many of our ecosystems rely on it, but due to long-term fire suppression and changes in the fire regime from non-native grasses, fires now are often much larger and more destructive than any time in the past. It is extremely important that humans, as the primary cause of fires, handle all incendiary material carefully during this time, and refrain especially from throwing cigarettes out of car windows and driving cars and ATVs off road or in dry grasses. With careful management, such as that provided by the the Prescott National Forest staff, fire can be reintroduced into our wild areas, to the benefit of our fire-dependent landscapes. ***** Ty Fitzmorris is an itinerant and often distractible naturalist who lives in Prescott and is proprietor of the Peregrine Book Company, Raven Café, Gray Dog Guitars, and is cofounder of Milagro Arts, a community arts nexus, all as a sideline to his natural history pursuits. He can be reached at Ty@PeregrineBook Company.Com.

• May 6: New Moon at 12:29 p.m.

• May 9: Rare transit of Mercury across Sun. Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, will pass across the face of the Sun during sunrise. This is an extremely rare event, occurring at odd intervals — there will be one other transit of this type in 2019, after which the next will be in 2039.

Always remember to view the Sun through safe viewing equipment, such as a pinhole camera or welding glass.

•May 14: Conjunction between Jupiter and waxing Moon.

The waxing gibbous Moon and Jupiter will appear within 1.5 degrees of each other in the sky after midnight.

•May 21: Full Blue Moon at 2:15 p.m. This month’s full Moon is the third of four to fall within one season, and is therefore called a “blue Moon.” The full Moon occurs when the Moon, Earth, and Sun are all in alignment (in that order), and the Moon’s face therefore appears fully illuminated from Earth.

•May 22: Mars at Opposition.

The planet will be exactly opposite the Sun from Earth, as well as nearing its closest point to Earth, making for optimal viewing conditions. A medium-sized telescope will reveal details of the red planet’s surface. Mars rises in the east at sunset and is at the zenith at midnight.

News From the Wilds, too A very brief survey of what’s happening in the wilds ...

An Eastern Collared Lizard shows off his breeding plumage in Sycamore Canyon. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

By Ty Fitzmorris High mountains • Raven young begin hatching, and both parents begin around-the-clock nest brooding. During this time pairs are rarely seen flying, though groups of young Ravens can still be seen together.

• Fendler’s Meadow Rue begins flowering.

• Fendler’s Ceanothus in full flower.

Visit: Maverick Mountain Trail, No. 65.

Ponderosa Pine forests • Whitetail Deer finish their spring molt, acquiring their soft reddish to tan summer coats.

• Porcupines begin giving birth.

These remarkable mammals are rare in the Central Highlands, but can be found sometimes in high Aspen glades.

• Acorn Woodpecker young begin fledging, and can sometimes be seen leaning out of nest holes in Ponderosa Pines. They might do this for weeks before attempting flight.

• Spikes of violet lupines (Lupinus spp.) and flocks of pink Woodhouse’s Phlox (Phlox speciosa) abound, drawing bumblebees and digger bees.

Visit: Miller Creek Trail, No. 367.

Pine-Oak woodlands • Oak species continue to drop last year’s leaves, which change from orange-red to a soft light green as new leaves unfurl. Oaks flower during this time as well, causing allergies for many.

• Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) flowers abundantly. Look for hummingbirds visiting the flowers.

• Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) sets seed. These spiral seeds are fire-adapted, and drill themselves into the ground deep enough to survive mild fires. They drop now in advance of the upcoming fire season.

Visit:Little Granite Mountain Trail, No. 37.

Pinyon-Juniper woodlands • Wolfberry (Lycium macrodon) flowering.

• Clark’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus clarkii), though furtive, can be seen as they conclude their mating season and prepare to lay eggs.

• Piñon pines (Pinus edulis and P. monophylla) flower as they put on new growth on their branch-tips.

• Parry’s Agave flowers, beginning in the lower elevations, drawing bats, hummingbirds, and bees to its red and yellow blooms.

Visit: Tin Trough Trail, No. 308.

Grasslands • Pronghorn young are now over two months old, and can routinely be seen with herds, running as fast as adults.

• Globemallow (Sphaeralcea spp.), yellow evening primrose (Oenothera spp.), and Spanish Bayonet (Yucca baccata) flowering.

• Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula) flowers from now until August.

This is one of over 20 species of milkweeds native to Arizona, all of which provide crucial food sources for Monarch Butterflies, the populations of which have been recently discovered to be declining rapidly.

Many milkweeds can be cultivated, which helps Monarch populations.

For more information on this, go to MakeWayForMonarchs.Org. Visit: Mint Wash Trail, No. 345.

Riparian areas • Fremont Cottonwoods continue to release their fibrous, cottony seeds in large clouds. Cotton can form drifts several inches thick, especially in areas of dense cottonwoods, such as the Granite Dells, Watson and Willow lakes, and Granite Creek in downtown Prescott.

• Riverside sedges flower while Texas Mulberry bears its fruit.

• Young Anna’s Hummingbirds begin fledging, while Black-chinned Hummingbirds finish building their nests of spider webs and lichen and lay eggs.

• Warbler migration reaches its peak early in the month. Many exotic warblers have already been seen this year, including Olive, Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Hermit, and Common Yellowthroat. Our resident species are nearly all returned now, as well, including Lucy’s, Yellow, Red-faced, Virginia’s, Grace’s, and Orange-

crowned Warblers as well as the Yellow-breasted Chat and the rare Painted Redstart, all of which are beginning to nest and lay eggs.

Visit: Willow Lake Loop Trail, off of Willow Creek Road in Prescott.

Deserts/Chaparral • Many species of cactus flower, including pink and yellow prickly pears, hedgehog cacti, and, at the upper limit of the Sonoran Desert, Saguaros. Look for native solitary cactus bees visiting all of these flowers.

• Palo Verde trees continue to flower, along with Velvet Mesquite and various acacias, mimosas, and some species of yucca.

• Sub-shrubs (small woody plants less than 2’ high) flowering abundantly. Look especially for Feather Dalea (Dalea formosa), resplendent with vibrant, though tiny, purple flowers, which are surrounded by feathered filaments.

• Gila Monsters become active, searching for mammals and bird nests in dry desert uplands.

Visit: Aqua Fria National Monument.

Weather Average high temperature: 75.5 F (+/-4) Average low temperature: 41.1 F (+/-3.9) Record high temperature: 97 F (2012) Record low temperature: 5 F (1899) Average precipitation: 0.47” (+/-0.5”) Record high precipitation: 2.35” (1992) Record high snowfall: 6” (1915) Record low precipitation: 0” (22 percent of years on record) Max daily precipitation: 1.3” (May 10, 1922) Source: Western Regional Climate Center

15

Considering culture

Traditional & contemporary American Indian art returns to ’Tis

By Robert Blood [Editor’s note: The following interview was culled from conversations between the reporter and artist Filmer Kewanyama and Patti Ortiz, marketing and art education coordinator at ’Tis Art Center & Gallery.

“Journeys in Spirit 2016,” which features some of Kewanyama’s pieces, runs May 19-June 21 at ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223. The opening reception is 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 27.

Artist demonstrations, discussions, and dances take place May 28-30.

Find out more at TisArtGallery.Com and SmokiMuseum.Org.]

A sculptural workin-progress by Filmer Kewanyama.

Courtesy photo.

How many years has the “Journeys in Spirit” show been at ‘Tis and what’s the idea behind it?

Ortiz: We’ve been doing this since 2010. Fil was involved from day one, and used to be the curator. He’s become so popular these days that we wanted to give him more time to do his art, but he still participates.

The idea of the show is to showcase contemporary and traditional approaches of American Indian artists today in a modern gallery setting.

Kewanyama: The main thing, I think, is showcasing local Native artists. It just happens to be right alongside the Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show, which is all about Western and Southwestern art.

What makes the show unique is all the other things that happen during that overlap, like the native dances

-No Usage Limits-No Contracts Required-Free Install Options-Fast Local Support-

We will work with you.

16 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

by dancers coming from the reservation, and showing what the ceremonies are about. They did two buffalo dances last year in the gallery.

People can come in and see that, and that’s special.

Why the mix of traditional and contemporary art?

Kewanyama: A lot of us lean both ways as far as art goes. I do a lot of traditional painting, but if my mind decides on something else, I’ll paint something more contemporary. We exhibit our traditional art, but you have to recognize there are other approaches. That’s what attracts people to the gallery, I think.

It’s a love of art. It’s a love of change.

Ortiz: It’s certainly evolving.

Kewanyama: We’ve had an artist, for instance, a Navajo artist who works with ink, Dustin Lopez.

We’ve had a female artist, Night Zamora, who has chosen photography as her medium, and another, Jacq Caudell, who makes tiles. These are contemporary approaches that will make you really want to look at these pieces again. It’s not all one type of traditional acrylic painting.

There are different mediums. Last year I showcased a sculpture in its raw form, oil-based clay, that wasn’t bronzed. I wanted people to see it that way. Actually, I got a commission later because of that piece, so that was pretty nice.

Ortiz: ‘Tis, by nature, is just contemporary art. It’s nice to see that mixture of the old and the new in there. It’s a beautiful range of mediums. Even the jewelry — it’s not just one type of, say, beading or silversmithing.

Kewanyama: It’s not just one tribe, either. It’s a mixture.

When some people hear “American Indian art show” or “Native American art,” a particular image probably pops into their heads. Do you try to cater to that or challenge those expectations?

Kewanyama: Well, let’s put it this way. … When I talk to an artist about the show who’s interested, I ask them if they’d do something

that has a native look or feel to it. If someone wanted to do photography, maybe their subject matter is houses on the rez. So, in a way, I guess we do cater to the public’s expectations.

Part of that’s because another one of the goals of the show is to educate the public. Say there’s a picture of a Kiva and someone doesn’t know what that is. They’re encouraged to ask, and the artist has a chance to talk about their culture and heritage. … I guess it challenges people, too.

Actually, a lot of people who move here only know one tribe in Arizona: the Navajo. They don’t know about the 21 tribes in this state alone. Even as people on the inside of that, we learn about other tribes and other traditions as a result of shows like this. If you’re going to live here in Arizona, then you might as well know who your neighbors are. …

There was a family here from Norway in April, and the little boy asked me some questions for a history assignment about Native Americans.

Kids are so honest — I love that. He was surprised by what he saw. He really thought we’d have teepees.

That question was an opportunity to talk to him about pueblos and adobe housing.

Ortiz: Years ago, I had friends visiting from Argentina who wanted to see the Grand Canyon. Lilo, who is ever inquisitive, turns from looking into the canyon and asks, “Pat, where are the Indians?” I guess she expected them to be wearing headdresses or something. Anyway, I pointed to the young man in the flannel shirt standing right behind her.

Kewanyama: That’s what happens. It’s a good way to teach people about who you are. At the same time, that person may want to talk about who he or she is. They might be Irish or German. People’s ancestry is important and it’s something to be celebrated.

Ortiz: One of my favorite things from last year were the Buffalo dancers from the Acoma Pueblo. On the second day of the show, they decided to come through the back door where they were let in by a young couple who had been married the

the night before in the ‘Tis third floor banquet hall and were back to return their key. Well, they all came down in the elevator together. When the door opened, there was an elevator full of dancers in full attire, and a bride and groom smiling from ear to ear. That’s a memory that will stay with them forever.

What aspects of the show are you excited about this year?

Ortiz: This is our third year in a row doing this in partnership with the Smoki Museum. Cindy Gresser has been assisting Judith Skinner, who is our gallery curator, as the exhibit curator since Fil took a step back so he could paint and sculpt.

She has helped open up a lot of new avenues for connections. Without Fil’s connections, it was going to be very hard to reach out and find artists. We are grateful to have the help and support of Cindy and the Smoki Museum. And you know what? The shows just keep getting better.

Kewanyama: Last year, we had more people than usual come up and say it was the best show that it’s ever been. You know, when we started the show it was only Hopi artists. After a

few times, we realized we were only tapping a portion of the population.

As the show gets bigger, it encompasses more and more groups. That’s exciting. Having the native show right across from the big Western show is a pretty neat thing. It brings those two ideas together, and that’s an important thing. The dances are always exciting. It’s interesting to see them, you know, in the city. It’s part of your home that’s come back. … I’m very thankful to the gallery and the staff and the founder. We gave this show a test drive and it’s just caught on. We were sure for a while it was going to fade away, but we’ve gotten so much positive feedback the last couple of years and it’s grown.

***** “Journeys in Spirit 2016,” traditional and contemporary art by American Indian artists, runs May 19-June 21 at ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928775-0223. The opening reception is 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 27. Artist demonstrations, discussions, and dances take place May 28-30. Find out more at TisArtGallery.Com and SmokiMuseum.Org. Robert Blood is a Mayer-ish-based freelance writer and ne’er-do-well who’s working on his last book, which, incidentally, will be his first.

Contact him at BloodyBobby5@ Gmail.Com.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Virgil Nez and Patti Ortiz discuss Native art; Filmer Kewanyama discusses his art.

Courtesy photos.

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Screen with a view

Diagnosis: Technology

“

By Paolo Chlebecek Should I upgrade to Windows 10 or not?”

Since last July, I’ve been getting that question a lot.

The answer isn’t as clear as you’d probably like. Let’s take this one step at a time. ...

Microsoft Windows has been adopted as a desktop platform operating system for nearly 30 years with the introduction of Windows 1.0.

Now with over 85 percent of market share worldwide, Windows — in whatever version that’s out there — has kept its lead over competitors thus far.

Today, Windows 10 (or, simply, Windows) has nearly 14 percent of all computers worldwide. That number keeps climbing, probably due to the fact Microsoft has made it available for free to all Windows 7 and 8 users until July 29, 2016.

Considering Windows renovations To be Win 10, or not to be Win 10?

That is (still) the question. Indulge me a personal anecdote or two.

I

have a nice Dell Latitude laptop that had Windows 7 on it.

It’s not my main computer, but when I’m away from the office, I take it with me. As I mentioned in a previous column, I prefer a solid state drive, and this one has it as well as other features that makes this a competent and capable business workhorse. I decided I should upgrade to Windows 10 to test out the procedure and the new Windows.

Well, as Jeff Albertson (aka “Comic Book Guy”) from “The Simpsons” would say, “Worst upgrade ever!”

It was so bad that I had to download a disc and manually follow the recovery procedures. After nearly half a work day, I finally got it working with Windows 10. Keep in mind that

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I’m an experienced technician. I also upgraded before the major February 2016 update. So for an early adopter like me, this wasn’t surprising.

At the other end of the spectrum, I also have a Windows 8 tablet computer. After recovering for a while from my earlier drama with the laptop, I needed to make the tablet more functional with Windows 10. So, I had a moment of silence and prepared myself for the long haul to upgrade this little guy and release it from the terrible shackles of Windows 8.

Lo and behold, it was the best upgrade I’ve ever done. I had to do virtually nothing by comparison. A few clicks to download and install and about an hour later it was ready.

I needed then to perform a few more update sessions, but it was fine.

Much to my surprise and delight, there were no problems at all.

Since then, I’ve successfully upgraded a number of my clients from Windows 7 to 10 with little or no issues. In fact, one client had a few significant issues with her Windows 7 laptop that Windows 10 actually fixed. Subsequently, many other friends and customers have shared similar positive stories.

B

ut … some customers have also reported that one day their computer had been updated without their consent. They use the computer one day with Windows 7 or 8 and, bam, the next day

it had Windows 10. That’s especially concerning for those who’ve got medical or other sensitive programs that aren’t yet compatible with the new guy on the block.

And what if you don’t want Windows 10? A simple, free program called GWX Control Panel has successfully blocked the install on one of my computers and literally thousands of others. It’s available for free from UltimateOutsider.com. (GWX stands for Get Windows 10. It simply controls whether you get it or not.)

Back to the question at hand — i.e. whether to upgrade to Windows 10 or not. Well. Hmm. … It’s up to you.

A lot of people like the interface and have had easy transitions from their current systems. Microsoft 7 will be officially supported by Microsoft until Jan. 14, 2020. Windows 8 gets the same treatment until Jan. 10, 2023. Incidentally, Windows 10 will be supported until Oct. 14, 2025.

(Editor’s note: There’s no Windows 9 because … sigh … 7 8 9.)

Most new PCs will come with Windows 10, so you’d probably better get used to it. ***** Paolo Chlebecek is founder and owner of PaoloTek, which he started in 2003. He loves dogs of all sorts and oddly finds himself driving around town between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. every weekday. Wave hi when you see him or contact him at Paolo@PaoloTek.Com

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18 • COLUMN • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Prescott Film Festival’s SCRIPT NOTES

Real to reel

Finding future film stars

I

By Helen Stephenson

Sarah Lehleitner will teach the Acting for Film workshop. She’s the drama teacher at Prescott High School and teaches the new dual enrollment class there for the Yavapai College Film and Media Arts Program.

The Verde Valley and Prescott Filmmaker Boot Camp workshops are $100 each. The Acting For Camera workshop is $80. Students can register for the Verde Valley Filmmaker Boot Camp by calling 928-634-6530 or emailing Linda.Buchanan@YC.Edu. Prescott College for Kids students can register online at College for Kids: Prescott, or by call 928-717-7755. ***** Helen Stephenson is the director of the Yavapai College Film and Media Arts Program and executive director and founder of the Prescott Film Festival, where her thirst for independent cinema is quenched.

4 Prescott’s 4th Friday

ART WALKS

’S

4FRIDAY COT T

F

uture auteurs start the week with basic film terminology and crew positions. Next, they watch and discuss high quality short films and learn about the visual language of film, dialogue, and editing. Camera language, coverage, and then screenwriting will be covered. And that’s only Day One — whew! The rest of the week students write a script, read it aloud, decide on which scripts to shoot, and then move into pre-production, production, shooting, and then editing of their films.

Jeff Wood, the screenwriting instructor for the Yavapai College Film and Media Arts Program, will teach the Filmmaker Boot Camp.

Budding actors, ages 8-17, who want to hone their acting skills for camera can sign up for the Acting for Film class, July 18-21. Young thespians ready for their close-ups learn how acting techniques differ from the stage to film and television, along with slating, personality clips for commercials, improv, and creating characters. Lessons include tips on auditioning and the business of acting. Students perform scenes and monologues in front of the camera and learn how to create a fun and realistic on-screen character.

Students work on a film during Yavapai College’s Filmmaker Boot Camp. Courtesy photo.

PRE S

t’s almost summer, which is … blockbuster movie season. We’re running to the theater to watch the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie, (yes, really), “Warcraft,” “Ghostbusters,” “Independence Day: Resurgence,” “Ben Hur,” “Pete’s Dragon.” See a theme here?

Hollywood is living off the bones of old stories, relentlessly rebooting, sequel-ing and prequel-ing their film slates. Why? Movies are huge business run by corporations and committees that include accountants who are averse to risk and not prone to originality. Where does that leave original film ideas? Enter independent film.

Every summer, the Prescott Film Festival brings unique indie films, free workshops, guest filmmakers, and more to town. This year, during the festival, teens have a chance to express their own creative and unique ideas via a one-week intensive Filmmaker Boot Camp. There will be two sessions. The first is July 11-14 at the Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus. The second is July 18-21 at the Prescott Campus. Student created films from both sessions will screen the final day of the Prescott Film Festival, July 24.

EVERY

TH

2016 January 22 February 26 March 25 April 22 Beginning at 5 PM May 27 June 24 July 22 August 26 September 23 October 28 November 25

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5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • FEATURE • 19

20

Happy Mother’s Day

From Chronicker Photography, 5enses, & The Whimsical Woodsman.

Photos of The Whimsical Woodsman by Chad Castigliano/Chronicker Photography.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2016 • FEATURE • 21

Not-asholy days

W

hen’s the last time you actually danced around a maypole or called your mother? Try something else new. Consider celebrating ...

May 3: World Press Freedom Day • Black, and white, and read all over.

May 4: Star Wars Day • May the fourth be with you.

May 6: Space Day • Space is the place.

May 9: Lost Sock Memorial Day • Darn it.

May 11: Twilight Zone Day • End zone dance.

May 12: Limerick Day • There once was a man from Nantucket ...

T

he Arapaima is an extremely large freshwater fish. Some measure more than 16 feet in length. Their mouths and tongues are covered with bone which makes eating prey fish more of a matter of grinding the hapless grist animals into a pulp than swallowing. Because of this oral toughness, the Arapaima can even eat the spiny armored catfish of Brazil. All adults actively breathe air; only the baby Arapaima use gills exclusively for breathing.

ODDLY ENOUGH ... The males guard the eggs and the fry. When danger approaches, the young fish quickly swim into the adult’s mouth for protection. When they grow too large to hide in the father’s jaws, they swim behind his enormous head following a secreted substance that attracts them. This relationship goes on for months. Should the daddy fish die, the young will pick up the scent of another male and join his brood. *****

May 17: Pack Rat Day • Have you seen the Collyer brothers?

May 18: Museum Day • For your consideration, Exhibits A-Z. May 25: Tap Dance Day • Rap, tap, tappity, tap.

May 28: Jazz Day • Scat your heart out.

T

he bizarre Velvet Worm, living in hot, humid environments around the world, moves by means of hydraulic action. Having no joints or exoskeleton, its tube feet are inflated and deflated like cylinder-shaped balloons in order to move. Recessed inside each tube foot is a pair of hard claws which can be exposed to help climb trees or rocky structures. Reproduction involves the females releasing a chemical that actually burns an opening into her own skin allowing the male sperm packet access to her bloodstream as the wound heals. As ambush predators, these small creatures squirt slimy glue onto their prey which hardens quickly, trapping victims sometimes larger than the Velvet Worm itself. The Worms then leisurely dismember the victim with their jaws and the saliva turns it into thick slurry.

ODDLY ENOUGH … Velvet Worms have also been known to hunt in packs with the females leading the chase. ***** Russell Miller is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, bagpiper, motorcycle enthusiast, and reference librarian. Currently, he illustrates books for Cody Lundin and Bart King.

Lotus Bloom Yoga Studio 22 • FEATURE • MAY 2016 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

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